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The Eternal Assassin #1
Rise of the Reaper: The Eternal Assassin Book One
With the power to bend reality at his fingertips, nobody will stop him.
Asher was a mortician’s apprentice used to the quiet company of corpses. But when an ancient Lich accidentally summons him to a new world while hunting for eldritch abominations, he quickly learns that some corpses are a tad more lively than others.
The rest of his presumably short life is supposed to be spent as a helpless test subject.
Instead, Asher harnesses the power of the rare Spatial element he gained upon appearing in this world to not only escape, but to get his hands on the never-before-seen element of Eternity hidden deep within the heart of the Lich’s tower.
The power to flicker between realms made him untouchable.
The power to heal from even the most fatal of wounds makes him unkillable.
Finding himself the target of countless powerful enemies who wish to use his incredible power for their own plans, Asher realizes that the only way he’ll ever be free to live his new life as he sees fit is if he embraces a new calling.
He spent his old life learning how to care for the dead. He’ll spend this new one learning how to deal with the living. It's time for the Reaper to rise.
Experience a gritty LitRPG adventure where the protagonist doesn't just level up, he rewrites the rules of reality. Featuring a unique multi-classing system, tactical spatial combat, slow-burn power progression, evolving skills, corrupt guilds, and deep worldbuilding.
With more than 3-million views as a hit web-serial, this definitive edition is perfect for fans of Nightmare Realm Summoner , The Grand Gam e, The Primal Hunter , and System Universe.
Asher was a mortician’s apprentice used to the quiet company of corpses. But when an ancient Lich accidentally summons him to a new world while hunting for eldritch abominations, he quickly learns that some corpses are a tad more lively than others.
The rest of his presumably short life is supposed to be spent as a helpless test subject.
Instead, Asher harnesses the power of the rare Spatial element he gained upon appearing in this world to not only escape, but to get his hands on the never-before-seen element of Eternity hidden deep within the heart of the Lich’s tower.
The power to flicker between realms made him untouchable.
The power to heal from even the most fatal of wounds makes him unkillable.
Finding himself the target of countless powerful enemies who wish to use his incredible power for their own plans, Asher realizes that the only way he’ll ever be free to live his new life as he sees fit is if he embraces a new calling.
He spent his old life learning how to care for the dead. He’ll spend this new one learning how to deal with the living. It's time for the Reaper to rise.
Experience a gritty LitRPG adventure where the protagonist doesn't just level up, he rewrites the rules of reality. Featuring a unique multi-classing system, tactical spatial combat, slow-burn power progression, evolving skills, corrupt guilds, and deep worldbuilding.
With more than 3-million views as a hit web-serial, this definitive edition is perfect for fans of Nightmare Realm Summoner , The Grand Gam e, The Primal Hunter , and System Universe.
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First published May 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 21, 2026
This is a simplistic kid running around with author-derived powers. And nobody's motivations make any sense. Example, he finds a girl and her brother captured. Girl keeps protesting about him giving her stuff. Like first it's stuff that literally saves her life. And then it's stuff that gives them a chance of surviving (by giving her a super-cool bow because she's the one who knows how to shoot stuff). And I could have put up with that if the one adult in the room (that he also saves) weren't "rich jerk who will eventually screw you over" coded. That guy was a major pain and Asher saving that guy at all was a stupidity, but giving him weapons and stuff just compounds the dumb.
I abandoned this story before they made it far. I found that I couldn't care less about anybody, and not least because the author was just going to make things happen the way they want regardless of anything we've already learned or experienced (just like everything else to that point).
I wouldn't give this zero stars if I had the option. I mean, I don't regret the time I wasted trying this out. But I'm not going to throw good time after bad, either.
I abandoned this story before they made it far. I found that I couldn't care less about anybody, and not least because the author was just going to make things happen the way they want regardless of anything we've already learned or experienced (just like everything else to that point).
I wouldn't give this zero stars if I had the option. I mean, I don't regret the time I wasted trying this out. But I'm not going to throw good time after bad, either.
May 27, 2026
I quit about two thirds through. The story had just gotten so unbelievably stupid that I just couldn't take anymore. Simplistic characters in a very violent setting with cheap dime store morals.
June 8, 2026
Romance Trash
I have to believe anyone writing a good review is either the author's friends or paid reviewers.
Otherwise, they'd see what everyone else sees. Cliche romance trash. A character who hated people soooo much that he became a mortician then does the normal cliche romance portal thing in falling for the first girl he meets. Really?Why do all bad authors feel the need to focus on romance in their 'adventure fantasy progression novels'... You know why the popular ones are popular? Because they focus on the plot. Primal Hunter, He who fights with monsters, Defiance of the Fall....Why are they good. Because they focus on the character, building him up,giving him a goal and dislike, likes and progress the story. When they get in a relationship and if they do, it's a side part not the main focus and it's multiple books down the line where it feels natural.
Not where there MC goes from I hate people to I love this girl. In a single week.
Besides that stupid cliche, the character gets even more stupid as well.
How so? He has to hunt down a creature but fears it will escape so he makes a whole trap to keep it from escaping since he doesn't want to lose it....YET he literally has a power to MARK a creature and never lose track of it. It's one of his main abilities. SO WHY is he all scared he'll 'lose track of it' when he has this ability. That is how stupid he is.
So instead of a story where this character with awesome powers in a nice magic system becomes an adventurer and explores the world. We got this guy who gets tied down to the local village girl, sleeps with her enough to risk getting her pregnant. Does risky consequence having things that get him in trouble on all her behalf. So we are going to have all the books stuck around this little village instead of him exploring and growing strong wandering the kingdoms.
No. This book is one of those grocery store novels with the hero standing on the cover with long flowing hair and some billowing shirt, brooding while on a horse or something. This book feels like female hero fantasy of the 'perfect supportive man' than an actual progression adventure fantasy.
You want to swoon over the guy who will do anything for the girl he just met. This is for you. You want a book focused on story. Don't bother with this.
I have to believe anyone writing a good review is either the author's friends or paid reviewers.
Otherwise, they'd see what everyone else sees. Cliche romance trash. A character who hated people soooo much that he became a mortician then does the normal cliche romance portal thing in falling for the first girl he meets. Really?Why do all bad authors feel the need to focus on romance in their 'adventure fantasy progression novels'... You know why the popular ones are popular? Because they focus on the plot. Primal Hunter, He who fights with monsters, Defiance of the Fall....Why are they good. Because they focus on the character, building him up,giving him a goal and dislike, likes and progress the story. When they get in a relationship and if they do, it's a side part not the main focus and it's multiple books down the line where it feels natural.
Not where there MC goes from I hate people to I love this girl. In a single week.
Besides that stupid cliche, the character gets even more stupid as well.
How so? He has to hunt down a creature but fears it will escape so he makes a whole trap to keep it from escaping since he doesn't want to lose it....YET he literally has a power to MARK a creature and never lose track of it. It's one of his main abilities. SO WHY is he all scared he'll 'lose track of it' when he has this ability. That is how stupid he is.
So instead of a story where this character with awesome powers in a nice magic system becomes an adventurer and explores the world. We got this guy who gets tied down to the local village girl, sleeps with her enough to risk getting her pregnant. Does risky consequence having things that get him in trouble on all her behalf. So we are going to have all the books stuck around this little village instead of him exploring and growing strong wandering the kingdoms.
No. This book is one of those grocery store novels with the hero standing on the cover with long flowing hair and some billowing shirt, brooding while on a horse or something. This book feels like female hero fantasy of the 'perfect supportive man' than an actual progression adventure fantasy.
You want to swoon over the guy who will do anything for the girl he just met. This is for you. You want a book focused on story. Don't bother with this.
May 21, 2026
i enjoyed this book but once i finished and thought about it, i am not sure i will read book 2.
the MC went from being an apprentice mortician to basically an unkillable god in about four weeks, possibly five weeks. i read LitRPG to see the power progression from a weak MC to a powerful player. but in this book, it took four to five weeks. what is he going to do next month (book two?), take over the entire nation and become god-emperor?
again, this is a fun book, and can be read in a long evening. if i could i would give it 3.5 stars but that is not possible on GoodReads so 3 stars it remains.
the MC went from being an apprentice mortician to basically an unkillable god in about four weeks, possibly five weeks. i read LitRPG to see the power progression from a weak MC to a powerful player. but in this book, it took four to five weeks. what is he going to do next month (book two?), take over the entire nation and become god-emperor?
again, this is a fun book, and can be read in a long evening. if i could i would give it 3.5 stars but that is not possible on GoodReads so 3 stars it remains.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2026
It was ok
In this isekai story, a sharp, methodical protagonist much like Dexter from the TV series—driven by dark instincts—is transported to a fantasy world and gains powerful abilities. Some parts deliver solid tense hunts and clever power moments, but the rushed relationships fall flat: a fierce character who tries to kill him becomes a trusted friend just one day later with almost no development, making alliances feel forced and shallow. A mixed power fantasy with strong potential undermined by convenient plotting.
In this isekai story, a sharp, methodical protagonist much like Dexter from the TV series—driven by dark instincts—is transported to a fantasy world and gains powerful abilities. Some parts deliver solid tense hunts and clever power moments, but the rushed relationships fall flat: a fierce character who tries to kill him becomes a trusted friend just one day later with almost no development, making alliances feel forced and shallow. A mixed power fantasy with strong potential undermined by convenient plotting.
July 7, 2026
Too under powered
I prefer stories where the main character is overpowered and you get to enjoy him walking through all the bad guys and destroying everything and building his noble house and taking all the women I don't like your stories where the good Guy has to figure things out and then finally come up with a way to kill the bad guy and on and on we go I just prefer OP characters.
I prefer stories where the main character is overpowered and you get to enjoy him walking through all the bad guys and destroying everything and building his noble house and taking all the women I don't like your stories where the good Guy has to figure things out and then finally come up with a way to kill the bad guy and on and on we go I just prefer OP characters.
July 4, 2026
Listened to this one on audio and thought it was okay. It’s got the same narrator as the Sylver Seeker series (not my fav narrator but he's also not a bad one). This first book was entertaining enough that i would’ve given the next book a listen if i had it on audio, but I wasn't compelled enough to look into seeing if the 2nd book was out in epub, or seek it out on RR.
Be prepared for some cringe (minor spoilers ahead). The MC for instance, is named “Asher” (surely i'm not the only one who finds this cliche?). Asher also suddenly develops a romance within days of meeting a woman and everything about it - from the way the woman is written to the way it develops - is just sort of cringey and unbelievable. This is only a small part of the story though, so i found it mostly easy to ignore (it could definitely be worse, cause at least the author wasn’t trying to create multiple romantic storylines).
As far as the rest of the story goes, it’s not exactly groundbreaking, but that doesn’t mean it was bad, and i do think there’s potential. The way Asher gains and develops his magic is a little too easy and convenient IMO, but i guess that’s not abnormal for an isekai litrpg progression type story (he basically just stumbles into some OP abilities and progresses VERY easily once he gets them).
In this world, people can apparently gain access to 3 abilities which they can then develop - IF they have the ability to purchase and unlock the abilities and skills. Asher has knowledge, eternity, and dimensional magic, with both eternity and dimensional magic being extremely rare and OP in this world. $$$ is needed to unlock and evolve one’s abilities and skills, even though the skills still seemed to be leveled up through experience. People can also gain “classes” but there didn’t seem to be much point to them.
The abilities themselves do have potential due to the way they can develop though.The 5 skills Asher gets from eternity for instance, weren’t all about immortality (one is basically just a hunting skill). He also isn’t the only one with OP abilities in this world - some of the people he goes up against have cool abilities.
Asher was kind of all over the place at times as a character, but again, it could’ve been way worse. He’s kind of a self righteous hero type at times, so i can’t see him being a very good “assassin” (even though that’s where the author apparently wants to take it?). At the same time, Asher's also a battle junkie, so this seemed to mean he was, at times, very much willing to go off and kill whoever he decided deserved it. At least there’s that (i can’t stand it when an MC refuses to kill people who clearly need to die).
Be prepared for some cringe (minor spoilers ahead). The MC for instance, is named “Asher” (surely i'm not the only one who finds this cliche?). Asher also suddenly develops a romance within days of meeting a woman and everything about it - from the way the woman is written to the way it develops - is just sort of cringey and unbelievable. This is only a small part of the story though, so i found it mostly easy to ignore (it could definitely be worse, cause at least the author wasn’t trying to create multiple romantic storylines).
As far as the rest of the story goes, it’s not exactly groundbreaking, but that doesn’t mean it was bad, and i do think there’s potential. The way Asher gains and develops his magic is a little too easy and convenient IMO, but i guess that’s not abnormal for an isekai litrpg progression type story (he basically just stumbles into some OP abilities and progresses VERY easily once he gets them).
In this world, people can apparently gain access to 3 abilities which they can then develop - IF they have the ability to purchase and unlock the abilities and skills. Asher has knowledge, eternity, and dimensional magic, with both eternity and dimensional magic being extremely rare and OP in this world. $$$ is needed to unlock and evolve one’s abilities and skills, even though the skills still seemed to be leveled up through experience. People can also gain “classes” but there didn’t seem to be much point to them.
The abilities themselves do have potential due to the way they can develop though.The 5 skills Asher gets from eternity for instance, weren’t all about immortality (one is basically just a hunting skill). He also isn’t the only one with OP abilities in this world - some of the people he goes up against have cool abilities.
Asher was kind of all over the place at times as a character, but again, it could’ve been way worse. He’s kind of a self righteous hero type at times, so i can’t see him being a very good “assassin” (even though that’s where the author apparently wants to take it?). At the same time, Asher's also a battle junkie, so this seemed to mean he was, at times, very much willing to go off and kill whoever he decided deserved it. At least there’s that (i can’t stand it when an MC refuses to kill people who clearly need to die).
October 15, 2026
The book follows a guy who gets isekai’d, and becomes a spatial magical rogue hybrid.
The fight scenes are well written, and exciting. And the powers the characters have are very interesting, and well developed. In particular, the author gives the character Spatial powers, and actually does something cool, and interesting with it.
That said, I felt frustrated reading this book, and the sequel. Most characters are shallow, and don’t get much development. And the main character is capital S Stupid. It’s weird because the author acknowledges he’s being stupid, he gets punished by the world for being stupid, and then just keeps going. In book 1 I gave the main character a lot of berth. He’s new to this, and getting used to a new world.
By the end of book 2 there’s been between 5 and 10 times the character says something like “the only reason I didn’t die to this attack/ambush I walked into was luck”. And at some point I can’t help but wish he just did suffer a real consequence for consistently making bad decisions. But the author will just keep bailing this character out.
- Kidnapped by a group of liches and demons? Move into their backyard! Don’t run, just stay at a distance they can get to the day. Even though you know for a fact they’re trying to hunt you down.
- This country sure seems to have a lot of laws that you’re breaking just by existing. Should you investigate other countries to see if you should move? Nah. This is where we were spawned by a Lich, this is where we’ll die.
I can’t empathize with a lot of the problems, and conflicts the main character has. He doesn’t have an overarching plan, or thing he’s trying to accomplish. It’s just reactions, and poor reactions at that. He has urges to get into high risk battles, and that’s about it.
The author did a good job by making the people his protagonist is fighting not be incompetent. I just wish he had gone a step further, and made the main character competent as well in something other than fighting. Or even better, have one of the supporting cast members like the Huntress love interest be the brains of the operation.
Instead we get this, which is a reasonably fun read, with an interesting power set. But I could never recommend this book to anyone.
The fight scenes are well written, and exciting. And the powers the characters have are very interesting, and well developed. In particular, the author gives the character Spatial powers, and actually does something cool, and interesting with it.
That said, I felt frustrated reading this book, and the sequel. Most characters are shallow, and don’t get much development. And the main character is capital S Stupid. It’s weird because the author acknowledges he’s being stupid, he gets punished by the world for being stupid, and then just keeps going. In book 1 I gave the main character a lot of berth. He’s new to this, and getting used to a new world.
By the end of book 2 there’s been between 5 and 10 times the character says something like “the only reason I didn’t die to this attack/ambush I walked into was luck”. And at some point I can’t help but wish he just did suffer a real consequence for consistently making bad decisions. But the author will just keep bailing this character out.
- Kidnapped by a group of liches and demons? Move into their backyard! Don’t run, just stay at a distance they can get to the day. Even though you know for a fact they’re trying to hunt you down.
- This country sure seems to have a lot of laws that you’re breaking just by existing. Should you investigate other countries to see if you should move? Nah. This is where we were spawned by a Lich, this is where we’ll die.
I can’t empathize with a lot of the problems, and conflicts the main character has. He doesn’t have an overarching plan, or thing he’s trying to accomplish. It’s just reactions, and poor reactions at that. He has urges to get into high risk battles, and that’s about it.
The author did a good job by making the people his protagonist is fighting not be incompetent. I just wish he had gone a step further, and made the main character competent as well in something other than fighting. Or even better, have one of the supporting cast members like the Huntress love interest be the brains of the operation.
Instead we get this, which is a reasonably fun read, with an interesting power set. But I could never recommend this book to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2026
I enjoyed the premise and system of this book and could see the potential in how things would go. Asher gains interesting and unique powers early on and the the pace of the novel was refreshing, allowing some decent progression. The system itself has some interesting concepts that I thought would be nice to learn more about in the future, especially regarding elements and evolutions. Using shards as the currency for everything including progression and purchases made for a fun limit to power. Asher himself was decently written, with some characterization moments, though at times he did feel a bit simplistic. The world itself does feel small, with only two real locations that the books is set in, and not much worldbuilding otherwise.
My biggest gripes with this novel are twofold. The first being the prose and dialogue. While the prose itself gets the job done, it's often extremely straightforward and overexplanatory. Many times, the reader is told how to feel about a situation rather than seeing it unfold and formulating their own thoughts. Furthermore, the dialogue ranges from serviceable to bad. Characters speak as if they're performing in front of a live theater, with some very heavy handed exposition through dialogue. The other thing I did not like was the characterization of the supporting cast along with their interactions with the MC. Relationships progress fast, likely extremely quickly. Falling in love, becoming best friends with a random, having a lifelong mentor-friend, all of these occurred within such a short timespan that made it extremely unbelievable. It wasn't enough to make me put the book down but these definitely made me eye roll multiple times, and actively ignore some of the worst offenders. Overall, I will continue with book 2, hoping the series improves as it shows promise.
My biggest gripes with this novel are twofold. The first being the prose and dialogue. While the prose itself gets the job done, it's often extremely straightforward and overexplanatory. Many times, the reader is told how to feel about a situation rather than seeing it unfold and formulating their own thoughts. Furthermore, the dialogue ranges from serviceable to bad. Characters speak as if they're performing in front of a live theater, with some very heavy handed exposition through dialogue. The other thing I did not like was the characterization of the supporting cast along with their interactions with the MC. Relationships progress fast, likely extremely quickly. Falling in love, becoming best friends with a random, having a lifelong mentor-friend, all of these occurred within such a short timespan that made it extremely unbelievable. It wasn't enough to make me put the book down but these definitely made me eye roll multiple times, and actively ignore some of the worst offenders. Overall, I will continue with book 2, hoping the series improves as it shows promise.
July 29, 2026
This was quite good. The story stayed on point and didn’t go too out of the way except some specific areas. It’s nice that he didn’t immediately just start with an assassin class of the rip and got there through figuring out his fighting style. I was suprised he didn’t get a death element or something similar considering his past life’s work but suppose that can be explained away by it not being something he did in this new world therefore all the experience he had when arriving was the space travel. All in all a good start to a series and can’t wait for more. Only (multiple but in one area) complaint i have is the plot armor being so thick. Maybe it’s because events seemed to happen so close to each other but it just seems absurd. He struggles with morality on who he should kill, who’s a bad person and who’s not and then one chapter later he gets an ability to fix that. He arrived in a world where he can’t speak or read any of the languages and the first thing he finds happens to be an element with that passive. The most dangerous part of fighting being injuries and immediately he gets an element with a skill to fix that. I get they said that elements seem to give u skills based on what u need in that moment and a lot of people got abilities in a fight that helped them in said fight. But this was made out to seem like something that rarely happens and the data and documented occurrences of it happening were so lacking that they couldn’t get a percentage of how often just enough to know it happens. The only saving grace was the fact that he didn’t get a storage skill until after he leaves the tower. I would’ve lost it if he starts off in a new world with overpowered potions and items that no one had seen in eras just because he got lucky.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2026
character is not OP, basically under powered
Two formula, the MC is not OP he’s underpowered. OP characters do not get beaten until they’re at deaths door. If the authors need a Representation of an OP character, look at the books system universe, and earth reformation, perfect examples of OP characters, a. Character falls into a new world, gets a great unique spatial ability, but doesn’t know how to use it. This is not really an RPG because the character has skills which a weak at Best except for the space affinity he doesn’t gain strength, he doesn’t gain speed, he’s a one trick pony. my other pet peeve with this book is children. No need for a kid in this story. It’s just page padding. Third of all, but not the least girl falls in love with the first person who saved their life so you have this silly romantic attachment. Don’t care for romances, except if they’re slowly developed in these type of books. And what mail has never been in any kind of fight either in high school or college or bar. This character is a punk. And the most ridiculous thing I found is how do you kill animals with a dagger especially if you do not have extraordinary strength you can’t put a dagger through an animal, first of all the dagger is too short, second of all you have to be able to put it through the skull of an animal to kill it instantly, the physics don’t work. there are those readers who might not have any problems with this book, but that’s why there are millions of us. We all have our individual choices. You may like this book, I’m one and done.
Two formula, the MC is not OP he’s underpowered. OP characters do not get beaten until they’re at deaths door. If the authors need a Representation of an OP character, look at the books system universe, and earth reformation, perfect examples of OP characters, a. Character falls into a new world, gets a great unique spatial ability, but doesn’t know how to use it. This is not really an RPG because the character has skills which a weak at Best except for the space affinity he doesn’t gain strength, he doesn’t gain speed, he’s a one trick pony. my other pet peeve with this book is children. No need for a kid in this story. It’s just page padding. Third of all, but not the least girl falls in love with the first person who saved their life so you have this silly romantic attachment. Don’t care for romances, except if they’re slowly developed in these type of books. And what mail has never been in any kind of fight either in high school or college or bar. This character is a punk. And the most ridiculous thing I found is how do you kill animals with a dagger especially if you do not have extraordinary strength you can’t put a dagger through an animal, first of all the dagger is too short, second of all you have to be able to put it through the skull of an animal to kill it instantly, the physics don’t work. there are those readers who might not have any problems with this book, but that’s why there are millions of us. We all have our individual choices. You may like this book, I’m one and done.
July 13, 2026
This book was not bad. It had normal mistakes like a character being called gravestone then tombstone every other instance. There were a few missed spaces, grammar, and typo-like issues. Not enough to fully make me take a star away.
The next issue was that the plot armor is very, very strong with this one. MC enters the world and boom, gets everything he needs from elements (magic), to shards (money), Guides/helpers (people). It was a bit annoying that it seemed the MC was acting like everything was hard and he had to be smart/clever/etc but really everything was just actually given to him.
Another issue was the fact that everyone around him just seemed a little flat and uncaring. People that should be wary just accept him and trust him. People that are literally scolding him for assuming and being big-headed....then assume and die because they are too big-headed. Some people just feel so 'I'll this way to move the plot in a positive way for the MC, ' no real character growth.
However, it was violent, fun, and honestly there is enough plot to be interested. The magic system is weird, gritty, and confusing even though it looks so simple. I honestly loved the gore, humanity seeping from his soul, and just all-around fun in another world vibe.
I really enjoyed the story and will read the next 1 or 2. If the issues aren't ironed out, though, this series may be dropped. There is enough of a foundation that keeps me wanting to read on.
The next issue was that the plot armor is very, very strong with this one. MC enters the world and boom, gets everything he needs from elements (magic), to shards (money), Guides/helpers (people). It was a bit annoying that it seemed the MC was acting like everything was hard and he had to be smart/clever/etc but really everything was just actually given to him.
Another issue was the fact that everyone around him just seemed a little flat and uncaring. People that should be wary just accept him and trust him. People that are literally scolding him for assuming and being big-headed....then assume and die because they are too big-headed. Some people just feel so 'I'll this way to move the plot in a positive way for the MC, ' no real character growth.
However, it was violent, fun, and honestly there is enough plot to be interested. The magic system is weird, gritty, and confusing even though it looks so simple. I honestly loved the gore, humanity seeping from his soul, and just all-around fun in another world vibe.
I really enjoyed the story and will read the next 1 or 2. If the issues aren't ironed out, though, this series may be dropped. There is enough of a foundation that keeps me wanting to read on.
July 12, 2026
I love the cover of this book. It shrieks mystery, action, darkness and danger. This is a cover I can get behind and read the story for. I think that book two of this series will fit this cover better. This story is about the birth and rise of the reaper more than the character who is the reaper. Don’t get me wrong though, I quite enjoyed this story, it’s just that the cover promises things that are future promises.
Asher is a mortician assistant, living his best life (although not a great one from what we can tell) when he dies and awakens in another world. He’s been summoned by a lich wizard. I love this line from the book description, ‘The rest of his presumably short life is supposed to be spent as a helpless test subject.’ Asher, though, is clever. As this is LitRPG, he’s got a level system and a power. Asher (and Swanson) is clever, he figures out interesting ways to use his power to get free of both his engagement but also the evil tower he’s trapped in. In escaping, he meets a friend that helps him understand where he is and the ways of the world. And progresses to make his way and level up, gaining abilities as he goes.
I really enjoy Swanson’s writing style in this book, they have an interesting outlook on the world and that comes through in Asher’s sardonic and sarcastic view of the world. I found his take refreshing and the writing to be amusing and sometimes laugh inducing. The action is well presented and the story arch is interesting.
I enjoyed this first book in the series. By the end, Asher is approaching the person you see from the cover and I’m looking forward to book two truly embracing the image.
Asher is a mortician assistant, living his best life (although not a great one from what we can tell) when he dies and awakens in another world. He’s been summoned by a lich wizard. I love this line from the book description, ‘The rest of his presumably short life is supposed to be spent as a helpless test subject.’ Asher, though, is clever. As this is LitRPG, he’s got a level system and a power. Asher (and Swanson) is clever, he figures out interesting ways to use his power to get free of both his engagement but also the evil tower he’s trapped in. In escaping, he meets a friend that helps him understand where he is and the ways of the world. And progresses to make his way and level up, gaining abilities as he goes.
I really enjoy Swanson’s writing style in this book, they have an interesting outlook on the world and that comes through in Asher’s sardonic and sarcastic view of the world. I found his take refreshing and the writing to be amusing and sometimes laugh inducing. The action is well presented and the story arch is interesting.
I enjoyed this first book in the series. By the end, Asher is approaching the person you see from the cover and I’m looking forward to book two truly embracing the image.
July 15, 2026
My reviews are my own. If you enjoyed this book, I'm glad you did. If not, I respect your opinion, so please respect mine. This is simply my perspective, so let's keep the discussion courteous. My review is honest and voluntary. As a reader, I read to escape the world and its issues, and my reviews reflect that.
Why do some authors have to be so sexist and chauvinistic? Every time they write female characters who immediately jump into bed with the protagonist as a way of saying "thank you," they're reducing women to little more than rewards. It doesn't add anything meaningful to the story, either.
If I wanted a steamy romance, I would have picked one—not a freaking LitRPG that's supposed to be about adventure, progression, and leveling. Instead, the protagonist gets isekai'd only to have sex with someone he just met. What a waste of an otherwise interesting premise.
Do these authors really have to force every sexual fantasy or frustration into their stories? It completely took me out of the experience and left a bad taste in my mouth. This story should have been called the Bumbling Idiot Gets Lucky By Meddling, because it has nothing to do with a reaper power.
Onward and forward to my next adventure. Happy reading!!!
Why do some authors have to be so sexist and chauvinistic? Every time they write female characters who immediately jump into bed with the protagonist as a way of saying "thank you," they're reducing women to little more than rewards. It doesn't add anything meaningful to the story, either.
If I wanted a steamy romance, I would have picked one—not a freaking LitRPG that's supposed to be about adventure, progression, and leveling. Instead, the protagonist gets isekai'd only to have sex with someone he just met. What a waste of an otherwise interesting premise.
Do these authors really have to force every sexual fantasy or frustration into their stories? It completely took me out of the experience and left a bad taste in my mouth. This story should have been called the Bumbling Idiot Gets Lucky By Meddling, because it has nothing to do with a reaper power.
Onward and forward to my next adventure. Happy reading!!!
August 11, 2026
Good Story With A Few Flaws
This was a good read overall and I definitely see myself reading the next in the series when it comes out. But there were a couple points that bothered me, which I’m hoping get resolved as the story continues.
My likes: I really enjoyed the world building and the magic system in this book. Where so many in this genre just seemed to be copy and pasted I enjoyed coming across something new, and it helped that it was done well. The dialogue was really good, it felt natural and was missing all the clunkiness that is sometimes present in KU.
Dislikes: The romance felt really forced and would have been better off just left out of the story altogether imo. In general I dislike the trope where the transmigrator immediately falls in love with the first woman he meets in a new world and she also falls madly in love with him within 24-hours of knowing him. I think the story would’ve been better if they remained just strictly platonic friends. Second, a lot of the plot in this story is being drove by the MC making reckless and stupid decisions. I don’t dislike the mc overall but I do dislike how he constantly takes actions that will obviously have wide reaching consequences and then he is somehow always surprised by the consequences.
This was a good read overall and I definitely see myself reading the next in the series when it comes out. But there were a couple points that bothered me, which I’m hoping get resolved as the story continues.
My likes: I really enjoyed the world building and the magic system in this book. Where so many in this genre just seemed to be copy and pasted I enjoyed coming across something new, and it helped that it was done well. The dialogue was really good, it felt natural and was missing all the clunkiness that is sometimes present in KU.
Dislikes: The romance felt really forced and would have been better off just left out of the story altogether imo. In general I dislike the trope where the transmigrator immediately falls in love with the first woman he meets in a new world and she also falls madly in love with him within 24-hours of knowing him. I think the story would’ve been better if they remained just strictly platonic friends. Second, a lot of the plot in this story is being drove by the MC making reckless and stupid decisions. I don’t dislike the mc overall but I do dislike how he constantly takes actions that will obviously have wide reaching consequences and then he is somehow always surprised by the consequences.
July 24, 2026
Solid, but not Earth-shattering
This was very entertaining, the MCs skills are interesting and often used in novel ways, and the climax had a nice build up and satisfying conclusion - which I've noticed quite a few LitRPG novels struggle with for the first book of their series.
The reveal for how the MC ultimately gets out of his predicament at the end isn't nearly as unexpected as the author wanted it to be - in fact, I was constantly confused why the MC didn't immediately see the solution. It's even more frustrating that he ends up stumbling into it on accident when it was so obvious from the second he got the ability to do it.
The MC doesn't have a strong long-term goal, but the author does a decent job of having short-term goals that partially make up for it. Lack of goals often kill stories, especially for LitRPG stories where the MC wants to just level up "just because" - that's not main character energy, that's beta side-character energy.
Some elements are tired, like having an OP healing skill, but ultimately no storytelling blunders are made and it a fun read the whole time.
4.2 for me
This was very entertaining, the MCs skills are interesting and often used in novel ways, and the climax had a nice build up and satisfying conclusion - which I've noticed quite a few LitRPG novels struggle with for the first book of their series.
The reveal for how the MC ultimately gets out of his predicament at the end isn't nearly as unexpected as the author wanted it to be - in fact, I was constantly confused why the MC didn't immediately see the solution. It's even more frustrating that he ends up stumbling into it on accident when it was so obvious from the second he got the ability to do it.
The MC doesn't have a strong long-term goal, but the author does a decent job of having short-term goals that partially make up for it. Lack of goals often kill stories, especially for LitRPG stories where the MC wants to just level up "just because" - that's not main character energy, that's beta side-character energy.
Some elements are tired, like having an OP healing skill, but ultimately no storytelling blunders are made and it a fun read the whole time.
4.2 for me
June 23, 2026
Interesting OP MC story
Not generally a fan of the Over Powered Main Character genre but this one was interesting. And OP MC is right in the title, so i knew what i was signing up for as a reader.
There were multiple examples of 'common' abilities still being a threat but ultimately countered by the MC various trump cards. Luckily, this MC has access to OP abilities but it's still up to him to learn to use them, he's not OP with esoteric knowledge or foresight so the reader gets to discover this new world alongside him.
Definitely several plot conveniences, and having the MC be morally good while "murdering monsters in human form" is a fine line to walk. It would be more interesting to see how he responds to villains that don't openly brag about their horrific actions and intents.
Not generally a fan of the Over Powered Main Character genre but this one was interesting. And OP MC is right in the title, so i knew what i was signing up for as a reader.
There were multiple examples of 'common' abilities still being a threat but ultimately countered by the MC various trump cards. Luckily, this MC has access to OP abilities but it's still up to him to learn to use them, he's not OP with esoteric knowledge or foresight so the reader gets to discover this new world alongside him.
Definitely several plot conveniences, and having the MC be morally good while "murdering monsters in human form" is a fine line to walk. It would be more interesting to see how he responds to villains that don't openly brag about their horrific actions and intents.
July 28, 2026
It started out quite well with a promising premise, but with time it just got more cliche and honestly a bit stupid. Not to mention that the name Asher by itself is already cliche, too.
The Good:
- I like space magic.
- I like the combination of skills that Asher got.
The Bad:
- The guy goes from a simple mortician apprentice to murdering people... there's just not enough character development between killing demons to suddenly being ok with outright killing people, especially as someone who's supposedly from the 21st century.
- The romance between Asher and the woman he randomly saved happened way too fast and was really shallow.... at least it didn't turn into a smut book...
- Why is he suddenly friends with a guy who just tried to kill him?? And now he's even saving him??
- there's a lot of plot armour...
The Good:
- I like space magic.
- I like the combination of skills that Asher got.
The Bad:
- The guy goes from a simple mortician apprentice to murdering people... there's just not enough character development between killing demons to suddenly being ok with outright killing people, especially as someone who's supposedly from the 21st century.
- The romance between Asher and the woman he randomly saved happened way too fast and was really shallow.... at least it didn't turn into a smut book...
- Why is he suddenly friends with a guy who just tried to kill him?? And now he's even saving him??
- there's a lot of plot armour...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2026
I enjoyed my time with this one, overall, but much preferred the first half of the book to the second half. Whereas the first has our OPMC obtaining his requisite overpowered skills and figuring things out, the second half has him working with certain unsatisfying characters only because of the stupidity of his own actions.
However, I still enjoyed reading it despite that. The book in general doesn't really do anything new for the genre, but I know what I'm getting into when I start a book series with "OP MC" in the title.
I didn't mind Asher - he was introspective without droning on and on, and had morals that he himself found challenged throughout the book.
I'll keep reading as it's fun so far.
P.S. the romance was pretty cringey - falling for the first woman you meet kind of thing. Ugh.
However, I still enjoyed reading it despite that. The book in general doesn't really do anything new for the genre, but I know what I'm getting into when I start a book series with "OP MC" in the title.
I didn't mind Asher - he was introspective without droning on and on, and had morals that he himself found challenged throughout the book.
I'll keep reading as it's fun so far.
P.S. the romance was pretty cringey - falling for the first woman you meet kind of thing. Ugh.
September 24, 2026
Oh snap, that was pretty great. The MC is kind of an idiot but not to the point where I'd drop it. He actually makes reasonable choices but has a number of moral quandaries he works through as he tries to find where he fits in his new world. He also didn't understand a couple basic points that ended up not mattering, it only became predictable instead, which is fine because it was only twice and I enjoyed everything else immensely.
He actually gets a girlfriend! I wouldn't call it romance (at all), the book is very much action-oriented and definitely not haremlit, but it's just nice to have a love interest to break up all the killing.
And there's a lot of killing but he isn't a murderhobo - that's actually his quandary. I wouldn't say he resolves it yet, but he basically starts forming his own code... and stuff. No spoilers, just know that it works out in a fun way.
He actually gets a girlfriend! I wouldn't call it romance (at all), the book is very much action-oriented and definitely not haremlit, but it's just nice to have a love interest to break up all the killing.
And there's a lot of killing but he isn't a murderhobo - that's actually his quandary. I wouldn't say he resolves it yet, but he basically starts forming his own code... and stuff. No spoilers, just know that it works out in a fun way.
August 12, 2026
3,5 stars.
This starts quite nicely with some similarities to He who fights monsters - the protag gets drawn into a wizard/Cult tower, where he stumbles into exotic/dangerous elements.
It kept me reading.
I didn't like the "romance". It all felt very badly done - how this independent hunter becomes a sex kitten and wants to "show her gratitude". After making a small show about how indebted she feels toward him. Well, she overcomes this feeling quickly and jumps his bones due to all the great things he does for her and her brother...
I like the part in the city, where he fought his way through gangs and assassins. That was entertaining.
I might pick up the second installment if it is unlimited as well - I won't pay 5 euros for that.
This starts quite nicely with some similarities to He who fights monsters - the protag gets drawn into a wizard/Cult tower, where he stumbles into exotic/dangerous elements.
It kept me reading.
I didn't like the "romance". It all felt very badly done - how this independent hunter becomes a sex kitten and wants to "show her gratitude". After making a small show about how indebted she feels toward him. Well, she overcomes this feeling quickly and jumps his bones due to all the great things he does for her and her brother...
I like the part in the city, where he fought his way through gangs and assassins. That was entertaining.
I might pick up the second installment if it is unlimited as well - I won't pay 5 euros for that.
August 6, 2026
Start off pretty good until...
Let me be upfront, I didn't get past 70%. It is technically well written and at the beginning, the MC and side characters are likeable. Somewhere around 50% the MC starts turning into a murder hobo. The author tries to justify it, but it falls flat. The MCs decision to go full murder hobo end up putting everyone he cares about in mortal danger, so he decides to work for the organization he was murdering, with the author trying to justify it again under the same premise. This is where I stopped. I was now rooting against the protagonist and looking forward to his demise because of his decisions and actions.
Let me be upfront, I didn't get past 70%. It is technically well written and at the beginning, the MC and side characters are likeable. Somewhere around 50% the MC starts turning into a murder hobo. The author tries to justify it, but it falls flat. The MCs decision to go full murder hobo end up putting everyone he cares about in mortal danger, so he decides to work for the organization he was murdering, with the author trying to justify it again under the same premise. This is where I stopped. I was now rooting against the protagonist and looking forward to his demise because of his decisions and actions.
June 18, 2026
This was a pleasant surprise
I picked this up with low expectations. Most of this genre seems to be slop these days. This was actually pretty good. The main character isn't incredible (as a character) by any means but he's not bad most of the time when he's not being a self righteous *$$. The secondary characters are what made this book better. While some are black and white personality wise, most are in the grey. That's really rare with the quality of writing that makes up most of Kindle these days. Looking forward to the next one.
I picked this up with low expectations. Most of this genre seems to be slop these days. This was actually pretty good. The main character isn't incredible (as a character) by any means but he's not bad most of the time when he's not being a self righteous *$$. The secondary characters are what made this book better. While some are black and white personality wise, most are in the grey. That's really rare with the quality of writing that makes up most of Kindle these days. Looking forward to the next one.
August 4, 2026
Very good ideas and it had great potential, but the characters brought it down and painfully so. Asher suffered from a ridiculous amount of moral superiority as if he wasn't running around killing people left and right. It was good that some of the secondary characters tried to challenge him on that, but it never really got anywhere. And the insta-love and insta-friendship was too much. Everyone was exactly what they first appeared - good people were good, bad people were bad. It was all very shallow and ruined the world so much. This is not a series I'm going to continue.
May 21, 2026
the book is juvenile, mc finds incredible shit by just being there. if mc was a teen this level of stupidity was acceptable but him being older and acting like a fool is just unacceptable. mc involves himself unnecessarily and does page upon page of mental gymnastics to just kill people who are actively seeking to kill him. also him acting like a lovesick puppy for the first girl he saw doesn't help his case.
May 30, 2026
At first it seemed like you dime-a-dozen isekai but the story and the magic system were really cool and well thought out. This took this book to the next level and made me want more when it was over. The magic system was unique and made for some really cool abilities. The vigilante story gone wrong storyline was quite enjoyable.
June 4, 2026
Great start in a new realm
Action is good, not over drawn but gets to the point and adds progression growth. The MC is a tad translucent, not quite solid yet, but getting there. The World and system are unique enough to be enjoyable. All in all, I enjoyed the read and at the end of the day that is what counts
Action is good, not over drawn but gets to the point and adds progression growth. The MC is a tad translucent, not quite solid yet, but getting there. The World and system are unique enough to be enjoyable. All in all, I enjoyed the read and at the end of the day that is what counts
June 15, 2026
Beautiful
Very impressive and amazing first book.. Live the system and class builds, very innovative.... Yet simple enough to keep track of during a long series while also having amazing depth..... Kudos.... Great characters and story and promise and premise
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
Very impressive and amazing first book.. Live the system and class builds, very innovative.... Yet simple enough to keep track of during a long series while also having amazing depth..... Kudos.... Great characters and story and promise and premise
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
July 8, 2026
2.5 the 'romance' was atrocious...it's literally the first women he comes across. Almost threw it out at this point, managed slog through it and skimmed the last bit. OMG the MC is such an idiot, get captured and enslaved by the same people he went after. Somehow is pop culture aware, but doesn't recognize slime, or somehow assumes someone is immortal/unkillable. Probably done with this series.
July 18, 2026
W.d swanson contender on the scene
I looked over this book plenty times their gets a point in this genre, where its alot kf copy and past, but I didnt have nothing to read, gavd it a try, and its my favorite type of litrpg blood and battle creative thought out powers op mc. Definetly cant wait for any future books you write.
I looked over this book plenty times their gets a point in this genre, where its alot kf copy and past, but I didnt have nothing to read, gavd it a try, and its my favorite type of litrpg blood and battle creative thought out powers op mc. Definetly cant wait for any future books you write.
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