Second Skin: An Intriguing Adventure into the world of LitRPG
Like many SciFi and Fantasy authors, I grew up playing RPG video games. Skyrim, Mass Effect, Boulders Gate, KOTOR, you name it, I’ve probably played it.
So when I heard about the growing LitRPG genre, I was intrigued! Stories set inside RPG-like worlds? Wow!
And thus, my first foray into the genre occurred with “Second Skin” by M Damon Baker.
M Damon Baker builds an intriguing premise. A man’s mind, trapped in a woman’s body, inside a supposedly virtual world. I don’t want to spoil the initial twist, but let’s say fairly early on, Baker throws in a fun hook which makes the story more than just a dude playing an RPG.
I can see the promise in the genre. The story. The creative ways “game mechanics” can interplay with narrative.
Unfortunately, I quickly learned the LitRPG genre is not for me.
That preference isn’t a knock on Baker’s writing; it’s superb. Second Skin’s audience simply doesn’t include me. I value the opportunity to listen to Second Skin on Audible, though, to learn whether I enjoy the LitRPG genre. As much as I love playing games, I don’t think I’m one to read them being played.
All that being said, I hundred percent think this book WILL hit home with other readers. It’s got the chops to hook people intrigued by the characters, setting, plot, and premise of LitRPG.
I won’t be doing a full score breakdown of Second Skin: Fractures. Instead, I’ll be giving it three stars. It wasn’t my cup of tea, but that speaks more about me than the book.