The Onset

Written by Boris Romanovsky

Narrated by Nick Mondelli

In this first-in-series LitRPG—a post-apocalyptic tale featuring zombies, mutated animals, and monsters with unique abilities—Andrew First plans to fight back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media
• Release date: Apr 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9781666638653

Reviews for The Onset

[Madhav Deshpande · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The Onset - A Promising Premise Hindered by Execution

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

The Onset by Boris Romanovsky, the first book in the "A Student Wants to Live" series, presents a compelling premise, but unfortunately falls short in its execution. The plot revolves around a student's desire to survive in a dystopian world, which holds great potential for an engaging narrative. However, several issues detract from the overall reading experience.

The plot of The Onset opens with a young student, Alex, struggling to adapt to a post-apocalyptic setting. The story follows his attempts to navigate this harsh environment while confronting various challenges and threats. The concept of a student trying to survive in a dystopian world is intriguing, as it offers an opportunity to explore themes of resilience, adaptation, and the human will to live.

Unfortunately, the novel's potential is hindered by a disjointed and meandering narrative. The plot lacks clear direction and focus, often veering off into tangential subplots that fail to contribute meaningfully to the central story. This lack of cohesion makes it difficult for readers to engage with the characters or the overarching narrative. While some diversions can enrich a story, they should ideally connect with the main plot in a way that enhances the reading experience, which is not the case here.

The characters themselves also leave much to be desired. Alex's character development is minimal, and his motivations remain vague throughout the story. The supporting characters lack depth and often feel like one-dimensional plot devices rather than fully realized individuals. This makes it challenging for readers to invest emotionally in the characters' fates.

The writing style in The Onset is serviceable but lacks the depth and polish necessary to bring the story to life. The descriptions and dialogues are often straightforward and fail to create a vivid and immersive atmosphere that is crucial in a post-apocalyptic setting. This hinders the reader's ability to connect with the story on an emotional level.

In conclusion, while The Onset introduces a promising premise of a student's struggle for survival in a dystopian world, it falls short due to a disjointed plot, underdeveloped characters, and a lack of narrative cohesion. The potential for a gripping and thought-provoking tale is there, but it remains unrealized in this first installment. While some readers may appreciate the premise and the author's attempt to explore a unique angle within the dystopian genre, the overall execution leaves much to be desired.