Science Fiction Litrpg

The best of the year's science fiction and fantasy stories as selected by the multiple award-winning editor Jonathan Strahan. Distant worlds, time travel, epic adventure, unseen wonders, and much more! The best, most original and brightest science fiction and fantasy stories from around the globe from the past 12 months are brought together in one collection by multiple award winning editor Jonathan Strahan.

In the aftermath of the demon invasion, Ilea makes her way to Riverwatch to find a home for a wayward mind weaver (ensuring he doesn’t eat anyone along the way). After traveling, reuniting with old friends, and some light punching, Ilea's life, it seems, is slowly returning to normal. But dire news awaits her upon her return to Ravenhall.

Surviving an explosive end on the second floor, Nathaniel finds himself in an endless city filled with monsters. The questions are: what hides beyond the giant walls far in the distance, and what happened to the natives? But first, Nathaniel needs to stop his ever-growing mana from tearing his body apart. Two new floors, two new floor quests. A dangerous 10-year-old girl wielding deadly flames with her emotion of fear blocked. Flashbacks revealing more of Nathaniel's past. Biscuit, now the best corgi of the 3rd floor, sounding suspiciously happy in the Community.

The Resistance has won, but it was Pyrrhic victory. With Sanctuary in flames and Nova missing, it's up to Magnus to turn the tides of war against the Legatus. But will it be enough? Amid this turmoil, Ubiquity Prime's subjugation fleet steadily approaches Kelruhn, promising total annihilation. Up against the greatest foes of his life, Magnus must lead his meager forces in a war where failure is not an option, and the fate of two worlds hinges on the actions of one man.

Betrayed by the Gods, bearing unwanted Blessings which stain his soul with their foul divine taint, Orodan faces pursuit as the hostile divinities of Inuan seek to reclaim what they see as theirs. Dire odds, even for a time looper. And if unwanted godly attention wasn't enough, the ever-present threat of the Eldritch Avatar and the world's inevitable corruption draws nearer as always. Facing danger right from the beginning of each loop, Orodan must fight, die and repeat. Too bad he's never been one to quit; and never been one for planning and clever schemes.

There is a newborn evil god—and his name is Ashlock. While technically true, it's a reputation he desperately wishes to change. But with prophecies citing his involvement in the destruction of the world and fanatic members of his cult being a little too good at evil marketing, he has to run with it. After all, he has bigger problems to face. Vincent Nightrose has fully awakened, and the looming Beast Tide is rumored to contain Monarch Realm-level beasts.

Maximilian is the last of the noble Valevsky lineage. His entire family was put to death for an alleged attempt on the powerful Duke of Odoevsky, who had his eye set on the Valevsky's land. The young man managed to avoid execution, but not punishment. From here on out, he's condemned to life as a doomed soldier. The front line in the fight against the dark god Skron's mutated creatures. "Do or die"—that's the doomer motto that has been drilled into the last of the Valevsky's head. The Duke took everything from him but his honor and a thirst for revenge.

For Chris Mason, working construction at the pinnacle of New York's skyline feels like being on top of the world—until that world is shattered when an otherworldly portal transforms Manhattan into a deadly fantasy realm. Chosen as a "salvager" by a mysterious System that has plagued humanity throughout history, Chris must now scavenge the ruins of his city for materials to craft weapons, armor, and shelter while the city continues to transform around him.

After getting reincarnated as a dungeon, Theodor thought he’d finally get some rest and relaxation. That changed when a bumbling old hero stumbled into him and died, making Theodor the target of adventurers everywhere. Masquerading as a house in the small town of Rosewind, Theo must now do whatever it takes to remain unnoticed… even if it means creating an avatar to interact with people or go on a mission set by the annoying Earl Rosewind!

Lucius had nothing: no home, no hope, no future—just a shadowy past and a lifetime of being overlooked. But when the god who held back the Abyss is slain, he's thrust into a new reality defined by brutal struggle. To stay alive, he'll need to think fast, hit hard, and gain experience with every fight. The climb begins now, and Lucius won't be left at the bottom.

At long last, an extraterrestrial civilization reached out and made the First Contact. However, no one on Earth took their communique for the genuine article. In a similar vein, very few people appreciated just how little time our new suzerains had promised to keep our planet safe. Regardless, the end of their message showed humankind how to access a mysterious game. The objective of this game is unclear. No one can say where its servers are located, and its inner workings are beyond comprehension.

They were told to stay out of the ten-day war, but their side lost in the first hour. Their future is at stake, so now the Butcher and the other workers have to do the impossible: Win a war without anyone know they are fighting. Luckily, they have Fearless Leader on their side to help them carry out their campaign of terror and sabotage as they use every dirty trick they can think of to even the odds. Twenty-Five workers with no weapons or magic versus two-hundred and fifty regular players. The other side is in for a big surprise.

I was having the perfect day when I suddenly found myself on the wrong side of an interdimensional portal. Instead of a weekend in wine country, I wound up in a trailer park that seemed stuck in the 1980s and filled with... goblin women? By the way, since when are goblins real? And why are the women so hot?

Arktania is a virtual game with a steampunk style. It's a place where magic spells, enchanted artifacts, steam-powered machines, firearms, and mechanical golems are a part of everyday life. Gamer Andrew Falk begins his journey in a small village on the border of Orcish territory. The locals are the keepers of many secrets, but their behavior is too realistic for characters in a game; so realistic, in fact, that Andrew starts to treat them as if they were real people.

Victor Sandoval—now hailed as the legendary Lord Victor—has leveled up his rank and skills like no other Sojourner in memory. He now has thriving lands, ever-increasing power, and a new love, the warrior woman Valla. That is, until she decides she needs a bit of space—away from Victor's, shall we say, expansive shadow—to discover herself. But when you may live for millennia, you don't want to rush into a romantic commitment anyway, right?

Not long ago, the dungeon known as Thedeim was a mere human. But after an up-close-and-personal meeting with a runaway semitruck—and subsequent dealings with a rather flustered Angel of Prodigals—he found himself in a new world, reincarnated as a run-down old house that just barely qualified as a dungeon. However, it didn't take long for him to build his core, mana, and reputation, making friends along the way.

Reality is cruel. The rising level of technological development has led to a rising level of unemployment. They're laying off everybody, from teachers to technical servicemen. What's the point of holding onto a person if they can be replaced by an advanced mechanism? But what are the people to do? How are they to live? Where are they to get money from? There is only one answer - Barliona. The official government project is gathering steam, luring more and more people into its net.

Rostislav Grokhotov, an ordinary clerk working for a privately-owned company, just wanted to earn some extra money in the game. He had no specific plans for his new character. Little did he know that his new nickname Rosgard would become the game's next greatest legend. Even the game's Creche zone may contain items of interest if you're observant enough. Rosgard's find didn't just change his own life drastically - it enveloped an entire game world in turmoil to boot! The adventuring player becomes a valued prize for Waldyra's leading clans. Our hero has to conceal his real name.

Matt is reincarnated as a Tree. Not just any tree, but an overpowered one in a fantasy world that serves as the battlefield for an ongoing conflict between demons and the heroes summoned to oppose them. But Matt can be a great tool against the evil forces. TreeTree (as Matt comes to be known) will learn all sorts of skills, gain levels, and in doing so, build up a forest, train young subordinates, protect a village, and more.

Where the System demands obedience, Dean chooses rebellion. The System is expanding its reach, consuming countless worlds as it does. Those who do not die are converted into adventurers—thralls who feed its lust for endless violence and conquest. During a chance encounter with one of the System’s agents, Dean Williams is Activated, becoming one of the few on Earth with access to magic. Enhanced far beyond normal adventurers, his mission is simple: Complete quests. Earn rewards. Gain power.