Otherland

This one has been around for a long while now and pre-dates the whole LitRPG movement. However, as the premise of the story takes place partly in a massive, realistic virtual game world, we can squarely put this one in the LitRPG category, even if it's treated as a strict science fiction.Tad Williams is a talented writer -- one of the best wordsmiths and fantasy authors in the entire genre; he penned celebrated fantasy classics such as the great Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, probably THE singular coming of age fantasy story of the 20th century (and one that inspired Martin to write A Game of Thrones).So what does Williams have that most of the authors in the LitRPG genre don't have? Well for one, he's a better wordsmith than every single one of them. Second, he knows how to write a deeply plotted, character driven story through and through.All of the LitRPG landscape features similar conventions to those found in the Otherland series. The thing is, Tad Wiliams did it first with his series of novels before LitRPG was a thing. In terms of writing and character development, and arguably the sheer scope of the story, Otherland stands unique in the genre. I wouldn't technically categorize it as LitRGP, but rather a full-fledged science fiction work, but one that takes place in a game.So for probably the best character-driven LitRPG story, and one that predates the entire genre by a good decade), read Tad Williams Otherland series.

Books in Otherland Series (3)

Similar Recommendations

Otherland is a unique tale. You can find other LitRPG books that feature something similar in general plot (characters lost in a virtual reality world), but as of 2017, nothing else yet features the quality of writing, plot, and characterization of the Otherland series.

Booklists having this book

Best Science Fiction Books

Over the years we've recieved lots of complaints that we've abandoned science fiction for fantasy, which has been true. Well, NO MORE. We've been hard at work creating a sister... Read more

Best LITRPG Books

LitRPG an emerging subgenre of Science Fiction & Fantasy and, arguably, the fastest growing new speclatutive fiction genre, if you look at the sheer number of LitRRPG indie fiction being... Read more

Other books by Williams, Tad

Dirty Streets Of Heaven

This one by Tad Williams, a master at writing well plotted, rich fantasy tales.This is his second foray into urban fantasy territory (first being War of the Flowers – another... Read more

Happy Hour In Hell

Sleeping Late For Judgment Day

Tad Williams has been doing some good stuff in the Urban fantasy subgenre the past couple years. His Bobby Dollar novels are a refreshing addition to the genre and a... Read more

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlepig

Memory, Sorrow, And Thorn

Tad Williams' series was the source of inspiration for many of the titles on the listand some outside of it. Authors like R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and more all cite... Read more

Memory, Sorrow, And Thorn

There are writers who like to write pulp and there are some writers who like to write fiction. Williams is the latter. Memory, Sorrow, Thorn. This series has made pretty... Read more

To Green Angel Tower

The War Of The Flowers

For a Fair Tale well done, look no further than Tad Williams' The War of Flowers. It makes the classic 'man-goes-into-the-fairy-realm' tale proud. Williams is really a talented writer, having... Read more

Shadowmarch

Epic fantasy has become so cheap it's now at the dime-a-dozen price range. Every author and wannabe-author is trying to pour out epics faster than beer at a Irish pub... Read more

Shadowplay

Shadowrise

Shadowheart

Otherland

This one has been around for a long while now and pre-dates the whole LitRPG movement. However, as the premise of the story takes place partly in a massive, realistic... Read more

River Of Blue Fire

Mountain Of Black Glass

Sea Of Silver Light

Sleeping Late For Judgment Day

Memory, Sorrow, And Thorn

There are writers who like to write pulp and there are some writers who like to write fiction. Williams is the latter. Memory, Sorrow, Thorn is Tad Williams response to... Read more

The Witchwood Crown

New York Times-bestselling Tad Williams’ ground-breaking epic fantasy saga of Osten Ard begins an exciting new cycle! • Volume One of The Last King of Osten ArdThe Dragonbone Chair, the... Read more