Domestication Review

Domestication (Battle Mage Farmer book 1) by Seth Ring

"The fact that I don’t care that my bull somehow learned to understand common is a clear sign I’ve lost all hope for this world."

After reading Dungeon Crawler Carl, my curiosity about the LitRPG genre was piqued. That book was my first dive into the genre, and I needed to know if they were all the same chaotic, humor-driven stories or if there were different subgenres branching out. Luckily, I found out they’re not all alike. That’s how I came across Domestication by Seth Ring. Honestly, I picked it up because it was free, and I wasn’t expecting much—especially after the wild ride that was Dungeon Crawler Carl. I figured this would be something lighter, maybe even a bit goofy given the premise. But I was wrong. While it doesn’t have the same manic energy as Carl, it pulls you in with a surprisingly thoughtful story and a main character who’s more complicated than he first appears.

The premise sounds almost absurd: the world’s most dangerous battle mage just wants to retire and farm. Pretty cut and dry, right? Well, our protagonist, John, has what I like to call a "Triple D" past—Dark, Dangerous, and Deadly. We learn bits and pieces about his history, but at this point in the series, some details seem deliberately vague. We catch glimpses of what he might have done or who he might have been, but the story never fully lays it out. That mystery is part of what makes him so compelling. You know he’s been through things most people wouldn’t survive, but now all he wants is some peace and a bit of land to call his own. His last remaining quest sounds almost laughably simple: grow wheat that can survive any climate. But with every wrong move he makes, the world inches closer to armageddon. That’s what makes it so intriguing—the contrast between the simplicity of his goal and the looming consequences if he fails.

“As my grandmother said, the past is but an unemployed ghost—it can only haunt you if you hire it.”​

What makes this story stand out is how it balances the RPG mechanics with a more introspective, almost philosophical exploration of what it means to choose creation over destruction. John isn’t just avoiding conflict—he’s trying to build something real and lasting, even if his own instincts and the world around him keep testing that resolve.

The supporting characters add some levity and unpredictability to the story. There’s Sigvald, the massive, cocky rooster with claws sharp enough to kill and a self-assured attitude that makes him both hilarious and dangerous. Then there’s Ferdie, the stubborn, enormous bull who seems perpetually ready to flatten anything that annoys him. Ferdie and Sigvald add an almost absurd contrast to John’s stoic presence—both dangerous in their own way, but more unpredictable than outright malicious. Ring’s writing keeps you hooked because it doesn’t try to spell everything out. You’re left wondering who John really is and why he’s chosen this path. The slower moments don’t drag because they’re loaded with tension—the kind that comes from knowing that this quiet life might just be an illusion, one that could shatter at any moment.

“What a farce. Most powerful person in an entire fantasy world, and I’m reduced to bullying farm animals.”

In the end, Domestication isn’t just about farming or fighting. John’s story is a blend of mystery, action, and the slow realization that building a life from the ground up might be the hardest challenge he’s ever faced. It’s not just about leaving the battlefield—it’s about trying to save humanity by doing something as simple, yet monumental, as growing wheat. If you’re looking for a LitRPG that focuses less on relentless action and more on the struggle to redefine oneself while preventing the apocalypse, then this one is for you. It’s thoughtful without being boring, mysterious without being vague, and it’s left me genuinely curious to see how John’s story unfolds.