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Rise of the Living Forge #4
Rise of the Living Forge 4
Twelve is right at the Menagerie’s door.
Jessen’s deadly assassin mentor isn’t happy about what happened to his apprentice, and the Menagerie are looking rather suspicious. Their time to deal with him is running out -- and he isn’t going to be nearly as easy to deal with as any of the other threats they’ve handled thus far.
But the Menagerie’s fame has started to spread beyond just the ears of their foes, and Jessen isn’t the only one at their doorstep. Everyone seems to want to claim a small piece of Milten for themselves.
Every day that passes brings fame and power to the Menagerie. But such things are nothing new to Arwin. He’s had both before, and neither hold any temptation for him. The only thing Arwin cares about are his friends, and he’ll do anything to protect them.
Anything.
Book 4 in the next epic LitRPG Saga from Actus, bestselling author of Return of the Runebound Professor. With nearly 7-million views on Royal Road, this definitive edition is perfect for fans of Seth Ring, Jonathan Brooks, Michael Chatfield and lovers of all things Progression Fantasy and Crafting.
About the Series: Features a healthy mix of crafting and combat, a strong-to-stronger MC, power progression, a detailed magic system, item enchantment, smithing, unforgettable characters, and much more!
Jessen’s deadly assassin mentor isn’t happy about what happened to his apprentice, and the Menagerie are looking rather suspicious. Their time to deal with him is running out -- and he isn’t going to be nearly as easy to deal with as any of the other threats they’ve handled thus far.
But the Menagerie’s fame has started to spread beyond just the ears of their foes, and Jessen isn’t the only one at their doorstep. Everyone seems to want to claim a small piece of Milten for themselves.
Every day that passes brings fame and power to the Menagerie. But such things are nothing new to Arwin. He’s had both before, and neither hold any temptation for him. The only thing Arwin cares about are his friends, and he’ll do anything to protect them.
Anything.
Book 4 in the next epic LitRPG Saga from Actus, bestselling author of Return of the Runebound Professor. With nearly 7-million views on Royal Road, this definitive edition is perfect for fans of Seth Ring, Jonathan Brooks, Michael Chatfield and lovers of all things Progression Fantasy and Crafting.
About the Series: Features a healthy mix of crafting and combat, a strong-to-stronger MC, power progression, a detailed magic system, item enchantment, smithing, unforgettable characters, and much more!
648 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2025
About the author
Actus
68 books274 followersActus has been writing fantasy stories since the age of twelve, and he's been telling them since he could talk. He's currently working on three main series - Morcster Chef, Steamforged Sorcery, and My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror. You can find his works on RoyalRoad & Patreon as well as on Amazon.
In addition to his passion for writing, Actus is capable of clearing a two story building with a single jump. That isn't true, but writing about himself in third person gives Actus delusions of grandeur.
In addition to his passion for writing, Actus is capable of clearing a two story building with a single jump. That isn't true, but writing about himself in third person gives Actus delusions of grandeur.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 18, 2025
Overall I tend to enjoy the authors books and I still enjoyed this one, however, I struggle seeing the future/ end of the series ever coming to fruition. At the current pace the series will take 15+ books to get close to the power levels required to fight the final bad guys. At this point the MMC is one level above the lowest after 4 books.
Ain’t a bad thing and will gladly read more just feel as if the progression and the overall plot has somewhat stagnated.
Ain’t a bad thing and will gladly read more just feel as if the progression and the overall plot has somewhat stagnated.
October 19, 2025
Actus is golden! Get the book. No get all of their books!
You should already know Actus is golden and this storyline is only getting better and better. Grab the book to keep up-to-date! In this book Arwin and Lillia and their guild, Menagerie are walking that fine line between acquiring fame from what they're doing now and being recognized for what they once were. Because if the Adventurers Guild catches even a wiff of a suspicion of who they truly are, before they're ready their lives are forfeit! The Menagerie is always lookin for allies. And there's a tournament to look forward to. But first they hafta take out an assassin without getting caught, and a debt to pay off!
Have a couple of great quotes:
“What part of practicing healing involves spewing motivational quotes?”
"There was something deeply wrong about a vampire giving a toothy smile."
You should already know Actus is golden and this storyline is only getting better and better. Grab the book to keep up-to-date! In this book Arwin and Lillia and their guild, Menagerie are walking that fine line between acquiring fame from what they're doing now and being recognized for what they once were. Because if the Adventurers Guild catches even a wiff of a suspicion of who they truly are, before they're ready their lives are forfeit! The Menagerie is always lookin for allies. And there's a tournament to look forward to. But first they hafta take out an assassin without getting caught, and a debt to pay off!
Have a couple of great quotes:
“What part of practicing healing involves spewing motivational quotes?”
"There was something deeply wrong about a vampire giving a toothy smile."
October 22, 2025
Great Read
I had been waiting for this book for months, and I wasn't disappointed. Roderick's talent was so on point in this one that I loved it. I enjoyed how Arwin jumped to Adept tier and finding out about Koyu, but Again is a tad too soft and kind hearted like Roderick mentioned about finding out information. Especially how Art was willing to blackmail him, with that very information he promised to keep secret. He's doesn't really think before speaking or acting; it seems that world likes to keep their Heroes a little dimwitted. But I'm reading for book 5 and the Proving Grounds.
I had been waiting for this book for months, and I wasn't disappointed. Roderick's talent was so on point in this one that I loved it. I enjoyed how Arwin jumped to Adept tier and finding out about Koyu, but Again is a tad too soft and kind hearted like Roderick mentioned about finding out information. Especially how Art was willing to blackmail him, with that very information he promised to keep secret. He's doesn't really think before speaking or acting; it seems that world likes to keep their Heroes a little dimwitted. But I'm reading for book 5 and the Proving Grounds.
July 19, 2026
By book four, Actus has built something rare in LitRPG — a series where the characters matter just as much as the power progression. Arwin’s arc continues to evolve in ways that feel purposeful rather than formulaic, and the world around him grows darker and more complex with every revelation. The crafting sequences remain inventive, the action is sharp, and the emotional investment in the Menagerie pays off in a big way here. Every page sets up what’s coming next while delivering a fully satisfying story on its own.
June 29, 2026
my biggest.. I wouldn't call them complaints, but desires, were that the scope would zoom out more so the main plot could finally get going more. this book did that a lot more than the previous books, so I guess I'm satiated. there were some big revelations, and in true Actus fashion, a few new, cool characters were introduced. I just hope he learned from runebound professor and doesn't put together a cast list with dozens of names on it, almost all of whom I loved, but there's simply too many.
October 21, 2025
is a smith?
I picked up this book hoping to see how the MC would sell lower quality armor to the public and what would pass his assessment for good enough. Unfortunately the MC doesn’t even sell a piece to be able to afford food. Guess that’s what can happen if you can mooch off your girlfriend. Oh well
I picked up this book hoping to see how the MC would sell lower quality armor to the public and what would pass his assessment for good enough. Unfortunately the MC doesn’t even sell a piece to be able to afford food. Guess that’s what can happen if you can mooch off your girlfriend. Oh well
December 23, 2025
Loved this book!
The book continues to provide clues and hints about the background of each character, but doesn't just give everything! The mystery of each and the "outing" of their secrets is slow, but well timed. Also, multiple Arcs going on.
Of course it ended at the time of the main event.
Can wait for book (audiobook) 5
The book continues to provide clues and hints about the background of each character, but doesn't just give everything! The mystery of each and the "outing" of their secrets is slow, but well timed. Also, multiple Arcs going on.
Of course it ended at the time of the main event.
Can wait for book (audiobook) 5
May 15, 2026
Rise of the Living Forge, book four of a LitRPG Adventure series by the same name, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). There's nothing like a hungry forge to conceal remains. While Twelve's whereabouts remain a mystery, that doesn't prevent Arwin and the Menagerie from taking care of business. Unique crafting, good company, and overpowered characters make for fun times.
August 11, 2026
RoLF 4 finally converts the Menagerie’s growing reputation into direct consequence, with Twelve’s assassin/mentor threat giving the plot a harder deadline than the series has used before. Arwin’s refusal to be tempted by fame or power, despite having tasted both as the former Hero, sharpens his characterization without requiring a full arc reversal. The book juggles multiple factions converging on Milten at once, and the sheer number of new players vying for a piece of the guild occasionally crowds out the central Twelve confrontation. It’s the most plot-dense entry so far, gaining urgency at some cost to focus.
October 20, 2025
Needs editing
Story is good; not as concerning as thr last book. There are a bunch of missing square brackets and a couple typos-- more than in the previous books. Still worth reading though
Story is good; not as concerning as thr last book. There are a bunch of missing square brackets and a couple typos-- more than in the previous books. Still worth reading though
November 26, 2025
Better and better
Book Four moves the story along nicely. A few more intriguing characters are introduced, the characters' skills advance, and the plot thickens. Looking forward to the next one!
Book Four moves the story along nicely. A few more intriguing characters are introduced, the characters' skills advance, and the plot thickens. Looking forward to the next one!
July 27, 2026
book was great, editing was non-existent
So many typos, missing punctuation, repeated sentence fragments. Lots of easily caught grammar mistakes. Have loved the series so far but this was almost enough to make me not finish.
So many typos, missing punctuation, repeated sentence fragments. Lots of easily caught grammar mistakes. Have loved the series so far but this was almost enough to make me not finish.
August 28, 2026
This series just keeps getting better as the characters grow. This book dives deeper into the corruption of the Adventurers Guild as more team up with them that have been wronged by the guild. Several arcs are getting ready to collide and I can't wait to see where it goes!
October 27, 2025
Fanfreakingtastic!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
October 31, 2025
best book yet!
The world is opening, new characters are being introduced and the rules of magic and fun back story are being revealed. Love it!
The world is opening, new characters are being introduced and the rules of magic and fun back story are being revealed. Love it!
December 8, 2025
very fun
This 4th book didn’t disappoint. Very fun, easy read. Story is progressing at a very nice pace. Cant wait for book 5
This 4th book didn’t disappoint. Very fun, easy read. Story is progressing at a very nice pace. Cant wait for book 5
December 31, 2025
Brilliant
Another great read really looking forward to the next book. Really enjoyed the humour and the progression of the main characters can't wait too see what happens next.
Another great read really looking forward to the next book. Really enjoyed the humour and the progression of the main characters can't wait too see what happens next.
February 18, 2026
3 stars for cliffhanger ending
August 18, 2026
Lovy dovy BS that's for hippies. Pursuit of power doesn't mean surrounding yourself with people to love, it means doing anything to achieve it. Write for kids, not adults next time. Waste of my time.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews