Stars Asunder

The System Apocalypse #9

by Tao Wong

All debts come due, eventually.

John made a deal with the Erethran Empire to gain the power he needed.

Now, they’ve come to collect.

Called to the heart of the Empire, John finds himself trapped in a world of military might, political games, and System-powered ambition. Every decision carries consequences, and every ally has their own agenda.

The Empire wants something from him. The question is whether John can pay the price without losing himself.

Because in a galaxy ruled by power, even one stubborn human can change everything.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

Space opera LitRPG
Alien civilizations and galactic empires
Leveling, skills, classes, and stat progression
System quests, powers, and progression mechanics
Interstellar warfare and epic battles
Complete series

Stars Asunder is the ninth book in The System Apocalypse, a bestselling Apocalyptic LitRPG series blending post-apocalyptic survival, space opera, science fiction, fantasy, and deep progression mechanics. Featuring character growth, alien civilizations, interstellar conflicts, evolving powers, epic battles, and the consequences of choices made across the galaxy, this series is perfect for fans of immersive progression fantasy and spacefaring LitRPG adventures.

Genres: Litrpg, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Post Apocalyptic, Adventure

453 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2020

About the author

Tao 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.

Reviews

[Soo · Rating 4 out of 5]

02/03/2021 Notes:

Rating Raised to 4 Stars for Audiobook

I enjoyed the audiobook version more than my first read of the book. The introspective slant of the story worked better in audio format than in print.

Did anyone else notice that Nick Podehl used an accent for John for the first quarter of the book? It was weird. I'm pumped for #10 and will make time to read it soon.

07/06/2020 Notes:

I thought that I would stampede all over this book once it was out. Then I started to read it. Core plot concepts are great but the book lacks a story to go with all of the infodumping details.

- There are grammar/spelling errors that need to be fixed. Several rounds with an editor & proofreader would fix that.
- While I enjoyed the main plot for this installment, I didn't care for the way the story was told. It was a bunch of summaries lined up in a row. I love the concept for John's quest in the series. His desire to understand the System that has reconfigured and taken away the life & world he has known.
- I don't want to read a brainstorm of technical details strung together with a neglected plot line. The plot for this book was great. Did we get to really experience it? No. Neglected plot line is a good way to phrase this book because that would have been an excellent way to experience the Empire with the characters vs getting info dumps.

I'm sure I'll enjoy the audiobook more when it comes out, but even a good narrator cannot make a list of technical details be something it's not.

Broken Council #10 is slated to be out around the end of 2020 or beginning of 2021.

[GaiusPrimus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice continuation of the story, we're being exposed to the greater world of the System one layer at a time, and it's starting to look like we're getting to that center.

Really enjoying the direction the story is going, with a lot more focus on things beyond the next fight. That was fun at the beginning fo the story, but both it and the characters have matured enough that we want to see more meat than eye-candy and these last few chapters in John's story exactly fit that need.

[Russell Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad to say that I enjoyed this more than the last book. It felt like the events of this story actually mattered a bit. Only a bit though.

While not as blatant as the previous book, I still felt like this one was just setting the table for the events to come. As such, I was often bored during many of the battles mid-book. I can't help but see the whole Erethran plot as an aside to the real story, which likely resumes with the next book as we get back to Earth's position in the galactic scheme of things.

[Miguel · Rating 1 out of 5]

First off, search "Tao Wong Trademark" and you'll understand why this guy is a pass.

This particular book isn't good anyway. It's an attempt at that kind of political fantasy that became popular near the start of the 2010's most notably through "A Song of Ice and Fire" but this attempt just isn't clever enough. To say more is to spoil, but honestly you're not missing much, below will spoil.

The MC has to pick an empress because plot fiat. He is offered choices among the leaders of a few factions, all underexplored and one-dimensional. Nobility, Military, Religious faction, that sort of thing. He doesn't pick any of them because Tao Wong is about as original as a Law & Order rerun. What he does is pick his friend-with-benefits. Is this explained with a clever twist, tying together threads and hints which make the choice suddenly inevitable? A revealed association with powers hinted at through murmurs and intrigue? No. She's actually a spy who works for a guy. He's listed as a "Houndmaster" and has the MC dumped on him earlier. It seems like Tao Wong thinks this qualifies as a twist, but it only twists insofar as it is not only unexplained but inexplicable.

The justification we are given is "she's not a general, they don't need a general, they need someone political!" It's not like the buildup was that good, but I wonder what went through Wong's head when he chose this to be the culmination of his plot. Was he just getting tired of writing? Too much strain for his addled mind? Is he unaware this is a bad trope or does he just not care? Regardless, it makes this book so much toilet paper since the whole thing is buildup for a conclusion that falls completely flat.

[Lance Wheeler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where did the story go?

Used to be a story about the mana-fication of earth, and I loved it, now I don't know what it is about. I quit one quarter the way through this book. Was nothing I cared about in the story presented. Gave it two stars only because the series used to be great.

[Arty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook review.
I expected more, but all I got was ... a jumble of the Tao's thoughts, feelings and angst. Truthfully, I don't think Tao Wong has has heart in book 9 and I kinda suspect he is just trying to end System apocalypse. The audiobook was 13 hours long but in reality, if you cut out the fat, it would have been 3 hours long at best.

First issue, the stats. If you ever wanted to know the most comprehensive detail of stats and ability of the MC, this book is for you. If you want to know the the most comprehensive details of stats and ability of the MC's allies, enemies, the mobs, the chair you are sitting or the god damn waiter who is servicing you poutine, then this book is not for you. While it is nice, Tao Wong is trying to give you his environment and characters substance, all that information makes it difficult to enjoy the story. I think 2 hours of the audio book went into describing abilities that as a reader, YOU WILL NOT CARE AND OF FORGET IN 15 SECONDS. I don't need to know that the waiter/the bar room has an ability or runes that allows you to get drunk. I rather if the writer focused on character development then, how much mana or the long ass name of ability the MC uses to enjoy things.

Second issue, The MC's idle thoughts. Have you ever been moments away from an accident, fight or any volatile situation AND THEN decide to have a random thought just before the impeding situation for 5 minuets straight? NO? well then you are not going to enjoy the MC just daze off into the void and think about issues that MAKE NO SENSE WHAT SO EVER. Seriously, a lot of LITRPG writers seem to have the issue where the MC just stands there like a stoke victim during a fight, conversation or just taking a dump. I never in my life, did I decide to think about politics or the ramification of punching a douche bag in the face. It takes me a second to decide how to approach things, because I know before hand on what are my limits and when I should break my limits.
Third issue, the "other hand". Similar issue to the previous one. You know the MC is going to pimp slap a douche. HOWEVER, the MC decide to follow a decision tree from hell to come to a conclusion, while staring into the void. WHY? It is not proper Character building. I don't need to know the consequences of the MC's decision on how he got there. I just need to know that he made the decion, and a nice small sentence or paragraph on how he got there. NOT A PAGES ON PAGES, MINUETS OF MINUETS on why he is going to choke a bitch while starring into space and drooling like an idiot. It makes the character look weak and indecisive. So picture this, the MC is in a situation and he has to take steps and action to move the story along. He will tell you that he wants to punch the antagonist BUT he can't because reason X and reason Y "on the other hand" the MC can do plan Z but if Z is available and unfortunately Z is not possible. "On the other hand" Z doesn't matter because Z is bad for his image but maybe he can modify plan Z into plan Y. It goes on like this FOREVER. The writer expends long minuets and countless chapters on what he can and can do. Mind you, this is happening in real time and the people around him and the antagonist is just standing there wonding WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON while the MC is staring into the great beyond. yea...I know.
Issue three, the angst. GOD, so much angst. YES, the world and the universe is horrible. No one likes how sausage is made. No one likes banks and insurance companies as they screw you over. No one likes cops or authoritarian figures, cause they are all assholes. We, your readers, figured it all this out in our teens. As writer you dont have to have the MC being a MC emo forever. Seriously, the MC been 14 year old girl since book 1. At first I would be pissed by the injustice of it all...however, even friends and family get sick of hearing the angst forever. This includes your readers. The MC has not evolved, changed or gained a sense of growth. It is like the MC is forever the old uncle that takes about the unfairness of the world. In fact, he is getting angrier and just an unappealing character.
I could go on, but the truth of the matter is I actually like System Apocalypse. It is just that the Tao Wong is trying to take the book in a weird direction. I am also getting the feeling, the writer is bored by it all and made a filler book. He is a good writer and actually a good guy, just not his best work. Tao, if you are reading this, just end the series before it really starts to rot.

[Huronimus · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Lee Center for Paladins Who Can’t Think Good and Who Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too

The last book was an absolute slog of mediocrity to get through. This one is better written, but highlights the glaring disconnect between the importance of the MC’s class and any efforts the author has taken to build up to this point. This is almost entirely due to the author’s previous decision to skip all of the MC’s Paladin training, giving very little context to his motivation or obligations.

The author also seems determined to make the MC even more unlikable. This is through his abrasive leadership and lack of care for how he treats others. When he was an underdog, his scrappy and irresponsible way of acting was entertaining. Now, he comes off as an idiot with the power of life and death over others. And, of course, the MC can still do no wrong and somehow inspires loyalty in his team and respect from colleagues. I don’t buy it.

I also don’t buy how the MC has any genuine desire to uncover the System’s secrets or his role in it. This intense academic pursuit doesn’t mesh with his flippant, angry, and impulsive personality. The MC is constantly presented as willfully ignoring details (including his own system notifications) to point of being unintelligent, but we are supposed to believe he is becoming some kind of pinnacle multiverse System scholar. It comes off as a character contradiction and forced device allowing the author to world build through exposition dumps.

I really enjoyed the first few books of this series, focusing on the MC’s struggles to fight for the survival of Earth. His purpose was grounded and the scope of his actions made sense. Now, the MC is grossly out of his depth in the wider multiverse and poorly suited to politics. More than any other book in this series, the MCs schemes come off as hair-brained with a desperate reliance on deus ex machina.

While I admire the author’s ability to write prodigiously, it’s pretty clear that inadequate planning has gone into this series with its ever escalating stakes and patchwork MC. That being said, the author is very creative and I’m invested in seeing how this series ultimately concludes. Audible and Nick Podehl’s solid performances definitely help in that regard. I’ll try to keep an open mind until the end.

[Vincent Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics-heavy volume.

Each main arc of the series is set as a trilogy - this volume concludes one. Although each volume is relatively different from the others, they all share a specific context - John navigating his way into the galaxy.

This volume focuses on both the fallout of John getting his head stuffed with Heretic knowledge from the previous entry, plus the obligations he has to the Erethran Empire for having stolen of their classes. The former is important, but it's the latter who provides most of story. Hence politics - he's been roped into succession problems, and he's expected to solve this. If you hate politics in your litrpg, you will not be too happy with this volume, I think.

But, of course, he'll solve that in typical John manner. It's slightly transparent - by the time you end up in the final conflagration, the solution should be obvious, even if it's a "no way he's doing THAT???" moment. But if you're familiar with John.

And then, of course, you have the cliffhanger that starts what we're promised will be the final trilogy. A big, honking, massive cliffhanger.

But that's what levels are for. Bring it on!

[Clint Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alert

First, my review: “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”

Over the past year it has become apparent that my reviews are somewhat antagonistic and I apologize to those of you that have taken offense. I think I had hoped to change peoples’ minds about reviewing works of art and that seems to have backfired spectacularly. However, I am still going to be true to myself and write what I believe.

To the author: Thank you for this chance to escape reality and enjoy the world you created! Keep up the good work.

To my fellow reviewers: Messaging me and reviewing my reviews is as productive as trying to shovel water out of the ocean. Stop. I get it. Let’s just all live peacefully.

To potential readers: Art needs to be experienced at an individual level. You are the only one that can determine what you like and don’t like. Don’t let others make that decision for you. You should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.

Cheers

[Brian]

writing this mostly for my own notes...

i'm not rating this book as I like the author too much to lower the overall rating, but this was by far the worst book in the series for me. From a writing standpoint, the author is miles ahead of where he was at the outset of the series. But the direction the story has taken is just not for me. I did not care at all what happened in this book and listened at 1.7 audible speed just to get through it. The entire story seemed hugely unnecessary and the only chapter I liked in the entire book was the epilogue. It's really hard being 9 books into a series to dnf it, but books 7-9 have been just rough for me. I'll give it book 10 and decide from there. For me, this story is interesting because of his quest to understand the system. This paladin training book was just entirely uninteresting to me. Couldn't even name a new character if I tried.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is a story in and of itself, it really appears to be more of a bridge between the previous book and the new trilogy slated to come out later. It (mostly) ties up loose ends left by other books in the series, and it explains a bit more about our main character, and where he's going, but there's a lot here that has no direct bearing on the main character, so a lot of this book may feel like filler for what's to come, or maybe just filler to make the book long enough. It was still a decent read, but it wasn't as engrossing as the previous books in the series. I'll of course keep reading, if for nothing else, to see what John discovers about the system, but to be honest, I miss the great character development we saw in previous books. Ahh well, such is series. At some point, the characters are all grown up. :)

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tao continues to explore different genres of fiction

While there beginning books in the series were focused on fighting and the new world they were in, the latest books are having fun exploring the universe and discovering what different genres of fiction can be utilized to tell a story.

In the whole, it is all good fun. Two things. It can be a bit jarring to switch at the end of the novel. I would also like to explore more of the different characters.

Of course, I have really enjoyed the last two novels, having read them for most of the night. Even afterwards, I continued to think about the system and am looking forward to the big conclusive arc in the series.

Awesome job!

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book - loved it

This story is amazing. It has everything I want from a system apocalypse story at this point, advancing character builds for the litrpg aspect, and showing off the nuances of the galactic politics as has been a focus for the past several books.

The world building this book adds is impressive alone, but the story itself - focusing on a combination of more personal stakes with a finale that ties in all the parts together is truly masterful.

I loved it, and will read the next one. Planning on a reread to see what juicy tidbits I might have missed soon.

[Don A. Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost

What made this series special to me disappeared several books ago. Redeemer of the dead meant something to me. How he got the title meant something to me. Everything he gained in the beginning and how he got it was special and he was special but as flawed on a deep level we could all feel. The author tried to bring some of that special back in the end of this last book but honestly he has lost the core of what made this a special series. I will finish it because I have spent quite a bit of time and want to see where it ends but I no longer am that reader who can't wait for the next book

[Jeffing · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seemed like 90% of this book could've been one of the side stories, like another reviewer said. It was still a largely intriguing storyline and light-years better than the first two books, but felt more like an obligatory payoff for John having this empire's classes the whole time, rather than anything truly relevant to the main plot. Still, I'm usually fine with that but found myself somewhat disinterested even before that eyebrow raising choice he made at the end... maybe because I could tell that nothing that happened would truly affect the main plot?
Regardless, we should be approaching the final arc with only three books left and I'm pretty damn excited.

[Peter Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another fantastic book

I love the way that John has evolved across the series as he has to adapt to the system and goes from surviving on a dungeon world, to thriving on a dungeon world, to unifying a dungeon world, leaping into galactic politics, and eventually taking responsibility for an entire empire while still holding on to his humanity.

I find this book vaguely reminiscent of the Inquisitor series in the warhammer 40k universe. Not because of macabre horror universe, but a tight knit team investigating, and overcoming overwhelming odds.

5 stars!

[Paps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read, one of the best books in the series for me. We get a deep insight in the Etheran Empire, how it is affected by the system and the internal interactions of such an alien reign so interconnected with John, as well as a better look at his time away to gain his new class, the effects of having library shoved up his skull. The new class he gains at the end is the best since the implications are really OP and complex. I love what the author has made of this system, how it interact with the subjects, the class, skills, physics at play. The mesh of sci-fi and fantasy is great.

[Chris Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different but good

John's come a long way from killing monster swarms threatening to kill new settlements on earth. There's a been a shift from how to leverage skills to make it through the day to leveraging skills to enable John to make far reaching changes.

This book is more similar to book 7 than book 8 and thoughly enjoyable as readers continue to get hints of the big question. "What is the System?"

[Jesse Nickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the series this far, book did not dissapoint

Good book so far I liked how it wrapped up the galactic arc. Without giving too many spoilers but I suppose it still is slightly: I should have seen John's heroic class coming. But it still took me by surprise.
There were a few typos throught the book, nothing major, still understood what was being said but enough that I noticed.
All said great series great book! I'll probly reread the series before the next book comes out!

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

Seriously one of my top series to read. Right up there with Jim Butcher's Dresden files (different genres but I cannot stop reading either once started). Great stories with a larger arc, but each book finishes itself (hope that makes sense) huge fan of the characters and I relate to each one differently. I cannot wait to see where this goes. The only issue is I don't want it to be over. I just couldn't stop reading it.

[Jake Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series.

The journey with John is always filled with hard choices and exciting fights. Always deeply thought out with relatable characters that have almost godlike power. The story has so much versatility that the author can weave it anywhere and does. The struggles within the system and system itself are dual plot points in same story. Great over arc to the entire series and this installment doesn't let you down. Looking forward to next story.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stubbornly getting your way, isn’t always for the best...

As John pushes his trainees through a modified training and testing he is drawn ever deeper into politics. He still pushes to level and increase his skills but now he’s being smarter and more focused. I enjoyed the action and story this time around and it is interesting to see John so focused on the trainees. Never realizing that he is playing the noble game and well enough to hold a few surprises.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wong does so very well with this series. The intrigue of the system, the excitement of action and battle, the wonder of new systems, the well crafted story and plot.

John becomes tutor and teacher to his own paladins. Not much character development to the hopefuls, but the format was amusing and reminded me of game shows or the Bachelor and the Bachelorette. Each round John tells someone to go home.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A change of pace but a great continuation

A great continuation that explores the system and galaxy more, time skips are used to get past boring interactions, fights and explanations that have been told in the past books.

The scope of the story expands and hits of the truth behind the system are given.

[Matthew H Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tao Wong does it again!

If your looking for epic battled between elite opponents looking to make a difference within not just a kingdom but an empire spanning lightyears, with a good dash of intrigue, unexpected surprises and even a bit of classic litrpg dungeon delving, then I can't recommend this science fantasy hybrid enough!

Truly one of my favorite series.

[Scott Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

More politics, less battle

This book highlights johns slow but steady progression into becoming a person from a rage/ angst filled murder hobo. I attribute it almost entirely from him getting laid after about a 4 year dry spell. Here’s hoping it happens again otherwise I fear for the council and even the system itself. Overall different but decent book, would read again/10.

[Nick James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Book With Main Story Elements Coming Together

We start to close out a number of older story elements (and of course being new ones). John finally pays his dues to the empire his class originates from and it is an interesting story. I would almost call it a side quest, but so much happens with the "main" questor story and his understanding of the system.

[Ian Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The paladin's choice

John travels to Erethra to pay off his favor (picking an initial class from a galactic empire). Great reading and intrigue, combat was was exciting. John may be a paladin (mostly a free roaming troubleshooter) whose hobby is the system quest. Nice end for this arc.
Score: 9.0 out of 10

[Najla Zalif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Referent of the Dead

I loved everything about this series so far. John is so broken but he is also perfect for the role he's been given. I hope that one day he can find, and keep, the love he truly deserves. He's had his poor heart ripped out enough. Maybe giving in and making it work with that sexy elf?

[Dae Kwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one! I've sped through this series, which is always a good sign. Thanks to Jenny H. for the recommendation. There are grammatical errors, but it's easy to overlook considering the breakneck publishing pace and stellar storytelling. This book is essentially filling in gaps and tying up loose ends, and I still found myself captivated. Can't wait to dig in to Broken Council!