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Noobtown #9
The Noob Returns: Noobtown Book 9
What happens when the main boss isn't the final boss?
Jim defeated the Dark Overlord, but that wasn't enough. The Dark Overlord was just a pawn for an even greater threat. Michael, the Elder Demon, has restarted the War in Heaven. Meanwhile, Jim was spending quality time with Shart, trapped in the Walker Orb. Now, Jim's allies are spread all over Ordinal, and the world is breaking apart.
In order to survive, Jim needs to rebuild his class, find his allies, and save the world yet again. His plans start small, but there are, of course, problems. A death cult has taken over Windfall, a Faceless Queen is running the Castle, and Badgelor has a cardiac issue that needs fixed sooner rather than later.
But Jim isn't defeated.
He will save Windfall and the World.
Because he's the Mayor of Windfall.
Jim defeated the Dark Overlord, but that wasn't enough. The Dark Overlord was just a pawn for an even greater threat. Michael, the Elder Demon, has restarted the War in Heaven. Meanwhile, Jim was spending quality time with Shart, trapped in the Walker Orb. Now, Jim's allies are spread all over Ordinal, and the world is breaking apart.
In order to survive, Jim needs to rebuild his class, find his allies, and save the world yet again. His plans start small, but there are, of course, problems. A death cult has taken over Windfall, a Faceless Queen is running the Castle, and Badgelor has a cardiac issue that needs fixed sooner rather than later.
But Jim isn't defeated.
He will save Windfall and the World.
Because he's the Mayor of Windfall.
645 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2026
184 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 11, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Noobtown Book 9.
Returning to Noobtown after a two-year wait felt chaotic at first, especially without a recap. For a while I struggled to reconnect with the story through the audiobook narration and eventually switched back to reading, where the balance between comedy, tragedy, systems, and characters immediately started working again.
What surprised me most is how much this series reflects real life beneath all the absurd humor. As somebody who worked for decades with computer systems, legacy infrastructure, bugs, patches, broken interfaces, and improvised fixes, I constantly recognized the logic hidden underneath the fantasy chaos. The world of Noobtown feels less like a clean magical system and more like a giant living infrastructure patched together over years by desperate admins, workarounds, forgotten rules, unstable code, and people trying to keep everything functional despite the madness.
That is why the humor works so well for me. This is not “just” a comedy series. It is a comic tragedy about systems, civilizations, institutions, and humans somehow continuing to function inside imperfect worlds. The book repeatedly reminded me how often real life survives not because systems are perfect, but because people adapt, improvise, and keep going anyway.
Ryan Rimmel deserves enormous credit for that balance. His humor never feels empty. Beneath the jokes about chicken cults, broken mechanics, laser swords, and god-killing coat racks lies a surprisingly sharp understanding of technology, administration, belief systems, propaganda, technical debt, and human nature itself. You can feel the lived experience behind the writing.
And despite all the philosophy hidden underneath, this book was also one of the funniest reading experiences I have had in years. I laughed so hard and so often that reading it while recovering from a fractured shoulder probably worked better than exercises. Few books manage to combine absurd comedy, emotional warmth, intelligent systems satire, and genuine affection for humanity this successfully.
The greatest strength of Noobtown may be that beneath all the chaos, the series still believes in people. Flawed, ridiculous, stubborn, adaptive people.
Adapt. Evolve. Repeat.
Please, Ryan Rimmel, release the next book sooner than two years after this one.
Returning to Noobtown after a two-year wait felt chaotic at first, especially without a recap. For a while I struggled to reconnect with the story through the audiobook narration and eventually switched back to reading, where the balance between comedy, tragedy, systems, and characters immediately started working again.
What surprised me most is how much this series reflects real life beneath all the absurd humor. As somebody who worked for decades with computer systems, legacy infrastructure, bugs, patches, broken interfaces, and improvised fixes, I constantly recognized the logic hidden underneath the fantasy chaos. The world of Noobtown feels less like a clean magical system and more like a giant living infrastructure patched together over years by desperate admins, workarounds, forgotten rules, unstable code, and people trying to keep everything functional despite the madness.
That is why the humor works so well for me. This is not “just” a comedy series. It is a comic tragedy about systems, civilizations, institutions, and humans somehow continuing to function inside imperfect worlds. The book repeatedly reminded me how often real life survives not because systems are perfect, but because people adapt, improvise, and keep going anyway.
Ryan Rimmel deserves enormous credit for that balance. His humor never feels empty. Beneath the jokes about chicken cults, broken mechanics, laser swords, and god-killing coat racks lies a surprisingly sharp understanding of technology, administration, belief systems, propaganda, technical debt, and human nature itself. You can feel the lived experience behind the writing.
And despite all the philosophy hidden underneath, this book was also one of the funniest reading experiences I have had in years. I laughed so hard and so often that reading it while recovering from a fractured shoulder probably worked better than exercises. Few books manage to combine absurd comedy, emotional warmth, intelligent systems satire, and genuine affection for humanity this successfully.
The greatest strength of Noobtown may be that beneath all the chaos, the series still believes in people. Flawed, ridiculous, stubborn, adaptive people.
Adapt. Evolve. Repeat.
Please, Ryan Rimmel, release the next book sooner than two years after this one.
April 14, 2026
The book still has some laugh out loud funny moments, but the reset on the end game and story really brought the series down for me. I'm not saying I won't read the next book eventually. I will not be going out of my way to read it tho of I do. this series isn't going to be able to rehab it's self for me.
March 23, 2026
the book starts off simultaneously a slow burner and firing fast. there's long drawn out parts that are, fan service?, for lack of a better word.
I think there was half a chapter that was just a little bit of a nod to many people in tik tok, the book voice acting, the con world and the lit rpg world. since I only started with lit RPGs two months before I read this book a lot of it went over my head.
this book also knows it was released slightly before the next DCC and DD books are released. it's fun but a little on the nose at times and felt like the book might have been a little rushed to make that date.
the last 1/4 if the book brings back that standard Indepth fights and explanations you expected from the series while the rest of the book seems to blast through A LOT if content at light speed.
yes I will read the next book. yes I enjoyed this book. But there were too many moments that took me out of the book and into the real world when I rather would have been more immersed with the occasional nod to the real world much like the first 5 books did a better job at. not everything needs to be DCC.
I think there was half a chapter that was just a little bit of a nod to many people in tik tok, the book voice acting, the con world and the lit rpg world. since I only started with lit RPGs two months before I read this book a lot of it went over my head.
this book also knows it was released slightly before the next DCC and DD books are released. it's fun but a little on the nose at times and felt like the book might have been a little rushed to make that date.
the last 1/4 if the book brings back that standard Indepth fights and explanations you expected from the series while the rest of the book seems to blast through A LOT if content at light speed.
yes I will read the next book. yes I enjoyed this book. But there were too many moments that took me out of the book and into the real world when I rather would have been more immersed with the occasional nod to the real world much like the first 5 books did a better job at. not everything needs to be DCC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2026
it is very difficult to start a new story arc after an enormously satisfying finale, and the author struggles with that in the beginning of the book.
After book #8 closed in an epic, entertaining, and largely satisfying way, book #9 brings a new beginning for our main characters. and it takes a while for the story to get going and get some semblance of coherence. once it does - it is back to the style and characters we all love (well, if you reached to book #9, you most likely do :)) but it takes a while for the narrative to find its footing and it is a bit of grind for the first 1/4 - 1/3 of the book. Not all jokes land, not all "leveling" is logical and easy to grasp, the new character landscape is empty... and then - back to fun, jokes, adventuring and jiming-things-up. and that is tremendous fun (apart from the sexual innuendos, yeah, I laughed, but some were cringe).
I was a bit concerned where the series will go, but after finishing the book, I am happy. It is in a good place, and I am looking forward for the continuation of the story of the noobs :)
After book #8 closed in an epic, entertaining, and largely satisfying way, book #9 brings a new beginning for our main characters. and it takes a while for the story to get going and get some semblance of coherence. once it does - it is back to the style and characters we all love (well, if you reached to book #9, you most likely do :)) but it takes a while for the narrative to find its footing and it is a bit of grind for the first 1/4 - 1/3 of the book. Not all jokes land, not all "leveling" is logical and easy to grasp, the new character landscape is empty... and then - back to fun, jokes, adventuring and jiming-things-up. and that is tremendous fun (apart from the sexual innuendos, yeah, I laughed, but some were cringe).
I was a bit concerned where the series will go, but after finishing the book, I am happy. It is in a good place, and I am looking forward for the continuation of the story of the noobs :)
May 7, 2026
DNR
Cheap sort of public water closet humor. Voyeurism is an inseparable part of human condition but author engages in too much. Self referencing the prior events in the book, and not in a natural way, from pov of a person reminiscing of the past but using book count or specific book as a reference.
Conclusion: 2/5. Listened on Audible bought for 1 credit. Narrated by: Johnathan McClain. Very much banking on cashing in on self referencing and inserting trending concepts in it's narration. The Family Guy of fantasy series. Bad value for the length of the book - 1.58 $/hour ( 26.88 $ / 17 hrs 00 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
Stars:
1 - Not worth the resources to reproduce/preserve this title.
2 -Bad
3 -Good
4 - Personally, love it
5 - Recommended to everyone
Cheap sort of public water closet humor. Voyeurism is an inseparable part of human condition but author engages in too much. Self referencing the prior events in the book, and not in a natural way, from pov of a person reminiscing of the past but using book count or specific book as a reference.
Conclusion: 2/5. Listened on Audible bought for 1 credit. Narrated by: Johnathan McClain. Very much banking on cashing in on self referencing and inserting trending concepts in it's narration. The Family Guy of fantasy series. Bad value for the length of the book - 1.58 $/hour ( 26.88 $ / 17 hrs 00 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
Stars:
1 - Not worth the resources to reproduce/preserve this title.
2 -Bad
3 -Good
4 - Personally, love it
5 - Recommended to everyone
March 25, 2026
I guess if you had to do a reboot it is pretty good…
I’ll caveat this by saying I think the author should have let the series end with the last book. This feels like an unnecessary reboot. That said, it’s done pretty well.
The new leveling system is interesting, though still very much a cheat. You have of many familiar characters, but the world has changed significantly. The humor leans crude at times but is often funny, consistent with the earlier books. The author breaks the fourth wall occasionally, and there are a lot, I mean a lot, of references to LitRPG books. It is a bit much at times
Overall, it retains the same flavor and feel as the previous entries, and I enjoyed it. I’ll probably keep reading. Still, I think the series should have ended with the last book.
I’ll caveat this by saying I think the author should have let the series end with the last book. This feels like an unnecessary reboot. That said, it’s done pretty well.
The new leveling system is interesting, though still very much a cheat. You have of many familiar characters, but the world has changed significantly. The humor leans crude at times but is often funny, consistent with the earlier books. The author breaks the fourth wall occasionally, and there are a lot, I mean a lot, of references to LitRPG books. It is a bit much at times
Overall, it retains the same flavor and feel as the previous entries, and I enjoyed it. I’ll probably keep reading. Still, I think the series should have ended with the last book.
April 6, 2026
It's a fun story but rough around the edges.
Jim's been locked in the Walker Orb for six years and apparently the world's gone to Jersey in a handbasket. The < system> update has taken away all of Jim's classes and Shart is locked out from all the admin functions. Plus the payment coming due for all those chickens that Jim used in his projects.
The double entendres are thick thick enough to walk on and the "Ordinal is weird" jokes get kind of old after a while but there's still a lot of fun stuff happening.
Definitely feel like the beginning could have used some better editing though.
Jim's been locked in the Walker Orb for six years and apparently the world's gone to Jersey in a handbasket. The < system> update has taken away all of Jim's classes and Shart is locked out from all the admin functions. Plus the payment coming due for all those chickens that Jim used in his projects.
The double entendres are thick thick enough to walk on and the "Ordinal is weird" jokes get kind of old after a while but there's still a lot of fun stuff happening.
Definitely feel like the beginning could have used some better editing though.
April 23, 2026
Good fun!
I love the noobtown series, and this is a fun continuation of that.
It has all the fun and jokes you'd expect. I do have to say, all the breaking of the fourth wall mentioning other books and authors wasn't my favorite, and there were a lot of discontinuaties where things happened just becuase (what was with the weird MC town?)
So it's a fun read, and sets up the next arc of the series, but it's more of a silly cartoon read than any actual developed plot.
Either way a lot of fun.
I love the noobtown series, and this is a fun continuation of that.
It has all the fun and jokes you'd expect. I do have to say, all the breaking of the fourth wall mentioning other books and authors wasn't my favorite, and there were a lot of discontinuaties where things happened just becuase (what was with the weird MC town?)
So it's a fun read, and sets up the next arc of the series, but it's more of a silly cartoon read than any actual developed plot.
Either way a lot of fun.
March 24, 2026
It wasn't bad, but definitely not the best.
I'm glad the series is back, but I was hoping for more. The twists were predictable, the plot rushed and filled with holes, while detail was skipped for the sake of word count. The jokes were stale and overdone. Kinda feels like just another cash grab at this point.
I'm glad the series is back, but I was hoping for more. The twists were predictable, the plot rushed and filled with holes, while detail was skipped for the sake of word count. The jokes were stale and overdone. Kinda feels like just another cash grab at this point.
April 29, 2026
Too much self-reference.
There might be a bit too much self-referential humor, including asides about the audiobook and “future volumes.” I don’t recall the previous books being quite so obvious.
That said, the story followed along. And the main character is still dealing with the fallout from previous actions.
There might be a bit too much self-referential humor, including asides about the audiobook and “future volumes.” I don’t recall the previous books being quite so obvious.
That said, the story followed along. And the main character is still dealing with the fallout from previous actions.
March 25, 2026
Not as good as the previous few books.
April 7, 2026
Worth the wait
I always appreciate the humor in this series. Was a long wait between book 8 and 9 but enjoyed it and look forward to him completing the series.
I always appreciate the humor in this series. Was a long wait between book 8 and 9 but enjoyed it and look forward to him completing the series.
April 9, 2026
New Segment, Same Concept
I almost gave up, but glad I didn’t. The story line eventually “Jim’d” itself up. College humor as usual, banter is enjoyable. I’ll stick around for more
I almost gave up, but glad I didn’t. The story line eventually “Jim’d” itself up. College humor as usual, banter is enjoyable. I’ll stick around for more
April 25, 2026
The adventures of Jim continue to be fun, but you can feel the lull that comes from kicking off a new major arc after having finished the big bad who was looming over things over the last 8 books
April 26, 2026
This book had me rolling! What a great story!
May 3, 2026
I love the reduction in power to make the challenges more difficult again and humor is always great but I hate time jumps as plot devices.
March 31, 2026
I love the first 7 books in the series but this book and the previous one had a really hard time keeping my attention. The same jokes are getting old and I found myself rolling my eyes a lot. The last 2 books were a struggle to get through so I dont know if I will continue with the series.
March 22, 2026
The jokes are old and uninspired, except for the entire book long KFC joke that wasn't ever funny. The "all your levels are reset - wait, now they are back" plot thread was pointless. Not one but two dead characters returned to life, which undercut most drama. The almost emotional arc of "Jim can't have friends because everyone worships him as their savior" was resolved by ... Jim saving them ... and they just stop worshiping him ... just because? The entire book was basically an extended fight scene against the KFC villain and I just never cared. It wasn't horrible but it felt at best like a repeat of other books in the series. I'm thinking it's time to bail.
March 24, 2026
I absolutely love this series.
for me it was laugh out loud funny.
for me it was laugh out loud funny.
March 21, 2026
Another fun story!
March 20, 2026
I am getting annoyed with the story and the characters. I forced my self to finish but I'm done with this series now. early on was ok but last two books not really loved.
April 18, 2026
Absolutely hilarious. Was worried with where the series would go, but it seems that this was always the plan and I should have trusted in the plan. Really enjoyed this one.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews