Tag: paranormal LitRPG

Review:   I Ran Away to Evil 3: A Cozy LitRPG Rom-Com by Mystic Neptune

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Well,   I Ran Away to Evil has reached the final level, the end of its journey and it’s been a great game.

Here all is revealed, there’s boss battles, deaths and revivals, ultimate victory and HEA’s. 

Now it’s Gerda Jones, fabulous bridge troll who’s got a ton of secrets, that will be the character to bring the series to a conclusion. Along with Duke Julian von Slyke, who’s recently retuned for the wedding of his sister to the necromancer of the Dark Lord. 

At over 400 pages, author Neptune has a lot of storytelling to do. And there’s more of the GameRPG elements here than in the previous books. 

I’ll be honest in saying that some of these got distracting when what I wanted to concentrate on was the main plot points and storylines. Having involved boxes of character traits and levels occasionally is great. But towards the end, I feel that it took over the narrative. 

What makes this is the character development, especially Gerda’s story. The slow reveal of her story is impactful as well as her relationships she has made with the other characters around her. They feel believable and credible in this setting. 

This has been the first series I have read by this author but won’t be the last. Highly entertaining and engaging. 

A definite winner. 

Love the covers. 

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:

        I Ran Away to Evil 3: A Cozy LitRPG Rom-Com

    

Blurb 

A mysterious soothsayer and a reluctant royal fend off spies, assassins, and unexpected attraction in the action-packed third book of this romantasy series.

Gerda Jones is no average bridge troll. Sure, she can create riddles like the best of them, but she has skills up her sleeve that no one would expect . . . and a backstory that no one would believe. She uses her fortune-telling talents to change the fate of everyone around her, but avoids getting too close the anyone herself. All of that changes when Gerda catches the eye of Duke Julian von Slyke at his sister’s wedding. The tall, dark, and handsome half-elf is making her let down her guard—and inviting a royal heap of trouble into her life.

Julian would do anything to escape courtly intrigue and endless parties, but he can’t miss his own sister’s nuptials. Good thing, too, because from day one of the celebration he’s called on to help deal with everything from poisoned arrows and amphibian curses, to a missing bride. And at the center of every mishap there’s an infuriatingly beguiling troll . . .

As Gerda’s hidden identity begins to unravel, her attraction to Duke Julian continues to grow. Together, saving Valaria seems easy . . . but after it’s all done, will the unlikely pair be able to leave behind their pasts and find a future together?

A whimsical and twisty take on isekai, romance, and LitRPG, I Ran Away to Evil 3 is the charming conclusion of the series that asks, “What if Bridgerton was filled with magical creatures?” and “Who is the elusive Madame Potts?”

The third volume of the hit LitRPG romantasy series—with more than a million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!

August 19, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

409 pages

Book 3 of 3

I Ran Away to Evil

Review:  A Pub in the Underworld (The Cozy Abyss #1) by Harmon Cooper 

Rating: 4.25⭐️

 A Pub in the Underworld (The Cozy Abyss #1) by Harmon Cooper was another great find. New terrific author, new entertaining LitRPG adventure story and series to read.

The first book sets up the universe,  characters and challenges very quickly.  In the beginning of the story Sylas Runewulf , a seasoned warrior, is fighting a losing battle against his kingdom’s old enemy. We’re there on the battlefield, in his mind as it’s all going down.  It’s emotional, heartfelt and raw. 

It ends with him in the afterlife,  in one of the three Realms , and a direct message to head to the town of Ember Hollow and take possession of the town pub. 

Sylas meets an Apothecary, Patches a magical pub cat , and starts to form a new life and friends in the afterlife. Even as a threat to his life and new adventures approaches.

It’s well done. For those who aren’t familiar with LitRPG, the game aspect isn’t overly complex or important here. It’s more character driven and storytelling than gameplay oriented. 

Those who do enjoy those elements will have plenty to look forward to and appreciate. Characters do level up here. 

Absolutely adore Patches. What a fabulous character and all the imagery associated with it makes this story even better. And funnier. 

A definite winner and one I’m so happy to share. 

Love the covers. 

Cover design by Daniel Kamarudin

The Cozy Abyss (3 book series)

A Pub in the Underworld #1

A Farm in the Afterlife #2

A Market in the Maelstrom #3

Buy link

        A Pub in the Underworld: A Slice-of-Life LitRPG Adventure (The Cozy Abyss Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Death is only the beginning for one warrior as he encounters adventure, friendship, and romance in the afterlife in the epic first book of this cozy LitRPG.

There are three levels to the afterlife. The best level is the Celestial Plains at the top. At the bottom is the worst level, known as the Chasm. And in between lies the Underworld. That’s where Sylas Runewulf, a brave soldier who gave all to his kingdom, finds himself after he dies.

Following the guidance of a mysterious blue prompt, Sylas journeys to the town of Ember Hollow to breathe new life into a quaint local pub. Along the way, he meets a clever apothecary named Mira who helps him acclimate to the ins and outs of the realm and Patches, a corpulent cat who’s slightly . . . shall we say, unusual.

Dubbing the pub “The Old Lamplighter,” Sylas hopes it will be a safe haven for other weary souls. Of course, it doesn’t feel that safe when the prompt reappears with a warning: [You have 89 days until the invasion.]

As Sylas works to decipher the troubling message, he faces more challenges, travels far and wide, and befriends wayward demons, magical creatures, and lost warriors. He also builds a community around his humble pub—one that he must soon defend, or they’ll all face a fate much worse than death . . .

Blending fantasy LitRPG with a slice-of-life story about starting over, A Pub in the Underworld is the first adventure in Harmon Cooper’s Cozy Abyss series. Join Sylas and Patches on their charming journey of discovery, friendship, and defense against the unknown in a world where even the smallest decision could shape the fate of a community caught between realms.