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Corsairs & Cataclysms #1
A Darkwyrlds tale
In the blink of an eye the world changed.
An experimental ASI with a terminal case of curiosity reached out and tampered with the universe in a way that it should not have, and unleashed a torrent of energy we would call magic into our galaxy.
Humans, and every other intelligent lifeform for that matter, were ill-prepared, physically and mentally, for such an eventuality.
In an effort to save itself, the ASI hastily created something it called the Framework to shape and codify this magical energy, and usher in a new world.
A world of classes, levels, and extraordinary power. But also a world of monsters running rampant, violence, strife, and people's darkest urges given free rein. So it has been for those caught up in the Framework's web for thousands of years, and now it was Earth's turn.
None of the above involved Torin Carter directly. The greatest challenge he faced had been the removal of an athletic scholarship due to a dogged shoulder injury.
Paying the bills and finding a way to finish school is what worried him.
He should have been a nobody, just another poor soul swallowed up and spat out by the crazy tumult of an RPG Apocalypse sweeping the planet.
However, a clerical error, and a little bit of interference by interested parties, resulted in him being gifted with an amazing opportunity in this new world order. An extra powerful build, one not available to the rank and file of humanity.
It does have one teeny-tiny drawback, though. The awesome character build he's gifted does mean his species is changed to something mildly demonic in nature. Which could be somewhat problematic.
Plus, his new class is Dungeon Corsair Captain. As the name suggests he is not supposed to be the hero, the opposite in fact, he is supposed to be the villain. His class demands it.
What will he do?
Deny the opportunity and hope things work out as the world is torn apart, throw himself on the mercy of others. Or roll with it, take the bull by the horns and not just survive the coming cataclysm but thrive.
Torin has never been a quitter and he really doesn't fancy dying. Option two it is.
Welcome to the Darkwyrlds.
You'll have the time of your life, or die trying.
(Trigger warning. This series contains an anti-villain protagonist who often chooses to take advantage of situations rather than fighting for what most would consider right.)
An experimental ASI with a terminal case of curiosity reached out and tampered with the universe in a way that it should not have, and unleashed a torrent of energy we would call magic into our galaxy.
Humans, and every other intelligent lifeform for that matter, were ill-prepared, physically and mentally, for such an eventuality.
In an effort to save itself, the ASI hastily created something it called the Framework to shape and codify this magical energy, and usher in a new world.
A world of classes, levels, and extraordinary power. But also a world of monsters running rampant, violence, strife, and people's darkest urges given free rein. So it has been for those caught up in the Framework's web for thousands of years, and now it was Earth's turn.
None of the above involved Torin Carter directly. The greatest challenge he faced had been the removal of an athletic scholarship due to a dogged shoulder injury.
Paying the bills and finding a way to finish school is what worried him.
He should have been a nobody, just another poor soul swallowed up and spat out by the crazy tumult of an RPG Apocalypse sweeping the planet.
However, a clerical error, and a little bit of interference by interested parties, resulted in him being gifted with an amazing opportunity in this new world order. An extra powerful build, one not available to the rank and file of humanity.
It does have one teeny-tiny drawback, though. The awesome character build he's gifted does mean his species is changed to something mildly demonic in nature. Which could be somewhat problematic.
Plus, his new class is Dungeon Corsair Captain. As the name suggests he is not supposed to be the hero, the opposite in fact, he is supposed to be the villain. His class demands it.
What will he do?
Deny the opportunity and hope things work out as the world is torn apart, throw himself on the mercy of others. Or roll with it, take the bull by the horns and not just survive the coming cataclysm but thrive.
Torin has never been a quitter and he really doesn't fancy dying. Option two it is.
Welcome to the Darkwyrlds.
You'll have the time of your life, or die trying.
(Trigger warning. This series contains an anti-villain protagonist who often chooses to take advantage of situations rather than fighting for what most would consider right.)
808 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2023
218 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 29, 2023
overall good
Overall this is a good book. I will read the sequel when it comes out. That said there are some issues. Not many and not horrible but there.
One, there is more than a little deus ex machina at work. And from more than one source which is unusual. But the genre being what it is I can overlook that and still enjoy the book. But it is definitely in play.
Two, some parts are stilted and clunky. Especially during the very large amount of exposition between various characters. There is a LOT of explaining things happening.
Three, the interplay between characters is a bit spotty at times. I can see what the author is going for, and it makes sense, but sometimes it just really doesn’t flow smoothly.
Four, the character development is also spotty. Really solid at times, but sometimes it feels forced and doesn’t quite ring true.
Now, that all sounds like a lot, and it is. But the action, the scenario, the overall story arc, all manage to combine enough to be really enjoyable even taking into account the issues listed. As I said in the beginning, overall it is a good book and I will be reading the sequel. But yes, there are a few things that need to be smoothed out and integrated a bit better in my opinion.
Overall this is a good book. I will read the sequel when it comes out. That said there are some issues. Not many and not horrible but there.
One, there is more than a little deus ex machina at work. And from more than one source which is unusual. But the genre being what it is I can overlook that and still enjoy the book. But it is definitely in play.
Two, some parts are stilted and clunky. Especially during the very large amount of exposition between various characters. There is a LOT of explaining things happening.
Three, the interplay between characters is a bit spotty at times. I can see what the author is going for, and it makes sense, but sometimes it just really doesn’t flow smoothly.
Four, the character development is also spotty. Really solid at times, but sometimes it feels forced and doesn’t quite ring true.
Now, that all sounds like a lot, and it is. But the action, the scenario, the overall story arc, all manage to combine enough to be really enjoyable even taking into account the issues listed. As I said in the beginning, overall it is a good book and I will be reading the sequel. But yes, there are a few things that need to be smoothed out and integrated a bit better in my opinion.
June 20, 2023
Given the foreword, I will only comment on certain things.
The main character is weak. He makes the choice to embrace his class three different times with no change. The only time it holds true is when his race/class Congo compels him. If you are going to write a villain, at least make him commit. The of manipulation leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The characters have no agency since everything was a set up. So none of their choices mattered or were real. The adult scenes felt tacked on, there was no natural transition. The conflict was written, combat in general was as exciting as a wet blanket.
The main character is weak. He makes the choice to embrace his class three different times with no change. The only time it holds true is when his race/class Congo compels him. If you are going to write a villain, at least make him commit. The of manipulation leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The characters have no agency since everything was a set up. So none of their choices mattered or were real. The adult scenes felt tacked on, there was no natural transition. The conflict was written, combat in general was as exciting as a wet blanket.
July 18, 2023
Unusual and unique
As the title describes, the story is a rather unusual and unique take on the RPG game system apocalypse scenario.
With a MC railroaded into a villainous character and route to survive in the apocalypse, the story is rather intriguing and fun with twists and turns.
Looking forward to reading more.
As the title describes, the story is a rather unusual and unique take on the RPG game system apocalypse scenario.
With a MC railroaded into a villainous character and route to survive in the apocalypse, the story is rather intriguing and fun with twists and turns.
Looking forward to reading more.
June 10, 2023
For quite a lot of the book they are trying a bit too hard to be edgy and anti-hero. Once they focus on it a bit less the book becomes more enjoyable. I think this may be a Royal Road as the writing is noticeably better by the end, too. Worth sticking with I think.
June 7, 2023
Well written and Well told
I found this one via another website and thought I would take a chance. So glad I did. A solid story with great character development and world building. The author also separates the sexy times so that it does not drag down the story. A lot of adventure, a lot of swashbuckling, and a little moral quandary. Worth it.
I found this one via another website and thought I would take a chance. So glad I did. A solid story with great character development and world building. The author also separates the sexy times so that it does not drag down the story. A lot of adventure, a lot of swashbuckling, and a little moral quandary. Worth it.
September 10, 2024
If only stars could go negative…
Oh wow, where to begin with this literary travesty. I’m not even going to get into all the story plot holes and bs, but here is my take on this.
I have read plenty of books in this genre and while some have been good, others have been bad. Calling this bad would be an insult to bad. This is the most incel power fantasy I have ever read in my life. The author who wrote this face planted straight into every trope of “women are objects” and started rolling in it!
The MC gets his race changed to basically a pirate elf, ok that’s fine; however, this also changes his instincts. I could accept that, except one of these “instincts” is basically enslaving everything! Slavery isn’t an instinct! He tries to “be good” and not follow along with that till suddenly he is ok with being a slaver, literally owns the prime slavery market on earth now, because it’s his “racial instinct!”!
As with most harem type books there is sex, ok fine. The problem is EVERY sexual scene described is BDSM style with bondage and control. Literally all of them! They’re obviously written by someone who has NO actual knowledge of the lifestyle and the MC just comes across as a Dom someone ordered off Temu. The dude is such an incel tool he literally named his junk The Immensity!! That is so freaking cringe it screams I’m a pathetic loser who women refuse to look at.
The system in this book is completely bonkers, convoluted, and really stupid. The alphabet soup of grades and such made it so honestly I quit caring when he was describing it more and more.
Sadly my wish that this would disappear and be forgotten as a book is for naught since I see that there are more in the series; however, please do not read this trash. This is by far the worst book I have ever read in my life.
Oh wow, where to begin with this literary travesty. I’m not even going to get into all the story plot holes and bs, but here is my take on this.
I have read plenty of books in this genre and while some have been good, others have been bad. Calling this bad would be an insult to bad. This is the most incel power fantasy I have ever read in my life. The author who wrote this face planted straight into every trope of “women are objects” and started rolling in it!
The MC gets his race changed to basically a pirate elf, ok that’s fine; however, this also changes his instincts. I could accept that, except one of these “instincts” is basically enslaving everything! Slavery isn’t an instinct! He tries to “be good” and not follow along with that till suddenly he is ok with being a slaver, literally owns the prime slavery market on earth now, because it’s his “racial instinct!”!
As with most harem type books there is sex, ok fine. The problem is EVERY sexual scene described is BDSM style with bondage and control. Literally all of them! They’re obviously written by someone who has NO actual knowledge of the lifestyle and the MC just comes across as a Dom someone ordered off Temu. The dude is such an incel tool he literally named his junk The Immensity!! That is so freaking cringe it screams I’m a pathetic loser who women refuse to look at.
The system in this book is completely bonkers, convoluted, and really stupid. The alphabet soup of grades and such made it so honestly I quit caring when he was describing it more and more.
Sadly my wish that this would disappear and be forgotten as a book is for naught since I see that there are more in the series; however, please do not read this trash. This is by far the worst book I have ever read in my life.
June 4, 2023
Couldn't get into it whatsoever.
1st person perspective, swearing unnecessarily and we can REALLY tell that our main character is indeed very American as we're being told such one way or another about 20 times in the first few % of the book.
Some super AI somehow ripped a hole in reality 5000++ years ago, somehow created magic AI that does something "framework" magic monster whatever setup (We didn't even need this part). One of the magic AIs also mention a .pdf file. Since when does a magic AI created thousands of years ago by some super AI use a .pdf file? Seriously, careless writing like this is why I drop books immediately.
Edit: Apparently our main character is English? But he lives in the US and calls Rugby (American Football) Football? Yeah, I re-dropped this after reading just another page.
1st person perspective, swearing unnecessarily and we can REALLY tell that our main character is indeed very American as we're being told such one way or another about 20 times in the first few % of the book.
Some super AI somehow ripped a hole in reality 5000++ years ago, somehow created magic AI that does something "framework" magic monster whatever setup (We didn't even need this part). One of the magic AIs also mention a .pdf file. Since when does a magic AI created thousands of years ago by some super AI use a .pdf file? Seriously, careless writing like this is why I drop books immediately.
Edit: Apparently our main character is English? But he lives in the US and calls Rugby (American Football) Football? Yeah, I re-dropped this after reading just another page.
Want to read
December 18, 2023DNFed at around 25%. The beginning is so convoluted and nonsensical that I was considering abandoning it after the first few chapters. Is the AI a time traveller, or am I missing something?
Torin is also a horrible character to read from the perspective of. I get that he’s meant to be morally grey, but there’s a big difference between being morally grey and just being a complete arsehole for no reason. The way he acted towards the love interest character(s) was quite off-putting if I’m being honest. I get this is an obvious wish-fulfilment story, but was it really necessary to act in such a creepy manner towards Shana?? I’ve read plenty of harem novels that have a somewhat decent dynamic between the characters, it’s really not that hard.
Torin is also a horrible character to read from the perspective of. I get that he’s meant to be morally grey, but there’s a big difference between being morally grey and just being a complete arsehole for no reason. The way he acted towards the love interest character(s) was quite off-putting if I’m being honest. I get this is an obvious wish-fulfilment story, but was it really necessary to act in such a creepy manner towards Shana?? I’ve read plenty of harem novels that have a somewhat decent dynamic between the characters, it’s really not that hard.
August 27, 2023
dnf, so much exposition and the way the female MC was written gave me the ick she was literally just there to be his liTERAL POSESSION and was just fine with it bc oh he’s so hot he’s so amazing wow wow
I was intrigued to begin with, seemed kinda cool but then seemed overdone with the backstory and slow to start but then not fast enough???? Also the audiobook narration was kinda awful especially the female voice could not take it seriously, got to the *adult* scene and couldn’t even put myself through it but what can you do
I was intrigued to begin with, seemed kinda cool but then seemed overdone with the backstory and slow to start but then not fast enough???? Also the audiobook narration was kinda awful especially the female voice could not take it seriously, got to the *adult* scene and couldn’t even put myself through it but what can you do
July 15, 2023
Awesome book
Was already a fan of this author but think this book already surpassed the other series in terms of overall character development and just the “fun” factor of the book itself. Hope that there are more then 3 books in the series as this seems li,e an awesome world to read about.
Was already a fan of this author but think this book already surpassed the other series in terms of overall character development and just the “fun” factor of the book itself. Hope that there are more then 3 books in the series as this seems li,e an awesome world to read about.
August 14, 2023
clunky
I couldn’t make it past chapter four. While I appreciate the narration, the dialogue is so clunky and cliche while at the same time never developing the scenes to in anyway effectively communicate what is going on or what things look and feel like. So, yeah, I’m pretty disappointed and won’t be continuing the series.
I couldn’t make it past chapter four. While I appreciate the narration, the dialogue is so clunky and cliche while at the same time never developing the scenes to in anyway effectively communicate what is going on or what things look and feel like. So, yeah, I’m pretty disappointed and won’t be continuing the series.
May 28, 2023
great start !
Great start to the series , really enjoyed the mc embracing his nature and loved how the writer kept the smut controlled .
Looking forward to how this pans out , I have a invested interest in the captain !
Great start to the series , really enjoyed the mc embracing his nature and loved how the writer kept the smut controlled .
Looking forward to how this pans out , I have a invested interest in the captain !
May 31, 2023
Wow
What a thriller this book was. The action kept coming, but there was enough downtime in between to catch your breath. Characters are well done. Did not feel like 800 pages, I just kept turning and turning and then ran out. I will be a first day reader when book 2 comes out.
What a thriller this book was. The action kept coming, but there was enough downtime in between to catch your breath. Characters are well done. Did not feel like 800 pages, I just kept turning and turning and then ran out. I will be a first day reader when book 2 comes out.
June 15, 2023
Bollocks!!!!
THE MC IS A CHILDISH PRICK! TEMPER TANTRUMS! WHO DOES THAT! THE WORLD HAS CHANGED FOREVER AND YOU ARE NO LONGER HUMAN. BUT YOU ARE STILL STUCK ON USING HUMAN EMOTIONS AND JUDGEMENT! STUPID!
THE MC IS A CHILDISH PRICK! TEMPER TANTRUMS! WHO DOES THAT! THE WORLD HAS CHANGED FOREVER AND YOU ARE NO LONGER HUMAN. BUT YOU ARE STILL STUCK ON USING HUMAN EMOTIONS AND JUDGEMENT! STUPID!
June 15, 2023
Great start
I love this story bought it on a whim, and now I can't wait for the next 1 to come out I'm interested to see what happens with the corsair crew And have a story with Claudia goes.
I love this story bought it on a whim, and now I can't wait for the next 1 to come out I'm interested to see what happens with the corsair crew And have a story with Claudia goes.
November 11, 2023
Lots of fun!
This is a very good story of the rpg apocalypse with some twists and surprises. It is fast moving, with interesting characters and lots of action. Throw in a little spice and what more would you want?
This is a very good story of the rpg apocalypse with some twists and surprises. It is fast moving, with interesting characters and lots of action. Throw in a little spice and what more would you want?
May 31, 2023
definitely top 10 book
Definitely in the top 10 of my favourite books and a must read I’m just hoping that we’re not made to wait too long for the next one
Definitely in the top 10 of my favourite books and a must read I’m just hoping that we’re not made to wait too long for the next one
May 31, 2023
strong start to a new series
I already need the next book. Great start to a new series. Love the pirate themed main character, definitely needs more loot.
I already need the next book. Great start to a new series. Love the pirate themed main character, definitely needs more loot.
June 4, 2023
Good book
Good book. It kept me entertained the whole time. I really appreciate the more xxx chapters being marked so I can just skip them! Can't wait for the next
Good book. It kept me entertained the whole time. I really appreciate the more xxx chapters being marked so I can just skip them! Can't wait for the next
June 19, 2023
another killer book by Devon Drake
Great new series I feel like this author is killing it. Can’t wait for the next book in the series hopefully all of the stories tying together.
Great new series I feel like this author is killing it. Can’t wait for the next book in the series hopefully all of the stories tying together.
June 21, 2023
No complaints. It's good.
Can't wait for the next one. The author has a good formula with this story. The explicit content warnings are odd but I wouldn't complain
Can't wait for the next one. The author has a good formula with this story. The explicit content warnings are odd but I wouldn't complain
July 25, 2023
Pirate?
I enjoyed the style of writing. I think you should have picked either sugar daddy or pirate, but not both. Trying to be a nice pirate was slightly irritating.
I enjoyed the style of writing. I think you should have picked either sugar daddy or pirate, but not both. Trying to be a nice pirate was slightly irritating.
September 14, 2023
Fun book
A fun new litrpg book. Really looking forward to more books in the series and seeing how Torin continues to deal with the changes world.
A fun new litrpg book. Really looking forward to more books in the series and seeing how Torin continues to deal with the changes world.
November 18, 2023
Slow start
The first few chapters are almost enough to make you stop wanting to read the book but it gets better real fast
The first few chapters are almost enough to make you stop wanting to read the book but it gets better real fast
October 2, 2024
Fun
Not going to lie, I enjoyed this one a lot more than I was expecting. Story moves fast, is engaging, and the characters are interesting.
Not going to lie, I enjoyed this one a lot more than I was expecting. Story moves fast, is engaging, and the characters are interesting.
November 16, 2024
Taking away stars, series was a 3-4 until book 4. Author decides to change the MC the story is about, not a fan. If you can stand a tone and perspective change after 4 books of the same style, then more power to you.
Only reason it's a two still is that most things until this point was good, but with this large change and all the little things, I don't feel it's worth my time anymore...
Only reason it's a two still is that most things until this point was good, but with this large change and all the little things, I don't feel it's worth my time anymore...
April 7, 2025
Just a warning this book sucks 😕 At The Beginning... STICK WITH IT.. It's good and funny 😁 tho not a fan of shanna and his bdsm angle it's off putting for some reason. And I love a good harem book but otherwise it's a great read 📚
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews