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Dark Town, A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure: Level One of the Dragon's Crawl
Part cozy, part bloody, all fun.
Hidden underneath the small town of Haverly Arms lies an entrance to the Dragon’s Game, an extensive world where adventurers compete to collect power objects and progress to the next level.
Temerity’s father and brothers have been down in the game for years, leaving Temerity and her mother, plus their house goblin, Half-pint, to manage their tavern. Bored with small-town life, Temerity decides to enter the tunnel labyrinth, launching an adventure to survive Level One of the Dragon’s Game: Dark Town.
Hidden underneath the small town of Haverly Arms lies an entrance to the Dragon’s Game, an extensive world where adventurers compete to collect power objects and progress to the next level.
Temerity’s father and brothers have been down in the game for years, leaving Temerity and her mother, plus their house goblin, Half-pint, to manage their tavern. Bored with small-town life, Temerity decides to enter the tunnel labyrinth, launching an adventure to survive Level One of the Dragon’s Game: Dark Town.
- GenresFantasyCozy Fantasy
410 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2024
4 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Palmer Pickering
5 books172 followersPalmer has been writing fiction since she was eight. She received her BA in American Studies from Wesleyan University, with concentrations in Religion and Race Relations.
She currently works in Silicon Valley in the gaming industry and high tech. In addition, Palmer holds a certificate in Chinese Acupressure, is a certified solar panel installer, and studied Tibetan Buddhism with the 14th Dalai Lama.
She lives and writes in the magical redwood forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, California.
She currently works in Silicon Valley in the gaming industry and high tech. In addition, Palmer holds a certificate in Chinese Acupressure, is a certified solar panel installer, and studied Tibetan Buddhism with the 14th Dalai Lama.
She lives and writes in the magical redwood forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 9, 2024
A Gamelit delight! I’ve always wondered what a fantasy game would be like in a fantasy world. Dark town answers this question beautifully.
This is the perfect mix of cozy, action, & motley crew.
This is the perfect mix of cozy, action, & motley crew.
May 1, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
Dark Town is the first book in the Fantasy LitRPG series Tales of Temerity, written by Palmer Pickering. I beta read an early draft of this book, and also technically reread it as an ARC reader; both times I can say this is a fun and really enjoyable game, with characters that will stay with you, and an interesting worldbuilding that organically introduces the progression elements into the novel.
Temerity is a young women, bored with her life; taking care of the family's tavern in the company of her mother and their hobgoblin Half-pint, while her brothers and dad left to try luck in the Dragon's Game. In the company of Half-pint, she will decide to adventure into the Dragon's Game, in search of adventures and also to find news about her family; starting a challenge that will allow her to grow as a character while introducing us to the own world created by the dragons.
In that regard, we have a classical LitRPG adventure, with progression systems, weaponry, gems and roles; all smoothly implemented into the own narrative. If it's your first foray into the genre, you will certainly find it quite handy, as the soft system allows for the classical progression during the adventure, but more on what you could expect from a D&D game (there are some moments that are totally DM intervening into the game).
Talking a bit more about the characters, while Temerity is the main character and we certainly connect with her and her struggles, I would say this book is the show of Half-pint. He's the mentor figure, explaining and guiding Temerity across the game, half-snarky and sarcastic, but having a soft spot that definitely stole my heart.
Worldbuilding is an aspect that shines in Dark Town, as Pickering has mixed classic fantasy elements such as elfs, taverns, adventurers with the litRPG ones; and I find especially smart how the own dungeon crawler aspects are justified by the own world lore, tied to the dragon divinities.
If you are looking for a pallate cleanser between heavier reads, or you just want a fun foray into the litRPG genre, Dark Town is a great choice; Pickering has shown again her versatility to jump between genres, writing a nice adventure!
PS: The illustrations included in the book are stunning.
Dark Town is the first book in the Fantasy LitRPG series Tales of Temerity, written by Palmer Pickering. I beta read an early draft of this book, and also technically reread it as an ARC reader; both times I can say this is a fun and really enjoyable game, with characters that will stay with you, and an interesting worldbuilding that organically introduces the progression elements into the novel.
Temerity is a young women, bored with her life; taking care of the family's tavern in the company of her mother and their hobgoblin Half-pint, while her brothers and dad left to try luck in the Dragon's Game. In the company of Half-pint, she will decide to adventure into the Dragon's Game, in search of adventures and also to find news about her family; starting a challenge that will allow her to grow as a character while introducing us to the own world created by the dragons.
In that regard, we have a classical LitRPG adventure, with progression systems, weaponry, gems and roles; all smoothly implemented into the own narrative. If it's your first foray into the genre, you will certainly find it quite handy, as the soft system allows for the classical progression during the adventure, but more on what you could expect from a D&D game (there are some moments that are totally DM intervening into the game).
Talking a bit more about the characters, while Temerity is the main character and we certainly connect with her and her struggles, I would say this book is the show of Half-pint. He's the mentor figure, explaining and guiding Temerity across the game, half-snarky and sarcastic, but having a soft spot that definitely stole my heart.
Worldbuilding is an aspect that shines in Dark Town, as Pickering has mixed classic fantasy elements such as elfs, taverns, adventurers with the litRPG ones; and I find especially smart how the own dungeon crawler aspects are justified by the own world lore, tied to the dragon divinities.
If you are looking for a pallate cleanser between heavier reads, or you just want a fun foray into the litRPG genre, Dark Town is a great choice; Pickering has shown again her versatility to jump between genres, writing a nice adventure!
PS: The illustrations included in the book are stunning.
September 4, 2024
Your hangover cure for Legends and Lattes and Dungeon Crawler Carl, and the Wandering Inn.
Missing her brothers and dad and yearning for more than helping out at the tavern, Temerity ventures into the Dragon’s Game, a Lit RPG world come to life.
Inside her bag are useful items: clothes, weapons, matches, and a house goblin, Half-pint.
The audiobook was great! The kind of thing I can picture listening to whilst cozying up to a fire.
Half-pint and Temerity make a fun duo and a great team - naive young girl and an older, experienced goblin who knows how to navigate the world.
The first half was definitely more entertaining for me as we learn the world and get more quiet moments as the two explore the ‘safer’ levels. After that, it becomes more Lit RPG focused - fighting, collecting items, levelling up.
My brothers have already expressed their interest after overhearing a snippet and then the premise - LIT RPG books with funny characters are their favourites! So whilst this might not have worked well for me towards the end, I am sure this will find its audience!
P.s. the book has GORGEOUS illustrations!
Thank you to the author for providing me with the audiobook and physical book in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
Missing her brothers and dad and yearning for more than helping out at the tavern, Temerity ventures into the Dragon’s Game, a Lit RPG world come to life.
Inside her bag are useful items: clothes, weapons, matches, and a house goblin, Half-pint.
The audiobook was great! The kind of thing I can picture listening to whilst cozying up to a fire.
Half-pint and Temerity make a fun duo and a great team - naive young girl and an older, experienced goblin who knows how to navigate the world.
The first half was definitely more entertaining for me as we learn the world and get more quiet moments as the two explore the ‘safer’ levels. After that, it becomes more Lit RPG focused - fighting, collecting items, levelling up.
My brothers have already expressed their interest after overhearing a snippet and then the premise - LIT RPG books with funny characters are their favourites! So whilst this might not have worked well for me towards the end, I am sure this will find its audience!
P.s. the book has GORGEOUS illustrations!
Thank you to the author for providing me with the audiobook and physical book in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
September 3, 2024
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
In Dark Town, Palmer Pickering shows off her versatile storytelling skills and offers an exciting take on the LitRPG genre. Filled with bloody action, wild imagination and a ton of heart, this slightly frenetic adventure has a fun factor that will make you boost straight through the pages.
For the past few years, Temerity has been helping take care of her family’s tavern while her dad and brothers are chasing success in the notorious Dragon’s Crawl game. But true to her name, she decides that she is not made for this boring life, and enters the game herself in the hunt for adventure and in search of answers about her family’s fate. Together with Half-Pint, her house hobgoblin who shapeshifts into a cat (!!), she is launched into an alluring world created by the dragon overlords, where she will have to learn to fight, survive, and grow in order to level up and complete her quest.
Now, when you pitch a book as ‘part cozy, part bloody, all fun’, my interest is piqued. And for the most part, I would have to say that Dark Town delivers exactly on that promise, even if I wouldn’t have minded the cozy aspects to be a bit more prominent; still, for a fast-paced adventure with big personal stakes and high action, it is really quite impressive how charming and light-hearted the entire narrative feels.
Pickering just does a magnificent job of bringing the setting of Dark Town to life, making it feel both comfortably familiar and hauntingly unsettling, and throwing in just enough unique twists and turns to keep up the levels of intrigue and excitement. The atmosphere truly bleeds off the page, and I really enjoyed being introduced to all the intricacies of this rich yet murky game world through Temerity’s fresh and inexperienced perspective as a first-time adventurer.
Though, as much as I liked her youthful ignorance and innocent sense of wonder, I did personally wish for a bit more personality and emotional depth from her to really get invested. For me, her companion and mentor Half-Pint was the true showstopper, and I loved all the hints at his intriguing backstory. Moreover, the dynamic between Temerity and Half-Pint was just effortlessly entertaining, even if their dialogue sometimes felt a bit like an excuse to dump world building/gaming lessons.
With me not being a gamer (RPG or otherwise) and only having read a handful of LitRPG novels, I think it is a testament to Pickering’s skill as a storyteller how easily I felt comfortable on this increasingly wild adventure. While I personally struggled a bit with the fast-paced nature and some of the repetitive action of the game aspect (especially in the fight to defeat the end boss), there is no denying that Dark Town has a dangerously addictive quality that makes the pages just fly by.
Not to mention, the dozens of illustrations really added just another level of immersion to this rich world, helping me visualise all the darkly alluring settings, diverse races/creatures, and dangerous adversaries. It is clear that Pickering has poured a lot of love, excitement and passion into the creation of both this story and the physical book itself, which is exactly what gives Dark Town so much heart and makes it stand out from the crowd.
With this only covering the first level of the in-world game, I am excited by the potential for the world and characters to grow, progress and develop in the next instalments. Whether you are a LitRPG aficionado looking for a fun new adventure or just a regular fantasy fan curious to dip your toes into a different branch of this wonderfully diverse genre, I would highly recommend escaping into Dark Town to experience this dark yet entertaining gamelit gem for yourself.
Thank you to Indie Book Tours and the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
In Dark Town, Palmer Pickering shows off her versatile storytelling skills and offers an exciting take on the LitRPG genre. Filled with bloody action, wild imagination and a ton of heart, this slightly frenetic adventure has a fun factor that will make you boost straight through the pages.
For the past few years, Temerity has been helping take care of her family’s tavern while her dad and brothers are chasing success in the notorious Dragon’s Crawl game. But true to her name, she decides that she is not made for this boring life, and enters the game herself in the hunt for adventure and in search of answers about her family’s fate. Together with Half-Pint, her house hobgoblin who shapeshifts into a cat (!!), she is launched into an alluring world created by the dragon overlords, where she will have to learn to fight, survive, and grow in order to level up and complete her quest.
Now, when you pitch a book as ‘part cozy, part bloody, all fun’, my interest is piqued. And for the most part, I would have to say that Dark Town delivers exactly on that promise, even if I wouldn’t have minded the cozy aspects to be a bit more prominent; still, for a fast-paced adventure with big personal stakes and high action, it is really quite impressive how charming and light-hearted the entire narrative feels.
Pickering just does a magnificent job of bringing the setting of Dark Town to life, making it feel both comfortably familiar and hauntingly unsettling, and throwing in just enough unique twists and turns to keep up the levels of intrigue and excitement. The atmosphere truly bleeds off the page, and I really enjoyed being introduced to all the intricacies of this rich yet murky game world through Temerity’s fresh and inexperienced perspective as a first-time adventurer.
Though, as much as I liked her youthful ignorance and innocent sense of wonder, I did personally wish for a bit more personality and emotional depth from her to really get invested. For me, her companion and mentor Half-Pint was the true showstopper, and I loved all the hints at his intriguing backstory. Moreover, the dynamic between Temerity and Half-Pint was just effortlessly entertaining, even if their dialogue sometimes felt a bit like an excuse to dump world building/gaming lessons.
With me not being a gamer (RPG or otherwise) and only having read a handful of LitRPG novels, I think it is a testament to Pickering’s skill as a storyteller how easily I felt comfortable on this increasingly wild adventure. While I personally struggled a bit with the fast-paced nature and some of the repetitive action of the game aspect (especially in the fight to defeat the end boss), there is no denying that Dark Town has a dangerously addictive quality that makes the pages just fly by.
Not to mention, the dozens of illustrations really added just another level of immersion to this rich world, helping me visualise all the darkly alluring settings, diverse races/creatures, and dangerous adversaries. It is clear that Pickering has poured a lot of love, excitement and passion into the creation of both this story and the physical book itself, which is exactly what gives Dark Town so much heart and makes it stand out from the crowd.
With this only covering the first level of the in-world game, I am excited by the potential for the world and characters to grow, progress and develop in the next instalments. Whether you are a LitRPG aficionado looking for a fun new adventure or just a regular fantasy fan curious to dip your toes into a different branch of this wonderfully diverse genre, I would highly recommend escaping into Dark Town to experience this dark yet entertaining gamelit gem for yourself.
Thank you to Indie Book Tours and the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2024
I have never read this genre. However, I have read the incredible Heliotrope novel by PP, so I was more than happy to try something new.
And boy, was this a blast. It was so fun and a little bit crazy and plenty of funky. I liked that the book moved at a super speedy pace, but I did actually get invested in the characters
Half-Pint is a wonderful little fella, and I would like to befriend him.
I'm quite looking forward to level 2
And boy, was this a blast. It was so fun and a little bit crazy and plenty of funky. I liked that the book moved at a super speedy pace, but I did actually get invested in the characters
Half-Pint is a wonderful little fella, and I would like to befriend him.
I'm quite looking forward to level 2
January 21, 2026
Part cozy, part bloody, all fun!
Super fun cozy fantasy with a progression game style adventure. Different ways to play and level up, collecting fun and useful items to build strength, healing or intelligence. The found family vibes are so cute! I'm rooting for the team to win.
The narrator did a great job with the characters and the production was beautifully crisp.
Edit Review
Super fun cozy fantasy with a progression game style adventure. Different ways to play and level up, collecting fun and useful items to build strength, healing or intelligence. The found family vibes are so cute! I'm rooting for the team to win.
The narrator did a great job with the characters and the production was beautifully crisp.
Edit Review
July 2, 2024
Beneath the town adventure lies. The great Dragons Game. A maze of challenges only the most daring & wile overcome.
Featuring all kinds of exciting tests for our charming characters. Super fast paced, light hearted & a ton of fun. A Gamelit delight!
Featuring all kinds of exciting tests for our charming characters. Super fast paced, light hearted & a ton of fun. A Gamelit delight!
September 14, 2024
“I heard it isn’t a game to them. The mazes and challenges were built as rules of passage to ascend to dragonhood.”
So we learn about the rules of this adventure. I was a bit nervous going into this book because abuse I haven’t had much luck enjoying this type of story. But I was ever so happy whilst reading that I was totally invested in the characters and what would happen to them.
I thought the worldbuilding was strong and gave enough information at first so you could follow along. But also the reader learned on the journey how to advance through the obstacles.
For me characters are the most important feature. And I completely bought into our main characters. I really liked Temerity, the female human, and Half-Pint, her family’s hobgoblin. The supporting people that join them have distinct personalities and are totally believable.
I want to also acknowledge the beautiful drawings scattered throughout the book. They depict situations exactly as I saw them in my mind. A particular standout is the gorgeous, magical bath garden in which Temerity gets to bathe. Oh how I would love to have one of those!
So I am excited for the next adventure of these characters. Also I am so happy that I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy such a story. The whole journey felt natural as it evolved and moved forward.
If you love RPG, this is definitely for you. But like me any reader would have a good time reading this book.
Many thanks to the author for an advanced copy of the book.
So we learn about the rules of this adventure. I was a bit nervous going into this book because abuse I haven’t had much luck enjoying this type of story. But I was ever so happy whilst reading that I was totally invested in the characters and what would happen to them.
I thought the worldbuilding was strong and gave enough information at first so you could follow along. But also the reader learned on the journey how to advance through the obstacles.
For me characters are the most important feature. And I completely bought into our main characters. I really liked Temerity, the female human, and Half-Pint, her family’s hobgoblin. The supporting people that join them have distinct personalities and are totally believable.
I want to also acknowledge the beautiful drawings scattered throughout the book. They depict situations exactly as I saw them in my mind. A particular standout is the gorgeous, magical bath garden in which Temerity gets to bathe. Oh how I would love to have one of those!
So I am excited for the next adventure of these characters. Also I am so happy that I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy such a story. The whole journey felt natural as it evolved and moved forward.
If you love RPG, this is definitely for you. But like me any reader would have a good time reading this book.
Many thanks to the author for an advanced copy of the book.
July 22, 2024
Dark Town is so incredibly fun!
It is like being sucked into a video game that you just can't put down. A perfect blend of high action stakes with that cozy grind that comes from your favourite RPG.
A fantastic entry point for anyone looking to give the LitRPG sub-genre a go!
It is like being sucked into a video game that you just can't put down. A perfect blend of high action stakes with that cozy grind that comes from your favourite RPG.
A fantastic entry point for anyone looking to give the LitRPG sub-genre a go!
August 4, 2024
Here’s a good place to start with Gamelit. Cozy with a side of action, intrigue, mystery & gore. Toned down DCC meets L&L.
Temerity is 16, she wants an adventure. There’s a dungeon crawl game going on beneath the streets of her city, will she find her father & brothers that entered the game 2 years ago?
She’s taken the house goblin Half-Pint with her & he is by far my most favorite character!
Fun start to a new series.
4 1/3 stars
Temerity is 16, she wants an adventure. There’s a dungeon crawl game going on beneath the streets of her city, will she find her father & brothers that entered the game 2 years ago?
She’s taken the house goblin Half-Pint with her & he is by far my most favorite character!
Fun start to a new series.
4 1/3 stars
February 5, 2026
This was great fun. It's a progression fantasy and followed that familiar run, but well done. I enjoyed it all the way through. I'll read the next when it comes out.
August 10, 2024
Picked this up on a whim at WorldCon and am so glad I did!! Anyone who likes Legends & Lattes and other cozy gaming-inspired books will adore it. Can't wait for the next books in the series!
August 12, 2024
Dark Town by Palmer Pickering has been on my radar for a few months now. I knew she was working on this one and had kept my eye out for it's release. I'll be upfront and honest about a couple of things here. The first is that I'm a bit of a fanboy when it comes to Palmer's works that I've read so far. Whether that is her true Science Fiction Fantasy series, Star Children Saga which I'm still bugging her about book three whenever I get a chance. There is also her full epic fantasy Heliotrope which was one of my fast reads for such a thick book. She did warn me a couple of times this was something very different being LitRPG. I'll talk about that a bit more as we dive into things here shortly. Palmer was also kind enough to send me a beautiful signed copy of Dark Town which I've added to my home collection.
The pacing of Dark Town was smooth for me. I've only read a handful of other LitRPG titles previously and I can say I've ran into both the more hardcore LitRPG as well as the more subtle. I think this is somewhere in between with a slight lean to the softer side. There is certainly a feel of this story being told from a gaming perspective but I thought several times that with just a few words or terms, this could have easily been released as a straight up fantasy novel. Even though there is mention of things like upgrading gear and getting to the next level, we aren't confronted with hard interruptions to the story with things like system messages. This provided a much smoother reading experience for me.
The World Building in book one here was also nicely done. We get to learn about the worlds both outside and inside of the game. As the story progresses we get a lot of details of the environment around our characters. This might be in dark foreboding labyrinths, taverns or dark and dangerous alleys. We also learn more and more about the history of this world as the story progresses as well. Some great character past reveals along the way! Even though this genre is different than other books I've read by Palmer, I can still see her touch to both the world and it's characters.
Speaking of characters, the character development was also nicely done in Dark Town. Temerity was a great character as we see her come into her own by the end of the first book. We can see she still has plenty of growth yet to come though. I'm not afraid to say that Half-Pint completely stole the show though. He is such an amazing character. I even feel that strictly talking about growth of a character, what we learn of him has been the most. Temerity grows from her experiences in book one, where I guess Half-Pint's legend grows more as we learn more and more about him.
All in all, this was another pleasant experience in the LitRPG realm. I might not have been so quick to pick this one up without already knowing Palmer Pickering's other works but if I did get my hands on it not knowing who the author is, I feel I still would have enjoyed this one just as much.
If you like all things LitRPG or on the softer side of this sub genre, I think you own yourself a service and give this one a try. I had written down a few notes while reading that gave me MMO flashbacks such as the Tank thinking he was invincible but learning to turn the mobs away from the rest of the party. I loved my online gaming days so these flashbacks were a great chance to reminisce a bit. I'll be keeping an eye out for Level 2 in the future.
The pacing of Dark Town was smooth for me. I've only read a handful of other LitRPG titles previously and I can say I've ran into both the more hardcore LitRPG as well as the more subtle. I think this is somewhere in between with a slight lean to the softer side. There is certainly a feel of this story being told from a gaming perspective but I thought several times that with just a few words or terms, this could have easily been released as a straight up fantasy novel. Even though there is mention of things like upgrading gear and getting to the next level, we aren't confronted with hard interruptions to the story with things like system messages. This provided a much smoother reading experience for me.
The World Building in book one here was also nicely done. We get to learn about the worlds both outside and inside of the game. As the story progresses we get a lot of details of the environment around our characters. This might be in dark foreboding labyrinths, taverns or dark and dangerous alleys. We also learn more and more about the history of this world as the story progresses as well. Some great character past reveals along the way! Even though this genre is different than other books I've read by Palmer, I can still see her touch to both the world and it's characters.
Speaking of characters, the character development was also nicely done in Dark Town. Temerity was a great character as we see her come into her own by the end of the first book. We can see she still has plenty of growth yet to come though. I'm not afraid to say that Half-Pint completely stole the show though. He is such an amazing character. I even feel that strictly talking about growth of a character, what we learn of him has been the most. Temerity grows from her experiences in book one, where I guess Half-Pint's legend grows more as we learn more and more about him.
All in all, this was another pleasant experience in the LitRPG realm. I might not have been so quick to pick this one up without already knowing Palmer Pickering's other works but if I did get my hands on it not knowing who the author is, I feel I still would have enjoyed this one just as much.
If you like all things LitRPG or on the softer side of this sub genre, I think you own yourself a service and give this one a try. I had written down a few notes while reading that gave me MMO flashbacks such as the Tank thinking he was invincible but learning to turn the mobs away from the rest of the party. I loved my online gaming days so these flashbacks were a great chance to reminisce a bit. I'll be keeping an eye out for Level 2 in the future.
Read
August 11, 2024Just finished this book. RTC
Currently sitting between 3-4 stars.
There are rat terriers!!! Told my rat terrier and she’s thrilled that there’s rat terrier representation :P
Currently sitting between 3-4 stars.
There are rat terriers!!! Told my rat terrier and she’s thrilled that there’s rat terrier representation :P
April 15, 2024
Fun, fun fun, and dark at times.
Review coming soon 🪄✨
Review coming soon 🪄✨
April 30, 2024
TL;DR Review: Fun and fluffy LitRPG. Easy reading, engaging characters, and a simple yet addicting progression.
Full Review:
I’m a sucker for a cozy fantasy adventure, so when I heard about Dark Town, I knew I had to give it a read.
I was already familiar with the author’s writing style from Heliotrope and knew I was in for some solid worldbuilding, great characters, and easy reading action.
And I got exactly what I expected…plus a bit more!
Dark Town is a classic “young girl leaving home on her first adventure” story, only this adventure is into an underground alternate realm where dwarves, elves, nymphs, orcs, trolls, ogres, and dragons exist, and dungeons can be looted for gems and weapons.
As a LitRPG, it’s very reminiscent of every RPG video game I’ve played, with weapons loadout (no more than three at a time), magic jewel (no more than three “equipped” at once, all with various color-based powers), and class systems (Attack, Shield, Melee, Range, etc.) that were familiar and easy to sink my teeth into.
The world is colorful and filled with curious characters—from the wheedling nymphs who continually cheats them out of their hard labor to the scholar who defies the “laws of the dungeons” to make maps to the snake-growing tavernkeeper—who make it such a pleasure to read.
Sure, there’s danger aplenty—enemy players who can “kill” you and steal your loot, monsters who you’ll have to defeat to “level up”, and the dragons who created the maze—but those stakes never really detract from the cozy feel of the book.
Half-pint the hobgoblin is a fun character. As a seasoned adventurer, he is the source of information on the dungeons and expert advice on how to tackle any challenge or enemy they face. He’s also the source of a lot of the delightful emotional moments, and definitely the more compelling and complex of the two main characters.
Temerity the human adventurer is as fresh-faced and excited by everything as expected, and it’s her enthusiasm for even the most mundane tasks (collecting coal, selling snake skins, etc.) that makes everything feel like an exciting adventure. She struggles here and there but remains dauntless, eager-eyed, and optimistic. She is very much the driving force of the story, and it’s easy to engage with the people and the world through her eyes.
The interior artwork included at the end of every chapter added a really nice touch. I enjoyed seeing an artistic rendering of the pivotal moments of each chapter and it made the reading experience so much more exciting.
Even for a LitRPG, I do feel like it could have used a bit more character growth. All of the progress these characters make is in terms of leveling up, gaining confidence in their combat abilities, learning to trust their teammates, and other “physical” growth elements. There’s no real emotional arc to the first story, so in that, it feels less than complete.
There were also a couple of moments that felt out of place tonally, including one that struck me as a Deus Ex Machina. I was willing to suspend disbelief for that moment but because no explanation was offered before the book’s (rather abrupt) ending, it was a bit jarring. The ending also had no real denouement where we get a moment to enjoy the growth and progress our characters made, so it felt a bit rushed.
All in all, though, I enjoyed every minute I spent alongside Temerity and Half-pint as they navigated the dark tunnels, ran the alleys, worked in the inns, challenged other adventurers, and ultimately tackled the boss.
It’s a “light” LitRPG that even fantasy readers can enjoy with a delightfully cozy feel.
Full Review:
I’m a sucker for a cozy fantasy adventure, so when I heard about Dark Town, I knew I had to give it a read.
I was already familiar with the author’s writing style from Heliotrope and knew I was in for some solid worldbuilding, great characters, and easy reading action.
And I got exactly what I expected…plus a bit more!
Dark Town is a classic “young girl leaving home on her first adventure” story, only this adventure is into an underground alternate realm where dwarves, elves, nymphs, orcs, trolls, ogres, and dragons exist, and dungeons can be looted for gems and weapons.
As a LitRPG, it’s very reminiscent of every RPG video game I’ve played, with weapons loadout (no more than three at a time), magic jewel (no more than three “equipped” at once, all with various color-based powers), and class systems (Attack, Shield, Melee, Range, etc.) that were familiar and easy to sink my teeth into.
The world is colorful and filled with curious characters—from the wheedling nymphs who continually cheats them out of their hard labor to the scholar who defies the “laws of the dungeons” to make maps to the snake-growing tavernkeeper—who make it such a pleasure to read.
Sure, there’s danger aplenty—enemy players who can “kill” you and steal your loot, monsters who you’ll have to defeat to “level up”, and the dragons who created the maze—but those stakes never really detract from the cozy feel of the book.
Half-pint the hobgoblin is a fun character. As a seasoned adventurer, he is the source of information on the dungeons and expert advice on how to tackle any challenge or enemy they face. He’s also the source of a lot of the delightful emotional moments, and definitely the more compelling and complex of the two main characters.
Temerity the human adventurer is as fresh-faced and excited by everything as expected, and it’s her enthusiasm for even the most mundane tasks (collecting coal, selling snake skins, etc.) that makes everything feel like an exciting adventure. She struggles here and there but remains dauntless, eager-eyed, and optimistic. She is very much the driving force of the story, and it’s easy to engage with the people and the world through her eyes.
The interior artwork included at the end of every chapter added a really nice touch. I enjoyed seeing an artistic rendering of the pivotal moments of each chapter and it made the reading experience so much more exciting.
Even for a LitRPG, I do feel like it could have used a bit more character growth. All of the progress these characters make is in terms of leveling up, gaining confidence in their combat abilities, learning to trust their teammates, and other “physical” growth elements. There’s no real emotional arc to the first story, so in that, it feels less than complete.
There were also a couple of moments that felt out of place tonally, including one that struck me as a Deus Ex Machina. I was willing to suspend disbelief for that moment but because no explanation was offered before the book’s (rather abrupt) ending, it was a bit jarring. The ending also had no real denouement where we get a moment to enjoy the growth and progress our characters made, so it felt a bit rushed.
All in all, though, I enjoyed every minute I spent alongside Temerity and Half-pint as they navigated the dark tunnels, ran the alleys, worked in the inns, challenged other adventurers, and ultimately tackled the boss.
It’s a “light” LitRPG that even fantasy readers can enjoy with a delightfully cozy feel.
April 18, 2024
4/5 Stars
I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
An ambitious young girl, a grumpy hob goblin and an adventure to devour! Palmer Pickering seamlessly captures a LitRPG that fantasy fans will love. Dark Town is level one in the Tales of Temerity series, blending not only genres but tones of cozy and dark fantasy throughout.
There were two things about Dark Town that caught my eye. The first being the cover, and the second being the tagline “part cozy, part bloody, all fun.” I’m a sucker for a good cozy story, and knowing that it still has some stakes to it through a fantasy type game, I couldn’t wait to dive in.
Upon reading we meet Temerity, a young woman bored with her life. She tends her family’s tavern with her mother and their house goblin, Half-pint. Her father and brothers left years ago to enter the Dragon’s Game, where adventure’s test their skill in a large world that is ever changing.
Despite this being told through Temerity’s narrative, I adored Half-pint. He’s a grumpy hob goblin with the ability to shift into a cat and has the attitude to match the feline form. Temerity herself is a dreamer and wants more in life than to tend her family’s tavern. She wants to be an adventurer, just like her father and brothers, regardless of adventuring women being few in numbers. Both these characters have distinct personalities, a dynamic and endearing relationship, and their attitudes often influence the story in compelling ways.
One thing I would have liked to see more of is a better development to their relationship as it changes throughout the book. That being said, this definitely feels like the type of read that will take its time with character arcs and I’m fully invested in where these characters end up.
The world and genres are also blended in seamlessly. The worldbuilding feels familiar as a fantasy reader with goblins, fae folk, dragons, elves, and more. Building a game with all of those elements often reminded me of playing Breath of the Wild by collecting items, skirmishes with enemies, and boss battles to name a few. This was all impressive to me as I often forgot I was reading a LitRPG. There were no menu screens or hit points for example, which made it highly immersive as a fantasy reader.
The tone also has moments that are slice of life, cozy, wholesome, fun and dark with plenty of action the more you read. This mixing of tones was well balanced and even gives you a few twists and turns along the way.
I think it goes without saying that Dark Town is a fun read that delivers far more than I expected! It also features plenty of illustrations throughout the book depicting scenes from various chapters. I personally adored the worldbuilding in this and how the game functions within a fantasy setting. It felt unique, yet familiar and left me wanting more.
I would highly recommend Dark Town to fantasy readers diving into litRPG for the first time or seasoned readers looking for their next adventure.
I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
An ambitious young girl, a grumpy hob goblin and an adventure to devour! Palmer Pickering seamlessly captures a LitRPG that fantasy fans will love. Dark Town is level one in the Tales of Temerity series, blending not only genres but tones of cozy and dark fantasy throughout.
There were two things about Dark Town that caught my eye. The first being the cover, and the second being the tagline “part cozy, part bloody, all fun.” I’m a sucker for a good cozy story, and knowing that it still has some stakes to it through a fantasy type game, I couldn’t wait to dive in.
Upon reading we meet Temerity, a young woman bored with her life. She tends her family’s tavern with her mother and their house goblin, Half-pint. Her father and brothers left years ago to enter the Dragon’s Game, where adventure’s test their skill in a large world that is ever changing.
Despite this being told through Temerity’s narrative, I adored Half-pint. He’s a grumpy hob goblin with the ability to shift into a cat and has the attitude to match the feline form. Temerity herself is a dreamer and wants more in life than to tend her family’s tavern. She wants to be an adventurer, just like her father and brothers, regardless of adventuring women being few in numbers. Both these characters have distinct personalities, a dynamic and endearing relationship, and their attitudes often influence the story in compelling ways.
One thing I would have liked to see more of is a better development to their relationship as it changes throughout the book. That being said, this definitely feels like the type of read that will take its time with character arcs and I’m fully invested in where these characters end up.
The world and genres are also blended in seamlessly. The worldbuilding feels familiar as a fantasy reader with goblins, fae folk, dragons, elves, and more. Building a game with all of those elements often reminded me of playing Breath of the Wild by collecting items, skirmishes with enemies, and boss battles to name a few. This was all impressive to me as I often forgot I was reading a LitRPG. There were no menu screens or hit points for example, which made it highly immersive as a fantasy reader.
The tone also has moments that are slice of life, cozy, wholesome, fun and dark with plenty of action the more you read. This mixing of tones was well balanced and even gives you a few twists and turns along the way.
I think it goes without saying that Dark Town is a fun read that delivers far more than I expected! It also features plenty of illustrations throughout the book depicting scenes from various chapters. I personally adored the worldbuilding in this and how the game functions within a fantasy setting. It felt unique, yet familiar and left me wanting more.
I would highly recommend Dark Town to fantasy readers diving into litRPG for the first time or seasoned readers looking for their next adventure.
May 13, 2024
This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders
Review:
Everyone who plays RPGs knows the grind. Leveling up, gathering resources, and improving your weapons and armor in order to take on deadlier foes. RPGs are my favorite type of video game, but I’d never read a LitRPG novel before. However, I enjoyed Palmer Pickering’s previous novel, Heliotrope, so I decided to try this one out.
Dark Town, A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure: Level One of the Dragon's Crawl by Palmer Pickering
I wasn’t disappointed. I stayed on the edge of my seat throughout, invested in what would happen to Temerity and Half Pint. Temerity is a young woman who’s bored with her life. Serving ales in her family’s tavern, thinking of her brothers and father who abandoned her and her mother long before to go play the Dragon’s Game, an adventure-filled realm where humans can’t physically die–they just spawn back to where they entered the game–and the thrill of the quest is addicting. Her father and brothers left, and like so many others, stayed in the Dragon’s Game. And so Temerity, along with her house goblin, Half Pint, who can turn into a cat at will, enters the Dragon’s game, unsure what to expect. Half Pint, however, is an experienced gamer who plays the role of the mentor.
The early chapters have the feel of the prologue of a game, those first few levels where you learn the mechanics, get a feel for the tone of the story, and start to get to know the characters. There’s grinding, fetch quests, and world-building galore, all of which Pickering does well.
It’s all about the characters. Sure, there’s heart-thumping action and deft world-building, but you’ll stay for the relationship between Temerity and Half-Pint. They’re just so dang lovable. I wanted to enter the world, have an ale with them, and then go fight some Trolls. Temerity is young and earnest, wanting to show her worth in the Game while also caring deeply for Half Pint, my favorite character, who shines throughout the novel. He has the perfect mix of wisdom and grumpy snark, and his interactions with Temerity are always fun.
The world of the Dragon’s game has specific rules: No maps, seven different levels, and specific areas within each level that are reserved for the stronger, more well-equipped adventurers. There’s a fun magic system based on different colors of gems, all of which give the person holding the gem different abilities. As adventurers battle and move forward in the game, they gather more gems, but if they die, none of their gems go with them back to the spawning point. There were LitRPG elements, sure, but Pickering does a fantastic job making the world real. There are reasons for the game existing within the world, and it’s not just characters waking up inside a video game or the like. Several sections reminded me of a dnd campaign, which I also enjoyed, and I found myself chanting “Loot that body! Loot that body!” Sometimes, you just have to loot, you know?
I enjoyed the tone of the novel, with sections that had a very cozy feel: mining for coal to pay for rent, interacting with shopkeepers, trying to outsmart a devious inn-keeper. At the same time, other sections had bloody action, sword and sorcery intrigue, and ominous threats looming over all. The book had a fantastic mixture of coziness and darkness. I’d classify it as a cozy dark sword and sorcery fantasy, with some LitRPG elements. That being said, some parts did drag slightly, especially during the grinding sections. I realize that’s part of the LitRPG genre, but there were moments in the early sections of the novel where I was waiting for something to happen.
As a whole, though, this was a super fun read! Recommended for anyone who enjoys fun characters, cozy scenes intermingled with action, LitRPG fans, DND fans, and fantasy readers in general.
Review:
Everyone who plays RPGs knows the grind. Leveling up, gathering resources, and improving your weapons and armor in order to take on deadlier foes. RPGs are my favorite type of video game, but I’d never read a LitRPG novel before. However, I enjoyed Palmer Pickering’s previous novel, Heliotrope, so I decided to try this one out.
Dark Town, A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure: Level One of the Dragon's Crawl by Palmer Pickering
I wasn’t disappointed. I stayed on the edge of my seat throughout, invested in what would happen to Temerity and Half Pint. Temerity is a young woman who’s bored with her life. Serving ales in her family’s tavern, thinking of her brothers and father who abandoned her and her mother long before to go play the Dragon’s Game, an adventure-filled realm where humans can’t physically die–they just spawn back to where they entered the game–and the thrill of the quest is addicting. Her father and brothers left, and like so many others, stayed in the Dragon’s Game. And so Temerity, along with her house goblin, Half Pint, who can turn into a cat at will, enters the Dragon’s game, unsure what to expect. Half Pint, however, is an experienced gamer who plays the role of the mentor.
The early chapters have the feel of the prologue of a game, those first few levels where you learn the mechanics, get a feel for the tone of the story, and start to get to know the characters. There’s grinding, fetch quests, and world-building galore, all of which Pickering does well.
It’s all about the characters. Sure, there’s heart-thumping action and deft world-building, but you’ll stay for the relationship between Temerity and Half-Pint. They’re just so dang lovable. I wanted to enter the world, have an ale with them, and then go fight some Trolls. Temerity is young and earnest, wanting to show her worth in the Game while also caring deeply for Half Pint, my favorite character, who shines throughout the novel. He has the perfect mix of wisdom and grumpy snark, and his interactions with Temerity are always fun.
The world of the Dragon’s game has specific rules: No maps, seven different levels, and specific areas within each level that are reserved for the stronger, more well-equipped adventurers. There’s a fun magic system based on different colors of gems, all of which give the person holding the gem different abilities. As adventurers battle and move forward in the game, they gather more gems, but if they die, none of their gems go with them back to the spawning point. There were LitRPG elements, sure, but Pickering does a fantastic job making the world real. There are reasons for the game existing within the world, and it’s not just characters waking up inside a video game or the like. Several sections reminded me of a dnd campaign, which I also enjoyed, and I found myself chanting “Loot that body! Loot that body!” Sometimes, you just have to loot, you know?
I enjoyed the tone of the novel, with sections that had a very cozy feel: mining for coal to pay for rent, interacting with shopkeepers, trying to outsmart a devious inn-keeper. At the same time, other sections had bloody action, sword and sorcery intrigue, and ominous threats looming over all. The book had a fantastic mixture of coziness and darkness. I’d classify it as a cozy dark sword and sorcery fantasy, with some LitRPG elements. That being said, some parts did drag slightly, especially during the grinding sections. I realize that’s part of the LitRPG genre, but there were moments in the early sections of the novel where I was waiting for something to happen.
As a whole, though, this was a super fun read! Recommended for anyone who enjoys fun characters, cozy scenes intermingled with action, LitRPG fans, DND fans, and fantasy readers in general.
September 8, 2024
Temerity is sixteen and helps her mother run an inn in a small town, while her father and brothers have gone into the Dragon's Game - a series of dungeons where you have to acquire magical items, level up and generally dungeon crawl, in the hopes of a great prize at the end. Temerity decides to follow them into the Game, her only companion being the hobgoblin, Half-Pint, who has helped her family for generations.
I'm not really that familiar with the litRPG genre. I picked this up as it was in the free section of books at the Glasgow 2024 Worldcon, not really knowing what to expect. But it turned out to be an awful lot of fun. There were a lot of tropes that I could identify, both from my own experience of tabletop roleplaying, and cultural osmosis from video games, which I never really got into. It's pretty lightweight and there's not a huge amount of character depth. We get the usual sorts of quests that you'd expect for inexperienced adventurers and get to see Temerity become a pretty good melee warrior. Like video games, there's no real death in the world of the Dragon's Game - if you die, you're just chucked out, back to the start of the level, so although the first time she "kills" someone, Temerity is pretty shaken up, by the time we get to the end of the level, she's hacking and slashing with the best of them.
This is popcorn reading, easy to consume without much substance to it. I'd certainly be happy to go on and read the next one, once it's out (and it seems like the author has planned quite a lot of them) but I could also put it down and not think about the series again. Definitely fun though, especially if you have any RPG experience.
I'm not really that familiar with the litRPG genre. I picked this up as it was in the free section of books at the Glasgow 2024 Worldcon, not really knowing what to expect. But it turned out to be an awful lot of fun. There were a lot of tropes that I could identify, both from my own experience of tabletop roleplaying, and cultural osmosis from video games, which I never really got into. It's pretty lightweight and there's not a huge amount of character depth. We get the usual sorts of quests that you'd expect for inexperienced adventurers and get to see Temerity become a pretty good melee warrior. Like video games, there's no real death in the world of the Dragon's Game - if you die, you're just chucked out, back to the start of the level, so although the first time she "kills" someone, Temerity is pretty shaken up, by the time we get to the end of the level, she's hacking and slashing with the best of them.
This is popcorn reading, easy to consume without much substance to it. I'd certainly be happy to go on and read the next one, once it's out (and it seems like the author has planned quite a lot of them) but I could also put it down and not think about the series again. Definitely fun though, especially if you have any RPG experience.
September 6, 2024
Thanks to the author and Indie Book Tours for the chance to read this one for review....
5 stars
Dark Town is the first in the LitPRG Fantasy Series - Tales of ~Temerity. I have yet to pick up a book quite like this one, based on an adventure like D&D campaign. I was sceptical going in as it is somewhat out of my comfort zone but i was pleasently surprised from the first page.
Positives
There are many to talk of.
Characters - whilst Temerity is the main character in this book, each and every side character has a reason to be in the book, there are no weak characters who are essentially built into the story as a filler and Temerity is so well written and leaves you wanting to protect her at all costs.
Gaming element - very 0ut of my comfort zone but this story and adventure was told so well. easy to follow and would be a great start for anyone like myself new to the trope. Very well paced writing, lots of cosy vibes and well explained details, i really loved the adventure aspect of this story.
Illustrations - this book is a beauty and i would highly recommend picking up a physical copy if you can, the illustrations throughout the boo add so much to the reading experience.
Overall i couldnt give it less than 5 stars, it was cosy and wonderful and a great light read between heaby reads.
Highly recommend
5 stars
Dark Town is the first in the LitPRG Fantasy Series - Tales of ~Temerity. I have yet to pick up a book quite like this one, based on an adventure like D&D campaign. I was sceptical going in as it is somewhat out of my comfort zone but i was pleasently surprised from the first page.
Positives
There are many to talk of.
Characters - whilst Temerity is the main character in this book, each and every side character has a reason to be in the book, there are no weak characters who are essentially built into the story as a filler and Temerity is so well written and leaves you wanting to protect her at all costs.
Gaming element - very 0ut of my comfort zone but this story and adventure was told so well. easy to follow and would be a great start for anyone like myself new to the trope. Very well paced writing, lots of cosy vibes and well explained details, i really loved the adventure aspect of this story.
Illustrations - this book is a beauty and i would highly recommend picking up a physical copy if you can, the illustrations throughout the boo add so much to the reading experience.
Overall i couldnt give it less than 5 stars, it was cosy and wonderful and a great light read between heaby reads.
Highly recommend
January 2, 2026
I'll preface this that it's the first LitRPG book I've read and that's because it was given to me, which started me down the journey of checking out more. Looking back, this still seems a stronger premise and more coherent world building than most of them.
It isn't giving away too much to point out this takes place in a labyrinth, which despite an 'all knowing' guide there's a slow reveal in how the mechanics of it works and a lot of guessing / exceptions despite having foreknowledge.
The way it plays out feels a lot more realistic than other litRPG books, too, with some all-too-convenient events, but not exceptionally so. There's a pretty decent explanation of how things progress, and the leveling up and all that is less present (traded for magic crystals, in part).
Mainly, I appreciate this is different and feels like it has more thought put into it up front. I didn't mind it, but that means the book moves more slowly and you wish by the end there was more - not the worst problem to have.
Notably I don't recall any swearing, which oddly enough seems to be a staple of these kinds of books - translating our world more into fantasy, perhaps, but ironically this can come off as really bizarrely out of place.
It isn't giving away too much to point out this takes place in a labyrinth, which despite an 'all knowing' guide there's a slow reveal in how the mechanics of it works and a lot of guessing / exceptions despite having foreknowledge.
The way it plays out feels a lot more realistic than other litRPG books, too, with some all-too-convenient events, but not exceptionally so. There's a pretty decent explanation of how things progress, and the leveling up and all that is less present (traded for magic crystals, in part).
Mainly, I appreciate this is different and feels like it has more thought put into it up front. I didn't mind it, but that means the book moves more slowly and you wish by the end there was more - not the worst problem to have.
Notably I don't recall any swearing, which oddly enough seems to be a staple of these kinds of books - translating our world more into fantasy, perhaps, but ironically this can come off as really bizarrely out of place.
September 5, 2024
I was so excited to dive in to Dark Town as I do enjoy playing RPGs but it was my first time reading a LitRPG. I was curious to see how it would work as a novel, whether I would feel a similar level of excitement as I do when I game.
I am so happy to say that I was not disappointed. I had read a Heliotrope by Palmer before and loved it but this was a totally different vibe.
We meet Temerity, who helps her mum run the family tavern . Her father and brother left to take part in the Dragon's Game years ago and Temerity is determined to find them. Her mum has other ideas. She thinks Temerity should just stay safe and help run their tavern together with the help of their house hobgoblin, Half-pint.
Temerity is tired of small town life byt also wants to find iut what has happened to her father and brothers, so she decides to find the entrance to the games and have an adventure of her own. Half-pint comes joins her and helps her along the way.
I absolutely loved this book. It was such a quick read and was full of action. I felt like I was there with them fighting the trolls and exploring Dark Towh with Temerity and Half-Pint.
We meet some other characters along the way and I'm intrigued to find out more about the as the series progresses.
I have the physical book and audiobook, so I immersion read this and I highly recommend this way of reading if you can.
The only down side is I now have to wait for the next adventure! If only I could actually play the game *hint hint palmer*
Sign me up for book 2!
I am so happy to say that I was not disappointed. I had read a Heliotrope by Palmer before and loved it but this was a totally different vibe.
We meet Temerity, who helps her mum run the family tavern . Her father and brother left to take part in the Dragon's Game years ago and Temerity is determined to find them. Her mum has other ideas. She thinks Temerity should just stay safe and help run their tavern together with the help of their house hobgoblin, Half-pint.
Temerity is tired of small town life byt also wants to find iut what has happened to her father and brothers, so she decides to find the entrance to the games and have an adventure of her own. Half-pint comes joins her and helps her along the way.
I absolutely loved this book. It was such a quick read and was full of action. I felt like I was there with them fighting the trolls and exploring Dark Towh with Temerity and Half-Pint.
We meet some other characters along the way and I'm intrigued to find out more about the as the series progresses.
I have the physical book and audiobook, so I immersion read this and I highly recommend this way of reading if you can.
The only down side is I now have to wait for the next adventure! If only I could actually play the game *hint hint palmer*
Sign me up for book 2!
September 4, 2025
The fact that I played - and mastered - a lot of RPG campaigns throughout my life might influence my review of this book, but if you haven’t played, don’t shy away from it.
I loved the extremely detailed descriptions of scenes that Palmer Pickering did. She plays with all senses and it makes the story very immersive. It’s also extremely coherent with time and space, and you can see yourself in a medieval countryside setup at all times: through ambiance, dialogue, objects, food, mannerisms, etc.
The story flows nicely and it felt like an easy read. Lots of adventures of a female hero called Temerity who, luckily, meets an empowered woman who shakes the idea that women cannot do great things off her. That’s when the adventure begins, guided by a strong mentor, a hobgoblin, who adds a ton of character to the campaign.
Definitely a must read for gamers. Lots of cool explanations before the book starts for non-gamers wanting to venture through these fields.
I loved the extremely detailed descriptions of scenes that Palmer Pickering did. She plays with all senses and it makes the story very immersive. It’s also extremely coherent with time and space, and you can see yourself in a medieval countryside setup at all times: through ambiance, dialogue, objects, food, mannerisms, etc.
The story flows nicely and it felt like an easy read. Lots of adventures of a female hero called Temerity who, luckily, meets an empowered woman who shakes the idea that women cannot do great things off her. That’s when the adventure begins, guided by a strong mentor, a hobgoblin, who adds a ton of character to the campaign.
Definitely a must read for gamers. Lots of cool explanations before the book starts for non-gamers wanting to venture through these fields.
September 5, 2024
I hope you are comfortable in your gaming chair. It is going to be a wild ride.😉
Temerity and her mother are all that is left of the family running their tavern after her father and brothers have disappeared into the Dragons Game. Well, unless we count Half-pint. I love Half-pint. We have to count him. He is like a Norwegian fjøsnisse.
(Farmelf/gnome of sorts that helps with animals. If you treat them wrong, they will do pranks around the farm.)
With some guidance, Temerity enters the Dragons game, hoping to survive Level One so she can find her father and her brothers and make it out.
I am not sure how to tell you how much I enjoyed our game. We ventured into the Dark Town. We needed to collect, swap, fight for our lives, and I imagine, gather some XP for the Dragons to be entertained and happy enough to let us further and further into the game. I felt I was in a sneaky and adventurous game. Still, it was funny.😊
Of course, we did some N00B mistakes. We learned and moved on. Though I would have spent my coins differently than Temerity, I still enjoyed the stories about what she spends them on.
I adore the friendship she develops with her partner in the game as they send more time together and start to trust each other. An unlikely couple that pair.
Temerity and her mother are all that is left of the family running their tavern after her father and brothers have disappeared into the Dragons Game. Well, unless we count Half-pint. I love Half-pint. We have to count him. He is like a Norwegian fjøsnisse.
(Farmelf/gnome of sorts that helps with animals. If you treat them wrong, they will do pranks around the farm.)
With some guidance, Temerity enters the Dragons game, hoping to survive Level One so she can find her father and her brothers and make it out.
I am not sure how to tell you how much I enjoyed our game. We ventured into the Dark Town. We needed to collect, swap, fight for our lives, and I imagine, gather some XP for the Dragons to be entertained and happy enough to let us further and further into the game. I felt I was in a sneaky and adventurous game. Still, it was funny.😊
Of course, we did some N00B mistakes. We learned and moved on. Though I would have spent my coins differently than Temerity, I still enjoyed the stories about what she spends them on.
I adore the friendship she develops with her partner in the game as they send more time together and start to trust each other. An unlikely couple that pair.
September 9, 2024
Dark Town
Tales of Temerity 1
Palmer Pickering
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
410 pp
Mannnn … I was just settling in and the book was over! This has so many elements of the MMORPG that I played for over a decade and a half … so much nostalgia. I’m not sure, after reading this, that I’ve ever read a proper LitRPG book before. If this is a decent example, I won’t be shying away. It was good.
Pickering has her characters down, plus the foibles of the particular roles. She built a great world .. I could see it forming as the group ran through the streets, alleys and dungeons. The trial and error was spot on. The adversaries and the action rang true, the lingo and the dialogue were easy to follow.
I’m just wondering where the dragons come in.
Regardless, I’m in. All the way to the final boss.
Tales of Temerity 1
Palmer Pickering
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
410 pp
Mannnn … I was just settling in and the book was over! This has so many elements of the MMORPG that I played for over a decade and a half … so much nostalgia. I’m not sure, after reading this, that I’ve ever read a proper LitRPG book before. If this is a decent example, I won’t be shying away. It was good.
Pickering has her characters down, plus the foibles of the particular roles. She built a great world .. I could see it forming as the group ran through the streets, alleys and dungeons. The trial and error was spot on. The adversaries and the action rang true, the lingo and the dialogue were easy to follow.
I’m just wondering where the dragons come in.
Regardless, I’m in. All the way to the final boss.
January 29, 2025
Palmer Pickering’s Dark Town is a thrilling blend of cozy fantasy and brutal adventure, making for a unique and immersive LitRPG experience. Set beneath the quiet town of Haverly Arms, the Dragon’s Game is a sprawling underground world where adventurers battle for power and survival. Temerity, restless with small-town life, decides to brave the labyrinth, following in the footsteps of her long-absent father and brothers.
Pickering masterfully balances rich world-building with fast-paced action, crafting a setting that is both dangerous and exhilarating. The presence of Temerity’s house goblin, Half-Pint, adds warmth and humour, while the dungeon’s perils keep tensions high. Recommended.
Pickering masterfully balances rich world-building with fast-paced action, crafting a setting that is both dangerous and exhilarating. The presence of Temerity’s house goblin, Half-Pint, adds warmth and humour, while the dungeon’s perils keep tensions high. Recommended.
June 19, 2024
A LITRPG-lite that follows the daring duo of Temerity and Half-pint the hobgoblin through a deadly dragon game. Temerity and Half-pint collect jewels during their time in the labyrinth that gain them powers.
This is a great way in for anyone curious about the genre and wants an enjoyable dungeon crawl experience. Half-pint steals the show, he's a lot of fun and there's a lot of knowledge in his grumpy old head that helps settle the reader into the story.
I read the Kindle version and enjoyed the many illustrations at the end of each chapter.
This is a great way in for anyone curious about the genre and wants an enjoyable dungeon crawl experience. Half-pint steals the show, he's a lot of fun and there's a lot of knowledge in his grumpy old head that helps settle the reader into the story.
I read the Kindle version and enjoyed the many illustrations at the end of each chapter.
June 1, 2024
This will.be a fun read for any gamers. Ita very much plot/game centered and reads just like an online mass role playing game. There where fun moments. I love the relationship Temerity has with Half Pint. They are a good balance. The other characters added in the middle of the book make it a nice round team. If you like action, puzzles, and leveling up you will enjoy this book.
Level Two coming soon I hope.
Level Two coming soon I hope.
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