Proliferation

Wormhole Mana #2

by Tom Larcombe

Max has his home area protected now, with Maggie's help. He's trying to bring more people into the safe zone they created and while he does that, he's also fixing some electronics to work alongside the mana that's infusing everything.

Despite the quarantine and its promise of danger, a number of people are intentionally trying to enter it after hearing the tales of what goes on inside. From reporters looking for a scoop to gamers trying to live out their fantasies, these people are evading the quarantine guards or bluffing their way through to get to where they want to be.

Meanwhile Prometheus has learned that radioactive materials can help open the wormhole further, allowing the mana to flow through and assimilate the Earth more quickly. With research he finds several more sources of radioactive materials that he uses to push the wormhole open more.

With the influx of additional mana from Prometheus' actions, the overly large, mutated animals are showing up more often now. Because of that, the safe zone walls have to be improved, and while they're at it, they decide to enlarge the area within the walls since they're getting more people than they'd anticipated.

With the number of people in the safe zone, and Max's depleting stock of beer, they decide that there needs to be at least one trip to a larger town, to scavenge things from the areas that were evacuated. Unfortunately, not everyone left when the evacuation was called, and now there are human dangers to face as well.

This book is approximately 162,000 words long, and DRM free.

Genres: Fantasy

627 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2024

About the author

Tom Larcombe was introduced to fantasy books at a young age. Those that were aimed more at children hooked him in, but not well enough for him to remember their names at this point in his life. Their draw led him to books aimed more for the adult reader and so he found himself, at around age eight, starting in on the Steven R Donaldson 'Thomas Covenant' series and the Hobbit, followed shortly thereafter by The Lord of the Rings books.

His reading tastes have never looked back, although they have broadened to include science fiction and the occasional non-fiction book.

He lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with his wife, two daughters, three cats, and a variable number of chickens.

Reviews

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is second in a LitRPG series. Read in order.

Unfortunately, the power fantasy takes back seat on this one with Max barely eeking out minor gains for most of it. Also, the pace bogs down into a lot of nerdery system bits with the safe zone build out in handyman, home construction porn. This part might have been more fun if it hadn't become survival documentary over system wonder.

And I might have pushed through that, but we get some extra spice in the form of bad-guy perspectives from other humans who are looking to do bad things only now backed by classes and skills. This includes Max's ex-wife who turns out to be nothing more than a thin pastiche of every anti-ex fantasy imaginable. It was one thing when she was depicted as a cunning antagonist to Max who withheld contact with his daughter. But once we see her, she's a pathetic junky in complete thrall to her user boyfriend. She even picks up a class in the quarantine zone of "prostitute". Because that was better than the other options she got from the system (it actually was, unless you think junkie, drone, or thrall (yes, actual thrall) are better options). At this point, she's a stand in for vicious pillory that makes me wonder what demons the author might be working out. And her boyfriend is even worse.

So my interest dribbled out. And then dribbled some more. Then crashed when it became obvious the story was aiming junky mom at the found family and I had had enough. Once I saw the depictions of the authorial puppet ex-wife it became more obvious that every character, even the good guys, were thin veneers of characterization with little depth and predictable through lines.

So yeah. Dnf with one star. I thought the story was going somewhere cool and I'm bitterly disappointed to have those hopes dashed.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

I've enjoyed some of his other series, but Tom goes too far into deviant sexual behavior for me to enjoy this series.

Spoilers from here on:

So far, no harem, but the difference is academic. Series starts off with a 80 something year old swinger woman hitting on the MC, and goes downhill from there.

Hints of bestiality with the MC's casual relationship with a "kitsune" (fox that can take a mostly human form. Most anime fans won't be bothered by this, but thought I would mention it because the character is an actual fox that got mutated by mana, not a fox spirit as in traditional Japanese culture.

The author normalizes people who are married having sex with other partners, something that really destructive to families. Normalizes 3 people having sex at once, and groups of people having sex.

Author has an under aged daughter he exposes to all this and she talks with him about polyamorous relationships and he is surprised--but does say a single bad word about it to her. Feels like low level grooming, and creepy as hell when authors mix under aged kids and sexually deviant behavior even tangentially.

Some of the classes you can get in this universe include things like "prostitute," and some sort of mind controlling pimp that abuses women--just not interested in reading about that.

There is nothing really explicit so many will find my reviews prudish or an over reaction. But this is the sort of stuff that degrades our morals as a society, and it normalizes behavior that is destructive and unhealthy. People like to fantasize about threesomes but they never talk about the wife of the guy who coerced her into sharing her husband, or how that destroyed their relationship, resulted in divorce, and kids that were caught in the middle of it.

People like to fantasize about "open" relationships or living a single life with nothing but casual sex with strangers. But the don't talk about the woman that does that committing suicide at age 45 when she can no longer maintain a body to get that kind of affirmation--and the loneliness and pointlessness of her life becomes to much to bare.

These aren't hypothetical situations I'm spewing to support my view, I knew the lady in the last example and she confided her story to me shortly before she ended her life.

Thus series just goes to far for me personally, and I think the behavior it's trying to normalizes is the precursor to a lot of the problems we are seeing with the Trans community these days.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining As Always, Quite Enjoying The Pacing

A bit of a different take on the “System Apocalypse” Sub Genre. The pacing on everyone’s favorite AI Overlord is nice. Good overall character progression. Fun balance between the tidbits of “slice of life” aspects and everyday adventure. Enjoying how things are going so far and can’t wait to start the next one.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good!

It just keeps getting better. The character development is excellent the plot definitely thickens! Onwards! It's really good so far!

[Dave Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, slightly unusual
This is essentially an Apocalypse series, except that the apocalypse isn't so bad. Nobody needs to die, and while the world will never be normal again, it needn't be bad. Also the the author has a more generous view of humanity than most other fiction writers. Seeing as how I've always believed they were hyping up the nastiness of people to have more rape and murder scenes in their books, it's refreshing to find a writer who see the world in a similar light as I do.
Those rape & murder scenes in the other books were over rated. I don't miss them here at all.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two

While I enjoyed the overall story I still came away with a couple of problems. They may be a bit of a spoiler though so read at your own risk.

Nobody seems fazed in the least by the Fox's third form. I would have expected at least some shock and more in-depth conversations about it. Instead it is pretty much ignored.

The other real problem I had is that they received a new building or upgrade and seem to have either forgotten about it or ignored it. I just can't see that happening with there being co-owners. So even if one person has forgotten the other shouldn't. I also think that they would have been rather excited about this.

Why are all the MC's lately so unwilling to kill bad people? He wanted to kill the reporter for bad-mouthing his daughter but only wounded bandits that were shooting at him and his daughter.

There are 14 mistakes that I found. I will post them to Goodreads.

So while I have enjoyed the series to date, it has enough problems that I can't give it five stars.

7/10

[Bert Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well thought out beneficial (for most) apocalypse story

This apoclypse is not a system taking over and looking to purge most of humanity. Instead the controlling intelligence wants to use mana from a wormhole into another reality to evolve humans into a mana using species. A side effect of the AI, Prometheus' programming input is RPG's. Than means spawned monsters, beast metamorphosis and even beast-kin. An enclave of survivors near the event horizon are doing what they can to adapt to their new reality as they level up, gain classes etc. But wait, there's intelligence on the other side of the wormhole and something(s) want to know why their mana levels are being sucked away.

A very interesting story. Good peeps helping each other out, military forces running around like chickens with their heads cut off until some adults take charge and of course bad actors in the background seeking to cause chaos.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three star because while it is a perfectly well written story there are a few re-occurring problems. The dialog is occasionally awkward and wooden. Plans are made and then forgotten: one point they schedule to pick up people for the safe zone when they return back thru town, except they don't, and one of them shows up on their own the next day. No mention of completely ghosting their recruits. Additionally they earn an upgrade to the safe zone but never use it.
The biggest problem is that 90% of the time everyone in the safe zone acts like they are on another planet with no access to modern resources. MC is forging wood stoves. They are milling raw lumber with a makeshift chainsaw mill. They're forging nails. They make a large water storage tank. They do all of this while looking things up on the internet and occasionally driving into town to speak with other people. By this point, not only is the local town in the zone, but the city of Pueblo is as well. Why are the making any of these things when they can just go into town and buy them? Why haven't then acquired a modern mill? MC can buy almost anything he wants by offering to make their cars work again. Rural communities have propane and wood appliances for sale all over. Houses are abandoned all over the place that could be looted for appliances. Hell, the town should have at least 1 hardware store that sells all of this.
Reading about all of this unnecessary and pointless work is just boring. Even the characters notice how boring things are.
On top of the above, the AI gives the 2 first characters special skills so that technology won't be lost but neither of them do much of anything with the skills.
Even after the military admits that the Quarantine zone isn't because of the chemical spill they maintain it. I can see trying to keep civilians out to protect them but why are they forcing soldiers to stay inside. They have already determined it isn't contagious and none of it has any affect outside of the mana zone (if they haven't, why not?) And where is the rest of the government in all of this?

I just got too bored and annoyed to finish by that point.

[Daniel Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A steady progression

The plot plods forward steadily, and that is part of the problem for me. I'm still giving 5 stars because I love the premise and the potential of the story, and because everything is executed well by the author. However, there is one major issue I hope the author can rectify going forward: Raise the stakes. Things move forward without issue. The characters never really feel like they are in danger, and there is no threat of losing them or severe injury despite supposedly dangerous wildlife and bandits and such. Each fight became just another event from which to gain experience before going back to what the author likes focusing on the most, the base building and brief character social interactions. There is very little sacrifice, almost no intense forced time-sensitive decision-making with huge potential risk/reward, or loss to deal with.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slower than the first but still interesting.

Much slower on the progression side of the characters on level development. The book seemed to concentrate on the expansion of the zone and how the main characters can help the rest of mankind more easily survive.

There were a couple of side archs that were begun but never finished. Such as the arch where they earned an upgrade to their safezone, but the author never told us what was chosen. Or the arch of Max's ex-wife and her boyfriend becoming leaders of a bunch of bad guys; story was started and nothing else was mentioned.

There were also quite a few spelling and grammatical errors that will pull you out of the story. That alone made me give this book three stars instead of four.

Have fun!!

[Keith Symcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of the series is great, but there are plot inconsistencies that threw me out of immersion. The setting is somewhere around 4 corners and the phenomena is supposedly circular, yet the story revolves around Pueblo and Denver getting hit, when Salt Lake, Santa Fe and Albequerque would have been hit first. There is a lot of talk about Rocky Flats, but Los Alamos is much closer.
The other thing is the fascination with the military in the story. Our guy trains some military mechanics, all good there, but then doesn't ever try to train any of the local civilian mechanics? Why not? Later he travels to the Springs to train some others, but he has the rare power. Why not just put out the word that he will train mechanics that show up at his place?

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Really curious what Prometheus will want to do and focus on once his mission is completed

Mana is coming to earth and the pace is speeding up, Prometheus has found a way to use radioactive materials to sped up the wormhole’s expansion. The US government is trying to keep control of the situation but they have no chance of stopping it, even if they don’t yet understand it.
Meanwhile, Max and friends continue to do their best to prepare their safe zone and help others prepare. Mostly by Max fixing phones, cars and other devices that use electricity and are failing due to mana. They have become a type of international celebrities as their messages of warning, videos, and help guides are shared widely online! Lucky the internet is still running?

[Matthew Showalter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series

The continuing actions of the MC and his friends are both interesting and entertaining. I enjoyed the exploration of Colorado's other cities during this book. It expanded the world more. The things I didn't like were the scenes with Amanda and Gregor. It didn't go anywhere and was better off left out.
*Spoiler*
The other minor bit I didn't like was the part of internal electronics killing people. I have family with them so if that was my world they die and it hit a little too close to home.
But it is a minor bit of a fun book and look forward to read book 3.

[Christopher Carpenter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book, especially the setting, but noticed issues with Non mc characters lacking development towards the end of book 1. I decided to give book two a chance and was unfortunately disappointed.

The book stuck with me after I was finished with it. I like so much of what's going on but even calling some of the characters two dimensional would be an insult to 2d characters everywhere.

I really wish the books where a little longer with a few chapters add from the point of view of other characters to show those characters without having to be seen through the lens of the MC. I believe this would have let the author develop his cast.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Proliferation is the second book in this series, and while there's a lot of world building here, there's also a lot of domestic interaction going on, which significantly contributes to the story. I like where the story is going, and already have the next book in the series ready to go. If you liked the first book, you're likely to enjoy this second book as well.

[Chad Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice addition to the series

This second book has more character develop and world building for the main characters, but we also get to see more of the wider world coming into play as well. Looking forward to seeing in what direction the story goes, and the interaction with some of the characters. Would like to see more leveling and class development in the next book but that is just my own opinion, it has not been an issue story wise in any capacity.

[Zayn Bakir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome second book, can’t wait for the third

I really love the premise of the is book though do feel like sometimes you focus too much on Max’s crafting sessions when I feel like newer characters that join max could have gotten more time. I also would love to see a Tony stark artificer type character introduced but I understand it’s hard to flush out many classes and their evolutions, but also let’s get some more Danny action!

[Stephen Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same book different title.

The first book was interesting. Fighting killer bunnies, gremlins, Uruks, and bears. Second book...all the same creatures with a part about huge cockroaches and rats. There was more talk about stuff being done in the safe zone. I was bored, but if you like reading about a group staying in a safe zone and hardly going out and mostly fighting bunny rabbits, then this book is for you, but not me.

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative alternate universe where scientist and an AI develops a portal bringing in altering mana to Our Earth! Borrowed on August 4, 2024, kindle unlimited read with Alexia audio assist application.

1st in series: Dimension worm hole is opened to harvest energy but extras arrive in the form of creatures and mana energy. World-building has some imaginative qualities. Borrowed this edition on July 25, 2024. Kindle Unlimited Book. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

So I finished book two and will read book three, but to be honest this book and story was a bit of a slog. Slow moving and somewhat boring, at least to me. It’s not quite action and not quite city building, but a bit of both, and both go soooo sloooow. It picked up towards the end, so I hope it continues that way, but tbh I kept finding myself closing out of the book and doing other things because it wasn’t keeping my attention.

[William Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

second effort

There is some mildly interesting stuff, but no plot altering events, really. Oh, there is one thing that hints at future events, but it’s at a very minor stage. Mostly this is the MC and friends gradually moving forward.

I liked it and will get the next book, but I don’t feel I can recommend the series until things develop further. There’s no ‘wow’ factor.

[Tom Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow burn

Unlike many series in the genre the one maintains a slow progression rate. This includes personal power/level, town building, monster advancement, and actual expansion of the zone.
Additionally, after reading so many recent flops it's nice to have an enjoyable, decently written series. Tom out

[Ann Johnson-Durham]

amazing!!

So far both books in this series have gone above and beyond it has new things that havent been mentioned and keeps you on an ongoing adventure along with the characters…cant wait to continue on with the next one and then ill be checking out more books/series from this amazing author!

[Di Johnson-Dobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story

Great continuation of the story. Am looking forward to another. Would suggest the author do some research on amateur radio. It doesn't do what he thinks it does. Try the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) www.arrl.org Someone would be happy to chuckle over that chapter and give some advice. We are by law amateurs so it wouldn't cost anything.

[Graham Hine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the premise, characters, and story. It's a solid entry to the LitRPG space and passes on the stat blocks the genre tends to choke on. My -1 star nit is that the writer overuses italicized thought bubbles that really break the flow. My high school English teacher left me with a loathing for these.

[Nigel Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helping hand

This book went to quickly. The mana area continues to grow, the monsters get bigger and the mc goes to help out a lot more people
Plus the military. Also does a scavenge hunt.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good solid entry in the series can’t wait for more.

A good solid entry in the series can’t wait for more. Lovely characters dealing with something new changing their lives in ways they could never be prepared for.

[Johnie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression types of books with lots of action. The first one was more enjoyable to me.

[Gregory Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Needs better editing

The story is great. Love the premise, characters, and everything. Almost gave it up in the first chapter with how horribly it was edited. Actual eyes need to be on these pre-release.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

slice of life apocalypse

The author has a talent for making the apocalypse a bit boring. The characters go about their lives in extraordinary circumstances but do regular things for the most part.