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Ether Collapse #5
Emulation: A Post-Apocalyptic LitRPG
The Mechano Lord’s Leader is finally locked out—but Earth is far from safe. Just as survival seems within reach, Gaia’s true Monsters come calling.
Rockland ‘Rocky’ Barkclay is done playing nice. With the Guild Collective’s invasion looming, humanity needs to level up—but old-world politics are slowing progress. While Sela maneuvers the political powers, Rocky does what he does smash through problems and grind for strength.
Focusing on his Territory, Dungeon Development, and Place of Power, Rocky finally sees real gains. But have Gaia’s monsters just been in hiding? Across the world, ancient forces stir, and hordes spill from hidden strongholds. If Rocky doesn’t act, there won’t be a world left to defend when the invasion arrives.
Level his domain or fight back the apocalypse—who says he can’t do both?
Rockland ‘Rocky’ Barkclay is done playing nice. With the Guild Collective’s invasion looming, humanity needs to level up—but old-world politics are slowing progress. While Sela maneuvers the political powers, Rocky does what he does smash through problems and grind for strength.
Focusing on his Territory, Dungeon Development, and Place of Power, Rocky finally sees real gains. But have Gaia’s monsters just been in hiding? Across the world, ancient forces stir, and hordes spill from hidden strongholds. If Rocky doesn’t act, there won’t be a world left to defend when the invasion arrives.
Level his domain or fight back the apocalypse—who says he can’t do both?
- GenresFantasy
654 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2025
127 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Ryan DeBruyn
21 books231 followersRyan DeBruyn - Author of the Amazon best-selling series Ether Collapse, Ether Flows, and System Misinterpret.
Ryan is a relatively new author but has already reached the best-seller status in multiple categories. Find out why and start your adventure below!
Ryan is a relatively new author but has already reached the best-seller status in multiple categories. Find out why and start your adventure below!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 14, 2025
Hot damn
I told myself I was going to enjoy this one. Take it slow, read through it a few chapters at a time, over the course of a week or two.
Well, here we are, 12 hrs later and me speaking into the universe, hoping the writing gods hear me and answer, WHEN'S THE NEXT ONE???
I told myself I was going to enjoy this one. Take it slow, read through it a few chapters at a time, over the course of a week or two.
Well, here we are, 12 hrs later and me speaking into the universe, hoping the writing gods hear me and answer, WHEN'S THE NEXT ONE???
June 11, 2025
great addition to the series
This was an awesome book! Loved the progression and looking forward to book 6 now! Can’t wait to see what happens next to Azoth!
This was an awesome book! Loved the progression and looking forward to book 6 now! Can’t wait to see what happens next to Azoth!
June 29, 2025
Excellent Continuation!
I’m really glad Ryan DeBruyn decided to come back to this series. Emulation is a strong addition that moves the story forward in a big way. The plot progresses a lot, and it does so in a way that feels satisfying. Characters grow, decisions have weight, and things actually happen—which isn't always the case in longer series.
One thing that stood out to me was how real some of the situations felt. There’s a scene in a meeting room where the people involved are clearly more interested in posturing than solving anything, and that just rang true to me. I’ve been in rooms like that. It’s small details like that that made the story feel grounded, even while it’s dealing with all the LitRPG elements.
On a personal note, this series has meant a lot to me. It was one of the first LitRPG series I ever got into, and it was also the first one I read where the main character used to be a professional athlete. That detail stuck with me, and it still makes the story stand out in a genre full of similar setups.
Definitely recommend this one if you've been following the series.
I’m really glad Ryan DeBruyn decided to come back to this series. Emulation is a strong addition that moves the story forward in a big way. The plot progresses a lot, and it does so in a way that feels satisfying. Characters grow, decisions have weight, and things actually happen—which isn't always the case in longer series.
One thing that stood out to me was how real some of the situations felt. There’s a scene in a meeting room where the people involved are clearly more interested in posturing than solving anything, and that just rang true to me. I’ve been in rooms like that. It’s small details like that that made the story feel grounded, even while it’s dealing with all the LitRPG elements.
On a personal note, this series has meant a lot to me. It was one of the first LitRPG series I ever got into, and it was also the first one I read where the main character used to be a professional athlete. That detail stuck with me, and it still makes the story stand out in a genre full of similar setups.
Definitely recommend this one if you've been following the series.
June 27, 2025
Emulation
After finding Atlantis, Rocky has been able to prevent the Mechano Lords from sending any signals or more conversation seeds through to Earth. The problem is that millions of people have already been converted and can be activated as soon as the Mechano Lords invasion clears the atmosphere. With Sela being tied up in politics at the Atlantean Council, Rocky returns to the Grotto. There is a guild to manage, dungeons to develop, and levels to be had.
This is such a fun post apocalyptic litrpg series! Rocky and Sela are great, but Azoth steals the show! The action is solid and the new elements fit in well with the story. The dungeons are very entertaining. I know it bothers some people, but the language filter and its effect on the characters crack me up! I’m ready for the next one! Luke Daniels did a fantastic job with the narration!
Content warning: none
After finding Atlantis, Rocky has been able to prevent the Mechano Lords from sending any signals or more conversation seeds through to Earth. The problem is that millions of people have already been converted and can be activated as soon as the Mechano Lords invasion clears the atmosphere. With Sela being tied up in politics at the Atlantean Council, Rocky returns to the Grotto. There is a guild to manage, dungeons to develop, and levels to be had.
This is such a fun post apocalyptic litrpg series! Rocky and Sela are great, but Azoth steals the show! The action is solid and the new elements fit in well with the story. The dungeons are very entertaining. I know it bothers some people, but the language filter and its effect on the characters crack me up! I’m ready for the next one! Luke Daniels did a fantastic job with the narration!
Content warning: none
July 8, 2025
Happy to see this continue!
The series continues, and is very different from the first book with Rockland finding himself lost in a familiar world that was oh-so-different after the Ether Collapse. Now he’s one of the strongest on earth and still feeling the need to defend everyone he cares about. And there is a future invasion to prepare for…
The series continues, and is very different from the first book with Rockland finding himself lost in a familiar world that was oh-so-different after the Ether Collapse. Now he’s one of the strongest on earth and still feeling the need to defend everyone he cares about. And there is a future invasion to prepare for…
July 19, 2025
Was Really Excited To See Another Installment In This Series. Entertaining As Always
Quite a bit going on without being overwhelming. Lots of good progression with the main characters. Personal growth and ability development is well done. Gradually digging into the expanse of this universe. An entertaining ride as always, can’t wait to start the next one.
Quite a bit going on without being overwhelming. Lots of good progression with the main characters. Personal growth and ability development is well done. Gradually digging into the expanse of this universe. An entertaining ride as always, can’t wait to start the next one.
August 2, 2025
good story arc
It’s very good and I enjoyed most of it. I felt it dragged a little at the beginning but that might have just been myself re-familiarizing myself with this story and world. The story progressed well and there was a decent mystery that resolved at the end.
It’s very good and I enjoyed most of it. I felt it dragged a little at the beginning but that might have just been myself re-familiarizing myself with this story and world. The story progressed well and there was a decent mystery that resolved at the end.
Currently reading
June 13, 2025Did you see that book 5 came out two days ago on both Audible and Amazon?!
June 21, 2025
Good book
Another strong installment in the series. Personal growth of MC, some RTS and base building, and believable battles. The MC is relatable and of good character.
Another strong installment in the series. Personal growth of MC, some RTS and base building, and believable battles. The MC is relatable and of good character.
didn-t-like-it
September 13, 2025Note to self: don’t know what, but the beginning was so good and these last two just… not. I’m done with this series.
January 10, 2026
Great book
Stellar work once again from Ryan DeBruyn! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to the next one!
Stellar work once again from Ryan DeBruyn! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to the next one!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews