System Return is published and available on Amazon at:
Now, since I didn't take any time off between books #1 and #2 for this series, I'm going to take a few days to try to catch up on my TBR pile. Especially with the new KU limit of 20 books, I've got a pile of them waiting for me. First, Venom 2 tonight though. Kind of my reward for finishing the book and getting it available.
My tentative schedule at this point has book #3, Control System, coming out in January of 2022. I know that my writing speed tends to slow through late November and December so I'm trying to account for that.
Hope you enjoy the new book,
Tom
Question your book natural laws does it have any romance in it?
ReplyDeleteNot as much, although the main group is made up of two couples and a singleton, most of the romance type of stuff is off screen or fade to black.
ReplyDeleteTom
I'm not asking for much sounds like minor romance and that's perfect. Does the MC get romance or another couple?
DeleteThe minor romance is mainly between the MC and the girl he'd liked for years but was scared to ask out. The other couple is seemingly a less likely match, but great for some comedic relief.
ReplyDeleteTom
Minor romance is good enough for me im sold! Hey question do you know about the facebook groups gamelit society and litrpg books? Just wondering why aren't you on there? It's where i normally go find these kinda books.
DeleteI used to be on Facebook. It took so much of my time and fed me so much stuff that I didn't want, that I swore off of it.
ReplyDeleteHey Tom, just wanted to say that as much as I enjoyed Light online, I think the system books are a bit better quality. And I love the fact that you don't try to write out explicit sex scenes. I blitzed through the first 2 books in about 3 days, and have to admit that they are some of my favorite "system" style books out there, it's also nice to see that you didn't over power the main group / main character like so many others have. I look forward to seeing where you take this series and hope that the quality continues through the rest of the books.
ReplyDeleteAlso it was kind of amusing to see the reference to the shadow sun series in your second book.
Out of the char's you have so far, I'd say that the MC's mom is the one I like the least (she seems to have this attitude that she's in control and she gets off on the power, and abuse she can give.), the junior carrier (forget her name) cracks me up about how she admits she has to stalk the MC so he doesn't try to work without her. LOL The rest of the cast though is solid, keep up the good work man, and enjoy the coming holidays.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the slow reply. I was taking a week off of everything writing related, which included replying here.
I definitely don't want to write out the explicit scenes. Before I started writing LitRPG I was writing erotica under a different penname to pay the bills, so I'd like to avoid more of that if I can. Still sick of writing it two years later.
I do tend to write less OP characters. Probably comes from decades of DMing and trying to avoid Monty Hall syndrome campaigns.
I did reference the Shadow Sun series because that's more of the style I want my System books to be. Nothing wrong with System Apocalypse, just not where I want my books to go, I'd prefer to keep them on the planet for quite a while.
Nah, Michelle doesn't get off on the power and abuse, she's just used to being in charge of the household and still acts like she is. Since a touch of that is actually necessary for her position (the way I envision it) she fit the admin slot to a 'T'.
Amy (Junior Courier) was just me having a bit of fun, then she kind of started growing and found her spot in the books. It's fun to be able to add things like that and, I'd like to think, makes the whole thing more relatable since most people have met a kid like that.
I have people try to crack on my writing with stereotypes and tropes, but they exist for a reason, so I use them. I do try to twist them from time to time, but I still use them.
Glad you enjoyed the series so far and I'll try hard not to disappoint on the rest of it.
Tom
Hello Tom, just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed both of the Natural Laws Apocalypse books !!
ReplyDeleteThe ONLY complaint I have is the lesser amount of rpg elements like system screens, item identifications, and similar that are so commonly found in the litrpg genre. Your writing is GREAT but my personal favorite thing about litrpg is the rpg "screen" elements. I don't know how you feel about it or how difficult you find creating them is but I would love if there were more screens and progression elements in your books. Just something for you to think about and maybe consider in the future books. I'll be reading them regardless.
As far as the social interactions between the various characters I agree with Velaxious a bit about Michelle. Her character feels too stiff and robotic to me. Considering the scenes where she's in are mostly when she's dealing with her son I just don't get the "motherly" feeling from her. Now Sean I do get a "fatherly" feeling from. Now maybe that's what you want and if so that's perfectly fine, carry on. Otherwise maybe think about her relationship with Marc a bit. I do get her work ethic/attitude so I think THAT'S spot on though her husband and son being almost afraid to interrupt her I find to be a bit off. As before if that's your plan, carry on. Otherwise I find I don't care for Jeff all that much but that could be entirely because I don't care for people that act like him. He's coming off as fairly selfish, impatient, and know-it-all self-centered type of person.
Marc is a good MC though I don't care for his, and his Dad's, attitude of "I'm wrong and your right" to their women.
Rob is pretty awesome though !! One reall cool aspect that I haven't really seen much of in other litrpg books is the reader seeing the impact of a character increasing their mental stats. Also Marc increasing his social stats. Sure many authors talk about the physical increases no problem but not much of the mental/social stuff beyond maybe a mention that a MC increases his charisma so becomes more attractive.
Ok this is probably REALLY long, and maybe a bit too complainy, my apologies about that. I didn't really mean for this to come off like that. Books are great so please keep it up and ignore my completely if you want to. I'm not the author, you are and these are your books to write as you wish.
PS: I think that amount of sexual content is perfect! You're not avoiding it while not writing any sex scenes either. I know I don't read these kinds of books for that kind of content. Cheers !
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteLove the books. Both Light Online and System Returns.
One thing I noticed is that the girl in the kitchen that flirts with Marc starts out as Alice and then becomes Tina.
Also, I cant believe that he chose leatherworking as his craft skill. He should never be as good as the people that do it full time, so he is always going to be the assistant. Secondly, he has his creative writing and caligraphy and technical writing skills. He should be making scrolls for people to learn spells. Even the humble chicken tender would love to be able to cast a light spell or phantom shield. From the way I have been reading the story there is nothing stopping them learning, just need the right training aid
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy this series. Despite the subject matter it manages to be relatively light hearted and encouraging. The touch where the system suppresses emotions before Level 5 was a great way to avoid dealing with the psychological dramas of the end of the world as they know it without the characters coming off as callous or unfeeling.
Now that they are really in the thriving, not just surviving mode, I'm having fun picture things I would do for the non-combatants in the safe zones, and what some of the characters might do. For the non-combatants, wouldn't it make sense to require everyone learn at least one combat skill (spell or physical attack) that would give them a chance if, say, the safe zone were attacked by an army or they found out the hard way there are spawns that can fly? Maybe the smith could build a strong metal interior for the kids' play fort so it could act as an actual safe place for the kids if a griffon decided to target them while at play, and found a way to make it fire proof in case they were attacked by a dragon.
I'm also picturing what a bunch of teenagers who know mana dart would do on their days off-- what type of games they might invent with it in the name of 'training'. A magical version of paintball? Quickdraw speed and precision contests? The mind boggles.
Hey Tom, just a quick note today I'm loving the series! I was wondering why I was able to have so many KU books. I thought it was a glich! LOL. Do you have a timeline projections book 4?
ReplyDeleteThe end of last year (2021) Amazon increased the number of KU books you could have at one time up to 20.
DeleteI'm hoping for book #4 to be available for early April, assuming I can stay on schedule with it.
Glad you like the books.
Tom
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteTwo questions for you. Do you have a Patreon? Is there an eta on book 2 audio? I loved book one and can’t wait to continue.
Hi Justin,
DeleteNo, I do not have a Patreon.
I only have an estimated ETA on book #2 audio which is the middle of May. They also gave me an estimated release date for #3 which will be the middle of July.
Tom
When with thw 2nd book be coming to audible
ReplyDeleteI only have an estimated ETA for book #2 audio, which is the middle of May.
ReplyDelete