Best LitRPG Books Ever

Like many people, I've been tearing through Dungeon Crawler Carl recently, and it has completely rekindled my love for good LitRPG books. The genre has exploded over the last few years, moving from a niche corner of the internet to dominating the audiobook and Kindle charts. What’s not to love too? Hilarious dark humour, characters who progress, and the odd talking axe. 

If you're wondering what to read after Dungeon Crawler Carl, I've put together a list of hits I've personally loved. These range from the greatest LitRPG books of all time, to the best new LitPRG releases you can get your hands on right now. Here is one epic list for fans of game-based speculative fiction.

What Is LitRPG?

Before we dive into the best LitRPG books ever, it's probably worth stopping for a second to define the genre.

Put simply, LitRPG (Literary Role Playing Game) blends the imaginative worlds of traditional sci-fi and fantasy with the addictive progression mechanics of video games. Think stats, skill trees, leveling up, and loot boxes woven directly into the narrative.

Instead of just wielding magic or swinging a sword, characters grind for XP. The "game" elements aren't just hidden subtext, they are a key driving part of the story itself. Characters receive system notifications, equip new gear, and figure out how to exploit the rules to survive. Whether it’s a sprawling epic fantasy, an immersive VR simulation, or an apocalyptic event, what unites LitRPG is that sheer, undeniable satisfaction of watching an underdog "level up" and break the game.

What Are The Best LitRPG Books?

There are a few clear heavy hitters when it comes to the best LitRPG books out there. Here are the ones you need to check out.

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

If you haven't picked this up yet, drop what you're doing. Earth is sold to an intergalactic corporation and transformed into a televised, multi-level dungeon crawl. Our hero, Carl, is a regular guy who enters the dungeon wearing nothing but boxer shorts and Crocs, alongside his ex-girlfriend’s prize-winning show cat, Princess Donut.

It is darkly hilarious, high-stakes, and action-packed. The banter is phenomenal, the system mechanics are incredibly well-thought-out, and the audiobooks are absolutely legendary.

Shadeslinger by Kyle Kirrin

If you love VRMMO (Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online) stories, this is top-tier. It follows a protagonist who fully immerses himself in a game world where grinding, leveling, and exploiting mechanics are the core focus.

The absolute highlight here is Frank, a hilariously sarcastic talking axe who acts as the main character's reluctant companion. Like Dungeon Crawler Carl, the audiobook version of this is an absolute cracker and elevates the witty dialogue to another level. Find it on Kindle here.

He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon

This one hits the "Isekai" (transported to another world) sub-genre perfectly. Jason Asano, an Australian slacker, wakes up in a magical world with no pants and an RPG-style interface tied to a unique magic system. He has a highly polarizing, anti-authoritarian personality, which makes for incredible dialogue and political intrigue as he levels up his dark, affliction-based abilities. It's a massive, binge-worthy saga. I don’t just recommend this because the author ‘Shirtaloon’ is a fellow Aussie. It’s genuinely one of the highest selling LitPRG series ever. Get in there.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (The Grey Area)

I'm including this here because it's widely read, but it sits in a bit of a grey area. Is it LitRPG? Not strictly. It's generally classified as GameLit. While the plot takes place inside an MMORPG (the OASIS) where characters have avatars, levels, and loot, the narrative focuses on 80s pop-culture trivia and an adventure quest rather than the "crunchy" math of stat progression or ability synergy.

Interestingly, some people also mistakenly class Ready Player One as cyberpunk due to the dystopian corporate-ruled real world, but I'd keep it separate. If you actually want pure cyberpunk recommendations, check out my Best Cyberpunk Books Ever article here.

Best New LitRPG Books

Now that you know the heavyweights, I have two newer releases for you.

Last Save Dave by Michael James Ploof

Hot off the presses, this brand new LitRPG book comes from Aethon Books who orginally brought us He Who Fights With Monsters. It’s also got that Dungeon Crawler Carl vibe about it. 

Dave Deranger is a middle-aged plumber who was the 1990 Nintendo Champion and an Olympic silver medalist in boxing. His greatest challenge these days is trying to quit smoking and plunging toilets. That all changes when an immature deity named Tyme abducts him to be her champion in a "intergalactic scavenger hunt." The prize? His world is spared. The penalty for losing? Earth gets vaporized by a massive laser pointer from space. Even better, two books will be dropping in quick succession. Be the first to grab them here.

Chrysalis 9 by RinoZ

If you enjoy "monster evolution" LitRPGs, this is a phenomenal series about a guy reincarnated as a low-level monster ant. Book 9 is about to drop, bringing more hilarious colony building and deep RPG skill-tree mechanics. It's a wildly fun take on the genre that keeps getting better.

Royal Road - the LitRPG lover’s favourite site 

If you’re looking for the top LitRPG novels emerging in the scene, there is a massive, thriving community of indie authors writing progression fantasy and LitRPG as serial fiction over on Royal Road.

While you're browsing over there, you can check out my current serial, The Apocalypse Will Still Have Coffee. It isn't LitRPG, but if you're into dystopian fiction with a caffeine kick, I think you'll dig it.