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The System Apocalypse #1-3
The System Apocalypse Books 1-3
What happens when the apocalypse arrives, not via nuclear weapons or a comet but as Levels and monsters? What if you were camping in the Yukon when the world ended?
All John wanted to do was get away from his life in Kluane National Park for a weekend. Hike, camp and chill. Instead, the world comes to an end in a series of blue boxes. Animals start evolving, monsters start spawning and he gains a character sheet along with physics defying skills. Now, John has to survive the apocalypse with all the world's electronics not working, get back to civilization and defeat the monsters and aliens eyeing his city.
But survival is not as easy as killing your way out of the nearest monster horde. The apocalypse will throw new challenges every step of the way and there are aliens - both friendly and contentious - that must be dealt with. And, as always, humanity will be its own greatest enemy.
This collection contains the first three books of the highly rated System Apocalypse series (Life in the North, Redeemer of the Dead and the Cost of Survival) and completes the first arc - Whitehorse and the Yukon.
The System Apocalypse contains elements of games like level ups, experience, enchanted materials, a sarcastic spirit, mecha, a beguiling dark elf, monsters, minotaurs, a fiery red head and a semi-realistic view on violence and its effects. Does not include harems.
All John wanted to do was get away from his life in Kluane National Park for a weekend. Hike, camp and chill. Instead, the world comes to an end in a series of blue boxes. Animals start evolving, monsters start spawning and he gains a character sheet along with physics defying skills. Now, John has to survive the apocalypse with all the world's electronics not working, get back to civilization and defeat the monsters and aliens eyeing his city.
But survival is not as easy as killing your way out of the nearest monster horde. The apocalypse will throw new challenges every step of the way and there are aliens - both friendly and contentious - that must be dealt with. And, as always, humanity will be its own greatest enemy.
This collection contains the first three books of the highly rated System Apocalypse series (Life in the North, Redeemer of the Dead and the Cost of Survival) and completes the first arc - Whitehorse and the Yukon.
The System Apocalypse contains elements of games like level ups, experience, enchanted materials, a sarcastic spirit, mecha, a beguiling dark elf, monsters, minotaurs, a fiery red head and a semi-realistic view on violence and its effects. Does not include harems.
916 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2023
607 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Tao Wong
139 books958 followersTao Wong is the author of the A Thousand Li progression fantasy series and the System Apocalypse LitRPG series, among others. His work has been released in audio, paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats, and translated into German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and several other languages. He was shortlisted for the UK Kindle Storyteller Award in 2021 for A Thousand Li: The Second Sect. In 2026, the first three books in the A Thousand Li series will be republished in hardcover by Ace Books.
When he’s not writing or working, he enjoys practicing martial arts, reading, and dreaming up new worlds. He lives in Toronto, Canada.
When he’s not writing or working, he enjoys practicing martial arts, reading, and dreaming up new worlds. He lives in Toronto, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 17, 2021
Addictive Read
Characters draw you in to read non-stop.
Really liked that it was set somewhere else than in America and featured characters that were not European.
Characters draw you in to read non-stop.
Really liked that it was set somewhere else than in America and featured characters that were not European.
March 27, 2024
such personal trauma and anguish
Feel bad story. MC is angry, full f pain unable to cope with people. It’s a story of an unlikeable mc. Ugh
Feel bad story. MC is angry, full f pain unable to cope with people. It’s a story of an unlikeable mc. Ugh
February 21, 2025
Book 1 - Life in the North ⭐⭐
Book 2 - Redeemer of the Dead ⭐⭐
Book 3 - The Cost of Survival ⭐
🙄
Book 2 - Redeemer of the Dead ⭐⭐
Book 3 - The Cost of Survival ⭐
🙄
January 23, 2022
How to survive the end of life as we know it
This sub genre is still new to me. I am still curious where the author is going with the story. So I rated it average.
I like the type story it is. The changes that come along thru each book drive the next part of the story.
This sub genre is still new to me. I am still curious where the author is going with the story. So I rated it average.
I like the type story it is. The changes that come along thru each book drive the next part of the story.
January 7, 2021
Read the first book, then bought the whole series !
Simply an excellent author and great story.
Looks like I will be busy considering the size of his current catalog !
:)
Simply an excellent author and great story.
Looks like I will be busy considering the size of his current catalog !
:)
October 30, 2024
I really enjoy the world of Tao Wong's System Apocalypse and was happy to give this spin off a try. But this story is not even close to being on the same level as the original.
The MC spends the entire series regretting everything she says. "That came out harsher than I intended" "I didn't mean to be that sarcastic" "I shouldn't have snapped at him" It feels like she regrets ever talking to others. But I'll give it to K.T. Hanna, the MC is consistent. She whines and complains about everything for the entire trilogy. Zero character growth.
From the LitRPG side of things, we get a lot of interaction with the system shop and there's a few chapters discussing classes but neither the MC nor her son are seen really mastering their classes.
For the first two books it really felt like there was a going to be a lot of story to share, that this could be another 10 or 12 book series. It felt like it was being setup to be a long series. Then book three ties up like two of the story lines and abruptly ends not even a year into the story which left me feeling very unsatisfied.
Gets a second star because I really liked the pet wombats and dog.
The MC spends the entire series regretting everything she says. "That came out harsher than I intended" "I didn't mean to be that sarcastic" "I shouldn't have snapped at him" It feels like she regrets ever talking to others. But I'll give it to K.T. Hanna, the MC is consistent. She whines and complains about everything for the entire trilogy. Zero character growth.
From the LitRPG side of things, we get a lot of interaction with the system shop and there's a few chapters discussing classes but neither the MC nor her son are seen really mastering their classes.
For the first two books it really felt like there was a going to be a lot of story to share, that this could be another 10 or 12 book series. It felt like it was being setup to be a long series. Then book three ties up like two of the story lines and abruptly ends not even a year into the story which left me feeling very unsatisfied.
Gets a second star because I really liked the pet wombats and dog.
August 8, 2025
I managed to read this in just a few days, which seems to indicate a real interest in what was presented. And I did enjoy it. Maybe not the best of Litrpgs I've read but solid. The main character spends a lot of time stuck in his own misery that book three helps try to develop him out of but you've spent a lot of time there by then. Seems like there were a lot of "I'm going to work on helping, but then eh, maybe not" bouncing on some points where he could have been more in on relationship/politics/etc. But again, the author did seem to have a structured why on that, I think because I'm used to, well, not massive sprawling litrpg series I expect growth a bit quicker maybe?
Nice quick easy to follow action, but a lot of the gamelit stuff was there - stats and whatnot, but the author kindly buried a lot of the less meaningful things noting something like (paraphrased) "if you can do it does it matter if you have the skill or what the number is."
Nice quick easy to follow action, but a lot of the gamelit stuff was there - stats and whatnot, but the author kindly buried a lot of the less meaningful things noting something like (paraphrased) "if you can do it does it matter if you have the skill or what the number is."
April 4, 2024
Wirse than I remembered.
I never LOVED this series, but I remembered liking it, despite its faults.
However, I read and listened to it on Audible this time and I could barely force myself to finish it.
The main character is just the worst. Whenever he isn’t flagellating himself for his perceived mistakes, he’s locking himself alone in the dark and using his own tears as lube while he wallows in his own misery.
It isn’t fun to read and it is seriously annoying to listen to.
I’d say about 2/3rds of this book is just him being insufferable. The rest is actually enjoyable to read. If the book didn’t have the main character in it, I’d give it at least one more star.
I never LOVED this series, but I remembered liking it, despite its faults.
However, I read and listened to it on Audible this time and I could barely force myself to finish it.
The main character is just the worst. Whenever he isn’t flagellating himself for his perceived mistakes, he’s locking himself alone in the dark and using his own tears as lube while he wallows in his own misery.
It isn’t fun to read and it is seriously annoying to listen to.
I’d say about 2/3rds of this book is just him being insufferable. The rest is actually enjoyable to read. If the book didn’t have the main character in it, I’d give it at least one more star.
August 15, 2024
Really fun universe and books
This is a really interesting universe. Loved the characters, the action, the magic and leveling system etc. Lots of action, adventure, cool creatures, etc. There are definitely some twists and turns in the books to keep you sucked into the story that really work. I really enjoyed these books and definitely recommend this series.
This is a really interesting universe. Loved the characters, the action, the magic and leveling system etc. Lots of action, adventure, cool creatures, etc. There are definitely some twists and turns in the books to keep you sucked into the story that really work. I really enjoyed these books and definitely recommend this series.
October 28, 2025
This is a great spin off of SA.
Just a word of warning...this is a stand alone book of The System Apocalypse. If you want to get the deep dive of the System...read the Original books.
Kira is amazing! The book keeps you moving with the action. You feel for Kira and the feelings she has to go thru with protecting her kids. Im looking forward to the next books!
Just a word of warning...this is a stand alone book of The System Apocalypse. If you want to get the deep dive of the System...read the Original books.
Kira is amazing! The book keeps you moving with the action. You feel for Kira and the feelings she has to go thru with protecting her kids. Im looking forward to the next books!
January 5, 2024
An Ending & A Start
Some wonderful action in this, and I love upgrades although the political bit being necessary still slows things a bit. With this arc finishing but opening up more it looks even more promising.
Some wonderful action in this, and I love upgrades although the political bit being necessary still slows things a bit. With this arc finishing but opening up more it looks even more promising.
September 4, 2025
Well written compelling RPG Fantasy!
I can understand how some don’t like the lead character. I imagine my ex wife wouldn’t but she didn’t get me either. I am really enjoying this series. The actions, emotions and thoughts of the protagonist are very human and real.
I can understand how some don’t like the lead character. I imagine my ex wife wouldn’t but she didn’t get me either. I am really enjoying this series. The actions, emotions and thoughts of the protagonist are very human and real.
January 4, 2026
Overall, this series start has a well thought-out and interesting world. The MC's constant anger, while understandable, was also frustrating and distracted from the story. I'm hopeful that there will be some character growth in future books, so I'll continue with the series.
November 19, 2022
Fun read
A enjoyable read. Found the development of the characters fun and looking forward to the continued growth. Interesting combination of science and fantasy elements.
A enjoyable read. Found the development of the characters fun and looking forward to the continued growth. Interesting combination of science and fantasy elements.
August 23, 2024
Interesting concept book
I enjoyed the book and the author has an interesting concept for a post apocalyptic genre, I look forward to were it's going, definitely recommend reading
I enjoyed the book and the author has an interesting concept for a post apocalyptic genre, I look forward to were it's going, definitely recommend reading
October 18, 2025
exciting read
It’s rare I finish a series, one that holds my attention all the way through. This book did that all the way.
It’s rare I finish a series, one that holds my attention all the way through. This book did that all the way.
January 6, 2020
A great twist on Portal Dungeon adventuring
It’s hard to describe what I liked about the 3 book series without spoiling it for others.
So, a very good read on a guy who gets thrown into the familiar change of a magic infused realm with all the familiarity of home. The leveling we all know and love with magic and high technology. All meshed very well together. I am getting the 4th book now to read.
It’s hard to describe what I liked about the 3 book series without spoiling it for others.
So, a very good read on a guy who gets thrown into the familiar change of a magic infused realm with all the familiarity of home. The leveling we all know and love with magic and high technology. All meshed very well together. I am getting the 4th book now to read.
January 20, 2020
Well thought out series
Absolutely love the concept and execution of this litrpg story. Great characters, strong story lines. The fact that there is real emotion in the characters is refreshing.
Absolutely love the concept and execution of this litrpg story. Great characters, strong story lines. The fact that there is real emotion in the characters is refreshing.
January 3, 2020
Enjoying the series .. lots more to come
I’ve actually read some books written after that are very similar .. this genre has become incredibly popular .. The main protagonist has a serious anger problem which is new, with things changing I’m looking forward to book 4 .. worth a read
I’ve actually read some books written after that are very similar .. this genre has become incredibly popular .. The main protagonist has a serious anger problem which is new, with things changing I’m looking forward to book 4 .. worth a read
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews