Meet Your Maker Volume 1: An Epic Fantasy LitRPG

Meet Your Maker #1

by Seth McDuffee, Johnathan McClain

From the imaginations of Seth McDuffee, author of the bestselling Big Sneaky Barbarian books, and award-winning screenwriter and audiobook narrator Johnathan McClain comes a new series that answers the question . . .

“What would happen if you crossed the high fantasy of Wheel of Time with the irreverent comedy of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy?”

Bruce Silver is the author of the Riftbreaker novels, one the most popular, beloved fantasy book series of all time. He’s got everything he’s ever dreamed of freedom to tell the stories he wants to tell, legions of enthusiastic fans who wait eagerly to see what he’ll write next, and a really nice car.

But despite all that, Bruce finds himself dissatisfied, battling an ennui he can’t quite put his finger on. So he decides to do what anyone would do in his burn it all down by unexpectedly killing off Carpathian Einzgear, Riftbreaker’s cherished hero. A solid plan with absolutely no downside whatsoever.

Until . . .

Bruce wakes up to find himself suddenly transported inside the world of the novels he’s written. And . . . seen by everyone he encounters as Carpathian Einzgear himself. Which is problematic for a variety of reasons, not least of which that, when Carpathian died, he left behind a sea of destruction, broken promises, and shattered lives that Bruce is now responsible for repairing—only, without access to all the powers and skills Carpathian built up through the course of ten books. Bruce is going to have to start over at the beginning.


Meet Your Maker is a comedic, epic fantasy series that asks the What is fiction? What is reality? And does it make a difference, when everyone and everything is trying to kill you?

Bruce created this world. Now he has to survive it.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Humor, Comedy

454 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars (I'm notoriously stingy about 5 stars...)

What an amazing debut in a planned 5-book series. The book brings a modern sensibility of cleverness with tried and true swords and spells LitRPG. The meta elements of this book are as good, or better, than in any LitRPG I've ever read (in the hundreds.). This is self-examination, action, questions big and small, and a ton of fun. The narration is brilliant.

I had the pleasure of interviewing the authors (and narrator) on my YouTube channel. I'll leave a link below. This is an excellent book for people wanting to learn more about LitRPG and get started in the genre, as well as, seasoned LitRPG veteran readers. Big Recommend.

Interview Link:
https://youtube.com/live/MEaighEKhG4

[Horia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love the book but I couldn't. Sorry to have not liked this book. I hope both authors get the readers' feedback and improve the next book (if ever).

tl;dr I want my brain to be entertained with funny over-the-top crazy action, not dislodged and tossed around by being sidetracked every over 5s or so by introspection rumblings and nonsense.

After devouring Big Sneaky Barbarian (stellar) I was blessed with finding the perfect writer / narrator combo (in general) and especially for funny litRPG stuff. I love what they did with that mini series.

I was looking forward to their new colab to the point that I was loving the idea of reading their work. #fan
Even so the love was crumbling with each chapter of this book. It's a mess.

This book (audio version) has only two dials
A). whispered sloooooooooow reflection, and
B). YELLING!!! 120 WORDS!! PER! SECOND!!!!
Nothing in between. While this combo was really great in BSB (when applied in action scenes), this book is narrated only in this style. Which actually hurts my brain.

Also this is an ADHD festival. With literally every single idea or phrase having at least 4 or 5 layers of detours and linked subtopics. It's like reading "she greeted Carpathian!" In ONE FULL PAGE with references to aliens, Shakespeare, the Matrix, 3 videogames and 4 public figures. It's cool, but it's frustrating in overdose. It gets tiresome fast.

The story is not that complicated (for Isekai litRPG standards) yet because I'm not able to read ONE COHERENT LINE, it's messing my vibe.

I may continue the series because I love the combo and I feel there's a lot of potential.

[Dave Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun meta-fictional lit rpg adventure. It was a good audiobook listen, though there were some things that frustrated me. A solid 3.5/5.

The good:
I liked the characters and got invested in them.
The idea of the author and his editor/betareader/assistant being pulled into the world they created was a lot of fun.
Good humor and some really emotional moments mixed in as well.

The not so good:

The excerpts from the “actual” written books by Bruce were so so so so sooooooooo overwritten, and I know that was the point, but we got too many snippets from them and it started to get frustrating. Also, with books written like that, it was hard to believe they were a big hit like we’re supposed to believe.

Sometimes the pacing seemed slow and the plot ground to halt in the middle for a bit.

[John Gwilliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

way too comfortable killing off important people. waffles a lot. the humour was good and narrator was great.

[Sam Drayson Le Tissier · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Focus

Book Review: Meet Your Maker by Seth McDuffee

Seth McDuffee’s Meet Your Maker has a fascinating concept at its core—a world that mixes chaotic creativity, dark humor, and surreal invention. On paper, it sounds like exactly the kind of bizarre, imaginative romp I’d love. Unfortunately, that’s where my enjoyment stopped. This ended up being my first did not finish, and despite wanting to like it, I just couldn’t make it through.

The book’s central idea had potential, but the execution felt all over the place, like an ADHD fever dream. The story was disjointed and difficult to follow, with sidebars and asides crammed into nearly every sentence. It made the narrative feel scattered—like trying to focus on a conversation where everyone is talking at once. The silliness of the world might have worked if it had been balanced with some grounding or purpose, but instead, it often felt chaotic for chaos’s sake. Meanwhile, the main character spent much of the time gawking at everything, which didn’t help the pacing or engagement.

Adding to the frustration was the audiobook narration. The performance swung between rapid shouting and quiet mumbling, making it exhausting to listen to. It’s rare that narration alone pushes me away from a story, but in this case, it was a major factor in my decision to stop.

I genuinely wanted to enjoy Meet Your Maker. The premise had promise, but the delivery was messy, overwhelming, and hard to follow. It’s a book full of energy and imagination—but without structure or rhythm, that energy never quite comes together.

---

Please note I'm using the official Goodreads rating system:
1 star - didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing

[The Legend · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit torn on this book. While it was enjoyable premises and the story was great. Not to mention the audible version had an amazing narrator. There are a few things that I personally really disliked.

First? Pretending to be the characters in the book. Sure it made it easier but it also was sleazy and emotionally manipulating. Like the one girl who likes the MC? She likes the guy he's pretending to be not him. So everything he does with her is emotional manipulation and a lie. Not to mention as the creator and having all the knowledge he does, it's worse. It's basically like a parent and child yet him taking advantage of that power dynamic to make a romantic connection. Very creepy.

Second? Just know once this whole situation gets done he's going to change the last book he wrote which sucks. They claim 'Nothing new under the sun' but you know what? How many books have done what the MC did in the series? How many get 10 books in and have the character in their book die and fail? None that I know of. Maybe 1-2 books in they might have the 'MC' die and have the real MC his side kick or apprentice take up the mantle but then he goes on to win. Even that is RARE. I was looking forward to the in world backlash at seeing the reaction of a failed hero. That IS a new idea under the sun. Closest we get is Game of Thrones like Multiple PoV with no MC so many can fail.

Imagine an author like that? In basically all the books you read, you know it's all going to work out in the end. So it takes off any real stress besides side character dying. Sure they might fail at times but you know they will win in the end even if it's self sacrifice ending. But what if there was an author who had 8 books in, had his characters fail and end with the bad guy winning? Every series after you'd never know if the hero would pull through. The author has a history of letting them not. It would add real stakes to those books once more, making every chapter actually matter as you don't know what would happen.

So all in all? Really sad that it seems like the MC in this series is going to back track that ending he did for his in world book.

That aside. I also can't stand how he always is just...standing around gawking. Hate gawker MCs. Who pause and list out what everyone is doing or get lost in their head to talk on and on and on about ideas while things are happening. I've never met anyone who does that and it seems really unrealistic. It would be like going grocery shopping and they stop in front of can of tuna and stare off in to space as they go off in their head to themselves about that one time their mother made them tuna and have a huge story to themselves about it. Then keep doing it. NO ONE does that.

So...it's just stupid. As is the gawking while others are yelling at them to move or do something. Even making a in world fix for that the 'control' spell so he can slow down time and think, just gives him more time to gawk.


So....VERY many pet peeves for me. Thinks that annoy the heck out of me. But that's me personally. If you don't mind that stuff. I recommend this book despite all that. The audible version is great. The humor is quite fun. The world is interesting and the characters are amusing. Especially the female side character. I will warn it has a LOT of creative profanity. So not something to listen to around children or in public if not with headphones.

[Akshay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meet Your Maker: A LitRPG Gem
By Johnathan McClain

Johnathan McClain's Meet Your Maker is a captivating blend of fantasy and RPG elements that will appeal to both genre enthusiasts and newcomers. This debut novel introduces us to a world where players are transported into a dangerous, yet exhilarating, virtual reality game.

A Gripping World

McClain has crafted a richly detailed world filled with mythical creatures, ancient ruins, and powerful magic. The author’s vivid descriptions bring the game world to life, transporting readers to a realm of wonder and peril. The unique leveling system and the diverse range of classes add depth and complexity to the game mechanics.

A Relatable Protagonist

The protagonist, Alex, is a relatable character who is thrown into a world beyond his wildest dreams. His journey from a timid gamer to a formidable hero is both inspiring and entertaining. Alex's growth and development are well-paced, allowing readers to connect with his experiences and cheer him on.

Fast-Paced Action

The story is filled with non-stop action, from thrilling dungeon crawls to epic boss battles. The author's ability to balance intense combat sequences with quieter, character-driven moments keeps the reader engaged throughout. The strategic elements of the game, such as crafting and skill selection, add a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative.

A Few Minor Quibbles

While Meet Your Maker is an excellent debut, there are a few minor issues. At times, the dialogue can feel a bit stilted, and some of the character interactions may lack nuance. However, these are minor criticisms that do not detract significantly from the overall quality of the book.

Conclusion

Meet Your Maker is a highly recommended read for fans of LitRPG and fantasy. McClain's engaging storytelling, well-developed characters, and thrilling action sequences make this a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating escape. If you're looking for a book that combines the excitement of gaming with the magic of fantasy, then Meet Your Maker is the perfect choice.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Your Maker is an Isekai type LitRPG. That means that a character is taken from one world into a vastly different one - in this case Bruce is taken from our modern world into the one he crafted in his epic seven book series. The world he and his writing assistant arrive in is a dystopian fantasy world with powers, intrigue and war.

The book series that Bruce created was epic in scope and he can hardly be expected to remember every little detail of what he crafted. Thankfully his helper Brittany was paying more attention. But they both must wrestle with the moral implications that these were not characters who were suffering, but people. Or perhaps they were not the ones controlling the narrative but recording it. Things are far from clear when they wake up in this familiar world.

There are a lot of fine details to wade through in this story but there's humor cut through that helps lighten the mood. Bruce is recognized as the main character of the story and must act accordingly. But he also has a snarky System Guide, questioning snail friend, and humorous internal "Author Bruce" voice to add funny dialogue.

[Ryan Feagin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5
This is a flawed, maybe even a very flawed, story.

The premise is fantastic; Litrpgs have a few driving forces, but the main proponent is usually simplified down to - the MC blinks, and suddenly they are in the fantasy world.

Meet Your Maker has a very unique, 5/5 fantastic LitRPG intro - an Author gets put into his own book.

But the book Bruce is put into... its garbage. We're told there are 10+ books in this series, but the world is bland and empty, and MC/author is constantly reminded by his assistant about story plot, which we are constantly, CONSTANTLY, side-barred mid plot to get a wall breaking, out of context, convoluted plot driving book recap.

Others say this is an ADHD nightmare, it's true. Also, the dialogue is very loose. It's filled with very millennial friend slop conversation, and not epic fantasy by a long shot. Combined with the constant side bars and pop culture references, the dialogue only adds to the distraction.


The intro is so out of place and great in quality compared to the substance of the book that I worry that AI wrote either the intro, or the rest of the book, it's that drastically different.

[Derri .]

Enjoyable narration from co-author Johnathan McClain, Meet Your Maker is a blatant, unashamed, derivative, mish-mash of inspiration, in a litRPG world.

Jaded writer Bruce is thrust from reality into the world he wrote 10 books in (a world where he's just killed his lead characters), along with his constantly irritated assistant (a VITAL ally because she's the only one who paid attention to the rules) and that world has seemingly been continuing on without oversight. Now in the forms of the 're-enlivened' main characters, the duo need to find a way to keep the friends and allies they had in 'book' form, while they bring their real selves along for the ride.

Full of pointed references to the classics - books, movies, and music too - the tropes and stereotypes of fantasy and LitRPG are danced through with glee by authors who clearly love the sheer geekery of existence in an internet era.

Fun.

[Timothy Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Your Maker is one of the best books I’ve ever enjoyed. I came having loved big sneaky barbarian, which was written by Seth, narrated by Jonathan and which led to them forming this writing duo for this project. Well, it’s hard to imagine an improvement of BSS as possible for Seth‘s next book, I think the input of Jonathan in writing had to have impacted not only the dialogue but also no doubt it helped to have two people working on the book’s somewhat complex made simple for our enjoyment worldbuilding system, and two toned narrative between Bruce in the present and the fantasy novel he wrote, which subtly informs our mystery and the hunt for the nexus core.

If you have one credit to spend on LitRPG this year, it should be on this book !

[Kevon J Fansler]

Couldn't get more than 50 pages in

The prologue they choose a font that is difficult to read so I entirely skipped over it. Seems like a poor choice to start your book on a cursive style font. Every page after has some pop culture reference to music, TV, movies, etc and gets old really quick. Then the narrator feels like he has a serious case of ADHD as he can't seem to focus on what's happening directly in front of him. Going off on a tangent every few paragraphs that lasts anywhere from 1-2 paragraphs to a page + that has nothing to do with the overall narrative or story. Like he's trying to relate ideas that are similar to pop culture references, instead of just making a nod to it and moving on. I wouldn't recommend this book.

[Carol 27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first LitRPG novel, and I’ll happily admit that I really enjoyed it! I was intrigued by the unusual premise of the story, and quickly fell down the inevitable rabbit hole despite a limited experience with role-playing computer games.

Kudos to both authors for this well written epic fantasy tale! There’s plenty of laugh-out-loud humor, drama, action & adventure, some conflict, magic and a few mysteries. While there’s a conclusion of sorts, it’s more of a happyish-for-now ending, with the scene set for what’s to come next. I can’t wait!

[Collin Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to finish the book because I wanted to see what happened, but by god did it feel like a struggle to get to the ending. I liked every step of the book the main character took, but the constant barrage of alternate thought paths that had to be battled in order to enjoy the book really made me hate it.

I felt like you could legitimately cut 1/3rd of this book and still exactly the same content. I finished it to see if this book would end in the way that wrapped the story. If I had known it would have ended in as an entry into a series, I would have dropped it after the second chapter.

[Kosta Galabov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been all I expected and then some.
Now, if you expect a literature masterpiece with deep meaning and all that, this is not a book for you. But if you expect a fun book, that makes you laugh, keeps you entertained and by not taking itself seriously is able to use plenty of cliches in a way that keeps them fresh - you came to the right place.
I am not going to go in details about the story, or the characters - readers can find about them on their own. I would just stress how much fun I had with this book, and hooked I am in the story.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine and I probably would have liked it better had I not listened to it on Audible. While there wasn’t anything really wrong with the story, I just didn’t like the constant screaming and yelling and the rat thing annoyingly screaming the main character’s name. I really liked Brittney, she was really funny. It is very much a portal fantasy where we find the main character tossed into, in this case, his own fantasy book world that he created. It is like most of the Lit-RPG books and you have people leveling up and progressing in skill and power. There is some sort of entity that is controlling everything like a game AI that we don’t really fully find out about in this first book. Overall, the book was entertaining but I don’t think I will continue on in this series.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise. I liked the drama of the author with respect to their fiction. I was a little disappointed when it went more “this world is real and you’re just the conduit route” it took some of the onus away from Bruce creating the world and affecting all the characters in my opinion. But solid writing.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hesitant at first

I was hesitant as to whether I would like this book or not. But I am hooked. I do request that for the next book a different is used for the “actual” book exerts. It was a bit tiny on my Kindle even though I can enlarge the font.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I loved this book so much I couldn't help but get some similar vibes to dungeon crawler carl and that cliff hanger I can't wait until October.

[Tony Hinde · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 7%. Not for me.

Comedy is subjective. Having said that, the author's tone seemed monotone. Snaaaaaaark.

[Jesse Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate present tense in books. It is a narrative device that constantly pulls me out of a story. I’ve tried 4 times to finish this book. If you also dislike books written in present tense I would avoid this one.

[Kenny H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters and a fun story, however some of the internal dialogue of the main character became aggravating.

[Micah Ricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 starThis book was a whole lot of fun! And I really like the premise a lot. Glad I read it and I’ll be checking out the next one! The audiobook is definitely the way to go. I just hope to get more in depth with the characters in the next one! Especially Brit