Not My First (Space?) Rodeo [A Sci-Fi Action LitRPG] (Book 4-5)

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Have gun, will kick alien butt.

Books 1-3 stubbed per publisher request

One minute, Shad Williams is home on leave, helping his kid sister clean up their dying grandpa’s ranch.

The next, he and ten million other humans are plunged into a new world of game-like systems, Classes, and skills. Success means a chance at claiming the Reality Engine on behalf of their species. Failure — which seems more likely — means death.

Armed with his grandpa’s revolver, a Gunslinger class and his stubborn determination, Shad will face every danger the reality engine can throw his way, from swamp gnomes to zombies to Al Capone’s goons. But his real enemy isn’t the Reality Engine. It’s the interstellar coalition forcing Earth into this competition.

Shad’s got three goals to keep him moving forward: protect his sister. Win the game. And take the fight to the stars.

Now an audiobook presentation from Podium!

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2023
Author: MTalon

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 1,101
Views: 204,236

What readers say about Not My First (Space?) Rodeo [A Sci-Fi Action LitRPG] (Book 4-5)

“It’s the end of the year, and the authors actually finished the book! Well done! It takes a different skill to end a story well, and this author pair is practicing it - and succeeding too! I can’t say I like books ending - we all fall in love with charact…”
AllemraRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Not My First (Space?) Rodeo is a fast-paced story that really gripped me from the get-go. I enjoy the sci-fi elements in particular, and the author fit them together well with the LitRPG elements of the story. Style: The best way I can think of to describe…”
BattleSteelTrueRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

AllemraRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It’s the end of the year, and the authors actually finished the book! Well done!
It takes a different skill to end a story well, and this author pair is practicing it - and succeeding too! I can’t say I like books ending - we all fall in love with characters, right? But the completion comes with a sense of freedom: for the authors to write something else, for us readers to dream our own stories for the characters.
On a different note, this book is well done. Realistic people (at least to my mind), almost no language use errors, and a story that doesn’t conform to too many stereotypes! Read and enjoy 😊👋
BattleSteelTrueRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Not My First (Space?) Rodeo is a fast-paced story that really gripped me from the get-go. I enjoy the sci-fi elements in particular, and the author fit them together well with the LitRPG elements of the story.
Style: The best way I can think of to describe the style of this story is that the writing flows without getting in its own way. There isn’t anything unnecessarily showy, and the choices the author made of how to present situations and characters served to further the story.
Character: I can’t say enough good about the characters. This story follows a family group, and their interactions are both believable and relatable. More than once I found myself smiling or laughing at them, but the humor wasn’t so overdone that it felt forced or off-putting. There is a great range of ages and knowledge bases as well, so the way the characters moved through the story felt very natural.
Story: Engaging with lots of action. Even with the abundance of action, there are ample breaks built into the story, so I never felt like needed to stop reading to catch my breath. Kudos on that! I also really appreciated the crisp imagery and the way information got trickled out in a believable way, usually giving me enough to understand what was going on but also withholding enough that I wasn’t overwhelmed and was still curious for more. The only time I felt a bit lost with wanting more information was when Sage was introduced in the first chapter and wanting to know more about her. But with how much was going on in the scene it potentially could have been cumbersome and unnatural to provide more about her at that point, and I can appreciate the author's decision of what to include and what not to at that point in the story. Hence not taking any points off in this category.
Grammar: Very clean story overall. A few typos here and there like any story would have, but for the most part it was nothing that drew me out of the world the author built too much.
This is a great story, and I'm loo
BenDouglasProductionsRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Not My First (Space?) Rodeo opens up with a promising ensemble cast of leads, intergenerational, on both sides of the law, thrown into the deep end, and things don't slow down (in a good way!). I'm only seven chapters in but I'm enjoying the organic way M.Talon is spinning out the world-building around these leads as they move from one desperate situation to another, grasping for (and somehow finding just enough) agency as they are tossed about like playthings by an apparent galactic empire/company/media channel (cue up announcements of crawler deaths; I just, but only just, since the truth is this seems like a GREAT read for DCC fans waiting between installments).
Style: There is one, and I like it. For me it's largely to do with pacing (which is pretty darned fast, but not so fast that I feel I'm missing anything) and character interplay, as mentioned. This story moves on dialogue rather than lengthy prose descriptions or obtuse inner monologues, at least when following the main cast of characters. We're mostly in 1st person POV but we've jumped over once so far to a 3rd person perspective of a non-Earthling, which I think gave a helpful context of the MCs' situation.
Story: Nothing particularly original so far but that doesn't bother me in the slightest because it's being done well. [SPOILERS AHEAD]. We've got your handful of characters tossed into an Earth-transforming system apocalypse, your immediate trial by combat to progress to the next level, your fabulously obnoxious gameshow-host-AI narrating for, one assumes, a mass alien viewership. Stats, skills, magic items so far, all working well and making sense. It's a good vehicle for what I suspect is going to be the real heart, which is the characters.
Grammar: Good. Look, yes, there are typos a-plenty, as one might come to expect around here, and yes, if the author intends to publish for money at some point I'd recommend a good line-edit. But every issue I've bumped over has been just that; a typo. Clearly si
DabossUnberogenRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The story is a fast paced and exciting non Isekai LitRPG. It is an interesting spin on the System Apocalypse genre, and is quite a bit more light hearted than most in that genre. In general, it is a funny and entertaining read.
The style was engaging and direct, with everything clearly explained. it made the story progress smoothly and effectively. There were a few sticky spots, like with the System announcer talking with the same formatting as general system messages, but it was generally well done.
The story was very well constructed, and I enjoyed it a lot. I won't go into too much detail here in fear of spoilers, but the worldbuilding and background is done very well. In addition, the setting is quite well done as well.
The grammar was serviceable, with no major errors. There were a few problems that got past editing, but almsot every book has that, especially those that are self published. I don't really have any major complaints about this.
The characters were one of the strongest parts of the story. They were all realistic, and I feel like they acted like what a person would actually do in the situation that they were placed in.
in conclusion, it is a very entertaining read, and I highly recommend it.
jjhuttoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
reviewing early because I can tell. This is it, the real deal. I LOVE the Main characters. Vet, Native American Grandpa, and little sister with game-breaking ambitions.
Then we get the world opening up with a POV change on the initial how and why of the system integration and... Im hooked. Action works, Game mechanics are smooth, and above all, The characters are fun and immediately sympathetic. I have read so many of these that I don't really care about the MC at all. Not the case with this opening at all. Bravo Authors, I am excited to keep reading.
mstephensRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is certainly one of the best LitRPG novels I've ever read. Instead of centering on a lone hero, it focuses on a family: brother, little sister, and grandfather. The three of them, along with many millions of humans, are transported to a world where they have to perform missions in order to mine Soul Coins for alien corporations. Naturally, these misisons involve fighting monsters and clearing quests.
The protagonists hail from Arizona and embody the cowboy virtues of honor, loyalty, and toughness. This is reflected by their classes (Gunslinger, Rodeo Cowgirl, and Tomahawk Ninja). No swords and shields in this group! They talk and fight like cowboys, and it's a welcome change from typical LitRPG.
The missions and monsters are very imaginative, featuring necromancers, hillbillies, zombies, and other strange creatures (I loved Flotsam and Jetsam). So are the class skills like Trick Shot, Riot Control, and Cowgirl Cheer.
In addition, the miners have organized themselves into factions, such as the Free Human League led by the mysterious Colonel. These factions are not necessarily benevolent, and it's interesting to see the interaction between them.
MTalon is an amazing writer, and I couldn't find any fault with his grammar or dialogue. The only issue I have is that the POV occasionally switches to a minor character who isn't particularly interesting. I understand that the author wants to present the Big Picture of how the alien corporations work, but I'd much rather the story stayed focused on the Twofeather Party.
notajesterRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The basic concept of aliens taking over Earth and forcing people to suffer dungeons is not new, but this story puts a new twist on it, without being an apocalypse. Really well written, with a elements of mystery and near litrpg style growth. Different stages to the main goal make for goals that seem achievable.
GunysaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Highly recommend! 10/10
This novel is quite unique, not another cookie cutter, sci-fi, lirtpg basic story. The author created a unique world and an interesting story.
The progression of the story is paced well and pulls you in for more every chapter. The characters are well though.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes litrpg and aliens, there is not mush sci-fi in this novel though is occurs in "space".
10/10 a great read!‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ !‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
Henrik SaetreRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
An intriguing start to the story.
I like the setup and forward movement. Doesn’t take a long time to get into it.
Seems heavily inspired by some of the heavy hitters, but reads well and with a different style. Different enough that it didn’t bother me.
Prose is generally really good with only minor issues. Published book level.
The characters are interesting. Haven’t read about Native American background characters before. Hope it is tied to something interesting and not just a gimmick. So far it seems to be the former, which is good.
At chapter 7 there is still not too much details on system, but what there is seems fine and works smoothly for telling the story.
style of writing is smooth. Simple prose that drives story forward. Not flowery, but not dry either.
My favourite so far is the younger sister character who seems to take to it as an adventure faster than the others, and willing to suspend her belief. Unrealistic, sure, but so is being abducted by aliens and put into a fight to the death for control of the solar system. But I like that she is faster to accept what is happening and treat it like a game. Makes her a useful character despite the physical weakness of a ≈10 year old.
I’ll keep reading.
Isa BayfieldRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I just wanted to read the first chapter, to take a short look...
Got hooked and am still reading along, simply can't put it down. This is so interesting. Well-written, very likeable characters and the setting of the system and the riddles behind it are quite intriguing.
Will come back later to add to this review. Currently, I can just repeat: Very well done, well written and entertaining.
So, I have arrived at the end of book three and have been entertained soo very well. Thus, I decided on doing an advanced review.
Writing style is to my liking, the story flows well and is enjoyable to read along.
Grammar, I could not find fault with.
Characters, they are all well done, go through believable developments. The main protagonists are very likeable and you are happy to follow them through their adventures.
There is honor and compassion in their actions, which gave the plot a depth which other stories of this kind lack.
Story score, what more can I say? I absolutely loved the whole plot. Going from "We gotta save our family of three and make sure my little sister has a future." to "learn all about the system which is rigged against humanity from the beginning, keep fighting through impossible odds, holding up hope and getting .." Yeah, not gonna tell. You gotta read for yourself.
The fights are splendidly worked out, really entertaining. Amazing how the authors kept coming up with something new again and again.
And let me finish with one If my favorite sayings: Those aliens chose the wrong species to fight against.