What do you think?
Rate this book
Path of Dragons
Protector of the Grove: An Apocalypse LitRPG
When Earth is transformed into a realm of myths and monsters, one man finds both purpose and power in the fight for survival, in this fantasy adventure.
Elijah Hart is dying. Wracked by cancer and weakened by chemotherapy, all he wants is to spend what little time he has left with his sister and her family in Washington. But fate has other plans. When the mysterious World Tree extends its branches to Earth, Elijah’s Seattle-bound flight crashes into the Pacific Ocean and a game-like system takes hold—reshaping humanity’s future as well as his own destiny.
Waking up on an island in the Pacific Northwest, Elijah finds himself suddenly gifted with magical powers and an innate connection to the natural world. As a Druid, he has the ability to wield Ethera and harness the power of nature . . . if he survives long enough to master it. The influx of magic has rendered most technology useless, throwing humankind back into a preindustrial age. But the world hasn’t just changed; it has expanded, in both scope and danger.
Now Elijah must level up quickly, learn how to control his powers, and adapt to his new abilities to take on the forms of powerful beasts. Because Earth is under Reptilian Voxx emerge from dimensional rifts, wreaking chaos and destruction. Desperate humans battle for resources, seeking to harness Ethera for their own survival. Even worse, dragons and other ancient beings with the strength to destroy the planet on a whim are beginning to stir.
With each trial he faces, Elijah becomes healthier, stronger, and more powerful. But will it be enough to save himself—let alone the world?
The first volume of the hit LitRPG apocalypse series—with more than 15 million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
Elijah Hart is dying. Wracked by cancer and weakened by chemotherapy, all he wants is to spend what little time he has left with his sister and her family in Washington. But fate has other plans. When the mysterious World Tree extends its branches to Earth, Elijah’s Seattle-bound flight crashes into the Pacific Ocean and a game-like system takes hold—reshaping humanity’s future as well as his own destiny.
Waking up on an island in the Pacific Northwest, Elijah finds himself suddenly gifted with magical powers and an innate connection to the natural world. As a Druid, he has the ability to wield Ethera and harness the power of nature . . . if he survives long enough to master it. The influx of magic has rendered most technology useless, throwing humankind back into a preindustrial age. But the world hasn’t just changed; it has expanded, in both scope and danger.
Now Elijah must level up quickly, learn how to control his powers, and adapt to his new abilities to take on the forms of powerful beasts. Because Earth is under Reptilian Voxx emerge from dimensional rifts, wreaking chaos and destruction. Desperate humans battle for resources, seeking to harness Ethera for their own survival. Even worse, dragons and other ancient beings with the strength to destroy the planet on a whim are beginning to stir.
With each trial he faces, Elijah becomes healthier, stronger, and more powerful. But will it be enough to save himself—let alone the world?
The first volume of the hit LitRPG apocalypse series—with more than 15 million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
- GenresFantasyPost Apocalyptic
451 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2025
624 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 17, 2025
Book one
There is something here but it was buried under to much detail. Show don't tell. This one tells you every little detail.
The MC is probably the worst druid I've ever read about.
He gives a mercy killing to a panther like creature. Does he honor it by using its body to help him survive? He does not! He buried it!
He keeps having these weird moral quandaries after he kills an animal and yet he keeps hunting down animals to slaughter as he tries out new spells.
He has absolutely no problem with killing people though. Goblins, Gnomes, Dwarves die by the dozens at his hand.
We get multiple shifts to other characters. None that are interesting though.
Most go to the MC's sister. Some of the most dry and boring chapters. Be warned that she is also in a lesbian relationship.
Also it has dragons. How predictable. Not even interesting dragons, just powerful.
It's being written on Royalroad. I'm going to go see if the story improves or not.
4/10 Too much Detail in certain areas. Also way too dry and boring in others, entire chapters could be skipped.
There is something here but it was buried under to much detail. Show don't tell. This one tells you every little detail.
The MC is probably the worst druid I've ever read about.
He gives a mercy killing to a panther like creature. Does he honor it by using its body to help him survive? He does not! He buried it!
He keeps having these weird moral quandaries after he kills an animal and yet he keeps hunting down animals to slaughter as he tries out new spells.
He has absolutely no problem with killing people though. Goblins, Gnomes, Dwarves die by the dozens at his hand.
We get multiple shifts to other characters. None that are interesting though.
Most go to the MC's sister. Some of the most dry and boring chapters. Be warned that she is also in a lesbian relationship.
Also it has dragons. How predictable. Not even interesting dragons, just powerful.
It's being written on Royalroad. I'm going to go see if the story improves or not.
4/10 Too much Detail in certain areas. Also way too dry and boring in others, entire chapters could be skipped.
September 4, 2025
This was the first time I have ever read a LitRPG. Not a genre that I have ever thought about reading. It had the word Dragon in it so I thought, why not give it a try. It passed with flying colors and I can’t wait for the next one to come out. A wonderful introduction to this type of writing.
Elijah’s journey to becoming a more powerful protector of the grove was exciting. I don’t quite understand why we have the POV from his sister Alyssa, but I assume it will connect later.
This book has everything a fantasy reader could want. Gnomes, dwarves, goblins, dragons, shape-shifting, humanoid walruses and a cheeky little tree spirit. The world building was incredible! The magic system, if that’s what you call it, was strong and through vivid descriptions immersed you deeper into the book.
Last, but not least, the narrator for this book did a phenomenal job and I hope he gets to do the next one!
Elijah’s journey to becoming a more powerful protector of the grove was exciting. I don’t quite understand why we have the POV from his sister Alyssa, but I assume it will connect later.
This book has everything a fantasy reader could want. Gnomes, dwarves, goblins, dragons, shape-shifting, humanoid walruses and a cheeky little tree spirit. The world building was incredible! The magic system, if that’s what you call it, was strong and through vivid descriptions immersed you deeper into the book.
Last, but not least, the narrator for this book did a phenomenal job and I hope he gets to do the next one!
January 18, 2026
Marked this book as read 9x, but 8 of those reads are meant to indicate books 4-11, which are all on Royal Road. As those books (slowly) release I'll mark them as read and remove the equivalent from this page. Every book is 4 stars with the exception of book 10 which is 5.
General series review: a very well-written yet by-the-numbers system apocalypse/litrpg series... until around book 7/8ish. That's when the series turns into Literature with a capital L, moving, in many ways, beyond the boundaries of the genre (due to PTSD starting to kick in, the protagonist realizing he can't do everything alone, and systemic inequality in the apocalypse rearing its ugly head). Also an unusual series where queer characters and relationships are featured prominently (often with POV chapters - particularly in the first few books).
I look forward to reading the series again and continuing to follow along on Royal Road. Luckily author Nicholas Searcy is ridiculously prolific and these books will almost certainly be released. Unusually for the genre, I think there may actually be an ending one day. Anyways, I highly recommend this series.
General series review: a very well-written yet by-the-numbers system apocalypse/litrpg series... until around book 7/8ish. That's when the series turns into Literature with a capital L, moving, in many ways, beyond the boundaries of the genre (due to PTSD starting to kick in, the protagonist realizing he can't do everything alone, and systemic inequality in the apocalypse rearing its ugly head). Also an unusual series where queer characters and relationships are featured prominently (often with POV chapters - particularly in the first few books).
I look forward to reading the series again and continuing to follow along on Royal Road. Luckily author Nicholas Searcy is ridiculously prolific and these books will almost certainly be released. Unusually for the genre, I think there may actually be an ending one day. Anyways, I highly recommend this series.
July 23, 2025
Very fun series. I read it back when it was on RoyalRoad. It's awesome to see that the author managed to get a deal with Amazon!
February 5, 2026
Kind of a let down, had a lot of fun stuff, but a lot of bad too and since human brains work the way they do, I mainly remember the bad. Lots of inconsistencies, like the xp rewarded for different thing seems completely random, healing a giant panther for 2 days rewards 2 levels worth of xp, but healing a dragon for a week seems to offer none? Also the abilities the MC uses are pretty inconsistently powerful, can more or less kill a massive orca with a couple uses of his poison ability, but then the same ability doesn't do much at all to a similarly powered monster later. The passage of time seemed pretty bad too, I feel like the entire book could have taken place over a month or two, but it was two years because of the arbitrary amounts of time. This kinda feels like another one of those litrpgs where the author isn't a gamer, just decided to write a litrpg because they're popular, and doesn't really get the mechanics and logic of a game-like system. Had a weird moralist feel to it, like the MC considers doing terrible/cowardly things, then tells the reader how terrible/cowardly they are and how a good person wouldn't do them, like we don't know.
That was a lot of negatives, but I did enjoy the overall journey and the story of the MC, and am already reading the next book.
That was a lot of negatives, but I did enjoy the overall journey and the story of the MC, and am already reading the next book.
February 11, 2026
Most boring book I've read all year
First, This isn't about one character but jumping back and forth between brother and Sister. Every time you get into one character the immersion is immediately broken to switch to the other. Then it keeps skipping months at a time at the start.
Not to mention this isn't about the 'Main character' who gets an advantage and becomes powerful. No this is a story about some boring no body who when the main leaders are level thirty, is still level 7.
Some dullard who when picking his classes, picks the most boring and uninteresting class ever. Shape-shifting druid. Really? Instead of slinging spells or using weapons. He's going to get his face with fangs and claws all up close on enemies? There is a reason humans slaughter the monsters.
Hey look, I just killed that owl bear, now lets be it...lets be the thing. I just KILLED! because it was so freaking strong that it DIED! .....where is the logic there? Why be the thing that DIED!....Are you an idiot? I can't think of a worse class in to pick in any event. Even a pacifist bard would be better than 'lets be a animal druid who loses all his spell casting and magic to use claws' .....
I dropped the series. It was so uninteresting. While the authors other series is good once got past Abby in the later books. This series is trash, for me at least.
Maybe others love the .....save the trees, be a druid and play at being a furry. Not for me though.
First, This isn't about one character but jumping back and forth between brother and Sister. Every time you get into one character the immersion is immediately broken to switch to the other. Then it keeps skipping months at a time at the start.
Not to mention this isn't about the 'Main character' who gets an advantage and becomes powerful. No this is a story about some boring no body who when the main leaders are level thirty, is still level 7.
Some dullard who when picking his classes, picks the most boring and uninteresting class ever. Shape-shifting druid. Really? Instead of slinging spells or using weapons. He's going to get his face with fangs and claws all up close on enemies? There is a reason humans slaughter the monsters.
Hey look, I just killed that owl bear, now lets be it...lets be the thing. I just KILLED! because it was so freaking strong that it DIED! .....where is the logic there? Why be the thing that DIED!....Are you an idiot? I can't think of a worse class in to pick in any event. Even a pacifist bard would be better than 'lets be a animal druid who loses all his spell casting and magic to use claws' .....
I dropped the series. It was so uninteresting. While the authors other series is good once got past Abby in the later books. This series is trash, for me at least.
Maybe others love the .....save the trees, be a druid and play at being a furry. Not for me though.
February 15, 2026
I typically avoid druid characters because they have a tendency to be boring. Not so with the MC of Protector of the Grove, primarily because of the MC's main ability. I don't want to spoil it so I won't mention it here. Suffice to say, it opens up a world of possibilities and enables the MC to compete and even win in combat scenarios, which is not what I would expect from a druid. This means he's able to regularly progress his skills/levels on the deserted island where he lives, as well as rout the incursions of corrupted Voxx creatures known to spontaneously appear.
The side plot adds some interesting flavor to the worldbuilding. Though some readers may not like how the side-plot concluded at the end of the book, I thought it made things interesting and setup more of the story for the future. I'm curious how it pans out.
Combined with above-average writing (for the genre) it makes for a compelling read and a strong recommendation.
5 Stars.
The side plot adds some interesting flavor to the worldbuilding. Though some readers may not like how the side-plot concluded at the end of the book, I thought it made things interesting and setup more of the story for the future. I'm curious how it pans out.
Combined with above-average writing (for the genre) it makes for a compelling read and a strong recommendation.
5 Stars.
May 15, 2025
This a spoiler free review.
What to say about this book ?
I found it slow, too slow at times. I was exasperated (too often) at the several switches in pov between Elijah and his sister, not because I dislike the characters (on the contrary Alyssa is really likeable) but more because I couldn’t see the point of her.
And then I was at the end, both shocked and utterly satisfied at the same time, and I thought wow, and that’s when I realised that author was really good, that series was gonna be incredible, and that I absolute wanted more of it.
So I went to royal road, then patreon, then (like many other addicts like me) tried to satisfy my hunger with a daily dose of chapters.
In a nutshell ? I really loved it all.
Cool tropes :
• Druidic powers
• shapeshifter
• animal friendly
• cool tree-man
• one man on a inhabited island kinda story
• dragons
What to say about this book ?
I found it slow, too slow at times. I was exasperated (too often) at the several switches in pov between Elijah and his sister, not because I dislike the characters (on the contrary Alyssa is really likeable) but more because I couldn’t see the point of her.
And then I was at the end, both shocked and utterly satisfied at the same time, and I thought wow, and that’s when I realised that author was really good, that series was gonna be incredible, and that I absolute wanted more of it.
So I went to royal road, then patreon, then (like many other addicts like me) tried to satisfy my hunger with a daily dose of chapters.
In a nutshell ? I really loved it all.
Cool tropes :
• Druidic powers
• shapeshifter
• animal friendly
• cool tree-man
• one man on a inhabited island kinda story
• dragons
November 5, 2025
Protector of the Grove is the first book in this series, and I have to say, it's really good. I've already grabbed the second book in the series. I like the druid aspect to this one, as well as the dragons (did we mention there's dragons?) I certainly hope the dragons turn up in other books in the series, because, I mean, who wouldn't want dragons? Looks like this will be an interesting series, definitely looking forward to the next one in the series. Very well done story.
May 24, 2025
Great entertainment
I really liked this book and believe it’s a start to an amazing apocalypse series, but while it started out strong, the repetitive internal monologue and information that reader already knows makes it clear that this started out as a web serial and not a novel. It was slightly frustrating to keep hearing the same internal thoughts and reasoning as to why or how the mc is able to do a certain thing or accomplish a task. I will keep reading, but hope this is addressed in future installments.
I really liked this book and believe it’s a start to an amazing apocalypse series, but while it started out strong, the repetitive internal monologue and information that reader already knows makes it clear that this started out as a web serial and not a novel. It was slightly frustrating to keep hearing the same internal thoughts and reasoning as to why or how the mc is able to do a certain thing or accomplish a task. I will keep reading, but hope this is addressed in future installments.
July 28, 2025
This was a great litrpg novel. I like seeing Elijah’s growth and the various chapters showing how his family was doing. there were a couple of reasons it didn’t get 5 stars from me but only one really obvious one. My main complaint was with the sister Alyssa. She ignored a whole bunch of red flags and was way too trusting. She also didn’t speak up enough. As soon as he started acting suspect it would be time to go. Quite frankly I saw that guys betrayal coming a mile away. I hope Elijah comes and tears him apart.
I will be picking up book 2 and I’m kind of impatient for it.
I will be picking up book 2 and I’m kind of impatient for it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2025
This is pretty good, it's got it's issues the pov swaps were okay at first, but increasing become predictable, so ended up skimming them by the end. World building is setup pretty good, looking forward to where this goes. MC is a good balance of snark and other personality traits that fleshes them out a lot. The mc is strong, but so far it isn't OP, they struggle but you still know they will win in the end, hopefully we get some other actual characters to add more depth to MC's actions. It's similar to Primal Hunter, this is the direction I wanted it to take, burnt out of that series now.
May 27, 2025
I love This Series
I have been subscribed to Nick’s Patreon for 6 months now following this story and I love it so much. The characters, power system and world are so immersive and I never get tired of the fights.
I came back to reread the first book when it was released on Kindle Unlimited and I’m glad to see that it still holds up.
Give this series a chance, you won’t regret it!
I have been subscribed to Nick’s Patreon for 6 months now following this story and I love it so much. The characters, power system and world are so immersive and I never get tired of the fights.
I came back to reread the first book when it was released on Kindle Unlimited and I’m glad to see that it still holds up.
Give this series a chance, you won’t regret it!
June 17, 2025
Builds steam
Overall this book was well written and enjoyable to read. The characters are distinct and make reasonable choices. The magic system is a bit hand-wavy and the stats don't really have much impact on the story.
Still, for me, this was a bit of a slog to get through and I kept stopping to read other books. It did pick up about 75% of the way through though. It's definitely got potential and I may continue the series at some point.
Overall this book was well written and enjoyable to read. The characters are distinct and make reasonable choices. The magic system is a bit hand-wavy and the stats don't really have much impact on the story.
Still, for me, this was a bit of a slog to get through and I kept stopping to read other books. It did pick up about 75% of the way through though. It's definitely got potential and I may continue the series at some point.
October 13, 2025
Really 2.5, DNF
I really wanted to like this better. I couldn’t continue after getting about 40%. Just too slow. Wordy, and same MC’s thoughts repeated. IMO, kinda convoluted. Just couldn’t hold my attention. I knew it wasn’t for me when I found myself skipping whole passages to find something happening, or something interesting I wanted to read. Too bad. Maybe a good editor would help.
I really wanted to like this better. I couldn’t continue after getting about 40%. Just too slow. Wordy, and same MC’s thoughts repeated. IMO, kinda convoluted. Just couldn’t hold my attention. I knew it wasn’t for me when I found myself skipping whole passages to find something happening, or something interesting I wanted to read. Too bad. Maybe a good editor would help.
October 13, 2025
This book is political and sucks
This book is not about druids and fun stuff.It has political bllsht and it feels like the author is trying to shove the lgbt stuff down our throats. I got no problem if you wanna be lesbian or gay or whatever but when I read a caption to see what a book is about.I wanted to be truthful instead of saying it's awesome and then give me a political nonsense.
This book is not about druids and fun stuff.It has political bllsht and it feels like the author is trying to shove the lgbt stuff down our throats. I got no problem if you wanna be lesbian or gay or whatever but when I read a caption to see what a book is about.I wanted to be truthful instead of saying it's awesome and then give me a political nonsense.
November 5, 2025
3.2 stars
Gay/Lesbian.. super forced.
There is a good story of the protector of the grove in this book. Lots of plot armor but plenty of struggle.
If someone were to have told me anything before reading this book which would have saved me so much time..
SKIP THE WHOLE STORYLINE FROM HIS SISTER’s PERSPECTIVE! Not worth it. Or just skip the book.
Decent for a LitRPG. Definitely don’t start here though.
Gay/Lesbian.. super forced.
There is a good story of the protector of the grove in this book. Lots of plot armor but plenty of struggle.
If someone were to have told me anything before reading this book which would have saved me so much time..
SKIP THE WHOLE STORYLINE FROM HIS SISTER’s PERSPECTIVE! Not worth it. Or just skip the book.
Decent for a LitRPG. Definitely don’t start here though.
May 9, 2025
Great book
I really liked this book. Well, I liked about 98% of it. Part of the ending was a tad depressing. Still, most people are going to like this book, even if I only really liked it.
Recommended. It is almost highly recommended, if not for the depressing part of the ending.
I really liked this book. Well, I liked about 98% of it. Part of the ending was a tad depressing. Still, most people are going to like this book, even if I only really liked it.
Recommended. It is almost highly recommended, if not for the depressing part of the ending.
June 4, 2025
A Path I’d happily read twice
I’ve followed this series for a while, and can attest that it continues a satisfying and creative plot, with fun world building, high stakes and meaningful progression (both in power and character).
Give it a chance, and I’m certain you’ll enjoy this book as much as a vacation on beach.
I’ve followed this series for a while, and can attest that it continues a satisfying and creative plot, with fun world building, high stakes and meaningful progression (both in power and character).
Give it a chance, and I’m certain you’ll enjoy this book as much as a vacation on beach.
June 16, 2025
Good primary story
The main story line was entertaining, the secondary one much less so.
The conclusion of the secondary plot was clear from early on in the book, and I don't think that it added anything to the book as a whole.
I'm hoping that there is less time spent on the secondary plot going forward, though I suspect that will be a forlorn hope. Tom out
The main story line was entertaining, the secondary one much less so.
The conclusion of the secondary plot was clear from early on in the book, and I don't think that it added anything to the book as a whole.
I'm hoping that there is less time spent on the secondary plot going forward, though I suspect that will be a forlorn hope. Tom out
September 3, 2025
Glacial
TBH, I didn't finish. The MC is not a very convincing protagonist, nor the other characters. The main MC is pretty soft and not really interesting. The story splits much of the time with his sister and her group which are also not who I would want to read about. The story progresses like a tabletop game. Everything is slow and monotonous.
TBH, I didn't finish. The MC is not a very convincing protagonist, nor the other characters. The main MC is pretty soft and not really interesting. The story splits much of the time with his sister and her group which are also not who I would want to read about. The story progresses like a tabletop game. Everything is slow and monotonous.
May 15, 2025
This is a heavy story, but a good one. I love druid magic, even played one in my eq2 days, and love the lore. Elijah's struggle for survival is rough, and choices are made. This story will not be for everyone, but the writing is well done, and the characters well fleshed out and human.
May 16, 2025
Everything you want in a LitRPG. Great characters, great setups, crazy situations, and plenty of unexpected character deaths! (No one is SAFE!) Lets just say, with every new threat the world brought, humans must never forget the man standing next to them is still the worst of them all.
June 1, 2025
Amazing
I absolutely loved the book. It was good progression and world building. Even though I am not the biggest fan of multiple perspectives it worked here. But it is an amazing druid story and a true to form druid at that. Will definitely continue reading.
I absolutely loved the book. It was good progression and world building. Even though I am not the biggest fan of multiple perspectives it worked here. But it is an amazing druid story and a true to form druid at that. Will definitely continue reading.
September 9, 2025
Beautiful
This is the second of his series I've read, love both, the other being death Genesis.... Great creator of systems, characters and story
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
This is the second of his series I've read, love both, the other being death Genesis.... Great creator of systems, characters and story
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
September 29, 2025
Good but he really needs to leave
He has been stuck in the same place for awhile. Typically when stories are like this as soon as he leaves he is overpowered and the story falls apart. Ill check o I t the next book. Hope im wrong
He has been stuck in the same place for awhile. Typically when stories are like this as soon as he leaves he is overpowered and the story falls apart. Ill check o I t the next book. Hope im wrong
October 15, 2025
This is not a novel
This is not a novel. This is a collection of short stories so far mainly two short stories and the author just goes back and forth between them to fill out the pages. Incredibly disappointing.
This is not a novel. This is a collection of short stories so far mainly two short stories and the author just goes back and forth between them to fill out the pages. Incredibly disappointing.
January 9, 2026
I found myself losing interest in this story and stopped about a third of the way through. I really didn't like the constant point of view changes and really didn't care about anything going on or any of the characters. The story is promising enough that I might try it again some day.
May 14, 2025
Book good.
Good book, well written prose and reasonable character thinking.
one
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Good book, well written prose and reasonable character thinking.
one
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
May 15, 2025
Awesome book. 5 stars. Weak to strong
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews