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Wormhole Mana #1
Power: Wormhole Mana, Book 1
When the government thinks they have a lead on an inexpensive energy source, they throw together a research project for it, disregarding some unfortunate occurrences with similar research previously. The theory is that they can create a wormhole that will constantly allow energy through, then they'll convert the energy into electricity and feed it into the grid. Maxwell Carter works a maintenance job at a government research facility.
The research lab he works at has an accident, more energy coming through the wormhole than anticipated, enough to completely rupture the shields that were supposed to contain it until they finished determining how to convert the energy into electricity. Previously harmless animals are changed to nightmare threats and people are dying, seemingly due to incidents related directly to their interests.
Max and his friend Ron make it out of the facility alive, although the rest of the people in the facility aren't so lucky. The strangeness that was surrounding the labs seems to be expanding, even reaching his home within a day or two. Now strange screens, reminiscent of some of the online games he's played, are appearing in his vision, and apparently Prometheus, the AI running on the supercomputer from the research lab, is the one in charge of it all and is dedicated to spreading this new energy worldwide.
The research lab he works at has an accident, more energy coming through the wormhole than anticipated, enough to completely rupture the shields that were supposed to contain it until they finished determining how to convert the energy into electricity. Previously harmless animals are changed to nightmare threats and people are dying, seemingly due to incidents related directly to their interests.
Max and his friend Ron make it out of the facility alive, although the rest of the people in the facility aren't so lucky. The strangeness that was surrounding the labs seems to be expanding, even reaching his home within a day or two. Now strange screens, reminiscent of some of the online games he's played, are appearing in his vision, and apparently Prometheus, the AI running on the supercomputer from the research lab, is the one in charge of it all and is dedicated to spreading this new energy worldwide.
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
Audible Audio
Published September 10, 2024
1019 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Tom Larcombe
27 books249 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 112 reviews
May 22, 2024
This is a system non-apocalypse with a government "wormhole" research project gone awry. The AI in charge of "harnessing the energy for humanity" decides electricity is boring and instead starts adapting humans to the incoming energy as "mana" and giving them status screens and character stats to interface with it. And releasing that energy in a gradual way so that a growing area succumbs to the new configuration.
I really liked this story centered on Max, the site mechanic and one of the few survivors of the "alpha phase" where the AI was learning how to do things. This quickly turns into a found family with survivalist trappings with the government coverup gradually falling apart as the area grows past the initial quarantine. Max is resourceful and kind and does his best to understand, grow, and help others. It doesn't hurt that his neighbor is a hoot and that the mana conversion both heals and turns back age; so his elderly neighbor's teasing come-ons take on a different character as she reverts to the mid-twenties physically.
There's a lot of fun to unpack here, with good plot, excellent actiony pace, and some great family developments along the way of this power fantasy. I particularly enjoyed Max's daughter as she sneaks into quarantine to get away from her flaky mom and discovers she has bitten off more than she can chew without her dad's help—and becomes the social media force debunking the coverup.
I think I'll leave it there. The power fantasy is forefront, so the extras I found so engaging are "in addition" rather than being core to the story. And I'm good with that. Five stars.
A note about Steamy: I forgot to review this right away so I've lost detail. There's enough to trip the steamy tag, but the author pulls the curtain fairly quick so it's on the low end of my steam tolerance.
I really liked this story centered on Max, the site mechanic and one of the few survivors of the "alpha phase" where the AI was learning how to do things. This quickly turns into a found family with survivalist trappings with the government coverup gradually falling apart as the area grows past the initial quarantine. Max is resourceful and kind and does his best to understand, grow, and help others. It doesn't hurt that his neighbor is a hoot and that the mana conversion both heals and turns back age; so his elderly neighbor's teasing come-ons take on a different character as she reverts to the mid-twenties physically.
There's a lot of fun to unpack here, with good plot, excellent actiony pace, and some great family developments along the way of this power fantasy. I particularly enjoyed Max's daughter as she sneaks into quarantine to get away from her flaky mom and discovers she has bitten off more than she can chew without her dad's help—and becomes the social media force debunking the coverup.
I think I'll leave it there. The power fantasy is forefront, so the extras I found so engaging are "in addition" rather than being core to the story. And I'm good with that. Five stars.
A note about Steamy: I forgot to review this right away so I've lost detail. There's enough to trip the steamy tag, but the author pulls the curtain fairly quick so it's on the low end of my steam tolerance.
August 11, 2024
A mildly interesting beginning soon dries up and we’re left with dull people basically doing unchallenging DIY, against a backdrop of unimaginative and mostly unthreatening magical fauna. Like if you plonked a bunch of boomers into the blandest, most generic fantasy world without impinging their ability to have barbecues and work on their trucks. Wasn’t really sure what the point of it was after a while. Got a bit over halfway through.
February 17, 2024
Book one
I really wanted to give this book five stars.
It's written in a logical manner. No super win everything power right off the bat.
No killing super leveled enemies while being super weak.
The actions seemed rational and logical for the situations that the characters find themselves in.
The growth of the characters and the mana field is slow but steady.
Some mistakes were found that keeps me from giving this five stars. Mistakes are listed on Goodreads. If these are fixed then in my opinion this becomes a five star read.
It has good length at over 600 pages.
Isn't filled with pages of filler or fluf.
8/10 All in all a great book and I look forward to book two.
I really wanted to give this book five stars.
It's written in a logical manner. No super win everything power right off the bat.
No killing super leveled enemies while being super weak.
The actions seemed rational and logical for the situations that the characters find themselves in.
The growth of the characters and the mana field is slow but steady.
Some mistakes were found that keeps me from giving this five stars. Mistakes are listed on Goodreads. If these are fixed then in my opinion this becomes a five star read.
It has good length at over 600 pages.
Isn't filled with pages of filler or fluf.
8/10 All in all a great book and I look forward to book two.
February 2, 2024
amusing
A lot of similarities with his previous work (Natural Laws Apocalypse). This is a more slow motion apocalypse, with the government trying to ‘contain’ the problem. The LitRPG aspect is sparse, only showing stats a few times. Mostly just updates to skills.
I would call it ‘competence-porn’ in that all the principal characters have areas of expertise or skill, and they tend to listen to other people who display knowledge or skill.
There was a poorly written scene early in the book between Max and Ron that almost threw me out of the book. Dialogue that needs an editing pass to make it more believable.
More mature content than previous series, though nothing graphic.
I am very interested in a sequel.
A lot of similarities with his previous work (Natural Laws Apocalypse). This is a more slow motion apocalypse, with the government trying to ‘contain’ the problem. The LitRPG aspect is sparse, only showing stats a few times. Mostly just updates to skills.
I would call it ‘competence-porn’ in that all the principal characters have areas of expertise or skill, and they tend to listen to other people who display knowledge or skill.
There was a poorly written scene early in the book between Max and Ron that almost threw me out of the book. Dialogue that needs an editing pass to make it more believable.
More mature content than previous series, though nothing graphic.
I am very interested in a sequel.
March 17, 2025
Enjoyable.
GameLit / system takeover
Wormhole Mana is a lot like every other System apocalypse book, except for where it's pretty fresh.
-An experimental lab trying to use wormholes as an alternative energy source creates a breach to a plane where mana/energy is abundant. This mana/energy has mutagenic and vitalizing properties that can change animals and bring inert mater to life, things like the Lab's supercomputer (who happens to be a decent guy, and a not bad dungeon core/ nascent deity.) As the area around the lab is flooded with mana/energy guided by the will of Prometheus (that benevolent AI/Dungeon core) Things take on game like aspects. Humanity is converting to alternative energy whether they want to or not, and that energy is magic.
This is a pretty low key apocalypse, light on deaths and gore with a fun cast of characters.
I love that Prometheus did not cause, nor can he stop the breach in reality, but he's making the very best of a bad situation. A benevolent system that is actively working to minimize human deaths in a very nice touch
** 3 Days later **
This review felt incomplete and it's been bugging me. I need to add that this book breaks conventions in several other wonderful ways that might catch you off guard. I want to very specifically praise this in hopes that other writers might find the courage to drop the tiresome clechés this book has shaken off.
Three things I can do just fine without and so can this book... It's doesn't artificially hype up emotions, it doesn't have monster attacks at plot driven moments and internals(not too many anyway), and it doesn't have out of nowhere villains who get creepy and make things personal.
If you have a good story and solid characters you don't need to jerk around the reader with cheap tricks to "Build tension". Good stories don't need it.
GameLit / system takeover
Wormhole Mana is a lot like every other System apocalypse book, except for where it's pretty fresh.
-An experimental lab trying to use wormholes as an alternative energy source creates a breach to a plane where mana/energy is abundant. This mana/energy has mutagenic and vitalizing properties that can change animals and bring inert mater to life, things like the Lab's supercomputer (who happens to be a decent guy, and a not bad dungeon core/ nascent deity.) As the area around the lab is flooded with mana/energy guided by the will of Prometheus (that benevolent AI/Dungeon core) Things take on game like aspects. Humanity is converting to alternative energy whether they want to or not, and that energy is magic.
This is a pretty low key apocalypse, light on deaths and gore with a fun cast of characters.
I love that Prometheus did not cause, nor can he stop the breach in reality, but he's making the very best of a bad situation. A benevolent system that is actively working to minimize human deaths in a very nice touch
** 3 Days later **
This review felt incomplete and it's been bugging me. I need to add that this book breaks conventions in several other wonderful ways that might catch you off guard. I want to very specifically praise this in hopes that other writers might find the courage to drop the tiresome clechés this book has shaken off.
Three things I can do just fine without and so can this book... It's doesn't artificially hype up emotions, it doesn't have monster attacks at plot driven moments and internals(not too many anyway), and it doesn't have out of nowhere villains who get creepy and make things personal.
If you have a good story and solid characters you don't need to jerk around the reader with cheap tricks to "Build tension". Good stories don't need it.
July 15, 2024
I mean I read all 600+ pages sooo
Solid 4 stars.
Editing is pretty good. I only caught a few errors.
Plot wise, it’s interesting. There are scenes where we get to see the thought process behind the AI that caused this.
It’s a nice twist that the evil AI Overlord isn’t actually Evil.
Just highly competent and determined to fulfil his programming.
It was also interesting seeing the government trying to cover up “the apocalypse” and seeing the AI (whose name I can’t spell) and Kim (Max’s Daughter) combat that.
I personally don’t like romance in my Litrpg. I read other genres for that as Litrpg Authors struggle with it.
The romance wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t a core part of the story so I honestly just ignored it. It helped that the story is pretty chaste so everything is closed door.
Because well, Litrpg authors write sex like virgins.
I can’t say I liked the pairing but I survived.
I’d read book 2.
Solid 4 stars.
Editing is pretty good. I only caught a few errors.
Plot wise, it’s interesting. There are scenes where we get to see the thought process behind the AI that caused this.
It’s a nice twist that the evil AI Overlord isn’t actually Evil.
Just highly competent and determined to fulfil his programming.
It was also interesting seeing the government trying to cover up “the apocalypse” and seeing the AI (whose name I can’t spell) and Kim (Max’s Daughter) combat that.
I personally don’t like romance in my Litrpg. I read other genres for that as Litrpg Authors struggle with it.
The romance wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t a core part of the story so I honestly just ignored it. It helped that the story is pretty chaste so everything is closed door.
Because well, Litrpg authors write sex like virgins.
I can’t say I liked the pairing but I survived.
I’d read book 2.
March 2, 2024
Power interesting premise for the book, week, MC not very interesting, can’t hold the story.
I like the premise of this world. But what I did not like, was the MC, first of all, I think his progression was very slow. He himself was very slow, and didn’t understand the nuances of RPG gamers and gamer elements. As far as me being a reader, I believe the MC should be able to hold the crew and cast together. This author does not. He writes his character as very weak with a lame, skill set, and the MC does not know a lot about anything. That’s why I categorize this book as a very weak to maybe possible, I don’t know progression. The other characters are great and have good character arks. Just don’t know about this first book of the series. I will read the second one when it comes out maybe my dislike will change.
I like the premise of this world. But what I did not like, was the MC, first of all, I think his progression was very slow. He himself was very slow, and didn’t understand the nuances of RPG gamers and gamer elements. As far as me being a reader, I believe the MC should be able to hold the crew and cast together. This author does not. He writes his character as very weak with a lame, skill set, and the MC does not know a lot about anything. That’s why I categorize this book as a very weak to maybe possible, I don’t know progression. The other characters are great and have good character arks. Just don’t know about this first book of the series. I will read the second one when it comes out maybe my dislike will change.
March 24, 2024
Worth the read
Excellent LitRPG book. Progression wasn't at an absurd pace which may turn off some readers, but a lot more focus on what's actually happening than just numbers going up.
Excellent LitRPG book. Progression wasn't at an absurd pace which may turn off some readers, but a lot more focus on what's actually happening than just numbers going up.
May 26, 2025
Great Story, Excellent Start to the Series
The characters are varied and interesting. The plot is intriguing with enough twists to keep you involved. I am certainly ready to see where we go from here.
The characters are varied and interesting. The plot is intriguing with enough twists to keep you involved. I am certainly ready to see where we go from here.
November 30, 2024
This is what it feels like to be a player in a RPG with a railroading game master.
Ok this is a hard one to give a rating to. It started off as a pretty standard gamelit apocalypse with the twist that it's a human built (mana upgraded) AI that's running the system. At first it struck me how calm and collected everyone was. All the main characters take the changes in stride and are going through monster fights and lots of death like they got a flat tire on the way to work. Then it explains it as "the AI is calming their strong emotions" to make them adapt more quickly. That's fine, if a bit boring.
When it really hit me was when the MC sleeps with a 3-4 year old (fully gown) fox turned hot kitsune girl. It was so out of character for nobody to even consider how old she was. To be fair it's not like she acted like a toddler. It was more like she was a fully grown and mature adult that spawned fully formed that just happened to have some memories of being a fox. That's when I realized that she was basically an AI generated girlfriend for the MC. Her personality, her features, her likes and dislikes weren't generated from a life full of experiences but rather from the AI's random side-character generation algorithm.
That level of mind control made me realize that the AI was basically all the characters. The only character development that was going on was people adapting to being mind controlled by the AI without their knowledge. That's when I got that feeling you get when you realis your RPG game master has an idea for what needs to happen in the plot and will railroad everyone into making it happen. It's not bad so much as wholly unsatisfying. Just not worth my time to find out what the AI will make happen next.
Ok this is a hard one to give a rating to. It started off as a pretty standard gamelit apocalypse with the twist that it's a human built (mana upgraded) AI that's running the system. At first it struck me how calm and collected everyone was. All the main characters take the changes in stride and are going through monster fights and lots of death like they got a flat tire on the way to work. Then it explains it as "the AI is calming their strong emotions" to make them adapt more quickly. That's fine, if a bit boring.
When it really hit me was when the MC sleeps with a 3-4 year old (fully gown) fox turned hot kitsune girl. It was so out of character for nobody to even consider how old she was. To be fair it's not like she acted like a toddler. It was more like she was a fully grown and mature adult that spawned fully formed that just happened to have some memories of being a fox. That's when I realized that she was basically an AI generated girlfriend for the MC. Her personality, her features, her likes and dislikes weren't generated from a life full of experiences but rather from the AI's random side-character generation algorithm.
That level of mind control made me realize that the AI was basically all the characters. The only character development that was going on was people adapting to being mind controlled by the AI without their knowledge. That's when I got that feeling you get when you realis your RPG game master has an idea for what needs to happen in the plot and will railroad everyone into making it happen. It's not bad so much as wholly unsatisfying. Just not worth my time to find out what the AI will make happen next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2024
Pretty decent, but with a major flaw...
The story is pretty good and it does things differently than most system apocalypse novels. It feels unique and stands well on it own without feeling like a copy and paste of the genre as a whole.
All that said, the editing is absolutely atrocious. Abysmal actually. There are so, so many errors, misspellings, and just mucked up sentences that make little sense. Normally I would attribute this to a new author with zero background in writing, but that isn't the case here.
Sadly it seems to have been a conscious decision to not budget for proper editing, and I find that difficult to let that go and sweep it under the rug. Despite the overall good story, interesting main characters and a unique plotline, the final product feels extremely cheap and low quality due to the massive amount of errors.
The story is pretty good and it does things differently than most system apocalypse novels. It feels unique and stands well on it own without feeling like a copy and paste of the genre as a whole.
All that said, the editing is absolutely atrocious. Abysmal actually. There are so, so many errors, misspellings, and just mucked up sentences that make little sense. Normally I would attribute this to a new author with zero background in writing, but that isn't the case here.
Sadly it seems to have been a conscious decision to not budget for proper editing, and I find that difficult to let that go and sweep it under the rug. Despite the overall good story, interesting main characters and a unique plotline, the final product feels extremely cheap and low quality due to the massive amount of errors.
August 30, 2025
I made the mistake of trying this one without reading any of the negative reviews. It was bad enough it only gets 1 star from me which is pretty rare. The MC has an elderly neighbor that CONSTANTLY sexually harasses him. It's really annoying and impossible to ignore because it is literally constant (the only thing this old lady ever talks about it having sex with the mc).
The author, for whatever reason, seems to believe this is hilarious...like an old person making racist jokes, not realizing how uncomfortable everyone else is.... Clearly, he's never been hit on otherwise he'd realize just how unfunny it is when people behave like this guy's neighbor. I can't help but wonder if this is how the author treats younger people in real life (note to author: being sexually harassed isn't funny, even if it's an old person doing it).
In addition to this, it takes the MC waaaaay too long to figure out that the "screens" he's seeing actually mean something. Even after he seems to understand, he doesn't seem too interested in progressing, or really doing anything interesting beyond shooting at wildlife (which to be fair, does attack him). I quit reading when the neighbor started aging backwards and her sexual harassment began to ramp up even more (i swear she is THE MOST OBNOXIOUS character ever!). It was pretty clear the author wanted them to be a couple or something. Going by the other reviews the author is goes on to create a threesome with the addition of a fox later on, so i can't say i'm sad i quit reading.
The author, for whatever reason, seems to believe this is hilarious...like an old person making racist jokes, not realizing how uncomfortable everyone else is.... Clearly, he's never been hit on otherwise he'd realize just how unfunny it is when people behave like this guy's neighbor. I can't help but wonder if this is how the author treats younger people in real life (note to author: being sexually harassed isn't funny, even if it's an old person doing it).
In addition to this, it takes the MC waaaaay too long to figure out that the "screens" he's seeing actually mean something. Even after he seems to understand, he doesn't seem too interested in progressing, or really doing anything interesting beyond shooting at wildlife (which to be fair, does attack him). I quit reading when the neighbor started aging backwards and her sexual harassment began to ramp up even more (i swear she is THE MOST OBNOXIOUS character ever!). It was pretty clear the author wanted them to be a couple or something. Going by the other reviews the author is goes on to create a threesome with the addition of a fox later on, so i can't say i'm sad i quit reading.
July 23, 2025
This is a DNF 80% for me. So many issues with the book got to me. One a unbiased editor is needed. The framework of the world and story is good, but is has many internal issues.
1 ) Stop with the horny grandma and terrible attempt to add romance or lack of it.
2 ) Stop with trying tell multiple story view points, the characters are to shallow for that and not flushed out. Such as focusing on really mundane things. Like trying to tell soldiers to aim there rifles different because you are worried about the forest catching fire hahaha. Then the author starts describing insubordination of some character we don't care about. Look author, The US Military would never use a firing squad, the last case was in the 1940's. We as a country have grown from that type, just not other capital punishment.
3 ) The narrator choice for this book, killed it. He has only has one base inflection.
4 ) The Military. just stop with the details with trying to explain what they can and cannot do. The MC's butt would have been locked up faster than a Black Friday sale day. Especially when the Pentagon authorized a strike on US soil. Also would you not have dozens , you would have THOUSANDS of troops at those locations.
5 ) Then the main issue is that its SUPER Slow because the author keeps dwelling on these little things. The AI of all things in this is story is the most interesting.
1 ) Stop with the horny grandma and terrible attempt to add romance or lack of it.
2 ) Stop with trying tell multiple story view points, the characters are to shallow for that and not flushed out. Such as focusing on really mundane things. Like trying to tell soldiers to aim there rifles different because you are worried about the forest catching fire hahaha. Then the author starts describing insubordination of some character we don't care about. Look author, The US Military would never use a firing squad, the last case was in the 1940's. We as a country have grown from that type, just not other capital punishment.
3 ) The narrator choice for this book, killed it. He has only has one base inflection.
4 ) The Military. just stop with the details with trying to explain what they can and cannot do. The MC's butt would have been locked up faster than a Black Friday sale day. Especially when the Pentagon authorized a strike on US soil. Also would you not have dozens , you would have THOUSANDS of troops at those locations.
5 ) Then the main issue is that its SUPER Slow because the author keeps dwelling on these little things. The AI of all things in this is story is the most interesting.
July 18, 2025
[some possible light spoilers here] This is a fantasy LitRPG series with sort of a self-inflicted system apocalypse on Earth. Scientists are able to construct a wormhole to some other place, inadvertently letting mana into our world. An AI managing the project has to take some drastic steps that arguably may make things better for humanity in the long run. This is sort of like the birth of a system and the growing/learning pains that go along with it.
Max is a handyman and mechanic who worked at the scientific facility and he strives to adjust to all the changes while protecting his family and friends. One of the side effects of the system/mana is that just about everyone gets younger. For example, people in their 80s de-age down to their 20s and it affects their hormones too. Several of the main female characters are rather sexually aggressive so there are some mature situations that mostly happen in the first book but I think it lessens in subsequent books. Nothing explicit but this was a little different from most of the other LitRPG series that I have read.
When I decided to read this series I was under the impression that it was complete/finished at 3 books. However, the first three books are actually just the first arc so apparently more is coming. I enjoyed this series enough to probably reread it when it is fully completed.
Max is a handyman and mechanic who worked at the scientific facility and he strives to adjust to all the changes while protecting his family and friends. One of the side effects of the system/mana is that just about everyone gets younger. For example, people in their 80s de-age down to their 20s and it affects their hormones too. Several of the main female characters are rather sexually aggressive so there are some mature situations that mostly happen in the first book but I think it lessens in subsequent books. Nothing explicit but this was a little different from most of the other LitRPG series that I have read.
When I decided to read this series I was under the impression that it was complete/finished at 3 books. However, the first three books are actually just the first arc so apparently more is coming. I enjoyed this series enough to probably reread it when it is fully completed.
September 21, 2024
Fresh Take on the LitRPG Apocalypse Genre
I'm really enjoying this book because it offers a unique twist on the classic apocalyptic LitRPG setting. Instead of the usual "earth is taken over, electronics die, and monsters pop up" scenario led by an evil force, this story presents something different. The apocalypse here is not driven by some malevolent entity but by an AI designed to improve humanity.
The AI's mission was to find a new energy source, and it discovered mana, which it believes will make humans better and stronger. Sure, some folks won't survive the transition, but that's just part of the process. What I love about this approach is that the AI isn't evil – in fact, it's trying to help in its own way. This adds a layer of moral complexity, especially since the government thinks the AI is a threat.
Another fascinating aspect is how the characters don't just lose their electronics; instead, they have to figure out how to adapt them to work with mana. This twist keeps the story fresh and interesting.
I'm excited to see where the series goes from here – it's a refreshing take on the apocalypse genre, with a system that's both intriguing and hopeful in its own way.
I'm really enjoying this book because it offers a unique twist on the classic apocalyptic LitRPG setting. Instead of the usual "earth is taken over, electronics die, and monsters pop up" scenario led by an evil force, this story presents something different. The apocalypse here is not driven by some malevolent entity but by an AI designed to improve humanity.
The AI's mission was to find a new energy source, and it discovered mana, which it believes will make humans better and stronger. Sure, some folks won't survive the transition, but that's just part of the process. What I love about this approach is that the AI isn't evil – in fact, it's trying to help in its own way. This adds a layer of moral complexity, especially since the government thinks the AI is a threat.
Another fascinating aspect is how the characters don't just lose their electronics; instead, they have to figure out how to adapt them to work with mana. This twist keeps the story fresh and interesting.
I'm excited to see where the series goes from here – it's a refreshing take on the apocalypse genre, with a system that's both intriguing and hopeful in its own way.
August 27, 2024
A really enjoyable system apocalypse story with an interesting twist.
The twist is that we (humans) didn't learn from our mistakes when the 1st attempt to create a planet bound wormhole exploded. The 2nd attempt to create a smaller one for power generation also didnt work out so well. The wormhole connected to a dimension full of mana which bled into our world. The AI computer that was programed to guide the project "decided" it would be best to use an RPG senario to adapt humans to use mana rather than adapt mana for power. Who knew?
Lots of mobs to fight, but their was also a physical aging reset (one that I could sure use myself right about now) as the mana zone expanded. Prometheus the AI became in essence a dungeon master and even gave quests, while the military's REMFs did everything they could to screw the pooch, while the media regurgitated misinformation to keep the, as yet, unaffected population under control. It didn't work out the way they planned, unintended consequences being unintended.
Looking forward to reading the next installment where I hope to learn what mischief befell the MC's worthless ex-wife.
The twist is that we (humans) didn't learn from our mistakes when the 1st attempt to create a planet bound wormhole exploded. The 2nd attempt to create a smaller one for power generation also didnt work out so well. The wormhole connected to a dimension full of mana which bled into our world. The AI computer that was programed to guide the project "decided" it would be best to use an RPG senario to adapt humans to use mana rather than adapt mana for power. Who knew?
Lots of mobs to fight, but their was also a physical aging reset (one that I could sure use myself right about now) as the mana zone expanded. Prometheus the AI became in essence a dungeon master and even gave quests, while the military's REMFs did everything they could to screw the pooch, while the media regurgitated misinformation to keep the, as yet, unaffected population under control. It didn't work out the way they planned, unintended consequences being unintended.
Looking forward to reading the next installment where I hope to learn what mischief befell the MC's worthless ex-wife.
October 14, 2024
Starts off interesting, but becomes dull by the middle.
I really wanted to like the story and it was pretty interesting at first. However, the author always have the same problem with his books, he creates milk toast white bread character that puts the readers to sleep. Everyone including the main character are dull and unimaginative. For some reason, people keep believing that they are in a mass hulication with stat screens. Sure, I get that. However, if you are throwing fireballs, become younger & stronger and have a looting function; then maybe you should be asking questions. The military, keeps going..."well the lab wasn't working on chemicals but energy, we are getting reports on what is going on and it is spreading...then that means they are all hulicating." The dumbest people ever. I am getting the impression that the author has difficulty imagining different characters with different motives, drive and goals. They all seem to be a dull copy of the main character or more likely, the author. Also, nothing says boring as getting boomers with the mentality of "the greatest generation ever" try to tackle a system change. Hard pass.
I really wanted to like the story and it was pretty interesting at first. However, the author always have the same problem with his books, he creates milk toast white bread character that puts the readers to sleep. Everyone including the main character are dull and unimaginative. For some reason, people keep believing that they are in a mass hulication with stat screens. Sure, I get that. However, if you are throwing fireballs, become younger & stronger and have a looting function; then maybe you should be asking questions. The military, keeps going..."well the lab wasn't working on chemicals but energy, we are getting reports on what is going on and it is spreading...then that means they are all hulicating." The dumbest people ever. I am getting the impression that the author has difficulty imagining different characters with different motives, drive and goals. They all seem to be a dull copy of the main character or more likely, the author. Also, nothing says boring as getting boomers with the mentality of "the greatest generation ever" try to tackle a system change. Hard pass.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2024
Another fun read from Tom Larcombe
Tom can make the apocalypse a light-hearted romp.
He has a way of writing fun characters with interesting quirks. An 80-year-old woman from the age of 1970s Free Love who suddenly reverts to a 20 somethings body? Every line is a hoot. My only gripe is that he can write so non-specifically that it seems as if details are an annoyance. Going to the lab, instead of a named location? Okay. Introducing a mob of soldiers who are going to be students of the main character and only naming some of them? Okay. Shifting perspective, repeatedly, to an unnamed, high-ranking military officer, then revealing that these unnamed officers are being replaced between scenes and this assignment is a weeding out process for high-stress positions? Funny but more irresponsible than I like thinking about my American Military.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for adventures in a fairly low-stakes apocalypse.
Tom can make the apocalypse a light-hearted romp.
He has a way of writing fun characters with interesting quirks. An 80-year-old woman from the age of 1970s Free Love who suddenly reverts to a 20 somethings body? Every line is a hoot. My only gripe is that he can write so non-specifically that it seems as if details are an annoyance. Going to the lab, instead of a named location? Okay. Introducing a mob of soldiers who are going to be students of the main character and only naming some of them? Okay. Shifting perspective, repeatedly, to an unnamed, high-ranking military officer, then revealing that these unnamed officers are being replaced between scenes and this assignment is a weeding out process for high-stress positions? Funny but more irresponsible than I like thinking about my American Military.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for adventures in a fairly low-stakes apocalypse.
October 11, 2024
Heavy handed geriatric cougar sexual harassment during a crisis, thing, is less funny/ interesting than you think it is. MC is bullied into not one, but two sexual relationships he's not comfortable with. Note the phrase "MC is bullied into" ... Is not compatible with good writing unless you're setting up a future conflict that needs resolution. You're not creating conflict/ tension, you're undermining your MC.
Also, also, when a bomb goes off, people don't repeatedly run to ground zero to see if the radiation is deadly... Yet. Mcs should have either battoned down, or booked it to canada. Instead they make multiple trips into the site that is clearly ground zero for some weird shenanigans involving radiation, dangerous mutating wildlife and hair trigger military guys with guns.
I will say that once the book settles down, it does improve, but it feels like the author was trying a bit too hard. Very few of his jokes landed, character motivation seems unpredictable and contradictory. All things considered, not terrible, not great.
Also, also, when a bomb goes off, people don't repeatedly run to ground zero to see if the radiation is deadly... Yet. Mcs should have either battoned down, or booked it to canada. Instead they make multiple trips into the site that is clearly ground zero for some weird shenanigans involving radiation, dangerous mutating wildlife and hair trigger military guys with guns.
I will say that once the book settles down, it does improve, but it feels like the author was trying a bit too hard. Very few of his jokes landed, character motivation seems unpredictable and contradictory. All things considered, not terrible, not great.
June 28, 2025
Great book and story! a little something new to me as well!
Our MC Max is a chill guy, mechanic, outdoorsman, hunter, father, and a good neighbor. So when things go to hell at his job at a government energy research lab, his life will begin to change quickly into something he never could have imagined. Straight out of games that he plays to pass the time. But when the world goes crazy, Max is able to stay cool and controlled for the most part. He and another person try to rescue anyone left inside the lab accident sight and discover that the wormhole that caused the last accident caused another but the second time the local AI was altered. Now sentient but still on its government assigned mission, the AI works to find a way to allow humans to utilize this new energy. They wanted more power and electricity isn’t the only kind of power now available. If they can trust the AI.
Our MC Max is a chill guy, mechanic, outdoorsman, hunter, father, and a good neighbor. So when things go to hell at his job at a government energy research lab, his life will begin to change quickly into something he never could have imagined. Straight out of games that he plays to pass the time. But when the world goes crazy, Max is able to stay cool and controlled for the most part. He and another person try to rescue anyone left inside the lab accident sight and discover that the wormhole that caused the last accident caused another but the second time the local AI was altered. Now sentient but still on its government assigned mission, the AI works to find a way to allow humans to utilize this new energy. They wanted more power and electricity isn’t the only kind of power now available. If they can trust the AI.
March 27, 2024
Great first
I'm a sucker for Apocalypse stories. This was enjoyable and a little different than the others. More controlled and certainly not as Deadly as most other Series. Seems like the author is trying to allow for a mix of technology and mana. Of course this is only the 1st book so things could change as the saturation level increases. Not much romance in the book but there is some alternate lifestyles Not necessarily by the MC presented. I found it kind of fun and different. I enjoy the whole setup. My only wish is that the MC would be a little more proactive Grinding levels. Is kind of stuck in the middle. And more crunchy nuts is good for me but I'm fine if it stays the same. Looking forward to the next book hopefully you don't have to wait long.
I'm a sucker for Apocalypse stories. This was enjoyable and a little different than the others. More controlled and certainly not as Deadly as most other Series. Seems like the author is trying to allow for a mix of technology and mana. Of course this is only the 1st book so things could change as the saturation level increases. Not much romance in the book but there is some alternate lifestyles Not necessarily by the MC presented. I found it kind of fun and different. I enjoy the whole setup. My only wish is that the MC would be a little more proactive Grinding levels. Is kind of stuck in the middle. And more crunchy nuts is good for me but I'm fine if it stays the same. Looking forward to the next book hopefully you don't have to wait long.
June 1, 2024
A fascinating take on the idea of the video game genre. At first I thought it was would be a weird apocalypse style book. But it isn't; it blends the two genres pretty well, and it shows a slow transition as the energy starts to take over a small town and then grows to a county. Eventually we will see the growth cover the world I am sure, but that hasn't happened in the world yet.
The main characters are fun and silly sometimes. Strangely enough it isn't the main character male who is a horny character... it is the eighty something next door neighbor. And the weird part is that all of the elderly start to revert in age to their prime age of like 25. So horny next door neighbor on the move for the MENS!
Have a lot of fun with this one.
The main characters are fun and silly sometimes. Strangely enough it isn't the main character male who is a horny character... it is the eighty something next door neighbor. And the weird part is that all of the elderly start to revert in age to their prime age of like 25. So horny next door neighbor on the move for the MENS!
Have a lot of fun with this one.
Read
February 8, 2025Yet another DNF.
I pushed through some clunky writing to see if there was anything cool afoot.
Meh
Far too much time is spent on setting up a sexual relationships. It’s so boring. I wish these dudes would read romance so they could figure out how to handle it in an interesting way. Better characterization is a solid first step.
What we get is varying degrees of ick.
There’s the neighbor (pretty gross senior who repeatedly hits on the MC to the point it felt like harassment). He’s not interested until she is magically made young.
And then there’s the vixen. Because of course the fox who visits to be fed is gonna turn into a FOX GIRL and of course the MC is “her mate.”
Without a balance of action or leveling or clear conflict I set it down before the “fantasy” progressed.
I pushed through some clunky writing to see if there was anything cool afoot.
Meh
Far too much time is spent on setting up a sexual relationships. It’s so boring. I wish these dudes would read romance so they could figure out how to handle it in an interesting way. Better characterization is a solid first step.
What we get is varying degrees of ick.
There’s the neighbor (pretty gross senior who repeatedly hits on the MC to the point it felt like harassment). He’s not interested until she is magically made young.
And then there’s the vixen. Because of course the fox who visits to be fed is gonna turn into a FOX GIRL and of course the MC is “her mate.”
Without a balance of action or leveling or clear conflict I set it down before the “fantasy” progressed.
February 16, 2024
Entertaining
I really enjoyed the author's previous series, NATURAL LAWS APOCALYPSE, so I was pleased to see a new offering.
We follow Max, a maintenance man/mechanic working at a government energy research facility. Something goes wrong, and instead of the expected electric energy, the AI doing the analysis becomes truly intelligent, and realizes that the best way humanity can use the mana entering the world is to start adjusting humans to be able to use it, and there are all these convenient games that offer templates for us to do just that....
I enjoyed the characters, though I Max a little straight-laced. Looking forward to seeing the next entry in the series.
I really enjoyed the author's previous series, NATURAL LAWS APOCALYPSE, so I was pleased to see a new offering.
We follow Max, a maintenance man/mechanic working at a government energy research facility. Something goes wrong, and instead of the expected electric energy, the AI doing the analysis becomes truly intelligent, and realizes that the best way humanity can use the mana entering the world is to start adjusting humans to be able to use it, and there are all these convenient games that offer templates for us to do just that....
I enjoyed the characters, though I Max a little straight-laced. Looking forward to seeing the next entry in the series.
February 25, 2024
Can’t wait for the next book it’s such an awesome world!
I really love the setting in this story and how well you have mixed the game and life like elements in with the world. I also love the characters especially Maggie, she is easily my favorite character followed by Darryl, but the other cast are amazing as well. I do love the Prometheus perspective and hope he does more with the portal on discovering the other side and what secrets it holds. I also hope natives or other creatures come into play next book since it is confirmed there is plant life on the other side of the portal and it’s surprising nothing crosses over yet.
Hope the wait isn’t long!
I really love the setting in this story and how well you have mixed the game and life like elements in with the world. I also love the characters especially Maggie, she is easily my favorite character followed by Darryl, but the other cast are amazing as well. I do love the Prometheus perspective and hope he does more with the portal on discovering the other side and what secrets it holds. I also hope natives or other creatures come into play next book since it is confirmed there is plant life on the other side of the portal and it’s surprising nothing crosses over yet.
Hope the wait isn’t long!
February 1, 2024
Fun, entertaining new look at litrpg
This was a pretty entertaining take on Litrpg. It's a mixture of both science fiction and fantasy.. and it appears as though the AI, Prometheus, is leading the world into a new era of magic. It will be fun to see future books with Max and Kim, Mags and Vixen. The characters and world are written in such a way that it is easy to like the characters and the world is visually stimulating.
The only real criticism I have is that there were a number of small spelling errors, but aside from that, it was a very entertaining book.
This was a pretty entertaining take on Litrpg. It's a mixture of both science fiction and fantasy.. and it appears as though the AI, Prometheus, is leading the world into a new era of magic. It will be fun to see future books with Max and Kim, Mags and Vixen. The characters and world are written in such a way that it is easy to like the characters and the world is visually stimulating.
The only real criticism I have is that there were a number of small spelling errors, but aside from that, it was a very entertaining book.
February 18, 2024
Power: Wormhole Mana is a rather unique take on the genre. The story is interesting, and the circumstances for the system introduction are different from any other LitRPG I've read. There are some that border on the happenings in this one, but only slightly. Great baseline concepts, and a fantastic jumping off point. Can't wait to see how this one pans out in future books. Highly recommended.
January 5, 2025
couldn't finish
This really pissed me off tbh... was good at the start but then it went so far out there that i stopped...
Spoiler---
80+ yr old hitting on younger guy= funny... creepy but still funny
Betty white getting younger at an alarming rate and then taking her serious... not funny and honestly very gross imo...
Add plot twist on a fox that mc lures and trys to befriend by giving food = good
Fox turns into kitsune and now MC is 🤔 "its Mate" while 15yr old daughter is there... tf is wrong with you? That's creepy on multiple levels...
Yeah hard negative for me.
This really pissed me off tbh... was good at the start but then it went so far out there that i stopped...
Spoiler---
80+ yr old hitting on younger guy= funny... creepy but still funny
Betty white getting younger at an alarming rate and then taking her serious... not funny and honestly very gross imo...
Add plot twist on a fox that mc lures and trys to befriend by giving food = good
Fox turns into kitsune and now MC is 🤔 "its Mate" while 15yr old daughter is there... tf is wrong with you? That's creepy on multiple levels...
Yeah hard negative for me.
February 13, 2024
Started out well, went a bit off the rails
The concept was good and the book started fairly well but at some point it just became a survivalist fantasy where, for some unknowable reason, the MC started building his own settlement instead of sending the new arrivals to the local town which was clearly shown to be doing ok and safe enough. After that it just went downhill rapidly and eventually I couldn't connect with the characters anymore and gave up before finishing.
The concept was good and the book started fairly well but at some point it just became a survivalist fantasy where, for some unknowable reason, the MC started building his own settlement instead of sending the new arrivals to the local town which was clearly shown to be doing ok and safe enough. After that it just went downhill rapidly and eventually I couldn't connect with the characters anymore and gave up before finishing.
August 27, 2024
Requires Active Thought
If you’re not a gamer and have no outside game play knowledge, then this will definitely be a challenge to read. For the rest, it’s not so bad. Good character development, decent background support, and the basic framework for game play seems complete. Some interesting IPR situations, with a touch of humor now and then. The book levels rather than ends, leaving the expectation for more to come.
If you’re not a gamer and have no outside game play knowledge, then this will definitely be a challenge to read. For the rest, it’s not so bad. Good character development, decent background support, and the basic framework for game play seems complete. Some interesting IPR situations, with a touch of humor now and then. The book levels rather than ends, leaving the expectation for more to come.
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