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Steelforged Legacy #1
Steadfast Hand
Sometimes in life, you feel like the world is out to get you. Nothing ever seems to work out the way you want it to, and everything just goes wrong all at the same time. But you have to bear up under the weight of life and just keep swinging. It can't stay bad forever, right?
That is what Casey Sullivan believed when he spent his entire young life in an orphanage, fighting for scraps and doing his best to not get shanked by the youth gangs there. When he had the opportunity to make a difference, he seized it with both hands and did everything in his power to pass the police academy.
He succeeded, and that's what killed him in the end.
But things couldn't be that easy. Because Casey's story doesn't end there. Something was pulling the strings the entire time behind the scenes. And when the puppet refused to dance to his tune anymore, the puppeteer tried to throw him away.
And it is at that place—lost between worlds and powerless—where he was found, and where Casey was given the opportunity to do the one thing that he desperately wanted.
Get revenge against the creature that toyed with his life, and ruined his death.
Steelforged Legacy is a progression fantasy, men's romance, western cultivation story that takes heavy inspiration from classic cultivation and combines it with an alternate take on Norse mythology. Even the gods can't always see the future right, and the world it is set in takes advantage of the fact that sometimes, even the Fates can make mistakes.
That is what Casey Sullivan believed when he spent his entire young life in an orphanage, fighting for scraps and doing his best to not get shanked by the youth gangs there. When he had the opportunity to make a difference, he seized it with both hands and did everything in his power to pass the police academy.
He succeeded, and that's what killed him in the end.
But things couldn't be that easy. Because Casey's story doesn't end there. Something was pulling the strings the entire time behind the scenes. And when the puppet refused to dance to his tune anymore, the puppeteer tried to throw him away.
And it is at that place—lost between worlds and powerless—where he was found, and where Casey was given the opportunity to do the one thing that he desperately wanted.
Get revenge against the creature that toyed with his life, and ruined his death.
Steelforged Legacy is a progression fantasy, men's romance, western cultivation story that takes heavy inspiration from classic cultivation and combines it with an alternate take on Norse mythology. Even the gods can't always see the future right, and the world it is set in takes advantage of the fact that sometimes, even the Fates can make mistakes.
- GenresFantasy
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2024
266 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 11, 2024
Virtue Signaling
DNF. Forced myself to about 60% but just couldn’t anymore. This book had way too much virtue signaling for me. The MC basically spent the whole time simping on a knife. Yes the knife is intelligent with a woman’s spirit inside, but there are way too many ridiculous things shoved at you.
First and foremost, she doesn’t “consent” for him to wield her, despite her father sending her down to help him. Ok so he is just supposed to drag around a weapon he can’t use, fun. He asks permission to use her to sharpen a spear to defend himself. He has a weapon but can’t use it as intended so he has to make an improvised one…. Right. Finally he is literally fighting for his life, his spear is destroyed, but instead of using the weapon he has in his belt to save his own life, or even her OFFERING, he squeaks by and is badly wounded. Of course it’s explained he didn’t think to use the weapon because she told him originally she didn’t consent! Are you freaking kidding me? Willing to die, and she’s willing to let him die, over that shit?!? She’s a weapon and he refers to her constantly as an intelligent weapon!!!!
It goes on and on with more of that crap and I just couldn’t anymore.
DNF. Forced myself to about 60% but just couldn’t anymore. This book had way too much virtue signaling for me. The MC basically spent the whole time simping on a knife. Yes the knife is intelligent with a woman’s spirit inside, but there are way too many ridiculous things shoved at you.
First and foremost, she doesn’t “consent” for him to wield her, despite her father sending her down to help him. Ok so he is just supposed to drag around a weapon he can’t use, fun. He asks permission to use her to sharpen a spear to defend himself. He has a weapon but can’t use it as intended so he has to make an improvised one…. Right. Finally he is literally fighting for his life, his spear is destroyed, but instead of using the weapon he has in his belt to save his own life, or even her OFFERING, he squeaks by and is badly wounded. Of course it’s explained he didn’t think to use the weapon because she told him originally she didn’t consent! Are you freaking kidding me? Willing to die, and she’s willing to let him die, over that shit?!? She’s a weapon and he refers to her constantly as an intelligent weapon!!!!
It goes on and on with more of that crap and I just couldn’t anymore.
November 13, 2024
Slow plot with too much filler fooling
Fair warning, I quit this cook and 25%. I was waiting for the plot to pick up, but it just was not happening. I don’t know how book has so many 4+ reviews when it takes a quarter of a book to camp once, fight one monster and go to the first town. The author is also making the mistake of explaining everything in dialog instead of showing the protagonist experience things. As a reader, I am here for the story not a tutorial on a cultivation system.
Fair warning, I quit this cook and 25%. I was waiting for the plot to pick up, but it just was not happening. I don’t know how book has so many 4+ reviews when it takes a quarter of a book to camp once, fight one monster and go to the first town. The author is also making the mistake of explaining everything in dialog instead of showing the protagonist experience things. As a reader, I am here for the story not a tutorial on a cultivation system.
November 14, 2024
If you’re salivating at the thought of a story about a blue-eyed Irish cop who’s rough around the edges but has a heart of gold fighting for JUSTICE then you might like this. I found it very heavy-handed and uninspiring.
August 25, 2025
much self righteous
First book I’ve read of this author. I found the interaction between the mc and his guide forced and unnatural. The first few days of the mc in the new world were too detailed with not much happening and I got bored. It picked up some but way too much time spent on fire making overall. Did you know that you can throw sticks into a cave without climbing up or going in and they will still burn?
This is for the authors out there: write about what you know and only fake what is fantasy. I have a cherry tree I would let you pick for free for the experience. Or you could spend a few dollars and buy some pie cherries and learn the juice is not red, and super sticky, and gets everywhere, and they are pulp without pits, and etc… Or you could have called them twinkle berries that are similar to cherries and we would not know if their juice is red or not and etc…
First book I’ve read of this author. I found the interaction between the mc and his guide forced and unnatural. The first few days of the mc in the new world were too detailed with not much happening and I got bored. It picked up some but way too much time spent on fire making overall. Did you know that you can throw sticks into a cave without climbing up or going in and they will still burn?
This is for the authors out there: write about what you know and only fake what is fantasy. I have a cherry tree I would let you pick for free for the experience. Or you could spend a few dollars and buy some pie cherries and learn the juice is not red, and super sticky, and gets everywhere, and they are pulp without pits, and etc… Or you could have called them twinkle berries that are similar to cherries and we would not know if their juice is red or not and etc…
December 30, 2025
Frustrating.
I DNFed the book. The protagonist made this unbearable to read. He is heavily suffering under hero syndrome. Always has the need to fight someone else’s fights even if he barely has the power to survive himself.
Someone who can’t first help himself, shouldn’t help others. Especially not strangers, against a beast that is much stronger than he is. That is not heroism, that’s stupidity. His apparent reason was some hollow mumbo-jumbo about duty and honor.
Of course he has a ridiculous amount of plotarmor so there are no consequences for him.
Not to mention its also disrespectful to his partner - the goddess in the form of a sword, who is supposed to guide him. He ignored her guidance and then had nerve to get annoyed by her righteous irritation at his naive behavior.
Its a frustrating read and , even tho chances are probably bad for it, I hope he dies down the line.
I DNFed the book. The protagonist made this unbearable to read. He is heavily suffering under hero syndrome. Always has the need to fight someone else’s fights even if he barely has the power to survive himself.
Someone who can’t first help himself, shouldn’t help others. Especially not strangers, against a beast that is much stronger than he is. That is not heroism, that’s stupidity. His apparent reason was some hollow mumbo-jumbo about duty and honor.
Of course he has a ridiculous amount of plotarmor so there are no consequences for him.
Not to mention its also disrespectful to his partner - the goddess in the form of a sword, who is supposed to guide him. He ignored her guidance and then had nerve to get annoyed by her righteous irritation at his naive behavior.
Its a frustrating read and , even tho chances are probably bad for it, I hope he dies down the line.
October 15, 2024
A great read and a great start of a new series
You like isekai and cultivation, but don't want to drown in numbers and character sheets? Then this is the book for you.
To make things even better? The world the hero ends up in is based on a nordic culture not chinese as most other cultivation novels are.
For me that was a breath of fresh air in the genre and a very welcome one.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and didn't want to put it down.
The author imparts a sense of fairness and humanity to his main character that is a great improvement over the usual "Might makes right" attitudes. However he is not a doormat, but stands up for himself.
No harem, more of a slow burn romance which I enjoyed greatly.I
A great read from a great new author. The editing and prose is good. Can't wait for the next book.
You like isekai and cultivation, but don't want to drown in numbers and character sheets? Then this is the book for you.
To make things even better? The world the hero ends up in is based on a nordic culture not chinese as most other cultivation novels are.
For me that was a breath of fresh air in the genre and a very welcome one.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and didn't want to put it down.
The author imparts a sense of fairness and humanity to his main character that is a great improvement over the usual "Might makes right" attitudes. However he is not a doormat, but stands up for himself.
No harem, more of a slow burn romance which I enjoyed greatly.I
A great read from a great new author. The editing and prose is good. Can't wait for the next book.
November 29, 2024
A chance to begin anew
After a tough childhood, a city cop is betrayed by his own partner, shot in the back and left to die. It was, he discovered, a setup— some sort of evil god had purposely interfered in his life from the beginning, molding him for its own ends. Casey’s response is to strike out at it, and is cast down himself, falling through chaos.
To his surprise, he is caught in his fall. One of the Norse pantheon has saved him, and he is offered another chance on a different world. His guide will be his weapon— a saex imbued with the spirit of a goddess. She will set him upon a new road, one of empowerment, from which he will be able to confront the evil that had destroyed his first life.
After a tough childhood, a city cop is betrayed by his own partner, shot in the back and left to die. It was, he discovered, a setup— some sort of evil god had purposely interfered in his life from the beginning, molding him for its own ends. Casey’s response is to strike out at it, and is cast down himself, falling through chaos.
To his surprise, he is caught in his fall. One of the Norse pantheon has saved him, and he is offered another chance on a different world. His guide will be his weapon— a saex imbued with the spirit of a goddess. She will set him upon a new road, one of empowerment, from which he will be able to confront the evil that had destroyed his first life.
March 9, 2025
Good first book
Good first book in a new series by an author I enjoy. As usual, the author is fairly complete in the description of the world in which the MC has to survive. The world has magic, and most of it is cultivation. The gods and world are heavy with norse mythos with a lot of early nordic/viking ethos. Enjoyable to be sure. The MC has a rough start on earth, but not unexpected in these kind of stories. Romances in the air eventually, but it's a little different than usual. As his partner is unique, I'm sure we'll see more of this kind of uniqueness later in the series is famous for it. Looking forward to the next book.
Good first book in a new series by an author I enjoy. As usual, the author is fairly complete in the description of the world in which the MC has to survive. The world has magic, and most of it is cultivation. The gods and world are heavy with norse mythos with a lot of early nordic/viking ethos. Enjoyable to be sure. The MC has a rough start on earth, but not unexpected in these kind of stories. Romances in the air eventually, but it's a little different than usual. As his partner is unique, I'm sure we'll see more of this kind of uniqueness later in the series is famous for it. Looking forward to the next book.
October 16, 2024
Incredible!
I’ve been searching for a story like this one for a long time - litrpg mixed with mythology and a hefty dose of a MC who takes no crap. Surprisingly it’s difficult to find! The story is set at a great pace and the world building is done in such a way that it is never boring.
So far the cast of characters are unique and I hope that continues! I’m a very fast reader, and tend to read everything in one swoop. This book had me on the hook the entire time.
I look forward to more books in this series and my only regret is I have to wait at all!
I’ve been searching for a story like this one for a long time - litrpg mixed with mythology and a hefty dose of a MC who takes no crap. Surprisingly it’s difficult to find! The story is set at a great pace and the world building is done in such a way that it is never boring.
So far the cast of characters are unique and I hope that continues! I’m a very fast reader, and tend to read everything in one swoop. This book had me on the hook the entire time.
I look forward to more books in this series and my only regret is I have to wait at all!
October 16, 2024
Excellent
M. Tress does it again! Another amazing start to a brand new journey from this author. This book sucks you in with its amazing world building and fantastic characters. The combat is easy to imagine and the cultivation system is easy to understand. Only gripe I have is that the book isn’t a 1000 pages long because I would devour that in a heart beat with this amazing story. Can’t wait for book 2.
M. Tress does it again! Another amazing start to a brand new journey from this author. This book sucks you in with its amazing world building and fantastic characters. The combat is easy to imagine and the cultivation system is easy to understand. Only gripe I have is that the book isn’t a 1000 pages long because I would devour that in a heart beat with this amazing story. Can’t wait for book 2.
October 19, 2024
Absolutely loved it
Honestly this is one of the first books I've read with cultivation and if more of them were just like this I definitely read more cultivation stories. The Way it was written, the theme behind it, and the way the characters were written were all exceptional. I definitely look forward to the second book if there is one. I think it'll be a crime not to continue this series loll
Honestly this is one of the first books I've read with cultivation and if more of them were just like this I definitely read more cultivation stories. The Way it was written, the theme behind it, and the way the characters were written were all exceptional. I definitely look forward to the second book if there is one. I think it'll be a crime not to continue this series loll
October 22, 2024
Great start
I'm not sure on this mix of cultivation and Norse pantheon stuff but the story itself so far is pretty great. I like the MC for the most part but he questions Everything to much. With his past I get he has trust issues, but damn every little thing is why this and why that. Anyway it is a great story and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes from here. Lol what a concept though cultivator vikings.
I'm not sure on this mix of cultivation and Norse pantheon stuff but the story itself so far is pretty great. I like the MC for the most part but he questions Everything to much. With his past I get he has trust issues, but damn every little thing is why this and why that. Anyway it is a great story and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes from here. Lol what a concept though cultivator vikings.
October 24, 2024
The cover is weird, but the story is good
I put this title here because I was honestly not going to read this based on the cover. It is rather symbolic for the book, and once you read the book the image is clear, but not for a new reader.
I can definitely recommend this book, it is a very good story that really spoke to me. I also like the details about surviving in the wild.
I put this title here because I was honestly not going to read this based on the cover. It is rather symbolic for the book, and once you read the book the image is clear, but not for a new reader.
I can definitely recommend this book, it is a very good story that really spoke to me. I also like the details about surviving in the wild.
October 26, 2024
outstanding start
This author just recently appeared in this genre as a polished, accomplished storyteller. I suspect an author well established in another genre looking to tell stories that his normal readers might not care for. I know of a couple of others who have done similar. Anyway, excellent story, interesting characters, not FTB. Looking forward to the next in this and his other series. Read, Enjoy.
This author just recently appeared in this genre as a polished, accomplished storyteller. I suspect an author well established in another genre looking to tell stories that his normal readers might not care for. I know of a couple of others who have done similar. Anyway, excellent story, interesting characters, not FTB. Looking forward to the next in this and his other series. Read, Enjoy.
November 14, 2024
Fantastic read from an up and coming author!
I loved this book. Not only is the world and premise and the slower pace interesting, but it is also very well written. I feel the characters are actually fleshed out unlike a lot of books in this genre. The interactions and the romance feel realistic. I can’t wait for more in this series and from the authors other series!
I loved this book. Not only is the world and premise and the slower pace interesting, but it is also very well written. I feel the characters are actually fleshed out unlike a lot of books in this genre. The interactions and the romance feel realistic. I can’t wait for more in this series and from the authors other series!
March 30, 2025
Great start
Alternate universe, cultivation, fantasy races, adventure, romance
Casey is an interesting MC, and this series is definitely different than the other two currently out by the author, as it looks like he's only interested in Maude.
Above average editing. Enjoyed. Already have book 2, so no waiting. Next!
Alternate universe, cultivation, fantasy races, adventure, romance
Casey is an interesting MC, and this series is definitely different than the other two currently out by the author, as it looks like he's only interested in Maude.
Above average editing. Enjoyed. Already have book 2, so no waiting. Next!
October 17, 2024
Fun Cultivation Story with an interesting twist
This story seems like a good start to a new series. A fun take on combining cultivation and norse mythology. Im interested to see where Casey goes in this story and who will join him along the way. Looking forward to the next one!
This story seems like a good start to a new series. A fun take on combining cultivation and norse mythology. Im interested to see where Casey goes in this story and who will join him along the way. Looking forward to the next one!
October 30, 2024
Great story with some interesting twists.
I enjoyed this take on Nordic folklore and traditional characters. The setting is interesting and the threads are there for many more fun plots.
I enjoyed this take on Nordic folklore and traditional characters. The setting is interesting and the threads are there for many more fun plots.
October 30, 2024
Interesting start
I'm definitely curious to see where this cultivation book goes. It definitely reads as a survival book with a side of cultivation and a slow burn romance. The next phase of the story is probably going to ramp up with what this set up.
I'm definitely curious to see where this cultivation book goes. It definitely reads as a survival book with a side of cultivation and a slow burn romance. The next phase of the story is probably going to ramp up with what this set up.
November 2, 2024
Well written
Better prose than 95% of the Kindle Unlimited books out there, and it shows in the slow careful development of the plot. Good if you want decent writing and an entertaining read.
Better prose than 95% of the Kindle Unlimited books out there, and it shows in the slow careful development of the plot. Good if you want decent writing and an entertaining read.
November 17, 2024
Great start
I enjoyed this immensely what's more to like cultivation in a Viking odin kind of vibe a different take on the Isekai journey to the West style and refreshing for it.
More please it needs a whole series of books .
I enjoyed this immensely what's more to like cultivation in a Viking odin kind of vibe a different take on the Isekai journey to the West style and refreshing for it.
More please it needs a whole series of books .
November 28, 2024
Thank you M. Tress. I liked the flow of your story. It didn't bog down for me and kept me interested. I think I read it to fast cause nows it's done and I have to wait for the next installment. There will be a next won't there cause it kind of left me hanging.
February 16, 2025
Great start
This book was a great start to a new series. I enjoyed the new take on Norse mythology and the interesting beginning. Now I have to wait the excruciating two days for the next book to be released.
This book was a great start to a new series. I enjoyed the new take on Norse mythology and the interesting beginning. Now I have to wait the excruciating two days for the next book to be released.
April 22, 2025
Decent
Decently done. The characters are pretty by the numbers, and the story is your standard cultivation story just instead of Chinese based it's Norse based. It's not a bad work but not this authors best.
Decently done. The characters are pretty by the numbers, and the story is your standard cultivation story just instead of Chinese based it's Norse based. It's not a bad work but not this authors best.
July 21, 2025
Like chocolate and peanut butter
The combo of Cultivation and Norse mythology goes together well. The story is fun and engaging with good pacing. There are several things set up that I look forward to seeing how they develop in the future.
The combo of Cultivation and Norse mythology goes together well. The story is fun and engaging with good pacing. There are several things set up that I look forward to seeing how they develop in the future.
October 16, 2024
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
October 16, 2024
Dang! Helluva book
I just recently started following this author, And I have to say I'm very impressed. This book was excellent from start to finish I cannot stress enough
I just recently started following this author, And I have to say I'm very impressed. This book was excellent from start to finish I cannot stress enough
October 20, 2024
Very good book
This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the Spirit Elk. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the Spirit Elk. I anxiously await the sequel.
October 27, 2024
Amazing book 5 stars
Love the new take this book uses and it's direction. Easy to read with very entertaining no dead spots. Will continue to follow the series.
Love the new take this book uses and it's direction. Easy to read with very entertaining no dead spots. Will continue to follow the series.
November 5, 2024
Great story
Story line was great some fun, action and a bit of the dark all brought together well, look forward to more of this story and look at anything else he writes.
Story line was great some fun, action and a bit of the dark all brought together well, look forward to more of this story and look at anything else he writes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews