tl;dr This book left me with a great want of a third book. #Recommended
In spite of how the cover looks, this is not a LitRPG. The book is remarkably free from stereotypes of our modern culture. The comparison most fitting is to the very best isekai coming out of Japan. The comparison to Dakota Krout’s work may have some validity, however there is much less emphasis on a simpler magic system
The characters have agency and make decisions that feel consistent with their situation. The story had great pacing, perhaps even too good, I almost listened to it straight through. That is, until the last 30 minutes, but I think that was because things needed to be arranged for the third book.
All in all, this is an excellent book.