Quantum Shift: Phase Shift 1 Paperback – October 1, 2020

This book is very well done there were a couple of typos for you grammar fiends, but in general well written and enjoyable. I’ve gotten used to really short books in KU, and this one had at least three places it could have ended earlier but I was very thankful it kept going.The bad: The rpg aspect of the story is there and consistent but not very prominent so for those that like to analyze the points and build; it won’t work in this book. That’s about all I was unhappy with in this book.The good: This was a well written book. There were a couple of sentences that I had to rethink that took me out of the story but it was very rare. I enjoyed the character development and was pleased that he was bad ass but not op. He had been given an amazing foundation but he had earned it through his previous experience in life so it was plausible without being a obvious, to me, plot device. Also while what he was given might be amazing he wasn’t just like oh new powers now I can do everything with 5 minutes of experience. No it was a slog and well done. It was believable, acceptable, and gave you that feeling of accomplishment. I won’t go into more detail because I would start to give out spoilers. If you like apocalypse litrpg novels you will probably enjoy this one very much. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

Good writing, grammar, vocabulary, and structure. Enjoyable character development, a little too much exposition for my taste but it isn’t bad.Minor complaint with the Japanese honorifics, I know it isn’t very important but a quick Wikipedia search showed that there were more appropriate options for his employees/friends. A dojo would have one sensei, who would likely have a few disciples (deshi) many students (gakusei) and some instructors with titles dependent on their rank (renshi, kyoushi, shidouin, etc…)One major complaint and the reason it’s 4 and not 5 for me is how technology is handled.Electricity and anything that uses it doesn’t work anymore. Soft magic system makes cars, water pumps, lights, communication towers, handheld radios, and all sorts of other immediately useful things useable. Gas pumps, toasters, treadmills, computers, and various other things still don’t work. These two sets of items that either work or don’t both vary wildly on the scale of technology and what is feasible with magical realism. This lack of consistency breaks the immersion for me personally. If you can generate magical lights why can’t you create a magical toaster? With both science and magic they would both run on practically the same principle, one generates light the other heat. Same issue with water vs gas pumps or the fact that all modern cars use computers to work. Finally on the computer front they have automated gun turrets, if an object can have the sensors, programming, and motors to function like that then there is obviously some level of magitech that is at least equivalent.

I really liked that the main character was NOT a teenager/early 20s gamestop clerk who never worked out, stood up for themselves, developed any practical life skills or had a girlfriend, yet gained epic level abilities and then rose to the occasion somehow with the obligatory attached harem of beautiful women who only want HIM! Yeah, I was 14 once too. I got over it. So glad this author went another way.Having a main character who is older, 42 i think, was a competive world class fighter and then had to deal with and overcome a crippling injury makes for a far more palatable protagonist and survivor. A backstory like that explains why that individual would have developed a deep personality and self awareness far beyond a normal person.And I really, really liked that. With his background and personality it made the believability of this character being exceptional far better. I mean, even before the world ended the dude was already a pretty remarkable and a dangerous individual.I also liked that for a martial artist the author did not go for the stereotypical asian sword/weapons. And that the sword was used as a backup sidearm. Which they mostly were with other weapons being the primary. Made for a nice change. The gun terminology Was also nice. Never called a magazine a "clip" I freakin hate that, and even explained that supressors are not magic or silencers. The concern for back stops, ricochets and just general weapons safety was definitely a refreshing change from many other books.Overall, this was a very nice book and I will be waiting for the second one. I highly recomend giving it a shot.

I enjoyed this story so much, super well done, thought out and researched! One of the most realistic storylines in an unrealistic scenario I've ever read

Like the magic system. Levels are slow but meaningful. Going for the next one in the series. . . .

Great book, really enjoyed reading it! Love the series, this book was a great addition! Looking forward for the next one!

Reminds me of a combination of the journey in "Apocalypse Gate" set in a world similar to "The System Apocalypse" both series that I have thoroughly enjoyed in the past. Looking forward to where this story goes in the future.

This was a great take on the system apocalypse theme. A well written grown-up protagonist, no harem, a dog you can pet and some cultivation mixed in male this a neat series so far.

This was the first LitRPG book I read after a random ad on Amazon.This has led me to read over a dozen books in this genre since then.Enjoyable book, well written and paced.Main character is likeable and the supporting cast are as well.The system Kyle uses is well thought out and crafted.