The Apocalypse is a Side Quest: Book Two

The Apocalypse is a Side Quest #2

by Liam Lawless

Some heroes save the world. Nathan's busy fixing the irrigation system.Nathan—the apocalypse's strongest man with an inexplicable talent for fishing—has a problem with priorities. After being separated from his allies during the final battle of the first circle, he's trapped in the second circle—an endless desert wasteland where survivors have cobbled together a fragile kingdom on the brink of collapse. And there’s something worse hiding in the the Dustend, a magical storm strong enough to rip through Nathan's Constitution like tissue paper.

The main goal is avoid the arcane tempest and find his way to the Third Circle before it's too late.

But Nathan's attention? Thoroughly elsewhere.

There's a dying city-state to save, with farms to repair (the blue window promised him XP!), political factions to navigate, and a gang war between magical fish that desperately needs his intervention. Will the countless hours Nathan spent on farming simulators back on Earth somehow save a people on the brink? Or will his remarkable talent for getting distracted by optional objectives finally lead him fish-first into oblivion?

498 pages, Hardcover

Published September 22, 2025

Reviews

[Luis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a different vibe

This felt like book 2 and 3 at once, which wasnt bad, but the pacing was a but strange because of it. In the first hes stressed but still going to do sidequest stuff because he's gotta. 2nd start, some sidequests, and a bit of goofy, but 3rd start hes all serious, aggressive, mean. Makes it hard to like the character, and I know its to set up growth as he accepts he has to be a leader and understand his bloodthirsty side, but it felt like such a break from the beginning of the book for him to forget the folks in his soul town until he needs them and constantly fight with Chad.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Liam Lawless' main character who is so not the usual heroic type, he is Nathan Lee and he is a fisherman who fights his battles with a harpoon and a fishing line. He now finds himself in the 2nd circle, separated from his allies, and in a desert region where all one sees is sand for miles on end, and the boss of the desert is the dustend. The dustend has Nathan in its sight, and it's two red eyes are watching him closely. Nathan wants to kill this boss in order to save the desert people, however as usual he gets distracted by side quests, but in the end he gets the job done. Nathan has a soulbound town with werewolves and mushroom people as its citizens, they are being inundated with refugees, and now Nathan wants to add the desert people to his town. They are a big burden but also a boon as they are experts at urban planning. After killing the dustend Nathan moves on to the 3rd circle where he once again meets up with Chad, one of his old pals, and they come across the survivor camp run by Bree. This set is made up of all human delvers, and they have to work through and defeat a number of dungeons, one more perilous than the next in order to move to the 4th circle. Everyone is hoping to make it someday to the 9th circle and escape this game. Furthermore Nathan is looking for his lost sister, but she is being used to trap him especially by the spies of the Harrowed Hand who are out to kill him. The system is also against him, as it sees him as an anomaly which has to be exterminated, and B32 sets him in his sights. Can Nathan and his people survive all that is getting thrown at them in order to advance to yet another circle? This series just keeps on getting better as Nathan gains in strength and the adventures get more challenging. Will he accept Thallassa's offer to be his mentor or will his stubborness be his downfall? The world is depending on it's number one delver to take them out of the loop.

[Arty · Rating 2 out of 5]

The same as the last book and that's the problem.
The story was fine as well as the side characters. The problem is the MC. He feels like as in imposter syndrome and in reality, reading his thoughts and actions...I agree with him. He is a reluctant hero pushed and forced to take the position of top player. He doesn't want the responsibility as all he wants to do is fish. By mid point of the story; I kind of wished he just did that. He doesn't have the air of leader or someone belonging in the pinnacle of the charts. What he is, a nervous ball of doubtful energy. The 2nd book takes a darker tone and it lack the comedy and wide eye wonder. The system is a rat race where there is no cheese. It's no fun, reading about a system where there is no fairness. Might as well pay against a loaded dice. However, despite all odds (that are stacked against the MC) the main character still comes on top. A lot of last minuet saves and deus ex situation make the story...uninteresting. Also, no one wants to read about main character is is being led and is a reactionary. I think the story ran out of stream and lost most of the magic. I don't about you guys, but I am dropping this book.

[John Stonebraker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: More in just about every way
Content Ratings: Language – R; Violence – PG13; Other – PG13

I really liked the first book, and this one doesn't disappoint. There's more humor, adventure, character development, progression, craziness, and well crafted plot threads than the first book (which wasn't lacking in any of those departments). I'm definitely hooked.

[Josiah Ploeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid Second Book

Another well-written entry in Nathan’s saga. Action is continuous, but things have gotten a bit less fun this time around. Still enjoyed the story, but wish when our MC is offered a giant power up he would at least ask questions rather than plug his ears and yell no repeatedly. Looking forward to seeing what happens next!

[Corrin Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fantastic continuation

Such a fantastic continuation of the story. More world building, hints at the MCs past, and more interaction with new characters. If you enjoyed the first one this is just a beautiful continuation. Now the wait for the next one.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some disappointing choices and a pile up of plot threads made this book less fun than the first.

There are just enough satisfying moments (some comedic some character driven and some action) to keep me reading despite the bumps.

[Gari Thesnale · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was good but…

It’s still a good series and of course I’m gonna get eh 3rd book but this one just wasn’t up to the first book