He Who Fights with Monsters is fast-paced, action packed, and has some of the best lines in any series I’ve ever read. With a universe that features a unique leveling system and great characters, it’s a must-read for anyone who loves a good fantasy comedy. This is my overall favorite LitRPG series and have found each new entry to be just as good as the first.

The story follows Jason Asano as he wakes up inside a hedge maze in a magical world with new powers and no hair. His determined and off-balance attitude to his strange new predicament helps him to survive the likes of cannibals, monsters, and even personal relationships with ease. All-in-all, a fantastic book with a morally conflicted main character that you can’t help but love the whole way through.

The He Who Fights with Monsters is currently on book 11 with more on the way from the author, Shirtaloon.

2. The Path of Ascension

The Path of Ascension isn’t as traditional as some of the other books on this list in that the main character isn’t necessarily pulled into another world. What you do get is an incredibly rich universe built around the idea of magical dungeon portals called rifts and powerful immortals with unique talents.

The story follows Matt, a young orphan who dreams of one day diving into rifts and fighting monsters that were responsible for killing his parents. Unfortunately, when it comes time to learn what his unique talent will be and start planning his future, his dreams are crushed by a detrimental Tier 1 talent. He is forced to overcome his weaknesses and find a way to become powerful through hard work and determination.

While the first book in this series was what got me hooked, its the character development in book two and three really solidified this as one of my favorites.

3. Dungeon Crawler Carl

Dungeon Crawler Carl is a fast-paced adventure that never really slows down. It offers an interesting main character that doesn’t fall into the usual tropes and a wonderful cat named Princess Donut (who is arguably the true main character). What more could you ask for in one of the best LitRPG series of all time?

The story follows Carl, a guy who just happens to be stuck with his ex-girlfriend’s cat when the world ends. Both man and cat are forced to enter an underground dungeon that hosts an intergalactic game show run by the more technologically advanced races and an absolutely unhinged AI. It’s a fun adventure with plenty of great lines, action, and skill progression to keep fans of the genre happy.

The seventh book in this series just came out in 2024 and still managed to maintain the same level of intrigue as book one. The author, Matt Dinniman, has also written other books that are worth checking out if you like his style.

4. Unsouled (Cradle Series)

Similar to The Path of Ascension, the Cradle series doesn’t involve the main character getting sucked into another universe. Instead, the author is able to pull you right into an existing world that has depth. With a unique system for cultivating power and a very likeable main character, Unsouled is one of my top picks for anyone who loves fantasy but isn’t necessarily interested in full-on LitRPG.

The story follows Lindon, who is born as an “Unsouled” with seemingly no hope to follow any path of the sacred arts of his village. No matter how determined and smart he may be, he is simply destined to remain powerless as others rise above him. That is, until the heavens themselves intervene and give him a path forward.

There are 12 books in the Cradle series and the story ends there with a very satisfying conclusion. If you read this series, and I definitely recommend you do, it’s also worth checking out more from Will Wight as everything he writes is quite good.

5. Beware of Chicken

Beware of Chicken is the most unique series on this list. While every other book I’ve featured here features a lot of action and adventure, this one goes in the opposite direction. This is a tale about a man who leaves the path to power to become a farmer instead.

The story follows a man named Jin Rou. He’s a hard-working cultivator working toward mastering martial arts and becoming powerful enough to defy the heavens. Then he dies and someone from earth is pulled into his consciousness. The new Jin Rou decides the world of powerful cultivators is not for him and leaves that all behind to become a farmer and live a nice quiet life. In his quest for peace and quiet, he finds friendship, family, and a surprising source of power he never expected.

The Beware of Chicken series is so unexpected and yet so good. If you want a relaxing read that still scratches that LitRPG fantasy itch, this is it.

6. Defiance of the Fall

As the longest series on my list, Defiance of the Fall is a long-term commitment that is absolutely worthwhile. Book one starts off with a bang and the series never really gets boring as the main character moves on from one challenge to the next.

The story begins with a man named Zachary Atwood, who was alone when the world suddenly integrated into the multiverse. Suddenly accosted by a new “System” with notifications and quests, Zac is forced to survive an invading force with nothing but a hatchet and sheer luck. As he fights his way toward his family, he learns more about the new existence he is in and begins to uncover the secrets of the multiverse.

With 14 books in the series and a 15th on the way, Defiance of the Fall has a lot more to offer beyond book one. The complex leveling system and skill progression is both unique and intriguing, and the story really opens up as soon as Zac moves beyond Earth.

7. Sufficiently Advanced Magic (Arcane Ascension)

The Arcane Ascension series is another option that doesn’t bother with stat sheets or complex leveling systems. Instead, you are brought into a world run by powerful god-like beings who offer a special magic called “attunements” to anyone who can survive a run through their dungeon-like spires. The complex magic system is uniquely interesting and you can get to learn more about it as the main character enthusiastically discovers how to utilize it.

The story is in first person following a young man named Corin Cadence. After losing his brother to the Serpent Spire years before, it is now his turn to face the trials within and earn his own attunement. What he finds in the spires are even more questions that he’ll have to uncover with the help of new friends he meets at Lorian Heights Academy.

Sufficiently Advanced Magic was the first book that got me hooked on LitRPG. With a magic school setting that makes it feel similar to Harry Potter and a rich fantasy setting, it’s an easy introduction to the genre. Andrew Rowe also has multiple companion series that build upon the main story that are worth reading as well.

8. The Grand Game

If you’re a fan of stealth games, The Grand Game is an excellent series to dive into. Unlike the other books on this list, the main character of this story is an assassin type who prefers to sneak his way around all of his problems.

The Grand Game follows a young man named Michael, who finds himself in a realm called the Forever Kingdom with no memory to speak of beyond his name. Among many other newcomers, Michael must learn to fight and advance his way through a dungeon of monsters and survive. As he levels up and discovers new skills, he learns more about this world run by a group of elites called Powers and where he fits in the Grand Game.

The Grand Game offers a unique take on the genre that I really enjoyed. Although there are currently only seven books in the series, both book eight and nine are already available for preorder.

9. The Ritualist (The Completionist Chronicles)

If you’re looking for some great entry-level LitRPG books, the Completionist Chronicles are an excellent place to start. It has a lot of the same RPG elements you’d expect to find in an MMO, but with some unique twists that will make it hard to stop reading.

The story primarily follows Joe, an ex-military medic who was seriously injured in action and now has to use wheelchair. When his old friend approaches him with an opportunity to become fully immersed in a new virtual MMORPG, he takes the chance and finds a new life inside the game. Due to his unique situation and skill set, he takes on a secret class called a Ritualist and works to level his magic and skills through quests.

The series evolves pretty rapidly in later books by taking you to entirely different worlds, but it’s a fun read the whole way through.

10. Level Up or Die (Underworld Series)

The Underworld series is a slow burn. Unlike some of the other books on this list where the main character gets sucked into a wonderful, yet dangerously magical world, Level Up or Die takes place in the literal underworld.

The story follows Elorian, an average high-school kid that plays a few too many games until he suddenly finds himself stuck in the underworld with a group of fellow gamers. Despite being given magical powers and the ability to infinitely level up, nobody is actually happy to be where they are. Each gamer was brought there by an ancient succubus who is hell-bent on draining them of their excess power as they level up in the dungeons beneath the Earth’s crust. With vampires, dragons, demons, and giant lava cats, this series is full of adventure and is a great place to get started with LitRPG.

Jacob Kienlen is a Senior SEO Strategist and Writer for IGN. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he has considered the Northwest his home for his entire life. With a bachelor’s degree in communication and over 7 years of professional writing experience, his expertise is spread across a variety of different topics — from TV series to indie games and popular book series.