Julia’s Favourite Self Published SFF Books – A Giant List – Part 5 – Historical / Proggression / LitRPG

This had a lot more romance than I usually go for, but it was so well written I didn’t even mind. The historical setting and the magic worked so well I was utterly hooked. The atmosphere is moody and full of tension, and the characters carry the story with strong voices. The tone, adventure and the magical twists kept it compelling.

A quick read with that mix of historical detail, magic, and character drama that Charles does so well. It balances darker moments with engaging relationships and banter that make it easy to read in one sitting. The story is sharp, stylish, and has just enough grit to stop it from being fluffy. A solid, entertaining addition to her world.

A dark and unusual fantasy inspired by prehistoric times, where survival and tradition shape every part of life. The story blends coming of age with themes of culture, transformation, and survival, and the tone stays heavy throughout. I liked how different it felt from the usual medieval-style settings, and how raw the characters’ journeys were. Grim and atmospheric, but also very memorable.

A collection of stories set around the late 19th and early 20th century, centered on Mamma Lucy, mixing folklore, history, and the supernatural. The voice carries the book, with a mix of grit and warmth that made it stand out. I liked the blend of weird tales and grounded character moments, which gave it both atmosphere and heart. A strong, distinctive read.

Pure progression fun with a wild setting and larger than life battles. The bond between rider and kraken and also their freíends, gives it real heart, balancing the over-the-top fights with something more emotional. The pacing keeps it exciting, and the sense of growth and leveling up hits all the right notes. Overblown in the best possible way.

After a very rocky start, which almost made me DNF the book, it slowly won me over. I enjoyed how the healing powers were worked into both the magic system and the character’s growth. It balances slice-of-life moments with steady skill advancement and challenges that test both ability and will. A quieter, thoughtful take on the subgenre that still kept me turning pages.

A cool blend of progression fantasy and sci-fi, with titans, fleets, and monstrous dangers that kept me hooked. I loved the worldbuilding, the mystery andthe magic system. The action and training scenes worked really well. My main issue was with the characters, who often felt a bit flat or like exaggerated traits, though that may have been intentional. Despite that, the setting and story pulled me in, and the sequels definitely nuked this little niggle.

The worldbuilding is creative and detailed with a mix of magic and progression elements that worked well for me. I liked how the relic system gave clear stakes and growth. The pacing dragged a little in parts but the payoff was worth it. It left me interested in where the series might go.

This was a fun and fast read with a clever magic system based on books and stories. I liked the humor and the banter, which made it easy to get through quickly. Some of the tropes were familiar but handled in a way that kept it engaging. It balanced action and worldbuilding nicely without slowing down. I personally prefer less pages of stats.

This was a fun LitRPG with a main character I mostly liked following. The ritual magic system was creative and made progression feel fresh. Sometimes the humor leaned into corny, but it usually landed. The mix of game mechanics and story kept me engaged throughout.

I enjoyed the mix of cozy and creepy in this one. The necromancy system was well explained and gave the story a nice progression feel. The humor and character dynamics made it a lot of fun to read. It balanced darker themes with a light touch that worked well

The worldbuilding is very detailed and I loved sinking into it. It gave the setting real depth and made the magic system feel believable. The tradeoff is that it might feel slow or boring to readers who don’t enjoy that level of detail. For me, it worked well and the tone and voice of teh main character kept me hooked.

This became my go-to bedtime audiobook series because it’s both comforting and engaging. The huge cast and sprawling story can wander a bit, but that’s also part of the charm. I like how it mixes small, everyday moments with big battles and world-shaking events. It’s easy to sink into for long stretches without feeling rushed

This was quirky and weird in the best way. The humor was playful and kept the tone light even when the stakes were high. I liked how the tropes were twisted just enough to keep me guessing. It felt fresh and entertaining from start to finish.