The Atlas: A Horror Movie LitRPG

The Game at Carousel #3

by Rob M. Lastrel

The third installment of a cinematic horror-LitRPG Die in the story, and you’ll be back; break the story, and you’re gone for good.

Since the day they unwittingly found themselves in the horror show of Carousel, Riley (the Film Buff), Antoine (the Athlete), Kimberly (the Eye Candy), Camden (the Scholar), and Anna (the Final Girl) have learned the rules of their horror-movie world. They’ve fought through story after story and come out alive—or at least preserved the storyline enough to come back to life.

But their biggest challenge yet lies ahead. While the vets who’ve been there longest want to travel to the mountain they believe to be the source of Carousel’s power, Riley is more concerned about something the murderous man with an axe who follows their every move to ensure they play by the rules. But even knowing the secrets of Carousel can’t save them from the real horrors to come . . .

The longer they stay in Carousel, the more Riley and his friends Who’s running the game? Where does it end? And why don’t the vets seem to know any more than they do?

The third volume of the hit LitRPG series—with more than three million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Audiobook, Mystery

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2024

Reviews

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ The ending was really good!!!! This one threw some things I was not expecting at me, and set up so much that I am really interested in seeing.

[Bryant E]

I wrote a review earlier for books one and two in this series. This is book 3 and I am still totally enthralled by the world building in this series.
This is such a unique take on, maybe fusion is a better word for it ..... a couple of classic genres. The setting is totally 80s to 90s slasher / horrer film, but the chars are living a variation of the Isekai LitRPG genre story line.
lots of interesting story line world building, very smart characters, very well written characters, Lots of, I think foreshadowing is the right concept. There will be a very small detail, almost not even worth noticing, but the author makes sure it is just barely noticed..... Like ten pages later there is a reference to it....... like 2 chapters later it is a focal point and the whole plot revolves around that little detail. I love that in a book. Really makes you pay attention.
Lots of slasher movie tropes built into this whole series, but, not in a way you have to be a fan of slasher movies, the tropes get explained in a useful way to non fans but without wasting the time of hardcore slasher fans. The game lit mechanics have the same thought behind them. they are important and well used. They get explained well without wasting the time of hard core game lit readers.
If I read this review without being aware of the series, I would say no way, that sounds awkward and not worth reading....
It really works well though. This is a really well built world with lots of good well designed challenges and good char development with great plot building. Truly an interesting new twist on a couple of old stranded plot styles.
I recommend this series to almost all of my booky friends!

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woah. Another stressful book. At this rate the author is going to have to pay for my therapy to handle the anxiety this series gives me.

The mystery of Carousel begins to discovered. Though it times I admit I was a bit confused with what was happening as some of the information was clustered in large amounts at times. But my god is it interesting. Now the story is really rolling. Our little crew are the only hope for everyone now. And I’m excited and nervous to read what happens next.

Because Carousel is waking up. And that can only mean more horror. And I am so ready.

I’ve enjoyed this series so much I’m not even going to wait for book four to be officially released. I’ll head onto Royal Road to continue reading. Because I need answers.

Onto book four!

[Veronik Durocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Good but slightly less than two previous ones which were excellent. Not because it's not good but as there only two main quest, which gives us the impression that there is less adventures compare to multiples quests in other books. There are a few… typos? Glitches? at the end of the book that looks like symbols and, sadly, are impossible to copy and paste…

But still good, nonetheless.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

an actually, satisfying payoff to the mystery

for not being a fan of horror, this has been a surprisingly enjoyable for me, and only seems to be getting better with every entry, that so many things in narrative could be carousel acting out bad horror movie tropes, even outside the games, is working in the favour of the overall mystery, you won’t be disappointed and can’t wait for book 4

[Courtney S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Consistency can be difficult to keep across a multiple book series, but the author has done so and made each book build off the previous in an exciting manner.


Holy Toledo this book was a wild ride and I very much enjoyed every turn. I can not wait to see if book 4 can fulfill its promise and set up.

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best one of the series so far, imo. You get a lot less "horror story lines", but what really interests me about these kinds of stories is the overarching plot. Why does Carousel exist? Who is controlling it? What does it all MEAN? And you get a lot of really satisfying answers in this book. It was SO GOOD!!

[Kate Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this book deviated from the setup of the previous book’s and made it its own thing. It wasn’t as good as the second book but still really enjoyable and fun to read. The plot twist shocked me and I’m really excited to see how the author continues with the plan!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I am following this book from the royal road and supporting the online version so I can get more books it is amazing and I can't wait for more.

[Nick K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 can’t come out soon enough

[Andrew Wentzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This says a lot about society.

[Chris Harless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Loved the buildup and action. The momentum continues to go, the horror still grows, and the tropes are very dope.

[Donna Kirkham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still loving this series!

[Juliette Amarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

This book series has such a special place in my heart. An amazing plot followed with amazing writing. I can’t recommend enough.

[Eric Redinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought the plot together from the prior two books and set the story up going forward. This series got really interesting! The setup has a Westworld tinge to it.

[Rebecca Rothmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I did not expect the ending! Truly a twist for the ages. I hope more people choose to read this.

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not life changing. But it is an interesting concept with pretty good execution.

[Dianne Messina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazind

The world building was simply amazing. A truly unique Litrpg. I could put the book down. I want the next book now, I simply can't wait.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun series. Please keep them coming!

[Jonathan H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clue meets Scary Movie meets a classic RPG

Don’t think, just do it. You will not regret this. Or will you? Seven more words are required here period.

[Arsen Zahray · Rating 5 out of 5]

surprisingly good

[bethanyARTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best horror for rpg lit by far

It screams for a tv show version. And a table top rpg book. Great story progression with a plot that is internally consistent.

[Linde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really want to read the next book asap

[Michael Ling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are heating up.

[Matthew Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff.

I liked it. I need the next one. I know a book is good when i lose sleep to read it.

[William Wheaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

great continuation of the series!!

I really love this series! Sad another book is down but can’t wait to continue the story and the unique world created here!

[Wes O · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely tore through this one. Insane improvement from book two. One of the best book endings I’ve read in a while. It just kept getting better. Easy 4.5

[Tyler Foskitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read