Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dawn of the Void Book 1 | 2023 | Phil Tucker | Buy |
| 2 | Dawn of the Void Book 2 | 2023 | Phil Tucker | Buy |
| 3 | Dawn of the Void Book 3 | 2023 | Phil Tucker | Buy |
Dawn of the Void is Phil Tucker’s entry into the LitRPG apocalypse subgenre. The premise is straightforward: demonic creatures start appearing all over Earth, and a mysterious system grants every human access to levels, skills, and classes like a video game. The protagonist, James, is a man at a low point in his life when the apocalypse hits, and he has to figure out how to use his new abilities quickly or die.
The series was originally serialized online before being published as three books in 2023. Tucker keeps the pacing tight, with regular action set pieces mixed with the progression mechanics that LitRPG readers expect. James gains new powers and faces increasingly dangerous enemies across the trilogy, with each book raising the stakes as the invasion worsens.
What sets Dawn of the Void apart from many similar series is Tucker’s attention to character development alongside the game mechanics. James is not just a power fantasy vessel; he is dealing with personal issues that the apocalypse forces him to confront. The New York City setting adds grit to the proceedings, and the supporting cast is given enough personality to feel like more than quest companions.