Shadowborn Exile: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy: Shadowborn Exile, Book 1

by Harmon Cooper, Raphael Corkhill (Narrator)

A powerful shadow warrior ventures deep into darkness to save his home in this action-packed progression fantasy from the author of the Pilgrim series.

Attica was born to slay monsters. As a Vanguard of the Shadowborn, he grew up hunting the radiant horrors—terrifying light beasts known as Flashwraiths—that stalk the Spiralrealm. Armed with a living Shade, he prowled the gloom between tiers, culling the unnatural to protect his people.

But when the Settlement falls to a devastating Flashwraith assault, Attica is cast into the abyss he once defended against. His sole opportunity for redemption is via a doomed mission. He must retrieve the shattered Crown of Shadows and destroy the prophesied Child of Light.

Meanwhile, the Spiralrealm is unraveling. Power is shifting. And the only path forward is through monsters, madmen, and something far the truth.

Dark Souls and Clair Expedition 33 meets The Last of Us in the first volume of Shadowborn Exile, a gripping LitRPG series set in a world of twisted beasts, primordial forces, and brutal choices.

PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Audible Audio

Published January 6, 2026

About the author

Harmon Cooper is the author of over sixty fantasy works. His bestselling series include Pilgrim, War Priest, Cowboy Necromancer, and Tokens and Towers.

His series, The Feedback Loop, is one of the earlier GameLit works first published in 2015. An earphone award winner for the series Death's Mantle, Harmon won the LitRPG/GameLit Audiobook of the Year award for Sacred Cat Island, narrated by Legends and Lattes author Travis Baldree.

Harmon write progression fantasy, cultivation fantasy, and LitRPG/GameLit.

Reviews

[Bailey (Myveinsbleedink) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea what this audio was about, I received the ALC from Podium and saw the cover and was 100% ready to listen. I usually listen to my books pretty quickly but I needed to adapt to the narrator for a bit. I was really into this book. It captivated me from the get go. The 300 vibes I got with the Sparta children being sent on a solo mission when they are a certain age. (I know that is probably pretty random but that’s literally what I was picturing.) The imagination that went into this story was pretty wild and it had so many elements of different things that were a bit familiar to me but the story as a whole was completely unique and I am hooked. Attica “the Lone Eyed Wolf” is the complete embodiment of strength and endurance which he learns ruthlessly at a young age, being part of the Vanguard. This is a dystopian sci-fi book that I think you’ll absolutely love, I did!

[Erica Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a fantasy story. Children will love this if they are about fantasy and adventure. The audio book is narrated by 1 person, Raphael Corkhill, and he does absolutely amazing. This was my first audio book by him, he has the perfect voice for books like this.

The main character is a shadowborn warrior and he protects his people. But when the lightborn destroy his village, he is out for revenge. He dives into the darkness to get revenge but doesn’t expect to find something else.

I honestly want to know what happens in the next book, I want to know how his and Elie’s adventures end. This was very well written.

[Kasandra Kurutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first LitRPG listen.. I really enjoyed this! Storyline definitely follows videogame lines that I could get into! Nice character progression, definite level movement both up and down to complete task/quests, with a great storyline to follow. . Really looking forward to the next book, wanting to see how the child of light prophecy plays out. I think I found a new genre to add to my list.

Narrator, Raphael Corkhill has a nice voice that is easy to listen to.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my very first litRPG and boy was it a good one. Thank you Podium for this one. My husband is an avid litRPG guy (he knows all about Royal Road) and I raved about this story and the narrator so much that he’ll be getting this when it drops on audible. Attica goes through so much in this book. The cliffhanger! I had to rewind two minutes and re listen to the ending because my mouth dropped open. I was like “this can’t be the end”. Harmon, I need book 2 STAT. Raphael’s voice was so good for this type of book. It kept me hooked and I felt like I was being taught something so spectacularly interesting.