The Reluctant Apostle [VR LitRPG]

Information

Status

Hiatus

Year

2024

Author

Abraham-DeWitt

• Chapter 4 - [Handful of Ash]
  Mar 5, 2024
• Chapter 3 - [Voice Made of Wind]
  Mar 4, 2024
• Chapter 2 - [The Far Caster Event]
  Mar 4, 2024
• Chapter 1 - [The Kabuto System]
  Mar 4, 2024
• Prologue
  Mar 2, 2024

Reviews

Community Reviews(10)

• severin4404Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Overall: I was a fan of this writer back when he was writing the last book. I saw one of the ads for THe Deluge. I clicke don it because it wasn't a meme. There should be more of that. I figured it was an SAO clone. The story was written like an actual writer. That was a big surprise for a story with so few views. I recommend completely.
  Style: The writer has really good style. I love the way he writes fights. The characters talk like people. The writing is dense but also not hard to read.
  Story: I really like where Enzo's story is going so far. He's a villain and he's trying to be a pacifist.
  There has been one big scene in the book so far. I thought it was really cool. The dark apostles meet in a big room in a castle and they talk about what they're going to do. There are thirteen of htem but they all seem like fleshed out characters. Some of them want to fight GM and some of them want to work for GM. You see how they react to being the "bad guy."
  Grammar: No problems that I could see.
  Character: The characters seem like real people stuck in a video game. I like how hte apostles are villains in different ways. Some of them act like role-players who "get into character" when they act as an apostle.
  It's a lot better than I expected. Five stars.
• CosmicSlimeRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  This story incorporates the whole 'trapped in an rpg' archetype on a pretty fundamental level. In terms of the story itself, it did start off with a few places being name dropped but those are sure to be referenced later so any confusion there is only temporary. The acutual story kicks off in a pretty realistic depiction of the real world, giving a bit of background on what the year 2035 is like in this universe.
  Story
  Ferrum Online is neatly integrated into the story by way of seemingly mundane, yet crucial bits of information, that was something I personally appreciated. The Character creation section was uique and really cool too, watching your online avatar be created from a third person perspective is a new take on that trope. Though the coolest part of the story so far is obviously the God Of Machines, that character has a lot of potential.
  Style
  First person narrative fits the story's structure pretty good, it doesn't feel like an info dump since introspective thoughts and deeper perspectives are given.
  Grammar
  Stellar writing, pretty much no problems here.
  Characters
  The characters haven't interacted on any deeper level as of yet, but they're able to convey their thoughts in a pretty straightfoward way so they don't feel like NPC's.
  Extra
  On a side note, the use of dates really come in handy in this story, as well as the other little details like how the term 'revenant' came about. Its a small touch but it goes a long way.
• DestinyDOGRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Read 5 chapters of The Reluctant Apostle.
  I felt the backstory of the protagonist, Geoffrey, gives depth to his character and sets up an intriguing journey ahead. His transition from a somewhat aimless individual to a player caught in a life-or-death situation is compelling.
  I also like how the game world of Ferrum Online is introduced. The detail in the game mechanics, the class system, and the immediate sense of danger set a rich stage for the story.
  I guess the technical details about the Neural Interface Port and the Kabuto VR system might be a bit dense for some readers, but they're essential for setting the story's premise.
  I also like that the introduction of the "God of Machines" and the challenges he presents adds an interesting layer of conflict. It raises questions about AI, morality, and the essence of humanity. The stakes are pretty clearly high, and it sets a promising direction for the story's development.
  Overall, great starting development.
• nsamuraiRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  After the first few chapters, I was hooked. The author has a strong grasp of storytelling and has found the perfect balance between world-building, progressing the story and keeping you(me) engaged.
  I found the concept of the MC Enzo becoming a Raid Boss unique and the way he got to his position as a Dark Apostle was really well done, introducing additional characters from both sides of the battles to come.
  The AI that has adapted and runs the game is intriguing and his treatment of the Apostles is truly mechanic - poor Apostle #7! I am left wondering if there is an ulterior motive.
  Re: Character development, I would like to see a little more of this across some of the others being introduced as it has been quite fleeting, although I’m sure this will come in subsequent chapters (reviewing at Chapter 11).
  Finally, the progression system (albeit MC is now a Raid Boss) is relatively standard, however has a combination of attributes that work together to have real effects (e.g. if fortitude is less than strength, characters hurt themselves in action - which is a nice synergy… or not in one of the characters cases). The Author is also very descriptive which helps to visualise not just the scenes, but also the rifles, gear, ammunition and character weaponry.
  I really enjoyed the series so far, so much so that I ended up reading into the early hours of the night - kudos ADW (I am a slow reader).  I look forward to continuing the story tonight and feel that as a novice author myself, I will learn a lot from the author as I continue. I’ll also be marking his other novel, Ferrum Online (related) for a future read!
• AdvocateOfDoorsRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  The Reluctant Apostle is such a refreshing take on LitRPG storytelling.
  The MC is a player, forced into servitude of the AI in a game that has trapped its players in a fight for survival. I have seen a lot of comparisons to SAO with both this, and its precursor series Ferrum Online. That influence is made very clear from the outset of both series, but Abraham-DeWitt achieves some fantastic subversions in character and tone that bring a fresh lease of life to the format. This is the best story of its kind that I have read or watched, and I would even say that it surpasses its influences.
  You can feel that something very different and special is happening right from the prologue. The action scenes are blisteringly fast and impactful. The characters feel dangerous. They are wonderfully characterised by their actions and dialogue.
  The world feels so rich and developed, with mechanics that govern the servers, and the interesting interplay between NPCs, engrams, and players. The Dark Apostles operate in a fascinating space between outright villainy and sympathetic struggle for self preservation. What's more, the MC is very sympathetic and his attitude towards his circumstance (not wanting to kill unless strictly necessary) creates a lot of drama and tension when that philosophy will surely be tested.
  The fact the Apostles are swiftly informed of their own deaths, and that they are only copies created by the GM, creates such a fascinating dilemma. They have to grapple with the ethics of their actions while facing up to their own nature as a part of the game, and the immense power they have been given, which has its own corrupting influence.
  Overall I really like the setup for this series. Starting it has convinced me to go back and finish reading through Ferrum Online so I can get all the wonderful allusions and context that comes from being up to date on the story so far. With that said, I also like that the author has made it possible to read this more villain centric st
• Letters3650Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  Spoilers for up to Chapter 7
  Enzo hits level 100 within the first few chapters of the book and I am a big fan. I've always preferred "strong to stronger" isekai compared to "weak to strong" isekai. There are some hints in the writing that Enzo will be able to get stronger over time. Paths were mentioned in Chapter 1. I wonder if the Dark Apostles will be able to unlock a Path in the same way as the Revenants. I'm looking forward to further chapters. Consider reading The Reluctant Apostle.
• RMLionheart01Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  The narrative seamlessly blends an accessible writing style with vivid descriptions, transporting readers into a sprawling game world brimming with detail. Throughout, grammatical precision ensures a smooth reading experience.
  While the premise of being 'stuck in VR' may sound familiar, this narrative distinguishes itself through its exceptional presentation.
  Chapter two, in particular, captivated me in a way that few chapters have managed in recent memory. The unfolding of the 'event' is depicted with such vividness that it feels as though I am experiencing it firsthand. The realistic portrayal of events, combined with masterful storytelling, creates a palpable suspense that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The character creation scene stands out as a highlight, providing readers with a detailed and immersive visualization of the protagonist.
  The central antagonist exudes a truly menacing presence, striking fear into the hearts of other characters with their commanding demeanour. Their motivations, revealed gradually throughout the narrative, are chilling, especially when considered in the context of real-world discussions about a particular technology.
  Overall, I am eagerly looking forward to delving deeper into this story. With its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and immersive world-building, it promises to be an enthralling journey that will keep readers hooked until the very end.
• argrave40Royal Road

  ★★★★★ 5.0

  The author's style is easy to read but not in a children's book kind of way. It's difficult for me to put it into words. The sentences flow together in a way that you don't really see with other stories on Royal Road. The writing style is more reminiscent of writers like Stephen King or Jim Butcher than your usual litrpg writer. The author uses the system elements well paired with the standard dialogue between the characters.
  The story has a stuck in a video game plot a la SAO or Log Horizon. The story has enough interesting elements to stand out against those other stories. The players are trapped by an AI instead of a game developer. People who play the game professionally are also used in the story. My favorite part of the story was the perspective with the main characters actually being the bad guys of the video game.
  The characters are written surprisingly well. A story like this that follows a group of villains is usually weak on the characterization. And whatever characterization is given is usually shallow. The characters are usually cruel and evil for no reason. The Reluctant Apostle has characters who are believably evil. Some characters become evil immediately. Other characters try to resist the evil.
• WolfswordRoyal Road

  ★★★★★ 4.5

  Eight chapters in, this story has enough originality combined with familiar elements that I know I am intrigued and will be able to enjoy the journey. I've walked into each chapter excited to unveil more and walked out of it with questions that need answering and keep me reading more!
  There are no major grammatical problems, and the world-building is solid. I'm enjoying the story structure and pacing, and I'm hooked enough that this will gain a spot on my Read Later list to finish reading the entire story.
  I'm uncertain if I will like the MC in the end, but I don't hate him yet so that's always a good sign. The villains are shaping up nicely. And the odds are definitely not yet in anyone's favor.
  Overall I recommend giving this fiction a read!
• GageGoblinRoyal Road

  ★★★★ 3.5

  I like this story, I really want to see how it goes. I do feel like I missed something though between chp 5 and chp 6. This may be rectified as I read further, so I am looking forward to it.
  Style - Very straight forward and clear. It is a familiar set up, but the placement is more modern. I'm getting a little of a 1920's-40's with a fantasy take. It is a refreshing way to do it, for sure. It is the gap between chp 5 & 6 that brought this down for me. I will revise if that is cleared up for me later on.
  Story - This story is great. Like I said, it isn't a new concept. What brings it up from being repetitive though is the setting. It isn't straight fantasy, it isn't straight Altered History either. It has a perfect sort of mix of both.
  Grammar - Very well put together and worded. I couldn't find any typos or anything. It flowed very well. Some bits felt a little simplified, but over all, well done.
  Character - For the MC, very well portrayed. He is a very clear character, if not a little quick to accept things later on. For sake of story, it does make sense. The NPCs are very distinct and individual in style and in actions. A few of them, their words and way of speaking was very similar, but they were still very distinct characters.
  I look forward to progressing through this story and learning more.