I acquired a evaluate copy from the writer. This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my evaluate and all opinions are my very own.

How one can Defeat a Demon King in Ten Straightforward Steps by Andrew Rowe

Mogsy’s Score: 3 of 5 stars

Style: Fantasy

Sequence: Stand Alone

Writer: Saga Press (September 30, 2025)

Size: 240 pages

Writer Data: Web site

For those who’re new to LitRPGs, I believe Andrew Rowe’s How one can Defeat a Demon King in Ten Straightforward Steps will ship a wonderfully contemporary, first rate, and playful introduction. Alternatively, if like me you’ve simply come off a heavier hitter like Dungeon Crawler Carl, then this sadly may really feel a bit just like the style on straightforward mode.

As you’d count on, this novel gives a fairly good concept of what it could be wish to stay inside a online game, full with ability bushes, leveling notifications, and all that jazz. To drag it off, Rowe presents readers with a pleasant, tongue-in-cheek journey with a premise that doesn’t shrink back from flaunting its RPG influences.

On the middle of this story is Yui, an extraordinary woman residing in a world the place the cycle of heroes and massive dangerous world bosses is as predictable as clockwork. Principally, each hundred years or so, a Demon King will rise, and following proper behind would be the awakening of a prophesied Hero destined to defeat him. Solely this cycle, there’s an issue. The Demon King got here a bit early, and humanity can’t afford to easily wait round for the Hero’s return.

That is the place Yui is available in. Armed with nothing however dedication and an virtually reckless sense of optimism, she decides to save lots of the world herself, formulating a ten-step plan to take down the Demon King. She’ll must grind ranges. Work out which abilities to gather. Collect the most effective gear. Possibly recruit a number of allies alongside the best way. And naturally, there will probably be loads of dungeons to clear, bosses to defeat, and as many loopholes it’ll take to take advantage of to make up for the actual fact she’s no Chosen One. However particulars schmetails! It’s actually not that onerous, so long as you are taking a methodical strategy to it.

It’s a enjoyable idea, and Rowe clearly is aware of the right way to inform a game-inspired story. Yui’s progress is precisely structured to reflect RPG gameplay, full with an in-game voice that chimes in each soften to announce expertise positive factors and degree ups. With the intention to thrust back the tedium, the tone is stored breezy with loads of humor within the type of intelligent satire. It’s additionally meant to as fan service to devotees of video games like World of Warcraft or Legend of Zelda.

However in maintaining issues easy and enjoyable, the story itself admittedly by no means actually delves any deeper than floor degree parody. The stakes are low. It’s gameplay on rails. Characters are RPG archetypes, and dialogue is so predictable that even the jokes land awkwardly. It’s a little bit of a catch-22, in a manner. Whereas I used to be conscious behind my thoughts that it’s all finished deliberately and dealing by design, it’s onerous to get emotionally invested when there aren’t any surprises and each growth feels pre-scripted and choreographed.

That mentioned, Rowe’s knack for storytelling means he is aware of precisely how far to push this schtick with out sporting out its welcome. The ebook doesn’t take itself too severely, pacing stays fast, and the plot is cautious to not get too hung up on the trivia of gaming mechanics and min-maxing. The characters are additionally a riot, and Yui herself is a likable protagonist who is simple to root for due to her tenacious dedication, however not so cussed that she crosses the road into “too silly to stay” territory.

It’s this steadiness that retains How one can Defeat a Demon King in Ten Straightforward Steps from collapsing from underneath the load of its personal bold idea. It’s gentle and snappy, the form of ebook that’s greatest loved if you’re within the temper for one thing that’s not too mentally demanding. Andrew Rowe by no means pretends it’s something greater than a fast romp by way of a well-recognized fantasy gaming panorama, which, truthfully, is a part of its allure.