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The Exlian Syndrome #4

Evolution: A Fantasy Litrpg Adventure, Library Edition

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Evolution is the action-packed fourth installment in the thrilling Exlian Syndrome series by beloved author Seth Ring.

Abandoned by society and thrown into a brutal underground city, it took all of Mark’s wits and courage—and more than a little help from his friends—to escape.

After returning to the surface, Mark has a new lease on life. But it turns out that he may have been safer stuck underground with a bunch of murderers. With his old identity dead, Mark’s only choice is to forge a new life as Apex, a freelance hunter.

Venturing out of New Emery to hunt, Mark quickly learns that he’ll need a lot more than raw strength to survive in the cutthroat world of hunters. To make matters worse, a strange breed of Exlian has taken an interest in Mark and has begun to hunt him in turn, transforming each bounty he undertakes into a potential deathtrap.

As Mark struggles to keep his life together, he finds his relationships beginning to fracture as different groups seek to control him, trying to claim his growing power for their own ends. Feeling less human every day, Mark’s constant evolution forces him to face the ultimate Will he be able to protect New Emery and its people, or will he become the force that destroys it?

Audio CD

First published December 2, 2025

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Seth Ring

59 books854 followers

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5 stars
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156 (23%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for myfictionaladventure.
34 reviews21 followers
December 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
No spice; Some Romance
Dystopian- LitRPG
Book 4 in series

Tropes:
- Corruption
- Secrets/Mystery
- Super Powers
- Leveling up
- Found Family

Apex is now out of the Tomb and has joined the Hunter’s guild. But as he tries to grow stronger, he debates who to tell he isn’t dead. As always, Apex goes on missions to kill exlians and build his powers, and fishy stuff is going on with the leaders of the city and Noah’s (his best friend) dad.

I am still loving this series, and the audiobook narrator is as amazing as always. My favorite parts remain the portions where a group of the characters work together- in this book, I love the end. I hope to see more of Mark’s brother, Sky, Noah, Pheonix, and their crew of friends. And I am excited to learn more about what nefarious activities the city’s leaders have been up to!
Profile Image for Phil.
274 reviews11 followers
December 12, 2025
Another fun romp in this new Seth Ring series - a full and solid four stars.

Since I've read about 25 Seth Ring novels, I feel I can say this without one thinking I am taking swipes at him as an author: Ring cannot sustain book series. It is weird for me to say, on the one hand, I have read 25 of his books, and will likely read many more, but also that he does a poor job with writing complete series. To clarify this seeming inconsistency, let me say that Ring excels with creating interesting worlds and concepts, but cannot maintain the leveling of his main characters in a way that keeps my interest. Whether Nova Terra, Battlemage Farmer, the Tower... all these series start really really good. In fact, my first ever lit-rpg was the Nova Terra series and it blew me away. I absolutely loved the books and tore through them. But in all of his series, usually around book 5 or so, we begin to notice the inconsistencies. The main characters all become overpowered. But then they aren't. But then they are. It really becomes frustrating as a reader because it is deus ex machina over and over.

Why did I dedicate an entire paragraph to criticizing the author in this way while also saying this is a fun book? Because fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice ... three times ... and now... four times? I can see where this book is going. It is almost like Ring has a power-progress chart that all of his books follow and by X number book they must be sufficiently stronger than Y people with these Z others that will form the basis of the remaining books and he will have to get stronger to beat them.

If you have not read any of Ring's other series, this won't be as big a problem for you until you hit that inevitable point where you just laugh because of how contrived a battle becomes. Mark is a fun main character, we have some fun side characters (when they are in the picture), and we generally find it impossible not to root for Mark because he is such a "normal guy" who is down to Earth - even with his new superpowers. So we are going to enjoy the ride but there will be a point in the next 2-3 books where the glass will break and if you happen upon this review before then, just remember I told you so.

The plot for this book is largely geared towards positioning Mark to be able to progress the "prophecy" narrative. To do this he needs to escape from his past catching up to him, establish his new life and secure a revenue stream, and ultimately chase down the various pieces of information that he has leading him to the next big incident. This one is a little more streamlined than the last installment, but there is a larger focus on Mark's powers and him leveling. (FN: See past paragraphs. It is starting!) This is classic Ring, and notwithstanding my critiques about his formula, since we are still early in this series, it is enjoying and satisfying.
Profile Image for Tony Hinde.
2,143 reviews77 followers
December 10, 2025
It's starting to lose momentum. I still really like the magic/progression system.
Profile Image for MizzyRed.
1,658 reviews5 followers
October 27, 2025
I am so hooked on this series! Mark is totally awesome and each book sees him reach new highs in powers and strength but also deeper and deeper into the corruption of certain people in New Emery and the stakes have never been higher! This is another fast read where at least Mark is out of the Tomb and able to go mostly where he wants to. Plus he gets to see his friends like Noah and Sky. That is super important because as he gets stronger, it is getting hard to hold on to his humanity. But there is so much darkness in the city and plans are coming together to bring destruction and great change (you get a bit more of the Prophet plus some corrupt families looking for profit at the cost of human lives).

I absolutely love that Noah, Sky, Phoenix, and even Mark's brother return in this book, though there is still a bit with the Maestro (very odd, and hard decide if he is good or a villain) and some insights into the mercenary hunters that go out hunting the Exlian, and also more on Exlian society. There are fascinating tidbits learned about them and it makes me very eager for the next book in the series, especially with the major CLIFFHANGER!!!!!

This is an excellent series that is easy to get sucked into with awesome characters (both good, bad, and crazy) though they tend to end on cliffhangers. I am very grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to spend time in New Emery and watch Mark become all that he is meant to be, and hopefully save the city from some very bad people before they bring doom to the world.
Profile Image for RickieReads.
64 reviews3 followers
December 12, 2025
As a disclaimer, I did receive a physical ARC of this book from Blackstone Publishing, so I want to thank them in advanced.

I had an awesome time with this entry in the Exilian Syndrome Series. These books overall are very solid, consistently well done. I love seeing Marks progression over time, and I thought the pacing in this book is consistent. I think my main gripe is that I wish we would see more of the side characters in this series, and build some more depth with those characters.

Overall I really enjoyed this, and I’m super excited to read the next entry in this series.
Profile Image for Gareth Otton.
Author 5 books131 followers
December 15, 2025
I have spoken multiple times in previous reviews about how this series has struggled to do the necessary character work to get the reader attached to anyone other than the main character and to set up the relationships in a manner that makes them matter to this story. This is the book where the extent of this problem hits you in the face.

Whilst following the now familiar formula of putting the main character in yet another new environment and sending him down yet another new story direction where he must meet another cast of brand new characters, this is the first book that leans heavily on previously established relationships by bringing back the main character's friends from book one for a significant chunk of the novel. As expected, this had next to no impact on me as a reader because these characters have either been largely absent for three books now, or they are victims of a plot-driven story where they only appear when they matter to the main plot. This leads to a series of underwhelming reunions and character moments that don't feel earned.

This massively impacted the story being told because it becomes evident that this series is being driven entirely by the plot, and with very rare exceptions (of which this is not one), plot-driven stories struggle to create genuine emotion in the reader because there isn't much of a reason to care without a strong connection to characters.

This is far from an unreadable book, and I'd even go as far as to call it enjoyable for the most part. However, it is starting to border on becoming forgettable. So far, I have been able to read them without much wait between books, but if that ever changes, I have to wonder how much I will care about continuing this series.
6 reviews
August 26, 2025
Note: I am a fan of Seth Ring's other books, and I've really been enjoying The Exlian Syndrome Series so far, so I was thrilled when Evolution showed up for me to review as a DRC on NetGalley.

Seth Ring continues to deliver with Evolution, the fourth book in The Exlian Syndrome Series. Mark is quickly rising through the power structure of the world he thought he understood, only he's starting to realize that the world may be far larger—and far more dangerous—than he first thought. As his strength grows, he has to learn to become more than he was, while not losing himself in the process.

This installment introduces a few new characters that we just start to get to know. It also brings back some old friends, laying the framework for future books to expand upon. Marks progression system, as well as the other power systems in general, continue to be one of my favorite aspects of the series: familiar aspects blended into something imaginative and engaging.

Overall, Evolution is a fantastic continuation of the series. The ending really sets the stage for the next book, and I am *definitely* excited for it!
30 reviews
October 23, 2025
Still solid, but the spark’s fading.

I’ve enjoyed the Exilian Syndrome series since the start, and Evolution had been high on my list. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite land for me. Maybe it’s fatigue from reading too much Seth Ring lately, or maybe the story just didn’t have the same pulse as the earlier books.

It’s not bad; the writing is competent and the pacing fine, but it feels formulaic, as if Ring is running through the motions. The tropes are familiar, the stakes predictable, and the narrative barely moves forward. I do like how the author makes significant changes to the setting with each book, which reinvents the world a little, but not enough to disguise the underlying structure.

At times it almost reads like it was written by an algorithm: efficient, polished, and just a little too safe. I’m still invested enough to see where Ring takes it next, but I’m hoping he remembers that readers want progression, not repetition. Good, not great.
Profile Image for Kyle.
273 reviews11 followers
July 23, 2025
I love this series and devour each installment as soon as I can get my hands on it. Thank you Blackstone.
This fourth installment is actually my favorite of the four. Great action. We move forward with certain characters. Some answers are given a bit to what is going on in the larger sense. Villains, both human and not, are getting nastier.
My two complaints - at times things are very reminiscent of what came before: been there, done that. This is not enough to be a big problem and more than enough new things pop up to keep it moving forward.
Second, as we know from the previous volumes Ring loves his cliffhanger endings. Reader beware; this one is a doozy. Book five can't come quick enough.
Profile Image for Joshua Chadd.
Author 14 books90 followers
November 10, 2025
Seth Ring keeps the action rolling in this latest installment! I haven’t been this hooked on a series in years. As Mark continues to grow, so does his shadow—the tension between his humanity and the darkness inside him is really starting to burn. There were several moments I could feel that struggle coming off the page.

The characters are sharp, the storytelling strong, and the pacing near perfect. I loved this book and can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

I was lucky enough to get an ARC, but that did not affect my review in the least!
17 reviews
December 13, 2025
still great, but some plot holes are starting to show through.

Great story overall. But there are a lot of odd dropped threads, and points where the character seems like they should use power X but go with power Y. Even though they just discovered OP ability X. Anyway a few of the powers currently don’t seem to hold together but I’m willing to assume that they may be clarified in future books. The observer effect power really annoys me since it seems that contradictions happen with it all the time but it may be removed later.
84 reviews
December 25, 2025
Fucking cliffhanger

Gotta say, I hate cliffhangers. Like... I really hate them. especially when the next book isn't out and it won't be for who knows how long. I'll forget the story (and this is a pretty good one) because all i remember is how stupid and irritating the cliffhanger is.

If you can't keep someone interested in the story on it's own, a stupid cliffhanger won't make people read on. I enjoyed this book and all I'll take from it is the fucking ending. It just pisses me off so i don't want to read the next one..
331 reviews5 followers
December 4, 2025
Lots of power ups, but another cliffhanger ending.

So yah, lots of power ups for Mark and the gang is all back together finally. But that ending! Seth keeps leaving us on these cliffhanger endings and it's driving me crazy! Like seriously bro?! This ain't royal road and a chapter at a time, you don't have to keep leaving us at the worst possible spot and then making us wait 6 months for the next book! Maybe I'm just whiny? Idk. Anyway, good stuff, annoying ending.
659 reviews9 followers
December 10, 2025
a very interesting series about a man trying to resist becoming monstrous.

The Mac continues to level by defeating and eating monsters. He sees that as he gets stronger, it becomes easier to let go of the concept of humanity. Still he’s up against not just monsters, but wicked humans who are prosecuting an unknown agenda thats quite monstrous.

As usual, Seth Ring’s storytelling is quite excellent and engaging.
Profile Image for Jon W..
6 reviews
December 10, 2025
Great continuation of the series.

Our hero continues to get stronger by leaps and bounds, but his adversaries are stronger too! New abilities, renewed friendships, and wicked "paragons of society who only have their own interests at heart" abound, all twisted and wrapped around a plot line that continues to urge you to keep reading to find out what happens next! The only negative is that I read it in 2 days and now I'm waiting on the next one.
7 reviews
December 3, 2025
Cliffhangers are the lamest thing

Well, the book can be summarized with a few sentences. Basically there is a lot of fighting to rank up, and then you get a very lame cliffhanger at the end. The story is predictable and not all that original. Not happy with this installment, if feels a lot like almost a whole book of filler stuff.
Profile Image for Viking Jam.
1,361 reviews23 followers
October 27, 2025
Review: Not much to say here. Great characters, story line and movement. I love the MC and the bizarre world the Mr. Ring has created. I will be back for more.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

4.6/5
2,478 reviews17 followers
December 4, 2025
He spends most of this book lurking in abandoned buildings and chopping stuff up. It's fine, but really contrasts with the last bit where he meets up with his friends again and suddenly it's ten times more interesting. Decent book but I hope the next one's better.
18 reviews
December 5, 2025
A good continuation in this series.

You will definitely get the feeling that the author is pulling ideas from several different areas in this novel. You will Know when you run across, but not in a bad way. I will be glad to read the next one in the series.

326 reviews
December 12, 2025
Loved the book!

Once again another great book and a wonderful addition to this series. Great action and story. I love the characters and the growth they all have. And best of all is clean and no profanity.
176 reviews2 followers
December 13, 2025
Great!

I'm really enjoying this series and the world this author is building. Good growth by the MC in this book and am looking forward to seeing where the author takes the story. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Profile Image for GaiusPrimus.
870 reviews97 followers
December 15, 2025
The story is fully and truly back to the standards set by the author in his other stories.

I honestly don't know what happened with book 2, but push past it and read it this far.

Not a huge fan of the cliffhanger though.
39 reviews
December 16, 2025
Continue to enjoy this series. I was a little miffed at the sudden end that left me hanging. Since it is going to be awhile before the next addition is out, I would suggest a brief synopsis of the story line at the start. Thanks.
33 reviews
November 9, 2025
I absolutely love this series, and this book was another great addition to it. Mark learns a lot about his new powers - which always continue to grow. Mime, again was a fun character who pops in and out of Mark's business. And Mark's friends are back - pretty much all of them! Like the previous books in the series, it ends with a hook into the next book. Can't wait for the next one in this series!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
1,315 reviews6 followers
December 3, 2025
Fanfreakingtastic!

What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
7 reviews
December 3, 2025
Another great story!

Seth is a great writing and this series has it all. I especially enjoy this series twist on litrpg and can’t wait until the next book.
61 reviews
December 4, 2025
Amazing!!

Another amazing book added to the series! Loved the pacing and development of the characters! Keep up the good work!
Profile Image for Mike Goodman.
1,585 reviews12 followers
December 4, 2025
Good Series

I’m a little upset over the ending this book in the middle of a fight. Otherwise it was a very interesting entertaining story.
210 reviews
December 5, 2025
Excellent continuation but ending on a cliff..

Well written book, as usual, with lots of combat and progress, but the story ends on a major cliffhanger. Aaaargh.

Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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