He Who Fights with Monsters: A LitRPG Adventure

He Who Fights with Monsters, Book 1

De: Shirtaloon, Travis Deverell

Narrado por: Heath Miller

Selected as one of Audible's best audiobooks of 2021

Jason wakes up in a mysterious world of magic and monsters.

It’s not easy making the career jump from office-supplies-store middle manager to heroic interdimensional adventurer. At least, Jason tries to be heroic, but it's hard to be good when all your powers are evil.

He’ll face off against cannibals, cultists, wizards, monsters...and that’s just on the first day. He’s going to need courage, he’s going to need wit, and he’s going to need some magic powers of his own. But first, he’s going to need pants.

After cementing itself as one of the best-rated serial novels on Royal Road with an astonishing 13 million views, He Who Fights with Monsters is now brought to you in professionally formatted audio.

©2021 Shirtaloon (P)2021 Podium Audio

sanctimonious main character

I don't know if it was intented or not by the author (given the Nietzsche quote) but the main character is incredibly unlikable. He is sanctimonious and so full of himself that I find myself rolling my eyes (as some of the other characters do). While he appears to be self aware of his flaws, it just seems like he can't help himself or more likely doesn't care. Overall, the story was enjoyable, but I can see people getting annoyed at the MC and his political ideas and losing interest (or even rage quitting). This series is definitely not for those who may be sensitive to this type of thing. Ironically, the MC would probably not care about those offended and would tell them to not let the door hit them on the way out. I admit that I am curious where the author is going with the MC's growth/arc. I wonder if the MC's personality flaws are intentional (i.e., irony) and his idealistic philosophy (and all-or-nothing thinking) will work out or come crashing down around him resulting in personal growth/change. Or is the author trying to preach to the reader, through his character, very specific political ideas (typical allegory stuff).

Mixed Bag

I probably should have paid more attention to the low star reviews because I pretty much agreed with them. I feel that the author made an interesting world, cool ability system, fun supporting characters and the narrator is great. I enjoyed the first 1/3 of the book and then boom…the main character started spouting out nonstop holier than though class differentiation poly science nonsense. On and on. It was so annoying that I was going to give up on the book but I like to see things thru so slogged thru….and then for the last 1/3 of the book it’s like the author was tired and needed a break after his nonstop rant, maybe he got an ice tea, took a walk, relaxed a little in the Sun and stepped down from the grand stand he was on to got back to writing a good ending. The author still put jabs in all over the place about the incompetence of the nobility, wealthy and self entitlement, etc etc…but the main character slowed down on spewing eco/class/wealth poly science crud land got back to business. The story became enjoyable and the ending fight was great. I actually enjoyed it enough to say that it salvaged the book for me and I’m going to get book 2.

Anyway, if you can stomach the preaching it’s pretty good.

Why do I have to add this?

The writers use of the word "said" in the beginning nearly made me give up on this book. That said, I loved this series. The main character is a snarky *** that is reminiscent of Deadpool, but Australian which makes it even better. For me at least, and yes it's because of the Ryan Reynolds/Hugh Jackman "feud". I've truly enjoyed the series and can't wait for book three, already pre-ordered.

Best Book of the Year

I usually listen to something along the lines of 30-40 litRPGs a year and this is by far the best one I have heard in some time. The characters are great, combat is easy to follow, the main character is compelling and complex.

I really can't pick out much of anything that I didn't like about it. I very rarely give a full five star rating across the board but this one gets one from me. I am very much looking forward to the second installment.

One of the best books I've read in a while.

There is a lot going on in this book with an interesting mc that isn't what you tend to expect from fantasy, well worth a credit.

good story, and puns

enjoy the story, well paste, loved the main guy and his humor.

can't wait to hear the next book.

Fun and Engaging

I wasn’t sure what to expect after reading some of the less flattering reviews, but was surprised and delighted by this book. Well some have complained that the main character spends too much time ranting about political socioeconomic status, or goes on diatribes about religion, I can only surmise that they are very sensitive souls.

At a couple of points in the novel, While engaging with members of the aristocracy, the character those comments and have brief debate about social inequality. The character doesn’t seem to hold radical views and indeed the author presents some aristocratic characters as responsible and contributing greatly to the good of society. But as the character points out, they are not required to do so which reflects the power they wield And some choose otherwise.

The character does mention his lack of religious faith at one point, but it’s in the context of meeting one of the gods of the fantasy world which of course it’s going to be an experience for someone formerly atheistic.

Both of these passages are brief and fit squarely in the context of the story. The story itself is a fairly simple and standard lit RPG template, but the characters stand out to me. I can see some readers getting tired of the snark the main character exudes, but I feel I know the type. And I feel the mix of compassion, sarcasm, and creepy dark powers makes for a well rounded and intriguing protagonist.

Overall, I see lit RPG as junk food for my brain. And like the best junk food, with this brand I kept coming back for more.

the good times never end

I actually love this book it was amazing. at times I would think that it was over only to realize that I had several hours left. I would say that this is definitely worth listening to despite the crazy pen name of the author

What a glorious surprise!!! Spectacular LitRPG

Love the characters, story & arcs! It’s like Cradle but with a more balanced & like able MC.

created a difficult work week!

you really need to set aside some significant time as I found this very difficult to set down!