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The Years of Apocalypse: A Progression Fantasy Epic
A new time-loop progression fantasy perfect for fans of Mother of Learning, Apocalypse Redux, and Arcane Ascension.
Become a Master Arcanist. Uncover the truth. Stop the apocalypse.
Mirian Castrella, a senior student at magical academy, had a plan to become an artificer to support her struggling family, but when the Akana Praediar army betrays her country in a surprise attack, everything changes.
Instead, Mirian unexpectedly finds herself caught in a time loop and haunted by strange dreams of the Elder Gods.
Only through becoming a master arcanist who understands the true nature of the world can Mirian hope to stop the apocalypse she relives through time-and-time again.
If she fails, everything she loves will be lost...
Jump into this new time-loop progression fantasy and join Mirian as she navigates a dangerous world changed by the magitech revolution. It's perfect for fans of Mother of Learning, The Stubborn Skill-Grinder In a Time Loop, and The Perfect Run.
What to
- Slow-burn power progression
- A clever protagonist who changes as the story moves from arc to arc
- Expansive world-building full of complexity and secrets
- A deep focus on magic
- Intrigue and spell-flinging fights
- A rotating cast of characters in each arc
- Starts slow, then picks up speed
Become a Master Arcanist. Uncover the truth. Stop the apocalypse.
Mirian Castrella, a senior student at magical academy, had a plan to become an artificer to support her struggling family, but when the Akana Praediar army betrays her country in a surprise attack, everything changes.
Instead, Mirian unexpectedly finds herself caught in a time loop and haunted by strange dreams of the Elder Gods.
Only through becoming a master arcanist who understands the true nature of the world can Mirian hope to stop the apocalypse she relives through time-and-time again.
If she fails, everything she loves will be lost...
Jump into this new time-loop progression fantasy and join Mirian as she navigates a dangerous world changed by the magitech revolution. It's perfect for fans of Mother of Learning, The Stubborn Skill-Grinder In a Time Loop, and The Perfect Run.
What to
- Slow-burn power progression
- A clever protagonist who changes as the story moves from arc to arc
- Expansive world-building full of complexity and secrets
- A deep focus on magic
- Intrigue and spell-flinging fights
- A rotating cast of characters in each arc
- Starts slow, then picks up speed
788 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 30, 2026
4/5
If you love Mother of learning you owe it to yourself to give this one a try.
Heavily inspired by mother of learning and is a Time loop at a magic school very interesting magic in World building
If you love Mother of learning you owe it to yourself to give this one a try.
Heavily inspired by mother of learning and is a Time loop at a magic school very interesting magic in World building
July 6, 2026
Best time loop I've read
The concept is very similar to mother of learning. But to execution is superior in my opinion. The character has a bit more depth of personality, and is more impacted emotionally by the time loop. There are a lot of questions and unknowns about the MC's past And I'm excited for the next books release!
The concept is very similar to mother of learning. But to execution is superior in my opinion. The character has a bit more depth of personality, and is more impacted emotionally by the time loop. There are a lot of questions and unknowns about the MC's past And I'm excited for the next books release!
June 22, 2026
This is a modest start to an excellent series. Like many others here, I've read through the currently available chapters of the webnovel version, and in my opinion this is one of the strongest available time loop stories.
The first book, however, is heavily derivative of Mother of Learning and starts slower than I remembered. Lots of time spent with the protagonist doing things that we as readers know definitely won't be effective, and in this book she's focused on iterating on the big battle over and over.
Not a bad read, but my main thought is how much the series improves from this point.
The first book, however, is heavily derivative of Mother of Learning and starts slower than I remembered. Lots of time spent with the protagonist doing things that we as readers know definitely won't be effective, and in this book she's focused on iterating on the big battle over and over.
Not a bad read, but my main thought is how much the series improves from this point.
June 26, 2026
Very entertaining. Early on I was getting Mother of Learning vibes but it has a very different MC, magic system and world. Through most of the book, I thought that this would be a stand alone book but the end ending shuts that idea down. I liked the MC, I just didn’t get how everyone is romantically interested in her.
July 3, 2026
Amazing writing and great story
The Author does a wonderful job with the storytelling and characters. I was really hooked and had a hard time putting the book down. The writing and editing are great with no issues I could see. The characters are interesting and well developed and no ‘cookie cutter’ or cardboard characters in sight. The story starts out with the appropriate amount of detail but as it progresses is skips forward appropriately so we don’t have to hear all the details of the loops every time. That is good storytelling and I have seen other stories with a time loop concept that struggle with it. The world building and reveal of the wider issues follow perfectly with the character development and don’t just lore dump. That is always a sign of a good author when they can reveal at the proper pacing. The book does set up for the next but was the right length for the first book and gave a very satisfying full story while still leaving you wanting more. Again, kudos to the author for not splitting up this book too early and leaving a huge cliffhanger. I am so happy to find good authors and can’t wait for the next book.
The Author does a wonderful job with the storytelling and characters. I was really hooked and had a hard time putting the book down. The writing and editing are great with no issues I could see. The characters are interesting and well developed and no ‘cookie cutter’ or cardboard characters in sight. The story starts out with the appropriate amount of detail but as it progresses is skips forward appropriately so we don’t have to hear all the details of the loops every time. That is good storytelling and I have seen other stories with a time loop concept that struggle with it. The world building and reveal of the wider issues follow perfectly with the character development and don’t just lore dump. That is always a sign of a good author when they can reveal at the proper pacing. The book does set up for the next but was the right length for the first book and gave a very satisfying full story while still leaving you wanting more. Again, kudos to the author for not splitting up this book too early and leaving a huge cliffhanger. I am so happy to find good authors and can’t wait for the next book.
June 18, 2026
Been reading the webnovel for a while now and love it. Prose and characterization are both miles ahead of what I’ve come to expect in the progression fantasy space. In particular the way religion is integrated into story, world building, and themes is unique in the genre as far as I can tell. The plot is extremely well put together, the way the core mysteries unfold and layer over each other is brilliant, and, of course, the progression in both power and knowledge is perfectly paced and shown.
July 12, 2026
Third time is the charm! I stumbled on the first few chapters as the cast is pretty large and the detailed magic study didn't quite land. The vibe is overwhelmed quiet student with no particular drama to focus on. This meant I needed to be rather invested in her current studies and choice of study methods.
I think about 10% in, the book will catch you. I eagerly read the remaining 90% in about 2 days.
I think about 10% in, the book will catch you. I eagerly read the remaining 90% in about 2 days.
June 24, 2026
loopy
I’m not totally sold on this one. It’s good, and quite kinetic at times. The MC is more physical than the MC in Mother of Learning (the most obvious comparison).
But it is very much slice-of-life for half the book. And for a 5th year student, the MC seems less skilled than I expected.
I’m pretty sure I will read book 2. Just not 100% on recommending it.
I’m not totally sold on this one. It’s good, and quite kinetic at times. The MC is more physical than the MC in Mother of Learning (the most obvious comparison).
But it is very much slice-of-life for half the book. And for a 5th year student, the MC seems less skilled than I expected.
I’m pretty sure I will read book 2. Just not 100% on recommending it.
July 12, 2026
At first I was not sure I was going to like this book, but then I heard the time loop and I was hooked. I felt for her trouble with people believing her the first several loops, especially her best friend. I also found it interesting that not one but two girls liked her, and she liked them back, but not in the same loops. I am excited for the next book when ever it comes out.
June 18, 2026
Excellent fantasy and probably my favorite time loop story
Every character feels real and complex, the world is interesting, and the magic system is flexible but still grounded somehow. The story also just keeps getting better as it goes on.
Every character feels real and complex, the world is interesting, and the magic system is flexible but still grounded somehow. The story also just keeps getting better as it goes on.
June 18, 2026
"For fans of Mother of Leaning" - that's the line that made me read it, and I am so glad I did.
That book is one of my favourite time loop books, and this book is just as good. I want more!
Definitely recommend for fans of Time Loop books.
That book is one of my favourite time loop books, and this book is just as good. I want more!
Definitely recommend for fans of Time Loop books.
June 20, 2026
Story was a very pleasant surprise
If you read this, do not let the academy chapters at the beginning discourage you. This is NOT the standard academy trope! I will not ruin the setup with spoiler. Just know that the wait is well worth it.
If you read this, do not let the academy chapters at the beginning discourage you. This is NOT the standard academy trope! I will not ruin the setup with spoiler. Just know that the wait is well worth it.
June 28, 2026
Different
A very slow start. Nearly gave up but it improved or caught its rhythm. World view and magic system is different enough to be interesting. The teenage angst is acceptable in the long run. The fact that it isn’t wash and repeat is good.
A very slow start. Nearly gave up but it improved or caught its rhythm. World view and magic system is different enough to be interesting. The teenage angst is acceptable in the long run. The fact that it isn’t wash and repeat is good.
July 3, 2026
I enjoyed it, but time stuff is time stuff.
It was one of the better time stories, but it got repetitive (intentional). I liked the main character, I liked the world. I thought the twists were good, but not great. I'm not sure that I will read the second book, but I might.
It was one of the better time stories, but it got repetitive (intentional). I liked the main character, I liked the world. I thought the twists were good, but not great. I'm not sure that I will read the second book, but I might.
July 9, 2026
5 stars!
This is a great time loop where you hold your breath wondering if what she is doing will change the situation the correct way.
And oh wow the world building and character development.
I can't wait for book 2!
This is a great time loop where you hold your breath wondering if what she is doing will change the situation the correct way.
And oh wow the world building and character development.
I can't wait for book 2!
June 16, 2026
Great start to an amazing timeloop adventure
I've read all the way up to B5 of the original on royal road, and loved every chapter.
Absolutely cannot recommend enough
I've read all the way up to B5 of the original on royal road, and loved every chapter.
Absolutely cannot recommend enough
Review of advance copy
Absolute Cinema
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews