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How to Survive at the End of the World #1
How to Survive at the End of the World Book 1
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
How does a crappy day at a crappy job get even worse? Easy, a one-way trip to the apocalypse.
When a freak OSHA violation kicks Sean Lawrence forward in time, he finds himself faced with lizards who shoot spikes, tiny swarms of Greek gods that bite, and hero rabbits that aren’t shy about dispensing justice. He’s landed square in the apocalyptic end times.
Beset on every side by monsters straight out of the Earth’s worst media, Sean has to lean on a mysterious guidebook, a leather jacket, and a home-made knife to keep him alive.
A smart person would spend their days grinding low-level mobs, gathering rat pelts, and waiting for a chance to escape. Or Sean could rise up, slay dragons, and fight against the odds. Faced with a choice between a dead-end life and a possibility of greatness, he takes the path that risks his life and more for a chance to save Earth itself.
Nobody ever claimed he was that smart, anyway.
How to Survive at the End of the World is an adrenaline-pumping Apocalypse LitRPG series. This backward-regression series follows Sean as he travels to the future and is forced to deal with threats with less time and experience than everyone else. On his side are a non-traditional shanky class and lots of time magic. But in front of him are giant monsters, an offworlder alien invasion, and a world that’s on the edge of collapse.
How does a crappy day at a crappy job get even worse? Easy, a one-way trip to the apocalypse.
When a freak OSHA violation kicks Sean Lawrence forward in time, he finds himself faced with lizards who shoot spikes, tiny swarms of Greek gods that bite, and hero rabbits that aren’t shy about dispensing justice. He’s landed square in the apocalyptic end times.
Beset on every side by monsters straight out of the Earth’s worst media, Sean has to lean on a mysterious guidebook, a leather jacket, and a home-made knife to keep him alive.
A smart person would spend their days grinding low-level mobs, gathering rat pelts, and waiting for a chance to escape. Or Sean could rise up, slay dragons, and fight against the odds. Faced with a choice between a dead-end life and a possibility of greatness, he takes the path that risks his life and more for a chance to save Earth itself.
Nobody ever claimed he was that smart, anyway.
How to Survive at the End of the World is an adrenaline-pumping Apocalypse LitRPG series. This backward-regression series follows Sean as he travels to the future and is forced to deal with threats with less time and experience than everyone else. On his side are a non-traditional shanky class and lots of time magic. But in front of him are giant monsters, an offworlder alien invasion, and a world that’s on the edge of collapse.
491 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2024
755 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 29, 2024
This is a Timetravel System Apocalypse with a bit of a twist. Normally, a time travel works as a redo where someone goes back to fix mistakes in the past. In this one, Sean gets stuck in a time stasis in a freak accident a couple decades before the apocalypse happens. By the time he wakes, it's near a century that he has been frozen. And the twist is that this apocalypse is one where the world is literally condemned by the universe at large. For an undisclosed reason. And Sean pops just before the plug is being pulled.
So the human survivors are tired and desperate. There are offworlders who are there to exploit the world's last gasp for gainz and lootz. And nobody trusts anybody. Oh, and the "system" thinks it is funny in a way nobody else really gets because it's cribbing from the pre-apocalypse culture. Example: Sean runs into Lethal Red Riding-hood. A demonic little girl with sharp knives guarded by the woodsman. Who is made of literal wood. Get it? hur hur.
Anyway, the story is okay. The unique bits are interesting, though Sean himself is a bit of a plodder. The course of the story is Sean learning to take risks, but that means over half of the book is him being extremely risk averse even as he trusts way too easily. There were a couple sections where I nearly bored myself out of the story. I stuck it out because there was just enough authorial intrusion to keep the pace up and the plot interesting.
Yeah, the author had to intrude a bit to push Sean into the right kinds of lessons to get him to be interesting. Which isn't entirely a bad thing as it saves the story at points. Better if it hadn't been necessary, though. So let's call it three stars for holding my interest all the way to the end. Also, I'm at least a bit interested in the next book.
A note about Chaste: Sean runs into a cute girl who teaches him some things. There's a bit of forced proximity where she tells him to keep his hands to himself (unsolicited, Sean isn't a risk taker, at least in that way). But that's the extent of anything even remotely racy. So this is very chaste.
So the human survivors are tired and desperate. There are offworlders who are there to exploit the world's last gasp for gainz and lootz. And nobody trusts anybody. Oh, and the "system" thinks it is funny in a way nobody else really gets because it's cribbing from the pre-apocalypse culture. Example: Sean runs into Lethal Red Riding-hood. A demonic little girl with sharp knives guarded by the woodsman. Who is made of literal wood. Get it? hur hur.
Anyway, the story is okay. The unique bits are interesting, though Sean himself is a bit of a plodder. The course of the story is Sean learning to take risks, but that means over half of the book is him being extremely risk averse even as he trusts way too easily. There were a couple sections where I nearly bored myself out of the story. I stuck it out because there was just enough authorial intrusion to keep the pace up and the plot interesting.
Yeah, the author had to intrude a bit to push Sean into the right kinds of lessons to get him to be interesting. Which isn't entirely a bad thing as it saves the story at points. Better if it hadn't been necessary, though. So let's call it three stars for holding my interest all the way to the end. Also, I'm at least a bit interested in the next book.
A note about Chaste: Sean runs into a cute girl who teaches him some things. There's a bit of forced proximity where she tells him to keep his hands to himself (unsolicited, Sean isn't a risk taker, at least in that way). But that's the extent of anything even remotely racy. So this is very chaste.
August 26, 2024
DNF 23%
I was super keen to read about a man trained in modern physics thrust into an apocalyptic future. Sadly, it soon became clear that Sean's training in physics was not going to be a factor. Instead we get to follow the world's only low-level human as he struggles to survive. Be amazed as he kills lizards, tiny homunculi, and rats of unusual size.
If he's just going to level like everyone else, then what's the point of his special origin. On the other hand, if his background is key to averting the world's destruction, please drop the reader a clue. Perhaps broken tech from the before-time that he miraculously revives. Maybe he has insights into the fundamental properties of "the system." Am I asking too much?
I was super keen to read about a man trained in modern physics thrust into an apocalyptic future. Sadly, it soon became clear that Sean's training in physics was not going to be a factor. Instead we get to follow the world's only low-level human as he struggles to survive. Be amazed as he kills lizards, tiny homunculi, and rats of unusual size.
If he's just going to level like everyone else, then what's the point of his special origin. On the other hand, if his background is key to averting the world's destruction, please drop the reader a clue. Perhaps broken tech from the before-time that he miraculously revives. Maybe he has insights into the fundamental properties of "the system." Am I asking too much?
June 23, 2024
How to Survive at the End of the World: 1
Sean Lawrence is working as something of an apprentice handyman when an accident in a lab freezes him in time, and the next thing he knows, he's waking up decades into the future where the Earth is headed towards its end under the influence of the Apocalypse System. Starting from scratch with everyone else already far ahead in levels, stats, abilities, and not to mention knowledge of how the system operates, Sean is determined to survive and figure out how to make it work. This is litrpg with just enough stat dumps to feel progression without being too much to the point that the author's just trying to make up word count. Characters are sympathetic and driven by realistic goals/values, and there's not a dull moment. Solid start with nice effort to put in a conclusion instead of ending on a cliffhanger. Also with informative author's notes at the end. Looking forward to the sequel.
Sean Lawrence is working as something of an apprentice handyman when an accident in a lab freezes him in time, and the next thing he knows, he's waking up decades into the future where the Earth is headed towards its end under the influence of the Apocalypse System. Starting from scratch with everyone else already far ahead in levels, stats, abilities, and not to mention knowledge of how the system operates, Sean is determined to survive and figure out how to make it work. This is litrpg with just enough stat dumps to feel progression without being too much to the point that the author's just trying to make up word count. Characters are sympathetic and driven by realistic goals/values, and there's not a dull moment. Solid start with nice effort to put in a conclusion instead of ending on a cliffhanger. Also with informative author's notes at the end. Looking forward to the sequel.
October 15, 2024
So much creativity! I love this author!
January 15, 2025
Survival’s Edge: Navigating a Post-Apocalyptic World
Author: R.C. Joshua
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Survival Fiction, Dystopian
Series: How to Survive at the End of the World (Book 1)
R.C. Joshua's How to Survive at the End of the World sets the tone for an immersive post-apocalyptic series that grapples with survival, morality, and human resilience in a world that's been brought to the brink of destruction. Book 1, the opening installment of the series, delivers a thrilling yet thought-provoking narrative, painting a vivid and often brutal picture of life after civilization collapses.
Plot Overview:
The story thrusts readers into a world where society has crumbled, leaving survivors scattered across a hostile and dangerous landscape. The exact cause of the apocalypse isn’t fully unveiled in the first book, which adds a layer of mystery and intrigue. Readers are introduced to a variety of survivors, each with their own unique skills and experiences, struggling to adapt to their new reality.
The narrative follows the protagonist—a lone wanderer whose skills in survival are as sharp as his will to keep moving forward. His journey is interwoven with encounters of both friendly and hostile factions, marauders, and others who are trying to rebuild something resembling a society. This balance of external threats and the protagonist's internal battle with hopelessness and isolation provides a strong emotional core to the book. The story's pacing alternates between tense moments of action and reflective periods where survival decisions are weighed against the moral consequences.
Themes:
Survival and Human Instinct: At its heart, How to Survive at the End of the World is about the raw nature of survival. The protagonist is frequently faced with choices that challenge his humanity—whether to help others at his own risk or to ensure his own safety by cutting ties. The book delves deep into what it means to survive not just physically but mentally and emotionally, with a subtle commentary on the lengths people will go to preserve their own lives.
Community vs. Isolation: Joshua explores the tension between choosing solitude for safety and risking connection in the face of danger. The novel shows that while going it alone is sometimes safer, human connection provides strength and hope. Throughout the protagonist’s journey, there are moments when alliances are formed, and we see the fragility of trust in a world that no longer has laws to hold people accountable.
Morality in a Broken World: A key strength of the book is how it portrays morality in a gray light. There are no clear-cut "heroes" or "villains" in this shattered world. Everyone is fighting for survival, and even those with good intentions can make choices that have devastating consequences. The protagonist’s ethical dilemmas—whether to kill or spare, trust or betray—are central to the narrative.
Characters:
R.C. Joshua crafts characters who feel authentic to the harshness of the world they inhabit. The protagonist, though nameless in many parts of the book, is a character of great complexity. He is both a hardened survivor and someone haunted by his past—memories of a life before the apocalypse, relationships he couldn’t save, and decisions he regrets. This psychological depth makes him relatable, even when his actions verge on brutal or extreme.
The supporting cast, while less developed in this installment, shows potential for growth in future books. Joshua introduces several memorable characters—survivors who represent different facets of humanity in crisis, from ruthless opportunists to hopeful idealists. The interactions between these characters are often tense, laced with mistrust, which creates palpable suspense.
Writing Style:
Joshua's prose is sharp and vivid, often starkly describing the devastation of the world while capturing the more subtle emotions of the characters. His descriptions of landscapes are both beautiful and bleak, serving as a backdrop to the desolation the characters endure. Action scenes are handled with precision, keeping the reader on edge without becoming overly detailed or gratuitous.
Dialogue is sparse but impactful, fitting the grim tone of the novel. Characters speak with a sense of guardedness, aware that revealing too much could be a dangerous mistake. This adds to the tension, as the reader is often left wondering who can be trusted. Joshua also uses flashbacks sparingly but effectively, giving glimpses of the protagonist's life before the fall of civilization, which adds depth to his character without slowing the pacing.
Pacing and Structure:
The pacing of How to Survive at the End of the World is balanced, with moments of intense action followed by quieter, more introspective sections. The first book serves as both an introduction to the protagonist's personal journey and the broader world-building of the series. While it doesn't answer all of the questions about the nature of the apocalypse or the ultimate direction of the story, it sets the stage for more significant developments in future installments.
Joshua also structures the book in a way that feels episodic—each chapter often focusing on a particular encounter or event, giving it a cinematic quality. However, some readers might find the slower sections a bit too drawn out, especially if they're looking for constant action.
Strengths:
Realism in survival: The detailed depiction of survival tactics, from scavenging for food to building makeshift shelters, adds a layer of authenticity to the story.
Emotional depth: The protagonist's internal struggles make him a compelling character, elevating the narrative beyond a simple action-adventure.
World-building: Joshua’s vision of a crumbling world is richly drawn, immersing readers in the bleak reality of post-apocalyptic life.
Weaknesses:
Limited backstory: While the mystery surrounding the apocalypse is engaging, some readers may feel frustrated by the lack of concrete answers in the first book.
Secondary character development: While the protagonist is well-developed, the supporting characters could have been given more depth in this installment, though this may be intentional to leave room for growth in the sequels.
Final Thoughts:
How to Survive at the End of the World: Book 1 is a gripping start to what promises to be a compelling post-apocalyptic series. R.C. Joshua skillfully combines action, suspense, and introspection, delivering a story that’s as much about the internal battles of the human spirit as it is about external threats. While it leaves many questions unanswered, it sets up an intriguing world that readers will want to explore further in future books.
For fans of survival fiction, dystopian worlds, and complex moral dilemmas, this book is a solid entry into the genre. Its mix of gritty realism and emotional depth makes it more than just a tale of survival—it’s a meditation on what it means to be human when the world falls apart.
May 22, 2024
Book one
I was there when this story started on Royalroad.
I really enjoyed it and had read up to what is page 145 in the book before life decided that my life was to boring. I was never able to get back to the story. Don't worry folks I saved it to my favorites list.
I'm actually pretty glad that happened because it gave me a good reason to grab a copy and just relax for the day.
The character will probably always have things work out for him in the end, but he is going to get the crap plus seven levels of hell beat out of him before that happens!
This is just a fun book. While I found a few mistakes I do believe that I only marked one. (I'm lazy and didn't want to re-read 145 pages just to look for mistakes) So there really isn't much listed on Goodreads like with most of the books I have read.
7/10 Just because I can and I enjoyed reading this. I'm off to read book two!
I was there when this story started on Royalroad.
I really enjoyed it and had read up to what is page 145 in the book before life decided that my life was to boring. I was never able to get back to the story. Don't worry folks I saved it to my favorites list.
I'm actually pretty glad that happened because it gave me a good reason to grab a copy and just relax for the day.
The character will probably always have things work out for him in the end, but he is going to get the crap plus seven levels of hell beat out of him before that happens!
This is just a fun book. While I found a few mistakes I do believe that I only marked one. (I'm lazy and didn't want to re-read 145 pages just to look for mistakes) So there really isn't much listed on Goodreads like with most of the books I have read.
7/10 Just because I can and I enjoyed reading this. I'm off to read book two!
July 7, 2024
Exactly what I was looking for after finishing another great LitRPG and wanting to find something with humor and great ideas/mechanics.
Really really great series, with awesome characters and a great story! The mix of humor and plot was exactly what I was looking for. I ended up not being able to put the books down and blew through the series in a week! Definetely will keep an eye out for future releases from the author.
Really really great series, with awesome characters and a great story! The mix of humor and plot was exactly what I was looking for. I ended up not being able to put the books down and blew through the series in a week! Definetely will keep an eye out for future releases from the author.
May 17, 2024
This is brought down by its unimpressive main character.
The setting is quick and dirty. There are no good side characters to help carry the narrative, it is all on the main character. And he is boring. It's as simple as that. The main character can not carry the book
The setting is quick and dirty. There are no good side characters to help carry the narrative, it is all on the main character. And he is boring. It's as simple as that. The main character can not carry the book
February 15, 2025
The "video game aspect" to the world was really interesting and like nothing I read before. But at some point the chapters seemed quite competitive which was kinda understandable because this book is probably like a build up for the rest of the series.
Read
November 29, 2024I picked this book up after reading the first book in another series by the same author. I liked the writing style but didn't really connect with that particular story. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it far into this book for the same reason.
The issue with both books is that the main characters are bland, and the books have their priorities backwards. All good books should give you a reason to care about a story first and foremost (usually through character work), and only when you are invested should you focus on the other elements of a story. This is because, without a reason for the reader to care, details go in one ear and out of the other.
This is a particularly prevalent problem in the LitRPG genre, where the authors like to do a tutorial-style introduction like you might find in a video game. Unfortunately, books aren't video games where you are automatically invested because in video games, your avatars are an extension of you, and you are already invested in yourself. In that environment, you can jump straight into game mechanics and world-building because you already have a reason to care. In books, you are one step removed from that, and all that detail is just noise until you are invested enough for those details to mean anything.
I didn't get far into this book before realising it wasn't for me, so I will refrain from giving this a star rating so I don't affect the overall book score. The overall writing style of the author is enjoyable (the reason I gave this series a go after failing out of another series by the same author), so maybe if you can push past the opening section, this book might get better. Your mileage on this one will depend on your patience with the opening section. When I was just getting into the genre, the concept itself was novel enough to see me through intros on books like this. Now, though, I have encountered this problem too often, and I just can't get invested in books like this anymore.
It's a shame, as once again, I like the premise of this book and wanted to like it.
The issue with both books is that the main characters are bland, and the books have their priorities backwards. All good books should give you a reason to care about a story first and foremost (usually through character work), and only when you are invested should you focus on the other elements of a story. This is because, without a reason for the reader to care, details go in one ear and out of the other.
This is a particularly prevalent problem in the LitRPG genre, where the authors like to do a tutorial-style introduction like you might find in a video game. Unfortunately, books aren't video games where you are automatically invested because in video games, your avatars are an extension of you, and you are already invested in yourself. In that environment, you can jump straight into game mechanics and world-building because you already have a reason to care. In books, you are one step removed from that, and all that detail is just noise until you are invested enough for those details to mean anything.
I didn't get far into this book before realising it wasn't for me, so I will refrain from giving this a star rating so I don't affect the overall book score. The overall writing style of the author is enjoyable (the reason I gave this series a go after failing out of another series by the same author), so maybe if you can push past the opening section, this book might get better. Your mileage on this one will depend on your patience with the opening section. When I was just getting into the genre, the concept itself was novel enough to see me through intros on books like this. Now, though, I have encountered this problem too often, and I just can't get invested in books like this anymore.
It's a shame, as once again, I like the premise of this book and wanted to like it.
May 1, 2024
well that was interesting
Kinda meta, as it acknowledges *in the story* how important a good story is. Vaguely Dungeon Crawler Carl in some aspects, but missing the entertainment and pet/companion parts.
The narrative stays tightly focused, without a huge amount of world-building that is unnecessary to the plot.
Worth the read.
Kinda meta, as it acknowledges *in the story* how important a good story is. Vaguely Dungeon Crawler Carl in some aspects, but missing the entertainment and pet/companion parts.
The narrative stays tightly focused, without a huge amount of world-building that is unnecessary to the plot.
Worth the read.
May 23, 2024
A edge of your seat page turner!!
This book is a lot different from a lot of the books I've read there are RPG. It keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat to see what happens next! Also the author's got a good grasp of imagination, keeps you waiting to see what happens the next time around. Kudos you done a good job!
This book is a lot different from a lot of the books I've read there are RPG. It keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat to see what happens next! Also the author's got a good grasp of imagination, keeps you waiting to see what happens the next time around. Kudos you done a good job!
October 6, 2024
Super fun book
If you're a fan of the genre, this is a quick, fast paced, underdog story that shouldn't disappoint. Tropes, classes, stats, humor, wondrous timing, just eat it up and laugh a bit. I liked the writing style. Command of the English language isn't a prerequisite for LitRPGs, but Joshy can write better than most. On to book 2.
If you're a fan of the genre, this is a quick, fast paced, underdog story that shouldn't disappoint. Tropes, classes, stats, humor, wondrous timing, just eat it up and laugh a bit. I liked the writing style. Command of the English language isn't a prerequisite for LitRPGs, but Joshy can write better than most. On to book 2.
June 1, 2024
Outstanding
Doesnt get much better than this folks. None of that multi-page thought-based monologuing. None of the over the top explanations or repetitive junk. Just great writing, great atory, and perfectly paced action. More please.
Doesnt get much better than this folks. None of that multi-page thought-based monologuing. None of the over the top explanations or repetitive junk. Just great writing, great atory, and perfectly paced action. More please.
June 8, 2024
Not food
Quit reading after the female Archer showed up, why is it allways a female that is better and saves the man? Is it because the writer is weak or does he or she think the readers are weak? I really wish Kindle never existed cause over 50 percent would never be published
Quit reading after the female Archer showed up, why is it allways a female that is better and saves the man? Is it because the writer is weak or does he or she think the readers are weak? I really wish Kindle never existed cause over 50 percent would never be published
July 2, 2024
Super overpowered
If you like a protagonist who's super overpowered and just destroys every and anything with constant superoptabilities this could be for you.
In a week the protagonist manages to accomplish as much as people who have lived in the apocalypse for decades.
The overpoweredness was kept in shots for the first 3/4 of the book and then it just kind of goes out of control real fast.
Pacing is almost always with these types of authors is horrible We just get way too much daily feedback and the progress over 7 days is just a little unbelievable Not in that the author doesn't explain how it happens just in that in reality the time it takes to do the things the protagonist does would exceed the time the author tells us it takes. It totally shatters the suspension of disbelief.
If you like a protagonist who's super overpowered and just destroys every and anything with constant superoptabilities this could be for you.
In a week the protagonist manages to accomplish as much as people who have lived in the apocalypse for decades.
The overpoweredness was kept in shots for the first 3/4 of the book and then it just kind of goes out of control real fast.
Pacing is almost always with these types of authors is horrible We just get way too much daily feedback and the progress over 7 days is just a little unbelievable Not in that the author doesn't explain how it happens just in that in reality the time it takes to do the things the protagonist does would exceed the time the author tells us it takes. It totally shatters the suspension of disbelief.
December 27, 2024
A wildly talent writer. An ok storyteller. I can't explain it but the author has a way of writing very cool. If I was to say this is a cool way to write litrpg and deal with dialogue boxes. All the elements dead on but very little emotional connection. The heart pounding element just not there. I like the series so far and the book. But it's also very dry visually, but the dialogue and the way the author treats those parts is like sitting in a pub listening to a story. It feels warm and bubbly. As if I should be having a good beer. The flavor text is funny but it outshines what the actual book was. At the same time the nuts and bolts can be stall.
So overall well excuted. As a whole emotion. hmm.
side note I almost thing this is a low key kingdom building series but not sure yet.
So overall well excuted. As a whole emotion. hmm.
side note I almost thing this is a low key kingdom building series but not sure yet.
June 14, 2024
How to Survive at the End of the World is the first book in this series, and if you like funny tales of heroism, from a guy that is always pulling things out of his butt on the fly just to survive, then this is the book for you. I really liked this one, and I'm reading more in this series to be sure. This is one of the best LitRPG books I've read this year. Great story, good story, and lots of fun to boot. What's not to love?
May 14, 2025
This was good fun!
Some of the action scenes went on a bit too long for my tastes, but there was satisfying variety. The leveling was well balanced and I looked forward to seeing how the MC would use his abilities. Most of the time I thought the quirks were amusing; I’m glad I gave them the chance to win me over.
I liked the characters. Bonus points for variety and some “blue collar realness.” (I will say the MC’s backstory piece about his failed teaching is weak because you do actually need education, training, and experience to do the job).
There are a couple of sections with sloppy errors, but overall it’s easy to read.
On to the next in the series!
Some of the action scenes went on a bit too long for my tastes, but there was satisfying variety. The leveling was well balanced and I looked forward to seeing how the MC would use his abilities. Most of the time I thought the quirks were amusing; I’m glad I gave them the chance to win me over.
I liked the characters. Bonus points for variety and some “blue collar realness.” (I will say the MC’s backstory piece about his failed teaching is weak because you do actually need education, training, and experience to do the job).
There are a couple of sections with sloppy errors, but overall it’s easy to read.
On to the next in the series!
May 17, 2024
Sean ends up in a time bubble and wakes up in the future after a system apocalypse. The future, and how Sean ended up there, was handled very well. I was impressed by how creative the new world turned out to be, with bizarre creatures based on our own mythology, and various cultural fairy tales. I was entertained by a lot of the weirdness.
I liked the side characters, but Cedarhelm was my favorite. He was so thoughtful and gave great advice.
The pacing was fast, the writing overall was polished, and the ending made me eager to read the next book.
I liked the side characters, but Cedarhelm was my favorite. He was so thoughtful and gave great advice.
The pacing was fast, the writing overall was polished, and the ending made me eager to read the next book.
June 10, 2024
Fun Twist on the Usual Isekai
I decided to try this book on a whim and I actually really enjoyed it. So many Isekai novels are about getting the perfect moves, or channeling chi just right. It usually involves learning magic through some powerful hidden master or stumbling across some ancient treasures.
Not this book. It’s about the MC doing the best with what he can find, sometimes it’s just junk or pant legs. It could use more development of the side characters and world building, but still a fun read.
I decided to try this book on a whim and I actually really enjoyed it. So many Isekai novels are about getting the perfect moves, or channeling chi just right. It usually involves learning magic through some powerful hidden master or stumbling across some ancient treasures.
Not this book. It’s about the MC doing the best with what he can find, sometimes it’s just junk or pant legs. It could use more development of the side characters and world building, but still a fun read.
July 25, 2024
Quirky and Enjoyable
Yeah, I can get behind this!
The plot is fairly full of deus ex machina moments, but it doesn't really detract from the story. The story has a wacky charm that was enough to engage but not so much as to deter my interest.
The MC is enjoyable, not enirely believable, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The humor is on time and kicks when it needs to.
While the LitRPG / System element is relatively basic, it's well written and follows a decent pace. These characteristics are unfortunately rare in the LitRPG realm.
All that said, I recommend giving it a read!
Yeah, I can get behind this!
The plot is fairly full of deus ex machina moments, but it doesn't really detract from the story. The story has a wacky charm that was enough to engage but not so much as to deter my interest.
The MC is enjoyable, not enirely believable, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The humor is on time and kicks when it needs to.
While the LitRPG / System element is relatively basic, it's well written and follows a decent pace. These characteristics are unfortunately rare in the LitRPG realm.
All that said, I recommend giving it a read!
December 24, 2024
I tried the author's Deadworld book, and my friend enjoyed this, so I will give this a go.
With the emphasis placed on the protag knowing physics, and understanding the manual, I hope that comes into play next book. As it had no use in this book. I dislike when a book points out that the person knows this, puts them in a situation where that knowledge could be used, and then don't use it.
I will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
With the emphasis placed on the protag knowing physics, and understanding the manual, I hope that comes into play next book. As it had no use in this book. I dislike when a book points out that the person knows this, puts them in a situation where that knowledge could be used, and then don't use it.
I will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
March 3, 2025
it was ok, but not great.
I enjoyed parts of the story and I don’t regret reading it. But, throughout the story, it felt like the author was telling me what he didn’t like about a bunch of other stories, rather than fleshing out their own.
Also, near the end, it felt like the author was tired of writing and started having “the system” just throw up their hands and be like “whatever, do what you want.” Then they rushed through to the end of this book, but not the story.
I might read the next one, but not right now.
I enjoyed parts of the story and I don’t regret reading it. But, throughout the story, it felt like the author was telling me what he didn’t like about a bunch of other stories, rather than fleshing out their own.
Also, near the end, it felt like the author was tired of writing and started having “the system” just throw up their hands and be like “whatever, do what you want.” Then they rushed through to the end of this book, but not the story.
I might read the next one, but not right now.
March 26, 2025
I read a decent amount of LITRPG. I go into it expecting some light humor and an interesting premise. My standards are not high. Even still, I could not bring myself to finish this. The MC doesn't have anything special to differentiate them, but they manage to level up crazy quickly and survive all kinds of scenarios. The powers they unlock are lame. The premise of the Apocalypse System makes no sense and it feels like it's just a way to create a tournament system to avoid any real story telling with suspense and twists. Not worth the time to finish reading.
June 13, 2024
A bit strange, a bit familiar
So this one is a bit unusual in how the MC gets into the apocalypse scenario, and a bit strange in the class set up and way that it’s obtained go. The system itself is familiar in that it’s not supposed to be aware/ alive but the messages it sends sure make it seem that way. The leveling is a lot of sudden jumps so that the MC quickly levels but it feels a little unearned maybe? Or cheapened? Overall I liked it, and it was a solid read.
So this one is a bit unusual in how the MC gets into the apocalypse scenario, and a bit strange in the class set up and way that it’s obtained go. The system itself is familiar in that it’s not supposed to be aware/ alive but the messages it sends sure make it seem that way. The leveling is a lot of sudden jumps so that the MC quickly levels but it feels a little unearned maybe? Or cheapened? Overall I liked it, and it was a solid read.
July 4, 2024
good not great IMO
So this wasn’t a bad book. Will I read the next one? No.
It was good at most everything, but great at nothing. I also like more class and skill growth. His growth focused more on his overall growth with nothing especially noteworthy.
Lastly, I don’t like it when authors wave a magic wand and make the MC win every fight. It makes it less interesting and kinda ruins the story.
So this wasn’t a bad book. Will I read the next one? No.
It was good at most everything, but great at nothing. I also like more class and skill growth. His growth focused more on his overall growth with nothing especially noteworthy.
Lastly, I don’t like it when authors wave a magic wand and make the MC win every fight. It makes it less interesting and kinda ruins the story.
July 29, 2024
Loved it
It is honestly a refreshing version of other litrpg. Would have been even better without swearing. But it was minimal, maybe 15swear words in the book, at least all I caught. Audible for what ever reason won't let me review the book. But it was amazing too. Hope the next books get audio
It is honestly a refreshing version of other litrpg. Would have been even better without swearing. But it was minimal, maybe 15swear words in the book, at least all I caught. Audible for what ever reason won't let me review the book. But it was amazing too. Hope the next books get audio
December 17, 2024
Good until the awful ending
Entertaining, if a but rushed... Then the ending? All Rush. All ex machina. All terrible. Author knows it too, mentions it in the system's voice... Repeatedly... That changes nothing. It's poor story telling.
About 90 percent through, I was looking forward to book two, after finishing it, i just don't care. There are no stakes.
Entertaining, if a but rushed... Then the ending? All Rush. All ex machina. All terrible. Author knows it too, mentions it in the system's voice... Repeatedly... That changes nothing. It's poor story telling.
About 90 percent through, I was looking forward to book two, after finishing it, i just don't care. There are no stakes.
April 17, 2024
Enjoyable
Came across this book and was pleasantly surprised. Fast paced and high quality with relatable characters and MC who makes rational choices for the situations he is in. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Came across this book and was pleasantly surprised. Fast paced and high quality with relatable characters and MC who makes rational choices for the situations he is in. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
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