Wicked West

A LitRPG Western

By: Matthew Davenport

Narrated by: Rene Henry

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Sammy Howell died at 89, but she signed a contract to continue on as a digital avatar. She didn't expect it would be the bloodiest wild west game ever.

Sammy Howell was widowed a few years back and threw her everything into being the best grandmother that she could. She buried her sadness and had fun.

Then she was diagnosed with cancer. Death was knocking on her door and the idea of putting her granddaughter, Winifred, through everything the elderly widow had just been through broke her heart.

That's when the salesmen from EveNet knocked on her door and offered something truly remarkable.

When Sammy passed, she would be allowed to continue on as a digital avatar in a game world, downloaded and considered dead by her family, but her avatar could stream games and earn revenue. Revenue that could be put toward helping better her granddaughter's life.

This a dream come true. She could still be there for Winnie, supporting her through life's ups and downs, and Winnie wouldn't need to know and could move on with her own life. Sammy could be her guardian angel.

She just had to pick a game. One game, for 250 levels, than you could change. Those were the rules. What game would she pick?She thought about her husband and the fun they had. Their love of the old classics, like Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Little House on the Prairie, Bonanza, Gunsmoke. Fun, hokey, old west shows that followed families surviving in the great plains.

That sealed it. She could do this and still keep her husband close to her, at least in spirit.

That's how she found herself in Wicked West.

What Sammy didn't realize was that Wicked West wasn't some hokey and fun old-timey show. Wicked West is a bloody war between players in an wild west setting. Kill or be killed. Survive or...wait an hour and try to survive again.

And if she doesn't start figuring it out soon, she's going to fail in her only promise to herself.... To spend her death helping Winnie.

©2023 Matthew Davenport (P)2023 Matthew Davenport

Fantastic fun story

WICKED WEST: A LIT-RPG WESTERN by Matthew Davenport was a hesitant buy for me as I am a big fan of the Andrew Doran series by the author (Indiana Jones vs. Cthulhu basically) but I'm not a fan of Lit-RPG at all. I think the only Lit-RPG I've ever enjoyed has been the Matt Dinniman DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL books. Still, I had an extra Kindle Unlimited slot so I decided to give it a shot and had a lot of fun with it.

The story has a unique premise that combines Upload and Red Dead Redemption Online. Samantha Howell is an octogenarian grandmother who discovers that her insurance covers an option to upload her post-mortem to a digital afterlife based on a variety of popular video games. Samantha is initially nonplussed by this and has almost no knowledge of what sort of games or afterlife she's going to be choosing but clicks yes anyway. She ends up in Wicked West, a simulation of life in Westerns, and almost immediately gets shot in the face.

After respawning, Samantha is forced to acknowledge that she's trapped in an environment that is more Westworld than Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman. Death may be cheap but the pain and confusion of being killed most certainly is not. The MMORPG is also overrun with griefers and jerks who prey upon helpless noobs that are just trying to orientate themselves to their new eternity.

Samantha soon finds out that life isn't great for 1st levels like her and the conflict between her own morality with the simulated nature of the game irritates her as well. The fastest way to level up is to be a murderous bandit after all. Really, it seems like she would have been a lot happier in a reality based on Star Dew Valley but you can't switch afterlives until you've hit level 250. So Samantha starts gathering a posse of her fellow white hats and tries to figure out if there's something they can do about the obnoxious jerks in her afterlife. Also, how to figure out how some players monetize their feeds in order to get some money to her adult but struggling daughter back in the real world.

I have to say that I like this book even if it's fairly low stakes and more of a slice-of-life than an adventure. After all, Samantha's biggest worry is being temporarily inconvenienced by griefers as opposed to being permanently killed. There's a lot of fun humor from her bemusement at the idiosyncrasies of how MMORPGs work as well. A murder spree, for example, would hurt her reputation but not so much that brushing her horse a few times wouldn't get it back up to "Beloved." The NPCs are also irritated with her constantly questioning the logic of some quests like why does she get to keep a horse if she's been hired to steal it?

Samantha isn't like the vast majority of Lit-RPG heroes with their large harems and incessant power gaming. She's a likable protagonist who is mostly interested in figuring out how to help her daughter and enjoy this weird new world without having to engage in too much violence. The fact she's really good at it and head shots are instantly lethal, no matter what your level, gives her at least some ability to fight back as well. Plus, she gets a talking horse and an old coot miner with their own secret past.

If you're looking for a enjoyable fantasy/scifi adventure without much in the way of permanent violence or hostility then this is a fun story to engage with. I have a lot of questions about how the world works and will probably pick up the sequel when it comes out. It's not an absolute must buy but definitely a good afternoon's read.

Real vs reality

I enjoyed this book/ audio even if it's fairly low stakes and more of a slice-of-life.
Samantha's biggest worry is being temporarily inconvenienced by griefers as opposed to being permanently killed. There is lot humor

An interesting western Litrpg

The story was decent to above average but the sound quality and effects were very distracting. The narration was good for the Mc and ok for the other roles. The main fault was the light static throughout the story and the effect noises sounded disjointed.

Wicked Wicked Wild West

Matthew Davenport's "Wicked West: A LitRPG Western" emerges as a unique and captivating tale, seamlessly blending elements of the popular TV series "Upload" and the immersive video game experience of "Red Dead Redemption Online." Narrated by the talented Rene Henry, the audiobook takes listeners on a journey that transcends the boundaries of life and death, introducing us to the unexpected digital afterlife of octogenarian grandmother Samantha Howell.

At the heart of this narrative lies a poignant decision faced by Samantha in her twilight years. Widowed and diagnosed with cancer, she confronts mortality with a desire to spare her granddaughter, Winifred, the pain of witnessing her decline. Enter EveNet, the enigmatic digital afterlife service, offering Samantha the chance to continue as a digital avatar in a game world, all while supporting her granddaughter financially. This sets the stage for an unusual and thrilling adventure in the Wild West-themed MMORPG, Wicked West.

The initial premise may draw parallels to the afterlife exploration in "Upload," but Wicked West takes an unexpected turn, proving to be more Westworld than the idyllic world of "Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman." As Samantha navigates this digital realm, she quickly discovers the harsh reality of her surroundings. Death may come easy, but the pain and confusion that accompany it are very real. The game is a battlefield, filled with griefers and ruthless players preying on newcomers like Samantha, who are merely trying to find their footing in this virtual eternity.

The story beautifully unfolds as Samantha grapples with the moral dilemma of the game. In a world where being a murderous bandit is the fastest route to leveling up, Samantha, true to her nature, seeks a different path. The narrative takes on a slice-of-life tone rather than a high-stakes adventure, with Samantha's biggest worry being the inconvenience caused by griefers rather than permanent death.

What sets "Wicked West" apart is its protagonist, Samantha Howell. Unlike typical LitRPG heroes with their larger-than-life personas, harems, and constant power gaming, Samantha is a relatable and likable character. Her primary focus is not on dominating the game but on helping her struggling daughter and finding joy in this peculiar new world. The narrative is peppered with humor, as Samantha questions the logic of MMORPG quests and grapples with the peculiarities of her digital existence.

The world-building is a testament to Davenport's creativity, and Rene Henry's narration brings it to life. The book successfully captures the essence of a Western video game, immersing the listener in the dusty landscapes and echoing gunshots of the Wild West. The inclusion of a talking horse and an enigmatic old miner adds a layer of charm and mystery to Samantha's journey.

The narrative also introduces an element of diversity, breaking away from conventional norms. Samantha, the main character, is of African descent, adding a refreshing perspective to the LitRPG genre. The book masterfully weaves an exciting and adventurous spirit into its plot, ensuring that listeners of all backgrounds can appreciate the richness of the story.

Despite the overall positive tone, the review acknowledges that "Wicked West" is more of a leisurely read than a high-octane adventure. Samantha's concerns revolve around navigating the challenges of the game and helping her daughter, rather than engaging in constant violence. This distinction makes the book an excellent choice for those seeking an enjoyable fantasy/sci-fi adventure without the heaviness of permanent violence or hostility.

One notable aspect of the book is its clever incorporation of game mechanics into the narrative. Samantha's confusion and amusement at the quirks of MMORPGs, such as the incongruity of maintaining a horse she's been hired to steal, add depth to the story. The book also explores the intriguing concept that, regardless of level, a bullet to the head is a definitive kill shot—a mechanic that adds tension to Samantha's digital existence.

While the review acknowledges minor audio quality issues, such as light static and disjointed effect noises, it emphasizes that these problems do not detract from the strength of the story or the authenticity of the characters. The issues are attributed to audio quality rather than faults in the narrative, reinforcing the audiobook's appeal despite these minor drawbacks.

"Wicked West" stands as a testament to Matthew Davenport's ingenuity in merging the worlds of LitRPG and Westerns. It offers a fresh and entertaining take on the digital afterlife genre, propelled by a relatable protagonist, creative world-building, and a touch of humor. Rene Henry's narration enhances the immersive experience, making it a worthwhile choice for those seeking a delightful escape into the Wild West, where the stakes may be low, but the adventure is undeniably enjoyable. If you're in search of a fantasy/sci-fi adventure with a unique twist, "Wicked West" is a worthy addition to your reading or listening list.

a fresh litrpg

This was a pretty interesting take on the lit rpg formula.
the MC has definitely some "get off my lawn, yunggins" vibes going but a caring grandma as well.
pretty good action as well.

A Rootin' Rootin' good time!

This book was overall a pleasant surprise for me on a lot of levels. It has an unusual main character for a LitRPG and it was a pleasant surprise. It is definitely not too crunchy in the stats, and I would probably classify it as GameLit instead of LitRPG. The narration is well done, and there are even a few sound effects to deepen the immersion. The pacing matches most westerns. The main story is wrapped up, but the bigger story is just beginning. I can't wait for volume 2

a good story with an interesting premise

a good story that has an interesting premise. story is a little stiff, but it gets better as it goes.

Noobs, Outlaws and a Talking Horse

This book has a great premise, a fun group of characters and some entertaining twists and turns.

The narrator has a really nice voice especially when she does the main character. However when she voices the male characters most of them have some type of speech impediment and it sounds borderline ridiculous.

If you are itching for a western theme Litrpg give this one a try. I look forward to the next in the series.

Rip roaring good time!

There is so much here to love. Now I want to play all my cowboy video games. Would love a full cast reading but that’s mostly a nit pick

Pleasant

I'm usually not a fan of Western-oriented books and entertainment. However, I wanted to give this book a chance because the main character was of African descent. The book was exciting and had an excellent, adventurous spirit that the listener will appreciate. I believe it's worth the credit.