Runeshield Mage: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy

Overall it's a well-written, classic litRPG story. It has a few qualities but also most of the flaws typical of the genre. And as much as I liked the first two chapters, the following twenty were a slog to get through.

The main problem is that it’s difficult to be invested in some random guy fighting spiders alone in a deserted facility. Like, yes, the numbers are going up and that satisfies my monkey brain, but that's not enough. Why should we care about the MC surviving when there has been no attempt to develop him beyond your average isekai-ed self-insert character with a shitty job and no future prospects? it would be so much more entertaining if Theo had any personality and we were made to care about what happens to him.

The lack of a satisfying long term goal is also pretty annoying. Saving the world is both painfully generic and terribly vague. In a progression story you have to set somewhat more concrete benchmarks to draw us in. Instead from the very first chapter it’s made clear that Theo is the chosen hero, which takes away a lot of the tension.

Overall the story is decent. It's reasonably well-written and the magic system in particular is quite interesting. But the main character is definitely a moot point.

**

Recent chapters have been very short, and unfortunately uninteresting. Just scrolling as fast as I can through it to see if a blue box comes up. MC personality is still really non-existant.

**

So just as stated in my title, I am enjoying this. Defs reminds me of the japanese novel shield hero. I am intrigued by a grim dark world as set forth by the first chapter.

Always give benefit of the doubt, specially for a new novel. That being said, previous reviews have mentioned some good points even if they graded it harshly. Our MC could use some more fleshing out in personality, or even have break downs. Just a guy who accepts it, and kills spiders will lose your audience fast. I know you obviously have further plans than spider-geddon, just want to point out that an arc can be in the location for awhile with no issue, just have your boy grow, or maybe ask yourself what you'd do personally in his situation. Create armor? Or a spear? Experiment with ignis ruin drawings? Etc.

Too much fat, needs some trimming down. The chapters blend together pretty quickly and the other povs are more confusing than anything. I get that they are supposed to tease events to come but personally I think they should be held off until they are closer to becoming relevant. Short snippets of some random future character are useless in the early parts of the story.

There are definitly some issues, like how he can eat the venom sacks of the oh so dangerous spiders, yet only gets a skill Iron Stomach to help him, not poison resistance for this and the many bites he takes, but Iron Stomach. Its still pretty good but there are some issues that need to be addressed if/when the author gets around to editing.

A few words missing / used wrong / not tracking per chapter.

Otherwise an interesting story that at least to me is semi origional.

Would recommend. 

Edit: Sorry no advanced review, 200 words is a bit much.

Edit no. 2: fifty words minimum for a simple review is a bit much in my opinion, not that the stories I have read here are not worth it but I'm not an writer but a consumer. 

I dislike it.

19 chapters in and nothing really happened.

The mc got like 20 or 30 skills and we get tiny snippets on how he instantly kills everything (for now spiders) in his way.

The mc is a blank shell and not a real character. The system is supposed to make this story interesting but it is so boring and stupid.

Nothing gets explained. Random stats and skills flying around everywhere. No logic, no explanation. Just empty words and numbers. This should be used as a perfect example on how to kill a LITRPG story.

It is just that bad.

Should have written this during 1review=1chap. Oh Well, not shoutout for me
Style: Theres not really much to say about style. It's compotently written with plenty of blue boxes, it's functional and effective.

Grammar: Grammar mistakes are fairly often, can't really fault the author with the trail blazing pace he's setting though, must've had some mad backlog. Definitely does need a redo of chapters though.

Story: The meat and potatoes. So far there really isnt too much to say. His shield flips between plywood plastic and "impervious steel" very quickly. If the author wants infinite steel the protagonist can munch away at his shield like a beaver. If the author wants an impenetrable defence then thats the shield's role. Would be nice if the shield part of "Runeshield mage" was consistent but story's gotta exist somehow. Would it have been that hard to give him  a skill/explanation that he can weaken his soulbound weapon if he feels like it?

I also have seen a lot of negative comments about the MC getting his iron stomach skill and honestly I can't tell if i agree or not. The MC guzzles spider venom constantly, even without the skill initially. (This venom can melt steel and can very easily kill if not immedietaly treated) but well wouldn't have been a great choice if the story goes "MC eats spider, MC Keels over dead chapter 2" so im fairly apathetic. 

I have nothing to say on the PoV swaps to the citadel or whatever its called, I skipped them as i dont think anyone really cares and they're boring.

Character(s):
Theo: Likable, maybe very slightly insane. Pragmatic, resourceful and occasionally relatable. I feel like he adapted to his situation slightly too quick (it would take more than a few hours to begin to inhale furry spider corpses) but well just goes to show his adaptability.

The only other characters are intensely forgettable and skippable, so I don't remember their names or their personality.

overall: Solid Litrpg, blue boxes abound, some finicky choices to make the story function but eh thats passable

Runeshield Mage, first and foremost, is a LITRPG written for the fans of the genre. It is faithful to the genre tropes in the vein of long running, chapter spanning stories that are narrated across thousands of pages. It is a journey and we stand at the begining of it at two hundred and twelve pages, which could be considered an entire novel in some genres. 

It is a story that will grow along with the author, as he experiments with new ideas, introduces new plot threads and plays with different mechanics- much like the humble beginnings some of the greatest LITRPG in our genre have originated from, to becoming stories that have followed us through the years, letting us watch as the story blooms and the author improves with every subsequent chapter. 

The same is true for this story. 

Style (4.5/5) - If you are a fan of LITRPG, you will be familiar with a simple, to-the-point storytelling style that cuts down on fluffs and gives us what we came from: 

the numbers, Mason. 

Story (4.5/5): The foreshadowing and worldbuilding is there. I expect it to bloom at the 300-350 page mark, but so far it has been enjoyable. 

Grammar (4/5)- The author has uploaded 60,000 words in seven days, which gives it more leeway in that area. Clear, to the point writing with no-immersion breaking errors. 

Character (4.5/5): This one is subjective, something that you have to decide for yourself. I personally like thr relatable MC. 

Overall, if you like litrpg and want a new read, give Runeshield Mage a fair shot.

As with most LitRPG's expect blue stat boxes in addition to the Authors writing ability, which is advanced, this shows in the quality of the writing. I like how the system is described and the way things are organized… maybe I can learn a few things from this story on how to improve my own writing. I'm not too good at these reviews and like to keep things short and snappy. Here goes…

To begin with the story is action packed and the premise is quite interesting. Fantasy setting with cool rune magic system. I would say Chapter 1 is more of an action-packed intro to the world and not slow for the people that like getting neck deep in that. The MC is a standard office guy whose having one of them days when you want to slap that keyboard in your boss’s face and shout “I Quit!”, before the Isekaination, if that’s a word, hits him from nowhere.

Dude then goes on a spider rampage, as someone that dislikes spiders, I like how the MC sure knows how to kick the poo poo out of them :D

I can’t wait to read on and see where the story will be going. I will update this review as the story progresses, but I have full confidence in the author to give us all a wonderful journey all the way through.

So, the best advice I can give you is to read it, you won’t be disappointed if you like reading LitRPG's/ GameLit.

Ali’Creed 😉

This is a great story with really cool world building and magic.

I am usually one to complain about blue boxes and mechanics bogging down a good narrative, but this is not one of those times. I am thoroughly enjoying and incredibly well thought out story. I'm a sucker for fantasy and this book is checking all the boxes for me! Go ahead and read it already.