Redeemer of the Dead: A LitRPG Apocalypse

The System Apocalypse, Book 2

By: Tao Wong

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Four months ago, the world changed as electronics failed and blue screens started appearing, gifting humanity with abilities, classes, and skills straight from a game. Caught in Klondike National Park during the apocalypse, John manages to fight his way free and reach Whitehorse. Unfortunately, the System hasn't finished with humanity yet, and dungeons begin to appear, bringing with them more powerful, stronger, and smarter monsters. Can John and his friends survive and level up?

Redeemer of the Dead is book two of the System Apocalypse, a litRPG/game-lit apocalypse series that combines modern day life, science fiction, and fantasy elements along with game mechanics.

©2017 Tao Wong (P)2018 Tao Wong

Still Angry

This book doesn’t change much from the first. John is still just an angry idiot that never grows. His reaction to every conversation is angst and anger for pretty much no reason. Not much happens in this book either, little character growth, few interesting encounters. I like the system, I like the setting, but why would I care about any of these characters?

Frustrating character development

Every time it seems like the main character will finally come to terms with his emotions he doesn't. The impression was given he had taken care of this at the end of the first book. Extremely disappointed.

Truly love the world the author has created...but

It's starting to get old with this whole I'm an angry jerk to everyone. It's the second book and h tr main character hasn't emotionally developed. John looked like he was near the end of the first book but now he's back tracked... please move forward.

Nick Podehl is my absolute favorite!

I admit, if an audio book is read by a voice actor I like, I'm already in favor and biased towards a more positive review. If that actor supports a good story? Heck yeah! I really like the writing. The characters are flawed and often I can relate to them. I wish the MC's character development would be stronger, he is kind of stuck in his ways. It is understandable that he is pushing it out, with all the changes going on around and within him due to the System. Romance and relationships aren't on the forefront, which I personally like. There are so many LitRPGs with harem themes already. I can do without it. I'm already on book 4, having read the third installment in one sitting, but I will go back and get the audio books as well. It's worth it for me. :)

Was this book co wrote by Disney?

John in a terrible character. He is suppose to be a 30 something year old man. Yet he acts like a child. The mindset of a teenager. It’s terrible. More than once I almost turned the book off because I got tired of listening to him whine. He reminds me of Kylo Ren. He’s a childish rage monster that doesn’t know what he wants. I doubt I’ll be buying the third book. Nick Podehl on the other hand is flawless like usual. He always does a great job.

Full murder hobo.

You would think there was mental health care in the system. Sure, John Lee is in a bad situation but his persistent method of dealing with it is getting annoyingly repetitive. Go silent, kill things, kill other things, kill things again... I am surprised his friends put up with it.

A major character flaw that is mascarading as an archetype. He is not nuanced enough, and too two dimensional....

More character development would gave been appreciated.

The story arc is limited

We have already met this character in book one. This story is pure action. If you want non stop fights this is for you.
If you are interested in plot, character development, or (because this is fantasy) world building, this is not for you.

Good Book

I enjoyed this story and narration. This is my new favorite series. I can't wait for the next book!!!

He's still single and an antisocial angery killer.

I thought by book two our main character would change a bit but he's still angery, single, antisocial, and a killing machine. Had a bad day I'm going to go murder all the monsters I can get my hands on. It's entertaining but I'd like more from the character than anger and pent up testosterone.

Another good book in this series...

I enjoyed this book and it was entertaining but much less of a fleshed out adventure than the last. It really needed to be longer and to add more depth to the overall plot. As a result it sort of felt like a special episode in an ongoing TV series rather than an actual novel, regardless of the fact that it's part of a book series. It is still worth the credit but I hope Wong doesn't string us along with sub-10-hour episodes going forward. I'd like it if he gets back to the writing that has the feel of world building and the breadth of adventure that was in the first book.

Worthy of a binge listen

I have listened to all 9 books so far and enjoyed each one. Nick Podehl is one of the top narrators on Audible and it shows. Tao Wong does a great job of building John as a character. Like most book/move/tv series there are good and bad parts but overall the series has been enjoyable and I would recommend it. A good addition to the LitRPG options out there.

Good Narration - Stupid MC

I have listened to both books 1 & 2 and I enjoyed the narration performance fine however my issues are with the MC. He just makes stupid decisions to help people who have no will to even help themselves. If you're looking for a MC that adapts to the system, gets stronger and doesn't take any sh*t then you're in the wrong place. The MC is a whiny, emotionally stunted do gooder who just wastes his advantages to help idiots.

another great book

reli enjoyed it but I think it was very similar to the first book,still a great listen tho :)

Solid follow-up

While you could probably jump into this series with this book since it is only the second in the series, you would be advised to start with the previous one since you will appreciate the premise and the characters that much more by doing so.

This book picks up directly where book one ends and sees the main character isolated from his friends after his actions towards the end of that book, but from then on the focus on this book is mostly focused on the steadily worsening situation for the survivors as the monsters seem to be quickly establishing themselves in the area and for the characters the focus shifts from simply killing them out in the wild to keep them away from the towns towards clearing the newly formed dungeons to ensure they do not grow too quickly and the different set of problems that entails.

The author does a good job of mitigating some of the more annoying or negatives characteristics of the main character, although his underlying anger at himself, the world in general and the situation he finds himself in has not disappeared entirely and given the grim nature of the world, that is more than understandable.

The narrator does a good job with delivering a distinctive range of tones and voices for the various cast including the non-human aliens, helping to nicely enhance the listener's enjoyment of the book.

Overall, a solid second instalment in this series, following a natural progression from the first rather than trying to needlessly reinvent itself.

[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]

more of the same, and that is great!

Not much to say here, nothing really changes, this book starts where book 1 ended and continues to follow our heroes...
I love every second of it and if you gave book 1 a chance and like it this will be even better <3

Nick does a great job just like last time.

Book 2

I'm wondering where it will go from here, but it feels like such a complex world and the author has just scratched the surface. More books to come.

Book 2

Again it's a great story, well written good action.
The narration is superb Nick podehl give the whole experience a great vibe.
The serise so far is very enjoyable and I'm looking forward to book 3

The best post apocalyptic litrpg yet

Tao makes you want to read more and more. To the point that I binged this from start to finish whilst missing out on sleep (but it was WORTH IT!). I was hooked from the start to the end and will be continuing on with the series. The story follows a world after experiencing a calamity where monsters begin to spawn everywhere and a game like system is introduced to all of the inhabitants. Humans are forced to get stronger or die.
The narrator does an amazing job telling the story coupled with the vivid writing style makes this story a gem.