Mayor of Stonebridge

A 4x RTS Fantasy

By: Matt Pivots

Narrated by: Exo Lio

When Alex Carter gets whisked away into an interdimensional strategy game, he quickly realizes this isn’t just a simulation—it’s survival. Plopped into Stonebridge, a rundown, rat-infested city, he’s given one goal: lead his city to victory against the three other mayors, their savage rival species, and impossible odds. There are no second chances here; the last city standing wins, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With each battle, Alex edges closer to an ultimate prize selection that could change his life forever.

Joined by Gordo, his snarky walrus-looking advisor, and an army of clever Ratfink, Alex has to build defenses, create his economy, rally troops, and form shaky alliances as he battles fierce opponents in this real time strategy game.

But what starts as a game of conquest soon reveals hidden depths, where victory demands more than brute force. Each faction brings unique strengths to the battlefield—the Ratfink’s mastery of shipbuilding, the leopard clans’ deadly stealth, and the lumbering might of the red team’s bear warriors. Alex must outsmart his rivals by maximizing his city’s naval power and leveraging his allies' strengths, knowing that each race’s quirks and talents could mean the difference between seizing control of the map or watching his city crumble into ruin.

©2024 Matt Pivots (P)2025 Royal Guard Publishing LLC

Never read anything like this before

Wow. This book isn’t just another LitRPG; it’s a full on strategy adventure that feels like someone smashed together your favorite sim elements with the thrill of competing in Age of Empires games—and it works so well. Exo nails the narration in every battle, the humor in unexpected moments, and the protagonist who’s way out of his depth but refuses to back down. And Gordo. Man, I love Gordo.

If you’ve ever lost hours building empires in games like Age of Empires or Civilization, prepare for that same addictive feeling—except this time, the stakes are life and death. There is always something happening to love the game along and it never slows. Listening to the protagonist manage resources, build defenses, and make split-second decisions to protect Stonebridge had me on the edge of my seat. Every victory feels hard-earned, and every loss hits hard.

The world building is also top notch. You’ve got diverse races with distinct cultures and motivations, all playing for the prize with their own strengths and weaknesses in a very fairly made game. In short: If you’re a LitRPG fan, strategy game addict, or just someone who loves a well told, edge-of-your-seat book—Mayor of Stonebridge is a must-listen. I look forward to the next book in this genre!

Great storing with great potential for a move series

It's a great story with the great potential for a new series. Even though it seems to be just a one-off button, it does show that this author has great potential. And that they, you know what they're doing, we get to learn about building in a way that while has been covered by others. It's still very interesting in the way he does it. There are some slow points and plot points that should have been flushed out. This is more something that should have been a 3 book series. But overall, it is something good to just listen to while you're by the pool and Just want to relax