This is the first LitRPG offering I have experienced. I like the genre and the idea of combining that with urban fantasy, post apocalypse, zombies. I like the different worlds and sequels that were set up by this first book and I like that each of them presents new challenges and landscapes.
The story fell apart in two areas for me. It is an ensemble book and in that type of book I have to care about the cast. I never grew to care about this team. Whether they won or lost didn’t really matter. I cared more about the world of Everrealm than I did about the people trying to save it. When bad things happened to them, they weren’t impactful moments that made me reflect or regret, they were just a plot point.
The second area that was problematic for me was the narration. This could be a regional thing for me or just a personal preference but I found the voices that were chosen seemed designed to be irritating. The main character spends most of the book doggedly committed to being angry and that got to be a bit much to listen to. There is a balance between being true to the story and giving it a voice that can impact that experience negatively and I think in this case, it went a little sideways.
I think I might appreciate the next book a bit more as there was some character growth that I feel might show a different type of scenario that will be more conducive to the main POV.
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."