Now then, gather round, dear readers, for there exists a most peculiar and delightful corner of the literary world where the magic of the holidays meets the thrill of leveling up. Whether you seek a Christmas-themed dungeon core adventure or simply wish to curl up with a magnificent progression fantasy during the festive season, this guide shall serve as your faithful companion.
For you see, the holiday season is rather like entering a dungeon for the first time—full of wonder, occasional peril (relatives asking about your romantic prospects), and treasures beyond imagining (books, naturally).
Christmas Core by Jonathan Brooks
If ever there was a book designed expressly for the reader who loves both Christmas and dungeon cores, it is this charming novella. The tale follows Elmer Robbins, whose soul finds itself transported to a strange world and inhabiting something called a Dungeon Core.
What makes this adventure particularly delightful is Elmer’s solution to the problem of dungeon theming: he chooses Christmas. Not the spiritual sort, mind you, but the wonderfully secular, commercial version—only deadly. With the help of a North Pole Elf named Keebles, he creates monsters that include, among other things, inflatable polar bears that utterly baffle the adventurers who encounter them.
The book is entirely family-friendly, containing no foul language or inappropriate content, making it a perfect holiday read.
The Complete Holiday Dungeon Core Series by Jonathan Brooks
For those who find Christmas Core to their liking, the adventure continues through the entire calendar year. Valentine Core presents the amusing challenge of transforming a holiday based on love into defenses designed to defeat adventurers. Easter Core brings jellybeans, chocolate eggs, and the Easter Bunny into the dungeon-building equation.
Independence Core features grilling, water play, and fireworks as dungeon elements—a most American approach to monster defense. Halloween Core concludes the series with pumpkins, skeletons, ghosts, and trick-or-treating transformed into deadly dungeon encounters.
Each novella runs approximately 35,000 to 42,000 words, making them perfect for cozy holiday reading sessions.
Beware of Chicken by CasualFarmer
For those seeking something as warm as a cup of cocoa by the fire, this cultivation fantasy offers what reviewers call “cozy fantasy” at its finest. The story follows Jin Rou, who abandons his cultivation sect to become a simple farmer in the Azure Hills.
The twist? His rooster awakens as a Spirit Beast, a martial monster seeking to protect the farm. Reviewers describe it as “a Pratchett level spoof on the whole cultivation genre,” and it is perhaps the most heartwarming tale in all of progression fantasy. The found family elements and gentle humor make it ideal reading for the holiday season.
Book Five releases in December 2025, making this an excellent time to begin the journey.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Now, this tale is not for the faint of heart, but for those who appreciate dark humor with their holiday reading, it is magnificent. When aliens transform Earth into a vast dungeon as part of an intergalactic reality show, a Coast Guard veteran named Carl and a cat named Princess Donut must navigate increasingly deadly levels.
Reviewers call it “a brilliantly savage satire on reality TV and capitalism.” The writing combines sardonic humor with intense action and unexpected emotional depth. A television adaptation is in development, making this an excellent time to discover the phenomenon.
The series is perfect for readers who prefer their holiday entertainment with a side of chaos.
He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon
For those whose holiday travels involve long journeys, this twelve-book series offers endless entertainment. Jason Asano, a jaded Australian office manager, is transported to a high-magic world where survival is tracked with digital precision.
What distinguishes this tale is Jason’s voice—he faces mortal peril with the flippancy of someone who has missed their morning coffee. The progression system combines cultivation and traditional LitRPG elements beautifully, and the banter between characters is distinctive and flowing.
Book Twelve arrived in May 2025, ensuring plenty of reading material for the longest of winter nights.
Cradle Series by Will Wight
The king of progression fantasy, this twelve-book series follows Wei Shi Lindon, an “Unsouled” born without the ability to learn his clan’s sacred arts. From this humble beginning emerges one of the most satisfying power progressions in the genre.
The magic system involves sacred artists progressing through ranks from copper to iron to jade and beyond. Beneath the progression mechanics lies a beautiful found family story with strong ties between characters who support each other through trials.
The complete series offers a finished journey with a satisfying conclusion—perfect for readers who wish to embark on a grand adventure during the holidays.
The Primal Hunter by Zogarth
When a system apocalypse transforms Earth and integrates humanity into a vast multiverse, an office worker named Jake discovers he was perhaps born for such a world. Described as “OVERLORD meets MONSTER HUNTER,” this series offers action-packed progression fantasy.
The series exceeds thirteen volumes, with Book Twelve arriving in March 2025. It is ideal for readers who enjoy watching a protagonist transform from ordinary to apex predator through skill and determination.
The audiobooks, narrated by Travis Baldree, make excellent companions for holiday travel.
Defiance of the Fall by TheFirstDefier
This tale merges LitRPG elements with Eastern cultivation in a system apocalypse setting. Zac finds himself alone in the forest when the world changes, facing an alien incursion with nothing but his wits and a ruthless determination to survive.
With over twenty million views on Royal Road before publication, this series has proven itself to fans of the genre. Books One through Twelve are available on Kindle Unlimited, making it an excellent holiday binge-read.
The author excels at ending each chapter with cliffhangers that compel readers onward.
Life Reset by Shemer Kuznits
For something truly unique, this series follows Oren, a high-level player betrayed and transformed into a goblin against his will. He must rebuild from scratch among the monsters of a virtual reality game while unable to log out.
The monster protagonist perspective offers a fresh take on the genre, and the town-building elements add strategic depth. Oren’s AI companion, Vic, is frequently cited as a highlight. The six-book series concluded in 2021, offering a complete story.
This is perfect for readers who enjoy rooting for unlikely heroes.
Jake’s Magical Market by J.R. Mathews
When the world ends while Jake works at his neighborhood market, he discovers a card-based magic system that grants him legendary time-freeze powers. The first half offers slice-of-life comfort reading as Jake runs his magical shop in the apocalypse.
Reviewers praise the vibrant world and solid cast of characters. The three-book series is complete, making it ideal for readers who prefer finished stories.
The cozy shop-keeping elements make this particularly suited to holiday reading.
Upcoming 2026 Releases to Anticipate
For those planning their reading calendars, January 2026 brings exciting new releases. Time Breaker by Aster Loka (January 6) follows a mageblade whose soul can revert time. Forge of Destiny by Yrsillar (January 13) enters the Celestial Empire with a young woman from the slums. Undersea Reincarnation by CalCroissant (January 20) offers a marine biologist reborn in a vast ocean.
Additionally, beautiful hardcover editions of beloved series arrive through Aethon Books and Simon & Schuster, including He Who Fights With Monsters and Jake’s Magical Market.
Creating Your Perfect Holiday Reading Stack
For the reader seeking Christmas-specific content, the Holiday Dungeon Core series stands alone in the genre. For cozy reading by the fire, Beware of Chicken and Jake’s Magical Market offer warmth and humor. For those who prefer their holidays with adventure and action, Dungeon Crawler Carl, The Primal Hunter, and Defiance of the Fall deliver.
And for the reader embarking on a long winter’s journey through an entire series, Cradle and He Who Fights with Monsters offer hundreds of hours of entertainment.
Whatever your preference, the holiday season awaits—and so do these magnificent books. Happy reading, dear friends, and may your levels be ever increasing.
