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Elf Empire #1
Elf Empire: A litRPG Kingdom-Building Adventure
Leo wanted to make something out of himself—and build dams.
However, the world doesn’t want dams. And it mostly doesn’t want civil engineers. It doesn’t want men who do any sort of building or fighting or grand design, it seems.
So, when Leo finds his current girlfriend, and boss, being threatened by a brutal loan shark and all three of them get dragged through a portal to another world, it doesn’t take long for him to decide this is the place for him. Plus, everyone has magic, and who wouldn’t want that?
Leo appears in the realm of a fallen kingdom, one that desperately needs someone who will both fight for what’s right and build a grand civilization.
Along with his new coterie of friends—a not-quite-a-princess elf and a crippled dragon—Leo must race to build his kingdom before the loan shark Kruegar can finish Leo off with a legion of orcs.
[A litRPG adventure with kingdom-building, base-building, some slice of life, and a whole lot of quipping. Also, an in-depth magic system, leveling options, and empire chart system. Check out the book that has so far received over half a million views on RoyalRoad!]
However, the world doesn’t want dams. And it mostly doesn’t want civil engineers. It doesn’t want men who do any sort of building or fighting or grand design, it seems.
So, when Leo finds his current girlfriend, and boss, being threatened by a brutal loan shark and all three of them get dragged through a portal to another world, it doesn’t take long for him to decide this is the place for him. Plus, everyone has magic, and who wouldn’t want that?
Leo appears in the realm of a fallen kingdom, one that desperately needs someone who will both fight for what’s right and build a grand civilization.
Along with his new coterie of friends—a not-quite-a-princess elf and a crippled dragon—Leo must race to build his kingdom before the loan shark Kruegar can finish Leo off with a legion of orcs.
[A litRPG adventure with kingdom-building, base-building, some slice of life, and a whole lot of quipping. Also, an in-depth magic system, leveling options, and empire chart system. Check out the book that has so far received over half a million views on RoyalRoad!]
540 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2023
381 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 25, 2023
Book one
I'm going to be honest with you folks, I don't normally like elf or dragon characters. I think they are overdone. Also most authors just don't write dragons as being arrogant. Granted that the main dragon in this story isn't either, but he has been put down by the other dragons his entire life as being defective. So the only nice dragons are the defective ones. The other ones are still arrogant jerks. The main character is of course an elf. He will be an overpowered elf, but I like that he has some debuffs in his starting build.
Hasn't really built much more than a dam. I expected more in-depth kingdom building.
Book two is out and more can be found on Royalroad.
I only found one mistake which I will post on Goodreads. Otherwise editing was really good.
9/10
I'm going to be honest with you folks, I don't normally like elf or dragon characters. I think they are overdone. Also most authors just don't write dragons as being arrogant. Granted that the main dragon in this story isn't either, but he has been put down by the other dragons his entire life as being defective. So the only nice dragons are the defective ones. The other ones are still arrogant jerks. The main character is of course an elf. He will be an overpowered elf, but I like that he has some debuffs in his starting build.
Hasn't really built much more than a dam. I expected more in-depth kingdom building.
Book two is out and more can be found on Royalroad.
I only found one mistake which I will post on Goodreads. Otherwise editing was really good.
9/10
August 26, 2023
Fun, just fun.
This has a simple set up with petty average villains. Where it shines is in the main characters. They are well made and fully fleshed out. Add in a few quirks and you get something grand.
This has a simple set up with petty average villains. Where it shines is in the main characters. They are well made and fully fleshed out. Add in a few quirks and you get something grand.
October 1, 2023
Really enjoyed this book! Interesting magic system and wonderful cast of characters. Can’t wait for the next book.
August 31, 2023
A civil engineer gets pulled into an elf body in another world where elves are an oppressed race. While the subtitle says to expect kingdom building, it takes two thirds of the book to get to it.
Elf Empire combines whimsy, modern American quips, and high fantasy.
* Whimsy: Leo befriends a dragon who acts like a large dog and there are humanoid rabbit folk.
* Quips: He introduces "that's what she said" to this world, among other things.
* High fantasy: Dragons, golems, orcs, wargs, elves, etc. All the staples.
The game system of this world isn't the default/generic type some LitRPG sticks to and Leo struggles to figure it out. It's creative and gives the "alien world" feel... but I tuned most of it out after a couple minutes of listing ability options at the first level. Most of the time the author sticks to detailing only the relevant parts, thankfully.
While the world starts fairly light, we soon get into very heavy topics including racism, slavery, genocide, sexual assault, ableism, and gruesome violence.
Audiobook: Characters yell at each other a lot, which the narrator depicts by yelling farther away from the microphone. It doesn't hurt your ears but it draws attention from the book to the medium itself. Each major character has a distinct voice and Leo has two - a posh British elf speaking voice and an American inner voice.
There are a few errors that made it into the audiobook recording, where "Leo" and "Lily" get mixed up. Always in a "you know what they mean" context but it will annoy sticklers.
Elf Empire combines whimsy, modern American quips, and high fantasy.
* Whimsy: Leo befriends a dragon who acts like a large dog and there are humanoid rabbit folk.
* Quips: He introduces "that's what she said" to this world, among other things.
* High fantasy: Dragons, golems, orcs, wargs, elves, etc. All the staples.
The game system of this world isn't the default/generic type some LitRPG sticks to and Leo struggles to figure it out. It's creative and gives the "alien world" feel... but I tuned most of it out after a couple minutes of listing ability options at the first level. Most of the time the author sticks to detailing only the relevant parts, thankfully.
While the world starts fairly light, we soon get into very heavy topics including racism, slavery, genocide, sexual assault, ableism, and gruesome violence.
Audiobook: Characters yell at each other a lot, which the narrator depicts by yelling farther away from the microphone. It doesn't hurt your ears but it draws attention from the book to the medium itself. Each major character has a distinct voice and Leo has two - a posh British elf speaking voice and an American inner voice.
There are a few errors that made it into the audiobook recording, where "Leo" and "Lily" get mixed up. Always in a "you know what they mean" context but it will annoy sticklers.
August 1, 2025
This book does a few things well: there's an interesting attempt at portraying a highly class-inflected language as seen by a non-speaker, there's a nice (if a bit cliched) confrontation between a supporting character and his family, and the final climax is pretty well written.
Unfortunately, that's just barely enough to keep this from being a 1-star book, since the rest of the book is ... not good at all.
The characters are flat, almost linear, with essentially no development during the story. The plot is both rote and missing many key pieces. The world manages to be both routine and ridiculous (800 continents measuring a minimum of 1000 miles across infested with the most common sorts of D&D races and creatures). The game system manages to be both overly complex and underdescribed. And the writing is dreadful.
Dialogue is cartoonish, without the charm of an actual cartoon, and includes many bits that do not match the setting in any way. Whenever a scene seems like it might be too difficult to write, the author just skips to the aftermath. The plot is a veritable machine-shop ex machina. And the protagonist is the most ridiculously overpowered character I can recall in LitRPG, which is a high bar indeed, but fortunately he doesn't really earn any of that power; it's just handed to him by the author.
Not recommended, even with the few interesting hooks. There are better series out there. Frankly, there are few worse series that I've actually tried to read.
Avoid.
Unfortunately, that's just barely enough to keep this from being a 1-star book, since the rest of the book is ... not good at all.
The characters are flat, almost linear, with essentially no development during the story. The plot is both rote and missing many key pieces. The world manages to be both routine and ridiculous (800 continents measuring a minimum of 1000 miles across infested with the most common sorts of D&D races and creatures). The game system manages to be both overly complex and underdescribed. And the writing is dreadful.
Dialogue is cartoonish, without the charm of an actual cartoon, and includes many bits that do not match the setting in any way. Whenever a scene seems like it might be too difficult to write, the author just skips to the aftermath. The plot is a veritable machine-shop ex machina. And the protagonist is the most ridiculously overpowered character I can recall in LitRPG, which is a high bar indeed, but fortunately he doesn't really earn any of that power; it's just handed to him by the author.
Not recommended, even with the few interesting hooks. There are better series out there. Frankly, there are few worse series that I've actually tried to read.
Avoid.
September 21, 2025
Elf Empire 1 by John Stovall is a LitRPG kingdom-building adventure that follows Leo, a civil engineer who gets pulled into a fallen elven realm along with his girlfriend and a shady loan shark. Separated from her and forced to face this dangerous world mostly alone, Leo has to use both his real-world skills and newfound magic to survive. Along the way, he teams up with a not-quite-princess elf and even a crippled dragon while trying to build something lasting in the middle of chaos, orcs, and old rivalries.
I really enjoyed how the book mixed engineering and fantasy—Leo’s practical problem-solving made the whole “kingdom building” side of the story feel grounded. The elf companion and dragon added a lot of heart and humor, and the world itself has plenty of danger and mystery. The LitRPG mechanics were well integrated without getting too crunchy.
It’s not a perfect book—some pacing dips here and there and I felt like a few side characters could’ve been fleshed out more—but overall, it was a fun, engaging read. I’m definitely curious to see where Leo’s empire goes next.
I really enjoyed how the book mixed engineering and fantasy—Leo’s practical problem-solving made the whole “kingdom building” side of the story feel grounded. The elf companion and dragon added a lot of heart and humor, and the world itself has plenty of danger and mystery. The LitRPG mechanics were well integrated without getting too crunchy.
It’s not a perfect book—some pacing dips here and there and I felt like a few side characters could’ve been fleshed out more—but overall, it was a fun, engaging read. I’m definitely curious to see where Leo’s empire goes next.
September 4, 2023
Really fun, entertaining story. Well done!
This had a great plot, world building and great dialogue. Worst I can say is it had some editing issues and the game system which was complex and not easily understood if you're not used to the genre.
However the story moved along with the main character and supporting cast entertaining in their interactions and thrilling encounters.
I look forward to seeing how the second book continues!!!!
This had a great plot, world building and great dialogue. Worst I can say is it had some editing issues and the game system which was complex and not easily understood if you're not used to the genre.
However the story moved along with the main character and supporting cast entertaining in their interactions and thrilling encounters.
I look forward to seeing how the second book continues!!!!
September 5, 2023
a fun beginning to a weird group of mcs
Great world with an interesting system and a fun ragtag found family that takes its time building their interpersonal relationships in fun ways.
Great world with an interesting system and a fun ragtag found family that takes its time building their interpersonal relationships in fun ways.
August 27, 2023
Fantastic
Great book, really cool story. Everything felt really solid. I only noticed one very minor typo, so the editing was top notch. The world building is excellent and the story feels like a modern day LOTR.
Good amount of tension, likable side characters and a relatable main character. The book was truly well done, and I highly recommend it.
Great book, really cool story. Everything felt really solid. I only noticed one very minor typo, so the editing was top notch. The world building is excellent and the story feels like a modern day LOTR.
Good amount of tension, likable side characters and a relatable main character. The book was truly well done, and I highly recommend it.
August 31, 2023
enjoyable!
Very entertaining story of a human engineer, who finds himself in an alpha body, trying to rebuild a land of the free and a home of the elf
Very entertaining story of a human engineer, who finds himself in an alpha body, trying to rebuild a land of the free and a home of the elf
August 25, 2023
a wonderful read
From the start this book grabs your attention and drags you into the world. I for one can’t wait for the next book!
From the start this book grabs your attention and drags you into the world. I for one can’t wait for the next book!
September 19, 2023
Good
A good start to the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
A good start to the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
October 16, 2023
I'm not sure what I just listened too but it was fun enough to be enjoyed. Will check out #2 eventually.
January 24, 2024
3.5 stars, not bad , I like books like this.
September 23, 2025
Rating 4.0 stars
This was pretty good. I was hoping for a little more kingdom building. I like the MC but he also a bit of an enigma.
This was pretty good. I was hoping for a little more kingdom building. I like the MC but he also a bit of an enigma.
May 25, 2025
DNF @ 77%
I like kingdom building stories but this one was disappointing for a few reasons. The first is that the MC does not make a good first impression. The setup for the story has his soul pulled through a portal and stuck in another body. One crucial element is that he's shot from point blank range just as he's being pulled through. Despite this, the first several chapters have him focusing on finding a way home - either back to his (presumably dead) body, or as a non-human, neither of which will allow him to resume his life as he wants to, a fact which does not seem to occur to him. He doesn't seem to suffer from idiot MC syndrome more widely though. The second issue are the time skips. This is likely the author trying to get to the kingdom building part, but it results in skipping things that I would have found interesting to read, which was frustrating. Lastly is the humour. The MC keeps making bad joke and cultural references no one around him understands. It doesn't come across as funny so much as the MC acting like an idiot.
I can see others enjoying this book, but the flaws kept me from enjoying it enough for it to be worth finishing.
I like kingdom building stories but this one was disappointing for a few reasons. The first is that the MC does not make a good first impression. The setup for the story has his soul pulled through a portal and stuck in another body. One crucial element is that he's shot from point blank range just as he's being pulled through. Despite this, the first several chapters have him focusing on finding a way home - either back to his (presumably dead) body, or as a non-human, neither of which will allow him to resume his life as he wants to, a fact which does not seem to occur to him. He doesn't seem to suffer from idiot MC syndrome more widely though. The second issue are the time skips. This is likely the author trying to get to the kingdom building part, but it results in skipping things that I would have found interesting to read, which was frustrating. Lastly is the humour. The MC keeps making bad joke and cultural references no one around him understands. It doesn't come across as funny so much as the MC acting like an idiot.
I can see others enjoying this book, but the flaws kept me from enjoying it enough for it to be worth finishing.
November 10, 2023
Help me read more books
This book advertises itself as an empire building LitRPG story. I suspect that's referring to the series as a whole instead of this book specifically, because there's very little building going on in this one, which is disappointing for me, because the whole building thing is why I picked it up for reading. I tend to like the building type LitRPG tales, so I'm hoping there's more building in future pieces of this series.
The story is pretty good though, so I can't complain too loudly, but more building would have been nice.
In any case, if you like stories where the main character tries to work with everyone to build something new and secure, then this story might appeal to you. I mean, there's dragons, and who doesn't like dragons? Of course, there's also ghost wolves, orcs, elves, humans, and of course, the ever present body transfer summoning to start it all off with a bang, so it works well when it's all put together. I'm likely to read more in this series.
This book advertises itself as an empire building LitRPG story. I suspect that's referring to the series as a whole instead of this book specifically, because there's very little building going on in this one, which is disappointing for me, because the whole building thing is why I picked it up for reading. I tend to like the building type LitRPG tales, so I'm hoping there's more building in future pieces of this series.
The story is pretty good though, so I can't complain too loudly, but more building would have been nice.
In any case, if you like stories where the main character tries to work with everyone to build something new and secure, then this story might appeal to you. I mean, there's dragons, and who doesn't like dragons? Of course, there's also ghost wolves, orcs, elves, humans, and of course, the ever present body transfer summoning to start it all off with a bang, so it works well when it's all put together. I'm likely to read more in this series.
September 6, 2023
When Leo was at his lowest point of his life, he got a second chance. His new lease on life, to go to another universe and save the Elves! Yes, he has a mission one he chose himself after finally starting to believe he was transferred to another life.
Luckily for him, he meets a Dragon who is having a bad time as well. Shortly after meeting his next major companion a noble Elf female that becomes the trios Healer. The rest is empire building and working for level ups in LitRPG. Its a fun read and one even when the novel seems long will be totally enjoyable.
Now I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
Luckily for him, he meets a Dragon who is having a bad time as well. Shortly after meeting his next major companion a noble Elf female that becomes the trios Healer. The rest is empire building and working for level ups in LitRPG. Its a fun read and one even when the novel seems long will be totally enjoyable.
Now I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
September 22, 2023
Elf Empire is a litRPG novel that initially left me underwhelmed due to its predictability, repetitive humor, and lack of substantial kingdom-building elements. However, my opinion improved significantly as I pushed past the halfway point.
The first half of Elf Empire felt like a familiar tale, following a somewhat predictable narrative trajectory. The quips and humor became grating, often relying on repetitive gags that lost their charm quickly. Disappointingly, the promised kingdom-building aspect lacked depth and progression, leaving me wanting more substance in this particular aspect of the adventure.
However, to my relief, the story took a turn for the better past the 50% mark. The predictability gave way to a more engaging and unexpected plot, injecting some much-needed excitement into the story. The repetitive humor seemed to ease off, allowing for a more immersive reading experience. Additionally, while the kingdom-building elements still fell short of my expectations, they did show some improvement and hinted at potential growth in future installments.
In summary, Elf Empire starts off on a rocky path with predictability, repetitive humor, and lacking depth in the kingdom-building aspect. However, it does redeem itself somewhat in the latter half, presenting a more engaging plot and toning down the annoying aspects. If you can push through the initial hurdles, there's potential for enjoyment as the story gains traction.
The first half of Elf Empire felt like a familiar tale, following a somewhat predictable narrative trajectory. The quips and humor became grating, often relying on repetitive gags that lost their charm quickly. Disappointingly, the promised kingdom-building aspect lacked depth and progression, leaving me wanting more substance in this particular aspect of the adventure.
However, to my relief, the story took a turn for the better past the 50% mark. The predictability gave way to a more engaging and unexpected plot, injecting some much-needed excitement into the story. The repetitive humor seemed to ease off, allowing for a more immersive reading experience. Additionally, while the kingdom-building elements still fell short of my expectations, they did show some improvement and hinted at potential growth in future installments.
In summary, Elf Empire starts off on a rocky path with predictability, repetitive humor, and lacking depth in the kingdom-building aspect. However, it does redeem itself somewhat in the latter half, presenting a more engaging plot and toning down the annoying aspects. If you can push through the initial hurdles, there's potential for enjoyment as the story gains traction.
March 4, 2025
Mixed feelings on this one. In the end I will probably catch the next one. At times I was really enjoying but it could get a bit annoying at times. The book did get really good at the end and it seems that some of the cast that were annoying and immature at the start were able to grow up and that did serve the story so to that I give a hearty well done. So you have the right expectation this one does no have much town or kingdom building but it does set things up nicely for us to see that in the next one.
December 22, 2025
This one good if you skip the endless character sheet skill lists and such. Seriously, at times I found myself skipping forward 30 sec several times.
That said our hero protagonist is a good guy and his friends are cool, specially the dragon.
The book doesn't really get into the empire building until rather late in the book, spending more time on adventuring and world building.
That said our hero protagonist is a good guy and his friends are cool, specially the dragon.
The book doesn't really get into the empire building until rather late in the book, spending more time on adventuring and world building.
September 17, 2023
Rpg political kingdom murder
RR reader here. Was planning on finishing and reviewing earlier but irl intervened. Good story if you like world building or a somewhat political RPG party killing things for a purpose.
RR reader here. Was planning on finishing and reviewing earlier but irl intervened. Good story if you like world building or a somewhat political RPG party killing things for a purpose.
October 25, 2023
The book is pretty solid for the first book in the series. So we could do less pining over a woman that literally only had a couple lines at the beginning of the book and absolutely no other background on her. she basically ratted him out to the bad guys.
September 5, 2023
enjoyable
Nice read. Loved the quote from the film the replacements, a guilty pleasure of mine. Protagonists not overpowered. Will read the next one.
Nice read. Loved the quote from the film the replacements, a guilty pleasure of mine. Protagonists not overpowered. Will read the next one.
September 19, 2023
love the book was just a little sad we didn't get the story from his girl friend side to see what is happening to her
March 18, 2024
Nice
Good overall and leading to me wanting more, stupid forced word count mean’s I’ll add a sentence of garbage nonsense.
Good overall and leading to me wanting more, stupid forced word count mean’s I’ll add a sentence of garbage nonsense.
Want to read
April 21, 2025Audible
July 25, 2025
The premise and execution was good. MC was just a little boring for my tastes. bit of a square.
May 3, 2025
Kind of upset this book would have been really good. But the overly complicated system 😕with lengthy and some what confusing explanations of the world and system and it seems like he has alot of negatives and things he couldn't get .And the princess 👸 was annoying. And why does he think he can go home?? He died on earth 🌎 plus his " girlfriend " got him killed and he keeps whining about going home to what? I hate it when they have a pitiful life or how his ends in shambles and the just want to go home to what? So stupid 🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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