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Dressed To Kill #1
Dressed to Kill: A Monster Seamstress LitRPG: Dressed to Kill, Book 1
To save her town from decaying into oblivion, a young seamstress embarks on a quest that weaves together magic, mystery, and monsters.
In an impoverished border town with a population dwindling as fast as hope, Gwen Tailor aims to change things. She is a daughter of the Seamstress class, drawing on the bloodline skills of her mother, who stitches with a speed that veers into the realm of magic. An awesome feat. But armed with a giant piercing needle, Gwen is more than a seamstress. To save her people from extinction and create a pattern all her own for survival, she must be a monster slayer.
In the core of the town is the dungeon, a deep-pitted breeding ground for all the local despair and decline. Gwen is going where the monsters dwell. For every new kill, each creature's pelt, shell, and exoskeleton will become not only protective armor but a source of escalating power. With the help of her friends—Sandy, a cleaver-wielding butcher's daughter, and Gerald, a young blacksmith with near-wizardly talents for forging enchanted weapons—Gwen has a team to be reckoned with. Monsters, beware.
Would that it were so simple. Descending into each cavernous new level, Gwen will make a harrowing discovery about the true roots of her town's decay. And they are more overwhelming and far-reaching than she ever could have imagined . . .
The first volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 500,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
In an impoverished border town with a population dwindling as fast as hope, Gwen Tailor aims to change things. She is a daughter of the Seamstress class, drawing on the bloodline skills of her mother, who stitches with a speed that veers into the realm of magic. An awesome feat. But armed with a giant piercing needle, Gwen is more than a seamstress. To save her people from extinction and create a pattern all her own for survival, she must be a monster slayer.
In the core of the town is the dungeon, a deep-pitted breeding ground for all the local despair and decline. Gwen is going where the monsters dwell. For every new kill, each creature's pelt, shell, and exoskeleton will become not only protective armor but a source of escalating power. With the help of her friends—Sandy, a cleaver-wielding butcher's daughter, and Gerald, a young blacksmith with near-wizardly talents for forging enchanted weapons—Gwen has a team to be reckoned with. Monsters, beware.
Would that it were so simple. Descending into each cavernous new level, Gwen will make a harrowing discovery about the true roots of her town's decay. And they are more overwhelming and far-reaching than she ever could have imagined . . .
The first volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 500,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
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Published January 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 15, 2024
I really enjoy stories that come at it from a tangent. This is one of those books and a really awesome all around read.
Strong female lead, potentially leading into an academy story in book 2?
Strong female lead, potentially leading into an academy story in book 2?
February 9, 2024
I enjoyed this story with its take on monster hunting and what a seamstress can really do. Unique story mixed with fun characters and full of action, danger, and monster hunting. Plus a few secrets and surprises to spice things up. Laughed and groaned but found it fun to read.
July 14, 2024
Ok, this book was actually FUN to read. Not that it's a masterpiece, but certainly not a sloppy slapped together story. At the end of the day, I'm looking to be entertained and it did that while leaving me wanting more. Looking forward to V2.
February 2, 2024
Fun and unique, but a little confusing
First the good.
It's a unique story, and the way the main characters go about gaining their abilities or ignoring their supposed fated path in life to continue on the path they wanted instead but using their abilities in highly unconventional ways.
Gwen and her friends are pretty unique in how they go about practicing their skills, and the world is written fairly well.
The bad.
There are a number of small spelling errors and missing words in the book. And then the confusing part that I mentioned earlier, Gwen makes a number of offhand remarks using earth colloquialisms, mentions things like cell phones and other modern technology, and yet the book never explains how she knows about these things, when they live in a society where they live in run down old wooden shacks, their only mode of transportation is animals or wagons drawn by animals.
So it's a little odd at times and kind of pulls you out of the story, when she mentions things about Earth, there's no discussion in here about why she knows about earth etc.
First the good.
It's a unique story, and the way the main characters go about gaining their abilities or ignoring their supposed fated path in life to continue on the path they wanted instead but using their abilities in highly unconventional ways.
Gwen and her friends are pretty unique in how they go about practicing their skills, and the world is written fairly well.
The bad.
There are a number of small spelling errors and missing words in the book. And then the confusing part that I mentioned earlier, Gwen makes a number of offhand remarks using earth colloquialisms, mentions things like cell phones and other modern technology, and yet the book never explains how she knows about these things, when they live in a society where they live in run down old wooden shacks, their only mode of transportation is animals or wagons drawn by animals.
So it's a little odd at times and kind of pulls you out of the story, when she mentions things about Earth, there's no discussion in here about why she knows about earth etc.
February 25, 2024
A change of pace
It's rare for one of these books to have the hero be a simple crafter of some sort but it works. The author goes to great lengths to detail how they use their craft skills offensively and it makes for an interesting read.
It's rare for one of these books to have the hero be a simple crafter of some sort but it works. The author goes to great lengths to detail how they use their craft skills offensively and it makes for an interesting read.
February 6, 2024
The was a great read! The story was entertaining, action-packed, and very interesting. The system was easy to understand. The MC was appealing as well as the side characters. They were relatable and engaging.
However, the setting of the story was a bit confusing. It wasn't so clear what kind of world they were in. It gave off an impression that it was in a non-modern type but a few modern things were mentioned like the cellphone out of the blue. They threw me off a bit.
It's still great read and definitely looking forward to reading the next installment.
However, the setting of the story was a bit confusing. It wasn't so clear what kind of world they were in. It gave off an impression that it was in a non-modern type but a few modern things were mentioned like the cellphone out of the blue. They threw me off a bit.
It's still great read and definitely looking forward to reading the next installment.
March 15, 2024
The world is very gamelike with resetting materials and monsters in the dungeon respawn in the same locations acting mostly the same. I feels great and is a refreshing alternative to the standard "normal middle age world with magic and stats".
The MC feels like an NPC struggling to do something her class is not supposed to be. The world is very unfair in that regard and nobles feel like players that can become so much stronger than crafters and have more freedom with their builds. The noble in charge of the town is not a comically evil badguy and actually rather reasonable, which is nice.
It is great that the MC does not just randomly gets legendary skills left and right. A trap, that too many LitRPGs fall for. If getting rare and great skills was easy, more people would have them.
It is also great that her power comes from the stuff she crafts. So it keeps being important through the story, but does not elevate her to suddenly stronger than a noble with a class made for fighting. Also great teamwork and social interactions. They live in a town and are normal people and families with normal problems.
There are some continuation errors, like her mom telling her, that the new set has parry and then the next chapter she tells Sandy that she doesn't know what abilitiy the new set has. Stuff like that. Annoying, but does not make the story worse. Also the ending is very abrupt.
MC got isekaid. I don't really get why that is in the story. Does not really add anything to it exept for the excuse to use earth vocabulary.
Lots of potential to open up the world and build up the town to a city again. For example steam-engines were hinted at and bombs are apparently a thing, showing more options at technologic evolution for the small bubble the MC lives in.
In short where next? Gimme more.
The MC feels like an NPC struggling to do something her class is not supposed to be. The world is very unfair in that regard and nobles feel like players that can become so much stronger than crafters and have more freedom with their builds. The noble in charge of the town is not a comically evil badguy and actually rather reasonable, which is nice.
It is great that the MC does not just randomly gets legendary skills left and right. A trap, that too many LitRPGs fall for. If getting rare and great skills was easy, more people would have them.
It is also great that her power comes from the stuff she crafts. So it keeps being important through the story, but does not elevate her to suddenly stronger than a noble with a class made for fighting. Also great teamwork and social interactions. They live in a town and are normal people and families with normal problems.
There are some continuation errors, like her mom telling her, that the new set has parry and then the next chapter she tells Sandy that she doesn't know what abilitiy the new set has. Stuff like that. Annoying, but does not make the story worse. Also the ending is very abrupt.
MC got isekaid. I don't really get why that is in the story. Does not really add anything to it exept for the excuse to use earth vocabulary.
Lots of potential to open up the world and build up the town to a city again. For example steam-engines were hinted at and bombs are apparently a thing, showing more options at technologic evolution for the small bubble the MC lives in.
In short where next? Gimme more.
June 24, 2024
Well, this is... problematic.
The Good
In general, I liked the scope of the story and its stakes. Although it didn't always land properly, I appreciated that MC's struggle against inertia and her will to defy established order.
As usual (I'm sounding like a broken record by now) Andrea's ability to inject depth into her narration probably gained this book one more star than it really deserves. Someone give this woman an award already!
The Less Good
The story does get repetitive at times, which is intrinsic to the sub-genre so I can forgive it.
What I have more of a problem with is the author under-using or contradicting their own setup.
The conflict / consequence of being a noble's child was discarded a bit too early
As other reviewers have mentioned, there has been as of yet absolutely no value to the MC being "tenseid". That was really frustrating, as I kept waiting for it to matter at some point and it never did.
For such a small village, there was an inexplicable lot that the MC and her friend didn't know about their own world .
The Bad
The resolution was unsatisfactory. Valjean's attitude didn't make sense to me. . And I really don't like where the story is headed next.
The Conclusion
I had a lot of fun listening to this audio-book.
However, because of how it ended, I know I won't be moving forward with the series.
The Good
In general, I liked the scope of the story and its stakes. Although it didn't always land properly, I appreciated that MC's struggle against inertia and her will to defy established order.
As usual (I'm sounding like a broken record by now) Andrea's ability to inject depth into her narration probably gained this book one more star than it really deserves. Someone give this woman an award already!
The Less Good
The story does get repetitive at times, which is intrinsic to the sub-genre so I can forgive it.
What I have more of a problem with is the author under-using or contradicting their own setup.
The conflict / consequence of being a noble's child was discarded a bit too early
As other reviewers have mentioned, there has been as of yet absolutely no value to the MC being "tenseid". That was really frustrating, as I kept waiting for it to matter at some point and it never did.
For such a small village, there was an inexplicable lot that the MC and her friend didn't know about their own world .
The Bad
The resolution was unsatisfactory. Valjean's attitude didn't make sense to me. . And I really don't like where the story is headed next.
The Conclusion
I had a lot of fun listening to this audio-book.
However, because of how it ended, I know I won't be moving forward with the series.
March 21, 2024
I love it when crafting classes use their abilities in creative ways. A monster fighting seamstress is so cool—and the book does do some interesting things with it.
Unfortunately, too much of this story is half-baked. There are odd references to contemporary Earth for no good reason—except maybe the writer couldn’t think of a different way to describe something? Leveling seems rather arbitrary and fights are repetitive. I do like that they need to learn to win, but the execution isn’t quite strong enough to keep me interested. The characters are thin.
IMO: Worth a look for its core concept as long as expectations aren’t set too high.
Unfortunately, too much of this story is half-baked. There are odd references to contemporary Earth for no good reason—except maybe the writer couldn’t think of a different way to describe something? Leveling seems rather arbitrary and fights are repetitive. I do like that they need to learn to win, but the execution isn’t quite strong enough to keep me interested. The characters are thin.
IMO: Worth a look for its core concept as long as expectations aren’t set too high.
August 9, 2024
The cover is gorgeous. The plot is lovely.
The execution is not so great. Tis a bit choppy yet oddly repetitive.
I finished it but I’m not sure if I’ll be reading future books.
I still think it’s worth a shot because of the plot.
The execution is not so great. Tis a bit choppy yet oddly repetitive.
I finished it but I’m not sure if I’ll be reading future books.
I still think it’s worth a shot because of the plot.
February 6, 2024
In the world of Dressed to Kill, citizens gain their class at age eighteen. Protagonist Gwen has always dreamed of gaining the Noble class and saving her dying village. Nobles are the most gifted, with the ability to clear out the dungeons that are located in the heart of each village. Unfortunately, when it's her turn, Gwen recieves the seamstress class, like her mother. She refuses to let that stop her, however, and with the help of her friends Sandy and Gerald, she begins to clear out their village's dungeon. Needles make a surprisingly good weapon after all. Each monster defeated gives Gwen the chance to make a new outfit, increasing her stats and giving her new skills along the way. These "peasants" are tougher than anyone would expect.
This was such a fun example of the LitRPG genre. Gwen and Sandy are determined to defy all expectations and save their village. I liked watching them work together. I hope to see more from Gerald in the future, as his character was less fleshed out. Would love to see more of good boy Cinnamon as well. The magic system is interesting. I'm quite curious about the glimpses into the past that we see whenever Gwen creates a new piece. And what is up with her connection to Earth? Are all citizens of this world from Earth, or just a select few? I'm sure it will be delved into further in future installments, but for now, it's piqued my curiosity. There were occasional bits that got a bit repetitive, but other than that, I really enjoyed this one. I can't wait to see where the story goes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Podium Team and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a fun example of the LitRPG genre. Gwen and Sandy are determined to defy all expectations and save their village. I liked watching them work together. I hope to see more from Gerald in the future, as his character was less fleshed out. Would love to see more of good boy Cinnamon as well. The magic system is interesting. I'm quite curious about the glimpses into the past that we see whenever Gwen creates a new piece. And what is up with her connection to Earth? Are all citizens of this world from Earth, or just a select few? I'm sure it will be delved into further in future installments, but for now, it's piqued my curiosity. There were occasional bits that got a bit repetitive, but other than that, I really enjoyed this one. I can't wait to see where the story goes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Podium Team and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 6, 2025
3.5 stars
The writing in this book is a bit naive: characters don't react in ways that are completely believable, dialog is passable but not strong, and the plot has holes that should have been filled.
But the conceit is an interesting one: there is no person in the focus border town who has the "right" class to clean out the local dungeon, and if the dungeon isn't cleaned regularly, the town will wither away. The protagonist is assigned the class "Seamstress" and determines that regardless of class, she will save the town.
There are hints that the protagonist is not native to this world and that she remembers a world that I assume to be Earth. But those are only passing hints and the idea is not at all developed. I'd like to have seen these further developed (if the idea will be pursued in future books in the series) or removed entirely (if this will not be a major plot point).
The ending works fairly well for the first book in a series, and I have hopes that the writing will improve with time and the story will develop in interesting ways.
The writing in this book is a bit naive: characters don't react in ways that are completely believable, dialog is passable but not strong, and the plot has holes that should have been filled.
But the conceit is an interesting one: there is no person in the focus border town who has the "right" class to clean out the local dungeon, and if the dungeon isn't cleaned regularly, the town will wither away. The protagonist is assigned the class "Seamstress" and determines that regardless of class, she will save the town.
There are hints that the protagonist is not native to this world and that she remembers a world that I assume to be Earth. But those are only passing hints and the idea is not at all developed. I'd like to have seen these further developed (if the idea will be pursued in future books in the series) or removed entirely (if this will not be a major plot point).
The ending works fairly well for the first book in a series, and I have hopes that the writing will improve with time and the story will develop in interesting ways.
June 21, 2024
Ever stabbed yourself with a sewing needle and it hurts real bad? Now scale that up to the point where it can kill a wolf in one hit. You get the idea.
Gwen is your standard "Earth person reincarnated in a fantasy world" protagonist, except she got a crafting class instead of anything heroic. She sets out to fight monsters and save her town anyway, teaming up with a similarly-minded Butcher girl. It's fun seeing them use their skills for unconventional purposes and turn monster parts into equipment to get stronger.
Descriptions of monster butchering aren't too graphic but the especially squeamish may wish to pass. The audiobook is very fast, to the point where I had to reduce the speed to x.9. Some voices are annoying, especially the "system" voice, but overall it's fine.
The ending is inconclusive enough to be frustrating but it's not a hard cliffhanger.
Gwen is your standard "Earth person reincarnated in a fantasy world" protagonist, except she got a crafting class instead of anything heroic. She sets out to fight monsters and save her town anyway, teaming up with a similarly-minded Butcher girl. It's fun seeing them use their skills for unconventional purposes and turn monster parts into equipment to get stronger.
Descriptions of monster butchering aren't too graphic but the especially squeamish may wish to pass. The audiobook is very fast, to the point where I had to reduce the speed to x.9. Some voices are annoying, especially the "system" voice, but overall it's fine.
The ending is inconclusive enough to be frustrating but it's not a hard cliffhanger.
August 30, 2024
It's made clear that adults all have high levels, which means superhuman physical abilities and could clear the dungeon with minutes or even seconds worth of effort. The fact that it falls on a 1st level girl makes no sense. That the resources she gets are so valuable means it makes even less sense adults aren't clearing it. That she can then, literally overnight, make incredibly powerful magic items, that, again, it's made clear would be dramatically inferior to what any higher level adult could do, makes even less sense. That the entire town is endangered by the dungeon not being cleared... again which would take minutes of effort, just makes this book too dumb to give anything but 1 star to. You have to shut off your brain to tolerate just how dumb this book is.
December 27, 2025
Well I started reading and got stopped by a recommendation. Which led to a number of books getting in the middle of coming back to read this one. But I had only read 3 or 4 chapters so it was ok. Once I got back to it decided to start fresh. Gwen Tailor the daughter of the village seamstress has always felt off about her origins. Her Mother has told her she was the daughter of a nobel. But how could that be? She was so normal. But as her village slowly rotted away she felt all eyes on the village on her. Upon receiving her gift she decides to do something. Joined by her friend Sandy the butcher. No its not a nickname but Sandy's profession and gift. They embark in clearing the dungeon and stopping the destruction of their village.
November 22, 2025
DNF at 51% but still 2 stars, because this story was not bad, just not for me. I think it lacked focus and any sense of attachement to the city, to the characters (I have no idea what the deal is with the MC, whom I don't even remeber her name, besides "wants to save the town" because... she is very loyal? They would be made serf? Honestly the stakes were kind of contradictory between what she said and what her mother said) or to the setting.
But there were good ideas. There was good fights.
And if this was the first litrpg of somebody, I think they would love it.
But for me, was too bland and forgettable and after 51%, I threw the towel.
But there were good ideas. There was good fights.
And if this was the first litrpg of somebody, I think they would love it.
But for me, was too bland and forgettable and after 51%, I threw the towel.
March 7, 2024
Loved this! I mostly read either cozy/slice of life or crafting-based LitRPGs, and this hits the spot for the latter. I enjoyed seeing such (a) novel magic/system. I also had just come off another female-led LitRPG that started off great and then got gross-weird about it over halfway through, so I started this one with shackles already raised, but I was super relieved to find just a well written female lead with no creepy or uncomfortable parts. It's now in my top fave woman-led LitRPG recs. :) I can't wait for book 2!
January 6, 2026
2.0 / 5.0
This reads as if it was written by a language learning model. There are multiple, many-many, several, an outrageous number of repeated sentences in this. Some within the same paragraph. Word for word.
The idea of the story is fantastic, though. I wish it had been fully written and fleshed out by an actual person. The world, concept, RPG system, and themes are solid. The writing is not bad but not good.
I don’t think I will read the second book. Unfortunately, there are too many cons in this one that outweigh the pros.
Until Next Time,
MC
This reads as if it was written by a language learning model. There are multiple, many-many, several, an outrageous number of repeated sentences in this. Some within the same paragraph. Word for word.
The idea of the story is fantastic, though. I wish it had been fully written and fleshed out by an actual person. The world, concept, RPG system, and themes are solid. The writing is not bad but not good.
I don’t think I will read the second book. Unfortunately, there are too many cons in this one that outweigh the pros.
Until Next Time,
MC
April 20, 2024
Page Turner
This story was a great take on the support classes wielding weapons, as well as a female main character who has common sense and actual growth throughout the journey. It starts with our protagonist, Gwen, in a small village, who has a lot of gambling on her inherited class. However, things do not turn out how she and the village hope, which makes the book even better.
This novel might be one of my favorite books of the year. I cannot wait for Book 2.
This story was a great take on the support classes wielding weapons, as well as a female main character who has common sense and actual growth throughout the journey. It starts with our protagonist, Gwen, in a small village, who has a lot of gambling on her inherited class. However, things do not turn out how she and the village hope, which makes the book even better.
This novel might be one of my favorite books of the year. I cannot wait for Book 2.
March 14, 2024
A interesting idea with a poor setting.
The main character is unimpressive, the side characters are an obsessive thug and a coward. Nothing great there. The explanation for the setting is pretty much a very cheap video game. The politics are weak and the villagers are just pointless. Some good ideas that are not put together well.
The main character is unimpressive, the side characters are an obsessive thug and a coward. Nothing great there. The explanation for the setting is pretty much a very cheap video game. The politics are weak and the villagers are just pointless. Some good ideas that are not put together well.
March 14, 2024
A surprisingly good unconventional litrpg
The premise is good and the pacing keeps the action moving. This story is absolutely worth reading. The main characters are not OP and even the "bad" guys have some depth.
I'm quite excited for the sequel!
The premise is good and the pacing keeps the action moving. This story is absolutely worth reading. The main characters are not OP and even the "bad" guys have some depth.
I'm quite excited for the sequel!
May 20, 2024
Crafting a future for the town
The mix of characterisation and gumption, with a soupcon of an interesting and well realized System, makes for light and entertaining reading. Good stuff! Best mom.
The mix of characterisation and gumption, with a soupcon of an interesting and well realized System, makes for light and entertaining reading. Good stuff! Best mom.
July 5, 2024
loved the *creative* magic system!
This book was so good and I really want to read a book 2! The system in place (both nobility and game like system) were very fascinating! I was on the edge of my seat the entire book!
This book was so good and I really want to read a book 2! The system in place (both nobility and game like system) were very fascinating! I was on the edge of my seat the entire book!
May 6, 2024
Better than I expected given the high concept.
May 12, 2024
Bruh they gave the butcher Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
July 7, 2024
Good idea, but needs more focus on people and less on stats.
July 14, 2024
lot's of fun!
September 23, 2024
Andrea parsneau.
Wandering inn like story
Wandering inn like story
November 30, 2024
Very cute and unusual take on the litrpg genre. Looking forward to more
February 24, 2025
I feel like this story just got started when the book ended. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope the next installment gets published soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews