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Gears & Girls: Book 1
Being a tech-serf sucks, but being powerless and broke sucks even more.
Trapped by crushing debt in the ancients-powered city of Alnda, Alaric barely scrapes by on five-credit repairs and monster scavenging. Gaining his freedom feels more impossible by the day, until he discovers a forbidden alien AI.
Crimson Death isn’t just a program, it is self-aware and pissed that it lost the war against humanity. He offers Alaric a simple power in exchange for partnership. The catch? Put him out in the sun to recharge his battery.
First order of business? A history lesson and a whole new understanding of the monsters haunting his world, and the lies it is built on. The second? Teaching him how to grow monster cores into mech frames and build them.
Alongside CD, Alaric isn't just surviving, no, he is thriving. And the women around him are taking notice. So are those who want to use him.
Elli, the brilliant engineer best friend, finally gets the man she's been waiting for. Seo Rin, a capable scavenger with black market connections, finds his new confidence irresistible. Dame Yesabel, a fierce knight tired of noble games, sees something worth fighting for.
With alien tech enhancing his abilities and beautiful women at his side, Alaric sets his sights higher than just buying his freedom. The guilds that exploited him, the nobles who looked down on him, the system that kept him chained, they are all about to discover what happens when the underdog gains real power.
Forget five-credit repairs, Alaric's about to carve out an empire of his own, one dangerous mission and passionate encounter at a time.
Trapped by crushing debt in the ancients-powered city of Alnda, Alaric barely scrapes by on five-credit repairs and monster scavenging. Gaining his freedom feels more impossible by the day, until he discovers a forbidden alien AI.
Crimson Death isn’t just a program, it is self-aware and pissed that it lost the war against humanity. He offers Alaric a simple power in exchange for partnership. The catch? Put him out in the sun to recharge his battery.
First order of business? A history lesson and a whole new understanding of the monsters haunting his world, and the lies it is built on. The second? Teaching him how to grow monster cores into mech frames and build them.
Alongside CD, Alaric isn't just surviving, no, he is thriving. And the women around him are taking notice. So are those who want to use him.
Elli, the brilliant engineer best friend, finally gets the man she's been waiting for. Seo Rin, a capable scavenger with black market connections, finds his new confidence irresistible. Dame Yesabel, a fierce knight tired of noble games, sees something worth fighting for.
With alien tech enhancing his abilities and beautiful women at his side, Alaric sets his sights higher than just buying his freedom. The guilds that exploited him, the nobles who looked down on him, the system that kept him chained, they are all about to discover what happens when the underdog gains real power.
Forget five-credit repairs, Alaric's about to carve out an empire of his own, one dangerous mission and passionate encounter at a time.
488 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2025
601 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 29, 2025
This book is pretty average for haremlit. It had a few pluses, and a few minuses, and overall it just didn't satisfy me.
The MC is a serf in a post-apocalyptic world of Earth that not only had a massive alien invasion, but the collapse of society. There were some definite Fallout type scenes, even down to the lockpicking and hacking of computer terminals. The Earth was well into the future, doing genetic manipulation and having massive mech frames used to combat the aliens. And the MC ends up finding an alien AI device that hurts the story more than it helps. Just the AI's constant whining and complaining alone was reason to not have it in the story. Throw in the MC getting contaminated with an alien mutagen and not just surviving it but getting much stronger, and this one was starting to go off the rails.
The MC has 3 lovers by the end of the book, 2 of which have agreed to share him. One is a lifelong friend that's been trying to bed the MC for years. The other is someone he just met for the first time, and immediately they start to flirt and eventually have sex. The woman not a part of the harem but a lover owns a bakery, is older, and so far feels like her purpose is throwaway sex scenes. Sadly, hers are probably the best sex scenes in the book. There is a fourth woman sniffing around, a female mech "Knight" that flirts badly, and then tries to be all friendly. That one feels weird, but sounds like a guaranteed one in the next book.
The book just doesn't flow right. At times it feels like the two authors took turns writing parts, and had different visions of where the story was going.
I will not be reading a sequel to this.
The MC is a serf in a post-apocalyptic world of Earth that not only had a massive alien invasion, but the collapse of society. There were some definite Fallout type scenes, even down to the lockpicking and hacking of computer terminals. The Earth was well into the future, doing genetic manipulation and having massive mech frames used to combat the aliens. And the MC ends up finding an alien AI device that hurts the story more than it helps. Just the AI's constant whining and complaining alone was reason to not have it in the story. Throw in the MC getting contaminated with an alien mutagen and not just surviving it but getting much stronger, and this one was starting to go off the rails.
The MC has 3 lovers by the end of the book, 2 of which have agreed to share him. One is a lifelong friend that's been trying to bed the MC for years. The other is someone he just met for the first time, and immediately they start to flirt and eventually have sex. The woman not a part of the harem but a lover owns a bakery, is older, and so far feels like her purpose is throwaway sex scenes. Sadly, hers are probably the best sex scenes in the book. There is a fourth woman sniffing around, a female mech "Knight" that flirts badly, and then tries to be all friendly. That one feels weird, but sounds like a guaranteed one in the next book.
The book just doesn't flow right. At times it feels like the two authors took turns writing parts, and had different visions of where the story was going.
I will not be reading a sequel to this.
July 5, 2025
Feel like I need a shower
So I made it to 30% in this book and DNF. Honestly even hitting that 30 felt like a chore. The MC just comes across as a complete sleezeball. Every opportunity he had, even when it made no sense to in the situation, he was making sexual innuendos or overt statements. Literally the guy is the walking epitome of “god gave men two heads and only enough blood to run one at a time”.
He managed to come across as so sleazy that I genuinely felt dirty reading his interactions, and not in a good way.
So I made it to 30% in this book and DNF. Honestly even hitting that 30 felt like a chore. The MC just comes across as a complete sleezeball. Every opportunity he had, even when it made no sense to in the situation, he was making sexual innuendos or overt statements. Literally the guy is the walking epitome of “god gave men two heads and only enough blood to run one at a time”.
He managed to come across as so sleazy that I genuinely felt dirty reading his interactions, and not in a good way.
June 25, 2025
It reads like AI wrote this
It reads like an AI wrote this. At least, I am hoping an AI wrote this because otherwise some human is illiterate and still decided to write this.
I quit at 8%. The MC is a character I would not let pick up dog crap in my neighbor's yard. It was obvious that most of this book was only going to be about how good looking the MC is and all his girlfriends that throw themselves at him just because he exists. The MC couldn't go a single page without looking at or commenting on a female character.
I quit when the MC was describing a small bridge with vandalized small hand holes.
I have no clue what that means and I don't think I should have to try to decipher this book as a consumer. The author should have to pay readers to read this.
It reads like an AI wrote this. At least, I am hoping an AI wrote this because otherwise some human is illiterate and still decided to write this.
I quit at 8%. The MC is a character I would not let pick up dog crap in my neighbor's yard. It was obvious that most of this book was only going to be about how good looking the MC is and all his girlfriends that throw themselves at him just because he exists. The MC couldn't go a single page without looking at or commenting on a female character.
I quit when the MC was describing a small bridge with vandalized small hand holes.
I have no clue what that means and I don't think I should have to try to decipher this book as a consumer. The author should have to pay readers to read this.
March 22, 2026
Okay, the good part here is that the setting is basically steampunk Fallout with kaiju. Which is awesome, in case that's not clear. (Although it does need a huge chunk of suspension of disbelief. Which I guess goes with the territory of being steampunk Fallout with kaiju.)
The bad part is that there isn't a huge amount to sell this book *other* than the setting. I got about halfway through before deciding that other than the asshole AI, I just...really didn't want to hear any more about these characters, particularly the protagonist who is just the right mix of impulsive and blind to really get on my nerves. So DNF.
Cool setting though.
The bad part is that there isn't a huge amount to sell this book *other* than the setting. I got about halfway through before deciding that other than the asshole AI, I just...really didn't want to hear any more about these characters, particularly the protagonist who is just the right mix of impulsive and blind to really get on my nerves. So DNF.
Cool setting though.
January 28, 2026
great start
Ok so the story and world are top tier along with the characters. the dynamics between the Mc.and the murder Ai . The girls are all lovable in their own ways and I can't wait for more from them. I love Monster Mecs., we definitely need more.
I hope for more from the series
The audio version is top notch. The production quality is great. The quality of the voice is really good. The voice actor has a way with accents and voice transitions.
I recommend the audio version but if that is a little out of your price range definitely get the ebook
Ok so the story and world are top tier along with the characters. the dynamics between the Mc.and the murder Ai . The girls are all lovable in their own ways and I can't wait for more from them. I love Monster Mecs., we definitely need more.
I hope for more from the series
The audio version is top notch. The production quality is great. The quality of the voice is really good. The voice actor has a way with accents and voice transitions.
I recommend the audio version but if that is a little out of your price range definitely get the ebook
November 26, 2025
Boring
Way too little going on. Really hard to get invested in the characters. The world building doesn't make any sense. The MC does crafting, forging, and working with advanced tools, but they keep harping (over and over) about how the current tech is so low and there is so much they can't do. Even going so far as to say they can only easily make water clocks? Just dumb.
I'm out
Way too little going on. Really hard to get invested in the characters. The world building doesn't make any sense. The MC does crafting, forging, and working with advanced tools, but they keep harping (over and over) about how the current tech is so low and there is so much they can't do. Even going so far as to say they can only easily make water clocks? Just dumb.
I'm out
August 29, 2025
Huge fan of the Fallout series on Netflix and this breathes wonderful new tales into the lore. I really felt I was walking the land of Fallout again with the details of guilds, noble houses, serfs and such that I wanted to experience so much more of when the initial drop from Netflix ended. Looking forward to reading Book2 and seeing the world to come to life even more!
October 8, 2025
RPG-lit! Blech!
I do not like RPG lit. For those that do, this isn't terrible. It is full of stat numbers., poor dialog, and tepid erotica. There are some very good passages and a bit of wit and imagination.. It is not the worst of the genre, I was hoping for a steam punk tale and got this.
Buyer beware! Of opt-out is your thing? Enjoy!
I do not like RPG lit. For those that do, this isn't terrible. It is full of stat numbers., poor dialog, and tepid erotica. There are some very good passages and a bit of wit and imagination.. It is not the worst of the genre, I was hoping for a steam punk tale and got this.
Buyer beware! Of opt-out is your thing? Enjoy!
June 18, 2025
Love the setting
This is very clearly fallout inspired with a sprinkling of Mech on top of it, and I'm all for it. Love all the characters, and the next book sounds like it's going to take it up a notch.
This is very clearly fallout inspired with a sprinkling of Mech on top of it, and I'm all for it. Love all the characters, and the next book sounds like it's going to take it up a notch.
June 29, 2025
Great Story bad MC
This is a decent story, wonderful world, really interesting characters but the worst MC ever. Like if they got rid of the MC and just left everyone else, the story would be 100 times better.
This is a decent story, wonderful world, really interesting characters but the worst MC ever. Like if they got rid of the MC and just left everyone else, the story would be 100 times better.
July 18, 2025
Pretty bad
I never like to leave poor reviews. But this was pretty bad. Terribly inconsistent and shows a real lack of thought about how the different aspects of the story fit together.
Sorry.
I never like to leave poor reviews. But this was pretty bad. Terribly inconsistent and shows a real lack of thought about how the different aspects of the story fit together.
Sorry.
July 30, 2025
An excellent beginning!!
An absolutely awesome mixing of an apocalypse and fantasy adventure!!! Great characters, exceptional beginnings of this world !! I really enjoyed the throwbacks to America and how realistic the regression of humanity felt!!!!
An absolutely awesome mixing of an apocalypse and fantasy adventure!!! Great characters, exceptional beginnings of this world !! I really enjoyed the throwbacks to America and how realistic the regression of humanity felt!!!!
August 23, 2025
Fair
A somewhat interesting world.
Some interesting characters, some not interesting characters.
Hopefully the authors develop this more instead of falling into the traps of bad harem fic.
A somewhat interesting world.
Some interesting characters, some not interesting characters.
Hopefully the authors develop this more instead of falling into the traps of bad harem fic.
December 25, 2025
Borrowed with kindle unlimited. Borrowed with Kindle Unlimited, read with Alexa audio assist. EOTWAWKI. Tech salvagers try to make a better world for themselves. A male harem tale, several graphic sex episodes.
June 21, 2025
LITRPG, and spice
Adventure, and spice. It’s a simple story with action, and spice. What else could you want. It was a nice easy read.
Adventure, and spice. It’s a simple story with action, and spice. What else could you want. It was a nice easy read.
June 29, 2025
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Read
July 3, 2025Really liked it.
July 14, 2025
Outstanding, a huge amount of fun
This story was outstanding and amazing fun. So many twists and turns, I was hooked from the start, great fun, more please!
This story was outstanding and amazing fun. So many twists and turns, I was hooked from the start, great fun, more please!
July 18, 2025
Not your usual LitRPG
It took me a while to get into the vibe of this story, but once I was in, I was hooked.
Now I've gotta read the rest!
It took me a while to get into the vibe of this story, but once I was in, I was hooked.
Now I've gotta read the rest!
July 30, 2025
Meh?
So....retro medieval fallout.. With a MC who is immediately the love interest for everyone with a vagina. Big minus for the "make America great again" quip.
So....retro medieval fallout.. With a MC who is immediately the love interest for everyone with a vagina. Big minus for the "make America great again" quip.
September 16, 2025
An exceptional read. Alaric's adventures keep you gripped. The setting and worldbuilding is delightful. I can't wait for more!
December 17, 2025
Pretty fun mashup of MechWarrior, Evangelion, and like six other things. I liked it
July 1, 2025
It’s a reasonably interesting world, but the characters are crap. It also goes to a weird place near the end, which didn’t fit with the rest of it. Not sure I’d recommend.
July 28, 2025
Too much horndoggery, not enough story, plus some plot twists that are 'weird'. You find a weird AI thingie AND you get a mutagen, all at the same time.
DNF
DNF
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews