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The Realms #3.5
Dead Must Die
Simon died once. He'll be damned before he dies twice.
Simon never asked to become the new dungeon master of the Barrow, but a millennia-old teenager stuck in the skull of a dead lich has few life options. After bonding with the Barrow’s dungeon core, he learns they are near death from hunger and only by consuming the life energy and experiences of sentient beings can they survive.
Lucky for Simon a party of murderous adventurers invades the Barrow in search of treasure and glory. They look to be a perfectly tasty meal until one transforms into a mentally unstable fanatic whose specialty is killing the undead in all its forms, especially teenagers stuck in skulls bonded to dungeons.
If Simon can’t master his new powers, defeat invaders bent on plunder and convince the Barrow to take a kinder, gentler approach to feeding, then he will die a second time. And this time it’ll be permanent.
Dead Must Die is a Short Novella set in the Bestselling The Realms universe. It takes place sometime after Barrow King but before the soon to be released Scourge of Souls - Book Three of the Realms.
The Realms - An Epic LitRPG Series. Reading Order
1) Barrow King
2) The Lost City
3) Killing Time (A Side Quest)
4) Dead Must Die (A Side Quest)
5) Scourge of Souls (Coming Soon)
Simon never asked to become the new dungeon master of the Barrow, but a millennia-old teenager stuck in the skull of a dead lich has few life options. After bonding with the Barrow’s dungeon core, he learns they are near death from hunger and only by consuming the life energy and experiences of sentient beings can they survive.
Lucky for Simon a party of murderous adventurers invades the Barrow in search of treasure and glory. They look to be a perfectly tasty meal until one transforms into a mentally unstable fanatic whose specialty is killing the undead in all its forms, especially teenagers stuck in skulls bonded to dungeons.
If Simon can’t master his new powers, defeat invaders bent on plunder and convince the Barrow to take a kinder, gentler approach to feeding, then he will die a second time. And this time it’ll be permanent.
Dead Must Die is a Short Novella set in the Bestselling The Realms universe. It takes place sometime after Barrow King but before the soon to be released Scourge of Souls - Book Three of the Realms.
The Realms - An Epic LitRPG Series. Reading Order
1) Barrow King
2) The Lost City
3) Killing Time (A Side Quest)
4) Dead Must Die (A Side Quest)
5) Scourge of Souls (Coming Soon)
61 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2018
83 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Carney
20 books244 followersAfter reading an editorial claiming Dungeons and Dragons drove kids to worship dark forces in the sewers, C.M. Carney's mother immediately bought it for him. He was ten, and it's probably a good thing he was afraid of sewers. Since then he has been obsessed with reading, writing and playing all things fantasy and science fiction.
After spending nearly two decades working as a creative executive for an animation and SFX studio, C.M. decided to pursue his lifelong dream of writing and publishing novels and short stories.
He writes sci-fi, fantasy and LitRPG that run the gamut from epic to humorous. His first novel Barrow King: Book One of The Realms was published in February 2018 and has become a #1 Bestseller in Norse and Viking Myths and Legends and a #1 Bestseller in Role Playing and Fantasy Games.
He loves hearing from fans, like minded thinkers and anyone else who shares his dislike of sewers.
Facebook Group: C.M. Carney's Book Room (https://www.facebook.com/groups/15527...)
Email: chris@cmcarneywrites.com.
Website: www.cmcarneywrites.com. Keep up with new releases, other news and the occasional freebies.
After spending nearly two decades working as a creative executive for an animation and SFX studio, C.M. decided to pursue his lifelong dream of writing and publishing novels and short stories.
He writes sci-fi, fantasy and LitRPG that run the gamut from epic to humorous. His first novel Barrow King: Book One of The Realms was published in February 2018 and has become a #1 Bestseller in Norse and Viking Myths and Legends and a #1 Bestseller in Role Playing and Fantasy Games.
He loves hearing from fans, like minded thinkers and anyone else who shares his dislike of sewers.
Facebook Group: C.M. Carney's Book Room (https://www.facebook.com/groups/15527...)
Email: chris@cmcarneywrites.com.
Website: www.cmcarneywrites.com. Keep up with new releases, other news and the occasional freebies.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 30, 2019
Dead Must Die is a short humorous novella which just has to be read after the first book in The Realms series The Barrow King, as it deals with Simon's story. Simon is the young adolescent undead who had served as the servant to the wicked Ouzeriou, when he was Barrow King and who Gryph chose to save when he killed his master. This story deals with what it meant for Simon to become Barrow King and all the troubles he faced. I loved the sardonic humour in this book which really shows us that teenagers are the same whether dead or undead and in whichever time and realm they live. The adventurers who venture into the barrow to rob it of it's treasure are so stupid, it's hilarious. I really enjoyed this book with the idiots escapade into the barrow and look forward to more books from the Realms. This LitRPG fantasy series is one not to be missed.
July 14, 2020
3.5 -- Very fun, super easy to fly through. I'm not going to talk about it's length since it's a novella..that's the whole point.
Was interesting to see how Simon's changed having spent time connected to Gryph, and learning a bit about the sentient dungeon mechanics, though the bonding didn't seem to really yield much.
Best part were the adventurers and their clear individuality and personalities even though they were intended to be a quick flash in the pan.
Overall was fun and quick though not really impactful or necessary, a nice addition but seemed more like a pitstop on the way to the good stuff. The real story we all want to get back to. It is nice you can technically read this at any point after the 1st book though.
Was interesting to see how Simon's changed having spent time connected to Gryph, and learning a bit about the sentient dungeon mechanics, though the bonding didn't seem to really yield much.
Best part were the adventurers and their clear individuality and personalities even though they were intended to be a quick flash in the pan.
Overall was fun and quick though not really impactful or necessary, a nice addition but seemed more like a pitstop on the way to the good stuff. The real story we all want to get back to. It is nice you can technically read this at any point after the 1st book though.
February 20, 2021
A good short story in the Realms series, and took less than an hour to read. It follows the story of Simon, who we met at the end of the first Realms book, as he adjusts to life in the barrow. This book is mostly story-based and does not have the elements of gameplay that the first book had, such as player stats and weapons information. A good read as you wait for the next book to come out in the series!
For those of you who do not know, you can be sent a free e-book of this book by signing up for the authors email list.
For those of you who do not know, you can be sent a free e-book of this book by signing up for the authors email list.
November 14, 2019
Awesome short story! I had questions about Sam's behavior when Gryph goes back to see him again, and all those questions were answered here.
I hope we get more short stories from the Realms... as well as more novels.... forever.
This book could be read at any point AFTER book one of the Realms. If you were to read it first, you would be quite confused, I think.
I hope we get more short stories from the Realms... as well as more novels.... forever.
This book could be read at any point AFTER book one of the Realms. If you were to read it first, you would be quite confused, I think.
January 21, 2019
Very short
very short but what could become an entertaining series, id suggest the author try to quadruple the size next time, but is still a very good start to what could be an amazing dungeon master series.
very short but what could become an entertaining series, id suggest the author try to quadruple the size next time, but is still a very good start to what could be an amazing dungeon master series.
February 20, 2019
Short with a bit of fun
Given that I'm about to read the next book in the series this was a refreshing way to ease back into the series. If the next one is this good I should have a blast. This one's a fun bit of fluff.
Given that I'm about to read the next book in the series this was a refreshing way to ease back into the series. If the next one is this good I should have a blast. This one's a fun bit of fluff.
April 19, 2019
Not really a fan of short stories
It was ok as far as short stories go. The series is good overall, just wish he would put out full books not short stories and background stories of background characters.
It was ok as far as short stories go. The series is good overall, just wish he would put out full books not short stories and background stories of background characters.
January 7, 2019
A fun short read
Entertainment and background progression made this a fun read with poignant characters. An easy spend in my opinion! Go Simon!
Entertainment and background progression made this a fun read with poignant characters. An easy spend in my opinion! Go Simon!
February 14, 2019
Decent Book
Being a short story about a sub character I was not expecting much but was pleasantly surprise. I enjoyed the story.
Being a short story about a sub character I was not expecting much but was pleasantly surprise. I enjoyed the story.
February 7, 2020
It was a wonderful fun little book. I like the thought of having a Barrow and having it be alive and needing a host. I am not sure how Simon got to be the host though.
April 19, 2020
Awesome short story! I loved how it showed another side of the Realms. Please come out with more books soon! 😊😍I am so sad I and caught up with this series!
January 10, 2021
You would have had to read ‘The Barrow King’ first to understand who Simon is; it is a quick fun read, feels like the start of a new series.
January 13, 2021
Great story loved the added dynamics to the world.
June 9, 2022
A Novella in the Realms series about Simon's life as the new Barrow King. Not bad.
March 6, 2024
Funny
March 20, 2025
Edit: reviewed wrong book still need to find this one
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews