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The Guy Who Accidentally Started The Apocalypse
The morning that changed Cameron's life started out like any other. On his way back from Sal's Sandwiches, he came across the hobo that would change his life and the people of earth forever. Exchanging a free coupon for a wishing stone, Cameron inadvertently touched off an earth-changing event that would mean the death of billions. Forty years old and overweight, he must somehow find a way to fight his way through an alien invasion to keep his species from going extinct. Using whatever alien technology he can scavenge, Cameron plans to do just that. He's not alone as other humans rise to the challenge with the aid of other species sympathetic to their cause. The human race will have to run, gun, and survive if it's going to forge a new way forward through Armageddon Earth.
- GenresScience Fiction
519 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2022
33 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 11, 2023
This book sounds up-front like the perfect kind of book for me. It's got a punny title, it's a LitFPS, and it doesn't take itself too seriously. While there are some deeper thoughts and themes in the book, they aren't the focus. This fits the game-aspect perfect, I feel. Video games also sometimes have deep themes, but the focus is on the gameplay mechanics and the boss battles.
Before I get too far in this review, I have to admit that I did frequently skim over the bits where we were getting game progress updates. While I enjoy LitRPGs, the part I like reading about the best in that genre is how the different ability trees work or what different upgrades do. I'm personally not nearly as interested in weapon stats or how much ammo the character is picking up. This might be a LitRPG vs. LitFPS thing, though. I'm not sure: this is the first LitFPS I've read.
I came across several instances where it seemed the wrong homonym was used. However, there was never a case of me being confused by what was meant. These homonyms did break the reading flow for a moment while I mentally substituted the correct spelling, but ultimately it didn't have much impact on my enjoyment levels.
There are several fun characters in the book, though some of them are an acquired taste. Paulie in particular takes some getting used to... and I never quite did. He was amusing, but very crass. Honestly, the characters I liked best were the ones that MC Cam met for the first time after the apocalypse started. There were some fun side characters to get to know, including Rory (effectively the game guide). The two people Cam knew from before the invasion—Paulie and Sandra—were two of my least favorite side characters in the book.
If this was a movie, it would be the kind of movie my family used to call "a BDF"—or "big dumb fun." It's over-the-top, fast-paced, and just fun. It's not too deep, there's no hidden meaning or puzzles. It's there for pure entertainment. Don't think about it much, just enjoy the ride.
One word of warning for ebook readers, though: at the time I read it, the Kindle Unlimited version had no chapter break links. It was not a problem while reading, but it made searching for my place hard when I went back to look something up from earlier in the book.
This is book one of a series, and you can tell: there's definitely a set-up for a sequel in the final mission that Cam and his squad tackle in this book. Earth is far from liberated from the alien menace. However, this does a very nice job of wrapping up the book-specific action and bringing things to a satisfying conclusion for the first book.
I am a fan of LitRPGs, so I had fun with this romp of a book. However, while I would happily recommend it to fans of the genre, I would NOT recommend it to anyone who doesn't like the genre. Also, I would hesitate before recommending it to new LitRPG readers. If you go into this without knowing what the genre is like, it might not be as enjoyable. I do think that it could be a good intro to LitRPGs (or LitFPS in this case) but the game elements are prominent enough that I think the target audience is definitely limited. For that audience, however, this is a fast-paced and amusing read.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
I read this book as part of the judging process for the 3rd Self Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC3), and while I was provided a review copy for judging purposes I read the book using the version available on Kindle Unlimited. My opinions are my own and do not reflect the thoughts of my SPSFC3 team or the competition as a whole.
Before I get too far in this review, I have to admit that I did frequently skim over the bits where we were getting game progress updates. While I enjoy LitRPGs, the part I like reading about the best in that genre is how the different ability trees work or what different upgrades do. I'm personally not nearly as interested in weapon stats or how much ammo the character is picking up. This might be a LitRPG vs. LitFPS thing, though. I'm not sure: this is the first LitFPS I've read.
I came across several instances where it seemed the wrong homonym was used. However, there was never a case of me being confused by what was meant. These homonyms did break the reading flow for a moment while I mentally substituted the correct spelling, but ultimately it didn't have much impact on my enjoyment levels.
There are several fun characters in the book, though some of them are an acquired taste. Paulie in particular takes some getting used to... and I never quite did. He was amusing, but very crass. Honestly, the characters I liked best were the ones that MC Cam met for the first time after the apocalypse started. There were some fun side characters to get to know, including Rory (effectively the game guide). The two people Cam knew from before the invasion—Paulie and Sandra—were two of my least favorite side characters in the book.
If this was a movie, it would be the kind of movie my family used to call "a BDF"—or "big dumb fun." It's over-the-top, fast-paced, and just fun. It's not too deep, there's no hidden meaning or puzzles. It's there for pure entertainment. Don't think about it much, just enjoy the ride.
One word of warning for ebook readers, though: at the time I read it, the Kindle Unlimited version had no chapter break links. It was not a problem while reading, but it made searching for my place hard when I went back to look something up from earlier in the book.
This is book one of a series, and you can tell: there's definitely a set-up for a sequel in the final mission that Cam and his squad tackle in this book. Earth is far from liberated from the alien menace. However, this does a very nice job of wrapping up the book-specific action and bringing things to a satisfying conclusion for the first book.
I am a fan of LitRPGs, so I had fun with this romp of a book. However, while I would happily recommend it to fans of the genre, I would NOT recommend it to anyone who doesn't like the genre. Also, I would hesitate before recommending it to new LitRPG readers. If you go into this without knowing what the genre is like, it might not be as enjoyable. I do think that it could be a good intro to LitRPGs (or LitFPS in this case) but the game elements are prominent enough that I think the target audience is definitely limited. For that audience, however, this is a fast-paced and amusing read.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
I read this book as part of the judging process for the 3rd Self Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC3), and while I was provided a review copy for judging purposes I read the book using the version available on Kindle Unlimited. My opinions are my own and do not reflect the thoughts of my SPSFC3 team or the competition as a whole.
April 7, 2024
Super-entertaining wild ride!
I'm usually not a big fan of apocalyptic LitRPG but this book is much better than the rest.
The premise is, of course, more or less the same as in all books of the genre: aliens come, kill off most of humanity and the survivors are forced to loot and level up to survive--however, the author put quite some effort into giving the tropes a new twist.
Also much better than in most books of the genre are the characters. They're well-fleshed out, believable, quirky yet likable. The dialogues are realistic and the action scenes are well-written.
And there's a lot of action in this book!
Cameron, the main character, must survive one battle against all odds after another, fighting the so-called Growth, a fungal alien race that threatens to eliminate all humankind.
I particularly liked Paulie, Cameron's crazy sidekick.
Another hilarious twist to the genre are "Sandra's Stallions". LitRPG is full of the harem trope but the author twists it around. In this story, it's badass warrior chick Sandra who has a harem of men following her.
I listened to the audio version and both narrators are top notch, so if you're into audiobooks I'd definitely recommend checking it out.
This book is perfect for LitRPG fans but will also entertain those who are new to the genre.
I can't wait for book 2!
I'm usually not a big fan of apocalyptic LitRPG but this book is much better than the rest.
The premise is, of course, more or less the same as in all books of the genre: aliens come, kill off most of humanity and the survivors are forced to loot and level up to survive--however, the author put quite some effort into giving the tropes a new twist.
Also much better than in most books of the genre are the characters. They're well-fleshed out, believable, quirky yet likable. The dialogues are realistic and the action scenes are well-written.
And there's a lot of action in this book!
Cameron, the main character, must survive one battle against all odds after another, fighting the so-called Growth, a fungal alien race that threatens to eliminate all humankind.
I particularly liked Paulie, Cameron's crazy sidekick.
Another hilarious twist to the genre are "Sandra's Stallions". LitRPG is full of the harem trope but the author twists it around. In this story, it's badass warrior chick Sandra who has a harem of men following her.
I listened to the audio version and both narrators are top notch, so if you're into audiobooks I'd definitely recommend checking it out.
This book is perfect for LitRPG fans but will also entertain those who are new to the genre.
I can't wait for book 2!
December 19, 2023
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/48m8mbQ.
When Cameron gave a coupon for a free sub to a homeless man and the self-proclaimed wizard gifted him a wishing-stone in return he thought it was nothing more than the ramblings of a crazy person. But, when he idly wishes to live a life like those in the post-apocalyptic LitRPG he was listening to his wish was granted. Now, most of Earth's population has been decimated by living plants intent to turn those that remain into zombie-like creatures. With the help of a higher sentient being Cameron begins upgrading himself with no real fear of dying, due to respawn abilities. Can the surviving members make a dent in the alien surge to reclaim their homes?
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I adore this author's writings and was excited to receive this book. The desire to just read this and little else was strong, although I normally read multiple books at once. Still, I haven't had the time to sit and actually write up the review until now, even though the book was finished August 2nd. (Yes, I am the weird person who has a physical notebook filled with the exact dates that I read every book. It dates all the way back to July 2017.)
This book is a great combination of the real world LitRPG and VR gaming experience. I haven't read something quite like it within my delves into post-apocalyptic LitRPG and gaming books. I love all of these genres and a mash-up was a yes, please. The author did an amazing job of combining these along with adding in his own personal sense of humor we enjoyed in his other books.
Although there is plenty of meat to this story it will absolutely leave you wanting more. Unfortunately, the next book is not out yet and to my knowledge we have not received a pending release date. That being said, there is plenty of action in this book, of all types.
The only point of confusion I have in this book is the age of the main character. At the beginning he seems middle aged. While he does receive enhancements throughout the book, I don't know if they ever actually confirmed his age. It did not take anything away from the story by any means, but I was curious.
When Cameron gave a coupon for a free sub to a homeless man and the self-proclaimed wizard gifted him a wishing-stone in return he thought it was nothing more than the ramblings of a crazy person. But, when he idly wishes to live a life like those in the post-apocalyptic LitRPG he was listening to his wish was granted. Now, most of Earth's population has been decimated by living plants intent to turn those that remain into zombie-like creatures. With the help of a higher sentient being Cameron begins upgrading himself with no real fear of dying, due to respawn abilities. Can the surviving members make a dent in the alien surge to reclaim their homes?
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I adore this author's writings and was excited to receive this book. The desire to just read this and little else was strong, although I normally read multiple books at once. Still, I haven't had the time to sit and actually write up the review until now, even though the book was finished August 2nd. (Yes, I am the weird person who has a physical notebook filled with the exact dates that I read every book. It dates all the way back to July 2017.)
This book is a great combination of the real world LitRPG and VR gaming experience. I haven't read something quite like it within my delves into post-apocalyptic LitRPG and gaming books. I love all of these genres and a mash-up was a yes, please. The author did an amazing job of combining these along with adding in his own personal sense of humor we enjoyed in his other books.
Although there is plenty of meat to this story it will absolutely leave you wanting more. Unfortunately, the next book is not out yet and to my knowledge we have not received a pending release date. That being said, there is plenty of action in this book, of all types.
The only point of confusion I have in this book is the age of the main character. At the beginning he seems middle aged. While he does receive enhancements throughout the book, I don't know if they ever actually confirmed his age. It did not take anything away from the story by any means, but I was curious.
September 2, 2023
Cool concept! There was a lot to like about this book so I’ll just touch on a few of my favorite elements.
First of all, the FPS system is simple, easy to track, and, best of all, it makes total sense. It gave me Mass Effect vibes and I really hope future books in the series explore the Action RPG elements, like weapons mods, in even greater detail.
I also liked the squad element of the system, and how the main character can complete missions solo, with his own squad, or join a squad with a different leader so that he can enjoy lesser responsibilities.
It had cool characters. Rory was a fun guide and it also had strong, multidimensional female characters. However, Paulie was easily my favorite.
Lastly, I listened to the audio, so my spelling of names is probably wrong. For anyone considering a new book, it was well worth the credit! The performers knocked it out of the park!
Overall, great series starter and I look forward to the next book.
First of all, the FPS system is simple, easy to track, and, best of all, it makes total sense. It gave me Mass Effect vibes and I really hope future books in the series explore the Action RPG elements, like weapons mods, in even greater detail.
I also liked the squad element of the system, and how the main character can complete missions solo, with his own squad, or join a squad with a different leader so that he can enjoy lesser responsibilities.
It had cool characters. Rory was a fun guide and it also had strong, multidimensional female characters. However, Paulie was easily my favorite.
Lastly, I listened to the audio, so my spelling of names is probably wrong. For anyone considering a new book, it was well worth the credit! The performers knocked it out of the park!
Overall, great series starter and I look forward to the next book.
May 22, 2025
This is a rollicking tale of a world gone mad and a guy (who maybe definitely sort of caused said madness) trying to survive it, with help from friends new, old, and often slightly dubious. The writing is engaging, the pacing is pitch perfect, and the laughs come at just the right intervals. The characters are well-drawn and inspire me to care what their fate is. This was exactly the palate-lightener I needed after reading several Big Serious Books lately.
My understanding is that a sequel is imminent. I will definitely grab it when it comes out!
My understanding is that a sequel is imminent. I will definitely grab it when it comes out!
November 19, 2022
LitFPS at its Greatest
Armageddon Earth is the seldom written of GameLIT known as LitFPS. Reading it is like a book version of a Battle Royale like Fortnite or Apex Legends. The Apocalypse subgenre is a popular one in GameLIT/LitRPG and Armageddon Earth hits the mail on the head with it's alien Apocalypse. If you're looking for stats this isn't the book for you, but it's fast paced and funny.
Armageddon Earth is the seldom written of GameLIT known as LitFPS. Reading it is like a book version of a Battle Royale like Fortnite or Apex Legends. The Apocalypse subgenre is a popular one in GameLIT/LitRPG and Armageddon Earth hits the mail on the head with it's alien Apocalypse. If you're looking for stats this isn't the book for you, but it's fast paced and funny.
September 14, 2023
fun
In a fit of idiocy a guy wishes his life could be like his favorite post apocalyptic video game. Wish granted, apocalypse included. He comes to grips with the world ending, joking a universal army, and fighting to liberate the planet. In the end he learns that it’ll be a long journey. Earth isn’t free, but he can see it through.
Fun. Enjoyed it. Good telling. Good pacing. Some minor edits needed, but nothing too onerous. Please enjoy
In a fit of idiocy a guy wishes his life could be like his favorite post apocalyptic video game. Wish granted, apocalypse included. He comes to grips with the world ending, joking a universal army, and fighting to liberate the planet. In the end he learns that it’ll be a long journey. Earth isn’t free, but he can see it through.
Fun. Enjoyed it. Good telling. Good pacing. Some minor edits needed, but nothing too onerous. Please enjoy
November 19, 2022
Fast paced, hilarious and Kool aid...??
Cameron is an everyday typical dude who loves gaming and ruins the world for everyone else.
Now that the world is running with an intergalactic military and seeming game logic.
Cameron is now trying to find his place and trying to save earth.
Cameron is an everyday typical dude who loves gaming and ruins the world for everyone else.
Now that the world is running with an intergalactic military and seeming game logic.
Cameron is now trying to find his place and trying to save earth.
November 29, 2023
A fun read
I liked it. The story was fun and engaging, and it's a good littpg. While it was a slow in some spots, it was still action packed and what you would expect for a book with this title.
I liked it. The story was fun and engaging, and it's a good littpg. While it was a slow in some spots, it was still action packed and what you would expect for a book with this title.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews