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Queen in the Mud
A girl suddenly vanishes from her world and finds herself drifting in and out of consciousness in a world of pure darkness. The only insight into her precarious situation is a prompt opening before her eyes indicating that the system failed to delete her.
The doggedly optimistic and naive teenager, Naomi, is reborn as a monster into a fantastical world governed by the rigid rules of a suspiciously game-like system; a world full of magic and danger where the familiar mingles with the inexplicable. She finds herself deep in the bizzarre, savage forests of the unclaimed lands where deadly monsters prowl in the shadows just out of sight.
After a close brush with death, any hope that this could be a lighthearted adventure evaporates as she feels real pain for the first time. The realization sinks in as Naomi comes to terms with this not being just a game; it’s her reality now.
As if coming to grips with the life or death survival situation she finds herself in isn’t enough, the description of one of her skills seems to be speaking to her...
The doggedly optimistic and naive teenager, Naomi, is reborn as a monster into a fantastical world governed by the rigid rules of a suspiciously game-like system; a world full of magic and danger where the familiar mingles with the inexplicable. She finds herself deep in the bizzarre, savage forests of the unclaimed lands where deadly monsters prowl in the shadows just out of sight.
After a close brush with death, any hope that this could be a lighthearted adventure evaporates as she feels real pain for the first time. The realization sinks in as Naomi comes to terms with this not being just a game; it’s her reality now.
As if coming to grips with the life or death survival situation she finds herself in isn’t enough, the description of one of her skills seems to be speaking to her...
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2020
387 people are currently reading
869 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
January 1, 2023
This was a delightfully original isekai LitRPG with real heart and a fantastic story. Naomi wakes up in darkness with a system prompt telling her she's incompatible but it failed to delete her so a solution was found. After some struggle that turns out to be breaking out of her shell, literally, she finds that the solution is to become a lesser crater lake salamander. Yes, the cover is actually a really good representation of her character.
A lesser salamander is pretty low on the local food chain (with just 2 hit points) so Naomi has some growing to do and her early life is a lot of scrambling. Over time, she starts to establish some safety and grows and evolves. Again, evolve is literal as certain levels give her evolutionary choices. I'll leave the details for you to discover and say simply that it was a great deal of fun and I was fully engaged even in just the survival bits of this story.
But Maari doesn't stop there. As the plot develops, we get hints of a larger story arc, including a system that is oddly antagonistic to our earnest lizard (she's not a lizard, this is a running joke). I loved this overarching story nearly as much as the day-to-day slice-of-life part.
This is the author's only book so far and it's an impressive debut. She mentions a sequel, but I wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't happen (it has been two and a half years). The story reaches a natural climax and anything more would have to be big. Really big. The kind of big that would stump even very experienced authors. Naomi and her family/friends are a delight, so I can see why you might want more. But the story is complete and I'm good with it as it stands. Five stars good.
A note about Chaste: Salamanders, at least in this story, reproduce asexually. And they seem to lay eggs at level 5. So Naomi has three daughters around the middle of the story, but there's no sex. At all. So this is very chaste.
A lesser salamander is pretty low on the local food chain (with just 2 hit points) so Naomi has some growing to do and her early life is a lot of scrambling. Over time, she starts to establish some safety and grows and evolves. Again, evolve is literal as certain levels give her evolutionary choices. I'll leave the details for you to discover and say simply that it was a great deal of fun and I was fully engaged even in just the survival bits of this story.
But Maari doesn't stop there. As the plot develops, we get hints of a larger story arc, including a system that is oddly antagonistic to our earnest lizard (she's not a lizard, this is a running joke). I loved this overarching story nearly as much as the day-to-day slice-of-life part.
This is the author's only book so far and it's an impressive debut. She mentions a sequel, but I wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't happen (it has been two and a half years). The story reaches a natural climax and anything more would have to be big. Really big. The kind of big that would stump even very experienced authors. Naomi and her family/friends are a delight, so I can see why you might want more. But the story is complete and I'm good with it as it stands. Five stars good.
A note about Chaste: Salamanders, at least in this story, reproduce asexually. And they seem to lay eggs at level 5. So Naomi has three daughters around the middle of the story, but there's no sex. At all. So this is very chaste.
June 7, 2020
Pleasant surprise
This was great. I was expecting the typical story about someone dying and reincarnating as an animal with the usual level ups and evolutions. This story had sooo much more! The story itself sucked me right in and I was amazed at how intricate it is.
The MC Naomi was a breath of fresh air. The author really fleshed her character out well. For instance when leveling and choosing skills. The ones chosen were those that you could see someone with her personality choosing. In other stories the choices are weighted and the author makes it obvious which one they will choose. Not so here. I also really enjoyed the sweetness and character the MC portrayed.
I also really like the direction the story is going. Looks like there is going to be some city building in book 2!!!
This was great. I was expecting the typical story about someone dying and reincarnating as an animal with the usual level ups and evolutions. This story had sooo much more! The story itself sucked me right in and I was amazed at how intricate it is.
The MC Naomi was a breath of fresh air. The author really fleshed her character out well. For instance when leveling and choosing skills. The ones chosen were those that you could see someone with her personality choosing. In other stories the choices are weighted and the author makes it obvious which one they will choose. Not so here. I also really enjoyed the sweetness and character the MC portrayed.
I also really like the direction the story is going. Looks like there is going to be some city building in book 2!!!
March 11, 2021
I arrived here in an odd way - I saw that Audible was having a 2 for 1 sale, so I was looking at what was in the sale. This book with a pink salamander on the cover popped up. So, I listened to sample. Seemed interesting. Then looked at book sample on Amazon. Then got book on Amazon (it was free through Kindle Unlimited). I also got the audio book.
So - audio sample lead me to be interested; Kindle sample made me realize I needed to read instead of hear - because the book had charts and stuff.
(Why do I always open this way?)
A young woman falls asleep one night. When she wakes up she . . . doesn't wake up. Instead she's in some kind of dark lightless void. Time passes. She goes into and out of consciousness in this dark void. Then . . . a blinking light at the corner of her eye. With much work she's able to see something - a box with words in it. Eventually she sees a different light, a crack in the dark void. She slams her head into it until she finds herself in a bright bright space. The space outside an egg.
The young woman, who had fallen asleep a human, woke up a salamander. She blinks, looks around, spots some other eggs, like her own, has a momentarily thought of "sisters? brothers?" Shortly thereafter a weird huge snake creature charges past her spot in the mud and eats the eggs. Then spots her. And.....
Right, well, that's the prologue. The book is super addictive, exciting, fun and I've been thinking about it days later (it's been about 7 hours not days). I want to read more. Of this story, of anything by this author. There's no more (yet).
heh. Should I put a rating and today's date now? I've told nothing about this story. heh.
This book includes several points of view, but the vast majority of the book is from Naomi's point of view, the young salamander who went asleep one day only to wake up in a strange land, in a strange shape, learning how to use a tail, and "level up" throughout the story. That's what the boxes and stuff were about - "pop-ups" that provide information (limited), and/or a character sheet. Like in Dungeons & Dragons.
Oh, right. Asexual. Is the main character asexual? Yes. She reproduces asexually (I'm being serious here).
Rating: 5+ (this book is one of two books I've given 5+ stars to, and one of two favorite books so far this year).
March 10 2021
So - audio sample lead me to be interested; Kindle sample made me realize I needed to read instead of hear - because the book had charts and stuff.
(Why do I always open this way?)
A young woman falls asleep one night. When she wakes up she . . . doesn't wake up. Instead she's in some kind of dark lightless void. Time passes. She goes into and out of consciousness in this dark void. Then . . . a blinking light at the corner of her eye. With much work she's able to see something - a box with words in it. Eventually she sees a different light, a crack in the dark void. She slams her head into it until she finds herself in a bright bright space. The space outside an egg.
The young woman, who had fallen asleep a human, woke up a salamander. She blinks, looks around, spots some other eggs, like her own, has a momentarily thought of "sisters? brothers?" Shortly thereafter a weird huge snake creature charges past her spot in the mud and eats the eggs. Then spots her. And.....
Right, well, that's the prologue. The book is super addictive, exciting, fun and I've been thinking about it days later (it's been about 7 hours not days). I want to read more. Of this story, of anything by this author. There's no more (yet).
heh. Should I put a rating and today's date now? I've told nothing about this story. heh.
This book includes several points of view, but the vast majority of the book is from Naomi's point of view, the young salamander who went asleep one day only to wake up in a strange land, in a strange shape, learning how to use a tail, and "level up" throughout the story. That's what the boxes and stuff were about - "pop-ups" that provide information (limited), and/or a character sheet. Like in Dungeons & Dragons.
Oh, right. Asexual. Is the main character asexual? Yes. She reproduces asexually (I'm being serious here).
Rating: 5+ (this book is one of two books I've given 5+ stars to, and one of two favorite books so far this year).
March 10 2021
June 14, 2020
Excellent style and captivating storytelling, can't wait for the next installment.
It would seem the author really put the effort into this and it shows, very rarely I run into self published work that is so well polished that it doesn't need even a little extra proofreading.
My hat off to you dear MAARI, may you continue to entertain and exhilarate us for many years to come.
It would seem the author really put the effort into this and it shows, very rarely I run into self published work that is so well polished that it doesn't need even a little extra proofreading.
My hat off to you dear MAARI, may you continue to entertain and exhilarate us for many years to come.
September 3, 2025
To be honest, I haven't read many LitRPGs, and the whole concept of them has somewhat turned me off. I've seen enough of those terrible isekai anime to be wary, and something about a book trying to be videogame-like rubs me the wrong way. From what I hear, far too many of them get bogged down by over complicated mechanics over plot and character. There's nothing wrong with fun and complex mechanics, but if I wanted them, I'd play a video game. They just aren't interesting if you aren't engaging with them directly.
After picking up Queen in the Mud on a whim after a recommendation, however, I believe I now see the appeal of the genre. Game mechanics aren't interesting in a vacuum, but when you begin to explore how characters interact with them, and make those situations have genuine weight to them - be it a life or death situation where your real life is on the line, or a class based decision that will carry with you the rest of your life - it gets a lot more interesting to see how the character will react, and what kind of person they become. Not to mention how the game mechanics shape the world around them if we are assuming it is completely literal and everyone who'd normally be a pre-programmed NPC is born into this.
Queen in the Mud is a refreshing and brilliant story that uses its game mechanic gimmick to craft a world that's equal parts surreal and fascinating, and then gives us genuinely fascinating characters to watch as they learn and grow through the framework of the game. It's a very laid-back, character driven story, but one infused with mystery and beauty around every turn, keeping you coming back for more to see how Naomi, the protagonist, approaches different problems and grows as both a "player" and as a person. Every new sight seen, every skill leveled up, every mystery uncovered, is gripping and fascinating in equal measure.
The xenofiction element doesn't hurt. I'm a fan of So I'm a Spider So What, and this scratches that same itch by reincarnating the protagonist as an absolutely adorable salamander girl. It gives a unique perspective and sets up interesting plotlines and themes to come. I can't wait to see how book 2 expands on the ideas here, and I hope it gets finished.
Really, this book just seems like it's catering to me specifically in so many ways. There's so many tantalizing mysteries, surreal sights and moments, a delightfully mystic atmosphere, and so. much. TAIL. Adorable salamander-kin, interesting lore delivered at just the right pace, and excellent character growth are the recipe for a great time.
Honestly, I'd recommend this to just about anyone looking for a good adventure novel. While it's not an adventure in the sense that the protagonist travels far and wide, it still very much scratches that itch. For those who are put off by the LitRPG aspect, I'd encourage you to give it a try anyway. If any book is gonna win you over to the genre, it's this one.
After picking up Queen in the Mud on a whim after a recommendation, however, I believe I now see the appeal of the genre. Game mechanics aren't interesting in a vacuum, but when you begin to explore how characters interact with them, and make those situations have genuine weight to them - be it a life or death situation where your real life is on the line, or a class based decision that will carry with you the rest of your life - it gets a lot more interesting to see how the character will react, and what kind of person they become. Not to mention how the game mechanics shape the world around them if we are assuming it is completely literal and everyone who'd normally be a pre-programmed NPC is born into this.
Queen in the Mud is a refreshing and brilliant story that uses its game mechanic gimmick to craft a world that's equal parts surreal and fascinating, and then gives us genuinely fascinating characters to watch as they learn and grow through the framework of the game. It's a very laid-back, character driven story, but one infused with mystery and beauty around every turn, keeping you coming back for more to see how Naomi, the protagonist, approaches different problems and grows as both a "player" and as a person. Every new sight seen, every skill leveled up, every mystery uncovered, is gripping and fascinating in equal measure.
The xenofiction element doesn't hurt. I'm a fan of So I'm a Spider So What, and this scratches that same itch by reincarnating the protagonist as an absolutely adorable salamander girl. It gives a unique perspective and sets up interesting plotlines and themes to come. I can't wait to see how book 2 expands on the ideas here, and I hope it gets finished.
Really, this book just seems like it's catering to me specifically in so many ways. There's so many tantalizing mysteries, surreal sights and moments, a delightfully mystic atmosphere, and so. much. TAIL. Adorable salamander-kin, interesting lore delivered at just the right pace, and excellent character growth are the recipe for a great time.
Honestly, I'd recommend this to just about anyone looking for a good adventure novel. While it's not an adventure in the sense that the protagonist travels far and wide, it still very much scratches that itch. For those who are put off by the LitRPG aspect, I'd encourage you to give it a try anyway. If any book is gonna win you over to the genre, it's this one.
June 16, 2025
Not bad.
Okay, this is otherwise well-done but it's too self-indulgent and... easy? For the MC. I guess that's par for the course with litrpgs but I mean, it's not a requirement of the genre. It's low effort, compared to what it could be, but I think that's more forgivable of a web-serial. The characters sort of flirt with unbelievability, but I can see justifications for their actions, and the thinness to me seems more a result of the lack of depth in the writing rather than a shaky foundation of motive.
I do find some decisions, tactics, part of the outlook of the MC questionable. I'm not sure if this is a result of an accurate representation of the character's background or a symptom of the lack of time spent on the thing, or even something done intentionally to provide a contrast when the future, levelled characters look back and see how things could have been done better.
I guess the whole thing is just a reflection of the sort of situation the publishing industry is in, or the way the world is - results matter, and there's no allowance for the development of craft or work. There's this need for the thing to be read, or for it to start making money, and the quality suffers.
The publishing industry probably has a few things to answer for, but reading self-published books I have had occasion to wonder whether it's not better for the reader if the book had been rejected; or in cases like this, if the author had been rejected and then went back and rewritten it a couple times to turn it from a 4 star book into a 5 star book.
2025.06.16 - The more I read of RoyalRoad the better this seems in contrast. Except for Eight. The worst problems are ideological.
Okay, this is otherwise well-done but it's too self-indulgent and... easy? For the MC. I guess that's par for the course with litrpgs but I mean, it's not a requirement of the genre. It's low effort, compared to what it could be, but I think that's more forgivable of a web-serial. The characters sort of flirt with unbelievability, but I can see justifications for their actions, and the thinness to me seems more a result of the lack of depth in the writing rather than a shaky foundation of motive.
I do find some decisions, tactics, part of the outlook of the MC questionable. I'm not sure if this is a result of an accurate representation of the character's background or a symptom of the lack of time spent on the thing, or even something done intentionally to provide a contrast when the future, levelled characters look back and see how things could have been done better.
I guess the whole thing is just a reflection of the sort of situation the publishing industry is in, or the way the world is - results matter, and there's no allowance for the development of craft or work. There's this need for the thing to be read, or for it to start making money, and the quality suffers.
The publishing industry probably has a few things to answer for, but reading self-published books I have had occasion to wonder whether it's not better for the reader if the book had been rejected; or in cases like this, if the author had been rejected and then went back and rewritten it a couple times to turn it from a 4 star book into a 5 star book.
2025.06.16 - The more I read of RoyalRoad the better this seems in contrast. Except for Eight. The worst problems are ideological.
August 14, 2022
This was a very pleasant read. The story is engaging from start to finish, the premise is quite interesting, the pacing is good, the character and world building are good. The only problem is that there are no sequels as of this writing, which is frustrating. I have missed the fact that this is book 1, not a standalone finished story. Still, there's no horrible cliffhangers and it's well worth a read.
June 8, 2020
This was such a fun and lovely read! I love monster evolution and I’m starting this one after finishing the first two books of Janus and, while quite different, this one was very enjoyable.
The first half of this book makes it seem like it’ll be slice of life going forward. But there are things hiding in the background that come to focus every now and then that make ponder and question what is to come. And then, the author throws a revelation at you and leaves your jaw reasting on the floor. I was utterly giddy reading it late at night and will admit it probably took me longer to get to bed afterwards.
After that, the book slowly escalates with more and more thrilling events happening. Can’t wait for the next one.
The first half of this book makes it seem like it’ll be slice of life going forward. But there are things hiding in the background that come to focus every now and then that make ponder and question what is to come. And then, the author throws a revelation at you and leaves your jaw reasting on the floor. I was utterly giddy reading it late at night and will admit it probably took me longer to get to bed afterwards.
After that, the book slowly escalates with more and more thrilling events happening. Can’t wait for the next one.
September 10, 2020
After a car crash, Naomi wakes to find herself stuck in the stumpy body of a Lesser Crater Lake Salamander. Struggling through the first night with a measly two hitpoints, she bravely fights off Choko Chokos (aggressive orange poof balls), Shadow Lurkers, and a snake thing with enough teeth to keep dentists in business for the next decade. She scurries back to safety and makes the lake of Enzirus, mana anomaly, her home. But she soon has to take care of more than just herself, and q6, The Pillar of Death, has taken rather too much interest in Naomi for her liking...
PROS: Imaginative, warm voice, multiple distinct POVs, time travel done well, a ton of tension, settlement building (one of my personal favourite tropes), and smatterings of humour and mystery.
So what kept it from being a five star read?
CONS: The levelling stats are awkwardly formatted (especially on the kindle), and there are quite a few spelling and grammar errors. I didn't mind that much, but that Naomi adjusts remarkably (and unrealistically) quickly to her new circumstances, without a pang of grief or mourning for her past life broke my suspension of disbelief. I wish Naomi's gender dysphoria at being put into an androgynous body that reproduces via parthenogenesis was explored more, along with her past. Also, the POV shifts are sometimes unclear. Or should I say muddy? (Someone arrest me now, please.)
Favourite Quotes:
Let's not talk about my slime layer. It's rude to talk about a girl's slime layer, okay?
It's a magical fish. It's a magical fish wizard that flies around casting fish magic.
Their magic [hedge wizard's magic] is so dangerous to use that sometimes the ideal method of fighting a hedge mage is to wait until their own magic kills them.
Race name accepted. As this race of creature was previously undiscovered, entity NAOMI has given it the name MAGESTIC BASTARD.
--
Overall, a very cute heart-warming LitRPG with a focus on magic and settlement building. Riveting tail (sorry, tale).
PROS: Imaginative, warm voice, multiple distinct POVs, time travel done well, a ton of tension, settlement building (one of my personal favourite tropes), and smatterings of humour and mystery.
So what kept it from being a five star read?
CONS: The levelling stats are awkwardly formatted (especially on the kindle), and there are quite a few spelling and grammar errors. I didn't mind that much, but that Naomi adjusts remarkably (and unrealistically) quickly to her new circumstances, without a pang of grief or mourning for her past life broke my suspension of disbelief. I wish Naomi's gender dysphoria at being put into an androgynous body that reproduces via parthenogenesis was explored more, along with her past. Also, the POV shifts are sometimes unclear. Or should I say muddy? (Someone arrest me now, please.)
Favourite Quotes:
Let's not talk about my slime layer. It's rude to talk about a girl's slime layer, okay?
It's a magical fish. It's a magical fish wizard that flies around casting fish magic.
Their magic [hedge wizard's magic] is so dangerous to use that sometimes the ideal method of fighting a hedge mage is to wait until their own magic kills them.
Race name accepted. As this race of creature was previously undiscovered, entity NAOMI has given it the name MAGESTIC BASTARD.
--
Overall, a very cute heart-warming LitRPG with a focus on magic and settlement building. Riveting tail (sorry, tale).
December 28, 2020
Явно много от хората, които се увличат от ролеви игри са малко по-плитко или даже малко по-дълбоко в спектъра на аутизма, защото обсесията им с математическите системи, по които тия игри работят е направо прекалена.
Същото се получава, когато такъв човек се мъчи да пише в иначе набиращия популярност стил за "ролеви роман", в който героите имат нещо като вътрешен интерфейс, чрез който получават "умения" и "точки" имащи отражение в действителността.
Въпреки няколкото отлични примери за такъв стил романи (добър пример 1, добър пример 2), повечето автори се занимават твърде много със "системата" и уменията и отделят съвсем малко внимание на неща като действие и стил на писане, което прави творенията им тотално нечитаеми за хора, които не са аутисти като тях. Пример за което е настоящата книга.
Същото се получава, когато такъв човек се мъчи да пише в иначе набиращия популярност стил за "ролеви роман", в който героите имат нещо като вътрешен интерфейс, чрез който получават "умения" и "точки" имащи отражение в действителността.
Въпреки няколкото отлични примери за такъв стил романи (добър пример 1, добър пример 2), повечето автори се занимават твърде много със "системата" и уменията и отделят съвсем малко внимание на неща като действие и стил на писане, което прави творенията им тотално нечитаеми за хора, които не са аутисти като тях. Пример за което е настоящата книга.
July 20, 2020
Well written, fun romp
Well written story, with good paving, n interesting character profession and a lot of potential. Looking forward to book 2
Well written story, with good paving, n interesting character profession and a lot of potential. Looking forward to book 2
September 22, 2020
This book honestly surprised me. As I scour kindle for more isekais to read, this one popped up in my recommendations. Between a series I've never heard before and the beautiful yet non-anime style of cover, I was hesitant. Bad isekais are aplenty, and I wasn't in the mood for more disappointment. So I went in with a more critical eye then I normally do.
And oh boy, was I proven wrong. The story is starts off interesting, and then grows to fascinating as the lineup of characters expands. The game-style of leveling up is done well and stays interesting, and the use of magic and mana is familiar yet unique. As more POV's are shown, I saw the difference between the author's writing style and a character's unique personality.
I would give this 4.5 stars easily, which is rare since I don't like giving out a near perfect score. The complaints I have are few and far in between. One being the extra space between paragraphs, at least on the Kindle version. It felt clunky and unneeded. Let the words flow. The space just decreases the ease of flow. If you're worried about the thought-speech being lost without the spaces, then just put them in speech marks. The other complaint I have is the title change between POV's. While it's enough to differentiate it, it feels rushed and it's easy to miss. A little more flourish on them would really help sink in that it's a new POV.
I plan to follow this series with desperate anticipation. I want, almost need, to know what happens next. This story was a near perfect mix of all of my quiet favorites, and I could go on for a while about it, but I'll just stop here.. and keep my eager patience to myself.
And oh boy, was I proven wrong. The story is starts off interesting, and then grows to fascinating as the lineup of characters expands. The game-style of leveling up is done well and stays interesting, and the use of magic and mana is familiar yet unique. As more POV's are shown, I saw the difference between the author's writing style and a character's unique personality.
I would give this 4.5 stars easily, which is rare since I don't like giving out a near perfect score. The complaints I have are few and far in between. One being the extra space between paragraphs, at least on the Kindle version. It felt clunky and unneeded. Let the words flow. The space just decreases the ease of flow. If you're worried about the thought-speech being lost without the spaces, then just put them in speech marks. The other complaint I have is the title change between POV's. While it's enough to differentiate it, it feels rushed and it's easy to miss. A little more flourish on them would really help sink in that it's a new POV.
I plan to follow this series with desperate anticipation. I want, almost need, to know what happens next. This story was a near perfect mix of all of my quiet favorites, and I could go on for a while about it, but I'll just stop here.. and keep my eager patience to myself.
May 19, 2020
Excellent work
Overall an extremely good book; I found the character quite well written and quite compelling. The story moves gears quite a bit, from survival to a very convoluted plot to proto-empire building, but is quite enjoyable nonetheless.
My only complaint would be that alot of stuff was borderline gifted to the MC, although there are explained plot reasons for that.
As a side note, another review mentioned the MC being "pacifist" which I found to be untrue, she was simply not a murder bot, but she was responsible for alot of dead things.
Overall an extremely good book; I found the character quite well written and quite compelling. The story moves gears quite a bit, from survival to a very convoluted plot to proto-empire building, but is quite enjoyable nonetheless.
My only complaint would be that alot of stuff was borderline gifted to the MC, although there are explained plot reasons for that.
As a side note, another review mentioned the MC being "pacifist" which I found to be untrue, she was simply not a murder bot, but she was responsible for alot of dead things.
November 28, 2022
I picked this book on recommendation, when by myself I would not have been particularily drawn to LitRPG.
The story, characters and world are well described, rpg elements are not overriding that; while they're unmistakably present and part of the plot structure, it does not feel like they steal the focus.
While it still felt funny (to me at least) to have the references to the game mechanics, it didn't spoil the story or characters.
The depictions of the world are vivid, as well as the inner struggles of the main character (and others, too - multiple povs although the MC is dominant).
Cherry on the cake, the plot as it unravels through an appropriately progressive exposition, ends up on something very interesting and mysterious in concept.
There will be a sequel, but no abrupt cliffhanger yet of course, I'm curious about how it continues.
I would recommend to anyone wary of LitRPG, but wishing to give it a try.
The story, characters and world are well described, rpg elements are not overriding that; while they're unmistakably present and part of the plot structure, it does not feel like they steal the focus.
While it still felt funny (to me at least) to have the references to the game mechanics, it didn't spoil the story or characters.
The depictions of the world are vivid, as well as the inner struggles of the main character (and others, too - multiple povs although the MC is dominant).
Cherry on the cake, the plot as it unravels through an appropriately progressive exposition, ends up on something very interesting and mysterious in concept.
There will be a sequel, but no abrupt cliffhanger yet of course, I'm curious about how it continues.
I would recommend to anyone wary of LitRPG, but wishing to give it a try.
August 5, 2020
Alert
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Over the past year it has become apparent that my reviews are somewhat antagonistic and I apologize to those of you that have taken offense. I think I had hoped to change peoples’ minds about reviewing works of art and that seems to have backfired spectacularly. However, I am still going to be true to myself and write what I believe.
To the author: Thank you for this chance to escape reality and enjoy the world you created! Keep up the good work.
To my fellow reviewers: Messaging me and reviewing my reviews is as productive as trying to shovel water out of the ocean. Stop. I get it. Let’s just all live peacefully.
To potential readers: Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Over the past year it has become apparent that my reviews are somewhat antagonistic and I apologize to those of you that have taken offense. I think I had hoped to change peoples’ minds about reviewing works of art and that seems to have backfired spectacularly. However, I am still going to be true to myself and write what I believe.
To the author: Thank you for this chance to escape reality and enjoy the world you created! Keep up the good work.
To my fellow reviewers: Messaging me and reviewing my reviews is as productive as trying to shovel water out of the ocean. Stop. I get it. Let’s just all live peacefully.
To potential readers: Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
May 21, 2021
Interesting book, with a great world and protagonist.
The writer seems a bit inexperienced though, and the book is in serious need of a better editor or "beta" readers. The writing improves through the book (early parts bear scars of being a serialized web release), though so do logic errors and world building brainfarts.
Still overall fun though. I hope the author gets better a editor with the next book and this could be among the greats.
The writer seems a bit inexperienced though, and the book is in serious need of a better editor or "beta" readers. The writing improves through the book (early parts bear scars of being a serialized web release), though so do logic errors and world building brainfarts.
Still overall fun though. I hope the author gets better a editor with the next book and this could be among the greats.
dnf
September 28, 2024DNF @49%
Fine enough, but I don't care enough about anything that's happening to power through it.
Fine enough, but I don't care enough about anything that's happening to power through it.
January 17, 2022
Delightfully unique and different. I have never read anything like this.
August 11, 2020
I'd give this book 5 stars just for having the character not be a human or pointy eared human. The picture on the front of a reptilian/amphibian species drew me in, and it turns out to be legitimately charming. Naomi is a compelling character and the world and mechanics are interesting in the same way Aleron Kong's "The Land: Founding" but doesn't get mired on the endless game stats that he has a problem with. Defiantly going to keep an eye on this one.
June 5, 2022
Interesting but tedious
I like Thaddius and Naomi's interaction. The start of the book hooked me with what she had to do for survival. I love Thaddius as a character and how he interacts with everyone.
However, starting from mid-book, the story feels tedious. It became a chore to read. I wanted so badly to just skip to the end though thankfully I did not.
The story itself is interesting so perhaps it was the narration that made it a chore.
I like the cute ending so I will still look forward for Book 2.
I like Thaddius and Naomi's interaction. The start of the book hooked me with what she had to do for survival. I love Thaddius as a character and how he interacts with everyone.
However, starting from mid-book, the story feels tedious. It became a chore to read. I wanted so badly to just skip to the end though thankfully I did not.
The story itself is interesting so perhaps it was the narration that made it a chore.
I like the cute ending so I will still look forward for Book 2.
May 26, 2021
A 19 year old human (?) girl wakes up as a hatching human-sized salamander with a game-like interface. She hasn't the faintest clue what is going on, but immediate survival is a bigger concern. We follow her journey into the alien world, including an intriguing mystery on her and the world's identity with a few short forays into other people's perspective.
Slow game progress, no OP protagonist, good character development and an intriguing mystery are its big pros. Not an overly big fan of skill based systems, but it fits the setting and feels more like a confirmation of what somebody has learned and not a new thing. You do not get stealth just because you sneak around. Time travel and direct involvement of 'deities' is a bit risky imo, but seems to be handled well.
So, a solid 1st part of a series. I am very curious were things are going. Looking forward to the next part.
Slow game progress, no OP protagonist, good character development and an intriguing mystery are its big pros. Not an overly big fan of skill based systems, but it fits the setting and feels more like a confirmation of what somebody has learned and not a new thing. You do not get stealth just because you sneak around. Time travel and direct involvement of 'deities' is a bit risky imo, but seems to be handled well.
So, a solid 1st part of a series. I am very curious were things are going. Looking forward to the next part.
August 20, 2020
Not bad, not great.
The time loop elements make this LitRPG story rise above the crowd but a bland protagonist and slow plot progression drag it back down.
There's so much that could have been done but wasn't. Naomi comes from modern-day Earth but the only civilizing aid given to her burgeoning empire is derived from some local books. She can control water in all things but doesn't think to weaponize the fluid in her enemies' bodies, even when death looms. There are two known threats adjacent to her home but she takes no steps to protect against them or neutralize them, despite having newborns to shield.
The series has potential, so I'm not writing it off just yet.
The time loop elements make this LitRPG story rise above the crowd but a bland protagonist and slow plot progression drag it back down.
There's so much that could have been done but wasn't. Naomi comes from modern-day Earth but the only civilizing aid given to her burgeoning empire is derived from some local books. She can control water in all things but doesn't think to weaponize the fluid in her enemies' bodies, even when death looms. There are two known threats adjacent to her home but she takes no steps to protect against them or neutralize them, despite having newborns to shield.
The series has potential, so I'm not writing it off just yet.
June 8, 2020
Solid early effort
I'd say this author is reasonably talented at writing and fairly new at it. The story doesn't come across as especially polished and finely written. The actual story itself, though, is really an enjoyable one. I would recommend it to the right reader. It really is the story it's described as. It's quite cute and a lovely little read.
I'd say this author is reasonably talented at writing and fairly new at it. The story doesn't come across as especially polished and finely written. The actual story itself, though, is really an enjoyable one. I would recommend it to the right reader. It really is the story it's described as. It's quite cute and a lovely little read.
May 24, 2020
Pretty good read
Had a hood time reading this story. Was recommended under base building which isnt really true YET. Also the web serial roots are still painfully obvious. If it wernt for that id give it 5 stars.
Had a hood time reading this story. Was recommended under base building which isnt really true YET. Also the web serial roots are still painfully obvious. If it wernt for that id give it 5 stars.
June 21, 2020
An American Isekai
Queen in the Mud is an American science fiction novel in the style of a Japanese light isekai. It's an empowerment fantasy worthy of the sub-genre, with skillful storytelling and intriguing worldbuilding.
Our protagonist Naomi is a contemporary young woman from California's Central Valley who finds herself resurrected as an unhatched salamander in a world with monsters, magic, and a video game-like skills system. Horrified to discover that she's relatively bite-sized and tasty, she does what it takes to survive and gets busy running from danger, searching for food, and gaming a cruel system for every tiny advantage it will begrudgingly give her.
The story is fresh and unique while still paying respectful homage to several contemporary Japanese works, the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime series in particular. The author, “Maari”, has transcended his or her (probably her) influences and accomplished several things not often seen in isekai from Japan:
• There is a real sense of danger. Naomi isn't just mistakenly thought to be weak, she is weaker than those trying to kill her, and it rightfully terrifies her. She almost dies, repeatedly. Allies and enemies die. Injuries, illness, death, and terror actually affect the plot and get in the way of achieving the goal.
• Making and keeping friends and allies requires acceptance of risk and actual effort, not just coincidence and some convenient insta-magic. Even family in Naomi's world won't stick around if she can't keep them alive.
• The science-fiction supernatural villains are genuinely creepy and threatening, unlike the vague and sometimes cutesy Demon Lords who are the normal fare for this genre.
• The protagonist and narrative viewpoint are convincingly female. Unfortunately, it's too common in this genre for “female” protagonists to be middle-aged men in the bodies of young girls. (Or unintentionally written as if they were.) Naomi has the viewpoints, skills, and expectations of a young adult woman from our world. I never had the impression that I was reading the thoughts and behaviors of a man. (Big caveat here: I'm not a woman.)
But still, a good example of the isekai sub-genre, regardless. At times, I found myself thinking “this is an excellent translation” as my mind had drifted into thinking I was reading a story by a Japanese auther. It was honestly a little jarring for characters to mention the English language or American place names.
Highly recommended.
January 13, 2024
Queen in the Mud: A Slimy Sensation That Redefines Evolution
Unconventional Evolution: Forget those predictable LitRPG tropes. Naomi, our endearing salamander protagonist, blazes a trail of unique choices that align perfectly with her quirky personality. This story ditches the well-worn paths of monster progression, opting instead to forge a refreshingly unpredictable journey.
Captivating Characters: Naomi is a beacon of sweetness and determination amidst the murky depths. Her personality shines through in every action and thought, drawing you into her world with an irresistible charm. While supporting characters take a more subtle role, they still contribute vibrant hues to the narrative tapestry.
Intriguing Worldbuilding: The Unclaimed Lands beckon with their mysteries and dangers. Maari masterfully crafts a world that feels both ancient and alive, leaving you eager to uncover its secrets and explore its vibrant landscapes.
Unexpected Twists and Turns: From Naomi's asexual reproduction to jaw-dropping revelations that upend expectations, Queen in the Mud keeps you clinging to the edge of your seat, desperate to unravel the mysteries that lie beneath its slimy surface.
Slow-Burn Beginnings: The first half of the story takes its time to establish the setting and explore Naomi's growth. While enjoyable in its own right, some readers might crave a more action-packed opening.
Limited Perspectives: We primarily experience the story through Naomi's eyes, leaving other characters somewhat shrouded in mystery. While her perspective is strong and engaging, additional viewpoints could offer even more depth and dimension to the narrative.
Queen in the Mud by Maari emerges from the depths to shatter expectations and redefine the reincarnation-as-animal LitRPG genre. Prepare to be submerged in a world teeming with vibrant characters, intricate worldbuilding, and twists that will leave you gasping for air.
Strengths:
Unconventional Evolution: Forget those predictable LitRPG tropes. Naomi, our endearing salamander protagonist, blazes a trail of unique choices that align perfectly with her quirky personality. This story ditches the well-worn paths of monster progression, opting instead to forge a refreshingly unpredictable journey.
Captivating Characters: Naomi is a beacon of sweetness and determination amidst the murky depths. Her personality shines through in every action and thought, drawing you into her world with an irresistible charm. While supporting characters take a more subtle role, they still contribute vibrant hues to the narrative tapestry.
Intriguing Worldbuilding: The Unclaimed Lands beckon with their mysteries and dangers. Maari masterfully crafts a world that feels both ancient and alive, leaving you eager to uncover its secrets and explore its vibrant landscapes.
Unexpected Twists and Turns: From Naomi's asexual reproduction to jaw-dropping revelations that upend expectations, Queen in the Mud keeps you clinging to the edge of your seat, desperate to unravel the mysteries that lie beneath its slimy surface.
Points to Ponder:
Slow-Burn Beginnings: The first half of the story takes its time to establish the setting and explore Naomi's growth. While enjoyable in its own right, some readers might crave a more action-packed opening.
Limited Perspectives: We primarily experience the story through Naomi's eyes, leaving other characters somewhat shrouded in mystery. While her perspective is strong and engaging, additional viewpoints could offer even more depth and dimension to the narrative.
Overall Verdict:
Queen in the Mud is a refreshing oasis in the realm of LitRPG. It dares to be different, embracing its quirky charm, endearing characters, and a world that begs to be explored. Dive into its depths and allow yourself to be crowned by its unexpected brilliance.
Recommended For: Readers who crave unconventional narratives, heartwarming characters, and a dash of the extraordinary. Prepare to be slimed, surprised, and utterly captivated by this unique gem.
September 15, 2024
This book starts out incredibly crunchy and dull. There is almost no dialogue and when new characters are introduced they are barely capable of conversation. It is a long, long slog with almost nothing substantial really happening.
After hours and hours of over-crunchy levelling and stat sheets, adult characters are introduced about 4 hours from the end and the last 2-3 hours are actually filled with exciting dialogue and events happening. It made me tempted to read the next book because the ending was so, so much better than the beginning and middle.
The main character was good and her first subjects were ok if a bit shallow. The setting was well described but there is a lot of time travel that hasn't quite been fully explained and I'm not sure about that.
I looked the narrator up after this. Had this been an author-narrated story I'd forgive her but Thompson is a professional narrator and she did a bad job. If this was full cast audio and she played the teenage girl she'd hit it out of the park but she was completely unable to do a male voice. None of the characters voices change as they shift to adulthood and many of them are indistinguishable anyway.
There were also several pronunciation mistakes like "snout" being called "snoot". These weren't too bad but she's being paid to read so she should be held to a higher standard. Honestly, it was just poor.
Overall I would say LitRPG fans might like this book but other people probably would not.
After hours and hours of over-crunchy levelling and stat sheets, adult characters are introduced about 4 hours from the end and the last 2-3 hours are actually filled with exciting dialogue and events happening. It made me tempted to read the next book because the ending was so, so much better than the beginning and middle.
The main character was good and her first subjects were ok if a bit shallow. The setting was well described but there is a lot of time travel that hasn't quite been fully explained and I'm not sure about that.
I looked the narrator up after this. Had this been an author-narrated story I'd forgive her but Thompson is a professional narrator and she did a bad job. If this was full cast audio and she played the teenage girl she'd hit it out of the park but she was completely unable to do a male voice. None of the characters voices change as they shift to adulthood and many of them are indistinguishable anyway.
There were also several pronunciation mistakes like "snout" being called "snoot". These weren't too bad but she's being paid to read so she should be held to a higher standard. Honestly, it was just poor.
Overall I would say LitRPG fans might like this book but other people probably would not.
July 8, 2020
Fantastic first book by a new author
The writing is very polished. I noticed very, very few typos, mostly a few missing periods and no space between sentences.Like here
Most stories that come from RoyalRoad are written discovery style and lack plotting and structured backstory reveal, bot not this one. The author obviously put their heart and soul into this book. The pacing is very well done, the story never lags or feels patchy. The backstory is intriguing and there is constantly more revealed about the world and the main character's origin that keeps the sense of mystery involved. Plus, there is a definite sense of casual humor that lends a voice to the writing, and I love that. The main character doesn't take herself too seriously or have an inflated opinion of herself. She comes across as a very real person, and her motivations are explained just enough to give this impression without being too wordy or exhaustively descriptive.
As an aspiring writer myself, I have incredible respect for this new author and hope to emulate her success with my first book someday. I will be looking back to this story for confirmation that it really is possible to produce high quality work on your first try in self publication. Also, I will be following this author in the future and I eagerly await more in this story, and whatever else they choose to write.
The writing is very polished. I noticed very, very few typos, mostly a few missing periods and no space between sentences.Like here
Most stories that come from RoyalRoad are written discovery style and lack plotting and structured backstory reveal, bot not this one. The author obviously put their heart and soul into this book. The pacing is very well done, the story never lags or feels patchy. The backstory is intriguing and there is constantly more revealed about the world and the main character's origin that keeps the sense of mystery involved. Plus, there is a definite sense of casual humor that lends a voice to the writing, and I love that. The main character doesn't take herself too seriously or have an inflated opinion of herself. She comes across as a very real person, and her motivations are explained just enough to give this impression without being too wordy or exhaustively descriptive.
As an aspiring writer myself, I have incredible respect for this new author and hope to emulate her success with my first book someday. I will be looking back to this story for confirmation that it really is possible to produce high quality work on your first try in self publication. Also, I will be following this author in the future and I eagerly await more in this story, and whatever else they choose to write.
April 26, 2021
This was basically a salamander version of Kumo Desu Ka, Nani Ka, but with grammar mistakes on nearly every page, an overabundance of stat sheet filler, and a plot going nowhere in a hurry.
While the MC was less annoying than the one in Kumo, the story moved at a snail's pace and the poor writing really just hurt the experience since there was little else to pay attention to. Most noticeable was the constant shifting of tenses from page to page and paragraph to paragraph. Side note, I don't dislike Kumo, it was 6/10 for me meaning a notch above average.
I'm also giving the benefit of the doubt and assuming the author of this story is British, otherwise they were spelling the word 'leveling' wrong. It's weird to me how many American authors spell things with British spelling. If you are going to spell it 'levelling' then you better go all-in and spell things like flavour and labour as well. Otherwise, I don't want to see grey. It's gray with an a. A for American and E for English spelling of the color gray. Please be consistent with how you spell things (steps down from soapbox).
I went 40% before succumbing to skim-itis and just found nothing that piqued my interest. This one isn't for me and added to the string of disappointments I've accumulated lately.
While the MC was less annoying than the one in Kumo, the story moved at a snail's pace and the poor writing really just hurt the experience since there was little else to pay attention to. Most noticeable was the constant shifting of tenses from page to page and paragraph to paragraph. Side note, I don't dislike Kumo, it was 6/10 for me meaning a notch above average.
I'm also giving the benefit of the doubt and assuming the author of this story is British, otherwise they were spelling the word 'leveling' wrong. It's weird to me how many American authors spell things with British spelling. If you are going to spell it 'levelling' then you better go all-in and spell things like flavour and labour as well. Otherwise, I don't want to see grey. It's gray with an a. A for American and E for English spelling of the color gray. Please be consistent with how you spell things (steps down from soapbox).
I went 40% before succumbing to skim-itis and just found nothing that piqued my interest. This one isn't for me and added to the string of disappointments I've accumulated lately.
July 26, 2020
Alright where to begin without spoilers?
Writing voice: First person views. However there are parts that will take on different character views in the first person.
Also the writing is actually broken down into paragraphs vs one big giant page. Thank you for spacing! I get distracted easily and was able to get into the story without being distracted.
This book is full of humor, heart wrenching moments at the edge of your seat, curiosity and way more then two characters that you like. I liked a majority of the characters.
What else? Oh! You kind of piece together on what is going to happen. But then several curve balls appear throughout and "wait! I did not see that coming" moments. There are still much to be discovered after the 1st book. Curiosity and wanting to continue the journey.
I am just getting into the LITRPG world. This would be my third series that I am jumping into. I really want the second book to come out. I must be patient though. Seriously will be following this amazing author. I easily finished this book in about 5 or 6 hours, give or take with taking breaks for food and walking the dog. :)
Writing voice: First person views. However there are parts that will take on different character views in the first person.
Also the writing is actually broken down into paragraphs vs one big giant page. Thank you for spacing! I get distracted easily and was able to get into the story without being distracted.
This book is full of humor, heart wrenching moments at the edge of your seat, curiosity and way more then two characters that you like. I liked a majority of the characters.
What else? Oh! You kind of piece together on what is going to happen. But then several curve balls appear throughout and "wait! I did not see that coming" moments. There are still much to be discovered after the 1st book. Curiosity and wanting to continue the journey.
I am just getting into the LITRPG world. This would be my third series that I am jumping into. I really want the second book to come out. I must be patient though. Seriously will be following this amazing author. I easily finished this book in about 5 or 6 hours, give or take with taking breaks for food and walking the dog. :)
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