Meet Your Maker: An Epic Fantasy LitRPG

Meet Your Maker, Volume 1

By: Seth McDuffee, Johnathan McClain

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain

Length: 21 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

From the imaginations of Seth McDuffee, author of the bestselling Big Sneaky Barbarian books, and award-winning screenwriter and audiobook narrator Johnathan McClain comes a new series that answers the question . . .

"What would happen if you crossed the high fantasy of Wheel of Time with the irreverent comedy of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?"

Bruce Silver is the author of the Riftbreaker novels, one of the most popular, beloved fantasy book series of all time. He's got everything he's ever dreamed of having: freedom to tell the stories he wants to tell, legions of enthusiastic fans who wait eagerly to see what he'll write next, and a really nice car.

But despite all that, Bruce finds himself dissatisfied, battling an ennui he can't quite put his finger on. So he decides to do what anyone would do in his situation: burn it all down by unexpectedly killing off Carpathian Einzgear, Riftbreaker's cherished hero. A solid plan with absolutely no downside whatsoever.

Until . . .

Bruce wakes up to find himself suddenly transported inside the world of the novels he's written. And . . . seen by everyone he encounters as Carpathian Einzgear himself. Which is problematic for a variety of reasons, not least of which being that, when Carpathian died, he left behind a sea of destruction, broken promises, and shattered lives that Bruce is now responsible for repairing—only, without access to all the powers and skills Carpathian built up through the course of ten books. Bruce is going to have to start over at the beginning.

Meet Your Maker is a comedic, epic fantasy series that asks the questions: What is fiction? What is reality? And does it make a difference, when everyone and everything is trying to kill you?

Bruce created this world. Now he has to survive it.

©2024 Seth McDuffee and Johnathan McClain (P)2024 Podium Audio

Critic reviews

“Everything I wanted and more. So much more. . . . [Meet Your Maker] will stay with you long after the final page.” —Amie Kaufman, New York Times–bestselling author the Isles of the Gods

“F***ing incredible. Wild to see two talented voices come together and produce something so seamless. Truly next level.” —Kyle Kirrin, author of the Ripple System

“A rare book that makes you laugh, draws you in with intrigue, then holds up a mirror to your own subconscious. I wish I’d written it.” —Haylock Jobson, author of Heretical Fishing

Delightfully creative and so funny it’ll make you leak

Meet Your Maker is one of the best books I’ve ever enjoyed. I came having loved big sneaky barbarian, which was written by Seth, narrated by Jonathan and which led to them forming this writing duo for this project. Well, it’s hard to imagine an improvement of BSS as possible for Seth‘s next book, I think the input of Jonathan in writing had to have impacted not only the dialogue but also no doubt it helped to have two people working on the book’s somewhat complex made simple for our enjoyment worldbuilding system, and two toned narrative between Bruce in the present and the fantasy novel he wrote, which subtly informs our mystery and the hunt for the nexus core.

If you have one credit to spend on LitRPG this year, it should be on this book !

You two are a hell of a team

“My narrator expressed discomfort in doing a Jamaican accent for these characters so I made them Vikings.
Later in the book”ja Mon” monkey character introduced

A great new entry

I was familar with both authors, although just as a narrator for Johnathan McClain with his work from Noobtown series. His work here is even better if that's possible. Our MC is quickly thrown into the world he created or at least he thinks he created it, there's some debate on whether he did or if he was just the writer of their history. There's the expected pop culture references, an on-going internal dialogue with himself and of course lots of adventures. I can't wait to see where things go from here since it left on a minor cliffhanger.

What I’m here for, what you are here for

So, you reading the review. Great!
No doubt this came up because of a combination your search history (not commenting on that), media intake, and purchase history, all culminating to leading you to this book, which you are trying to figure out if it’s worth the credit.

The description fits it well, pop culture references, humor, Litrpg, meta as all get out.

If you are not familiar with the narration of Johnathan McClain or Seth McDuffee’s writing style, then I’m almost envious about the decision and subsequent experience you are about to have.

They are both, and I cannot stress this enough, amazing. Diverse in character construction and representation, this is my favorite series to listen too since Noobtown, or He Who Fights with Monsters. I wasn’t absorb it all in one go, I’m going to be re-istening to this when I’m able to focus on it completely because the some of the dialogue and narration hits different parts of my appreciation in different ways, but so close together that I know I missed something.

This is worth the credit

Legendary

This was an absolute dream to see the author and narrator from my favorite series, Big Sneaky Barbarian, team up to write a book together. Expectations were very high, and this book did not disappoint. Can’t wait for more!

I liked the audio artists voice and impressions

I think the story moves too slow. I don't think it is interesting. it seemed like the story was building, but never delivered.

McDuffee & McClain = Gold Standard

This is my third Johnathan McClain series and my second Seth McDuffee series. I had been excited to start this book for months. And I finally cracked it open. Litrpg is the only genre that can scratch the high fantasy and comedy itch that I have become accustomed to over the years. And these two guys are quickly becoming the gold standard for the genre. This book does not disappoint. I found myself excited for each new chapter, trying to figure out which of the authors had written each section. You have the eloquence of McClain and the relatability of McDuffee's characters. Highly recommend!

Great. . .just great

This book is a Rollercoaster of a ride. it makes you laugh and then almost cry ( I swear if this had some appropriate BGMs then tears would have flowed). A great new addition from 2 great authors and good performances from the narrator. there was some areas where I think he had missed mark, I mean there soon much noises one can make screeching.
Overall, can't wait for book 2 !!!!!!!

it wasn't really what I wanted

this book is solid, well written and kinda witty if you catch all the wordplay and puns going on every minute or so. my biggest issue with the book is how badly treated the MC is treated. for the most part it's deserved. I like how the mind bouncing from topic to topic is relatable. there was one thing that kinda just put a damper on things. Imagine your dog you've had with you for 14 years give or take, that has been with you through your highs and lows and knows you for who you are gains the ability to speak and the first conversation you have in truth is your dog calling you racist and changing its own name. I know it's just a snale, and that it was a stupid joke, but years with a pet that you would risk your life for and the first conversation you have is that. hurts man. was kinda funny tho. I was hoping for a bit more LitRPG elements. it's not really what I wanted but I'm enjoying it nonetheless

Engaging Story with Humor, but Lacking in RPG

I started this audiobook with high hopes, and the opening did not disappoint. It was a breath of fresh air, and I found myself giggling like a fool at the witty dialogue and engaging narrative. The story has a unique charm that immediately drew me in.

However, as the book progressed, the author’s writing style became increasingly verbose. When describing situations, character details, or other elements, the narrative often used four to five descriptive statements, only to circle back and simplify with a phrase such as "basically like this..." It made the experience feel unnecessarily drawn out. As if the only purpose of the characters were to be described. While I appreciate rich, descriptive prose, the constant over-explanation grew exhausting, and at times, I found myself more caught up in waiting for the lengthy descriptions to end rather than in the story itself.

What also frustrated me was that the book was labeled as a LitRPG, but the RPG elements were lacking. Instead of true progression or meaningful game-like mechanics, it mostly made references without incorporating the kind of RPG progression that the genre typically provides. Without that sense of growth, it felt more like a story with gaming nods rather than a full LitRPG experience.

That said, the characters and overall plot are still strong enough to make the book enjoyable, and the humor and creativity were delightful. Overall, this is an engaging story, and while I believe it could benefit from more concise storytelling, you may appreciate the depth and detail the author provides.