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Apocalypse Gates Author's Cut #3
Gearing Up
Alvin had another rough week, but this time, he had Gothy with him.
Travelling from Utah to Nevada, they were able to set up two more Settlements. Then they had to visit the world of Fey to rescue the kids of the Beatty, Nevada Settlement. Just when things looked like they were going well, the Developers got involved.
With the very rules of the game changing, Alvin found himself in a new position. Gothy pledged herself to him through the game system, leaving her collared and bound to obey his every whim. Coming to terms with their new relationship, Alvin wondered what would come next.
He wasn’t expecting a road trip north to loot an abandoned town, nor the Dragon that guarded it. What came as the biggest surprise was the chance encounter with a fantasy race whose gate had opened. What would come of this fateful meeting?
(This book contains adult situations, in all their horror and glory, including; sex, abuse, drug use, and murder. It also contains graphic sex scenes, which portray elements of BDSM. You’ve been warned.)
Travelling from Utah to Nevada, they were able to set up two more Settlements. Then they had to visit the world of Fey to rescue the kids of the Beatty, Nevada Settlement. Just when things looked like they were going well, the Developers got involved.
With the very rules of the game changing, Alvin found himself in a new position. Gothy pledged herself to him through the game system, leaving her collared and bound to obey his every whim. Coming to terms with their new relationship, Alvin wondered what would come next.
He wasn’t expecting a road trip north to loot an abandoned town, nor the Dragon that guarded it. What came as the biggest surprise was the chance encounter with a fantasy race whose gate had opened. What would come of this fateful meeting?
(This book contains adult situations, in all their horror and glory, including; sex, abuse, drug use, and murder. It also contains graphic sex scenes, which portray elements of BDSM. You’ve been warned.)
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2018
477 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Schinhofen
66 books1,311 followersDaniel James Schinhofen is a self-published author in the burgeoning genre of LitRPG/Gamelit. He published his first book, Last Horizon: Beta, in October of 2016, and has recently published his fifteenth book. A best-selling author on Amazon multiple times, his four series have achieved name recognition in the genre. When not slavishly typing away at the next book, Daniel tries to unwind with video games, playing with his dog Sugar, or going for walks around his neighborhood. His books can be found easily via his website http://schinhofenbooks.com/. Daniel can be found via Twitter using the handle @DJSchinhofen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 2, 2018
OK read but light on plot
It felt like most of the story was BDSM not LitRPG. The original story line and feel of the world was veering of in a tangent. Same thing seems to be happening in authors works.
It felt like most of the story was BDSM not LitRPG. The original story line and feel of the world was veering of in a tangent. Same thing seems to be happening in authors works.
January 30, 2019
A disappointment
Wow I loved the first 2 books but this one fell short by a lot, like in the way of plot happened with most of the book dedicated to the BDSM relationship, with the writing of a lower quality to the other books.
The book ended on a massive cliffhanger that just makes the book feel unfinished not like a set up to another book.
Wow I loved the first 2 books but this one fell short by a lot, like in the way of plot happened with most of the book dedicated to the BDSM relationship, with the writing of a lower quality to the other books.
The book ended on a massive cliffhanger that just makes the book feel unfinished not like a set up to another book.
February 7, 2019
NOTE: I actually listened to audio books but since the audio book is not listed I'm placing this review under the kindle edition.
I read books 1-3 of this series one right after another so I'm doing a group review. The author tells a fairly interesting story but has some real problems. First, the author appears to have no concept of story resolution. I read another series by this author it had the same problem. Here the example I will use is the end of book 3. I don't really consider it a spoiler since there really isn't anything to spoil but, if you don't want to know how book 3 ends skip the next paragraph.
So the MC & his SO rescue an elf near the portal to her world. She was a scout sent through the portal to check it out. So all three rest up, gear up, head back to the portal and step through into a battle. THAT'S WHERE IT ENDS. DOES THAT SOUND EVEN REMOTELY LIKE A COMPLETE STORY TO YOU???
The next issue is one I've never said about a book before- it has too much sex. I enjoy a well written sex scene and the author does well with them. The problem is that sex scenes really don't advance the story. Here the MC hooks up with his SO about halfway through book one and since they are both young, healthy and magically maintained they have sex all the time. The author only "fades to black" about three times which means roughly half of books 2 & 3 are sex scenes. The author does relate the sex scenes to character development but that just amounts to repeated commenting on the characters' compatibility (so not so much character development as character repetition).
The MC is told that cryogenically preserved brains, like his, were determined to be property and so his incarnation in this game world is owned by the gaming company. The MC needs to perform well, attract viewers or face perma-death. However, his AI assistant then drops large hints that something bigger is going on than just the game/entertainment stuff the MC has been told about. This is handled in a pretty annoying manner and a pretty good case can be made that the AI really shouldn't be able to drop such hints, but, if the reveal turns out to be worthwhile these hints will be a lot less annoying.
Bottom line: Not great but mildly interesting enough that you may wish to give it a go if you don't have something actually good to read.
I read books 1-3 of this series one right after another so I'm doing a group review. The author tells a fairly interesting story but has some real problems. First, the author appears to have no concept of story resolution. I read another series by this author it had the same problem. Here the example I will use is the end of book 3. I don't really consider it a spoiler since there really isn't anything to spoil but, if you don't want to know how book 3 ends skip the next paragraph.
So the MC & his SO rescue an elf near the portal to her world. She was a scout sent through the portal to check it out. So all three rest up, gear up, head back to the portal and step through into a battle. THAT'S WHERE IT ENDS. DOES THAT SOUND EVEN REMOTELY LIKE A COMPLETE STORY TO YOU???
The next issue is one I've never said about a book before- it has too much sex. I enjoy a well written sex scene and the author does well with them. The problem is that sex scenes really don't advance the story. Here the MC hooks up with his SO about halfway through book one and since they are both young, healthy and magically maintained they have sex all the time. The author only "fades to black" about three times which means roughly half of books 2 & 3 are sex scenes. The author does relate the sex scenes to character development but that just amounts to repeated commenting on the characters' compatibility (so not so much character development as character repetition).
The MC is told that cryogenically preserved brains, like his, were determined to be property and so his incarnation in this game world is owned by the gaming company. The MC needs to perform well, attract viewers or face perma-death. However, his AI assistant then drops large hints that something bigger is going on than just the game/entertainment stuff the MC has been told about. This is handled in a pretty annoying manner and a pretty good case can be made that the AI really shouldn't be able to drop such hints, but, if the reveal turns out to be worthwhile these hints will be a lot less annoying.
Bottom line: Not great but mildly interesting enough that you may wish to give it a go if you don't have something actually good to read.
June 14, 2022
I am really not feeling this author.
I am not really a fan of Daniel Schinhofen. I disliked Gamer for Life and I am genuinely not feeling Apocalypse Gate. My feelings of this author was more on the neutral side as he isn't a bad erotica author, but now..... sigh, I'm just disappointed. If this author would just focused on writing short porno stories he would be amazing, but his skills as an author, even a LitRPG author is below average.
One of the reasons I say this is because his protagonist and main characters are genuinely boring characters that are stupid, (because reasons/needs to be for the plot) and only has sex on the brains. Once again if this was a purely erotica novel this would be fine, but the fact that he markets himself as a litRPG/Gamelit author is a joke. Writing characters that can only think of one thing, sex, is so fucking boring, and is so life less you wonder, if that side character you met 2 books ago would have made a better protagonist is absolutely mind-boggling!
His LitRPG/Gamelit elements don't make much sense. For instance, why is a wooden bat 300 exp, and a metal bat 600 exp, but unlimited ammo is only 500 exp. If this is an intended feature then this author must have his head up somewhere as ANY developer (even those who don't specialize in game design) knows that unlimited ammo is broken. So why write this? The author shows that the people who made this game are watching and does make patches more frequently than Overwatch developers, so why wont they address this OBVIOUS game glitch.
Next is stat points. What are the purpose of stat points in this story? They seem to be there for "plot convenience" rather than it being an intrinsic aspect of the game. It felt like the author just threw in stat points because some of the most popular games have stat points so this story must have that as well. Also, why make the stat points use a decimal format. Just what is .01 stat. If you have a strength of 3 and the opponent has a strength of 3.3, how much more damage does he do? .3 more? 3 more? 30 more? IDK? The "Hero" has unlimited ammo, endless zombies to kill, zombies award exp yet the main character is stupid and just farts around for hours.
Quick tangent.
Why do authors of LitRPG/Gamelit books stick their head in the sand and pretend to write a game like world? I feel as if they don't understand the fundamentals of game design. Now I ain't saying I know everything about game design and game logic, but even I (a stupid barely passing software student) know how a game should operate. For the love of god, is it rare for an author to write a game world that is interesting. On the top of my head I can only think of two authors, maybe three who did Gamelit any sort of justice.
Once again if you are going to write a game world, where stats and gear exist and is a part of the fundamental logic of the world, then write scenarios where stats and gear matter. AND LASTLY, if your game/story world NEEDS the character to be leveled, LEVEL UP THE FUCKING CHARACTER FIRST. PLEASE. I am honestly tired of authors writing the low level hero with shitty gear that don't stack, and no buffs being used, or any sort of optimization of a character's loadout beating the level xxx enemy due to "reasons". There is honestly no tension in these stories as you already know the MC is going to win because game logic depends on these authors being drunk and high (which they might be writing these stories), and screw game logic cuz the level 13 whatever will beat the level 100+ enemy without much difficulty. When has anyone tackled a high level raid being SEVERELY under leveled, with shit gear and succeeded on their first try? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE. PLEASE. Also, if you are going to have the MC break the game, then have him break the game, don't be like this author and have this Mc with an obviously broken ability squander it. Jeez man.
Last point and definitely the most important thing however is, writing your characters with care. Dude let me tell you how much I hate this man's characters. If this is a reflection of the author's personality I am worried.
Spoilers here
"hErO" and the gang encounter a situation half way through the story where the girl he saved in book 2 and she sorta likes him and they sort of have the beginnings of something, gets raped and tortured. The way the author handled the situation via the protagonist is so fucking disgusting. The main character handles it as if it was a hassle that the girl got raped, and he just wanted to get rid of her as if she was nothing more than trash. "Not my girl, not my problem", isn't the right mindset for any person regardless if they are broken or not. To just write it off as "oh this 16 year old girl just got rape, whatever" is so fucking disgusting I don't even.... Then Becky who you would have thought would have wanted to stay with the girl (as it did seem both of then were forming a friendship), just wants to leave and see some trees. Yup, because an abused girl would just not want to be there for another girl who was just abused. Hell the next morning all they could think of is having sex.
Then they rescue a woman being gang raped, and not even five minutes later, Becky just wants to fuck. Jeez Man. One track mind. This is creative and "fun" writing.
I would like to point to this website, https://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/.... Very good read!
These are the protagonist, give us something to make them likeable. Having them have sex every chapter isn't making them likeable nor relatable. I get that they are broken and fucked up, but once again, these are the protagonist. The protagonist are the ones to move the story along. If we can't give a fuck about the protagonist how are we supposed to give a flying fuck about the story. Guess just add more sex scenes. That seems to be the author solution to everything. Just fuck it away.
These characters that the author wrote are meant for a short 50 page erotica, not an 8 book long series. Seriously in three books, no progress was made with Alvin's nor Becky's character. They are still the sex-addled minded characters that can't go 1 minute without having sex with one another. So here in lies a question, is it still LitRPG when 85% of the story is all about sex? Huh!
The only reason I continued this book is solely because of Tess Irondale. She is one of my top favourite narrators, and she deserves some respect.
I am not really a fan of Daniel Schinhofen. I disliked Gamer for Life and I am genuinely not feeling Apocalypse Gate. My feelings of this author was more on the neutral side as he isn't a bad erotica author, but now..... sigh, I'm just disappointed. If this author would just focused on writing short porno stories he would be amazing, but his skills as an author, even a LitRPG author is below average.
One of the reasons I say this is because his protagonist and main characters are genuinely boring characters that are stupid, (because reasons/needs to be for the plot) and only has sex on the brains. Once again if this was a purely erotica novel this would be fine, but the fact that he markets himself as a litRPG/Gamelit author is a joke. Writing characters that can only think of one thing, sex, is so fucking boring, and is so life less you wonder, if that side character you met 2 books ago would have made a better protagonist is absolutely mind-boggling!
His LitRPG/Gamelit elements don't make much sense. For instance, why is a wooden bat 300 exp, and a metal bat 600 exp, but unlimited ammo is only 500 exp. If this is an intended feature then this author must have his head up somewhere as ANY developer (even those who don't specialize in game design) knows that unlimited ammo is broken. So why write this? The author shows that the people who made this game are watching and does make patches more frequently than Overwatch developers, so why wont they address this OBVIOUS game glitch.
Next is stat points. What are the purpose of stat points in this story? They seem to be there for "plot convenience" rather than it being an intrinsic aspect of the game. It felt like the author just threw in stat points because some of the most popular games have stat points so this story must have that as well. Also, why make the stat points use a decimal format. Just what is .01 stat. If you have a strength of 3 and the opponent has a strength of 3.3, how much more damage does he do? .3 more? 3 more? 30 more? IDK? The "Hero" has unlimited ammo, endless zombies to kill, zombies award exp yet the main character is stupid and just farts around for hours.
Quick tangent.
Why do authors of LitRPG/Gamelit books stick their head in the sand and pretend to write a game like world? I feel as if they don't understand the fundamentals of game design. Now I ain't saying I know everything about game design and game logic, but even I (a stupid barely passing software student) know how a game should operate. For the love of god, is it rare for an author to write a game world that is interesting. On the top of my head I can only think of two authors, maybe three who did Gamelit any sort of justice.
Once again if you are going to write a game world, where stats and gear exist and is a part of the fundamental logic of the world, then write scenarios where stats and gear matter. AND LASTLY, if your game/story world NEEDS the character to be leveled, LEVEL UP THE FUCKING CHARACTER FIRST. PLEASE. I am honestly tired of authors writing the low level hero with shitty gear that don't stack, and no buffs being used, or any sort of optimization of a character's loadout beating the level xxx enemy due to "reasons". There is honestly no tension in these stories as you already know the MC is going to win because game logic depends on these authors being drunk and high (which they might be writing these stories), and screw game logic cuz the level 13 whatever will beat the level 100+ enemy without much difficulty. When has anyone tackled a high level raid being SEVERELY under leveled, with shit gear and succeeded on their first try? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE. PLEASE. Also, if you are going to have the MC break the game, then have him break the game, don't be like this author and have this Mc with an obviously broken ability squander it. Jeez man.
Last point and definitely the most important thing however is, writing your characters with care. Dude let me tell you how much I hate this man's characters. If this is a reflection of the author's personality I am worried.
Spoilers here
"hErO" and the gang encounter a situation half way through the story where the girl he saved in book 2 and she sorta likes him and they sort of have the beginnings of something, gets raped and tortured. The way the author handled the situation via the protagonist is so fucking disgusting. The main character handles it as if it was a hassle that the girl got raped, and he just wanted to get rid of her as if she was nothing more than trash. "Not my girl, not my problem", isn't the right mindset for any person regardless if they are broken or not. To just write it off as "oh this 16 year old girl just got rape, whatever" is so fucking disgusting I don't even.... Then Becky who you would have thought would have wanted to stay with the girl (as it did seem both of then were forming a friendship), just wants to leave and see some trees. Yup, because an abused girl would just not want to be there for another girl who was just abused. Hell the next morning all they could think of is having sex.
Then they rescue a woman being gang raped, and not even five minutes later, Becky just wants to fuck. Jeez Man. One track mind. This is creative and "fun" writing.
I would like to point to this website, https://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/.... Very good read!
These are the protagonist, give us something to make them likeable. Having them have sex every chapter isn't making them likeable nor relatable. I get that they are broken and fucked up, but once again, these are the protagonist. The protagonist are the ones to move the story along. If we can't give a fuck about the protagonist how are we supposed to give a flying fuck about the story. Guess just add more sex scenes. That seems to be the author solution to everything. Just fuck it away.
These characters that the author wrote are meant for a short 50 page erotica, not an 8 book long series. Seriously in three books, no progress was made with Alvin's nor Becky's character. They are still the sex-addled minded characters that can't go 1 minute without having sex with one another. So here in lies a question, is it still LitRPG when 85% of the story is all about sex? Huh!
The only reason I continued this book is solely because of Tess Irondale. She is one of my top favourite narrators, and she deserves some respect.
May 6, 2023
Alvin and Gothy go full auto and full BDSM
I'm kind of surprised how much I like these books. Alvin is a real jerk, Gothy is nearly a cliche, and the author keeps changing the rules of the world. Any one of these would be the kiss of death in the hands of another writer but Daniel Schinhofen pulls it off.
Speaking of the hands of another writer, any other writer would have caved to the pressure to make this a harem novel. Harem stories are a dime a dozen these days and Apocalypse Gates actually stands out for having a monogamous couple. I suspect it's one of the secrets that keeps this book so well loved.
When the rules all changed at the end of "Valley of Death" my biggest fear was that Alvin might start to collect a harem, ruining the dynamic of this series. This would be a big mistake. Is anyone out there telling Mr. Schinhofen that this needs to be a harem novel?
Well, fear not. I should have had more faith. The Action is intense and bloody, and love remains true in book 3 of this insane series.
I'm kind of surprised how much I like these books. Alvin is a real jerk, Gothy is nearly a cliche, and the author keeps changing the rules of the world. Any one of these would be the kiss of death in the hands of another writer but Daniel Schinhofen pulls it off.
Speaking of the hands of another writer, any other writer would have caved to the pressure to make this a harem novel. Harem stories are a dime a dozen these days and Apocalypse Gates actually stands out for having a monogamous couple. I suspect it's one of the secrets that keeps this book so well loved.
When the rules all changed at the end of "Valley of Death" my biggest fear was that Alvin might start to collect a harem, ruining the dynamic of this series. This would be a big mistake. Is anyone out there telling Mr. Schinhofen that this needs to be a harem novel?
Well, fear not. I should have had more faith. The Action is intense and bloody, and love remains true in book 3 of this insane series.
April 14, 2019
I really loved the first book, and quite liked the second but the further on I get in the series, the less plot there is and the larger the the total percentage of the book is just porn.
LitRPG for me is about a good story. Some sex and such is fine, but not at the cost of the story. I felt like I was reading some explicit rated fanfic by some teen who couldn't keep his head with the story he wanted to write and instead turned to writing just the porn with the occasional scene to add some plot...
I'm honestly a bit sad that the balance between Plot and Porn went so far towards Porn that I felt myself wondering...Where did the story go ?
LitRPG for me is about a good story. Some sex and such is fine, but not at the cost of the story. I felt like I was reading some explicit rated fanfic by some teen who couldn't keep his head with the story he wanted to write and instead turned to writing just the porn with the occasional scene to add some plot...
I'm honestly a bit sad that the balance between Plot and Porn went so far towards Porn that I felt myself wondering...Where did the story go ?
November 6, 2020
Its a LitRPG and not Kafka, so I try to be fair with star ratings. And while I really like the setting the author created, I think I am done with the series after this book.
The roadtrip concept is fine, but its starting to wear thin story wise. Protagonist and partner find people, act like assholes to them but save them from some big bad enemy. Continue to be assholes, go to next area. Repeat. The repetition is showing in this one. While there was one interesting plot point in the book, it felt rushed.
The author seems to forget this was a LitRPG/adventure story and not 50 Shades of Gray. A good portion of the book is sex scenes and BDSM. The amount of BDSM in the book went up tenfold from the last book and the rest of the sex scenes are the same cut and paste as the last two books. If that's what you're are looking for in your book, you will find it here. If not be prepared to skip through a lot of pages.
Also Trigger Warnings ahead:
Also small complaint but the end was padded out by pages of character sheet and item descriptions. I know this isn't super uncommon in LitRPG stories, however most of it mean very little. If you are looking it as a reference sheet because you can't remember that's fine, but seemed a bit bloated.
While I think the base idea of the series has promise by this point it seems to have run its course for me. Maybe I'll take a look at book 4 in the future but for now I think I'll hold off.
The roadtrip concept is fine, but its starting to wear thin story wise. Protagonist and partner find people, act like assholes to them but save them from some big bad enemy. Continue to be assholes, go to next area. Repeat. The repetition is showing in this one. While there was one interesting plot point in the book, it felt rushed.
The author seems to forget this was a LitRPG/adventure story and not 50 Shades of Gray. A good portion of the book is sex scenes and BDSM. The amount of BDSM in the book went up tenfold from the last book and the rest of the sex scenes are the same cut and paste as the last two books. If that's what you're are looking for in your book, you will find it here. If not be prepared to skip through a lot of pages.
Also Trigger Warnings ahead:
Also small complaint but the end was padded out by pages of character sheet and item descriptions. I know this isn't super uncommon in LitRPG stories, however most of it mean very little. If you are looking it as a reference sheet because you can't remember that's fine, but seemed a bit bloated.
While I think the base idea of the series has promise by this point it seems to have run its course for me. Maybe I'll take a look at book 4 in the future but for now I think I'll hold off.
May 23, 2023
"Gearing up for BDSM" should have been the title
If you love BDSM this is your book. If not the id avoid the book and series. As any scene that does not involve a local outside the MC and his pet is some sort of BDSM fetish and gothy the mc's pet is bound to the mc to do exactly what he says no matter what, and so the mc turn its into a BDSM fetish. Like one scene the mc goes to take a "nap" with gothy and o turns it into a control kink and takes an actual nap and orders gothy she can do nothing besides cuddle with him, this was like this 7th or 8th DBSM scene only 30% of the way through the book. I just gave up. I don't mind a BDSM scene but every quarter chapter there is another one, that and there is no driving plot or even anything interesting happening in the sooty over all to make all the rest of it worth reading. Needless to say I won't be bathing with the rest of the series.
If you love BDSM this is your book. If not the id avoid the book and series. As any scene that does not involve a local outside the MC and his pet is some sort of BDSM fetish and gothy the mc's pet is bound to the mc to do exactly what he says no matter what, and so the mc turn its into a BDSM fetish. Like one scene the mc goes to take a "nap" with gothy and o turns it into a control kink and takes an actual nap and orders gothy she can do nothing besides cuddle with him, this was like this 7th or 8th DBSM scene only 30% of the way through the book. I just gave up. I don't mind a BDSM scene but every quarter chapter there is another one, that and there is no driving plot or even anything interesting happening in the sooty over all to make all the rest of it worth reading. Needless to say I won't be bathing with the rest of the series.
January 6, 2019
Action! Adventure! Hedonism!
Book three expands even further on the world opened to us in book 2. It also gets into stronger B&D, so if you find that objectionable, then you may want to reconsider this series. To be fair, the main characters Have Issues, so this fits them. It’s also all done very well, so I myself didn’t find anything distasteful. (Also not my kink, but whatevs.) It definitely adds something to the story.
And what a story! The world keeps getting richer, and you often never know what’s going to happen next. No matter how bad things get, our dynamic duo manage to work their way through with style, snark, and a - in this world - healthy lack of anger management. Things are continually getting more interesting All. The. Time. Nicely done and very well written and edited.
Recommended for mature audiences.
Book three expands even further on the world opened to us in book 2. It also gets into stronger B&D, so if you find that objectionable, then you may want to reconsider this series. To be fair, the main characters Have Issues, so this fits them. It’s also all done very well, so I myself didn’t find anything distasteful. (Also not my kink, but whatevs.) It definitely adds something to the story.
And what a story! The world keeps getting richer, and you often never know what’s going to happen next. No matter how bad things get, our dynamic duo manage to work their way through with style, snark, and a - in this world - healthy lack of anger management. Things are continually getting more interesting All. The. Time. Nicely done and very well written and edited.
Recommended for mature audiences.
November 11, 2019
Review for Apocalypse Gates, Volume 3, Gearing Up by Daniel Schinhofen. *****
The fun & games continue! After Dragons, Zombies mutated, monstrous insects & animals what else could possibly come next?! Why, Elves, of course!
Alvin & Gothy continue on their mission of exploring the new world of the bloody, violent video game into which their minds have been uploaded.
And, of course, the game developers keep changing the rules of the game on the, to make things more difficult for them. Which makes things even more interesting for our stalwart heroes Alvin & Gothy.
Then, enter the Elves, complex with glowing light sabers!
Read this latest installment of Apocalypse Gates, you'll be glad you did. And, of course read all the prequel to it too. It'll give you "The big picture."
Looking forward to the next installment in this series already!
The fun & games continue! After Dragons, Zombies mutated, monstrous insects & animals what else could possibly come next?! Why, Elves, of course!
Alvin & Gothy continue on their mission of exploring the new world of the bloody, violent video game into which their minds have been uploaded.
And, of course, the game developers keep changing the rules of the game on the, to make things more difficult for them. Which makes things even more interesting for our stalwart heroes Alvin & Gothy.
Then, enter the Elves, complex with glowing light sabers!
Read this latest installment of Apocalypse Gates, you'll be glad you did. And, of course read all the prequel to it too. It'll give you "The big picture."
Looking forward to the next installment in this series already!
December 4, 2018
Fantastic!
Slight spoiler ahead. Great addition to the series loved the increased fleshing out of the characters and the introduction of a New addition,
Now with the disappointment, I would have liked more of Kuro earlier in the story than what felt like the last 5 mins of the book. I know it's gonna be a big part of the next book but it felt like the journey of the book felt like a bunch of little episodes rather than a overarching story. That's not to say I didn't love the book, it's just....different anyway this is 3am talk
Final notes: 8/10 great addition to the series
Slight spoiler ahead. Great addition to the series loved the increased fleshing out of the characters and the introduction of a New addition,
Now with the disappointment, I would have liked more of Kuro earlier in the story than what felt like the last 5 mins of the book. I know it's gonna be a big part of the next book but it felt like the journey of the book felt like a bunch of little episodes rather than a overarching story. That's not to say I didn't love the book, it's just....different anyway this is 3am talk
Final notes: 8/10 great addition to the series
December 2, 2018
An enjoyable read
My first Schinhofen book was Apocalypse Gates after I saw the cover for book two. I've enjoyed all of his books that I've read so far and this was no exception. There is a lot of sexual content and BDSM in the story so I would suggest skipping it if that would bother you.
This story has a different pacing to it, probably a result of them being travelers, but I am eager to see what comes next. The ending sets up nicely for the next book to reveal more about the worldbuilding which I always like.
My first Schinhofen book was Apocalypse Gates after I saw the cover for book two. I've enjoyed all of his books that I've read so far and this was no exception. There is a lot of sexual content and BDSM in the story so I would suggest skipping it if that would bother you.
This story has a different pacing to it, probably a result of them being travelers, but I am eager to see what comes next. The ending sets up nicely for the next book to reveal more about the worldbuilding which I always like.
February 19, 2019
Just Barely 4 Stars
The series is good, however book 3 is the weakest so far. I like the main character, there’s something about a bad-good guy that isn’t afraid of administering a good killing when needed. The action is good and well described. The writing is smooth and the new characters and situations are entertaining. Goth is mostly OK but the adult situations are over the top even for fantasy. The sex is heavy handed and it looks like that trend will continue in future books. I don’t think this direction will add to the story.
The series is good, however book 3 is the weakest so far. I like the main character, there’s something about a bad-good guy that isn’t afraid of administering a good killing when needed. The action is good and well described. The writing is smooth and the new characters and situations are entertaining. Goth is mostly OK but the adult situations are over the top even for fantasy. The sex is heavy handed and it looks like that trend will continue in future books. I don’t think this direction will add to the story.
February 7, 2021
And this book marks my exit from the series. The erotic scenes were never all that interesting in prior books, but they were easy to gloss over. In book 3, they dominate far more of the overall plot. Then, Alvin and Gothy continue to be one-dimensional and their interactions with each other are incredibly repetitive.
Lastly, and most importantly for me, the series lost most of it's LitRPG 'crunchiness' in this book and crossed more into erotic fantasy with some dashes of gamelit.
Anyway, it isn't an awful book, but there are so many other good choices out there, I'm moving on.
Lastly, and most importantly for me, the series lost most of it's LitRPG 'crunchiness' in this book and crossed more into erotic fantasy with some dashes of gamelit.
Anyway, it isn't an awful book, but there are so many other good choices out there, I'm moving on.
December 2, 2018
Gearing Up
Daniel Schinhofen is one the most talented Authors I know this story is none stop action I love the depth of the characters in this book the MC is a ass hole but you just cheer for him and his sexy side kick Gothy as they face this new world with Dragon and zombies and you find out most of the assholes a humans 5 stars all the way wished I can give more then 5 stars a must to own and read...☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Daniel Schinhofen is one the most talented Authors I know this story is none stop action I love the depth of the characters in this book the MC is a ass hole but you just cheer for him and his sexy side kick Gothy as they face this new world with Dragon and zombies and you find out most of the assholes a humans 5 stars all the way wished I can give more then 5 stars a must to own and read...☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
December 3, 2018
Great story but bondage is not my thing
I really enjoyed the main story but all the bondage sex scenes introduced in this book was not something I like or understand. Book 1 and 2 had fairly normal if sometimes a bit rough sex scenes but this book introduces a S&M dungeon room with equipment I have no knowledge of and no interest in. This is a personal thing, taking nothing from the rest of the story which I really enjoyed.
I really enjoyed the main story but all the bondage sex scenes introduced in this book was not something I like or understand. Book 1 and 2 had fairly normal if sometimes a bit rough sex scenes but this book introduces a S&M dungeon room with equipment I have no knowledge of and no interest in. This is a personal thing, taking nothing from the rest of the story which I really enjoyed.
December 5, 2018
Fun again
I was just getting over being disappointed with another book when this one entered my recommended list. So glad it did. Super fun. Gothy is as broken as ever and somehow i love her for it lol. I feel like it should bother me. But it works for her. So whatever. Game is evolving and the devs appear to be just as dumb as real life ones. So the story resonates with me as a gamer. Ready for the next one :)
I was just getting over being disappointed with another book when this one entered my recommended list. So glad it did. Super fun. Gothy is as broken as ever and somehow i love her for it lol. I feel like it should bother me. But it works for her. So whatever. Game is evolving and the devs appear to be just as dumb as real life ones. So the story resonates with me as a gamer. Ready for the next one :)
December 6, 2018
It's a meh read.
The first 1/3 of the book reads more like 'how to train your broken hoe'. Way to much uninteresting very heavy bdsm then actually reading as a litrpg. The book doesn't even push the story along that far in it's entirety. I understand that some people come to expect the heavy sexual content and I'm not trying to put it down any, but the heavy bdsm is too much for me, and honestly it kind of detracts from the whole story by taking up roughly half of the book.
The first 1/3 of the book reads more like 'how to train your broken hoe'. Way to much uninteresting very heavy bdsm then actually reading as a litrpg. The book doesn't even push the story along that far in it's entirety. I understand that some people come to expect the heavy sexual content and I'm not trying to put it down any, but the heavy bdsm is too much for me, and honestly it kind of detracts from the whole story by taking up roughly half of the book.
December 10, 2018
Much better
Okay so I was fully into the first book, I thought that the second book was good but the sex scenes really kind of overshadowing a lot of good story with just sex. But this third book had a really good story and the sex scenes actually kind of molded into a better form for the actual book itself. Especially with me introduction of the Kink and fetish play. Very well done and I'm looking forward to a continuation of the story.
Okay so I was fully into the first book, I thought that the second book was good but the sex scenes really kind of overshadowing a lot of good story with just sex. But this third book had a really good story and the sex scenes actually kind of molded into a better form for the actual book itself. Especially with me introduction of the Kink and fetish play. Very well done and I'm looking forward to a continuation of the story.
May 14, 2024
Darker path
Alternate universe, LitRPG, portals, post apocalypse, BSDM elements, adult situations
Al and Becky have more adventures as the encounter evolving zombies, ghosts, animals, as well as wyverns, drakes, and dragons. Engaging story. For me, less enthralling was the growing BDSM parts of their relationship; that's not where my own interests lie. Still willing to buy the next book to see where the story goes.
Alternate universe, LitRPG, portals, post apocalypse, BSDM elements, adult situations
Al and Becky have more adventures as the encounter evolving zombies, ghosts, animals, as well as wyverns, drakes, and dragons. Engaging story. For me, less enthralling was the growing BDSM parts of their relationship; that's not where my own interests lie. Still willing to buy the next book to see where the story goes.
May 22, 2019
Awesome read!
Fantastic read! It continues Al and Gothy’s journey, giving more world building and continued development. I’m loving the interaction with the game makers and how the world is changing as a result of actions taken in the game. The book sets up the next perfectly, can’t wait for it!
Fantastic read! It continues Al and Gothy’s journey, giving more world building and continued development. I’m loving the interaction with the game makers and how the world is changing as a result of actions taken in the game. The book sets up the next perfectly, can’t wait for it!
December 5, 2018
An evolving epic
Well done and continually evolving world and story. I do feel the mc is very op and would like to see more struggle for him to overcome or less exploitable game mechanics to pull out at the last minute. It’s like those episodes of Star Trek where a new technology suddenly appears to save the day every time.
Well done and continually evolving world and story. I do feel the mc is very op and would like to see more struggle for him to overcome or less exploitable game mechanics to pull out at the last minute. It’s like those episodes of Star Trek where a new technology suddenly appears to save the day every time.
December 10, 2018
It stops when it gets good
I love the book read all 3 and have the Audio book to listen to in the car. Daniel Schinhofen is amazing I just hat having to wait for a new book just can't wait and for some reason I feel their just to short I want more please publish faster your books are awsome
I love the book read all 3 and have the Audio book to listen to in the car. Daniel Schinhofen is amazing I just hat having to wait for a new book just can't wait and for some reason I feel their just to short I want more please publish faster your books are awsome
December 21, 2018
Fun book
I liked the new system governing the game. Lots of action and some crazy plot developments. Not sure where the story is going with different worlds added in. The bedroom scenes got to be a bit much especially with the 3rd person added in as basicly a slave so dropped a star for that. Still liked enough to get next book.
I liked the new system governing the game. Lots of action and some crazy plot developments. Not sure where the story is going with different worlds added in. The bedroom scenes got to be a bit much especially with the 3rd person added in as basicly a slave so dropped a star for that. Still liked enough to get next book.
January 18, 2019
I liked it
I got angry at what felt like a retcon from the author of the book but now it seems like a genuine plot element that the world is both a world and a game and as a game the world's creators can and will modify it as they see fit. Which allows me to enjoy the plot more and I have to say there was a lot to enjoy. An excellent addition to the series.
I got angry at what felt like a retcon from the author of the book but now it seems like a genuine plot element that the world is both a world and a game and as a game the world's creators can and will modify it as they see fit. Which allows me to enjoy the plot more and I have to say there was a lot to enjoy. An excellent addition to the series.
January 22, 2019
it was fun.
a bit light on rpg elements.
anyone in that game would increase their stats...but Hero spends his points on bdsm gear instead...and buying more guns. weird priorities.
and when he did increase 1 stat....there was no details...
so...book 3 was a good follow up to to book 2...but it's becoming gamelit rather than litrpg.
a bit light on rpg elements.
anyone in that game would increase their stats...but Hero spends his points on bdsm gear instead...and buying more guns. weird priorities.
and when he did increase 1 stat....there was no details...
so...book 3 was a good follow up to to book 2...but it's becoming gamelit rather than litrpg.
April 14, 2019
I'm enjoying this series and can't wait for the next chapter, however I think Danny really needs an editor. I find 2 things that seriously irritate me. 1st why are none of the characters trying to level up?
2nd The MC's sex OCD is just becoming tedious, boring, and break the pace of an otherwise entertaining adventure.
2nd The MC's sex OCD is just becoming tedious, boring, and break the pace of an otherwise entertaining adventure.
May 31, 2019
Great continuation
First point: the story isn't for everyone. Not only is there sexy time, but there's also some BDSM in there which may turn off some people. Even without those parts of the book, the story is still excellent.
The editing is on point, the story is well written, the pacing is great, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
First point: the story isn't for everyone. Not only is there sexy time, but there's also some BDSM in there which may turn off some people. Even without those parts of the book, the story is still excellent.
The editing is on point, the story is well written, the pacing is great, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
November 6, 2019
Keep it going Dan!
I wanted to let you know this series is highly amusing, which cuts down on the annoyance of our readers. As such, we would ask the author to continue adding to the amount of hilarity already exsanguinated to our ever loving pleasure. Thank you for your cooperation and have a nice day!
I wanted to let you know this series is highly amusing, which cuts down on the annoyance of our readers. As such, we would ask the author to continue adding to the amount of hilarity already exsanguinated to our ever loving pleasure. Thank you for your cooperation and have a nice day!
December 2, 2018
What a gem!
The book is a real gem. The interaction between the MC and everyone else is unique and makes for a fun read. I don't like cliffhangers, so be quick to write the next book. Lol I am looking forward to it.
The book is a real gem. The interaction between the MC and everyone else is unique and makes for a fun read. I don't like cliffhangers, so be quick to write the next book. Lol I am looking forward to it.
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