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Skill Hunter #1
Skill Hunter: A LitRPG Adventure
An action-packed LitRPG Adventure perfect for fans of Solo Leveling, The Path of Ascension, and The Primal Hunter.
Slay Monsters. Acquire Skills. Ascend to the Highest Rank.
Stuck under a mountain of debt, Ike can only dream of the world of hunters. Ranks, power, and the System are out of his reach, until the day he awakens a Unique skill.
Ike must break out of the slums and overturn the hierarchy of the System to fulfil his dream of becoming the ultimate hunter. Harvesting the skills of monsters, he turns against the world's logic.
"Slumrats can only reach Rank 2!" "You need to be rich and purchase good skills if you want to advance!"
Refusing the way of the world. Overturning the heavens. Ike must overcome the odds and climb to become the strongest hunter!
Don't miss the start of this action-packed new LitRPG featuring a detailed system with skills, ranks, and levels, Cultivation elements, hunting, and more. It's perfect for fans of Solo Leveling, I Shall Seal the Heavens, and The Path of Ascension!
Slay Monsters. Acquire Skills. Ascend to the Highest Rank.
Stuck under a mountain of debt, Ike can only dream of the world of hunters. Ranks, power, and the System are out of his reach, until the day he awakens a Unique skill.
Ike must break out of the slums and overturn the hierarchy of the System to fulfil his dream of becoming the ultimate hunter. Harvesting the skills of monsters, he turns against the world's logic.
"Slumrats can only reach Rank 2!" "You need to be rich and purchase good skills if you want to advance!"
Refusing the way of the world. Overturning the heavens. Ike must overcome the odds and climb to become the strongest hunter!
Don't miss the start of this action-packed new LitRPG featuring a detailed system with skills, ranks, and levels, Cultivation elements, hunting, and more. It's perfect for fans of Solo Leveling, I Shall Seal the Heavens, and The Path of Ascension!
608 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
490 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 29, 2025
First review, sorry for mistakes.
Nice book. The MC is a little too lucky and everything just works out for him, but that is ok. He is smart and cool-headed. But what I don't understand is why, considering there are no mentions of gods, devils, heaven or hell, the MC is using "Hell yeah!"
Will read book 2
Nice book. The MC is a little too lucky and everything just works out for him, but that is ok. He is smart and cool-headed. But what I don't understand is why, considering there are no mentions of gods, devils, heaven or hell, the MC is using "Hell yeah!"
Will read book 2
didn-t-like-it
November 12, 2025MC whines a lot, even when he's getting the things he's always wanted.
Training: too difficult.
Monsters: too hard, too many.
Making money: too slow, too little.
Free skills: too slow, just gimme.
Why, why, whiiiiiiiine. MC isn't stupid, I think he's just being written in an annoying way to make certain dialog options happen. Not my favorite way for the narrative to happen, but I think I can push through it.
Not as bad in this one as in others, but the amount of choices made by others for the MC is way higher than the MC's. Reactive MCs are my least favorite type of characters.
Nope. Everything happens because others do something, or the MC reacts to others. I think the MC has made less than three choices on his own?
I'm out.
Training: too difficult.
Monsters: too hard, too many.
Making money: too slow, too little.
Free skills: too slow, just gimme.
Why, why, whiiiiiiiine. MC isn't stupid, I think he's just being written in an annoying way to make certain dialog options happen. Not my favorite way for the narrative to happen, but I think I can push through it.
Not as bad in this one as in others, but the amount of choices made by others for the MC is way higher than the MC's. Reactive MCs are my least favorite type of characters.
Nope. Everything happens because others do something, or the MC reacts to others. I think the MC has made less than three choices on his own?
I'm out.
November 8, 2025
There's nothing wrong with the writing, but he's a bit *too* downtrodden for me. I found it rather frustrating how he was always bowing and scraping and getting his ass kicked. In a pile of filth, naturally. If you like your heroes good and oppressed, though, it might be the book for you.
November 1, 2025
Quite enjoyable
I'm usually very harsh in reviews and get easily annoyed over illogical things or the plot going to a topic that isn't the genre like Fantasy adventures forcing in romance. So when I say I quite enjoyed this book, that it's one of my new favorites it's high praise. That's out of over 1638 audible books own and read so far.
I don't really get where other reviews are claiming he is lucky or plot armor. Almost all his fights is either him intelligently using his skill or picking his battles wisely. The only real 'lucky' part is one fight where sheer grit and refusal is at play and that isn't really lucky.
There might be one spot of true luck but having no lucky breaks would be odder than having one. The character is mostly intelligent and logical. The failing is that he as knowledge gaps and a bit soft hearted, with a sense of right and wrong. Such as repaying debts or caring for family that he should just kill. Stuff like that.
Overall the world is interesting, the magic system is unique and the mysteries and plots are engaging. They also aren't 'the world will end if you do nothing' sort of pressure that makes some books just seem unrealistic overwhelming. The MC's main problems all aren't really a threat to him if he decides just to screw off and go live in the wild. So it's a nice change of pace from other books where the fate of the world relies on the MC.
My only gripe would be the description where it makes it seem like his unique skill is the ability to gather skills from monsters which is a brand new revolutionary way and he's doing what no one else does. Except...it's not. Everyone gets skills from monsters buys them, he's the same as everyone. His unique skill has nothing to do with skill hunting.
So if one is a fan of cultivation novels, progression fantasy or just monster hunting. This is a good book and I hope it keeps that way for the rest of the series.
I'm usually very harsh in reviews and get easily annoyed over illogical things or the plot going to a topic that isn't the genre like Fantasy adventures forcing in romance. So when I say I quite enjoyed this book, that it's one of my new favorites it's high praise. That's out of over 1638 audible books own and read so far.
I don't really get where other reviews are claiming he is lucky or plot armor. Almost all his fights is either him intelligently using his skill or picking his battles wisely. The only real 'lucky' part is one fight where sheer grit and refusal is at play and that isn't really lucky.
There might be one spot of true luck but having no lucky breaks would be odder than having one. The character is mostly intelligent and logical. The failing is that he as knowledge gaps and a bit soft hearted, with a sense of right and wrong. Such as repaying debts or caring for family that he should just kill. Stuff like that.
Overall the world is interesting, the magic system is unique and the mysteries and plots are engaging. They also aren't 'the world will end if you do nothing' sort of pressure that makes some books just seem unrealistic overwhelming. The MC's main problems all aren't really a threat to him if he decides just to screw off and go live in the wild. So it's a nice change of pace from other books where the fate of the world relies on the MC.
My only gripe would be the description where it makes it seem like his unique skill is the ability to gather skills from monsters which is a brand new revolutionary way and he's doing what no one else does. Except...it's not. Everyone gets skills from monsters buys them, he's the same as everyone. His unique skill has nothing to do with skill hunting.
So if one is a fan of cultivation novels, progression fantasy or just monster hunting. This is a good book and I hope it keeps that way for the rest of the series.
January 13, 2026
What I liked:
-Really, intensely gripping plot that set the stakes high from the beginning. The opening chapters are genuinely incredible.
-Super engaging system and character/power progression; I was just as hooked on Ike’s growth as he was about fighting monsters and finding new skills
-Perfect pacing. There is always something to sink your teeth into.
-A relatively simple but very effective setting (well, before the story shifts to the Abyss) that made me want to root for Ike and see him surpass the rich elite living in the overcity. Ever since I got into FF7 I’ve adored fantasy stories that take place partly in the slums. (I’m not saying it’s a definite influence, but the city in which much of this novel takes place does definitely remind me of Midgar in terms of social dynamics— I mean that in the best way possible!)
-I’ve seen some reviewers say it’s a bad thing that Ike makes several bad decisions, but I think it makes perfect sense for him (he is a teenager, after all) and is a great way to develop his character.
-Multiple standout characters, especially Silver and Loup. I love Loup, and wish I could tell her that she’s a good girl.
What could have been better:
-Some editing issues; one character’s name suddenly changes from Oren to Orin, and certain descriptors are repeated too often.
-The lore regarding the Abyss, city lords, etc. was quite hard to follow. There were a few too many infodumps for my liking.
-It’s a little repetitive at times, with there being too many fights against some monsters.
Highlights:
-The fight against the Salamander
-Ike’s survival in the forest
-The entire first half of the novel
Did I enjoy it?: Yes!
Was it a good book?: Yes!
Would I recommend it?: Yes!
-Really, intensely gripping plot that set the stakes high from the beginning. The opening chapters are genuinely incredible.
-Super engaging system and character/power progression; I was just as hooked on Ike’s growth as he was about fighting monsters and finding new skills
-Perfect pacing. There is always something to sink your teeth into.
-A relatively simple but very effective setting (well, before the story shifts to the Abyss) that made me want to root for Ike and see him surpass the rich elite living in the overcity. Ever since I got into FF7 I’ve adored fantasy stories that take place partly in the slums. (I’m not saying it’s a definite influence, but the city in which much of this novel takes place does definitely remind me of Midgar in terms of social dynamics— I mean that in the best way possible!)
-I’ve seen some reviewers say it’s a bad thing that Ike makes several bad decisions, but I think it makes perfect sense for him (he is a teenager, after all) and is a great way to develop his character.
-Multiple standout characters, especially Silver and Loup. I love Loup, and wish I could tell her that she’s a good girl.
What could have been better:
-Some editing issues; one character’s name suddenly changes from Oren to Orin, and certain descriptors are repeated too often.
-The lore regarding the Abyss, city lords, etc. was quite hard to follow. There were a few too many infodumps for my liking.
-It’s a little repetitive at times, with there being too many fights against some monsters.
Highlights:
-The fight against the Salamander
-Ike’s survival in the forest
-The entire first half of the novel
Did I enjoy it?: Yes!
Was it a good book?: Yes!
Would I recommend it?: Yes!
November 2, 2025
2.5 Stars. A promising start lead in an unpleasant direction.
I'm happy to read a rags-to-riches story. In this case, Ike starts out as a slum-rat and snatches at an opportunity to step into the System and progress his skills. There's an evil nobility hunting for him and a plethora of opportunists willing to take what he earns, including his Uncle. Great start, despite some questionable grammar.
This book's middle lost steam as Ike's lack of a long-term goal left the plot robotically moving from fight to fight. The last third was even worse. Ike had a sapient monster mentor and also one who was a nascent friend. Despite this, when an otter monster blocked his way to some spiritual herbs, offering no violence, Ike attacked and killed it. Not long after, Ike conceives a poorly thought-out plan to sell access to a seemingly public resource, and defend his gate-keeping to the death.
I didn't like the moral direction that Ike seemed to be taking. Also, the use of violence to solve every problem seemed like lazy writing. That's enough for me.
I'm happy to read a rags-to-riches story. In this case, Ike starts out as a slum-rat and snatches at an opportunity to step into the System and progress his skills. There's an evil nobility hunting for him and a plethora of opportunists willing to take what he earns, including his Uncle. Great start, despite some questionable grammar.
This book's middle lost steam as Ike's lack of a long-term goal left the plot robotically moving from fight to fight. The last third was even worse. Ike had a sapient monster mentor and also one who was a nascent friend. Despite this, when an otter monster blocked his way to some spiritual herbs, offering no violence, Ike attacked and killed it. Not long after, Ike conceives a poorly thought-out plan to sell access to a seemingly public resource, and defend his gate-keeping to the death.
I didn't like the moral direction that Ike seemed to be taking. Also, the use of violence to solve every problem seemed like lazy writing. That's enough for me.
November 17, 2025
"Skill Hunter" captured a lot of the same vibes as the "Unbound" series - our main character, Ike, unlocks the System and basically guess-and-tests his way to understanding how skills, mana, and growth work. It does a nice job of keeping the plot moving while developing the magic system, with minimal info-dumping to explain how the System works. The stakes feel high *for a new System user* without feeling like Ike is expected to save the world right from the get go. I can see a lot of potential for this series to develop without a ton of power creep because the situations actually feel reasonable for a low-level character while still serving challenging. I'm really looking forward to the next book (and hopefully more after that!)
November 9, 2025
I judged a book based on its cover, and got something even better than what I expected. Not even going to lie. With a name like skill hunter and a description that hinted at him going after the skills of monsters I really had a certain set of expectations going in.
But what I got what a smart lead who crawls his way up, he's not cut throat but he's not altruistic either. He's not power hungry, or cocky. He's a survivor.
I really appreciated this story for being a breath of fresh air in this genre. Can't wait for the next book.
But what I got what a smart lead who crawls his way up, he's not cut throat but he's not altruistic either. He's not power hungry, or cocky. He's a survivor.
I really appreciated this story for being a breath of fresh air in this genre. Can't wait for the next book.
November 29, 2025
Just poorly thought out
How to explain. The first example I can easily get is a giant mantis that is "trapped" in a basement with nothing but dirt walls and dirt floors. Oh it's also over a thousand years old. No explanation for how it doesn't just destroy the house above it which the very very low level protagonist puts holes in at the drop of a hat. Also just the scope that there's all these millennia old monsters that just no one's gotten around to killing yet it's just silly and ridiculous.
How to explain. The first example I can easily get is a giant mantis that is "trapped" in a basement with nothing but dirt walls and dirt floors. Oh it's also over a thousand years old. No explanation for how it doesn't just destroy the house above it which the very very low level protagonist puts holes in at the drop of a hat. Also just the scope that there's all these millennia old monsters that just no one's gotten around to killing yet it's just silly and ridiculous.
December 6, 2025
This is a review for the entire series.
Book 1 is VERY different than the later books. It starts off just as you expect, he starts weak and ignorant, and overcomes his problems. Great so far.
The problem is, the tone of the whole series changes about midway through. The entire LitRPG system Noct created is thrown out. Yes, in the end, it explains why, but it will still annoy most readers.
I would rate this 4 stars. Definitely worth reading, but not the most satisfying series because of the dramatic shift.
Book 1 is VERY different than the later books. It starts off just as you expect, he starts weak and ignorant, and overcomes his problems. Great so far.
The problem is, the tone of the whole series changes about midway through. The entire LitRPG system Noct created is thrown out. Yes, in the end, it explains why, but it will still annoy most readers.
I would rate this 4 stars. Definitely worth reading, but not the most satisfying series because of the dramatic shift.
January 11, 2026
world problems
Good book despite the severe world building problems with the dog and the hole. Would there even be pets in the slums when people starve? How did the wild dog and owner even know how to act? I get the author loves dogs but it almost ruined the book. And a city with high stone walls and houses can’t build a stone staircase or a wooden ladder out? How about a web to climb out of the hole? Nope. Luckily I ignored all that in the rating because overall it is a good story.
Good book despite the severe world building problems with the dog and the hole. Would there even be pets in the slums when people starve? How did the wild dog and owner even know how to act? I get the author loves dogs but it almost ruined the book. And a city with high stone walls and houses can’t build a stone staircase or a wooden ladder out? How about a web to climb out of the hole? Nope. Luckily I ignored all that in the rating because overall it is a good story.
January 28, 2026
Pretty solid.
Standard start where the MC doesn't fit in well and is kind of a loner looking for his break. Gets it and things don't go as well as planned. The plot follows along as he has ups and downs, with the standard skill development and adventures. The system is decent and the MC isn't bad. There are some issues with the stat block and keeping the correct number of skills listed, and the MC is overly competent for a 15 year old raised in adject poverty. Id call it decent filler to read between waits for your favorite series to come out with new books.
Standard start where the MC doesn't fit in well and is kind of a loner looking for his break. Gets it and things don't go as well as planned. The plot follows along as he has ups and downs, with the standard skill development and adventures. The system is decent and the MC isn't bad. There are some issues with the stat block and keeping the correct number of skills listed, and the MC is overly competent for a 15 year old raised in adject poverty. Id call it decent filler to read between waits for your favorite series to come out with new books.
December 3, 2025
The world and people are unbelievable
15% in and had to stop. The dystopian world the author created was so bad that I couldn't suspend my disbelief. The MC is likeable enough, just not smart for someone who grew in the slums having to fight for everything. Oddly enough, the MCs big first fight I was hoping he was eaten and maybe we could move on to someone that wouldn't required plot armor and dues ex to stay alive through the story.
15% in and had to stop. The dystopian world the author created was so bad that I couldn't suspend my disbelief. The MC is likeable enough, just not smart for someone who grew in the slums having to fight for everything. Oddly enough, the MCs big first fight I was hoping he was eaten and maybe we could move on to someone that wouldn't required plot armor and dues ex to stay alive through the story.
October 30, 2025
Great start! The world building was really good. The dark, depressing world that we entered was very well depicted. I enjoyed the magic system. I can’t say that I can think of another system that I have encountered like it. There is a lot of growth and advancement. Overall it was a lot of fun and I will follow up with future entries in this series.
November 19, 2025
did not finish
Levels but no stats? What makes a rank 2 stronger than a rank 3?
How does Ike a literal rank zero with no combat training and supposedly being malnourished manage to kill 2 rank 1’s after he’s supposedly injured after killing a rank 2 beast by sitting in its throat?
I love a good underdog story but this is just stupid.
Levels but no stats? What makes a rank 2 stronger than a rank 3?
How does Ike a literal rank zero with no combat training and supposedly being malnourished manage to kill 2 rank 1’s after he’s supposedly injured after killing a rank 2 beast by sitting in its throat?
I love a good underdog story but this is just stupid.
November 30, 2025
I found it interesting that the boy was treated poorly by his uncle because that only thing his uncle loved was money, power, or alcohol. I loved that he was able get his own power even if it was originally stolen, but that was his only chance to get one. I enjoyed his interactions with the princess, she is a real brat.
January 10, 2026
Great start to a new litRPG series!
I really enjoyed Skill Hunter. Primarily I loved how smoothly the cause and effect caused the main character, Ike, to progress through the story. Noct interweaves character and plot together seamlessly. It made for a fun read that I had trouble putting down.
I really enjoyed Skill Hunter. Primarily I loved how smoothly the cause and effect caused the main character, Ike, to progress through the story. Noct interweaves character and plot together seamlessly. It made for a fun read that I had trouble putting down.
November 19, 2025
Entertaining web serial
This is written in the style of a web serial. It’s pretty entertaining and helped pass the time. Written decently enough, although I would recommend giving a bit more time to let the MC process his progression so it doesn’t feel too cheap later on.
This is written in the style of a web serial. It’s pretty entertaining and helped pass the time. Written decently enough, although I would recommend giving a bit more time to let the MC process his progression so it doesn’t feel too cheap later on.
November 26, 2025
Hooked me to start
This started well and got better. Magical framework is well thought out and established. The martial framework could use some help. We start to establish it and then it turns magical. Epilogue was pretty good.
This started well and got better. Magical framework is well thought out and established. The martial framework could use some help. We start to establish it and then it turns magical. Epilogue was pretty good.
November 26, 2025
Fun read
This was a good read. Thoroughly enjoyed this story. I liked how the author developed the skill and magic progression. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
This was a good read. Thoroughly enjoyed this story. I liked how the author developed the skill and magic progression. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 11, 2025
New series!
Pretty good series start! Unique magic systems and implementation of a lite litrpg system. Skills with different rarities/strengths and levels to them.
No exp or stats but still good :)
Pretty good series start! Unique magic systems and implementation of a lite litrpg system. Skills with different rarities/strengths and levels to them.
No exp or stats but still good :)
December 30, 2025
Since the author only has 6books under there belt im going to be nice and less critical. The story and layout were fine it just lacked emotion and build up for each scene \arc Things just kept happening for the mc instead of the mc creating goals\opportunities.
January 14, 2026
Starts slow but ends strong
This was an enjoyable book for the start of a new series. It starts slow but definitely gets better as it goes along. However, this is another main character figuring out how to use their new powers mostly alone. Nice start to a new series.
This was an enjoyable book for the start of a new series. It starts slow but definitely gets better as it goes along. However, this is another main character figuring out how to use their new powers mostly alone. Nice start to a new series.
October 29, 2025
good,enjoyed it
It was good. Am keen for the second book. Enjoy the progression and world building and am excited to see where it goes
Would recommend
It was good. Am keen for the second book. Enjoy the progression and world building and am excited to see where it goes
Would recommend
October 29, 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!
November 1, 2025
Not that bad but not that good either. It's full of plot holes and rickety logic, but if you don't look too closely it's enjoyable enough.
November 3, 2025
An ok book.
Not good, not bad, somewhat entertaining.
Not good, not bad, somewhat entertaining.
November 5, 2025
I don't understand how the book has such great reviews. It is 99% boring steps, followed by whining, followed by a small amount of plot.
November 10, 2025
I loved it can't wait for book 2
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews