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Settlement Stone
Settlement Stone: A LitRPG Fantasy
500 years ago, the Evolution System descended on Earth, and the world ended. Facing a transforming world, terrifying monsters and a new race of hostile elves, humans had no choice but to fight back with Awakened magic powers.
For Imani, a young and ambitious Awakened, the world of magic and skills is all he’s ever known. Trapped in the walls of an isolated, overpopulated town with dwindling resources, he’s taught that survival means following rules. However, by putting his life on the line and defying one of those rules, Imani is granted a rare a Settlement Stone.
Unfortunately, building a new settlement in the middle of an uncharted forest is no easy task. The woods are filled with evolved monsters, hidden dungeons, and danger. Worse still, the nearby land is claimed by a powerful, savage tribe of elven warriors, led by a queen as ruthless as she is mysterious.
To prevail, Imani must grow stronger, build a stable settlement, clear nearby dungeons, and find resources, all while defending his new home from humans, elves, monsters, and even a deadly siege.
For Imani, a young and ambitious Awakened, the world of magic and skills is all he’s ever known. Trapped in the walls of an isolated, overpopulated town with dwindling resources, he’s taught that survival means following rules. However, by putting his life on the line and defying one of those rules, Imani is granted a rare a Settlement Stone.
Unfortunately, building a new settlement in the middle of an uncharted forest is no easy task. The woods are filled with evolved monsters, hidden dungeons, and danger. Worse still, the nearby land is claimed by a powerful, savage tribe of elven warriors, led by a queen as ruthless as she is mysterious.
To prevail, Imani must grow stronger, build a stable settlement, clear nearby dungeons, and find resources, all while defending his new home from humans, elves, monsters, and even a deadly siege.
- GenresFantasy
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2025
545 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 19, 2025
A quick and easy read - which I was glad for. Because between an entirely unsympathetic main character, a predictable traitor-villain and a rushed and rather unneeded and non-sensical romance, I was glad to just finish the book.
August 21, 2025
This was almost a 4. A fun easy read with some really clunky and unfortunately contrived bits which stop it being all that it could be.
The good:
The very gamey world felt well justified and real through it's exploring the implications of it's game mechanics. Some stand out examples were, the implications of the towns having a hard population limit with too many under levelled characters to expand and how the people would cope with that.
or how certain creatures dropping specific loot led to them being wiped out in the wild and the only remaining ones being captured and farmed for that loot.
How the power system leads to a strength based culture, where only the 'awakened' (those with powers) are representatives in government or even considered worth noting.
The clunky:
Why cards? I'd have thought the point of any 'card' themed mechanic is that they are tradable, but these explicitly weren't, so that whole aspect of the book felt ill fitting. Instead, renaming it a perk or trait system, would have felt more natural with no changes to the content.
The town building. For such a key part of the book this never added up. When playing a town builder game, as this seemed to be inspired by in places, you've always got a choice to make due to limited resources; whether that be space, time, or resources. The MC faced all three of these challenges at some point, but they never appeared to be a consideration.
Bar maybe one instance it felt like all building choices could be made in every instance with no penalty.
Additionally, the free handout buildings. They killed all tension, on top of the already weak town building. They become a massive hand wave of 'we need an x but shouldn't have the materials / time etc. for it, so we just get it from the system as a freebie'. This killed the tension of whether they would be ready for the next challenge in time, because you knew they would immediately get this new whatever it is building and everything would be amazing.
The bad:
Essentially the whole second half of the book.
The good:
The very gamey world felt well justified and real through it's exploring the implications of it's game mechanics. Some stand out examples were, the implications of the towns having a hard population limit with too many under levelled characters to expand and how the people would cope with that.
or how certain creatures dropping specific loot led to them being wiped out in the wild and the only remaining ones being captured and farmed for that loot.
How the power system leads to a strength based culture, where only the 'awakened' (those with powers) are representatives in government or even considered worth noting.
The clunky:
Why cards? I'd have thought the point of any 'card' themed mechanic is that they are tradable, but these explicitly weren't, so that whole aspect of the book felt ill fitting. Instead, renaming it a perk or trait system, would have felt more natural with no changes to the content.
The town building. For such a key part of the book this never added up. When playing a town builder game, as this seemed to be inspired by in places, you've always got a choice to make due to limited resources; whether that be space, time, or resources. The MC faced all three of these challenges at some point, but they never appeared to be a consideration.
Bar maybe one instance it felt like all building choices could be made in every instance with no penalty.
Additionally, the free handout buildings. They killed all tension, on top of the already weak town building. They become a massive hand wave of 'we need an x but shouldn't have the materials / time etc. for it, so we just get it from the system as a freebie'. This killed the tension of whether they would be ready for the next challenge in time, because you knew they would immediately get this new whatever it is building and everything would be amazing.
The bad:
Essentially the whole second half of the book.
August 4, 2025
This falls apart with absolutely horrible character work. The story is plain. The action is okay, but the characters ruin everything. The setting has potential, but it is never explored.
July 21, 2025
This book is okay
I gave this book a shot after the author posted on Reddit. I finished it in 2 days but Im a speed reader. The writing I would say is average for a litrpg. I dinged it one star because there are multiple errors in the text and it needs to be proofread. I felt like the system was clunky. Its card based but the cards could have easily been skills and not changed anything. The world felt very limited as people can not even travel more than a day from their town without special cards. The plot was another rehash of avatar/dances with wolves/fergully with the a clash against natives/elves whoa re more connected with the land. The one twist being that elves are actually the invaders here having been driven to Earth from their homeland. The story is the start or an empire building plot but compare that to something like Victor of Tucson where he slays multiple enemy champions, dodges court intrigue and leads armies to victory here we have chapters spent on gathering basic materials to build buildings. I skimmed some pf those parts. Overall I would say as I put in the title that this book is okay and it was interesting enough that I finished it but it didnt bring anything especially interesting or new to the genre and suffers from a lack of proofreading and a derivative plot.
I gave this book a shot after the author posted on Reddit. I finished it in 2 days but Im a speed reader. The writing I would say is average for a litrpg. I dinged it one star because there are multiple errors in the text and it needs to be proofread. I felt like the system was clunky. Its card based but the cards could have easily been skills and not changed anything. The world felt very limited as people can not even travel more than a day from their town without special cards. The plot was another rehash of avatar/dances with wolves/fergully with the a clash against natives/elves whoa re more connected with the land. The one twist being that elves are actually the invaders here having been driven to Earth from their homeland. The story is the start or an empire building plot but compare that to something like Victor of Tucson where he slays multiple enemy champions, dodges court intrigue and leads armies to victory here we have chapters spent on gathering basic materials to build buildings. I skimmed some pf those parts. Overall I would say as I put in the title that this book is okay and it was interesting enough that I finished it but it didnt bring anything especially interesting or new to the genre and suffers from a lack of proofreading and a derivative plot.
August 30, 2025
3.5 stars
The writer ticked all the boxes for me. The story flowed there was no filler no long internal monologues no level up /character status updates every single chapter like others books do even the romance wasn't in your face, it just told a story.
Granted it does have some issues
You don't really get a good mental image on what the characters look like (Personally doesn't bother me since I like to imagine what they look like myself)
The names of everyone was very similar and alot of characters were introduced often aswell as spelling mistakes on the names which caused more confusion.
Lastly was expecting a atlantis milo and kida culture exchange type romance instead is felt like futurama when fry met the amazonians.
The writer only has 4 books published so I think people should be forgiving.
The writer ticked all the boxes for me. The story flowed there was no filler no long internal monologues no level up /character status updates every single chapter like others books do even the romance wasn't in your face, it just told a story.
Granted it does have some issues
You don't really get a good mental image on what the characters look like (Personally doesn't bother me since I like to imagine what they look like myself)
The names of everyone was very similar and alot of characters were introduced often aswell as spelling mistakes on the names which caused more confusion.
Lastly was expecting a atlantis milo and kida culture exchange type romance instead is felt like futurama when fry met the amazonians.
The writer only has 4 books published so I think people should be forgiving.
August 22, 2025
Settlement Stone is the first in this series, and it has some interesting aspects. Most first books concentrate on how the system arrived, and how it affected things. In this book, the system has already been on the earth for 500 plus years. This book takes place at a time when there are several small towns, often without safe zone status scattered throughout the world, and one particular safe zone is outgrowing it's confined area. It's a very interesting point to begin a series, but in this case, it works, and I'll be keeping an eye out for more in this series.
September 3, 2025
Unfortunately it's really awful
It starts with a cool premise taking place 500 years after the system comes to Earth unfortunately everything else is really bad.
The characters are incredibly flat and I'm not even sure if they hit two dimensional might just be one dimensional.
The story is incredibly vague like the protagonist gives out tons of loans but we're never told how he has the money to do this or even what money is it gold is it silver is it even coins?
The creme de la crumb of the system is level four and gaining experience or in this case essence has little to do with actually gaining a level You have to do something that no one's ever done before cuz that's makes any sense?
Really cool idea really poorly executed.
It starts with a cool premise taking place 500 years after the system comes to Earth unfortunately everything else is really bad.
The characters are incredibly flat and I'm not even sure if they hit two dimensional might just be one dimensional.
The story is incredibly vague like the protagonist gives out tons of loans but we're never told how he has the money to do this or even what money is it gold is it silver is it even coins?
The creme de la crumb of the system is level four and gaining experience or in this case essence has little to do with actually gaining a level You have to do something that no one's ever done before cuz that's makes any sense?
Really cool idea really poorly executed.
July 31, 2025
Okay Read
This was a well written read. The pacing was good and the plot was intriguing, but I found the characters just a little too young and immature-ish for my liking. I did enjoy how Imani kinda grew up and realized that he had to be responsible for the people that followed. But in the beginning he cared about exploring and Jurielle used that to her advantage and Lucas was a pure doormat anytime Feinain was mad at Kaito. I seriously skipped over those parts. But it was well written so I gave it 4 stars.
This was a well written read. The pacing was good and the plot was intriguing, but I found the characters just a little too young and immature-ish for my liking. I did enjoy how Imani kinda grew up and realized that he had to be responsible for the people that followed. But in the beginning he cared about exploring and Jurielle used that to her advantage and Lucas was a pure doormat anytime Feinain was mad at Kaito. I seriously skipped over those parts. But it was well written so I gave it 4 stars.
August 30, 2025
I dropped the book at 50% because I supposed to back the MC but the problem is that he is a leader of settler colonial project so I can't supported even against so called "Barbaric Elves". I Know it is just a story but still need to be morally and politically correct if you want me to support MC or just tell Me To hate him not to build the story around how he is a good guy trying his best
August 31, 2025
main character is pretty awful
The subject line says it all. The Mc is pretty awful.
He’s dumb, short sighted, boring, and has no redeeming qualities other than he will occasionally do what is right. Seemingly by accident.
He doesn’t think, like… ever.
Book was ruined by the MC.
The subject line says it all. The Mc is pretty awful.
He’s dumb, short sighted, boring, and has no redeeming qualities other than he will occasionally do what is right. Seemingly by accident.
He doesn’t think, like… ever.
Book was ruined by the MC.
September 15, 2025
Ho letto di peggio, ma anche di molto meglio.
Scritto Ok, super prevedibile, zero pathos, crescita casuale, si usano le carte come sistema magico, ma potrebbe essere qualsiasi cosa. personaggi che potrebbero morire e la commozione sarebbe zero. Il tema (base building) è uno dei miei preferiti, ma non salva il libro. Rank C / Rank D
Scritto Ok, super prevedibile, zero pathos, crescita casuale, si usano le carte come sistema magico, ma potrebbe essere qualsiasi cosa. personaggi che potrebbero morire e la commozione sarebbe zero. Il tema (base building) è uno dei miei preferiti, ma non salva il libro. Rank C / Rank D
September 11, 2025
home away from home
It is a well laid out book that was not over saturated with status character sheets. The characters were very well defined and personable to connect to. Looking forward to the next book of series.
It is a well laid out book that was not over saturated with status character sheets. The characters were very well defined and personable to connect to. Looking forward to the next book of series.
January 4, 2026
surprised
I wasn’t sure about this essence card business. I started reading a couple other series and lost interest within the first couple of chapters. I stuck with this one and was pleasantly surprised.
I wasn’t sure about this essence card business. I started reading a couple other series and lost interest within the first couple of chapters. I stuck with this one and was pleasantly surprised.
July 20, 2025
Great book
Stellar work from Rhea Zulu! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to reading the next one.
Stellar work from Rhea Zulu! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to reading the next one.
July 20, 2025
Great book five stars
Really enjoyed the way that is set up fast pace good fights great world building really enjoyed it looking forward for the next book
Really enjoyed the way that is set up fast pace good fights great world building really enjoyed it looking forward for the next book
July 23, 2025
great book!
Very good read with lots of world building! I like the magic system as well. The MC and supporting characters are great and love to see them grow.
Very good read with lots of world building! I like the magic system as well. The MC and supporting characters are great and love to see them grow.
August 4, 2025
Good story
A few typos along the way but a pretty good book. Looking forward to the rest of the story. Fortunately book 2 is already out
A few typos along the way but a pretty good book. Looking forward to the rest of the story. Fortunately book 2 is already out
August 25, 2025
A good start
A good start to what is looking like an interesting series.
A new take on a system.
Good mix of RPG in the LIT
Looking forward to more.
A good start to what is looking like an interesting series.
A new take on a system.
Good mix of RPG in the LIT
Looking forward to more.
August 28, 2025
DNF @50%
September 10, 2025
Could have been a good story if the main character was not a know it all, temper tantrum prone, teenage angst filled "I gotta be the leader" brat that needs a good punch in the mouth.
September 15, 2025
Fun take on littpg
I enjoyed the light take on lit RPG, the world building, and characters. Hope more books are on the way.
I enjoyed the light take on lit RPG, the world building, and characters. Hope more books are on the way.
September 30, 2025
I really did not like the main character and that was that.
September 30, 2025
Great read
The story was fast paced and exciting. The struggles were real. The problems that came up were many. No cliche stuff.
The story was fast paced and exciting. The struggles were real. The problems that came up were many. No cliche stuff.
October 14, 2025
A great read!
Hopefully Rhea is a quick writer because I thoroughly enjoyed this book! . . . . . . . .
Hopefully Rhea is a quick writer because I thoroughly enjoyed this book! . . . . . . . .
November 5, 2025
got a few chapters in and didn't like where it was going
December 20, 2025
Cool
Nice characters, im not normally a fan of the card games however this was fun and a good humble story looking forward to more base building into the kingdom 😁
Nice characters, im not normally a fan of the card games however this was fun and a good humble story looking forward to more base building into the kingdom 😁
January 3, 2026
Was a enjoyable read abit diffrent
Not as focused on states constently like some litrpg i would reccomend it to a few friends to try it
Not as focused on states constently like some litrpg i would reccomend it to a few friends to try it
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews