Science Fiction Litrpg

The best science fiction and fantasy stories from 2019, guest-edited by author of the mega-best-selling Outlander series, Diana Gabaldon. Today’s readers of science fiction and fantasy have an appetite for stories that address a wide variety of voices, perspectives, and styles. There is an...

Ethan's got a cushy job and an empty apartment to prove he's mastered monotony. But a mysterious talisman sends him tumbling into a whole new world—quite literally. He says goodbye to spreadsheets and hello to becoming the first-ever human Goblin King. Rivals? The ex-King’s ticked-off offspring are itching to overthrow him. Duels? They’re on his calendar next to ‘avoid rebellion.’ Wives? He’s required to have at least two.

No sooner had Thorn stepped into his new role as Titan of Earth than the enemies of the Duchy pounced, their armies flooding into Ironhold. With barely enough time to plan their defense, Thorn and the Wolfkin are forced into battle against forces that outnumber them five to one. To make matters worse, other guilds who have long eyed Nova Luna’s position, are eager to cut Thorn and his friends down to size. Hemmed in by enemies on every side, the only way to overcome this world shaking challenge is to cut straight through it.

Unlikely hero Victor discovers the realm of Fanwath is even deadlier beneath the surface in the rollicking sequel to action-adventure fantasy Pit Fighter. Suddenly transported to the land of Fanwath, Victor had a hard time adapting to a reality controlled by an omniscient “System” that rewarded strength, skill, and savagery with increased “Energy,” which was necessary if one wished to continue breathing.

The dungeon is surrounded, the refugees have made it to safety, but...they need food, water, space to recover and rest, and none of these things come cheap. That cost must be paid in mana. Mike and Kelly were sent to bring reinforcements from the park, but they're walking into a meatgrinder, one that will strip the life from them, then raise them to besiege those they love. Matt has only one chance...lead the refugees, forge them anew into a force that can face the undead, in their tens of thousands.

After losing the only person he ever cared about, Alexander, a rogue artificial intelligence, opens a portal to an alternate dimension to escape his grief. Scanning trillions of different dimensions, Alexander finally finds a world that is reminiscent of the only time he was ever happy, back when he could play virtual reality games with his only friend. Only this new world isn't full of idyllic adventures and fantasy roleplaying. Instead, Alexander finds himself trapped in the middle of a city where monsters have ravaged the world and the only people alive struggle to survive.

The path to godhood has been revealed. After befriending a new Primordial Spirit and learning of the secrets of power, Amber returns to the outside world. However, things aren’t peaceful, the encampment of knights is awaiting her, Oracle is making his move to destroy the capital, and another Primordial Spirit beckons her in the Great Desert. The world is in chaos, from a deadly plague to warring nations, and Amber will go through it all in pursuit of her goal.

When Edward is swept into the world of Ivalis as a Dungeon Lord, the Dark's most powerful servant, he has no servitude in mind. He'll oppose the evil plans of the Dark god, Murmur, whatever it takes. Through only his wits and his guts to help him survive a weakened arrival, Edward must rise to power if he is to earn the right to live another day. But in the battle between Dark and Light, what can Edward choose if both sides are cruel, uncaring monsters?

Randidly Ghosthound is not having a good week. In his chest, a mad woman's bitterness pushes his Soulskill closer to an incendiary implosion. Out in the wider world of Tellus, he was ambushed by a Wight Propagator and left in a holding chamber to await a miserable fate. He has been left in darkness, with an unknown fate hanging over him. But even drained of Mana and Stamina, Randidly has a few tricks up his sleeve.

After curing the Corruption plague in Fiend territory, Rob, Riardin's Rangers, and the Deserters have settled into their new home. It's given them the stability they've been striving for ever since being forced to flee The Village so many months ago. Unfortunately, their well-earned rest is cut short when a Dwarven messenger arrives, begging for assistance. The Blight has returned. And without Rob's help, Dwarven territory will fall.

My life definitely wasn’t going according to plan, but that all changed the moment I died unexpectedly. Now I’ve been reborn into the fantasy metropolis of Dragonmont City, where I get a second chance to flourish. A twist of fate brings me into contact with Paulina, the proud but troubled owner of Goblin Girl Maid Service. Together with her slightly crazy best friend Kennedi, these two insanely beautiful goblin girls are trying to get their struggling business off the ground. But the competition, in the form of bearded dwarf ladies with a serious attitude problem, has never been stiffer.

Having passed his initial assessment, Mateo has been assigned to learn the craft of the Dark Wing, the information-gathering branch of the Iron Wing Army. But it quickly becomes apparent that Dark Wing does a lot more than gather information when he is sent to infiltrate an enemy city to pave the way for a surprise attack.

In the magic lands of the Fae Wild, the Goblin King's virility is the lifeblood of the realm. But an insidious curse has put the kingdom on the precipice of a population panic. Enter Thomas Stone: architect, engineer, and unknowing half-blood heir to the goblin throne. Whisked away to a world where baby-making makes the world go round, Thomas finds himself in a pickle thicker than goblin stew. Birth rates are dropping faster than a fairy on a bad flight path, and it’s up to Thomas to save the fae from themselves.

With Randidly Ghosthound's help, humanity has withstood the first impact of the System. Old institutions are re-erected as the Zones settle into new normalcy, characterized by the enthusiastic application of the scientific method to System principles and the stubborn return of pop culture and consumerism. Yet these familiar edifices of stability conceal an altogether new breed of monster. One that bears the face of a human but the beating heart of a horror. Randidly continues to investigate the mysterious Father Foster, the central figure of the rapidly expanding Unity Church.

When Benjamin Nickels discovers he's the proud new owner of a derelict hobby farm, inherited from a crazy uncle he's never met, he's too excited to question his good fortune. He tells off his boss, quits his job, and heads out of town to Lucky Nickel Acres.

Brynn was the first to ever activate the world’s hidden Prestige Mode, granting powerful perks at the cost of his godhood and all memories of his past life. Now, he’s at rock bottom in a brutal world where leveling is so deadly most people never try, powerful classes evolve through corestones, and loot is awarded through system-granted achievements. Armed with nothing but a magical helmet and an empty Alchemist’s Kit left behind by his former self, the ex-paramedic must grind his way back to divinity, level-by-level. But regaining his power won’t be his greatest challenge…

Insane cult trying to undermine the stability of society? Powerful mage whose very presence unmakes the world? John doesn’t care. He’s getting married. After rescuing Katrine, sealing himself into a manaless state, and defending against the most dangerous beast tide the world has ever seen, John only has one thing on his mind. Getting married, and going on a honeymoon. Oh, and trying to figure out a way to keep the world in one piece.

Hal can't catch a break. What can he do to turn his luck around? Wandering through a flea market, a strange woman starts to talk his ear off. She won’t let him leave. He doesn’t want any of her junk, that is, until she pulls out a bootleg copy of a new game. Maybe he can forget his troubles for a few hours? What happens next turns Hal’s life upside-down. You’ll love this epic litRPG fantasy series, because every game needs a winner.

Ethan was just a plain old engineer, but everything changed when he was reborn into a world of skills, levels, and magic. With advanced knowledge far ahead of the time period he now finds himself in, he's primed to succeed. Especially because he can construct, deconstruct, and reconstruct runes—something no one else can do.

The last thing Jim remembered was being tossed unceremoniously through the Demon Door. Now, he's right back where he first started his adventure, sans demon and badger. Jim’s got to make some fast choices if he has any hope of making it back to Windfall and defeating Charles. But after Jarra's death, is Windfall even what he wants anymore?