Scourge of Souls: An Epic LitRPG/GameLit Adventure

I went into *Scourge of Souls* expecting another cookie-cutter LitRPG slog, but Carney’s world is far darker, far meaner, than anything I’ve encountered in the genre. Armen Taylor’s narration is the secret weapon here—his growling delivery for Gryph’s inner monologue feels like a gritted-teeth confession, while his knack for shifting tones (especially in cutscenes) breathes life into what could’ve been a one-dimensional power fantasy. The story’s strength lies in its refusal to coddle the protagonist or the reader; Gryph’s victories are always temporary, his losses soul-crushing, and the Realms’ cruelty isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character. My only real critique? The mid-book lull, where the action gets bogged down in system menus and lore dumps, tests the listener’s patience. But Carney rights the ship with a final act that’s as brutal as it is satisfying, and Taylor’s performance keeps the momentum from stalling entirely. If you’re here for a challenge—not just to survive the Realms, but to *endure* them—this audiobook delivers.