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Wormhole Mana #3
Planetary
As the mana fields continue to grow, the numbers of mutated, and mana created, aggressive creatures grow right along with them. Max and a group go out to try to find and clear some of the dangers close to their safe zone only to find that there are far greater threats than the carnivorous bunnies that are located close to their walls.
Even though Max is tired of teaching his skill, he accepts one more gig for it, training a double handful of people who have both mechanical and teaching skills. Their job is to spread out and train others in the skill while trying to get the clusters of people they find back up and connected to the rest of the survivors.
While Alex and Mark's guild has put out a call for members, they have a single qualification. Prospective guild members must make it to the guild hall physically in order to join. This leads to a surge in the safe zone population as prospective members arrive to gain membership.
Max hasn't forgotten the dungeon, located where the research labs that started all this once were. It's been a tempting prospect to Max for a while. Finally, he and his group get the chance to go and check it out.
Prometheus' efforts to hasten the spread of mana are bearing fruit. His recovery of radioactive material allows him to keep pushing the wormhole open farther and farther, while stabilizing it to the point that physical objects can pass freely back and forth.
As the mana fields cover the entire Earth, contact is made with the intelligence on the other side of the wormhole. Max discovers that while some of the people on the other side are peaceful, others are highly aggressive. A probing attack is made from the other side of the wormhole with the intent of setting up a beachhead for a full invasion of Earth, although the leader of the men who came through does not follow for fear of the lower mana levels and how they'd weaken him.
This book is approximately 163,000 words long, and DRM free.
Even though Max is tired of teaching his skill, he accepts one more gig for it, training a double handful of people who have both mechanical and teaching skills. Their job is to spread out and train others in the skill while trying to get the clusters of people they find back up and connected to the rest of the survivors.
While Alex and Mark's guild has put out a call for members, they have a single qualification. Prospective guild members must make it to the guild hall physically in order to join. This leads to a surge in the safe zone population as prospective members arrive to gain membership.
Max hasn't forgotten the dungeon, located where the research labs that started all this once were. It's been a tempting prospect to Max for a while. Finally, he and his group get the chance to go and check it out.
Prometheus' efforts to hasten the spread of mana are bearing fruit. His recovery of radioactive material allows him to keep pushing the wormhole open farther and farther, while stabilizing it to the point that physical objects can pass freely back and forth.
As the mana fields cover the entire Earth, contact is made with the intelligence on the other side of the wormhole. Max discovers that while some of the people on the other side are peaceful, others are highly aggressive. A probing attack is made from the other side of the wormhole with the intent of setting up a beachhead for a full invasion of Earth, although the leader of the men who came through does not follow for fear of the lower mana levels and how they'd weaken him.
This book is approximately 163,000 words long, and DRM free.
- GenresFantasy
635 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2025
191 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Tom Larcombe
27 books251 followersTom Larcombe was introduced to fantasy books at a young age. Those that were aimed more at children hooked him in, but not well enough for him to remember their names at this point in his life. Their draw led him to books aimed more for the adult reader and so he found himself, at around age eight, starting in on the Steven R Donaldson 'Thomas Covenant' series and the Hobbit, followed shortly thereafter by The Lord of the Rings books.
His reading tastes have never looked back, although they have broadened to include science fiction and the occasional non-fiction book.
He lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with his wife, two daughters, three cats, and a variable number of chickens.
His reading tastes have never looked back, although they have broadened to include science fiction and the occasional non-fiction book.
He lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with his wife, two daughters, three cats, and a variable number of chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 27, 2025
Not sure how to feel about this book.
Okay....um....
I guess first off, I usually enjoy books that has a lot of focus on crafting and the intricacies that the crafts have. This book didn't focus on crafting like in the past; it did have crafting, but the author wrote it in a way that let you know he was doing it but without details.
There also wasn't a primary focus of fighting and leveling. The fights were few and far between. Even when they went to tackle the dungeon again, it was done with little detail and fast paced.
The author even wrote that Max felt all over the place and couldn't seem to concentrate on a primary goal; IT SHOWS!
In fact, most of the main plot was happening with Prometheus and not with the main characters. Suddenly the book picked up at the end with important action and it just ended so quick, I had to go back and see if I missed something; I didn't.
There were also some weird grammatical issues with missing words and misspelled words. Had to take a moment quite a few times to figure out what the author was trying to say.
Also, the weird mini plot involving Kim's mom and the weird druggie con man in the last two books continues and comes to an abrupt end that seriously left me asking "what was the point of this?"
Good luck. I hope you like it better than me.
Okay....um....
I guess first off, I usually enjoy books that has a lot of focus on crafting and the intricacies that the crafts have. This book didn't focus on crafting like in the past; it did have crafting, but the author wrote it in a way that let you know he was doing it but without details.
There also wasn't a primary focus of fighting and leveling. The fights were few and far between. Even when they went to tackle the dungeon again, it was done with little detail and fast paced.
The author even wrote that Max felt all over the place and couldn't seem to concentrate on a primary goal; IT SHOWS!
In fact, most of the main plot was happening with Prometheus and not with the main characters. Suddenly the book picked up at the end with important action and it just ended so quick, I had to go back and see if I missed something; I didn't.
There were also some weird grammatical issues with missing words and misspelled words. Had to take a moment quite a few times to figure out what the author was trying to say.
Also, the weird mini plot involving Kim's mom and the weird druggie con man in the last two books continues and comes to an abrupt end that seriously left me asking "what was the point of this?"
Good luck. I hope you like it better than me.
January 22, 2025
Really Enjoying This Series
This is a nice middle ground in pacing between the last two series I read from Tom. Light Online and Natural Laws. Besides the pacing, I enjoy the occasional perspective changes we get to see. Good character growth and progression overall. Enjoyable adventures throughout as always. Can’t wait to start the next one.
This is a nice middle ground in pacing between the last two series I read from Tom. Light Online and Natural Laws. Besides the pacing, I enjoy the occasional perspective changes we get to see. Good character growth and progression overall. Enjoyable adventures throughout as always. Can’t wait to start the next one.
January 11, 2025
Great book
Stellar work once again from Tom Larcombe! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to the next one.
Stellar work once again from Tom Larcombe! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to the next one.
January 31, 2025
awesome world and can’t wait for expansion on two new worlds
Tom you have made a really great world and continue to do so. I can’t wait to see more what’s in store for both worlds and maybe have other countries come with the their A-teams eventually to meet the originals or conflict with them in some way especially if adversaries from the other side team up. I wish to see though crafting either to be more magically enhanced or speed increased because no offense I don’t want to read majority of the time of him crafting stoves unless the stoves start getting magical effects, it wasn’t too enjoyable to read. Hope to see more of the other side’s good aligned people too just to see the culture shock and maybe even have a kitsune from the other side if they exist try to fight for Max, would love to get a POV chap of Vicky with that. I can’t wait for book 4 thank you again Tom and hope this series continues for a long time.
Tom you have made a really great world and continue to do so. I can’t wait to see more what’s in store for both worlds and maybe have other countries come with the their A-teams eventually to meet the originals or conflict with them in some way especially if adversaries from the other side team up. I wish to see though crafting either to be more magically enhanced or speed increased because no offense I don’t want to read majority of the time of him crafting stoves unless the stoves start getting magical effects, it wasn’t too enjoyable to read. Hope to see more of the other side’s good aligned people too just to see the culture shock and maybe even have a kitsune from the other side if they exist try to fight for Max, would love to get a POV chap of Vicky with that. I can’t wait for book 4 thank you again Tom and hope this series continues for a long time.
February 2, 2025
Mok's review
Overall, it's a good story. However, I think the author is a boomer. This is because of the way he wrote the main character. The main character gives no thought to his children. Or grandchildren's future. The moment he realizes he can get a lot of levels for destroying monster spawning grounds. That's exactly what he sets out to do, and he does this until his children and grandchildren have to go far away from home to find monsters that spawn in enough numbers to give them levels.
So, like a normal Boomer. He advances himself by eating his children and his grandchildren's future.
I would like to see a time skip where he's at home and his children and grandchildren come home crying because they are being bullied for being too weak. Because they are the weakest kids in the entire school, even though they're teenagers, they're referred to by the other students as toddlers.
Overall, it's a good story. However, I think the author is a boomer. This is because of the way he wrote the main character. The main character gives no thought to his children. Or grandchildren's future. The moment he realizes he can get a lot of levels for destroying monster spawning grounds. That's exactly what he sets out to do, and he does this until his children and grandchildren have to go far away from home to find monsters that spawn in enough numbers to give them levels.
So, like a normal Boomer. He advances himself by eating his children and his grandchildren's future.
I would like to see a time skip where he's at home and his children and grandchildren come home crying because they are being bullied for being too weak. Because they are the weakest kids in the entire school, even though they're teenagers, they're referred to by the other students as toddlers.
July 1, 2025
Really loving this story and the blending of magic!
I am really enjoying this series and the writing!!
Regular down to Earth characters continue to be thrust into the middle of big happenings.
Things are happening behind the scenes with the president that Max will end up involved in again. An he finally gets a chance to clear some scum from before the changes started while defending his daughter and president.
Before this communication through the wormhole led to new concerns that Prometheus starts preparing for. Which of course includes our main character Max and his family and friends as protectors of this side of the wormhole. After Prometheus enlists the local teams that beat his dungeon as Protectors of Earth. .
Getting to this point is not easy as someone on the other side has conquest on his mind and takes action by sending through some of his low level warriors to establish a base on Earth’s side of the wormhole so he can control it.
I am really enjoying this series and the writing!!
Regular down to Earth characters continue to be thrust into the middle of big happenings.
Things are happening behind the scenes with the president that Max will end up involved in again. An he finally gets a chance to clear some scum from before the changes started while defending his daughter and president.
Before this communication through the wormhole led to new concerns that Prometheus starts preparing for. Which of course includes our main character Max and his family and friends as protectors of this side of the wormhole. After Prometheus enlists the local teams that beat his dungeon as Protectors of Earth. .
Getting to this point is not easy as someone on the other side has conquest on his mind and takes action by sending through some of his low level warriors to establish a base on Earth’s side of the wormhole so he can control it.
October 5, 2025
Planetary is the third book in this series, and although it doesn't complete the story about the earth, and how it fairs when the mana comes rolling in, it does a fairly good job of expanding the world building, introduces us to the world on the other side of the wormhole, and of course, finds new friends? Enemies? Both?
Anyway, you get the idea. It's really pretty good, and if you liked any of the other books in the series, then you'll probably enjoy this offering. Looking forward to when the author decides to continue this series, it should be a really good story.
Anyway, you get the idea. It's really pretty good, and if you liked any of the other books in the series, then you'll probably enjoy this offering. Looking forward to when the author decides to continue this series, it should be a really good story.
January 31, 2025
I like
Certainly not slice of life but fairly sedate and continuous progress. Wormhole, progression, and expansion continue. And of course, there are lots of little problems along the way. I like the learning experimenting and crafting portion of this adventure the most. Though, of course, the fighting is always fun. Though the MC is not officially the center of everything, he ends up being there anyways, though not necessarily by his choice. You know the reward for a job well done is more work. By the end of the book, new possibilities are opening up. I certainly will enjoy reading about them in the next book.
Certainly not slice of life but fairly sedate and continuous progress. Wormhole, progression, and expansion continue. And of course, there are lots of little problems along the way. I like the learning experimenting and crafting portion of this adventure the most. Though, of course, the fighting is always fun. Though the MC is not officially the center of everything, he ends up being there anyways, though not necessarily by his choice. You know the reward for a job well done is more work. By the end of the book, new possibilities are opening up. I certainly will enjoy reading about them in the next book.
February 20, 2025
A very enjoyable sci-fi/ magic apocalypse
The story was consistent and interesting as the MC and his safe zone adapted to the new reality, expanded and grew. They fought beast waves, delved a dungeon and took on the responsibility of our first line of defense. The plot thread of inhabitants on the other side of the wormhole came to fruition, as wankers on both sides of the wormhole tried to reap advantages. I really enjoyed the brief but numerous snippets that kept up with the progress of their schemes. I also really liked the ending of this book as many plot threads came together in a finale battle.
The story was consistent and interesting as the MC and his safe zone adapted to the new reality, expanded and grew. They fought beast waves, delved a dungeon and took on the responsibility of our first line of defense. The plot thread of inhabitants on the other side of the wormhole came to fruition, as wankers on both sides of the wormhole tried to reap advantages. I really enjoyed the brief but numerous snippets that kept up with the progress of their schemes. I also really liked the ending of this book as many plot threads came together in a finale battle.
January 18, 2025
Book three
The reason why I gave this book three stars is twofold, lots of mistakes like missing words. The other was the fact that while I really liked the world and the story, I put the book down and read other books for a week.
I'd like to see more from some of the side characters, like the MC's ex-wife for example. Especially now that she is free from the mind control.
6/10 I be looking for better quality in book four.
The reason why I gave this book three stars is twofold, lots of mistakes like missing words. The other was the fact that while I really liked the world and the story, I put the book down and read other books for a week.
I'd like to see more from some of the side characters, like the MC's ex-wife for example. Especially now that she is free from the mind control.
6/10 I be looking for better quality in book four.
September 11, 2025
so many possibilities!!
Great story about adventuring and dungeons with an AI twist and a genuineness that made it hard to put the books down. Loved all 3 books in the first arc and was sad to read at the end that there maybe a long delay before the second arc. Loved the characters and the story so far. So many cool possibilities with the story setup. Hope to see the next arc sooner than later. Highly recommend this series. 👍
Great story about adventuring and dungeons with an AI twist and a genuineness that made it hard to put the books down. Loved all 3 books in the first arc and was sad to read at the end that there maybe a long delay before the second arc. Loved the characters and the story so far. So many cool possibilities with the story setup. Hope to see the next arc sooner than later. Highly recommend this series. 👍
January 14, 2025
RPG fantasy - next book please!
Author has imagined an interesting future scenario.
Plenty of character interaction with some violence, occasionally a little bloody.
Really enjoying the story. Hopefully 3 or 4 more books.
Similar to his previous series and as good too. write faster!
Author has imagined an interesting future scenario.
Plenty of character interaction with some violence, occasionally a little bloody.
Really enjoying the story. Hopefully 3 or 4 more books.
Similar to his previous series and as good too. write faster!
January 15, 2025
I love your books. This one was pretty good too
It's funny that it felt like most of this book nothing really happened until the end third of the book. At first I was wondering if Danny would fight us alongside him at some point but I like that he's just the pet dog.
Can't wait to see what you're right next.
It's funny that it felt like most of this book nothing really happened until the end third of the book. At first I was wondering if Danny would fight us alongside him at some point but I like that he's just the pet dog.
Can't wait to see what you're right next.
November 6, 2025
Per the author's ending notes, this is the end of one story arc for this series but he might resume work on another arc in the future. I found this series quite different from the Natural Laws apocalypse series that I read previously, but still entertaining. Each book was long and contained a great deal of details. while thankfully not advancing into tedium as some authors in this genre have.
January 10, 2025
enjoyable
Still somewhat pedantic. The LitRPG elements are present but not overly distracting. Mostly family-friendly.
Not really “Planetary”; everything happens in Colorado or on the immediate other side of the portal/wormhole.
Still somewhat pedantic. The LitRPG elements are present but not overly distracting. Mostly family-friendly.
Not really “Planetary”; everything happens in Colorado or on the immediate other side of the portal/wormhole.
January 22, 2025
very interesting read
Reread the first two books before reading #3 and enjoyed it even more the second time. Got me fully engaged in the main characters. Like how the third book ended, some closure but know more exciting things to come. Well done.
Reread the first two books before reading #3 and enjoyed it even more the second time. Got me fully engaged in the main characters. Like how the third book ended, some closure but know more exciting things to come. Well done.
January 27, 2025
I generally like the worldbuilding of the author and the characters he creates. This series included.
If you are this far already it's more of what was in books 1 and 2.
The only things where I think it could do better less focus on the dithering tasks the characters are doing, like the whole repeated thing with making endless stoves. The exploring the changed world and building new things is what is interesting, not paragraph of every chapter about Max's chores. You can just say he did them.
If you are this far already it's more of what was in books 1 and 2.
The only things where I think it could do better less focus on the dithering tasks the characters are doing, like the whole repeated thing with making endless stoves. The exploring the changed world and building new things is what is interesting, not paragraph of every chapter about Max's chores. You can just say he did them.
January 26, 2025
Fantastic Series to Date
Wow… I started on book 1 and couldn’t put these down. Amazing plot buildup over the series and I will look forward to the next ARC of this series.
Very enjoyable so far. I was reading these books every moment that I could.
Wow… I started on book 1 and couldn’t put these down. Amazing plot buildup over the series and I will look forward to the next ARC of this series.
Very enjoyable so far. I was reading these books every moment that I could.
February 5, 2025
Excellent end to a trliogy
Great novel and excellent character development. Worse thing I can say is there were a few typos to puzz.through. I highly recommend this author and series.
Great novel and excellent character development. Worse thing I can say is there were a few typos to puzz.through. I highly recommend this author and series.
March 30, 2025
Great first Arc
The first Arc has the author calls it of this story is a very enjoyable romp. Amost a cozy story because it focuses so much on home life and setting up the safe zones.
The first Arc has the author calls it of this story is a very enjoyable romp. Amost a cozy story because it focuses so much on home life and setting up the safe zones.
January 6, 2026
Fires the imagination
I l9ve the story, kinda fell down on its action from book 2. I am still go for more in this stoy please. Stop take a breath work it though.... write please. Jh old man love to read mind still good.
I l9ve the story, kinda fell down on its action from book 2. I am still go for more in this stoy please. Stop take a breath work it though.... write please. Jh old man love to read mind still good.
January 8, 2025
Awesome
Awesome book 3 can't wait wait for book 4. You could turn this into an entire universe of books if you wanted to. Also thanks for the bus.
Awesome book 3 can't wait wait for book 4. You could turn this into an entire universe of books if you wanted to. Also thanks for the bus.
January 14, 2025
Excellent
Awesome book - looking forward to the next one - Love the relationship in this book - I hope - 💖
Awesome book - looking forward to the next one - Love the relationship in this book - I hope - 💖
January 17, 2025
I love the series
Great series I really enjoyed the book and series. Am looking forward to the audiobook too. I can't wait till the next book in the series.
Great series I really enjoyed the book and series. Am looking forward to the audiobook too. I can't wait till the next book in the series.
January 18, 2025
Great read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
January 28, 2025
Good story
I enjoyed the story overall. Some parts played out a little slow. I liked the fact that the author didn't drag out the "big" fights.
I enjoyed the story overall. Some parts played out a little slow. I liked the fact that the author didn't drag out the "big" fights.
February 7, 2025
Now it is getting good.
Book 3 delivers on a lot of setup from the first 2 in the series. Cant wait to see what is next.
Book 3 delivers on a lot of setup from the first 2 in the series. Cant wait to see what is next.
February 23, 2025
I can't wait for the next book.
February 23, 2025
Wormhole Series
I loved the whole series. The characters are relatable and you can enjoy investing in getting to know them.
I hope we learn more about their next adventures.
I loved the whole series. The characters are relatable and you can enjoy investing in getting to know them.
I hope we learn more about their next adventures.
February 28, 2025
Great series
Definitely the best of this genre that I have read can't wait for book 4 and more great great great
Definitely the best of this genre that I have read can't wait for book 4 and more great great great
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews