How is it possible that every book in the series is better than the book before it?! Seth Ring has done it again. The book drew me in with the constant action and leveling up that happens with Mark. While the book doesn't start with many of the same characters, they show up eventually - bringing this book in with the 1st and 2nd book's storyline. This was a great addition to the series and was a super fast read. Can't wait for the next book.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

So good I have to read the rest of the series! A thrilling science fantasy full of horrifying monsters, both human and not.

A Powerful Third Act in an Evolving Saga

I was pleasantly surprised by how naturally Apex ushers the series into its third act. Each book in the series blends seamlessly into the next, yet the tone, setting, and even the supporting cast shift dramatically throughout, giving each entry its own distinct feel while still building on what came before. Seth Ring continues to demonstrate a remarkable ability to develop new characters quickly and meaningfully, even within short spans of page time.

The evolution of Mark, the main character, has been especially satisfying to follow. From the wide-eyed naivete of Advent to the more grounded and complex version of himself in Apex, his arc feels both believable and earned. The maturity and depth that emerge in this installment add weight to the story and reinforce the emotional impact of the challenges he faces.

If I have one complaint, it’s simply that the book ended—I didn’t want to put it down, and I’m already eager for the fourth. Apex delivers both character and plot progression in ways that deepen the series while raising anticipation for what’s still to come.

This was a very good transition book. There is a lot of growth and skill development. It feels like the book is setting up for the next arc of the story. It also have the impression there will be some bigger players introduced as it goes on.

I’m generally a fan of Seth Ring’s work, but Apex genuinely impressed me. I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reader copy (ARC), and as someone who usually consumes books via audio, the fact that I made time to sit and read this one says a lot about how much I’ve enjoyed the series so far.

What really stood out in Apex was the seamless narrative shift. The story takes the series in an unexpected yet entirely satisfying direction, while still advancing the overarching world-building and mystery elements in meaningful ways. That kind of pivot could easily derail a less confident writer, but here it feels natural, deliberate, and deeply engaging.

I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did, but by the final page I was both impressed and fully hooked. I’m absolutely looking forward to the next instalment.

Highly recommended. I’ll be picking up the Audible version as soon as it’s available.

Mark returns from his trip outside the city and is promptly arrested and taken to prison with no chance of escape or leaving. He discovers a whole other city below his run by and filled with criminals. Can he keep his powers secret from the scientist in charge? Can he trust the people he has to work with? His power continues to grow, and his cat Mime continues to help with that growth. Will he escape the dark depth and get back to his friend on the surface. Read to find out.

Great character development.
Interesting world.
Clean adventure (albeit with some blood)

This was a great book — I’ll gladly purchase it when it becomes available for resale. I did notice a few errors or inconsistencies with the spelling of names. Two that stood out were Asa/Ace and Greg/Gerag.

The only other moment that confused me was when Master Lemuel referred to “Mark Fields, heir to their Order of Blood.” Despite Mark never having heard of the Order before, he reacted as if he knew exactly what Master Lemuel meant.

Ring delivers once again with a story that is both inventive and compelling. His storytelling remains as sharp as ever—rich with imagination, humor, and a strong sense of momentum. Mark’s latest adventures are filled with unexpected twists and thoughtful worldbuilding that keep the reader eagerly turning pages. Ring’s creativity truly knows no bounds, breathing fresh life into familiar characters while introducing new ones with depth and flair. A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I’m already looking forward to the next installment in the series.

That said, there are a few minor issues in this admittedly uncorrected copy. Several name-related typos popped up—Ace instead of Asa, Matt instead of Mark, and Phoenix in place of Winter Wolf. While these are understandable in a draft version, they can momentarily pull the reader out of the narrative. There’s also a small inconsistency in an arena scene: Mark is described as wearing his Apex mask, yet another character is somehow able to read a look of astonishment on his face. This stands out because later in the story, it’s made clear that the mask completely conceals his expression. Hopefully, these small glitches will be ironed out in the final edition.

Thanks again for sharing an advance copy.

Note: I am a fan of Seth Ring's other books, and I was really liked the previous two books, so I was excited to see this Apex show up for me to review as a DRC on NetGalley.

Apex, the third book in Seth Ring’s Exlian Syndrome series, picks up right where Dark Dawn left off — and continues to deliver! This series continues to impress me. I thoroughly enjoyed Mark’s continued evolution throughout the book, not just his growth in power, or the new abilities he gains, but also his struggles with accepting and adapting to the changes that continue to transform him. A few new characters are introduced, but most of the focus is centered on Mark’s growth. The world continues to be slowly built throughout the story, growing deeper as Mark grows in power. If you’ve enjoyed the first two books in the series, Apex will not disappoint. Can’t wait for the next book!

It was really good. Like other reviewers, I read til I literally couldn't stay awake, then resumed until I finished as soon as I opened my eyes.

I'm a big Seth Ring fan and I've read all his various series. He does excellent world building and character progression, as well as crafting and combat aspects. None of his MCs are the same, but you can see certain traits they seem to share. Mark is the first one, as far as I'm aware, to come up against the idea of losing your humanity (effectively; John in Battlemage Farmer had the dragon spirit corruption, but he was already too strong too be really tempted by It and It only came up in book...5? 6?..ish, so we already knew him as a character, he wasn't still in development like Mark is). So this book is one of Seth's "darker" stories (though by no means is It what I'd consider grimdark, murder hobo, or even really *dark* - only in comparison to the other works by the author) and it's interesting to see Seth try out something new (sci-fi vs fantasy, more morally gray MC than one who believes in - and has affirmed - the basic decency of *general* humanity). Actually, now that I think about It, Mark reminds me more of a young, combat focused Gareth from Dreamer's Throne than John or Thorne. Not in the scheming part, but in the deadly pragmatic way they view the world.

All in all, another excellent addition to the story.

The book had a great flow. I didn't want to put it down I finished it in a day. The development of the character Mark continues to draw you in and the continual obstruction of his development and the adversaries he faces are well written and engaging can t wait for the next installment

Honestly, a fairly awesome installment in the series. The beginning and the end were a whirlwind, and I’m excited for the next one in the series. I finished it in two days, one night staying up until 3am just not being able to put it down. This book was just one thing after another, not a lot of lull points at all.

This is a great book in the series. The main character finds himself in a different environment, a prison for empowered. This makes for a novel way to describe more of the world he lives in. Of course there are plenty of challenges he has to overcome and he learns valuable skills. There is definitely a plot twist at the end of the book, which has me excited for the next book.