Reinitializing the Apocalypse: A LitRPG Adventure

System Reset, Book 1

By: Timothy McGowen

Narrated by: Todd Menesses

An action-packed Apocalyptic LitRPG perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl and The Primal Hunter!

Fight. Survive. Take the System for all it's worth.

During the first Apocalypse, the System Lords forgot one tiny detail—they left William Ward out. While everyone else got classes and powers, he kept doing what he does best: working in the shadows as a legendary hitman.

When he finally retires, living quietly with his disabled dog Max, the System Lords decide to meddle again. After turning Earth into a complete hellhole, they hit reset on the Apocalypse, only this time, William is added to the System.

As some half-baked apology, he’s given a fancy AI assistant, a pile of System credits, and a new class: Arcane Gunslinger. Oh, and they threw in a robotic arm and leg, plus healed Max’s back legs.

Perks that almost make William forgive them.

That is, until they open a freaking portal and unload countless souped-up goblins in System-upgraded gear onto his front lawn.

Time to grab his bat, load up his Ruger .357 Magnum, and go goblin hunting. The System Lords are about to regret ever remembering the name William Ward.

Jump into a new LitRPG Apocalypse Series from Timothy McGowen, the best-selling author of Arcane Knight and Path of the Titans. It's perfect for fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl, The Primal Hunter, and The System Apocalypse.

©2026 AETHON (P)2026 Aethon Audio

magical gunslinger

normally I'm not to big on gunslinging but this one was a pretty fun ride and will definitely follow this series.

Great potential but seemed rushed

There are lots of incredibly dumb decisions by the MC who is supposed to have been the deadliest man in the Apocalypse, despite being uninitialized. Especially, since one of the reasons for his success, being how meticulously he planned everything out. Yet at the very beginning the MC does not listen to his tier S++ AIs advice to put 25 points in each attribute, which doubles the effect of the attribute in question. Which could have been fine since the MCs main attr is DEX. Since he does put points in other attributes but stops before reaching 25 until late in the book, which is R****d, it isn't fine. He even puts points in CHA despite believing it does not improve his combat prowess or sociability. There are essential background scenes missing, especially since his entire drive for the book concerns his dead wife. The MC is an absolute cold psychopath to everyone except his dog, because his wife liked the dog. Yet we don't get an Iron Giant "Superman" flashback scene with her to show how awesome she was as to empathize with hlm. He is not the least bit funny or clever in his assholishness, to make up for it.

Solid story except slight fan service

I genuinely enjoyed this book. Kinda felt like Arizona sunshine mixed with DCC but there are more than a few moments that feel like blatant fan service and at times the MC seems like a Marty Stu. The story is genuinely good and I’m interested in the future of the series.

In progress

I’m not super far into the book yet but I’m enjoying it, but one of the things that is already stuck out is the main character is supposed to be experienced with guns and yet calls a magazine a clip. Just something to keep in mind for future books.

A gripping story of a gunslinger and his dog

I was sure I had reviewed this, but I can't see it... so you all get another version of my imaginary review. I HAVE to say something about this. I just enjoyed it that much. When I first read the blurb, I expected it to be one of the books where a character knows about the apocalypse, and time gets rewound so they can use their knowledge of their first try. Which is a great trope, but this wasn't it. Note, I am not saying that's bad.
William Ward was a resident of a world where a system got introduced. Everyone gets powers other than him. He still does pretty well, using a gun, but is on his last legs when all of the sudden the system realizes he wasn't included. The system is jumping to the second phase of integration and notices him. So he gets included. He and his trusty dog, Max, get brought into the system and rejuvenated. (For those of you worried, Max is fine. There is motivation for revenge but the dog is a much loved companion, not a plot device.)
Because of plot I won't spoil, William is pulled into the thick of things and starts on a revenge quest. It's a very good reason that even alludes to tragic backstory without being sappy. Note, the dog is fine. It's not John Wick, though WIlliam does have the deadly reputation from his past deeds.
The narration is good. The pacing is quick, keeping your interest. I never wanted to put it down. The worldbuilding is good. 
Ladies, while there is a male lead, the female characters are complex with actual motivations. Not all of them are admirable, but that also applies to the male characters. There is a scene in a strip club/brothel, but it's fade to black and the female characters are there because they want to be. Not weak sexual playthings. So it has sex, but not that's not the focus of the book. The male lead is just human. Who isn't?
I highly enjoyed the book, and intent to pick up book 2 when it's released.