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Journals & Journeys #1
Spellsworn
"The world of Grythica is a realm of magic..."
When Lucas invites his friends over to play a new fantasy role-playing game, Journals & Journeys, they expect to encounter elves, zombies, and sorcerers. They expect to visit fairy forests, decrepit ruins, and stunning palaces. They expect adventure.
They don't expect it to be real.
Grythica may be a land of fantasy, but it's a world of terrible danger, too - and one where humans are killed on sight. And while Lucas, Sawyer, Violet, and Caleb should have at least had each other for support, they're separated upon crossing into the realm. Alone, armed only with their wits, they scramble to acquire the magical powers they'll need to survive. It all starts with leveling up.
Can they win out long enough to find each other and devise a way home, all while hiding what they truly are?
Game on.
When Lucas invites his friends over to play a new fantasy role-playing game, Journals & Journeys, they expect to encounter elves, zombies, and sorcerers. They expect to visit fairy forests, decrepit ruins, and stunning palaces. They expect adventure.
They don't expect it to be real.
Grythica may be a land of fantasy, but it's a world of terrible danger, too - and one where humans are killed on sight. And while Lucas, Sawyer, Violet, and Caleb should have at least had each other for support, they're separated upon crossing into the realm. Alone, armed only with their wits, they scramble to acquire the magical powers they'll need to survive. It all starts with leveling up.
Can they win out long enough to find each other and devise a way home, all while hiding what they truly are?
Game on.
- GenresFantasy
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2022
11 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 14, 2022
It was advertised to me (reddit post) as YA, and I don't quite think it fits the bill, but that might just be because I'm old and have an older frame of reference of what is or isn't YA.
I read the book through in one evening, staying up way too late to finish it. It wasn't in just one sitting, though -- the story got far too dark in places and I needed to take a break.
For the darkness: start with the less-than-great home life Lucas has, then add in named undead in the new world. That is, examination of the zombies and such reveals who they used to be before they became undead. There are heavy themes of loss, especially tied to one of the trio Lucas meets early on -- but with flavors of it in many of the characters present in the new world. Further, we spend, perhaps, a bit too much time in the villain's head and from his POV, though as that's something I already tend to not like, perhaps my feelings on that don't mesh with others.
The way the final confrontation with the villain is resolved feels a little Deus Ex Machina, but the two key points that allowed it to happen were telegraphed in advance prior to that confrontation. It did feel a touch cheap that it wasn't our protagonists that scored the victory, but rather an important side character.
(And if we had more of that character's arc and backstory presented, it would have been a good conclusion to that arc. There are enough hints of the history between them that there is the suggestion that was appropriate for the end to be as it was.)
Even though we have multiple POV and spend time following several characters through a scene or two, the book is presented as it being Lucas's story.
It isn't.
The character that grows and develops and whose choices matter the most is Sawyer. In my opinion, it is very much a coming-of-age story for Sawyer. This and a few other things means despite the story having elements I wasn't fond of, I'm still putting it solidly at 5/5 stars.
And I have to say to the author, thank you for Callie. Not the main character, not the main focus, not even much from that POV, but thank you. :)
I read the book through in one evening, staying up way too late to finish it. It wasn't in just one sitting, though -- the story got far too dark in places and I needed to take a break.
For the darkness: start with the less-than-great home life Lucas has, then add in named undead in the new world. That is, examination of the zombies and such reveals who they used to be before they became undead. There are heavy themes of loss, especially tied to one of the trio Lucas meets early on -- but with flavors of it in many of the characters present in the new world. Further, we spend, perhaps, a bit too much time in the villain's head and from his POV, though as that's something I already tend to not like, perhaps my feelings on that don't mesh with others.
The way the final confrontation with the villain is resolved feels a little Deus Ex Machina, but the two key points that allowed it to happen were telegraphed in advance prior to that confrontation. It did feel a touch cheap that it wasn't our protagonists that scored the victory, but rather an important side character.
(And if we had more of that character's arc and backstory presented, it would have been a good conclusion to that arc. There are enough hints of the history between them that there is the suggestion that was appropriate for the end to be as it was.)
Even though we have multiple POV and spend time following several characters through a scene or two, the book is presented as it being Lucas's story.
It isn't.
The character that grows and develops and whose choices matter the most is Sawyer. In my opinion, it is very much a coming-of-age story for Sawyer. This and a few other things means despite the story having elements I wasn't fond of, I'm still putting it solidly at 5/5 stars.
And I have to say to the author, thank you for Callie. Not the main character, not the main focus, not even much from that POV, but thank you. :)
December 10, 2025
I felt like reading a good old Isekai, preferrably gritty, preferrably with a gay lead couple. I got two out of the three.
Yes the story holds some grit and pain is real in this other world, as is the complicity and drama and backgrounds of the characters. Yet I cannot help but feel like this is more of a YA trilogy, which I guess is okay but also promises little in depth show of the romance between our two boys.
I've read revieuws that said it can become quite dark, but I find that it's not that bad. Mind you, I've started this year with various books of Quill Carter and the Fallocaust, everything seems kinda soft compared to that. Yet I had hoped for a bit more feeling of urgency, fear, bashing of dreams and less of a "I'm going on adventure!" happy, curious atmosphere.
That said, I do love Lucas' and Sawyers relationship. Its mainly for them that I read this book.
I'm into the first hundred or so pages of book two, and I must say I feel frustrated and dissaponted. Book one focusses heavily on Lucas and Sawyer, but book two up till now focusses mainly on the other two's perspective so far and I find myself wanting to skip things, just to get to the pov's and develolpments of my main characters and their bond.
There is more I could also critisize on but I will save that for a review on that one. Let's hope it gets better.
Yes the story holds some grit and pain is real in this other world, as is the complicity and drama and backgrounds of the characters. Yet I cannot help but feel like this is more of a YA trilogy, which I guess is okay but also promises little in depth show of the romance between our two boys.
I've read revieuws that said it can become quite dark, but I find that it's not that bad. Mind you, I've started this year with various books of Quill Carter and the Fallocaust, everything seems kinda soft compared to that. Yet I had hoped for a bit more feeling of urgency, fear, bashing of dreams and less of a "I'm going on adventure!" happy, curious atmosphere.
That said, I do love Lucas' and Sawyers relationship. Its mainly for them that I read this book.
I'm into the first hundred or so pages of book two, and I must say I feel frustrated and dissaponted. Book one focusses heavily on Lucas and Sawyer, but book two up till now focusses mainly on the other two's perspective so far and I find myself wanting to skip things, just to get to the pov's and develolpments of my main characters and their bond.
There is more I could also critisize on but I will save that for a review on that one. Let's hope it gets better.
March 18, 2022
SPELLSWORN is a enjoyable, engaging, and comfortable read. The story is cute and fun in the way that a sitcom is: characters have relatable struggles, there are obstacles that are eventually overcome, and they grow closer after a long will they/wont they. Our two main characters are a great pairing like a great adventure movie, with one fully buying into the new world and the other pining for home. They bicker, they bond, and they eventually win the day! There are still details in the writing and worldbuilding that make it stand out however: the rules of magic are followed in all situations, characters do not take actions you can't understand, and characters travel from place to place as one that makes sense (no plot teleportation here!). I highly recommend this tale and I hope to see the rest of the story!
June 10, 2024
I read the Audio Edition from Audible, narrated by the author, Justin Schuelke (the narration was excellent).
I enjoyed reading it, it was a good start to a new LitRPG book series. But I did get a little confused at times, as it was about 60% two main characters (Lucas and Sawyer) and about 40% ensemble story. Thankfully, by the end of the book I had more of a sense of where everything was at, and was satisfied with how this book ended. Which left me wanting to find out what happens next for these characters.
I enjoyed reading it, it was a good start to a new LitRPG book series. But I did get a little confused at times, as it was about 60% two main characters (Lucas and Sawyer) and about 40% ensemble story. Thankfully, by the end of the book I had more of a sense of where everything was at, and was satisfied with how this book ended. Which left me wanting to find out what happens next for these characters.
February 16, 2022
What an adventure!
Being a fan of the LitRPG genre has been difficult until now! Many of the authors out there can’t compete with Schuelke’s imagination and world building. The characters are original and each page keeps you excited to learn about them as well as continuing the story. I can’t wait to see where the Journals and Journeys adventure takes us next. This is a must read for any fans of the genre or those looking to check it out for the first time!
Being a fan of the LitRPG genre has been difficult until now! Many of the authors out there can’t compete with Schuelke’s imagination and world building. The characters are original and each page keeps you excited to learn about them as well as continuing the story. I can’t wait to see where the Journals and Journeys adventure takes us next. This is a must read for any fans of the genre or those looking to check it out for the first time!
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April 7, 2023Dnf. The characters and plot are just not compelling. I feel like the mc is being a real dick to his best friend by forcing him to stay in this horrifying situation. I just feel sorry for him, and those are the limits to my emotional investment. This is also not Jumanji because the players are all split up and nothing at all is funny or fun.
March 1, 2022
This book really connects the feelings of playing DnD and the rolls that come with it. It's an awesome fantasy! It kept me engaged the whole time. I love watching the story unfold and the battles. The perfect combination of battle and heart!
March 2, 2025
Really enjoyed this one, perfect mix of fantasy and a little bit of romance. Well done and can't wait to read the sequel!
March 24, 2023
Going into this one made me a little bit nervous as it crosses into that field of things that tend to confuse me... but that wasn't the case with Spellsworn. I fell in love with Lucas and Sawyer from the beginning and falling into the world of Grythica was such an escape that I easily felt myself getting lost in every page. Schuelke's imagination never ceases to amaze me, and this book was no different. The ending was--dare I say--magical. I can't WAIT for more!!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews