The Butcher of Gadobhra by The Walrus King is a standout example of LitRPG done with genuine care for its premise, its characters, and the broader social context that frames it. While it leans into familiar tropes, dungeons, stats, power progression, and system exploits, it does so with a level of thoughtfulness and humour that sets it apart from the crowded field of VR game adventure serials.
The Butcher of Gadobhra Book Cover
At its core, the book cleverly inverts the typical “hero’s journey” power fantasy by casting its protagonist, Ozzy and friends, as contract serfs in an AI controlled VR game world. Instead of starting as a swordsman or mage, Ozzy and his crew are offered menial roles like, butcher, shepherd, barkeep, reflecting the grim dystopian logic of the real-world setting, where the poor rent their labour in virtual space just to scrape by. The contrast between the immersive, quasi-medieval fantasy world and the corporate dystopian real world gives the book a satirical edge without ever becoming heavy-handed.
One of the novel’s most rewarding qualities is how it handles progression. There’s no effortless power creep here. Ozzy and his friends have to think creatively, find loopholes in the system, and negotiate with other players and NPCs to survive and thrive. This emphasis on strategy over brute force lends the story a welcome freshness. Readers looking for relentless min-maxing or overpowered wish fulfilment might be surprised by how much of the book is about negotiation, butchering, and building, yet these elements are delivered in an entertaining, often funny way that never drags.
Characterisation is another strength. While the cast begins with simple archetypes, a gruff butcher, an irreverent barmaid, a cunning shepherd, over time they develop real chemistry and feel like a believable group of friends forced to become co-conspirators against the corporation that exploits them. Dialogue often carries a sardonic humour, undercutting some of the darker themes with levity that feels earned rather than forced.
The worldbuilding deserves special mention. Gadobhra and its surrounding lands feel like more than a game map to be conquered; they’re places with histories, economies, politics, and secrets. The author takes time to show not just flashy dungeons and monsters, but also the mundane, necessary work of running a town, forging alliances, and dealing with meddling corporations. This slower, slice-of-life dimension adds texture and keeps the stakes grounded even as the adventure ramps up.
Stylistically, The Butcher of Gadobhra is straightforward but effective. The prose is accessible, the humour lands more often than not, and the pacing balances action with quieter moments of planning and world exploration. There are occasional editorial issues, typos, minor inconsistencies, but these are typical of long-running web serials on Royal Road and rarely break immersion for readers willing to forgive them in exchange for regular updates and sheer storytelling volume.
In short, The Butcher of Gadobhra offers a smart, entertaining twist on the LitRPG genre that avoids the usual pitfalls of shallow power fantasies. It’s a story about gaming systems and exploitation, yes, but also about creativity, friendship, and fighting back against a rigged world. For readers who appreciate detailed worldbuilding, sly humour, and character-driven progression, this is an easy recommendation.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking a LitRPG adventure with a bit more thought, and a lot more heart, than the usual fare.
Note: This review is for the webnovel found on Royal Royal, I would assume many of the typos etc. would be fixed in the book releases. The Butcher of Gadobhra #1 Small Town Hero: A LitRPG Adventure (Expected publication July 22, 2025) and The Butcher of Gadobhra #2 The Fearless Leader: A LitRPG Adventure (Expected publication October 22, 2025).
If you’re a fan of long, character-driven slice-of-life webnovels, you might also enjoy reading my review of The Vengeful Scribe.
