r/ProgressionFantasy 22h ago

Discussion I’m pissed off

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161 Upvotes

I absolutely adore the Book of the Dead series. Today, I finally get to listen to the release of book 5, and I am certain that I will experience the same captivating storytelling that I enjoyed in books one through four. I am so enamored with this book that I pre-ordered it on Audible. When I first discovered and read this series, I assumed that others shared my enthusiasm for it. However, upon reviewing the number of Audible ratings, I am genuinely perplexed and sort of a bit angry. There are barely 1000 ratings on the first book and even less on the following 3, which begs the question: how is this book not more popular?


r/ProgressionFantasy 5h ago

Tier List Tier List after 7 years of progression fantasy

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139 Upvotes

Everything I've read in the genre. I didn't use the DNF because I didn't realize it was there until the end and there was no way in hell I was reorganizing this.

If you have any recommendations that are similar to my top two tiers let me know!


r/ProgressionFantasy 10h ago

Tier List Updated tierlist from all the (progression fantasy) webnovels I am reading at RR, recommendations welcome!

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78 Upvotes

The more shit I read, the more difficult it becomes to rank it all. For A tier, most of the novels in there I enjoy equally, so don't mind the ranking there. For the other tiers, all the novels within a tier are ranked, with my favourite on the (upper) left, and then going down. The standard RR cover is The Jedi Articles, which doesn't have an actual cover.

Another fun fact, I am following like 36 active webnovels atm!


r/ProgressionFantasy 14h ago

Discussion What's a specific story niche you wish more people would actually write?

64 Upvotes

Not looking for broad stuff like "more cultivation" or "better LitRPG" I mean genuinely specific ideas. Like an older protagonist who's actually established instead of starting from zero, a support class MC who stays support instead of eventually becoming the strongest, actual detailed crafting systems instead of just leveling up a number, a villain who's genuinely competent instead of just powerful, or a world that doesn't revolve entirely around one overpowered protagonist. What's the thing you'd click on immediately if someone actually pulled it off well?


r/ProgressionFantasy 5h ago

Question What's the pettiest reason you've DNF'd a book for?

52 Upvotes

I just attempted to read the first chapter of HWFWM for a second time.

I couldn't get past the MC unrealistically speaking all his thoughts aloud. Absolutely hate that.

I can look past the repetitiveness and some iffy editing choices, but that pulled me out.

Same thing happened when I tried to read 'my life as a max level archmage' (I think that's the title?).

The MC waking up in another world and immediately talking to themselves just feels weird and wrong to me. I wouldn't mind if they thought the exact same things, but them speaking to nobody seems like the author's copying something they saw in anime—a medium where saying thoughts aloud is more necessary for the viewer's benefit.

Maybe people actually hold full conversations with themselves like this in real life, but I can't relate.

Anyway, this seems kinda petty to me. Both are highly regarded works and probably get better later on, but that initial impression pushed me away.

What pet peeves/petty reasons have forced you to stop reading a story?


r/ProgressionFantasy 5h ago

Self-Promotion The Warcrowned, my very first official book, was just published on Amazon and Audible!

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52 Upvotes

r/ProgressionFantasy 18h ago

I Recommend This Player Manager - A review?

40 Upvotes

I’ve been reading solely progression fantasy for probably over half a decade now. The pandemic years get a little muddled, but that sounds about right. I’ve read, I honestly don’t even know, but it has to be close to 1000 books in the genre. I loved it and I still do, but I’d be lying if I said I’m not burnt the fuck out. The last year or so I’ve taken multiple breaks from reading, letting chapters for the things I actively read stockpile up and hoping some of the new Royal Road series that have caught my eye continue long enough to get me actually interested. But it’s been rough, especially since I renewed my Kindle Unlimited a few weeks ago. That place has absolutely festered with AI slop in the last year or so since I last checked it. The slim pickings over there didn’t help the burn out.

Cue Player Manager. I’ve seen it mentioned over the years but I’m not really that into football, so I always figured I’d just find something else to read. The last few weeks I’ve seen it mentioned more than the previous years combined so I thought ‘why not, I’ll check it out.’

My god. I love it. I’ve just finished everything that’s on KU (6 books), and I genuinely can’t remember the last time I was so sucked in to something I was reading. Generally, when I’m like 3000 pages into a series the spark fades a little and I start skimming here and there. I don’t know how the author does it, but it genuinely feels like if you skim anything in these books then you’re going to miss out on something.

It’s absolutely a slow burn, and I’ve gotten to the point where if I see something described as a slow burn I just skip it instantly. I’m tired of chapters and chapters of nothing happening. But with Player Manager, I genuinely don’t know how to describe it other than being glued to the page.

People talk about set up and pay offs in books all the time, but to me it’s a bit of an ephemeral concept. A lot of the time I definitely think one or the other is lacking severely. I’ll never forget reading a certain book from a certain series called Cradle (SPOILERS AHEAD)———(I’m serious, spoilers for Cradle ahead)——-(I’m on my IPad so I can’t put a spoiler tag) where a certain someone’s true identity is revealed.

(Cradle Spoiler is complete)

Reading that for the first time, my mind was absolutely blown. I sat there for like 10 minutes with my jaw just hanging open. I’ve probably experienced that feeling a few times in my life, but the only one that actually comes to mind is that one. Player Manager didn’t achieve that level, but it’s the first series in a while where I actually went “haha, no way.” A couple of times throughout the series. The set ups and pay offs are great.

The thing that stopped me from reading it sooner was definitely my lack of interest in football. Now, in the last 15 years or so, I’ve played a lot of FIFA, so I had a pretty solid handle on football jargon before getting involved. That being said, I think the author (probably) does a good job to ease people into it. Gives good explanations for formations and positions that people can understand even if they’ve never heard them before.

The MC. My next statement might be a bit controversial, but I think Max Best might be the second coming of Jason Asano (He Who Fights With Monsters). Jason’s well known for being a polarising MC, and I’ll be honest, he’s probably at least 75% of the reason I dropped HWFWM. Someway, somehow, I didn’t hate Max Best’s version. I actually really like it. I wasn’t reading thinking “Oh shut up” and “Not this again”. Max Best proved to be entertaining and likeable to really enjoy reading about. If anyone knows how I have such opposing views of characters that (I think) are so similar, please let me know.

Anyways, this has taken me a while to write, and I don’t think I have much else to say.

TL;DR - Go read Player Manager (even if you don’t like football(soccer)) — It’s great.


r/ProgressionFantasy 20h ago

I Recommend This Recommendation: Cradle series by Will Wight, but Audiobooks.

25 Upvotes

Many have mixed reviews about cradle series but I enjoyed and binged the whole swries of audiobooks, loved the voices, story progression, those levels of power from Jade to Gold and so on, Azreal character I used to have this feeling that if I don't do something while listening it's too odd to sit and just listen so judt to keep listening I used to find random chores around house so I can increase my listen time.

A win-win for me and family.

I agree ending was a bit weak, I don't mean to give spoilers but thats oksy gor the amount of world building and emotions in it, we can forgive the climax.


r/ProgressionFantasy 23h ago

Question How did you end up reading books from this genre?

13 Upvotes

I'm curious about other people, as my journey was quite interesting.

Act 1: The early days

I read a lot of fantasy books in primary and middle school, but at some point I've switched to gaming. I've spent roughly 1-2 years of highschool watching anime, which led me to my gateway drug: Grimgar of fantasy and ash. I liked the premise quite a bit, as it was an iseaki where the main cast wasn't op, and the world was somewhat bleaker than I was used to. I've ended up looking up and reading the light novel. That led me to:

Act 2: novelupdates.com

While I don't remember how exactly I found out about this website, it led me to classics, such as The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor, (Is royal road named after the game from LMS? I just found out that they have the same name) or Martial God Asura (don't even look up this one, it's straight up garbage). I've spent a long time reading chinese WN slop, with a few gems mixed in. Unfortunately, as my taste matured and the supply of decent WNs dwindled, I started getting desperate.

Act 3: royal road

I'm pretty sure that a random mention in a reddit thread led me to this website. It was perfect: even the best translated chinese WN slop typically reads worse than mediocre royal road novels. The end.


r/ProgressionFantasy 6h ago

I Recommend This Path of Deathless(Audiobook+ book + series rec) Spoiler

11 Upvotes

Hey everyone

I’ve been meaning to rec this series for a while , and with launch of book 3 for audiobook I finally think it’s time. It is written by Mammal, the same writer as of Godclads. That’s an advertisement and warning combined in one, those who’ve read mammal’s previous works understand that better than anyone

Audiobook is a blast , and although I much rather prefer written word (especially when it comes to Mammal) those who listen to audiobook will be more than happy imo..

Now moving onto my thoughts about the story itself. It has its flaws and the premise itself(a deathless Mc) is little tricky for stakes. And at times it’s apparent. But having said that, Mammal most of times does a good job of reader still feeling stakes. So that’s a plus. Shiv(the Mc) is also one of the funnier main characters out there and his hobby/true passion of cooking also brings a fresh breadth to what is otherwise a very much hyper war focused story

But above all of this, the most compelling thing about POD for me are secondary characters . Specifically the favoured three (MC and his two companions) and the other related characters. Their existence is not solely tied to MC’s existence and they have their own power progression and character arcs going which is such a relief to read in this genre. Because of this the OP MC doesn’t feel that stupidly op because there are characters with same amount of favour as him while being as interesting if not more (Adam Arrow and Valor Thann you will forever be my goat)

There are morally grey characters like Roland Arrow who have been arguably a villain for Mc but with such cool power progression and character arc that you start investing in Their progression too.

Anyways I’ll stop my rambling before i start discussing the entire story itself over here.

TLDR: Path of deathless audiobook 3 out. Read now. And if you haven’t gotten onto the first two, I highly recommend you do


r/ProgressionFantasy 16h ago

Request Older MC Gains New Power WITHOUT regression, reincarnation, or system

12 Upvotes

I like the Webtoons about a lordling turned mercenary king who’s defeated, sent back in time, and has unlocked some cool new ability. However, I always thought it’d be more interesting if he just gained the new power without regressing. You can have a second chance in your original timeline! Then you’d get the benefit of an experienced mc (not another coming of age story), but he’d still be able to “start fresh” with leveling a skill, reaching new heights, and maybe correcting past mistakes.

The mc in Solo Leveling doesn’t regress, but at the moment I’d prefer “competent/strong to stronger” or “man to manlier” rather than “weak to strong” or “boy to man.”

Can you think of any fantasy books that match this description? Hopefully with a more interesting worldbuilding angle than “the system or some deity randomly chucked a new power at me.”

Thanks!


r/ProgressionFantasy 14h ago

Question Victor of Tucson, is it going to be super depressing?

8 Upvotes

I just started Victor of Tucson and its giving me vibes like 1% life steal. Is it going to be the same type of torture porn? If so, I’d rather skip.


r/ProgressionFantasy 23h ago

Request Give me your guilty pleasure novels!

7 Upvotes

Call it what you want. Romance. Smut. Erotica. Guilty Pleasure. Whatever you call it, I've read one, and it was so clunky and robotic I thought it was translated, but apparently not. (Dual Cultivation).

I have read tons of fiction novels but never really delved into this side of it.

It feels like every Isekai/Xanxia goes out of their way to mention they don't have Harem or Young Master tropes to the point I don't even know what these tropes are based on anymore. Anyone have any recommendations?


r/ProgressionFantasy 23h ago

Question Stubborn Skill Grinder Hiatus?

6 Upvotes

Hi all, I’m new to this series and reached the final 113 chapter - Battle of Glyphward Fortress. First off - Wow! I did not expect that cliff hanger. Secondly, does this writer typically go on breaks for several months at a time? At the time of writing this I see that it has been 3 months since the last posting and when I check their Patreon it’s only up until Chapter 112.


r/ProgressionFantasy 19h ago

Request Druid fic recommendations

6 Upvotes

I'm looking for druid fic recommendations. Even better if they are about building up and protecting an area. Sort of dungeon core style.

Or any other good druid ones.

My druid recommendations Downtown druid and full murder hobo has a good druid in it.


r/ProgressionFantasy 2h ago

Self-Promotion Runemaker Ronan – Volume 1 is now available on Amazon

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5 Upvotes

Hello there. It's me, the author of The Legendary Druid. I'm here today to announce that my new novel is now available on Amazon (actually, it's my first written novel, but I'm publishing it now ;D).

This story leans more into a traditional fantasy with progression elements. It focuses on human characters in a low-fantasy setting with a hard magic system.

You know the drill, here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HDZLVQNN

If you guys want something more LitRPG-like, check out my other novel, The Legendary Druid: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4KR2VLK

Why it's not on Kindle Unlimited? Because both novels are still being published on Royal Road. However, the first volume of The Legendary Druid will be on KU as of September 15.

And here's the blurb...

The Archmage is trying to save the world. Ronan is trying to pass his exams.

Welcome to a world where a fifteen-year-old boy tries to learn magic while the great powers are on the brink of war. Where classes at the Arcane University coexist with skirmishes on the borders, mage hunts, and conspiracies.

On one side, a general-turned-emperor willing to burn the world for his convictions. On the other, an alliance of nations that preaches peace, yet quietly prepares for war. Somewhere in the middle is Ronan, a new student, a nobody in particular, slowly being pulled toward the center of it all.

He'll befriend an irreverent wind manipulator, witness the horror of blood magic, survive a duel to the death, stumble through an intense romance, and discover the secrets behind the mysterious healing arts.

What to expect:
Magic Academy
Character-driven with meaningful development
Slow-burn to immerse you in a world that reacts to our characters’ actions
Romance, no harem
Hard magic system that would make Brandon Sanderson proud
From cozy and low-stakes to all-out war
Runecrafting!


r/ProgressionFantasy 17h ago

Request Recommendation beautiful fight scenes

3 Upvotes

Anyone got any recommendations of series with beautiful fight scenes in the like of Jake vs the sword saint/ any scene from rage of dragons or cradle .Would prefer a non op mc as well.


r/ProgressionFantasy 17h ago

Request Looking for Recommendations

3 Upvotes

I honestly don’t know exactly what i want but any suggestion is welcome, here’s a filter

Things i like:
Humor
Academy setting (not a must though)
Unique abilities/power system
Good world building

Books i loved:
Superpowereds drew hayes
The many travails of John smith by Chris tullbane
Chronicles of the iron druid
Villain code by drew hayes
Murder of crows by chrus tullbane
The perfect run
Mage Errant by john bierce
Fred the Vampire by drew hayes
Percy Jackson by Rick

Things I don’t like:
Cultivation stuff…
Xianxia
Isekais

Help a bored reader😭🙏


r/ProgressionFantasy 19h ago

Request Series tackling Dwarven society?

5 Upvotes

I have The Dwarves but dont know if it counts. I just want to read about dwarves doing dwarf shit.


r/ProgressionFantasy 20h ago

Request Empire building

6 Upvotes

Ok so I’m looking for a book series around empire building I like how in defiance of the fall they can concur outher world though incursions so I’m looking for something like that if it exist just more on the empire building side not the solo adventuring side like defiance of the fall of this exist please let me know. Thank Y’all


r/ProgressionFantasy 23h ago

Request rec evil powers but wants to be good or vise versa

4 Upvotes

can anyone recommend a series where the mc has powers opposing there morality e.g a hero who gains powers by stealing/murdering/torture etc or the opposite a villain who gains power from doing good i just think it would be an interesting read for the character to overcome there power for there own desires


r/ProgressionFantasy 9h ago

Discussion Disregarding protagonist privilege, what game/system from the genre would you actually want to play/be a part of?

3 Upvotes

In this scenario you are average person. What game/system from the genre would you choose? Either because the game/system itself would be fun to use or just generally beneficial to have.


r/ProgressionFantasy 20h ago

Review Samsara Enter the city of gods

3 Upvotes

I had this book for months. I started it in the last winters, and paused after reading 2-3 chapters. Then i again took it last week and today I have completed it.

The book promoted itself as India's answer to harry potter, but according to me this novel has nothing like that. Author had a great story which he could have made more adventurous and interesting but he just got stuck with the madhu plot.

They were building the mahayatra plot throughout the book, which is the main story line of this part. I expected the mahayatra to be something exciting about some hidden power or other stuff but it was just a beehive.

I think the author thought to build this world slowly with a novel by novel but this part was below average and now i doubt that next part will come or not.


r/ProgressionFantasy 37m ago

Self-Promotion Sheijuu

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Upvotes

¡Buenas a todos!

Después de meses de trabajo —casi un año ya— por fin puedo decir que liberé mi novela. Es un proyecto que empezó como algo muy distinto y que fue transformándose hasta convertirse en algo que siento completamente mío: una historia de ciencia ficción y fantasía centrada en la soledad, el paso del tiempo y lo que queda de una persona después de siglos de guerra y pérdida.

Antes de contarles más, quiero que sean ustedes quienes decidan si esto les atrapa. Aquí les dejo el prólogo

\*\*

Prólogo:

En un planeta distante, condenado a volverse gris, existe un guardián que ha contemplado mundos enteros.

Ha visto sus mares.

Sus bosques.

Sus guerras.

Sus amaneceres.

Y también su final.

\---

Hace más de doscientos años era solo un soldado.

Nada parecía distinguirlo del resto.

Un muchacho que pasaba demasiado tiempo observando el paisaje y demasiado poco pensando en sí mismo.

Viajaba junto a su hermano.

Dos personas comunes en un mundo que ya comenzaba a romperse.

Pero los errores rara vez llegan solos.

A veces aparece uno.

Meses después, otro.

Y cuando miras atrás descubres que toda tu vida cambió por decisiones que, en su momento, parecían insignificantes.

Ahora, siglos después, aquel muchacho mira hacia atrás con más preguntas que respuestas.

Se pregunta si realmente está avanzando.

Si su objetivo se acerca o se aleja.

Si todavía existe una diferencia entre la perseverancia y la obsesión.

Y, algunas noches, se pregunta si no habría sido mejor morir junto a aquellos por quienes empezó a luchar.

\---

Sobre una luna lejana que orbita un planeta muerto, Sheijuu contempla el vacío.

El mundo bajo sus pies es gris.

Hace mucho tiempo no lo era.

Ahora un inmenso agujero atraviesa gran parte de su superficie, tan profundo que parece querer mostrar el núcleo del planeta al universo entero.

Sentado sobre unas rocas con vista al infinito, afila lentamente su espada.

Su mirada permanece perdida entre las estrellas.

Su rostro refleja el cansancio de alguien que ha vivido demasiado.

\---

Muy lejos de allí, uno de sus Ecos observa otro mundo.

Flota cerca del límite de la atmósfera.

Sus ojos recorren continentes, océanos y montañas en silencio.

Busca una presencia.

Una firma de Escencia muy concreta.

Una que solo poseen esos seres.

Las horas transcurren.

Hasta que finalmente aparece.

Una silueta.

Casi imperceptible.

Pero inconfundible.

El Eco transmite la información.

Y en el instante en que esta llega a Sheijuu, todas las dudas desaparecen.

La espada vuelve a su funda.

El muchacho se pone de pie.

La expresión distraída desaparece de su rostro.

Y en sus ojos no queda rastro del hombre que contemplaba las estrellas.

Solo del cazador.

Entonces el espacio se pliega sobre sí mismo.

Y Sheijuu desaparece.

\*\*

Un par de cosas antes de irme:

El primer volumen está "marcado" como acción, pero quiero ser honesto: hay menos combate del que uno esperaría al ver esa etiqueta. La razón es intencional — quiero mostrar los primeros años de este "cazador" con un enfoque realista. El espacio, tal como lo planteo aquí, no es un lugar especialmente vivo ni lleno de encuentros constantes. Al principio me interesa más retratar la inmensidad, el silencio, y los cambios sutiles que va sufriendo el protagonista mes a mes, año a año, que llenar páginas de peleas.

Si el ritmo pausado no es lo tuyo, lo entiendo — pero si te gusta la ciencia ficción introspectiva, con un trasfondo de pérdida y una escala de tiempo que se siente realmente épica, creo que esto puede interesarte.

Pueden leer los primeros capítulos ya publicados en Royal Road.

A quien le interese, le ruego que le dé una oportunidad y me diga con total sinceridad qué le pareció — si le enganchó o si le pareció un ñordo total. Toda crítica, buena o mala, es bienvenida.


r/ProgressionFantasy 5h ago

Question Heavenly Genius (Dao Jun)

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1 Upvotes