Armor

Blurb

I was created as the ultimate dungeon trap. A living suit of armor that devours any adventurer who dons me.

My master created me for his entertainment, leading adventurers to ruin. Betraying them at the last moment, just when their glorious victory was on hand.

I have been found again by the newest member of a quartet of dungeon crawlers. Poor fool. This time will be no different.

Or does it have to be?

Maybe I don’t need to spend eternity left in a deep, dark dungeon waiting to devour would-be heroes. Maybe, just maybe, I can take him over and use this new identity to leave and masquerade as an adventurer myself.

Betray my master—my purpose—and grow strong enough to find a new one. One problem. Hopefully, my new companions won’t realize I’m not who, or what, they think I am.

Don’t miss this Progression Fantasy Epic from debut author C.B. Titus, about a cursed suit of mimic-armor and an unsuspecting hero. Perfect for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, The Murderbot Diaries, Goblin Slayer, and lovers of all things Progression Fantasy / GameLit.

Thoughts

Alright, elephant in the room first. Despite being called “Armor: A Progression Fantasy Epic” I’ll have to disagree that this is progression fantasy, or an epic. Let me first state clearly that I enjoyed this story, before launching into the “Why do I say this?” section which might sound negative, but is really just me disagreeing with some labels and thus fairly pointless.

Anyway, it’s not an epic to me because its a standalone novel that lacks an “epics” sense of scale, worldbuilding, plotting, and rising tension.

It’s not progression fantasy because the MC, who is an enchanted suit of armour, doesn’t really grow any stronger until about 90% of the way through the book, and their strength growth is due to another character modifying things, not them. There’s no system, no levelling up, no training, no montages, and for 90% of the story the MC (Sevald) is precisely as strong as they were in Chapter One. There’s emotional progression, I guess, but that’s generally not what we mean. The story arc is a very typical heros journey style development. So if you are expecting power progression, calibrate yo expectations or be disappointed.

Anyway, so no system or similar to talk of, let’s jump into the characters. They’re good. Despite being all flawed in their own superficial ways, the sense of comraderie and banter is real, and the flavour is very typlical D&D style campaign characters + plot. Stone, Hrig, Kyren, plus a tin can pretending to be their quiet new fighter. The “I’m not actually your friend, I ate your friend” reveal is the scene is the highlight of the book and the best summary of the bonds the party has formed. Once the reveal happens and the plot ticks up into a faste pacing, the save-the-world from an old dragon god plot sort of does its thing (as in its a fairly well known plot buildup). The ending is complete, which is rare enough in this corner of the internet that people will forgive a lot for it.

Worldbuilding is D&D-flavored fantasy.

Anyway, its a fun standalone read and read if you like D&D style campaign stories and less for a quick power fantasy or progression fantasy story.