What do you think?
Rate this book
Crossroads of Fate #1
Rise of the Lycanthrope
Joss is an ordinary freshman college student…or she was until magic irrevocably changed her life.
When her brother is kidnapped and her family murdered, it awakens something deep inside her—something primal. Joss's unwavering resolve to save her brother and deliver retribution leads her to discover a perilous realm, brimming with power, danger, and death.
The realm of the Fae.
But despite the many supernatural dangers, Joss - and her best friend Mike - discover they are not powerless in this new world. Mike delights in newfound spell-casting abilities as Joss awakens her own dark strength. Her power is something deeper and more feared than any spell…
The power of the Lycanthrope.
However, this new strength brings new enemies. Every decision in this new world is fraught with treachery and betrayal. This realm—governed by magical RPG-like mechanics—is far from safe. Beasts fused with elemental energies, monsters from myth, and terrors of the night all hunt the duo as they try to unravel the secrets of the Fae.
In this world filled with dangerous dominions, bloodthirsty monsters, soul-consuming dungeons, and even deadly flora and fauna, every encounter can mean increased power or a quick end. Joss and Mike venture into the unknown, discovering secrets, leveling their abilities, creating enemies, and disturbing powers better left alone. All in search of the one thing that might prove stronger than the Lycanthrope; Joss’s quest to restore what is left of her once ordinary family.
--
About the Join Joss and Mike as they explore the Fae, the origin of many of Earth’s myths and legends. Growth here is measured by level progression, skill acquisition, abilities, professions, and unique classes. This isekai story is fraught with tension, battle, and high-stakes choices. Joss discovers a path to domination through her powerful lycanthrope ability, and her control of a living Dungeon that can assist and grow as she levels. Those who like the dark gritty world of the UnderVerse or the home-building mechanics and loot of The Land , will find themselves at home within the Fae realm of Tarshook.
When her brother is kidnapped and her family murdered, it awakens something deep inside her—something primal. Joss's unwavering resolve to save her brother and deliver retribution leads her to discover a perilous realm, brimming with power, danger, and death.
The realm of the Fae.
But despite the many supernatural dangers, Joss - and her best friend Mike - discover they are not powerless in this new world. Mike delights in newfound spell-casting abilities as Joss awakens her own dark strength. Her power is something deeper and more feared than any spell…
The power of the Lycanthrope.
However, this new strength brings new enemies. Every decision in this new world is fraught with treachery and betrayal. This realm—governed by magical RPG-like mechanics—is far from safe. Beasts fused with elemental energies, monsters from myth, and terrors of the night all hunt the duo as they try to unravel the secrets of the Fae.
In this world filled with dangerous dominions, bloodthirsty monsters, soul-consuming dungeons, and even deadly flora and fauna, every encounter can mean increased power or a quick end. Joss and Mike venture into the unknown, discovering secrets, leveling their abilities, creating enemies, and disturbing powers better left alone. All in search of the one thing that might prove stronger than the Lycanthrope; Joss’s quest to restore what is left of her once ordinary family.
--
About the Join Joss and Mike as they explore the Fae, the origin of many of Earth’s myths and legends. Growth here is measured by level progression, skill acquisition, abilities, professions, and unique classes. This isekai story is fraught with tension, battle, and high-stakes choices. Joss discovers a path to domination through her powerful lycanthrope ability, and her control of a living Dungeon that can assist and grow as she levels. Those who like the dark gritty world of the UnderVerse or the home-building mechanics and loot of The Land , will find themselves at home within the Fae realm of Tarshook.
- GenresFantasy
680 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Read
July 13, 2023Fae, Werewolves, Bases!
Not enough Werewolf stories out there for people to sink their fangs into, so if that's what you're looking for then go no further!
The Fae, the ley-lines, the Dominions, the Dungeons. A great addition to the genre, and one that's not the standard deritive of MC grows stronger for no reason.
Measured, earned gains, competent female lead, ace balance of combat and base-building.
With her settlement growing, let's see where Joss goes next!
Not enough Werewolf stories out there for people to sink their fangs into, so if that's what you're looking for then go no further!
The Fae, the ley-lines, the Dominions, the Dungeons. A great addition to the genre, and one that's not the standard deritive of MC grows stronger for no reason.
Measured, earned gains, competent female lead, ace balance of combat and base-building.
With her settlement growing, let's see where Joss goes next!
July 16, 2023
KU Review
This book was really engaging. Great world building and storytelling. Great character development. I think I even liked the sidekick’s branch story as much or more than the MC’s.
General disclaimer: I want to be clear in that I do not factor cost into any review and as such, this is simply a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
This book was really engaging. Great world building and storytelling. Great character development. I think I even liked the sidekick’s branch story as much or more than the MC’s.
General disclaimer: I want to be clear in that I do not factor cost into any review and as such, this is simply a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
August 17, 2023
Really good start of a fantastic new series. Love Joss and Mike they are very good main characters. Really interesting magic system and world building can’t wait to see what comes next. Cool side characters and an engaging plot.
July 28, 2023
Loved it
I absolutely loved watching the joss come to terms with her ability and Mike finding his place in the fae realm. This book is an excellent addition to the litrpg genre and I can't wait to see what happens next!
I absolutely loved watching the joss come to terms with her ability and Mike finding his place in the fae realm. This book is an excellent addition to the litrpg genre and I can't wait to see what happens next!
July 24, 2023
Solid start! This book has the elements of most good LitRPGs: dungeons, town building and a cool magic system. Add an MC with some unique abilities and you have a winner. The story was good and you have an idea of where it is going right away. I look forward to the next book.
May 6, 2024
I stumbled across this book and it was a very fun experience! The author was able to craft a world full of mysteries and wonders that seems to only scratch the surface of the possibilities ahead. Very imaginative storytelling that took twists that I didn't see coming, keeping me interested and wanting to read more.
The characters had personalities that drew you in and wanted to learn more about them. I would say that I wish their backgrounds were a bit more fleshed out or expanded upon. However, that didn't distract from the feats that they were able to overcome to contribute to their overall character growth. I greatly enjoyed that the main protagonist was female and was not pushed around because of it. That greatly helped my desire to read this in the first place.
If you are looking for a book to introduce you to the LitRPG world of literature, then this book is the one to start with.
The characters had personalities that drew you in and wanted to learn more about them. I would say that I wish their backgrounds were a bit more fleshed out or expanded upon. However, that didn't distract from the feats that they were able to overcome to contribute to their overall character growth. I greatly enjoyed that the main protagonist was female and was not pushed around because of it. That greatly helped my desire to read this in the first place.
If you are looking for a book to introduce you to the LitRPG world of literature, then this book is the one to start with.
July 13, 2023
I received a free copy of Rise of the Lycanthrope from Portal Books.
This is a fantastic book. It's amazing that this is Brock Walker's first book. His ability to move the plot smoothly while splitting the narrative and keeping character integrity was inspiring. This is the best LitRPG book I've read this year and I can't recommend it enough. However, if violence triggers you, there's some torture scenes that are a mite grim. My trigger was that the book starts in Omaha NE--why? Fortunately the two main characters are quickly moved to a game-like environment where they blossom and get OP while overcoming some huge and scary obstacles. The werewolf versus vampire rivalry is saved for later but this book definitely is heading in that direction--and it's going to be intense. This book is over 700 pages long but it goes by in a flash. I applaud Walker on writing such a compelling novel.
This is a fantastic book. It's amazing that this is Brock Walker's first book. His ability to move the plot smoothly while splitting the narrative and keeping character integrity was inspiring. This is the best LitRPG book I've read this year and I can't recommend it enough. However, if violence triggers you, there's some torture scenes that are a mite grim. My trigger was that the book starts in Omaha NE--why? Fortunately the two main characters are quickly moved to a game-like environment where they blossom and get OP while overcoming some huge and scary obstacles. The werewolf versus vampire rivalry is saved for later but this book definitely is heading in that direction--and it's going to be intense. This book is over 700 pages long but it goes by in a flash. I applaud Walker on writing such a compelling novel.
August 3, 2023
Nice and Savage
The book starts slowly and I was worried that the MC’s best friend was just going to be some doormat following a Mary Sue OP protagonist; however, the story proved it was much more than that with first contact. There are some really horrible villains, totally sadistic and terrifying, and greedy noble types and just some cannon fodder. Mike proves to be a great side kick after he’s separated. I really liked his side story and his companions. The MC Joss is also more than a typical Mary Sue. She is a bit OP, but she definitely suffers to gain her power. Starting the story with the murder of her parents and brother’s kidnapping was nice as it made her ready to go balls out as soon as she has the chance, and she really becomes a pretty terrifying being before long.
The book starts slowly and I was worried that the MC’s best friend was just going to be some doormat following a Mary Sue OP protagonist; however, the story proved it was much more than that with first contact. There are some really horrible villains, totally sadistic and terrifying, and greedy noble types and just some cannon fodder. Mike proves to be a great side kick after he’s separated. I really liked his side story and his companions. The MC Joss is also more than a typical Mary Sue. She is a bit OP, but she definitely suffers to gain her power. Starting the story with the murder of her parents and brother’s kidnapping was nice as it made her ready to go balls out as soon as she has the chance, and she really becomes a pretty terrifying being before long.
Did Not Finish
July 15, 2026Conclusion:
Just couldn't keep me interested. The setup was pretty neat, and I like the main character, but the side character was really annoying and there was a lot of exposition in between stuff happening that I got bored with.
In progress:
So far not bad, but not super great. There's a lot of repetitive exposition, in addition to the already lots of exposition. Joss is super indecisive, which is whatever except for the pages and pages of her agonizing over decision, but more she tends to miss what seem like really obvious conclusions and it makes her seem stupid. Mike is turbo annoying. He seems to exist to just be the peanut gallery and make references and clumsily flirt with Joss. He hasn't actually done much that's noteworthy yet. The book is also a little too referential for my taste.
Just couldn't keep me interested. The setup was pretty neat, and I like the main character, but the side character was really annoying and there was a lot of exposition in between stuff happening that I got bored with.
In progress:
So far not bad, but not super great. There's a lot of repetitive exposition, in addition to the already lots of exposition. Joss is super indecisive, which is whatever except for the pages and pages of her agonizing over decision, but more she tends to miss what seem like really obvious conclusions and it makes her seem stupid. Mike is turbo annoying. He seems to exist to just be the peanut gallery and make references and clumsily flirt with Joss. He hasn't actually done much that's noteworthy yet. The book is also a little too referential for my taste.
October 29, 2024
Fantastic read from beginning to end! Won't want to miss this one!
This is one of those rare books that I just couldn't put down! Everything from the characters to the story itself kept me engaged. I found myself reading for hours at a time. There wasn't really anything I didn't like about this book. Any fans of werewolves or just isekai in general are sure to enjoy this journey into the fae realm. Cannot wait for book 2.
This is one of those rare books that I just couldn't put down! Everything from the characters to the story itself kept me engaged. I found myself reading for hours at a time. There wasn't really anything I didn't like about this book. Any fans of werewolves or just isekai in general are sure to enjoy this journey into the fae realm. Cannot wait for book 2.
January 10, 2025
DNF, 66%
Started out alright and fun enough, but got bored about halfway through. Also, I don't like multiple MCs and diverging paths in most books unless it's written really well, and I found that it wasn't in this book. Got annoyed by the swapping of characters and just gave up. Not an enjoyable enough read for me.
Started out alright and fun enough, but got bored about halfway through. Also, I don't like multiple MCs and diverging paths in most books unless it's written really well, and I found that it wasn't in this book. Got annoyed by the swapping of characters and just gave up. Not an enjoyable enough read for me.
July 25, 2023
Good job
This was good. A nice LitRPG story with adventure, trying to do the right thing, and a hint of romance.
This was good. A nice LitRPG story with adventure, trying to do the right thing, and a hint of romance.
July 31, 2023
A fun read
This book is a more enjoyable experience than many of the other new release novels flooding the litrpg genre right now.
This book is a more enjoyable experience than many of the other new release novels flooding the litrpg genre right now.
August 3, 2023
If you like books where the MC continually makes the stupidest possible decisions this book is for you.
August 15, 2023
Good first book!
A very good start to a new series. I was pleasantly surprised and hope the following books are just as good.
A very good start to a new series. I was pleasantly surprised and hope the following books are just as good.
March 10, 2024
DNF.
I love fantasy and even like DND, but it seems clunky and like lazy storytelling to use DND mechanics to describe why actions happen or how a transaction is completed. Meh.
I love fantasy and even like DND, but it seems clunky and like lazy storytelling to use DND mechanics to describe why actions happen or how a transaction is completed. Meh.
July 22, 2023
I'm a little biased, given this is my book, but I loved writing it.
I love OP powerful characters with significant rules that stop them from walking over everyone. I like the danger of a new world, new creatures, new threats. I love the interactions between characters, even when they make choices of youthful ignorance. I love seeing the MC rise above it all, battered, weathered, but stronger for it!
I can't wait to release book two which is well on its way.
I love OP powerful characters with significant rules that stop them from walking over everyone. I like the danger of a new world, new creatures, new threats. I love the interactions between characters, even when they make choices of youthful ignorance. I love seeing the MC rise above it all, battered, weathered, but stronger for it!
I can't wait to release book two which is well on its way.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews