What do you think?
Rate this book
Beta-Testing the Apocalypse #1
Beta-Testing the Apocalypse: A LitRPG Adventure
A LitRPG Apocalypse Series about an IT worker who is given early access to a somewhat buggy System.
Battle through pocket dimensions full of monsters. Report bugs to the System. Survive.
Dex is just your average, everyday I.T. Professional. Eyes tired from working late, the strange glowing gem floating in the middle of his apartment didn’t exactly grab his attention. Until it opens into a portal and starts counting down to his death.
In a life-or-death situation, an autistic quality assurance engineer probably isn’t your first choice for a hero. But he has a certain set of skills that catches the attention of the Daemon System as it implements a secret beta-test on Earth.
The impact of the Essence Wavefront is imminent. With it, humanity will unlock access to fantastic power. To have any chance to survive against the countless invaders who will seek to take that Essence power from us, humans will need the structure of the System.
And who better to ensure the induction of 9-billion humans goes smoothly than Dex, the self-proclaimed God of Q.A.?
By reporting bugs while fighting for his life in pocket dimensions full of deathtraps and monsters, Dex will win rewards, earn Essence, and grow more powerful than he can imagine, all while slowly uncovering the truths of the upcoming horrific apocalypse.
Because work-life balance is important, right?
Experience this unique take on a LitRPG Apocalypse, featuring a weak-to-strong MC who gains early access to a somewhat buggy but non-sentient System.
Battle through pocket dimensions full of monsters. Report bugs to the System. Survive.
Dex is just your average, everyday I.T. Professional. Eyes tired from working late, the strange glowing gem floating in the middle of his apartment didn’t exactly grab his attention. Until it opens into a portal and starts counting down to his death.
In a life-or-death situation, an autistic quality assurance engineer probably isn’t your first choice for a hero. But he has a certain set of skills that catches the attention of the Daemon System as it implements a secret beta-test on Earth.
The impact of the Essence Wavefront is imminent. With it, humanity will unlock access to fantastic power. To have any chance to survive against the countless invaders who will seek to take that Essence power from us, humans will need the structure of the System.
And who better to ensure the induction of 9-billion humans goes smoothly than Dex, the self-proclaimed God of Q.A.?
By reporting bugs while fighting for his life in pocket dimensions full of deathtraps and monsters, Dex will win rewards, earn Essence, and grow more powerful than he can imagine, all while slowly uncovering the truths of the upcoming horrific apocalypse.
Because work-life balance is important, right?
Experience this unique take on a LitRPG Apocalypse, featuring a weak-to-strong MC who gains early access to a somewhat buggy but non-sentient System.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2025
235 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 3, 2025
DNF.
Other than it being obvious the author knows nothing about firearms other than video games, the writing was pretty bland. Once it started throwing in pronouns and all of the political stuff I just bowed out. I read for escapism not to get inundated with more politcs
Other than it being obvious the author knows nothing about firearms other than video games, the writing was pretty bland. Once it started throwing in pronouns and all of the political stuff I just bowed out. I read for escapism not to get inundated with more politcs
April 3, 2025
4.5 I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. A lot of these apocalypse litrpg books tend to have abrupt change from normal life to apocalypse life and it was so refreshing to see a balance of both. I really liked how Dex balances the juggling act of doing the beta testing but still making time for his friends and maintaining all of that instead of just falling into a hyperfocus of Only Betatesting iykwim. Action and normal people activities? Love it. It gives the reader a great way to get to know the character and not just the character's response to Trauma TM and I think it really makes dex a more well rounded and likeable character that's not just a op edge lord like a lot of the litrpgs tend to veer towards.
September 23, 2025
A welcome change of pace
Its not often we have isekai while still at home, but this one was interesting. Fun changes on the usual, the aspect of growth was cool as well.
Its not often we have isekai while still at home, but this one was interesting. Fun changes on the usual, the aspect of growth was cool as well.
April 3, 2025
lost interest
Have you been reading a book and realize that it’s taking a force of effort for you to go any further. That’s the way it was for me. I read a lot and when I hit a point in a story when I’m forcing myself to continue I just stop.
The story isn’t a bad concept, the writing isn’t bad it just didn’t click with me. It just got bland and forgettable about half way through. It could be me it could be a lot of things but it’s a book that for me at about the mid way point I’d have to often go back and re read a few pages because my brain just didn’t care enough to even retain what was going on in my short term memory.
Have you been reading a book and realize that it’s taking a force of effort for you to go any further. That’s the way it was for me. I read a lot and when I hit a point in a story when I’m forcing myself to continue I just stop.
The story isn’t a bad concept, the writing isn’t bad it just didn’t click with me. It just got bland and forgettable about half way through. It could be me it could be a lot of things but it’s a book that for me at about the mid way point I’d have to often go back and re read a few pages because my brain just didn’t care enough to even retain what was going on in my short term memory.
September 15, 2025
It’s a well written novel, it’s kinda short and I would have liked a bit more world building at the beginning. Even beta-tester are provided with some info trying a new game. It’s in the first POV perspective which I don’t like much, but it’s not too bad here.
What I like less is that there is a bit too much repetition and emphasis on useless thought. It’s fine 1 time but it happened a bit too much even if it’s a quirk of MC. (That’s purely personnal taste)
The pace is also very slow. We are following MC almost all the time around the clock, whether going to the gym, travelling, eating, etc. It’s all unnecessary stuff (IMO) that just drag the story. I don’t find the story engaging even if the content is good.
I know it’s the concept itself to discover stuff as a beta tester but it’s kinda exaggerated how little is provided by the system itself at the beginning and expecting people to survive with how devious the portal are made. For example, if you take a lambda person without a workbench like MC, providing a starting gear should be expected if mundane gear is useless in most cases.
What I will say is a negative for me is the really poor survival instinct of MC, not necessarily in term of skill, but just in term of process. I think the goal was for a very high learning curve compared to more gradual power scaling in other novels of the same genre but some decisions were outright very stupid. Mini-spoiler but a clear example with the shrimp gate. Instead of trying to dodge the projectiles, he just stood there like an idiot tanking the shots. Like I said, it’s fine if he’s not skilled, but at least try to do things!!! Even a newbie would take cover or try to dodge.
It also doesn’t match very much with his supposed experience with RPG when he didn’t imediately upgraded the sword and gears in general after the sword didn’t cut anything. It’s very common having a tier suppression. Specially mortal tool vs magical.
Also, he never thought it would be a good idea to train his fighting skills outside instead of the unending shopping spree.
He overprepared for 1000 different scenarios but he never took time to really get the basics down correctly that apply to everything.
Personally I would have given him a one time boost after he evolved his body to give him coordination and fighting skill. Even at the end of the novel, he barely improved compared to the beginning if you remove the system progress.
What I like less is that there is a bit too much repetition and emphasis on useless thought. It’s fine 1 time but it happened a bit too much even if it’s a quirk of MC. (That’s purely personnal taste)
The pace is also very slow. We are following MC almost all the time around the clock, whether going to the gym, travelling, eating, etc. It’s all unnecessary stuff (IMO) that just drag the story. I don’t find the story engaging even if the content is good.
I know it’s the concept itself to discover stuff as a beta tester but it’s kinda exaggerated how little is provided by the system itself at the beginning and expecting people to survive with how devious the portal are made. For example, if you take a lambda person without a workbench like MC, providing a starting gear should be expected if mundane gear is useless in most cases.
What I will say is a negative for me is the really poor survival instinct of MC, not necessarily in term of skill, but just in term of process. I think the goal was for a very high learning curve compared to more gradual power scaling in other novels of the same genre but some decisions were outright very stupid. Mini-spoiler but a clear example with the shrimp gate. Instead of trying to dodge the projectiles, he just stood there like an idiot tanking the shots. Like I said, it’s fine if he’s not skilled, but at least try to do things!!! Even a newbie would take cover or try to dodge.
It also doesn’t match very much with his supposed experience with RPG when he didn’t imediately upgraded the sword and gears in general after the sword didn’t cut anything. It’s very common having a tier suppression. Specially mortal tool vs magical.
Also, he never thought it would be a good idea to train his fighting skills outside instead of the unending shopping spree.
He overprepared for 1000 different scenarios but he never took time to really get the basics down correctly that apply to everything.
Personally I would have given him a one time boost after he evolved his body to give him coordination and fighting skill. Even at the end of the novel, he barely improved compared to the beginning if you remove the system progress.
July 27, 2025
Ok, the first few minutes of the story, knowing the MC and the first exploration were honestly nice. His mentality, how meticulous he is and his problem solving solutions kind of a fresh air i the Litrpg genre
But there is nothing else. I DNF at 5 hours and nothing has changed. He read the manual, face a bridge, obtain points for body modification and monologue. He ONLY MONOLOGUES. There has been like.... 5 minutes in total of dialogue between him and another living being. Even old timey Sci Fi had the exposition happen between cardboard sheets of different characters.
Its the same voice. The same cadence. The same analytical "hmmm, according to my calculations" even whe he was bitten and was bloody.
And why the fuck did he hide his wounds to his friends. He explains that the world is going to change and maybe end but he doesn't have any evidence to prove it (you know, besies magic and body regeneration and perfect skills and... ) so it would not be worth it. But here he has the evidence and you know, it would not be shitty of him to give the heads up to the closes to him about THE WORLD ENDING you piece of shit, so they can prepare or warn their families or anything.
Gods, now that I'm thinking about it while writing the review, I realize how utterly bland the MC is besides "I'm autistic yo". Apparently he doesn't have a family, his friends only appear once in 5 hours, he only plays one single mmorpg, he only eats pizza and he only hits the gym or buy online. Fucking hell, at least Jason had political leanings and a shitty sense of humor to break the monotony.
1/10.
But there is nothing else. I DNF at 5 hours and nothing has changed. He read the manual, face a bridge, obtain points for body modification and monologue. He ONLY MONOLOGUES. There has been like.... 5 minutes in total of dialogue between him and another living being. Even old timey Sci Fi had the exposition happen between cardboard sheets of different characters.
Its the same voice. The same cadence. The same analytical "hmmm, according to my calculations" even whe he was bitten and was bloody.
And why the fuck did he hide his wounds to his friends. He explains that the world is going to change and maybe end but he doesn't have any evidence to prove it (you know, besies magic and body regeneration and perfect skills and... ) so it would not be worth it. But here he has the evidence and you know, it would not be shitty of him to give the heads up to the closes to him about THE WORLD ENDING you piece of shit, so they can prepare or warn their families or anything.
Gods, now that I'm thinking about it while writing the review, I realize how utterly bland the MC is besides "I'm autistic yo". Apparently he doesn't have a family, his friends only appear once in 5 hours, he only plays one single mmorpg, he only eats pizza and he only hits the gym or buy online. Fucking hell, at least Jason had political leanings and a shitty sense of humor to break the monotony.
1/10.
February 28, 2025
What an AwesomeSauce beginning, to what's shaping up to be a dynamite series! And ye Gods I can hardly wait for the next book to land... Even though I've never read J.G. Spalding, I'm gonna be looking for his other works! This is Dex's story as he's one of the few selected to beta test the system that's about to be released onto our world. Being a game developer himself he has no issues sliding into the system, to do his best finding bugs, and leveling as quickly as he can. So just another Tuesday, except for the possibility of dyin. You can imagine how strange his life became. Both in game and in real life too, as his new abilities work, even when he's having a quiet dinner with his friends.
So yeah grab a pizza and the audiobook because Ryan H Reid has a pedal-to-the-metal action-driven story to tell you!
Ohhhh and here's a handful of quotes that tickled me:
"Morning and I have never had a friendly relationship. Sort of a grudging respect and tolerance of each other."
"I was like a Honda sleeper with a V8 hiding under the hood."
"Besides, it was just in my nature as a gamer to grab every minor healing potion, every single copper piece, every damn cheese wheel, until the world is wiped clean and all NPCs are in their underwear."
"...it would be good to have some extra food around, especially a tasty gyro or six."
"It would be embarrassing for her to give me a light punch and have my hand fall off onto the hibachi."
So yeah grab a pizza and the audiobook because Ryan H Reid has a pedal-to-the-metal action-driven story to tell you!
Ohhhh and here's a handful of quotes that tickled me:
"Morning and I have never had a friendly relationship. Sort of a grudging respect and tolerance of each other."
"I was like a Honda sleeper with a V8 hiding under the hood."
"Besides, it was just in my nature as a gamer to grab every minor healing potion, every single copper piece, every damn cheese wheel, until the world is wiped clean and all NPCs are in their underwear."
"...it would be good to have some extra food around, especially a tasty gyro or six."
"It would be embarrassing for her to give me a light punch and have my hand fall off onto the hibachi."
February 26, 2025
I thought this was fantastic and done in a very different way then other books in the same genre / sub-genre. It's very much a prelude system apocalypse with a little bit of the tv shows Sliders or Stargate and despite reading dozens of system apocalypse books this is the first time I've seen it done this way. One important thing that may be a sticking point for some readers who like to nit-pick main characters, the main character in this story Dex describes himself as being autistic (If he is he's very high functioning.) but he seemed perfectly normal to me aside from a mild social anxiety disorder, and as someone who social anxiety disorder I can his is definitely mild. That however may be a sticking point for some readers who assume they can't relate when he first mentions his autism, but I think he's relatable enough to the average reader in the genre. The book starts off slow and some of the choices the author made might not make sense until later in the book but it picks up pace as it continues and by the end of the book especially the epilogue we get to see some good early world building and decent character development. For what is apparently the authors first book I highly recommend it and the only thing I could want different from it is for it to be longer and or to know the date the second book is coming out so I can set it on my calendar.
March 12, 2025
Some problems
Fair warning: I would actually give this book 3 stars, but...the Amazon rating scale.
The main problem is, of course, the main character. Goes from mousey computer nerd to ninja assassin with super slick moves by 2/3s of the way through. Just happens to know a criminal bigwig, is friends with him, and works tech gigs for him. OK I'm willing to suspend disbelief so far. However: Criminal friend brings him onboard for a possible wet work operation, hmmm. Normal life to possible murder hobo you're losing me here. Gets picked by a system admin as a system 'official', seems pretty unlikely.
Additionally the MC is supposed to be autistic. I've known many autistic people in my life, and have worked with some professionally. He doesn't really seem autistic to me, more socially awkward and introverted. But that's small potatoes compared to the above problems.
On the plus side: Some interesting ideas in the genre, not unique but fairly well done. The story is reasonably entertaining. I'm not sad to have read it.
One thing that I noticed in the reviews was complaints about the social commentary. It was ham handed at times, but not overpowering.
Would recommend with caveats. Tom out
Fair warning: I would actually give this book 3 stars, but...the Amazon rating scale.
The main problem is, of course, the main character. Goes from mousey computer nerd to ninja assassin with super slick moves by 2/3s of the way through. Just happens to know a criminal bigwig, is friends with him, and works tech gigs for him. OK I'm willing to suspend disbelief so far. However: Criminal friend brings him onboard for a possible wet work operation, hmmm. Normal life to possible murder hobo you're losing me here. Gets picked by a system admin as a system 'official', seems pretty unlikely.
Additionally the MC is supposed to be autistic. I've known many autistic people in my life, and have worked with some professionally. He doesn't really seem autistic to me, more socially awkward and introverted. But that's small potatoes compared to the above problems.
On the plus side: Some interesting ideas in the genre, not unique but fairly well done. The story is reasonably entertaining. I'm not sad to have read it.
One thing that I noticed in the reviews was complaints about the social commentary. It was ham handed at times, but not overpowering.
Would recommend with caveats. Tom out
March 18, 2025
This is one of the best I've read recently. Somehow, in a subgenre with as many releases as this one gets, this managed to find it's own space and spin to the system apocalypse.
There are similarities, to be sure, but even then the elements feel unique to this book and story.
The writing was great, the narrator was enjoyable to listen to, the system incursions felt unique and not just whack-a-monster, the level up system and experience gains ties into the overarching story, the supporting characters were interesting and the end sets up their role both vaguely and clearly enough, and the main character was smart, clever, not annoying, I rooted for him instead of the monsters (which I've done in some books).
I'm going to be keeping an eye on this series, and the author. I hope they keep writing for a long while, 'cause I'll be reading.
There are similarities, to be sure, but even then the elements feel unique to this book and story.
The writing was great, the narrator was enjoyable to listen to, the system incursions felt unique and not just whack-a-monster, the level up system and experience gains ties into the overarching story, the supporting characters were interesting and the end sets up their role both vaguely and clearly enough, and the main character was smart, clever, not annoying, I rooted for him instead of the monsters (which I've done in some books).
I'm going to be keeping an eye on this series, and the author. I hope they keep writing for a long while, 'cause I'll be reading.
February 28, 2025
Book one
I really enjoyed reading this. However the book has some plot holes. The author doesn't seem to know how guns actually work other than point and shoot. Doesn't seem to realize just how much nasty crap is in our food. It wouldn't taste wonderful if you could up your sense of taste. It would be incredibly nasty tasting. Also if you upgrade your hearing you would hear the blood flowing in your body.
So upgrading your senses may sound good for a story, in actuality it is probably one of the worst things you can do.
Very well edited. I didn't find it on Royalroad or anywhere else.
5/10 Look forward to book two.
I really enjoyed reading this. However the book has some plot holes. The author doesn't seem to know how guns actually work other than point and shoot. Doesn't seem to realize just how much nasty crap is in our food. It wouldn't taste wonderful if you could up your sense of taste. It would be incredibly nasty tasting. Also if you upgrade your hearing you would hear the blood flowing in your body.
So upgrading your senses may sound good for a story, in actuality it is probably one of the worst things you can do.
Very well edited. I didn't find it on Royalroad or anywhere else.
5/10 Look forward to book two.
May 30, 2025
"What dangers will I face in the Bridge on the other side of the Portal. Essence cost 10"
"wOw gOoD tO KnOw"
Yo dumbass, just prepare for all four things... stop wasting essences endlessly. You literally take the same shit on every journey anyways.
The book is badly written. It is very boring and formulaic. The main character is annoying and thinks he's so smart. The endless internal running dialog sucks. I have to keep forcing myself to read this book, I really need to stop.
DNF 68%
"wOw gOoD tO KnOw"
Yo dumbass, just prepare for all four things... stop wasting essences endlessly. You literally take the same shit on every journey anyways.
The book is badly written. It is very boring and formulaic. The main character is annoying and thinks he's so smart. The endless internal running dialog sucks. I have to keep forcing myself to read this book, I really need to stop.
DNF 68%
February 27, 2025
Beta-Testing the Apocalypse: A LitRPG Adventure, my first read from author JG Spaulding. A unique, captivating, page-turning, well-written read, purportably the first book in a series. “I received an Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author, and in this series as they're published. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
March 22, 2025
Really solid book!
This book had one of my favorite quotes in awhile. I don't actually have it in front of me so I'm going to paraphrase it: office workers were going to the gym, desperately trying to undo the damage of a sedentary job. That really stood out to me.
Also this book is an interesting look into what could happen to an autistic guy when his special interest becomes kicking ass in a system oriented apocalypse.
This book had one of my favorite quotes in awhile. I don't actually have it in front of me so I'm going to paraphrase it: office workers were going to the gym, desperately trying to undo the damage of a sedentary job. That really stood out to me.
Also this book is an interesting look into what could happen to an autistic guy when his special interest becomes kicking ass in a system oriented apocalypse.
March 22, 2025
this book is basically a copy of defiance of a fall the early days. the author continues to use autism as a defining Factor of the main MC, which he does not even show it in the storytelling. Look, I don't care if you have autism, down syndrome, ADHD, the point is, it's unnecessary to tell us that when telling a fantasy story, especially if the system you make is biologically changing you at the DNA level .
March 25, 2025
I really enjoyed it
For the first time in a couple months I was upset that the book ended. I can't wait for the next one. I hope that it's coming soon cause I really like how it has been building and how the system works. It smiliar and different. I think he has more room to grow the system and can't wait to see what he going to do. I got my guesses but I hope I am right on some and wrong on others. I recommend this book to read. It was definitely worth the read.
For the first time in a couple months I was upset that the book ended. I can't wait for the next one. I hope that it's coming soon cause I really like how it has been building and how the system works. It smiliar and different. I think he has more room to grow the system and can't wait to see what he going to do. I got my guesses but I hope I am right on some and wrong on others. I recommend this book to read. It was definitely worth the read.
April 13, 2025
I typically like litrpg apocalypse stories that take place on earth, and this one is no exception. Very well done, and looking forward to the next one. Not your typical apocalypse story though, but that's what makes it enjoyable. Bug hunting at it's finest, though to be fair, he didn't really find a whole lot of bugs, but there were enough to keep it interesting, and of course, the ending was entertaining.
March 13, 2025
This seems interesting, so I'm willing to give it a go.
This wasn't too bad. I enjoyed it, but sadly the sequel looks like it will be a "I'm putting together a team" type book. Hopefully, seeing as the protag isn't a chatter box, it won't devolve into "quips" while fighting people. Like if it's a game they are playing.
Will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
This wasn't too bad. I enjoyed it, but sadly the sequel looks like it will be a "I'm putting together a team" type book. Hopefully, seeing as the protag isn't a chatter box, it won't devolve into "quips" while fighting people. Like if it's a game they are playing.
Will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
February 27, 2025
Very good
This was a lot of fun to read. There are a few rinse, lather, repeat parts, but they are pretty few and far between. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Highly recommended.
This was a lot of fun to read. There are a few rinse, lather, repeat parts, but they are pretty few and far between. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Highly recommended.
February 27, 2025
A new take
Definitely a new take on an apocalypse system story! The protagonist is engaging but not OP. The logic behind events is consistent. I enjoyed its plot and the ending was intriguing.
Definitely a new take on an apocalypse system story! The protagonist is engaging but not OP. The logic behind events is consistent. I enjoyed its plot and the ending was intriguing.
March 5, 2025
This was a great start! I finished this and immediately wanted more of the story. The MC has an interesting and unique outlook and moral code, as compared to other storybook heroes, which I found very refreshing. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.
March 23, 2025
Good read
This is an enjoyable story. A different advancement system, and a new handling of the apocalypse. Relatable main character and enough action without being pedantic. Recommended read.
This is an enjoyable story. A different advancement system, and a new handling of the apocalypse. Relatable main character and enough action without being pedantic. Recommended read.
May 1, 2025
4.5 Stars.
I listened to this book.
This is a good Litrpg story. The mix of progressive level improvement and real world story line makes Dex’s story interesting.
Well worth the listen. Look forward to the next book.
I listened to this book.
This is a good Litrpg story. The mix of progressive level improvement and real world story line makes Dex’s story interesting.
Well worth the listen. Look forward to the next book.
February 26, 2025
Fun Read
Autism is a super power for qa and programming. Refreshing book taking what is seen as a disability and making into a super power.
Autism is a super power for qa and programming. Refreshing book taking what is seen as a disability and making into a super power.
February 26, 2025
Good introduction
I really like the way this series is introducing the system. People are beta testing the system for humans. Looking forward to how this world develops.
I really like the way this series is introducing the system. People are beta testing the system for humans. Looking forward to how this world develops.
March 2, 2025
unique and fun
A young man with very flexible morals is pulled in as a beta tester for an apocalyptic system event.
Well done.
A young man with very flexible morals is pulled in as a beta tester for an apocalyptic system event.
Well done.
March 2, 2025
awesome system
Great book looking forward to the sequel when it comes out. Character development was smooth and easy to like. A++
Great book looking forward to the sequel when it comes out. Character development was smooth and easy to like. A++
March 3, 2025
Couldn't connect with MC. DNF.
March 5, 2025
DNF
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
March 5, 2025
It was kind of underwhelming at the beginning, and it didn't get any better until the end.
The ending was fecking stupid.
To the shitpile!!
The ending was fecking stupid.
To the shitpile!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews