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Atlas #1
Atlas Book 1: Back to the Present (Time Travel +Dystopian + Post Apocalyptic): AUTHOR’S REVISED VERSION
Atlas was ready to go home after surviving a brutal, post-apocalyptic world. But betrayed at the last possible moment by his so-called “friends,” he did what any sane person would chucked a sword through the closing portal out of pure spite.
Nothing bad could possibly happen from that, right?
Except now he’s back in his old life…
with one glaring he’s been sent two years back in time.
The portals are going to open again. The monsters are coming. Civilization collapses. Humanity panics. Everything repeats.
But this time?
Atlas will be ready.
Step 1: Get some cash
Step 2: Build a team
Step 3: Prepare for the end of the world
Step 4: Go back and kick some ass
Book One is all about prep and planning. Atlas has two years until the gates reopen, and he’s going to spend every second getting stronger, smarter, and way more prepared than last time.
This is a dystopian time-travel progression fantasy with focus on team-building, strategy, planning, and second-chance survival — perfect for readers who enjoy LitRPG vibes without stat sheets, apocalyptic worlds, and sarcastic main characters who refuse to die quietly.
Author’s Note — Revised Edition
This was the first book I ever published, and it shows.
If you’re coming from Towerbound — welcome to my awkward phase. Big ideas, rough edges, and plenty of “he really wrote that?” moments. I wrote Towerbound after twelve full books of practice. This was Book One.
That said, I still love this story. It’s got guts.
This new author edition doesn’t change the plot. Nothing you remember is altered.
I just tightened the pacing, sharpened the tone, and gave it the polish I didn’t have back then. Think of it like your favorite show being
same scenes, same story, just better lighting, sharper sound, and nicer special effects.
If you want more, the entire six-book main series is already available. They aren’t revised yet — I’ll update them slowly while I keep working on Towerbound.
Thanks for reading.
Samson Chui
Nothing bad could possibly happen from that, right?
Except now he’s back in his old life…
with one glaring he’s been sent two years back in time.
The portals are going to open again. The monsters are coming. Civilization collapses. Humanity panics. Everything repeats.
But this time?
Atlas will be ready.
Step 1: Get some cash
Step 2: Build a team
Step 3: Prepare for the end of the world
Step 4: Go back and kick some ass
Book One is all about prep and planning. Atlas has two years until the gates reopen, and he’s going to spend every second getting stronger, smarter, and way more prepared than last time.
This is a dystopian time-travel progression fantasy with focus on team-building, strategy, planning, and second-chance survival — perfect for readers who enjoy LitRPG vibes without stat sheets, apocalyptic worlds, and sarcastic main characters who refuse to die quietly.
Author’s Note — Revised Edition
This was the first book I ever published, and it shows.
If you’re coming from Towerbound — welcome to my awkward phase. Big ideas, rough edges, and plenty of “he really wrote that?” moments. I wrote Towerbound after twelve full books of practice. This was Book One.
That said, I still love this story. It’s got guts.
This new author edition doesn’t change the plot. Nothing you remember is altered.
I just tightened the pacing, sharpened the tone, and gave it the polish I didn’t have back then. Think of it like your favorite show being
same scenes, same story, just better lighting, sharper sound, and nicer special effects.
If you want more, the entire six-book main series is already available. They aren’t revised yet — I’ll update them slowly while I keep working on Towerbound.
Thanks for reading.
Samson Chui
455 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2024
459 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 23, 2025
Book one
I guess this one just wasn't for me.
I wouldn't follow this guy out of a Porta potty Much less follow him into combat.
He attacked people just for being in his way after he was betrayed by Clark. The first thing that he does when he wakes up in the past is drink an entire bottle of whiskey.
He plans like a child. Hey the world will change in two years so lets immediately sell our apartment and be homeless for that time.
After selling the apartment he goes to stock up on modern weapons and gear and food. He no longer has an apartment to store any of this in so he will have to keep it in his car....for two years. Anyone sees all that and it would just be a matter of time till his car is broken into and everything is stolen.
We get it already, there is just something different about him. We get told this at least six times in the short span that he is at the gym for the first time.
Conversations come across as odd and not believable at all.
The way everyone just believes him starting with his friend John is just cringe worthy. We all know that if our best friend showed up talking like this guy we would be concerned and trying to get them help, not feeding what comes across as a schizophrenic break.
It's almost impossible to draw a sword from over your shoulder much less two of them. You would need someone else to re-sheathe them.
The songs are as bad if not worse than the song by a certain purple dinosaur and just came across as the MC buffing his own ego.
.01/10 You can skip entire chapters and miss absolutely nothing worthwhile. I can't recommend this. It needs a good honest editor that won't just blow feel good smoke up the authors backsides. Absolutely everything comes across as completely unbelievable so much so that even suspension of belief doesn't help this one go down.
I guess this one just wasn't for me.
I wouldn't follow this guy out of a Porta potty Much less follow him into combat.
He attacked people just for being in his way after he was betrayed by Clark. The first thing that he does when he wakes up in the past is drink an entire bottle of whiskey.
He plans like a child. Hey the world will change in two years so lets immediately sell our apartment and be homeless for that time.
After selling the apartment he goes to stock up on modern weapons and gear and food. He no longer has an apartment to store any of this in so he will have to keep it in his car....for two years. Anyone sees all that and it would just be a matter of time till his car is broken into and everything is stolen.
We get it already, there is just something different about him. We get told this at least six times in the short span that he is at the gym for the first time.
Conversations come across as odd and not believable at all.
The way everyone just believes him starting with his friend John is just cringe worthy. We all know that if our best friend showed up talking like this guy we would be concerned and trying to get them help, not feeding what comes across as a schizophrenic break.
It's almost impossible to draw a sword from over your shoulder much less two of them. You would need someone else to re-sheathe them.
The songs are as bad if not worse than the song by a certain purple dinosaur and just came across as the MC buffing his own ego.
.01/10 You can skip entire chapters and miss absolutely nothing worthwhile. I can't recommend this. It needs a good honest editor that won't just blow feel good smoke up the authors backsides. Absolutely everything comes across as completely unbelievable so much so that even suspension of belief doesn't help this one go down.
April 14, 2025
Interesting and creative apocalypse regression novel
Story weawell written without obvios errors or inconsistancies. The MC's plan was well reasoned and he executed it pretty well. The storyline was interesting and the training montages, which i personally enjoy made sense. I appreciated the tests he gave the team to weed out bad actors, Judases and the uncommitted. The fighting was interesting and made sense. Two issues I had with the story was how the MC went outside for a smoke. He's training for a life or death apoclypse yet he's dumb enough to inhale known carcinogens? A pet peeve of mine but smoking is just stupid, especially for an athlete or singer. Next he didnt read the EULA, which was pages and pages of legalese fine print put out by an advesarial system that delights in killing. Really? Surprise.... NOT!
All told I really enjoyed the book and am starting the next installment right away.
Story weawell written without obvios errors or inconsistancies. The MC's plan was well reasoned and he executed it pretty well. The storyline was interesting and the training montages, which i personally enjoy made sense. I appreciated the tests he gave the team to weed out bad actors, Judases and the uncommitted. The fighting was interesting and made sense. Two issues I had with the story was how the MC went outside for a smoke. He's training for a life or death apoclypse yet he's dumb enough to inhale known carcinogens? A pet peeve of mine but smoking is just stupid, especially for an athlete or singer. Next he didnt read the EULA, which was pages and pages of legalese fine print put out by an advesarial system that delights in killing. Really? Surprise.... NOT!
All told I really enjoyed the book and am starting the next installment right away.
November 22, 2024
Not Your Usual Regressor or LitRPG Story.
I will give the author props for approaching this genre in a whole new way. Considering how many other books like this are on Amazon or Royal Road/Patreon, that is saying something! :-)
Now, the whole training a fight team in advance of the proverbial "apocalypse" is sure as heck not how "I" would prepare for the future, but I'm not a writer. Thus, I can't throw too many stones.
I am 39% of the way through the book on Kindle Unlimited (Whose prices have gone way up since I last renewed my subscription...farewell K.U., It was nice while it lasted. :-), so there is a lot of book left over to sample. However, the fact that the book has focused almost exclusively on forming a "Regressor version of Fight Club" has made the story rather one dimensional, so far.
I like martial arts just as much as any Red Blooded American former Dojo Junkie, but having the whole story focus on macho stud (and lady) muffins, is kinda' boring. That is why I have only given the book 4 stars, so far.
Maybe the other 61% of the book will be better? Fingers crossed.
ADDENDUM: The rest of the book got a bit better.
Too bad the author thought it would be funny for the main protagonist to get a bad case of foolishness near the end. Many writers think that making their characters do silly stuff is funny.
Hint: It is not funny.
I will give the author props for approaching this genre in a whole new way. Considering how many other books like this are on Amazon or Royal Road/Patreon, that is saying something! :-)
Now, the whole training a fight team in advance of the proverbial "apocalypse" is sure as heck not how "I" would prepare for the future, but I'm not a writer. Thus, I can't throw too many stones.
I am 39% of the way through the book on Kindle Unlimited (Whose prices have gone way up since I last renewed my subscription...farewell K.U., It was nice while it lasted. :-), so there is a lot of book left over to sample. However, the fact that the book has focused almost exclusively on forming a "Regressor version of Fight Club" has made the story rather one dimensional, so far.
I like martial arts just as much as any Red Blooded American former Dojo Junkie, but having the whole story focus on macho stud (and lady) muffins, is kinda' boring. That is why I have only given the book 4 stars, so far.
Maybe the other 61% of the book will be better? Fingers crossed.
ADDENDUM: The rest of the book got a bit better.
Too bad the author thought it would be funny for the main protagonist to get a bad case of foolishness near the end. Many writers think that making their characters do silly stuff is funny.
Hint: It is not funny.
January 10, 2025
Wow, that was a different type of excitement
This was a crazy read. And Atlas is definitely crazy… you’ll get that if you read the book. Time travel books are always fascinating but this had very little time travel. Other than the initial event in the beginning, everything else was just talked about. However, the world building and the SFB sport event setup was fantastic! This truly was a wild ride… including when I was sure this MC was a complete idiot. The MC will absolutely drive you crazy with his single mindedness to only focus on his future goals while ignoring the current reality. Thankfully, this only happens a couple times and he’s always pulled out of it so he could get things done. This book really is an exciting read. Enjoy.
This was a crazy read. And Atlas is definitely crazy… you’ll get that if you read the book. Time travel books are always fascinating but this had very little time travel. Other than the initial event in the beginning, everything else was just talked about. However, the world building and the SFB sport event setup was fantastic! This truly was a wild ride… including when I was sure this MC was a complete idiot. The MC will absolutely drive you crazy with his single mindedness to only focus on his future goals while ignoring the current reality. Thankfully, this only happens a couple times and he’s always pulled out of it so he could get things done. This book really is an exciting read. Enjoy.
October 14, 2025
better than expected
I was not expecting to like this as much as I did but I freaking LOVED IT!! Grabbed my attention and refused to let go. Great regressive concept, they even had original songs! Atlas was sucked into a portal into a wasteland where he had to fight to survive for a whole year only to be betrayed at the end. Now he’s been transported back to the past and he has to prepare not only himself but also humanity to deal with the coming crisis. His solution is brilliant given his limited resources. Where is book 2 when you need it?
I was not expecting to like this as much as I did but I freaking LOVED IT!! Grabbed my attention and refused to let go. Great regressive concept, they even had original songs! Atlas was sucked into a portal into a wasteland where he had to fight to survive for a whole year only to be betrayed at the end. Now he’s been transported back to the past and he has to prepare not only himself but also humanity to deal with the coming crisis. His solution is brilliant given his limited resources. Where is book 2 when you need it?
July 20, 2025
what happened?!
Not sure if this is the first or second book he wrote but I just gave tower bound 5 stars and this one is going on the DNF list. The people have known each other for a week or two but the author keeps making comments like they have known each other as long as they would in book 7 and have lots of time and struggles and back story together. Sad to see such a difference in his work. Or maybe great if tower bound was written later.
Not sure if this is the first or second book he wrote but I just gave tower bound 5 stars and this one is going on the DNF list. The people have known each other for a week or two but the author keeps making comments like they have known each other as long as they would in book 7 and have lots of time and struggles and back story together. Sad to see such a difference in his work. Or maybe great if tower bound was written later.
August 11, 2025
1.5 rounded up. This felt rather... unpolished. I know it got started on RoyalRoad, but it just felt fanfiction-ish and not in a good way. And assumingTowerbound was written later - the execution of what seems mostly the same plot (without the fantasy fightclub tournament) gets better there.
Could do without the songs though.
Could do without the songs though.
September 18, 2025
Almost not LitRPG
I was hoping for more LitRPG elements. They are barely there. The story is still a good one. The pictures are fun. The added song's (links) are super cool! It's great to have the music from the story to listen to. I'm looking forward to the next book. I wonder if there will be magic in the wastelands.
I was hoping for more LitRPG elements. They are barely there. The story is still a good one. The pictures are fun. The added song's (links) are super cool! It's great to have the music from the story to listen to. I'm looking forward to the next book. I wonder if there will be magic in the wastelands.
July 15, 2025
Primo Brilliant
I found Towerbound yesterday, finished it (it got 5stars too!) So while waiting for book 2, I searched for more by the outstanding Mr. Chui and found Atlas. I'm in Heaven! Go Portal crushers!
I found Towerbound yesterday, finished it (it got 5stars too!) So while waiting for book 2, I searched for more by the outstanding Mr. Chui and found Atlas. I'm in Heaven! Go Portal crushers!
November 4, 2025
DNF at 37%. This book just isn't written well. The prose is clunky and utilitarian. The plot progresses with lots of hand waving and "just trust me, bro" vibes and in a way that doesn't build credibility with the reader.
January 2, 2026
This is the improved version?
Was this book even edited? Because while there are a ton of punctuation errors and sloppy writing, 52% of the way in there’s literally an AI prompt. Interesting premise, but lots of plot holes.
Was this book even edited? Because while there are a ton of punctuation errors and sloppy writing, 52% of the way in there’s literally an AI prompt. Interesting premise, but lots of plot holes.
November 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the innovative take on the regressors trope. What was really fun was the fact that it's kind of set in the modern day. Looking forward to book two a lot.
December 15, 2024
Pretty good but....
Badly in need of an editor. Somewhat disjointed and often uses common sayings that don't fit the situation.
But I like the setup and plot so far.
Badly in need of an editor. Somewhat disjointed and often uses common sayings that don't fit the situation.
But I like the setup and plot so far.
January 17, 2025
This was fun to read. Totally different to other regressor stories I've read, but still enjoyable and entertaining to boot! More people need to get in on this!!
April 9, 2025
Cool Book
New take on the usual regressor post apocalyptic trope. Story is a fun, light hearted rated pg read. Berlin is a lucky cat.
New take on the usual regressor post apocalyptic trope. Story is a fun, light hearted rated pg read. Berlin is a lucky cat.
July 25, 2025
I didn’t think this was very well-written. It was rambly, and repetitive, and quite often inconsistent. A shame as I like the OP back in time stuff.
August 24, 2025
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
September 1, 2025
It's 1am.
Worth it!
Going to start book two now.
La la la la yada yada and so on.
La la la la yada yada and so on.
Worth it!
Going to start book two now.
La la la la yada yada and so on.
La la la la yada yada and so on.
November 9, 2025
Atlas holds the world on his shoulders
New series if the rest of the book are even half as good as the first the are my net favourite. Action with a taste of reality .
New series if the rest of the book are even half as good as the first the are my net favourite. Action with a taste of reality .
December 16, 2025
F*cking awesome
It's fucking awesome. Regression tale, mma style sword/shield tournament, f*cking amazing team, crazy preparations . So much crazy stuff in a good way.
It's fucking awesome. Regression tale, mma style sword/shield tournament, f*cking amazing team, crazy preparations . So much crazy stuff in a good way.
January 2, 2026
DNF at 15%
Main character is a bit too unlikable for me. Just not going to be fun enough for me to try and push through that.
Main character is a bit too unlikable for me. Just not going to be fun enough for me to try and push through that.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews