Malory

Sci-Fi, LitRPG & Progression Fantasy

Winner of the 2026 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award

Punish the System cover — Punish the System Book 1 by Malory
Punish the System · Book 1

Punish the System

Connor Keene died, got resurrected as a Punisher, and now the whole world hates him for trying to save it.

Sci-Fi LitRPG Post-Apocalypse Dystopian
Audiobook Sample

Read by Soundbooth Theater cast

Free on Kindle Unlimited

About the Book

Connor Keene was alive, and then he wasn’t, and then he was something the System calls a Punisher. The world that resurrected him has rules, and most of them are designed to keep people like Connor in line. His backup is an insane System Sprite and a partner whose mind is being slowly co-tenanted by a murder-lizard. The establishment wants him to fall in line. He’s thinking, instead, about tearing the establishment down.

Punish the System is a gritty, fast, and unapologetic LitRPG about what happens when the people the System breaks decide to return the favour. Co-authored with Cassius Lange.

Immersive audiobook production by Soundbooth Theater.

For Readers Who…

want their LitRPG with teeth in it — closer to He Who Fights with Monsters at its sharpest, or any post-apocalypse where the System is part of the problem.

Reader Reception

Absolutely killer read. Great LitRPG with a surprising amount of heart. Looking forward to the next book!
Eric Amazon
Read All Reviews on Amazon

More From Readers

via Goodreads
Punish the System takes on a tone that is bold and fast-moving, and in usual Malory and Cassius fashion, layer gripping and entertaining storytelling with some social commentary. The dynamic between the protagonist and their relentlessly upbeat sidekick adds a surprising layer of charm and humor.
GaiusPrimusGoodreads
Absolutely thrilling from the start to the finish. A roller-coaster ride of danger and excitement with an annoyingly positive sidekick who just wants to be helpful. Everything you would hope a LitRPG would be without the annoying pop-up screens.
Kyle WilkinsonGoodreads
Very Dungeon Crawler Carl with a tad less insanity. It's got some interesting characters and an enjoyable mix of ingredients. Can't wait for the next.
RomanticfaeGoodreads
See All Reviews on Goodreads →
Browse 30+ books across 7 series — all free on Kindle Unlimited.
Browse All Books

Like the Sound of This?

Drop your email and you’ll get the free Crude novella, plus first chapters of every new book in Punish the System and across the catalogue.