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Riftside 1
Riftside · Book 1 · 2025
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.
From the publisher’s blurb
“No mercy. No second chances. Just strength, steel, and survival.”Read the full description at Soundbooth Theater
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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.
A few distinguishing details
- A warhammer with demands about bedding
- Monster scavenging tied to a family forge
More funny portal fantasy LitRPG
Sources & further reading
- Reader discussion and author replies
Reader list
- Opening chapter
Reading sample
- Publisher
Publisher
- Book details
Book information
- Reader discussion
Reader discussion
- Author serial and reader discussion
Author commentary
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