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Shadow Lord: A LitRPG Apocalypse
The Company welcomes you to the multiverse, new hire!
Those words revealed a dangerous new reality to Luke, filled with monsters, magic, and opportunity.
When humanity reached its threshold of advancement, the omnipotent Company ascended Earth to the multiverse. The System’s realm changes all the rules, pantheons fight for control, and challenges offer real power. Unfortunately, the Company's services are not free. Humanity is thrown into a brutal assessment on a derelict world, where only those strong enough to pay their debt will survive.
Unlike his peers, Luke embraces the System's changes by becoming a Rogue, eager to leave his boring life as an office worker behind. Upon awakening an ancient power over shadows, Luke finds that this perilous adventure might be what he was meant for all along.
About the Experience this new LitRPG Apocalypse set in a multiverse rich with world building, danger and conflict. With each monster slain, Luke explores a System with classes, professions, levels, ranks, skills, loot and dungeons.
If you like gritty combat, high stakes, immersive storytelling and superhuman abilities against overpowered foes, then you'll love this epic progression fantasy LitRPG!
Pick up Shadow Lord today on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!
Those words revealed a dangerous new reality to Luke, filled with monsters, magic, and opportunity.
When humanity reached its threshold of advancement, the omnipotent Company ascended Earth to the multiverse. The System’s realm changes all the rules, pantheons fight for control, and challenges offer real power. Unfortunately, the Company's services are not free. Humanity is thrown into a brutal assessment on a derelict world, where only those strong enough to pay their debt will survive.
Unlike his peers, Luke embraces the System's changes by becoming a Rogue, eager to leave his boring life as an office worker behind. Upon awakening an ancient power over shadows, Luke finds that this perilous adventure might be what he was meant for all along.
About the Experience this new LitRPG Apocalypse set in a multiverse rich with world building, danger and conflict. With each monster slain, Luke explores a System with classes, professions, levels, ranks, skills, loot and dungeons.
If you like gritty combat, high stakes, immersive storytelling and superhuman abilities against overpowered foes, then you'll love this epic progression fantasy LitRPG!
Pick up Shadow Lord today on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!
- GenresFantasyMagicYoung Adult
673 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2024
563 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
September 11, 2024
This is a System Apocalypse with a particularly brutal setup. The assessment everybody goes through includes earning points for taking out monsters, sure, but you also get half of the points someone has if you kill them. This incentivizes predation and puts pressure on trust communities. The author does a decent job of showing how this plays out, and without going grimdark—a tough trick, but they pulled it off, I think.
Luke is something of a loner with trust issues anyway. Since initial grouping in the assessment is proximity based, he is stuck with coworkers he doesn't particularly care about but feels bad about abandoning. I think the grimdark resistance stars here with several of the manager types being honestly trying to do their best by the group as a whole. Alice, the HR manager, in particular comes across well as the group healer who steps in to smooth some of the initial friction.
Not that I liked the group much. And they were certainly holding Luke back with their desire to hunker down and just get through. That's a strategy that won't flourish given the system parameters but it's definitely understandable.
Unfortunately, the expected psychopaths do make it to the top of this kind of setup and that swallows up Luke's group. It doesn't help that they are led by his gaslighting, manipulative ex. Who sends assassins after Luke in his first night because he resists her bid for him to fall in line. This sets him free and he goes lone wolf from there, including gaining "titles" (bits of fluff the system gives for singular achievements) that push him the titular Shadow Lord route.
The action is good and I liked Luke and his problem solving and determination. There's a weird crafting subsection that bogs down a little, but there were enough interesting twists even there to keep me engaged.
The ending was sufficiently climatic to resolve the existing conflict but there is definitely an invite to the next volume. It is unfortunate that this is all we have so far as I'm definitely interested. Four stars for an interesting story that threads an antagonistic setup without going full dark.
A note about Chaste: The weakest characterization here is Luke's relationship history. He's still hung up on Emma, who was perfect but cut ties and disappeared for no reason. There's a hint that Marcy, the psychopath he took up with after Emma, may have been involved somehow. For some reason, Luke is hoping to find Emma in this post apocalyptic setting, but he isn't really trying very hard. For now, she just acts as a talisman to keep him uninterested in relationships. Which is fine as there is zero space for intimacy here and the trust equation created from receiving important resources by killing folks makes it dicey anyway. So this is very chaste, is what I'm saying. Even if that is contrived by backstory as much as it is by system setup.
Luke is something of a loner with trust issues anyway. Since initial grouping in the assessment is proximity based, he is stuck with coworkers he doesn't particularly care about but feels bad about abandoning. I think the grimdark resistance stars here with several of the manager types being honestly trying to do their best by the group as a whole. Alice, the HR manager, in particular comes across well as the group healer who steps in to smooth some of the initial friction.
Not that I liked the group much. And they were certainly holding Luke back with their desire to hunker down and just get through. That's a strategy that won't flourish given the system parameters but it's definitely understandable.
Unfortunately, the expected psychopaths do make it to the top of this kind of setup and that swallows up Luke's group. It doesn't help that they are led by his gaslighting, manipulative ex. Who sends assassins after Luke in his first night because he resists her bid for him to fall in line. This sets him free and he goes lone wolf from there, including gaining "titles" (bits of fluff the system gives for singular achievements) that push him the titular Shadow Lord route.
The action is good and I liked Luke and his problem solving and determination. There's a weird crafting subsection that bogs down a little, but there were enough interesting twists even there to keep me engaged.
The ending was sufficiently climatic to resolve the existing conflict but there is definitely an invite to the next volume. It is unfortunate that this is all we have so far as I'm definitely interested. Four stars for an interesting story that threads an antagonistic setup without going full dark.
A note about Chaste: The weakest characterization here is Luke's relationship history. He's still hung up on Emma, who was perfect but cut ties and disappeared for no reason. There's a hint that Marcy, the psychopath he took up with after Emma, may have been involved somehow. For some reason, Luke is hoping to find Emma in this post apocalyptic setting, but he isn't really trying very hard. For now, she just acts as a talisman to keep him uninterested in relationships. Which is fine as there is zero space for intimacy here and the trust equation created from receiving important resources by killing folks makes it dicey anyway. So this is very chaste, is what I'm saying. Even if that is contrived by backstory as much as it is by system setup.
July 31, 2024
Primal Hunter Ripoff
This got 2 stars because the writing was good, it would have been five if it hadn’t been rip off of Primal Hunter. The differences in the story between the two books show the author has the ability to come up with a compelling story, but the fact that the whole plot is Literally stolen from another artist is disturbing. I’m not exaggerating either. I will list the ways.
MC taken to a survivor tutorial with coworkers including a MarySue Boss/friend.
Goes solo and gets blames for being a psycho murderer by survivors of tutorial.
Gets rare Bloodline ability making him OP
Finds Dungeon and learns rare profession.
Meets ancient powerful Dragon God who has done a self imposed exile because of loss of wife. MC and Dragon God becomes Friends and Dragon God leaves exile and gives MC powerful blessing.
Also shaping up to where MC will be sole survivor of his tutorial.
There was one reviewer who mentions similarities between to books but says this one made Primal Hunter look like trash. Pretty sure the reviewer was paid to write that or is the author in disguise. The are things about the actions of the characters in this book that don’t make sense logically or for their characters. Plot holes like why the Heck the MC’s ex has such a hard on to kill him. Explanation given is flat. Over all the book would have had potential if it wasn’t a rip off of another artist’s work.
This got 2 stars because the writing was good, it would have been five if it hadn’t been rip off of Primal Hunter. The differences in the story between the two books show the author has the ability to come up with a compelling story, but the fact that the whole plot is Literally stolen from another artist is disturbing. I’m not exaggerating either. I will list the ways.
MC taken to a survivor tutorial with coworkers including a MarySue Boss/friend.
Goes solo and gets blames for being a psycho murderer by survivors of tutorial.
Gets rare Bloodline ability making him OP
Finds Dungeon and learns rare profession.
Meets ancient powerful Dragon God who has done a self imposed exile because of loss of wife. MC and Dragon God becomes Friends and Dragon God leaves exile and gives MC powerful blessing.
Also shaping up to where MC will be sole survivor of his tutorial.
There was one reviewer who mentions similarities between to books but says this one made Primal Hunter look like trash. Pretty sure the reviewer was paid to write that or is the author in disguise. The are things about the actions of the characters in this book that don’t make sense logically or for their characters. Plot holes like why the Heck the MC’s ex has such a hard on to kill him. Explanation given is flat. Over all the book would have had potential if it wasn’t a rip off of another artist’s work.
October 3, 2024
Primal Hunter look alike
The plot of this book mimics the plot of the series The Primal Hunter. Honestly, I understand that due to the number of books/series in the genre these days, means that you get a lot of copy cats, but this book takes it to a whole new level. Even copying minute details like a side character losing an arm early in the book and the trial lasting the same amount of time. Come on, at least have some originality. I felt like I was just rereading the first book of The Primal Hunter series. The kicker is that the author’s name isn’t even original, “Zogarth” is the author of the Primal Hunter while the author of this book took the name “Zagrinth”… lol. I will not be continuing the series
The plot of this book mimics the plot of the series The Primal Hunter. Honestly, I understand that due to the number of books/series in the genre these days, means that you get a lot of copy cats, but this book takes it to a whole new level. Even copying minute details like a side character losing an arm early in the book and the trial lasting the same amount of time. Come on, at least have some originality. I felt like I was just rereading the first book of The Primal Hunter series. The kicker is that the author’s name isn’t even original, “Zogarth” is the author of the Primal Hunter while the author of this book took the name “Zagrinth”… lol. I will not be continuing the series
September 14, 2024
Not bad not great...
The Primal Hunter with swords... The book is ok but it pulls entirely too much from a series I like and one with a character I can not stand. Primal Hunter is a good book and I like the character but this is very very similar in the story elements. And then he pulls in Drizzt and Guenhwyvar into the story. I can not stand Drizzt...
I will read the next book but it really needs something to make it stand out.
The Primal Hunter with swords... The book is ok but it pulls entirely too much from a series I like and one with a character I can not stand. Primal Hunter is a good book and I like the character but this is very very similar in the story elements. And then he pulls in Drizzt and Guenhwyvar into the story. I can not stand Drizzt...
I will read the next book but it really needs something to make it stand out.
September 20, 2024
Good story
I liked this story it is a good start to what I hope is a series I would like some more of the main character and some of the side characters
I liked this story it is a good start to what I hope is a series I would like some more of the main character and some of the side characters
September 28, 2024
very good read
This was a super fun story and I was glued to it! Highly recommended. If you like primal hunter or anything similar, you’ll love this.
This was a super fun story and I was glued to it! Highly recommended. If you like primal hunter or anything similar, you’ll love this.
September 28, 2024
Really enjoyed the story
This story arc differs a bit from the other LitRPG stories out there. The ending left me eager to see where things will go in this version.
This story arc differs a bit from the other LitRPG stories out there. The ending left me eager to see where things will go in this version.
August 29, 2024
It just wasn’t very exciting.
October 21, 2024
It was a good read.
Thankfully it was well written. The characters were familiar. The protagonist getting a pet and a boon from a dragon god was a bit on the nose. Reminding me of the Malefic Viper. Still a good read.
Thankfully it was well written. The characters were familiar. The protagonist getting a pet and a boon from a dragon god was a bit on the nose. Reminding me of the Malefic Viper. Still a good read.
September 8, 2024
This was a bit of a slog
I’m being generous here with 3 stars.
The base plot is good and sentence construction and grammar are excellent.
However, this book is so very boring.
The descriptions of battle and the world itself are unconvincing and it’s hard to picture what’s happening during battle sequences.
There’s also a huge amount of interpersonal angst and office politics.
It’s way too wordy between action scenes.
Proceed at your own risk but I won’t continue with this series.
I’m being generous here with 3 stars.
The base plot is good and sentence construction and grammar are excellent.
However, this book is so very boring.
The descriptions of battle and the world itself are unconvincing and it’s hard to picture what’s happening during battle sequences.
There’s also a huge amount of interpersonal angst and office politics.
It’s way too wordy between action scenes.
Proceed at your own risk but I won’t continue with this series.
October 7, 2024
I am still reading this, so I may come back and change this review later.
You know how you read a story and imagine what you would do in the protagonist's place? Well, 95% of the Main Character's choices are the exact opposite of what I would do. His judgement is more than a little questionable, so far.
My greatest complaints are:
1. He is trying for a Min/Max build. In his current situation that is not very bright. Despite choosing a Rouge class, he is using any excuse/points to become a Jock or Warrior with zip for stamina/endurance. The typical Glass Cannon damage dealer. *sigh*
2. The character is in a Lord of the Flies scenario, but he is still trying to gain "Nice Guy Brownie Points" from his former co-workers.
If this story doesn't get smarter fast, I won't be finishing it.
ADDENDUM: I'm out. As soon as the ex-GF entered the story, I quit. I am more than a little disappointed by this author.
You know how you read a story and imagine what you would do in the protagonist's place? Well, 95% of the Main Character's choices are the exact opposite of what I would do. His judgement is more than a little questionable, so far.
My greatest complaints are:
1. He is trying for a Min/Max build. In his current situation that is not very bright. Despite choosing a Rouge class, he is using any excuse/points to become a Jock or Warrior with zip for stamina/endurance. The typical Glass Cannon damage dealer. *sigh*
2. The character is in a Lord of the Flies scenario, but he is still trying to gain "Nice Guy Brownie Points" from his former co-workers.
If this story doesn't get smarter fast, I won't be finishing it.
ADDENDUM: I'm out. As soon as the ex-GF entered the story, I quit. I am more than a little disappointed by this author.
August 21, 2024
good story but a Simp MC.
The pros of this book, Very good story. Drags a little at spots, especially doing Rune creation. Of course it’s the same premise the world gets inducted into the Multiverse, but the execution is a little bit more unique. But there are quite a few issues I have which I’m only going to name a few. My first question is why you authors want to write a story about a maladjusted introverted, socially awkward individual that seems to be the trend in lit RPG books these days, but as I look at the reviews, these type of MCS don’t get much love. this is a note for all other lit RPG authors give us a normal well adjusted character like we see in defiance of the fall, he who fights with monsters, system, change, azarinth healer, and others. These characters and books have many good positive reviews. Why you ask,? Because all these characters have one thing in common, they’re sensible levelheaded, and are not chasing after women who have dumped them like your MC in this book. That type of behavior is predatory at best creepy at worst. Now for the other nuts and bolts. No spatial storage. Rings or dimensional storage items that store. all the detritus and equipment the MC gathers that’s a trope of lit RPG books and games. No MC can carry everything in just their ordinary mundane pockets. I did enjoy the inclusion of the Drake. Having a partner at the MC side is a positive for me in this story. I will read the next book in the series. Only if you correct the flaws I’ve mentioned above. Of course this is just my opinion, but the MC being a Simp, a stalker or some sort of male predator just doesn’t do it for me. basically if a woman tells you no, it’s no if she dumps you she has a reason for it. take your MC in another direction. last of all abbreviate your stats, for example use azarinth healer book 2 or three to see how the author does it you could give us more story less stats. As I tell everybody, these are my opinions, read the book you may like it, I did with just some caveats.
The pros of this book, Very good story. Drags a little at spots, especially doing Rune creation. Of course it’s the same premise the world gets inducted into the Multiverse, but the execution is a little bit more unique. But there are quite a few issues I have which I’m only going to name a few. My first question is why you authors want to write a story about a maladjusted introverted, socially awkward individual that seems to be the trend in lit RPG books these days, but as I look at the reviews, these type of MCS don’t get much love. this is a note for all other lit RPG authors give us a normal well adjusted character like we see in defiance of the fall, he who fights with monsters, system, change, azarinth healer, and others. These characters and books have many good positive reviews. Why you ask,? Because all these characters have one thing in common, they’re sensible levelheaded, and are not chasing after women who have dumped them like your MC in this book. That type of behavior is predatory at best creepy at worst. Now for the other nuts and bolts. No spatial storage. Rings or dimensional storage items that store. all the detritus and equipment the MC gathers that’s a trope of lit RPG books and games. No MC can carry everything in just their ordinary mundane pockets. I did enjoy the inclusion of the Drake. Having a partner at the MC side is a positive for me in this story. I will read the next book in the series. Only if you correct the flaws I’ve mentioned above. Of course this is just my opinion, but the MC being a Simp, a stalker or some sort of male predator just doesn’t do it for me. basically if a woman tells you no, it’s no if she dumps you she has a reason for it. take your MC in another direction. last of all abbreviate your stats, for example use azarinth healer book 2 or three to see how the author does it you could give us more story less stats. As I tell everybody, these are my opinions, read the book you may like it, I did with just some caveats.
December 21, 2024
Good start, good story, but ... got lost towards the ending. Plot holes and convoluted.
I enjoyed the story overall, however the second half of the book got so completed and lost its plot line and cohesion. The character was just throwing into existential crisis after crisis as a means to build up the character stats. The very ending of the book was rushed, and felt fake and without any real depth to the plot line the beginning of the book had started to build on.
Overall I really did enjoy the story in the main character. But the book introduced characters only to become meaningless further on in the story, were there importance didn't exist. I'd like the world that the author built, and it was fun in the beginning. The second half of this book needed a much better editor and story progression needed clarification. I think this book would have been better served being split into as the plot was forced at the end in the character just became what the story needed him to be. The reader loses all emotional attachment to the main character because there was no validation to where he was going or what he became.
I think this book deserves a follow-up in the series and hopefully the author will have more story comprehension and editing. My understanding is this is the author's first book and as such I think it's a good attempt it just needs work.
If book two comes out I will read it and see if he can recover some of the brilliance of the beginning of book 1.
I enjoyed the story overall, however the second half of the book got so completed and lost its plot line and cohesion. The character was just throwing into existential crisis after crisis as a means to build up the character stats. The very ending of the book was rushed, and felt fake and without any real depth to the plot line the beginning of the book had started to build on.
Overall I really did enjoy the story in the main character. But the book introduced characters only to become meaningless further on in the story, were there importance didn't exist. I'd like the world that the author built, and it was fun in the beginning. The second half of this book needed a much better editor and story progression needed clarification. I think this book would have been better served being split into as the plot was forced at the end in the character just became what the story needed him to be. The reader loses all emotional attachment to the main character because there was no validation to where he was going or what he became.
I think this book deserves a follow-up in the series and hopefully the author will have more story comprehension and editing. My understanding is this is the author's first book and as such I think it's a good attempt it just needs work.
If book two comes out I will read it and see if he can recover some of the brilliance of the beginning of book 1.
July 29, 2024
Plot point for plot point this is the Primal Hunter story. If the entire thing is going to be a copy from that book then it should be compared to it. Unfortunately, this book falls into the "lesser" category in every comparison. It is far too surface level in dealing with some matters (ie: the faction system and reactions thereto), the power discrepancy is odd, the character dynamics can be very strange (ie: the relationship with the replacement for malefic viper), the loot is less interesting, the growth is less interesting both in classes and character, and etc.
Additionally, there are other things lifted from other books. For example,
Some minor points are changed enough that with enough time they could turn into interesting avenues to venture off into its own story. However, if a second book is to come out, it is incredibly unlikely to pave it's own path as is highly likely to be another Primal Hunter again.
Additionally, there are other things lifted from other books. For example,
Some minor points are changed enough that with enough time they could turn into interesting avenues to venture off into its own story. However, if a second book is to come out, it is incredibly unlikely to pave it's own path as is highly likely to be another Primal Hunter again.
September 28, 2024
So much loose ends can't wait for the next book!
I sincerely hope for another book (equally as long too) i haven't come across a good shadow mage series in years!! I'd like a little less focus on what's going on with other characters unless they become main pillars or villains, because thise felt fairly drawn out,that said! Does Luke put the remaining kinga back to sleep? Does he manage to stop the what would seem would be zombie apocalypse to come? Is ALL of earth in the same assessment or are there different assessment tests for different portions of the plant? Does Luke find his love interest? And why do i feel like she broke up with him because Lukes tormentor whsipered terrible things in her ear? And i love that look actually has 3 friends now compared to only have associates
It's a shame this was the only book of what i hope to become a long running series that doesn't take too long for book to book to come out. Please keep writing,many people don't want to get hooked on a book and not get enough and i think this will be one of them!
I sincerely hope for another book (equally as long too) i haven't come across a good shadow mage series in years!! I'd like a little less focus on what's going on with other characters unless they become main pillars or villains, because thise felt fairly drawn out,that said! Does Luke put the remaining kinga back to sleep? Does he manage to stop the what would seem would be zombie apocalypse to come? Is ALL of earth in the same assessment or are there different assessment tests for different portions of the plant? Does Luke find his love interest? And why do i feel like she broke up with him because Lukes tormentor whsipered terrible things in her ear? And i love that look actually has 3 friends now compared to only have associates
It's a shame this was the only book of what i hope to become a long running series that doesn't take too long for book to book to come out. Please keep writing,many people don't want to get hooked on a book and not get enough and i think this will be one of them!
December 13, 2024
what to say
Let me start by saying, regardless of my following comments I found this book to be quite enjoyable. However, if you’re a fan of RA Salvatore and litrpg (specifically the primal hunter series) you’ll find this book has some glaring similarities to both Drizzt from Salvatore’s novels and Jake from the Primal Hunter series. Now typically I’m all for building from inspiration of other artists, but I have to say the copied aspects of Luke in this book were just too many to count. In all reality I found myself wondering on numerous occasions if the author didn’t just copy and paste several books from the aforementioned, and ask an AI Bot to generate a new story propped up by already published pillars. It was frustrating for me because the story was fun to read, but I couldn’t stop being disappointed by the framework was intricately held together by two other authors hard work. I still give it a three for entertainment value, but sheesh was there a lot of theft involved in the creation of this book.
Let me start by saying, regardless of my following comments I found this book to be quite enjoyable. However, if you’re a fan of RA Salvatore and litrpg (specifically the primal hunter series) you’ll find this book has some glaring similarities to both Drizzt from Salvatore’s novels and Jake from the Primal Hunter series. Now typically I’m all for building from inspiration of other artists, but I have to say the copied aspects of Luke in this book were just too many to count. In all reality I found myself wondering on numerous occasions if the author didn’t just copy and paste several books from the aforementioned, and ask an AI Bot to generate a new story propped up by already published pillars. It was frustrating for me because the story was fun to read, but I couldn’t stop being disappointed by the framework was intricately held together by two other authors hard work. I still give it a three for entertainment value, but sheesh was there a lot of theft involved in the creation of this book.
December 6, 2024
Fast paced excitement!
I like how the author gave you enough of a corporate backstory for the characters the MC has to deal with, but gets to the good stuff before you lose interest in the “real world.” I noticed some similarities to other books I’ve read, special blood line awakening, a challenge to get a rare profession that is no longer seen in the universe. Even though I noticed those similarities, whether intentional or unintentional, he puts his own spin on them. I am a fan of a slightly OP main character but not overly so. I enjoyed the splash of the manipulative ex, and the true love lost part of the story. Tale as old as time, but that scenario I think speaks to a lot of people and is made worse in a fantasy setting where that manipulative person can gain powers! Enjoyed the foreshadowing and the taste of a bigger Universe after this testing ground. Very Excited about Book 2!!
I like how the author gave you enough of a corporate backstory for the characters the MC has to deal with, but gets to the good stuff before you lose interest in the “real world.” I noticed some similarities to other books I’ve read, special blood line awakening, a challenge to get a rare profession that is no longer seen in the universe. Even though I noticed those similarities, whether intentional or unintentional, he puts his own spin on them. I am a fan of a slightly OP main character but not overly so. I enjoyed the splash of the manipulative ex, and the true love lost part of the story. Tale as old as time, but that scenario I think speaks to a lot of people and is made worse in a fantasy setting where that manipulative person can gain powers! Enjoyed the foreshadowing and the taste of a bigger Universe after this testing ground. Very Excited about Book 2!!
February 14, 2025
I really enjoyed this
There are a large amount of books that are available for you to choose. This one I recommend. It's the apocalypse that has happened with a character that finds himself enjoying it because he's been a loner most of his life.
Throw in a deranged scorned coworker. His old group that is clueless. And hungry hungry hungry hippo ooops, I meant hungry hungry hungry cannibals!
It has humor and in depth world building. And wow the believable characters!
Even the evil people have good justification for what they are doing! One small bad act that leads to another. Just like eating potato chips, they do one bad action and we'll one more won't hurt. With potatoes chips you just have a empty bag. But with humans? You have very very bad people. Just like real life.
From people low on the Power structure to seeing literal deities that are believable.
And the evil villain that rises? A true king!
I really recommend this book!
There are a large amount of books that are available for you to choose. This one I recommend. It's the apocalypse that has happened with a character that finds himself enjoying it because he's been a loner most of his life.
Throw in a deranged scorned coworker. His old group that is clueless. And hungry hungry hungry hippo ooops, I meant hungry hungry hungry cannibals!
It has humor and in depth world building. And wow the believable characters!
Even the evil people have good justification for what they are doing! One small bad act that leads to another. Just like eating potato chips, they do one bad action and we'll one more won't hurt. With potatoes chips you just have a empty bag. But with humans? You have very very bad people. Just like real life.
From people low on the Power structure to seeing literal deities that are believable.
And the evil villain that rises? A true king!
I really recommend this book!
August 22, 2024
Great book and very enjoyable read. Very similar to primal hunter. Has the same sort of interaction with a dragon god and gets a profession out of it by being locked in a race against time with studying it. These may seem pretty ridiculous as almost copy paste but it is a more interesting job and the mc is a lot more interesting. Unlike primal hunter who is just a killing machine either almost no feelings(not that i have problems with that as i enjoyed the series) this mc actually has emotions however they aren’t annoying like trying to keep modern morals when clearly thats going to get him killed. Makes one major mistake in the book but steal keeps the highly intelligent mc tag due to him knowing it’s a mistake and planning accordingly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2024
Excellent Read!!!
An amazing first work by the author. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this very in-depth, yet fast moving lit RPG novel. I will definitely be reading the next installment.
The only small downside is that the author too frequently displays the main characters full status page with full descriptions of each skill, and then, even when each skill is mentioned again provides the full description. This made for a lot of skim reading as it became very redundant. On the plus side, the author did not use these sections as pure filler as many authors do. He simply lengthened the novel in order to also include these descriptions, along with a very well fleshed out story.
An amazing first work by the author. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this very in-depth, yet fast moving lit RPG novel. I will definitely be reading the next installment.
The only small downside is that the author too frequently displays the main characters full status page with full descriptions of each skill, and then, even when each skill is mentioned again provides the full description. This made for a lot of skim reading as it became very redundant. On the plus side, the author did not use these sections as pure filler as many authors do. He simply lengthened the novel in order to also include these descriptions, along with a very well fleshed out story.
November 20, 2024
DNF
Maybe someone can convince me to give this another chance, but I absolutely hate this trope where it’s the end of the world but we’re gonna pretend like everything’s just normal. I got to the point where he meets up with an ex and she was apparently horrible to the MC but he stays with the group because…. Literally his reasoning is he doesn’t want to seem “petulant”. You just saw 4 people killed by monsters and had to kill another human in self defense and you are worried your old coworkers will care if you seem petulant? Like who cares? I guess I don’t have any real work apocalypse experience but I have to feel like I absolutely would give zero Fs about what my coworkers thought of me.
Maybe someone can convince me to give this another chance, but I absolutely hate this trope where it’s the end of the world but we’re gonna pretend like everything’s just normal. I got to the point where he meets up with an ex and she was apparently horrible to the MC but he stays with the group because…. Literally his reasoning is he doesn’t want to seem “petulant”. You just saw 4 people killed by monsters and had to kill another human in self defense and you are worried your old coworkers will care if you seem petulant? Like who cares? I guess I don’t have any real work apocalypse experience but I have to feel like I absolutely would give zero Fs about what my coworkers thought of me.
August 8, 2024
Well reasoned system. Heavily influenced by the Primal Hunter series by Zogarath.
I do not point out the influence as criticism. This author writes with his own ideas and I like the world he is creating. That being said the influence is obvious as the story continues. I am officially a fan. As a first work I give it 5 stars. If you enjoy the Primal Hunter series you will like this opening effort. Book 1 of the Primal Hunter is no masterpiece so, be wary of quick judgements. Each successive book has broadened and improved. That will be Zagrinth’s real challenge going forward. I look forward to the next installment.
~Phil
I do not point out the influence as criticism. This author writes with his own ideas and I like the world he is creating. That being said the influence is obvious as the story continues. I am officially a fan. As a first work I give it 5 stars. If you enjoy the Primal Hunter series you will like this opening effort. Book 1 of the Primal Hunter is no masterpiece so, be wary of quick judgements. Each successive book has broadened and improved. That will be Zagrinth’s real challenge going forward. I look forward to the next installment.
~Phil
August 14, 2024
Quite an excellent story.
First off, as others have indicated, this book/story does have a similar feel to a different, and very well rated series book 1 - which I have read and rate very high.
There are similar structural event progressions, as does the plot flow in a way very much like the other series work. I would say it is much like the difference between coke and pepsi.
There are enough differences to not be too derivative. Still the differences are good in my mind.
You will have to read it and see if you enjoy it or if you do not.
I liked it. I will read the next book.
I hope the next book does not follow the other series very much, but time will tell.
First off, as others have indicated, this book/story does have a similar feel to a different, and very well rated series book 1 - which I have read and rate very high.
There are similar structural event progressions, as does the plot flow in a way very much like the other series work. I would say it is much like the difference between coke and pepsi.
There are enough differences to not be too derivative. Still the differences are good in my mind.
You will have to read it and see if you enjoy it or if you do not.
I liked it. I will read the next book.
I hope the next book does not follow the other series very much, but time will tell.
September 1, 2024
Solid, but very derivative of Primal Hunter
Honestly thought about tutoring this one “Primal Hunter with the serial numbers filed off”. MC is a longer office worker with a mysterious bloodline who manifests powers from it, wears a cloak and tend to be dark and semi-edgy. Still fun but it really reads like a decent fanfic of PH, even has a god sponsor who sets him up with a chance to get an awesome skill and he gets put into a time dilated dungeon to do it. There are some differences, but it’s just way too similar, and the themes keep going from there. So a decent read, but definitely not innovative.
Honestly thought about tutoring this one “Primal Hunter with the serial numbers filed off”. MC is a longer office worker with a mysterious bloodline who manifests powers from it, wears a cloak and tend to be dark and semi-edgy. Still fun but it really reads like a decent fanfic of PH, even has a god sponsor who sets him up with a chance to get an awesome skill and he gets put into a time dilated dungeon to do it. There are some differences, but it’s just way too similar, and the themes keep going from there. So a decent read, but definitely not innovative.
December 7, 2024
Good ideas but too similar to primal hunter
This book was enjoyable for anyone that likes lit rpg's, however it's clearly mirroring primal hunter book one. To boil it down is all the same plot points are there. Stuck in an isekai with coworkers, does something that offends said coworkers, finds safety with people who see him as a threat, runs into dungeon and finds a dragon god, befriends dragon god while gaining a profession and a blessing (boon in this book), then solos a boss. I'll read the next book because the original ideas are there but I'd like to see some distance from the plot of primal hunter.
This book was enjoyable for anyone that likes lit rpg's, however it's clearly mirroring primal hunter book one. To boil it down is all the same plot points are there. Stuck in an isekai with coworkers, does something that offends said coworkers, finds safety with people who see him as a threat, runs into dungeon and finds a dragon god, befriends dragon god while gaining a profession and a blessing (boon in this book), then solos a boss. I'll read the next book because the original ideas are there but I'd like to see some distance from the plot of primal hunter.
August 4, 2024
Great book
I chose the rating I chose for a few reasons. I would first like to address the claims of Shadowlord copying the Primal Hunter. As an enthusiast of Zograths series Primal Hunter I agree that Zagrinth took heavy inspiration from the series. The great thing about the book is that the plot, power system, and characters can easily be distinguished. Generally I was not against the idea as well as I believe if a series is doing great there should be no shame in using it as inspiration. I really hope that this series will have countless more entries.
I chose the rating I chose for a few reasons. I would first like to address the claims of Shadowlord copying the Primal Hunter. As an enthusiast of Zograths series Primal Hunter I agree that Zagrinth took heavy inspiration from the series. The great thing about the book is that the plot, power system, and characters can easily be distinguished. Generally I was not against the idea as well as I believe if a series is doing great there should be no shame in using it as inspiration. I really hope that this series will have countless more entries.
August 12, 2024
Great system. Great characters. Most importantly, great writing.
I've read so much LitRPG. My Kindle unlimited keeps track. I've read all the famous ones and have been struggling to find anything worthwhile for a bit.
I randomly saw this and gave it a shot for no other reason than it was "recommended."
I am quite happy that I did. I am very excited to read the next one. Zagrinth, if you read this, I need to know what happens next! There are just so many good cliff hangers to finish off!
I've followed the author, and I hope more of you do who read this.
I've read so much LitRPG. My Kindle unlimited keeps track. I've read all the famous ones and have been struggling to find anything worthwhile for a bit.
I randomly saw this and gave it a shot for no other reason than it was "recommended."
I am quite happy that I did. I am very excited to read the next one. Zagrinth, if you read this, I need to know what happens next! There are just so many good cliff hangers to finish off!
I've followed the author, and I hope more of you do who read this.
August 24, 2024
More
I need more absolutely amazing addition to the lit rpg drama I can't wait to see the next installment I will wait very very impatiently for it. Well done I look forward to binge reading the next book any fans of chaos seeds and Richter in the land from aleron Kong will enjoy this book it flows nothings ever easy and you can see the growth of the character as he experienced hardship after hardship and keeps growing stronger with a will of pure adamantium lol refusing to give up read this you will nor be disappointed!!!!!!!
I need more absolutely amazing addition to the lit rpg drama I can't wait to see the next installment I will wait very very impatiently for it. Well done I look forward to binge reading the next book any fans of chaos seeds and Richter in the land from aleron Kong will enjoy this book it flows nothings ever easy and you can see the growth of the character as he experienced hardship after hardship and keeps growing stronger with a will of pure adamantium lol refusing to give up read this you will nor be disappointed!!!!!!!
August 26, 2024
great book!
I don’t usually review books, but as this is Zagrinth’s first book I feel it deserves one. I really enjoyed this book. It has several elements that are reminiscent of the Primal Hunter series. I love that series so I’m not mad about this at all! I’m really excited for the whole multiverse and the like to start to be flushed out with their histories and learning about the bigger picture. This was a great start to a new series and I cannot wait for the second book and was genuinely sad when I finished this book. Zagrinth, I eagerly await book number 2!
I don’t usually review books, but as this is Zagrinth’s first book I feel it deserves one. I really enjoyed this book. It has several elements that are reminiscent of the Primal Hunter series. I love that series so I’m not mad about this at all! I’m really excited for the whole multiverse and the like to start to be flushed out with their histories and learning about the bigger picture. This was a great start to a new series and I cannot wait for the second book and was genuinely sad when I finished this book. Zagrinth, I eagerly await book number 2!
August 28, 2024
The book started ok, then he ran into his Ex girlfriend and became a simp/wimp, pussy. Then he had to fights with people. The rest of the book he never fought a human or humanoid for the rest of the book. Parts of the book were very long winded. What was started with the shadows early in the book was very cool and interesting but never went anywhere. He never tried to get stronger with shadows, he spent a lot of time on runes, seemed like the book should have been called Rune Lord. I thought the book was going to have action and using shadows. maybe some verbal sparring with others. This book became very dull and boring. A large amount of LitRPG books are like this now, 2 maybe 3 star.
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