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Rise of Mankind #2
Age of Bronze: Rise of Mankind, Book 2
A world gone mad. Creatures of nightmare walk the streets, but worse are those we once knew . . .
Matt survived the Dungeon's founding, and managed to gather a small, but dedicated team to him, but when he finds his is not the only Dungeon in the area, he has a choice to make.
Attempt friendly co-existence, but lose the element of surprise, or attack, and risk it all?
Matt has learned the consequences of being too trusting when the world collapses around you, but is the path of grim dictator any better?
Can he trust those around him? When those he left behind seem to be abusing his gift?
Matt survived the Dungeon's founding, and managed to gather a small, but dedicated team to him, but when he finds his is not the only Dungeon in the area, he has a choice to make.
Attempt friendly co-existence, but lose the element of surprise, or attack, and risk it all?
Matt has learned the consequences of being too trusting when the world collapses around you, but is the path of grim dictator any better?
Can he trust those around him? When those he left behind seem to be abusing his gift?
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First published December 15, 2021
494 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
December 25, 2021
Clone of Underverse
I want to love these books...but they are literal clones of the author's Underverse series which I stopped reading because of the weird level of sex that had been taking over the story.
Let's look at the main character Matt in Rise of Mankind and the main character Jax from Underverse...
They both use the same exact sense of humor and method of communication with their team.
They both end nearly every fight injured (but somehow able to continue), and then every big battle they somehow fight until they lose consciousness or until a previously unknown and OP powered ability magically comes online to save the day.
There is no battle planning of any kind. It's all "grr, I'm angry" and the main characters charge in like dumb animals with inappropriately timed quips.
They constantly focus on sex to the point that it is more than a little creepy.
They both have a fortress that they are growing out somehow and they struggle for resources and get to the point where their enemies are besieging them (most of that will happen in book three of Rise of Mankind for Matt).
I was hoping for some originality from this series, but it is just more of the same.
I want to love these books...but they are literal clones of the author's Underverse series which I stopped reading because of the weird level of sex that had been taking over the story.
Let's look at the main character Matt in Rise of Mankind and the main character Jax from Underverse...
They both use the same exact sense of humor and method of communication with their team.
They both end nearly every fight injured (but somehow able to continue), and then every big battle they somehow fight until they lose consciousness or until a previously unknown and OP powered ability magically comes online to save the day.
There is no battle planning of any kind. It's all "grr, I'm angry" and the main characters charge in like dumb animals with inappropriately timed quips.
They constantly focus on sex to the point that it is more than a little creepy.
They both have a fortress that they are growing out somehow and they struggle for resources and get to the point where their enemies are besieging them (most of that will happen in book three of Rise of Mankind for Matt).
I was hoping for some originality from this series, but it is just more of the same.
December 17, 2021
Stupendous Follow Up
Book 1 was good but book 2 is orders if magnitude better, if you liked his Underverse series then this is on your must buy list.
Love the teasing and the gritty earth leveling as we learn to go God worthy with a lot more action, more characters, more carnage, more humour, did i say there was even more. Best but is book 3 should be fairly close as after the ending of this one you will be wanting your fix of RoM very quickly.
Book 1 was good but book 2 is orders if magnitude better, if you liked his Underverse series then this is on your must buy list.
Love the teasing and the gritty earth leveling as we learn to go God worthy with a lot more action, more characters, more carnage, more humour, did i say there was even more. Best but is book 3 should be fairly close as after the ending of this one you will be wanting your fix of RoM very quickly.
September 13, 2022
It's a decent follow-up to the previous book.
There way too much snark and way too much Gamelit for my liking, but the MC is entertaining enough to carry the story through.
I will keep tracking this series.
There way too much snark and way too much Gamelit for my liking, but the MC is entertaining enough to carry the story through.
I will keep tracking this series.
April 17, 2025
I read this one immediately after I read the first one. And it was just as good, maybe a little better.
December 20, 2021
Same bland thing
Same characters across all books. Protagonist takes the hard stance against slavery and kid didllers. All women need to be mansplained down to because they just keep doing stupid stuff. All his friends wife's still want to bed him tho. Characters need to be developed as themselves not as the authors projected ego.
Same characters across all books. Protagonist takes the hard stance against slavery and kid didllers. All women need to be mansplained down to because they just keep doing stupid stuff. All his friends wife's still want to bed him tho. Characters need to be developed as themselves not as the authors projected ego.
April 16, 2023
Really intrested in "manhood" , "manly things" and "tits". Obviously a male author. Makes me wonder if he is an extrovert or an introvert wanting to be an extrovert! Either way this is a very humorous and intresting read. Really enjoyed it.
October 25, 2024
I am thoroughly enjoying the gaming system in this series!
October 6, 2024
DNR
Drum roll, please! *ba dum-tss* The unwilling and selfish dungeon lord is indecisive. Staying hidden and playing the role of gray cardinal for the park's folk and slowly expanding the dungeon's area of influence (basically everything that book 1 built) has been written off in favor of young lady in short skirt (metaphorically speaking). The sense of guilt and morality reawakens, kind of, not really, not at all.
Following the age old adage of 'the more the merrier' dungeon now is inhabited by a bunch of families with young children. You might ask in bewilderment: What strategic mastermind was behind this stratagem of a decision? You guessed it - the dungeon lord himself. Seriously, this action seems not to fit with the previously built character traits of mc. Denying to take in/shelter the youth gang's residents then the parks' residents when he was already lonely and alone just to turn the characters prior decisions upside down. The MC's slow collection of trustworthy cronies is in line with the civilization building aspect of the story and the prior Chekhov's Gun, Chris.
Conclusion: 2/5. Listened on Audible included in plus catalogue. Narrated by: Neil Hellegers. The 'Rise of Mankind''s (RoM) Magic system is expanded with a continues class selection upon reaching levels divisible with 5, or double that starting 5 (10, 20?). Additional characters have unlocked the leveling system and the magic's system of RoM expands. Author has backtracked on MC's previous commitment to being an isolationist and instead pursued rapid growth and expansion, maybe logical and showcasing the realistic human nature of the character, maybe experimenting with his work in the middle of it, making any previous commitment to a liked character from the reader of dubious worth. Who knows? Bad value for the length of the book - 1.42 $/hour ( 30.09 $ / 21 hrs 16 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
Drum roll, please! *ba dum-tss* The unwilling and selfish dungeon lord is indecisive. Staying hidden and playing the role of gray cardinal for the park's folk and slowly expanding the dungeon's area of influence (basically everything that book 1 built) has been written off in favor of young lady in short skirt (metaphorically speaking). The sense of guilt and morality reawakens, kind of, not really, not at all.
Following the age old adage of 'the more the merrier' dungeon now is inhabited by a bunch of families with young children. You might ask in bewilderment: What strategic mastermind was behind this stratagem of a decision? You guessed it - the dungeon lord himself. Seriously, this action seems not to fit with the previously built character traits of mc. Denying to take in/shelter the youth gang's residents then the parks' residents when he was already lonely and alone just to turn the characters prior decisions upside down. The MC's slow collection of trustworthy cronies is in line with the civilization building aspect of the story and the prior Chekhov's Gun, Chris.
Conclusion: 2/5. Listened on Audible included in plus catalogue. Narrated by: Neil Hellegers. The 'Rise of Mankind''s (RoM) Magic system is expanded with a continues class selection upon reaching levels divisible with 5, or double that starting 5 (10, 20?). Additional characters have unlocked the leveling system and the magic's system of RoM expands. Author has backtracked on MC's previous commitment to being an isolationist and instead pursued rapid growth and expansion, maybe logical and showcasing the realistic human nature of the character, maybe experimenting with his work in the middle of it, making any previous commitment to a liked character from the reader of dubious worth. Who knows? Bad value for the length of the book - 1.42 $/hour ( 30.09 $ / 21 hrs 16 mins ).
Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour
July 25, 2022
more action, MC is not quite such an ass.
First of all let me ask the author, does your wife read your material? Still too much misogyny and man splining. I must say the MC has had some personal growth and character development. That’s why I gave this book a for Star rating, that and the storyline. This book was much better than the first one in the series. The other problem I have which is important to me as a reader is why the author is using his MC as a punching bag? Why do you always have him beaten up, smashed to bits, and having to be rescued at the end of fights by others in his party? It seems like it takes some of the grandeur or greatness away from the MC. You as the author no you’re not going to kill the main character, so why turn him into a punching bag? I hope those who are early readers and advise you can get you out of this mindset as your MC grows in power and abilities. It just doesn’t do anything for the main characters growth or progression. Going on to read the next book if you don’t mind the MC in the book being a punching bag you will enjoy this book.
First of all let me ask the author, does your wife read your material? Still too much misogyny and man splining. I must say the MC has had some personal growth and character development. That’s why I gave this book a for Star rating, that and the storyline. This book was much better than the first one in the series. The other problem I have which is important to me as a reader is why the author is using his MC as a punching bag? Why do you always have him beaten up, smashed to bits, and having to be rescued at the end of fights by others in his party? It seems like it takes some of the grandeur or greatness away from the MC. You as the author no you’re not going to kill the main character, so why turn him into a punching bag? I hope those who are early readers and advise you can get you out of this mindset as your MC grows in power and abilities. It just doesn’t do anything for the main characters growth or progression. Going on to read the next book if you don’t mind the MC in the book being a punching bag you will enjoy this book.
July 12, 2024
So this is a case of my heart wanted to give this 5 stars and my mind wanted to give it 4 and my heart won out. I have he same internal conflict with this series that I run into with Eric Ugland's Good Guys/Bad Guys. I really love the stories that have great flow and dialog but struggle with the plot armor and the MC being a little thick and times. In this world ammo is a limited resource and magic is renewable yet in almost every battle guns first magic last. My other gripe is that the MC has a very annoying habit of not reading prompts until they are in a battle looking for away to get out of a jam and sure enough and unread prompt is the fix. With that said the supporting characters and world building, balanced action, make all my complaints melt away. Plus like Eric Ugland I just love the way this guys writes and expresses himself and no surprise I am jumping right into the next book.
July 23, 2025
Summary
Matt’s little dungeon has become a settlement. As everyone learns about the changing world around them, Matt accepts help from those he has come to trust. Aly leads a team of researchers to develop new weapons and technologies, while others work on expanding and developing the boundaries of the dungeon and work on housing. Together the teams work toward absorbing a large castle on the hill as a new fortress for residents. While they are busy in the dungeon, Matt, Kelly, and Mike find others to join them— including Matt’s childhood friend Chris, a Druid with healing powers.
Review
I love how Matt doesn’t understand things and just rolls with it because that’s just the way things are now. He has a temper but it takes a lot to get to that point. I’m glad he finally got together with Kelly (a blip of happiness in the chaos) even though I can already predict that’s going to end badly.
Matt’s little dungeon has become a settlement. As everyone learns about the changing world around them, Matt accepts help from those he has come to trust. Aly leads a team of researchers to develop new weapons and technologies, while others work on expanding and developing the boundaries of the dungeon and work on housing. Together the teams work toward absorbing a large castle on the hill as a new fortress for residents. While they are busy in the dungeon, Matt, Kelly, and Mike find others to join them— including Matt’s childhood friend Chris, a Druid with healing powers.
Review
I love how Matt doesn’t understand things and just rolls with it because that’s just the way things are now. He has a temper but it takes a lot to get to that point. I’m glad he finally got together with Kelly (a blip of happiness in the chaos) even though I can already predict that’s going to end badly.
September 2, 2023
Binge worthy
This is my second series I'm reading by Jez Cajiao, I really enjoy his dark fantasy. It's brutal and very close to what reality in these situations would be like. The action and dungeon building is top tier in this book. My only complaint is he interactions with Matt and the others. He questions Chris who he's known for years but trust a randomly family he met during the end of the world. He honestly seems way to ungrateful and entitled to
me. Although he lucked across the dungeon Matt earned everything he's gotten and the rest of them haven't. And the romance is silly. They almost die in every chapter no way anyone who's attracted to each other is gonna wait to get to know each other better. I hope the human interactions between Matt and his group get better. That's the reason for 4 stars not 5
This is my second series I'm reading by Jez Cajiao, I really enjoy his dark fantasy. It's brutal and very close to what reality in these situations would be like. The action and dungeon building is top tier in this book. My only complaint is he interactions with Matt and the others. He questions Chris who he's known for years but trust a randomly family he met during the end of the world. He honestly seems way to ungrateful and entitled to
me. Although he lucked across the dungeon Matt earned everything he's gotten and the rest of them haven't. And the romance is silly. They almost die in every chapter no way anyone who's attracted to each other is gonna wait to get to know each other better. I hope the human interactions between Matt and his group get better. That's the reason for 4 stars not 5
February 14, 2023
The book / series is not a bad series, I just don't think it is a great series.
The main character sometime is written like he is 50 and other times like he is 20 getting ready to go on a all night binge.
I think my biggest complaint is that the book feels rushed / busy but with a lack of tension. I guess you could say their is poorly written sexual tension.
The second half of the book the author starts to take time with the environment, lets the characters have some fun after the first orc is built, and has a little fun. If he continues maturing in these directions, I think there is a lot of potential.
The main character sometime is written like he is 50 and other times like he is 20 getting ready to go on a all night binge.
I think my biggest complaint is that the book feels rushed / busy but with a lack of tension. I guess you could say their is poorly written sexual tension.
The second half of the book the author starts to take time with the environment, lets the characters have some fun after the first orc is built, and has a little fun. If he continues maturing in these directions, I think there is a lot of potential.
December 26, 2021
*insert Thundercats joke here*
Right out of the gate I should say that this one reminded me of Underverse X Red Mage with a dash of evolution. As Matt grows the dungeon and levels he ends up finding an affinity for lightning that strongly reminded me of Jax and Underverse. Then we go on to find out about a pantheon system similar to Red Mage. Things can't go smoothly for the human survivors as threats keep rearing their ugly heads. As things escalate the question becomes whether or not Matt and hisbfungeon can keep up.
Right out of the gate I should say that this one reminded me of Underverse X Red Mage with a dash of evolution. As Matt grows the dungeon and levels he ends up finding an affinity for lightning that strongly reminded me of Jax and Underverse. Then we go on to find out about a pantheon system similar to Red Mage. Things can't go smoothly for the human survivors as threats keep rearing their ugly heads. As things escalate the question becomes whether or not Matt and hisbfungeon can keep up.
October 21, 2023
I’m enjoying this and I think it’s better than the first one. Where this series continues to lose points with me is the fucking misogynistic way the MC speaks thinks. The words “fuck toy” particularly irked me. I wish he would just shut up with that shit and speak nicely about women and stop being such a perve.
I like the scaling and the fights in this and it still tickles my brain in relation to mange/anime when they level in dungeons.
I also listened to this on audible from a very American man that pronounced Quays and Qways when it’s pronounced Keys. Minor thing but annoying.
I like the scaling and the fights in this and it still tickles my brain in relation to mange/anime when they level in dungeons.
I also listened to this on audible from a very American man that pronounced Quays and Qways when it’s pronounced Keys. Minor thing but annoying.
December 19, 2021
He hit this one dead on!
Well, a little undead on... The book is expansive and well written and moves along at a fast clip. The main characters and protagonists complete a LOT in this book in a fun and exciting manner!
There are some interesting things that lead to a kind of cliffhanger by the end. I dislike cliffhangers, but this one was not too bad.
I definitely recommend it if you enjoyed the first, and I look forward to the next!
Well, a little undead on... The book is expansive and well written and moves along at a fast clip. The main characters and protagonists complete a LOT in this book in a fun and exciting manner!
There are some interesting things that lead to a kind of cliffhanger by the end. I dislike cliffhangers, but this one was not too bad.
I definitely recommend it if you enjoyed the first, and I look forward to the next!
January 1, 2022
Ruined by bad dialogue and lame characters
The story was interesting, but not interesting enough to ignore the "public tv sitcom" humor, cringe dialogue, and other weird conservative contradictions in the character's actions and conversations compared to the story environment. It's really annoying to think you are going to read something gritty, but it turns into a carebear episode. This book should have a YA tag or something.... It's definitely not for adults.
The story was interesting, but not interesting enough to ignore the "public tv sitcom" humor, cringe dialogue, and other weird conservative contradictions in the character's actions and conversations compared to the story environment. It's really annoying to think you are going to read something gritty, but it turns into a carebear episode. This book should have a YA tag or something.... It's definitely not for adults.
February 21, 2022
Eye of the Storm -spoiler
Poor Matt, barely gets to take a breath between one fight and the next, from goblins and a Dungeon fairy to zombies and another Eidolan, Matt is trying to prepare his dungeon and its people for what comes next. Armed with humour, self-deprecation and expanding pool of friends, he also tries to help anyone he meets with varying success…. Another excellent instalment in this series!
Poor Matt, barely gets to take a breath between one fight and the next, from goblins and a Dungeon fairy to zombies and another Eidolan, Matt is trying to prepare his dungeon and its people for what comes next. Armed with humour, self-deprecation and expanding pool of friends, he also tries to help anyone he meets with varying success…. Another excellent instalment in this series!
May 18, 2023
Great apocalyptic thriller, the story has good motivations and is overall really well written with the exception of the "banter" which it comes off as boomer jokes of how I hate my wife, suggesting someone is gay, or just making sexual jokes all the time. Woman are always using sex as a reward or bargaining chip in this story so it leaves to assume that the author has some weird views on sexuality or is just a boomer.
December 19, 2021
Book two
Mistakes: I listed what I found on Goodreads. I also found the sex to be unnecessary and added nothing to the overall story.
Plot: The dungeon lord grows in power. That power draws enemies.
Characters: Some good growth. I like that he made mistakes with his build even though it didn't seem to slow him down any.
7/10
Mistakes: I listed what I found on Goodreads. I also found the sex to be unnecessary and added nothing to the overall story.
Plot: The dungeon lord grows in power. That power draws enemies.
Characters: Some good growth. I like that he made mistakes with his build even though it didn't seem to slow him down any.
7/10
December 20, 2021
Epic!!!
I'd rather not read any bad reviews, at this point if you don't like it, just go away and leave those of us who appreciate an epic story unfolding before us enjoy it. Beautiful story arc developing, great character development, lots of action. I simply cannot wait for the next book release. Thank you for sharing your imagination with us.
I'd rather not read any bad reviews, at this point if you don't like it, just go away and leave those of us who appreciate an epic story unfolding before us enjoy it. Beautiful story arc developing, great character development, lots of action. I simply cannot wait for the next book release. Thank you for sharing your imagination with us.
December 21, 2021
a great 2nd book
Like the author’s other series, this one took me a little bit to get into. The connection was a little slow, but I really liked the growth of the characters. I did find the way the other characters kind of treated the MC a little crappy annoying but nothing that stopped me from enjoying the overall book. Anxious for book 3!
Like the author’s other series, this one took me a little bit to get into. The connection was a little slow, but I really liked the growth of the characters. I did find the way the other characters kind of treated the MC a little crappy annoying but nothing that stopped me from enjoying the overall book. Anxious for book 3!
December 25, 2021
A decent series, so far
I’ve enjoyed this series more than underverse. Less sexual frustrated teenager who can’t stop thinking about sex at the dumbest times. Yes, this really irritates me.
This is a enjoyable dungeon building series. I hope the author explain more about the dungeon core that are populating the world and their purpose. I’m looking forward to the next book.
I’ve enjoyed this series more than underverse. Less sexual frustrated teenager who can’t stop thinking about sex at the dumbest times. Yes, this really irritates me.
This is a enjoyable dungeon building series. I hope the author explain more about the dungeon core that are populating the world and their purpose. I’m looking forward to the next book.
January 21, 2022
Good, but could use more depth
I love the action, the spells, and growth trees. Definitely reminds me both of Eric Ugland's Good Guys and Jonathan Brooks Crafter Dungeon.
Matt the MC needs to wise up. Also the characters need a bit more depth--like last names, maybe a paragraph or two more backstory.
I love the action, the spells, and growth trees. Definitely reminds me both of Eric Ugland's Good Guys and Jonathan Brooks Crafter Dungeon.
Matt the MC needs to wise up. Also the characters need a bit more depth--like last names, maybe a paragraph or two more backstory.
April 5, 2022
KU Review
I really enjoy this series. While mc is rough around the edges and a bit of an ass, he always does the right thing regardless of himself. And the banter between friends reminds of myself.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
I really enjoy this series. While mc is rough around the edges and a bit of an ass, he always does the right thing regardless of himself. And the banter between friends reminds of myself.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
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June 16, 2022The adventure of the horny and trash talking adolescents continues.
Good: the MC makes a lot of mistakes which compensates his Gary Stu attitude a bit.
Bad: the MC is too Gary Stu, the plot armor keeps saving them when in trouble, the women seem all to be attracted by the MC..
The story is entertaining but more suited for young adults...
Good: the MC makes a lot of mistakes which compensates his Gary Stu attitude a bit.
Bad: the MC is too Gary Stu, the plot armor keeps saving them when in trouble, the women seem all to be attracted by the MC..
The story is entertaining but more suited for young adults...
October 20, 2022
Highly enjoyable. Dark LitRPG with plenty of moments to giggle at the author's humor. Regularly having moments where everyone is healed and fed is wonderful to see a somewhat ideal society in the midst of chaos and pain.
Invigorating fight scenes, compelling character development, intriguing system, all of it makes an engrossing read.
Invigorating fight scenes, compelling character development, intriguing system, all of it makes an engrossing read.
November 11, 2024
A fascinating thriller!
The end of the world! Will humans survive? Would I survive? I like the twist in this book that a human has taken a dungeon core and created a dungeon with which he tries to save humanity! Lots of action, great characters, both evil and good monsters. This series has it all!
The end of the world! Will humans survive? Would I survive? I like the twist in this book that a human has taken a dungeon core and created a dungeon with which he tries to save humanity! Lots of action, great characters, both evil and good monsters. This series has it all!
June 4, 2025
A city lit
I enjoyed the first installment and now the second, moving on to the next. If I have a criticism, the characters are a bit two dimensional. There are a lot of smart, capable, resourceful people in the world. Seems like only the car jackers and the ignorant meek survived the apocalypse.
I enjoyed the first installment and now the second, moving on to the next. If I have a criticism, the characters are a bit two dimensional. There are a lot of smart, capable, resourceful people in the world. Seems like only the car jackers and the ignorant meek survived the apocalypse.
October 4, 2025
Very fun book. Definitely written by a man for men but I still enjoyed it. It was very long feeling, which isn’t necessarily bad. He does such an awesome job integrating so many different fantasy mechanics. It’s like he mashed up the modern world with DnD and Ark Survival Evolved and I’m happy about it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews