Duelist: Awakening [A Card Game LitRPG Adventure]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

It’s time to duel for your very soul! Welcome to The Land of Kings!

Where the draw of a card is the difference between life and death.

Cyrus always had a knack for card games. Ever since he could remember he invariably shared a love for games with his father. When his father suddenly disappears, Cyrus is thrust into a world where the monsters are real; and the card games are even deadlier.

With the help of his Guardian, a malevolent king trapped within a powerful card, Cyrus must rescue his father, free the king, and become the Emperor of Games. With dangerous duelists lurking around every corner to claim the title for themselves, Cyrus needs to level up to survive. He must build his deck by collecting powerful cards, and learn to master the abilities of his deck. Will Cyrus claim the title or lose his soul in the pursuit of absolute power?

Don’t miss the start of an epic journey unlike any other. This is a true card game LitRPG in which the protagonist collects cards, builds his deck, and then attempts to master the deck by exploiting the world’s card-based game system. Fans ofMagic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, and many other TCGs will love this weird and wacky LitRPG adventure.

*Cover by @De Monstapedia.Updates every Sunday.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: The King of Games

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 22
Views: 5,415

Chapters(20 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(4)

AngelusMaxiumusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
So far I've enjoyed this read. If only the author could write faster hehe, just kidding. Seriously, this is giving me strong Yu-Gi-Oh vibes and I enjoyed that Amine quite a bit. I can already see myself remembering the days when I would get up on Saturday mornings or turning on the TV after school just to watch Yu-Gi-Oh. I really don't want to spoil much. I can't wait for more chapters to be uploaded. I will be following this story closely.
I can't wait to see what other mechanics are imposed in this story.
Liam BlackwoodRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Wow, I don't really like books around card games, but the way the author sets up promises of fantasy and what I understood, real-life consequences, was amazing. I found myself reading all the way to the most recent chapter and saying no because it just got to the good part. I would say the only thing that could enhance this novel is to describe the scenery more, I could picture what the dueling setup looked like, but not to a detailed level. Even after that, I still think this novel is great. I mean, the dialogue is fantastic, and I could definitely see some of the people actually saying the things they do in real life! The dueling rules have been mentioned so far and I followed along with the premise, but I think the way to really show the reader how it works is to explain it in depth while doing a duel. So, I'm excited for the bigger duels to occur!
LitRPG AdventuresRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Duelist is a fun combination of cyberpunk, trading card games, and coming-of-age drama. It has a relatable hero and a powerful enemy, just what any good story needs. There is a also a unique VR dueling system that has real-world implications and promises to be a huge part of the story.
Overall: Very good start to the story. It is unique while still embracing common elements that readers enjoy. Definitely a 5 out of 5.
Style: The story is written in third person which is one of the most common and popular point of views. It is perfect for this story as it gives the reader lots of great info wile not being tied to the limitations of first person. This is admittedly a personal preference, but I do prefer it :) 5 out of 5.
Story: The story starts off strong with both a look at the hero and the villain, both of whom are very real. The story promises to be unique but not so much so that it's hard to figure out. 5 out of 5.
Grammar: I didn't notice any significant grammar issues. I was able to easily read without being disrupted by mistakes which is exactly what I look for in a story.
Character: We meet the villain first, and can very easily see who he is, and it is very relatable and believable. The hero is also relatable and there is definitely a family back story with his father that is sure to be explored more. A very good start. 5 out of 5.
Max DanRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Duelist: Awakening is a thrilling, immersive novel that deftly blends high-tech intrigue, personal drama, and action-packed fantasy. From the very first pages, the story grabs you with its high-stakes corporate tension and intense, character-driven narrative. The novel’s world is one where augmented reality, digital games, and old-school ambition collide, creating a complex and compelling universe that fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and coming-of-age tales will love.
The story opens with a gripping prologue that sets the tone for the novel. The introduction of Seth Anderson, a ruthless and ambitious character.
The story then shifts gears, focusing on Cyrus El-Gamal, a relatable teen struggling to find his place in a rapidly changing world. As the son of a legendary duelist, Cyrus is caught between his father's traditional values and his own desire to break free and explore the virtual world of Emblem Duel. This father-son dynamic is layered with resentment, respect, and a longing for freedom, making Cyrus a protagonist readers can immediately root for. The world-building in this novel is fantastic, with the rules of Emblem Duel being introduced in a way that feels organic rather than like an info dump. The interactions between Cyrus and his best friend Harlow, as well as the introduction of Tera, a bright, energetic character who adds a spark to the story, create a dynamic that adds both charm and emotional depth to the narrative.
The card game mechanics are intricately developed, offering a refreshing twist on familiar tropes from Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic: The Gathering while maintaining a unique flavor of its own.
Tension escalates further as the mystery surrounding Cyrus’s father’s disappearance and the deeper secrets of the game come to light.
The novel excels in its character dynamics, with Cyrus, Tera, and Harlow forming a core group that feels authentic and emotionally resonant. Their chemistry is natural, and their dialogue adds heart to the otherwise tense, action-hea