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Tunnel Rat #1
Tunnel Rat
The secrets buried below can make him a Hero above... if he can find them.
Milo lives in a steel cave within a man-made mountain of steel and concrete. He spends his days repairing the machinery that keeps the habitat livable and tinkering with the prosthetics that help his twisted body move about through the small tunnels and air shafts that are his world.
He's as much a piece of discarded machinery as the equipment he keeps running. An escaped lab experiment living in a hole.
Given a chance at being someone different, will he become a hero and live in the sunlight? The light beckons, but there are secrets buried in the ground. Ancient mysteries left by races that delved deep and stayed below.
Maybe only a tunnel rat can discover them...
Don't miss the start of this unique spin on LitRPG featuring an unusual MC you can't help but root for. Featuring plenty of humor, action, thievery, ninja abilities, a detailed world and System, science skills, magic tinkering, item invention, and more originality than you can shake a rat tail at!
Milo lives in a steel cave within a man-made mountain of steel and concrete. He spends his days repairing the machinery that keeps the habitat livable and tinkering with the prosthetics that help his twisted body move about through the small tunnels and air shafts that are his world.
He's as much a piece of discarded machinery as the equipment he keeps running. An escaped lab experiment living in a hole.
Given a chance at being someone different, will he become a hero and live in the sunlight? The light beckons, but there are secrets buried in the ground. Ancient mysteries left by races that delved deep and stayed below.
Maybe only a tunnel rat can discover them...
Don't miss the start of this unique spin on LitRPG featuring an unusual MC you can't help but root for. Featuring plenty of humor, action, thievery, ninja abilities, a detailed world and System, science skills, magic tinkering, item invention, and more originality than you can shake a rat tail at!
460 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2024
315 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 18, 2024
I don't normally like VR as an aspect of LitRPG. Splitting the story into two distinct settings and switching between them is a pace killer and I invariably end up liking one more than the other and get impatient when the narration is in the "wrong" place. That didn't happen here. Some of that may be due to Milo being so isolated in his real life. Or that his character in the virtual world is very like him in personality and presentation. Or it could just be a talented author setting things up so that the pace keeps up and the switches seem a natural part of the story.
In any case, I enjoyed this story very much. The setting is at least a hundred years in our future making the "real" world as much a fantasy as the game setting. A good thing. Milo himself is a genetic mutant created by criminals to dominate certain kinds of crime. So he has no official existence and has spent the decade(s) since his escape from that organization working a way into the cracks of his society, taking on the maintenance of his habitat in order to stave off people who might do thins like "inspect" or "investigate" things that might be happening in the shadows.
He liberates one of the new full-immersion VR game machines to use its built-in medical suite to investigate (and maybe fix) issues left over from his non-standard creation. Along the way, he finds himself sucked into the game world where he has even more interesting problems to solve than those of keeping his habitat running on the sly.
Which brings me to the real draw of the story. The plot and pace are fantastic. I was drawn into Milo's plight, sure, but I liked his in-game exploration nearly as much. The author does a great job making this "fake" place have consequence and meaning. And not just through Milo's viewpoint and attachment, but through evocative characters and an evolving plot that had me eager for each new reveal.
So this is an easy five stars and I'm very much interested in the rest of the series and can't wait for the author to release more.
A confession: I came to this on Royal Road when it was still free. Indeed, I kind of crashed through it because I discovered it just as the author announced he was going to publish in a month or so. Which means I did, in fact, buy a book I had already read and read it again just to remind myself of what happened when. I liked it that much.
A note about Chaste: Milo is very isolated. And the manipulation of his genome seems to have stopped him growing pre-puberty. He's nearing thirty, but still presents as a twelve year-old boy. He certainly shows no interest in sex and frankly, people/relationships mystify him more than a little. So this is very chaste.
In any case, I enjoyed this story very much. The setting is at least a hundred years in our future making the "real" world as much a fantasy as the game setting. A good thing. Milo himself is a genetic mutant created by criminals to dominate certain kinds of crime. So he has no official existence and has spent the decade(s) since his escape from that organization working a way into the cracks of his society, taking on the maintenance of his habitat in order to stave off people who might do thins like "inspect" or "investigate" things that might be happening in the shadows.
He liberates one of the new full-immersion VR game machines to use its built-in medical suite to investigate (and maybe fix) issues left over from his non-standard creation. Along the way, he finds himself sucked into the game world where he has even more interesting problems to solve than those of keeping his habitat running on the sly.
Which brings me to the real draw of the story. The plot and pace are fantastic. I was drawn into Milo's plight, sure, but I liked his in-game exploration nearly as much. The author does a great job making this "fake" place have consequence and meaning. And not just through Milo's viewpoint and attachment, but through evocative characters and an evolving plot that had me eager for each new reveal.
So this is an easy five stars and I'm very much interested in the rest of the series and can't wait for the author to release more.
A confession: I came to this on Royal Road when it was still free. Indeed, I kind of crashed through it because I discovered it just as the author announced he was going to publish in a month or so. Which means I did, in fact, buy a book I had already read and read it again just to remind myself of what happened when. I liked it that much.
A note about Chaste: Milo is very isolated. And the manipulation of his genome seems to have stopped him growing pre-puberty. He's nearing thirty, but still presents as a twelve year-old boy. He certainly shows no interest in sex and frankly, people/relationships mystify him more than a little. So this is very chaste.
November 13, 2024
Excellent!
I loved this book! A very interesting m c and well constructed parallel storylines following Milo, both IRL and online. Excellent story telling is enhanced by equally good editing and proofreading which meant reading was a pleasure. I have only two problems. One, I have to wait too long for the next book. And the other is cheese! Especially smelly cheese! I will have to go find a mug of good coffee and plenty of peanut butter to fortify myself when the next book arrives.
I loved this book! A very interesting m c and well constructed parallel storylines following Milo, both IRL and online. Excellent story telling is enhanced by equally good editing and proofreading which meant reading was a pleasure. I have only two problems. One, I have to wait too long for the next book. And the other is cheese! Especially smelly cheese! I will have to go find a mug of good coffee and plenty of peanut butter to fortify myself when the next book arrives.
December 3, 2024
I mostly listen to books, but anyways, I thought this was a fun and enjoyable read.
I really like the main character Milo and how he grows and thinks. This is a LitRPG and as such the character's states are stated throughout the story. I personally fine it is done more often then necessary and disruptive to story, but this is from a 69yr old who doesn't play any RPG games, so take that as you may. Narrator does a good job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline. Looking forward to the next in this Series.
I really like the main character Milo and how he grows and thinks. This is a LitRPG and as such the character's states are stated throughout the story. I personally fine it is done more often then necessary and disruptive to story, but this is from a 69yr old who doesn't play any RPG games, so take that as you may. Narrator does a good job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline. Looking forward to the next in this Series.
July 4, 2025
I'm not usually a fan of VR stories. The stakes always seem low. In this case, the protagonist's fate is so intertwined between the virtual game and reality that I had no trouble caring about his fate in either world.
The author doesn't really sell the super-genius persona that Milo is supposed to have, but it served to keep the plot moving in the right direction, so... okay? The action scenes were plentiful and tightly rendered. The characters seemed distinct and relatively believable. I also appreciated the world-building; and there's plenty of room for growth.
Bring on book two!
The author doesn't really sell the super-genius persona that Milo is supposed to have, but it served to keep the plot moving in the right direction, so... okay? The action scenes were plentiful and tightly rendered. The characters seemed distinct and relatively believable. I also appreciated the world-building; and there's plenty of room for growth.
Bring on book two!
February 13, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Both sides of the split worked and I was invested in both of them. I like the MC and the folks he’s meeting. Interesting leveling. Solid action. And cheese!
January 16, 2025
Had I known this was virtual Reality, I would not have picked it up. I thought it was a book about an anthropomorphic rat doing stuff. When I started to read the book and saw the description of a male human face (no mention of whiskers or beady eyes), I got confused.
I really don't like VR books, as what you accomplished "in game" doesn't apply in reality. Did a bunch of stuff to learn to fly in game? Come out your pod and continue walking everywhere.
I don't know how to feel about this, as so far, it isn't different from what I read before in this genre.
I finished it and don't know if I would read a sequel.
3/5 Stars
I really don't like VR books, as what you accomplished "in game" doesn't apply in reality. Did a bunch of stuff to learn to fly in game? Come out your pod and continue walking everywhere.
I don't know how to feel about this, as so far, it isn't different from what I read before in this genre.
I finished it and don't know if I would read a sequel.
3/5 Stars
March 15, 2025
A great no consequences litrpg, with truly fantastic encounter building brought down by it's own jumpy writing style and confusing but very present levelling system.
The fantastical\dystopian real world setting could easily be a book on it's own. The in game world is complex and interesting. The combination of the two is great at times but can feel too much in places as key events in the real world get jumped over.
Biggest challenge in reading was changing character perspectives mid chapter, which was jarring and confusing especially when a new key character was introduced this way (Wally). The author settled on a different style later in the book which was clearer.
The lack of consequences and a true nemsis \ villain to overcome for the majority of the book killed off any tension, early villains such as kaminski and even the apparent secret big bad Seimovich where dealt with quickly essentially 'off screen'. While the Emperess was a great suprise villain she was exactly that, a suprise.
I appreciated the depth and breadth of skills and classes but levelling and exp where utterly unfathomable and so pointless; with even the game giving up and saying to chuck your levels in whatever, acknowledging how meaningless they were.
The fantastical\dystopian real world setting could easily be a book on it's own. The in game world is complex and interesting. The combination of the two is great at times but can feel too much in places as key events in the real world get jumped over.
Biggest challenge in reading was changing character perspectives mid chapter, which was jarring and confusing especially when a new key character was introduced this way (Wally). The author settled on a different style later in the book which was clearer.
The lack of consequences and a true nemsis \ villain to overcome for the majority of the book killed off any tension, early villains such as kaminski and even the apparent secret big bad Seimovich where dealt with quickly essentially 'off screen'. While the Emperess was a great suprise villain she was exactly that, a suprise.
I appreciated the depth and breadth of skills and classes but levelling and exp where utterly unfathomable and so pointless; with even the game giving up and saying to chuck your levels in whatever, acknowledging how meaningless they were.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
This is one of those "character plays a realistic VR game" novels, which I always a bit uninvolving. Any danger or challenges are imaginary because it's a game, so there's no real tension.
Ironically, the "real world" that Milo lives in is much more interesting than the game. It's a cyberpunk dystopia. Milo is a way-off-the-grid unperson who lives between the walls of a crumbling arcology. He does constant unauthorized repairs, ala Harry Tuttle of Brazil, not because he's being paid, but because wants to keep his home working, and the official repair crews are pretty bad.
He's also a malnourished former child slave with a prosthetic leg and a cybernetic tail. He's just much more interesting, all around, than his were-rat game character. If he gets caught in his actual life, he'll actually die, rather than just respawn 12 hours later.
Unfortunately, the out-of-game story doesn't get much of author's attention, and a big chunk of Milo's real-world problems gets solved halfway through the book through what's little better than a Deus Ex Machina. The in-game story is a bit better, but as I said, it's a game, so it's hard to care.
Overall, it's not terrible, but it's no better than a middling way to pass your time.
Ironically, the "real world" that Milo lives in is much more interesting than the game. It's a cyberpunk dystopia. Milo is a way-off-the-grid unperson who lives between the walls of a crumbling arcology. He does constant unauthorized repairs, ala Harry Tuttle of Brazil, not because he's being paid, but because wants to keep his home working, and the official repair crews are pretty bad.
He's also a malnourished former child slave with a prosthetic leg and a cybernetic tail. He's just much more interesting, all around, than his were-rat game character. If he gets caught in his actual life, he'll actually die, rather than just respawn 12 hours later.
Unfortunately, the out-of-game story doesn't get much of author's attention, and a big chunk of Milo's real-world problems gets solved halfway through the book through what's little better than a Deus Ex Machina. The in-game story is a bit better, but as I said, it's a game, so it's hard to care.
Overall, it's not terrible, but it's no better than a middling way to pass your time.
March 28, 2025
It's Rude to Talk About Other's Tails!
Milo doesn't have a family, a left leg, nor a friend in the world. He does have a prosthetic leg and tail which he has built to make navigating the tunnels easier. He lives his life alone, hidden in the service corridors, air ducts, and sewers of the Habitat. All the residents of Section E of the Habitat benefit from his activities; as he keeps the Habitat's machinery in working order. He's a tunnel rat.
When he sees an opportunity to "salvage" a cutting edge medical pod to combat his chronic malnourishment and common minor injuries, he also gains access to Virtual world where he becomes a Ratling/Wererat and takes to living and working in the tunnels and mines of an abandoned Dwarven city. Again he is a tunnel rat. Fate? Perhaps.
This is a LitRPG novel with an interesting lead character. Milo is born with a physical deformity — his left leg is nonexistent — and he was augmented with interface ports implanted into his spine which allow him to connect to computers and other machinery and control them with his thoughts. He builds prostheses to overcome his shortcomings and lives his life hiding from the rest of humanity. The plot developed quickly and reveals disturbing facts about Milo's origins and the dangerous people from whom he is hiding.
I see shades of Louis McMasters Bujold's Myles Vorkosigan in Milo.
A very good read; well worth your time.
Milo doesn't have a family, a left leg, nor a friend in the world. He does have a prosthetic leg and tail which he has built to make navigating the tunnels easier. He lives his life alone, hidden in the service corridors, air ducts, and sewers of the Habitat. All the residents of Section E of the Habitat benefit from his activities; as he keeps the Habitat's machinery in working order. He's a tunnel rat.
When he sees an opportunity to "salvage" a cutting edge medical pod to combat his chronic malnourishment and common minor injuries, he also gains access to Virtual world where he becomes a Ratling/Wererat and takes to living and working in the tunnels and mines of an abandoned Dwarven city. Again he is a tunnel rat. Fate? Perhaps.
This is a LitRPG novel with an interesting lead character. Milo is born with a physical deformity — his left leg is nonexistent — and he was augmented with interface ports implanted into his spine which allow him to connect to computers and other machinery and control them with his thoughts. He builds prostheses to overcome his shortcomings and lives his life hiding from the rest of humanity. The plot developed quickly and reveals disturbing facts about Milo's origins and the dangerous people from whom he is hiding.
I see shades of Louis McMasters Bujold's Myles Vorkosigan in Milo.
A very good read; well worth your time.
August 21, 2025
There's a world within the world, which gives the plot overlay layers, keeping it interesting. Milo's situation is also complex and interesting.
I had trouble getting into this one. The opening chapters were an object lesson in why the "show don't tell" rule exists. It was a lot of exposition without dialogue or character interaction or much of a hook. I was getting close to quitting.
The plot gets underway once Milo enters the Genesis game after the tutorial. I increasingly enjoyed Milo's adventures, and the increasing riskiness of his situation in both worlds. Milo is a likable hero, and the dwarves and other characters are pretty entertaining. I've picked up Book 2.
I had trouble getting into this one. The opening chapters were an object lesson in why the "show don't tell" rule exists. It was a lot of exposition without dialogue or character interaction or much of a hook. I was getting close to quitting.
The plot gets underway once Milo enters the Genesis game after the tutorial. I increasingly enjoyed Milo's adventures, and the increasing riskiness of his situation in both worlds. Milo is a likable hero, and the dwarves and other characters are pretty entertaining. I've picked up Book 2.
December 15, 2024
An entertaining SF/F read - LitRPG with two settings a futuristic, scifi real world and a fantasy VR world, with interesting adventures in both.
Protagonist Milo is a former child slave and subject of illegal genetic modification.
He is now a genius mechanic with a disability living (hiding) in a slum habitat and joins the VR game Genesis as a non-human character. This game is a huge Virtual Reality Worlds that had been created by AI using quantum computers.
I read this on Royal Road but the book is now an ebook on Amazon.
Protagonist Milo is a former child slave and subject of illegal genetic modification.
He is now a genius mechanic with a disability living (hiding) in a slum habitat and joins the VR game Genesis as a non-human character. This game is a huge Virtual Reality Worlds that had been created by AI using quantum computers.
I read this on Royal Road but the book is now an ebook on Amazon.
November 20, 2024
One of my favourites
I follow this story on Royal Road, and am very happy to now have my own copy of it's beginning in book form.
Tunnel Rat is a gripping book with great characters, one of very few that successfully navigates being set in two worlds without one of the worlds becoming less interesting than the other.
I love Milo, and I hope you pick up this book and enjoy following his adventures too.
I follow this story on Royal Road, and am very happy to now have my own copy of it's beginning in book form.
Tunnel Rat is a gripping book with great characters, one of very few that successfully navigates being set in two worlds without one of the worlds becoming less interesting than the other.
I love Milo, and I hope you pick up this book and enjoy following his adventures too.
March 31, 2025
good mix of dystopian and litros
I find the out-of-game part of the book that is set in the dystopian future particularly interesting and wish more of its focus was on that part of the story. I would prefer if the litrpg aspect took more time to gradually build up the protagonist's abilities and powers. Additionally, I love how the protagonist plays as a ratkin, which adds a unique and intriguing element to the story.
I find the out-of-game part of the book that is set in the dystopian future particularly interesting and wish more of its focus was on that part of the story. I would prefer if the litrpg aspect took more time to gradually build up the protagonist's abilities and powers. Additionally, I love how the protagonist plays as a ratkin, which adds a unique and intriguing element to the story.
November 14, 2024
Fun, entertaining story
This was a fun book. Milo is a rather likeable character and the world is vivid and well described. Overall the story was very good. My only minor complaint is that there were a number of spelling errors and punctuation issues throughout the book. It could be run through an editor once and it would be a five-star experience.
Excited to read book 2!
This was a fun book. Milo is a rather likeable character and the world is vivid and well described. Overall the story was very good. My only minor complaint is that there were a number of spelling errors and punctuation issues throughout the book. It could be run through an editor once and it would be a five-star experience.
Excited to read book 2!
December 30, 2024
A really good book
This is a great start to a whole new book series. I cannot wait for future books to come out. I am going to go to Royal Road and start reading the web novel. I highly recommend this book to people who like clever main characters and the kind of fight who likes underdog.
This is a great start to a whole new book series. I cannot wait for future books to come out. I am going to go to Royal Road and start reading the web novel. I highly recommend this book to people who like clever main characters and the kind of fight who likes underdog.
Read
November 13, 2024Great start to an entertaining series
This is a very satisfying series in the LitRPG genre. The game world is very well thought out and complex, and the real world is believable and has some interesting situations happening.
Give it a try!
This is a very satisfying series in the LitRPG genre. The game world is very well thought out and complex, and the real world is believable and has some interesting situations happening.
Give it a try!
November 13, 2024
love it
You will love this story. It’s incredibly written full of adventure. It will keep you interested in both of the VR and real world settings which is rare. Get this book and you won’t be let down
You will love this story. It’s incredibly written full of adventure. It will keep you interested in both of the VR and real world settings which is rare. Get this book and you won’t be let down
November 25, 2024
Review
I really enjoyed this book. Fast paced, fun MC, good story in and out of game. Little heavy on the character sheets, I'm not big on repetition of stats but I know some people enjoy it. Give the book a try. It was fun.
I really enjoyed this book. Fast paced, fun MC, good story in and out of game. Little heavy on the character sheets, I'm not big on repetition of stats but I know some people enjoy it. Give the book a try. It was fun.
December 11, 2024
Book one
One of the very first stories I started reading on Royalroad. I still read this story today.
This is my feel good read. If I'm feeling down this is the story I go to for a happy fix.
If you haven't ever read this story on Royalroad then I highly recommend it.
10/10
One of the very first stories I started reading on Royalroad. I still read this story today.
This is my feel good read. If I'm feeling down this is the story I go to for a happy fix.
If you haven't ever read this story on Royalroad then I highly recommend it.
10/10
January 5, 2025
Great Story
Dual world building in the book was great. Milo scrapes his way through a dystopian future arcology hab and the new online world of shadowport in a great blend of scfi and fantasy magic. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Dual world building in the book was great. Milo scrapes his way through a dystopian future arcology hab and the new online world of shadowport in a great blend of scfi and fantasy magic. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 23, 2025
Great
This story had me hooked and I binged it. I am totally behind in my college homework now. Worth it though. The main character is a mess of many things and I like how they are brought forth. Just an awesome story. Please take your time with the second one. Although I want to read it bad I would rather you do justice to the first book.
This story had me hooked and I binged it. I am totally behind in my college homework now. Worth it though. The main character is a mess of many things and I like how they are brought forth. Just an awesome story. Please take your time with the second one. Although I want to read it bad I would rather you do justice to the first book.
June 11, 2025
Really good
As with most series, this wasn't as good as the first book. I almost quit reading because the beginning was so boring. I am glad I kept going because the boring part was finally linked to the story, and things got really interesting after that. The introduction of new characters was interesting also. I hope Belinda shows up more in the next book in this series. I do highly recommend this series.
As with most series, this wasn't as good as the first book. I almost quit reading because the beginning was so boring. I am glad I kept going because the boring part was finally linked to the story, and things got really interesting after that. The introduction of new characters was interesting also. I hope Belinda shows up more in the next book in this series. I do highly recommend this series.
June 27, 2025
Omg this series is amazing it is complex exciting and has alot of moving plots. I have never listened 🎶 to a LitRPG book like this I didn't like it at first it was a little confusing 😕 until milo gets into the game it's a fun ride that keeps you guessing. We'll done Walrus King.
September 8, 2024
A very unproblematic enjoyable read. Just a silly concept with really good execution.
November 14, 2024
Story line
I enjoyed the hab h storyline the best. To many page on listing milo's stats. Waiting for book 2. Thank you Elaine
I enjoyed the hab h storyline the best. To many page on listing milo's stats. Waiting for book 2. Thank you Elaine
Read
November 14, 2024An excellent read!
An interesting, intelligent, and humorous take on LitRPG. Can’t wait for the next book in this series. Really enjoyed this one.
An interesting, intelligent, and humorous take on LitRPG. Can’t wait for the next book in this series. Really enjoyed this one.
November 17, 2024
It was interesting to have a rat as the main character. It is not something I have read before. This was also a pretty funny book. I look forward to the next one.
December 9, 2024
Fun story
I love the main protagonist and so far the story shades to grim bright more than grim dark. Looking forward to the next book
I love the main protagonist and so far the story shades to grim bright more than grim dark. Looking forward to the next book
January 5, 2025
I liked this one, and hope to read more in this series. It's a very well done start to the series, and I've always liked the stories where a loner kicks the butt of the system and/or society as a whole with their unrealistic expectations. Just love it when a character turns all of that on it's head.
February 6, 2025
This was fantastic onward to book 2!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews