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Double-Blind #1
Rogue Tactics
Choosing a college when your family is struggling can be difficult, but it isn’t supposed to be world ending. And the falling meteor is seriously limiting Matt’s options. Now in the aftermath, his home city is locked down by a mysterious dome, corporations are looking to monopolize a wealth of new untapped resources, and people are suddenly developing powers via a System that seems to have borderline sinister intentions.
In the chaos, Matt decides to stick to what he use his stealth class to adapt and survive. Watch as Matt is dragged into a LITRPG apocalypse set in the real world, where the price of failure is death, and the prize for winning is beyond his wildest dreams. Perfect if you enjoy stories with morally gray characters, high stakes, stealth mechanics, System integration, a smart protagonist with weak-to-strong progression, and more!
In the chaos, Matt decides to stick to what he use his stealth class to adapt and survive. Watch as Matt is dragged into a LITRPG apocalypse set in the real world, where the price of failure is death, and the prize for winning is beyond his wildest dreams. Perfect if you enjoy stories with morally gray characters, high stakes, stealth mechanics, System integration, a smart protagonist with weak-to-strong progression, and more!
843 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2023
670 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
June 9, 2023
This is an extremely well-written grimdark LitRPG story. It's so well-written that I lasted nearly three-quarters before I put it down. And I can't bring myself to pick it back up again.
Matt is a great protagonist in an apocalypse. He's crafty, tenacious, suspicious, and careful. He has a very small number of people he cares at all about and he works very hard to provide for them when his world goes to crap with a (weirdly limited) system apocalypse. I liked his moral reasoning, his blatant manipulations, and him exploring his limits (moral as well as physical).
But like I said, this world is dark. And bad things happen for no reason at all. Let me reiterate that the author is very good, so it's not like there aren't any good things. You can't have proper dark without light to throw the shadows.
I'm giving this four stars just for the quality of writing that kept me going as long as it did. I went way past my dark tolerance just on Matt's character alone. If gritty depictions of a world gone feral are at all interesting to you, this is a story you won't want to miss.
Matt is a great protagonist in an apocalypse. He's crafty, tenacious, suspicious, and careful. He has a very small number of people he cares at all about and he works very hard to provide for them when his world goes to crap with a (weirdly limited) system apocalypse. I liked his moral reasoning, his blatant manipulations, and him exploring his limits (moral as well as physical).
But like I said, this world is dark. And bad things happen for no reason at all. Let me reiterate that the author is very good, so it's not like there aren't any good things. You can't have proper dark without light to throw the shadows.
I'm giving this four stars just for the quality of writing that kept me going as long as it did. I went way past my dark tolerance just on Matt's character alone. If gritty depictions of a world gone feral are at all interesting to you, this is a story you won't want to miss.
June 2, 2023
Not for me.
Ok so the plot is original and good enough that I have to say I wish I could enjoy the book. sadly I stopped at around the 85% mark...
For all the hype about how smart the MC was supposed to be he didn't seem to make very many good choices. The MC also couldn't seem to figure out if he was a sociopath or a bleeding heart hero that can't kill anyone..... Even if they needed.to be. Idk I just hate it when the MC can't do what needs done. Just because (human life is sacred) or some BS, I'm not gonna kill this mass murderer or I'm gonna let this evil guy off the hook this one time.... Even though its obvious he just gonna make him regret it. Ugh could have been so good.
Ok so the plot is original and good enough that I have to say I wish I could enjoy the book. sadly I stopped at around the 85% mark...
For all the hype about how smart the MC was supposed to be he didn't seem to make very many good choices. The MC also couldn't seem to figure out if he was a sociopath or a bleeding heart hero that can't kill anyone..... Even if they needed.to be. Idk I just hate it when the MC can't do what needs done. Just because (human life is sacred) or some BS, I'm not gonna kill this mass murderer or I'm gonna let this evil guy off the hook this one time.... Even though its obvious he just gonna make him regret it. Ugh could have been so good.
June 5, 2023
Did not finish, got through two thirds before I quit.
The characters motivation and actions never really sync up making his choices arbitrary. The setting is very weak and poorly explained. The flow is terrible making it a difficult read, it stutters throughout and transitions badly. You never get a sense of an overall storyline, it just meanders about in pointless little quests.
The characters motivation and actions never really sync up making his choices arbitrary. The setting is very weak and poorly explained. The flow is terrible making it a difficult read, it stutters throughout and transitions badly. You never get a sense of an overall storyline, it just meanders about in pointless little quests.
July 21, 2023
Long time no review! Not because I haven't been reading, but because I have many, many books stuck in my "pending DnF" pile. More and more, LitRPG books are failing to sustain my literary interest. I must have had my fill of juvenile wish-fulfilment, I guess.
Which is why I was so happy that this book, with such an unassuming cover and such an uninspired title, turned out be such a satisfying read! I'm glad I took a chance.
Let's get into it.
The Good
This book has one of the most powerful inner voice narration I've seen in LitRPG, ever! Other books in the genre tend to focus too much on the gaming mechanics, and forget to tell a compelling story.
In This book, the first person narration, the tone, the introspective tendencies, the competence of the research, all come together to chisel a character that one can really "believe" in.
I'm impressed because I don't actually like the MC. I find him obnoxious, arrogant and ill-mannered. But by the end of the book, I am glad to see him starting to grow, AND I've learned a lot about different personality types. That's a major win!
Other easy win for this book: the MC, while powerful, is NOT OP! Far from it.
Wow, imagine that! What a novel idea!! Strategy and tactics, planning and caution are still important for him, instead of accidentally beating enemies several levels above him and effortlessly power-levelling. How refreshing!
The Less Good
This book, like many others, has anime-level action scene space-time management (ie. people manage to have long conversations right in the middle of a battlefield). This lack of timing awareness is a common failing of the genre so I won't harp on it more.
The Bad
Unfortunately, the book's strongest suit lays the bed for its most glaring weakness: there is a brutal dichotomy between the characters mature voice and their avowed age. As much as I wanted to buy into the deep traumatized personae, the author went overboard. I think insisting on making most of the main cast teenagers did the narration a major disservice especially for the MC and his siblings.
Maybe this was a deliberate choice by the author, to create rapport with a young audience, but for me, 10 years more for all involved would have fixed this issue without changing anything to the story's impact.
The Conclusion
This is a good book. I had a lot of fun. I learned a lot. I already want to get the next volume.
Which is why I was so happy that this book, with such an unassuming cover and such an uninspired title, turned out be such a satisfying read! I'm glad I took a chance.
Let's get into it.
The Good
This book has one of the most powerful inner voice narration I've seen in LitRPG, ever! Other books in the genre tend to focus too much on the gaming mechanics, and forget to tell a compelling story.
In This book, the first person narration, the tone, the introspective tendencies, the competence of the research, all come together to chisel a character that one can really "believe" in.
I'm impressed because I don't actually like the MC. I find him obnoxious, arrogant and ill-mannered. But by the end of the book, I am glad to see him starting to grow, AND I've learned a lot about different personality types. That's a major win!
Other easy win for this book: the MC, while powerful, is NOT OP! Far from it.
Wow, imagine that! What a novel idea!! Strategy and tactics, planning and caution are still important for him, instead of accidentally beating enemies several levels above him and effortlessly power-levelling. How refreshing!
The Less Good
This book, like many others, has anime-level action scene space-time management (ie. people manage to have long conversations right in the middle of a battlefield). This lack of timing awareness is a common failing of the genre so I won't harp on it more.
The Bad
Unfortunately, the book's strongest suit lays the bed for its most glaring weakness: there is a brutal dichotomy between the characters mature voice and their avowed age. As much as I wanted to buy into the deep traumatized personae, the author went overboard. I think insisting on making most of the main cast teenagers did the narration a major disservice especially for the MC and his siblings.
Maybe this was a deliberate choice by the author, to create rapport with a young audience, but for me, 10 years more for all involved would have fixed this issue without changing anything to the story's impact.
The Conclusion
This is a good book. I had a lot of fun. I learned a lot. I already want to get the next volume.
October 14, 2023
This will likely be a mixed bag of enjoyment for many people since it's written by a skilled author employing tools absent from most gamelit stories, but also absent are many of the usual enjoyments of the genre. It's a story that might make you examine where your intersection of quality and enjoyment lies.
Plot - 8/10, Character - 8/10, Setting/Game Mechanics - 8/10, Writing - 8.5/10, Enjoyment 5/10
This system apocalypse story opens with a giant meteor falling on Dallas, TX. Right before impact, the meteor explodes into tiny fragments that give a small percentage of the population superpowers and a system interface. The city also becomes enclosed and cut off from the world by a dome-shaped force field. What follows has more in common with zombie apocalypse stories than gamelit as much of the story highlights the negative traits of humanity. Rather than an ambiguous Ruthless Heavens, the system in this story has overseers and a pantheon of gods that pay relatively close attention to events as they unfold. This adds an extra layer of complexity to the plot rather than the more straightforward survival game that many system stories follow.
Our MC is a teenager who lives in a poor section of town and suffers from panic attacks. He has two younger siblings, one of whom is deaf, and an alcoholic mother who lost her job shortly after her husband died in the line of duty as a police officer. Back to our MC, he's like a mix of Good Will Hunting and The Equalizer despite not having the government training. There's a lot of disbelief to suspend while following our MC around. It's one thing to be a genius who can memorize and even implement a lot of textbook info, but sometimes the author goes a little beyond that. More on that in the writing section. All of the characters were pretty solid, interesting, and complex. While there were a number of archetypal characters, none of them felt like flimsy cardboard cutouts.
The setting was mostly various urban settings that were influenced by various magical and supernatural occurrences. The game mechanics were interesting and seemed consistent within the universe for me. Much of the story's intrigue comes from the mechanics of the MC's class, which requires him to keep his abilities secret from other 'Users', people who gained powers. The mechanics also seem to slant heavily toward abilities rather than raw stats, which may be something certain readers prefer.
The writing was exceptional for the genre. It was only after finishing the story that I realized this is the same author who wrote RE: Monarch and that made perfect sense to me as this story provided a similar experience. The author is more skilled than average for the genre, and the story reflects it with more showing rather than telling or twisting the telling to present as an ability so it doesn't feel like an infodump but something the character is doing organically. My one gripe with the writing is that the author seemed to fall out of character sometimes. I was already suspending my disbelief with the MC's genius-level of knowledge as a teenager. Not to mention the extreme social skills like making cold reads and such. But then there were weird reads like recognizing the difference between European styles of underwear vs American which felt like a bridge too far.
My enjoyment was a mixed bag. The story and characters were interesting, but this is a pretty grim story. Honestly, a bit of a misery-fest, which was hard to say I enjoyed. The first 30% of the story, in particular, felt a bit rough, but things picked up once the MC started engaging with the system a bit more. Some readers might struggle with the absence of expected tropes that usually come with gamelit, namely the scenes where the MC gets acquainted with their powers and enjoys them like the first time Peter Parker goes web-slinging across the city or uses his super reflexes to dodge a bully's fists. The MC here seems to bounce from one traumatic situation to the next, which is realistic considering the circumstances but still makes for a grim read. Even when the MC has moments of power, it doesn't feel like a fun event as it usually forces him to do the opposite of what he actually wants.
In summary, this is a high-quality system apocalypse story with complex and interesting characters. Readers should be aware that the usual casual enjoyments of a power fantasy aren't present here and set their expectations accordingly. If the story sounds interesting to you despite that, then I would encourage you to give it a shot.
Plot - 8/10, Character - 8/10, Setting/Game Mechanics - 8/10, Writing - 8.5/10, Enjoyment 5/10
This system apocalypse story opens with a giant meteor falling on Dallas, TX. Right before impact, the meteor explodes into tiny fragments that give a small percentage of the population superpowers and a system interface. The city also becomes enclosed and cut off from the world by a dome-shaped force field. What follows has more in common with zombie apocalypse stories than gamelit as much of the story highlights the negative traits of humanity. Rather than an ambiguous Ruthless Heavens, the system in this story has overseers and a pantheon of gods that pay relatively close attention to events as they unfold. This adds an extra layer of complexity to the plot rather than the more straightforward survival game that many system stories follow.
Our MC is a teenager who lives in a poor section of town and suffers from panic attacks. He has two younger siblings, one of whom is deaf, and an alcoholic mother who lost her job shortly after her husband died in the line of duty as a police officer. Back to our MC, he's like a mix of Good Will Hunting and The Equalizer despite not having the government training. There's a lot of disbelief to suspend while following our MC around. It's one thing to be a genius who can memorize and even implement a lot of textbook info, but sometimes the author goes a little beyond that. More on that in the writing section. All of the characters were pretty solid, interesting, and complex. While there were a number of archetypal characters, none of them felt like flimsy cardboard cutouts.
The setting was mostly various urban settings that were influenced by various magical and supernatural occurrences. The game mechanics were interesting and seemed consistent within the universe for me. Much of the story's intrigue comes from the mechanics of the MC's class, which requires him to keep his abilities secret from other 'Users', people who gained powers. The mechanics also seem to slant heavily toward abilities rather than raw stats, which may be something certain readers prefer.
The writing was exceptional for the genre. It was only after finishing the story that I realized this is the same author who wrote RE: Monarch and that made perfect sense to me as this story provided a similar experience. The author is more skilled than average for the genre, and the story reflects it with more showing rather than telling or twisting the telling to present as an ability so it doesn't feel like an infodump but something the character is doing organically. My one gripe with the writing is that the author seemed to fall out of character sometimes. I was already suspending my disbelief with the MC's genius-level of knowledge as a teenager. Not to mention the extreme social skills like making cold reads and such. But then there were weird reads like recognizing the difference between European styles of underwear vs American which felt like a bridge too far.
My enjoyment was a mixed bag. The story and characters were interesting, but this is a pretty grim story. Honestly, a bit of a misery-fest, which was hard to say I enjoyed. The first 30% of the story, in particular, felt a bit rough, but things picked up once the MC started engaging with the system a bit more. Some readers might struggle with the absence of expected tropes that usually come with gamelit, namely the scenes where the MC gets acquainted with their powers and enjoys them like the first time Peter Parker goes web-slinging across the city or uses his super reflexes to dodge a bully's fists. The MC here seems to bounce from one traumatic situation to the next, which is realistic considering the circumstances but still makes for a grim read. Even when the MC has moments of power, it doesn't feel like a fun event as it usually forces him to do the opposite of what he actually wants.
In summary, this is a high-quality system apocalypse story with complex and interesting characters. Readers should be aware that the usual casual enjoyments of a power fantasy aren't present here and set their expectations accordingly. If the story sounds interesting to you despite that, then I would encourage you to give it a shot.
June 30, 2023
Can't wait for the 2nd or the 10th book.
Loved every minute of this book.
Loved every minute of this book.
September 28, 2023
It was fun to read sue me
June 8, 2023
it’s not paranoia
If they really are out to get you.
Messed up dude is suddenly in a messed up world…well, more messed up. Some standard tropes twisted to fit, a well-designed MC, and a whole lot of deep thinking. While surviving a sadistic apocalypse.
Definitely pre-ordering the next book.
If they really are out to get you.
Messed up dude is suddenly in a messed up world…well, more messed up. Some standard tropes twisted to fit, a well-designed MC, and a whole lot of deep thinking. While surviving a sadistic apocalypse.
Definitely pre-ordering the next book.
May 28, 2023
KU Review
Remarkably dark system apocalypse. Engaging characters and plot line. Might be the first time I’ve read a story with an MC so open and honest about their mental struggles and have it be not a plot point but just a normal part of the storytelling.
General disclaimer: I want to be clear in that I do not factor cost into any review and as such, this is simply a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
Remarkably dark system apocalypse. Engaging characters and plot line. Might be the first time I’ve read a story with an MC so open and honest about their mental struggles and have it be not a plot point but just a normal part of the storytelling.
General disclaimer: I want to be clear in that I do not factor cost into any review and as such, this is simply a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
July 20, 2023
Just a bit too dark for me to round up to a 5, but a strong outing. I seem to be in a period of reading about MCs with serious mental issues, and this guy seems to skew Asperger/sociopath. He's trying to minimize the latter, but there's no getting around the former; I have kids on the spectrum, so I am in a position to have some idea what I'm talking about here. Learned responses can cover up a lot though.
Hell, the MC isn't too far off from my personality; protect those I care about, fuck everyone else if they threaten them. I'm a bit more likely to extend provisional trust than he is, but I can certainly see where he's coming from. There are a lot of moving parts here, so the opening bits of book two will be critical to get the MC over the power deficit hump he's looking at at the end of this one.
Hell, the MC isn't too far off from my personality; protect those I care about, fuck everyone else if they threaten them. I'm a bit more likely to extend provisional trust than he is, but I can certainly see where he's coming from. There are a lot of moving parts here, so the opening bits of book two will be critical to get the MC over the power deficit hump he's looking at at the end of this one.
January 4, 2024
Very Cliche
If you're hoping for something new or surprising, something unique. This isn't that. This book is quite by the numbers. From 'Everything might just work out' before something bad happens to 'I'm totally logical and don't get attached' then gets attached to everyone and their mother the moment he talks to them for more than five minutes. There are too many cliches to count.
I think my biggest problem with the book was the character is proposed as some logical person without empathy or low empathy who thinks through actions and won't be held back from doing what he has to do. Except the author goes out of their way to make sure the MC doesn't kill people.
From bad guys getting away due to the MC playing around with punches instead of pulling a dagger to just convoluted reasons like. "Don't kill this guy murdering innocents because his buddies might get mad" Ever of All it takes for Evil to Triumph is for good men to do nothing. That includes killing people in a lawless event like this who are killing innocent people. You can't be so fearful of retaliation you'll let those who murder anyone to get their way and have killed random people just go because you don't want to anger their buddies. They will still be killing people then and a lot more than if you put them down right away.
This MC tries to be all bad ass and willing to do what ever but he is honestly conflict avoidance to a insane cowardly degree. Bluffing all the time without wanting to back it up even when taking someone out would save lives or help lots of people. Basically so long as his family isn't directly threatened he'll let everyone die so he doesn't have to fight. Then when he does have to fight to kill the author gives plot armor deux ex machina arrivals or escapes so he doesn't have to kill.
If the MC followed to his actual character motivations and identity as it's stated in the book rather than jumping through 20 hoops to try to explain reasons why won't kill and actually did this book would be great. If it balanced him doing what needed to be done and ending some people but thinking of witty work arounds when killing wasn't a good option or fighting that would be way better but letting the guy murdering hundreds of innocent teens and adults go because of some how it would impact others in a ripple effect reasoning, is just dumb. How does he think all the people's families who were murdered ripple effect retaliation are going to take it. He only fears the partners of those doing the killing but not the family and friends of those being killed being the ones to start a bigger conflict.
The story itself isn't bad and the plot is interesting with good world building. The side characters are a bit dumb as they constantly ignore the MC's directions but to be fair the MC refuses to tell them why to do stuff and expect people to just listen to him without any reason to do so. It's probably a intentional character flaw to work on and grow in the series but it gets annoying when he tries to tell someone not to say....go outside..then runs off, then gets pissed when they went outside because he didn't tell them that their being hunted and people are looking for them on the streets. Like....why did you keep that hidden, if you told them that, they'd stay inside. You gained nothing from hiding that information from them and only put them in further danger by keeping them ignorant.
If you're hoping for something new or surprising, something unique. This isn't that. This book is quite by the numbers. From 'Everything might just work out' before something bad happens to 'I'm totally logical and don't get attached' then gets attached to everyone and their mother the moment he talks to them for more than five minutes. There are too many cliches to count.
I think my biggest problem with the book was the character is proposed as some logical person without empathy or low empathy who thinks through actions and won't be held back from doing what he has to do. Except the author goes out of their way to make sure the MC doesn't kill people.
From bad guys getting away due to the MC playing around with punches instead of pulling a dagger to just convoluted reasons like. "Don't kill this guy murdering innocents because his buddies might get mad" Ever of All it takes for Evil to Triumph is for good men to do nothing. That includes killing people in a lawless event like this who are killing innocent people. You can't be so fearful of retaliation you'll let those who murder anyone to get their way and have killed random people just go because you don't want to anger their buddies. They will still be killing people then and a lot more than if you put them down right away.
This MC tries to be all bad ass and willing to do what ever but he is honestly conflict avoidance to a insane cowardly degree. Bluffing all the time without wanting to back it up even when taking someone out would save lives or help lots of people. Basically so long as his family isn't directly threatened he'll let everyone die so he doesn't have to fight. Then when he does have to fight to kill the author gives plot armor deux ex machina arrivals or escapes so he doesn't have to kill.
If the MC followed to his actual character motivations and identity as it's stated in the book rather than jumping through 20 hoops to try to explain reasons why won't kill and actually did this book would be great. If it balanced him doing what needed to be done and ending some people but thinking of witty work arounds when killing wasn't a good option or fighting that would be way better but letting the guy murdering hundreds of innocent teens and adults go because of some how it would impact others in a ripple effect reasoning, is just dumb. How does he think all the people's families who were murdered ripple effect retaliation are going to take it. He only fears the partners of those doing the killing but not the family and friends of those being killed being the ones to start a bigger conflict.
The story itself isn't bad and the plot is interesting with good world building. The side characters are a bit dumb as they constantly ignore the MC's directions but to be fair the MC refuses to tell them why to do stuff and expect people to just listen to him without any reason to do so. It's probably a intentional character flaw to work on and grow in the series but it gets annoying when he tries to tell someone not to say....go outside..then runs off, then gets pissed when they went outside because he didn't tell them that their being hunted and people are looking for them on the streets. Like....why did you keep that hidden, if you told them that, they'd stay inside. You gained nothing from hiding that information from them and only put them in further danger by keeping them ignorant.
June 22, 2023
I plowed through all 843 pages of this book, and wasn't bored for a single minute. Aggravated, a couple of time, and rolled my eyes a time or two, but really, this was a good time.
Matt is about to graduate from high school, and has a lot of problems at home. Then his city is struck by a meteor - or was it? Turns out, Dallas is covered by a shield with no way in or out, and some of the people inside are part of a system, including Matt. With new skills, and a system giving him challenges, Matt decides to do what he's always done - disappear into the background. Stealth, and secrecy become his mode in this new world.
The book was a steady 4 stars for me, but two things booted it up to 5 for me.
First, the characters. Matt was an interesting character to follow along with, but a few of the side characters grabbed me. Kelsey was amazing! I mentioned annoying things, and most of the child characters were way too mature, including Kelsey. But I loved her anyway. There's no rule that says annoying things can't be entertaining, not to mention fun.
Nick was a surprise, but I'm not quite sure about Miles yet. There were plenty of other characters, but I never lost track of who was who.
Then there was the animal characters. One was cute in a deadly sort of way. The other was fierce, and had a heartbreaking story line. She had a lot of conflict with Matt (for good reason) and I can't wait to see how that relationship develops.
Second, the depiction of mental health. Matt has mental health issues, including anxiety, and before the system he used mostly healthy ways to manage them - therapy, medication etc. After the change, he wasn't miraculously cured. In fact, no disability was cured or helped by the system. I'm not fond of having disabilities erased by some outside force, and the author handled disability like it's an everyday thing that people live with.
The system does give Matt skills, and he does use them to help manage his mental health, but he's aware that it isn't healthy, and in fact, it brings its own problems.
The system itself is malignant. It sets up unfair, and deadly situations. It doesn't seem to matter how many people die, and it doesn't seem to matter if evil people get ahead. Even though there is humor, the basic tone is grim.
Whew! Anyway, I can't wait for the next book which doesn't come out until August. *sigh*
Matt is about to graduate from high school, and has a lot of problems at home. Then his city is struck by a meteor - or was it? Turns out, Dallas is covered by a shield with no way in or out, and some of the people inside are part of a system, including Matt. With new skills, and a system giving him challenges, Matt decides to do what he's always done - disappear into the background. Stealth, and secrecy become his mode in this new world.
The book was a steady 4 stars for me, but two things booted it up to 5 for me.
First, the characters. Matt was an interesting character to follow along with, but a few of the side characters grabbed me. Kelsey was amazing! I mentioned annoying things, and most of the child characters were way too mature, including Kelsey. But I loved her anyway. There's no rule that says annoying things can't be entertaining, not to mention fun.
Nick was a surprise, but I'm not quite sure about Miles yet. There were plenty of other characters, but I never lost track of who was who.
Then there was the animal characters. One was cute in a deadly sort of way. The other was fierce, and had a heartbreaking story line. She had a lot of conflict with Matt (for good reason) and I can't wait to see how that relationship develops.
Second, the depiction of mental health. Matt has mental health issues, including anxiety, and before the system he used mostly healthy ways to manage them - therapy, medication etc. After the change, he wasn't miraculously cured. In fact, no disability was cured or helped by the system. I'm not fond of having disabilities erased by some outside force, and the author handled disability like it's an everyday thing that people live with.
The system does give Matt skills, and he does use them to help manage his mental health, but he's aware that it isn't healthy, and in fact, it brings its own problems.
The system itself is malignant. It sets up unfair, and deadly situations. It doesn't seem to matter how many people die, and it doesn't seem to matter if evil people get ahead. Even though there is humor, the basic tone is grim.
Whew! Anyway, I can't wait for the next book which doesn't come out until August. *sigh*
September 20, 2025
double-trouble
I have found that a lot of young authors create characters that are under complete anxiety and social paralysis and worlds that are depressing and hopeless. This book is exactly that. The mc can’t even talk to his own brother and have a serious heart to heart discussion with him. Most of my peers would not only have no problem with that, but would have confronted buzz-cut in the restaurant, especially with three friends as backup. We would walk right up to him and ask what his deal is and we know what he’s doing and to knock it off. The mc couldn’t even talk to his mother and be honest with family and the only things he could talk to were plants, pets, and a little girl.
Needless to say I found the world utterly dark and depressing because I’m of a generation where we would straight up not obey and stand against foreigners, aliens, overlords, or anyone on TV who tells us what to do. We would band together as humans and work together against everything else, whether monsters or a system.
The book made me worry about what the current schools, culture, and society are doing to the youth. It felt like a completely different world than the one I live in. If you can identify with this book and the mc then I would encourage you to do two things: 1) is to spend time with your older relatives and 2) take your book and go read in a public place like a park or coffee shop and be ready and willing to talk to strangers. Otherwise this latest generation is going to bring us the same type of life under the dome, only without any magic.
I have found that a lot of young authors create characters that are under complete anxiety and social paralysis and worlds that are depressing and hopeless. This book is exactly that. The mc can’t even talk to his own brother and have a serious heart to heart discussion with him. Most of my peers would not only have no problem with that, but would have confronted buzz-cut in the restaurant, especially with three friends as backup. We would walk right up to him and ask what his deal is and we know what he’s doing and to knock it off. The mc couldn’t even talk to his mother and be honest with family and the only things he could talk to were plants, pets, and a little girl.
Needless to say I found the world utterly dark and depressing because I’m of a generation where we would straight up not obey and stand against foreigners, aliens, overlords, or anyone on TV who tells us what to do. We would band together as humans and work together against everything else, whether monsters or a system.
The book made me worry about what the current schools, culture, and society are doing to the youth. It felt like a completely different world than the one I live in. If you can identify with this book and the mc then I would encourage you to do two things: 1) is to spend time with your older relatives and 2) take your book and go read in a public place like a park or coffee shop and be ready and willing to talk to strangers. Otherwise this latest generation is going to bring us the same type of life under the dome, only without any magic.
July 18, 2023
This overly grimdark LitRPG sacrificed what otherwise might be a good story to the gods of unconvincing inner-monologing and deus ex machina.
We have an unlikely and unlikeable MC that's constantly making unreasonable decisions, a poorly characterized system ripe for author manipulation, and a difficult-to-follow plot filled with obvious foreshadowing and the afore-mentioned deus ex machina. The first half of the novel shows us lots of character screens and LitRPG development (most of which feels ungrounded in any kind of operational model), while the second half just appears to drop that component entirely. There are lots of small continuity fails and incongruities that don't make much sense—e.g., meteor takes ages to arrive, Berkeley doesn't give out-of-state students scholarships, Berkeley seems to morph into MIT later in the novel, etc.
I'd say that the bright spot in this novel is the secondary character presentation. They are more lively than most LitRPGs and attempts are made to give them their own goals. Unfortunately, this is more-or-less ruined for me by the post-apocalyptic "humanity becomes evil" tropes that dominate interactions, and isn't helped by our MC's over-the-top psychoses.
If you're a LitRPG true-believer you should check it out, but reading this for me was more work than fun and I'm not looking forward to the next one.
We have an unlikely and unlikeable MC that's constantly making unreasonable decisions, a poorly characterized system ripe for author manipulation, and a difficult-to-follow plot filled with obvious foreshadowing and the afore-mentioned deus ex machina. The first half of the novel shows us lots of character screens and LitRPG development (most of which feels ungrounded in any kind of operational model), while the second half just appears to drop that component entirely. There are lots of small continuity fails and incongruities that don't make much sense—e.g., meteor takes ages to arrive, Berkeley doesn't give out-of-state students scholarships, Berkeley seems to morph into MIT later in the novel, etc.
I'd say that the bright spot in this novel is the secondary character presentation. They are more lively than most LitRPGs and attempts are made to give them their own goals. Unfortunately, this is more-or-less ruined for me by the post-apocalyptic "humanity becomes evil" tropes that dominate interactions, and isn't helped by our MC's over-the-top psychoses.
If you're a LitRPG true-believer you should check it out, but reading this for me was more work than fun and I'm not looking forward to the next one.
September 17, 2023
this first book is interesting!
The world mechanics are interesting and learning about them with the MC after the apocalypse hit the world and imprisoned Dallas in a bubble for a trial period.
The MC tries to survive the trial and take care of his family while power house people with special power start to fight over the city, some trying to save as many people as possible, other hunting people with new powers, finally criminals having fun killing people with power or not. Our MC tried to hide his power, live by his personal code, make alliances and save as many quadrants of the city as possible when the overlord give everyone a task to accomplish.
The fact that the MC keeps being targeted or seen as the villain by people out of the loop is pretty believable. When criminals work hidden from the general population to provide for their court.
How can ignorants (waiting to be briefed by others) know what is going on around them if they don’t adventure out to find what is happening themselves and put themselves in harm’s way.
I really like his deaf sister and Kinsley! They both rock and need even bigger roles! Kinsley being a super merchant is already good but his sister needs some spot lights !
Good story!
The world mechanics are interesting and learning about them with the MC after the apocalypse hit the world and imprisoned Dallas in a bubble for a trial period.
The MC tries to survive the trial and take care of his family while power house people with special power start to fight over the city, some trying to save as many people as possible, other hunting people with new powers, finally criminals having fun killing people with power or not. Our MC tried to hide his power, live by his personal code, make alliances and save as many quadrants of the city as possible when the overlord give everyone a task to accomplish.
The fact that the MC keeps being targeted or seen as the villain by people out of the loop is pretty believable. When criminals work hidden from the general population to provide for their court.
How can ignorants (waiting to be briefed by others) know what is going on around them if they don’t adventure out to find what is happening themselves and put themselves in harm’s way.
I really like his deaf sister and Kinsley! They both rock and need even bigger roles! Kinsley being a super merchant is already good but his sister needs some spot lights !
Good story!
July 6, 2023
too much character, introspection and mono logging.
I was hesitant to read this book, once I started it I felt I had to finish it. Won’t read another one. First of all, there is too much character introspection concerning his mental disorders. Then or pages upon pages of psychological analysis on how people or he thinks. Then there’s the fact that he says he’ll do anything to protect his family, then he does not. He leaves his enemies alive doesn’t want to kill them, even though they’re willing to kill him. Because of his actions people die in this book this is not the type of character I want to read about. even though he’s supposed to be a powerful class or should I say unusual class he seems pathetically weak in this book. Maybe it’s because of his rogue tactics that he uses, I don’t particularly care for rogues never played them in video games. anyway I believe several hundred pages could’ve been cut from this book and it would’ve made this book. Much better. The side characters are OK and are pretty well developed the world is interesting. You may like this book. Give it a shot I did not.
I was hesitant to read this book, once I started it I felt I had to finish it. Won’t read another one. First of all, there is too much character introspection concerning his mental disorders. Then or pages upon pages of psychological analysis on how people or he thinks. Then there’s the fact that he says he’ll do anything to protect his family, then he does not. He leaves his enemies alive doesn’t want to kill them, even though they’re willing to kill him. Because of his actions people die in this book this is not the type of character I want to read about. even though he’s supposed to be a powerful class or should I say unusual class he seems pathetically weak in this book. Maybe it’s because of his rogue tactics that he uses, I don’t particularly care for rogues never played them in video games. anyway I believe several hundred pages could’ve been cut from this book and it would’ve made this book. Much better. The side characters are OK and are pretty well developed the world is interesting. You may like this book. Give it a shot I did not.
February 2, 2024
I'm usually up for a regular op Mc when I pick up these kind of books but here I had no choice but to learn to like and root for a "smart" yet clearly mentally unhinged kid suffering from way too many traumas for his age. Many reviews seem to want him to just blast through everything but I think the author did good in setting up the mc's personality saying how he's been trying to turn "normal" and rationalize his crazy side so of course when the whole world turns crazy he's going to have a lot of self thinking and issues figuring out his new balance. And in this book, the struggle was clear and you have to suffer through it along with the Mc.
I think his power and the fact he's on his way to opness is clear even if the author makes the challenge to get there almost insurmountable, so that he can show how smart the Mc can be. The dialogues and interactions between characters are engaging and make you root for them and love them even with minimal backstory (go iris) except for the mom for me, why did she change so easily ???
Personally I enjoyed the story and how every level up had to be "earned" through struggle and challenge with minimal "lucky" wins or plot armor
I think his power and the fact he's on his way to opness is clear even if the author makes the challenge to get there almost insurmountable, so that he can show how smart the Mc can be. The dialogues and interactions between characters are engaging and make you root for them and love them even with minimal backstory (go iris) except for the mom for me, why did she change so easily ???
Personally I enjoyed the story and how every level up had to be "earned" through struggle and challenge with minimal "lucky" wins or plot armor
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2023
My Rating System:
5- Perfect for my taste, I could not physically stop reading/listening and wanted more afterward.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterward.
3- I enjoyed the book and could see others loving it, I need to think if I want more.
2- I can see why others might like the book, but I could not, I do not want more.
1- What is this? What went wrong? Why did they do this? This doesn't make any sense! (No idea who it is for, but definitely not for me).
[Audiobook Version]
In all honesty, I was not expecting much when starting this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by the end. The beginning of the story was a little slow for me, especially with how long some of the descriptions were. However, after about a quarter through the book, the descriptions became more manageable. If you enjoy books where the protagonist actually has intelligence, and is expressed through actions instead of objective statements, then I would consider giving it a read.
5- Perfect for my taste, I could not physically stop reading/listening and wanted more afterward.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterward.
3- I enjoyed the book and could see others loving it, I need to think if I want more.
2- I can see why others might like the book, but I could not, I do not want more.
1- What is this? What went wrong? Why did they do this? This doesn't make any sense! (No idea who it is for, but definitely not for me).
[Audiobook Version]
In all honesty, I was not expecting much when starting this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by the end. The beginning of the story was a little slow for me, especially with how long some of the descriptions were. However, after about a quarter through the book, the descriptions became more manageable. If you enjoy books where the protagonist actually has intelligence, and is expressed through actions instead of objective statements, then I would consider giving it a read.
April 26, 2024
Exceptional and annoying all at once. I couldn't put the book down, and found it a really great read but once I hit the end I didn't really want to continue, as the core of the story doesn't really make sense to me.
Usually, I love intelligent characters, and the main character is brilliant here. On a moment by moment basis, the highly logical choices make sense and are a pleasure to follow. Unfortunately, his foundational motivations and background decisions are neither logical nor intelligent, making all the subsequent actions lack cohesion.
I believe the source of all this is the very negative co-dependent and toxic home relationships that the main character is given as background info. So he handles everything in his life with intelligence except his own home life, where he constantly sacrifices the long term for really bad short term gains, which feels terrible. I guess maybe that's just human, but it's really not particularly fun to read about.
Still a 4/5. Would recommend.
Usually, I love intelligent characters, and the main character is brilliant here. On a moment by moment basis, the highly logical choices make sense and are a pleasure to follow. Unfortunately, his foundational motivations and background decisions are neither logical nor intelligent, making all the subsequent actions lack cohesion.
I believe the source of all this is the very negative co-dependent and toxic home relationships that the main character is given as background info. So he handles everything in his life with intelligence except his own home life, where he constantly sacrifices the long term for really bad short term gains, which feels terrible. I guess maybe that's just human, but it's really not particularly fun to read about.
Still a 4/5. Would recommend.
August 22, 2023
It was a great read, particularly because the story manages to blend both OP MC and having high stakes (seemingly) very well compared to most other books. Just being different than the scores of usual stories is a breath of fresh air. Particularly noteworthy is the internal monologues due to the titles, which serves an insight to what's going on in our protagonist's head!
Purely binge entertainment wise, I would rate it almost on par with my guilty pleasure favourites, Primal Hunter and Randidly Ghosthound. Although there were some shortcomings which throws you off (such as conflicting character traits of the mc, infinite plot armour, and the sporadic retconning), it was interesting enough that I would read book 2, and am excited to know how the story would progress. This is because the book also had the correct balance of keeping an appropriate dose of plot lines wrapped up vs kept open for the next book, which I like as well.
Purely binge entertainment wise, I would rate it almost on par with my guilty pleasure favourites, Primal Hunter and Randidly Ghosthound. Although there were some shortcomings which throws you off (such as conflicting character traits of the mc, infinite plot armour, and the sporadic retconning), it was interesting enough that I would read book 2, and am excited to know how the story would progress. This is because the book also had the correct balance of keeping an appropriate dose of plot lines wrapped up vs kept open for the next book, which I like as well.
May 28, 2023
This book was a shot in the dark. But Ramon De Ocampo sounded good and the publisher Aethon has a pretty good ratio of books I like. So yeah I grabbed it. I knew that it was a dark litRPG and luckily it wasn't to dark!
Double-Blind did start slowly but then it's the beginning of a new system change. Where world, and character building is must.
Matt quickly realizes the system isn't a friend. And for Matt it's all about keeping his family safe! That means building up his stats and keeping his true identity and strength secreted away. So with a series of dungeon dives he begins. Right away he gains a monster beast companion. (I'm not saying that every litRPG needs a monster beast, but it's often the kicker between liking a book and loving it.) But anyway at that point I realized that I was truly vested in the book. And that ending, Wow. I need more.
Double-Blind did start slowly but then it's the beginning of a new system change. Where world, and character building is must.
Matt quickly realizes the system isn't a friend. And for Matt it's all about keeping his family safe! That means building up his stats and keeping his true identity and strength secreted away. So with a series of dungeon dives he begins. Right away he gains a monster beast companion. (I'm not saying that every litRPG needs a monster beast, but it's often the kicker between liking a book and loving it.) But anyway at that point I realized that I was truly vested in the book. And that ending, Wow. I need more.
October 18, 2023
This book is like one large head game. A psychological litrpg?
For a book with a YA protagonist, it isn't bad. None of those cringe crap you usually get. I don't know how I feel about this book.
I don't even know if I want to continue the series. How this went, I'm supposed to expect more of the same in book two. .i.e. The protag running around and having other people slap him about.
2.5/5 Stars
For a book with a YA protagonist, it isn't bad. None of those cringe crap you usually get. I don't know how I feel about this book.
I don't even know if I want to continue the series. How this went, I'm supposed to expect more of the same in book two. .i.e. The protag running around and having other people slap him about.
2.5/5 Stars
May 26, 2023
Surprisingly great new series
System apocalypse, cynical MC with artificial emotion dampening title that gets a unique class.
Sounds like a boring cliche fest, but turned out to be anything but.
The combat was well paced, system mechanics were the right mix of detailed and not intrusive, and the system scenarios were unique enough to be entertaining.
Most of all, unusual for this genre the characters actually have genuine human interactions going on. Rather than the standard flat supporting cast that serves merely to validate the mc's worldview, Double Blind does a decent job of showing people mostly trying to do their best in their own way.
Worth the read, coming back for the sequel.
System apocalypse, cynical MC with artificial emotion dampening title that gets a unique class.
Sounds like a boring cliche fest, but turned out to be anything but.
The combat was well paced, system mechanics were the right mix of detailed and not intrusive, and the system scenarios were unique enough to be entertaining.
Most of all, unusual for this genre the characters actually have genuine human interactions going on. Rather than the standard flat supporting cast that serves merely to validate the mc's worldview, Double Blind does a decent job of showing people mostly trying to do their best in their own way.
Worth the read, coming back for the sequel.
July 27, 2023
Help me read more books
I have to say, this was a very well done story. I'm impressed. The world is pretty interesting, in that the system arrives, but not everyone gets converted. Safe zones need items to make/keep them safe (much like system apocalypse), only there's folks that are trying to prevent the formation of such zones. The conflict in this one seems to be as real as it gets. There's not much (if any building) in this one, but I still got the feeling I love when building is involved. It's all very interesting, and I'm looking forward to the next one in this series, which is just under a month away, according to good reads. Certainly going to read that one when it's released. Great stuff here folks.
I have to say, this was a very well done story. I'm impressed. The world is pretty interesting, in that the system arrives, but not everyone gets converted. Safe zones need items to make/keep them safe (much like system apocalypse), only there's folks that are trying to prevent the formation of such zones. The conflict in this one seems to be as real as it gets. There's not much (if any building) in this one, but I still got the feeling I love when building is involved. It's all very interesting, and I'm looking forward to the next one in this series, which is just under a month away, according to good reads. Certainly going to read that one when it's released. Great stuff here folks.
November 16, 2023
I really enjoy this series. For some reason it feels a lot more real, maybe because the entire world doesn't go to ** right from the beginning and only a few know about being users (people with abilities). The infrastructure for society is still around at first and there is a lot of secret dealings, double-blinds, etc. While Matt, the main character, is manipulative and smart he isn't completely amoral or a sociopath. He cares about a select few people and doesn't want to screw the entire world just in favor of himself. There is also some growth in characters. There are a lot of power plays, unknown agendas, divine interventions, and the system really is basically trying to screw people but it isn't completely without rules. It is a fascinating ride and a slow rise in power.
June 7, 2023
Loved it!
I've read this book on Royal Road as it was being written and it has always hooked me forward. I love the main character, his perspective, personality, and where he puts his limits. It's all fascinating. This author also really knows how to write a truly clever character who isn't also hopelessly overpowered. The world is also intriguing and so malleable that anything could happen but still grounded enough not to feel ridiculous. I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out!
I've read this book on Royal Road as it was being written and it has always hooked me forward. I love the main character, his perspective, personality, and where he puts his limits. It's all fascinating. This author also really knows how to write a truly clever character who isn't also hopelessly overpowered. The world is also intriguing and so malleable that anything could happen but still grounded enough not to feel ridiculous. I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out!
November 22, 2023
Not Your Father's LitRPG
This a bigger, grander story than most of the books in the genre. The characters have more depth and the plot line has more twists.
The story is darker too.
The author deals with some heavy topics. If you want a quick story you can breeze through and feel happy afterwards, look elsewhere. I will need a break between reading book one and picking up book two. Some lighter fare might be called for before venturing back in again, but I will be back. The story is too good not to see where it concludes.
This a bigger, grander story than most of the books in the genre. The characters have more depth and the plot line has more twists.
The story is darker too.
The author deals with some heavy topics. If you want a quick story you can breeze through and feel happy afterwards, look elsewhere. I will need a break between reading book one and picking up book two. Some lighter fare might be called for before venturing back in again, but I will be back. The story is too good not to see where it concludes.
August 31, 2024
This is good writing that’s hard to read.. in the sense where it’s so overwhelmingly negative and self deprecating that I feel uncomfortable. Jaded, nihilistic, cruel.. Just a couple “reward” titles that only exist to further the narrative into spiraling negative observations and self-reflections 😬
I’m more interested in the world and it’s direction, but we’re stuck inside this indecisive and brooding ‘hero’s head
3.5/4
There are more positives I decided not to mention since the theme is clearly pessimism
I’m more interested in the world and it’s direction, but we’re stuck inside this indecisive and brooding ‘hero’s head
3.5/4
There are more positives I decided not to mention since the theme is clearly pessimism
June 19, 2023
WOW
This is a stunning entry into the LITRPG genre. It stands head and shoulders above 99% of the rest of the field.
Incredibly intelligent and deeply thoughtful. This book takes a deep dive into the morals and philosophy of an anti-hero. It’s the best I’ve ever read and the most honest about an anti-heroes motivations.
Absolutely superb writing, drama, action, and storytelling.
This is a stunning entry into the LITRPG genre. It stands head and shoulders above 99% of the rest of the field.
Incredibly intelligent and deeply thoughtful. This book takes a deep dive into the morals and philosophy of an anti-hero. It’s the best I’ve ever read and the most honest about an anti-heroes motivations.
Absolutely superb writing, drama, action, and storytelling.
June 24, 2023
Really well written and captivating
A LITRPG set in a modern world with apocalyptic overtones, the protagonist is flawed, heroic, and family centric. It was especially interesting to have a protagonist dealing with mental health issues. An innovative take on the genre that has logical game mechanics and interesting characters. The author's writing style is engaging and adult. A great read for anyone above age 13!
A LITRPG set in a modern world with apocalyptic overtones, the protagonist is flawed, heroic, and family centric. It was especially interesting to have a protagonist dealing with mental health issues. An innovative take on the genre that has logical game mechanics and interesting characters. The author's writing style is engaging and adult. A great read for anyone above age 13!
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