These Hallowed Bones: A LitRPG Adventure

These Hallowed Bones #1

by Drew Kelly

An action-packed LitRPG Adventure with a Death Knight MC, perfect for fans of Elden Ring, 1% Lifesteal, and Unbound.

Death is only the beginning of his fight.
Beyond Haven’s walls, twilight smothers corrupted realms. Yet in the Field of Broken Banners, where the last great army fell, something older than despair takes root, Purpose.

Forgotten oaths stir in blood-soaked soil as bones rise from hallowed ground. Not a lone hero reborn, but a guardian forged of countless warriors’ final breaths. A silent champion shackled to the last desperate command that ended an

Hold the line. Protect them all.

It bears no name. Needs no flesh. Fears no death. Only the dead remember how to stand guard. Some promises outlast even death.

Don't miss the start of this new LitRPG adventure featuring the heroic undead, monster evolution, demon hunting, an overpowered Death Knight MC, power progression, dark magic, and so much more.

548 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2025

Reviews

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

These Hallowed Bones: A LitRPG Adventure, my first read/listen from author Drew Kelly. An enjoyable read, especially for fans of LitRGG & FRP. I especially enjoyed the narrative talents of Johnathan McClain whose voice made an good book better. In all actuality this book took me a while to get through. It's good but there was a lot of battle, pull yourself together, win battle & do it again. “I received a complementary Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with These Hallowed Bones 2: A LitRPG Adventure being published in July of next year. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[The Legend · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, Think should let it be known this is 'First person' and 'Present Tense' since a lot of people dislike that format. Most are used to Third person Past tense writing. Even First Person, Past tense is more popular. The whole 'I look at a tree' vs 'I looked at a tree'.

The story itself is unique-ish and interesting. Engaging to draw one in, where it fails is the writing itself.

I don't know if this needs an editor , beta readers or just is a person's first novel but it was rough.
Very rough.
Most of it is overly metaphorical descriptions about the undead's viewpoint or purpose. It reads like a Edgy Batman monologue that should be given from a rainy rooftop while he perches upon a gargoyle looking down upon crime on the streets. Just a dark broody I'm so edgy listen to me sort of descriptions.

Getting past that, it started off fun and did make the MC at the start seem invincible with able to reform and ect but later shows weaknesses that he has.

The real 'rough' problem is towards the second half where the author starts repeating everything. EVERYTHING. Every line is said at least 3-6 times a page with different ways. Be ready to read 'borrow bones' or 'my purpose' at least 10 times every page.

Someone tells him something, they will repeat it at least 5 more times in different ways within the next two pages. "Don't worry, I won't tell them what happened' 'It's our secret what happened' 'They don't need to know what happened' 'What happened will stay between us' 'Don't worry, I won't let them know what happened.' ......really? Do all the characters have dementia and don't remember they already said that two pages ago? It's not just repeating, they act like they don't even remember saying it in a past conversation.

This happens over, over and over. 'I must go north' 'to the north is where I must go' 'We are headed north' 'Venturing north is the place' 'Every north I'm heading' ect. This isn't even like every other page.This is all on the same freaking page, repeated every other line in new ways.

This book needs some serious editing and lots of this repeating fluff removed. All this , i'll say the same thing in new flowery ways, just cut. I don't need 15 pages of the same thing said and repeated, then circled back around to before moving on. There is a whole chapter of a bit of bone and finger just crawling north. 'the finger caught on a root and wiggled free, heading north' blah blah 'the finger hit a root and freed itself going north' blah blah 'The finger kept heading north, it took days, or months, perhaps only moments' blah blah 'The finger went north further' ....A WHOLE CHAPTER. Just repeating ....we went north. Only after so long one's eyes bleed did something happen to interrupt the constant...'we went north' repeating. Not even describing what was going on while going north. Just literally saying WE WENT NORTH... my purpose pulled me north, north was where I headed, north pulled me. north....

Seriously...book would be half the length if not less if cut out all the repeating fluff. While I enjoyed the book as an avid reader,I think anyone who likes books less would give up on this. This book needs a serious editing and beta reading. A huge re-write and re-publish to cut out all this ....what ever it is?

It almost feels like a habit? Like a stutter or something. Where the author feels the need to repeat themselves in 10 different ways to get their point across. Maybe great for conversations and debates in person but in a book...not really.

[Elizabeth Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truthfully this story took me a while to get through. I even put it down a few times, read another book, came back to it ( twice). I needed that break because this book is simply non stop darkness, with absolutely no moments of light or levity. There are no jokes, witty remarks, or uplifting moments. In fact, things often just get worse. Whee does triumph it's often at great personal cost to himself. Then he just continues on to the next monumental task to a thankless community. Because he has a great purpose. Do not get me wrong. This is actually a really great story. The main character who drives the story forward is fascinating and it's very well written. It is so much like reading Dark Souls or Elden Ring. There's a lot of beauty behind the grotesque monsters of those worlds, hidden in the lore and amazing characters. Same concept applies. Just sometimes you gotta rage quit for a few days and play animal crossing.

[J.D. Glasscock · Rating 5 out of 5]

very beautiful story, well written, poetic, stream of conscious style and with my beginnings 30 plus years ago as a slam poet, i can appreciate it. It is original and unique and would recommend. I will read the next one. The only thing i would say is this is not LitRPG, at all. It's not even Gamelit. Not sure why they are portraying it as such or literally have it in the Title. It is Dark Progression Fantasy. LitRPG needs to have game like or roleplaying (Dungeons and Dragons) mechanics, baked it into it, tangible. This is why LitRPG is difficult to write as you have to keep track of attributes, levels, Abilities, Skills, math. There is none of that here at all. Still, as i said, a great story and beautiful writing. Recommend.
JD Glasscock
Author of the series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn

[Christopher Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of defiant hope and stalwart duty

This story follows a sacred Revenant, a legion of proud soldiers acting as one to fulfil their oaths rather than the traditional vengeful or malicious undead protagonist. The tale is sombre yet hopeful and speaks to the defiance and righteousness of the human spirit. An overall surprisingly optimistic entry in the field of dark fantasy. I look forward to reading more at the earliest opportunity.

[Charli · Rating 5 out of 5]

necromancy in a new light

This grimdark fairy tale thrusts you into the world of a unique protagonist, just as lost as the reader when the action begins. We learn more about this antihero as he fights his way into life. It’s a fresh take on necromancy, with a different prose style than you usually see in the genre. The short, punchy sentences build a tense, immersive atmosphere, marking a distinctive shift in the author’s writing style.

[Danny Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool MC in a dark world. The MC is gritty and relentless. The undead twist was unique and opened the door to some cool abilities. The internal monologuing got repetitive at time. So long as he is fighting things were pretty awesome. The is a lot of potential here.

[Roberto Flores · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish. A silent protagonist work no backstory and no character has no interest. Something as simple as an inner monolog might have saved this, at least just enough to give it a try. Without an interesting setting or character, this had nothing to hold my attention.

[Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welk Read

Rare is the story about Death that stirs old memories and kindle long forgotten battles. Thanks for that. Duty is something and purpose is another. I remember now. Well done!

[Alan Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

Really enjoyed this Epic dark fantasy, following the combination of those who gave their lives to save those who remain reconstructed into a single being. Looking forward to the next book.

[Zack Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Dantegideon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the writing extremely over-wrought, and the present tense thing didn't thrill me either.