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Obelisk - System Integration #1
Obelisk - System Integration, Book One
Ominous Obelisks land on Earth with a single
Join the Games to give humanity a fighting chance to survive...
OR ROLL OVER AND DIE...Too bad for them, Warren isn't the rolling over type.
Cancer may be kicking Warren's a*&, but he's not about to let aliens destroy his home and everything he loves (which is mostly just his dog, Buck).
Besides, what does he have to lose?
Better to die with sword in hand, bleeding out from a head wound, than in some hospital bed...
...his insides shriveled up by an enemy he can't punch.
Once the games begin, Warren can't help but think,
'Maybe hospital beds aren't so bad after all.'
Nah, F-that! If you're going to go out, might as well go out having an impaled taraza (whatever the hell that is) at the end of your blade.
Obelisk System Integration is the start of this epic LitRPG Apocalypse series. This action-packed LitRPG/Progression series has our heroes facing off an alien invasion, academy politics, PvP and tower ascension, all to save Earth from being destroyed.
It's perfect for fans of Defiance of the Fall, Life in Exile, and Generic System. Grab your copy today!
Join the Games to give humanity a fighting chance to survive...
OR ROLL OVER AND DIE...Too bad for them, Warren isn't the rolling over type.
Cancer may be kicking Warren's a*&, but he's not about to let aliens destroy his home and everything he loves (which is mostly just his dog, Buck).
Besides, what does he have to lose?
Better to die with sword in hand, bleeding out from a head wound, than in some hospital bed...
...his insides shriveled up by an enemy he can't punch.
Once the games begin, Warren can't help but think,
'Maybe hospital beds aren't so bad after all.'
Nah, F-that! If you're going to go out, might as well go out having an impaled taraza (whatever the hell that is) at the end of your blade.
Obelisk System Integration is the start of this epic LitRPG Apocalypse series. This action-packed LitRPG/Progression series has our heroes facing off an alien invasion, academy politics, PvP and tower ascension, all to save Earth from being destroyed.
It's perfect for fans of Defiance of the Fall, Life in Exile, and Generic System. Grab your copy today!
474 pages, Paperback
Published May 14, 2024
999 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 3, 2024
This System Apocalypse is setup to pit humanity against four other races in a deathmatch, winner take all, losers get harvested for "resources". Which automatically sets up the "evil system" with the main characters being plucky underdogs working against great odds. Author Malachi chose to raise that to eleven by having whoever set up the games cheat by pulling only broken, old, or dying humans to "represent" humanity as epitomized by our hero, Warren, dying to cancer in a way that includes random (i.e. plot enhancing) breakdowns.
And I was along for the ride for a bit, despite some very awkward exposition and the author putting a thumb on the scale by having Warren find friends with unlikely aliens despite being obnoxious. I mean, I'm as susceptible to rooting for the underdog as the next guy. And Warren and his friends were at least engaged and determined.
And then the author engages Warren in an unlikely fetch quest to fix his cancer driven by deus ex xeno and I stopped caring. I mean, not only is it a dumb crafting thing, but the party is being split up on different fronts. I'm already impatient with the multiple PoV breakups happening already, so adding a half dozen new things to do broke me.
If I hadn't already been lagging due to the whole "screwed without recourse" and the lackadaisical Dungeon Crawler Carl ripoff tone it may not have hit so hard. Okay, that's not true. I'd have had a stumble on that ingredient list regardless. Sigh.
A note about Chaste: One of the characters is sucked into the "game" after spending "quality time" this his girlfriend. There's no details but they had a good time because stat enhancements. Ugh. Still, I consider that chaste enough.
And I was along for the ride for a bit, despite some very awkward exposition and the author putting a thumb on the scale by having Warren find friends with unlikely aliens despite being obnoxious. I mean, I'm as susceptible to rooting for the underdog as the next guy. And Warren and his friends were at least engaged and determined.
And then the author engages Warren in an unlikely fetch quest to fix his cancer driven by deus ex xeno and I stopped caring. I mean, not only is it a dumb crafting thing, but the party is being split up on different fronts. I'm already impatient with the multiple PoV breakups happening already, so adding a half dozen new things to do broke me.
If I hadn't already been lagging due to the whole "screwed without recourse" and the lackadaisical Dungeon Crawler Carl ripoff tone it may not have hit so hard. Okay, that's not true. I'd have had a stumble on that ingredient list regardless. Sigh.
A note about Chaste: One of the characters is sucked into the "game" after spending "quality time" this his girlfriend. There's no details but they had a good time because stat enhancements. Ugh. Still, I consider that chaste enough.
November 2, 2024
I was warned of the exposition through a forced conversation with his dog and skipped that, but I was not prepared for the same, boring event to be explained through three different perspectives. Now the entire premise is annoying - a galaxy spanning empire is not going to want for raw resources. Then, all the sick are chosen? Let me guess, so they can guarantee Earth loses and they get our precious minerals. I noped on out after the MC jumped an invisible wall. He should have been gutted by the cat dude followed by "The End".
July 25, 2024
Boring and Cliche
Avoid this garbage. The text is redundant, the scenes are boring, the characters are stock tropes, and the dialogue made me physically cringe with discomfort.
It has some minor value as a negative example for new authors, but that would mean someone else would read this.
Avoid this garbage. The text is redundant, the scenes are boring, the characters are stock tropes, and the dialogue made me physically cringe with discomfort.
It has some minor value as a negative example for new authors, but that would mean someone else would read this.
October 24, 2024
ham-handed
Having the MC tell his life story to his dog is weak writing. It’s right up there with tv shows about cops where one detective is ‘explaining’ to another detective the facts and figures of crime like they don’t already know it.
There are better ways of establishing backstory than info dumping to a non-verbal character.
So I stopped reading. Each of the first 3 chapters felt forced and inauthentic.
Having the MC tell his life story to his dog is weak writing. It’s right up there with tv shows about cops where one detective is ‘explaining’ to another detective the facts and figures of crime like they don’t already know it.
There are better ways of establishing backstory than info dumping to a non-verbal character.
So I stopped reading. Each of the first 3 chapters felt forced and inauthentic.
May 31, 2024
I am not normally a fan of prickly heroes, but I really like Warren. This is a fun start to what I think will be an interesting series, and I am interested to see if Warren's dog plays a bigger part in future books.
June 24, 2024
When obelisks fall from the sky, Warren is one of the first to find one. What is it for? To offer Warren and others a chance to enter a competition. What are the stakes? Earth itself.
Warren takes the initial test, and ends up as one of the chosen to win Earth. The entrants must compete against three other races who are also trying to keep their worlds from being ransacked for resources.
But something fishy is going on. Why are all the Earth entrants old or sick - including Warren who has cancer? And what's happening on Earth while Warren and the others are competing?
Warren was rude and abrasive, yet I found him to be entertaining, and underneath the rough exterior, a good guy. There was an ongoing joke about him being dumb, but I didn't think he was. To me, he seemed to have undiagnosed ADHD. During the testing, he started by trying to answer the questions seriously, but quickly became bored and distracted. He started to give silly, or nonsense answers. He occasionally gave into impulses, and sometimes rushed in, but tried not to put others into danger.
I liked that he didn't have a problem leaning on others, especially in areas where he had weaknesses. He let other people shine. Even when he was impatient, he tried his hardest to help everyone, not just his friends.
There was also plenty of intrigue, action, and surprises. I'd like to know more about what's going on behind the scenes. Will continue to the next book.
Warren takes the initial test, and ends up as one of the chosen to win Earth. The entrants must compete against three other races who are also trying to keep their worlds from being ransacked for resources.
But something fishy is going on. Why are all the Earth entrants old or sick - including Warren who has cancer? And what's happening on Earth while Warren and the others are competing?
Warren was rude and abrasive, yet I found him to be entertaining, and underneath the rough exterior, a good guy. There was an ongoing joke about him being dumb, but I didn't think he was. To me, he seemed to have undiagnosed ADHD. During the testing, he started by trying to answer the questions seriously, but quickly became bored and distracted. He started to give silly, or nonsense answers. He occasionally gave into impulses, and sometimes rushed in, but tried not to put others into danger.
I liked that he didn't have a problem leaning on others, especially in areas where he had weaknesses. He let other people shine. Even when he was impatient, he tried his hardest to help everyone, not just his friends.
There was also plenty of intrigue, action, and surprises. I'd like to know more about what's going on behind the scenes. Will continue to the next book.
July 21, 2025
Author has a grudge with his main character. Gives him a pulmonary cancer that would kill MC in a year and then has a physical death game dungeon match that does everything possible for main character, other main characters to fail. Author places a glitch on Sol #3 (Earthlings) that makes the Obelisk in charge of choosing "Earth's best contestants" only choose decrepit, weak, easily beatable contestants. While the other "planets" that are competing do not have that bias. It's game like, it's apocalyptic and RPG (Role-Playing-Game) like.
Descriptions are above average. Chapters are above average size. Story flows but apparently it's going to take a hell of a long time for these death-planet-apocalyptic games to be concluded.
Not that entertaining. Main Characters bleed, and are not that Over-Powered, capable or creative. (Even though it's game like, they have magical powers, and special buffs that supposedly would make it easy to complete the trials).
With Hunger Games, and about a dozen other book series that are apocalyptic-win-or-die book series. Nothing this book has is new, creative or entertaining.
Main character is supposed to be good at assembling/manufacturing things (pinball machines) so author chooses a Berserker character for his main character?
Author makes things too hard for main characters, passes into a terror-like apocalyptic mage. Could have been funny, could have been entertaining, could have been exciting or fun, but missed.
Descriptions are above average. Chapters are above average size. Story flows but apparently it's going to take a hell of a long time for these death-planet-apocalyptic games to be concluded.
Not that entertaining. Main Characters bleed, and are not that Over-Powered, capable or creative. (Even though it's game like, they have magical powers, and special buffs that supposedly would make it easy to complete the trials).
With Hunger Games, and about a dozen other book series that are apocalyptic-win-or-die book series. Nothing this book has is new, creative or entertaining.
Main character is supposed to be good at assembling/manufacturing things (pinball machines) so author chooses a Berserker character for his main character?
Author makes things too hard for main characters, passes into a terror-like apocalyptic mage. Could have been funny, could have been entertaining, could have been exciting or fun, but missed.
May 26, 2024
Obelisk - System Integration is one of the LitRPG books I like so much. That is, the ones where earth itself is integrated into the system, and the trials and tribulations of people forced to deal with the system. This one is (somewhat) unique in that not everyone on earth is chosen, as it turns out, only the old, sick, or infirm are chosen, so the odds are stacked against humanity from the start. Only, one guy isn't accepting that, and the system manipulators who caused that aren't happy with him, so this is going to be an awesome ride. Really liked this book, and fully intend to read more in this series.
August 20, 2024
Reading this book has been pure joy. And I ❤ loved every minute of the book. Also it's one of the best books I've read this year! It has a couple of tropes that I adore, and one of those tropes, is a first-contact situation... another is that they're player's in a reality game show broadcast across the entire universe, and of course it's a litRPG. So what's not to love.
Grab the book and join me to be an Obelisk fan.
Here's a couple of quotes that amused me:
"Reactions range from: Are you an angel? Am I going crazy? Am I dead? What the fuck is happening? All the way down to: Cool, dude.”
"Because you know me. You know I’m about as blunt as an explosion in a fireworks factory."
“Yeah?” Warren asked. “So what? This is some sort of SAT for space beat-’em-up university?”
Grab the book and join me to be an Obelisk fan.
Here's a couple of quotes that amused me:
"Reactions range from: Are you an angel? Am I going crazy? Am I dead? What the fuck is happening? All the way down to: Cool, dude.”
"Because you know me. You know I’m about as blunt as an explosion in a fireworks factory."
“Yeah?” Warren asked. “So what? This is some sort of SAT for space beat-’em-up university?”
July 19, 2024
good premise, unlikable characters, especially the MC
The MC of this book has no redeeming social value. Unlikable, ignorant, not very intelligent, crude, I know the author has written him this way, but I would love to know why. In my opinion, he’s just not likable. The only main character in the book, who is likable is Raven? She is very mysterious as well as broken psychologically. It seems all the characters in this book of broken and someway shape or form. The story is great just a character. Personality is not good at all. I will probably read the next book, have not made up my mind check it out for yourself.
The MC of this book has no redeeming social value. Unlikable, ignorant, not very intelligent, crude, I know the author has written him this way, but I would love to know why. In my opinion, he’s just not likable. The only main character in the book, who is likable is Raven? She is very mysterious as well as broken psychologically. It seems all the characters in this book of broken and someway shape or form. The story is great just a character. Personality is not good at all. I will probably read the next book, have not made up my mind check it out for yourself.
August 17, 2024
A unique premise
A unique litrpg setting where all humans who got the system have some issues. Mostly old, some terminally ill and the like. Unlike in other books, here the system does not help with any of these, rendering humanity in very precarious situation. As for the MC, he has cancer and he isn’t getting any treatment which means he can function normally for the majority of the time but not always. Of course he is still dying however, since most other humans have constantly debilitating conditions (like being very old) , he and his party kind of shines among them.
So if you like this premise then I would definitely recommend this book.
A unique litrpg setting where all humans who got the system have some issues. Mostly old, some terminally ill and the like. Unlike in other books, here the system does not help with any of these, rendering humanity in very precarious situation. As for the MC, he has cancer and he isn’t getting any treatment which means he can function normally for the majority of the time but not always. Of course he is still dying however, since most other humans have constantly debilitating conditions (like being very old) , he and his party kind of shines among them.
So if you like this premise then I would definitely recommend this book.
February 3, 2025
The first book was a bit hard to get into as the lead character is a bit of an ass. But I warmed to him throughout the book, and there is decent action, decent leveling, and a German Sheppard (I had a collie shepherd mix when I was growing up). Just a tiny bit of romance, lots of action, some interesting monsters to kill, a few assholes, and, basically, a lot of fun. Once I got into the story, I had difficulty putting the book down. Fun read: I'm already well into the next book, which is even better!
August 16, 2025
Warren saves the World? Maybe
Ok. Not yet. But got you to look. Not your typical alien invasion and you gotta save the world book. Warren is a good guy just has had a hard life. Been dealt a bad hand from the bottom of the deck.
However, Warren has something called heart. He is not a popular guy, has 2 friends and one is his dog. He becomes the leader of a band of misfits who are thrown into a battle of life and death for Earth. Come along and fight beside Warren and his band.
Ok. Not yet. But got you to look. Not your typical alien invasion and you gotta save the world book. Warren is a good guy just has had a hard life. Been dealt a bad hand from the bottom of the deck.
However, Warren has something called heart. He is not a popular guy, has 2 friends and one is his dog. He becomes the leader of a band of misfits who are thrown into a battle of life and death for Earth. Come along and fight beside Warren and his band.
May 26, 2024
Book one
I almost, almost gave this book three stars purely because I hated the movie name dropping and other bits of pop culture. I think it's just a good way to give your story a limited shelf life.
Two generations from now all of those references might not mean anything to someone trying to read this.
I did find a few mistakes and will list them on Goodreads. I didn't find this one over on Royalroad. But good news! Looks like a second book has been published.
7/10
I almost, almost gave this book three stars purely because I hated the movie name dropping and other bits of pop culture. I think it's just a good way to give your story a limited shelf life.
Two generations from now all of those references might not mean anything to someone trying to read this.
I did find a few mistakes and will list them on Goodreads. I didn't find this one over on Royalroad. But good news! Looks like a second book has been published.
7/10
June 22, 2024
Obelisk - System Integration little Adventure
Well, another System Integration with just a little bit of a twist to it. Warren and Andy, Ani,Raven, and Prince Luis get to try to save Earth from being absorbed by the system and stripped of all resources.
Big challenge, Earth was a pretty wussie planet, Mana wise.
Fighting in the Games for a place among the Stars!
Keep going!
Well, another System Integration with just a little bit of a twist to it. Warren and Andy, Ani,Raven, and Prince Luis get to try to save Earth from being absorbed by the system and stripped of all resources.
Big challenge, Earth was a pretty wussie planet, Mana wise.
Fighting in the Games for a place among the Stars!
Keep going!
March 25, 2025
Oh my gosh, I knew this would be a roller coaster, but for goodness sakes wear diapers for this one, and Do.Not.Drink.Milk while reading! Your pants and nose will both thank you. I could not put this one down. Does not start slow, and the pace just gets faster.
If the shopkeeper tries to sell you bootie shorts get them, if you can't afford plate armor anyway.
The only book I've read this year that's better is the second volume of this series.
If the shopkeeper tries to sell you bootie shorts get them, if you can't afford plate armor anyway.
The only book I've read this year that's better is the second volume of this series.
August 12, 2024
I couldn’t finish it. The MCs thought process and choices were just a constant source of frustration. Everything was about him being big and strong and only sometimes having a serious medical issue. The trope of the strong but not bright Mc has run its course
The book is also in major need of editing.
The book is also in major need of editing.
October 15, 2024
I just can't do it.
I can't finish it. I want to so bad. But I can't do the whole "oh this is the logical thing to do....but I'm a 6 year old so I'll say F it". If your the type that can roll on the laughing at that THIS is for you. Not a bad story I just can't do the MC is the dumbest person in the book troupe. Made it to page 269....no it's not a joke.
I can't finish it. I want to so bad. But I can't do the whole "oh this is the logical thing to do....but I'm a 6 year old so I'll say F it". If your the type that can roll on the laughing at that THIS is for you. Not a bad story I just can't do the MC is the dumbest person in the book troupe. Made it to page 269....no it's not a joke.
October 15, 2024
So so I'm not buying more
So I just as easy could have given it a one or a two. The characters don't have any life or connection to them for me. Ant other books you get a feel and comfortable relationship with the carachters her I don't.
So for me buying more in the series is a no.
So I just as easy could have given it a one or a two. The characters don't have any life or connection to them for me. Ant other books you get a feel and comfortable relationship with the carachters her I don't.
So for me buying more in the series is a no.
May 12, 2025
Fun book with great characters
This was a fun book that had a lot of action and adventure and great characters. I hope the not a total surprise traitor at the end gets what he deserves later in the series. I like how the market and such is set up for equipment, and overall really just enjoyed this book. I definitely recommend it and look forward to future books in the series.
This was a fun book that had a lot of action and adventure and great characters. I hope the not a total surprise traitor at the end gets what he deserves later in the series. I like how the market and such is set up for equipment, and overall really just enjoyed this book. I definitely recommend it and look forward to future books in the series.
October 12, 2025
A little rough on the start, but good after that!
Yup, little slow to start as the author figures out his pacing and such. But as it goes it gets more enjoyable as the characters interact and get more comfortable with each other. Nice extra plots going on, and despite his low intelligence scores the MC isn't a true dummy.
Yup, little slow to start as the author figures out his pacing and such. But as it goes it gets more enjoyable as the characters interact and get more comfortable with each other. Nice extra plots going on, and despite his low intelligence scores the MC isn't a true dummy.
May 24, 2024
Not good
Allways a female assassin,allways mysterious.Then of course the healer who new to much.What got me was the mc worked on at the time very advanced games but he was not smart? So a idiot can fix stuff with no brain power? Nope he cannot so why make him like that .
Allways a female assassin,allways mysterious.Then of course the healer who new to much.What got me was the mc worked on at the time very advanced games but he was not smart? So a idiot can fix stuff with no brain power? Nope he cannot so why make him like that .
June 7, 2024
A fun story to read.
What a fun story to read. The characters are simple at the beginning of the story, but as it progresses you learn more about the characters; characters who actually have history and grow as individuals.
What a fun story to read. The characters are simple at the beginning of the story, but as it progresses you learn more about the characters; characters who actually have history and grow as individuals.
June 10, 2024
Found this unique, entertaining and a great escape.
Once every now and gain... you find a jewel that is worthy.
There's two books out now and the next book (at the time of writing is due out in 10 days)
The fact I've mentioned that is that I'm anxious to see how this goes.
Good Read.
Once every now and gain... you find a jewel that is worthy.
There's two books out now and the next book (at the time of writing is due out in 10 days)
The fact I've mentioned that is that I'm anxious to see how this goes.
Good Read.
June 25, 2024
Meh
It's readable I guess. Poor world building poor magic system a lot of plot armor dictating how the story goes. Protagonist is a berserker so that's your thing then this may be for you it's not for me.
It's readable I guess. Poor world building poor magic system a lot of plot armor dictating how the story goes. Protagonist is a berserker so that's your thing then this may be for you it's not for me.
July 6, 2024
Author has major potential
DNF 76% The story has great potential but it feels like it trips over itself a good bit. There's a whole 15-20% of the book that should have really been a single scene transition. There's also some plot inconsistencies.
DNF 76% The story has great potential but it feels like it trips over itself a good bit. There's a whole 15-20% of the book that should have really been a single scene transition. There's also some plot inconsistencies.
July 28, 2024
Highschool Readable
Written for your vanilla teenage American kid. Not much depth to the story, massive plots holes all over, and simplistic tropes around strong manliness and beautiful females.
Written for your vanilla teenage American kid. Not much depth to the story, massive plots holes all over, and simplistic tropes around strong manliness and beautiful females.
June 12, 2024
Very Enjoyable !!!
Fast paced action, good character development, entertaining rules system, and similar but different story arc to Dungeon Crawler Carl.
Enjoy
Fast paced action, good character development, entertaining rules system, and similar but different story arc to Dungeon Crawler Carl.
Enjoy
July 13, 2024
I stopped reading because I think the overall story is not believable. The MCs are funny, but that is not enough to make it worth reading.
November 4, 2024
2 1/2 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews