Penance: Prison Of The Gods [check out my new story!]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Please do not read this book on Kindle as it has been stolen by a scam company that has no rights to my IP.

Over 430,000 words to binge to your heart's content!

"It felt like playing Hades again."

“A sort of Dante’s Inferno Litrpg...”

Penance is a prison for gods whose power must be kept in check—a halfway point between heaven and hell for those who failed to find salvation at death.

As Rod makes his way through this dungeon, he slowly recovers his memories that were fractured at death. But as he dives deeper and deeper into the dungeon, he’ll get involved in the machinations of the gods and learn that some secrets should have stayed dead. After all, the Good don’t need repentance.

— Penance: The Djinn Of Aerlyn

A Rogue-Lite Lit-rpg adventure.

What to expect:

- A Neuro-divergent (ADHD) MC that struggles but grows.-A rogue-like structure with the dungeon repeatedly changing and the MC dying and respawning.

-Crunchy Litrpg windows and lots and lots of loot. -- Book 2 is less crunchy. Trying to find a balance for an eventual kindle/audible release.

- Weak to Strong Protagonist-- With multiple classes melee, ranged, and magic!

- Slow-burn romance between the leads.

- Mystery

- No Harem

- on hiatus due to the SLP scandal. (I am an affected author, unfortunately)

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: Fiddlesoup

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.1/ 5.0
Followers: 885
Views: 378,477

Chapters(253 total)

What readers say about Penance: Prison Of The Gods [check out my new story!]

“I'm only the first ten or so chapters in, but so far Penance has me hooked. The pacing has been deliberate, giving just enough crumbs of information without giving everything away. That shows real care and planning on the author's part. They do a great job…”
cw42Royal Road5.0 / 5
“I have always loved a good story where it gives us a story of “life after death” or rather when you are stuck in limbo after death. In Penance, you get this exactly and it makes a promising setting to the story. It is a good exposition so far! The first cha…”
AtlandimRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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

Community Reviews(10)

cw42Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm only the first ten or so chapters in, but so far Penance has me hooked. The pacing has been deliberate, giving just enough crumbs of information without giving everything away. That shows real care and planning on the author's part. They do a great job working within the video game and RPG styling without making the reading experience feel clunky.
You have just enough information to keep your head in the video game mindset. You get the dice rolls, the equipment load-outs, and all those staples that help to paint that picture of sitting down at your PC for the newest game you've been dying to play.
Fiddlesoup has done a great job so far of utilizing but not being totally restricted by the cliches and rules of the genre. You know from the genre that Rod is going to be forced to redo things, but it never comes across as tedious or unnecessary. It's the learning experience of the character that helps to show payoff for the pacing and the buildup. It's really after Rod dies the first time that you get to see how he's thinking, what he's noticed, and how he'll adapt going forward.
This is absolutely worth a try, even if you're not sure of the genre. I'm excited to keep reading!
AtlandimRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I have always loved a good story where it gives us a story of “life after death” or rather when you are stuck in limbo after death. In Penance, you get this exactly and it makes a promising setting to the story. It is a good exposition so far! The first chapter is by far the best with introducing the main character and showing us the memory core.
The pacing does seem to be a bit slow since it seems the main character hasn’t advanced much in Penance, but I do understand that it may be because it is still the exposition of the story. So, I look forward to see more in terms of action as we see the main character go further into this dungeon called Penance. I want to see the character explore this world and would like details about what this place is and how to make it to the end. It makes you also wonder what actions did the main character commit that made him end up in limbo.
I also look forward to see more of the romance between Rod and Jamie. I want to see more memories about them together.
Overall, the author has written a promising story so far! I look forward to read more.
LitRPG AdventuresRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Penance: Prison Of The Gods is a fun LitRPG story full of stats. If you want to feel like you're "in" the game, Penance is definitely worth checking out. It's not a harem story, but promises to have a touch of romance, and who doesn't want that, right? The author is also loading chapters faster than I can read them so I don't have to worry about running out of content.
Style: Written in first person so you get a good look inside the main characters heads. The story has lots of stats and messages so it really is like being in a game.
Story: The story is interesting and I look forward to reading all of the many chapters that are already loaded, and there are a lot of them already.
Grammar: I'm admittedly not a huge grammar person, but I didn't notice anything bad. Definitely nothing that took me out of the story or made me say, What?! That's all I ask for in a story.
Characters: The main characters personality shows through, and since the story is in first person, I expect to continue to learn more about the character as the story progresses. Again, that's all I need in a story to keep me reading.
LokiTheQuickRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Penance: Prison of the Gods truly brings LitRPGs and Gamelit to the next level. The book really does read like a game, with an interesting insertion of backstory along the way.
The story follows Rod on a road of redemption, in the form of a dark, challenging dungeon environment he's basically cursed to explore, along with a mocking system interface brought to life.
Readers will immediately see the parallels to games, especially roguelites, as the author truly embraces the hooks and progression mechanics that makes those games work, and translates them into the story in an undeniably compelling and interesting way.
After the game hooks, however, the character and the story threads will be what pulls you along. Frankly the story makes up for a lot of the challenges roguelite games experience, as the story s actually able to be as compelling or more than the game elements. As someone else alluded to, it really does remind me of Hades, where every death and every 'run' offers new insights into the characters and world.
This story earns its review for being absolutely true to what it's trying to accomplish, and I'm sure it'll build the following it deserves. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
NateDoggRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Penance: Prison of the Gods” by Fiddlesoup is a captivating and richly detailed LitRPG novel that sets a high bar for the genre. Fiddlesoup expertly weaves a story of divine intrigue and personal redemption, creating a world that is as immersive as it is complex.
Plot & Pacing:
The story introduces us to Rod, a soul ensnared in a prison ruled by gods. From the very first chapter, Fiddlesoup plunges readers into a universe brimming with tension and mystery. The narrative is a blend of steady world-building and intense action, each chapter unfolding new layers of Rod’s journey. The pacing is meticulous, ensuring that the story progresses with a rhythm that keeps readers engaged and eager for more.
Character Development:
Rod’s character arc is a highlight of the novel. His evolution from a repentant soul to a determined hero is both believable and deeply engaging. Fiddlesoup crafts a cast of well-rounded characters, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. The interactions between Rod and the other prisoners are rich with nuance and drive the story forward in unexpected ways.
World-Building:
Fiddlesoup’s world-building is nothing short of masterful. The prison is described with vivid detail, creating a setting that feels both expansive and intricately designed. The magic system and the rules governing the gods’ domain are clearly defined, adding to the story’s depth and realism. Every aspect of this universe is thoughtfully constructed, making it easy for readers to become fully immersed in Rod’s trials and tribulations.
Themes & Messages:
At its core, “Penance: Prison of the Gods” delves into profound themes of redemption, justice, and the search for forgiveness. Fiddlesoup skillfully explores the moral complexities faced by Rod and the other characters, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of sin and atonement. These philosophical questions are seamlessly integrated into the plot, enriching the narrative without overshadowing the adventure.
W
RavensFantasyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style/Story: Let’s start with the story. The story is an interesting tale of Penance and life after death. The story consists of a dungeon style theme that gives those that pass through stats, boons, loot, classes and utilizes a dice roll system.
Now for style. The style of the story is done well. There are Litrpg elements throughout the chapters that are described and presented well. The system seems to have a bit of personality of its own which is nice as it helps it come alive. I really enjoyed several parts of the system like the dice rolls that are used. In all there was a lot of thought and effort put into the system that was used in the story and it really shows.
The pacing of the story is great. The descriptions that are used are fantastic as it brings the story to life. Sentence structure and chapter length is perfect.
Grammar: In all, the grammar was pretty good. I didn’t see any major issues here.
Characters: Rod is an interesting character. As the story starts we get to see bits and pieces of his past that help us understand his character. His interactions with the system and general dungeon are done well. Rod in general is a very likable character that will be interesting to see how he develops in later chapters. The system itself adds a great touch to the story.
In Summary: If you are looking for a fantastic read I’d recommend this story. The descriptions that are used helps bring the story to life. This story is a must!
SAH_AuthorRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I was planning on writing a review at chapter ten. I finally set it down to write this at chapter 22. That probably tells you all you need to know. Be careful - this one is addictive!
The story is well paced with likeable characters. The author does a particularly great job describing events, with lots of unique phrasing that does not repeat itself.
Fiddlesoup has clearly spent a lot of time developing the system. It could easily find its way into a video game (actually, I'd play a game based on this story in a heartbeat). It is intuitive but detailed, with each decision having meaningful consequences.
I especially like two aspects of this story. First, it is told from two perspectives. I keeps it fresh and reminds the reader that Rod's actions have real consequences for someone other than the himself. Second, telling Rod's story in flashbacks as a reward is excellent. It makes it digestible and builds mystery. It also gives him a reason to keep going.
Finally, Fiddlesoup balances planning and randomness very well in the story. Rod can control some things, but may find himself having to adapt to an unfortunate dice roll or class. It is an elegant way of making Rod experience all the different options, rather than sticking to one option.
I recommend it. If you like rogue-lites with a bit of mystery, this is the story for you!
Shahzeb12Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
If you are a DnD fan, this is for you! You will take a more in depth journey through the imagination of many DnD lovers. This is the epitome of story creation for playing the game and manifesting an escape into a creative campaign that was carefully curated. You can very much read this along whenever you are dungeon master to enhance your gameplay
Aradeku225Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
To be honest I'm not much of a reader unless you include manga or text blocks from RPG's. That said I've read a few books and I'm impressed so far.
Limbo, purgatory, or in this case penance is always an interesting look at redemption or what we have in store for us when we pass on. A story that delves into what that might entail while also having romance (which I'm a sucker for) has me excited for what's to come. Pacing seems good so far, I'm used to games taking a bit to get the ball rolling and then it never ends, and that's the feeling I'm getting with this story.
Not sure if this counts as style, but I'm liking the voice/ feel of your story. One thing that kills my desire to read is when a story feels dry or like a monotonous read and this has a not been that.
I'm only a few chapters in, but I'm loving the characters I've seen so far. Life Crystal feels like they may gain a personality of their own, which has me looking forward to that progression and the dynamic with Rod.
If it's not apparent in this review I'm no grammar expert, and honestly I think there was only one spot that I had to double check I hadn't read the same line twice as the sentences were similar. Other than that I haven't noticed anything.
So Overall It's a great read, it's keeping my attention, and I will certainly be back for more.
SymoensBooksRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
At first, I was skeptical when reading this type of genre (Not my favorite). However, I was pleasantly surprised upon reading where I currently am in the story. About chapter eleven as of right now. It's been great! I really enjoy the story, the history of the world, the plot, the characters.
Firstly, the dynamic of the characters is great. I enjoy the two presented so far, and they bring comedy to the dark theme that could depress us over a long period of time. However, these two help lighten the mood in the dark times. I really appreciate that.
Secondly, the world-building is pretty darn good. I really like the names used for places and realms. The history through flashbacks is nice and doesn't reveal too much, like through unneeded exposition that most tend to use. I'm curious as to where the story goes and how it progresses. I really wish he got cleric, haha, but that's just my opinion and want.
Overall, I'd recommend this read. It's pleasant, well written, good descriptions for scenes to help provide a clear picture for the reader. If you enjoy the type of genre, or if you don't, I still would say give it a go because I assure you, you will not be disappointed.