Moon Ashes

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

What are you supposed to do when you’re gearing up for the world's biggest gaming event, only to get saddled with a dud of a race and a joke of a class?

It’s 2068, and the world has collectively decided that leaving the house is simply not worth the hassle. Most of society now lives, works, and dreams through the world’s most immersive MMORPG,Realms of the Aether—or ROTA, for those who like their lives boiled down to four-letter acronyms. This isn’t just a game; it’s an all-encompassing reality simulator that’s replaced nearly everything people used to do in the “real” world.

Aiden, a solidly mid-tier professional gamer, is one of the hundreds of thousands joining a brand-new competitive event that’s been hyped as the “most intense, cutthroat, thrilling experience in gaming history.” As he prepares to dive in, Aiden’s got high hopes of leaving his mark and maybe, just maybe, cashing in on that gamer glory. Unfortunately, what awaits him is a game with a few secrets of its own.

First, there's the RNG system, which gleefully hands him a race and class that seem more suited for a comic relief sidekick than a serious contender. Then, there’s the game’s notorious lack of fairness—a system that laughs in the face of balance and expects players to “adapt or die” in the most literal sense. And let’s not forget the developers themselves, whose idea of support is a snarky reminder that "life’s never been fair, so don't start expecting it now."

Thrown into the fray with a character that looks more like a punchline than a hero, Aiden must navigate ROTA's broken cities, mythic landscapes, and occasional death traps. In a world that defies all expectations (and tutorials), he'll find out if sheer determination—and perhaps a warped sense of humour—can turn the game's hand in his favour. Or if, in the end, the universe has reserved a special place for him… right on the sidelines.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: Ericson

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 6
Views: 8,790

Chapters(15 total)

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(7)

Mr. HadwynRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A rare find for sure. Normally, virtual-reality/trapped in video game are not really all that entertaining to me, but so far that story has defied my expectations. I still waiting to see what happens next as it feels like it manages to focus on the characters and the story equally so that one isn't more saturated than the other.
ElectrikBlueRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
As usual, I'll start this off by saying I don't read LitRPG.
OR DO I?
Because honestly, well this story is kinda my jam.
Let's analyse why that is and why you should read it:
Style:
I'll start with one flaw (yes yes I know, I said I told you why you should read it, but be patient please.): some chapters could benefit from another proofreading. There are minor spelling mistakes that takes you out a bit, sentences that drag a litlle, and unfortunately I read it mostly on my phone in the train so I couldn't really suggest edits. It's not jarring, it's not often, but this is the only thing keeping it from being almost perfect.
Now for the good stuff. And beware, it's only uphill from here.
Well first of all, the style works really well. Like REALLY well.
Like I said, I don't read LitRPG because the premise, to me, takes me out of the story. You're constantly reminded nothing really matters and the transition to the game world is often jarring. But here, I got transported because of the way it's written. You can feel it. And yes, it *might* be because the character is literraly thrown across the universe faster than light. But it's not just that, everything feels *real*. The opening chapter really sets the mood and even if there's a sense of sarcasm throughout -- and you can tell it's not supposed to be 100% realistic -- well it works. It's coherent, it feels alive and there's a sense of mystery. And you understand quickly what the story is about, what's the sense of humour and what to expect.
And I got got. I was 100% invested from the very first moment the game got introduced. So congratulations, because that was not easy to do.
Grammar:
Let's just get it out of the way.
OUT I SAID! There's nothing to be said about you.
Characters:
Usually I talk about the story before the characters but here I wanted to mix things up a little. The characters are interesting and make the story worth reading. That's it. That's the tweet. Humm, I mean the review.
No but seriously, I love
EvercrestRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Well, well, well. . . Where to even start with Moon Ashes? I picked it up for a review swap, but inevitably read past the point made for the swap, so that's saying something about the overall enjoyment of it from the rip.
Style:
When it comes to LitRPG's personally I'm a fan of the flashy system screens and everything that people format with, so being more bare-bones is a bit of a eh in comparison. But the formatting is still clean enough and clear enough where I'd only really have the heart to dock half a point for personal preference. Do I think that it'd make it that much better? Yes.
But does it take away from the story any as is? Not really.
Grammar:
When I'm reading for enjoyment I don't care too much about it unless it's really that awful where I can't ignore it. There's a few slipups here an there, but nothing that takes away from 'just reading' as an experience. There's always things that slip under the radar... it's just an infallible constant in the universe. No matter how many times nor how many eyes you put on that page.
Character:
Again I'm docking half a point again, there's some quirks in the characters that get me to raise an eyebrow personally, inherently maybe I get the logic of it and I would probably change my mind after more chapters, as a lot of it can just end up being explained in due time. Overall there is some good chemistry between the characters, when we have a male protagonist and an immediate 'spark' with a female side character I do ehhh a tad bit, thinking it's pushing an immediate romance route - or alluding to one. But I would give it a benefit of the doubt on that one, since at least for now it mostly just comes off as some derpy goofy friendship shenanigans.
Story:
Overall the story has been an enjoyable take on 'life sucks - so let's VRMMO'. There's a good sense of mystery in the tone of the characters and things that they say, that we don't know why they're saying it, and in terms of 'life isn't fair, so suck it up buttercup' i
NathaelRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A Deep Dive into a Virtual World
The author has crafted a captivating tale that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, humor, and gaming culture. The world-building is particularly impressive, with a vivid and detailed virtual landscape. The ruined city of Lockhaven, with its mysterious allure, is a compelling setting that promises exciting adventures.
The characters are equally engaging. Aiden, the protagonist, is a relatable and humorous figure, while Winterhell adds a touch of intrigue and mystery. Their dynamic is well-developed, with a perfect balance of banter and camaraderie. The author’s skillful use of dialogue brings these characters to life, making their interactions both entertaining and informative.
However, while the story is enjoyable, there are a few areas where it could be improved. The pacing, at times, can feel a bit uneven, with some sections dragging while others move too quickly. Additionally, while the world-building is strong, the motivations and backstories of the characters could be further explored to deepen their impact on the narrative.
Despite these minor criticisms, the story is undeniably entertaining and offers a glimpse into a fascinating virtual world. The author's ability to blend humor, adventure, and a touch of mystery makes this a promising start to a series that has the potential to captivate readers.
Orion's HeraldRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
I’m biased as I love MMO fiction. It’s pretty crazy how much. And I’m happy to say this does it justice. But it takes its own path. Instead of just the numbers, the grinned, the quest, and the guild warfare. This starts slower. You wouldn’t understand unless you’ve read a lot of Eastern novels.
We have our MC—who is quite the nerd, if I do say so myself—pulled into a freshly made world created by the.[Not a big spoiler, but I shall not say]. Where he meets someone quite unique. The interaction between these two is very believable, and at no point was I pulled out. But I shall stop in case I go on to spoil anything.
So for the story. It’s an MMO story but from the looks of it. It’s going to be a bit of an adventure, and I like that. I do hope that there is some guild stuff in the future. But we will see.
The writing style: It’s clear. No long, flowery text that loses you halfway through a sentence here. Just nice clear prose, that is easy to get lost in because it’s so clear. I appreciate this style a lot when it comes to writing, especially in genres where things can get quite technical.
The characters: I found the two main characters a joy to read. At points, it did feel a little stilted, but overall it was unnoticeable. I’m not sure I understand the characters’ main drive, but I think I can kind of guess where this story is going.
The Grammer: I didn’t have any problems reading it. But I’m not really a big Grammer buff, so I can’t say. But the average reader should be fine.
SaintJoe303Royal Road
★★★★ 4.0
This story has a lot going for it, but it also faces some challenges that are common in LitRPG stories.
First, the world-building is fantastic. The descriptions of Mythendel and Lockhaven are vivid and immersive, giving readers a strong sense of place.
The quirky humor, like the High Council's influence and the sarcastic system messages, adds charm and originality to the narrative. It's clear the writer has a knack for creating a unique and engaging world.
The dynamic between Aiden and Winterhell is another highlight. Their banter feels natural, and their chemistry is both entertaining and grounding.
Winterhell, in particular, does a great job balancing Aiden's overthinking with her pragmatic approach. These interactions give the story a human element that complements its broader, more epic scale.
However, the pacing might be a problem for some readers, especially those who are fans of the LitRPG genre. By this point in the story, there hasn’t been much action or exploration of abilities.
LitRPG fans often expect a tutorial fight or a quick introduction to combat mechanics early on. By 10k words, we should ideally see some system mechanics in action—whether it’s leveling, a small fight, or even a challenge that reveals the stakes.
The lack of this makes the narrative feel like it’s meandering, even though the world-building is strong.
Another issue is how quickly and conveniently the characters stumble upon powerful items like the Genesis Orbs. While these discoveries are exciting, they feel unearned, almost as if the rewards are handed to the characters without any struggle.
Adding some form of challenge—like a riddle, a trap, or even a low-level fight—would make these moments feel more satisfying and impactful. After all, if I'm reading a LitRPG I want to see some stats or levels or both. That's the trope that makes it a LitRPG. I have never seen any RPG that doesn't have stats, experience and leveling.
The dialogue, while witty and entertaining, occasionally drag
CIGAPRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
The story is definitely intriguing, with a fascinating virtual world being built around it. The characters are fresh and entertaining, with a lively setting being established at the same time.
Story: So far, the story is definitely quite interesting. The idea of establishing that things will not be fair from the get-go and setting a virtual world in an already apocalyptic Earth is definitely a refreshing twist from other virtual game settings, and the start of the story really establishes this. There isn't too much that really pops or stands out in terms of tension and mystery as the overall stakes have yet to be revealed, but this is made up for by interesting characters and good progression.
Character: These are by far the strongest parts of the story. The dialogue and personalities of the characters feel fresh, entertaining and three dimensional. The interactions between the characters feel very real, and are my favorite parts of this story.
Style and grammar: I'm putting these into one since they sort of effect each other. The system and pacing/flow of the story are pretty good, making it easy and digestible. Unfortunately, the grammar and style of writing make it a little hard to read. There is a lot of areas where the sentences run on for a lot longer than they need to, and the grammar when it comes to things like dialogue and such could use some work. However, the writing is clean for the most part, and the system parts are integrated and shown very cleanly.
Overall, this is definitely a good read if you're looking for an RPG type virtual world.