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Natural Laws Apocalypse #5
Alt System
With Earth's acclimatization year ticking away, Marc and his party share the desire to grow stronger. Based on their previous experiences, they theorize where they might find spawns that would be powerful enough to give them good experience, then head out to prove their theory. Along the way they discover another fairly large Safe Zone with a population of hundreds of people.
On their return to their home Safe Zone, Marc finds that he's received messages from powerful, potential allies from off world. Allies who are aware of the satellite and what it's been doing. These potential allies claim that they have a way to travel to Earth before the acclimatization period is over. All Marc has to do to allow this is get his Safe Zone to a certain threshold.
When Marc achieves the goal for Any Port and the allies arrive, they set to work on a plan that, for now at least, goes hand in hand with Marc's own desires. Once the Safe Zone Network manages to get into the Computer Age, that frees them up to use the spaceship they found with the satellite, at least for atmospheric flights. Marc and his group are then sent halfway around the world on a quest for his allies.
On their return to their home Safe Zone, Marc finds that he's received messages from powerful, potential allies from off world. Allies who are aware of the satellite and what it's been doing. These potential allies claim that they have a way to travel to Earth before the acclimatization period is over. All Marc has to do to allow this is get his Safe Zone to a certain threshold.
When Marc achieves the goal for Any Port and the allies arrive, they set to work on a plan that, for now at least, goes hand in hand with Marc's own desires. Once the Safe Zone Network manages to get into the Computer Age, that frees them up to use the spaceship they found with the satellite, at least for atmospheric flights. Marc and his group are then sent halfway around the world on a quest for his allies.
619 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2022
594 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Tom Larcombe
27 books251 followersTom Larcombe was introduced to fantasy books at a young age. Those that were aimed more at children hooked him in, but not well enough for him to remember their names at this point in his life. Their draw led him to books aimed more for the adult reader and so he found himself, at around age eight, starting in on the Steven R Donaldson 'Thomas Covenant' series and the Hobbit, followed shortly thereafter by The Lord of the Rings books.
His reading tastes have never looked back, although they have broadened to include science fiction and the occasional non-fiction book.
He lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with his wife, two daughters, three cats, and a variable number of chickens.
His reading tastes have never looked back, although they have broadened to include science fiction and the occasional non-fiction book.
He lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with his wife, two daughters, three cats, and a variable number of chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 19, 2022
Much like the previous book there wasn't anything new happening for Marc & Co. They did meet new people and he went on to teach them how to better their safe zone... and they killed stuff, and went up a level and then... nada!
The exciting part, which is why I gave an extra star, comes in the form of Gods and Goddesses. At least, according to Greek and Egyptian mythology... but in Larcombe's version, they're every day people like us who obtained power through a system that existed in their time. That was pretty dope.
The exciting part, which is why I gave an extra star, comes in the form of Gods and Goddesses. At least, according to Greek and Egyptian mythology... but in Larcombe's version, they're every day people like us who obtained power through a system that existed in their time. That was pretty dope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2022
Rating 4.0 stars
A good continuation of the series but there was a significant change I that I am not so sure about. I am not sure how it is connected to what happened previously. Overall, I still enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next one.
A good continuation of the series but there was a significant change I that I am not so sure about. I am not sure how it is connected to what happened previously. Overall, I still enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next one.
February 23, 2024
4.25 I am not really enjoying the addition of the gods.
December 29, 2022
Half this book was inconsequential filler that had no bearing on the overall plot. It's more "a day in the life of Marc" than it is any sort of coherent plot.
Some of that changes about 3/4 of the way through the book, but it was a real slog to get to that point. I think this is where I bow out of the series.
Some of that changes about 3/4 of the way through the book, but it was a real slog to get to that point. I think this is where I bow out of the series.
November 3, 2023
Series review, or book review? Maybe a little of both.
About the series. I like it. I like the System and the world that it is in. I like how we learn more about the System as we read each new book.
About the book. Hmmm. Let's be nice, Old Timer.
When they are engaged, actually DOING something, the book is excellent. The combat and dungeon clearing portions are great.
BUT...
Marcus is a dingus. And when he's just wandering around the Safe Area, keeping himself busy, the book drags to a horribly slow pace. Yes, him making enchanted leather armor is cool. The actual weeks and weeks of him practicing were just bad.
And speaking of bad, there are very few characters I can actually like. Most of them are world class jerks. And the ones I do like are all background characters.
It is almost as if Larcombe decided to write a series with a backwards shut in as the hero. And that would be cool, if there was some visible character growth. Nope. Marcus still comes off as a socially backwards, fumbling, misanthrope.
And Any Port has almost ZERO color to it as a place. We know more about life at Deacon's Falls then we do about Any Port.
Yes, I plan on finishing the series. It's tough making it through the books, but I'm having fun with the series.
Cheers! Read every day and read for fun!
About the series. I like it. I like the System and the world that it is in. I like how we learn more about the System as we read each new book.
About the book. Hmmm. Let's be nice, Old Timer.
When they are engaged, actually DOING something, the book is excellent. The combat and dungeon clearing portions are great.
BUT...
Marcus is a dingus. And when he's just wandering around the Safe Area, keeping himself busy, the book drags to a horribly slow pace. Yes, him making enchanted leather armor is cool. The actual weeks and weeks of him practicing were just bad.
And speaking of bad, there are very few characters I can actually like. Most of them are world class jerks. And the ones I do like are all background characters.
It is almost as if Larcombe decided to write a series with a backwards shut in as the hero. And that would be cool, if there was some visible character growth. Nope. Marcus still comes off as a socially backwards, fumbling, misanthrope.
And Any Port has almost ZERO color to it as a place. We know more about life at Deacon's Falls then we do about Any Port.
Yes, I plan on finishing the series. It's tough making it through the books, but I'm having fun with the series.
Cheers! Read every day and read for fun!
October 19, 2022
Interesting
This book has a lot of improvements over the last few. Good progression for characters, battles, and the main characters class and skills.
There's a "twist" roughly halfway through, which isn't really a twist (because genre and reasons) but it definitely made things more interesting. I will look forward to seeing how that turns out.
Mandatory dialogue critique: Dialogue is still very stiff and stilted, with characters over explaining conversations in a way that just doesn't present as realistic for regular people talking to each other, let alone family and close friends.
Certain conversations still get repeated almost verbatim to more than one person, while some, thankfully, get a fade to black or "x explained the past conversation". Those were greatly appreciated.
"Also" being over used in strange places is still a bug bear for me personally, but I now take it as a joke and an author quirk at this point. Made a game of trying to highlight all of them lol.
Overall I really like the improvements and the "twist" and hope it continues.
This book has a lot of improvements over the last few. Good progression for characters, battles, and the main characters class and skills.
There's a "twist" roughly halfway through, which isn't really a twist (because genre and reasons) but it definitely made things more interesting. I will look forward to seeing how that turns out.
Mandatory dialogue critique: Dialogue is still very stiff and stilted, with characters over explaining conversations in a way that just doesn't present as realistic for regular people talking to each other, let alone family and close friends.
Certain conversations still get repeated almost verbatim to more than one person, while some, thankfully, get a fade to black or "x explained the past conversation". Those were greatly appreciated.
"Also" being over used in strange places is still a bug bear for me personally, but I now take it as a joke and an author quirk at this point. Made a game of trying to highlight all of them lol.
Overall I really like the improvements and the "twist" and hope it continues.
February 22, 2023
contradicting yourself and miss use of words in literally every chapter
So they can’t talk about it outside the room without letting the system find out but literally in the next page they TALK ABOUT IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT BUILDING next to that you’ll put things in a chapter like prerequisite’s then change it in the next you constantly misuse words trying to seem smart and use past tense for present or future and there’s a number of words I didn’t understand and when I searched them their literally not even in a dictionary I love the books but holy shit the amount of errors the amount of times you change things afterwards are so annoying it’s literally why you review your book before getting published and seriously who cares if you use a word a few times or repetitively at least you don’t look pretentious by uses words you don’t understand
So they can’t talk about it outside the room without letting the system find out but literally in the next page they TALK ABOUT IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT BUILDING next to that you’ll put things in a chapter like prerequisite’s then change it in the next you constantly misuse words trying to seem smart and use past tense for present or future and there’s a number of words I didn’t understand and when I searched them their literally not even in a dictionary I love the books but holy shit the amount of errors the amount of times you change things afterwards are so annoying it’s literally why you review your book before getting published and seriously who cares if you use a word a few times or repetitively at least you don’t look pretentious by uses words you don’t understand
September 20, 2022
book five
This was a little rough to read. Marc repeats himself a lot in the first three or four chapters. I found a few mistakes that I listed on GoodReads.
Still don’t know why all his friends never looked for their own families. Jeff and his girlfriend are the only ones that gave us any of that kind of background.
I find it to be just off that they keep getting tech working outside of the system level tech.
Parts of the book can be skipped and you miss nothing more then the mc working on one of his many skills. The guy is a jack of all trades. Mentioned at one point that he didn’t want a flying skill but can still pilot the blimp. If you aren’t going to stick to the rules of your own system then drop the system and just write apocalyptic fantasy.
5/10
This was a little rough to read. Marc repeats himself a lot in the first three or four chapters. I found a few mistakes that I listed on GoodReads.
Still don’t know why all his friends never looked for their own families. Jeff and his girlfriend are the only ones that gave us any of that kind of background.
I find it to be just off that they keep getting tech working outside of the system level tech.
Parts of the book can be skipped and you miss nothing more then the mc working on one of his many skills. The guy is a jack of all trades. Mentioned at one point that he didn’t want a flying skill but can still pilot the blimp. If you aren’t going to stick to the rules of your own system then drop the system and just write apocalyptic fantasy.
5/10
February 9, 2023
Another great entry into the series. I've always liked the LitRPG stories that have lots of building in them. This story has that and so much more. Love where the series going, can't wait to see what happens when they advance high enough to use spaceships in space. What will the other planets be like? Will they be able to travel to other star systems? How long will it take them? If the other planets aren't terraformed, can they do the job themselves? Yeah, all kinds of questions, plan on reading as many books in this series as the author cares to publish. Really liking this series.
September 22, 2022
Another excellent book in the series
How much of this book was slow but steady. A lot of progressive gross for the team and the main character. The ladder half of the book introduced how much bigger picture for the team to have to worry about and certainly said some goals for them and their town. I like the MC is constantly pushing himself and learning new things. Unique system discoveries are always fun. I look forward to the next book.
How much of this book was slow but steady. A lot of progressive gross for the team and the main character. The ladder half of the book introduced how much bigger picture for the team to have to worry about and certainly said some goals for them and their town. I like the MC is constantly pushing himself and learning new things. Unique system discoveries are always fun. I look forward to the next book.
September 23, 2022
Good book in a good series. If you're looking for a lot of battle action, though, well ...
There are battles in the series, but much of the story is focused on the base-building and overall arching plot that involves things I won't mention here, since it was a surprise to me and should be a nice surprise to everyone.
So go grab some coffee - a large, large mug of it - and continue in the series.
There are battles in the series, but much of the story is focused on the base-building and overall arching plot that involves things I won't mention here, since it was a surprise to me and should be a nice surprise to everyone.
So go grab some coffee - a large, large mug of it - and continue in the series.
October 24, 2022
Interesting world but sock puppet dialogue
The world building is interesting and following Marc along while he builds his safe zone is fun but I can't get over the fact that all the characters sound the same. It's like two sock puppets talking to each other. I feel like it makes the differences between characters really superficial. If the dialogue was better this book series would be incredible.
The world building is interesting and following Marc along while he builds his safe zone is fun but I can't get over the fact that all the characters sound the same. It's like two sock puppets talking to each other. I feel like it makes the differences between characters really superficial. If the dialogue was better this book series would be incredible.
September 17, 2022
Another great chapter
A really enjoyable, exciting installation of this series, I'm so glad I came across Tom's books during a random dip into the world of LitRPG. I love the freedom that the format lends to the storytelling and world building, development of great characters and exciting new directions available.
A really enjoyable, exciting installation of this series, I'm so glad I came across Tom's books during a random dip into the world of LitRPG. I love the freedom that the format lends to the storytelling and world building, development of great characters and exciting new directions available.
March 18, 2023
I like it!
Such a nice way to escape into a fantasy world ending system scenario. Where money problems and health problems and relationship problems can all be solved with a little violence and a lot of hard work and planning. If I ever get system'd I hope at least some of the features from this book make it into my own System apocalypse.
Such a nice way to escape into a fantasy world ending system scenario. Where money problems and health problems and relationship problems can all be solved with a little violence and a lot of hard work and planning. If I ever get system'd I hope at least some of the features from this book make it into my own System apocalypse.
March 28, 2023
KU Review
I really enjoy the base building aspects of these books alongside the rpg elements. The back and forth gives a sense of balance especially with these epically long series.
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.
I really enjoy the base building aspects of these books alongside the rpg elements. The back and forth gives a sense of balance especially with these epically long series.
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.
September 18, 2023
same old story line with a couple of new twists. Plenty of safe, zone building, not a lot of action.
This book is more of the same as the past books. Same group of characters, not much violence, plenty of base building, and of course obnoxious Jeff. If you like the other ones, you would like this one.
This book is more of the same as the past books. Same group of characters, not much violence, plenty of base building, and of course obnoxious Jeff. If you like the other ones, you would like this one.
June 9, 2025
continued greatness
Book 5 does not disappoint. The main character doesn’t get too powerful right off and it is a great blend of fighting and leveling versus city management. It’s also nice to see other characters play a role in the story. Many times LITRPG side kicks barely make a dent. Great all the way around! I’m excited for the next book.
Book 5 does not disappoint. The main character doesn’t get too powerful right off and it is a great blend of fighting and leveling versus city management. It’s also nice to see other characters play a role in the story. Many times LITRPG side kicks barely make a dent. Great all the way around! I’m excited for the next book.
September 10, 2022
Waiting for the next one
Great read and continues to focus on the main characters.
Like the old time action series leaves you at the point of wanting to go 'Misery' on the author to get the next book sooner.
Great read and continues to focus on the main characters.
Like the old time action series leaves you at the point of wanting to go 'Misery' on the author to get the next book sooner.
September 25, 2022
Cool line up
A sensible plot twist, thus far. This series in my opinion is Larcombe's best work. I love it, it's not overbearing, redundant, or lacking logic. It is well put together with very few grammatical errors. A great story and an epic adventure.
A sensible plot twist, thus far. This series in my opinion is Larcombe's best work. I love it, it's not overbearing, redundant, or lacking logic. It is well put together with very few grammatical errors. A great story and an epic adventure.
September 30, 2022
Loved it
The story advances ! Characters coming along nicely ,the twist of the addition of the ' gods ' and their hidden plans cooperation with them is intriguing. Really enjoying this series and looking forward to the next book with much anticipation.overall highly recommend.
The story advances ! Characters coming along nicely ,the twist of the addition of the ' gods ' and their hidden plans cooperation with them is intriguing. Really enjoying this series and looking forward to the next book with much anticipation.overall highly recommend.
October 3, 2022
Book 5 Natural Laws Apocalypse
Nice continuation of the story. New characters and places brought it together nicely
Can't wait to see how it comes together in the books to come !
Nice continuation of the story. New characters and places brought it together nicely
Can't wait to see how it comes together in the books to come !
October 3, 2022
Great Series
This series has been a great read. Really looking forward to more books in the series. Makes me want to go back and read light online, just hope you have more planned for that series really liked the main MC.
This series has been a great read. Really looking forward to more books in the series. Makes me want to go back and read light online, just hope you have more planned for that series really liked the main MC.
October 3, 2022
Continuing to be an excellent series
An excellent addition to a fun series.
Town and world building along with character progression.
A cool idea for the system and interesting characters.
An excellent addition to a fun series.
Town and world building along with character progression.
A cool idea for the system and interesting characters.
January 1, 2023
Just when you think you know the plot...
Love the series, although I still feel the prior book was filler and raised feels more of plot twists, I am looking forward to the next book.
Keep up the great work!
Love the series, although I still feel the prior book was filler and raised feels more of plot twists, I am looking forward to the next book.
Keep up the great work!
March 20, 2023
great book
Really enjoying flow of the bantering and focus on all around building of new world. You can tell that a lot has gone into to the thinking of issues and solutions for this book.
Really enjoying flow of the bantering and focus on all around building of new world. You can tell that a lot has gone into to the thinking of issues and solutions for this book.
June 1, 2023
Very good
I'm enjoying the nano-magic system and Marcus's get it done attitude. Looking forward to reading more in this series. I still wonder if Jeff will join the dark side at some point
I'm enjoying the nano-magic system and Marcus's get it done attitude. Looking forward to reading more in this series. I still wonder if Jeff will join the dark side at some point
September 10, 2022
Great book
Great book and I can't wait to see what you write about next. This is what I have come to expect from this author.
Great book and I can't wait to see what you write about next. This is what I have come to expect from this author.
September 10, 2022
it was really bland. Don't know if I'll keep reading it, the story is ok , the setting is decent, but the MC and his group are so uninteresting that its simply not worthy.
September 11, 2022
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
September 14, 2022
good
I really enjoyed this book, it’s funny has good action, characters and plot. I’m looking forward to the next one.
I really enjoyed this book, it’s funny has good action, characters and plot. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews