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Apocalypse Core #1
Apocalypse Core
One moment, everything was normal. Then the World Core woke up and slaughtered almost everything alive so it could harvest their Chi.
After that, it rebuilt everything and put the survivors in a game-like environment, pitting them against monsters and each other.
The rules are different now. Chi power is as important as being able to fight.
I'm one of the survivors. With my knowledge of martial arts and my special Chi skill, I'm turning myself into a force to be reckoned with.
And the women I meet along the way?
Let's just say there's more than one advantage to joining my party.
This is a western cultivation fantasy adventure that includes a definite sense of progression and Gamelit/LitRPG elements.
After that, it rebuilt everything and put the survivors in a game-like environment, pitting them against monsters and each other.
The rules are different now. Chi power is as important as being able to fight.
I'm one of the survivors. With my knowledge of martial arts and my special Chi skill, I'm turning myself into a force to be reckoned with.
And the women I meet along the way?
Let's just say there's more than one advantage to joining my party.
This is a western cultivation fantasy adventure that includes a definite sense of progression and Gamelit/LitRPG elements.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2022
217 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 5, 2022
I tend to get hopeful when I see apocalypse and LItRPG together. This book let me down, in more ways than one.
Marc, the MC, is a nice enough guy, but the apocalypse is one you could set your snooze alarm to. It involves the core of the world growing, and boom, seven billion people are gone.
But not Marc. It's kind of a big oversight on Earth's part.
Marc wanders around, finds someone, kills things that really aren't much of a challenge, and then forms a harem. That's it. Yes, there is a bigger fight at the end that was setup early in the book, but more than being disappointed, I was bored.
Instead of a system, there's a being called Harbinger that gives Marc (and rarely anyone else) information on what is happening around him. There is also a race to find a safe zone.
The author is a prolific writer, and I don't mind someone wanting to take a day off and write something easy. Just give me some advance warning. That's all I ask.
On the plus side, the editing is good and the stat sheets are plentiful.
3/5* and I won't be reading book 2.
Marc, the MC, is a nice enough guy, but the apocalypse is one you could set your snooze alarm to. It involves the core of the world growing, and boom, seven billion people are gone.
But not Marc. It's kind of a big oversight on Earth's part.
Marc wanders around, finds someone, kills things that really aren't much of a challenge, and then forms a harem. That's it. Yes, there is a bigger fight at the end that was setup early in the book, but more than being disappointed, I was bored.
Instead of a system, there's a being called Harbinger that gives Marc (and rarely anyone else) information on what is happening around him. There is also a race to find a safe zone.
The author is a prolific writer, and I don't mind someone wanting to take a day off and write something easy. Just give me some advance warning. That's all I ask.
On the plus side, the editing is good and the stat sheets are plentiful.
3/5* and I won't be reading book 2.
May 21, 2022
I didn't care for it
I was not a fan of like the mc to be op or at least an ass kicking winner several times he let the shithead live tryne or whatever her name acts like an idiot the mc supposed to be be smart but he's not in the least
I was not a fan of like the mc to be op or at least an ass kicking winner several times he let the shithead live tryne or whatever her name acts like an idiot the mc supposed to be be smart but he's not in the least
May 10, 2022
Can, but brutal
Apocalypse, world becomes a game, let the leveling begin. But, it's essentially just a massive PVP arena. Good start to a potentially great series
Apocalypse, world becomes a game, let the leveling begin. But, it's essentially just a massive PVP arena. Good start to a potentially great series
May 27, 2022
Huh
Okay, so far this book has been somewhat enjoyable, it's got an interesting character Arc and it has a fun plot line. The only issue so far I have is that every male other than the protagonist has been a complete douche nozzle. If it was once human and it's male it's evil. This makes no sense. It aggravates me that the entire population of humanity has been reduced down to one nice guy / good guy and the evil twits of the world. It makes no sense that the population being reduced to 0.1% and people are more interested about killing each other than surviving as a whole it's almost like everybody on the planet even the smart people are too stupid to realize that we need to band together because that's how humanity pulled itself out of the muck it just makes no sense. Other than that rather large hole this was a fun book a little heavy on the adult themes but still a fun book.
Okay, so far this book has been somewhat enjoyable, it's got an interesting character Arc and it has a fun plot line. The only issue so far I have is that every male other than the protagonist has been a complete douche nozzle. If it was once human and it's male it's evil. This makes no sense. It aggravates me that the entire population of humanity has been reduced down to one nice guy / good guy and the evil twits of the world. It makes no sense that the population being reduced to 0.1% and people are more interested about killing each other than surviving as a whole it's almost like everybody on the planet even the smart people are too stupid to realize that we need to band together because that's how humanity pulled itself out of the muck it just makes no sense. Other than that rather large hole this was a fun book a little heavy on the adult themes but still a fun book.
February 21, 2024
Overall pretty average for the genre. Writing is competent, MC is ok, but the fucking dog is too much. I know it's supposed to be comic relief, but I would have had it put down if it was my dog humping everything and generally being a pain in the ass. Spoilers follow, and explain why I probably won't read the next book.
One thing I despise more than anything else in any form of story is the recurring villain who the MC half-asses trying to kill despite it being abundantly clear that this person is an existential threat to them and those they care about. That's a hell of a run-on sentence, but appropriate for a rant. YMMV as always.
One thing I despise more than anything else in any form of story is the recurring villain who the MC half-asses trying to kill despite it being abundantly clear that this person is an existential threat to them and those they care about. That's a hell of a run-on sentence, but appropriate for a rant. YMMV as always.
July 4, 2023
This book series was recommended to me by a friend and while I am a fan of litRPG's this one was just a simple straightforward story of a man, his female companions and his dog navigating the world that changed abruptly from their perspective. This was a quick read for me, with some surprising quirkiness mixed in with adults scenes, so it caught my attention, kept me engaged and eager to know where this story was heading.
The only downside I'll probably address is the lack of other male characters that are inherently good after the apocalypse. I get its probability thing but running into a beautiful female immediately after everything turned to shit and then having 2 more amazing sultry females added to your group by the end was kind of too easy and unbelievable. I guess in this scenario I would've loved to have each character struggle on their own for a while and at least one other male added to the party with different attributes that can contribute to the situation. but it is called fantasy for a reason lol.
The only downside I'll probably address is the lack of other male characters that are inherently good after the apocalypse. I get its probability thing but running into a beautiful female immediately after everything turned to shit and then having 2 more amazing sultry females added to your group by the end was kind of too easy and unbelievable. I guess in this scenario I would've loved to have each character struggle on their own for a while and at least one other male added to the party with different attributes that can contribute to the situation. but it is called fantasy for a reason lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2022
Several premises are radically different from the normal LitRPG so its interesting. Not sure as to the sustainability over multiple volumes. LitRPG elements are their usual repetitive boring self. The LitRPG or Gamer world concept is 'cool'. But the boring repetition of statistics is not. In short I like the theme of the genre but not its execution. When the genre is good it stands on the normal literary merits of concepts, character, and logical story lines. When its not 15-40% of the text is stats that detract from the story telling. This book is good example of the genre avoiding the pitfall of the stats actually becoming distracting with good but not exceptional storytelling.
July 3, 2022
Sad. Don't waist your time
There is no progression here. Its just the MC and his group making one dumb decision after the other, stumbling around with plot armor to keep them alive. I got to 97% before I gave up as they made the same mistake of letting the bad guy go for like the 3rd time. The world is disjointed and falls flat. But what really ruins it for me is the weak MC refusing to do what needs to be done. In a apocalypse with people everywhere trying to kill you you better have the balls to kill them first or you deserve to die. I found myself just wishing they would bite it and the book would end.
There is no progression here. Its just the MC and his group making one dumb decision after the other, stumbling around with plot armor to keep them alive. I got to 97% before I gave up as they made the same mistake of letting the bad guy go for like the 3rd time. The world is disjointed and falls flat. But what really ruins it for me is the weak MC refusing to do what needs to be done. In a apocalypse with people everywhere trying to kill you you better have the balls to kill them first or you deserve to die. I found myself just wishing they would bite it and the book would end.
October 3, 2022
great story but
I really enjoyed the story it had a good Pace to it and the characters were interesting and so was the World. I hope to find out more about the Earth core and what it is trying to do. I feel the fight scenes could have been done a little bit better and the main character sometimes acted pretty smart and other times he acted kind of Dome but all a good story I am interested in reading the next book in the series when it comes out.
I really enjoyed the story it had a good Pace to it and the characters were interesting and so was the World. I hope to find out more about the Earth core and what it is trying to do. I feel the fight scenes could have been done a little bit better and the main character sometimes acted pretty smart and other times he acted kind of Dome but all a good story I am interested in reading the next book in the series when it comes out.
July 30, 2022
Interesting start
Fantasy LitRPG harem adult situations
Security guard Marc Solomon and his dog survive the first apocalypse, and learn that there are a lot more trials to undergo. An arch nemesis is made, and companions begin learning how the new rules function. Potential here. Let's see how it progresses.
Fantasy LitRPG harem adult situations
Security guard Marc Solomon and his dog survive the first apocalypse, and learn that there are a lot more trials to undergo. An arch nemesis is made, and companions begin learning how the new rules function. Potential here. Let's see how it progresses.
April 30, 2022
A great beginning!!!
As with all this authors stories/series excellent world building and an exceptional story!!! Very interesting cultivation techniques and uses of the skills!!! I can't wait for the next book in this series to see wht happens with this new world core!!!
As with all this authors stories/series excellent world building and an exceptional story!!! Very interesting cultivation techniques and uses of the skills!!! I can't wait for the next book in this series to see wht happens with this new world core!!!
May 1, 2022
Great read
Already liked this author so was an easy choice to check out this new series. And am glad I did. An overall great story with a likable MC and a good cast of female leads who are just as interesting on their own. Already looking forward to the next one.
Already liked this author so was an easy choice to check out this new series. And am glad I did. An overall great story with a likable MC and a good cast of female leads who are just as interesting on their own. Already looking forward to the next one.
May 26, 2022
Hard to get into.
This is a very hard book to read. Too much of the gaming influence to make it interesting. It may be a good read for some gameplay readers. But I couldn't stay interested past chapter10.
This is a very hard book to read. Too much of the gaming influence to make it interesting. It may be a good read for some gameplay readers. But I couldn't stay interested past chapter10.
May 29, 2022
awesomeness
This beginning series is exactly what I’ve been looking for! It has great action sequences and just enough magic for me to want more and more! Can’t wait for the next book to come out!
This beginning series is exactly what I’ve been looking for! It has great action sequences and just enough magic for me to want more and more! Can’t wait for the next book to come out!
June 15, 2022
This is a fun (and short) adventure. I really liked the mechanics of the World Core and will read more of the series to see how it goes. The characters and fights and slow build up of skills was fun to read.
July 1, 2022
Well written and entertaining, but a little slow
Very well written, the world building is great and the characters are written really well. But the MC building is verrrrryyyy sllllooowww. But worth the read.
Very well written, the world building is great and the characters are written really well. But the MC building is verrrrryyyy sllllooowww. But worth the read.
May 1, 2022
Very good book
This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is chi apocalypse based. It is well written and edited. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is chi apocalypse based. It is well written and edited. I anxiously await the sequel.
May 2, 2022
Great Book
Beyond words this story is fantastic. I like the plot and the characters. I can't wait to read the second book.
Beyond words this story is fantastic. I like the plot and the characters. I can't wait to read the second book.
May 4, 2022
Quit halfway through.
This hits every obvious cliche trope. The character actions are railroaded. This is just another cheap clone of a story with no originality.
This hits every obvious cliche trope. The character actions are railroaded. This is just another cheap clone of a story with no originality.
May 17, 2022
Great book
Great book,and I can't wait to see what he writes about next.This is what I have come to expect from this author.
Great book,and I can't wait to see what he writes about next.This is what I have come to expect from this author.
June 5, 2022
A great adventure
I enjoyed the abilities, world building, characters and their relationships. I look forward to seeing where the series goes from here.
I enjoyed the abilities, world building, characters and their relationships. I look forward to seeing where the series goes from here.
June 18, 2022
fun premise
Good intro to cultivation if you haven’t read that genre. Gives the basics as well as some of the abilities you might see. The girls are hot and the book moves quickly.
Good intro to cultivation if you haven’t read that genre. Gives the basics as well as some of the abilities you might see. The girls are hot and the book moves quickly.
September 1, 2022
Standard apocalypse plot as the leading theme
interesting approach, a bit heavy on PvP but the characters are well done (the good and the evil ones)
interesting approach, a bit heavy on PvP but the characters are well done (the good and the evil ones)
April 30, 2023
3.5 Stars
April 4, 2024
Fun, but pretty basic isekai with a harem... Smut included. It's fun but its not mind blowing.
March 25, 2025
Very interesting
I enjoyed the story so far. The people are fun and well written. The plotline is interesting and intriguing. Can't wait for the next one!
I enjoyed the story so far. The people are fun and well written. The plotline is interesting and intriguing. Can't wait for the next one!
July 14, 2022
Apocalypse Core is a very fun story.
While the story does have LitRPG/stats, it also doesn’t take itself too seriously. I loved it when a voice intoned “-7 damage, -7 damage, -5 damage” and the MC shouts “I don’t need a blow-by-blow account”! The entity “helping” guide the MC through the altered world is snarky and openly hopes our hero will die on multiple occasions!
The characters are interesting and fun, with distinct personalities, and the women have initial conflicts with the concept of sharing the MC.
A fun story with terrific narration; 5* and I look forward to book #2 in the series!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Receiving a review copy did not influence my rating or my review.
While the story does have LitRPG/stats, it also doesn’t take itself too seriously. I loved it when a voice intoned “-7 damage, -7 damage, -5 damage” and the MC shouts “I don’t need a blow-by-blow account”! The entity “helping” guide the MC through the altered world is snarky and openly hopes our hero will die on multiple occasions!
The characters are interesting and fun, with distinct personalities, and the women have initial conflicts with the concept of sharing the MC.
A fun story with terrific narration; 5* and I look forward to book #2 in the series!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Receiving a review copy did not influence my rating or my review.
October 21, 2024
I do think this series has promise, and I’ll be waiting for the next books.
The start is quite good, and was very fun and entertaining, giving a nice look into the character before the events. Plus the dog was epic. The ML, Mark, acts a bit too much like a good guy and doesn’t seem to take things very seriously, and it comes to bite him in the ass. Trin just seems to be there and does not really do anything except for interacting with the ML until later on in the book when she starts do interact more with the characters. Ripper seems to be fun and I want to see more of her in the following book. Blue looks to be a more mischievous character, but as with Ripper we don’t get much of her either. The dog while very entertaining at the start now seems to just tag along and not do much at all.
The premise of the story was a decent twist on the genre, while not overly unique it has interesting moments. With a bit of trimming it would have been quite good, there is just to much excessive first person narration on the part of Mark, making it all feel boring. When there is actual dialogue it seems to bloom and flow better, especially during the interactions between Mark and Harbinger. The last third of the book is where it gets really good and interesting, and makes it worth reading.
One good thing is that there is a moment where they actually get into the aspects of their relationship and there's even some arguing that gets solved eventually. A good aspect and hope to see more things like these and development of the emotional aspects of what they have going on combined with more intimate moments. If they do this and put less focus on the combat, which drags a lot, it can be elevated even more.
Narration was good, Mark’s voice feels a bit flat and emotionless sometimes, but that of the other male characters is very good. The female voices felt ok, but it doesn’t get much chance to shine since she (the narrator) has very few lines.
In the end, it’s worth a read and it has potential for the future. While the mid of the book was a bit boring and dull, the start and the last third of the book are where it shines. Looking forward for more.
The start is quite good, and was very fun and entertaining, giving a nice look into the character before the events. Plus the dog was epic. The ML, Mark, acts a bit too much like a good guy and doesn’t seem to take things very seriously, and it comes to bite him in the ass. Trin just seems to be there and does not really do anything except for interacting with the ML until later on in the book when she starts do interact more with the characters. Ripper seems to be fun and I want to see more of her in the following book. Blue looks to be a more mischievous character, but as with Ripper we don’t get much of her either. The dog while very entertaining at the start now seems to just tag along and not do much at all.
The premise of the story was a decent twist on the genre, while not overly unique it has interesting moments. With a bit of trimming it would have been quite good, there is just to much excessive first person narration on the part of Mark, making it all feel boring. When there is actual dialogue it seems to bloom and flow better, especially during the interactions between Mark and Harbinger. The last third of the book is where it gets really good and interesting, and makes it worth reading.
One good thing is that there is a moment where they actually get into the aspects of their relationship and there's even some arguing that gets solved eventually. A good aspect and hope to see more things like these and development of the emotional aspects of what they have going on combined with more intimate moments. If they do this and put less focus on the combat, which drags a lot, it can be elevated even more.
Narration was good, Mark’s voice feels a bit flat and emotionless sometimes, but that of the other male characters is very good. The female voices felt ok, but it doesn’t get much chance to shine since she (the narrator) has very few lines.
In the end, it’s worth a read and it has potential for the future. While the mid of the book was a bit boring and dull, the start and the last third of the book are where it shines. Looking forward for more.
November 16, 2024
Juvenile dog humping things, I will not call it a joke, overused. Tropy, contrite drama. Mediocre for the genre below average litrpg. Does not improve as it progresses, surprised I finished it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews