Cider - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$4.99 with 62 percent savings
Print List Price: $12.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Audiobook Price: $18.12

Save: $16.13 (89%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Portal Books
Follow
G D Penman
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Dungeons of Strata (Deepest Dungeon #1) - A LitRPG series Kindle Edition

by G. D. Penman (Author), Portal Books (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 727 ratings
When Martin's raiding guild join the latest virtual reality MMO, they discover a challenge like no other. Strata Online is a hundred floor mega-dungeon, filled with an ever-shifting ecosystem of monsters.

Martin's team soon find themselves in a race against the world’s strongest guilds, all competing to be the first to reach the unbeatable game's lowest depths. Stranger still, they must now contend with Sin, a twisted morality meter which can transform a players’ class into its dark counterpart.

With eternal fame and prizes on the line, Martin risks playing as a rarely chosen race; a Murovan rat-man, combined with the unusual exorcist class.

But unlike other games, he will need as much courage as skill to progress. Because the deeper he goes, the darker Strata gets.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Deepest Dungeon
  2. Print length
    307 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    January 20, 2020
  5. File size
    2.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  3. Battle Spire
    Kindle Edition
    $2.99
  5. Tunnel Rat: A LitRPG Adventure
    Kindle Edition
    $3.99
  7. Sol Anchor: A LitRPG Adventure
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  12. Dungeon Life: An Isekai LitRPG
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  21. We Hunt Monsters
    Kindle Edition
    $2.49
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

Review

#1 in Cyberpunk Science Fiction#1 in Role Playing & Fantasy Games#1 in Science Fiction & Fantasy Gaming

About the Author

G.D. Penman writes about queer monsters for a living. He is the author of Call Your Steel, the Witch of the Empire series, Apocrypha, and many other books. He is also a full-time freelance writer and has ghost-written more than 50 books on a wide variety of subjects, although of course he can’t tell you what any of them are.

He lives in Scotland with his partner and children, some of whom are human.

In those precious few moments when he isn’t writing or parenting, he enjoys watching cartoons, playing games, reading more books than should logically fit into a week, and complaining about his diet.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083SLSLN4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Portal Books (January 20, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 20, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 307 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 727 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Portal Books

    Portal Books

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Portal Books is a trio of authors - Taran Matharu, Brook Aspden and Michael R. Miller.

    They are also a digital publishing house focusing on the LitRPG genre. Our mission is to bring you the best possible LitRPG novels, with professional editing, copywriting and cover design.

    We only work with authors who have a real passion for the genre and we think this shows in the novels we publish. We know that the heart of LitRPG is solid games mechanics and ensure every story is based on the kind of game system we ourselves would love to play.

    By signing up to our mailing list you'll gain access to our FREE story bundle with over 55,000 words of LitRPG content https://portal-books.com/sign-up

    You can find us at www.portal-books.com

    See more on the author's page
  2. G D Penman

    G D Penman

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    G. D. Penman is the author and ghostwriter of over a hundred best-selling books. Previously they have been an editor, literary critic, game designer, bookseller and eternal dungeon-master. They now maintain a menagerie of animals, a respectable library, a legion of unpainted miniatures and a minor bankruptcy of Magic the Gathering cards.

    Born in the mid-80s, they have lived through more apocalypses than you’ve had hot dinners. Once they were small, but now they are large. If you are unclear on where to find them, they’re probably out back smoking.

    See more on the author's page
Next page

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
727 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and filled with action, with one review noting how the game elements don't detract from the narrative. The world-building receives positive feedback, and customers appreciate the well-developed characters and dark tone. The writing style and pacing receive mixed reactions.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

29 customers mention "Readability"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read, with one mentioning they could not stop reading it.

"...Every paragraph develops the story and builds a better book. If you like outside the box thinking and horror heavy scenes then this one is for you." Read more

"...Best LitRPG experience in a long while." Read more

"...dive, turns into something attention catching and provides a most entertaining read . The characters are unusual and interesting...." Read more

"...Absolutely one of, if not THE, Best LitRPG Dungeon Crawl I've read in a long while...." Read more

22 customers mention "Story quality"22 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, which is filled with action and great adventures, with one customer noting that the game elements don't detract from the narrative.

"...Every paragraph develops the story and builds a better book. If you like outside the box thinking and horror heavy scenes then this one is for you." Read more

"...The characters are unusual and interesting. The plot well written and keeps the reader guessing throughout...." Read more

"...It was dark and gritty and really owned that. The game elements don’t detract from the story and are decently considered by the MC...." Read more

"A very interesting story, with elements of real life, a new game world (which seems to have some dark elements to it), and at least one mystery..." Read more

15 customers mention "Imagination"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the world-building in the book, with one noting its fresh take on the genre and another highlighting its critical thought elements in encounters.

"The author has clearly taken inspiration from the souls series (video game) and done a fantastic job putting his own spin on it...." Read more

"...Speaking of combat! I was excited in each combat scene to the point of desperately wanting to join in the fun. Best LitRPG experience in a long while." Read more

"...This book has ambiance so vivid you can practically see, hear, and even smell the dungeon...." Read more

"...There is also a really great element of critical thought to encounters...." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book very engrossing.

"...The characters are unusual and interesting. The plot well written and keeps the reader guessing throughout...." Read more

"...The character themselves are great with personalities as well as their quirks and me excited to what trials they may have to overcome in this..." Read more

"...Was a extremely well written story. Who's characters are very engrossing. Especially Marten/Skiefe the rat warrior/exorcist...." Read more

"...I still thought it was done very well; certainly it had far better characters and character interactions than most litrpg stuff...." Read more

6 customers mention "Dark tone"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the dark tone of the book, with one mentioning it as a solid addition to the darker LitRPG genre.

"I really enjoyed this book. It was dark and gritty and really owned that...." Read more

"Excellent work. The dark tone and setting was very well done...." Read more

"...Picked this up on a whim and wasn’t disappointed, a solid addition to the darker litrpg world." Read more

"Oh boy oh boy oh boy. Unique classes? Check. Unique races? Check. Crazy dark, disturbing Lovecraftian world? Check. Need I say more?" Read more

6 customers mention "Horror content"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the horror elements in the book, with one review noting its disturbing scenes and another mentioning how it blurs the line between sci-fi and fantasy genres.

"...If you like outside the box thinking and horror heavy scenes then this one is for you." Read more

"So good. Well-crafted prose. Good weirdness level. High stakes. A protagonist who wonders the same things about the game that you do...." Read more

"...excellent job of contrasting the drab real world with the dark and gruesome game!..." Read more

"...The mysteries are slowly being revealed, and the answers are disturbing. Onward to the next book!" Read more

15 customers mention "Writing style"10 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written, while one customer mentions repetitive phrasings that are slightly annoying.

"Very solid writing with thoughtful and original LitRPG mechanics that really inspire the imagination...." Read more

"...The pacing is perfect, too enthralling to put down but not so relentless that you ever grow numb to the next new thing...." Read more

"...My only problem with this book is the fact that there was so little to read. I'm happy to pick up the second book in the series right away" Read more

"...I like the writing style. The author hit a sweet spot for me between economy of words, just enough for me to imagine the scenes and a brisk pace of..." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it well-paced and the story moving briskly, while others note it feels rushed.

"...Overall I was thoroughly impressed with how the story was fast paced without being just an onslaught of summary and pointless combat...." Read more

"It's a decent book and worth the read but it felt very rushed. Frantically so and I'm not just talking about the pace of the story...." Read more

"...This setting could easily support an entire game system. The pacing is perfect, too enthralling to put down but not so relentless that you ever grow..." Read more

"...of words, just enough for me to imagine the scenes and a brisk pace of the story moving on...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Noorin McMahon
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Souls Like for Readers
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The author has clearly taken inspiration from the souls series (video game) and done a fantastic job putting his own spin on it. Every paragraph develops the story and builds a better book. If you like outside the box thinking and horror heavy scenes then this one is for you.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Sean Campbell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great LitRPG
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Very solid writing with thoughtful and original LitRPG mechanics that really inspire the imagination.
    Cons- secondary characters’ behavior was a little unrealistic at times and other times they behaved in ways counter to my understanding of them. Would have liked to see more subtle examples of their personalities throughout the story.
    Overall I was thoroughly impressed with how the story was fast paced without being just an onslaught of summary and pointless combat. Speaking of combat! I was excited in each combat scene to the point of desperately wanting to join in the fun. Best LitRPG experience in a long while.
    Helpful
     Report
  • L M Ralph
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    What starts off as yet another Litrpg novel featuring group of players off on a dungeon dive, turns into something attention catching and provides a most entertaining read . The characters are unusual and interesting. The plot well written and keeps the reader guessing throughout.

    Although this book doesn't end in a cliffhanger, it is definitely incomplete and will be continued in the next book of the series.

    Highly recommended.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A truly fantastic work of worldbuilding
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Which shall I praise first? The MC feels like me on a bad day, I slip into his PoV so easily it's more like recalling a memory than reading a book. The crunch of races, classes, monsters, and items? All feel unbelievably fresh and unique yet immediately comprehensible, simple and yet deep. As an occasional DM for games like D&D I am awed and a bit envious of the sheer creative flair on display here. This setting could easily support an entire game system. The pacing is perfect, too enthralling to put down but not so relentless that you ever grow numb to the next new thing. This book has ambiance so vivid you can practically see, hear, and even smell the dungeon. Absolutely one of, if not THE, Best LitRPG Dungeon Crawl I've read in a long while. This is an author to watch and the sequel cannot possibly come soon enough for me.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Belruge
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. It was dark and gritty and really owned that. The game elements don’t detract from the story and are decently considered by the MC. There is also a really great element of critical thought to encounters. My only gripe is that I’m so bored of the jack of all trades trope without actually having the trade off of being thoroughly outclassed by specialists left and right.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Ian Mitchell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Descent into the pit
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    By the time I hit 30% I was definitely feeling a Dark Souls vibe. Just a few hints of game elements and atmosphere. Nice. Martin's played his day job like a game he was trying to speed run. Interesting party dynamics, classes and races. I like the writing style. The author hit a sweet spot for me between economy of words, just enough for me to imagine the scenes and a brisk pace of the story moving on. Threaded throughout are hints and investigation of the true nature of the game. A great read. My only detractor was that Martin's lack of connection with people made him a bit harder to relate to. Better gamer, not much fun at parties.
    Score: 8.8 out of 10
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, a little it of a thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A very interesting story, with elements of real life, a new game world (which seems to have some dark elements to it), and at least one mystery (there are a few, but may all be related).

    I'm definitely rooting for Martin and hope he can keep doing as well, or better, as he and his group move deeper into Strata. I also hope we see a little more of Speckles. Maybe he can become more a part of the team and/or evolve?
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Typhon
    3.0 out of 5 stars Middle of the road
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It's a decent book and worth the read but it felt very rushed. Frantically so and I'm not just talking about the pace of the story. It's like the author couldn't wait to finish the book and just wrote so he could stop.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon-Kunde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it, want more xD
    Reviewed in Germany on March 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Nice, it's actually a good book. Love it.
    The video game kills it's users trope is a wee bit overused (and kinda vad) by other books by now, but in this instance it seemed fine-ish.
    Report
  • shivarajnangare
    3.0 out of 5 stars Average story
    Reviewed in India on March 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Story lacks focus and team aspect of the mmo has been downplayed.

    All round good read, plot does have potential but author needs more focus on story progression
    Report
  • Couply App
    5.0 out of 5 stars Let's go down....
    Reviewed in Canada on April 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Fun premise!

    Cool team. I liked the anthropomorphic elements to this, seems like there could be a little budding romance, and I am looking forward to the next one in the series!
    Report
  • Avid Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great first book, A+ LitRPG
    Reviewed in Australia on April 7, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Loved the first book, intriguing and fantastic plot with great writing and relatable characters. As someone with a lot of autistic friends it's brilliant to see a main character with autism refusing to be held back and embracing his strengths.
    Report
  • A. S. Bradshaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars Had me hooked from the gorgeous cover and the inside did not disappoint!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this. The cover had me sold before I had opened the book, but once I got into the book I was hooked.

    I thought the RPG elements of this were great and I was really interested in the Sin mechanic which added a sinister edge. And there was a fair amount going on outside of the game as well as inside, which meant there was always something interesting going on!

    A really compelling litrpg that I would definitely recommend!
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report