Here are 8 books that 1% Lifesteal fans have personally recommended if you like 1% Lifesteal. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Iron Prince

Chris Tullbane Author Of See These Bones

From my list on starters in progression fantasy.

Why am I passionate about this?

As an author, I’m fascinated with the fictional quest for power and the challenges and changes that journey both entails and provokes. Progression fantasy, beyond all the numbers and formalized rankings, is about the character first… not just people growing stronger, but how that growth impacts them on a fundamental level. It's something central to my own fiction, and as I’ve explored the progression fantasy genre, I’ve loved seeing the different ways other authors tackle that same idea. The worlds, people, and magic systems vary wildly between different series in the genre, but that central conflict’s impact on those engaged in it remains uniquely compelling.

Chris' book list on starters in progression fantasy

Chris Tullbane Why Chris loves this book

Iron Prince is unique in this list (and among most progression fantasy books) in that it takes place in the distant future, on one of many planets in a galaxy at war.

Instead of mystical cores or game or system-imposed leveling constructs, individuals are given CADs (combat assistance devices) that largely do the same thing. 

What I love about the book is that the main character, Rei, is the ultimate underdog. He’s done everything he could to achieve success despite his shortcomings, only to get crushed by peers and a governing system that abhors weakness.

His determination to push on is one of my favorite traits in characters, and ensures that we, the audience, remain engaged, even as he learns to leverage his unique gifts. Smart and never boring, I can’t wait for the sequel!

By Bryce O'Connor , Luke Chmilenko ,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked Iron Prince as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Reidon Ward will become a god. He doesn't know it yet, of course. Reidon was born weak, sickly and small. Afflicted with a painful disease and abandoned by his parents because of it, he has had to fight tooth and nail for every minor advantage life has allowed him.His perseverance has not gone unnoticed, however, and when the most powerful artificial intelligence in human history takes an interest in him, things began to change quickly. Granted a CAD—a Combat Assistance Device—with awful specs but an infinite potential for growth, Reidon finds himself at the bottom of his class at the…


If you love 1% Lifesteal...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Book cover of The Wandering Inn

E G

From E's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why E loves this book

The beginning was tough but once it gets going it doesn’t stop

By pirateaba ,

Why should I read it?

32 authors picked The Wandering Inn as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

(This novel is the e-book version of the free web serial. You may read the entire ongoing story at wanderinginn.com free of charge.)

“No killing Goblins.”

So reads the sign outside of The Wandering Inn, a small building run by a young woman named Erin Solstice. She serves pasta with sausage, blue fruit juice, and dead acid flies on request. And she comes from another world. Ours.

It’s a bad day when Erin finds herself transported to a fantastical world and nearly gets eaten by a Dragon. She doesn’t belong in a place where monster attacks are a fact of…


Book cover of He Who Fights with Monsters

patrick o.

From patrick's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why patrick loves this book

World building is excellent, power levels scale, and captivating supporting characters. MC power set is my favorite in ARPGs.

By Shirtaloon , Travis Deverell ,

Why should I read it?

58 authors picked He Who Fights with Monsters as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Jason wakes up in a mysterious world of magic and monsters.It’s not easy making the career jump from office-supplies-store middle manager to heroic interdimensional adventurer. At least, Jason tries to be heroic, but it's hard to be good when all your powers are evil.He’ll face off against cannibals, cultists, wizards, monsters...and that’s just on the first day. He’s going to need courage, he’s going to need wit, and he’s going to need some magic powers of his own. But first, he’s going to need pants.After cementing itself as one of the best-rated serial novels on Royal Road with an astonishing…


If you love Robert Blaise...

Book cover of Chilled to the Bone

Chilled to the Bone by B.D. Lawrence,

Jake Sledge, a rugged ex-cop turned private eye, teams up with his colossal partner Bobo to navigate the gritty streets of River City.

A murdered lawyer drags them into a web of political intrigue, neo-Nazi thugs, and bloody showdowns. With sharp wit and hard-hitting action, Jake tackles scumbags the only…

Book cover of The Primal Hunter

Toby Davidson

From Toby's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Toby loves this book

Jake is just awesome. The world building is amazing and the battles are super intense. There are so many other reasons too. I love how the system works how skills work how powerful people get.

By Zogarth ,

Why should I read it?

65 authors picked The Primal Hunter as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

On just another average day, Jake finds himself in a forest filled with monsters, dangers, and opportunity.... It was a day like any other when suddenly the world changed. The universe reached a threshold humanity didn’t even know existed, and it was time to finally be integrated into the vast multiverse. A place where power is the only thing anyone can truly rely on.Jake, a seemingly average office worker, finds himself thrust into this new world. Into a tutorial filled with dangers and opportunities.. His new reality should breed fear and concern. His fellow coworkers falter at every turn. Jake,…


Book cover of A Soldier's Life

sayo

From Sayo's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Unknown Author Why Sayo loves this book

It is slow paced, but still has lots of action.

By AlwaysRollsAOne ,

Why should I read it?

11 authors picked A Soldier's Life as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Embark on a gripping journey through a mysterious fantasy world where one man's resilience is tested to its limits. He is cast into this unforgiving world with nothing to his name. Our protagonist is swiftly swept into the ranks of the Legion, where survival is a daily struggle. Amidst the chaos of battle and the constant threat of danger, he must hone his skills and unlock his latent potential, navigating a landscape fraught with peril and uncertainty.. With each trial and tribulation, he discovers new depths to his abilities, grappling with a burgeoning magic system and the harsh realities of…


Book cover of Hell Difficulty Tutorial

gavin lockhart

From gavin's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why gavin loves this book

It was just overall really interesting, I flew through the series and it left me wanting more. The worldbuilding, the magic, the characters, the plot, it is all great. Do note that I am talking about the series as a whole, since I read books 1-5 one after another.

By Cerim ,

Why should I read it?

20 authors picked Hell Difficulty Tutorial as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Where others see doom, he sees opportunity. Hell Difficulty? More like a chance to thrive.

Nathaniel's bus ride was supposed to be just another boring commute. Wrong. Now, he, 23 fellow passengers, and a corgi named Biscuit, are stuck in a "Hell Difficulty" Tutorial, battling monsters and leveling up to survive.

Easy difficulty, anyone can handle. Normal difficulty, you've got to put up a fight to get by. Hard difficulty is where only the tough ones last. And Hell? That's where you have to be a bit out of your mind!

With his terrifying talent for mana manipulation, Nathaniel decides…


If you love 1% Lifesteal...

Book cover of The Woman and Her Stars

The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw,

Caroline Herschel has always lived in the shadows. Beholden to her wildly popular older brother, William, who rescued her from servitude, she's worked hard to build a life for herself – one where she can go unnoticed and repay the debt she believes she owes him. But when her brother…

Book cover of Azarinth Healer

Alex Alousis

From Alex's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Alex loves this book

No real plot, just fighting monsters, and enjoying life.

By Rhaegar ,

Why should I read it?

13 authors picked Azarinth Healer as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ilea likes punching things. And eating.. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many career options for hungry brawlers. Instead, the plan is to quit her crappy fast-food job, go to college, and become a fully functioning member of society. Essentially - a fate worse than death.. So maybe it's lucky that she wakes up one day in a strange world where a bunch of fantasy monsters are trying to kill her...?. On the bright side, ‘killing those monsters right back’ is now a viable career path! For she soon discovers her new home runs on a set of game-like rules that will…


Book cover of The Path of Ascension

chad1

From Chad's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Chad loves this book

I like how fleshed out the world is and how you can see the systems impact through all aspects of society

By C. Mantis ,

Why should I read it?

20 authors picked The Path of Ascension as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Orphaned by monsters, Matt must power-up to save others from the same fate.. Matt plans to delve the rifts responsible for the monsters that destroyed his city and murdered his parents. But his dreams are crushed when his Tier 1 Talent is rated as detrimental and no guild or group will take him.. Working at a nearby inn, he meets a mysterious and powerful couple who give him a chance to join the Path of Ascension, an empire-wide race to ascend the Tiers and become living legends.. With their recommendation and a stolen Skill, Matt begins his journey to the…


Book cover of Iron Prince
Book cover of The Wandering Inn
Book cover of He Who Fights with Monsters

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