Rating: 4.25⭐️
I Ran Away to Evil: A Cozy LitRPG Rom-Com by Mystic Neptune, which was an absolute delight to read, is among a small handful of books and series where the heroine decides to either be the villain or Big Bad herself or go over to the villain’s side of the story.
It usually happens early on and because being a hero isn’t particularly a “good” or has been a happy experience for her. In some cases, it’s been enormously traumatic and damaging.
As is the case with Henrietta Doryn, Warrior Princess, who, just before her 18 birthday, is told by her ruling parents she must go off to the Dark Enchanted Forest and infiltrate the castle and kill the Dark Lord. Or die trying preferably.
Of course, the Dark Lord isn’t all that evil. He runs a very excellent kingdom, would rather be tinkering in his workshop and avoiding any kind of paperwork. He’s a great multi dimensional character who continues to grow as the story progresses.
This is a story written in the LitRPG Rom-Com trope which, if you’re not a gamer, means that the story and or series has a LitRPG, or Literary Role-Playing Game incorporated into its format. It’s characters can go on quests, check their stats as far as their various levels and abilities anywhere during the narrative.
So certain expected fantasy elements are meshed together with LitRPG aspects of the story to create a different experience for the reader.
It can work well, as it does here. Although I’ve found it can also be a bit more challenging in some other novels. Really depends on the author and reader tastes.
For another fun element, there’s a “Bridgeton” type announcement that’s anonymously written that makes several serious and not so serious statements about ongoing events.
Who is writing this is a mystery to be solved in the final book!
But first it’s the romance of the Dark Lord who isn’t really and the Warrior Princess who would rather be baking than battling (although she’s rather amazing at it).
There’s some dark aspects that allow for each character to have a different and surprising depth to them and their journey to HEA.
I love it when I’m reading and the characters and story continues to evolve and surprise me. Happily.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Wonderful story!
Cover design by MsArtsy and Jenny Zemanek
Interior illustrations by Arturo Gómez Martínez and Leah Zink
I Ran Away to Evil: A Cozy LitRPG Rom-Com, books 1-3
Each with a different main couple and storyline that fits within the series arc
Buy Link:
Book 1 of 3: I Ran Away to Evil
Blurb
A reluctant heroine finds unexpected love when she’s sent to assassinate a lonely dark lord in the first book of this cozy romantasy series.
Henrietta Doryn has never enjoyed fighting. She’d rather be in the kitchen baking cookies. But it’s her duty as Warrior Princess to face off against the forces of evil. As such, she’s unceremoniously shooed from her kingdom to go eliminate the all-powerful Dark Lord next door.
Keith Monfort has never enjoyed ruling with an iron fist. He’d prefer to be in his workroom tinkering with practical magic. But it’s his duty to lead the Dark Enchanted Forest and the forces of evil. So when Henrietta shows up at his door, he’s only too happy to invite her in for tea to talk it out instead.
Can this unlikely pair prevent war between their two kingdoms? Where do their true loyalties lie? And when will they finally confess their growing feelings for each other?
Blending the best of love stories, fairy tales, and whimsy—with just a dash of mystery provided by the soothsaying Madame Potts’s enigmatic announcements—I Ran Away to Evil is a deliciously delightful start to a charming romantic-comedy LitRPG series.
The first volume of the hit LitRPG romantasy series—with more than a million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
- Publisher: Podium Publishing
- Accessibility: Learn more
- Publication date: April 23, 2024
- Language: English
- File size: 8.0 MB
- Screen Reader: Supported
- Enhanced typesetting: Enabled
- X-Ray: Not Enabled
- Word Wise: Enabled
- Print length: 435 pages
- ISBN-13: 978-1039454248
- Page Flip: Enabled
- Book 1 of 3: I Ran Away to Evil
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 