Savage Dominion: Is This LitRPG Worth Your Time? Full Review and Rating
Blog post descriptionSavage Dominion is an action-packed LitRPG adventure filled with humor, epic battles, and immersive world-building. Join Maulkin on his chaotic journey to godhood in a brutal fantasy world where every fight counts. Read our in-depth review to see if this series is worth your time!.
9/30/20246 min read
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Savage Dominion: A LitRPG Adventure - In-Depth Review
Savage Dominion, co-authored by Luke Chmilenko and G.D. Penman, is an action-packed, humor-laden LitRPG adventure that blends high-stakes combat, fantasy world-building, and a touch of character development. For fans of the LitRPG genre, especially those familiar with Chmilenko’s Ascend Online, this book offers a different approach with more focus on action and narrative progression, while the RPG mechanics take a backseat. But is this shift effective? Let’s dive into the specifics.
Plot Summary
The protagonist, Maulkin, is an ordinary man living an ordinary life, until a date goes wrong in an incredibly awkward fashion, leading to his untimely death. His worries about dying, however, quickly become irrelevant, as death is only the beginning of his journey. Instead of facing eternal peace or judgment, Maulkin is resurrected in the fantastical and perilous world of Amaranth.
Upon arriving in this new world, Maulkin discovers that he’s been reborn in the body of a powerful demi-human, complete with a sword that’s just as oversized as his new form. He is now marked as an Eternal, a special kind of immortal with the potential to ascend to godhood. But it’s not all about gaining power for power’s sake. He’s tasked by the elder gods with a mission that’s as chaotic as it is grand: to grow stronger, spread disorder in their name, and, if he has time, stave off an impending apocalypse.
Amaranth is a world of harsh challenges. It’s filled with monstrous creatures, relentless dungeon delving, and power-hungry factions. Maulkin, who is initially out of his depth, must adapt quickly, forming alliances and growing in strength to survive the brutal reality of his new life.
World-Building and Setting
The world of Amaranth is rich with detail, featuring a sprawling fantasy landscape that feels alive and dangerous. There’s a constant sense of impending danger, as powerful monsters roam freely, and dungeon delving seems to be a routine aspect of life for Eternals like Maulkin. The world is filled with gods, mythological creatures, and deadly magic, making it a harsh environment that demands the characters' utmost resilience.
One of the strengths of Savage Dominion is the way it blends world-building with character action. The lore of Amaranth unfolds organically as Maulkin and his companions explore it, fight in it, and try to survive its many dangers. This integration of world-building and plot makes the story engaging, especially as new regions and threats are revealed, adding layers to the narrative.
Character Dynamics
Maulkin, the main character, is one of the highlights of the book. He brings a strong sense of humor to his role as a reluctant hero. His dry wit and often sardonic outlook on life provide a fun contrast to the chaotic and brutal world around him. This humor is one of the strongest elements of the book, making the heavy action sequences and sometimes grim realities more palatable.
Maulkin’s journey is not a solo one, though. He is joined by two key companions who are essential to the progression of the story and his development as a character. These two companions play pivotal roles in keeping Maulkin focused on his goals. They help keep him grounded and on task, ensuring that his chaotic personality doesn’t lead him astray. The dynamic between these three characters adds depth to the narrative, as their interactions are filled with both humor and heartfelt moments. Each character contributes in meaningful ways, not just to the plot, but to each other’s personal growth.
While the companions aren't locked into any specific RPG "class," each has unique abilities and power sets that bring balance to the group, enhancing their effectiveness in battle and exploration. The mixture of personalities and powers makes their teamwork feel natural and keeps the action sequences fresh and engaging.
Action and Combat Sequences
The action in Savage Dominion is nearly nonstop, with almost every chapter featuring some form of battle or confrontation. For fans who love detailed, intense combat sequences, this book will not disappoint. The pacing of the fights is well-executed, and each battle feels distinct, despite the sheer volume of them. Maulkin’s journey is driven largely by his need to grow stronger, and as such, the combat often serves as a way for him to unlock new abilities and ascend to greater heights of power.
Maulkin’s immense strength, combined with his growing arsenal of powers, makes the action scenes exciting. While some of his powers feel almost over-the-top, they’re balanced by the fact that Maulkin’s enemies are just as dangerous, forcing him to think strategically and rely on his companions as much as his raw might. This constant back-and-forth between brutal, hard-hitting combat and moments of strategic planning keeps the battles from feeling repetitive.
One of the companions is even prone to getting antsy when there hasn’t been enough action, which adds a humorous element to the story’s constant fighting. The tension between needing a fight and the inevitability of one coming just around the corner keeps the story driving forward at a brisk pace.
RPG Mechanics and System
For a LitRPG book, Savage Dominion takes a lighter approach to game mechanics than Chmilenko’s Ascend Online. The RPG elements exist, but they’re not as deeply integrated into the story. Instead, they serve as a backdrop for the action and character progression. Maulkin and his companions gain abilities and levels, but the rules of the world aren’t explored as rigorously as they might be in other LitRPG works.
One of the most prominent features is the use of powers by the Eternals, who can unlock unique and powerful abilities. However, some of these powers feel a bit "wand-wavy" at times. For instance, the healing power, Restoration, seems to lack clear limitations and is occasionally used to resolve situations that might otherwise have posed serious consequences for the characters. This takes away some of the tension from the story, as characters are saved from death through magical means that don’t always follow the stated rules of the world.
Crafting is another area where the mechanics feel less defined. One of the characters can magically create detailed items without needing any knowledge of their construction, with the necessary information seemingly downloaded into their mind. This allows for some convenient storytelling but can break immersion for readers who prefer a more grounded and logical progression system.
Despite these issues, the mechanics still play a role in grounding the story in the LitRPG genre. The health points, power descriptions, and abilities are all well-illustrated throughout the book, even if they don’t follow the deep, crunchy systems of more hardcore LitRPG titles.
Humor and Tone
One of the aspects that truly shines in Savage Dominion is its humor. Maulkin’s sarcastic commentary and witty banter with his companions bring a light-heartedness to the otherwise grim and brutal world of Amaranth. This balance of dark humor with high-stakes action is one of the book’s most compelling features. The humor never feels forced, and it helps develop a bond between the characters, making them feel more like a dysfunctional family than just fellow adventurers.
The tone throughout the novel is adventurous, even as it dips into the dangerous and chaotic aspects of the world. There’s a sense that the characters, while facing impossible odds, are enjoying the chaos of their lives, which makes it easy to root for them.
Character Development and Themes
Though Savage Dominion leans heavily into action and humor, there’s some meaningful character development throughout the story. Maulkin, while initially a fish out of water, begins to grow into his new role as an Eternal. His companions, too, have their moments of growth, and the relationships between the characters deepen as they face trials together. The theme of camaraderie amidst chaos is strong, and the group dynamics are well-executed, making readers invested in their journey.
Conclusion
Book: 7/10
Narrator: 8/10
Savage Dominion is a solid entry in the LitRPG genre, especially for readers who enjoy fast-paced action, humor, and fantasy world-building. While the game mechanics are not as deeply embedded as in other LitRPG series, the story more than makes up for it with its character dynamics, rich world, and relentless combat sequences. If you're looking for a book that combines dark humor with immersive adventure and doesn’t get bogged down by over-complicated systems, Savage Dominion is a great read.
Overall, I’d rate the book 7/10 for its entertaining story, well-developed characters, and fast-paced action. The narrator deserves a commendation as well, earning an 8/10 for bringing the characters and humor to life.
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