Fans pick 66 books like We Hunt Monsters

By Aaron Oster, Richard Sashigane (illustrator),

Here are 66 books that We Hunt Monsters fans have personally recommended if you like We Hunt Monsters. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of The Wandering Inn: Book 1

Jakob H. Greif Author Of Apocalypse Redux - Book One: A LitRPG Time Regression Adventure

From my list on cheer on a competent badass in a fantastical world.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been reading basically since I learned how to, and I’ve always loved fantasy stories that I could imagine myself in, with stuff going on in every corner of the world, everything fleshed out so thoroughly that the reader just understands how things work and has that world playing in their mind long after they’ve put the book down. I also love stories with well-written characters, where mistakes happen because of who they are, not because of an idiot ball, because nothing launches me out of a story faster than an idiot ball. And this kind of story is what I hope to have written myself.  

Jakob's book list on cheer on a competent badass in a fantastical world

Jakob H. Greif Why did Jakob love this book?

This is the biggest, most overwhelmingly awesome fantasy story I’ve ever read, bar none. I started reading it and kept doing so non-stop for probably well over a month. It’s so good that I basically did nothing except read, go to class, and do the usual self-care.

It’s a story about a thousand people from Earth scattered across a vast fantasy world, and you really get to see every nook and cranny of this world across the series. Because this is an ancient world, every nook and cranny actually has something fascinating to find. I just absolutely love this story. 

By Pirate Aba,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Wandering Inn as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

(This novel is the e-book version of the free web serial. You may read the entire ongoing story at wanderinginn.com free of charge.)

“No killing Goblins.”

So reads the sign outside of The Wandering Inn, a small building run by a young woman named Erin Solstice. She serves pasta with sausage, blue fruit juice, and dead acid flies on request. And she comes from another world. Ours.

It’s a bad day when Erin finds herself transported to a fantastical world and nearly gets eaten by a Dragon. She doesn’t belong in a place where monster attacks are a fact of…


Book cover of Schooled in Magic

Jakob H. Greif Author Of Apocalypse Redux - Book One: A LitRPG Time Regression Adventure

From my list on cheer on a competent badass in a fantastical world.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been reading basically since I learned how to, and I’ve always loved fantasy stories that I could imagine myself in, with stuff going on in every corner of the world, everything fleshed out so thoroughly that the reader just understands how things work and has that world playing in their mind long after they’ve put the book down. I also love stories with well-written characters, where mistakes happen because of who they are, not because of an idiot ball, because nothing launches me out of a story faster than an idiot ball. And this kind of story is what I hope to have written myself.  

Jakob's book list on cheer on a competent badass in a fantastical world

Jakob H. Greif Why did Jakob love this book?

I love this story because it is everything that a magical school and otherworld story should be. I’ve read the entire book series about five times and will immediately start reading a new book in this series when it comes out, even if I’m in the middle of reading something else.

It’s a world that functions perfectly in every aspect; everything established in one book is a part of every other. There are no magic cure-alls that are ignored because they could resolve the plot in an afternoon, and every person is using the exact same magic system. No handwaving, no, “the author didn’t feel like explaining,” just a wonderful world where you get to explore and figure things out alongside the main character. It’s easily my favorite story of all time.

By Christopher G Nuttall, Brad Fraunfelter (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Schooled in Magic as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The first book in the bestselling Schooled in Magic saga, a fantastic combination of Harry Potter and Lest Darkness Fall, reissued for a new audience.

In another world, very different from ours and yet populated by people very much like us, a powerful necromancer casts a spell to bring him a Child of Destiny, with the intention of sacrificing the child for power. To his surprise, his spells brings him Emily, a lonely young girl from our world with a deep knowledge of history, a talent for magic, and a willingness to apply concepts from her old world to her…


Book cover of Reborn: Apocalypse

Jakob H. Greif Author Of Apocalypse Redux - Book One: A LitRPG Time Regression Adventure

From my list on cheer on a competent badass in a fantastical world.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been reading basically since I learned how to, and I’ve always loved fantasy stories that I could imagine myself in, with stuff going on in every corner of the world, everything fleshed out so thoroughly that the reader just understands how things work and has that world playing in their mind long after they’ve put the book down. I also love stories with well-written characters, where mistakes happen because of who they are, not because of an idiot ball, because nothing launches me out of a story faster than an idiot ball. And this kind of story is what I hope to have written myself.  

Jakob's book list on cheer on a competent badass in a fantastical world

Jakob H. Greif Why did Jakob love this book?

I love this story because it feels so awesome to read through it. It’s a story about a single man against the world, except that man starts out at the very bottom with nothing save knowledge, training, and an unbreakable will.

No fight is ever fair not just because his enemy is stronger, but because for every plan they’ve made, Micheal has a thousand. I’ve read this series like three times, and never regretted it. 

By L. M. Kerr,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Reborn as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A Time-travel, LitRPG, Apocalyptic story.

If you could turn back the clock and fix all the mistakes you ever made, would you?

For Micheal Care, a swordsman that could only be considered a middling warrior in Humanity's Last Army, the answer to that question would be quite simple.

Yes. A million times yes.

Humanity has fallen, wiped out after being warped away to a new reality, the mystical 7 Layers.

Humanity's goal had been simple. Make it through all 7 Layers and reach Heaven.

Humanity failed.

Humanity died.

Micheal Care's memories have been transported back into his past self thanks…


Book cover of The Perfect Run

Jakob H. Greif Author Of Apocalypse Redux - Book One: A LitRPG Time Regression Adventure

From my list on cheer on a competent badass in a fantastical world.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been reading basically since I learned how to, and I’ve always loved fantasy stories that I could imagine myself in, with stuff going on in every corner of the world, everything fleshed out so thoroughly that the reader just understands how things work and has that world playing in their mind long after they’ve put the book down. I also love stories with well-written characters, where mistakes happen because of who they are, not because of an idiot ball, because nothing launches me out of a story faster than an idiot ball. And this kind of story is what I hope to have written myself.  

Jakob's book list on cheer on a competent badass in a fantastical world

Jakob H. Greif Why did Jakob love this book?

I love this story because it’s everything both a time-loop and a superhero story should be. It’s got fascinating powers that are both complex and internally consistent; I always go, “Oh, that makes sense.” When things are explained further, it always makes sense, and that also means that everything has a weakness. And the characters are just so much fun; I absolutely adore them.

There's all kinds and even the silly ones are never one-note jokes, they’re just being themselves and they just feel so real. I read this three-book series in less than a week, probably at the cost of getting some of my own writing done, because it’s just so damn good. 

By Maxime J. Durand,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Perfect Run as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ryan "Quicksave" Romano is an eccentric adventurer with a strange power: he can create a save-point in time and redo his life whenever he dies.

Arriving in New Rome, the glitzy capital of sin of a rebuilding Europe, he finds the city torn between mega-corporations, sponsored heroes, superpowered criminals, and true monsters. It's a time of chaos, where potions can grant the power to rule the world and dangers lurk everywhere.

Ryan only sees different routes; and from Hero to Villain, he has to try them all. Only then will he achieve his perfect ending... no matter how many loops…


Book cover of On Writing and Worldbuilding: Volume 1

Megan A. Connell Author Of Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy: A Guide for the Clinician Game Master

From my list on learning and running tabletop role-playing games.

Why am I passionate about this?

TTRPGs are such a powerful medium for storytelling, and a tool that can be used by therapists to help their clients. Learning how to run games can seem daunting, these books have all helped me with learning how to run games more effectively. From thinking about stories, to exploring tropes, using storytelling techniques, and sharing the narrative with players this collection of books will help you on your journey of building worlds and telling stories. 

Megan's book list on learning and running tabletop role-playing games

Megan A. Connell Why did Megan love this book?

Understanding story structure, narrative drive, and world-building are incredibly helpful when running tabletop role-playing games.

As you run games you will often find that the players do not do what is expected and as the Game Master (GM) you have to adjust the story as you go. Understanding common story tropes and character arcs can help GM’s with building their world, their campaign, and adjusting the story as needed.

Hickson uses examples from literature, anime, and popular media to help illustrate the different themes explored in his series. 

By Timothy Hickson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked On Writing and Worldbuilding as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Writing advice tends to be full of 'rules' and 'tips' which are either too broad to be helpful or outright wrong. With over 35,000 copies sold, On Writing and Worldbuilding: Volume Idiscusses specific and applicable ideas for your writing, from effective methods of delivering exposition and foreshadowing, to how communication, commerce, and control play into the fall of an empire. Volume II, a sequel with a host of new topics, released in December 2021.


On Writing Prologues The First Chapter The Exposition Problem Foreshadowing Villain Motivation Hero-Villain Relationships Final Battles The Chosen One Hard Magic Systems Soft Magic Systems Magic…


Book cover of Flight from the Dark

Dames Handsome Author Of Fairy Knights: The Beginning

From my list on elementary students who love games.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been a gamer all of my life and am a teacher of elementary school students. After finding the LitRPG genre I wished to share this with other kids... like the one I had once been. Most parents in the genre push full 200k books on their children with an expectation of found love. While I imagine it works for a few of them, I rather expect that the majority of those attempts end in failure. Kids have their own world and their own sense of humor. I write to them, to inspire them and make them laugh, to make them entertained even as I teach them universal morals and lessons about the world.


Dames' book list on elementary students who love games

Dames Handsome Why did Dames love this book?

Lone Wolf is a book that is also a game. A LitRPG for Kids, originally written in the 80s, it is the start of a wonderfully long series of illustrated books that both allowed children to choose their actions as the protagonist of the story and also gave them choices on how to develop the hero and make him progress.

It’s a model of book that I really would like to see more of today.

Lone Wolf might be the series that started me on my gaming path, and it is a magical and beautiful quest that teaches about honor, teamwork, and clever tactical planning.

Even better, the author made the series free online in 2015. So it is now available all over the internet and even as a number of free phone apps.

By Joe Dever,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Flight from the Dark as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

You are Lone Wolf. In a devastating attack the Darklords have destroyed the monastery where you were learning the skills of the Kai Lords. You are the sole survivor. FLIGHT FROM THE DARK You swear revenge. But first you must reach Holmgard to warn the King of the gathering evil. The servants of darkness relentlessly hunt you across your country and every turn of the page presents a new challenge. Choose your skills and your weapons carefully - for they can help you succeed in the most fantastic and terrifying journey of your life. The LONE WOLF adventures are a…


Book cover of Doll Bones

Kelley Skovron Author Of No Filter

From my list on deliciously dark horror novels that are more sad than scary.

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm the author of over 15 novels written for kids, teens, and adults across several genres. The thing all my books have in common is that they are sad and they are dark. My most recent novel is my most distilled, compressed delivery of deliciously dark sadness yet! Oddly, I'm rarely sad in real life. My daughter suggested that I write books to get the darkness out of my head and onto the page, which I think is very insightful (she is my kid, after all). I enjoy the beauty in the breakdown, I savor the sublime catharsis of tragedy, and I want to share that perspective with everyone.

Kelley's book list on deliciously dark horror novels that are more sad than scary

Kelley Skovron Why did Kelley love this book?

I have never encountered a story that depicts the dread and heartbreak of growing up more authentically than Black has done in the pages of this Newberry-awarded novel for children.

It is both as brutal and as delicate as the creepy antique doll (which may or may not be haunted) at the center of the story. Three kids head out on their own, determined to lay the spirit trapped within the doll to rest while the all-to-real fears and quiet dangers of their regular lives snap at their heels.

It is a book of loss, acceptance, and courage that will remain nestled in my heart for life. I am literally tearing up right now as I think of it.

By Holly Black, Eliza Wheeler (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Doll Bones as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 10, 11, 12, and 13.

What is this book about?

My name is Eleanor Kerchner.
You can call me the Queen.
I died in 1895.
Now it's time to play.

A chilling ghost story by the bestselling author of The Spiderwick Chronicles, Holly Black.

Recipient of a Newbery Honor Award. An ALA Notable Book. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book. A School Library Journal Best Book. A Booklist Editor's Choice Books for Youth. A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book. A 2013 Goodreads Choice award nominee. A People Magazine 'Best New Kids Book'.


Book cover of The Monsters Know What They're Doing: Combat Tactics for Dungeon Masters

Megan A. Connell Author Of Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy: A Guide for the Clinician Game Master

From my list on learning and running tabletop role-playing games.

Why am I passionate about this?

TTRPGs are such a powerful medium for storytelling, and a tool that can be used by therapists to help their clients. Learning how to run games can seem daunting, these books have all helped me with learning how to run games more effectively. From thinking about stories, to exploring tropes, using storytelling techniques, and sharing the narrative with players this collection of books will help you on your journey of building worlds and telling stories. 

Megan's book list on learning and running tabletop role-playing games

Megan A. Connell Why did Megan love this book?

For many Game Masters it can be difficult to understand how the monsters and adversaries in their worlds would act.

In his book, and its sequel, Ammann helps to provide guidance for how different adversaries might act towards the group of heroes. This book helps GMs think critically about the monsters in the world and can help with teaching how to provide a more dynamic and consequential experience for players.

Ammann also helps readers think in terms of a world with magic and how those living in such a world might think and approach problems differently than we do in our magic-free world.

By Keith Ammann,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Monsters Know What They're Doing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In the course of a Dungeons & Dragons game, a Dungeon Master has to make one decision after another in response to player behaviour-and the better the players, the more unpredictable their behaviour! It's easy for even an experienced DM to get bogged down in on-the-spot decision-making or to let combat devolve into a boring slugfest, with enemies running directly at the player characters and biting, bashing, and slashing away.

In The Monsters Know What They're Doing, Keith Ammann lightens the DM's burden by helping you understand your monsters' abilities and develop battle plans before your fifth edition D&D game…


Book cover of Kobold Guide to Plots & Campaigns

Megan A. Connell Author Of Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy: A Guide for the Clinician Game Master

From my list on learning and running tabletop role-playing games.

Why am I passionate about this?

TTRPGs are such a powerful medium for storytelling, and a tool that can be used by therapists to help their clients. Learning how to run games can seem daunting, these books have all helped me with learning how to run games more effectively. From thinking about stories, to exploring tropes, using storytelling techniques, and sharing the narrative with players this collection of books will help you on your journey of building worlds and telling stories. 

Megan's book list on learning and running tabletop role-playing games

Megan A. Connell Why did Megan love this book?

This book is a series of essays from some of the most well-known writers and creators in tabletop gaming.

This book is filled with tips and tricks to help you build your world and create a compelling plot that your players will want to engage in. This book will help you learn how to use different storytelling devices effectively in an RPG as it is slightly different than how you would use such devices in a written novel.

This book really helped me to start wrapping my mind around how shared narrative stories can work and how as a GM I can steer the story without taking away the agency of my players. This is a great quick read for new and experienced GMs alike! 

By Michele Carter (editor), Wolfgang Baur, Clinton J Boomer , Zeb Cook , Jeff Grubb , James Jacobs , Kevin Kulp , Richard Pett , Robert J. Schwalb , Margaret Weis , Steven Winter

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Kobold Guide to Plots & Campaigns as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Best Role in Roleplaying

Whether you’re a new gamemaster or a seasoned vet looking for a new angle to shake up your game, these 19 essays by 13 expert gamemasters demonstrate ways to construct your campaign from the ground up and keep your players engaged until the dramatic conclusion.

Within this volume, masters of the art show you how to begin a new campaign, use published adventures or loot them for the best ideas, build toward cliffhangers, and design a game that can enthrall your players for month or even years. Want to run an evil campaign, or hurl…


Book cover of Guardians of the Flame: The Heroes

Robert Evert Author Of Sword of Betrayal

From my list on forgotten fantasies.

Why am I passionate about this?

Although I was part of a large family, I frequently felt alone growing up. While my siblings were busy playing sports or running around with their friends, I sat by myself in the basement, reading fantasy stories. Eventually, I began creating my own worlds and published the Riddle in Stone series and Sword of Betrayal. I suppose I’m still trying to find a place where I fit in.

Robert's book list on forgotten fantasies

Robert Evert Why did Robert love this book?

Guardians of the Flame is a fantasy series where seven college students get together for a night of role-playing games and suddenly find themselves in an alternative world of swords, magic, and deadly fire-breathing dragons. To get home they must find the mysterious “Gate Between World.” It is a witty adventure story any fan of fantasy can appreciate. It explores the question—what would happen if readers of fantasy were transported into their favorite fantasy world?

By Joel Rosenberg,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Guardians of the Flame as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

It had begun as an evening of fantasy gaming - college students passing the time. Then the impossible happened:

the players found themselves transported into the bodies and personae of their game characters - trapped in an alternate world where magic worked all too well, dragons were a fire-breathing menace, and only those quick enough with a sword, or their wits, survived.

The only way back to Earth was a legendary portal called the Gate Between Worlds, but there was no guarantee they'd pass through safely even if they managed to find it. And their new selves had precious little…


Book cover of The Wandering Inn: Book 1
Book cover of Schooled in Magic
Book cover of Reborn: Apocalypse

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Interested in RPG, immortality, and monsters?

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Monsters 173 books