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The Sigilist #1
The Only Way Out Is Up
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26A small-time scrapper and his pet robot will fight their way out of the junk-heap in a tournament that will either make them richer than gods or rip them apart in the first book of Django Wexler’s lightning paced progression fantasy adventure for fans of Cradle and Dungeon Crawler Carl.
Taj lives in a junkheap, scavenging scrap to keep his family fed and dodging the monsters who live among the wreckage. His only edge is a smart-ass construct named Star he built himself. Taj dreams of winning big with Star in the construct fighting circuits, but victory always seems just beyond his reach and the debt collectors are at the door.
His world changes forever when someone there makes him an offer that seems too good to be true: a chance to fight in the Ascent, the ultimate fighting tournament, for a prize beyond his wildest fantasies. But things that seem too good to be true usually are, and Taj finds his new benefactor comes with plenty of new enemies. As he ventures beyond the only world he's ever known, he discovers it's not just his money on the line in the Ascent -- it's his life.
When you start at the very bottom, the only way out is up…
Taj lives in a junkheap, scavenging scrap to keep his family fed and dodging the monsters who live among the wreckage. His only edge is a smart-ass construct named Star he built himself. Taj dreams of winning big with Star in the construct fighting circuits, but victory always seems just beyond his reach and the debt collectors are at the door.
His world changes forever when someone there makes him an offer that seems too good to be true: a chance to fight in the Ascent, the ultimate fighting tournament, for a prize beyond his wildest fantasies. But things that seem too good to be true usually are, and Taj finds his new benefactor comes with plenty of new enemies. As he ventures beyond the only world he's ever known, he discovers it's not just his money on the line in the Ascent -- it's his life.
When you start at the very bottom, the only way out is up…
528 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
Django Wexler
52 books3,865 followersDjango Wexler graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. Eventually he migrated to Microsoft in Seattle, where he now lives with two cats and a teetering mountain of books. When not planning Shadow Campaigns, he wrangles computers, paints tiny soldiers, and plays games of all sorts.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 3, 2026
Thank you Orbit Books and Net Galley for this ARC.
I couldn’t put this down. The story was unique. I loved the characters. The interesting world that was created. All of it was so fun and fast paced.
The premise seems like one done over and over. Underdog pairs up with someone from another class to stick it to the man…yes, it’s been done. But the system in place in which this happens was different. Also, they hinted at his Taj’s abilities but didn’t go into it much which leads to so much more discovery in the next book.
Taj, Star and Ky work together to get over their past, and present and I can’t wait to see what they do in the future! I need book 2 now.
I couldn’t put this down. The story was unique. I loved the characters. The interesting world that was created. All of it was so fun and fast paced.
The premise seems like one done over and over. Underdog pairs up with someone from another class to stick it to the man…yes, it’s been done. But the system in place in which this happens was different. Also, they hinted at his Taj’s abilities but didn’t go into it much which leads to so much more discovery in the next book.
Taj, Star and Ky work together to get over their past, and present and I can’t wait to see what they do in the future! I need book 2 now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
arcs-to-read
June 7, 2026Sooooo excited for this one! 🤭
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Only Way Out Is Up by Django Wexler is an exciting progression fantasy/sci-fi adventure and the first book in The Sigilist series. I came for the robot and stayed for the plot. The story follows a small-time scrapper and his robot companion, both of whom stole my heart.
Taj lives in the Heap, at the bottom of a cylindrical cavern that houses a three-tiered ring city, together with his found family. The people living there are the lowest class and struggle to survive among the discarded tech dumped on their level from a mysterious 'above' and the twisted metal monsters living in the dump. Taj and Star, a sentient runic construct he built himself, make a (barely) living by scavenging for scrap and hunting the wild monsters. They use what they find to buy food and sigils to improve his runics.
When debt collectors begin breathing down their necks, Taj joins forces with Ky, a girl from the upper levels of society who offers him a chance to compete in the Ascent, the ultimate fighting tournament with an enormous cash prize. Not an easy task. Besides competing against other constructs, Taj and Star must also contend with Ky's enemies, who are determined to put an end to them. Their only advantage is that Star isn't like the other constructs. He is sentient and can think for himself. As Taj discovers, when you start at the very bottom,"the only way out is up".
I loved, loved, loved this book. It is one of the most original stories I've read, and the world building is outstanding. Wexler's writing is excellent. His engaging prose kept me turning the pages, and he strikes the perfect balance between action, humor, and heartfelt moments. He reveals the world gradually, allowing us to discover its secrets alongside Taj. The beginning was a little confusing, but I quickly found my footing.
The story explores classism, inequality, and the abuse of power. The inhabitants of the ring city are divided into three classes, with the poorest living at the bottom and the upper classes residing at the top. Above, on the surface, live the top of the top. Or so they think... I smiled when Taj called the trash chute the "asshole", which perfectly captures both the setting's grim reality and his sense of humor. I was fascinated by the world and eager to learn more about it. While some of its mysteries are explained, others remain tantalizingly unexplained.
Star is indeed a star, and I loved the bond between him and Taj. Their ability to communicate telepathically made their dynamic one of the highlights of the story. Star's thoughts are written in brackets, making it easy to distinguish them from Taj's. I especially loved that he affectionately referred to Taj as "meat creature." The book not only draws inspiration from Pokémon, but also from the medieval Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), which added another fascinating layer to the world building and was something I absolutely adored. Star completely stole the show, and I wished I had a robot like him.
I was worried the gladiatorial battles would be too numerous or drag on for too long, but they were perfectly paced and never lost my interest. I loved Star's little quips, his sharp wit, and the humor he brought to the story. I appreciated Taj's integrity, how far he was willing to go for his friends, and his determination to maintain his honor even when others lacked it. The ending was explosive and thrilling. Although this is the first book in a series, most of the threads are resolved, while a couple remain tantalizingly dangling. I can't wait to read the second book and learn more about this world.
This is one of those books that's almost impossible to put down once you've started. I don't have adequate words to express how much I enjoyed it. It's one of the most inventive and original progression fantasy novels I've read lately, and a cut above the rest. It stands out thanks to its inventive world building, unforgettable characters, and sheer sense of fun. I highly recommend it to fans of the genre, and to anyone looking for something fresh and memorable. Full stars from me!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
Taj lives in the Heap, at the bottom of a cylindrical cavern that houses a three-tiered ring city, together with his found family. The people living there are the lowest class and struggle to survive among the discarded tech dumped on their level from a mysterious 'above' and the twisted metal monsters living in the dump. Taj and Star, a sentient runic construct he built himself, make a (barely) living by scavenging for scrap and hunting the wild monsters. They use what they find to buy food and sigils to improve his runics.
When debt collectors begin breathing down their necks, Taj joins forces with Ky, a girl from the upper levels of society who offers him a chance to compete in the Ascent, the ultimate fighting tournament with an enormous cash prize. Not an easy task. Besides competing against other constructs, Taj and Star must also contend with Ky's enemies, who are determined to put an end to them. Their only advantage is that Star isn't like the other constructs. He is sentient and can think for himself. As Taj discovers, when you start at the very bottom,"the only way out is up".
I loved, loved, loved this book. It is one of the most original stories I've read, and the world building is outstanding. Wexler's writing is excellent. His engaging prose kept me turning the pages, and he strikes the perfect balance between action, humor, and heartfelt moments. He reveals the world gradually, allowing us to discover its secrets alongside Taj. The beginning was a little confusing, but I quickly found my footing.
The story explores classism, inequality, and the abuse of power. The inhabitants of the ring city are divided into three classes, with the poorest living at the bottom and the upper classes residing at the top. Above, on the surface, live the top of the top. Or so they think... I smiled when Taj called the trash chute the "asshole", which perfectly captures both the setting's grim reality and his sense of humor. I was fascinated by the world and eager to learn more about it. While some of its mysteries are explained, others remain tantalizingly unexplained.
Star is indeed a star, and I loved the bond between him and Taj. Their ability to communicate telepathically made their dynamic one of the highlights of the story. Star's thoughts are written in brackets, making it easy to distinguish them from Taj's. I especially loved that he affectionately referred to Taj as "meat creature." The book not only draws inspiration from Pokémon, but also from the medieval Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), which added another fascinating layer to the world building and was something I absolutely adored. Star completely stole the show, and I wished I had a robot like him.
I was worried the gladiatorial battles would be too numerous or drag on for too long, but they were perfectly paced and never lost my interest. I loved Star's little quips, his sharp wit, and the humor he brought to the story. I appreciated Taj's integrity, how far he was willing to go for his friends, and his determination to maintain his honor even when others lacked it. The ending was explosive and thrilling. Although this is the first book in a series, most of the threads are resolved, while a couple remain tantalizingly dangling. I can't wait to read the second book and learn more about this world.
This is one of those books that's almost impossible to put down once you've started. I don't have adequate words to express how much I enjoyed it. It's one of the most inventive and original progression fantasy novels I've read lately, and a cut above the rest. It stands out thanks to its inventive world building, unforgettable characters, and sheer sense of fun. I highly recommend it to fans of the genre, and to anyone looking for something fresh and memorable. Full stars from me!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I ATE THIS UP. Yum yum. I really enjoyed the most recent Django Wexler vehicles, and I also am into a progression fantasy, so this was right up my alley by the description alone. For fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl (which I am not, unfortch, but I get the comp based on the 20% I made it in that book) and I would even say if you liked the Rocky aspect of Project Hail Mary because this one is about robots! Also for fans of Pokemon and Battlebots.
Taj's robot Star is different than all the other robots because of one very important thing: his core sigil. Plus, Taj is also inherently skilled at crafting additional sigils, which provide protection and instruction for Star. In a literally stratified world (this book is not subtle, but that's okay, I don't need subtle), Taj is from what they call the Heap, basically the lowest rung on the ladder. He's fought every day to survive, along with his brother, who operates a bakery and feeds fellow orphans, and sister. When the payment to their local goons gets doubled, Taj has to figure out a way to get that money faster than he can by scavenging wild robot monsters for their bounties. So he decides to sneak into the level above and steal some things. Unfortunately, the house he enters to rob is occupied, by Ky. A series of unfortunate events leads Taj and Ky to team up to participate in the Ascent, a regular fighting competition that could get Taj more than he could ever dream of having and make his family safe forever. Or so he thinks.
A little bit sci-fi, a little bit magic, a little bit found family, a little bit personified companion. I'm annoyed with myself for reading this one so early because it means I have to wait that much longer for the series to continue and I want it all.
Taj's robot Star is different than all the other robots because of one very important thing: his core sigil. Plus, Taj is also inherently skilled at crafting additional sigils, which provide protection and instruction for Star. In a literally stratified world (this book is not subtle, but that's okay, I don't need subtle), Taj is from what they call the Heap, basically the lowest rung on the ladder. He's fought every day to survive, along with his brother, who operates a bakery and feeds fellow orphans, and sister. When the payment to their local goons gets doubled, Taj has to figure out a way to get that money faster than he can by scavenging wild robot monsters for their bounties. So he decides to sneak into the level above and steal some things. Unfortunately, the house he enters to rob is occupied, by Ky. A series of unfortunate events leads Taj and Ky to team up to participate in the Ascent, a regular fighting competition that could get Taj more than he could ever dream of having and make his family safe forever. Or so he thinks.
A little bit sci-fi, a little bit magic, a little bit found family, a little bit personified companion. I'm annoyed with myself for reading this one so early because it means I have to wait that much longer for the series to continue and I want it all.
June 19, 2026
Thank you Orbit for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Apparently I’m a progression fantasy reader now? And I’m absolutely happy with that if it means I get to read cool stories like this!
I’m a huge Dungeon Crawler Carl fan so when I saw it was a comp for this, I knew I had to check it out. While it isn’t specifically LitRPG like DCC, the “leveling up” aspects were definitely present but not as in your face as I may have expected. It was very much embedded within the world, natural character development, and plot, making Taj and Star’s “social climbing” journey unexpectedly relatable in a very unique, high-stakes environment.
I was absolutely fascinated by the use of sigils, and how the “magic” of the world was grounded in mechanics and engineering. I also love a good robot companion, and Star brought some fantastic humor to the story while also being a key part of a mystery I’m very excited to see unfold throughout the series. I also really enjoyed how the author organically revealed pieces of the world. The first chapter was a bit disorienting and I had no idea what Taj was referring to about 90% of the time, but after a few chapters I was moving through things more comfortably, answering questions through newly revealed details and discovering new questions I was confident would be answered in time.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this, but honestly the best advice I can give is just try it. You may discover something about your taste in books and find something new to love!
Apparently I’m a progression fantasy reader now? And I’m absolutely happy with that if it means I get to read cool stories like this!
I’m a huge Dungeon Crawler Carl fan so when I saw it was a comp for this, I knew I had to check it out. While it isn’t specifically LitRPG like DCC, the “leveling up” aspects were definitely present but not as in your face as I may have expected. It was very much embedded within the world, natural character development, and plot, making Taj and Star’s “social climbing” journey unexpectedly relatable in a very unique, high-stakes environment.
I was absolutely fascinated by the use of sigils, and how the “magic” of the world was grounded in mechanics and engineering. I also love a good robot companion, and Star brought some fantastic humor to the story while also being a key part of a mystery I’m very excited to see unfold throughout the series. I also really enjoyed how the author organically revealed pieces of the world. The first chapter was a bit disorienting and I had no idea what Taj was referring to about 90% of the time, but after a few chapters I was moving through things more comfortably, answering questions through newly revealed details and discovering new questions I was confident would be answered in time.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this, but honestly the best advice I can give is just try it. You may discover something about your taste in books and find something new to love!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Definitely what I, the reader, wanted.
I've read most of Django Wexler's books. He has a knack for making readers care about every individual scene. I figured that he would be writing a new series with Dark Lord Davi completed a while back. Enter "The Sigilist".
This book moves at a breakneck pace- lots of stuff happening in a 500 page frame. It's executed very well. The MC Taj and love interest Ky are not exceptional characters by any means, but they are pretty good characters, and the supporting cast is pretty good too. The action and tension is probably the book's best strength: combining frantic chases, stealthy maneuvering, and robot fight scenes. I read the "Acknowledgement" section where the author compared the battles to robot Pokemon, and that was actually something I thought of. (It helps that I was reading a Pokemon progression fanfic at the same time as this: IWTTS).
The ending sequence, maybe the last 5-10% of the book, was absolutely wild. I was stunned at the revelation of the "top", something that I never would have expected. And then the events happening there...yeah, they were emotional. I do wonder how the next book will go, what direction that Mr. Wexler takes the series in, because there's going to be some stark differences in Book 1.
One last thing- I really hope we see more of Niami. If this is in terms of the series "Cradle", she can be similar to what Akura Mercy is to the group.
4/5 stars, eagerly awaiting the sequel
(I received an ARC through Orbit and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
I've read most of Django Wexler's books. He has a knack for making readers care about every individual scene. I figured that he would be writing a new series with Dark Lord Davi completed a while back. Enter "The Sigilist".
This book moves at a breakneck pace- lots of stuff happening in a 500 page frame. It's executed very well. The MC Taj and love interest Ky are not exceptional characters by any means, but they are pretty good characters, and the supporting cast is pretty good too. The action and tension is probably the book's best strength: combining frantic chases, stealthy maneuvering, and robot fight scenes. I read the "Acknowledgement" section where the author compared the battles to robot Pokemon, and that was actually something I thought of. (It helps that I was reading a Pokemon progression fanfic at the same time as this: IWTTS).
The ending sequence, maybe the last 5-10% of the book, was absolutely wild. I was stunned at the revelation of the "top", something that I never would have expected. And then the events happening there...yeah, they were emotional. I do wonder how the next book will go, what direction that Mr. Wexler takes the series in, because there's going to be some stark differences in Book 1.
One last thing- I really hope we see more of Niami. If this is in terms of the series "Cradle", she can be similar to what Akura Mercy is to the group.
4/5 stars, eagerly awaiting the sequel
(I received an ARC through Orbit and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this e-book ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review.
Somehow in my reading journey, I got pulled into LitRPG and specifically progression fantasy. And this is a fantastic new addition to that subgenre of fantasy. It's a really interesting world, where Taj lives with his brother and sister in a literal giant scrapyard full of metal and refuse thrown down from above. Scavenging for sellable bits helps put money on the table and gives Taj the ability to create Star, a sentient robot based around a special sigil Taj found one day.
It's a classic in that it's the underdog against the overlords, first of the rings above the scrapyard and ultimately against the Above. But the connection between Taj and Star is the heart of the entire book, and it's beautifully done. Taj is well aware of where he comes from (and the people of Hod don't let him forget they consider him no better than a barbarian), but he's still determined to win and make life better for his family. I like his wry sense of humor about things and his internal voice, though Star has a lot of fantastic lines too!
The book, like a lot of progression fantasies, is fast paced, but it's not overwhelming. It held my attention really well, and I finished it in two days because I didn't want to put it down! I'm really looking forward to the sequel to this.
"People are just people, wherever they come from."
"That's a very uplifting way to look at it."
"Depends how you feel about people."
Somehow in my reading journey, I got pulled into LitRPG and specifically progression fantasy. And this is a fantastic new addition to that subgenre of fantasy. It's a really interesting world, where Taj lives with his brother and sister in a literal giant scrapyard full of metal and refuse thrown down from above. Scavenging for sellable bits helps put money on the table and gives Taj the ability to create Star, a sentient robot based around a special sigil Taj found one day.
It's a classic in that it's the underdog against the overlords, first of the rings above the scrapyard and ultimately against the Above. But the connection between Taj and Star is the heart of the entire book, and it's beautifully done. Taj is well aware of where he comes from (and the people of Hod don't let him forget they consider him no better than a barbarian), but he's still determined to win and make life better for his family. I like his wry sense of humor about things and his internal voice, though Star has a lot of fantastic lines too!
The book, like a lot of progression fantasies, is fast paced, but it's not overwhelming. It held my attention really well, and I finished it in two days because I didn't want to put it down! I'm really looking forward to the sequel to this.
"People are just people, wherever they come from."
"That's a very uplifting way to look at it."
"Depends how you feel about people."
June 27, 2026
Thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve realized over the last year that I love progression fantasy. There are several that I’ve enjoyed a ton, and I’m happy to say that this is firmly among those that I enjoyed immensely. The concept immediately hooked me. Think robot wars meets medabots(remember this anime?) or Pokémon. I’m a huge sucker for trainer style things like Pokémon and this scratches that itch in a big way. Then you mix that with a setting that has stark class divides and a ton of mystery, and I’m spellbound.
Taj, our main character, is clever and spunky and defiant, and all of that makes it easy for me to sympathize with him and root for him throughout the book. I’m really curious to see how he develops in the future. His robot companion, Star, reminds me of some of my favorite animal companions from other novels. He’s cocky and still humble, and loyal, and the banter between Star and Taj is top tier. I can absolutely see him being as well loved as others like Rocky, or Donut.
The only nitpick I can give is that I felt like side characters don’t have as much depth as I’d like them to have. But, this is book one in the series, so I fully believe they will get more fleshed out as time goes on.
If you like progression fantasy, I believe you’ll like this. This book is an extremely solid foundation for the series to grow from. Highly recommend, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting book 2.
I’ve realized over the last year that I love progression fantasy. There are several that I’ve enjoyed a ton, and I’m happy to say that this is firmly among those that I enjoyed immensely. The concept immediately hooked me. Think robot wars meets medabots(remember this anime?) or Pokémon. I’m a huge sucker for trainer style things like Pokémon and this scratches that itch in a big way. Then you mix that with a setting that has stark class divides and a ton of mystery, and I’m spellbound.
Taj, our main character, is clever and spunky and defiant, and all of that makes it easy for me to sympathize with him and root for him throughout the book. I’m really curious to see how he develops in the future. His robot companion, Star, reminds me of some of my favorite animal companions from other novels. He’s cocky and still humble, and loyal, and the banter between Star and Taj is top tier. I can absolutely see him being as well loved as others like Rocky, or Donut.
The only nitpick I can give is that I felt like side characters don’t have as much depth as I’d like them to have. But, this is book one in the series, so I fully believe they will get more fleshed out as time goes on.
If you like progression fantasy, I believe you’ll like this. This book is an extremely solid foundation for the series to grow from. Highly recommend, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting book 2.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m not sure why I went into this one expecting it to be more of a LitRPG. Maybe that’s just how I interpreted the premise, but it didn’t feel like that to me. It’s definitely more of a progression fantasy with a really interesting dystopian setting. I know it’s been compared to Dungeon Crawler Carl, but I personally think they’re very different. If you’re picking this up expecting a LitRPG, I would just keep that in mind.
The world building was my favorite part. I loved the ring city and how it explored classism and economic inequality without losing sight of the main story. Taj is easy to root for as the underdog, but Star completely stole the show for me. Their relationship was easily my favorite part of the book. The way they communicate, their banter, and the bond they share just made everything more enjoyable. I honestly would have read an entire book about Star if I’m being perfectly honest.
The pacing was a little off for me. I would say it was more of a medium to slow pace. I think keeping the story moving as much as it did sacrificed a little bit of character and relationship development.
It also finished leaving me with a lot of questions, but it’s very clearly written with a sequel in mind.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The social commentary, the world building, and especially Star made it a fun read, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next book to see where the story goes.
The world building was my favorite part. I loved the ring city and how it explored classism and economic inequality without losing sight of the main story. Taj is easy to root for as the underdog, but Star completely stole the show for me. Their relationship was easily my favorite part of the book. The way they communicate, their banter, and the bond they share just made everything more enjoyable. I honestly would have read an entire book about Star if I’m being perfectly honest.
The pacing was a little off for me. I would say it was more of a medium to slow pace. I think keeping the story moving as much as it did sacrificed a little bit of character and relationship development.
It also finished leaving me with a lot of questions, but it’s very clearly written with a sequel in mind.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The social commentary, the world building, and especially Star made it a fun read, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next book to see where the story goes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you to netgalley for the arc!
WHAT TO EXPECT:
> gachiakuta meets battlebots
> sentient robot friend
> boy has a crush
> prep for a robot fighting competition
> oligarchy politics + classism struggles
> trying to ascend the slums
MY THOUGHTS:
In a world where the trash is thrown on the bottom level of the undercity, Taj was born at the bottom, hunting Twisted and scavenging sigils to make his runic, aka a fighting robot, stronger. When the local mafia comes after his family for money, he has to go to extremes to make ends meet. That means entering into the biggest robot fight on the top level to get him out of the undercity. He partners with a girl from the upper floors and gets more than he bargained for as they confront the nature of the undercity.
This book left me with a lot of feels at the end, and I’m looking forward to book 2. The classism themes alone make it worth the read. It’s giving a critique of capitalism where Taj is the exploited working class revolution that is coming to overthrow the bourgeoisie.
HERES A QUOTE:
“What’s he saying right now?”
[Instruction: tell her I am impressed with her ability to murder her opponents efficiently.]
“He’s, um, really happy to meet you.”
[Displeasure: you have failed to convey the nuance.]
“Aw, I’m glad to meet you, too.”
WHAT TO EXPECT:
> gachiakuta meets battlebots
> sentient robot friend
> boy has a crush
> prep for a robot fighting competition
> oligarchy politics + classism struggles
> trying to ascend the slums
MY THOUGHTS:
In a world where the trash is thrown on the bottom level of the undercity, Taj was born at the bottom, hunting Twisted and scavenging sigils to make his runic, aka a fighting robot, stronger. When the local mafia comes after his family for money, he has to go to extremes to make ends meet. That means entering into the biggest robot fight on the top level to get him out of the undercity. He partners with a girl from the upper floors and gets more than he bargained for as they confront the nature of the undercity.
This book left me with a lot of feels at the end, and I’m looking forward to book 2. The classism themes alone make it worth the read. It’s giving a critique of capitalism where Taj is the exploited working class revolution that is coming to overthrow the bourgeoisie.
HERES A QUOTE:
“What’s he saying right now?”
[Instruction: tell her I am impressed with her ability to murder her opponents efficiently.]
“He’s, um, really happy to meet you.”
[Displeasure: you have failed to convey the nuance.]
“Aw, I’m glad to meet you, too.”
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.25 // My first Django Wexler book did not disappoint! I do see DCC fans really enjoying this! High-stake tournaments, an underdog storyline, and a funny and smart robot companion. It was so easy to get into!
I really enjoyed the world building. We get junkyard survival, mysterious sigils, and intense robot battles. With each challenge, we get a sense of advancement (kinda like “leveling up”), make the pacing feel pretty fast, making it almost impossible to put down.
Taj is your underdog protagonist and he is so easy to root for. His bond with Star is the heart of this book. I loved watching their bond strengthen with back and forth jokes and statements of wisdom, while facing many unknowns.
While the action is a strong suit, I also really appreciated how we explore social class and economic inequality. This is such a huge theme we follow here. Wexler does an amazing job showing both hope and desperation of the competitors, along with Taj. It adds weight to the story and doesn’t taint our or Taj’s adventure. Nor does it overshadow the humor/light hearted parts.
My only wish is to explore more of this world. I assume the world will be expanded for us in the next book to come. Especially with the way that this ended! I’m so curious to see where Taj and Star’s journey goes from here!
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for this arc!
I really enjoyed the world building. We get junkyard survival, mysterious sigils, and intense robot battles. With each challenge, we get a sense of advancement (kinda like “leveling up”), make the pacing feel pretty fast, making it almost impossible to put down.
Taj is your underdog protagonist and he is so easy to root for. His bond with Star is the heart of this book. I loved watching their bond strengthen with back and forth jokes and statements of wisdom, while facing many unknowns.
While the action is a strong suit, I also really appreciated how we explore social class and economic inequality. This is such a huge theme we follow here. Wexler does an amazing job showing both hope and desperation of the competitors, along with Taj. It adds weight to the story and doesn’t taint our or Taj’s adventure. Nor does it overshadow the humor/light hearted parts.
My only wish is to explore more of this world. I assume the world will be expanded for us in the next book to come. Especially with the way that this ended! I’m so curious to see where Taj and Star’s journey goes from here!
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for this arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 Stars
I have to admit, I was a little worried at the beginning of this one. The first 15–20% was a struggle for me because there was so much happening all at once, and the writing felt overly complicated at times. Some of the sentence structure made it harder than it needed to be to settle into the story.
Thankfully, once I got past that opening section, everything clicked. From there, I was completely hooked. The premise is incredibly unique, and Django Wexler created a world and story that felt fresh and unlike anything else I've read recently. I'm so glad I stuck with it because it ended up being a fantastic read.
The real standout, though, is Star. If you loved Rocky from Project Hail Mary, you're almost certainly going to fall in love with Star. They have that same irresistible charm that completely steals every scene they're in, and they quickly became my favorite part of the book.
While the slow start kept this from being a five-star read for me, I'm already counting down the days until book two. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
I have to admit, I was a little worried at the beginning of this one. The first 15–20% was a struggle for me because there was so much happening all at once, and the writing felt overly complicated at times. Some of the sentence structure made it harder than it needed to be to settle into the story.
Thankfully, once I got past that opening section, everything clicked. From there, I was completely hooked. The premise is incredibly unique, and Django Wexler created a world and story that felt fresh and unlike anything else I've read recently. I'm so glad I stuck with it because it ended up being a fantastic read.
The real standout, though, is Star. If you loved Rocky from Project Hail Mary, you're almost certainly going to fall in love with Star. They have that same irresistible charm that completely steals every scene they're in, and they quickly became my favorite part of the book.
While the slow start kept this from being a five-star read for me, I'm already counting down the days until book two. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
I was completely drawn in by the premise and that gorgeous cover! The atmosphere and the concept were honestly incredible—a solid 5/5 for the idea alone. The setting of this giant junkyard where trash is dumped from above hooks you instantly. The robot battles immediately reminded me of Real Steel, and the junkyard vibe gave me major Astro Boy feels. The mental bond between the protagonist and his sentient partner is a trope I absolutely adore, and it honestly carried the book for me.
It’s an easy, fast-paced read, and the first half went by so quickly.
However, by the finale, the spark was kind of gone... Even though the characters felt real, the only one I actually formed an attachment to was the robot. But I definitely still recommend it!
1 POV, and a hint of romance
3.5/5
I was completely drawn in by the premise and that gorgeous cover! The atmosphere and the concept were honestly incredible—a solid 5/5 for the idea alone. The setting of this giant junkyard where trash is dumped from above hooks you instantly. The robot battles immediately reminded me of Real Steel, and the junkyard vibe gave me major Astro Boy feels. The mental bond between the protagonist and his sentient partner is a trope I absolutely adore, and it honestly carried the book for me.
It’s an easy, fast-paced read, and the first half went by so quickly.
However, by the finale, the spark was kind of gone... Even though the characters felt real, the only one I actually formed an attachment to was the robot. But I definitely still recommend it!
1 POV, and a hint of romance
3.5/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"People are just people, wherever they come from"
This story for most of the book seemed like a light read, not to much depth to the main character but this was a trap. Upon starting the last quarter of the book I realized that everything was just a slow set up for a big twist, character development, and bring the whole underdog story together all at once.
If you like unique power structures, a magic system thats not quite magic but not not quite magic and an underdog you actually want to root for. This ones for you.
This book lays out a tiered system that just keeps growing and growing and by the time you get a handle on the layer your on its time to go up. I almost wish that I had waited to read this book because the ending was so good, I want to immediately read the second one and now I have to wait for the first one to come out AND the second one!
This story for most of the book seemed like a light read, not to much depth to the main character but this was a trap. Upon starting the last quarter of the book I realized that everything was just a slow set up for a big twist, character development, and bring the whole underdog story together all at once.
If you like unique power structures, a magic system thats not quite magic but not not quite magic and an underdog you actually want to root for. This ones for you.
This book lays out a tiered system that just keeps growing and growing and by the time you get a handle on the layer your on its time to go up. I almost wish that I had waited to read this book because the ending was so good, I want to immediately read the second one and now I have to wait for the first one to come out AND the second one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
I went into this book thinking this was going to be a lot like Dungeon Crawler Carl. While there are elements of it that are similar, The Only Way Out is Up definitely stands out for its unique world building and super cool magic system.
I really enjoyed the interactions between the main character, Taj, and his robot companion, Star. Their dynamic is so fun Star has such a sassy personailty.
I also appreciate the classist parallels to modern day society. The 'levels' in which people live are a literal, physical manifestation of class, and getting to the top literally feels impossible. Its very relatable to society today and the unequal distribution of wealth and resources.
The ending was also not at all what I was expecting, which was awesome.
Rated this 4.5 stars. 10/10 recommend. I will definitely be continuing the series.
I went into this book thinking this was going to be a lot like Dungeon Crawler Carl. While there are elements of it that are similar, The Only Way Out is Up definitely stands out for its unique world building and super cool magic system.
I really enjoyed the interactions between the main character, Taj, and his robot companion, Star. Their dynamic is so fun Star has such a sassy personailty.
I also appreciate the classist parallels to modern day society. The 'levels' in which people live are a literal, physical manifestation of class, and getting to the top literally feels impossible. Its very relatable to society today and the unequal distribution of wealth and resources.
The ending was also not at all what I was expecting, which was awesome.
Rated this 4.5 stars. 10/10 recommend. I will definitely be continuing the series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 Stars
This is a fun litRPG style sci fi fantasy that is reminiscent of popular series like Cradle and Dungeon Crawler Carl.
The story is easy to read and engaging. I flew through the page quickly because it was an addictive, fast read. The characters are likeable which pulls you in the plot that is simple, yet surprisedly gripping.
I enjoyed this one but I want to preface that this isn't necessarily a deep, memorable read. Instead I would describe this as a palette cleanser. It was yet not life changing.
I would recommend this one to reads who enjoy progression sci fi/fantasy or to a wider audience if they are looking for a break between heavier reads.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is a fun litRPG style sci fi fantasy that is reminiscent of popular series like Cradle and Dungeon Crawler Carl.
The story is easy to read and engaging. I flew through the page quickly because it was an addictive, fast read. The characters are likeable which pulls you in the plot that is simple, yet surprisedly gripping.
I enjoyed this one but I want to preface that this isn't necessarily a deep, memorable read. Instead I would describe this as a palette cleanser. It was yet not life changing.
I would recommend this one to reads who enjoy progression sci fi/fantasy or to a wider audience if they are looking for a break between heavier reads.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of an advanced copy received via NetGalley courtesy of Orbit Books
I've been on a bit of a progression fantasy kick lately and this was a perfect addition to the genre. My best way to describe it is using 2 different pieces of media which I think are incredibly underrated. To me this is Metabots meets Alita Battle Angel.
Really solid pacing and a great introduction to a new world.Also nice to see there isn't some immediate understanding from the MC of what his progression is and how he is special. I look forward to seeing more of what our boy Star (internally he sounds like Metabee to me) does in the future!
I've been on a bit of a progression fantasy kick lately and this was a perfect addition to the genre. My best way to describe it is using 2 different pieces of media which I think are incredibly underrated. To me this is Metabots meets Alita Battle Angel.
Really solid pacing and a great introduction to a new world.Also nice to see there isn't some immediate understanding from the MC of what his progression is and how he is special. I look forward to seeing more of what our boy Star (internally he sounds like Metabee to me) does in the future!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to Orbit and Netgalley for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Wow. Have you ever wanted to read something that was like WALL-E meets Real Steel? (That reference might have dated me a bit but here we are). This book had me hooked from page one. Star was so much fun to read, and their interactions were the perfect partnership from the beginning. I was immediately sucked into their world and so invested in their winning it all.
I never knew what direction this would go in, because emotionally I was all over the place. It was funny and heartbreaking and shocking and holy crap I can't wait for the next one to find out what's next.
Wow. Have you ever wanted to read something that was like WALL-E meets Real Steel? (That reference might have dated me a bit but here we are). This book had me hooked from page one. Star was so much fun to read, and their interactions were the perfect partnership from the beginning. I was immediately sucked into their world and so invested in their winning it all.
I never knew what direction this would go in, because emotionally I was all over the place. It was funny and heartbreaking and shocking and holy crap I can't wait for the next one to find out what's next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
We are pulled into this world's reality where one must do everything possible to save their family from the lower levels. For that, he must compete, and he does that with one dangerous alliance (but the only path forward) and using what he built from scratch. I saw it as a very creative and elaborate robot-fight arena/competition taken to the extreme, for lives depending on it. She will give him the support and investment, so she can win and get power, he can keep the prize and save his family. This would make a great video game.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’d been eyeing Dungeon Crawler Carl but hadn’t managed to read it yet, so when this book fell on my lap (kindle) I decided to give it a shot. It’s outside my usual genre, but I ended up enjoying it a lot. Fast-paced, fun, and easy to get into.
I received this book from NetGalley. Thank you to Django Wexler and Orbit Books. All opinions are my own.
I received this book from NetGalley. Thank you to Django Wexler and Orbit Books. All opinions are my own.
July 7, 2026
This might be one of the top 5 books I’ve read this year. Such a smooth, organic read, that draws you in from the beginning and keeps you there for the whole ride. The characters are likable, and he does a great job of laying groundwork for future books. My only problem is that it ended on a cliffhanger and now I have to wait for the second book! But I loved it, I’m excited for the next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Solid progression sci-fi with Wexler's usual dry sarcastic wit. The ending was.......obvious but also felt earned enough that it didn't bother me as much as it should have. Also, frankly, I want a book exclusively from Star's perspective.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
This one was so so good! The world building is incredibly fascinating and unique, and the story perfectly balanced the high-stakes nature of the plot with humor. I loved Taj, Ky, and especially Star - they were so easy to root for and easy to connect with. I’ll definitely be picking up book two!
This one was so so good! The world building is incredibly fascinating and unique, and the story perfectly balanced the high-stakes nature of the plot with humor. I loved Taj, Ky, and especially Star - they were so easy to root for and easy to connect with. I’ll definitely be picking up book two!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
RTC September 15, 2026
July 25, 2026
This is basically Wexler going full shonen anime, but in a fun way. We have mechs fighting in a fantasy trash heap, a boy from the bottommost shit heap entering in a tournament that will allow him to potentially ascend to the topmost ring, the sheltered queer daughter of the upper rings who turns to him for help, and a pretty standard tournament structure with fun characters and an interesting set up for the next book. Interested to see where the next book goes.
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