Clarification & Recommendation
What’s the Difference Between Dungeon Lord and Dungeon Lords®?
What’s the Difference Between Dungeon Lord and Dungeon Lords®?
If you’ve searched “Dungeon Lord” or “Dungeon Lords,” chances are you’ve seen more than one book series — and maybe even an old video game or board game. It’s a name with deep fantasy roots, and for readers, it can be genuinely confusing.
This article is here to clear up that confusion.
There are two fantasy book series that often get mixed up:
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Dungeon Lord by Huego Huesca — a LitRPG series with game-style mechanics
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Dungeon Lords® by J.B. Coleman — a dark fantasy saga set in the world of Evania
If you’re wondering which one you saw on Amazon, which one you started but haven’t finished, or which one is right for you — this breakdown will help you sort it all out.
Let’s explore the difference.
Overview of Dungeon Lords® by J.B. Coleman
At its core, Dungeon Lords® is a dark fantasy saga about prophecy, power, and the cost of rewriting fate. Created by author J.B. Coleman, the series blends the emotional stakes of classic fantasy epics with the strategic intensity of RPG-inspired storytelling.
It begins with Dungeon Lords: The Lost Disciple, the story of a broken land, a betrayed vision, and a fallen hero who may hold the key to saving — or dooming — it all.
Set in the realm of Evania, the series is steeped in atmosphere. It’s a world where magic is scarred, where the prophecy meant to unite the land has backfired, and where fractured alliances and ancient ruins are all that remain of once-great kingdoms. Into this chaos steps a cast of deeply flawed, intensely human characters — some chosen, some cursed, and none guaranteed to survive.
The tone of Dungeon Lords® is unapologetically gritty. This is a series for readers who like their fantasy raw, character-driven, and emotionally charged. Battles don’t just leave scars on the land — they change the people fighting them. Friendships are hard-earned. Loyalty is rare. And the lines between good and evil blur fast when survival’s on the line.
What makes the series stand out isn’t just the worldbuilding (though there’s plenty of that). It’s the feel — that sense of stepping into something immersive, cinematic, and intelligent. The magic systems are mysterious but grounded. The politics are deadly. And the overarching question isn’t “Can they win?” — it’s “What will they have to become to survive?”
The series is built to grow. In addition to the main books, readers can explore side stories like The Revenant’s Tale, and this fall, a standalone novel, Tahlari, will introduce a new perspective within the same universe — designed to offer an entry point for new readers while expanding the depth of the world.
With Book 2 on the way in 2026 and a long-term plan for a multi-book epic, Dungeon Lords® isn’t just a title, it’s a rising banner in the fantasy genre.
Overview of Dungeon Lord by Huego Huesca
The Dungeon Lord series by Huego Huesca is a popular entry in the LitRPG genre — a style of fantasy that blends traditional storytelling with video game-inspired mechanics like experience points, stat sheets, leveling systems, and skill trees. For fans of GameLit and dungeon-core progression stories, Dungeon Lord offers an accessible and action-driven adventure built around the idea of becoming the villain in a game-like world.
The series begins with Dungeon Lord: The Wraith’s Haunt Book 1, where Earth-based protagonist Edward Wright finds himself transported to a magical realm known as Ivalis. After refusing to be a pawn of the gods, he’s branded a “Dungeon Lord” — a designation typically reserved for evil beings — and must survive in a world that now sees him as a threat to be eliminated.
What follows is a fast-paced narrative full of dungeon construction, territory control, power leveling, tactical planning, and monster management. Edward builds alliances, expands his influence, and uses both his real-world experience and newfound abilities to shape the game world around him.
Stylistically, Huesca’s Dungeon Lord series leans hard into what LitRPG fans love:
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Level-ups
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Skill unlocks
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Stat sheets
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Constant power gains
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Boss fights
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Quest-based structure
The tone is lighter, the pacing is rapid, and the world-building is more functional than lore-rich — but that’s exactly what many readers enjoy about it. It’s a book you can binge in chunks, filled with “next level unlocked” satisfaction and a clear progression from underdog to overlord.
There are currently five books in the series, and while new releases have slowed in recent years, the existing entries have developed a loyal fanbase within the GameLit community. The series is also widely distributed on Amazon, with audiobook versions available for listeners who prefer a voice-driven experience.
If you’re someone who enjoys fantasy novels with clear XP systems, game logic, and dungeon management — Dungeon Lord by Huesca delivers exactly that.
But if you’re looking for deep lore, emotional character arcs, and a world where the magic is just as mysterious as the characters themselves… Dungeon Lords® might be a better fit.
Key Differences Between Dungeon Lords® and Dungeon Lord
Although the names are similar, Dungeon Lords® by J.B. Coleman and Dungeon Lord by Huego Huesca offer two entirely different fantasy experiences — in tone, structure, and genre.
One leans into gritty, lore-heavy epic fantasy. The other thrives on game mechanics, dungeon building, and the thrill of character progression. Here’s how they compare, both for confused readers and fantasy fans trying to decide where to dive in.
Tone & Style
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Dungeon Lords® is emotionally charged and cinematic. It’s designed to feel like stepping into a dark fantasy film with high-stakes themes, slow-burn revelations, and character-driven twists. Battles matter. Death matters. Growth comes at a cost.
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Dungeon Lord is fast-paced and system-driven. It’s about stats, leveling, upgrades, and optimization. Readers who enjoy seeing characters power up through clever choices and mechanical advantages will find satisfaction in every level-gain.
Worldbuilding
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Evania, the world of Dungeon Lords®, is filled with haunted histories, ancient ruins, fractured kingdoms, and post-apocalyptic echoes of a prophecy gone wrong. The lore is layered and the magic is dangerous — not something you just “pick up” and start using.
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Ivalis, Huesca’s setting, is shaped like a high-functioning game world. The rules are clear, magic is tied to progression, and success is often tied to how well the protagonist plays the game, rather than how deeply he understands the world’s metaphysics.
Story Structure
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Dungeon Lords® is written like a traditional fantasy epic. Each book builds toward a greater saga, with long arcs, a slowly revealed mythology, and an ensemble cast that grows in complexity over time.
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Dungeon Lord follows a quest-like model common in LitRPG: mission → gain → upgrade → repeat. It’s a satisfying loop with big moments of payoff, and its straightforward structure makes it great for quick binge-reading.
Themes & Depth
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Dungeon Lords® dives into betrayal, redemption, grief, faith, broken prophecy, and the psychological toll of war. It asks: What happens when the chosen one doesn’t want to be chosen?
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Dungeon Lord centers more on cleverness, grit, and the outsider’s rise. The protagonist is a tactician first, a rebel second — fighting against unjust systems and building power through sheer force of will.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Dungeon Lords® (J.B. Coleman) | Dungeon Lord (Huego Huesca) |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Dark Fantasy / Epic Fantasy | LitRPG / GameLit |
| Tone | Emotional, cinematic, heavy | Fast-paced, tactical, light |
| Magic | Mysterious, dangerous, slow-burn | Structured, skill-based, unlockable |
| Main Character | Faro – war-forged, broken, human | Edward – clever, calculating, gamer |
| Progression | Gritty realism and moral growth | Stat-based leveling and upgrades |
| Structure | Book-by-book saga with lore arcs | Episodic dungeon-building quests |
| Target Reader | Fantasy lovers who want stakes | LitRPG fans who want strategy |
Both series have their strengths. But if you’re looking for emotionally charged fantasy that feels like reading a high-stakes show, Dungeon Lords® offers a tone and scope that’s rarely found in GameLit.
Why the Confusion Happens
The confusion between Dungeon Lords® and Dungeon Lord is completely understandable — and honestly, inevitable.
It comes down to three key factors:
1. The Names Are Nearly Identical
Let’s be real: “Dungeon Lord” and “Dungeon Lords” differ by just one letter. If you’re talking to a friend or searching casually, it’s easy to flip them around or assume they’re the same.
To make things more tangled, both names evoke the same general fantasy image — dark dungeons, powerful overlords, and RPG-style power struggles.
2. They Both Appear on Amazon
Because both series are available on Kindle and Audible, readers searching one may accidentally find the other. Search suggestions, automated ads, or even recommendations based on interest can link them together in the algorithm — even though the stories are nothing alike.
3. There Are Other “Dungeon” Competitors
Add in an old PC game called Dungeon Lords, a niche board game with the same name, and a fake game reference from Cobra Kai (“Dungeon Lord: Legacies”), and it becomes a digital minefield.
This overlap means even well-meaning fans, reviewers, and podcast hosts might tag the wrong book, link the wrong series, or leave feedback on the wrong title — which helps neither author and misleads readers.
Despite the similarities in title, these books represent two different genres, two different reading experiences, and two different creative visions. Recognizing that distinction helps you — and the fantasy community — find what truly resonates.
Which One Is Right for You?
If you’re still deciding between Dungeon Lords® and Dungeon Lord, the good news is this:
You can’t really go wrong — but you can definitely pick what fits you best.
Here’s a quick way to figure out which fantasy world is right for you:
Choose Dungeon Lords® if you want:
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Emotionally driven, high-stakes storytelling
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Cinematic worldbuilding with ancient lore and prophecy
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Slow-burn power growth with real consequences
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A fantasy saga that reads like a show and hits like a sword
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Books that feel like The Witcher, Game of Thrones, or Dragon Age
Start with:
Dungeon Lords®: The Lost Disciple
– Available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook
Prequel short story The Revenant’s Tale available as well
Choose Dungeon Lord if you want:
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Stat-based progression and LitRPG mechanics
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Dungeon building, level grinding, and monster upgrades
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Fast pacing, episodic quests, and gamer-style logic
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A bingeable read that feels like playing a strategy game
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Books that feel like Sword Art Online or DnD simulator fiction
Start with:
📘 Dungeon Lord by Huego Huesca
🎧 Also available in audiobook
Fantasy fans often enjoy both — but it depends on whether you want your adventure to feel like an epic or a game.
How to Dive Deeper into Dungeon Lords®
If Dungeon Lords® sounds like your kind of fantasy, there are a few easy ways to get started — and even more reasons to stick around.
Start Here:
Book 1 – Dungeon Lords®: The Lost Disciple
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Available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audiobook
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Dark fantasy with RPG-inspired battles and a deep lore arc
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Meet Faro and the town of Graeton — where fate begins to unravel
Get the Prequel:
The Revenant’s Tale
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A dark, standalone story that ties into the world of Evania
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Available free on Amazon
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Great for sampling the tone, stakes, and writing style
Coming Soon:
Tahlari (Fall 2025)
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A standalone dark fantasy thriller novel designed to pull new readers into the Dungeon Lords® world
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Ideal for fans of darker, character-driven fantasy with bite
Prefer Audio?
The Lost Disciple audiobook is professionally narrated and perfect for listening during work, workouts, or late-night game sessions.
Stay in the Loop:
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You can also join the conversation with us on our Discord!
You’ve entered the Dungeon. Time to choose your path.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dungeon Lords® vs Dungeon Lord
Is Dungeon Lords® the same as Dungeon Lord?
No — they are completely separate series by different authors.
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Dungeon Lord is a LitRPG series by Huego Huesca.
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Dungeon Lords® is a dark fantasy epic by J.B. Coleman.
They share a similar name, but that’s where the overlap ends.
Which one came first?
Dungeon Lord by Huego Huesca was published first, but Dungeon Lords® is an original dark fantasy universe that was developed independently and now holds the official registered trademark.
Why do both books show up when I search “Dungeon Lords”?
Because the titles are similar, book marketplaces like Amazon often display both in the same search results. SEO and algorithms don’t always distinguish nuanced differences in title.
Which one is more like a video game?
That would be Dungeon Lord — it’s built around game mechanics like leveling up, skill trees, and dungeon management. If you love LitRPG or GameLit, start there.
Which one has deeper worldbuilding?
Dungeon Lords® focuses on immersive lore, layered characters, and the slow unraveling of prophecy. It’s more like reading an HBO fantasy series than playing a game.
Can I read Dungeon Lords® for free?
Yes! Check out the first 5 chapters for free here! No email required!
Chapter 5 is already a battle scene, so the action is intense throughout the whole book!
Where should I start?
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For Dungeon Lords®: Start with The Lost Disciple
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For Dungeon Lord: Start with The Wraith’s Haunt Book 1



