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Apocalypse Breaker
Apocalypse BREAKER: Book 1 of a LitRPG Apocalypse
Now a #1 NEW Release!
Where the System demands obedience, Dean chooses rebellion.
The System is expanding its reach, consuming countless worlds as it does. Those who do not die are converted into adventurers—thralls who feed its lust for endless violence and conquest.
During a chance encounter with one of the System’s agents, Dean Williams is Activated, becoming one of the few on Earth with access to magic. Enhanced far beyond normal adventurers, his mission is
Complete quests. Earn rewards. Gain power.
But power isn’t enough.
In giving Dean access to its secrets, it made a weapon no one is prepared for. Abandoning the safe path, Dean will wage war against fate itself.
He will become the Apocalypse BREAKER.
Apocalypse BREAKER is a collaboration between Aaron Renfroe and Sean Oswald, fusing their overlapping and distinct styles to create a fast-paced, over-the-top, apocalyptic, LitRPG epic.
Readers of the series should expect a powerful main character, vast worlds to explore, intense combat, and fun world building. As the story evolves, expect team and base building, along with hints of politics and maneuvering that spans vast alien civilizations. You know, the good stuff.
Where the System demands obedience, Dean chooses rebellion.
The System is expanding its reach, consuming countless worlds as it does. Those who do not die are converted into adventurers—thralls who feed its lust for endless violence and conquest.
During a chance encounter with one of the System’s agents, Dean Williams is Activated, becoming one of the few on Earth with access to magic. Enhanced far beyond normal adventurers, his mission is
Complete quests. Earn rewards. Gain power.
But power isn’t enough.
In giving Dean access to its secrets, it made a weapon no one is prepared for. Abandoning the safe path, Dean will wage war against fate itself.
He will become the Apocalypse BREAKER.
Apocalypse BREAKER is a collaboration between Aaron Renfroe and Sean Oswald, fusing their overlapping and distinct styles to create a fast-paced, over-the-top, apocalyptic, LitRPG epic.
Readers of the series should expect a powerful main character, vast worlds to explore, intense combat, and fun world building. As the story evolves, expect team and base building, along with hints of politics and maneuvering that spans vast alien civilizations. You know, the good stuff.
779 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2025
542 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 5, 2025
Renfroe drags down Oswald
This story doesn’t work for me. It started out okay, and was somewhat consistent through chapter 47.
Then Renfroe’s writing style took over in chapter 48 and ruined it for me.
Renfroe has an abrupt style where scenes jump forward without smoothness and clear written transition. Characters suddenly find themselves in situations where there is no explanatory writing bringing the reader to the same place. Instead, the characters suddenly know things and apply choices that the reader has not really been shown, and its jarring.
The occasional lore dumps that are like random inserts of definitions and status explanations are a related problem. It breaks the story’s flow without providing any real substance. Its like Renfroe is offering up litrpg lines of blow at random times to tweek out a small subset of the readership.
The style is very different than Oswald and it does not synergize well. On top of that, the way the story attempts meta humor with “lore” just falls flat and is delivered too deliberately instead of feeling organic within the narrative.
While im looking forward to Oswald’s latest release, this story reminds me why i abandoned finishing Renroe’s.
This story doesn’t work for me. It started out okay, and was somewhat consistent through chapter 47.
Then Renfroe’s writing style took over in chapter 48 and ruined it for me.
Renfroe has an abrupt style where scenes jump forward without smoothness and clear written transition. Characters suddenly find themselves in situations where there is no explanatory writing bringing the reader to the same place. Instead, the characters suddenly know things and apply choices that the reader has not really been shown, and its jarring.
The occasional lore dumps that are like random inserts of definitions and status explanations are a related problem. It breaks the story’s flow without providing any real substance. Its like Renfroe is offering up litrpg lines of blow at random times to tweek out a small subset of the readership.
The style is very different than Oswald and it does not synergize well. On top of that, the way the story attempts meta humor with “lore” just falls flat and is delivered too deliberately instead of feeling organic within the narrative.
While im looking forward to Oswald’s latest release, this story reminds me why i abandoned finishing Renroe’s.
June 22, 2025
Book one
Even with all the alluding to dragons, which I believe the MC will somehow become, I did enjoy reading this book.
I'm giving it only three stars because I think that all the book, movie, game, and comic references dated the story. Later generations will have their own pop culture.
Plus I didn't get all of the references.
I'm interested in seeing how the story unfolds though.
I was also disappointed in the amount of loot that the MC recovered. He got quite a few bags of holding and it seemed like they were mostly empty every single time.
I am a loot lover so the fact that the MC didn't strip every trinket he came across was disappointing. Little gold statues should always be looted. Just my opinion.
5/10 Less pop culture and more looting!
Even with all the alluding to dragons, which I believe the MC will somehow become, I did enjoy reading this book.
I'm giving it only three stars because I think that all the book, movie, game, and comic references dated the story. Later generations will have their own pop culture.
Plus I didn't get all of the references.
I'm interested in seeing how the story unfolds though.
I was also disappointed in the amount of loot that the MC recovered. He got quite a few bags of holding and it seemed like they were mostly empty every single time.
I am a loot lover so the fact that the MC didn't strip every trinket he came across was disappointing. Little gold statues should always be looted. Just my opinion.
5/10 Less pop culture and more looting!
July 25, 2025
couldn’t finish
There is potential here, but the plot really drags. The author spends way too much time talking about the RPG elements. Every conversation turns into a discussion of the pros and cons of some element of the system. The MC, who claims not to be a strategy guy and more of a bruiser, spends all of his time talking about the finer points of the system. When he’s not doing that, he’s just really angry. Meanwhile nothing happens. I got half way through and had to stop to maintain my sanity. For context, I’ve read hundreds of LitRPGs.
There is potential here, but the plot really drags. The author spends way too much time talking about the RPG elements. Every conversation turns into a discussion of the pros and cons of some element of the system. The MC, who claims not to be a strategy guy and more of a bruiser, spends all of his time talking about the finer points of the system. When he’s not doing that, he’s just really angry. Meanwhile nothing happens. I got half way through and had to stop to maintain my sanity. For context, I’ve read hundreds of LitRPGs.
June 21, 2025
This was a great introduction book to a new series. i really enjoyed the way the authors took and separated some of the stats to separate chapters. This really allowed me to focus on the story or spend time going over the character sheets, skills, and equipment. I find sometimes in this genre (LitRPG) having mass number of stats distracting from my overall enjoyment of the story. This is the first book that I have read with this type of prose, and I really give credit to the authors and hope to see this adopted by other authors too.
Now to the meet of the book - The character cast is not too massive and so we get to see some advancement, especially our MC. But even the side characters of the story even though not supper fleshed out they get the moment in the sunny shine. The world or worlds building is limited but what we get to see in this book is well written and entertaining and the battle scenes are great and faced paced to push the narrative along.
Overall, I would give this a solid A rating.
Now to the meet of the book - The character cast is not too massive and so we get to see some advancement, especially our MC. But even the side characters of the story even though not supper fleshed out they get the moment in the sunny shine. The world or worlds building is limited but what we get to see in this book is well written and entertaining and the battle scenes are great and faced paced to push the narrative along.
Overall, I would give this a solid A rating.
August 21, 2025
Just started listening to this today and I'm about 10% into it. Until now the story has been good > great.
I really like the vibe so far!!
There is a negative though.. The male narrator keeps mispronouncing words I am not sure if its hurried/sloppy enunciation, that got overlooked during audio editing, or if the fault lies with the text the Voice Actor is reading from. What ever the reason I lower my rating by one at a minimum for these sorts of quality issues.
- Review in progress -
The teenage MC 19 years old... Well he is a bit of an annoying emo-rollercoaster edge lord. If that sort of thing is a pet peeve then this book may be hard going, even if it isn't thematically off-base.
I really like the vibe so far!!
There is a negative though.. The male narrator keeps mispronouncing words I am not sure if its hurried/sloppy enunciation, that got overlooked during audio editing, or if the fault lies with the text the Voice Actor is reading from. What ever the reason I lower my rating by one at a minimum for these sorts of quality issues.
- Review in progress -
The teenage MC 19 years old... Well he is a bit of an annoying emo-rollercoaster edge lord. If that sort of thing is a pet peeve then this book may be hard going, even if it isn't thematically off-base.
November 21, 2025
5 stars except for foul language. If you're reading my reviews, you know I don't appreciate it. The use of explatives is appropriate for the characters and time. The author could have excused using a lot more, saying they are military.
Now for the rest. Interesting story with a twist on the system. Outside of the fights, the characters develop and have depth; you feel as if these people are trying to adapt to this insane new (no spoilers).
The story was good, but I think the audio performance was great. When you want to laugh out loud while listening to a recipe (at the end of the book), you know the author and the performer are hitting it out of the park.
No, saying there is a recipe at the end of the book is a spoiler is wrong. If you think so, then you haven't read the book. ;)
Now for the rest. Interesting story with a twist on the system. Outside of the fights, the characters develop and have depth; you feel as if these people are trying to adapt to this insane new (no spoilers).
The story was good, but I think the audio performance was great. When you want to laugh out loud while listening to a recipe (at the end of the book), you know the author and the performer are hitting it out of the park.
No, saying there is a recipe at the end of the book is a spoiler is wrong. If you think so, then you haven't read the book. ;)
August 25, 2025
Apocalypse Breaker is the first book in this series, and while it's a decent book, be prepared for it to get a bit odd at times. The story was decent enough, and when it's boiled down to it's component parts, it's a really good story, I just wasn't a fan of how long it took to get the story told. This may or may not influence how long it takes me to read the second one which isn't out just yet.
Overall, I liked the book, and I suspect most LitRPG fans will too, but there are pieces that are a bit of a slog, so just be prepared.
Overall, I liked the book, and I suspect most LitRPG fans will too, but there are pieces that are a bit of a slog, so just be prepared.
didn-t-like-it
August 28, 2025Note to self: Not the style I prefer, don't convince yourself to try it; it isn't for you.
So, not objectively bad, but subjectively... I don't know what about it specifically I disliked more:
- Edgelord MC with anger issues.
- Levels don't matter, as the MC regularly overcomes enemies three times his level.
- Item rarity doesn't matter, MC came out of the tutorial with multiple highest rarity items possible.
- The level of tongue-in-cheek use of current ttrpgs was at times fun, but most times it took me right out of the story by just how weird it felt. Hard to explain.
I liked the concept of how humanity engaged with the system, or the military at least, but not enough to make it past 50% of the audiobook. The narrator was good though, one of the reasons I made it that far.
So, not objectively bad, but subjectively... I don't know what about it specifically I disliked more:
- Edgelord MC with anger issues.
- Levels don't matter, as the MC regularly overcomes enemies three times his level.
- Item rarity doesn't matter, MC came out of the tutorial with multiple highest rarity items possible.
- The level of tongue-in-cheek use of current ttrpgs was at times fun, but most times it took me right out of the story by just how weird it felt. Hard to explain.
I liked the concept of how humanity engaged with the system, or the military at least, but not enough to make it past 50% of the audiobook. The narrator was good though, one of the reasons I made it that far.
August 25, 2025
Disappointing
A strong start transitions into a formulaic mess.
All the fights are predictable - 1) the MC carves through mooks like a band saw through balsa wood, 2) the MC spends one to two chapters getting slapped around before a sudden reversal and inevitable victory.
The pacing is inconsistent. The Earth stuff is rushed and incomplete, while the Event stuff sprawls across hundreds of pages.
The RPG stuff is bug-riddled, mostly from poor proofing.
The characters are flat and their emotions are hollow mockery of human feelings.
I cannot recommend such a disappointing experience.
A strong start transitions into a formulaic mess.
All the fights are predictable - 1) the MC carves through mooks like a band saw through balsa wood, 2) the MC spends one to two chapters getting slapped around before a sudden reversal and inevitable victory.
The pacing is inconsistent. The Earth stuff is rushed and incomplete, while the Event stuff sprawls across hundreds of pages.
The RPG stuff is bug-riddled, mostly from poor proofing.
The characters are flat and their emotions are hollow mockery of human feelings.
I cannot recommend such a disappointing experience.
December 11, 2025
Edgelord idiot
First I will acknowledge I DNF this book. I made it to about 27% and just couldn’t stand the MC anymore. He is almost a textbook definition of why it’s a bad idea to give a kid a gun. He is nothing but teenage angst wrapped in a deadly package. He has zero impulse control and acts like nothing more than a whiney entitled brat. He has the whole teenage “no one can tell me what to do” going on at full throttle.
The system and world were actually interesting, but the MC is completely intolerable. I actively wanted him to die towards the end so that made me realize this series isn’t for me.
First I will acknowledge I DNF this book. I made it to about 27% and just couldn’t stand the MC anymore. He is almost a textbook definition of why it’s a bad idea to give a kid a gun. He is nothing but teenage angst wrapped in a deadly package. He has zero impulse control and acts like nothing more than a whiney entitled brat. He has the whole teenage “no one can tell me what to do” going on at full throttle.
The system and world were actually interesting, but the MC is completely intolerable. I actively wanted him to die towards the end so that made me realize this series isn’t for me.
June 12, 2025
Beautiful
Two amazing authors have done it again. This book was beautifully written from start to finish. It took me three days of start and stops to get through it due to general life stuff, but I spent just about the entirety of the time not reading waiting and thinking about when I'd get to return to the book.
I can't wait for book 2, and even looking forward to re-readong this one when the time comes.
If your reading through reviews contemplating, if you should give this book a go, trust me, it's worth it. Give it a shot, and you will enjoy it.
Two amazing authors have done it again. This book was beautifully written from start to finish. It took me three days of start and stops to get through it due to general life stuff, but I spent just about the entirety of the time not reading waiting and thinking about when I'd get to return to the book.
I can't wait for book 2, and even looking forward to re-readong this one when the time comes.
If your reading through reviews contemplating, if you should give this book a go, trust me, it's worth it. Give it a shot, and you will enjoy it.
June 9, 2025
Knocks your socks off.
This book was a fantastic read. I was on the edge of my seat several times when reading this, and was so bought in on the results that it was crazy!
I especially appreciated the second event and the stakes that were increased throughout the story. I loved the Lore additions, and the team that works with him that he is collecting around himself and cannot WAIT for book 2!!
This book was a fantastic read. I was on the edge of my seat several times when reading this, and was so bought in on the results that it was crazy!
I especially appreciated the second event and the stakes that were increased throughout the story. I loved the Lore additions, and the team that works with him that he is collecting around himself and cannot WAIT for book 2!!
June 15, 2025
Good Read
This was a solid read with truly complex and interesting characters. The supporting characters on his team, his alien guide, and the ones he fought were intriguing in their appearance and personality. With Dean I ran the gamut of liking him, thinking he a raging murderholic, to seeing him as a complete idiot at times depending upon the situation. All in all, it was a good read that I can see myself enjoying as a series.
This was a solid read with truly complex and interesting characters. The supporting characters on his team, his alien guide, and the ones he fought were intriguing in their appearance and personality. With Dean I ran the gamut of liking him, thinking he a raging murderholic, to seeing him as a complete idiot at times depending upon the situation. All in all, it was a good read that I can see myself enjoying as a series.
October 6, 2025
Good book
As I mentioned in the Discord after a few chapters, Dean is an angry little sausage, and getting to the end, his growth has been great, going from angry and broken to beginning to heal some with the help of others. The descriptions of the insanity that happens in this book never feels ridiculous, even though some of it is bullshit, it is always explained, which allows this story to thrive.
As I mentioned in the Discord after a few chapters, Dean is an angry little sausage, and getting to the end, his growth has been great, going from angry and broken to beginning to heal some with the help of others. The descriptions of the insanity that happens in this book never feels ridiculous, even though some of it is bullshit, it is always explained, which allows this story to thrive.
October 17, 2025
Picked this one up because I was in the mood for some system apocalypse, and this one scratched the itch. Within that genre this is a reasonably entry, but there is nothing transcendent here and the influences from other books in the genre (DCC in particular) is very clear.
I encountered it at the right time and place to enjoy it and would recommend to other fans of the genre, but not beyond that.
I encountered it at the right time and place to enjoy it and would recommend to other fans of the genre, but not beyond that.
November 9, 2025
DNF 95% - I couldn't finish reading it.
Too chaotic. The main character is constantly being showered with overwhelming loot , but it doesn't seem to have any significant impact on the outcome of the battles, which are completely bland.
The only plus is the idea that every SYSTEM and manna as a source of energy also had its origins. Unfortunately, the idea that the human race is capable of hacking and cheating a System that has almost taken over the galaxy seems implausible.
Too chaotic. The main character is constantly being showered with overwhelming loot , but it doesn't seem to have any significant impact on the outcome of the battles, which are completely bland.
The only plus is the idea that every SYSTEM and manna as a source of energy also had its origins. Unfortunately, the idea that the human race is capable of hacking and cheating a System that has almost taken over the galaxy seems implausible.
June 11, 2025
Good start to a new apocalyptic system integration LitRPG with OP MC
Good start, interesting concept with more teamwork than most similar stories. Looking forward to the next book(s). Only negative comment would be the MC powers that make him OP are not that clear and somewhat difficult to see why what he has is enabling him to defeat enemies way higher in levels.
Good start, interesting concept with more teamwork than most similar stories. Looking forward to the next book(s). Only negative comment would be the MC powers that make him OP are not that clear and somewhat difficult to see why what he has is enabling him to defeat enemies way higher in levels.
June 14, 2025
Sad I waited to read
I had a chance to read this prior to release and didn’t bother because I thought I wouldn’t like it (I support Sean on Patreon). Sean asked for people to give it a chance and read and review it, so I did assuming I wouldn’t get to the leave a review part because I wouldn’t finish reading the book. I was wrong about not going to like it and am looking forward to the next few books to be released. Great world building, interesting cliffs at the end leaving the direction/how of the main plot up in the air. I’m glad I gave it a chance.
I had a chance to read this prior to release and didn’t bother because I thought I wouldn’t like it (I support Sean on Patreon). Sean asked for people to give it a chance and read and review it, so I did assuming I wouldn’t get to the leave a review part because I wouldn’t finish reading the book. I was wrong about not going to like it and am looking forward to the next few books to be released. Great world building, interesting cliffs at the end leaving the direction/how of the main plot up in the air. I’m glad I gave it a chance.
June 18, 2025
I don’t write reviews
More if I could just say more that would be it. This is exactly what I wanted and didn’t know it. Excellent MC as someone with the rage monster I get it. Love the crunchiness keep up the good work have enjoyed most of both authors books. Alright enough go read it.
More if I could just say more that would be it. This is exactly what I wanted and didn’t know it. Excellent MC as someone with the rage monster I get it. Love the crunchiness keep up the good work have enjoyed most of both authors books. Alright enough go read it.
November 1, 2025
Collaboration at its finest
Collaboration is either yes or no. This is a Yes!!
I'm just the delivery guy, what the hell!! It that a .... I'm not a hero but I like fighting. This might just be good. Kill bad guys and be a hero. The System wants Earth and I want to break the System.
Collaboration is either yes or no. This is a Yes!!
I'm just the delivery guy, what the hell!! It that a .... I'm not a hero but I like fighting. This might just be good. Kill bad guys and be a hero. The System wants Earth and I want to break the System.
June 11, 2025
Loved it
The story is well-written and action-packed. I love the introduction of the system and the concept that Earth is fighting back against the system's takeover, compared to Earth having no choice but to be converted.
The story is well-written and action-packed. I love the introduction of the system and the concept that Earth is fighting back against the system's takeover, compared to Earth having no choice but to be converted.
June 12, 2025
Great start
Fantastic start to a new series. Nice twist on how the system takes over, lots of good fighting and building involved. Beyond happy I picked it up and ready for the next one.
Fantastic start to a new series. Nice twist on how the system takes over, lots of good fighting and building involved. Beyond happy I picked it up and ready for the next one.
July 16, 2025
Very good
It took me a while to get through this, but I finally made it through it. Wow, what a ride. It was honestly a great read. Something to be expected from two amazing authors.
One warning, though. Some of the fights are brutal with a capital B.
Highly recommended.
It took me a while to get through this, but I finally made it through it. Wow, what a ride. It was honestly a great read. Something to be expected from two amazing authors.
One warning, though. Some of the fights are brutal with a capital B.
Highly recommended.
August 15, 2025
One of the better books I've read lately. Story is solid, if not totally new and shiny (nothing new under the sun and all) pacing is good, and the MC, though flawed, is working on himself. I basically liked all elements of the book and nothing grated on me; it deserves its 5.
August 19, 2025
Superior
Some books are so Short that you finished them in a couple of hours. Other books are full of typos And misjointed Scenarios. This book allows you to Sink your teeth into it, Well edited And full of humor and Easter eggs. Totally look forward to the next in the series.
Some books are so Short that you finished them in a couple of hours. Other books are full of typos And misjointed Scenarios. This book allows you to Sink your teeth into it, Well edited And full of humor and Easter eggs. Totally look forward to the next in the series.
September 11, 2025
Excellent read
I really enjoyed this book. An interesting magic system and world with a likable main character. I’m eager to see where his story goes and how he continues to grow as a person and an adventurer.
I really enjoyed this book. An interesting magic system and world with a likable main character. I’m eager to see where his story goes and how he continues to grow as a person and an adventurer.
June 12, 2025
A good read
Great in several categories I happen to fancy: Gamelit, LitRPG, Military, Apocalypse, and System Descent. If any of these twig your meters, give it a look.
Great in several categories I happen to fancy: Gamelit, LitRPG, Military, Apocalypse, and System Descent. If any of these twig your meters, give it a look.
June 13, 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!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
June 14, 2025
Nice
Well written LitRPG that does a beautiful job of balancing stats and action, with incredible works building. The glossary and list if characters at the end were awesome.
Well written LitRPG that does a beautiful job of balancing stats and action, with incredible works building. The glossary and list if characters at the end were awesome.
September 29, 2025
So good!
This book really sucked me in, took about a week to finish it and then immediately started on the second which I binged in two days. Now I wait.
This book really sucked me in, took about a week to finish it and then immediately started on the second which I binged in two days. Now I wait.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews