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Systems of the Apocalypse #1
Apocalypse: Generic System
Jeb Trapper tried to kill himself. The gun jammed.
Two months later the vet is participating in underground trials of ecstacy to treat his PTSD.
Everything seemed to be going great until...
>>>The System has Been Installed<<<
Now he's got to choose the difficulty of his tutorial.
Just one problem.
He's high as a kite, and nothing seems Impossible.
Two months later the vet is participating in underground trials of ecstacy to treat his PTSD.
Everything seemed to be going great until...
>>>The System has Been Installed<<<
Now he's got to choose the difficulty of his tutorial.
Just one problem.
He's high as a kite, and nothing seems Impossible.
379 pages, ebook
First published December 6, 2020
1028 people are currently reading
1175 people want to read
About the author
Macronomicon
16 books262 followersI could tell you that the author is a middle class, middle age white dude with a generic wife and a generic pet who lives somewhere vaguely rural...but aren't they all?
F%$! that noise! There are Author Bios and then there's Mythos.
Welcome to the Mythos of Macronomicon.
Macronomicon is almost three years old now, hatched on the open-mic writing website Royal Road. The pen name burst from the cocoon of blissful ignorance and deposited his first humble contribution into the world of writing, tired and sticky, yet satisfied. Content in the knowledge his work would be warmly received by thousands of potential fans, and more importantly...friends.
The first comment was, "Can you, I don't know, make the main character less stupid?"
That was sobering.
Macronomicon has no actual weight, because he is a pen name, and while his existence is ephemeral, he does have a presence, often stalking the back-channels of Discord like a novelty vampire, waiting to suck nourishing creativity out of unfortunate* fans.
Macronomicon has a talent for brainstorming and stringing together disparate ideas into a cohesive story. That talent has been strengthened and built upon to form the foundation of his writing career. He once outlined the plot (quality notwithstanding) of an entire book from start to finish in a tiny room with nothing but Cheerios, beef jerky, Pepsi and B.O.**
If you wish to hunt for the elusive Macronomicon, you may find him at Royal Road, where he began, or Patreon, where he works*** at distilling new stories from a raw, chunky slurry of ideas.
*Or fortunate, depending on your point of view. The sucking is consensual.
**Quality of B.O. also notwithstanding.
*** Working is subjective.
F%$! that noise! There are Author Bios and then there's Mythos.
Welcome to the Mythos of Macronomicon.
Macronomicon is almost three years old now, hatched on the open-mic writing website Royal Road. The pen name burst from the cocoon of blissful ignorance and deposited his first humble contribution into the world of writing, tired and sticky, yet satisfied. Content in the knowledge his work would be warmly received by thousands of potential fans, and more importantly...friends.
The first comment was, "Can you, I don't know, make the main character less stupid?"
That was sobering.
Macronomicon has no actual weight, because he is a pen name, and while his existence is ephemeral, he does have a presence, often stalking the back-channels of Discord like a novelty vampire, waiting to suck nourishing creativity out of unfortunate* fans.
Macronomicon has a talent for brainstorming and stringing together disparate ideas into a cohesive story. That talent has been strengthened and built upon to form the foundation of his writing career. He once outlined the plot (quality notwithstanding) of an entire book from start to finish in a tiny room with nothing but Cheerios, beef jerky, Pepsi and B.O.**
If you wish to hunt for the elusive Macronomicon, you may find him at Royal Road, where he began, or Patreon, where he works*** at distilling new stories from a raw, chunky slurry of ideas.
*Or fortunate, depending on your point of view. The sucking is consensual.
**Quality of B.O. also notwithstanding.
*** Working is subjective.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
December 14, 2020
God **** It.
Loved the book. Loved it. Nifty framework, fun characters, creative resolution to the big fight.
Then: Mid-Scene Cliffhanger Ending.
One star. No follow. Generic curses as I shake my fist at the uncaring heavens.
STOP. DOING. THAT.
Loved the book. Loved it. Nifty framework, fun characters, creative resolution to the big fight.
Then: Mid-Scene Cliffhanger Ending.
One star. No follow. Generic curses as I shake my fist at the uncaring heavens.
STOP. DOING. THAT.
January 4, 2021
I understand the hype
When I first started reading this book, I kept thinking this wasn't for me.
It's now 3:35AM and I believe it. Pick it up.
When I first started reading this book, I kept thinking this wasn't for me.
It's now 3:35AM and I believe it. Pick it up.
October 18, 2021
Well, this book was appropriately titled, I'll give it that. I actually finished this book, which is something my last three reads can't claim, but I wasn't motivated or excited at any point while reading this.
All of the characters just felt really basic to me. One-dimensional and fairly stereotypical. The 'mechanics' of the game were pretty much nonsense. This was a soft gamelit/fantasy story that could have removed the stats with no real effect to the plot. The abilities were mostly all just ass-pulled, overpowered nonsense.
I started off thinking I was writing a 3-star review, but while writing it up I realized that I don't really have anything positive to say or anything that stood out as 'good' to me from this story. And now it's a 2-star review and I can't be bothered to say anything more about it.
All of the characters just felt really basic to me. One-dimensional and fairly stereotypical. The 'mechanics' of the game were pretty much nonsense. This was a soft gamelit/fantasy story that could have removed the stats with no real effect to the plot. The abilities were mostly all just ass-pulled, overpowered nonsense.
I started off thinking I was writing a 3-star review, but while writing it up I realized that I don't really have anything positive to say or anything that stood out as 'good' to me from this story. And now it's a 2-star review and I can't be bothered to say anything more about it.
March 2, 2023
This works as a pretty good system apocalypse LitRPG story. I liked Jeb from the beginning, though I'm glad the author didn't lean into the PTSD like they could have starting where it did. I do like that Jeb just gets going on what he can do in the face of setbacks and that he's always trying new stuff.
I don't really have a lot to say beyond that it's a good power fantasy and that I liked the characters for the most part. The pregnant girl who chose "Impossible" seems like a self-destructive impulse gone wrong and it took me a while to get over her callous defensiveness—not least as it felt like she was more trope than person.
I liked Jessica more than a little so it was a bit grating with the choices she made as well. I mean And Jeb's choices only made sense once the payoffs hit and you saw how the author planned on cheesing them.
Anyway, it was a good time and I'm not going to drop my four stars down for the really awful ending. I have no idea what prompted the author to would kill a ton of the intended audience. I know it jerked me a bit off trying the next. I find it unlikely that I'll bother.
A note about Steamy/Chaste: This isn't particularly steamy. There's no on-page sex. But there's enough surrounding bits, and in enough description and discussion, that I can't mark this as chaste, either. So this will be one of the few books that gets neither tag.
I don't really have a lot to say beyond that it's a good power fantasy and that I liked the characters for the most part. The pregnant girl who chose "Impossible" seems like a self-destructive impulse gone wrong and it took me a while to get over her callous defensiveness—not least as it felt like she was more trope than person.
I liked Jessica more than a little so it was a bit grating with the choices she made as well. I mean And Jeb's choices only made sense once the payoffs hit and you saw how the author planned on cheesing them.
Anyway, it was a good time and I'm not going to drop my four stars down for the really awful ending. I have no idea what prompted the author to would kill a ton of the intended audience. I know it jerked me a bit off trying the next. I find it unlikely that I'll bother.
A note about Steamy/Chaste: This isn't particularly steamy. There's no on-page sex. But there's enough surrounding bits, and in enough description and discussion, that I can't mark this as chaste, either. So this will be one of the few books that gets neither tag.
April 16, 2021
Rating 4.0 stars
This book was awesome. Right up until the end. The story is a familiar one. The world is going to be destroyed and the people of the planet are offered a chance to get stronger and show they have what it takes to live. There are game like mechanics involved with a HUD screen in their vision. What makes this one a little different is that each person gets to pick the type of trial they want to face. The easier the trial the lower the rewards. The higher the difficulty the better the rewards. The highest difficulty level is labeled the impossible challenge. Who would pick that you might ask? Someone high on drugs. The MC is a combat veteran who suffers from severe PTSD. He is being treated in a psych ward undergoing experimental treatment with ecstasy when the choice is offered. He picks the impossible challenge and then the "system" sobers him up. Once he realizes what he has done he wants to change his choice, but apparently there are no take backs. He levels up his magical ability in the world and has to try and survive the impossible tutorial. If I could describe the MCs style of fighting/thinking it would be magical engineering. I loved reading about his choices, his growth in power and his ideas about how to survive. I loved everything up until the end
This book was awesome. Right up until the end. The story is a familiar one. The world is going to be destroyed and the people of the planet are offered a chance to get stronger and show they have what it takes to live. There are game like mechanics involved with a HUD screen in their vision. What makes this one a little different is that each person gets to pick the type of trial they want to face. The easier the trial the lower the rewards. The higher the difficulty the better the rewards. The highest difficulty level is labeled the impossible challenge. Who would pick that you might ask? Someone high on drugs. The MC is a combat veteran who suffers from severe PTSD. He is being treated in a psych ward undergoing experimental treatment with ecstasy when the choice is offered. He picks the impossible challenge and then the "system" sobers him up. Once he realizes what he has done he wants to change his choice, but apparently there are no take backs. He levels up his magical ability in the world and has to try and survive the impossible tutorial. If I could describe the MCs style of fighting/thinking it would be magical engineering. I loved reading about his choices, his growth in power and his ideas about how to survive. I loved everything up until the end
February 12, 2021
It was an OK book. Good humor, character development, and started off with an interesting system.
That being said, early on the MC got a ability that was pretty much "wanting is having". After that nothing really mattered as the MC could easily outmaneuver all antagonists by his plot armor. Also MC was former military (why I'm not surprised...) and that didn't impact his actions whatsoever (still not surprised.)
Getting closer to the end of the book the author must have given up on the story. The plot took an unwelcome twist, and finally ended with a cliffhanger.
That being said, early on the MC got a ability that was pretty much "wanting is having". After that nothing really mattered as the MC could easily outmaneuver all antagonists by his plot armor. Also MC was former military (why I'm not surprised...) and that didn't impact his actions whatsoever (still not surprised.)
Getting closer to the end of the book the author must have given up on the story. The plot took an unwelcome twist, and finally ended with a cliffhanger.
January 27, 2021
One of the better lit rpg books I've read, if not the best.
Fantastic breath of fresh air in a lit rpg book. Fun characters, interesting story and world. I'm very curious what comes next. Super neat magic from the main character.
Fantastic breath of fresh air in a lit rpg book. Fun characters, interesting story and world. I'm very curious what comes next. Super neat magic from the main character.
April 23, 2022
Jeb's such a funny and resourceful guy. I'm diggin' this.
August 12, 2021
Wow! This was a really fun book and I’d give it a 4.5. I follow the author on royalroad and I had actually read the first couple of chapters. Off rip this gives off the generic post apocalyptic ‘red mage’, ‘reborn apocalypse’ vibes.
The author is also really good at both subtle and actually funny cliche light comedy which serves as a balance to the somewhat hopeless situation the MC find’s himself in. It was a light read, and my only complaint was the story’s end sequences. It felt off to me and it personally took away some shine from the story. Nevertheless, overall it was an interesting book and I am excited and hopeful for another instalment in this series.
Edit:
Re-read this book because the audiobook was recently released. I actually enjoyed the audio version more. Might wait for the audio of the second book instead.
The author is also really good at both subtle and actually funny cliche light comedy which serves as a balance to the somewhat hopeless situation the MC find’s himself in. It was a light read, and my only complaint was the story’s end sequences. It felt off to me and it personally took away some shine from the story. Nevertheless, overall it was an interesting book and I am excited and hopeful for another instalment in this series.
Edit:
Re-read this book because the audiobook was recently released. I actually enjoyed the audio version more. Might wait for the audio of the second book instead.
December 28, 2020
Was unique and enjoyable.
The book was pretty good as it has a well thought out system for levels and stats. The magic system was pretty good as well. The MC was not your typical hero and was good at thinking outside of the box to fix problems. The ending was a bit of a letdown as I personally do not like a cliffhanger ending to a book. So I only give it a 3.5 out of 5 rounded up. I will read the next book when it comes out as I did enjoy it.
The book was pretty good as it has a well thought out system for levels and stats. The magic system was pretty good as well. The MC was not your typical hero and was good at thinking outside of the box to fix problems. The ending was a bit of a letdown as I personally do not like a cliffhanger ending to a book. So I only give it a 3.5 out of 5 rounded up. I will read the next book when it comes out as I did enjoy it.
February 13, 2021
One of the most fun books I have read in a long time. The humor was amazing. Just the right dose of sarcasm, immaturity, and pop culture references needed to make me giggle over and over again.
I also loved the unconventional classes. It started with the MC. When I saw what he chose I was like WTF? As the story progresses it makes more sense though. It was the same with the other party members. At first they were underwhelming, but it was awesome what the author did with them.
Now I need more! Luckily the author has more on royalroad. I can’t wait to read more!
I also loved the unconventional classes. It started with the MC. When I saw what he chose I was like WTF? As the story progresses it makes more sense though. It was the same with the other party members. At first they were underwhelming, but it was awesome what the author did with them.
Now I need more! Luckily the author has more on royalroad. I can’t wait to read more!
October 9, 2021
Wow what a piece of sh** ending
This is another one of those stupid stories where the author builds the main character extremely powerful through the course of the story and then doesn’t know what to do with it. So in the end he strips all the abilities away in the end so that way they can Spend the next book rebuilding the power basically just telling the same story just in a different contacts. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next book “and frankly I don’t care anymore” but I can tell you it will be spending time rebuilding the character up to maybe close to where he was at the end of the story. I am done with this series and find no interest in getting any more of the books in the series not after this ending. I can already see what’s going to happen. The only bad thing is the author is an excellent writer and I found most of the writing to be excellent for what it is. I just wish the author had been a little bit more imaginative and been capable of thinking himself out of the power trap he put his MC in instead of falling back on having some divine entity step in so that he could repeat the power climb story. It’s interesting to see that the author only made the handicap person pay the price in the end.
This is another one of those stupid stories where the author builds the main character extremely powerful through the course of the story and then doesn’t know what to do with it. So in the end he strips all the abilities away in the end so that way they can Spend the next book rebuilding the power basically just telling the same story just in a different contacts. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next book “and frankly I don’t care anymore” but I can tell you it will be spending time rebuilding the character up to maybe close to where he was at the end of the story. I am done with this series and find no interest in getting any more of the books in the series not after this ending. I can already see what’s going to happen. The only bad thing is the author is an excellent writer and I found most of the writing to be excellent for what it is. I just wish the author had been a little bit more imaginative and been capable of thinking himself out of the power trap he put his MC in instead of falling back on having some divine entity step in so that he could repeat the power climb story. It’s interesting to see that the author only made the handicap person pay the price in the end.
December 22, 2020
Excellent
The bad: a few typos or copy editing errors; enough to be noticeable, but not so many as to make for difficult reading.
The good: MC both is and is not OP. He is smart and a bit of a glass cannon. He is practical, but also a bit of a softy.
While there were crunchy bits, they did not replace story or character progression (it did get a bit cluttered after he leveled, but the *full* data sheet only appeared ~3 times). Choices or paths not taken were not over-explained.
There were some complex secondary characters and deep concepts. All while still being accessible and readable.
I am eager to see a sequel. Worth the price of admission. This is real deal story-telling.
The bad: a few typos or copy editing errors; enough to be noticeable, but not so many as to make for difficult reading.
The good: MC both is and is not OP. He is smart and a bit of a glass cannon. He is practical, but also a bit of a softy.
While there were crunchy bits, they did not replace story or character progression (it did get a bit cluttered after he leveled, but the *full* data sheet only appeared ~3 times). Choices or paths not taken were not over-explained.
There were some complex secondary characters and deep concepts. All while still being accessible and readable.
I am eager to see a sequel. Worth the price of admission. This is real deal story-telling.
January 19, 2021
Wished it had a better ending
Fun story fast paced with some unique ideas. the book kept me engaged for the whole story. A lot of plot armor and the main character instantly understanding the system that comes off a little rough for me. I don’t like it but can take it with a grain of salt. However the ending loses stars for me.
Not giving away any spoilers... the ending left me feeling robbed. While reading I often invest myself in a character. I enjoy seeing their hard work and triumphs like my own. But when the author strips away everything you watched the character work for it kinda leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Just my honest opinion but I don’t feel like I can get excited for the continued story from where it was left off.
Fun story fast paced with some unique ideas. the book kept me engaged for the whole story. A lot of plot armor and the main character instantly understanding the system that comes off a little rough for me. I don’t like it but can take it with a grain of salt. However the ending loses stars for me.
Not giving away any spoilers... the ending left me feeling robbed. While reading I often invest myself in a character. I enjoy seeing their hard work and triumphs like my own. But when the author strips away everything you watched the character work for it kinda leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Just my honest opinion but I don’t feel like I can get excited for the continued story from where it was left off.
April 23, 2021
Almost perfect
95% of this was amazing. Had a fun simple system and a very creative MC that discovered the world and everything that entails alongside the reader.
However, everything fell apart in the end with a trope I really really REALLY dislike. I very much hope it is retconned in the next book early on.
95% of this was amazing. Had a fun simple system and a very creative MC that discovered the world and everything that entails alongside the reader.
However, everything fell apart in the end with a trope I really really REALLY dislike. I very much hope it is retconned in the next book early on.
April 11, 2022
not sure
I’ve read a lot of other reviews and from what I can tell this author is like mana from heaven. I on the other hand had a different reaction.
I like the writing. The plot is fleshed out, it’s not predictable in the typical fashions of litrpgs, and the world/magic is very different. The author is a fan of anime shows as demonstrated by some of the the magic characters get. While the protagonist is pretty unique.
I’m not a huge fan of the idiot savant protagonist though. Which goes from, he really should have died to Bad A leader of a rag tag group awesomeness. The way he survives worked out but it didn’t feel totally believable.
The protagonist takes his magic system to some unique territory but it isn’t easy to follow . Not sure. I’m still stuck on the tutorial which was never meant to be beaten? Why? Why would so many try? Why do all omnipotent gods basically treat all life as junk? Why does almost everyone treat life like it’s not important? Why is the one person who cares about life a swinger weirdo? Why for that matter is everyone an asshole psychopath waiting to snap? I don’t have any answers to these questions.
Best way I can describe the story is a Dark souls litrpg set on drudgery with a side of flippancy from the protagonist.
In a world where real life can suck and there is plenty of suffering to go around. I’m not sure I want to read a fantasy about a worse version of life. It’s less of a escapism read and more let’s enjoy a bloody and sad train-wreck, because this book really has no uplifting parts to it. Just kidney punches. The ending was an awful cliffhanger.
I’ve read a lot of other reviews and from what I can tell this author is like mana from heaven. I on the other hand had a different reaction.
I like the writing. The plot is fleshed out, it’s not predictable in the typical fashions of litrpgs, and the world/magic is very different. The author is a fan of anime shows as demonstrated by some of the the magic characters get. While the protagonist is pretty unique.
I’m not a huge fan of the idiot savant protagonist though. Which goes from, he really should have died to Bad A leader of a rag tag group awesomeness. The way he survives worked out but it didn’t feel totally believable.
The protagonist takes his magic system to some unique territory but it isn’t easy to follow . Not sure. I’m still stuck on the tutorial which was never meant to be beaten? Why? Why would so many try? Why do all omnipotent gods basically treat all life as junk? Why does almost everyone treat life like it’s not important? Why is the one person who cares about life a swinger weirdo? Why for that matter is everyone an asshole psychopath waiting to snap? I don’t have any answers to these questions.
Best way I can describe the story is a Dark souls litrpg set on drudgery with a side of flippancy from the protagonist.
In a world where real life can suck and there is plenty of suffering to go around. I’m not sure I want to read a fantasy about a worse version of life. It’s less of a escapism read and more let’s enjoy a bloody and sad train-wreck, because this book really has no uplifting parts to it. Just kidney punches. The ending was an awful cliffhanger.
December 25, 2020
Very good!
Not really a generic system apocalypse, but it's a good title. The MC is quite an original thinker, enmeshed on the thinker part. I'm getting tired of generic Manga wannabes posing as LITRPG. This is a refreshing shift.
Not really a generic system apocalypse, but it's a good title. The MC is quite an original thinker, enmeshed on the thinker part. I'm getting tired of generic Manga wannabes posing as LITRPG. This is a refreshing shift.
December 28, 2020
Good until the ending
Want to be depressed at the end of a movie or you next book? Read this. Writing is good. Pacing is good. Characters are... ok. Everyone has sex but MC and the MC gets... more than gipped in the end. Death might have been better.
Want to be depressed at the end of a movie or you next book? Read this. Writing is good. Pacing is good. Characters are... ok. Everyone has sex but MC and the MC gets... more than gipped in the end. Death might have been better.
April 21, 2021
Aside from the limb severing fetish that seems to have taken over RPG stories these days, I noped out after the swinging and the ridiculous teen pregnancy. It's amusingly enough written but I had too many "oh, come on already" moments to endure. Not for me. Some people love it.
December 16, 2020
Not bad
Worth reading if u haven't got anything else to read. Bit shallow but entertaining. Not too sure about the ending and doubt I would bother with book 2
Worth reading if u haven't got anything else to read. Bit shallow but entertaining. Not too sure about the ending and doubt I would bother with book 2
October 15, 2021
Hark! A girl! Other men have ABUSED her, but I’m too GOOD for that! I RESPECT her for being strong. But I’m emasculated because she’s smarter than me. And I’m obsessed with her tits anyway. It’s the end of the world, but JEWELRY PRETTY, so the girl wants a necklace… Eye roll. Ugh, and her “bones are small and frail”? Wtf? Does she have cancer? Does the author think women’s bones are fundamentally weak?
Jesus, it’s like the author is trying really hard to write a female character but didn’t actually know how.
I’m going to be PISSED if these two sleep together.
….
They didn’t sleep together, so I gave the book one star back, up from a 2 star to 3.
Jesus, it’s like the author is trying really hard to write a female character but didn’t actually know how.
I’m going to be PISSED if these two sleep together.
….
They didn’t sleep together, so I gave the book one star back, up from a 2 star to 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2024
3.75 ⭐ rounded up.
This was a fun and nice book to read, I liked it a lot. The writing style feels a bit amateurish at times (still better than what I could do, ofc), so I can't rate it higher if I compare it to other books I've rated 4 stars or more. I will definitely keep reading the following books.
This was a fun and nice book to read, I liked it a lot. The writing style feels a bit amateurish at times (still better than what I could do, ofc), so I can't rate it higher if I compare it to other books I've rated 4 stars or more. I will definitely keep reading the following books.
December 12, 2020
Great book
Great book, and I want more. Has everything going for it if you like the genre, I was a little disappointed with the ending, but it leaves more for the next one.
Great book, and I want more. Has everything going for it if you like the genre, I was a little disappointed with the ending, but it leaves more for the next one.
December 12, 2020
Decent
Had quite a few laughs, the storyline was decent, interesting, but not that great, the mc was entertaining though, would read another one.
Had quite a few laughs, the storyline was decent, interesting, but not that great, the mc was entertaining though, would read another one.
January 27, 2021
Love it
Lotta reviews he drags the story on with no ending in sight. Can’t wait to see, we’re this story goes.
Lotta reviews he drags the story on with no ending in sight. Can’t wait to see, we’re this story goes.
December 24, 2020
What a fun story
Completely out of nowhere story that I loved. Great pacing, fun characters, and a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to the next addition in the series.
Completely out of nowhere story that I loved. Great pacing, fun characters, and a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to the next addition in the series.
January 26, 2021
It was ok
January 26, 2021
Interesting read
I enjoyed it quite a bit. Novel solutions to impossible situations. It had a good flow and good characters.good read
I enjoyed it quite a bit. Novel solutions to impossible situations. It had a good flow and good characters.good read
December 19, 2020
Nice cultivation simplified + litrpg
I really enjoyed this novel. It had all the components that I enjoy in a litrpg; leveling, smartness, crafting and ass kicking
I really enjoyed this novel. It had all the components that I enjoy in a litrpg; leveling, smartness, crafting and ass kicking
Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews