Dungeons of Strata - A LitRPG Series

Deepest Dungeon, Book 1

By: G. D. Penman

Narrated by: Adam Sims

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Martin's raiding guild join the latest virtual reality MMO, they discover a challenge like no other. Strata Online is a 100-floor mega-dungeon, filled with an ever-shifting ecosystem of monsters.

Martin's team soon find themselves in a race against the world’s strongest guilds, all competing to be the first to reach the unbeatable game's lowest depths. With eternal fame and prizes on the line, Martin risks playing as a rarely chosen race: a Murovan rat-man, combined with the unusual exorcist class.

But unlike other games, he will need as much courage as skill to progress. Because the deeper he goes, the darker Strata gets.

©2019 Graeme Penman (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

couldn't finish

Maybe it's because I play video games for escapism and pleasure, but I can't stand whining about the game making you miserable. Stop playing and go to a new game.

The concept was interesting, but inconsistencies kept bugging me, especially with the whining of the main character.

All through the story, the MC keeps going on how it's just a game, but he keeps panicking each time he "thinks" his friend might be rushing to die. The MC is fine with other players dying, himself dying, but how dare his friend die.

There's other annoyances that kept me from getting into the book, which is a she cause I was enjoying the idea of a different race other than human or elf.

And the narrator's voice was an amazing job of keeping the whines of the MC a constant annoyance.

struggled throughout this

MC was ...boring? and story was a depiction of a sad gamers life it was not a fun listen the narrator was quite good thi

a shallow attempt that is inauthentic to gamers

we start with a gamer that doesnt want to read hype about the newest game. when they do get to play they pick the best class race combination because they're so amazing at seeing what no one else can. Of course the race is the black people of the game and is instantly distrusted by all the NPCs. when there is a chance to explore racism it must becomes a situation where the gamer kills his own people. what really clinched this terrible book is when a "Game Developer" does something that no developer would do and the gamer does nothing and tells no one about it.

this felt like part of a book and didn't finish

I felt like part of a book and didn't finish enough of it finished .

One of the best LitRPG's available!

I read a LOT of LitRPGs and this gem caught me by surprise. I was intrigued with the premise of a decidedly non-human game world but I loved the mystery surrounding the game (both inside and out) and the world at large. Oh I can't wait for more. Well done!

lots of...

there is a lot of introspection. the main character is always down on himself and in his head which I found kind of annoying.

plot holes and unlikable characters

the game is 2 dimensional, the big race to the finish doesn't sound interesting. every monster is basically a boss, and the plot armor is as thick as Lindsey is obnoxious.

interesting premise, but the world building is nearly nonexistent

LitRPG meets Lovecraftian Horror

Mark my words, this book is gonna blow up dudes. Holy crap I have not read a book this good in a long time. The plot is the perfect blend of my two favorite genres: litrpg and lovecraftian horror. And it is WELL DONE.

The characters are so vivid I felt like I’d been friends with them myself by the end and the plot is so thick with mystery and emotion that I questioned my own existence several times. Love it, love it, love it! Will be recommending this to all my friends and coworkers.

fantastic

redwall meets litrpg great idea. the author is very good about progressing his story and creating suspence and intrigue.

Could be a bad author or good AI

This is the story of someone who is either autistic or a sociopath, and their horrible meaningless life. Except in the video game they become a strategic mary sue. The plot and writing style make it clear this is another Eastern European pay to write my book as you see in many of the poorly created litrpg spam. (Dodge tank I am looking at you.).

Unless, it is actually an AI written piece. In which case I would concede respect, but it is still a tidal wave of teenage misery, lack of agency, and perpetual bullying with no recourse.

If this is an actual work by an author, then I pity them for the life they must be living and am glad they could have my $2.

Also, despite the statement at the end about concluding the story in the next book (which continues to be repeated) it is clear this another unending series.

There are Many other titles that make for a better experience.

A story on many levels

An excellent weave of Martin’s dull real life and his hero existence in a virtual reality video game with something dark in the background that affects both made this a really enjoyable book.

MMO

Read a few books where mmos become real and this one blows all of them out of the water

Wonderful deep dive into a new world.

Completely loved this book, totally took me back to my RPG days storming dungeons, bosses, online friendships that last beyond the game itself. The storyline has it all with a good narrator to help you sink deeply into the world G.D Penman has so lovingly created

This is book had with great moments in it, that had me laughing, cringing and at times wanting to slap my head at the joke. The characters are delightful and even without much deep delving into each one you can feel a connection with each of them especially if you've ever played a large scale MMORPG they feel real and alive.

I already have ideas of what could be going on with the entire concept of this series (which is now to be a Trilogy the author has announced) and I simply cannot wait to dive into Strata again