The Man from Nag Hamadi: A Cyberpunk LitRPG

Slumrat Rising, Book 2

By: Warby Picus

Narrated by: Todd Haberkorn

Length: 19 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

A spellbinding adventure of biblical proportions awaits a young man coming into his powers in the epic second installment of this urban fantasy series.

Truth Medici has three questions: Can he rescue his siblings from the clutches of the evil Starbrite Corporation? What will it require of him? And where does he need to go next to make it happen? When he meets Justinian Merkovah—a strangely ageless spellcaster, teacher of religious law, and nomadic exorcist—he's one step closer to discovering the answers . . .

With his experience providing security to the rich and terrible, Truth accepts a gig as Merkovah's bodyguard. What better way for Truth to grow as a mage? And what better body to guard than one that can help rid him of the demonic System trapped inside his own?

Truth and Merkovah are soon joined by two of the latter's enigmatic students on a journey through an ancient land where both devils and angels lash out with fire, fury, and Old Testament devastation. Finally, Truth sees the world, previously kept hidden by Starbrite, as it really is. And he learns that magic—real magic—is far more powerful and strange than he ever imagined.

But one thing Truth has always known is that power comes at a price. And the price for Merkovah's help may be more than Truth is willing to pay. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much of a choice. Crops are failing; wars are heating up; even God has looked away in disgust. What can one slumrat hope to do in the face of all that? Except rise—and fight.

The second volume of the hit cyberpunk fantasy series—with more than one million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

©2024 Warby Picus (P)2024 Podium Audio

Good story but felt like a filler

It was a good second book but I felt like it didn’t move as fast as the first. I can’t wait for the third book hoping there is more action and less political and god talk.

Good 1st book better sequel

The first book is good. It's well written, and same amazing performance but ultimately fell short. The main character was just punched down, never improving in any way. The new installment follows through on foreshadowed elements, starts setting goals, more world-building, and much better secondary characters. I know it's a cliche opinion, but the characters were amazing. I did like how the first book was brutal, to build Truth up, however it is hard to just read through all of that without letting up at all. It was necessary but depressing. So good job author.

Haters gonna hate

Great book with a solid story line and a non typical character with depth that mirrors a very different life experience. Reflects a lot of the real steps of someone stepping out into society from a very narrowly focused worldview. Basically has to re-program himself best he can to be as whole as he can manage.

This is an excellent book 2

With the limited reviews I felt it was important to provide my thoughts on this story.

Essentially, if you are expecting Truth to start a murder spree, revenge campaign on Starbright, or become a Spy/Sabatour destroying the organization from the inside. Well, that's book 3.

So what is the point of book 2 then?

Book 2 is wholly focused on Truth himself, both physically & mentally & to some extent spiritually. The story takes him from a soulless husk of a shattered blade forged for nothing but to take orders, heads or both; into an actual human with genuine feelings & motivations to live and experience his life on his terms.

To address the "Melo drama" reviews. The romance itself,after the initial start, is a steady narrative incline throughout the story, so the percived Melodrama seems to come from moments were the characters have strong emotional moments or ideals, which personally felt logical and aligned to the narrative. Frankly, I felt the critics overblown, but to each their own.

Also, I should mention this book is heavy in religious idealiogy due to the setting of the book. While some ideas cross over to ours, fundamentaly the rules & culture are wholly unique to the their world's setting not ours, so the author isn't specifically pandering real life religion. Basically don't overthink it.

Narration is solid as always, and if you like book 1 and are excited for book 3, I really do recommend you don't skip this entry, it is important to the narrative and honestly a fun book to listen to.

The MC is very high on the spectrum

most reviews are correct. I didn't mind the theological aspects of the story, The MC really annoyed me to no end. Warrior Savant with crippling social anxiety, a virgin and a fear of being touched. High on the spectrum.

excellent story

love every part regarding the MC. the book went a bit heavy with the love and relationship stuff yet maintained a good balance

Theology/ cosmology

The story continues the pass is a bit slower but more contemplative with an emphasis one world building setting up the next arc. Highly recommended thoroughly enjoyed.

Cyberpunk with barely any cyberpunk

The first book was great. This one gets mired down in theology. Even as background noise it got annoying sometimes. The mc went backwards in development. He was strong, powerful, willfully ignorant and weak. It didn’t mix well, like water and oil. Well anyways I enjoyed some of it I guess.

stopped with 4hl hours remaining.

Performance was great, writing was above average.
This second book turns into a really, REALLY, bad romance novel.
I was skipping full chapters, and finally called it quits.

If the first book had anything close to this, I would have not tried the second.

That said... if you can stomach the bad romance, this second book is for you.

I wanted to see where this story lead, but can't take it any more. World building and magic systems were so great.

Fantastic

This series is definitely in my top 5 favorite in the genre. It is very light on the litrpg/cultivation but the story and writing is outstanding. I eagerly anticipate the next book.