# Riftside 1

By Cassius Lange & Henrik Saetre · Riftside, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/riftside-1-56d7cfd1/

Ash Aldrich wants to earn enough from scavenging monsters to help his family's forge and become an adventurer. A rare Soul Gem offers a shortcut, but the weapon it creates has plans of his own. Now Ash has a demanding warhammer to manage while the monsters beyond the rifts grow more dangerous.

## What makes it funny?

Roq expects blood sacrifices and satin bedding. Readers in LitRPG book groups single out the hammer's demands and his audiobook voice, comparing it to Animal from the Muppets and Cookie Monster. Even before Roq arrives, Ash's companions keep each other's bragging in check: a boast about size is promptly reduced to a shortsword joke.

### The comedy at work

The magical weapon wants top billing. Ash needs Roq's strength, but owning him also means arguing with someone who considers himself the hero. Their partnership gives the monster hunts a second problem to solve between fights.

### Try this if…

Crafting and party combat matter here: Ash sees monsters as materials for the forge as well as threats. Readers also point to the found-family warmth and Ash's efforts to do right by people, with Roq supplying a much noisier presence.

### Good to know

Expect graphic violence, sexual innuendo and a romance subplot. Coauthor Henrik Saetre describes the romance as sweet rather than explicit and says this isn't haremlit. Some readers find the hammer's interruptions and voice irritating, and audiobook listeners differ over the sound effects.

## What to expect

- Genre: Fantasy · LitRPG
- On the shelf: Portal fantasy · Progression fantasy
- Kind of humor: Banter
- The atmosphere: Irreverent
- Story ingredients: Found family
- Format: Novel
- Published: 2025

## A few distinguishing details

- A warhammer with demands about bedding
- Monster scavenging tied to a family forge

## Sources & further reading

- Reader list: [Reader discussion and author replies](https://www.reddit.com/r/litrpg/comments/1minge1/riftside_audiobook_review)
- Reading sample: [Opening chapter](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/106116/riftside-litrpg-fantasy-adventure/chapter/2071856/chapter-1-book-1-stubbed)
- Publisher: [Publisher](https://soundbooththeater.com/shop/audiobooks/riftside-book-1)
- Book information: [Book details](https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/cassius-lange/riftside.htm)
- Reader discussion: [Reader discussion](https://facebook.com/groups/LitRPG.books/permalink/26106416995621623)
- Author commentary: [Author serial and reader discussion](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/106116/riftside-litrpg-fantasy-adventure-book-3-posting?reviews=2)