Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life in the North | 2017 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 2 | Redeemer of the Dead | 2017 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 3 | The Cost of Survival | 2018 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 4 | Cities in Chains | 2018 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 5 | The System Apocalypse Books 4-6 | 2018 | Tao Wong | N/A |
| 6 | Coast on Fire | 2018 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 7 | World Unbound | 2018 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 8 | Stars Awoken | 2019 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 9 | Rebel Star | 2019 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 10 | Stars Asunder | 2020 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 11 | Broken Council | 2021 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 12 | Forbidden Zone | 2021 | Tao Wong | Buy |
| 13 | System Finale | 2022 | Tao Wong | Buy |
The System Apocalypse launched Tao Wong’s career and helped define the apocalyptic LitRPG subgenre. The series follows John Lee and other survivors as Earth transforms into a deadly game world overnight. Humans must quickly learn to use stats, skills, and classes to fight monsters and other galactic races competing for control of the newly integrated planet.
The 13-book main series explores how game mechanics affect society, economy, and human relationships when survival depends on leveling up. Wong details both personal progression and large-scale changes as humanity adapts to the System. The series balances action-packed monster fights with strategic thinking about skill selection, resource management, and the politics of a transformed Earth. Its success spawned multiple spin-off series set in the same universe, exploring different characters and regions during the apocalypse.