Warlock's Gambit: An Urban Fantasy LitRPG Adventure

by Peter John

An ancient relic.
A master thief.
And a world hidden behind a veil few can pierce.
Trevor Cross thought he had the perfect score lined infiltrate a Buddhist temple, steal a 2,500-year-old tooth relic, collect two million dollars, and disappear. Simple. Clean. Professional.

He never expected the relic to fight back.
A single touch of the artifact shatters Trevor’s mundane life and awakens him to the Hidden World, a world where reality operates by rules he never imagined. Gifted with supernatural abilities and thrust into an ancient war between dimensions, Trevor discovers that his ‘simple theft’ has made him the last hope for preventing cosmic catastrophe.

The start of an exciting real world, urban fantasy LitRPG!
From the neon-lit streets of Singapore to sacred temples hidden in impossible dimensions, Trevor’s journey will take him from small-time criminal to guardian of existence itself. But in a universe where martial arts blend with reality and where every choice reshapes the cosmic order, can a reformed thief learn to protect what he once would have stolen?

PRAISE FOR PETER JOHN’S OTHER
“This was an interesting and probably one of the oddest books I have read to date in the LitRPG genre.” —Spencer Kirk on Genesis (Abduction Chronicles Series).

“… a great read, that truly follows a thought-provoking in depth storyline…” —MKrugel on Arena (Abduction Chronicles Series).

439 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2025

About the author

I love to read, write and from time to time play games.
Hope you enjoy my work.

Reviews

[Prof. Keon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warlock’s Gambit is everything I want in an Urban Fantasy LitRPG—fast-paced action, clever magic systems, and a protagonist who feels both relatable and powerful. The blend of city intrigue and game mechanics is perfectly balanced, never overwhelming but always exciting. I loved how every spell, ability, and level-up felt meaningful. The world is gritty yet full of wonder, with supernatural threats lurking in every alley. The stakes rise naturally and kept me hooked straight through. This book delivers energy, strategy, humor, and heart in equal measure. A fantastic start to what I hope becomes a long-running series.

[Roman Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the first chapter and refused to let go. The modern urban setting mixed with LitRPG mechanics creates a captivating atmosphere that feels both familiar and fresh. The warlock protagonist is resourceful, flawed, and incredibly fun to follow. Combat scenes are vivid and tactical, each one showcasing smart decisions and intense magic. I loved the way the city becomes a character itself—mysterious, dark, and full of hidden dangers. The pacing is excellent, with constant progression and great character dynamics. If you enjoy magic, leveling, and urban adventure, this is a must-read.

[Quitzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warlock’s Gambit delivers a perfect balance of world-building, character growth, and addictive LitRPG progression. Every chapter introduces new magical challenges, each more exciting than the last. I loved the protagonist’s strategic thinking and the clever way he uses his warlock abilities. Side characters are memorable and contribute to the rich urban fantasy setting. The leveling system feels rewarding and well-explained without bogging down the story. The tone is gritty but never depressing, with just enough humor to keep things fun. I tore through this book in one sitting and immediately wanted more. Absolutely worth five stars.

[Alvena Hessel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding Urban Fantasy LitRPG adventure! The story jumps straight into action with tight pacing and never loses momentum. The warlock powers, spell choices and RPG mechanics are described with clarity and creativity, making every encounter exciting The urban setting is atmospheric and full of supernatural secrets begging to be uncovered I loved watching the protagonist grow stronger—both magically and emotionally—while dealing with dangerous foes and unexpected twists. The writing is smooth, immersive, and highly engaging. This book stands out from others in the genre with its originality and character-driven storytelling. Highly recommended.

[Laney Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, Warlock’s Gambit is an absolute blast. The blend of urban fantasy mystery and LitRPG advancement hits perfectly. I loved the intricate magic system and the way the protagonist evolves his warlock powers through clever decision-making. The city is vibrant and full of supernatural intrigue, giving every chapter a sense of looming danger. Action scenes are imaginative and cinematic, with real stakes and smart tactics. The story balances humor, grit, and character growth extremely well. Anyone who loves progress fantasy will devour this book. Five stars and highly recommended.

[Maegan Kemmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping and satisfying read from start to finish. The urban setting gives the story a grounded edge, while the LitRPG elements add excitement and constant progression. The warlock protagonist is compelling and easy to root for—tough enough to survive but smart enough to know when he’s outmatched. The magic system is creative and well-structured, leading to some unforgettable battle scenes. I loved the world-building, full of hidden realms, dangerous creatures, and magical politics. This book delivers everything I love about the genre: action, strategy, humor, and growth. A fantastic five-star adventure.

[Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pure LitRPG enjoyment with an awesome urban fantasy twist. The warlock class is written in such a fun and inventive way, with abilities that feel powerful yet balanced. The story moves at a perfect pace, filled with challenges, upgrades, allies, and enemies. The setting is gritty, mysterious, and full of tension, making every scene feel alive. The protagonist’s progression feels earned and satisfying, and the plot has several twists that kept me fully invested. I enjoyed every page. If you’re a fan of magic, leveling, and modern adventure, this is a must-read.

[Matt Townend · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few chapters of this LitRPG Urban Fantasy Progression Thriller really hooked me - a master thief and a heist gone wrong! But once the sardonic Trevor Cross has the Buddha's Tooth, a mysterious artifact that grants mystic powers all related to breaking the veil, the novel switches pace into more of a training montage, broken up by attacks from dangerous foes with their own mystical abilities who also want the Tooth.

The author clearly knows Asia well, and this globe-trotting adventure touches down at Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong to name but a few. He is also steeped in Buddhist lore, and the mystical abilities gained are far more interesting than your typical force powers.

The writing is fast paced and economical - just the way I like it.

My only real gripes are features that others will probably love. I am not really a fan of the LitRPG genre: for me, when a list of stats and abilities appears mid-page, it breaks up the action and I lose the immersion. I understand LitRPG is an attempt to gamify narratives. I loved the Fighting Fantasy books as a kid, but Choose Your Own Adventure books are a different fish - there you really can make choices, die, or change the story. Here you are a passive viewer, along for the ride as someone else makes the choices and plays. It's the same reason I don't watch competitive sports or videos of people playing games. I want to play, not watch others do so. But I'm likely in the minority here, and happily so. Other reviewers will have to judge this LitRPG on its own merits. Having read some of the author's other works such as the Abduction Chronicles, I know he loves to genre-bend and mix up sci-fi and fantasy tropes and creatures - something I can find a bit disorientating (but, again, others may love). I also felt that there was still a LOT of novel following the exciting climax with the big bad - which was hard to follow, though I understand this extensive Act 5 is perhaps setting up for a future novel. I prefer my Act 5s a bit shorter, personally. Again, a subjective pain point.

None of this changes the fact that I had a great time reading - this is Peter John's best work so far for my money. For lovers of Eastern lore, urban fantasy and LitRPG - don't hesisate to buy - this book will prove a real treat. The start, I believe, of a whole new series. Fascinating to see where it goes next.

Oh - and the cover! I LOVE the cover! Hats off to the artist because WOW! It's one of my favourites I've seen in a long time. DO judge this book by its cover. :)