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Shattered System #1
Advent of Eternity
Nothing lives forever. Not even the Gods...
A clock hangs over the head of every mortal. Counting down to the inescapable day that the Goddess of Death claims them. That is the way of the world. The natural cycle of mortals.
The Gods, however, were said to live for forever. To exist so far outside of the natural laws of the universe that even their crimes can't be punished. But Knell Coba, at great cost, realizes this is nothing but another lie.
The Gods can be tricked. They can be defeated. They can die.
To most, seeking the head of the Goddess would be the actions of a madman. But Knell knows that nothing exists forever. Together with his loyal crew, he can use his cunning and grow strong enough to get his revenge... no matter the cost...
Don't miss the next action-packed LitRPG Series from Actus, bestselling author of Blackmist and Cleaver's Edge, about a tactician with access to a System, his crew, and his quest for mortal revenge.
A clock hangs over the head of every mortal. Counting down to the inescapable day that the Goddess of Death claims them. That is the way of the world. The natural cycle of mortals.
The Gods, however, were said to live for forever. To exist so far outside of the natural laws of the universe that even their crimes can't be punished. But Knell Coba, at great cost, realizes this is nothing but another lie.
The Gods can be tricked. They can be defeated. They can die.
To most, seeking the head of the Goddess would be the actions of a madman. But Knell knows that nothing exists forever. Together with his loyal crew, he can use his cunning and grow strong enough to get his revenge... no matter the cost...
Don't miss the next action-packed LitRPG Series from Actus, bestselling author of Blackmist and Cleaver's Edge, about a tactician with access to a System, his crew, and his quest for mortal revenge.
598 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2023
321 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Actus
52 books181 followersActus has been writing fantasy stories since the age of twelve, and he's been telling them since he could talk. He's currently working on three main series - Morcster Chef, Steamforged Sorcery, and My Best Friend is an Eldritch Horror. You can find his works on RoyalRoad & Patreon as well as on Amazon.
In addition to his passion for writing, Actus is capable of clearing a two story building with a single jump. That isn't true, but writing about himself in third person gives Actus delusions of grandeur.
In addition to his passion for writing, Actus is capable of clearing a two story building with a single jump. That isn't true, but writing about himself in third person gives Actus delusions of grandeur.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 19, 2023
Great start of a new series. Really enjoyed the magic system and the characters. Highly recommend this series.
January 20, 2024
DNF 33%
This is not the worst book ever written but its flaws wore me down until I lost the will to continue reading.
Everything is derivative, with the possible exception of the source of magic. The characters are so exaggerated as to become caricatures. The dialog is stilted and unrealistic. Examples of plot-amor abound. The element that did the most harm, however, was the weak grammar. It was as if the author had some kind of aphasia, leading to the inability to remember common words – forcing him to replace simple concepts with strange alternatives or rambling word salads.
If you like "One Piece" but don't care for whimsy, then this book may offer some entertainment.
This is not the worst book ever written but its flaws wore me down until I lost the will to continue reading.
Everything is derivative, with the possible exception of the source of magic. The characters are so exaggerated as to become caricatures. The dialog is stilted and unrealistic. Examples of plot-amor abound. The element that did the most harm, however, was the weak grammar. It was as if the author had some kind of aphasia, leading to the inability to remember common words – forcing him to replace simple concepts with strange alternatives or rambling word salads.
If you like "One Piece" but don't care for whimsy, then this book may offer some entertainment.
May 12, 2023
A quality, dense lit rpg
I read this cause I love this authors other series (which is absolutely worth a read). This series has a similar feel to it on some ways - sharp dialog, endearing characters, well paced and creative fights. It is however denser and significantly darker. There’s enough levity to save it from being a slog but the tone is much grimmer.
The fights are engaging and well realised and I found the abilities and magic system very intriguing. Having an MC with an explicit goal and a tactical approach to achieving it is very refreshing. This isn’t a character that things just happen to it’s a character that knows what he wants, how to get there and the difficult realities that are part of it.
The world is also rich with the world being ruled by gods who have been shattered into pieces of varying strength. How this happened, just who the gods truly are, their role in this wider system that isn’t entirely governed by them will all be interesting to discover.
Overall a great first entry in this series. I will say the ending was a little sudden it literally felt like the book ended at a chapter more than feeling like the true end to a book. That’s not a big deal though, totally recommend this.
I read this cause I love this authors other series (which is absolutely worth a read). This series has a similar feel to it on some ways - sharp dialog, endearing characters, well paced and creative fights. It is however denser and significantly darker. There’s enough levity to save it from being a slog but the tone is much grimmer.
The fights are engaging and well realised and I found the abilities and magic system very intriguing. Having an MC with an explicit goal and a tactical approach to achieving it is very refreshing. This isn’t a character that things just happen to it’s a character that knows what he wants, how to get there and the difficult realities that are part of it.
The world is also rich with the world being ruled by gods who have been shattered into pieces of varying strength. How this happened, just who the gods truly are, their role in this wider system that isn’t entirely governed by them will all be interesting to discover.
Overall a great first entry in this series. I will say the ending was a little sudden it literally felt like the book ended at a chapter more than feeling like the true end to a book. That’s not a big deal though, totally recommend this.
April 12, 2023
Exactly what I had expected
Just like Actus' other books, this one has a good storyline and excellent characters. And speaking of characters, Actus did an excellent job of creating a cold and aloof character, Knell has a taciturn personality that is both entirely accurate due to his past and also a mask that he has created to hide his true intentions and emotions. So if that's the type of character you are into, then you'd probably enjoy this.
As for the magic and system mechanics? I feel as if they don't have much depth. There's no reason as to why magic exists or how it works, and the system mechanics are somewhat novel but simplistic. So if interesting magic and engaging system mechanics are what you're looking for, then this probably isn't what you want. Thankfully , the magic and system mechanics were never really the focus of the story, so their quality doesn't negatively impact the quality of the story as a whole.
Just like Actus' other books, this one has a good storyline and excellent characters. And speaking of characters, Actus did an excellent job of creating a cold and aloof character, Knell has a taciturn personality that is both entirely accurate due to his past and also a mask that he has created to hide his true intentions and emotions. So if that's the type of character you are into, then you'd probably enjoy this.
As for the magic and system mechanics? I feel as if they don't have much depth. There's no reason as to why magic exists or how it works, and the system mechanics are somewhat novel but simplistic. So if interesting magic and engaging system mechanics are what you're looking for, then this probably isn't what you want. Thankfully , the magic and system mechanics were never really the focus of the story, so their quality doesn't negatively impact the quality of the story as a whole.
Want to read
April 12, 2023Placeholder - Planning to read for Bingo!
Read this first book of Actus' Shattered System Seriesfor Reddit Fantasy's 2023 Bingo Square Self-Published OR Indie Publisher. This qualifies for hard mode as Actus works with Aetheon the publisher, so self published, and it had fewer than 100 ratings on goodreads when I read it.
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Read this first book of Actus' Shattered System Seriesfor Reddit Fantasy's 2023 Bingo Square Self-Published OR Indie Publisher. This qualifies for hard mode as Actus works with Aetheon the publisher, so self published, and it had fewer than 100 ratings on goodreads when I read it.
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April 15, 2023
Shocking depth, great characters
I was surprised to be pulled into the story as much as I did. The writing of the fighting scenes, and character interactions blew me away. You really get to know each character through their conversations and actions, as opposed to being told how/what they are. There’s also a good amount of humor later into the book that had me smiling and laughing aloud.
Content wise the book has a good plot pacing, characters that aren’t stupid/actually think, and no one is that OP.
Will definitely be checking out more from the author, and can’t wait till the next book!
I was surprised to be pulled into the story as much as I did. The writing of the fighting scenes, and character interactions blew me away. You really get to know each character through their conversations and actions, as opposed to being told how/what they are. There’s also a good amount of humor later into the book that had me smiling and laughing aloud.
Content wise the book has a good plot pacing, characters that aren’t stupid/actually think, and no one is that OP.
Will definitely be checking out more from the author, and can’t wait till the next book!
May 20, 2025
I'm a little on the fence on this one. I don't feel like it's the best Actus has written but part of it might be the narration by Jeremy Frazier. I've gone through a few series he's covered and while he does a decent job there is a lack of emoting in his narration that makes the story a little hollow. Maybe the characters feel like they have less depth, it's hard to say, and as I've enjoyed Actus that's what leads me to leave a higher rating.
The main character isn't exactly charming but his determination is through the roof and that has it's own sort of charisma. I'm not too drawn into the story so I might follow up on this series later so we'll see if things get better or taper off.
The main character isn't exactly charming but his determination is through the roof and that has it's own sort of charisma. I'm not too drawn into the story so I might follow up on this series later so we'll see if things get better or taper off.
April 13, 2024
Why do I feel like I'm reading a One Piece litrpg?
Did the author sit down watching One Piece one day and think they could write their own pirate king?
I even have the "putting together a crew".
I'm halfway through, unless something changes by the end, I'm dropping this. I was never a fan of pirates in stories, and what happened so far doesn't really interest me.
The book is finished, and I won't continue the series. It was not interesting to me. The master-tactician putting together a crew to do a big job was meh.
2.5/5 Stars
Did the author sit down watching One Piece one day and think they could write their own pirate king?
I even have the "putting together a crew".
I'm halfway through, unless something changes by the end, I'm dropping this. I was never a fan of pirates in stories, and what happened so far doesn't really interest me.
The book is finished, and I won't continue the series. It was not interesting to me. The master-tactician putting together a crew to do a big job was meh.
2.5/5 Stars
April 13, 2023
Click for your own copy
Not much to say about this one. It's clear it was written as a web serial, things definitely flowed in that vein. It wasn't a bad book though, and I suspect many LitRPG fans will like this one. It's passable, and I can certainly recommend it, but it's not the kind of thing I typically like to read, although I'll likely read the next one, because I'm invested now.
Not much to say about this one. It's clear it was written as a web serial, things definitely flowed in that vein. It wasn't a bad book though, and I suspect many LitRPG fans will like this one. It's passable, and I can certainly recommend it, but it's not the kind of thing I typically like to read, although I'll likely read the next one, because I'm invested now.
April 19, 2023
Interesting take on the genre
. Most mc's are largely passive and just react to external forces dictated by the plot. So this stories Mc is fairly unique, as he has a plan and takes steps to accomplish it. The crew has well developed personalities, humor fits the tone of the story, and some world buiding is done. If you enjoy a focus on tactics and strategy and group dynamics, you will enjoy it.
. Most mc's are largely passive and just react to external forces dictated by the plot. So this stories Mc is fairly unique, as he has a plan and takes steps to accomplish it. The crew has well developed personalities, humor fits the tone of the story, and some world buiding is done. If you enjoy a focus on tactics and strategy and group dynamics, you will enjoy it.
October 14, 2024
Another fun series from Actus
A progression fantasy set in a world of shattered gods and morally gray pirates, this one is a fun read. I’m going to hurry to get the next in the series!
A progression fantasy set in a world of shattered gods and morally gray pirates, this one is a fun read. I’m going to hurry to get the next in the series!
April 11, 2023
Great series
Brilliant new book from the author of My best friends and Eldritch horror, can't wait for book 2 (extra to meet requirements)
Brilliant new book from the author of My best friends and Eldritch horror, can't wait for book 2 (extra to meet requirements)
April 14, 2023
Loved it
An amazing story.
Great characters, loved the interaction.
A great mix of likeable cast with uniqueness and growth around.
All in all loved it.
An amazing story.
Great characters, loved the interaction.
A great mix of likeable cast with uniqueness and growth around.
All in all loved it.
April 15, 2023
Clever
The book has interesting uses of magic, clever and cunning main character, and a diverse crew of misfits. Highly recommend
The book has interesting uses of magic, clever and cunning main character, and a diverse crew of misfits. Highly recommend
May 10, 2023
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.
February 23, 2024
The characters talk like teenagers think would be cool. Stupid plans work. How did this get such a high rating?
DNF.
DNF.
October 14, 2024
Finally a good LitRPG. The unique feature of this story is described well in comments: a rare case of MC guiding his destiny rather than just reacting.
I'm waiting for the second book.
I'm waiting for the second book.
August 8, 2025
Great Read
This was a hard one to put down. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. The pacing of the book was perfect as well. Ill definitely read book 2
This was a hard one to put down. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. The pacing of the book was perfect as well. Ill definitely read book 2
May 16, 2023
It really was a no-brainer since I enjoy Atcus and although I worried about missing Peter Berkrot's narration, it turned out that Jeremy Frazier was equally good and smoothly grabbed the baton without stumbling.
The MC Knell Coba learned the hard way that he could not trust the gods. And yes in this reality they do exist, albeit outside the natural laws of the mortal realm. Believing that they're invincible and safe from any punishment humans could impose. So yeah, ignore a believers plea for help. No problem... Kill a believer... what could happen? Absolutely nothing.
Well Knell Coba knows better than that, his father said so. And Knell on the faith of his father, makes a one, or possibly a two man army planning to get stronger inorder to survive his recokning. Along the way they pick up a couple more adventurer's who are ready to dash headlong into the adventure and help Knell's plans come to fruition. And here be pirates too.
The MC Knell Coba learned the hard way that he could not trust the gods. And yes in this reality they do exist, albeit outside the natural laws of the mortal realm. Believing that they're invincible and safe from any punishment humans could impose. So yeah, ignore a believers plea for help. No problem... Kill a believer... what could happen? Absolutely nothing.
Well Knell Coba knows better than that, his father said so. And Knell on the faith of his father, makes a one, or possibly a two man army planning to get stronger inorder to survive his recokning. Along the way they pick up a couple more adventurer's who are ready to dash headlong into the adventure and help Knell's plans come to fruition. And here be pirates too.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews