What do you think?
Running Wild: The final instalment in the epic LitRPG series
The never-before-published fifth and final book in Erin Ampersand’s unputdownable LitRPG series in which everyone on Earth is forced to take part in a worldwide survival competition—everyone, including Meghan Moretti and her three lovably chaotic kids.
Pointy’s budding friendship with the Maffiyir Overmind led the showrunners to try to kill it by executing the sapients it was linked to. It survived, but only by forcing a ramshackle connection to the brains of several humans… including Meghan.
Meghan’s mind was damaged by the process. She’d love to focus on her recovery, but the aliens in charge aren’t taking their failure to kill the Overmind calmly. Both sides are breaking every rule they can in an ever-escalating showdown, and Meghan and her family are right in the crosshairs.
Can humanity find a way to win before their tormentors find a way to destroy them?
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Pointy’s budding friendship with the Maffiyir Overmind led the showrunners to try to kill it by executing the sapients it was linked to. It survived, but only by forcing a ramshackle connection to the brains of several humans… including Meghan.
Meghan’s mind was damaged by the process. She’d love to focus on her recovery, but the aliens in charge aren’t taking their failure to kill the Overmind calmly. Both sides are breaking every rule they can in an ever-escalating showdown, and Meghan and her family are right in the crosshairs.
Can humanity find a way to win before their tormentors find a way to destroy them?
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
- GenresLitrpg
409 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2026
About the author
Erin Ampersand
6 books146 followersI'm going to start putting reviews up on Goodreads! A note about my reviews: I object to the star system for books. I don't think it's helpful, and would prefer a simple thumbs-up/thumbs-down system. Since that's not offered, I'm just going to be giving 5 stars to any book I'd give a thumbs-up. If I wouldn't give it at least a thumbs-up, I'm not going to review it at all!
To help differentiate between different books, I'll also post tiny review for each stating why a book might particularly draw someone in, and what kind of person might want to avoid it, since no book is for everyone.
You can browse more of my posts and reviews on my Instagram or Bluesky:
https://www.instagram.com/erinampersand/
https://bsky.app/hashtag/%26microrevi...
...
Erin Ampersand is from a lesser-known branch of the Punctuation Peerage. Neither as elegant as the noble Parentheses, nor as well-regarded as the heroic Dashes, the Ampersands are instead considered little better than the scurrilous Interrobangs.
In addition to writing and reading, Erin loves games of all sorts, from tabletop RPGs to videogames, although she is rather bad at platformers and hopeless at first-person shooters. She and her husband own enough board games to capsize a standard canoe.
To help differentiate between different books, I'll also post tiny review for each stating why a book might particularly draw someone in, and what kind of person might want to avoid it, since no book is for everyone.
You can browse more of my posts and reviews on my Instagram or Bluesky:
https://www.instagram.com/erinampersand/
https://bsky.app/hashtag/%26microrevi...
...
Erin Ampersand is from a lesser-known branch of the Punctuation Peerage. Neither as elegant as the noble Parentheses, nor as well-regarded as the heroic Dashes, the Ampersands are instead considered little better than the scurrilous Interrobangs.
In addition to writing and reading, Erin loves games of all sorts, from tabletop RPGs to videogames, although she is rather bad at platformers and hopeless at first-person shooters. She and her husband own enough board games to capsize a standard canoe.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 30, 2026
This is such a difficult book to rate. I have wholeheartedly enjoyed this series from book one. It is one of my absolute favorite litrpg series - I adore Meghan and her family.
However, this book was not overall very enjoyable to read. All at once it felt painfully slow and also way too fast. We got hundreds of monsters that I could never focus on any. We kept moving and running and it all felt so monotonous. Everything that I loved in the early books took a back seat to the political objective of “winning” and I missed the character interaction and heart we had in previous books. There is some of it, in certain moments. But overall, there was just SO much “this is what we have to do to win.” And so so much summary involved in that - because honestly I think Erin realized it would be boring to have that be active storytelling. 😅 She had to figure out how to finish the series and I am grateful she did but this was the least interesting book of the series in my opinion.
I liked some portions of the ending but goodness? Did we need like five “epilogues” of random characters? 🙃 I could have done with just the main one. I really just wanted the book to end.
So yeah, ultimately - the series is sooo good and I absolutely loved getting to know Meghan and her kids. I am happy to have a solid ending - I just wish this ending had been more concise and more engaging.
However, this book was not overall very enjoyable to read. All at once it felt painfully slow and also way too fast. We got hundreds of monsters that I could never focus on any. We kept moving and running and it all felt so monotonous. Everything that I loved in the early books took a back seat to the political objective of “winning” and I missed the character interaction and heart we had in previous books. There is some of it, in certain moments. But overall, there was just SO much “this is what we have to do to win.” And so so much summary involved in that - because honestly I think Erin realized it would be boring to have that be active storytelling. 😅 She had to figure out how to finish the series and I am grateful she did but this was the least interesting book of the series in my opinion.
I liked some portions of the ending but goodness? Did we need like five “epilogues” of random characters? 🙃 I could have done with just the main one. I really just wanted the book to end.
So yeah, ultimately - the series is sooo good and I absolutely loved getting to know Meghan and her kids. I am happy to have a solid ending - I just wish this ending had been more concise and more engaging.
September 18, 2026
Not a bad conclusion, but it feels like a mad rush to the end with none of the parenting and barely any apocalypse
September 17, 2026
I really wish I could rate this book higher. The rest of the series was so well written that this book comes as a shock.
I read the ebook and there were numerous proofreading errors. Most prevalent were multiple cases of dialogue missing quotation marks.
Proofreading aside this one could have used another aggressive copy editing pass.
The book starts with the action already at 11, and it never drops from there until the painfully dull epilogue. There's never a breather. And while that may resonate with how Megan and team are feeling, it became really tiring to read, really quick.
Then there's the problem that the story lacks any depth, especially when compared to the previous four fantastic entrants into the series. The entire story is just running from one shelter to the next, while people passively buy plots of Earth in the background.
Even the surprise death of a major character feels rushed and inconsequential as it's very quickly overshadowed by earth suddenly and somewhat inexplicably winning the Maffiyir.
And then we continue into a completely unnecessary epilogue of the "6 months later" variety but which doesn't really add anything to the story at all, unless she's trying to set up the UGE/Commonwealth universe for a story continuation.
Ultimately, Erin should have added 5 more chapters to the end of book 4 and ended it there. It would have been more meaningful and impactful and tied everything off with a nice little bow.
When all is said and done, I really enjoyed this series, and would easily put it at my number 2 LitRPG behind DCC. I just wish more care and attention had been taken with the ending.
I read the ebook and there were numerous proofreading errors. Most prevalent were multiple cases of dialogue missing quotation marks.
Proofreading aside this one could have used another aggressive copy editing pass.
The book starts with the action already at 11, and it never drops from there until the painfully dull epilogue. There's never a breather. And while that may resonate with how Megan and team are feeling, it became really tiring to read, really quick.
Then there's the problem that the story lacks any depth, especially when compared to the previous four fantastic entrants into the series. The entire story is just running from one shelter to the next, while people passively buy plots of Earth in the background.
Even the surprise death of a major character feels rushed and inconsequential as it's very quickly overshadowed by earth suddenly and somewhat inexplicably winning the Maffiyir.
And then we continue into a completely unnecessary epilogue of the "6 months later" variety but which doesn't really add anything to the story at all, unless she's trying to set up the UGE/Commonwealth universe for a story continuation.
Ultimately, Erin should have added 5 more chapters to the end of book 4 and ended it there. It would have been more meaningful and impactful and tied everything off with a nice little bow.
When all is said and done, I really enjoyed this series, and would easily put it at my number 2 LitRPG behind DCC. I just wish more care and attention had been taken with the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2026
Such an excellent series
When you get to the end of a series you love, there's always a question of whether or not the end will be as satisfying as the journey. For me, for this series, I can say it certainly was. This book was filled with action and tension, with hardships and hope. And Meghan was, as ever, just a character you can empathize with.
I know I'll be in a reading rut for a few days because it's always hard to move on after finishing a great series. But because this series had a truly satisfying close, I don't have that restless feeling you can sometimes get when you finish something but it doesn't feel finished.
Anyway, I'm so glad I picked up this series. Give me a few months and I'll gladly read the whole thing again. So good, 100% recommend.
When you get to the end of a series you love, there's always a question of whether or not the end will be as satisfying as the journey. For me, for this series, I can say it certainly was. This book was filled with action and tension, with hardships and hope. And Meghan was, as ever, just a character you can empathize with.
I know I'll be in a reading rut for a few days because it's always hard to move on after finishing a great series. But because this series had a truly satisfying close, I don't have that restless feeling you can sometimes get when you finish something but it doesn't feel finished.
Anyway, I'm so glad I picked up this series. Give me a few months and I'll gladly read the whole thing again. So good, 100% recommend.
September 10, 2026
I start my reviews at 3 stars.
This was a satisfying end to a great series. Lots of authors fail the landing, this one didn't. Giving just enough extra at the end to show us how the ending might play out.
It's a bit wild and heavy in the middle. You can't just read this book independently, it wouldn't have any context. It does stray a bit from the series in that our main characters aren't fighting directly as much, or at least in most circumstances - they do still fight. But protecting the mc has become paramount and those around her don't let her forget it. Dealing with the AI entities is interesting and a mix of good choices/responsibilities/and a genuine desire of humans to connect.
I'll read more from this author when it happens. Thanks for the books.
This was a satisfying end to a great series. Lots of authors fail the landing, this one didn't. Giving just enough extra at the end to show us how the ending might play out.
It's a bit wild and heavy in the middle. You can't just read this book independently, it wouldn't have any context. It does stray a bit from the series in that our main characters aren't fighting directly as much, or at least in most circumstances - they do still fight. But protecting the mc has become paramount and those around her don't let her forget it. Dealing with the AI entities is interesting and a mix of good choices/responsibilities/and a genuine desire of humans to connect.
I'll read more from this author when it happens. Thanks for the books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A perfect ending to a pleasant series.
It's weird to say that a series is light and happy when it is an apocalyptic novel about a mom trying to keep her kids alive. But it's true nonetheless. The story has high stakes, fear, death, and monstrous foes, but somehow you think it's all going to be alright.
Strongly recommend for any litrpg fan or anyone who likes a fantasy story with families at the center. great characters, fun world.
Read via RoyalRoad. Looking forward to the upcoming Tor release.
It's weird to say that a series is light and happy when it is an apocalyptic novel about a mom trying to keep her kids alive. But it's true nonetheless. The story has high stakes, fear, death, and monstrous foes, but somehow you think it's all going to be alright.
Strongly recommend for any litrpg fan or anyone who likes a fantasy story with families at the center. great characters, fun world.
Read via RoyalRoad. Looking forward to the upcoming Tor release.
August 23, 2026
What a STRESSFUL book to read as a parent of three! But it was well done with a satisfying conclusion to the series! As always, Meghan is such a relatable parent, she makes mature decisions, but still stressed about getting her family through the apocalypse. I loved having a healthy, supportive relationship between her and Vince, what a refreshing main character.
September 5, 2026
solid ending
This was a great series to read, this book finished it off quite well with some solid plot movement, a bit of tragedy, and a whole lot of people working together. Well worth picking this series up and reading.
This was a great series to read, this book finished it off quite well with some solid plot movement, a bit of tragedy, and a whole lot of people working together. Well worth picking this series up and reading.
September 9, 2026
great series!!
Loved every moment of these books! An engaging read with a ton of clever twists! There is not a dull moment in these books. Ampersand does not hesitate to dive also into some thorny ethical quagmires!
Loved every moment of these books! An engaging read with a ton of clever twists! There is not a dull moment in these books. Ampersand does not hesitate to dive also into some thorny ethical quagmires!
September 11, 2026
I liked this series.
I'd love to know what happened next for all the characters, but I doubt that the author has any real interest in writing more in the same universe. Vignettes, maybe?
I'd love to know what happened next for all the characters, but I doubt that the author has any real interest in writing more in the same universe. Vignettes, maybe?
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews