Ruthless: A LitRPG Adventure Worth Reading

by Dakota Krout📚 Genre: Fantasy / LitRPG⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5

Hello, friends! Welcome back to The Book Haven, where I, casmith76—a husband, dad to a preteen daughter who’s pilfering my novels, a toddler who treats books like chew toys, and soon-to-be father of three—share my relentless passion for stories that yank me out of the whirlwind of parenting. I’m a fantasy addict at my core, but I’ll chase a wild tale anywhere it leads. Ruthless, the fifth chapter in Dakota Krout’s Completionist Chronicles, landed in my hands like a mana-charged grenade, and I’ve been sneaking chapters during nap times, late nights, and every quiet moment I could steal. This one’s a beast—let’s unpack it.

Why This Book Stood Out

Ruthless is pure catnip for a fantasy geek like me—take a game-world where stats rule, mix in magic, mayhem, and a hero who’s as brilliant as he is bonkers, and I’m sold. I’ve been hooked on Joe’s journey since Ritualist, and this installment cranks the dial to ruthless levels of fun. It’s the kind of book that makes me forget the toddler’s latest marker mural or my daughter’s endless “one more chapter” pleas (ironic, right?). Krout’s LitRPG magic—skills, quests, XP—blends with epic stakes and a wicked sense of humor, feeling like a late-night D&D session with buddies who don’t mess around. As a dad craving a break from reality, this hit every sweet spot.

Plot Overview (Spoiler-Free!)

Ruthless throws Joe—our ritual-crafting, rule-bending maestro—into the deep end of Eternium, a magical realm where every choice tweaks his stats or breaks his neck. This time, he’s up against a crumbling world, enemies who’d rather see him deleted than defeated, and a mission that’s less “heroic quest” and more “scorched-earth survival.” Think guild wars, dungeon dives, and a ruthless streak that lives up to the title. Allies fracture, plans go sideways, and Joe’s juggling his own grind with stakes that could reshape the game—or end it. It’s a rollercoaster of crafting, combat, and chaos, with a world so alive I could hear the explosions over my toddler’s tantrums.

What I loved most was the mix of brainy tinkering and brute-force action—it’s like watching a mad genius play Minecraft while swinging a warhammer.

What Worked

✅ Characters That Crackle: Joe’s the king—dry-witted, dogged, and just unhinged enough to keep you guessing. He’s the guy I’d trade tactics with over a coffee, and his arc from scrappy newbie to ruthless tactician is a joyride. His crew’s a riot too—quirky, fierce, and full of surprises that had me chuckling one page, then gasping the next. My daughter would love their vibe; it’s got that playful edge she digs in her own posse.
✅ Pacing That Punches: This book’s a sprint with pit stops—slow burns of plotting erupt into all-out brawls, then ease back to let the stakes simmer. It’s a rhythm that had me flipping pages way past when I should’ve been prepping bottles or dodging bedtime battles. Perfect for a guy who loves a story that builds and then blows up.
✅ World-Building Wizardry: Eternium’s a beast—guild halls, monster lairs, magic systems—all woven with game mechanics that feel tangible without frying your brain. I’m no pro gamer, but I could smell the smoke of a ritual circle or feel the crunch of a leveled-up skill. It’s deep enough to lose yourself, light enough my sleep-starved mind could roll with it.
✅ Humor That Hits: The snark is top-tier—Joe’s quips had me snorting loud enough to wake the house (sorry, wife!). It’s sharp, silly, and keeps the vibe fun even when the world’s falling apart. Krout’s got a knack for lightening the load without cheapening it.
✅ Ruthless Stakes: The title’s no lie—danger’s everywhere, losses sting, and victories feel like you’ve clawed them out yourself. I love when a book makes me sweat for the win, and Ruthless had me rooting hard for Joe to pull off the impossible.

A Few Cautions

💡 It’s got bite—fantasy violence (explosions, monster guts), mild language, and LitRPG crunch that might overwhelm non-gamers. My preteen could handle the action—she’s tougher than me some days—but the stat-heavy bits might lose her unless she’s hooked from the start. As book five, it leans on the series; newbies can dive in (Krout drops hints), but you’ll miss some punch without the backlog. Didn’t kill my buzz, just worth a nod.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

Ruthless is a grand slam for fantasy fans, LitRPG junkies, or anyone who loves a hero who fights smart and swings hard. It’s Joe at his peak—tearing through a world that’s as thrilling as it is treacherous, with a grin and a grenade. I’d shove this at anyone craving an adventure with brains, brawn, and a belly laugh or two—new to the Completionist Chronicles? Start with Ritualist and join the ride; my daughter’s already eyeing that one, and I can’t wait to geek out with her over Joe’s chaos when she’s game for it. My wife might groan at my “one more chapter” excuses, but she’d see why this kept me up—it’s escapism with attitude.

Snag it via my Amazon affiliate link: Order Ruthless Here!. Every click keeps The Book Haven rolling—thanks for backing this book-crazed dad!

Until next time—keep those pages turning and those quests blazing. What’s your favorite LitRPG twist? Drop a line below—I’m always up for a bookish powwow!

— casmith76 from The Book Haven