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Sponsored Apocalypse #1
Sponsored Apocalypse
He's been preparing for the apocalypse his entire life. Is he ready?
Miles "Shrug" Lindstrom received a quest years ago. He was the only person who could see the window, and in addition to the quest, he could also see a countdown to the end of the world.
Part of him was hoping that he was just insane and had been hallucinating when he first started seeing the window. Then again, if the quest was just his imagination, he was going to be massively in debt with a rental full of useless junk.
But when the countdown finally stops, what happens is nothing like he could have imagined. Miles prepared for almost any scenario, but a world full of monsters wasn't one of them.
Will finishing his strange quest help him survive the chaos?
Don't miss the next LitRPG Apocalypse Series from bestseller Blaise Corvin, author of Delvers LLC and Apocalypse Cultivation. Sometimes, being the chosen one isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Miles "Shrug" Lindstrom received a quest years ago. He was the only person who could see the window, and in addition to the quest, he could also see a countdown to the end of the world.
Part of him was hoping that he was just insane and had been hallucinating when he first started seeing the window. Then again, if the quest was just his imagination, he was going to be massively in debt with a rental full of useless junk.
But when the countdown finally stops, what happens is nothing like he could have imagined. Miles prepared for almost any scenario, but a world full of monsters wasn't one of them.
Will finishing his strange quest help him survive the chaos?
Don't miss the next LitRPG Apocalypse Series from bestseller Blaise Corvin, author of Delvers LLC and Apocalypse Cultivation. Sometimes, being the chosen one isn't all it's cracked up to be.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2024
723 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Blaise Corvin
30 books635 followersBlaise Corvin served in the US Army in several roles. He has seen the best and the worst that humanity has to offer. He is a sucker for any hobby involving weapons, art, or improv.
He currently lives in Texas, in a house full of enough geeky memorabilia to start a museum.
He likes talking about himself in 3rd person and posting pictures of himself holding tarantulas. Sometimes, he pretends he is not an idiot with a terrible sense of humor.
It's all very eccentric.
Blaise currently writes mostly in the GameLit genre and LitRPG subgenre, exciting new classifications of fiction where characters either play a game (usually VR), or live in a world with game-like elements.
Delvers LLC is GameLit, lightly LitRPG, mostly a Fantasy/SciFi Adventure. Secret of the Old Ones is hard LitRPG, complete with XP and leveling...plus has Lovecraftian and steampunk elements (because why not?).
He currently lives in Texas, in a house full of enough geeky memorabilia to start a museum.
He likes talking about himself in 3rd person and posting pictures of himself holding tarantulas. Sometimes, he pretends he is not an idiot with a terrible sense of humor.
It's all very eccentric.
Blaise currently writes mostly in the GameLit genre and LitRPG subgenre, exciting new classifications of fiction where characters either play a game (usually VR), or live in a world with game-like elements.
Delvers LLC is GameLit, lightly LitRPG, mostly a Fantasy/SciFi Adventure. Secret of the Old Ones is hard LitRPG, complete with XP and leveling...plus has Lovecraftian and steampunk elements (because why not?).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
June 8, 2024
Reread
I read another series by the author on a free website (Royal Road) and that made me rethink my response here. Enough that I picked it up and started over just to see how far I'd get. I finished the book and enjoyed it. Which leaves me the dilemma of what to do with my original blow-off. More on that below.
Anyway, I liked this on my second read through. "Shrug" did take me a bit to understand because he's emotionally detached from people and that makes his reactions a bit hard to follow if you aren't expecting it. The thing is, he isn't a bad guy. He cares about being good and helping others, he just doesn't want to have to actively go out and do stuff. So when he sees that an apocalypse is scheduled (through receiving a quest many months before it will hit) he buys lots of supplies and learns some martial arts, but mostly with the intent to hole up and ride it out.
Which is a very bad plan if you have a system apocalypse with monsters and levels because the underlying mechanic of such stories is that stasis is death, risk brings power, and there is no security. So the initial bit is Shrug being pushed out of his sanctuary and having to learn that he needs to get over his instinct and learn a new way of thinking. Which is something you don't do all at once and that's why I felt the characterization was "all over the place". I misread it is what I'm saying. And yeah, the author might have done the characterization better, but I have to accept that I wasn't reading very carefully so whatever.
Anyway, this is a fairly standard system apocalypse in that bad things happen, people learn to fight the invading monsters, and the protagonist has some kind of insight or edge that makes the power fantasy work. I'm going to give it props for the worldbuilding being a bit above normal. And the action was good with a strong pace with the right kinds of down beats to give it a tempo.
Which adds up to a solid three stars that might have been four if I didn't feel embarrassed about my one-star rating. Okay fine. I'll "round up" to four stars. And I'm interested in the next story, which I hate having to wait for.
A note about Chaste: Shrug isn't into casual relationships. Or relationships at all, really. There is opportunity as he teams up with a beautiful girl (who knows too much) for a while, but they aren't that kind of friends. At least so far. So it's very chaste.
A note about the past: I decided not to erase my first review, even though I hate that I missed it so completely. So if you want to experience my initial read, it's in the spoiler below.
I read another series by the author on a free website (Royal Road) and that made me rethink my response here. Enough that I picked it up and started over just to see how far I'd get. I finished the book and enjoyed it. Which leaves me the dilemma of what to do with my original blow-off. More on that below.
Anyway, I liked this on my second read through. "Shrug" did take me a bit to understand because he's emotionally detached from people and that makes his reactions a bit hard to follow if you aren't expecting it. The thing is, he isn't a bad guy. He cares about being good and helping others, he just doesn't want to have to actively go out and do stuff. So when he sees that an apocalypse is scheduled (through receiving a quest many months before it will hit) he buys lots of supplies and learns some martial arts, but mostly with the intent to hole up and ride it out.
Which is a very bad plan if you have a system apocalypse with monsters and levels because the underlying mechanic of such stories is that stasis is death, risk brings power, and there is no security. So the initial bit is Shrug being pushed out of his sanctuary and having to learn that he needs to get over his instinct and learn a new way of thinking. Which is something you don't do all at once and that's why I felt the characterization was "all over the place". I misread it is what I'm saying. And yeah, the author might have done the characterization better, but I have to accept that I wasn't reading very carefully so whatever.
Anyway, this is a fairly standard system apocalypse in that bad things happen, people learn to fight the invading monsters, and the protagonist has some kind of insight or edge that makes the power fantasy work. I'm going to give it props for the worldbuilding being a bit above normal. And the action was good with a strong pace with the right kinds of down beats to give it a tempo.
Which adds up to a solid three stars that might have been four if I didn't feel embarrassed about my one-star rating. Okay fine. I'll "round up" to four stars. And I'm interested in the next story, which I hate having to wait for.
A note about Chaste: Shrug isn't into casual relationships. Or relationships at all, really. There is opportunity as he teams up with a beautiful girl (who knows too much) for a while, but they aren't that kind of friends. At least so far. So it's very chaste.
A note about the past: I decided not to erase my first review, even though I hate that I missed it so completely. So if you want to experience my initial read, it's in the spoiler below.
June 6, 2024
Part of the Apocalypse Cultivation series
This is not the story of Jake aka. Heavenly Grim, but on another world much like Jake's earth, a world is undergoing a system apocalypse.
I personally loved Apocalypse Cultivation and wish this had been a main line story addition instead of an alternate world story but... It's still pretty good despite this MC being wooden and not that personable. (2 books seems too soon to spin off a side series)
Never the less, I got into this story and even warmed up to the cold fish MC. Looking forward to the next one, even if it's one of these and not Jake / Heavenly Grim.
This is not the story of Jake aka. Heavenly Grim, but on another world much like Jake's earth, a world is undergoing a system apocalypse.
I personally loved Apocalypse Cultivation and wish this had been a main line story addition instead of an alternate world story but... It's still pretty good despite this MC being wooden and not that personable. (2 books seems too soon to spin off a side series)
Never the less, I got into this story and even warmed up to the cold fish MC. Looking forward to the next one, even if it's one of these and not Jake / Heavenly Grim.
May 13, 2024
Not his best but not the worst
Grabbed this book because the author wrote Delvers, LLC. Definitely a must read if you havent. His last book I think I rated a 2. This current book was kinda so so hum. It was something to read. Love me a good apocalypse too. Still ho hum. Not his best work. I will read book 2 though... might get better.
Grabbed this book because the author wrote Delvers, LLC. Definitely a must read if you havent. His last book I think I rated a 2. This current book was kinda so so hum. It was something to read. Love me a good apocalypse too. Still ho hum. Not his best work. I will read book 2 though... might get better.
November 10, 2024
Fantastic read, with moments of great tension and suspense.
I appreciate the book taking a more logical approach to the Apocalypse scenario for the main character, making it a lot more believable without having a side character monologue everything to us. Also, the book does not shy away from the harsh realities a world like this would have and does not bloat the book with an unnecessary love interest sub-plot.
All in all, a great read in the fantasy, RPG style of book that is well worth a read.
I appreciate the book taking a more logical approach to the Apocalypse scenario for the main character, making it a lot more believable without having a side character monologue everything to us. Also, the book does not shy away from the harsh realities a world like this would have and does not bloat the book with an unnecessary love interest sub-plot.
All in all, a great read in the fantasy, RPG style of book that is well worth a read.
June 2, 2024
This is a solid System Apocalypse story, although there's nothing very original in the approach. I'm happy to continue the series but that's the best I can say.... aside from that I like the Anubis Hound.
May 15, 2024
Decent read, in serious need of editing
Like a lot of this authors other works, it is a fun read that is in serious need of editing. This one in particular was so bad that I highly doubt it ever even saw an editor.
Every few pages had missing words, misspelled words, or the flat out wrong word for the sentence. There were a few instances where the MC would have something new only to receive that a few pages later. Then there's the alternate POV which did nothing for the story, was a character that we haven't ever met or even heard about, and lasted multiple chapters.
Like a lot of this authors other works, it is a fun read that is in serious need of editing. This one in particular was so bad that I highly doubt it ever even saw an editor.
Every few pages had missing words, misspelled words, or the flat out wrong word for the sentence. There were a few instances where the MC would have something new only to receive that a few pages later. Then there's the alternate POV which did nothing for the story, was a character that we haven't ever met or even heard about, and lasted multiple chapters.
January 6, 2025
Great Storytelling
This was interesting and well done. I devoured it in a day.
At first the Miles’ skill set seemed random and annoying, but when you take into the unknown aspects of an apocalypse it makes more sense. I also enjoyed how Miles (Shrug) started to grow and evolve as a person. Wasn’t over the top but gradual and believable. The way he figures out how to game the system in unconventional ways was entertaining and scratched that OP MC itch that I like to scratch as well lol.
Can’t wait for book two!
This was interesting and well done. I devoured it in a day.
At first the Miles’ skill set seemed random and annoying, but when you take into the unknown aspects of an apocalypse it makes more sense. I also enjoyed how Miles (Shrug) started to grow and evolve as a person. Wasn’t over the top but gradual and believable. The way he figures out how to game the system in unconventional ways was entertaining and scratched that OP MC itch that I like to scratch as well lol.
Can’t wait for book two!
July 7, 2025
This was a fun book. So glad I found this author. Great writing, page-turning plot, well-written characters. Loved the magic and leveling. Really a great book. Warning: it doesn’t end here. Not even a token partial wrap-up. But not a cliffhanger either. Just a pause. Get the next one right now. The end of that one is satisfying enough that I’m not mad waiting for book 3 (just impatient). The narrator was perfect for it, too.
July 30, 2024
Sponsored Apocalypse. Book 1
This was a well thought out and executed story. The title kind of pulls you j and the writing makes it fun and enjoyable.
And no, it is not sponsored by any political party, Coke or Pepsi! You have to read it to find out more!
Thanks to the author!
This was a well thought out and executed story. The title kind of pulls you j and the writing makes it fun and enjoyable.
And no, it is not sponsored by any political party, Coke or Pepsi! You have to read it to find out more!
Thanks to the author!
October 18, 2024
RPG Lit.
February 11, 2025
Monsters, apocalypse, destruction. What's not to love? Having morals, that's what we don't love.
December 29, 2024
Good read, an enteretaining book, as mentioned before it shares the multiverse with Apocalyse cultivation, wich is fun, it gives us a follow up on an character that we didn't expect to hear from in a while.
May 9, 2024
A good story with an interesting power set
So if you’ve read Blaise’s other series Apocalypse Cultication, this series is in the same universe and ties into that one. But the MC here is radically different in that he has a fun paychometry style power almost where he can connect with spirits of objects. Which leads to some cool stuff! I definitely enjoy his power set and the way he put seemingly random items to use. Have to love a clever MC! I also now have a deep hope that this series will cross over with Apocalypse Cultivation later on in a new series or something possibly.
So if you’ve read Blaise’s other series Apocalypse Cultication, this series is in the same universe and ties into that one. But the MC here is radically different in that he has a fun paychometry style power almost where he can connect with spirits of objects. Which leads to some cool stuff! I definitely enjoy his power set and the way he put seemingly random items to use. Have to love a clever MC! I also now have a deep hope that this series will cross over with Apocalypse Cultivation later on in a new series or something possibly.
June 10, 2024
I read a lot of LitRPG stories and most of them are very similar. The mechanics are kind of interesting and I do like to see the choices characters get as they level up and how they use them to advance. But what I really like to see is the world building and how the characters are going to react to the civilized world endings.
How are the characters going to get food when supermarkets aren't available, clean water, new clothes, or just clean what they have. The stables are going to run out real soon and people don't always react well to that. Plus, how are people going to respond to the death of lots of people and the trauma of killing monsters, barely surviving and some of their loved ones not. It isn't realistic in most books as they settle in pretty easily. Ok, in survival mode, you might be very focused at first but that is going to wear off pretty quickly. Sometimes this is explained by the system somehow muting their emotional freakouts at first. Some don't address this at all. So how will this book do it is a question I often ask.
The other thing I'm interested in is how humanity in general are going to react. Yes, we know how terrible humans can be. I can easily see lots of people being selfish and gangs being created and people less powerful being shafted. It may or may not be worse if some sort of government infrastructure still exists. Dictators could quickly come to the fore. Etc. But what writers often forget is that humanity's strength and how we have come to dominate the world (okay you could argue insects do, but that is another story) is by working together. No one can do everything on their own. People have to grow things and make things. Of course, there is also the fact that we can take things out a lot bigger than us because we work together. So how will the author address the majority of humanity in the aftermath of the destruction of the world as we know it.
So, end of side lecture. This book is typical of many LitRPG stories. The character is a little detached that not all readers can identify with. To me, he is not a social person so that colors how he interacts with others and how he feels about helping people. In general, he does want to help people, but the particulars can be problematic. I think his emotional state and reactions are a roller coaster and I can except that. He does end up having a companion dog that he quickly becomes attached to and you can see his emotional attachment there. Lots of people can relate to that.
What I really like is how the town nearby doesn't descend into complete chaos with everyone out for themselves and the real monsters turn out to be the human beings. The town actually gets together, there is some form of government that continues that actually wants to help the citizens not only want power for themselves and people themselves are trying to help each other. That is very unusual in stories of this kind. That isn't to say there aren't some terrible people, but they are a minority.
So some decent world-building, an okay main character and fairly decent human beings overall plus a pretty mainstream storyline makes this a decent read that I will probably continue.
How are the characters going to get food when supermarkets aren't available, clean water, new clothes, or just clean what they have. The stables are going to run out real soon and people don't always react well to that. Plus, how are people going to respond to the death of lots of people and the trauma of killing monsters, barely surviving and some of their loved ones not. It isn't realistic in most books as they settle in pretty easily. Ok, in survival mode, you might be very focused at first but that is going to wear off pretty quickly. Sometimes this is explained by the system somehow muting their emotional freakouts at first. Some don't address this at all. So how will this book do it is a question I often ask.
The other thing I'm interested in is how humanity in general are going to react. Yes, we know how terrible humans can be. I can easily see lots of people being selfish and gangs being created and people less powerful being shafted. It may or may not be worse if some sort of government infrastructure still exists. Dictators could quickly come to the fore. Etc. But what writers often forget is that humanity's strength and how we have come to dominate the world (okay you could argue insects do, but that is another story) is by working together. No one can do everything on their own. People have to grow things and make things. Of course, there is also the fact that we can take things out a lot bigger than us because we work together. So how will the author address the majority of humanity in the aftermath of the destruction of the world as we know it.
So, end of side lecture. This book is typical of many LitRPG stories. The character is a little detached that not all readers can identify with. To me, he is not a social person so that colors how he interacts with others and how he feels about helping people. In general, he does want to help people, but the particulars can be problematic. I think his emotional state and reactions are a roller coaster and I can except that. He does end up having a companion dog that he quickly becomes attached to and you can see his emotional attachment there. Lots of people can relate to that.
What I really like is how the town nearby doesn't descend into complete chaos with everyone out for themselves and the real monsters turn out to be the human beings. The town actually gets together, there is some form of government that continues that actually wants to help the citizens not only want power for themselves and people themselves are trying to help each other. That is very unusual in stories of this kind. That isn't to say there aren't some terrible people, but they are a minority.
So some decent world-building, an okay main character and fairly decent human beings overall plus a pretty mainstream storyline makes this a decent read that I will probably continue.
June 19, 2024
Great pacing and a fun story
Miles is an otherwise average man who gets a system notification about the end of the world two years before it happened. He spends his time prepping. He learns survival skills, martial arts, and preps like crazy.
The story is fast paced, well written, and compelling. The characters are great and go through growth. The system initiation is ruthless.
Classic growth story with an MC who had some innate advantages, some luck, some talent, and some divine shennagins.
---------------
Summary (spoilers)
I read a lot and write these for myself so I can keep track of the story. If it helps someone else, great!
Miles is an average antisocial guy who has no serious attachments - no family, one friend named Tom who dies early on, no girlfriend, etc. He spends all of his time doomsday prepping in response to a blue screen that popped up in his vision letting him know when the world will end. The world does indeed end and much of his physical prepping (food, weapons, etc) is vanished by the system as a balancing agent. Instead he gets what are basically skill points. This sets him ahead of most humans, although there are others like him. His house is almost immediately destroyed by a giant cyclops.
He rushes to his only friend's store and happily finds Tom alive, although that doesn't last long. More importantly, he meets another person who also had prior knowledge to the end of the world who is much more prepared than he is. She is In a cycle of reincarnation on system worlds and is on her third life. She keeps her memories of each life and is mentally about 90. She has a super powerful brother from her first life who has ascended and seems like he will be more important later. She wants to gain enough strength to join him.
They team up and get stronger before going their separate ways for a few days.
As a side note, they all hate goblins.
Miles continues to gain strength and is summoned to the God's realm of the being who warned him of the apocalypse-- the Egyptian god Anubus. He becomes a champion for Anubus and is rewarded with a hellhound that he names Bacon. Bacon helps him eradicate all goblins. Bacon is a good boy.
Miles continues gaining strength and runs into the organized remnants of his town. They are lead by sheriff Grey who seems like a good guy. They give Miles information on the location of the cyclops who initially destroyed his home and killed Tom.
As the book ends, Miles has grown a lot and is going to fight the first monster he encountered-- the cyclops. He has also been given a system quest for it.
Miles is an otherwise average man who gets a system notification about the end of the world two years before it happened. He spends his time prepping. He learns survival skills, martial arts, and preps like crazy.
The story is fast paced, well written, and compelling. The characters are great and go through growth. The system initiation is ruthless.
Classic growth story with an MC who had some innate advantages, some luck, some talent, and some divine shennagins.
---------------
Summary (spoilers)
I read a lot and write these for myself so I can keep track of the story. If it helps someone else, great!
Miles is an average antisocial guy who has no serious attachments - no family, one friend named Tom who dies early on, no girlfriend, etc. He spends all of his time doomsday prepping in response to a blue screen that popped up in his vision letting him know when the world will end. The world does indeed end and much of his physical prepping (food, weapons, etc) is vanished by the system as a balancing agent. Instead he gets what are basically skill points. This sets him ahead of most humans, although there are others like him. His house is almost immediately destroyed by a giant cyclops.
He rushes to his only friend's store and happily finds Tom alive, although that doesn't last long. More importantly, he meets another person who also had prior knowledge to the end of the world who is much more prepared than he is. She is In a cycle of reincarnation on system worlds and is on her third life. She keeps her memories of each life and is mentally about 90. She has a super powerful brother from her first life who has ascended and seems like he will be more important later. She wants to gain enough strength to join him.
They team up and get stronger before going their separate ways for a few days.
As a side note, they all hate goblins.
Miles continues to gain strength and is summoned to the God's realm of the being who warned him of the apocalypse-- the Egyptian god Anubus. He becomes a champion for Anubus and is rewarded with a hellhound that he names Bacon. Bacon helps him eradicate all goblins. Bacon is a good boy.
Miles continues gaining strength and runs into the organized remnants of his town. They are lead by sheriff Grey who seems like a good guy. They give Miles information on the location of the cyclops who initially destroyed his home and killed Tom.
As the book ends, Miles has grown a lot and is going to fight the first monster he encountered-- the cyclops. He has also been given a system quest for it.
October 11, 2024
Another rather generic apocalypse- system story.
DNF at 57%
The protagonist is a loner and spends a lit of the book in intro perception. The starter monsters of the initialization feel totally over powered and Miles' skills rather underwhelming due to their randomness..
During the first half of the book Miles behaves more like a side kick and is not overly likeable. Readers will struggle with the consistency of his decisions, especially given the fact that he supposely prepared and plannedfor all eventualities. At the start he decided not to help strangers out of caution and help a wounded woman for profit. Soon after he worried about the moral implications of looting medicines that other people might need as well. I partly understood why he would be overwhelmed with the infected woman and hesitated to put her down though.
Somehow i believe that Aldina would have been a better and more interesting protagonist as she has a background story, is competent and actually cares about other people..
Criticism and comments:
The twist at the start was nice.
I loved it when Miles complained that his intelligence stat seems too high #rofl#... Anyway, I have to agree with him that his stats seem to be too high, given the explanation he got, especially intelligence and luck.
DNF at 57%
The protagonist is a loner and spends a lit of the book in intro perception. The starter monsters of the initialization feel totally over powered and Miles' skills rather underwhelming due to their randomness..
During the first half of the book Miles behaves more like a side kick and is not overly likeable. Readers will struggle with the consistency of his decisions, especially given the fact that he supposely prepared and plannedfor all eventualities. At the start he decided not to help strangers out of caution and help a wounded woman for profit. Soon after he worried about the moral implications of looting medicines that other people might need as well. I partly understood why he would be overwhelmed with the infected woman and hesitated to put her down though.
Somehow i believe that Aldina would have been a better and more interesting protagonist as she has a background story, is competent and actually cares about other people..
Criticism and comments:
The twist at the start was nice.
I loved it when Miles complained that his intelligence stat seems too high #rofl#... Anyway, I have to agree with him that his stats seem to be too high, given the explanation he got, especially intelligence and luck.
June 22, 2024
Pretty interesting apoclypse by system intergration story.
The MC gets advanced warning that an apocalypse is coming so he prepares. But due to system f*****ry, most of his prep work and stockpiles are removed. He does however get some very good starting levels. Unfortunately a giant soon steps on his house. He survives, though his fam doesnt. Gotta keep moving, no hunkering down, gotta fight goblins and other monsters and get stronger. Of course not only monsters are monstrous. He finds an ally in a beautiful ice mage who's seen this rodeo before. She helps him get a better understanding of what's going on.
However, some research may have gone awry. Anubus is not the egyptian god of death, but of resurection. In egyption mythology the heart of a dead person is weighed against a feather to determine the balance of the life they have lived and what path their journey will take them from there.
In this universe, the gods wager on the outcome of conflicts such as the intergration of new worlds. What could go wrong?
The MC gets advanced warning that an apocalypse is coming so he prepares. But due to system f*****ry, most of his prep work and stockpiles are removed. He does however get some very good starting levels. Unfortunately a giant soon steps on his house. He survives, though his fam doesnt. Gotta keep moving, no hunkering down, gotta fight goblins and other monsters and get stronger. Of course not only monsters are monstrous. He finds an ally in a beautiful ice mage who's seen this rodeo before. She helps him get a better understanding of what's going on.
However, some research may have gone awry. Anubus is not the egyptian god of death, but of resurection. In egyption mythology the heart of a dead person is weighed against a feather to determine the balance of the life they have lived and what path their journey will take them from there.
In this universe, the gods wager on the outcome of conflicts such as the intergration of new worlds. What could go wrong?
May 31, 2024
Has potential…
This is an interesting spin on the System Apocalypse setting of LitRPG, even though it’s mostly a hodgepodge of overused tropes across the genre.
Unfortunately, the writing quality is not what I expect from a published product and experienced author. It’s more on par with amateur fan fic. Additionally, the occasional strange sentence and word choices make parts of this book seem either AI generated or ghostwritten by someone whose first language is not English.
There’s also the bizarre decision to almost immediately introduce a more experienced and prepared companion. Obviously, this undercuts the premise of an MC who had been prepping “his whole life” for the approaching apocalypse. It also removes much of the discovery aspect of navigating the start of the system.
Professional editing would have gone a long way to polishing up all the odd grammar, story holes, and needless repetition. Too bad that’s not what happened, as there’s some really interesting elements that make me want to read more about the MC and this “sponsored” System Apocalypse. Give it a try if you’re a sucker for pulpy LitRPG like me. Just don’t expect too much.
This is an interesting spin on the System Apocalypse setting of LitRPG, even though it’s mostly a hodgepodge of overused tropes across the genre.
Unfortunately, the writing quality is not what I expect from a published product and experienced author. It’s more on par with amateur fan fic. Additionally, the occasional strange sentence and word choices make parts of this book seem either AI generated or ghostwritten by someone whose first language is not English.
There’s also the bizarre decision to almost immediately introduce a more experienced and prepared companion. Obviously, this undercuts the premise of an MC who had been prepping “his whole life” for the approaching apocalypse. It also removes much of the discovery aspect of navigating the start of the system.
Professional editing would have gone a long way to polishing up all the odd grammar, story holes, and needless repetition. Too bad that’s not what happened, as there’s some really interesting elements that make me want to read more about the MC and this “sponsored” System Apocalypse. Give it a try if you’re a sucker for pulpy LitRPG like me. Just don’t expect too much.
June 3, 2024
Main character is a mess. His actions and thoughts portrayed to the reader are contradictory and do not make sense in context. An example man had 2 years to prepare yet act like or worse than those who had no prep. 2nd in one instance he by passes someone easy to help and a chance to get xp but waltzes by without a f given says way to hard to help. Then when he confronted with crack head woman bitten by zombies he seems to suddenly gives a damn and wants to cry and help in the middle of the street after making a huge racket after his team mate told him there was no way to help. This is trash writing. Seems like it was phoned in or had a cheap ghost writer write it with direction form Corvin.
June 6, 2024
Complex post apocalyptic progression
I initially had reservations as I was reading the first set of chapters as the universe the story is set in is not as simple as most in this genre. Trying to wrap my head around how it operates in between monster fights was a little more than the simple fun storyline I was hoping for when I started reading. For me this author has been a mix of good books and a series I couldn’t get into and dropped early as it was so negative and depressing that I just didn’t want to read it. I did struggle a bit with this one worried it might be another story to drop, but it did just keep me interested enough to keep going and eventually managed to get my interest to read more in this series to see where story will go.
I initially had reservations as I was reading the first set of chapters as the universe the story is set in is not as simple as most in this genre. Trying to wrap my head around how it operates in between monster fights was a little more than the simple fun storyline I was hoping for when I started reading. For me this author has been a mix of good books and a series I couldn’t get into and dropped early as it was so negative and depressing that I just didn’t want to read it. I did struggle a bit with this one worried it might be another story to drop, but it did just keep me interested enough to keep going and eventually managed to get my interest to read more in this series to see where story will go.
June 14, 2024
Sponsored Apocalypse is the first book in this series, and it's a keeper for sure. Really liked this book, and looking forward to the next one in the series. If you're a typical apocalypse fan, then this book is a must read. If you're just a normal everyday LitRPG fan, then this story is one you shouldn't miss, (unless you really really really hate apocalypse stories). The second one should be just as good as this one, so add that one to your read list too if you can. This series looks like it's going to be a blast.
September 15, 2024
The name of the book has me thinking the author got some inspiration from Dungeon Crawler Carl.
The blurb is giving me vibes that the author is using parts of a story he co-authored years ago with Outspan Foster. I will see soon enough.
For some reason, I'm thinking of Apocalypse Cultivation while reading this. I wonder if the books are connected.
I am sure the books are connected. I will pick up the sequel, I just hope it doesn't stray like book two of the other series.
I can see the protag of this series doing things to make a special backpack, etc. I hope he thinks outside the box.
3/5 Stars
The blurb is giving me vibes that the author is using parts of a story he co-authored years ago with Outspan Foster. I will see soon enough.
For some reason, I'm thinking of Apocalypse Cultivation while reading this. I wonder if the books are connected.
I am sure the books are connected. I will pick up the sequel, I just hope it doesn't stray like book two of the other series.
I can see the protag of this series doing things to make a special backpack, etc. I hope he thinks outside the box.
3/5 Stars
May 13, 2024
Book one
I dropped this one. The reason I did was because the writing style just didn't read well for me.
So because of that everything read as a little more than slightly off.
I think it would be better with a really good editor that could help with sentence structure.
I'm giving it three stars because I know that other people will have no problem with the writing style.
4.5/10 Just an odd writing style that I couldn't enjoy. I was to busy picking apart sentences to enjoy this story.
Please remember that this is just my personal opinion and you are welcome to have a different opinion.
I dropped this one. The reason I did was because the writing style just didn't read well for me.
So because of that everything read as a little more than slightly off.
I think it would be better with a really good editor that could help with sentence structure.
I'm giving it three stars because I know that other people will have no problem with the writing style.
4.5/10 Just an odd writing style that I couldn't enjoy. I was to busy picking apart sentences to enjoy this story.
Please remember that this is just my personal opinion and you are welcome to have a different opinion.
May 20, 2024
Slow start but builds quickly
Alternate universe, LitRPG, post apocalypse survival
Miles is our MC, and for most of the book, his survival is the focus. He meets a veteran mage, gains a dog, and more. As much as to introduce the leaders of the humans as to offer comparisons, we meet Gray, and some of the other survivors. No cute goblin girls here, just ravening murder machines.
Very well edited, and the author has a skilled way with world building, adventure, pacing, and character development. There was a hint book 2 might be out, and if so, I'm going to get it. Enjoyed. I also thoroughly enjoyed his other series.
Alternate universe, LitRPG, post apocalypse survival
Miles is our MC, and for most of the book, his survival is the focus. He meets a veteran mage, gains a dog, and more. As much as to introduce the leaders of the humans as to offer comparisons, we meet Gray, and some of the other survivors. No cute goblin girls here, just ravening murder machines.
Very well edited, and the author has a skilled way with world building, adventure, pacing, and character development. There was a hint book 2 might be out, and if so, I'm going to get it. Enjoyed. I also thoroughly enjoyed his other series.
November 9, 2024
Good entertaining story and better than most LITRPG books I have read. Very few editing flaws mostly words left in of left out, with few words misspelled. Author has the MC do stuff that I would do with few incidences of excessive useless moralising. So if someone needs killing, he kills them without whining and crying about it. I have quit reading quit a few books where the MC never stops moralizing about every bad thing he is forced to do to stay alive.
So I will highly recommend this book to anyone who likes litrpg books, and even to people who never liked these books before. You just might enjoy this one. I am 1/3 of the way through the 2nd book and it keeps getting better.
So I will highly recommend this book to anyone who likes litrpg books, and even to people who never liked these books before. You just might enjoy this one. I am 1/3 of the way through the 2nd book and it keeps getting better.
May 20, 2024
Great start. Yearning for the Next!
What happens when you revisit a universe from a different character's perspective? Often, you get a tired re-hashing of previous work. Not here.
This book is an absolutely wild ride. From beginning to end, it's filled with all the great things you could hope for. The world is deep. The characters are developed right out of the gate and only get better, and I found myself hooked in so quickly and deeply that I finished the book in about 24 hours.
What happens when you revisit a universe from a different character's perspective? Often, you get a tired re-hashing of previous work. Not here.
This book is an absolutely wild ride. From beginning to end, it's filled with all the great things you could hope for. The world is deep. The characters are developed right out of the gate and only get better, and I found myself hooked in so quickly and deeply that I finished the book in about 24 hours.
July 24, 2024
Okay read for a classic modern Earth litRPG apocalypse story. But why -2 stars? The protagonist was unimpressive in personality and skill, and his special power was rather lame. I also found it super annoying that the system offers nonsense names and descriptions for the list of powers he can pick. It didn't add anything to the story except making the system look silly.
As the story continued, the protagonist felt more like a side character for me. I mostly finished it because there aren't many modern Earth LitRPGs I left for me to read out there.
As the story continued, the protagonist felt more like a side character for me. I mostly finished it because there aren't many modern Earth LitRPGs I left for me to read out there.
August 25, 2024
Years ago, I read previous works by this author. I liked the cut of his jib, but I drifted away.
This work is a pleasant surprise. I can't stand happy head, heroic fiction. My career path and life won't allow me to suspend disbelief to the extent that I can buy into a work of fiction that has humans being wonderfully altruistic during the apocalypse.
On the other hand, the protagonist of this work is strangely "virtuous" and honorable. The work does lose some of its authenticity as a result of his Dudley Do-Right behavior, but I will continue to read it.
This work is a pleasant surprise. I can't stand happy head, heroic fiction. My career path and life won't allow me to suspend disbelief to the extent that I can buy into a work of fiction that has humans being wonderfully altruistic during the apocalypse.
On the other hand, the protagonist of this work is strangely "virtuous" and honorable. The work does lose some of its authenticity as a result of his Dudley Do-Right behavior, but I will continue to read it.
November 18, 2024
It's a solid book!
The main character can say some very cringy things at times, but considering he's a loner, and prepper for an apocalypse, It makes sense that he doesn't quite know how to talk to others, or handle situations without trying to be funny.
This is fully a power fantasy, with a main character that is pretty much overpowered straight off the bat, but I've genuinely enjoyed watching his growth, and how he uses his skills to navigate through this new world and new system.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
The main character can say some very cringy things at times, but considering he's a loner, and prepper for an apocalypse, It makes sense that he doesn't quite know how to talk to others, or handle situations without trying to be funny.
This is fully a power fantasy, with a main character that is pretty much overpowered straight off the bat, but I've genuinely enjoyed watching his growth, and how he uses his skills to navigate through this new world and new system.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
March 4, 2025
I enjoyed Sponsored Apocalypse quite a bit—it’s a solid read with a good narrative and cool characters that kept me hooked. The story flows well, and there’s a lot to like about how it’s put together. That said, it felt a little generic at times, like it didn’t quite stand out as much as I’d hoped. I’m also a bit worried about where the power levels in the series might go; I hope they don’t spiral too far out of control in future books.
Still, it’s a fun ride, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys the genre!
Still, it’s a fun ride, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys the genre!
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