What do you think?
Spire Dweller: Awakening
With cities ruled by cultivators who wield qi to warp reality itself, and a vast wilderness teeming with deadly spirit beasts, mortals often find the first floor of the World Spire to be as punishing as it is extraordinary. That's why, when Samantha unexpectedly receives a quest to become a cultivator herself from the mysterious 'System', she seizes the opportunity.
But she soon discovers that in the fearsome and unfamiliar landscape of cultivators, a single misstep could have dire consequences for both herself and her spirit bond Silas, a Lunar Hare. With the safety of her loved ones on the line, and her options narrowing, Samantha must either commit to mastering their dangerous games or braving the deadly upper floors of the tower, from where no one has ever been heard from again...
She always knew that joining the ranks of cultivators would be a grueling ordeal, but she never would have guessed that leaving her mortality behind would be the easy part.
But she soon discovers that in the fearsome and unfamiliar landscape of cultivators, a single misstep could have dire consequences for both herself and her spirit bond Silas, a Lunar Hare. With the safety of her loved ones on the line, and her options narrowing, Samantha must either commit to mastering their dangerous games or braving the deadly upper floors of the tower, from where no one has ever been heard from again...
She always knew that joining the ranks of cultivators would be a grueling ordeal, but she never would have guessed that leaving her mortality behind would be the easy part.
802 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 13, 2025
A pleasant Surprise
From the description, I expected a bit of a gimmicky cultivation progression novel with a system. Figured it would be all talking and smhoozing romance with everything going the MC's way.
However, the book had it's surprises and kept a steady focus on growth and the plot.
I'll admit I wasn't really a fan of the last act as it took what felt like should have been condensed into a shorter summary into a long drawn out time to the end of the book leaving it on a 'what's going to happen next' note, not quite a cliffhanger but with enough questions to make one want to keep going.
Would have loved had it shortened the last act and gone on a bit maybe half an act more to get settled in the set up at the end.
Now to keep out any spoilers, I'll say her Third eye vision choices are fine enough for what she needs at times. However if she ever gets the chance to 'seek what she needs' rather than having a need like defensive art or cultivation art, spear empowerment art, ect. What I'd love to see in the next book is her using those visions to search for the highest rarity art for her level. Since Arts have grades like common, uncommon, rare, ect.. She should when looking for something look for a Legendary or 'Highest rarity art for copper mid' ect. Would love to see her get something from those visions super powerful or unique that no one else has. Something super legendary mythic +!
From the description, I expected a bit of a gimmicky cultivation progression novel with a system. Figured it would be all talking and smhoozing romance with everything going the MC's way.
However, the book had it's surprises and kept a steady focus on growth and the plot.
I'll admit I wasn't really a fan of the last act as it took what felt like should have been condensed into a shorter summary into a long drawn out time to the end of the book leaving it on a 'what's going to happen next' note, not quite a cliffhanger but with enough questions to make one want to keep going.
Would have loved had it shortened the last act and gone on a bit maybe half an act more to get settled in the set up at the end.
Now to keep out any spoilers, I'll say her Third eye vision choices are fine enough for what she needs at times. However if she ever gets the chance to 'seek what she needs' rather than having a need like defensive art or cultivation art, spear empowerment art, ect. What I'd love to see in the next book is her using those visions to search for the highest rarity art for her level. Since Arts have grades like common, uncommon, rare, ect.. She should when looking for something look for a Legendary or 'Highest rarity art for copper mid' ect. Would love to see her get something from those visions super powerful or unique that no one else has. Something super legendary mythic +!
August 13, 2025
A unique cultivation story
I didn't honestly expect much when I started reading this book, but over the course of the VERY satisfying story Samantha and her struggles and triumphs grew on me more and more. Although she is exposed to awful things and the harsh reality of a "might makes right" world she still tries to remain true to her own internal vision. She resonated with me because despite the morally grey actions she was forced to take, she learned, reflected, and grew. There was a wonderful level of progression as well, as her advancements were both meaningful increases in power as well as incremental steps that left room for even more advancement.
This book was also so wonderfully long overall, letting me really see Samantha's journey day by day. I am so looking forward to the next one. The ending of the book was both a satisfying conclusion/resolution of conflicts that made me happy AND a grand reveal of the larger world Samantha resides in.
Highly recommend! And thank you author! Keep writing please! Looking forward to the next in the series.
I didn't honestly expect much when I started reading this book, but over the course of the VERY satisfying story Samantha and her struggles and triumphs grew on me more and more. Although she is exposed to awful things and the harsh reality of a "might makes right" world she still tries to remain true to her own internal vision. She resonated with me because despite the morally grey actions she was forced to take, she learned, reflected, and grew. There was a wonderful level of progression as well, as her advancements were both meaningful increases in power as well as incremental steps that left room for even more advancement.
This book was also so wonderfully long overall, letting me really see Samantha's journey day by day. I am so looking forward to the next one. The ending of the book was both a satisfying conclusion/resolution of conflicts that made me happy AND a grand reveal of the larger world Samantha resides in.
Highly recommend! And thank you author! Keep writing please! Looking forward to the next in the series.
September 3, 2025
I thought the book was cute, but i found that the character was more of a child than a teen into adulthood. This left a bit of disconnect on what i felt the main character should be doing. I want to keep in mind that the MC hates cultivators, but for some reason she also doesn't exactly seem to understand the way of things.
I'm also not a fan of talking pets/companions, I think you should infer reactions from a pet then actually making them talk. Even if it is telepathy. But this is personal Opinion.
Over-narration, this is generally an issue when the author doesn't provide the background of the story in an immersive way. There is a bunch of times where we (the reader) are taken away from the scene to provide context of the situation/scene. This just removes us from the story. Like were in the middle of a fight scene, and then there a "Let me tell you how Qi works". Honestly its rather annoying.
DNF at chapter 28.
I'm also not a fan of talking pets/companions, I think you should infer reactions from a pet then actually making them talk. Even if it is telepathy. But this is personal Opinion.
Over-narration, this is generally an issue when the author doesn't provide the background of the story in an immersive way. There is a bunch of times where we (the reader) are taken away from the scene to provide context of the situation/scene. This just removes us from the story. Like were in the middle of a fight scene, and then there a "Let me tell you how Qi works". Honestly its rather annoying.
DNF at chapter 28.
December 26, 2025
NO SPOILERS.
A fantastic story by author Stephanie Benamati. Not only was it intriguing, it was engaging as well. Couldn't put it down. Narrator Katharine Chin did an amazing job giving voices to all the characters. Each one unique and memorable. As for the story itself, ever see a cultivator have a bad day? And that day leading to more questionable decisions? That's what Sam has to deal with, only problem is, she doesn't knowingly make bad choices. Read it to find out what happens. It's worth it.
A fantastic story by author Stephanie Benamati. Not only was it intriguing, it was engaging as well. Couldn't put it down. Narrator Katharine Chin did an amazing job giving voices to all the characters. Each one unique and memorable. As for the story itself, ever see a cultivator have a bad day? And that day leading to more questionable decisions? That's what Sam has to deal with, only problem is, she doesn't knowingly make bad choices. Read it to find out what happens. It's worth it.
July 6, 2025
very decent story
The story is new and refreshing. However the author needs to refine the method they use to share character screens / stats it is entirely too messy to reading on a mobile device. I would like to encourage the author to continue writing but definitely make a change to the previously mentioned issue. The story is entertaining and well written, just that the stat screens are multiple of pages long on a mobile device and are shared too often to be enjoyed.
The story is new and refreshing. However the author needs to refine the method they use to share character screens / stats it is entirely too messy to reading on a mobile device. I would like to encourage the author to continue writing but definitely make a change to the previously mentioned issue. The story is entertaining and well written, just that the stat screens are multiple of pages long on a mobile device and are shared too often to be enjoyed.
January 29, 2026
I was worried going into this because I got the distinct impression that this would be a series, which, considering how often cliffhangers are common, I would be left frustrated. While yes, there are many unresolved questions, I was left ultimately satisfied and absolutely look forward to the next book. I appreciate Sam’s ambition and willingness to work hard for her goals rather than being handed things. Also, I am a huge fan of animal companions or stories in which animals are a central part.
September 8, 2025
Phenomenal
One of the best written cultivation based systems with plenty of intrigue and twists. If you're a fan of either cultivation novels or litrpgs this is a book you don't want to skip.
One of the best written cultivation based systems with plenty of intrigue and twists. If you're a fan of either cultivation novels or litrpgs this is a book you don't want to skip.
October 27, 2025
Looking forward to next book
I always find it very difficult to write reviews. I enjoyed the book I'm looking forward to the next. Good characters, interesting world building.
I always find it very difficult to write reviews. I enjoyed the book I'm looking forward to the next. Good characters, interesting world building.
Did Not Finish
April 12, 2026DNF, Chapter 8.
This was very boring to me, unfortunately.
This was very boring to me, unfortunately.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews