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Gunsoul: A Cultivation Apocalypse
Marauders shot Yuan in the head and buried him in a ditch. They thought it would be enough to put him down.
They were wrong.
Rising from the dead by the will of the Gun, demigod of revenge and firearms, Yuan only has one goal in track down his murderers across the Unmade World and slaughter every last one of them. With the bullet-core stuck in his skull marking him as a Gunsoul, he can finally teach these arrogant cultivators a lesson they’ll never forget.
But revenge isn’t so easy to claim. To carve out a path through the wasteland, Yuan will have to face power-hungry sects, nuclear cultivators, and weapon-gods. Let them come. No one will bury him again.
He’ll give them all a taste of Bullet Hell.
They were wrong.
Rising from the dead by the will of the Gun, demigod of revenge and firearms, Yuan only has one goal in track down his murderers across the Unmade World and slaughter every last one of them. With the bullet-core stuck in his skull marking him as a Gunsoul, he can finally teach these arrogant cultivators a lesson they’ll never forget.
But revenge isn’t so easy to claim. To carve out a path through the wasteland, Yuan will have to face power-hungry sects, nuclear cultivators, and weapon-gods. Let them come. No one will bury him again.
He’ll give them all a taste of Bullet Hell.
- GenresFantasyPost Apocalyptic
617 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2024
33 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 23, 2025
Oще едно лит-рпг, което залага по-скоро на рпг-елементите, отколкото на литературните такива. От автора на Дракона Вейнкър и Перфектното превъртане очаквах много повече.
February 11, 2025
This is such a weird book. I've been on a bit of a litrpg kick for the last half year or so, which is fine. I know what I'm getting into. I don't expect high brow fantasy or well thought out plots or deep characters. When those things happen I'm pleasantly surprised, but I know not to expect it. Perhaps my forays into this genre this year have been featuring more of the outliers in regards to polish and well-honed craft, though there's been enough duds to keep me on the side of realism.
I think what really got me in this book is how very prominent guns were? I love a good weird western theme. I really do. The Sisters Brothers was one of my favorite novels for a long time. I adored Red Rabbit. I love a lot of steampunk elements. I am not the biggest fan of cultivation style novels, but I can get on board!
This book starts out fairly mundane: main character is a typical protagonist male; emotionally unreachable, only cares about those he personally knows, cynical and angry because he has no power. You know, the typical Maxime J. Durand self-insert character. I figured as much.
And then he dies, resurrects with a bullet in his head, has access to magic, and all is changed! Well, no. If anything he gets worse? Still wants to use all the characters around him while saying he cares about his found family more than anyone else can possibly understand. Will objectify the women who appear in the book, but not in a way that is as overt (as previous books by this author were like, so that's an improvement I guess?)
And then there's the absolutely weirdest bit: the protagonist (honestly I've forgotten his name) is clearly only sexually attracted to guns. Weapons. Firearms. Ammunition. It's all on the table. Don't believe me that this guy is hoplophilic? Here's a passage that I feel sums it up really nicely:
No? Still not convinced? Here is where he gets a gift of a firearm:
Really? REALLY?! Caressing and lusting over its barrel?
It makes it especially strange that (spoiler for end of book) . I dunno, the entire thing was played up massively. I get leaning into the theme for laughs or for fun, but this felt deadly serious. It never lets up for the entire book either.
In any case, though this was better written that Durand's previous works, the themes were just so off putting that it took out a lot of my enjoyment of the world (or even having more than 3 female characters, 2 of which are sexual objects and the last one who is a hag). (Wait, there was a literal hag in this book who turns into a sexual object... I don't know what to make of that).
I think what really got me in this book is how very prominent guns were? I love a good weird western theme. I really do. The Sisters Brothers was one of my favorite novels for a long time. I adored Red Rabbit. I love a lot of steampunk elements. I am not the biggest fan of cultivation style novels, but I can get on board!
This book starts out fairly mundane: main character is a typical protagonist male; emotionally unreachable, only cares about those he personally knows, cynical and angry because he has no power. You know, the typical Maxime J. Durand self-insert character. I figured as much.
And then he dies, resurrects with a bullet in his head, has access to magic, and all is changed! Well, no. If anything he gets worse? Still wants to use all the characters around him while saying he cares about his found family more than anyone else can possibly understand. Will objectify the women who appear in the book, but not in a way that is as overt (as previous books by this author were like, so that's an improvement I guess?)
And then there's the absolutely weirdest bit: the protagonist (honestly I've forgotten his name) is clearly only sexually attracted to guns. Weapons. Firearms. Ammunition. It's all on the table. Don't believe me that this guy is hoplophilic? Here's a passage that I feel sums it up really nicely:
The courtyard was Yuan’s dream: a bustling market of makeshift racks holding meticulously cleaned rifles, guns, shotguns, cannons, and lovingly crafted explosives lined up between crumbling pillars. Empty bullet casings and discarded magazines formed a carpet of brass and steel, and the lovingly acrid smell of gunpowder lingered everywhere.
No? Still not convinced? Here is where he gets a gift of a firearm:
He had already used submachine guns like the Saint Heckler in the past, but he had never managed to get his hands on a true assault rifle like the Kalash Angel. His body shivered in pleasure the moment he touched the handle. His finger traced a line from one end of the rifle to the barrel’s end, delighting at the smooth sensation of his skin pressing against the stainless steel.
Really? REALLY?! Caressing and lusting over its barrel?
It makes it especially strange that (spoiler for end of book) . I dunno, the entire thing was played up massively. I get leaning into the theme for laughs or for fun, but this felt deadly serious. It never lets up for the entire book either.
In any case, though this was better written that Durand's previous works, the themes were just so off putting that it took out a lot of my enjoyment of the world (or even having more than 3 female characters, 2 of which are sexual objects and the last one who is a hag). (Wait, there was a literal hag in this book who turns into a sexual object... I don't know what to make of that).
October 24, 2025
While the beginning was rough and Durand really can't write cynic loners in an interesting way, the moment Holder enter the picture... nay, the section of revolver are all you need to know that you are in good hands.
Its when Yuan finally got his people, when it came that living and dying was beyond just getting your revenge that this story bloomed.
It was fantastic.
The audiobook was amazing, some of the best integration of sound effects and voice distortion I had ever read.
And the worldbuilding. You don't get it in the first 3-4 chapters because its so barebones and dry, but when Yuan finally enters the thunder plains, when he encounters Tama... its amazing. Its truly one of the most inventive and enjoyable Xianxia settings in the genre.
Also loved that there was no forced comedy, no contant wink to the reader about memes and metions and trying to be a clown. That was the great weakness of the perfect run and completely destroyed Valiguard and Apocalypse tamer. In here, there are references, but its because they are living in the bones of the previous era and Yuan barely can recognize any of them.
Yes, its one of those dreaded books that "it gets better", where the introduction is so abyssmal that it took me 2 months to get to the good parts, opting to read other novels (including the merchant emperor) to just continue the first couple of chapters and honestly, I trudged on mainly because I was in the gym and wanted some background noise from all my daydreaming from my music. So I get why people would dislike this story and just put it down.
But if you can, if you can endure until 2 hours and get into train, you will get one of the wildest and most introspective rides from Durand, and equal to the best he got from "Perfect run". But only the audiobook. no idea how it deals in the kindle edition.
Its when Yuan finally got his people, when it came that living and dying was beyond just getting your revenge that this story bloomed.
It was fantastic.
The audiobook was amazing, some of the best integration of sound effects and voice distortion I had ever read.
And the worldbuilding. You don't get it in the first 3-4 chapters because its so barebones and dry, but when Yuan finally enters the thunder plains, when he encounters Tama... its amazing. Its truly one of the most inventive and enjoyable Xianxia settings in the genre.
Also loved that there was no forced comedy, no contant wink to the reader about memes and metions and trying to be a clown. That was the great weakness of the perfect run and completely destroyed Valiguard and Apocalypse tamer. In here, there are references, but its because they are living in the bones of the previous era and Yuan barely can recognize any of them.
Yes, its one of those dreaded books that "it gets better", where the introduction is so abyssmal that it took me 2 months to get to the good parts, opting to read other novels (including the merchant emperor) to just continue the first couple of chapters and honestly, I trudged on mainly because I was in the gym and wanted some background noise from all my daydreaming from my music. So I get why people would dislike this story and just put it down.
But if you can, if you can endure until 2 hours and get into train, you will get one of the wildest and most introspective rides from Durand, and equal to the best he got from "Perfect run". But only the audiobook. no idea how it deals in the kindle edition.
March 14, 2025
Disclaimer:
Due to the nature of Goodreads’ aggregate review system, I only leave 5-star reviews. Please note that a 5-star rating does not mean the book is perfect; it simply means I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. I will try to specify in my review the type of reader who might enjoy the book.
If I don’t like a book, I do not leave a review—negative reviews are not something I typically write.
I primarily listen to audiobooks, so I’m not concerned with punctuation or minor editing errors. However, I may comment on the quality of the narration in my reviews.
Review:
One of the most unique books I’ve read in the cultivation genre. The dystopian, Mad Max-esque world is well-described, creating vivid imagery while still leaving space for the imagination to roam. It’s a very good book, made great by the fact that it has a conclusion—and a very satisfying one at that. The book is available for free on Royal Road, but I’d recommend listening to the audiobook, as the narrator did an excellent job.
I believe that people interested in westerns with a modern fantasy twist, as well as long-time fans of the xianxia or cultivation genre looking for a fresh take on the formula, might enjoy this book.
Due to the nature of Goodreads’ aggregate review system, I only leave 5-star reviews. Please note that a 5-star rating does not mean the book is perfect; it simply means I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. I will try to specify in my review the type of reader who might enjoy the book.
If I don’t like a book, I do not leave a review—negative reviews are not something I typically write.
I primarily listen to audiobooks, so I’m not concerned with punctuation or minor editing errors. However, I may comment on the quality of the narration in my reviews.
Review:
One of the most unique books I’ve read in the cultivation genre. The dystopian, Mad Max-esque world is well-described, creating vivid imagery while still leaving space for the imagination to roam. It’s a very good book, made great by the fact that it has a conclusion—and a very satisfying one at that. The book is available for free on Royal Road, but I’d recommend listening to the audiobook, as the narrator did an excellent job.
I believe that people interested in westerns with a modern fantasy twist, as well as long-time fans of the xianxia or cultivation genre looking for a fresh take on the formula, might enjoy this book.
June 15, 2025
This book is fast paced and always knows what it is doing. Every fight is interesting and the cultivation is fleshed out. The author was right when they said this story was like a bullet fired, quick and once it hits its target it ends right where it was aimed. Overall great story.
December 6, 2024
Very intriguing take on the cultivation genre with western spin. Slower start, but the end makes up for it. Short and punchy, definitely didn't overstay its welcome.
Strong 7/10
Strong 7/10
March 7, 2025
7.5/10
April 10, 2025
The emotional beats didn’t quite hit hard enough for me to give this 5 stars, but the plot, characters, and story in general were all really excellent. A fantastic read.
didn-t-like-it
April 25, 2025Note to self: not for me. So edgy I cut myself listening.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews