So…this book. Man, I just love it. Somehow, the author managed to avoid almost every LITRPG hero trope that exists and made that a good thing. Except the snarky system messages, but, let’s be real, that’s one of the genre’s more fun tropes.
* SOUND BOOTH THEATER KNOCKS THIS OUT OF THE PARK! JEFF HAYES IS THE MAN! No distracting music or sound affects that aren’t pertinent to the story. Proper voices for the system notifications and other messages. Just…nailed this 100%
* MC is not dumb
* MC is not a womanizer
* MC is not gifted with some super, ultra rare ability that breaks the game or makes him a snowflake
* MC does solve everything (or anything) with magic (…I love magic…I’m keeping my fingers crossed this might change)
* MC is practically McGyver (like the real McGyver not the Dr. Who sonic screw driver McGyver)
* MC has good dialogue with other characters and his companion whom happens to be a talking cat (happens in first 35 minutes…not really a spoiler)
* MC (and all of humanity) is definitely the underdog
Now, the LITRPG aspects.
* A$$hole corporate, inter-galactic politics and greed cause the apocalyptic event
* While the story progresses well with Carl’s progress in levels and skills, there are bigger, deeper story arcs being threaded so this isn’t just an apocalypse for no reason.
* The system seems to be absolutely massive as far as ability & class options go.
Definitely 5 stars all the way.