Deadman Running: A Cyberpunk LitRPG

Slumrat Rising, Book 3

By: Warby Picus

Narrated by: Todd Haberkorn

In the epic third installment of this urban fantasy series, an ambitious and powerful young man incites a revolution at the end of the world.

If Truth Medici has learned anything, it’s that the country isn’t neatly divided into safe and dangerous zones. Everywhere is a battlefield and a hunting ground. Everyone is both predator and prey, slumrats on the run from bigger rats. Truth is finally one of the bigger rats, so elite that ordinary people can’t even see him. But though he may be a walking ghost, he’ll be acknowledged one way or another.

Truth holds the power to slay the very oppressors who made him what he is. And he’s resolved to wield this power toward a righteous end. His next move: smash the System and fashion himself as a mastermind, pulling the strings of rebellion. With the help of old friends and new, it’s time for him to level up and prepare to do anything in the name of freedom.

But uprisings, explosive anarchy, devastating chaos, and collateral damage are just the beginning. Because the war isn’t only being waged on the ground. The rulers of Heaven and Hell are in on it too, their ancient animosity more nuanced than anyone dares believe. And standing and fighting between them is Truth . . .

The third volume of the hit cyberpunk fantasy series—with more than one million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

©2024 Warby Picus (P)2024 Podium Audio

Superb Again

This series has continued to be wonderful. There was a pacing shift, I thought, with this one. I am hoping that it was used to set up for the bigger confrontation in the next book rather than the trend with popular books to add in a couple fillers in the middle to eke out more profit from a good series.

Fantastically dark

MC is great. Layered and very darkly thoughtful. Unique for the genre. Might help if author could have some sort of recap at the beginning of the book.

Best installment yet

By far the best installment in the series so far. Truth really sticks it to Starbright, very satisfying! Can’t wait for the next.

Always an Intriguing Listen

1 part cyberpunk litrpg. 1 part theology. 1 part philosophy. Stir thoroughly to make an intriguing and entertaining listen. Thank you!

good book, underrated.

I liked the growth and cat and mouse of Truth's work against Star bright.

Loner

So lots of reflection of existence and religion in a creative way. I was hoping he might check on his sibs but that is not his main objective. Not sure if I will get the next book but heck I am three in so....

Murder, Mayhem, And All Things Terrorist

As with the previous installment, book three picks up directly after the events of book two, to the point I feel vaguely silly calling it a separate book. Now that Truth has returned to Jay-on(?), we get to see his new blessings and spells in action as he rampages through the country, leaving chaos, death, and fear in his wake.

For those who disliked the unexpected swerve into the romance genre taken by the second book, you will be happy to learn that Truth is almost the sole character in book three, and his beloved's role is limited to five-ish lines and one dream sequence. He is far from his friends, surrounded by enemies and liabilities, and still too weak to save the Sibs. The only person he can depend on is himself.

Honestly, this is a very interesting book, especially from a meta perspective. The clear parallels and criticism of South Korea, capitalism, and religion become more apparent as Truth's internal philosophy begins to coalesce. And yet, rather than feeling preachy, these concepts act to primarily flesh out both our main character and the world he lives in. This is helped by the author not stating what a "correct" opinion is on these topics, only pointing out the clear and undeniable errors in Jay-on's(?) current philosophy. It is thought provoking, rather than confrontational.

Additionally, having someone willing to commit acts of terror for his beliefs is a novel concept for a protagonist, especially since the author takes the time to wrestle with the concept of "for the greater good", and how much that really maters. It fleshes out an archetype that is often paper thin, and in doing so, expands the reader's worldview. Not by championing or demonizing extremism, but by explaining it.

However, above and beyond all these meta aspects is the delight of Truth and the worldbuilding of this series. He shines in this book, faced with many immoral decisions in the pursuit of his goals, forced to adapt, overcome, and justify himself, displaying a sense of maturity that is refreshing. The things we learn about the way Jay-on(?) works deepen both the themes and vibes of this story, returning us to our Cyberpunk roots. Too many times, I saw uncomfortable parallels to our own societies in the collapsing hellscape of Jay-on(?).

Overall, this is a topical but primarily character driven Cyberpunk story, interweaving an interesting magic system with morality, ethics, and philosophy. The world, people, and dilemmas are constantly engaging, and I was hooked for the entire duration. My primary complaint is that there is not yet a book four in audio format.

I highly recommend.


TL;DR: Direct continuation, no romance, prevalent but natural social commentary, a bunch of ethical questions, and a return to our Cyberpunk roots. It's good stuff.

Good read

Book seems to skip the finer details at times. One minute the main character is at a restaurant and the next they’re halfway around the world with no idea how he got there.

It gets better and better.

This series is spectacular. Truly an amazing series. One man vs a corporate goverment. Cant wait for the next installment in the series.

a hidden treat

this is a real gem for anyone who enjoys the litrpg saga, a smart go getter mc and some of the better writing I've seen in a long time