๐Ÿ“– READING ORDER GUIDES

Series Reading Order Guides

Never start a series in the wrong order again. Complete reading guides with book counts, listen times, and honest recommendations on where to start.

Last Updated: August 2026

11Series Covered
91Total Books
3Completed Series

โœ… Completed Series

No waiting for the next book!
๐Ÿ“š

Cradle

COMPLETED

by Will Wight ยท Narrated by Travis Baldree

4.7
12
Books
134.4h
Total Listen Time
Progression Fantasy
Subgenre
Yes
Completed

Lindon, born with a crippled soul in the Sacred Valley, defies expectations by seeking power beyond his home. A masterclass in cultivation/progression fantasy with tight plotting and satisfying payoffs.

#completed#cultivation#progression#underdog#binge-worthy

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

The gold standard for completed progression fantasy. 12 books with a satisfying ending, tight pacing, and incredible power scaling. Travis Baldree's narration is iconic. A perfect binge for new listeners.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Start with Unsouled. The first two books are shorter and more introductory โ€” the series truly ignites from Blackflame (Book 3) onward.

Full Cradle reading order guide + FAQ โ†’
๐Ÿ’Ž

The Divine Dungeon

COMPLETED

by Dakota Krout ยท Narrated by Vikas Adam

4.5
5
Books
50h
Total Listen Time
Dungeon Core
Subgenre
Yes
Completed

Cal is a dungeon core โ€” a sentient gem that must design, build, and defend a dungeon. Paired with a human cultivator named Dale, the series explores both sides of the dungeon experience.

#completed#dungeon-core#dual-perspective#pioneer#concise

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

The OG dungeon core series that defined the subgenre. Completed with a satisfying ending. Great entry point for understanding LitRPG from a non-human perspective.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Start with Dungeon Born โ€” it's only 8 hours and establishes the innovative dual-perspective format.

Full The Divine Dungeon reading order guide + FAQ โ†’
โฐ

Mother of Learning

COMPLETED

by Nobody103 ยท Narrated by Jack Voraces

4.6
4
Books
97.5h
Total Listen Time
Time Loop
Subgenre
Yes
Completed

Zorian, an unremarkable magic student, finds himself trapped in a month-long time loop centered around a catastrophic invasion. Each loop teaches him new skills, uncovers mysteries, and brings him closer to breaking free.

#completed#time-loop#magic-learning#mystery#intellectual

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

One of the most intellectually satisfying fantasy stories ever written. The time loop mechanic is used masterfully โ€” every loop matters, every skill learned pays off. Completed with a brilliant ending.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Start with ARC 1. The slow, meticulous opening mirrors Zorian's own confusion โ€” it becomes riveting quickly.

Full Mother of Learning reading order guide + FAQ โ†’

๐Ÿ“š Ongoing Series

Still being written
โš”๏ธ

Dungeon Crawler Carl

by Matt Dinniman ยท Narrated by Jeff Hays

4.9
8
Books
159.4h
Total Listen Time
Dungeon Crawl
Subgenre
No
Completed

After aliens destroy the surface of Earth, Carl and his cat Princess Donut must descend into an ever-changing dungeon, battling monsters and navigating an absurd reality-TV-style competition broadcast across the galaxy.

#comedy#dungeon#cat-companion#reality-tv#must-read

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

This is the series I hand people when they ask what LitRPG sounds like with the limiter ripped off. It is filthy, mean, weirdly heartfelt, and Jeff Hays sells every second of it. The hook is the chaos. The reason people stay is that Carl and Donut actually matter once the joke turns into a real story.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Start with book 1 and do not overthink it. If the first couple chapters work for you, the rest of the series is basically a straight-line credit leak.

Full Dungeon Crawler Carl reading order guide + FAQ โ†’
๐Ÿ—ก๏ธ

He Who Fights with Monsters

by Shirtaloon ยท Narrated by Heath Miller

4.8
12
Books
269.8h
Total Listen Time
Progression
Subgenre
No
Completed

Jason Asano, an Australian man transported to a world of magic and monsters, navigates complex political intrigue, deep power systems, and personal growth with sardonic wit and determination.

#character-driven#humor#politics#progression#long-series

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

One of the most character-driven LitRPG series with sharp humor, deep world-building, and satisfying progression. Jason is one of the genre's most memorable protagonists.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Book 1 is a hefty 29-hour introduction that sets up the entire world. Be prepared for a slow build that pays off enormously.

Full He Who Fights with Monsters reading order guide + FAQ โ†’

by TheFirstDefier ยท Narrated by Pavi Proczko

4.7
16
Books
373h
Total Listen Time
Apocalypse
Subgenre
No
Completed

When the System integrates Earth into a vast multiverse, Zac finds himself stranded alone on a monster-filled island. Through sheer determination and unconventional choices, he carves his own path to power.

#apocalypse#system#survival#evolution#epic-length

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

The ultimate apocalypse LitRPG. Massive in scope with an incredibly satisfying power progression. 16 books deep with consistent quality and momentum.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Book 1 establishes one of the richest LitRPG worlds with an isolated survival start that hooks immediately. Each book runs ~22-26 hours.

Full Defiance of the Fall reading order guide + FAQ โ†’

by Honour Rae ยท Narrated by Luke Daniels

4.8
6
Books
84h
Total Listen Time
Progression
Subgenre
No
Completed

Arthur grows up in a world where power comes from magical cards, and he starts with basically nothing. Then he pulls a legendary card, gets tangled up with dragons, and spends the rest of the series trying not to get flattened by people who were born with a much better hand.

#deck-building#card-system#dragons#progression#underdog

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

If a lot of LitRPG power systems feel like spreadsheets with swords, this one feels like somebody finally shipped the fun build. The card-based progression is easy to follow, the dragon bond angle actually lands, and Luke Daniels keeps the whole thing moving.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Start with Book 1. It teaches you the card system without turning into homework, and Arthur's early climb is the part that hooked me.

Full All the Skills reading order guide + FAQ โ†’

by Casualfarmer ยท Narrated by Travis Baldree

4.9
5
Books
82h
Total Listen Time
Cozy/Slice of Life
Subgenre
No
Completed

Jin Rou, a modern man reincarnated in a xianxia world, rejects the path of power and violence to build a peaceful farm. But when your rooster becomes a cultivator, things get interesting.

#cozy#farming#cultivation#wholesome#humor

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

The cozy antidote to power-fantasy LitRPG. Heartwarming, funny, and surprisingly deep. Perfect for listeners who want something wholesome without sacrificing compelling storytelling.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Start with Book 1. The farming-focused opening is deliberately low-stakes โ€” trust the process.

Full Beware of Chicken reading order guide + FAQ โ†’

by Zogarth ยท Narrated by Travis Baldree

4.8
15
Books
298.2h
Total Listen Time
Survival
Subgenre
No
Completed

Jake, an introverted office worker, discovers hidden potential when the System arrives on Earth. His unique bloodline and natural instincts set him on a path no one expected.

#survival#hunting#system#crafting#fast-paced

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

Excellent survival-progression with a unique protagonist archetype โ€” the introverted hunter. Fast-paced with satisfying power growth and great crafting system mechanics.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Book 1 opens immediately with action. The tutorial phase is gripping and sets the tone for the entire series.

Full The Primal Hunter reading order guide + FAQ โ†’
๐Ÿœ

Chrysalis

by RinoZ ยท Narrated by Jeff Hays

4.8
7
Books
141h
Total Listen Time
Monster MC
Subgenre
No
Completed

Reborn as a tiny ant in a vast dungeon, Anthony must evolve, build a colony, and protect his family from threats both above and below. The most unique protagonist perspective in LitRPG.

#monster-mc#colony-building#evolution#humor#unique-perspective

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

Proves that a monster protagonist can carry an entire series. The colony-building mechanic is addictive, the humor is excellent, and Jeff Hays' narration of an ant is somehow perfect.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Book 1 hooks you from the first chapter with its absurd premise played completely straight.

Full Chrysalis reading order guide + FAQ โ†’

by Actus ยท Narrated by Peter Berkrot

4.6
6
Books
22.7h
Total Listen Time
Progression
Subgenre
No
Completed

Arwin gets summoned as a kid, trained into a weapon, and then betrayed by the people who called him hero. When the Living Forge class lands in his lap, he spends less time brooding than you might expect. He opens a smithy, makes cursed gear, and tries to keep the Menagerie from exploding. It is forging progression with enough fights to keep the build-crafting from turning into shopkeeping homework.

#crafting#blacksmith#betrayal#shop-building#progression

๐Ÿ† Why Listen to This Series

I like that Arwin is already competent but still has to rebuild his kit the hard way. The smithing loop has the same pull as a good crafting game: find junk, learn what it does, turn it into something nastier. Peter Berkrot has the low-key, workbench voice this needs.

๐Ÿš€ Where to Start

Book 1, full stop. It gives the betrayal its weight and lays out the class before the Menagerie gets big enough that people start showing up with history. The opener runs almost 23 hours, so it is a real first-credit commitment.

Full Rise of the Living Forge reading order guide + FAQ โ†’

Why Reading Order Matters in LitRPG

LitRPG series are heavily sequential โ€” power systems, skill trees, and character progression build on each other book by book. Skipping ahead or starting at the wrong entry point means missing crucial context that makes later developments meaningful.

Our guides include total listen time so you can plan your investment. Many of these series represent 100+ hours of content โ€” knowing what you're getting into helps you choose the right commitment level.