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Sponsored System #2
New Growth Earth
What do you do when you're one of the few people that's received training before your planet is inducted into a System? When the nearby people are struggling to survive? When the local town needs help, both in recovering people from the outlying areas of the town as well as with what to do in this new System?
Mike and his group made it through the initial induction of Earth into the System and are using the training they received before that to try to help people in the area, all while growing more powerful and learning more about the skills and spells the System has granted them.
Rescuing the survivors in the suburbs of the nearby town leads to them running into all sorts of new monsters, gaining levels quickly as they clear out the threats, and rescuing the few survivors from those areas.
Mike's grasp of his spells is growing, and he's helping the local Safe Zones with their fields, causing the crops to ripen at an accelerated rate. Those same efforts have his grandfather, Collin, worried that someone might try to kidnap Mike and force him to use his spells for their benefit.
Alyx put the means to get the Druid class online and that seems to be helping, with a number of people considering trying to get the class, which would ease the demands on Mike while assuaging Collin's worries. The rest of the information she's put online is helping people as well, as they take some of the information she's written about how to get and build Safe Zones on their own and put it into practice.
After they did what they could with the local suburbs, Mike and his group begin to clear a route to Denver in anticipation of having to deal with the trainers that hold a grudge against them.
Mike and his group have put their training to work and are experiencing the benefits that come from that. Their personal power is growing and the people around them are gaining some of those benefits as well.
This story is approximately 160,000 words long and DRM free.
Mike and his group made it through the initial induction of Earth into the System and are using the training they received before that to try to help people in the area, all while growing more powerful and learning more about the skills and spells the System has granted them.
Rescuing the survivors in the suburbs of the nearby town leads to them running into all sorts of new monsters, gaining levels quickly as they clear out the threats, and rescuing the few survivors from those areas.
Mike's grasp of his spells is growing, and he's helping the local Safe Zones with their fields, causing the crops to ripen at an accelerated rate. Those same efforts have his grandfather, Collin, worried that someone might try to kidnap Mike and force him to use his spells for their benefit.
Alyx put the means to get the Druid class online and that seems to be helping, with a number of people considering trying to get the class, which would ease the demands on Mike while assuaging Collin's worries. The rest of the information she's put online is helping people as well, as they take some of the information she's written about how to get and build Safe Zones on their own and put it into practice.
After they did what they could with the local suburbs, Mike and his group begin to clear a route to Denver in anticipation of having to deal with the trainers that hold a grudge against them.
Mike and his group have put their training to work and are experiencing the benefits that come from that. Their personal power is growing and the people around them are gaining some of those benefits as well.
This story is approximately 160,000 words long and DRM free.
630 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2025
About the author
Tom Larcombe
27 books256 followersTom Larcombe was introduced to fantasy books at a young age. Those that were aimed more at children hooked him in, but not well enough for him to remember their names at this point in his life. Their draw led him to books aimed more for the adult reader and so he found himself, at around age eight, starting in on the Steven R Donaldson 'Thomas Covenant' series and the Hobbit, followed shortly thereafter by The Lord of the Rings books.
His reading tastes have never looked back, although they have broadened to include science fiction and the occasional non-fiction book.
He lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with his wife, two daughters, three cats, and a variable number of chickens.
His reading tastes have never looked back, although they have broadened to include science fiction and the occasional non-fiction book.
He lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with his wife, two daughters, three cats, and a variable number of chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 29, 2025
Bit of a letdown
So it's not so much the storyline or the system it's the protagonist that's really just not enjoyable in this story. There's a lot of details the author seems to work in just to make him unlikable. I guess the best way I can say to said he's a bit of a pansy. Like at one point the alien girl who's part of the party skins a troll they kill and he's all moral quandary even though it's not a sentient being it's a system generated monster. So then when he's processing the skins the author goes I just waited to describe them as dripping with blood... Why on earth would they be dripping with blood? They're not creating more blood because of some regeneration effect like the girl who skinned the troll wouldn't have just given them a quick rinse with water? Like I said he's going out of his way to make the protagonist a pansy and I don't really understand why Maybe that appeals to some folks and it's just not my demographic? I can't say but this book was unfortunately disappointing.
So it's not so much the storyline or the system it's the protagonist that's really just not enjoyable in this story. There's a lot of details the author seems to work in just to make him unlikable. I guess the best way I can say to said he's a bit of a pansy. Like at one point the alien girl who's part of the party skins a troll they kill and he's all moral quandary even though it's not a sentient being it's a system generated monster. So then when he's processing the skins the author goes I just waited to describe them as dripping with blood... Why on earth would they be dripping with blood? They're not creating more blood because of some regeneration effect like the girl who skinned the troll wouldn't have just given them a quick rinse with water? Like I said he's going out of his way to make the protagonist a pansy and I don't really understand why Maybe that appeals to some folks and it's just not my demographic? I can't say but this book was unfortunately disappointing.
May 31, 2026
This book was a lot more boring than the previous one. The annoying things annoyed me more. I think they were just more glaring now that it felt so very repetitive. Fight monsters - level up - argue with humans - repeat endlessly.
Finally at the end of this book we had a bit of a teaser for the greater mystery. Very slight though. Will the next book be better? I mean... I wasn't going to check it out but now I feel I at least have to see if it stays the same or somehow improves.
Though I have to gripe a bit. The main character is sometimes so dumb. Why doesn't he put obstacles in his stasis ring to move them? Why doesn't he put projectiles with momentum in his ring to maintain their speed then release them suddenly?
Clearly the author of Super Supportive has thought this through far better.
And then that's just one magic item Mike has. He could be so much better at utilizing his skills and items and people around him.
Finally at the end of this book we had a bit of a teaser for the greater mystery. Very slight though. Will the next book be better? I mean... I wasn't going to check it out but now I feel I at least have to see if it stays the same or somehow improves.
Though I have to gripe a bit. The main character is sometimes so dumb. Why doesn't he put obstacles in his stasis ring to move them? Why doesn't he put projectiles with momentum in his ring to maintain their speed then release them suddenly?
Clearly the author of Super Supportive has thought this through far better.
And then that's just one magic item Mike has. He could be so much better at utilizing his skills and items and people around him.
September 20, 2025
Responsibility exists regardless of your power level
I liked that quote in answer to "With great power comes great responsibility" or whatever Uncle Ben's actual quote was. I was happy with this book. It felt very slice of life with action in an apocalypse. I liked Mike's family dynamics. I enjoyed the time he spent with Chaos. I liked how his team didn't always agree, but worked together very well to survive in that apocalypse world. I liked how they still had some modern conveniences even as you could see them slowly going away. This was a good second book to the series. I loved how they just kept working on their safe zone and the areas around it. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I liked that quote in answer to "With great power comes great responsibility" or whatever Uncle Ben's actual quote was. I was happy with this book. It felt very slice of life with action in an apocalypse. I liked Mike's family dynamics. I enjoyed the time he spent with Chaos. I liked how his team didn't always agree, but worked together very well to survive in that apocalypse world. I liked how they still had some modern conveniences even as you could see them slowly going away. This was a good second book to the series. I loved how they just kept working on their safe zone and the areas around it. I look forward to the next book in the series.
September 23, 2025
An entertaining sequal to the Primal Forest, an interesting system set up but a bit heavy on the base building this book (did we really need so many entries of Mike fixing the wall and complaining about its differing heights)
There are some issues though:
This one might just be a me thing but I hated how Mike calls his Grandfather by his christian name, thats just not something ive ever heard anyone do.
Second, the dialogue is a little stilted and can be repetative while the descriptive text is much more flowing.
Thirdly, this one might be a regional thing but I have never, in either conversation or litrature, come across anyone who uses "also" at the end of sentences so much instead of the more normal "as well" or "to" - I find it really jaring and it kept on taking me out of the story (and not just in this book but in others by the author as well).
That said the story was engaging and flowed well and I will certainly be continuing with the series.
There are some issues though:
This one might just be a me thing but I hated how Mike calls his Grandfather by his christian name, thats just not something ive ever heard anyone do.
Second, the dialogue is a little stilted and can be repetative while the descriptive text is much more flowing.
Thirdly, this one might be a regional thing but I have never, in either conversation or litrature, come across anyone who uses "also" at the end of sentences so much instead of the more normal "as well" or "to" - I find it really jaring and it kept on taking me out of the story (and not just in this book but in others by the author as well).
That said the story was engaging and flowed well and I will certainly be continuing with the series.
September 24, 2025
another interesting system apocalypse novel by Tom Larcombe
Prior to the system initialization of earth some aliens arrive offering to set up training for humans. The catch… they’re shysters looking to profiteer from their info by setting people up to be in debt to them and to propagate their one sided contracts to others.
The MC doesn’t play ball and gets classes and resources outside of the alien trainer’s control.
Most of this book is about setting up safe zones, planting renewable resources and leveling by removing monster threats. It actually started getting tedious until the end.
Thats when the MC and his team set up a way to gather intelligence and actually take advantage of the alien trainers who are actually looking to shaft humanity while enriching themselves.
Prior to the system initialization of earth some aliens arrive offering to set up training for humans. The catch… they’re shysters looking to profiteer from their info by setting people up to be in debt to them and to propagate their one sided contracts to others.
The MC doesn’t play ball and gets classes and resources outside of the alien trainer’s control.
Most of this book is about setting up safe zones, planting renewable resources and leveling by removing monster threats. It actually started getting tedious until the end.
Thats when the MC and his team set up a way to gather intelligence and actually take advantage of the alien trainers who are actually looking to shaft humanity while enriching themselves.
September 23, 2025
jolly good but
the ‘but’ is the editing, or its lack. Better, actually, than some of his other work but sadly typical of what Kindle U is offering. I am of the opinion that this is a publisher’s issue rather than an author’s issue. I have written to Amazon/Kindle twice and had one almost sensible reply and one where quite clearly my content was ignored - or the respondent was a bot, not a human. Since one is offered a chance to ‘report’ any fault it is a huge disappointment to be shown, empirically, that no action occurs. That lets us all down, from the author to the end reader.
the ‘but’ is the editing, or its lack. Better, actually, than some of his other work but sadly typical of what Kindle U is offering. I am of the opinion that this is a publisher’s issue rather than an author’s issue. I have written to Amazon/Kindle twice and had one almost sensible reply and one where quite clearly my content was ignored - or the respondent was a bot, not a human. Since one is offered a chance to ‘report’ any fault it is a huge disappointment to be shown, empirically, that no action occurs. That lets us all down, from the author to the end reader.
October 6, 2025
It took a couple of chapters for me to get into this series again, but still very enjoyable. This one focused more on base-building, creating and maintaining Safe Zones, rescuing people, and gardening. Yes, gardening. So much gardening.
I liked the slice-of-life parts of the book as much as the fighting monsters. The bad guys from the first book were mentioned, but not really confronted - but I can see the direction for the next book, and I'm curious to see how that turns out.
Chaos, the cat, was fun. I liked all of Mike's animals.
The writing needs a bit more polish, but I'm used to a lot worse, so I'll be continuing the series.
I liked the slice-of-life parts of the book as much as the fighting monsters. The bad guys from the first book were mentioned, but not really confronted - but I can see the direction for the next book, and I'm curious to see how that turns out.
Chaos, the cat, was fun. I liked all of Mike's animals.
The writing needs a bit more polish, but I'm used to a lot worse, so I'll be continuing the series.
September 20, 2025
Another winner! Tom Larcombe continues a winning tradition.
The "Sponsored System" is similar in many ways to his previous "System" series. This book, New Growth Earth, adds depth to the MCs, giving greater insight into the quirks and personalities of those characters. I have yet to be disappointed with any of Mr. Larcombe's books. (Other than the fact that some of them feel incomplete, and I wish that he'd revisit them and complete them!)
Please keep writing these quality stories ... and stay healthy!
The "Sponsored System" is similar in many ways to his previous "System" series. This book, New Growth Earth, adds depth to the MCs, giving greater insight into the quirks and personalities of those characters. I have yet to be disappointed with any of Mr. Larcombe's books. (Other than the fact that some of them feel incomplete, and I wish that he'd revisit them and complete them!)
Please keep writing these quality stories ... and stay healthy!
October 4, 2025
New Growth is the second book in this series, and it's a pretty good one. The world is explained a bit more, the trainers from the first book aren't in this one directly, but they are mentioned a number of times, and we see all kinds of new ways of doing things. Overall, the book shows a rather interesting view of what's happening. Looking forward to the next book.
September 20, 2025
Okay
Again not bad , compared to most system books there aren't a lot of monsters and most of the time is spent building safe zones , Mike the MC is as irritating as ever , he spends more time second guessing himself and moaning that his walls aren't level and should he help people set up food gardens or will his mana run out , he's also got more spells than any character I've ever read !!
Again not bad , compared to most system books there aren't a lot of monsters and most of the time is spent building safe zones , Mike the MC is as irritating as ever , he spends more time second guessing himself and moaning that his walls aren't level and should he help people set up food gardens or will his mana run out , he's also got more spells than any character I've ever read !!
October 21, 2025
Good Story!
I enjoy the the story so far. The various creatures and action scenes were entertaining and interesting. I liked the progression in levels and the various spells he gets to choose from. If I any negative feedback, I wish he made more effort in progressing through his Qi channels or tiers. I also wish the group didn't backtrack on their journey so much.
I look forward to book 3!
I enjoy the the story so far. The various creatures and action scenes were entertaining and interesting. I liked the progression in levels and the various spells he gets to choose from. If I any negative feedback, I wish he made more effort in progressing through his Qi channels or tiers. I also wish the group didn't backtrack on their journey so much.
I look forward to book 3!
November 9, 2025
Brilliant concept and I looked forward to continuing the story from book 1 . However reading this was quite hard in fact it felt a chore in places for example so much unnecessary details to pad out the little progress in the story. For example building and getting level the stone wall in the safe zone seems to be the main plot line, for no apparent reason, not even an attack. Some of the fights with monsters are good and interesting but then we just go back to gardening and wall building.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
Great as usual for this author
Enjoy this series. This book is very slice of life for early days and weeks of system integration. Fun and on pace with authors similar works. The MC is powerful but not totally OP. The characters are diverse and likable, not cookie cutter. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Enjoy this series. This book is very slice of life for early days and weeks of system integration. Fun and on pace with authors similar works. The MC is powerful but not totally OP. The characters are diverse and likable, not cookie cutter. I'm looking forward to the next book.
May 18, 2026
Not for me :
- It's just far too slow and drawn out.
- The main character is stupid and constantly irritates me. Every choice he makes, after lengthy and pointless deliberations, is bad. He's supposed to be 20 years old, but he thinks like a 12-year-old most of the time.
- Overall, the series is weak in every aspect (writing, story, world-building, pacing).
- It's just far too slow and drawn out.
- The main character is stupid and constantly irritates me. Every choice he makes, after lengthy and pointless deliberations, is bad. He's supposed to be 20 years old, but he thinks like a 12-year-old most of the time.
- Overall, the series is weak in every aspect (writing, story, world-building, pacing).
September 17, 2025
Review
I like the way you write and like most reader wish writers could write faster : ) so far I have enjoyed most of your series. Please keep writing. Looking forward to the next book. Elaine
I like the way you write and like most reader wish writers could write faster : ) so far I have enjoyed most of your series. Please keep writing. Looking forward to the next book. Elaine
September 20, 2025
Fantastic book #2
I really enjoy this series! You can see the same thing happening even if magic wasn’t involved. I really enjoy how the characters are advancing and the opportunity to help others. Can’t wait for book 3.
I really enjoy this series! You can see the same thing happening even if magic wasn’t involved. I really enjoy how the characters are advancing and the opportunity to help others. Can’t wait for book 3.
September 22, 2025
SoL
Slice of Life, so it’s not the usual fast-forward panic of a LitApocalypse. And thus it didn’t really move very far in the narrative. A little bit more Safe Area development, some new class spells, and a few fights.
Nothing that breaks the mold, but a decent series.
Slice of Life, so it’s not the usual fast-forward panic of a LitApocalypse. And thus it didn’t really move very far in the narrative. A little bit more Safe Area development, some new class spells, and a few fights.
Nothing that breaks the mold, but a decent series.
September 28, 2025
I was hoping for more Qi stuff and going back to her world
But other than that fantastic book.
Oh, but also sometimes the main character ran along too much with his talking it seems like he explained things when he didn't really have to
But other than that fantastic book.
Oh, but also sometimes the main character ran along too much with his talking it seems like he explained things when he didn't really have to
September 28, 2025
I'm really enjoying this series.
This is a great series. It has some interesting twists to the system taking over and how external entities influence it. (Not that big of a point in this book.) Enjoy the mixture of town building, character development, and adventuring.
This is a great series. It has some interesting twists to the system taking over and how external entities influence it. (Not that big of a point in this book.) Enjoy the mixture of town building, character development, and adventuring.
October 15, 2025
Outstanding Story
Good MC who isn't overpowered. Good group dynamics and excellent world building. Good story telling and characters who grow.
I look forward to seeing where the series goes.
Good MC who isn't overpowered. Good group dynamics and excellent world building. Good story telling and characters who grow.
I look forward to seeing where the series goes.
October 15, 2025
a Very Good Book and An Excellent Series
I really enjoy the characters in this book and the plot is interesting and seems it will be slowly developing and perhaps deeper as it goes along. I truly love it so far and can't wait for the next book!
I really enjoy the characters in this book and the plot is interesting and seems it will be slowly developing and perhaps deeper as it goes along. I truly love it so far and can't wait for the next book!
November 3, 2025
not your typical system apocalypse novel
This is an excellent story. Lots of action, quality character building. Just enough suspense to make it interesting but not enough to be frustrating. Highly recommend. Waiting for the next one.
This is an excellent story. Lots of action, quality character building. Just enough suspense to make it interesting but not enough to be frustrating. Highly recommend. Waiting for the next one.
December 16, 2025
I always like Tom's stories, and this one is no exception.
I always like Tom's stories, and this one is no exception. A little slice of life but a nice slow build and character growth is what I want from his novels. Can't wait for the next one.
I always like Tom's stories, and this one is no exception. A little slice of life but a nice slow build and character growth is what I want from his novels. Can't wait for the next one.
February 5, 2026
Excellent Continuation
Great story so far. Just the right amount of world building detail, without out being pedantic. Good battle sequences that don't drag out for 50 pages. A good amount of humor and very believable characters. Highly recommended.
Great story so far. Just the right amount of world building detail, without out being pedantic. Good battle sequences that don't drag out for 50 pages. A good amount of humor and very believable characters. Highly recommended.
September 19, 2025
Great book
Stellar work once again from Tom Larcombe! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to the next one.
Stellar work once again from Tom Larcombe! Lots of action and adventure, magic and monsters. Looking forward to the next one.
September 20, 2025
Very good book
This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the cat. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the cat. I anxiously await the sequel.
September 30, 2025
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression types of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression types of books with lots of action.
October 5, 2025
Fanfreakingtastic!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
What an amazing book! I absolutely loved this book and such wonderful characters! I can not wait for the next book to come out!
October 6, 2025
Great Story
The world building is top notch. The antagonists are sufficiently evil and the humans not to horribly stupid! I am really enjoying this world!
The world building is top notch. The antagonists are sufficiently evil and the humans not to horribly stupid! I am really enjoying this world!
November 9, 2025
Great
I am looking forward to the next book..I really like the premise and the characters. Be sure to read this set.
I am looking forward to the next book..I really like the premise and the characters. Be sure to read this set.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews