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Rise of Mankind #4
Age of Steel
The rising wave of the undead has been stilled, the Lich Lord Daedalus defeated, and the dungeon is safe… for now.
Now comes a time of growth, of calm and restructuring as the dungeon upgrades and the new alliances settle... but not all is peace and love.
The gangs are rising, the asuras spread, and the dead never truly rest…
The Age of Steel has begun….
Now comes a time of growth, of calm and restructuring as the dungeon upgrades and the new alliances settle... but not all is peace and love.
The gangs are rising, the asuras spread, and the dead never truly rest…
The Age of Steel has begun….
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2023
395 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 2, 2024
There's so much this book does well. From the expanding world to, growing characters and communities, the complexity of characters and interpersonal relationships... But all this greatness is just 35% of the book. The rest is spent on battles and fight sequences. Those are cool in moderation, but this many fight scenes, with such detail and complexities... I can't picture it. Not because the writing is bad, but because full emersion costs so much mental energy and work on my part. It's not a movie I can passively watch. It's an active process for the reader and it's exhausting. Maybe it's a 'me' thing and not a 'reader' thing. In any case, I'd enjoy the book much more if there was more variety and less big battles. I wouldn't mind constant small fights; those are part of the genre. But 2 major battles per book is too much.
February 25, 2023
Book four
Our knockoff Thor is back! He has a hammer, shoots lightning, and can fly!
He is now almost seven feet tall. Why can't people just be happy with their bodies? The drastic changes to his body would have meant that he would have had to relearn to do everything, but no matter how much he changes he has no problems.
The sex is so not needed and is nothing more then teen boy fantasy. The entire oh we are all in danger but my girlfriend is going to take the time to tease me about oral sex just made no sense and was out of place.
The MC repeatedly repeats himself. Comes off as having zero idea of what he is doing.
Keeps coming up with plans then changing his mind.
4/10 Worst book of the series maybe.
Our knockoff Thor is back! He has a hammer, shoots lightning, and can fly!
He is now almost seven feet tall. Why can't people just be happy with their bodies? The drastic changes to his body would have meant that he would have had to relearn to do everything, but no matter how much he changes he has no problems.
The sex is so not needed and is nothing more then teen boy fantasy. The entire oh we are all in danger but my girlfriend is going to take the time to tease me about oral sex just made no sense and was out of place.
The MC repeatedly repeats himself. Comes off as having zero idea of what he is doing.
Keeps coming up with plans then changing his mind.
4/10 Worst book of the series maybe.
June 30, 2023
too much talk not enough action
I have been a fan of this series and waited patiently for the Audible to come out. Unfortunately, the series appears to be in decline. I made it around a third of the way through and there was little more than banter and some dungeon building. Virtually no action just posts of meetings and dirty he said type jokes. Seems like the author has lost direction with the story line, just lots of filler
I have been a fan of this series and waited patiently for the Audible to come out. Unfortunately, the series appears to be in decline. I made it around a third of the way through and there was little more than banter and some dungeon building. Virtually no action just posts of meetings and dirty he said type jokes. Seems like the author has lost direction with the story line, just lots of filler
February 17, 2024
It shocks me to read this book. It has potential and that's the only reason I'm still forcing myself to read it , but every few chapters, I have to take a break to erase another idiotic idea of the protagonist from my mind. Jez reorganise the editing team as you are wasting an opportunity by publishing such an unrefined book. Look for people who don't just think about drinking, drugging and fucking but who will point out to you the places that need to be changed because they are the opposite of effective development even for the average intelligent person. Examples...
1) the protagonist discovers that after exceeding a certain level of points invested in intelligence he gets an unfavourable debuff as long as the difference between physical and mental stats is too great, so what does the idiot do? Instead of checking what this limit is and what it depends on by investing point by point he throws the whole pool of new points into intelligence thinking that this time it will be ok.
2) if the hero is one of the strongest people on earth then how come he is close to death in almost every fight, he seems to be just as soft at level 25 as he is at 0. Probably an invasion of bunnies would overwhelm him too.
3) a hero with a few thousand people to help him, instead of focusing on developing what only he can as a dungeon master he wastes his whole day turning bricks into manna something anyone can do and which will increase the manna pool by 0.01%?
... wake up Jez
1) the protagonist discovers that after exceeding a certain level of points invested in intelligence he gets an unfavourable debuff as long as the difference between physical and mental stats is too great, so what does the idiot do? Instead of checking what this limit is and what it depends on by investing point by point he throws the whole pool of new points into intelligence thinking that this time it will be ok.
2) if the hero is one of the strongest people on earth then how come he is close to death in almost every fight, he seems to be just as soft at level 25 as he is at 0. Probably an invasion of bunnies would overwhelm him too.
3) a hero with a few thousand people to help him, instead of focusing on developing what only he can as a dungeon master he wastes his whole day turning bricks into manna something anyone can do and which will increase the manna pool by 0.01%?
... wake up Jez
August 7, 2025
Summary
Matt’s dungeon is upgrading to the Steel Age and with this, information comes to the team about what has happened to Earth and what to expect. While they expand and strengthen, Matt defeats an old foe and gains many levels of clarity on evolution, summoning, and his own limitations.
On a more personal level, Matt’s connection and feelings for Kelly have grown and she has accepted the class of Dungeon Mistress where she is able to help on a higher level than before.
Review
New creatures, new powers, and plenty of battles! Having just finished Dungeon Crawler Carl, I think I prefer this series. Although they’re similar, I like how Matt is creating a base and bringing people in to unite to save humanity. Everyone has a role, no matter how large or small. And Matt, as much as he doesn’t want to be, is a god in their eyes and in his ability.
Note: I keep seeing reviews mention the sex scenes. I agree that the "that's what she said" jokes have gotten old, but the most 'pornographic' it gets is Matt putting his hand on Kelly's head while she's down there or conversations about keeping the noise down the next morning. Very much fades to black for any actual sex scenes. If that ruffles your feathers, the book is full of swears too so it's probably not for you.
Matt’s dungeon is upgrading to the Steel Age and with this, information comes to the team about what has happened to Earth and what to expect. While they expand and strengthen, Matt defeats an old foe and gains many levels of clarity on evolution, summoning, and his own limitations.
On a more personal level, Matt’s connection and feelings for Kelly have grown and she has accepted the class of Dungeon Mistress where she is able to help on a higher level than before.
Review
New creatures, new powers, and plenty of battles! Having just finished Dungeon Crawler Carl, I think I prefer this series. Although they’re similar, I like how Matt is creating a base and bringing people in to unite to save humanity. Everyone has a role, no matter how large or small. And Matt, as much as he doesn’t want to be, is a god in their eyes and in his ability.
Note: I keep seeing reviews mention the sex scenes. I agree that the "that's what she said" jokes have gotten old, but the most 'pornographic' it gets is Matt putting his hand on Kelly's head while she's down there or conversations about keeping the noise down the next morning. Very much fades to black for any actual sex scenes. If that ruffles your feathers, the book is full of swears too so it's probably not for you.
October 23, 2023
This was really fun and exciting. It really bad my reeled in. The author needs to fucking stop with all the annoying sex descriptions though. It’s not needed in this book. All the “while you’re down there” shit needs to stop too. It’s just not funny even a little.
I loved the new monsters in this and like my review on the last one I wanted them to slow down on the upgrades etc and that didn’t, to their detriment. Also what happened to the first girl in the prologue? I thought she was going to be someone in this one unless I missed it??
There needs to be some stability in this next book. Less of the running around and fighting every second and getting to a point where the dungeon and it’s people are in harmony and Matt learns to use it better. I wanted him to continue as a storm Lord as the Thor vibes were cool but this new Soul Titan sounds interesting. Wondering what he will be able to do with this.
I loved the new monsters in this and like my review on the last one I wanted them to slow down on the upgrades etc and that didn’t, to their detriment. Also what happened to the first girl in the prologue? I thought she was going to be someone in this one unless I missed it??
There needs to be some stability in this next book. Less of the running around and fighting every second and getting to a point where the dungeon and it’s people are in harmony and Matt learns to use it better. I wanted him to continue as a storm Lord as the Thor vibes were cool but this new Soul Titan sounds interesting. Wondering what he will be able to do with this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2025
buuuuf the worst book by far. it's hard to go on with the sex jokes all the time and I mean all the time, even in the middle of the final fight. Sometimes it seems it's written by a teenager. Also for some reason I would like the author to answer , why the author seems to never played a RPG game before? The stats are useless, he has 3xendurance (30s) of a normal human an still he can be stab by a human with a strength of 10. No sense. To add salt to the injury the MC thinks the best option to be a fucking shit is putting points into luck and charisma... even in the middle of a fight.
It was hard to finish this book and I don't know if I will continue with the series. There has to be a point in the series where the MC doesn't win every fight by being stupid all the time and in the last second summon the power of the storm to kill the enemy and go unconscious. EVERY FUCKING FIGHT.
Even if the enemy are normal humans or if it's a god.
It was hard to finish this book and I don't know if I will continue with the series. There has to be a point in the series where the MC doesn't win every fight by being stupid all the time and in the last second summon the power of the storm to kill the enemy and go unconscious. EVERY FUCKING FIGHT.
Even if the enemy are normal humans or if it's a god.
February 18, 2023
Blown away , again
With so much going on already the complexity of the World building makes it hard to believe that we have only had 4 books to date.
Im hoping this series is as epic in size as the storytelling as Cajiao needs to keep everyone entertained as much as I find it.
Loving the outlier characters we are seeing as well as the dungeon influence spans further distances with lots of plot points looking like this could be the UK dungeon. Also the intricate plot pieces work so well you will love it when you get to the end.
If you have been on the fence before then this book even more than the others will take you to forces of good, and with the next coming so soon this is a must buy/read/share for every fan new or old.
If your not a fan then you can't enjoy great storylines, action and superhero poses.
With so much going on already the complexity of the World building makes it hard to believe that we have only had 4 books to date.
Im hoping this series is as epic in size as the storytelling as Cajiao needs to keep everyone entertained as much as I find it.
Loving the outlier characters we are seeing as well as the dungeon influence spans further distances with lots of plot points looking like this could be the UK dungeon. Also the intricate plot pieces work so well you will love it when you get to the end.
If you have been on the fence before then this book even more than the others will take you to forces of good, and with the next coming so soon this is a must buy/read/share for every fan new or old.
If your not a fan then you can't enjoy great storylines, action and superhero poses.
November 13, 2024
Super solid 5 stars! Great MC that has power but is not OP and is one to get the job done and not complain a bunch. Great supporting cast, fantastic pacing. Not a downside for me but for some of you be warned this Post Apoc litrpg is a bit crunchy a times but not to the point of being an issue for most folks. If you like base building you get that and be warned some spice mixed in but all in good taste. I generally do not like a lot of cussing in a book but this has it but for me it is fine because it serves the story and the moment and not just immature complaining. If you get hurt in combat or a have a massive fail or see another get hurt and you let it fly that is pretty understandable. Waiting for another audible credit to get the next one is going to be a hard wait. :)
February 17, 2023
A bit of a let down
I definitely can say that I enjoyed the book. However as the title says this one was a bit of a let down. There was a lack of real power increases for Matt, and it seems like he will be focusing more on troop leadership and moving away from being at the front of the action. That might be cool for some readers I’m sure, but doesn’t sound super appealing to me. There was also a feeling like this one was a filler to get to the next book after the way it ends and the simultaneous rush to advance the dungeon and the lack of meaningful profession there as well. The action was definitely as good as always for this one, and Matt is still in the thick of things for now. And the humor was as good as it always is, so there were some definite saving graces.
I definitely can say that I enjoyed the book. However as the title says this one was a bit of a let down. There was a lack of real power increases for Matt, and it seems like he will be focusing more on troop leadership and moving away from being at the front of the action. That might be cool for some readers I’m sure, but doesn’t sound super appealing to me. There was also a feeling like this one was a filler to get to the next book after the way it ends and the simultaneous rush to advance the dungeon and the lack of meaningful profession there as well. The action was definitely as good as always for this one, and Matt is still in the thick of things for now. And the humor was as good as it always is, so there were some definite saving graces.
May 13, 2023
age of steel rise of mankind, book 4, good book except for the pornographic elements.
Book is fast paced, plenty of action, great characters. There’s some good character development and an excellent storyline. The only issue I have with the book is the soft core pornographic elements, such as descriptions of oral sex. I believe this should be mentioned in the description of the book, so that younger readers such as my son Will not read this material unless I give him permission. That’s my only issue with this book and the story.
Book is fast paced, plenty of action, great characters. There’s some good character development and an excellent storyline. The only issue I have with the book is the soft core pornographic elements, such as descriptions of oral sex. I believe this should be mentioned in the description of the book, so that younger readers such as my son Will not read this material unless I give him permission. That’s my only issue with this book and the story.
August 11, 2023
Dungeon Lord vs Ragnarok
The MC and his tribe continue trying to build a stable and secure community despite incursions from necromancers and their undead minions, ravagers, monsters and finally galaxy devouring entities. I really appreciated that we were treated to a description of why the apoclypse occured and that it was an opportunity despite the destruction. It was also sadly accurate how f****d up our politicos and other predatory miscreants continue to be. A great story of a guy in way over his head, yet he continues to spin straw into gold.
The MC and his tribe continue trying to build a stable and secure community despite incursions from necromancers and their undead minions, ravagers, monsters and finally galaxy devouring entities. I really appreciated that we were treated to a description of why the apoclypse occured and that it was an opportunity despite the destruction. It was also sadly accurate how f****d up our politicos and other predatory miscreants continue to be. A great story of a guy in way over his head, yet he continues to spin straw into gold.
February 15, 2023
non-stop acceleration.
This book starts slow for four or five pages and then hits the nitrous. A precarious roller coaster that drags the reader through the novel until coming to its conclusion. Leaving the reader running back in line for the next ride. That is the best metaphor I can think of. Buckle up and enjoy before the torment of having to wait all over again for the next book.
This book starts slow for four or five pages and then hits the nitrous. A precarious roller coaster that drags the reader through the novel until coming to its conclusion. Leaving the reader running back in line for the next ride. That is the best metaphor I can think of. Buckle up and enjoy before the torment of having to wait all over again for the next book.
February 23, 2023
Frantic pacing
I feel like I'm out of breath after finishing this. It was a great addition to the series but man was it fast paced. I think the entire book is only over the course of a couple of a week or so most. I enjoyed it but would have appreciated some downtime in the pacing to consolidate everything, but that seems to be the theme the author is going for. I can identify with Matt
I feel like I'm out of breath after finishing this. It was a great addition to the series but man was it fast paced. I think the entire book is only over the course of a couple of a week or so most. I enjoyed it but would have appreciated some downtime in the pacing to consolidate everything, but that seems to be the theme the author is going for. I can identify with Matt
February 16, 2023
Beautiful and crazy!!!!!!
Its getting good or maybe crazy in the neighborhood. The story and the plot lines are just incredible. Character development is amazing to see unfold, simply can not wait to see where everything goes from here. Looking forward to the book in the series, I'm sure it's going to be a wild ride!!!!
Its getting good or maybe crazy in the neighborhood. The story and the plot lines are just incredible. Character development is amazing to see unfold, simply can not wait to see where everything goes from here. Looking forward to the book in the series, I'm sure it's going to be a wild ride!!!!
February 26, 2023
annoying
This book was hard for me to read. The series has a lot of potential, but the writing has become redundant. The MC is in battle after battle. Every time he complains about not having mana, but never takes time to address the issue. He also almost dies and loses consciousness after every battle. It’s ridiculous. There’s no plot development. The MC is an idiot .
This book was hard for me to read. The series has a lot of potential, but the writing has become redundant. The MC is in battle after battle. Every time he complains about not having mana, but never takes time to address the issue. He also almost dies and loses consciousness after every battle. It’s ridiculous. There’s no plot development. The MC is an idiot .
June 23, 2023
Started slow, but what an ending!
I have really enjoyed this series so far. The characters surrounding the main character are developing nicely. I felt the book was a little slow at first, but it picked up again, and wow, what an ending.
I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.
I have really enjoyed this series so far. The characters surrounding the main character are developing nicely. I felt the book was a little slow at first, but it picked up again, and wow, what an ending.
I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.
July 19, 2023
DNF. For whatever reason each book focuses more on sex and sex related jokes more than the last. It’s completely unnecessary and derails the story. I get that they are adults but it doesn’t add anything to the story or characters. I pushed through the last book but this one just wasn’t worth it for me.
January 4, 2024
This is where I get off the bandwagon I guess.
Here is this series formula:
- lie in bed absorbing Newcastle and write a new treatise on the system
- have sex with girlfriend
- banging on door, emergency at dawn
- board meeting, tell someone else that this isn't a democracy
- make parties, off to checkout the threat
- spray lightning, spawn kobolds
- triumph somehow
- make a speech and receive adulation
- goto step 1
I think what made the book unbearable for me in the end was the narrator. That up-tilt phrasing got so irritating that I disconnected with the story entirely.
At least I got to book 4.
Here is this series formula:
- lie in bed absorbing Newcastle and write a new treatise on the system
- have sex with girlfriend
- banging on door, emergency at dawn
- board meeting, tell someone else that this isn't a democracy
- make parties, off to checkout the threat
- spray lightning, spawn kobolds
- triumph somehow
- make a speech and receive adulation
- goto step 1
I think what made the book unbearable for me in the end was the narrator. That up-tilt phrasing got so irritating that I disconnected with the story entirely.
At least I got to book 4.
July 17, 2024
Por lejos el peor libro de la serie. Simplemente no hace sentido, ni las decisiones del personaje principal. Ni las decisiones de los personajes secundarios y mucho menos la actitud y disposicion del personaje principal a dichas decisiones. La verdad si no fuera por que los libros anteriores fueron buenos, dejaria de leer esta serie aca.
July 29, 2024
amazing LitRPG
Best LitRPG author ever!!! This series adds world building to the character growth theme of LitRPG. Very unique concept on the apocalyptic theme and magic coming into being. Super graphic battle scenes, amazing descriptions of magic use and training, wonderful character growth, I love Jez’s writing style!!
Best LitRPG author ever!!! This series adds world building to the character growth theme of LitRPG. Very unique concept on the apocalyptic theme and magic coming into being. Super graphic battle scenes, amazing descriptions of magic use and training, wonderful character growth, I love Jez’s writing style!!
June 2, 2025
amazingly gritty litrpg
Finally a series that’s not only probably more of what would really happen if there was a ‘system event’ but also one that’s based here in the UK instead of america!! 🎉🎉
Love the characters and the banter between them all especially matt and Chris’s development.
Cant wait to see what happens next .
Finally a series that’s not only probably more of what would really happen if there was a ‘system event’ but also one that’s based here in the UK instead of america!! 🎉🎉
Love the characters and the banter between them all especially matt and Chris’s development.
Cant wait to see what happens next .
February 15, 2023
lord of bad ideas
The banter between friends keeps things light, even while they are making the best of bad choices. They keep on barely surviving, almost in spite of themselves.
I am going to pre-order the next book. It should prove quite interesting.
The banter between friends keeps things light, even while they are making the best of bad choices. They keep on barely surviving, almost in spite of themselves.
I am going to pre-order the next book. It should prove quite interesting.
February 15, 2023
great book
So to start with a con this book be warned is a bit chaotic and hard to follow but that is it’s only con
The rest of the action ,fight scenes , character development are all fantastic cannot wait for the next book !
So to start with a con this book be warned is a bit chaotic and hard to follow but that is it’s only con
The rest of the action ,fight scenes , character development are all fantastic cannot wait for the next book !
February 16, 2023
Another amazing book In the series
.Like all of the books in this series, this one is well developed. Showing characters interacting believably in a fictional world is a hard thing to do especially with multiple characters each with their own unique personality. Well done
.Like all of the books in this series, this one is well developed. Showing characters interacting believably in a fictional world is a hard thing to do especially with multiple characters each with their own unique personality. Well done
February 16, 2023
Great book
I enjoyed this book very Much I enjoyed where the story line is going to and the characters growth Can't wait for the next 1 in the series and I'd like to thank you for rating this it was very well written And I enjoyed it
I enjoyed this book very Much I enjoyed where the story line is going to and the characters growth Can't wait for the next 1 in the series and I'd like to thank you for rating this it was very well written And I enjoyed it
February 16, 2023
Always fantastic
These books never disappoint.
This is a fantastic entry into the series, continuing the story. Lots of epic progression. Editing is quite good—not perfect but pretty damn good. Highly recommended.
These books never disappoint.
This is a fantastic entry into the series, continuing the story. Lots of epic progression. Editing is quite good—not perfect but pretty damn good. Highly recommended.
February 17, 2023
Good kick booty stuff
Jez is up there with the big boys and for a reason and though I love all his series, this is my fav... Storm Lord for the win..... Kick booty buggery left and right with some heavy margins of conflict and blood and jokes.. keep it rolling
JD Glasscock
Jez is up there with the big boys and for a reason and though I love all his series, this is my fav... Storm Lord for the win..... Kick booty buggery left and right with some heavy margins of conflict and blood and jokes.. keep it rolling
JD Glasscock
February 19, 2023
5 Stars for Jez.
Excellent work mate, enjoyed it very much, took me a minute or two to get back into and pick up the story but it’s inspired red me to go back and reread the earlier books.
Excellent work mate, enjoyed it very much, took me a minute or two to get back into and pick up the story but it’s inspired red me to go back and reread the earlier books.
February 23, 2023
I can't wait for the next book
What a great book, like all the others in this series. The blend of real world and the fantasy of the dungeon really makes this book come alive. A great ending leaving me wanting to read the next book now!
What a great book, like all the others in this series. The blend of real world and the fantasy of the dungeon really makes this book come alive. A great ending leaving me wanting to read the next book now!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews