Malory

Sci-Fi, LitRPG & Progression Fantasy

Winner of the 2026 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award

Chaos Protocols cover — Arcane Galaxy Book 1 by Jake Malory
Jake Malory
Arcane Galaxy · Book 1

Chaos Protocols

A trigger-happy SAS operator, an elf pilot, and a broken ship against an unforgiving LitRPG System. Progression has never been so messy.

Space Western LitRPG Progression Fantasy Sci-Fi
Audiobook Sample

Read by Daniel Wisniewski

Free on Kindle Unlimited

About the Book

Rivers is an ex-SAS operator who doesn’t belong in this galaxy. He arrived without a map, without a manual, and without the LitRPG System that everyone else seems to have grown up inside. He also arrived with an elf pilot, a broken ship, and a working knowledge of how to break things faster than the System can patch them.

Chaos Protocols is the start of a space-western LitRPG that treats progression as a heist tool, treats authority as the antagonist, and treats character chemistry as the engine. Co-authored with Troy Osgood.

Published by Aethon Books. Audiobook narrated by Daniel Wisniewski.

For Readers Who…

love Firefly, The Expanse, or any story where a tight crew on a worse-than-they-deserved ship runs a system they can’t quite outrun. Banter-heavy, gun-heavy, and faster than it has any right to be.

Reader Reception

★★★★ 4.5+ average across 1,000+ ratings on Amazon & Audible

What Readers Are Saying

via Goodreads
The MC Rivers is a Swashbuckler, making him the coolest kid on the planet! Ohhhh! Myyy! This is fun, Fun, FUN! It felt like a military action book had an affair with a fantasy litRPG adventure. Andrew Rivers is the epitome of a classic bad boy.
CmooreGoodreads
Full send it energy. Witty, chaotic with high stakes. It gives Guardians of the Galaxy vibes but less Peter Quill and more Han Solo. Andrew Rivers is cocky yet delightful and I literally can't wait to see how this series unfolds.
Torrie LennonGoodreads
Great start to the book! Too many books go straight to the isekai moments. I love that we got to know the MC before entering the game world. Great character building and a fun plot. I will definitely read the next book.
Danny MoodyGoodreads
Very good read. I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression types of books with lots of action.
Johnie C.Goodreads
See All Reviews on Goodreads →
This is Book 1 of Arcane Galaxy. The series continues with Swashbuckler, plus a full library on the books page.
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