Here are 4 books that Shade's First Rule fans have personally recommended if you like Shade's First Rule. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Dungeon Crawler Carl

Random Answer

From Random's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Random loves this book

A long answer would just rehash what everyone says. Bottom line it was my first foray into modern LitRPG (I think I may have read some really early LitRPG from before it being a thing...which I also really like...Quag Keep by Andre Norton back in the 70s maybe?) and turns out as a lifelong gamer (I've been playing RPGs since before DnD had editions) I really enjoy it. I have DCC to thank for turning me onto it.

By Matt Dinniman ,

Why should I read it?

112 authors picked Dungeon Crawler Carl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth—from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds—collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground.

The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe.

Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're…


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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of Spellmonger

Carl Stalhood

From Carl's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Carl loves this book

I love the analysis and progression of medieval feudalism and how MC handles the established nobles.

By Terry Mancour ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Spellmonger as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Minalan gave up a promising career as a professional warmage to live the quiet life of a village spellmonger in the remote mountain valley of Boval. It was a peaceful, beautiful little fief, far from the dangerous feudal petty squabbles of the Five Duchies, on the world of Callidore. There were cows. Lots of cows. And cheese.

For six months things went well: he found a quaint little shop, befriended the local lord, the village folk loved him, he found a sharp young apprentice to help out, and best yet, he met a comely young widow with the prettiest eyes…


Book cover of Defiance of the Fall: A LitRPG Adventure

Carl Stalhood

From Carl's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Unknown Author Why Carl loves this book

MC is mostly solo and is overpowered compared to his peers. The story seems never-ending with every book detailing something new.

By JF Brink ,

Why should I read it?

21 authors picked Defiance of the Fall as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Zac was alone in the middle of the forest when the world changed...

The whole planet was introduced to the multiverse by an unfeeling System... or God. A universe where an endless number of races and civilizations fought for power and dominion.

Zac finds himself stuck in the wilderness surrounded by deadly beasts, demons, and worse. Alone, lost and without answers, he must find the means to survive and get stronger in this new cut-throat reality.

With only a hatchet for his weapon, he'll have to seek out his family before the world collapses... or die trying.

Experience the start…


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Book cover of Trusting Her Duke

Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.

Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…

Book cover of Leveling Up The World

Unknown Author

By L. Eclaire ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Leveling Up The World as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

With countless miniature worlds locked inside of sentient items, Adventure never ends.After his first college party, Dallion wakes up alone in a small medieval village in the middle of nowhere. First, he needs to figure out his where he is and how to survive a mysterious world filled with magic and monsters.Then, he must uncover the secrets of being 'awakened,' which is apparently what he is. Objects in this new world are sentient, allowing the 'awakened' to mend or upgrade them by traveling into any objects unique realm and defeating the guardians that lie within.So many worlds to explore... So…


Book cover of Dungeon Crawler Carl
Book cover of Spellmonger
Book cover of Defiance of the Fall: A LitRPG Adventure

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