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Alpha Physics! #3
Disquiet
The apocalypse may have re-written the rules of Physics but not humanity.
Adrian and his companions, continue their journey toward Melbourne. The pathway through the post apocalypse landscape continues to be harrowing and, as they travel, they run into dysfunctional towns that need their help and they must find unorthodox solutions to defeat the monsters that plague the landscape. Some of which are an extinction level threats.
Throughout it all, he focuses on growing the strength of himself and his team and getting to Melbourne as quickly as possible.
Disquiet continues the magical story telling of the first two books of Alpha Physics.
Adrian and his companions, continue their journey toward Melbourne. The pathway through the post apocalypse landscape continues to be harrowing and, as they travel, they run into dysfunctional towns that need their help and they must find unorthodox solutions to defeat the monsters that plague the landscape. Some of which are an extinction level threats.
Throughout it all, he focuses on growing the strength of himself and his team and getting to Melbourne as quickly as possible.
Disquiet continues the magical story telling of the first two books of Alpha Physics.
593 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2021
126 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Alex Kozlowski
17 books98 followersAlex first fell in love with both computer games and writing when he was on a scholarship completing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physics. After graduating and getting a job, I put the whole being a novelist to the side while that pesky thing called life got in the way.
A career in banking project managing the delivery of complicated quantitative applications resulted. Very stereotypical;
• Boring job as a banker - tick,
• Suburban home - tick
• Three kids - tick
• Two dogs - tick
• You get the point.
A little thing called a global pandemic then came along and gave Alex a chance to return to his dream of becoming a writer. Having recently read a variety of LITRPG books, it was a genre that he was excited to explore in order to create a world that readers could immerse themselves into. With the familiarity of the gaming world gained from playing WOW, Skyrim, Fallout amongst others, there is simple joy in creating an imaginative magic filled world that is at everyone’s fingertips. In his writing, Alex aims to capture the feeling that he loves of being able to put yourself into a gaming world, develop your character and exploit the rules to the fullest.
A career in banking project managing the delivery of complicated quantitative applications resulted. Very stereotypical;
• Boring job as a banker - tick,
• Suburban home - tick
• Three kids - tick
• Two dogs - tick
• You get the point.
A little thing called a global pandemic then came along and gave Alex a chance to return to his dream of becoming a writer. Having recently read a variety of LITRPG books, it was a genre that he was excited to explore in order to create a world that readers could immerse themselves into. With the familiarity of the gaming world gained from playing WOW, Skyrim, Fallout amongst others, there is simple joy in creating an imaginative magic filled world that is at everyone’s fingertips. In his writing, Alex aims to capture the feeling that he loves of being able to put yourself into a gaming world, develop your character and exploit the rules to the fullest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 22, 2021
Disappointed
I love the premise, storyline, and characters, except for Adrian. I don't see how a neurotic, self loathing, glass half empty wanker like him would survive a weekend camping trip, let alone the apocalypse. I don't read this sort of fiction to share chapters worth of useless angst. I also don't read it for the thrill of the experience of watching the hero be a moron. How many times can the guy be dumb before he dies. As in; the sack of magical goodies. You don't open something like that out in the wild where something may jump out and eat you face. If you are tha dumb, then inventory everything, because something might jump out to eat your face, and the thing you didn't check might have been the only thing to save you. AND risking the lives of friends to kill deadly monsters, but getting week in the knees about killing worse monsters that just happen to be human. He mentions not being a SEAL, thank the Lord he isn't, or terrorists would rule the world... PS Your story is in Australia, you can mention the SAS as well. They happen to be bad-ass too.
I love the premise, storyline, and characters, except for Adrian. I don't see how a neurotic, self loathing, glass half empty wanker like him would survive a weekend camping trip, let alone the apocalypse. I don't read this sort of fiction to share chapters worth of useless angst. I also don't read it for the thrill of the experience of watching the hero be a moron. How many times can the guy be dumb before he dies. As in; the sack of magical goodies. You don't open something like that out in the wild where something may jump out and eat you face. If you are tha dumb, then inventory everything, because something might jump out to eat your face, and the thing you didn't check might have been the only thing to save you. AND risking the lives of friends to kill deadly monsters, but getting week in the knees about killing worse monsters that just happen to be human. He mentions not being a SEAL, thank the Lord he isn't, or terrorists would rule the world... PS Your story is in Australia, you can mention the SAS as well. They happen to be bad-ass too.
August 2, 2022
Rating 3.0 stars
This is one of the few books that I continue to read despite me not liking the main character. I love the world building, the magic and the system but I really don't like Adrian. He is in his head way to much. He spends an insane amount of time agonizing over decisions. I could forgive that except he agonizes over decision that are obvious. There is an obvious answer. He knows it, we know it, the interface knows it. Then he spends the next 30 minutes talking about the other choices and why he wants them instead. He whines a lot. I don't like Jules. Having her character be a barbarian who loses her sanity in combat causes way more issues than the extra strength solves. Then there is the interface. His job is to help but he also can be something of an asshole. He keeps showing Adrian images/videos in his head because the interface just can't come out and tell hims something because of rules. This happens way too often. Sometimes in the middle of combat. It really takes away from the flow of the story and is annoying.
Now, getting back to Adrian and the other things I dislike about him. He contradicts himself all the time. He will tell himself "safety first" and then immediately do something stupid/suicidal. The fight scenes were kind of boring. Here is an example: " Flame sprout, shadow jump, shadow jump, shadow jump, shadow jump, shadow jump. Flame sprout. Now out of mana and stamina but Safety first". Repeat that about 100 times and you can get an idea of what fight sequence in the book. For a guy who is on the path of intelligence he sure does some dumb shit over and over again. Overall I will continue the series since I already bought the next audiobook but I am not as excited about the series anymore.
This is one of the few books that I continue to read despite me not liking the main character. I love the world building, the magic and the system but I really don't like Adrian. He is in his head way to much. He spends an insane amount of time agonizing over decisions. I could forgive that except he agonizes over decision that are obvious. There is an obvious answer. He knows it, we know it, the interface knows it. Then he spends the next 30 minutes talking about the other choices and why he wants them instead. He whines a lot. I don't like Jules. Having her character be a barbarian who loses her sanity in combat causes way more issues than the extra strength solves. Then there is the interface. His job is to help but he also can be something of an asshole. He keeps showing Adrian images/videos in his head because the interface just can't come out and tell hims something because of rules. This happens way too often. Sometimes in the middle of combat. It really takes away from the flow of the story and is annoying.
Now, getting back to Adrian and the other things I dislike about him. He contradicts himself all the time. He will tell himself "safety first" and then immediately do something stupid/suicidal. The fight scenes were kind of boring. Here is an example: " Flame sprout, shadow jump, shadow jump, shadow jump, shadow jump, shadow jump. Flame sprout. Now out of mana and stamina but Safety first". Repeat that about 100 times and you can get an idea of what fight sequence in the book. For a guy who is on the path of intelligence he sure does some dumb shit over and over again. Overall I will continue the series since I already bought the next audiobook but I am not as excited about the series anymore.
December 27, 2021
Book three
Mistakes: Doesn't seem like any editing was done. Just published straight from Royalroad. I've listed what I found on Goodreads, but I probably missed a bunch as I started skipping chunks of this book.
Plot: For a hero we spend way to much time wallowing in emotions from past actions. For a hero that has said we are going to kill human killing monsters, he spent a lot of time going we can skip this one.
Characters: The MC relies on his powers to save himself instead of planning properly. This also is what leads to another character being killed. He really spends to much time wallowing in emotions that don't contribute to anything, not even emotional growth.
3/10 Boring even the fights are so drawn out that they get boring.
Mistakes: Doesn't seem like any editing was done. Just published straight from Royalroad. I've listed what I found on Goodreads, but I probably missed a bunch as I started skipping chunks of this book.
Plot: For a hero we spend way to much time wallowing in emotions from past actions. For a hero that has said we are going to kill human killing monsters, he spent a lot of time going we can skip this one.
Characters: The MC relies on his powers to save himself instead of planning properly. This also is what leads to another character being killed. He really spends to much time wallowing in emotions that don't contribute to anything, not even emotional growth.
3/10 Boring even the fights are so drawn out that they get boring.
June 17, 2022
Because I’m putting in this review so long after I actually read this book, I don’t really know if this is really the spot for it, so I’ll most likely end up putting the same review for all the books in the series.
I debated going 4* on this, and I’ll probably change to it on Amazon.
I really enjoyed the books so far. I think the author has really done an amazing job of capturing the feeling of what someone going through this would do. Hyper focus and all.
My main problem is how the main character flip flops so much. There are moments of extreme competence and struggle, and then there’s whole sections of “woe is me”.
Don’t get me wrong, I will continue to read this series as I find it extremely enjoyable. You should too.
I debated going 4* on this, and I’ll probably change to it on Amazon.
I really enjoyed the books so far. I think the author has really done an amazing job of capturing the feeling of what someone going through this would do. Hyper focus and all.
My main problem is how the main character flip flops so much. There are moments of extreme competence and struggle, and then there’s whole sections of “woe is me”.
Don’t get me wrong, I will continue to read this series as I find it extremely enjoyable. You should too.
November 25, 2021
I would’ve liked more story progression
This book did not flow as well as the others. Too much focus on too few events. Too much time spent on the guilt of having to kill creatures that were obviously going to kill many people. Still looking forward to the progression of the story.
This book did not flow as well as the others. Too much focus on too few events. Too much time spent on the guilt of having to kill creatures that were obviously going to kill many people. Still looking forward to the progression of the story.
November 24, 2021
Exceptional!!!
This series is pretty amazing, character development is growing off the charts. The progression level is amazing. Truly a fan of this series and looking forward to the next books in the story. Thank you Alex for your imagination and for sharing it with us.
This series is pretty amazing, character development is growing off the charts. The progression level is amazing. Truly a fan of this series and looking forward to the next books in the story. Thank you Alex for your imagination and for sharing it with us.
November 24, 2021
Another good read
I like the story progress it has an interesting variation of characters and their personal issue. And the alternative endings to a normal storyline are welcome
I like the story progress it has an interesting variation of characters and their personal issue. And the alternative endings to a normal storyline are welcome
February 28, 2023
Very good book
This is a fine litrpg fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the owl. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine litrpg fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the owl. I anxiously await the sequel.
December 10, 2021
Great world, irritating characters
This is a solid, well-written series, not too heavy on the tropes of the genre and reasonably creative with mechanics and setting. Creature design is pretty good, though that does bring me to the parts I don’t like; the story swings wildly from massive internal dialogs and self-doubt from the MC to frenetic combat against the newest (admittedly novel) creature. I spend a fair amount of time in my own head, and while I respect that how much is too much depends on the person, and the portrayal of the MC is intended to show internal conflict and overcoming his doubts, I usually find myself skipping several pages once he starts up with the pity party.
Add in the fact that months into this apocalypse they still stop practically mid-combat (or just after it finishes, when you should still be alert) to check their levels and stats, and there you have it.
TL;DR - World is interesting and story flows well enough to keep you reading despite frustrating character behavior and portrayal.
This is a solid, well-written series, not too heavy on the tropes of the genre and reasonably creative with mechanics and setting. Creature design is pretty good, though that does bring me to the parts I don’t like; the story swings wildly from massive internal dialogs and self-doubt from the MC to frenetic combat against the newest (admittedly novel) creature. I spend a fair amount of time in my own head, and while I respect that how much is too much depends on the person, and the portrayal of the MC is intended to show internal conflict and overcoming his doubts, I usually find myself skipping several pages once he starts up with the pity party.
Add in the fact that months into this apocalypse they still stop practically mid-combat (or just after it finishes, when you should still be alert) to check their levels and stats, and there you have it.
TL;DR - World is interesting and story flows well enough to keep you reading despite frustrating character behavior and portrayal.
May 29, 2022
Really has good points but I hate the interface.
I struggled on what I should rate this book as although I enjoyed the story I really really really hate the interface. The interface acts like a petulant child that just wants it to always go his way and throws a tantrum when it does not go his way. The interface is supposed to be helpful but mostly its just a sarcastic jerk that enjoys saying told you so. The party dynamics are off as well as one of the party members is just a raging barbarian that's uncontrollable in a fight which means they are not reliable enough in a situation that requires you to change plans on the fly. Overall it was good but barely stayed at a 4 and I will read the next book but if the things I disliked in this book are still in it I will drop this series.
I struggled on what I should rate this book as although I enjoyed the story I really really really hate the interface. The interface acts like a petulant child that just wants it to always go his way and throws a tantrum when it does not go his way. The interface is supposed to be helpful but mostly its just a sarcastic jerk that enjoys saying told you so. The party dynamics are off as well as one of the party members is just a raging barbarian that's uncontrollable in a fight which means they are not reliable enough in a situation that requires you to change plans on the fly. Overall it was good but barely stayed at a 4 and I will read the next book but if the things I disliked in this book are still in it I will drop this series.
August 27, 2022
There's something missing at the heart of these books. I struggle to name it.
Imagine following a gardener as he moves from property to property, mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and so on. No matter how much gardening interests you, there's a limit to how far most would be willing to follow his story. Now imagine that same gardener but as he works he forms personal relationships with those he visits. Brightening their day, the experience making them better people. I could get into that second story.
Imagine following a gardener as he moves from property to property, mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and so on. No matter how much gardening interests you, there's a limit to how far most would be willing to follow his story. Now imagine that same gardener but as he works he forms personal relationships with those he visits. Brightening their day, the experience making them better people. I could get into that second story.
November 21, 2021
oh, wow
Strong finish to this book, setting up a hellacious sequel. The team is *blazing* a path across Australia. Three extinction level critter types to deal with, then the ending. Whew!
I *do* wish the MC would find the time to get out of his own head. But his flaws make him interesting.
Definitely getting the next book.
Strong finish to this book, setting up a hellacious sequel. The team is *blazing* a path across Australia. Three extinction level critter types to deal with, then the ending. Whew!
I *do* wish the MC would find the time to get out of his own head. But his flaws make him interesting.
Definitely getting the next book.
March 1, 2022
KU Review
Definitely a darker tint to this one. The team is forced to deal with the darkness in themselves and humanity as a whole. Sad but true reflection of us.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
Definitely a darker tint to this one. The team is forced to deal with the darkness in themselves and humanity as a whole. Sad but true reflection of us.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
December 10, 2021
Book 3 starts out as the team head to the town of Culcairn. Before I get into the review, I looked up how far it is from Wagga Wagga to Melbourne, which is 281 miles. By book three the team has made it to Culcairn, which is 48 miles from Wagga Wagga.
Based on this, there are 233 miles left to go, and the team on average travels 16 miles per book. Which means we have another 14 and a half (rounding up to 15) books left before we reach Melbourne. And that doesn't take into account what they will face in Albury.
Yikes. I'm not sure the story can keep me going for that long.
Now for the review of book 3. I really struggled with this one, and I read a couple books after getting to the mid 20% mark. Adrian isn't a bad character, but he tends to go off on his own, without telling anyone and never really getting into any serious trouble. It's almost like Adrian has been written as invincible, which does happen to main characters sometimes.
He's taking stupid (IMO) risks as he gains new skills and abilities, in a landscape that is supposed to be overwhelmingly dangerous. No one on the team says anything about it, which I again found odd. If Jules, Susan, or anyone else had gone off on their own for the entire night Adrian would be all over them, telling them how dangerous this new Alpha world is.
Anyway, the first half of the book consists of them traveling to the town of Culcairn, where they find a nervous populace as Adrian and the team try to get answers about what is happening in Albury (based on the rumors they heard about in book 2).
I'd give the first half of the book 3 stars. I had trouble engaging, and there wasn't much action as Adrian tries to figure things out.
The second half gets better and there is a lot more action. The town leaders of Culcairn aren't going to give out information for free, which means that the team has to deal with their monster troubles, just like they did in the last town. I'm giving this half of the book 4 stars.
I really want to like this series, but book 2 was a letdown compared to book 1, and book 3 is a continuation of book 2. This is a road trip series for the most part, which means the same things with different monsters will happen going forward. Maybe if the team gets the ability to fly that would change.
The action sequences are still good and well put together. It's the other parts that drag it down for me.
4/5*
Based on this, there are 233 miles left to go, and the team on average travels 16 miles per book. Which means we have another 14 and a half (rounding up to 15) books left before we reach Melbourne. And that doesn't take into account what they will face in Albury.
Yikes. I'm not sure the story can keep me going for that long.
Now for the review of book 3. I really struggled with this one, and I read a couple books after getting to the mid 20% mark. Adrian isn't a bad character, but he tends to go off on his own, without telling anyone and never really getting into any serious trouble. It's almost like Adrian has been written as invincible, which does happen to main characters sometimes.
He's taking stupid (IMO) risks as he gains new skills and abilities, in a landscape that is supposed to be overwhelmingly dangerous. No one on the team says anything about it, which I again found odd. If Jules, Susan, or anyone else had gone off on their own for the entire night Adrian would be all over them, telling them how dangerous this new Alpha world is.
Anyway, the first half of the book consists of them traveling to the town of Culcairn, where they find a nervous populace as Adrian and the team try to get answers about what is happening in Albury (based on the rumors they heard about in book 2).
I'd give the first half of the book 3 stars. I had trouble engaging, and there wasn't much action as Adrian tries to figure things out.
The second half gets better and there is a lot more action. The town leaders of Culcairn aren't going to give out information for free, which means that the team has to deal with their monster troubles, just like they did in the last town. I'm giving this half of the book 4 stars.
I really want to like this series, but book 2 was a letdown compared to book 1, and book 3 is a continuation of book 2. This is a road trip series for the most part, which means the same things with different monsters will happen going forward. Maybe if the team gets the ability to fly that would change.
The action sequences are still good and well put together. It's the other parts that drag it down for me.
4/5*
January 1, 2022
I couldn’t finish it.
I’m sorry to say but I could finish it. As previously stated by other reviewers but the MC doesn’t seem to change. His powers shift but for the sake of the plot he stays a idiot. Also the repeated visits to the same issues chapter after chapter, book after book, it gets exhausting. This I can tolerate, I understand you have to build some chips in the armor of the character. But the interface communications are jarring, incoherent and just down right ridiculous. It feels more of a exercise is word count. Two pages in a communication with the character to make a decision. A decision to use a skill he has used more than any other that should be instinctual, but for the sake of stacking words you drag out the scene with ridiculous decisions and interactions. This rips you out of the book at times and definitely makes the MC less human and more unwitting character in a book. You constantly get ripped out of the book for these reason. Sitting there wondering what the heck that communication was or getting angry over the most incessant decisions the MC make. It all adds up to a poor run. I will try and revisit the book in the future but in good conscience I can’t recommend this book. To the author, write when you can, don’t word pad, and keep your characters realistic, but don’t humanize them to much. Their has to be those sparks that set them as the successful one. Better it be the MC than the plot you put them in.
I’m sorry to say but I could finish it. As previously stated by other reviewers but the MC doesn’t seem to change. His powers shift but for the sake of the plot he stays a idiot. Also the repeated visits to the same issues chapter after chapter, book after book, it gets exhausting. This I can tolerate, I understand you have to build some chips in the armor of the character. But the interface communications are jarring, incoherent and just down right ridiculous. It feels more of a exercise is word count. Two pages in a communication with the character to make a decision. A decision to use a skill he has used more than any other that should be instinctual, but for the sake of stacking words you drag out the scene with ridiculous decisions and interactions. This rips you out of the book at times and definitely makes the MC less human and more unwitting character in a book. You constantly get ripped out of the book for these reason. Sitting there wondering what the heck that communication was or getting angry over the most incessant decisions the MC make. It all adds up to a poor run. I will try and revisit the book in the future but in good conscience I can’t recommend this book. To the author, write when you can, don’t word pad, and keep your characters realistic, but don’t humanize them to much. Their has to be those sparks that set them as the successful one. Better it be the MC than the plot you put them in.
May 9, 2022
I was really enjoying this series up to this point, but this book might have ended it for me.
Whenever the MC communicates with the AI in his head it is done through a series of images. In this book I felt that this portion was excessive and annoying. It happens way too often, takes far too long, and was a detriment to the story.
I also hate MCs that are dumb or make dumb choices repeatedly. For a guy who has a motto of “safety first” he sure makes a lot of silly unnecessarily dangerous choices.
I’ll try not to give away to many details, but one of the main characters gets killed abruptly and almost as an afterthought. The group is just hanging out talking and then they get a notification that he is dead. That’s it. Quite frustrating to read.
What killed it for me the most was a scene that went into gory intricate detail of how the MC and his party had to kill children. Everything from chasing them to watching the fear in their eyes as they stabbed them. Granted, these were monster children, but still who wants to read about that?!? The answer is absolutely no one.
Whenever the MC communicates with the AI in his head it is done through a series of images. In this book I felt that this portion was excessive and annoying. It happens way too often, takes far too long, and was a detriment to the story.
I also hate MCs that are dumb or make dumb choices repeatedly. For a guy who has a motto of “safety first” he sure makes a lot of silly unnecessarily dangerous choices.
I’ll try not to give away to many details, but one of the main characters gets killed abruptly and almost as an afterthought. The group is just hanging out talking and then they get a notification that he is dead. That’s it. Quite frustrating to read.
What killed it for me the most was a scene that went into gory intricate detail of how the MC and his party had to kill children. Everything from chasing them to watching the fear in their eyes as they stabbed them. Granted, these were monster children, but still who wants to read about that?!? The answer is absolutely no one.
November 30, 2021
Downhill slide
In the back of the book there is a blurb stating that the author believes this is his best work. It is not. Our main character continues to whine and moan about everything, Steve and Susan are still boring, jules is still incredibly annoying and spoiler alert, kozie is tortured and murdered by a bunch of racist, rapist murderers who have all the depth of a war hammer 40k villain. One of them literally screams "I'm going to rape everyone you love". Honestly, I think this comes down to the authors life experience. He's said he's a boring banker with a boring life and it shows. He just doesn't understand the kind of reaction people habe to taking a life to defend themselves so he makes a MC who's a sniveling baby and he has no experience with real evil so he just makes his bad guys racist rapey loonatics. Frank assessment, none of the characters are likeable and the plot has been super boring since book 2.
In the back of the book there is a blurb stating that the author believes this is his best work. It is not. Our main character continues to whine and moan about everything, Steve and Susan are still boring, jules is still incredibly annoying and spoiler alert, kozie is tortured and murdered by a bunch of racist, rapist murderers who have all the depth of a war hammer 40k villain. One of them literally screams "I'm going to rape everyone you love". Honestly, I think this comes down to the authors life experience. He's said he's a boring banker with a boring life and it shows. He just doesn't understand the kind of reaction people habe to taking a life to defend themselves so he makes a MC who's a sniveling baby and he has no experience with real evil so he just makes his bad guys racist rapey loonatics. Frank assessment, none of the characters are likeable and the plot has been super boring since book 2.
December 14, 2021
Less thinking, more Doing!
There are parts of these books that I really like, and then there are parts that have me wanting to pull my hair out in frustration or just skim ahead in boredom. My biggest complaint is just how much of the time the MC spends second-guessing every single decision he makes after he spent so much time agonizing over which decision to make in the first place.
Up until about 85% of this book, I was intending to leave a 2-star review and give up on the series. Things picked up again at the end enough for me to want to give at least 2.5 stars and consider reading the next book HOPING that the MC stops all of the second-guessing and navel-gazing that plagued this book.
I’m gonna go read something else now. Maybe I’ll come back to this series for the next one. Maybe not.
There are parts of these books that I really like, and then there are parts that have me wanting to pull my hair out in frustration or just skim ahead in boredom. My biggest complaint is just how much of the time the MC spends second-guessing every single decision he makes after he spent so much time agonizing over which decision to make in the first place.
Up until about 85% of this book, I was intending to leave a 2-star review and give up on the series. Things picked up again at the end enough for me to want to give at least 2.5 stars and consider reading the next book HOPING that the MC stops all of the second-guessing and navel-gazing that plagued this book.
I’m gonna go read something else now. Maybe I’ll come back to this series for the next one. Maybe not.
February 12, 2022
2.5 stars
Adrian’s navel gazing was irritating, interminable, and useless. He lost all of the emotional development that he had gained in the last book, and is once again, making stupid choices out of his emotional desire to get to Melbourne quickly rather than safely.
I don’t understand how Kozzie ended up in the situation he got into in the end of the book. After all of their experience and training, did he simply not use his identification ability? If he had, he certainly would have stealthed and then gone for backup. And how did that much happen in the time that the rest of the team were waiting? Why was nothing heard?
Throughout this book, Adrian made choices that I disagreed with. His logic wasn’t sound and he keeps making assumptions that don’t pan out. Basically he’s reeling from one encounter to the next relying wholly on luck to survive.
Adrian’s navel gazing was irritating, interminable, and useless. He lost all of the emotional development that he had gained in the last book, and is once again, making stupid choices out of his emotional desire to get to Melbourne quickly rather than safely.
I don’t understand how Kozzie ended up in the situation he got into in the end of the book. After all of their experience and training, did he simply not use his identification ability? If he had, he certainly would have stealthed and then gone for backup. And how did that much happen in the time that the rest of the team were waiting? Why was nothing heard?
Throughout this book, Adrian made choices that I disagreed with. His logic wasn’t sound and he keeps making assumptions that don’t pan out. Basically he’s reeling from one encounter to the next relying wholly on luck to survive.
February 16, 2022
Traveling heroes and their stories don’t mention the bad days
The making of heroes may be more about surviving what was necessary without losing yourself. Challenges of the heart, mind and body await as the team makes progress towards Melbourne. Tragedies are more common than heroic struggles for success as they discover one town that was nearly untouched by random or roaming monsters. However there are worse things out there and they may even surprise the interface guiding our hapless heroes. At least until it becomes personal, then we see what all Adrian and his non-standard interface have been working his build toward.
Even in a new reality of life and death with monsters on par with dinosaurs, humans are still our most dangerous opponents.
PTSD and guilt play havoc on some of the team after they struggle with one invading monster race after another.
The making of heroes may be more about surviving what was necessary without losing yourself. Challenges of the heart, mind and body await as the team makes progress towards Melbourne. Tragedies are more common than heroic struggles for success as they discover one town that was nearly untouched by random or roaming monsters. However there are worse things out there and they may even surprise the interface guiding our hapless heroes. At least until it becomes personal, then we see what all Adrian and his non-standard interface have been working his build toward.
Even in a new reality of life and death with monsters on par with dinosaurs, humans are still our most dangerous opponents.
PTSD and guilt play havoc on some of the team after they struggle with one invading monster race after another.
April 20, 2022
What a depressing book!
If you like whining and self-loathing then this is probably a book for you. If you take out all of the whining self-loathing, complaining and possibly post traumatic stress syndrome then this would be a short story. I don’t know the exact percentage but a good 70% of this story is just the main character whining complaining and self loathing. I understand that a character thrown into this type of situation would probably have some traumatic issues but when you take up most of the story with try to express those traumatic issues then it just becomes repetitive and depressing. I don’t read stories like this just so I can become depressed. I am sure there are people out there who find tragedies the most interesting thing to read or to experience but I don’t find that streak of self-loathing very entertaining.
If you like whining and self-loathing then this is probably a book for you. If you take out all of the whining self-loathing, complaining and possibly post traumatic stress syndrome then this would be a short story. I don’t know the exact percentage but a good 70% of this story is just the main character whining complaining and self loathing. I understand that a character thrown into this type of situation would probably have some traumatic issues but when you take up most of the story with try to express those traumatic issues then it just becomes repetitive and depressing. I don’t read stories like this just so I can become depressed. I am sure there are people out there who find tragedies the most interesting thing to read or to experience but I don’t find that streak of self-loathing very entertaining.
February 20, 2022
More adventures but mostly from
Our main character's point of view.. I was hoping to have more story involving the party of 5 that is taking thd journey home to Melbourne but I'm 37% into the book and the other party members are only mentioned when everyone is together and they are not really becoming more than equipment to the main character. Who is full of self doubt and loathing. Even while he does alot of internal dialog talking to the ai interface and learning new skills. Which in it's self getting repetitive and boring. But the rat hunting was too much aggravation, I skimmed most of 3 chapters covering it .. again these reviews are for my memories as they are harder to hold onto as I get older.
Our main character's point of view.. I was hoping to have more story involving the party of 5 that is taking thd journey home to Melbourne but I'm 37% into the book and the other party members are only mentioned when everyone is together and they are not really becoming more than equipment to the main character. Who is full of self doubt and loathing. Even while he does alot of internal dialog talking to the ai interface and learning new skills. Which in it's self getting repetitive and boring. But the rat hunting was too much aggravation, I skimmed most of 3 chapters covering it .. again these reviews are for my memories as they are harder to hold onto as I get older.
November 21, 2021
Not very good
The first one was good, the second less so but still decent, this one was not very good. Felt like every other paragraph was a pointless interruption of some meaningless interaction between the mc and his interface, the mc is constantly bemoaning his circumstances, still barely making an effort to get to his family, but what really saps the enjoyment of reading it is the woe is me attitude of the mc, trying to save people who are trying to kill him, the inner turmoil of having to kill monsters to survive, by the end I was ready for the mc to be killed and would rather read about the side kick Steve, who hardly ever utters a word.
The first one was good, the second less so but still decent, this one was not very good. Felt like every other paragraph was a pointless interruption of some meaningless interaction between the mc and his interface, the mc is constantly bemoaning his circumstances, still barely making an effort to get to his family, but what really saps the enjoyment of reading it is the woe is me attitude of the mc, trying to save people who are trying to kill him, the inner turmoil of having to kill monsters to survive, by the end I was ready for the mc to be killed and would rather read about the side kick Steve, who hardly ever utters a word.
November 30, 2021
Self opposition, why?
-1 The mc is constantly second guessing and challengingn himself. It might be realistic given the circumstances, but it makes a painful read. He doesn't learn, or grow. It's the same issues over and over.
-1 repeated illogical plot challenges. Stupid MC is the most boring of opposition. "No, because I don't want to"..."okay, fine", but stretch it through 20 pages and repeat 10 times. That's half the book.
+3 for a neat overall plot, for addressing duty and self vs society, and for not pulling punches. Neat works and system still if not incredibly slow.
-1 The mc is constantly second guessing and challengingn himself. It might be realistic given the circumstances, but it makes a painful read. He doesn't learn, or grow. It's the same issues over and over.
-1 repeated illogical plot challenges. Stupid MC is the most boring of opposition. "No, because I don't want to"..."okay, fine", but stretch it through 20 pages and repeat 10 times. That's half the book.
+3 for a neat overall plot, for addressing duty and self vs society, and for not pulling punches. Neat works and system still if not incredibly slow.
February 29, 2024
I’m conflicted on this series. I like the world building and most of the characters, but the main character/protagonist is absolutely ruining this series for me. Adrian may be the whiniest person I’ve followed in a book. He makes me want to root for his family to be out of the picture just so he stops talking about it every three seconds. He refuses to listen to the interface tool that’s put there specifically to help him succeed. He’s dithering about putting a stop to people that are actively raping, torturing, enslaving people just because they’re humans. I actively hate Adrian and will probably stop an otherwise pretty good series so I don’t have to hear his whining any more.
November 27, 2021
Amazing journey continues
If you are considering the book, you should start with the first of the series and start this fantastic, but also sometimes heartbreaking journey in post-apocslyptic Australia. If you have read the first two you know what to expect.
In this part of their journey the characters are thrown up and down a rollercoaster ride of success and misery.
The story arc ends but on a cliff hanger (thank you), but still I can't wait for the next to see the development of the things that started here.
If you are considering the book, you should start with the first of the series and start this fantastic, but also sometimes heartbreaking journey in post-apocslyptic Australia. If you have read the first two you know what to expect.
In this part of their journey the characters are thrown up and down a rollercoaster ride of success and misery.
The story arc ends but on a cliff hanger (thank you), but still I can't wait for the next to see the development of the things that started here.
November 8, 2022
This book had a battle that lasted way too long. The author doesn't create super compelling battles, so the battle was a massive detriment to the book. I enjoyed the book aside from that big battle, but the battle dropped my rating a whole star from what it otherwise would have been. I don't think too many authors are very good at writing long battle scenes that stay interesting the whole time, so the author should not feel too bad about having failed at it. I just hope the author realizes their strengths and weakness to improve their writing in the future.
January 28, 2022
Who does that?
Spoilers
Who kills off a party member off screen? Didn't he even merit a death scene? This cheap death killed the series for me. I don't even care if the rest of the party does great things and one of them manages to survive. There can't really be a happy or satisfying conclusion unless reserection becomes a thing and that would cheapen every death that came before. As far as I'm concerned, this story is over. RIP Kozzie
Spoilers
Who kills off a party member off screen? Didn't he even merit a death scene? This cheap death killed the series for me. I don't even care if the rest of the party does great things and one of them manages to survive. There can't really be a happy or satisfying conclusion unless reserection becomes a thing and that would cheapen every death that came before. As far as I'm concerned, this story is over. RIP Kozzie
February 8, 2022
Dnf
Gave up right at the end. That death was completely unnecessary. The characters have been through plenty of horrible shit. They didn’t need it for motivation or character growth or anything else. They’ve been through enough for all of that many times over. It was just too damn much.
On a much more minor note, the skills listed section is missing stuff (like the ice magic from the plant for one) and lists air aura twice.
Gave up right at the end. That death was completely unnecessary. The characters have been through plenty of horrible shit. They didn’t need it for motivation or character growth or anything else. They’ve been through enough for all of that many times over. It was just too damn much.
On a much more minor note, the skills listed section is missing stuff (like the ice magic from the plant for one) and lists air aura twice.
March 17, 2022
There were three of them
Half the book is just the same fight repeated over and over. A group of 3, arrow thwack fire hide kill third. Oh pulled too many. Hide. Find a group of 3. Find a group of 3. Find a group of three. See a pattern? I'm on at least 15? Chapters of this exact same fight. This series continues to get worse, which sucks, because the start, and overall premise is great. But clearly they're written for quantity of pages, not quality.
Half the book is just the same fight repeated over and over. A group of 3, arrow thwack fire hide kill third. Oh pulled too many. Hide. Find a group of 3. Find a group of 3. Find a group of three. See a pattern? I'm on at least 15? Chapters of this exact same fight. This series continues to get worse, which sucks, because the start, and overall premise is great. But clearly they're written for quantity of pages, not quality.
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