I’ve spent the last several years devouring LitRPG books. It’s a fantastic genre that blends high fantasy with the satisfying number-crunching and stat-tracking mechanics of a deep role-playing game. Watching characters steadily level up provides a simple, deeply addictive narrative loop that I simply can’t get enough of.
As Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl thrusts LitRPG further into the spotlight, I feel compelled to highlight other fantastic reads that capture that same energy. If you’re hunting for a well-crafted story filled with endearing characters and a relentless journey of growing power, I can’t recommend Will Wight’s Cradle series enough.
Unsouled (Cradle Series)
It is worth noting right away that Cradle isn’t technically LitRPG. Instead, it belongs to the closely related progression fantasy genre. While the protagonist gradually cultivates strength and advances through distinct ranks as the narrative unfolds, you won’t find the explicit video game HUDs or stat menus common in modern LitRPG. For me, that was part of the initial appeal; it skips the tropes of system portals or AI apocalypses to justify its mechanics. Instead, you get a fully realized fantasy realm that organically reveals its depths through the main character’s hardships.
Armed with only intense purpose and clever resourcefulness, his only option is to grow stronger or die.
The plot centers on Wei Shi Lindon, a young man from a tightly knit village where spiritual martial arts dictate everything. Because he completely lacks spiritual power, his people brand him an "Unsouled." When a sweeping cosmic disaster threatens his home, Lindon is handed a second chance—and a vision of a future where he might actually save the people he loves. Driven by desperation and defiance, he steps beyond his borders into a sprawling universe populated by god-like foes. With nothing going for him save for ironclad determination and sharp wits, his path is brutally simple: gain strength or perish.
The Cradle Book Series in Order
At its core, Cradle is the ultimate underdog narrative. The protagonist begins at rock bottom, clawing his way up the ranks of the Sacred Arts. Right from the first book, clear ultimate objectives are established, tying grand, cosmic stakes directly into Lindon’s ground-level struggles. Reading it often feels like experiencing an incredible anime in novel form, complete with intense training montages, thrilling action set-pieces, and massive leaps in power. If you enjoy the progression and hype of shows like Dragon Ball Z or Solo Leveling, Cradle will feel right at home on your bookshelf.
Cradle Series Reading Order at a Glance
- Unsouled
- Soulsmith
- Blackflame
- Skysworn
- Ghostwater
- Underlord
- Uncrowned
- Wintersteel
- Bloodline
- Reaper
- Dreadgod
- Waybound
Jacob Kienlen is a Senior Audience Development Strategist and Writer for IGN. A lifelong resident of Portland, Oregon, he holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and brings a decade of professional writing experience to his coverage of pop culture, ranging from television and books to the latest Pokémon adventures.