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Hell to Pay - Ascend Online by Luke Chmilenko
Hell to Pay
Book 2 in the series:Ascend Online
Exciting, dark, and character-driven: a strong detour for Ascend Online fans, though the shift in focus and sparse stats may not be for everyone.

If you liked Hell to Pay, here are the top 32 books to read next:
(We also have 100 recommendations for the series: Ascend Online)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 32 
  1. #1

    Dragon Seed - Archemi Online by James Osiris Baldwin
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    A hefty, inventive LitRPG epic with deep lore and dark twists - great for fans of crunchy game worlds and immersive storytelling, but its grim tone and info-dense style aren’t for everyone.

    'Dragon Seed' in the series 'Archemi Online' by author James Osiris Baldwin is a dark and twisted fantasy novel set in a virtual world where humanity seeks refuge from a deadly virus and impending nuclear strike. The protagonist, Hector, a Korean American and dyslexic, escapes the real world war to enter Archemi as one of the first, aiming to become a Dragon Knight. The immersive VR RPG world of Archemi is a brutal and complex realm filled with slavery, racism, and violence, where the line between reality and game blurs as Hector navigates betrayals and uncovers dark secrets while trying to survive and fulfill quests.

    As Hector delves deeper into the game world, he encounters intriguing shadowed intrigues, deep lore, and a variety of races, quests, and characters that challenge his perceptions of good and evil. The narrative weaves a tale of constant betrayals, impossible odds, and surprising twists that keep readers engaged in a layered story that explores the darker side of human nature within a richly detailed game setting.

    February 2018
    430 pages

  2. #2

    The Prince Has No Pants - Ben's Damn Adventure by Matthew Howry
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    A hilarious, character-driven adventure perfect for fans of witty, offbeat sci-fi and LitRPG, but the leisurely pace and unconventional structure won’t click with everyone.

    'The Prince Has No Pants' in the 'Ben's Damn Adventure' series by Matthew Howry is a humorous and entertaining novel that follows the story of humanity getting sucked into a dungeon-style world where they have to fight for survival. The main character, MC, navigates this absurd world with wit and humor, facing challenges, solving problems, and interacting with a variety of beings in the dimension. The book blends elements of humor, humanity, and a touch of absurdity reminiscent of works by Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, creating a unique and engaging narrative.

    The plot unfolds in a serial format, with a focus on the MC's adventures, interactions, and exploration of the rules of the dimension. The story incorporates elements of LitRPG, showcasing levels, classes, and races, but the emphasis lies more on character development, relatable interactions, and a slice-of-life narrative that keeps readers engaged and entertained throughout the book.

    June 2020
    267 pages

  3. #3

    Six Sacred Swords - Weapons and Wielders by Andrew Rowe
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    A fast, fun, and witty adventure packed with puzzles, action, and lovable characters - a perfect palate cleanser for fans of light fantasy and RPG shenanigans. Just don’t expect epic gravitas or high drama - this one’s here for a good time!

    "Six Sacred Swords" in the series "Weapons and Wielders" by author Andrew Rowe is an origin story set in the Arcane Ascension universe, following the adventures of Keras Salaris. The story is told in first person perspective, focusing on Keras' journey through a continent filled with action-packed challenges, clever banter between characters, and a light-hearted tone that differentiates it from Rowe's previous works. introduces new characters, explores the magical systems of the world, and provides a humorous and fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged throughout.

    I didn’t notice any immediate dangers, fortunately. Based on the disruption in the foliage, I suspected I was on a path. The brush had been cleared in a broad enough swath that I suspect it was a huma...
    February 2019
    330 pages

  4. #4
    Opening Moves
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:The Gam3

    Opening Moves - The Gam3 by Cosimo Yap
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    A standout in the LitRPG space, blending clever sci-fi and game elements, but your mileage may vary depending on how much patience you have for a hesitant protagonist. Well worth a try for genre fans!

    The novel 'Opening Moves' in the series 'The Gam3' by Cosimo Yap follows the journey of Alan, a young man who enters The Game, a universal virtual reality with real-world implications. The story is written from a first-person POV, focusing on Alan's character development as he navigates the complexities of the Game, learning about its mechanics and facing challenges such as terrorist attacks and powerful adversaries. The plot involves intricate world-building, complex game mechanics, and a blend of sci-fi elements with fantasy-inspired gameplay.

    A ray of light broke Alan's reverie, a dream he couldn't recall being real. He had been in a serene, white room, or so he thought, but was now lying in a field of yellow, dried out grass. Looking arou...
    March 2016
    355 pages

  5. #5
    Ravenous
    Book 1 in the series:Necrotic Apocalypse

    Ravenous - Necrotic Apocalypse by David Petrie
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    A clever, fun, and witty LitRPG zombie apocalypse romp with a unique magic system and a hilariously sardonic undead main character. A must for fans of humorous fantasy and creative twists on the apocalypse.

    'Ravenous' in the series 'Necrotic Apocalypse' by David Petrie is a unique take on the zombie apocalypse genre. The story follows Digby Graves, an undead character with a sarcastic edge, as he navigates a world filled with blood, gore, and humor. The book is praised for its creative use of LitRPG elements, combining modern and medieval settings to create a fresh and entertaining narrative. Readers enjoyed the well-written characters, fast-paced action, and the intriguing twist of viewing the zombie apocalypse from the perspective of the undead.

    The plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, engaging readers with clear sides, goals, and stakes as the story progresses. Despite a few initial pacing issues, the book gains momentum with the introduction of a clear antagonist, leading to a more focused and enjoyable narrative. The author's writing style is described as fun, sassy, and immersive, creating an interesting world that keeps readers hooked till the end.

    A long string of squiggly lines stretched across the bottom of his vision in a seemingly infinite line. It moved from one side to the other. More nonsense appeared on one edge as it fell off the oppos...
    May 2021
    509 pages

  6. #6
    Spellmonger
    Book 1 in the series:The Spellmonger

    Spellmonger - The Spellmonger by Terry Mancour
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    A sprawling, deeply detailed fantasy series that's perfect for fans who love immersive worldbuilding and magic-heavy plots - but be ready for some rough edges and a main character you’ll either love or love to hate.

    'Spellmonger' in the series 'The Spellmonger' by Terry Mancour is a fantasy novel that follows the story of the main character, Minalan, a small village tradesman turned powerful wizard. The plot revolves around Minalan getting involved in a conflict with goblins after a goblin invasion compels him to rise to greater heights. The writing style is described as slightly strange, first person, and told in retrospect with lots of sarcastic comments, making the story more entertaining than exciting. features action in the form of boozing, hacking, slashing, combative spellcasting, and sex, not suitable for kids or sexually repressed adults but appealing to those with an appreciation for lusty women.

    The novel is praised for its great comedic moments, world-building, and wonderful characters, with Book one being mostly self-contained while setting the stage for more interconnected subplots in subsequent books. The magic system in the world of 'Spellmonger' is consistent and well-thought-out, featuring hard magic with defined limits that the author cleverly works around, adding depth to the story and making it engaging for readers.

    You’d expect a bell to tinkle merrily. There was no merriment in this toll – this bell was a locally produced, crudely forged iron affair that lived in a rickety rough stone belltower in the middle of...
    March 2011
    591 pages

  7. #7
    Initialization
    by: 
    Book 1 in the series:Master Hunter K

    Initialization - Master Hunter K by From Hell
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    A fun, action-packed LitRPG with a strong, stoic protagonist - but it's best for those who enjoy pure progression and don't mind waiting for the rest of the story.

    Initialization, a book in the series 'Master Hunter K' by From Hell, follows the story of Sungjin, a character who is reincarnated back to the start of an apocalypse with the knowledge of his past failure. Sungjin, emotionally stunted due to growing up as an orphan, embarks on a mission to save humanity by going through a process where he witnesses the majority of humanity being killed, leaving only a few survivors. The book is a litrpg with a fast-paced action-packed storyline that focuses on Sungjin's journey to save the world, despite his lack of emotion and focus due to his upbringing.

    The writing style of Initialization is described as straightforward, simple, and driven, with a focus on action, character building, and internal feelings. Sungjin's character arc, marked by his blunt and almost uncaring demeanor, adds depth to the story. The book is praised for its interesting battles, challenges, and the unique system that sets it apart from typical litrpgs, providing a refreshing read that keeps readers engaged until the end.

    October 2021

  8. #8
    Something
    Book 1 in the series:Full Murderhobo

    Something - Full Murderhobo by Dakota Krout
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    A laugh-out-loud, chaotic LitRPG romp filled with clever world-building and unique characters - great for anyone wanting fast-paced fantasy fun with serious bite. Just be prepared for a wild ride and the occasional narrative detour!

    'Something' in the series 'Full Murderhobo' by Dakota Krout is a high fantasy story that follows four friends, Luke, Andrea, Taylor, and Zed, as they discover their magical abilities and are conscripted into the King's army for training. The book combines elements of RPG lit with humor and action, creating an engaging and fun narrative. The story focuses on the characters' growth and challenges as they master their classes separately before reuniting to face new adventures together. The writing style includes detailed world-building, balanced stat information, and humor through puns and dad jokes sprinkled throughout the narrative.

    The week passed exceedingly quickly, the days filled with the work needed to complete such a large order as soon as humanly possible. Though he was exhausted, John bowed respectfully and focused on th...
    September 2020
    361 pages

  9. #9

    The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound - Randidly Ghosthound by puddles4263, Noret Flood
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    A sprawling, action-packed LitRPG adventure perfect for fans of deep systems and inventive worlds, but be prepared for long-winded detours and occasional editing quirks.

    The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound is a captivating work of art that follows the journey of the protagonist, Randidly, as he navigates through a world filled with action, adventure, and intricate system building. The book delves into themes of strength, character development, and the unpredictability of the storyline, keeping readers hooked with its brilliant storytelling and insane cliffhangers. The introduction of yggdrasil-based skills and the dark twists in the class part add depth to the narrative, leaving readers eager to uncover what lies ahead for Randidly.

    The writing style of The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound is praised for its world-building, character development, and the way it incites action at every turn. The book is commended for its light-hearted yet deep approach, which slows down reading speed while keeping readers itching for more by the end. The zigzagging storyline, coupled with the unique mechanics and captivating plot twists, sets this series apart from traditional LITRPGs and makes it a favorite among readers who enjoy a blend of depth and entertainment.

    Randidly Ghosthound stood on the prow of the ship, his weapon held parallel to the wooden deck. The sun crept up across the horizon fat and slow as it rose to wakefulness. With exaggerated slowness, h...
    2021
    537 pages

  10. #10
    Bastion
    Book 1 in the series:The Immortal Great Souls

    Bastion - The Immortal Great Souls by Phil Tucker
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    A massive, emotionally resonant fantasy that mixes creative worldbuilding, genuine friendships, and tough character journeys - Bastion is a must for fans of deep, slow-building progression fantasy, but may not be for everyone. Expect an epic ride!

    'Bastion' in the series 'The Immortal Great Souls' by author Phil Tucker is a complex fantasy novel that captivates readers with its unique universe, well-crafted magic system, and fleshed-out characters. The story follows the main character, Scorio, on a journey filled with profound quests, action, and personal growth. Readers are drawn into a world where mysteries and black boxes abound, leading to unexpected twists and turns that keep them engaged for hours on end. The writing style seamlessly blends elements of horror, heist, and sport academy stories, creating a creative and fulfilling adventure that leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.

    Scorio awoke from death in a tomb of hammered copper. His breath echoed harshly within the stark confines, his chest heaved, and his eyes grew wide, drinking in the faint, blood-orange glow seeping in...
    November 2021
    829 pages

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