Life in the North

An Apocalyptic LitRPG (The System Apocalypse, Book 1)

By: Tao Wong

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

John wanted a vacation. He got an apocalypse.

When John sets out for a weekend camping trip in the Yukon, he never could have imagined the world would be plunged into chaos by the System–a mystical energy wave that destroys electronics and grants game-like powers to humanity. Suddenly, animals are evolving, monsters are spawning, and John finds himself equipped with a character sheet and incredible, physics-defying skills.

But surviving in this new reality won't be easy. John will have to get back to civilization through hordes of slavering monsters. And that's just the beginning—because with the arrival of the System, John will need to help rebuild society from the ruins up… and stop humanity from destroying itself along the way.

Life in the North is the first book in The System Apocalypse, an Apocalyptic LitRPGseries that combines modern day life, science fiction and fantasy elements along with game mechanics. This series contains elements of games like level ups, experience, enchanted materials, a sarcastic spirit, mecha, a beguiling dark elf, monsters, minotaurs, a fiery red head and a semi-realistic view on violence and its effects.

©2017 Tao Wong (P)2024 Starlit Publishing

Great Book! Negative reviews are misleading!

Below is my original review. Its how I feel about the book in question but recently the author has taken to trademarking generic terms like "system apocalypse" and having indie authors which used them removed from the Kindle store. I feel this just damages the community and won't be buying anymore of his books even though I was a fan. If you are okay with this behavior feel free to read my original review and make your choice.

-----original review-----

This is a great LITRPG! I loved it! I bought book 2 and 3 already and can’t wait to listen to them.

WARNING ABOUT MISLEADING AUDIBLE REVIEW COMMENTS!!!
Despite being a LitRPG enthusiast I refused to read this book for multiple months because of the negative reviews. There was a similar trend of issues mentioned in audible comments which are typically red flags for books that I will not enjoy. These concerns were unfounded and I want to mention them just in case other listeners are deciding to not read this for the same reasons:
1. I cannot stand it when the main character is dumb or when stupidity drives plot. If I am fifteen minutes in and I keeps screaming “WHY DID YOU DO THAT?” then there is a high probability that the book is being returned. There were a lot of comments which seemed to suggest that the main character kept making dumb decisions or that his rage caused him to make dumb decisions. Yes…The main character has a rage problem, but other than some emo moments in the last ~10 minutes of the book I didn’t see it leading him to dumb decisions. In some ways I understood it. Minor spoilers…There was a moment when he sees a terrible sight and his “rage” drives him to want to kill a bunch of overpowered monsters that “an army would have trouble fighting.” His companion warns him not to, but he risks his life and moves in to fight anyways. At first I was slapping my head because I expected him to run into the middle of these monsters’ guns blazing. I was pleasantly surprised when he formulates a plan, which takes most of a day to implement, and manages to kill all of the monsters. A risky well executed plan leading to great rewards, thumbs up scene in my opinion.
2. This refers to the many comments mentioning “HOMOSEXUALS.” Typically I have a lot of trouble stomaching sex scenes in general. I prefer them to be vaguely hinted at and if not, I usually skip them because they are typically awkward to overhear or to melodramatic for me. For example; my heart was burning with such intensity that I worried it would melt through me, around him, and down my legs…
Really?
Really?
That being said explicit man-on-man sex or man-on-man emotions are a bigger turn off. I don’t think I’m homophobic, I believe in gay rights and really don’t care where you put your sexual organs, as long they are willing and past the age of consent. I think my issue is that when I read books I typically see myself as the main character and I don’t find men attractive. If I am putting myself into the viewpoint of someone who is pining over a wilder beast of a man, then its difficult for me to maintain immersion because I can’t see myself in that situation.
With all that being said, let me state that the “homosexual” sentences (because I can’t say there is a homosexual scene in the entire book) is so trivial that I am surprised anyone even mentioned them. I went into this expecting to be skipping chapters where the main character is having “ball slapping sex” with Joe the Lumber Jack. Instead I have maybe ten sentences in the entire book that may suggest the main character is Bi but prefers women. Not only that but other than a single sentence that states “I dabbled back in college.” the only male he seems to be attracted to is an elf who has a MAGICAL ABILITY WHICH MAKES PEOPLE ATTRACTED TO HIM. So the three scenes with the elf are pretty much like:
*Sees elf* “I want to kiss him.”
*Elf smiles coyly at him*
“I don’t trust him, and I don’t have time for this.”
The only other thing is that some people actually think that the main character is interested in this elf but the only actual sexual encounter he has is with a women and thankfully its pretty much just mentioned.

Legitimate concerns
These concerns did not impact my enjoyment of the book but if you are someone who can only spend a credit on a perfectly written book, then it may impact your enjoyment of it.
1. This is a LitRPG. If you don’t know the genre a writer uses role playing game themes or systems when creating their fantasy world. For example, a leveling system is used in this fantasy world. That being said some LitRPG enthusiasts will not enjoy this book as the LitRPG aspects are kinda light. Although I preferred it… rather then 10 minutes of reciting spreadsheets this book focuses more on the characters.
2. I felt like this book didn’t have a good antagonist, climax, or resolution. The closest thing to a main antagonist seems to be the world itself. When the book ended it left me wanting more and if there wasn’t a book 2 for me to immediately jump into I would have been disappointed.

One of the best examples of the genre

I’ve been on a bit of a streak for these sorts of books lately and this is the example that others should strive for. Many in the genre get caught up in game mechanics and forget to put a story in place, while others have a story that is lacking due to the protagonist being in his own and having to monologue to themselves while they figure out what’s going on. The story is one that I would have enjoyed even if it wasn’t game-ified and the addition of a companion within the first chapter is exactly what the story needed for explanations without there being an awkward exposition dump. On top of all that, Nick Podehl is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators so I’m very much looking forward to listening to the rest of the series. I cannot recommend this enough.

love this series

I absolutely love this series. I love it so much I am creating a fan fiction using my own characters:)

Surprisingly intense and fun

Nick Podehl is a great narrator as always, but this is one of the books that really lets him shine. Exciting, funny, harsh, and engaging, this story is well worth the credit.

The world was attacked and nearly everyone died

The negative reviews are just plain wrong. If the world was attacked and Billions of people died i'd be pissed too. I'd also kill everything that moved and would want to tear down the system. The "whiny" MC comments are from people who do not get into the story. He's not "whiny" he's pissed and wants to tear it all down, i'm with him.

Worth a read

While there are a couple things I don't much care for in the story it wss still worth it. When I started I immediately thought of the "Defiance of the Fall" and "Shadow Sun" series. In some respects it does follow some of the same story elements, but that is the gendre. I do like that the story doesn't take place in the U.S. and that the main charter is ethnic Chinese.

Good Story - Will Need to Relisten

This was an interesting book. I feel like I missed a lot of little bits of info though that would of clarified things. I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little confused about the progression of the main character. I feel like he should have gotten farther in his class/levels through the events he managed to get himself into. But I’m a sucker for OP characters so I may be jaded. As always, Podehl gives a fantastic performance, half of the reason I decided to give this title a try. Whatever my feelings about this first book, I will continue to binge the series!

Excellent!

A wonderful introduction with a character who is very dynamic and doesn't really follow the cliché. I found it to entice me and I bought the second one right after and am listened to them back to back! Nick Podehl never fails to bring you into the story and make the characters feel just that much more real!

EMO MC

book has a lot of potential. looking forward to the 2nd, but it ends a bit abruptly and the lack of worthwhile looting aspects is grating. well narrated.

Cool Story

I really was hooked in the first 5 minutes. Hell, the first paragraph. I like the real world aspect and not VR so many others use. Good book.