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Death: Genesis #3

Death: Genesis 3

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A young warrior risks his very humanity to stop a demonic infestation and protect his newfound family in this post-apocalyptic, action-adventure fantasy.

Chosen by the enigmatic deity Oberon to be a soldier in a war between good and evil, Zeke Blackwood has become one of the deadliest warriors in the Radiant Isles. With supernatural strength and otherworldly resilience, he’s carved a path of destruction through the realm, defeating both horrifying monsters and skilled sorcerers and acquiring devastating powers no mere human could ever hope to control.

Determined to apply his abilities to protecting his companions, Zeke has run afoul of the Isles’ elite—otherworldly beings revered as demigods, who treat the population as expendable pawns in their twisted power struggles. Zeke won’t have to face them alone though. Accompanied by a hulking alchemist, an undead princess, a soul-bonded dire bear named Pudge, and the beautiful archer Abby, he may just be able to beat the odds and emerge victorious.

But after an encounter with a shadow assassin bound to the mysterious Crystal Spiders, Zeke and his party find themselves thrust into conflict with a dangerous warlock intent on tearing open a portal between the Radiant Isles and a dark, demon-filled dimension. Now, they must journey through a perilous desert fighting a gauntlet of vicious, bloodthirsty creatures, or risk losing the entirety of the Isles to demonic forces.

And to defeat the threats arrayed against him, Zeke will have to draw upon raw, magical energies that could increase his power—or kill him . . .

The third volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than 700,000 views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

474 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 27, 2023

261 people are currently reading
28 people want to read

About the author

Nicholas Searcy

32 books39 followers

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5 stars
341 (62%)
4 stars
134 (24%)
3 stars
57 (10%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for M.
590 reviews21 followers
July 8, 2023
Didn't realize it's going to change from isekai to drama novel. Abby is a secondary character who keeps making emotional discussion thinking she's the MC. Keeps calling the group her companions.
I don't think I'm going to be continuing this series. It's like the US Female President situation. Get her in as a VP and then bump her to POTUS. Introduce Zeke as the MC but it's a story about Abby. I didn't pay to read about Abby.
23 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2023
these books have fallen off

The first book was so great and even the second wasn’t bad but there was a definite drop off… and book 3 I couldn’t even get through more than a quarter as others stated Abby throws the hook off along with their relationship, even the other characters in the party that were introduced bring no benefit to the book but actually bring it down.
4 reviews
July 7, 2023
Another great addition...besides Abby of course

Loved the book. Great tempo and flow of the story. Just enough detail to move the story but not too much to bog it down. Honestly, there is only one thing I dislike about the book and that is Abby. It's not a spoiler but I'll just say Abby = ughhh. Hopefully she either gets with the program or vacates. But, maybe that's just me! Either way I'll keep reading the series (just with more cringe if she sticks around).
101 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2023
Too much witty banter and pop culture references.

It's like every character is trying to be more irreverent than the last during battles. The author just can't stop stuffing pop culture references and witty retorts into serious situations. It really undermines the impact of the party's struggles and made me skip quite a lot of the book.
37 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2024
This book/series contains some of my favorite current tropes of the fantasy genre. We have magic as science (runes), a dark setting, unique and interesting sapient undead characters like liches, warlocks, a character trying to maintain hold on humanity whilst losing it (if you're familiar with and like Overlord then Talia is great), interesting (ab)uses of powers, and a DPS struggling with class identity. Many of these I'd like to speak more on, but it would need spoiler tags. Instead I'd like to discuss why this book has some of my favorite tropes and yet is only a 3/5.

I believe I can boil down my negativity to a few points. A heavy emphasis on a romantic relationship that extends itself into almost everything, the newly introduced character, boring moral discussions, a problematic and/or not coherent worldbuilding/lore, and lack of interesting/unique breakthrough of understanding the world/lore/powers that is derived through understanding rather than just happening.

First, the relationship is lots of drama. This drama reaches not only when the two interact, but it ripples out into their entire world. It stagnates the pacing and the two combined are far more boring than the two separate. I can't help but have this heavy feeling that the focus on this drama will make what interested me into mere dancing shadows playing in the background while the generic relationship ripples to deeply into everything else.

The newly introduced character feels like a barely edgy Shonen jump anime protagonist. And I might have liked him if I was in my younger teens. Unfortunately, this was intended even so much as calling him "emo batman". There is quite a bit dedicated to this newcomer in whom I did not enjoy.

Third, the world has issues and it feels like it's not as put together as it was. Questions come forming about how/why a thing functions here when it worked this way there. It's not that it 100% does, but instead that it feels like it does. For example we learn that having massive amounts of stats immediately isn't exactly beneficial because the person has to learn how to utilize those new stats which takes time and training. This was part of the training Zeke went through and he progressed, but seemingly barely compared to the stats. Fast forward many weeks after that and he still hasn't even come close to utilizing the stats to their maximum. And yet the increase of stats from the mark came from an external source, so how were the people able to utilize it so well and at all? I'm sure we/you can theorycraft and build around the idea and have it make sense, but this is only one of the many issues in concepts that makes the world less strict/coherent.

Finally, there's not much of a real breakthrough here. Power coming from a deeper understanding of your self, powers, world around you, and etc. is a good staple to continue to add chase goals, intrigue, and just enjoyable forms of progression outside of 1 is now 2 and, as such, does more. We have advancement, but not much that is interesting in the advancement. You get glimpses, but it barely registers as progression because they don't progress the character. That which does ends up being stat stacking more than anything interesting like evolution.

I'm hoping that the next book breaks out of the lull that this book has ventured into, but we'll see. This made me far less interesting in continuing the series, though.
147 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2026
A Series at a Crossroads: Action-Packed but Flawed Progression [3/5 Stars]

Let's be honest, by the time you hit Book 3 of any long-running LitRPG series, you know what you're signing up for. You're either fully invested in the grind or you've long since DNF'd. Death: Genesis 3 by Nicholas Searcy delivers more of the blood-soaked, monster-slaying action the series is known for, but it also brings its most divisive elements to the forefront. Zeke Blackwood and his growing crew face their biggest threat yet—a warlock hell-bent on unleashing a demonic apocalypse. It's a classic setup that provides plenty of crunchy combat, but it's a book that seems to have split the fanbase right down the middle. For every reader who loved the relentless pace, another was frustrated by character choices and a shifting focus. For me, it's a solid 3 out of 5 stars—a fun but frustrating entry that may test your commitment to the series.

Key Themes: Found Family, Power, and The Cost of Humanity
Found Family vs. Individual Power: The core party is fully formed here, with Zeke fighting alongside an undead princess, a hulking alchemist, his soul-bound dire bear Pudge, and the archer Abby. The theme explores whether true strength lies in building a team to protect or in the solitary, overwhelming power Zeke originally cultivated. This internal conflict for Zeke drives much of the book's tension.

The Burden of Power and Choice: Zeke is forced to make dangerous choices to increase his strength, grappling with magical energies that could "increase his power—or kill him". The story questions what parts of one's humanity are worth sacrificing for the strength to protect others, a common but effectively used trope in progression fantasy.

Moral Complexity in a Black-and-White War: The series continues to play with the idea that Zeke is a soldier in a cosmic "war between good and evil", yet the characters—and many readers—spend time debating the morality of their actions. This philosophizing, noted by several reviewers, can slow the plot but attempts to add depth to the relentless violence.

Character Analysis: Growth and Growing Pains
Zeke Blackwood: This is where the book stumbles for many. Zeke's character development is contentious. To better support his team, he shifts his build away from the beloved solo berserker of Book 1 toward a more defensive "support tank" role. While logical from a team-play perspective, fans of the original power fantasy found this pivot jarring and unsatisfying, feeling it weakened the core appeal of his character.

Abby: Without a doubt, Abby is this book's most polarizing element. What began as a helpful guide in Book 1 has, for a significant portion of the audience, evolved into an "insufferable" and "sanctimonious" character who dominates emotional drama. Multiple reviews cite her as the primary reason for their lowered rating, with her dynamic with Zeke feeling forced and her decisions frustrating.

The Supporting Cast: Pudge the dire bear remains a consistent highlight, offering loyal, wordless support. Newer characters like the "emo batman" alchemist receive mixed reactions, with some finding them edgy and others seeing them as shallow additions.

Writing Style & Pacing: Fast Action Meets Repetitive Beats
Searcy's prose is straightforward and effective, keeping the action clear and the progression stats manageable for a "light LitRPG" experience. The pacing is generally fast, with the party constantly moving from one deadly encounter to the next in a race to stop the demonic threat.

However, critiques emerge in the rhythm. Several readers noted repetitive descriptions of characters and gear, which feels unnecessary by a third book. Furthermore, the cycle of combat is occasionally broken by lengthy internal monologues debating morality or relationship drama, which can create pacing whiplash. The reliance on "witty banter and pop culture references" during serious fights also undermined the tension for some readers.

What I Liked/Disliked
Liked:

High-Stakes Plot: The central mission—a desert journey to stop a demonic invasion—is compelling and raises the stakes effectively.

Solid Action Sequences: When the book focuses on what it does best (Zeke and crew fighting vicious monsters), it's thoroughly engaging.

World-Building Expansion: The introduction of new realms, factions like the Crystal Spiders, and higher-tier enemies opens up the story's scope.

Disliked:

The "Abby Problem": It's impossible to ignore. The character's portrayal and her toxic-seeming dynamic with Zeke were a major barrier to enjoyment, echoing the sentiments of many other reviewers.

Puzzling Character Progression: Zeke's shift from a unique, overpowered bruiser to a more generic support role felt like a loss of identity and a strange narrative choice.

Inconsistent Power System: Some readers pointed out lore and stat inconsistencies that made progression feel arbitrary and plot-driven rather than earned.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Final Verdict: Death: Genesis 3 is a divisive but necessary bridge in the series. It advances the overarching plot and raises the cosmic stakes, but it does so while embracing character and progression choices that have alienated a portion of its fanbase.

Push through to Book 4 if: You are committed to the 11-book series and can tolerate a focal character you may dislike. If the overarching plot and world are your main draw, there's enough here to continue the journey.

Consider this a potential DNF point if: You loved Book 1 specifically for Zeke's solo, berserker-style power fantasy. If the Abby-centric drama and Zeke's role shift have frustrated you in previous books, this volume doubles down on those elements and may be your breaking point.

It's a classic case of a series evolving in a direction that won't please everyone. Your enjoyment of this installment will hinge almost entirely on your tolerance for its interpersonal dynamics.
1,193 reviews17 followers
August 17, 2025
I like the MCN most of his side characters, his girlfriend not so much

I had started the series sometime ago, but I gave up on it because I didn’t particularly care for the character of Abby. I still feel that way, even though I like the other characters in the book. Please bring back the alchemist. I really liked his character and would be happy to replace Abby with him. I know this series is father along than this third book so I will continue to go on and read a couple more additions to see how I really feel about the story so far it’s OK. If you haven’t read it, give it a try.
Profile Image for Travis.
2,908 reviews49 followers
October 12, 2023
Help me read more books

the story continues in this book, (third in the series), and it's a pretty good one. I didn't expect the group to hop realms, but it's not out of character to be sure. Now, I need to wait until November 3 for the next book in the series to be released, but I'll be there on release day to snap up a copy of this one. I want to know what happens next.
2,537 reviews72 followers
July 1, 2023
Overall this is fine but,

Reads more like a set up than the next section of story. The character angst is obvious and never really dealt with. The plot line is incidental with no solid connection. If this part of the story was half as long with one more act linking everything together then this would be five stars.
59 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2023
Meh

Pretty repetitive sometimes. The characters each get described 3 or 4 times and it's really not necessary, especially in the 3rd book.

The combat is getting kind of dull also. A character magically gaining enough power to turn around and win a losing battle is really only good once but it's pretty common in this series.
Profile Image for Niels Baumgartner.
265 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2023
never got dull, amazing tale so far

And book 3 hits with momentum. What a ride. Thank you for this installment... it never slowed down, somehow always pushing right to a literary edge and displaying a narrative and story that was gripping and impossible to put down. Cant wait for book 4
1,000 reviews13 followers
April 5, 2024
Good fun

Not stat crunchy but progression is noticeable. Zeke is a monster but is also still learning. I love the misfit group traveling in a tower kinda fun. Zeke always funds fun\danger for us readers to consume but such is the cost of power. I look forward to the next book and Zeke's next challenge.
63 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2023
great story

Great 3rd edition in the series loving the moment your brining forward , cannot wait to see how this story continues to develop !

Action
Gore
Small amounts of litrpg
Big bear !
Profile Image for J.D. Glasscock.
Author 46 books17 followers
July 1, 2023
Very very good

Brilliant story with nuanced characters with real depth and real tragedy... Some real emotional resonance and cost... Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and The Dream
362 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2024
Wonderful series!

Love the progression of the story. The characters are developing starting to get over their hang-ups. Man, they've had a rough time. It's a good thing they have the tower to shelter in. Loved all the books so far.
104 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2023
Great

This series a d especially this book are a joy to read and are full of action, humor and great world building.
86 reviews
July 1, 2023
Great book

This is a great book, and an even better series. The characters are appealing, the world building very well thought out, and it is written and edited well.
322 reviews8 followers
July 3, 2023
solid installment

More than decent read although Abby is really annoying and why did they kill Tucker. He’s literally the most interesting character in the book.
Profile Image for Josiah Ploeger.
176 reviews6 followers
August 19, 2023
Great Story

Enjoyed the read. A solid continuation of Zeke’s story that takes things in an interesting direction. Excited to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Kyle Hempel.
93 reviews
December 11, 2023
This is the first book in the series that did not have places where I thought editing could help. I am pleasantly surprised that the series is continuing to improve.
Profile Image for John.
42 reviews11 followers
January 14, 2024
DNF at 48%. It’s a cool book, just not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for ebun t. muhammad.
14 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2023
This is a book that a teenager wrote, Abby is the most annoying person in this book series, and Zeke is just a dumb 19 year old barbarian that doesn't have one bit of common sense.
495 reviews2 followers
May 24, 2024
Abby ruined this series for me..
She's basically dictating the direction zek is heading. She annoying kill her off. Really loved the series until Abby ruined the whole series 😪 😒 why just why.
Update I decided to give it another go abby is still annoying but I wanted to see where zek go so I skipped a lil over her parts she thinks way to much
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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