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The Forerunner #1
The Forerunner
Zed is a washed-up MMA fighter that is starting to realize that there isn't much of a future ahead of him. While hitting the bar with friends to forget his sorrows for a while, he meets an attractive woman who has an interesting story for him—aliens are going to take over the solar system in two years. Thinking that she is either crazy or he's had a few too many, Zed writes her off—until she shows him things that aren't possible, including healing his chronic injuries and showing him what she actually looks like (hint, not human).
There is no stopping the takeover, but humanity is going to be sent to an already populated planet and will have to find a way to survive in a hostile world. A few humans will be sent ahead to prepare the way, to give humanity a chance. They are the Forerunners.
There is no stopping the takeover, but humanity is going to be sent to an already populated planet and will have to find a way to survive in a hostile world. A few humans will be sent ahead to prepare the way, to give humanity a chance. They are the Forerunners.
- GenresFantasy
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2023
537 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 5, 2023
This was such a fantastic read. I was honestly just going to continue with another book without saying anything but that would be unkind to Clay's writing. This was such a refreshing read which got me excited at having found such an original author writing quite a popular genre in LitRPG.
I love Zed as the main character. He's so rough but likeable and so very empathetic. He's so real to me... a character that I found myself relating to regarding the very human emotions that he goes through. To have someone break up with you for loving you too much is such a doozy!
I can't wait for the next book in The Forerunner series. I hope things start looking up for Zed regarding his brokenheart... but obviously that's not the be all and end all. He is away from Laurel after all, but I hope that changes for both their sakes.
I love Zed as the main character. He's so rough but likeable and so very empathetic. He's so real to me... a character that I found myself relating to regarding the very human emotions that he goes through. To have someone break up with you for loving you too much is such a doozy!
I can't wait for the next book in The Forerunner series. I hope things start looking up for Zed regarding his brokenheart... but obviously that's not the be all and end all. He is away from Laurel after all, but I hope that changes for both their sakes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2023
ugh
Another one of these books. I get really irritated reading this type of book. It is so chocked full of tropes. If there weren’t tropes, there would be no book. Loser hero. Super hot alien goddess wannabe. New world. Storage ring. Starting goodies to give an edge. Super easy acceptance of world shattering changes. Life and death circumstances taken like a Sunday stroll. Snarky disembodied assistant. The most mundane of thing explained in excruciating detail to pad the page count and hopefully distract the reader from realizing there isn’t anything here, really. Plus things that are just stupid. For instance, mc tells the snarky assistant to pull up knife fighting lessons from the mobile internet he has with him….another dumb thing. Anyway, the thing pulls up long sword tutorials. Mc says woops, you made a mistake. Ai say nah, there are hobbits in this world, and to them this knife is a long sword. So stupid. D. N. F. Peace.
Another one of these books. I get really irritated reading this type of book. It is so chocked full of tropes. If there weren’t tropes, there would be no book. Loser hero. Super hot alien goddess wannabe. New world. Storage ring. Starting goodies to give an edge. Super easy acceptance of world shattering changes. Life and death circumstances taken like a Sunday stroll. Snarky disembodied assistant. The most mundane of thing explained in excruciating detail to pad the page count and hopefully distract the reader from realizing there isn’t anything here, really. Plus things that are just stupid. For instance, mc tells the snarky assistant to pull up knife fighting lessons from the mobile internet he has with him….another dumb thing. Anyway, the thing pulls up long sword tutorials. Mc says woops, you made a mistake. Ai say nah, there are hobbits in this world, and to them this knife is a long sword. So stupid. D. N. F. Peace.
March 20, 2023
An amazing story
I found this to be a refreshing and interesting story. I hope to read many more books written about this world. I like the characters and found the world to be a great distraction from my daily life. I thank you for your hard work and look forward to reading your next work
I found this to be a refreshing and interesting story. I hope to read many more books written about this world. I like the characters and found the world to be a great distraction from my daily life. I thank you for your hard work and look forward to reading your next work
February 22, 2023
Bit of a different take on genre
Enjoyed the book gave it a 3 as waiting to see where it goes with the next . Liked use of regular physics and such to work things out instead of its a spell or mana just practice and gets better with no other reasons
Enjoyed the book gave it a 3 as waiting to see where it goes with the next . Liked use of regular physics and such to work things out instead of its a spell or mana just practice and gets better with no other reasons
April 6, 2023
OK until the end.
It was a fairly decent book until near the end when it turned out his girlfriend was a selfish coward. Then the author threw in some stuck up jerks to throw in a twist that was only to extend the story unnecessarily. Ruined it all.
It was a fairly decent book until near the end when it turned out his girlfriend was a selfish coward. Then the author threw in some stuck up jerks to throw in a twist that was only to extend the story unnecessarily. Ruined it all.
March 18, 2023
Excellent read
Could not put it down. Read it cover to cover in one sitting. In fact anxiously waiting for the next book.
Could not put it down. Read it cover to cover in one sitting. In fact anxiously waiting for the next book.
April 13, 2023
The ending was unnecessary and a bit silly ruining a decent read up until that point
A good litrpg story with an interesting, if a bit different character. The author doesn't allow the protagonist to build meaningful lasting relationships even with his dog. The protagonist's religious beliefs could have been developed more, and saying that the origin of his moral motivations are never really defined. Why was he a 35 year old Virginia MMA fighter? Then the ending was just a mess. I might read the next book just to see where it goes from here, but I'm not going to put any effort into seeking it out.
A good litrpg story with an interesting, if a bit different character. The author doesn't allow the protagonist to build meaningful lasting relationships even with his dog. The protagonist's religious beliefs could have been developed more, and saying that the origin of his moral motivations are never really defined. Why was he a 35 year old Virginia MMA fighter? Then the ending was just a mess. I might read the next book just to see where it goes from here, but I'm not going to put any effort into seeking it out.
March 21, 2023
What a waste
I give it one star because after all the hype all the talk about fighting and not giving up. How in every fight the thought of just giving up was so against everything the mc believed in and then he does just that. He gives up he let's himself be enslaved without an ounce of a fight. A waste of a story that had potential and wasted it
I give it one star because after all the hype all the talk about fighting and not giving up. How in every fight the thought of just giving up was so against everything the mc believed in and then he does just that. He gives up he let's himself be enslaved without an ounce of a fight. A waste of a story that had potential and wasted it
January 26, 2024
Spoiler space.
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I really enjoyed this book up until about the 98% Mark and then it did something that totally pissed me off. I'll still likely read a second book if and when it comes out but I hate when stories are one way for so long and then all of a sudden it's just boom twist out of nowhere for no reason.
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I really enjoyed this book up until about the 98% Mark and then it did something that totally pissed me off. I'll still likely read a second book if and when it comes out but I hate when stories are one way for so long and then all of a sudden it's just boom twist out of nowhere for no reason.
March 19, 2023
Well written but...
I loved the story until the end. The relationships with the MC seemed false and conflicting. In the end, the story left me with a feeling of hopelessness that ruined what had been a wonderful story.
I loved the story until the end. The relationships with the MC seemed false and conflicting. In the end, the story left me with a feeling of hopelessness that ruined what had been a wonderful story.
March 27, 2023
decent
The end sucked and was pretty ridiculous. I wanted to give two or three stars but I finished it in one day and was entertained. I’m still on the fence about the dog and the friend who seem to have been added for no reason. The GF try was an atrocity
The end sucked and was pretty ridiculous. I wanted to give two or three stars but I finished it in one day and was entertained. I’m still on the fence about the dog and the friend who seem to have been added for no reason. The GF try was an atrocity
April 11, 2023
I believe this is the first book I've read by this author.
Zed is the MC. He's at a bar with his friends and a beautiful girl keeps looking at him. Eventually he heads over to talk to her, only to find out she's an ogrum (orc) in disguise. The orcs are going to steal all the sun's energy, but before they do that, they're going to send Zed and some other people to a new planet. Zed has a head start to get things ready for the rest of humanity when they arrive.
It's a solid premise. Zed arrives and adapts quickly. He's given a ring that is a download of the internet and has all the information on various topics that a person could need. The ring also comes with an AI that can answer almost all questions.
The new planet looks like Earth with a few exceptions. It has monsters, and stats are a thing on this planet. Zed quickly levels up before deciding to head to a city. There he meets a beautiful elf while fighting in the pits to raise money. He has a human sidekick that he got from the gnomes after they enslaved him.
I liked the book to this point. Yes, Zed's plans to prepare for billions of people arriving is naïve at best, but at least he's trying. It seems that Zed and his friend have forgotten completely about nationalities and how good humans are at fighting over trivial things. His plan is to teach them to farm.
Yeah. That's going to go over well. IMO he should have prepared to build and train an army.
The problems are bigger than just farming. Both humans fall in love with elves, which derails all their plans. Farming? One guy wants to buy an apartment and fancy threads to fit in with the hoity toity. Zed works on his levels and progression.
The ending is a shocker for how out of left field it is. Like another reviewer mentioned, this is a good try and I hope the next book is better. I'll be there to read it.
The editing is okay, and the stats are fine. There are some similarities between this book and Michael Chatfield's The Ten Realms just in terms of how Zed hardens his body.
3.5/5*
Zed is the MC. He's at a bar with his friends and a beautiful girl keeps looking at him. Eventually he heads over to talk to her, only to find out she's an ogrum (orc) in disguise. The orcs are going to steal all the sun's energy, but before they do that, they're going to send Zed and some other people to a new planet. Zed has a head start to get things ready for the rest of humanity when they arrive.
It's a solid premise. Zed arrives and adapts quickly. He's given a ring that is a download of the internet and has all the information on various topics that a person could need. The ring also comes with an AI that can answer almost all questions.
The new planet looks like Earth with a few exceptions. It has monsters, and stats are a thing on this planet. Zed quickly levels up before deciding to head to a city. There he meets a beautiful elf while fighting in the pits to raise money. He has a human sidekick that he got from the gnomes after they enslaved him.
I liked the book to this point. Yes, Zed's plans to prepare for billions of people arriving is naïve at best, but at least he's trying. It seems that Zed and his friend have forgotten completely about nationalities and how good humans are at fighting over trivial things. His plan is to teach them to farm.
Yeah. That's going to go over well. IMO he should have prepared to build and train an army.
The problems are bigger than just farming. Both humans fall in love with elves, which derails all their plans. Farming? One guy wants to buy an apartment and fancy threads to fit in with the hoity toity. Zed works on his levels and progression.
The ending is a shocker for how out of left field it is. Like another reviewer mentioned, this is a good try and I hope the next book is better. I'll be there to read it.
The editing is okay, and the stats are fine. There are some similarities between this book and Michael Chatfield's The Ten Realms just in terms of how Zed hardens his body.
3.5/5*
February 26, 2023
A GREAT start to an intriguing LitRPG
The Forerunner has an interesting combination of new ideas created by blending traditional GameLit fantasy with real scientific concepts. I enjoyed it so much that I finished the book in less than a day. It has a fun blend of fantasy with realism, humor with action/excitement, and nostalgia with originality to make it very difficult to put down.
Having read hundreds of GamLit books (my favorite) I can confidently say that “The Forerunner” is an excellent first book to start a series and I would recommend it any who enjoy the GameLit genre. Hopefully the other books in the series will be released soon so I can see how everything comes together.
The Forerunner has an interesting combination of new ideas created by blending traditional GameLit fantasy with real scientific concepts. I enjoyed it so much that I finished the book in less than a day. It has a fun blend of fantasy with realism, humor with action/excitement, and nostalgia with originality to make it very difficult to put down.
Having read hundreds of GamLit books (my favorite) I can confidently say that “The Forerunner” is an excellent first book to start a series and I would recommend it any who enjoy the GameLit genre. Hopefully the other books in the series will be released soon so I can see how everything comes together.
April 17, 2023
Help me review more books
Fairly decent entry in the LitRPG collections. It's a bit different, in that the person volunteered to go to the new world, and then by the end, was working for others (really didn't expect that), but should be interesting to see what happens in the next book, especially if it jumps forward to the time when the main character comes back to his circle of friends, though there certainly are stories to be had in that in between time, I'm really hoping those stories wait until after the arrival.
A decent showing in the genre. If you like LitRPG, go ahead and add this one to your to read list. It won't suit all comers, but it should hold the attention of most.
Fairly decent entry in the LitRPG collections. It's a bit different, in that the person volunteered to go to the new world, and then by the end, was working for others (really didn't expect that), but should be interesting to see what happens in the next book, especially if it jumps forward to the time when the main character comes back to his circle of friends, though there certainly are stories to be had in that in between time, I'm really hoping those stories wait until after the arrival.
A decent showing in the genre. If you like LitRPG, go ahead and add this one to your to read list. It won't suit all comers, but it should hold the attention of most.
April 19, 2023
Not quite sure if this is isekei or portal, but whatever.
Overall I liked it and it held my interest. That gets you 4 stars. To hit 5 it needs that extra something, and this book didn't deliver that for me. Some spoiler-y reasons below the fold.
There are only so many books about masochistic MCs I can read without turning off a bit. There are worse in that regard, but this guy is up there. It also spends a bunch of time building up a love interest, only for it to collapse. Why bother? Maybe it'll amount to something later, but things really don't point in that direction by the end of the book.
Anyway, if book 2 comes along I'll read it, as I'm interested to see what the author makes of the impossible situation which this story revolves around.
Overall I liked it and it held my interest. That gets you 4 stars. To hit 5 it needs that extra something, and this book didn't deliver that for me. Some spoiler-y reasons below the fold.
There are only so many books about masochistic MCs I can read without turning off a bit. There are worse in that regard, but this guy is up there. It also spends a bunch of time building up a love interest, only for it to collapse. Why bother? Maybe it'll amount to something later, but things really don't point in that direction by the end of the book.
Anyway, if book 2 comes along I'll read it, as I'm interested to see what the author makes of the impossible situation which this story revolves around.
April 13, 2023
so if you have a problem with a Catholic MC praying to God, you will not be interested in this book. I will probably go on and read the next one in the series.
Pretty good story, fast paced, plenty of action. Very interesting MC. He seems to be somewhat religious, so there are religious overtones in this book. He’s likablel and a virgin. The side characters are interesting as well. The only issue I have is, I would not have put Iris the computer in the ring which can be taken from the MC. The computer should’ve been put in his head.
Pretty good story, fast paced, plenty of action. Very interesting MC. He seems to be somewhat religious, so there are religious overtones in this book. He’s likablel and a virgin. The side characters are interesting as well. The only issue I have is, I would not have put Iris the computer in the ring which can be taken from the MC. The computer should’ve been put in his head.
May 26, 2023
Great MC run adventure great read
Sometimes you just want to see a MC be a badass.
MC is a logical adult. I dont feel like this story was written to cater to children. He is put in a prosition to make choice where there is no right answer and he goes about it properly.
In this novel he does become OP but at the end it seems to reset. I wasnt a fan of the ending I was interested in the base building potential but it went away from that into a personal cultivation direction.
Definietly will be picking up Book 2.
Sometimes you just want to see a MC be a badass.
MC is a logical adult. I dont feel like this story was written to cater to children. He is put in a prosition to make choice where there is no right answer and he goes about it properly.
In this novel he does become OP but at the end it seems to reset. I wasnt a fan of the ending I was interested in the base building potential but it went away from that into a personal cultivation direction.
Definietly will be picking up Book 2.
August 26, 2024
better than the other reviewers say
I don’t know if it’s just because I am a physics major and most readers aren’t, but I liked this book much more than I was expecting to based on what the other reviewers said. Very strong internal logic, very realistic romance subplot, and a lot of fun science-magic stuff. This author dives really deep into the Arthur C Clark rule that all magic is just advanced technology, and he uses a bunch of real phenomena to explain how the MC does magic. Very fun to read, I’m looking forward to the next one.
I don’t know if it’s just because I am a physics major and most readers aren’t, but I liked this book much more than I was expecting to based on what the other reviewers said. Very strong internal logic, very realistic romance subplot, and a lot of fun science-magic stuff. This author dives really deep into the Arthur C Clark rule that all magic is just advanced technology, and he uses a bunch of real phenomena to explain how the MC does magic. Very fun to read, I’m looking forward to the next one.
February 5, 2025
Made it 'till about the 40% mark
This just isn't very good. The Pre-iskai stuff are interesting and well written, then we arrive in the new world and everything falls completely flat. Imagine the most generic isekai anime you can imagine and boom.
During the first couple of days the mc gets: super healing, strength, speed, intelligence, all knowledge of both earth and the new world, is able to control all elements and is able to create custom force barriers. All locals are pretty much npc's and barely question his existence...
There's just nothing interesting here.
This just isn't very good. The Pre-iskai stuff are interesting and well written, then we arrive in the new world and everything falls completely flat. Imagine the most generic isekai anime you can imagine and boom.
During the first couple of days the mc gets: super healing, strength, speed, intelligence, all knowledge of both earth and the new world, is able to control all elements and is able to create custom force barriers. All locals are pretty much npc's and barely question his existence...
There's just nothing interesting here.
April 24, 2023
Pretty standard tropey LitRPG. The story and characters were fine. Would've preferred to see a bit more of Brutus. I noticed a handful of punctuation errors but nothing egregious. There are a couple of dialogue phrases where I would've used different syntax, but all in all, the grammar comprehensible and easy to read. The only "major" thing I didn't particularly care for was the abrupt encounter at the end.
March 1, 2023
Good book
I enjoyed the book and the development of powers the MC went through. The mission to prepare for all of the people of earth to show up, starting with almost nothing, in 2 years time seemed kind of pointless though given the scope and impact the mc could have. Looking forward to the next book.
I enjoyed the book and the development of powers the MC went through. The mission to prepare for all of the people of earth to show up, starting with almost nothing, in 2 years time seemed kind of pointless though given the scope and impact the mc could have. Looking forward to the next book.
March 15, 2023
Great story!
I really like a capable and smart mc and this book gives you that in spades. I enjoyed the partly similar stats as well as the unique differences. Also, having the powers be actually scientific was interesting and fun. Overall, I really enjoyed it even if it did end with a plot twist I didn't see coming!
I really like a capable and smart mc and this book gives you that in spades. I enjoyed the partly similar stats as well as the unique differences. Also, having the powers be actually scientific was interesting and fun. Overall, I really enjoyed it even if it did end with a plot twist I didn't see coming!
March 19, 2023
Mostly good
I liked about 65-70 percent of this book. I really liked it. I would have given that a solid 6 stars if I could have. Then the MC turned stupid. Without giving too much away, if you care about the relationships surrounding the MC, you might want to give this a pass.
Is worth the read, just underwhelming at the end.
I liked about 65-70 percent of this book. I really liked it. I would have given that a solid 6 stars if I could have. Then the MC turned stupid. Without giving too much away, if you care about the relationships surrounding the MC, you might want to give this a pass.
Is worth the read, just underwhelming at the end.
April 15, 2023
decent
the stats part didnt really make sense to me. i enjoyed the story but it was hard to gauge his power because it only increased a few points here and there but it made him like 10 times stronger. then he could use magic which made him infinitely powerful but none of it reflected in his stats, just his mana pool.
the stats part didnt really make sense to me. i enjoyed the story but it was hard to gauge his power because it only increased a few points here and there but it made him like 10 times stronger. then he could use magic which made him infinitely powerful but none of it reflected in his stats, just his mana pool.
May 1, 2023
good
Just filling in some words to hit the review limit. I like to support independent authors by leaving reviews but don’t always want to take the mental energy to do the write up like a true review. Also, I’m just not that clever. So, for what it’s with, I like this book. I like the author and the magic system is based on physics so how cool is that?
Just filling in some words to hit the review limit. I like to support independent authors by leaving reviews but don’t always want to take the mental energy to do the write up like a true review. Also, I’m just not that clever. So, for what it’s with, I like this book. I like the author and the magic system is based on physics so how cool is that?
July 25, 2023
Enjoyed the story
I liked the story, definitely feel like the author needs to add some more descriptive elements to his writing style.. at times it felt a bit like a list of things the mc did and didn't quite convey the passing of time. I did feel that the writing improved throughout and I enjoyed the dialog etc.
I liked the story, definitely feel like the author needs to add some more descriptive elements to his writing style.. at times it felt a bit like a list of things the mc did and didn't quite convey the passing of time. I did feel that the writing improved throughout and I enjoyed the dialog etc.
January 22, 2025
This book is amazing. James clay reminds me of a more fantasy driven Andy Weir, his magic system is based on scientific concepts which ignites the readers imagination with possibilities instead of the normal handwaving that comes along with a magic system. Zed is a really fun character and his morals/qualms about his new life are very relatable.
April 1, 2023
Great start
I really enjoyed the start to this series and am looking forward to the next episode. As a science geek myself (PhD Chemist) I also enjoyed the physics portions of how the "powers" work in this story. Keep up the good work.
I really enjoyed the start to this series and am looking forward to the next episode. As a science geek myself (PhD Chemist) I also enjoyed the physics portions of how the "powers" work in this story. Keep up the good work.
April 13, 2023
On faith
I'm giving it 5 stars. It is a good beginning, but some of the later part of the book has some iffy character development choices that are salvageable, but potentially character breaking.
I'm giving it 5 stars. It is a good beginning, but some of the later part of the book has some iffy character development choices that are salvageable, but potentially character breaking.
April 16, 2023
Fantastic series opener
Don't let the shorter size fool you, the author has packed in an amazing amount of character building and world building into it. The story is good, the setting interesting. I'm very much looking forward to the next, and seeing how he develops things.
Don't let the shorter size fool you, the author has packed in an amazing amount of character building and world building into it. The story is good, the setting interesting. I'm very much looking forward to the next, and seeing how he develops things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews