War Fantasy Books: Best Reads

War-focused fantasy explores campaigns, sieges, and shifting alliances in magical worlds. These stories blend strategy, combat, and the emotional weight of conflict for readers who enjoy battle-driven plots.

Curated by Fabled Tome

230 Books in subgenre
Apr 13, 2026 Last updated
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Show illustrated and light novel entries alongside standard fantasy books.

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49 Words of Power: A Progression Fantasy Epic

Words of Power: A Progression Fantasy Epic

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 326 reviews.

Words of Power: A Progression Fantasy Epic by Shami Stovall follows Rimon, a lowborn son of a courtesan in the Tze Empire where Ring Warlocks wield magic granted by Titans and dominate civilization. When Rimon unexpectedly gains possession of one of…

Book 1 of Words of Power series


50 12 Miles Below: The Frozen Realm:

12 Miles Below: The Frozen Realm:

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 1,840 reviews.

12 Miles Below: The Frozen Realm by Mark Arrows is a progression fantasy epic set in a post-apocalyptic world where the surface is dominated by lethal sub-zero temperatures and ancient frozen ruins. The story follows Keith Winterscar and his father a…

Book 1 of 12 Miles Below series


51 Backstreet Evolutionist: A Progression Fantasy Adventure Series

Backstreet Evolutionist: A Progression Fantasy Adventure Series

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 251 reviews.

Backstreet Evolutionist (Book 1): A Progression Fantasy Adventure Series by Anton Panarin follows Archmage Mikhael, who awakens in the body of an infant after death, endowed with a unique ability to steal genes. Set within a sprawling empire, Mikhael…

Book 1 of Backstreet Evolutionist series


52 The Heir of an Ancient Bloodline: A Portal Progression Fantasy Series

The Heir of an Ancient Bloodline: A Portal Progression Fantasy Series

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 759 reviews.

The Heir of an Ancient Bloodline (Living Ice Book 1) by Dmitry Sheleg introduces Ivan, a boy from a noble mage family in a parallel world scarred by demon invasions. After dying due to his inability to control magic, Ivan is resurrected through the i…

Book 1 of Living Ice series


53 The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 1,187,412 reviews.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris follows Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jewish prisoner forced to tattoo identification numbers on fellow inmates in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Amid the brutality and constant threat of death, Lale meets Gita, a young…

Book 1 of The Tattooist of Auschwitz series


54 Cultivation Nerd

Cultivation Nerd

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 1,174 reviews.

Cultivation Nerd by HolyMouse follows Liu Feng, a former human who dies and awakens in a new world governed by cultivation and magic that ignore familiar physical laws. Gifted with an exceptional ability to absorb written knowledge and refine techniq…

Book 1 of Cultivation Nerd series


55 Immortal Drunkard: Volume 1

Immortal Drunkard: Volume 1

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 548 reviews.

Immortal Drunkard: Volume 1 by Mortykay follows Kai, an orphan scraping by in a war-torn world where ordinary lives are easily discarded. After a brutal confrontation with the realities of his homeland, he encounters a mysterious Sphere, an artifact…

Book 1 of Immortal Drunkard series


56 The Two Week Curse

The Two Week Curse

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 9,189 reviews.

The Two Week Curse (Ten Realms, #1) by Michael Chatfield follows Erik West, an ex-combat medic, and his friend Marine recon sniper Jimmy 'Rugrat' Rodriguez as they navigate a new fantasy world where survival depends on cultivating skills and magical…

Book 1 of Ten Realms series


57 Rebirth: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy

Rebirth: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 230 reviews.

Rebirth: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy (Aetherforged, 1) by Luke Chmilenko follows Callum Stross, a farm boy whose life changes after an aetherstorm forces him into a cursed manor. There, he discovers an Aethercore linked to his ancestor, the Demonsla…

Book 1 of Aetherforged series


58 The Hero Game: A LitRPG Superhero Adventure: Volume One: Tutorial

The Hero Game: A LitRPG Superhero Adventure: Volume One: Tutorial

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 420 reviews.

The Hero Game: A LitRPG Superhero Adventure: Volume One: Tutorial by August Aird follows college student Jack Jenkins, who unexpectedly gains supernatural powers after bonding with a cosmic entity. Set in an urban fantasy world where superpowered bei…

Book 1 of The Hero Game series


59 The Cavalier

The Cavalier

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 394 reviews.

The Cavalier by Israh Azizi follows Velamir, a young soldier from the Chishman academy whose latest mission takes him back into the Empire he once called home. Crossing hostile territory with three fellow cadets, he confronts both relentless warfare…

Book 1 of Heroes of the Empire series


60 Dawn of the Last Dragon Rider: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy

Dawn of the Last Dragon Rider: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy

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Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars, based on 233 reviews.

Dawn of the Last Dragon Rider: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy by Shawn Wilson follows Kaen, a teenage orphan working in a quarry in Ebonmount, whose life changes when he discovers a bronze dragon egg. Bonding with the dragon Pammon, Kaen becomes the fi…

Book 1 of The Last Dragon Rider series


61 Revolutionizing the Magical World, One Sorceress at a Time: A Portal Progression Fantasy

Revolutionizing the Magical World, One Sorceress at a Time: A Portal Progression Fantasy

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 358 reviews.

Revolutionizing the Magical World, One Sorceress at a Time: A Portal Progression Fantasy by Alex Prone and Marcus Sloss follows Nathan Cavendish, a former history teacher transported to a world plagued by winter monsters and unreliable magic. As a yo…

Book 1 of Revolutionizing the Magical World, One Sorceress at a Time series


62 Spell Thief: A Deck Building Progression Fantasy

Spell Thief: A Deck Building Progression Fantasy

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 692 reviews.

Spell Thief: A Deck Building Progression Fantasy (Tower of Cards) by J. Pal follows Diya Sen as he ascends the enigmatic Gaia Tower, a rune-covered structure rising from the Indian Ocean surrounded by a city built to contain its monsters. Unlike othe…

Book 1 of Tower of Cards series


63 Condemned, Book 1

Condemned, Book 1

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 1,134 reviews.

Condemned, Book 1 by Vasily Mahanenko opens with Maximilian Valevsky, the last surviving heir of a disgraced noble house, forced into service as a expendable front-line soldier. Branded a traitor after his family’s execution and stripped of his lands…

Book 1 of Смертник из рода Валевских series


64 The Deer and the Cauldron: The First Book

The Deer and the Cauldron: The First Book

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 375 reviews.

The Deer and the Cauldron: The First Book by Jin Yong, translated by John Minford, is set during the early Qing dynasty under Emperor Kang Xi’s reign. The story follows Trinket, a resourceful and irreverent youth from Yangzhou, who becomes entangled…

Book 1 of The Deer and the Cauldron series


65 Road to Mastery

Road to Mastery

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 3,245 reviews.

Road to Mastery (Road to Mastery #1) by Valerios follows Jack Rust, a former biologist who finds himself trapped in a transformed Earth dominated by an alien AI known as the System. Stripped of magic and armed only with his fists, Jack must navigate…

Book 1 of Road to Mastery series


66 Shattered Gods

Shattered Gods

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 539 reviews.

Shattered Gods by Chris Fox follows Xal, a young man born with the forbidden magic of a dead demonic god, confined with his people behind walls until they are summoned to war. Forced to answer The Call or see his family executed, Xal is sent as expen…

Book 1 of Shattered Gods series


67 The God of Sky & Earth, Volume 1

The God of Sky & Earth, Volume 1

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 205 reviews.

The God of Sky & Earth, Volume 1 by xianxiaengine and Gravity Tales is set in the martial arts world of Tian Man Continent. The story follows Su Yi, a young boy who commands ten thousand yao and challenges ancient families with histories spanning ove…

Book 1 of The God of Sky & Earth series


68 Eternity

Eternity

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 857 reviews.

Eternity by Robert Blaise follows Neave, a reluctant heir to the Zearthorn sect who refuses the path of cultivation despite relentless pressure and abuse. When forced to choose between an arranged marriage and becoming a cultivator, he breaks traditi…

Book 1 of The Jester of Apocalypse series


69 The Coming of God of Death

The Coming of God of Death

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 426 reviews.

The Coming of God of Death by Dmitry Dornichev continues a dark fantasy saga set between the underworld and a modern, urban world. Once a calm and calculating ruler of the dead, the protagonist sees his domain shattered when invading forces, includin…

Book 1 of The Coming of God of Death series


70 Subjugation (Subjugation, #1)

Subjugation

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Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, based on 378 reviews.

Subjugation (Subjugation, #1) by James Galloway is a science fiction novel set in a future where the telepathic alien Faey have subjugated Earth, transforming it into a resource colony for their empire. The story follows Jason, a college student stud…

Book 1 of Subjugation Universe series


71 The Mountains Rise

The Mountains Rise

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 4,125 reviews.

The Mountains Rise (Embers of Illeniel, #1) by Michael G. Manning introduces Daniel Tennick, a young shepherd whose latent magical abilities draw the attention of powerful forest gods. Set in a richly imagined world where ancient civilizations lie bu…

Book 1 of Embers of Illeniel series


72 Monarch: A Prince Out of Time: A Progression Fantasy Epic

Monarch: A Prince Out of Time: A Progression Fantasy Epic

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 1,597 reviews.

Monarch: A Prince Out of Time: A Progression Fantasy Epic by J. McCoy and Eligos follows Cairn, the reckless heir to the Uskarrion throne, who is forced to confront his own assassination amid an invasion and political conspiracy. After dying, Cairn a…

Book 1 of RE: Monarch series


73 Sylver Seeker

Sylver Seeker

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 1,610 reviews.

Sylver Seeker (Sylver Seeker #1) by Kennit Kenway follows Sylver Sezari, an Arch Necromancer who unexpectedly returns to life after completing his final duty. Awakening in an unfamiliar world and era, Sylver must navigate new realities, including a m…

Book 1 of Sylver Seeker series


74 Lightningborn

Lightningborn

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 437 reviews.

Lightningborn by Julie Kagawa follows two young protagonists whose lives intersect around a dragon thought lost to history. Remy, a streetwise orphan on the floating island of Cutthroat Wedge, rescues a wild baby dragon he names Storm and quickly for…

Book 1 of Storm Dragons series


75 The Rage of Dragons

The Rage of Dragons

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 48,027 reviews.

The Rage of Dragons (The Burning, #1) by Evan Winter is set in a society where the Omehi people have endured nearly two centuries of relentless warfare. Within this world, a rare few possess extraordinary abilities: some women can summon dragons, whi…

Book 1 of The Burning series


76 The Prince's Poisoned Vow

The Prince's Poisoned Vow

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 1,342 reviews.

The Prince's Poisoned Vow by Hailey Turner introduces four central figures whose intersecting ambitions shape a fractured, magic-laced world. Soren, a warden without a nation, patrols Maricol’s borders and the poison fields while concealing dangerous…

Book 1 of Infernal War Saga series


77 The Dragon’s Gambit: A Progression Fantasy Adventure

The Dragon’s Gambit: A Progression Fantasy Adventure

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 675 reviews.

The Dragon’s Gambit: A Progression Fantasy Adventure (Underkeeper Book 1) by Hankthemoose follows Bernt, a recent Mage Academy graduate stuck working as an Underkeeper in the sewers of Halfbridge due to lack of funds and connections. When a dungeon o…

Book 1 of Underkeeper series


78 Assassin Awakens: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy

Assassin Awakens: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 258 reviews.

Assassin Awakens: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy by Miles Hunter follows a protagonist forcibly trapped in a game world with low-level stats and no weapons. Set in a realm where magic is banned and original players called Titans are imprisoned, the sto…

Book 1 of The Sworn Sword series


79 The Reaper

The Reaper

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 774 reviews.

The Reaper by A. Bel follows Jack, a battle-hardened veteran from Earth who finds himself in a dark urban fantasy world where his daytime anonymity contrasts sharply with his growing nighttime power. As portals tear open across the city and demons an…

Book 1 of The Nailmaker series


80 Frozen Soul

Frozen Soul

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 219 reviews.

Frozen Soul by Stuart Grosse is a science fiction novel set during the 2016 invasion of Earth by the Rithenal Empire, a multispecies force seeking control of the strategically vital Sol System. The story follows Iceblade, an amoral assassin known as…

Book 1 of Frozen Soul series


81 The Perfect Run

The Perfect Run

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 5,463 reviews.

The Perfect Run by Maxime J. Durand follows Ryan "Quicksave" Romano, who possesses the unique ability to create save-points in time and restart his life after death. Set in New Rome, a futuristic city marked by corporate control, superpowered individ…

Book 1 of The Perfect Run series


82 Reborn as a Demonic Tree

Reborn as a Demonic Tree

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 2,321 reviews.

Reborn as a Demonic Tree (Reborn as a Demonic Tree #1) by Xkarnation follows Ashlock, who awakens transformed into a man-eating tree within the courtyard of a demonic sect. Set in a world where humans pursue immortality through cultivation and wield…

Book 1 of Reborn as a Demonic Tree series


83 Wagga

Wagga

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Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, based on 2,340 reviews.

Wagga by Alex Kozlowski follows Adrian, a construction operations manager caught in a remote wilderness job site when a mysterious energy event reshapes Earth, its ecosystems, and even its physical laws. In this post-apocalyptic landscape, every surv…

Book 1 of Alpha Physics! series


84 Kingslayer

Kingslayer

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Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 1,237 reviews.

In Kingslayer, Honor Raconteur opens with General Darius Bresalier captured and brought before the queen he has spent a year relentlessly pursuing. Once a loyal commander of Brindisi, Darius now bears the title of kingslayer, awaiting execution for a…

Book 1 of Kingslayer series


85 The Healer: Book 1

The Healer: Book 1

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Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 892 reviews.

The Healer: Book 1 by Roman Romanovich follows Elor, a gifted healer raised among magical adepts in a peaceful world that has forgotten war. When an otherworldly God of Death unleashes an undead army, Elor abandons his unfinished training to become a…

Book 1 of The Healer series


86 Dune

Dune

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Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 1,654,883 reviews.

Dune by Frank Patrick Herbert follows Paul Atreides, the young heir of a noble house sent to govern the harsh desert world of Arrakis, sole source of the life-extending spice melange. After political betrayal shatters his family’s power, Paul is forc…

Book 1 of Dune series


87 A Blade Through Time: A Grimdark Progression Fantasy

A Blade Through Time: A Grimdark Progression Fantasy

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Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 254 reviews.

A Blade Through Time: A Grimdark Progression Fantasy (Desolada Book 1) by Louis Kalman follows Leones Ansteri, a sixteen-year-old with emerging temporal powers, as he navigates a world torn between demigods called Archons and malevolent demons known…

Book 1 of Desolada series


88 The Blooding

The Blooding

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Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 5,508 reviews.

The Blooding by David Gilman opens in 1346, when archer Thomas Blackstone escapes execution for a killing he denies by serving in Edward III’s campaign against France. Forced into the ranks of the English army, he marches through northern France and…

Book 1 of Master of War series


89 Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione

Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione

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Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 1,869 reviews.

Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione by Chuck Black follows veteran knight Sir Kendrick as he mentors the impulsive young Sir Duncan in a medieval fantasy realm shaped by spiritual allegiance and war. Sent to investigate the secretive Conquistero…

Book 1 of The Knights of Arrethtrae series


90 Falling with Folded Wings

Falling with Folded Wings

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Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 721 reviews.

Falling with Folded Wings by Plum Parrot follows engineer Morgan Hall, who is awakened centuries early from stasis aboard the arkship Pilgrim-9 and forced down to an unknown world. Stripped of their advanced technology, Morgan and his fellow colonist…

Book 1 of Falling with Folded Wings series


91 The Weirdest Noob

The Weirdest Noob

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Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 2,118 reviews.

The Weirdest Noob by Arthur Stone, Mark Berelekhis, and Mikhail Yagupov is set in the Second World, a vast multinational online role-playing game where the usual rules of neutrality and alliance have abruptly collapsed. Former comrades now stalk each…

Book 1 of The Weirdest Noob series


92 Swing Shift

Swing Shift

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Rated 4.29 out of 5 stars, based on 3,558 reviews.

Swing Shift by William D. Arand follows Gus, a detective in the Paranormal Investigations Department who prefers the monotony of paperwork and routine over the chaos of civilian life. As a Boogieman—an apex predator feared and hunted by both humans a…

Book 1 of Swing Shift series


93 Firebrand: The Novice:

Firebrand: The Novice:

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Rated 4.28 out of 5 stars, based on 414 reviews.

Firebrand: The Novice: (A Progression Fantasy Epic) by D.E. Olesen follows Martel, a rural farmer’s son determined to become a Weathermage by graduating from the Imperial School of Magic. Facing challenges from his lack of urban experience, prejudice…

Book 1 of Firebrand series


94 The Banished Prince: Their Dark King Book One: Their Dark King Book One A Gay Harem Fantasy

The Banished Prince: Their Dark King Book One: Their Dark King Book One A Gay Harem Fantasy

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Rated 4.28 out of 5 stars, based on 364 reviews.

The Banished Prince: Their Dark King Book One (A Gay Harem Fantasy) by Zoe Perdita follows a prince who was betrayed by his family, losing his queen mother and his kingdom. After six years in exile, he gathers strength and allies, including a noble k…

Book 1 of Their Dark King series


95 The Last Emperor: A Progression Fantasy Epic

The Last Emperor: A Progression Fantasy Epic

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Rated 4.28 out of 5 stars, based on 297 reviews.

The Last Emperor: A Progression Fantasy Epic (Blood & Fur Book 1) by Maxime J. Durand and Void Herald follows Iztac, an orphan unexpectedly chosen as the emperor of Yohuachanca, a realm where rulers are sacrificed annually to the Nightlords. Despite…

Book 1 of Blood & Fur series


96 The Hunter’s Code: Book 1: A Progression Portal Fantasy Series

The Hunter’s Code: Book 1: A Progression Portal Fantasy Series

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Rated 4.28 out of 5 stars, based on 1,401 reviews.

The Hunter’s Code: Book 1: A Progression Portal Fantasy Series by Oleg Sapphire and Yuri Vinokuroff follows a protagonist who, after a life dedicated to hunting and adhering to a strict code, is granted a new existence in another world. However, this…

Book 1 of The Hunter's Code series