Rise of the Warlock [LitRPG Apocalypse]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

When dimensional vortexes first tore through reality, humanity's awakened defenders—the Radiants—stood as beacons of hope against the waves of darkness that came from beyond. But after five years of endless combat, those beacons have begun to dim. In Atlanta, Jelani Von watches powerlessly as rogue Radiants carve up his city's streets, their unchecked mystical powers reducing whole neighborhoods to battlegrounds.

With each passing day, the line between protectors and oppressors blur further, and Jelani's chances of survival grow slimmer. So when an otherworldly entity offers him the chance to seize power beyond imagination, Jelani faces the question that's haunted him since his brother's murder: in a world where power corrupts absolutely, can the right person with the right intentions change everything—or is he just the next tyrant in training?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Expectations

+ A protagonist who goes from being mildly capable to extremely powerful but faces major failures and setbacks along the way

+A unique system that merges fantasy classes with specialized powers based on each characters psyche

+A morally gray protagonist who is power hungry but willing to make practical decisions to help his community and the people he cares for

+Adult language/Profanity and use of AAVE

+A realistic and darker view of people at the lower ends of the socioeconomic bracket as they navigate the end of the world and systems that were never built to care for them in the first place

Influences

Solo leveling, Berserk, Vagabond, Omniscient readers viewpoint, Boondocks

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2024
Author: tonyxstorm

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.0/ 5.0
Followers: 56
Views: 14,482

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(6)

BlueMonarchRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
So far this is not a power fantasy, if you want overpowered main characters that didn't work to get where they are, then I suggest a different story
I love this story so far. It feels very genuine, the characters feel real and alive within their setting.
A well thought out setting, because, despite the repeated premise in other literature, it fully considers how the world would look if people gained immense power. Mentioning themes such as destruction, foreign invaders, corruption, as well as hope and survival.
I believe this stands out from most litRPGs because although it encapsulates those core elements of striving to power, trials, and of course fantasy. The story itself is more than it's setting, it's a hero's struggle against the system, quite literally in this case. A story of perseverance in tough circumstances, and hopefully, character growth. I look forward to where the author will take this. Honest narrator. Well written storytelling. 5/5.
Style of writing is honest, straightforward, and not overloaded with fancy words. However, it is still able to pull you in with good descriptions, especially the fight scenes, that allow you to visualise the author's intent. I personally enjoy high description, but the style is quite refreshing.
4/5, possibly 4.5/5.
The story is a a hero fantasy at its core, a complex protagonist as all people are, and a well-thought out setting. Look past the simple story structure and you'll find there's a lot to enjoy with many things to mull over as well as connect with. 4/5
The characters are genuine people, with their own goals, worries and aspirations. They are more than just roles within a story but people living in the setting. I believe the author has a solid understanding of people and displays that knowledge in their writing. 5/5
Grammar is well written as far as I can tell, there are a few commas that could serve to improve the flow of story, but I only noticed this twice in the 20 chapters I've read so far. Well written, d
FJBRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story has the potential to be one of the greats here on RR. The main character Jelani is committed to gathering power, ruthless when he needs to be, but has enough personality he doesn't just feel like some faceless protagonist. His world is vivid and brutal, and the power system feels like it has plenty of space to grow without feeling stagnant. In short, everything I usually look for in a RR story.
Jelani starts out as a powerless delivery boy who ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Quickly enough, he get's his shot at power—assuming he can prove himself. What's out so far shows already that this is going to be a bloody and agonizing path. One of my favorite parts so far is how the story mixes psychological elements in along with the physical. Jelani doesn't have to just prove himself in combat, but has to overcome self-doubts and mental assaults designed to make him second-guess himself. So far, the story has handled these really well, integrating them in with the expanding plot, carefully introducing new characters when needed to help carry one point or another.
Power elements so far also feel rewarding and well-earned. The progression system gets introduced piecemeal as the character gains access to it rather than everything all at once, which means the story moves forward without ever spending too much time on stat screens. Maybe not the best for those who prefer info dumps of stats, but I really like this approach.
TLDR: This is a perfect example of a well-done power fantasy. The progression is well laid out, and the MC is unique in a way that fits the story perfectly.
GoldizeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Almost exactly the direction I've been wanting to see this genre expand into.
well developed setting, easy to follow, clear characters, plenty of interesting possibilities .
System is familiar but distinct, slow roll of awakeners and vortexes, really leans well into the exploration of class divides.
Looking forward to what comes...
Rhys AriesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Okay. I'm hooked. You had me at Berserk. Seriously the best manga of all time. I'm already feeling the vibe from Jelani as I read this.
You're doing a great job so far! Love reading diverse stories, and especially LitRPG from POC perspectives. We need more stories like these on RR.
Perry OkeefeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Grammar is quite good, I found one small error in the first five chapters, one mistake out of 15,000 words its pretty damn good.
The style is of writing is a pleasure to read, the author is able to focus on the details of the story that matter, without overwhelming you with too many descriptions that don't add much to the story, I appreciate that.
The characters are the strongest aspect of this story, by far, I found myself caring about the emotions of a random auntie Jelani meets while delivering packages for work. The characters are just very well done, period.
The story is beginning to flesh out well by chapter 5. A world being torn apart by supernatural disaster, and the chaos that comes when people of low moral character end up with superpowers.
Two small points I had an issue with.
#1, a utility pole falls on an eight year old boy. The boy is trapped, injured, and alone. Yet he isn't crying his eyes out? I found that hard to believe.
#2, Jelani gets shot twice in the chest, and he proceeds to carry on a conversation with a magical scroll a few minutes later. He also carefully considers whether he is going to accept the scrolls help. This is also VERY hard to believe. That much pain and trauma will cause a human to act like an injured animal, if they even maintain any semblance of consciousness.
These are just minor issues, that broke my immersion with the story a bit, so I wanted to share that with the author. Most readers would likely read right past these plot points without even noticing.
BT.curioRoyal Road
★★★★ 4.0
For anyone looking for the essence of 'cool', Rise of the Warlock presents its main protagonist with bundles of it. His attitude, sharp mind and unrelenting willpower makes for a gripping journey seen through stubborn eyes. Though not far along, the challenges before him run deep with questions unexpected from the genre.
Style: Airy and clear-cut. The prose is great and flows well, bar a few inconsistencies in viewpoint. Conversations, both internal and external (though sometimes a bit 'on the nose'), genuine and heartfelt. All in all a pleasure to read.
Story: The story takes its time, pulls the reader into the trials of power. We haven't seen much else yet, but the promises set up through the story are intriguing.
There is a clear choice in involving several elements of ethnicity where the author could have chosen to stay more neutral. Readers sensitive to such, should be ready for these topics to be ingrained into the story.
Grammar: Solid and colorful, the choice of words paint a vivid image, easy to follow and to appreciate.
Character: Mainly well written, with depth and care. There are some moments where characters do things, say things or change their opinions with only the slightest nudge from our protagonist. There are also times where his knowledge or understanding of things come across as beyond what's needed in the moment.
Example: "Jelani recalled news reports of the region unifying under tentative alliances in recent years to face off against Ishtari warriors invading through a massive vortex in eastern Turkey."
Based on the pressured situation, perhaps this isn't the first thing you would think of when seeing a man with middle-eastern appearance.
It doesn't remove from the story, but it is noticeable. As if Jelani's charisma and intellect has temporarily been dialed up to 19, and he rolls with advantage. Though, you could argue that makes for his own unique superpower.
The hunt for power, and the costs therein makes for a story that sets itself apart