#tfkyn

OH BOY DO I aasldfkjaslkdfd come into my shop anon and tell me what it is you seek

The Fog Knows Your Name - If you only play one book from this list, let it be this. Arbor Isle is a small sea-side town with dark secrets. You play a high school senior accused of the murder of one of your (popular) classmates. The plot is great, the writing is impeccable, and the romance options are some of the best I’ve seen. You do have to be wary of your stats though if you want to reach some objectives but I played my first run without checking the stats and still enjoyed it very much.

The Grim and I - This one was written by the same dude who wrote The Evertree Inn/Swordwin Saga (both good and recommended!) but it isn’t as widely known as the other two. I’m recommending this because this is one of the most unique books I’ve read. You play someone who’s recently died and the grim reaper comes to take you away to the other side but for some reason, you can’t go with them. Here, you try to come to terms with your unfinished business/es or decide to stay as a ghost forever. It is heartbreaking and beautiful and I cried a few times. You will think about this story long after you finish! Bonus, you are actually actively discouraged from checking stats. After all, you’re dead already anyway. There is no active romance here (unless that is your unfinished business with your widow/widower) but the relationship you can have with the grim reaper is incredibly poignant.

Choice of Deathless - This one is free to play! You are an attorney in a law firm facilitating contracts with demons using soul as payment. The world-building is great and the plot is easy to follow! It’s basically Suits but with demons. Also, this has the best love scene I’ve read in any COG/Hosted Game book. It revolves around the fact there is no plural for “you” and how the English language is incapable of fully capturing the intricacies of love-making. It’s a grammar geek’s wet dream!

Breach: The Archangel Job - This one’s a little different from the others above. You join The Archangels in their bloody campaign against the Chicago Mafia. It’s classic role-playing. You gotta work on your stats and there’s also a chance/randomizer/dice-roll factor (which you can turn off). I suggest you play on “Very Easy” on your first run so you can focus on the story. The characters are great! And the plot really pulls you in to the criminal underworld. Please take note of the content warnings, there will be blood, gore, sex, and violence.

Creme de la Creme - If you’re into the whole dark academia aesthetic, this one’s for you. Think “The Secret History” by Donna Tart but toned down. This is basically Gossip Girl but make it British and throw in a little criminal controversy. The romance options are all unique and you have one poly route. The pacing is similar to Keeper of The Sun and Moon, in that there are moments when nothing happens so you can spend time immersing yourself in the school / environment, if that makes sense.