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The Exlian Syndrome #1
Advent
From bestselling LitRPG author Seth Ring—creator of The Titan series and Battle Mage Farmer--Advent is the first in an epic new series of alien contact, fast-paced military action, and thrilling adventure that will leave readers hungry for more.
All his life, Mark Fields has dreamed of joining the Defense Force to fight the vicious, alien Exlian, just like the rest of his renowned family. But so far, he’s … a dishwasher, trapped in a dead-end job with no powers, no money, and even fewer friends.
But an encounter with a dying woman changes everything—granting him the abilities he needs to join the training camps—and his life finally feels like it’s turning around, faster than a movie martial-arts montage (just ignore the weird cat).
But the Exlian are voracious and myriad, and there’s more to Mark’s new powers than just leveling up. With the pressure mounting, it doesn’t take him long to realize the Exlian aren’t the only sinister threat lurking within the city …
In this first installment of the Exlian Syndrome series, you must fight the monsters … or become one yourself.
All his life, Mark Fields has dreamed of joining the Defense Force to fight the vicious, alien Exlian, just like the rest of his renowned family. But so far, he’s … a dishwasher, trapped in a dead-end job with no powers, no money, and even fewer friends.
But an encounter with a dying woman changes everything—granting him the abilities he needs to join the training camps—and his life finally feels like it’s turning around, faster than a movie martial-arts montage (just ignore the weird cat).
But the Exlian are voracious and myriad, and there’s more to Mark’s new powers than just leveling up. With the pressure mounting, it doesn’t take him long to realize the Exlian aren’t the only sinister threat lurking within the city …
In this first installment of the Exlian Syndrome series, you must fight the monsters … or become one yourself.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2025
626 people are currently reading
3569 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
March 9, 2025
4.5 Stars
For the first quarter of this book I wasn't fully on board. It seemed overly derivative of the many Japanese manga/anime system stories. But once the inciting incident occurred to the protagonist things just took off.
I liked the layered politics and the mysterious cat companion. The team was made up of several decently fleshed out characters (and a few paper cut-outs). The magic system was as expected except for the dream training (excellent if unexplained).
The world-building left something to be desired. Is the whole planet reduced to one functional city. No other places are mentioned. It's just not explained. That's not an intended mystery, more of an author oversight.
In short, Mark's warped power mechanic, (alongside an insane work ethic) leads to some of the most exciting levelling-up I've read. Good stuff.
For the first quarter of this book I wasn't fully on board. It seemed overly derivative of the many Japanese manga/anime system stories. But once the inciting incident occurred to the protagonist things just took off.
I liked the layered politics and the mysterious cat companion. The team was made up of several decently fleshed out characters (and a few paper cut-outs). The magic system was as expected except for the dream training (excellent if unexplained).
The world-building left something to be desired. Is the whole planet reduced to one functional city. No other places are mentioned. It's just not explained. That's not an intended mystery, more of an author oversight.
In short, Mark's warped power mechanic, (alongside an insane work ethic) leads to some of the most exciting levelling-up I've read. Good stuff.
May 8, 2025
I think I like litRPG… this was different and fun!
June 2, 2025
I will be honest, I don’t know why this book was in a Barnes & Noble three weeks before its release. But it caught my eye and peaked my interest. So here we are…
For my introduction to Seth Ring as a writer I am very impressed! I will definitely have to check out some of his other works!
Needless to say the actual review now. I could relate to Marck which is hard to find in some sci-fi books nowadays. Not really going anywhere in life and complaining about the smallest things and then joining the military. Albeit this military seems like they have some bad actors up their sleeves being influenced by the cities elite. Mark is a good seed in a land of bad apples. Through friends and hard work he is able to overcome some really exciting and action packed struggles.
Overall I would definitely pick up this book if you haven’t been planning on it already.
For my introduction to Seth Ring as a writer I am very impressed! I will definitely have to check out some of his other works!
Needless to say the actual review now. I could relate to Marck which is hard to find in some sci-fi books nowadays. Not really going anywhere in life and complaining about the smallest things and then joining the military. Albeit this military seems like they have some bad actors up their sleeves being influenced by the cities elite. Mark is a good seed in a land of bad apples. Through friends and hard work he is able to overcome some really exciting and action packed struggles.
Overall I would definitely pick up this book if you haven’t been planning on it already.
February 22, 2025
This was a fun read! I love this type of progression fantasy that has a LitRPG feel to it but also feels more “real”.
I was immediately invested in the characters and love Mime!! I can easily recommend this though I will say the ending felt a little abrupt to me. I don’t mind a bit of a cliffhanger but it was kind of shocking.
Super excited see what happens next!!
My rating: 4.3*
—-
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
I was immediately invested in the characters and love Mime!! I can easily recommend this though I will say the ending felt a little abrupt to me. I don’t mind a bit of a cliffhanger but it was kind of shocking.
Super excited see what happens next!!
My rating: 4.3*
—-
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
June 27, 2025
way too much telling instead of showing details and plot things. a little too much romance for me but wasn't the worst. didn't feel like it really went into some aspects of things i'd like to know, like how does the government keep control over those with powers, like yes you have the grading system and all that set it, but is that everywhere, is someone in Djibouti just destroying everything without anyone overseeing that area?
June 2, 2025
Highly recommended this book! I thought it was really good and easy to read, the characters were easy to follow and made me want to keep reading with all the action and humor. I love the world building and the concept of the leveling-up (in my opinion it’s too much like a video game but if you love video games that you might like it better.) My only real complaint is that you can tell it’s a part of a series because there’s no real satisfying ending. Over all, great book, definitely going to keep reading this series!
October 1, 2025
4.7⭐️
0🌶️
Listened to the audiobook on Libby
This felt like a litRPG version of My Hero Academia. It has special schools cool powers with a lot of people having these powers and variations of powers and potential. We see Mark going from no powers to being a bad ass. I had a lot of fun plus it has great social commentaries. Mark is genuinely likeable main character when happens to have some great contacts. The alien baddies are fun and allows for overpoweed characters.
0🌶️
Listened to the audiobook on Libby
This felt like a litRPG version of My Hero Academia. It has special schools cool powers with a lot of people having these powers and variations of powers and potential. We see Mark going from no powers to being a bad ass. I had a lot of fun plus it has great social commentaries. Mark is genuinely likeable main character when happens to have some great contacts. The alien baddies are fun and allows for overpoweed characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ this was a fun little read. And there's a cat, so of course I'm going to like it. 🐈
May 18, 2025
My first litRPG. Entertaining story that definitely read like a video game. Chock full of battle scenes (some of them were pretty violent), but nothing else objectionable.
January 12, 2025
Genre Status: Scifi; LitRPG; Progression Fantasy
Rank: B
Worldbuilding: A
Characterization: C-
Grammar: C
Fun: S
This was a fun read. It was an advance reader copy so the polish seemed a bit rough at times. I really liked the world building and the power leveling system and how the main character subverted that system. I’m interested to see what other twists there will be in future installments. I loved the level of crunch to the mechanics of how powers and I am interested to see that develop as well.
The interactions between the main character and other characters seemed a bit two-dimensional at times (especially with the other characters that were women). The characters seemed to be based on archetypes and didn’t really defy those archetypes much. Though the character Noah did surprise me by turning out to be an OK dude instead of the privileged bully that he might have been if he played into the trope.
Overall this book was a really fun experience and I look forward to the next one. I would totally recommend it to other fans of the genre. By the end of it I was totally hooked.
Rank: B
Worldbuilding: A
Characterization: C-
Grammar: C
Fun: S
This was a fun read. It was an advance reader copy so the polish seemed a bit rough at times. I really liked the world building and the power leveling system and how the main character subverted that system. I’m interested to see what other twists there will be in future installments. I loved the level of crunch to the mechanics of how powers and I am interested to see that develop as well.
The interactions between the main character and other characters seemed a bit two-dimensional at times (especially with the other characters that were women). The characters seemed to be based on archetypes and didn’t really defy those archetypes much. Though the character Noah did surprise me by turning out to be an OK dude instead of the privileged bully that he might have been if he played into the trope.
Overall this book was a really fun experience and I look forward to the next one. I would totally recommend it to other fans of the genre. By the end of it I was totally hooked.
March 17, 2025
Great pacing, great action, really interesting world building, and a protagonist that doesn't ask too many questions, so most things are still a mystery (that I'm willing to wait for to find out the answer to). This ended on a complete cliffhanger, but there was enough setup for me to feel satisfied with this first installment. Will definitely continue the series.
This was just a good old fashioned fun sci-fi story where it's really just magic with aliens.
This was just a good old fashioned fun sci-fi story where it's really just magic with aliens.
November 19, 2025
Advent (The Exlian Syndrome Series, #1) by Seth Ring
A classic underdog progression fantasy set in an alien-invaded, superpowered society, Advent balances high-octane leveling action and military intrigue with accessible characterization—delivering fun genre comfort with notable, if sometimes frustrating, genre limitations.
Premise & Setting:
Advent introduces Mark Fields, a powerless dishwasher in a dystopian city perpetually at war with insectoid alien “Exlians.” Mark comes from a family of renowned heroes but, past the usual age for power manifestation, is left with little hope until a chance encounter with a dying scientist radically shifts his fate. Suddenly gifted with unusual powers, Mark enters a militarized training camp just as Exlian attacks and citywide conspiracies threaten everyone’s survival.
The city-centric world feels both vibrant and oddly claustrophobic (with little sense of a broader planetary society), and the premise borrows heavily from anime, cultivation, and military SF traditions. While the singular city focus adds social pressure and narrative clarity, it leaves some readers feeling the setting is underexplored or missing broader global stakes.
Progression Mechanics:
Ring’s take on progression fantasy (and LitRPG elements) lands in the “leveling, but not stat sheet-heavy” tradition. Mark’s powers and progression system are clearly explained, but Ring eschews excessive numerical detail and focuses on training montages, innovative use of powers, and the importance of teamwork. The book features vivid action sequences, creative alchemy, and “dream training” (a highlight for many readers) but remains more interested in creative power application and steady growth than crunchy stat optimization.
Where Advent rises above some of its genre brethren is its emphasis on Mark’s hard work and problem-solving rather than easy power-ups or overpowered antics from page one; the path to power is consistently incremental and, thus, more rewarding.
Characterization & Team Dynamics:
Mark is a classic “decent underdog”—earnest, hard-working, and, at times, believably insecure. Some readers find his voice a bit too “innocent” or adolescent, which fits the teen/early twenties protagonist archetype, although his emotional development occasionally lags behind plot developments. His journey from isolation to integration with a varied cast of companions is a core driver of the story’s emotional beats.
The ensemble includes highlights such as:
Mime — a mysterious, possibly lethal feline companion whose personality and role provide both comic relief and plot intrigue.
Noah — initially a privileged-seeming rival who subverts expectations to become a strong supporting friend.
Skye — a love interest who, for some, reads as underdeveloped or frustratingly stereotypical, introducing YA-style relationship drama that split readers.
Master Abram — the dangerous, enigmatic mentor driving much of Mark’s personal growth and magical training.
Big bro Joe — whose shadows over Mark’s life and secrets about the city’s politics and military create further tension and mystery.
Pacing, Plot, and Structure:
Advent spends its first quarter rooted in manga and anime system-stories, but picks up the pace after Mark’s turn of fortune. Many enjoy the book’s action, the “team-building” intensity, and escalating tension as Mark is drawn into city conspiracies and waves of alien attacks. The focus on gradual mastery—rather than immediate world-shaking power—grounds the narrative, encouraging reader investment in both Mark’s and his team’s arcs.
A significant criticism is the abrupt, cliffhanger ending and a sense of plot “setup” over self-contained story. Key mysteries—why Mark’s brother’s group was targeted, the purpose of Mark’s powers, and political secrets about the Exlians and city elite—are only lightly touched on. For completion-seeking readers, Advent can feel like an extended pilot episode, promising more than it resolves.
Style and Accessibility:
Ring’s prose is clean, readable, and brisk—though some dialogue slips into cliché and telling, not showing. This accessibility makes the book a great entry-point for LitRPG and progression fantasy newcomers, and many highlight the successful audiobook narration as boosting enjoyment.
Comparative Analysis — Genre Contemporaries:
Tao Wong’s “System Apocalypse” and “Life in the North” offer a more global, stat-heavy, survival-centric grind, while Advent is focused on a single hero and his immediate circle, with higher emotional comfort but sometimes less worldbuilding immersion.
Will Wight’s “Cradle” features boundary-expanding progression and layered character development with tight plot resolutions; Advent goes for a slower pace and “teen hero” tone.
Seth Ring’s own “Battle Mage Farmer” and “Nova Terra” feature MCs and worldbuilding that some find more instantly likable or rich, but Advent stands out for thematic ambition—politics, friend-foe dynamics, militarized society—albeit less developed in romance and wider worldbuilding.
Compared to anime/webtoon classics (like Solo Leveling, My Hero Academia), Advent is less flashy, more grounded, and struggles at times with visual momentum and intensity.
Criticism & Flaws:
- Dialogues and emotional depth can run shallow or generic; several reviewers hope for richer interpersonal engagement.
- The romantic subplot divides readers for feeling forced, undercooked, or lacking real connection.
- Pacing is uneven—sometimes setup-heavy, sometimes meandering with montage over action or discovery.
- Worldbuilding is incomplete—society outside the city and some institutional logic are left for sequels.
- Cliffhanger ending and lack of standalone arc can frustrate those seeking resolution.
Conclusion:
Advent is a solid, if sometimes predictable, entry into the LitRPG/progression fantasy landscape. Its underdog MC, reliable team dynamics, and satisfying (albeit tropey) leveling provide comfort for genre fans. While it doesn’t break major new ground, it avoids most big pitfalls and is more ambitious with politics and group dynamics than most debuts—though less developed in romance and world immersion. Recommended for readers seeking a fun, team-focused new series with growth potential; those looking for more literary polish or innovation may wish to look elsewhere.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✩✩ (3.0/5) — Enjoyable and comforting, with room to grow; a promising open salvo for the Exlian Syndrome series but not yet a genre standout.
October 1, 2025
Bland af- power system boring- characters flat with absolutely no life in them- leveling system super dumb - plot nothing to write home about- maybe i was just overly spoiled by carl and his world but i sure hope not cause this was not nearly worth the over 4 start average rating at all- there is no life behind the characters motivations and his love interest is bland- also bro did not question a single fucking thing in his life- something was weird or off ->bro said oh ok great have a nice day- also another comparison as much as donut can annoy me sometime with her incessant arrogance at least she has character and personality
March 20, 2025
Advent is the first of a new series from author Seth Ring. It's a military science fiction set in a futuristic world overrun by alien things, and humans have the potential to awaken superhero-like powers. Technology and alchemy are used to "fill skill/power slots" and advance levels of power just like in video games! We follow main character Mark who is a young man living hand to mouth on his own as a dishwasher and the only one in his family without powers.
This was my first lit RPG novel, and this might be my new favorite sub genre!
I'M SO INVESTED IN THESE CHARACTERS. This audiobook was a total blast! Super fun world, super fun fantasy system, great drama and adventure!! And THE CAT!!! Mime might be my new favorite literary animal.
The audiobook narration is excellent. I listened at a slower pace than I usually do to keep up with all the detail and the emotional inflection of the narrator, but the content is so good I didn't mind. He did all the voices really well and that definitely helped keep everything in order in my head.
I could be misremembering, but I don't remember any explicit language at all? The violence was not gratuitously described. It's about as violent as any Marvel or DC movie, which is to say there is a lot of violence but none of it. It's action packed from beginning to end!
There's a romance subplot by the end, but it's a relationship building through friendship and barely described--nothing explicit or implied.
There's corporate corruption, terrorism side plot, and human experimentation is mentioned. But otherwise, unless there was something I missed, this would be a good book for older teens.
And of course, this is the first of a new series! It could grow in intensity, violence, or romance in the next books.
Audiobook gifted from netgalley and Blackstone Publishing, all thoughts are my own.
This was my first lit RPG novel, and this might be my new favorite sub genre!
I'M SO INVESTED IN THESE CHARACTERS. This audiobook was a total blast! Super fun world, super fun fantasy system, great drama and adventure!! And THE CAT!!! Mime might be my new favorite literary animal.
The audiobook narration is excellent. I listened at a slower pace than I usually do to keep up with all the detail and the emotional inflection of the narrator, but the content is so good I didn't mind. He did all the voices really well and that definitely helped keep everything in order in my head.
I could be misremembering, but I don't remember any explicit language at all? The violence was not gratuitously described. It's about as violent as any Marvel or DC movie, which is to say there is a lot of violence but none of it. It's action packed from beginning to end!
There's a romance subplot by the end, but it's a relationship building through friendship and barely described--nothing explicit or implied.
There's corporate corruption, terrorism side plot, and human experimentation is mentioned. But otherwise, unless there was something I missed, this would be a good book for older teens.
And of course, this is the first of a new series! It could grow in intensity, violence, or romance in the next books.
Audiobook gifted from netgalley and Blackstone Publishing, all thoughts are my own.
February 27, 2025
I received an ARC of Advent in exchange for an honest review. Overall, I thought it was an okay read—about a 3-star experience for me, maybe 3.5.
The strongest aspect of the book was the main character’s powers, which had a unique and engaging development that gave me strong anime vibes. There were some cool moments where the magic system and abilities unfolded in a way that felt dynamic and visually striking, which kept me interested in seeing how things would progress.
That said, I had some issues with the structure. The chapters often felt like they stopped and started somewhat randomly, which disrupted the pacing and made it harder to stay immersed in the story. Additionally, the ebook formatting had some noticeable problems, which made the reading experience a bit frustrating at times.
The book is written in third person, primarily following one character’s perspective, but every now and then, there would be a line like, “If he was conscious, he would have seen…” followed by something interesting happening in the background. While I liked getting those extra details, the way they were integrated felt a little jarring at times.
Overall, Advent had an interesting concept and some exciting moments, but the execution didn’t fully land for me. If you’re into anime-inspired action and don’t mind some structural quirks, it might still be worth checking out.
The strongest aspect of the book was the main character’s powers, which had a unique and engaging development that gave me strong anime vibes. There were some cool moments where the magic system and abilities unfolded in a way that felt dynamic and visually striking, which kept me interested in seeing how things would progress.
That said, I had some issues with the structure. The chapters often felt like they stopped and started somewhat randomly, which disrupted the pacing and made it harder to stay immersed in the story. Additionally, the ebook formatting had some noticeable problems, which made the reading experience a bit frustrating at times.
The book is written in third person, primarily following one character’s perspective, but every now and then, there would be a line like, “If he was conscious, he would have seen…” followed by something interesting happening in the background. While I liked getting those extra details, the way they were integrated felt a little jarring at times.
Overall, Advent had an interesting concept and some exciting moments, but the execution didn’t fully land for me. If you’re into anime-inspired action and don’t mind some structural quirks, it might still be worth checking out.
September 1, 2025
Looks like I am seriously in the minority regarding my rating.
LitRPG is a cool genre, and I find that I do enjoy it. I just feel like this book in particular was honestly super boring and uneventful. It was too long and nothing really happened that was noteworthy, except for some events in the last 20% or so.
I understand the whole market manipulation thing with the potions (we all do that in MMOs), but for the love of god, I don't fucking care about it! I did not need that much info about it!!
I thought the whole premise was really cool and had so much potential, but NOTHING was really followed up on. I don't expect to learn everything about the series in the first book, but I felt like things were mentioned just to be mentioned rather than actually developed.
At first, I equated this to Helldivers + Spiderman/Incredibles, with a dark and sinister twist with war and corruption. Which is super cool.
This was honestly poorly executed and did not keep me entertained sometimes. It was a lot of "telling" not "showing".
Most of the characters were flat as a board, including Mark, and I wish more was done with them...
Maybe, we will see if I continue. I think I will, but it's not a priority.
LitRPG is a cool genre, and I find that I do enjoy it. I just feel like this book in particular was honestly super boring and uneventful. It was too long and nothing really happened that was noteworthy, except for some events in the last 20% or so.
I understand the whole market manipulation thing with the potions (we all do that in MMOs), but for the love of god, I don't fucking care about it! I did not need that much info about it!!
I thought the whole premise was really cool and had so much potential, but NOTHING was really followed up on. I don't expect to learn everything about the series in the first book, but I felt like things were mentioned just to be mentioned rather than actually developed.
At first, I equated this to Helldivers + Spiderman/Incredibles, with a dark and sinister twist with war and corruption. Which is super cool.
This was honestly poorly executed and did not keep me entertained sometimes. It was a lot of "telling" not "showing".
Most of the characters were flat as a board, including Mark, and I wish more was done with them...
Maybe, we will see if I continue. I think I will, but it's not a priority.
April 10, 2025
solid premise but crazy plot holes…
I’ve read other books by this author, but this one clearly seems to have been AI assisted… The writing and spelling are fine, which I assume is the AI, but the plot holes are crazy… The best example I can give without spoiling the plot, such as it is would be… there’s an alien in my room and it wants to give me weird powers… No time to look into them though because I have to rush and get to gym class… my brother is one of the top 100 strongest superheroes in the city protecting us from a horrible threat… But we are dirt poor… I hope I can become a superhero so I can be rich and take care of both… it might’ve been better as an anime novel
I’ve read other books by this author, but this one clearly seems to have been AI assisted… The writing and spelling are fine, which I assume is the AI, but the plot holes are crazy… The best example I can give without spoiling the plot, such as it is would be… there’s an alien in my room and it wants to give me weird powers… No time to look into them though because I have to rush and get to gym class… my brother is one of the top 100 strongest superheroes in the city protecting us from a horrible threat… But we are dirt poor… I hope I can become a superhero so I can be rich and take care of both… it might’ve been better as an anime novel
June 28, 2025
Not for adults or smart kids
I would think this is written for kids if not for the violence. The MC is a naive idiot without any sense of agency or awareness. Characters are cookie cutter tropes and the dialogue is juvenile. I tried the second book hoping it would improve, but honestly it just gets cringe as the MC gets stronger and more white knight-ish.
I would think this is written for kids if not for the violence. The MC is a naive idiot without any sense of agency or awareness. Characters are cookie cutter tropes and the dialogue is juvenile. I tried the second book hoping it would improve, but honestly it just gets cringe as the MC gets stronger and more white knight-ish.
March 16, 2025
I cannot BELIEVE it ended there!
I love it! I mean of course I knew I would because Seth wrote it but listen. I LOVE IT!
Warning: All kinds of spoilers ahead, I tell all.
So in love with all of these characters. Mark is the lil innocent baby who really does need to grow up but also, impressed and a little sad he’s made it this long in his oblivious state since it was due to near isolation. The fact he has like NO friends from school or indeed AT ALL until the start of this story is alarming. He’s so unsuspectingly dangerous though I LOVE IT!
Don’t get me started on Mime lol she’s clearly a Flerken-esque being. Her little head tilt right before she murders your face is terrifying and I love it!
Skye leaves much to be desired but I think I’ve said enough about her in my updates. My opinion of her has mildly improved in the last 5% of the book so who knows. Maybe she will crawl her way back up from least favorite character.
Noah… every time this man opens his mouth I love him a little bit more. I’m so happy they are friends! I want them to be even better friends in subsequent books! And also for him to get free from his scheming evil dad.
Master Abram!!! I love a good master apprentice relationship. It’s the best! And this one is GOOD! He’s so dangerous they are both so dangerous I love it!
Big bro Joe gives me Big Hero 6 bro vibes which makes me so nervous cause every time stuff goes down I’m like “omg this when he dies no!” Luckily it hasn’t happened yet so yay! Wish he’d been more open with Mark but hopefully (if he doesn’t die) they can work on that in the future when Mark finally realizes his brother isn’t crazy. The very first thing I thought when he explained about the delayed backup was that it was purposeful. And it was. And sadly Mark will have to learn that the hard way but hopefully his brother won’t have to die in the process.
Also the plot is just really good!
There is plenty of action, though it starts rather slow by the end we are zooming y’all! There are so many mysterious layers too. So many questions.
—Why was his bros group targeted for elimination?
—Pretty sure it’s a nest infecting him right? How does that even work? Will he eventually be able to make more of… himself???? Or did I read that wrong?
—How many of the humanoid Esklian that they dissect are actually humans who’ve been experimented on and gone feral?
—Why are people killing/ eliminating humanities best fighters in the first place? Especially right before another huge wave?
—Was his parent’s death even an accident?
—Flashbacks of masters past please, how did he become a BEAST?!
—What happened to Noah/ his mom that has scarred him for life?
Honestly the list goes on. There are so many mysteries that I’m excited to find out more about.
Things I side eyed:
Um, Marks blood refines elixirs but he’s still feeding people his blood and I find that highly alarming even though I realize it changes alchemically but still! Ick.
Also how DISRESPECTFUL can you get by experimented on the orphans of war heroes and people who have given their life to the protection of the city. How do you pay back their sacrifice by experimenting on their surviving children?! That’s so low.
Things I didn’t like: Skye. But again I’m working hard to revamp my view of her. That’s it though I liked pretty much everything else about this book!
I love it! I mean of course I knew I would because Seth wrote it but listen. I LOVE IT!
Warning: All kinds of spoilers ahead, I tell all.
So in love with all of these characters. Mark is the lil innocent baby who really does need to grow up but also, impressed and a little sad he’s made it this long in his oblivious state since it was due to near isolation. The fact he has like NO friends from school or indeed AT ALL until the start of this story is alarming. He’s so unsuspectingly dangerous though I LOVE IT!
Don’t get me started on Mime lol she’s clearly a Flerken-esque being. Her little head tilt right before she murders your face is terrifying and I love it!
Skye leaves much to be desired but I think I’ve said enough about her in my updates. My opinion of her has mildly improved in the last 5% of the book so who knows. Maybe she will crawl her way back up from least favorite character.
Noah… every time this man opens his mouth I love him a little bit more. I’m so happy they are friends! I want them to be even better friends in subsequent books! And also for him to get free from his scheming evil dad.
Master Abram!!! I love a good master apprentice relationship. It’s the best! And this one is GOOD! He’s so dangerous they are both so dangerous I love it!
Big bro Joe gives me Big Hero 6 bro vibes which makes me so nervous cause every time stuff goes down I’m like “omg this when he dies no!” Luckily it hasn’t happened yet so yay! Wish he’d been more open with Mark but hopefully (if he doesn’t die) they can work on that in the future when Mark finally realizes his brother isn’t crazy. The very first thing I thought when he explained about the delayed backup was that it was purposeful. And it was. And sadly Mark will have to learn that the hard way but hopefully his brother won’t have to die in the process.
Also the plot is just really good!
There is plenty of action, though it starts rather slow by the end we are zooming y’all! There are so many mysterious layers too. So many questions.
—Why was his bros group targeted for elimination?
—Pretty sure it’s a nest infecting him right? How does that even work? Will he eventually be able to make more of… himself???? Or did I read that wrong?
—How many of the humanoid Esklian that they dissect are actually humans who’ve been experimented on and gone feral?
—Why are people killing/ eliminating humanities best fighters in the first place? Especially right before another huge wave?
—Was his parent’s death even an accident?
—Flashbacks of masters past please, how did he become a BEAST?!
—What happened to Noah/ his mom that has scarred him for life?
Honestly the list goes on. There are so many mysteries that I’m excited to find out more about.
Things I side eyed:
Um, Marks blood refines elixirs but he’s still feeding people his blood and I find that highly alarming even though I realize it changes alchemically but still! Ick.
Also how DISRESPECTFUL can you get by experimented on the orphans of war heroes and people who have given their life to the protection of the city. How do you pay back their sacrifice by experimenting on their surviving children?! That’s so low.
Things I didn’t like: Skye. But again I’m working hard to revamp my view of her. That’s it though I liked pretty much everything else about this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
2.5/5.0 stars for literary depth.
5.0/5.0 stars for dopamine action fun!
(recommended if you like Dungeon Crawler Carl, Starship Troopers, the Dexter TV series, and MMORPG gaming)
___
I just finished reading Advent, Dark Dawn, Apex, and Evolution. These four Exlian books flew by in four nights, the writing is so fast. I thought 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' was fast reading, but then I discovered this series. My gosh, this pulp fiction storytelling moves so quickly!
Author Seth Ring avoids info dumps. He avoids characters reflecting on their personal histories. He avoids making commentary on society. His world-building is leaner than a movie script. Seth worships at the altar of plot advancement, and boy is he devout about plot advancement.
The writing revolves around three-sentence paragraphs, five-page chapters, and an active voice narrating style that advances to a new plot point every two or three paragraphs. The plot moves along like a crazed MMORPG gamer on Red Bull, power-leveling a toon via quest after quest.
I could not put these books down! Seth Ring kept injecting my brain with dopamine every three paragraphs! I kept gobbling up the pages like a crazed gamer. My gosh, the gamer-centric action here is so good.
___
Expectations to note:
-You've seen all the plots and subplots before in a hundred other SF / LitRPG books and shows. The overall plot is quite engaging, and you'll certainly cheer for the characters to succeed, but don't
expect shocking plot twists.
-There is near-zero world-building in the Exlian series. The mythology of the plot gets a few descriptive phrases here and there, but that's it. There's no sweeping scope like Dune or the Hyperion Cantos or Hamilton's Commonwealth Saga.
-Character depth is nonexistent; there is no deep texture with any of the primary or secondary characters. The protagonist, Mark Fields, and all his personal friends are highly likeable and easy to cheer for, but they are ultimately one-dimensional pieces that serve the larger plot. Seth Ring doesn't "switch heads" and spend time exploring characters from their internal POV. There's no meditative self-reflection or characters wallowing in their personal dramas. There's only the semi-omniscient 3rd person POV, driving to the next shocking plot event within the next six sentences.
___
Why I say "Dexter":
The one bit of internal human drama that did stand out for me was the protagonist's internal struggle with losing his humanity as he kept splicing alien DNA into himself. I enjoyed that tension as it reminded me of the "Dexter" TV series and his 'dark passenger' turmoil.
___
My recommendation:
I absolutely recommend this Exlian series to gamers and to LitRPG fans. Violent melee combat, desperate humans chopping up insectoid aliens, buckets of "sci fi kablooey" to sate your action lust.
If fiction books were meals, I would describe this Exlian series as "dopamine junk food". Superbly HIGH QUALITY junk food that hits specific taste buds in the brain. I suggest candied bacon drizzled with caramel and cayenne pepper, served with a frosty mug of craft root beer and a plate of crispy fries. Don't expect any long-term nutritional value by reading this series, but your action cravings will certainly get satisfied!
5.0/5.0 stars for dopamine action fun!
(recommended if you like Dungeon Crawler Carl, Starship Troopers, the Dexter TV series, and MMORPG gaming)
___
I just finished reading Advent, Dark Dawn, Apex, and Evolution. These four Exlian books flew by in four nights, the writing is so fast. I thought 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' was fast reading, but then I discovered this series. My gosh, this pulp fiction storytelling moves so quickly!
Author Seth Ring avoids info dumps. He avoids characters reflecting on their personal histories. He avoids making commentary on society. His world-building is leaner than a movie script. Seth worships at the altar of plot advancement, and boy is he devout about plot advancement.
The writing revolves around three-sentence paragraphs, five-page chapters, and an active voice narrating style that advances to a new plot point every two or three paragraphs. The plot moves along like a crazed MMORPG gamer on Red Bull, power-leveling a toon via quest after quest.
I could not put these books down! Seth Ring kept injecting my brain with dopamine every three paragraphs! I kept gobbling up the pages like a crazed gamer. My gosh, the gamer-centric action here is so good.
___
Expectations to note:
-You've seen all the plots and subplots before in a hundred other SF / LitRPG books and shows. The overall plot is quite engaging, and you'll certainly cheer for the characters to succeed, but don't
expect shocking plot twists.
-There is near-zero world-building in the Exlian series. The mythology of the plot gets a few descriptive phrases here and there, but that's it. There's no sweeping scope like Dune or the Hyperion Cantos or Hamilton's Commonwealth Saga.
-Character depth is nonexistent; there is no deep texture with any of the primary or secondary characters. The protagonist, Mark Fields, and all his personal friends are highly likeable and easy to cheer for, but they are ultimately one-dimensional pieces that serve the larger plot. Seth Ring doesn't "switch heads" and spend time exploring characters from their internal POV. There's no meditative self-reflection or characters wallowing in their personal dramas. There's only the semi-omniscient 3rd person POV, driving to the next shocking plot event within the next six sentences.
___
Why I say "Dexter":
The one bit of internal human drama that did stand out for me was the protagonist's internal struggle with losing his humanity as he kept splicing alien DNA into himself. I enjoyed that tension as it reminded me of the "Dexter" TV series and his 'dark passenger' turmoil.
___
My recommendation:
I absolutely recommend this Exlian series to gamers and to LitRPG fans. Violent melee combat, desperate humans chopping up insectoid aliens, buckets of "sci fi kablooey" to sate your action lust.
If fiction books were meals, I would describe this Exlian series as "dopamine junk food". Superbly HIGH QUALITY junk food that hits specific taste buds in the brain. I suggest candied bacon drizzled with caramel and cayenne pepper, served with a frosty mug of craft root beer and a plate of crispy fries. Don't expect any long-term nutritional value by reading this series, but your action cravings will certainly get satisfied!
December 2, 2025
Advent is an interesting introduction to this new series by Seth Ring. It does an excellent job of setting up an intriguing world for this story to take place in, a dystopian sci-fi where humans with superpowers are in an existential war with the monsters from the wild, the Exilian. Where it really shines, though, is in setting up an interesting protagonist to follow through this series.
Mark Fields is a down-on-his-luck orphan working hard to keep a roof over his head. While his brother was a magical prodigy whose powers awoke early in life, Mark is long past the time when his powers would have awoken if they were ever going to. His fate changes one day during a chance encounter with a dying woman who gives him something that awakens powers clearly not normal in this universe.
This premise has everything I like in setting up a protagonist for a series like this. Someone who is at rock bottom (so plenty of room to rise) who refuses to play the role of a victim and is driven to improve no matter what. Therefore, when he gets the chance encounter, gifting him powers that are clearly set up to take him to the magnificent heights, it feels less like a fluky encounter and more like something deserved.
However, with all those positives working in this story, it is let down by a few minor flaws that get in the way. The first is a lack of depth in the relationships the protagonist forms throughout this story (with the one exception, maybe, being with Sky). The reason is that the story doesn't spend any time with the characters during downtime or between important plot progression chapters. This makes the relationships that form feel like they are there solely to move the plot forward, not because the characters are actually growing fond of one another.
There is one character in particular that the story wants us to believe becomes a close friend with Mark, but, with extremely rare exceptions, they never just hang out or talk; they are instead always helping each other with various problems they might be having. It's a case of telling instead of showing. We are told that these two have become good friends, but are shown a relationship of convenience and little else.
Another issue that frustrated me was the willful ignorance of the protagonist. Whether it's with the mystery surrounding his powers, the mystery with his brother, or a variety of other mysteries throughout this book, Mark isn't just uncurious; he often goes out of his way not to learn more, even when someone is offering information up on a silver platter. It's frustrating because it's clear that Mark's lack of interest is only there to keep up the mystery for the reader, not because it's naturally what he would do. Anyone else in his situation would be seeking answers, especially given the enormous consequences of not finding out more. However, Mark goes with the flow as though there's nothing to be interested in.
Overall, these are relatively minor gripes. They were more than enough to keep this book from a full 5-star review, but this was still an enjoyable start to what I hope will be another long-running series by this author that I can sink my teeth into.
Mark Fields is a down-on-his-luck orphan working hard to keep a roof over his head. While his brother was a magical prodigy whose powers awoke early in life, Mark is long past the time when his powers would have awoken if they were ever going to. His fate changes one day during a chance encounter with a dying woman who gives him something that awakens powers clearly not normal in this universe.
This premise has everything I like in setting up a protagonist for a series like this. Someone who is at rock bottom (so plenty of room to rise) who refuses to play the role of a victim and is driven to improve no matter what. Therefore, when he gets the chance encounter, gifting him powers that are clearly set up to take him to the magnificent heights, it feels less like a fluky encounter and more like something deserved.
However, with all those positives working in this story, it is let down by a few minor flaws that get in the way. The first is a lack of depth in the relationships the protagonist forms throughout this story (with the one exception, maybe, being with Sky). The reason is that the story doesn't spend any time with the characters during downtime or between important plot progression chapters. This makes the relationships that form feel like they are there solely to move the plot forward, not because the characters are actually growing fond of one another.
There is one character in particular that the story wants us to believe becomes a close friend with Mark, but, with extremely rare exceptions, they never just hang out or talk; they are instead always helping each other with various problems they might be having. It's a case of telling instead of showing. We are told that these two have become good friends, but are shown a relationship of convenience and little else.
Another issue that frustrated me was the willful ignorance of the protagonist. Whether it's with the mystery surrounding his powers, the mystery with his brother, or a variety of other mysteries throughout this book, Mark isn't just uncurious; he often goes out of his way not to learn more, even when someone is offering information up on a silver platter. It's frustrating because it's clear that Mark's lack of interest is only there to keep up the mystery for the reader, not because it's naturally what he would do. Anyone else in his situation would be seeking answers, especially given the enormous consequences of not finding out more. However, Mark goes with the flow as though there's nothing to be interested in.
Overall, these are relatively minor gripes. They were more than enough to keep this book from a full 5-star review, but this was still an enjoyable start to what I hope will be another long-running series by this author that I can sink my teeth into.
March 15, 2025
YA Romance novel disguised as Progression Fantasy
While the components of of the story focusing on growth and the world are interesting if very slow, that really isn't really feels like the focus. Yes a majority is spent on it but it's more a 'summary' of weeks passing while he does stuff with a few scenes about it. The main character not really growing in his powers or discovering anything about them in this book.
No the main focus was on a very cliche , very silly romance story of a man who is supposed to be twenty but acts like he's fourteen. Not sure if this is his first 'girlfriend' or not but sure acts like it. From all the cliches of the man being living on top ramen broke and the first time he gets money spending tons of it on the girl to buy gifts. To the whole white knight save her then later on have her push him around stuff.
Worse is that the girl is a leech. Never are we shown any good qualities about her and instead if just is 'And they spent time together' move on. The scenes we do see are all of him giving her gifts, some worth millions. Him saving her from trouble, him helping her out. Him listening to her problems. Then any struggles she has are solved so easy its' like a mary sue leech that is just disgusting. I can't think of a worse female character in any book i've read. She is the sort you root to get killed to motivate the character to get stronger.
Much better character was Pheonix who was strong, good leader, didn't try to give things to MC or take things from him. Had a equal relationship and showed a healthy interest in him instead of a dependent.
Sadly when he thinks of both women it seems like this is going to turn into the classic YA triangle of who to pick. Which makes it far worse.
It's like Seth had a great idea started it out then said, let's sell out to try to make a cash cow from love struck teenagers instead of a good story.
So if you want a YA romance barely progression humanity on the brink like so many of the other 20010s YA love triangle. Maybe try it?
If you want a good story focusing on growth, the main character and plot with not half the book dedicated to his feelings for a girl? Not for you.
This is the sort of book where the character most likely would throw away all his future plans of where he wants to go, to join what ever the girl wants to do..type of book.
Seth if you read these reviews. Drop the cheap romance and just focus on the story. I know you like to throw in some relationship stuff in every series you do but try for once NOT to do so? Just write about the character and his growth, not making all his choices related to how he feels for a girl. Already bad enough in your other books you got grown adult women going after underage boys. Don't need to keep that worrying trend up.
While the components of of the story focusing on growth and the world are interesting if very slow, that really isn't really feels like the focus. Yes a majority is spent on it but it's more a 'summary' of weeks passing while he does stuff with a few scenes about it. The main character not really growing in his powers or discovering anything about them in this book.
No the main focus was on a very cliche , very silly romance story of a man who is supposed to be twenty but acts like he's fourteen. Not sure if this is his first 'girlfriend' or not but sure acts like it. From all the cliches of the man being living on top ramen broke and the first time he gets money spending tons of it on the girl to buy gifts. To the whole white knight save her then later on have her push him around stuff.
Worse is that the girl is a leech. Never are we shown any good qualities about her and instead if just is 'And they spent time together' move on. The scenes we do see are all of him giving her gifts, some worth millions. Him saving her from trouble, him helping her out. Him listening to her problems. Then any struggles she has are solved so easy its' like a mary sue leech that is just disgusting. I can't think of a worse female character in any book i've read. She is the sort you root to get killed to motivate the character to get stronger.
Much better character was Pheonix who was strong, good leader, didn't try to give things to MC or take things from him. Had a equal relationship and showed a healthy interest in him instead of a dependent.
Sadly when he thinks of both women it seems like this is going to turn into the classic YA triangle of who to pick. Which makes it far worse.
It's like Seth had a great idea started it out then said, let's sell out to try to make a cash cow from love struck teenagers instead of a good story.
So if you want a YA romance barely progression humanity on the brink like so many of the other 20010s YA love triangle. Maybe try it?
If you want a good story focusing on growth, the main character and plot with not half the book dedicated to his feelings for a girl? Not for you.
This is the sort of book where the character most likely would throw away all his future plans of where he wants to go, to join what ever the girl wants to do..type of book.
Seth if you read these reviews. Drop the cheap romance and just focus on the story. I know you like to throw in some relationship stuff in every series you do but try for once NOT to do so? Just write about the character and his growth, not making all his choices related to how he feels for a girl. Already bad enough in your other books you got grown adult women going after underage boys. Don't need to keep that worrying trend up.
March 24, 2025
TL;DR Review: Classic progression fantasy with a fun, unique sci-fi twist. Easy reading, great action, solid character work, and a whole lot of fun!
Full Review:
Advent leaned fully into the classic progression fantasy flavor from the very first page, and kept riding it hard all the way to the end while giving me just enough unique to make it feel like a fresh entry into the genre.
Our protagonist, Mark, is everything you’d expect from a progression fantasy character: hard-working, mild-mannered (except when pushed), and driven by both the deaths of his parents and the looming alien Exlian threat. He wants nothing more than to join the military to defend Earth. All-around good guy, instantly easy to root for as the “hero” of the story.
One night, he stumbles upon a dying scientists, who with a few cryptic words and the handing-off of…something, forever changes Mark’s life. Think one part Spiderman, one part Venom, and one part…well, you’ll have to read it to find out!
Mark’s newfound powers are a lot of fun to explore along with him. Though they’re limited at first, you just know Mark is going to keep growing them, and you can see from early on where his potential can go. That’s the key to a good progression fantasy character: they can always grow into becoming more powerful than their current rank or limitations. It’s that journey that ends up being so much fun to go along with, and Mark’s is no exception.
Along the way, Mark’s good nature makes him friends—not only among his fellow cadets at the military training, but his boss at the restaurant where he works, a fellow worker, and so many others. His decency and drive opens doors for him and creates opportunities that he could never have achieved on his own, which offers more chances to level up and gain power.
But don’t worry that it’s too focused on the character of it all; there’s plenty of action throughout! Anytime it feels like we’re getting too into the weeds with the complex progression system or the alchemical properties of Exlian guts, we get a nice detour into an action scene where Mark gets a chance to kick ass and show how far he’s come since we first met the skinny kid on Page 1.
By the end, Mark’s growth is significant, both physically and emotionally. He’s still the “good guy” we met in the beginning, but circumstances have begun to change him and we can’t help wondering how long that goodness within him will persist, or if everything that’s happened—and the mysterious aspects of his new power—will change him and turn him dark. As you can see by the artwork on the cover, that’s a very real possibility!
All in all, Advent was fun, fast-paced, addictive read that fans of progression fantasy and alien invasion sci-fi will enjoy.
Full Review:
Advent leaned fully into the classic progression fantasy flavor from the very first page, and kept riding it hard all the way to the end while giving me just enough unique to make it feel like a fresh entry into the genre.
Our protagonist, Mark, is everything you’d expect from a progression fantasy character: hard-working, mild-mannered (except when pushed), and driven by both the deaths of his parents and the looming alien Exlian threat. He wants nothing more than to join the military to defend Earth. All-around good guy, instantly easy to root for as the “hero” of the story.
One night, he stumbles upon a dying scientists, who with a few cryptic words and the handing-off of…something, forever changes Mark’s life. Think one part Spiderman, one part Venom, and one part…well, you’ll have to read it to find out!
Mark’s newfound powers are a lot of fun to explore along with him. Though they’re limited at first, you just know Mark is going to keep growing them, and you can see from early on where his potential can go. That’s the key to a good progression fantasy character: they can always grow into becoming more powerful than their current rank or limitations. It’s that journey that ends up being so much fun to go along with, and Mark’s is no exception.
Along the way, Mark’s good nature makes him friends—not only among his fellow cadets at the military training, but his boss at the restaurant where he works, a fellow worker, and so many others. His decency and drive opens doors for him and creates opportunities that he could never have achieved on his own, which offers more chances to level up and gain power.
But don’t worry that it’s too focused on the character of it all; there’s plenty of action throughout! Anytime it feels like we’re getting too into the weeds with the complex progression system or the alchemical properties of Exlian guts, we get a nice detour into an action scene where Mark gets a chance to kick ass and show how far he’s come since we first met the skinny kid on Page 1.
By the end, Mark’s growth is significant, both physically and emotionally. He’s still the “good guy” we met in the beginning, but circumstances have begun to change him and we can’t help wondering how long that goodness within him will persist, or if everything that’s happened—and the mysterious aspects of his new power—will change him and turn him dark. As you can see by the artwork on the cover, that’s a very real possibility!
All in all, Advent was fun, fast-paced, addictive read that fans of progression fantasy and alien invasion sci-fi will enjoy.
March 18, 2025
Advent by Seth Ring is not a type of novel I’ve ever read before. This could be due to the fact that I’ve not read many LitRPG books, but I am more than happy to have discovered the genre because Advent got me hooked.
For those who love the thrill of RPGs but can’t find the time to sink hours into a game, Advent: The Exlian Syndrome by Seth Ring is a perfect escape.
Seth Ring does a great job, as an experienced author, to slowly introduce various complex elements of the story in his world-building. You are not thrown into a wild world where you struggle to understand what is going on.
There is just enough explanation and detail to completely feel at ease with understanding the world that Seth Ring is trying to build and what Mark, the main character, is experiencing.
As Mark learns new things and travels to different parts of the city, you learn more and more without feeling confused or overwhelmed.
All of these elements and a lot more will definitely resonate with you if you like the LitRPG genre or if you’ve ever been fully immersed in a game
Advent, at the base of it, seems like a simple alien invasion story with a simple main character who grows into a hero over time. But the book is not just that, it is so much more.
The story is rich in side quests and the main quest. We’re given enough time to learn about Mark, his brother who plays a vital role in the story as well as the people Mark meets along the way.
On top of that, there are developing storylines that start to converge on each other;
Government secrets (that take root from one of Mark’s friends’ rich family with a lot of influence)
Mark’s special training and skill learning
His brother’s involvement with the underground world
Mark and his brother are being hunted by a mercenary organization that is working for the said government
How Mark’s friends play into all of this
And this mysterious cat that adopts Mark seemingly has something to do with his empowered skills
Seth Ring has a knack for weaving a lot of complex storylines together in a way that makes them work together seamlessly.
Read the full review on Fully-Booked.
For those who love the thrill of RPGs but can’t find the time to sink hours into a game, Advent: The Exlian Syndrome by Seth Ring is a perfect escape.
Seth Ring does a great job, as an experienced author, to slowly introduce various complex elements of the story in his world-building. You are not thrown into a wild world where you struggle to understand what is going on.
There is just enough explanation and detail to completely feel at ease with understanding the world that Seth Ring is trying to build and what Mark, the main character, is experiencing.
As Mark learns new things and travels to different parts of the city, you learn more and more without feeling confused or overwhelmed.
All of these elements and a lot more will definitely resonate with you if you like the LitRPG genre or if you’ve ever been fully immersed in a game
Advent, at the base of it, seems like a simple alien invasion story with a simple main character who grows into a hero over time. But the book is not just that, it is so much more.
The story is rich in side quests and the main quest. We’re given enough time to learn about Mark, his brother who plays a vital role in the story as well as the people Mark meets along the way.
On top of that, there are developing storylines that start to converge on each other;
Government secrets (that take root from one of Mark’s friends’ rich family with a lot of influence)
Mark’s special training and skill learning
His brother’s involvement with the underground world
Mark and his brother are being hunted by a mercenary organization that is working for the said government
How Mark’s friends play into all of this
And this mysterious cat that adopts Mark seemingly has something to do with his empowered skills
Seth Ring has a knack for weaving a lot of complex storylines together in a way that makes them work together seamlessly.
Read the full review on Fully-Booked.
May 22, 2025
A few months ago I realised that I'd not read anything "light" for about six months. Someone had asked me what I'd read recently that I would recommend, and while Cicero and Goethe have been extraordinarily useful for my studies, that wasn't quite what they were looking for.
I've absolutely rushed through a bunch of LitRPG books as a result—my first foray into the sub-genre—and I'm loving them. This is one of the best I've come across. To be completely upfront, it doesn't rank in the top leagues of literature, as it has more similarities with YA than it does with the Fantasy genre more broadly. With that said, of all of the books I've read that were written in the last decade or so, this avoids many of the major pitfalls others have failed to dodge. While Ring's world certainly has a political structure, this book is not politicised in the way that most seem to be. While there is a love story, it refrains from even the slightest hint of smut—most notably, while people are described as being attractive at times, this is invariably tasteful, and often has more to do with character than physical appearance.
In many ways, the themes in this book have been covered before. That is a common thread tying most of LitRPG I've read together: take something that has been overdone, find a new way to tell that story. Ring succeeds in finding new ways to expand upon the Xenomorph/Tyranid/Bug/Hive-Mind/Exlian enemy threat. If you recognised any of those names, you'll probably enjoy this book.
One additional point I'd add is that I tried to read a very similar book recently and bounced off. With news of the new Starship Troopers adaptation on the horizon, I picked up the original source material, and it was quite possibly the worst written book I've ever read. Since then I've discovered that this is a fairly common opinion, and I only include this because if you—like me!—were excited at the prospect of reading that, only to be disappointed, then this is the book for you. This succeeds on every point that Starship Troopers failed at.
Lastly, I would say that if you're a parent reading this, and you have teenagers, then this is a pretty safe bet for them, although the fighting is just a little on the mature side.
I've absolutely rushed through a bunch of LitRPG books as a result—my first foray into the sub-genre—and I'm loving them. This is one of the best I've come across. To be completely upfront, it doesn't rank in the top leagues of literature, as it has more similarities with YA than it does with the Fantasy genre more broadly. With that said, of all of the books I've read that were written in the last decade or so, this avoids many of the major pitfalls others have failed to dodge. While Ring's world certainly has a political structure, this book is not politicised in the way that most seem to be. While there is a love story, it refrains from even the slightest hint of smut—most notably, while people are described as being attractive at times, this is invariably tasteful, and often has more to do with character than physical appearance.
In many ways, the themes in this book have been covered before. That is a common thread tying most of LitRPG I've read together: take something that has been overdone, find a new way to tell that story. Ring succeeds in finding new ways to expand upon the Xenomorph/Tyranid/Bug/Hive-Mind/Exlian enemy threat. If you recognised any of those names, you'll probably enjoy this book.
One additional point I'd add is that I tried to read a very similar book recently and bounced off. With news of the new Starship Troopers adaptation on the horizon, I picked up the original source material, and it was quite possibly the worst written book I've ever read. Since then I've discovered that this is a fairly common opinion, and I only include this because if you—like me!—were excited at the prospect of reading that, only to be disappointed, then this is the book for you. This succeeds on every point that Starship Troopers failed at.
Lastly, I would say that if you're a parent reading this, and you have teenagers, then this is a pretty safe bet for them, although the fighting is just a little on the mature side.
March 24, 2025
This will be my fourth Seth Ring series. Ring is a prolific Lit-RPG writer. His books are highly entertaining but I will be the first to concede that they also often 'borrow' liberally from other popular media sources. In addition to some characters whose mannerisms seemed borrowed from other novels (a cat that perches on a character's shoulders much like another cat in another popular series), there are also a lot of old tropes used. This one centers on the normal boy to superhero trope.
Unlike the other series Ring has penned, this one was probably the most sci-fi-like of the batch. The story centers primarily on Mark, the main character (MC), who lost his parents in the last horde war from an alien species akin to various insects. Mark's brother is an 'empowered' who has awakened magical abilities. Both of Mark's parents were also powerful empowered but Mark has passed the age when such powers should have materialized and he is both powerless and destitute, working as a dishwasher to make ends meet. His one dream is to join the city guard and defend it just like his dad. All his plans are thrown for a loop when he happened to be in the wrong (right?) place at the wrong (right?) time.
I'd call this opening book to this series very exploratory. Not a lot happens in this book in the great scheme of things. It is a pretty quick read and mostly sets the stage and ground rules by which the series will operate in the future. Ring likes to have a fairly mild-mannered MC with a close-knit team of support and allies. That is true here although it is in its infancy by the book's end.
If you are familiar with Ring's other series, I would say that this one didn't capture my attention and interest in the same way the others did. That said, this was a refreshing change and it was still plenty entertaining. Ultimately, I think the series has potential but I also cannot say that this was the best book one I have ever read. It is a fine story with some characters that need to get fleshed out more in the next book.
Unlike the other series Ring has penned, this one was probably the most sci-fi-like of the batch. The story centers primarily on Mark, the main character (MC), who lost his parents in the last horde war from an alien species akin to various insects. Mark's brother is an 'empowered' who has awakened magical abilities. Both of Mark's parents were also powerful empowered but Mark has passed the age when such powers should have materialized and he is both powerless and destitute, working as a dishwasher to make ends meet. His one dream is to join the city guard and defend it just like his dad. All his plans are thrown for a loop when he happened to be in the wrong (right?) place at the wrong (right?) time.
I'd call this opening book to this series very exploratory. Not a lot happens in this book in the great scheme of things. It is a pretty quick read and mostly sets the stage and ground rules by which the series will operate in the future. Ring likes to have a fairly mild-mannered MC with a close-knit team of support and allies. That is true here although it is in its infancy by the book's end.
If you are familiar with Ring's other series, I would say that this one didn't capture my attention and interest in the same way the others did. That said, this was a refreshing change and it was still plenty entertaining. Ultimately, I think the series has potential but I also cannot say that this was the best book one I have ever read. It is a fine story with some characters that need to get fleshed out more in the next book.
March 29, 2025
👊🏻Advent by Seth Ring👊🏻
🤜🏻Full Review🤛🏻
(I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for my unbiased opinion)
I have read a lot of Seth Ring’s books. I started with the Titan/Nova Terra series and have since read some of Battle Mage Farmer and Tower. I really like how he’s grown as an author since his earliest books, and this book is kind of like seeing all of the good work he’s done in the past pay off. This book, unlike the others, is less LitRPG (story with rpg game leveling mechanics) and more progression fantasy (more traditional story with defined power progression) and it was well done.
I really enjoyed this book as a set up for a series. Seth Ring has a great way of developing relatively interesting characters in a way that feels real to me. The people seem kind of like sketches until you get to know them, and then they get more clear and sharply drawn. The word building here is very clever, and the magic system that Ring has created here makes me want to explore further. I love that powers are not a choice like in some LitRPG or Progression books, but that you basically get what you get. Some powers are kind of lame, others have a lot of uses. I enjoy, also that there’s an aspect of “recovery time” which is often seen in pen and paper rpgs and feels like a good addition here to make the MC not feel overpowered.
I also like that, while Seth Ring loves a good fight, his protagonists find joy in things that aren’t combat. In Titan/Tower it is crafting magical items, and in this it is alchemy and creating potions. His MCs like a good fight but they love the pursuit of their passions.
My ARC was the audiobook narrated by Pavi Proczko and he did a great job imbuing the characters with the correct tone for each of them and kept the book moving with his well paced narration. I really enjoyed his work here and will be listening for him in the future.
Overall this is a good starting point for a series and a great place to jump on board with Seth Ring if you’re interested.
Four and a half stars.
🤜🏻Full Review🤛🏻
(I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for my unbiased opinion)
I have read a lot of Seth Ring’s books. I started with the Titan/Nova Terra series and have since read some of Battle Mage Farmer and Tower. I really like how he’s grown as an author since his earliest books, and this book is kind of like seeing all of the good work he’s done in the past pay off. This book, unlike the others, is less LitRPG (story with rpg game leveling mechanics) and more progression fantasy (more traditional story with defined power progression) and it was well done.
I really enjoyed this book as a set up for a series. Seth Ring has a great way of developing relatively interesting characters in a way that feels real to me. The people seem kind of like sketches until you get to know them, and then they get more clear and sharply drawn. The word building here is very clever, and the magic system that Ring has created here makes me want to explore further. I love that powers are not a choice like in some LitRPG or Progression books, but that you basically get what you get. Some powers are kind of lame, others have a lot of uses. I enjoy, also that there’s an aspect of “recovery time” which is often seen in pen and paper rpgs and feels like a good addition here to make the MC not feel overpowered.
I also like that, while Seth Ring loves a good fight, his protagonists find joy in things that aren’t combat. In Titan/Tower it is crafting magical items, and in this it is alchemy and creating potions. His MCs like a good fight but they love the pursuit of their passions.
My ARC was the audiobook narrated by Pavi Proczko and he did a great job imbuing the characters with the correct tone for each of them and kept the book moving with his well paced narration. I really enjoyed his work here and will be listening for him in the future.
Overall this is a good starting point for a series and a great place to jump on board with Seth Ring if you’re interested.
Four and a half stars.
May 20, 2025
✧ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, @BlackstonePublishing #BlackstoneAudiobooks #NetGalley
➤ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂
Mark Fields always wanted to join the Defense Force and fight the brutal alien Exlian like the rest of his legendary family. Instead, he’s stuck washing dishes, broke, powerless, and barely tolerated. But when a dying stranger gives him unexpected abilities, Mark finally gets his shot at training camp, and things take off fast, weird cat included. As he levels up, though, it becomes clear the Exlian are not the only monsters in town. With enemies closing in and powers he barely understands, Mark has to decide what kind of fighter he wants to be. In this explosive start to The Exlian Syndrome, you either take on the monsters or end up becoming one.
➤ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂
Advent was my first LitRPG and I think I’ve found a new favorite subgenre. This story blends military sci-fi, alchemy, and video game style leveling in a world crawling with alien threats. Mark, the underdog dishwasher with no powers, ends up in the fight of his life after a strange encounter changes everything. There’s corporate corruption, shady experiments, and a city that feels just unstable enough to explode. I got completely wrapped up in the characters, the world building is tight, and the fantasy system is just plain fun. And Mime the cat? Absolute icon.
The audiobook was a blast. Pavi Proczko nails every voice and hits the emotional beats just right. I listened slower than usual just to take it all in, and I never got bored. The violence stays in Marvel territory, nothing overly graphic, and the romance subplot is light and respectful. This one feels safe for older teens while still hitting hard enough to keep adults locked in. Between the sharp narration, great pacing, and a world I genuinely want more of, this was a strong start. I’ll be grabbing the next book as soon as I can. Highly Recommend.
➤ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂
Mark Fields always wanted to join the Defense Force and fight the brutal alien Exlian like the rest of his legendary family. Instead, he’s stuck washing dishes, broke, powerless, and barely tolerated. But when a dying stranger gives him unexpected abilities, Mark finally gets his shot at training camp, and things take off fast, weird cat included. As he levels up, though, it becomes clear the Exlian are not the only monsters in town. With enemies closing in and powers he barely understands, Mark has to decide what kind of fighter he wants to be. In this explosive start to The Exlian Syndrome, you either take on the monsters or end up becoming one.
➤ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂
Advent was my first LitRPG and I think I’ve found a new favorite subgenre. This story blends military sci-fi, alchemy, and video game style leveling in a world crawling with alien threats. Mark, the underdog dishwasher with no powers, ends up in the fight of his life after a strange encounter changes everything. There’s corporate corruption, shady experiments, and a city that feels just unstable enough to explode. I got completely wrapped up in the characters, the world building is tight, and the fantasy system is just plain fun. And Mime the cat? Absolute icon.
The audiobook was a blast. Pavi Proczko nails every voice and hits the emotional beats just right. I listened slower than usual just to take it all in, and I never got bored. The violence stays in Marvel territory, nothing overly graphic, and the romance subplot is light and respectful. This one feels safe for older teens while still hitting hard enough to keep adults locked in. Between the sharp narration, great pacing, and a world I genuinely want more of, this was a strong start. I’ll be grabbing the next book as soon as I can. Highly Recommend.
May 2, 2025
Advent was a fun and engaging read that kept me turning the pages, even if it didn’t quite blow me away.
The story felt familiar in some ways, reminiscent of Korean cultivation web novels with its status windows, ranking systems, and martial techniques, but still managed to carve out its own space. I’ve read things like this before, but there was just enough uniqueness to keep it fresh and enjoyable.
The main character is calm, loyal, and has a solid sense of justice, though I found him a bit lacking in personality. He’s almost too composed, which makes sense given the fundamental change he went through (no spoilers), but it left me wanting more emotional depth or personal flair.
That said, the supporting characters really stood out. I really liked Mime. I was glad to see Sky take on a more active role as the story progressed, and Noah and Abrams both added intriguing dynamics to the cast.
Where the book faltered a bit was in its dialogue and world-building. The conversations often felt bland or generic, occasionally slipping into cliché territory, which sometimes made it feel like I was reading an action manhwa. Honestly, I think Advent might work even better as a manhwa, its visual elements would translate really well to that medium.
The world itself has potential, but it’s still a bit loosely defined. There are lots of cool ideas, but not enough explanation or structure to really ground everything. And while I wasn’t expecting it, the cliffhanger ending definitely makes me curious to see where the story goes next.
Overall, it was entertaining and worth the read. It’s not without its flaws, but I had fun with it. Solid four stars.
The story felt familiar in some ways, reminiscent of Korean cultivation web novels with its status windows, ranking systems, and martial techniques, but still managed to carve out its own space. I’ve read things like this before, but there was just enough uniqueness to keep it fresh and enjoyable.
The main character is calm, loyal, and has a solid sense of justice, though I found him a bit lacking in personality. He’s almost too composed, which makes sense given the fundamental change he went through (no spoilers), but it left me wanting more emotional depth or personal flair.
That said, the supporting characters really stood out. I really liked Mime. I was glad to see Sky take on a more active role as the story progressed, and Noah and Abrams both added intriguing dynamics to the cast.
Where the book faltered a bit was in its dialogue and world-building. The conversations often felt bland or generic, occasionally slipping into cliché territory, which sometimes made it feel like I was reading an action manhwa. Honestly, I think Advent might work even better as a manhwa, its visual elements would translate really well to that medium.
The world itself has potential, but it’s still a bit loosely defined. There are lots of cool ideas, but not enough explanation or structure to really ground everything. And while I wasn’t expecting it, the cliffhanger ending definitely makes me curious to see where the story goes next.
Overall, it was entertaining and worth the read. It’s not without its flaws, but I had fun with it. Solid four stars.
June 16, 2025
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjtn154R/
This was so close to being a five star read for me. Advent by Seth Ring is a LitRPG that is pretty much instantly engaging and hard to put down.
So what is it? It’s a dystopian scifi/fantasy mash up where the world has been attacked by giant bug creatures called Exlians.
Humans are fighting back from walled off cities and have developed superpowers which can happen naturally or by getting rare power gems. So basically the military or the ultra wealthy
Our main character is trying to survive this world without powers but when a military academy opens he jumps at the chance and ends up naturally developing powers just before his training starts.
This story is setting up the trilogy, introducing the worldbuilding elements and magic/tech system and setting up some plot elements.
This is actually where it loses the star for me because while I’m loving the developments as far as a contained plot there isn’t much of resolution.
Not sure if the author intended this to be one book and the publisher spilt it up or what. Luckily book 2 is already out so I’ll be starting that immediately and book three is slated for September. But if Blackstone wants to hook me up with the audio arc I’m totally going to ready for asap.
Definitely give this one a shot and let me know wha you think
This was so close to being a five star read for me. Advent by Seth Ring is a LitRPG that is pretty much instantly engaging and hard to put down.
So what is it? It’s a dystopian scifi/fantasy mash up where the world has been attacked by giant bug creatures called Exlians.
Humans are fighting back from walled off cities and have developed superpowers which can happen naturally or by getting rare power gems. So basically the military or the ultra wealthy
Our main character is trying to survive this world without powers but when a military academy opens he jumps at the chance and ends up naturally developing powers just before his training starts.
This story is setting up the trilogy, introducing the worldbuilding elements and magic/tech system and setting up some plot elements.
This is actually where it loses the star for me because while I’m loving the developments as far as a contained plot there isn’t much of resolution.
Not sure if the author intended this to be one book and the publisher spilt it up or what. Luckily book 2 is already out so I’ll be starting that immediately and book three is slated for September. But if Blackstone wants to hook me up with the audio arc I’m totally going to ready for asap.
Definitely give this one a shot and let me know wha you think
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