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Unintended Cultivator #1
Unbeabsichtigt Kultivator: Buch 1
He never intended to be a cultivator. The heavens have another plan…
Sen never dreamed of ascension. Such were the aspirations of the rich young nobles, not orphans like him, scraping together a meager living on the streets of Orchard’s Reach.
However, when destiny takes an unexpected turn, Sen finds himself thrust into the role of a cultivator’s disciple. Chosen over the nobles who once looked down on him, he is adopted into a makeshift family of three ancient cultivators, each with a lifetime of knowledge and insights. These old monsters will teach Sen everything they can, from the art of the jian and spear to the mysteries of arcane alchemy.
Yet, on the path to defying the heavens, Sen will have to make difficult choices. He needs to decide what kind of person he wants to be, and what mark he wants to leave on the world. Because when his training ends, he will have the power to shake the world. He will also have formidable enemies who will do anything to put him back in his place…
Sen never dreamed of ascension. Such were the aspirations of the rich young nobles, not orphans like him, scraping together a meager living on the streets of Orchard’s Reach.
However, when destiny takes an unexpected turn, Sen finds himself thrust into the role of a cultivator’s disciple. Chosen over the nobles who once looked down on him, he is adopted into a makeshift family of three ancient cultivators, each with a lifetime of knowledge and insights. These old monsters will teach Sen everything they can, from the art of the jian and spear to the mysteries of arcane alchemy.
Yet, on the path to defying the heavens, Sen will have to make difficult choices. He needs to decide what kind of person he wants to be, and what mark he wants to leave on the world. Because when his training ends, he will have the power to shake the world. He will also have formidable enemies who will do anything to put him back in his place…
517 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2023
2123 people are currently reading
2785 people want to read
About the author
Eric Dontigney
26 books184 followersRaised in Western New York, Eric Dontigney has lived in New Mexico, Florida, Wisconsin, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. He currently resides near Dayton, OH. He is a fan of photo-realism paintings, coffee and well-made food. He has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
June 18, 2024
This is a Xianxia without any GameLit or Isekai muddling it up. So it's high on the power fantasy, without other elements diluting that at all. I liked it very much, but that could just be a factor of liking the hero, Sen.
We start with Sen on the streets, an orphan hiding from noble kids who want to beat him for kicks and giggles. He's so good at hiding that he catches the eye of a wandering cultivator. Cultivators are inherent in Xianxia as people who meditate for power. In this version, they prolong their lives the better/stronger they become. In this case, Sen has managed to catch the eye of an "old monster" who is close to ascending (nobody quite knows, in this story, what that means, including the old monsters). Master Feng takes Sen as apprentice and they move into the mountain home of another ancient master whose wife (yet another) shows up some chapters later.
What this means is that Sen gains an enviably idiosyncratic education. The author does not indulge in montages though a couple of years progress occasionally in an established pattern. Indeed, the bulk of this story is Sen's life on the mountain with the three old masters who become his family. This is an interesting take on found family with such a profound power differential that it's clear that Sen will eventually need to strike out on his own to experience the world.
If you saw an outline of this story, you might wonder what even happens as Sen only has a bit of an adventure to wrap up his time in the town of his birth at the very end. The talent of the author is that he keeps a strong pace with lots of important events that not only establish Sen's growing character but also shows us the kindness of these "old monsters" who have bigger hearts than you'd suspect given their isolation and general disinterest in normal human affairs.
I was fully engaged with this from start to finish. I like Sen and I loved the found family with these old cultivators who care for him and help him transition to adulthood. This is an easy five stars and I'm eager to continue to the next.
A note about Chaste: Sen doesn't have any romantic prospects making this very chaste.
We start with Sen on the streets, an orphan hiding from noble kids who want to beat him for kicks and giggles. He's so good at hiding that he catches the eye of a wandering cultivator. Cultivators are inherent in Xianxia as people who meditate for power. In this version, they prolong their lives the better/stronger they become. In this case, Sen has managed to catch the eye of an "old monster" who is close to ascending (nobody quite knows, in this story, what that means, including the old monsters). Master Feng takes Sen as apprentice and they move into the mountain home of another ancient master whose wife (yet another) shows up some chapters later.
What this means is that Sen gains an enviably idiosyncratic education. The author does not indulge in montages though a couple of years progress occasionally in an established pattern. Indeed, the bulk of this story is Sen's life on the mountain with the three old masters who become his family. This is an interesting take on found family with such a profound power differential that it's clear that Sen will eventually need to strike out on his own to experience the world.
If you saw an outline of this story, you might wonder what even happens as Sen only has a bit of an adventure to wrap up his time in the town of his birth at the very end. The talent of the author is that he keeps a strong pace with lots of important events that not only establish Sen's growing character but also shows us the kindness of these "old monsters" who have bigger hearts than you'd suspect given their isolation and general disinterest in normal human affairs.
I was fully engaged with this from start to finish. I like Sen and I loved the found family with these old cultivators who care for him and help him transition to adulthood. This is an easy five stars and I'm eager to continue to the next.
A note about Chaste: Sen doesn't have any romantic prospects making this very chaste.
February 10, 2024
Unintended Cultivator by Eric Dontigney is, as the name promises, very much a book that will appeal mostly to fans of this genre.
It's not especially original, as I found plenty of expected bits and characters, and I have only read a small handful of books like this.
However, tropes are used so much because they are beloved by many, and they can be just fine if done well!
I really liked the pace and tone of this book, which was mostly slow and measured, with the fight scenes being snappy and quick to balance it out.
The strong suit for me were definitely the characters, who are very well fleshed out, even though they are stereotypes. They all had a clear personality and their own goals, even if they were mysterious. The friendships and camaraderie was a nice chance to the often just brutal cultivators killing whatever and whoever.
The main character is taken off the streets to be trained, and grows nicely throughout the story. It's not just coming of age, but also about choosing who and how you want to be. I liked how there were some philosophical questions added, and you could see how easy it is to stray from the "good" path.
Oh, and I am a sucker for animal companions, so a spirit beast and me was a definite plus as well!
This is decidedly a start to a series, and seems to be the origin story for a "hero" who will get into all sorts of trouble and life through many adventuresn
It's not especially original, as I found plenty of expected bits and characters, and I have only read a small handful of books like this.
However, tropes are used so much because they are beloved by many, and they can be just fine if done well!
I really liked the pace and tone of this book, which was mostly slow and measured, with the fight scenes being snappy and quick to balance it out.
The strong suit for me were definitely the characters, who are very well fleshed out, even though they are stereotypes. They all had a clear personality and their own goals, even if they were mysterious. The friendships and camaraderie was a nice chance to the often just brutal cultivators killing whatever and whoever.
The main character is taken off the streets to be trained, and grows nicely throughout the story. It's not just coming of age, but also about choosing who and how you want to be. I liked how there were some philosophical questions added, and you could see how easy it is to stray from the "good" path.
Oh, and I am a sucker for animal companions, so a spirit beast and me was a definite plus as well!
This is decidedly a start to a series, and seems to be the origin story for a "hero" who will get into all sorts of trouble and life through many adventuresn
January 5, 2024
Absolutely amazing.
A simple idea executed brilliantly. Fully fleshed out characters that just make sense. A very satisfying ending will just the right amount of build up. This whole thing was just done well.
A simple idea executed brilliantly. Fully fleshed out characters that just make sense. A very satisfying ending will just the right amount of build up. This whole thing was just done well.
May 11, 2025
Sen is an orphan whose dreams didn't extend past mere survival. One day he is unexpectedly chosen as a disciple for a cultivator and his life changes from that point on. Sen finds himself living a life with ancient cultivators who teach him as much as they can.
Unintended Cultivator Volume 1 was a solid story. Perhaps if I was more familiar with the genre my feelings would be different about it as a whole, but the start of the story feels quite random. Sen being an orphan that is struggling to survive with only the occasional help of an old woman makes perfect sense. What doesn't make sense is Sen being chosen as a cultivator's disciple and the life that follows. No reason is really given for why he was chosen except hinting at Sen's ability to hide impressing his master. I don't know if this is typical for the genre, but adopting someone into a better life on a whim seemed peculiar to me, especially as Sen was not looking for the life at all.
The other aspect that seemed a bit light to me was the characterization. Sen's main characteristic is being good natured. Despite being an orphan and getting abused and neglected by the people in the town, Sen prefers to help rather than harm. It's admirable, but it doesn't make him a well rounded character at all. The other notable named characters Master Feng, Kho Jaw-Long, Ma Caihong, Falling Leaf, and Grandmother Lu are also all nearly as underdeveloped displaying a trait along with care for Sen as their only noticeable qualities.
The cultivation aspects however are ever present and go into as much detail as Sen can comprehend. Sen hit the jackpot by finding people who are fully willing to protect, teach, and nurture an orphan from the street. The story is largely about Sen's training period.
Unintended Cultivator Volume 1 was interesting enough for me to wonder what happens next.
Unintended Cultivator Volume 1 was a solid story. Perhaps if I was more familiar with the genre my feelings would be different about it as a whole, but the start of the story feels quite random. Sen being an orphan that is struggling to survive with only the occasional help of an old woman makes perfect sense. What doesn't make sense is Sen being chosen as a cultivator's disciple and the life that follows. No reason is really given for why he was chosen except hinting at Sen's ability to hide impressing his master. I don't know if this is typical for the genre, but adopting someone into a better life on a whim seemed peculiar to me, especially as Sen was not looking for the life at all.
The other aspect that seemed a bit light to me was the characterization. Sen's main characteristic is being good natured. Despite being an orphan and getting abused and neglected by the people in the town, Sen prefers to help rather than harm. It's admirable, but it doesn't make him a well rounded character at all. The other notable named characters Master Feng, Kho Jaw-Long, Ma Caihong, Falling Leaf, and Grandmother Lu are also all nearly as underdeveloped displaying a trait along with care for Sen as their only noticeable qualities.
The cultivation aspects however are ever present and go into as much detail as Sen can comprehend. Sen hit the jackpot by finding people who are fully willing to protect, teach, and nurture an orphan from the street. The story is largely about Sen's training period.
Unintended Cultivator Volume 1 was interesting enough for me to wonder what happens next.
March 21, 2024
I didn’t expect much
I really liked this. Very clever to use an entirely ignorant street kid as a vehicle to explain things.
It’s unapologetic about how fortunate the MC is for having caught the eye of his teacher. But while he *is* receiving training from some ‘old monsters’, it’s not *easy*. Sometimes because those ‘old monsters’ have forgotten how to be mortal.
I’m going to buy the next book *now*. Strongly recommend as an easy entrance into Cultivation.
I really liked this. Very clever to use an entirely ignorant street kid as a vehicle to explain things.
It’s unapologetic about how fortunate the MC is for having caught the eye of his teacher. But while he *is* receiving training from some ‘old monsters’, it’s not *easy*. Sometimes because those ‘old monsters’ have forgotten how to be mortal.
I’m going to buy the next book *now*. Strongly recommend as an easy entrance into Cultivation.
July 11, 2024
This was a slow but fun book. Lots of world building and training. Loved how grandparenty the supporting cast is. There are your share of jerk nobles in every cultivation story, but this felt like a happier take on the entire idea. Needs more action and to raise the stakes for the main character, never felt like he was really in danger.
April 11, 2024
Five star for sure. Exceptional martial arts, cultivation and growth of a moral young man
I really, really enjoyed this book. The MC was a homeless street urchin, preyed upon by children of the wealthy, just trying to survive by eating scraps. A wandering cultivator, who turns out to be an old master takes him as a disciple to the mountain where his friend lives. The MC accidentally befriends a ghost panther. There he learns martial arts, cultivating and herbal alchemy. He stays there six years before realizing that in order to remain in balance he is called to the sea. He goes through a number of catharsis' and comes to decisions about how he will act in the world. He realizes that he will not only have to fight, but to duel. Also, not just duel singular opponents but multiple ones using martial skills as well as multiple affinities employing his qi.
I loved the detail of the martial and cultivation montages, which occurred over years, with no game mechanics such as character screens or assigning xp and spells. Generaly what I consider to be over the top advantages. The MC's masters were "old monsters" who had centuries of experience but they had to impart what they could to him through old fashioed hard work, discipline, focus and painful lessons. The masters also made mistakes, such as asuming he knew things he had no idea about and he made mistakes such as not asking questions when he should have. Very human, very realistic.
Refreshingly so!
Another aspect I really really liked about this book is the worldbuilding and the personal growth, as well as the physical training that the MC goes through. He develops into a good man, who thinks instead of reacting (which saves his life on multiple occasions) in a world populated with arrogant cultivators where might is their right. There is the realization that his life would involve many conflicts. Some he may be able to walk away from, but many he would not be able to. That he would have to kill or be killed, yet he made the decision to not be an agent of chaos and death wherever possible.
After reading the next books in this series, I will definitely look for other works by this author. I have read many, many lit-RPG, iseki, cultivation, apocalypse novels etc. This one is definitely a stand out in the genre.
I really, really enjoyed this book. The MC was a homeless street urchin, preyed upon by children of the wealthy, just trying to survive by eating scraps. A wandering cultivator, who turns out to be an old master takes him as a disciple to the mountain where his friend lives. The MC accidentally befriends a ghost panther. There he learns martial arts, cultivating and herbal alchemy. He stays there six years before realizing that in order to remain in balance he is called to the sea. He goes through a number of catharsis' and comes to decisions about how he will act in the world. He realizes that he will not only have to fight, but to duel. Also, not just duel singular opponents but multiple ones using martial skills as well as multiple affinities employing his qi.
I loved the detail of the martial and cultivation montages, which occurred over years, with no game mechanics such as character screens or assigning xp and spells. Generaly what I consider to be over the top advantages. The MC's masters were "old monsters" who had centuries of experience but they had to impart what they could to him through old fashioed hard work, discipline, focus and painful lessons. The masters also made mistakes, such as asuming he knew things he had no idea about and he made mistakes such as not asking questions when he should have. Very human, very realistic.
Refreshingly so!
Another aspect I really really liked about this book is the worldbuilding and the personal growth, as well as the physical training that the MC goes through. He develops into a good man, who thinks instead of reacting (which saves his life on multiple occasions) in a world populated with arrogant cultivators where might is their right. There is the realization that his life would involve many conflicts. Some he may be able to walk away from, but many he would not be able to. That he would have to kill or be killed, yet he made the decision to not be an agent of chaos and death wherever possible.
After reading the next books in this series, I will definitely look for other works by this author. I have read many, many lit-RPG, iseki, cultivation, apocalypse novels etc. This one is definitely a stand out in the genre.
July 23, 2024
Review of Books 1-3.
A decent albeit a tedious read. It's a meandering slice of life'esque read, which (as at v7 in RR) doesn't seem to have an end goal.
The writing is good, but annoyingly dialogue heavy. Like nothing can happen with at least half a chapter of filler dialogues. And then we have the inner monologues to pile on it. Was ok initially, but gets more and more tedious that I was skipping entire paragraphs of conversation to get to the point.
The MC is pretty much unlikeable too. Cynical, suspicious and prone to anger induced violence. Though fundamentally good at heart, he's one of those better kept at arms length, making him a difficult character to read/follow. Well written and realistic given his background, but still unlikeable.
Book 3 was probably the best, taut and action packed despite having the above flaws.
I'll give it a few more chapters, but I'm unlikely to continue.
5.5/10
A decent albeit a tedious read. It's a meandering slice of life'esque read, which (as at v7 in RR) doesn't seem to have an end goal.
The writing is good, but annoyingly dialogue heavy. Like nothing can happen with at least half a chapter of filler dialogues. And then we have the inner monologues to pile on it. Was ok initially, but gets more and more tedious that I was skipping entire paragraphs of conversation to get to the point.
The MC is pretty much unlikeable too. Cynical, suspicious and prone to anger induced violence. Though fundamentally good at heart, he's one of those better kept at arms length, making him a difficult character to read/follow. Well written and realistic given his background, but still unlikeable.
Book 3 was probably the best, taut and action packed despite having the above flaws.
I'll give it a few more chapters, but I'm unlikely to continue.
5.5/10
February 4, 2025
I just finished Volume 1 of Unintended Cultivator, written by Eric Dontigney and read by Adam Verner. It is a narrower, more straightforward cultivation novel than I usually read (thinking of Defiance of the Fall, Path of Ascension, Beware of Chicken, Infinite Realm, Cradle, Silver Fox and the Western Hero, Dragon Heart, The Stargazer’s War, Virtuous Sons) but that is a mark in its favor. It may have a simpler scope and almost slice-of-life approach, but that lets it really showcase the author’s attention to prose as well as character development. Tropes abound, yes, but they are handled expertly rather than as a cover for lack of imagination. I went into the novel half expecting to get bored but, in fact, I’m instantly buying the next audiobook to continue following along.
April 3, 2024
Loves me a coming of age tale and this one did not disappoint.
Found in a bit draggy at about the 2/3 mark but it picked up well after that. Super characters and a animal companion made this book shine.
Found in a bit draggy at about the 2/3 mark but it picked up well after that. Super characters and a animal companion made this book shine.
May 2, 2025
Excellent
Pacing is tight and crisp. I never wanted more info dump than I received.
I love a good tale of street urchin becomes mighty. And upright
So many ways this book could have gone wrong but never veered towards cartoonish.
Pacing is tight and crisp. I never wanted more info dump than I received.
I love a good tale of street urchin becomes mighty. And upright
So many ways this book could have gone wrong but never veered towards cartoonish.
March 19, 2024
Absolutely Awesome
This story of a starving orphan street rat getting pick by some old monsters to be a cultivator disciple was fantastic.
This story of a starving orphan street rat getting pick by some old monsters to be a cultivator disciple was fantastic.
January 24, 2024
Such a good story!
Finally a cultivation book with nice and sane people in it! I loved the characters how they all grew together. Entertaining plot and satisfying ending. Loved it!
Finally a cultivation book with nice and sane people in it! I loved the characters how they all grew together. Entertaining plot and satisfying ending. Loved it!
March 17, 2025
Way too inside the head
The first half of the book is pretty much the vaguest trackings of 10 different people who did the subject FAR better. And that is the interesting part.
The rest is as if you were trapped inside the head of a stern obsessive ruminating mute that just endlessly mills over their feelings to extreme wastes of time and energy.
Every NY Times Best Seller, every great author I have ever read keeps internal dialogue to a relative minimum. Not drowning you in it and using the internal thoughts as endless exposition dumps. Where Robert Jordan would spend all his time describing the physical world around then with actual dialogue Eric spends it in monotonous ruminating monologue and descriptions of a system with almost nothing relevant to the settings.
It will be a slog of 20 paragraphs before you get any interactions that are in the middle of a conversation. Half a chapter before the next response. And never ending internalization of all content and context.
As readers, well, the emotions and experiences, the thoughts should be apparent but not waterboarded with. It should be perspective in the eyes, not trapped in the head. It should come out in notes of intent, perspective in interactions of environment and purpose to move the plot forward.
The plot itself shouldn't be just to exposition dump on is a breakdown of a system that Eric decides to try to do his own way. It is as if a 9th grade english teacher asked him to "explain in his own words" the systems from Will Wight's books, and he thought that means say 10 words for every 1 of Will's to prove he has a grasp. Only it comes out bloated. Like a gummy bear left in a tub of water overnight. No flavor. No texture. No color. Watered down.
It just isn't... good. Nothing is compelling about this, just MASSIVE plot armor. Time flow is erratic and inconsistent. Growth is not in any way tracked until the 2nd half of the book, just kinda sorta suddenly overwhelmingly strong for his "level" but not real... comparison? Just the writer saying his avatar is OP. Because reasons. Yeah, hard work and the standard stuff but with some of the worst guidance and mentorship, absolutely no knowledge... while the author gives us the viewers no knowledge either.
He has us both stumbling around in the dark hoping to get it right without directions. With very weak development. And zero personality.
This will be the first book in a couple years I had to just stop midway through, it was just so derivative. It is ok to adopt systems from someone else. Make a STORY which is all about the relationships. Don't spend a few hundred pages trying to explain cultivation in your own way from the perspective of the least educated boy possible receiving no real enlightenment. It makes for hard reading.
Again, focus on the story, not the system. The system is the mechanism of the story, not the story itself. This isn't an essay you're just looking to fill in space to make sure you meet a word quota.
The first half of the book is pretty much the vaguest trackings of 10 different people who did the subject FAR better. And that is the interesting part.
The rest is as if you were trapped inside the head of a stern obsessive ruminating mute that just endlessly mills over their feelings to extreme wastes of time and energy.
Every NY Times Best Seller, every great author I have ever read keeps internal dialogue to a relative minimum. Not drowning you in it and using the internal thoughts as endless exposition dumps. Where Robert Jordan would spend all his time describing the physical world around then with actual dialogue Eric spends it in monotonous ruminating monologue and descriptions of a system with almost nothing relevant to the settings.
It will be a slog of 20 paragraphs before you get any interactions that are in the middle of a conversation. Half a chapter before the next response. And never ending internalization of all content and context.
As readers, well, the emotions and experiences, the thoughts should be apparent but not waterboarded with. It should be perspective in the eyes, not trapped in the head. It should come out in notes of intent, perspective in interactions of environment and purpose to move the plot forward.
The plot itself shouldn't be just to exposition dump on is a breakdown of a system that Eric decides to try to do his own way. It is as if a 9th grade english teacher asked him to "explain in his own words" the systems from Will Wight's books, and he thought that means say 10 words for every 1 of Will's to prove he has a grasp. Only it comes out bloated. Like a gummy bear left in a tub of water overnight. No flavor. No texture. No color. Watered down.
It just isn't... good. Nothing is compelling about this, just MASSIVE plot armor. Time flow is erratic and inconsistent. Growth is not in any way tracked until the 2nd half of the book, just kinda sorta suddenly overwhelmingly strong for his "level" but not real... comparison? Just the writer saying his avatar is OP. Because reasons. Yeah, hard work and the standard stuff but with some of the worst guidance and mentorship, absolutely no knowledge... while the author gives us the viewers no knowledge either.
He has us both stumbling around in the dark hoping to get it right without directions. With very weak development. And zero personality.
This will be the first book in a couple years I had to just stop midway through, it was just so derivative. It is ok to adopt systems from someone else. Make a STORY which is all about the relationships. Don't spend a few hundred pages trying to explain cultivation in your own way from the perspective of the least educated boy possible receiving no real enlightenment. It makes for hard reading.
Again, focus on the story, not the system. The system is the mechanism of the story, not the story itself. This isn't an essay you're just looking to fill in space to make sure you meet a word quota.
January 23, 2024
This is the first book I'm reading of Eric Dontigney, and I must say it is quite well written. You can tell that the author put a lot of care in writing it. There are no dramatic moments for the sake of it. No tantrum throwing, emotionally turbulent, or overly cocky MC. Overall, just like the protagonist strives for in the story, the book itself is balanced.
The author took his sweet time laying the foundation of this series, although it remains to be seen whether that foundation will help propel it to greater heights in the future. The author's skill though, was in the fact that despite being very well versed with wuxia and xianxia genre, at no point did I feel even a little bit bored as he went on to describe, in a good amount of detail, systems that I was already familiar with. It definitely helped that he took his own main character seriously, and had him react and respond as a real person would, and not as a caricature in movies or TV shows.
The only complaint I had was that the ending, or maybe I should rather call it the closing of the sub-arc, turned out to be pretty run-of-the-mill. After having read the careful laying of the foundation, I was expecting at least as much care to be put into the first 'serious' situation that the MC was put in. Sadly it was not so, and almost seemed rushed. It was quite apparent though that the main arc the author is building towards will be unfolded in the 2nd volume, so I'm willing to overlook the hurried conclusion till then.
On the whole, one of the few good books I've read from newer authors, so if you've been searching for a cultivation book, or even are new to the genre and want to know what its about, this is a great pick-up.
The author took his sweet time laying the foundation of this series, although it remains to be seen whether that foundation will help propel it to greater heights in the future. The author's skill though, was in the fact that despite being very well versed with wuxia and xianxia genre, at no point did I feel even a little bit bored as he went on to describe, in a good amount of detail, systems that I was already familiar with. It definitely helped that he took his own main character seriously, and had him react and respond as a real person would, and not as a caricature in movies or TV shows.
The only complaint I had was that the ending, or maybe I should rather call it the closing of the sub-arc, turned out to be pretty run-of-the-mill. After having read the careful laying of the foundation, I was expecting at least as much care to be put into the first 'serious' situation that the MC was put in. Sadly it was not so, and almost seemed rushed. It was quite apparent though that the main arc the author is building towards will be unfolded in the 2nd volume, so I'm willing to overlook the hurried conclusion till then.
On the whole, one of the few good books I've read from newer authors, so if you've been searching for a cultivation book, or even are new to the genre and want to know what its about, this is a great pick-up.
January 2, 2024
This is the first book I've read by this author.
The story starts on the streets of a small town surrounded by wilderness. Sen lives on the street and is constantly picked on by the minor nobles in the town. He's their punching bag. He manages to survive by taking food from dumpsters or wherever he can find it. When he happens to find enough he knocks on Grandmother Lu's door, where they share the food and he is allowed to sleep on a mat.
A cultivator comes to town unannounced. He's looking for a disciple to train. The noble's children all vie for the position, but the cultivator selects Sen for reasons he doesn't know yet. That only angers the nobles further.
The story is broken into three parts. First is Sen being selected and then being taken to where he will train (the first 15%). He knows nothing about cultivation or cultivators. He doesn't know how to read or do mathematics. Next we have the training, which takes up most of the book. The last section involves Sen leaving as a wandering cultivator where he goes back to the town he left to visit Grandmother Lu.
I struggled with the first part but after that I really enjoyed the book. The book hints at wuxia but doesn't go so far to say that is what they're doing. The cultivation is detailed.
The editing is fine as far as I noticed. There are no stats but they're almost implied as there are levels of progression. The ending is satisfying as well.
5/5* and I'm looking forward to book 2.
The story starts on the streets of a small town surrounded by wilderness. Sen lives on the street and is constantly picked on by the minor nobles in the town. He's their punching bag. He manages to survive by taking food from dumpsters or wherever he can find it. When he happens to find enough he knocks on Grandmother Lu's door, where they share the food and he is allowed to sleep on a mat.
A cultivator comes to town unannounced. He's looking for a disciple to train. The noble's children all vie for the position, but the cultivator selects Sen for reasons he doesn't know yet. That only angers the nobles further.
The story is broken into three parts. First is Sen being selected and then being taken to where he will train (the first 15%). He knows nothing about cultivation or cultivators. He doesn't know how to read or do mathematics. Next we have the training, which takes up most of the book. The last section involves Sen leaving as a wandering cultivator where he goes back to the town he left to visit Grandmother Lu.
I struggled with the first part but after that I really enjoyed the book. The book hints at wuxia but doesn't go so far to say that is what they're doing. The cultivation is detailed.
The editing is fine as far as I noticed. There are no stats but they're almost implied as there are levels of progression. The ending is satisfying as well.
5/5* and I'm looking forward to book 2.
March 9, 2025
Введение: Мир и главный герой
Действие происходит в вымышленном фэнтезийном мире, пропитанном элементами восточной мифологии и жанра "культивации" (xianxia/wuxia), где люди стремятся к сверхчеловеческой силе и бессмертию через развитие духовной и физической энергии. Главный герой, Лу Сень (или просто Сень), — сирота, живущий на улицах города под названием Orchard’s Reach (Дозор Садов). В отличие от богатых молодых аристократов, мечтающих о возвышении и "восхождении к небесам" через культивацию, Сень не питает таких амбиций. Его жизнь — это борьба за выживание, сбор объедков и избегание неприятностей в суровом мире, где слабых топчут, а сильные правят.
Однако судьба неожиданно вмешивается в его жизнь, и Сень оказывается втянут в мир культивации, несмотря на отсутствие у него желания или подготовки к этому. Так начинается его путь, полный трудностей, открытий и постепенного взросления.
Начало пути: Неожиданный поворот
История начинается с того, что Сень, как обычно, пытается выжить на улицах. Он не обладает ни богатством, ни связями, ни особыми талантами, которые могли бы привлечь внимание могущественных фигур. Однако его жизнь меняется, когда он случайно привлекает внимание трех древних культиваторов — пожилых мастеров, которых в книге называют "старыми монстрами" из-за их огромного опыта и силы. Эти трое — Мастер Фэн, Мастер Кхо и женщина по имени Ма Цайхун (прозванная "Служанка Алхимии") — решают взять Сеню под свое крыло.
Причина их выбора не сразу становится ясной, но очевидно, что они видят в нем что-то особенное, чего не замечают даже местные贵族 (благородные), которые обычно становятся учениками культиваторов. Вместо того чтобы выбрать кого-то из высокомерных юных аристократов, эти мастера забирают Сеню с улиц, фактически усыновляя его в свою необычную, импровизированную семью. Этот момент становится поворотным: Сень, не мечтавший о величии, теперь вынужден ступить на путь, который может привести его к могуществу, способному "потрясти мир".
Обучение у мастеров
Большая часть книги посвящена обучению Сени у трех мастеров. Каждый из них обладает уникальными знаниями и навыками, накопленными за долгие годы практики культивации. Мастер Фэн учит его искусству боя с использованием цзяня (китайского меча) и копья, подчеркивая важность дисциплины и точности. Мастер Кхо делится мудростью и философскими размышлениями, помогая Сене понять, что культивация — это не только сила, но и внутреннее равновесие. Ма Цайхун, загадочная алхимистка, вводит его в тайны "арканной алхимии" — искусства создания эликсиров и использования энергии природы.
Обучение проходит медленно и методично, что отличает книгу от многих других произведений жанра, где герои быстро становятся сверхсильными. Здесь акцент сделан на постепенном росте Сени, как физическом, так и моральном. Он начинает как неуверенный, неопытный юноша, но под руководством мастеров обретает уверенность и навыки. При этом мастера не просто наставники — они становятся для Сени семьей, заменяя ту, которой у него никогда не было. Их отношения наполнены теплом, юмором и взаимопониманием, что добавляет истории душевности и отличает её от типичных культивационных романов, где герои часто одиноки и окружены врагами.
Испытания и выбор
По мере обучения Сень сталкивается с первыми трудностями. Он узнаёт, что путь культивации — это не только сила и слава, но и опасность. Его мастера предупреждают, что по завершении обучения он обретёт мощь, способную изменить мир, но также нажилет врагов, которые сделают всё, чтобы "вернуть его на место". Уже в первом томе намекается на будущие конфликты с могущественными сектами и культиваторами, которые не потерпят появления нового игрока, не связанного их правилами и традициями.
Одной из ключевых тем книги становится выбор, который Сень должен сделать: кем он хочет стать и какой след оставить в мире. Его мастера не навязывают ему ответ��в, а побуждают искать их самостоятельно. Сень размышляет о том, как сила влияет на человека, и о том, как не потерять себя на пути к могуществу. Этот внутренний конфликт придаёт персонажу глубину и делает его более человечным, чем типичные герои жанра, одержимые только жаждой власти.
Кульминация и подготовка к будущему
Первый том не изобилует масштабными сражениями или грандиозными событиями — его цель в другом. Это история становления, фундамент для будущих приключений. Кульминацией становится момент, когда Сень завершает начальную стадию своего обучения и осознаёт, что его жизнь уже никогда не будет прежней. Он больше не уличный сирота, а ученик культиваторов, на которого возложены большие ожидания.
Книга заканчивается на ноте предвкушения: Сень готовится выйти в мир, где его ждут испытания, враги и, возможно, союзники. Его мастера дают понять, что их роль в его жизни подходит к концу, и теперь ему предстоит самому прокладывать свой путь. Читателю остаётся ощущение, что это лишь начало долгого путешествия, а настоящие приключения ещё впереди.
Особенности и стиль
Unintended Cultivator: Volume One выделяется своим размеренным темпом и акцентом на развитии персонажей. В отличие от многих культивационных романов, где действие движется быстро, а герои постоянно сражаются, здесь Эрик Донтигни делает ставку на "slice-of-life" (кусочек жизни) и "coming-of-age" (взросление). Бои присутствуют, но они короткие и служат скорее для демонстрации прогресса Сени, чем для нагнетания драматизма.
Персонажи — сильная сторона книги. Мастера, несмотря на свою силу, не лишены человеческих черт: Мастер Кхо любит поучать через пословицы, Ма Цайхун обладает острым языком, а Мастер Фэн скрывает мягкость за строгой внешностью. Сень же растёт от робкого мальчишки до юноши, который начинает понимать свою ответственность.
Тропы жанра (сирота, ставший избранным; мудрые наставники; будущие враги) присутствуют, но поданы с умом и не кажутся избитыми благодаря качественной проработке деталей и диалогов. Юмор, дружба и философские размышления добавляют истории свежести.
Итог
Unintended Cultivator: Volume One — это история о том, как случайность и судьба могут изменить жизнь человека, и о первых шагах на пути к чему-то большему. Это не эпическое приключение с бесконечными битвами, а скорее спокойный, но увлекательный рассказ о взрослении, обучении и поиске себя в мире, где сила определяет всё. Книга задаёт тон серии, обещая, что в следующих томах Сень столкнётся с более серьёзными испытаниями, сохраняя при этом человечность и связь со своими корнями.
Если вы любите культивационные истории с глубокими персонажами и неспешным повествованием, этот том станет отличным началом путешествия вместе с Сенем.
Действие происходит в вымышленном фэнтезийном мире, пропитанном элементами восточной мифологии и жанра "культивации" (xianxia/wuxia), где люди стремятся к сверхчеловеческой силе и бессмертию через развитие духовной и физической энергии. Главный герой, Лу Сень (или просто Сень), — сирота, живущий на улицах города под названием Orchard’s Reach (Дозор Садов). В отличие от богатых молодых аристократов, мечтающих о возвышении и "восхождении к небесам" через культивацию, Сень не питает таких амбиций. Его жизнь — это борьба за выживание, сбор объедков и избегание неприятностей в суровом мире, где слабых топчут, а сильные правят.
Однако судьба неожиданно вмешивается в его жизнь, и Сень оказывается втянут в мир культивации, несмотря на отсутствие у него желания или подготовки к этому. Так начинается его путь, полный трудностей, открытий и постепенного взросления.
Начало пути: Неожиданный поворот
История начинается с того, что Сень, как обычно, пытается выжить на улицах. Он не обладает ни богатством, ни связями, ни особыми талантами, которые могли бы привлечь внимание могущественных фигур. Однако его жизнь меняется, когда он случайно привлекает внимание трех древних культиваторов — пожилых мастеров, которых в книге называют "старыми монстрами" из-за их огромного опыта и силы. Эти трое — Мастер Фэн, Мастер Кхо и женщина по имени Ма Цайхун (прозванная "Служанка Алхимии") — решают взять Сеню под свое крыло.
Причина их выбора не сразу становится ясной, но очевидно, что они видят в нем что-то особенное, чего не замечают даже местные贵族 (благородные), которые обычно становятся учениками культиваторов. Вместо того чтобы выбрать кого-то из высокомерных юных аристократов, эти мастера забирают Сеню с улиц, фактически усыновляя его в свою необычную, импровизированную семью. Этот момент становится поворотным: Сень, не мечтавший о величии, теперь вынужден ступить на путь, который может привести его к могуществу, способному "потрясти мир".
Обучение у мастеров
Большая часть книги посвящена обучению Сени у трех мастеров. Каждый из них обладает уникальными знаниями и навыками, накопленными за долгие годы практики культивации. Мастер Фэн учит его искусству боя с использованием цзяня (китайского меча) и копья, подчеркивая важность дисциплины и точности. Мастер Кхо делится мудростью и философскими размышлениями, помогая Сене понять, что культивация — это не только сила, но и внутреннее равновесие. Ма Цайхун, загадочная алхимистка, вводит его в тайны "арканной алхимии" — искусства создания эликсиров и использования энергии природы.
Обучение проходит медленно и методично, что отличает книгу от многих других произведений жанра, где герои быстро становятся сверхсильными. Здесь акцент сделан на постепенном росте Сени, как физическом, так и моральном. Он начинает как неуверенный, неопытный юноша, но под руководством мастеров обретает уверенность и навыки. При этом мастера не просто наставники — они становятся для Сени семьей, заменяя ту, которой у него никогда не было. Их отношения наполнены теплом, юмором и взаимопониманием, что добавляет истории душевности и отличает её от типичных культивационных романов, где герои часто одиноки и окружены врагами.
Испытания и выбор
По мере обучения Сень сталкивается с первыми трудностями. Он узнаёт, что путь культивации — это не только сила и слава, но и опасность. Его мастера предупреждают, что по завершении обучения он обретёт мощь, способную изменить мир, но также нажилет врагов, которые сделают всё, чтобы "вернуть его на место". Уже в первом томе намекается на будущие конфликты с могущественными сектами и культиваторами, которые не потерпят появления нового игрока, не связанного их правилами и традициями.
Одной из ключевых тем книги становится выбор, который Сень должен сделать: кем он хочет стать и какой след оставить в мире. Его мастера не навязывают ему ответ��в, а побуждают искать их самостоятельно. Сень размышляет о том, как сила влияет на человека, и о том, как не потерять себя на пути к могуществу. Этот внутренний конфликт придаёт персонажу глубину и делает его более человечным, чем типичные герои жанра, одержимые только жаждой власти.
Кульминация и подготовка к будущему
Первый том не изобилует масштабными сражениями или грандиозными событиями — его цель в другом. Это история становления, фундамент для будущих приключений. Кульминацией становится момент, когда Сень завершает начальную стадию своего обучения и осознаёт, что его жизнь уже никогда не будет прежней. Он больше не уличный сирота, а ученик культиваторов, на которого возложены большие ожидания.
Книга заканчивается на ноте предвкушения: Сень готовится выйти в мир, где его ждут испытания, враги и, возможно, союзники. Его мастера дают понять, что их роль в его жизни подходит к концу, и теперь ему предстоит самому прокладывать свой путь. Читателю остаётся ощущение, что это лишь начало долгого путешествия, а настоящие приключения ещё впереди.
Особенности и стиль
Unintended Cultivator: Volume One выделяется своим размеренным темпом и акцентом на развитии персонажей. В отличие от многих культивационных романов, где действие движется быстро, а герои постоянно сражаются, здесь Эрик Донтигни делает ставку на "slice-of-life" (кусочек жизни) и "coming-of-age" (взросление). Бои присутствуют, но они короткие и служат скорее для демонстрации прогресса Сени, чем для нагнетания драматизма.
Персонажи — сильная сторона книги. Мастера, несмотря на свою силу, не лишены человеческих черт: Мастер Кхо любит поучать через пословицы, Ма Цайхун обладает острым языком, а Мастер Фэн скрывает мягкость за строгой внешностью. Сень же растёт от робкого мальчишки до юноши, который начинает понимать свою ответственность.
Тропы жанра (сирота, ставший избранным; мудрые наставники; будущие враги) присутствуют, но поданы с умом и не кажутся избитыми благодаря качественной проработке деталей и диалогов. Юмор, дружба и философские размышления добавляют истории свежести.
Итог
Unintended Cultivator: Volume One — это история о том, как случайность и судьба могут изменить жизнь человека, и о первых шагах на пути к чему-то большему. Это не эпическое приключение с бесконечными битвами, а скорее спокойный, но увлекательный рассказ о взрослении, обучении и поиске себя в мире, где сила определяет всё. Книга задаёт тон серии, обещая, что в следующих томах Сень столкнётся с более серьёзными испытаниями, сохраняя при этом человечность и связь со своими корнями.
Если вы любите культивационные истории с глубокими персонажами и неспешным повествованием, этот том станет отличным началом путешествия вместе с Сенем.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2024
This was such a pleasant surprise, such a good book and a great start to a series. I can't wait to pick up the next book. Sen is a wonderful and rich character, a homeless orphan who becomes, big spoiler alert, an unintended cultivator but without any of the motivations or aspirations that typically drive such people. He doesn't particularly aspire for immortality, power, or combat; his desires in the past tended to peak out at the next meal and a place to sleep. He really leans more towards the tourist end of the spectrum: visiting new places and seeing new sights. So, observing him grow and adapt to his new reality is really interesting and entertaining.
I also love his three monster masters. They are all just decent people who have (mostly) grown beyond the baser cultivator instincts and seem to genuinely care about Sen and his development. Seeing Sen develop under their care is such an interesting departure from the usual fare of a corrupt sect, unfair instructors and jealous young masters. Instead, you have what may well be a young genius developing in a setting where his only measuring stick is infinity; it leaves you dying for him to interact with some of his contemporaries (of which we also get some small measures).
I also love his three monster masters. They are all just decent people who have (mostly) grown beyond the baser cultivator instincts and seem to genuinely care about Sen and his development. Seeing Sen develop under their care is such an interesting departure from the usual fare of a corrupt sect, unfair instructors and jealous young masters. Instead, you have what may well be a young genius developing in a setting where his only measuring stick is infinity; it leaves you dying for him to interact with some of his contemporaries (of which we also get some small measures).
February 4, 2024
While not a perfect book, it held my attention throughout.
When boiled down, this is a coming-of-age story. Sen's journey to become a Cultivator is fairly standard. Rather, it's the relatable characters and their warm, familial emotions that draw the reader in. I liked the premise, that by not giving Sen too many specifics or labels, his approach to Cultivation was unfettered by preconceptions... allowing him to explore in unexpected directions.
My only complaint was regarding pacing. At about the halfway point, we are eager to see Sen enter the wider world and showcase his newly attained skills. However, the training goes on, and on. There's simply too much detail which, while somewhat interesting, doesn't drive the narrative forward.
This book was immediately placed on my re-read shelf. I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
When boiled down, this is a coming-of-age story. Sen's journey to become a Cultivator is fairly standard. Rather, it's the relatable characters and their warm, familial emotions that draw the reader in. I liked the premise, that by not giving Sen too many specifics or labels, his approach to Cultivation was unfettered by preconceptions... allowing him to explore in unexpected directions.
My only complaint was regarding pacing. At about the halfway point, we are eager to see Sen enter the wider world and showcase his newly attained skills. However, the training goes on, and on. There's simply too much detail which, while somewhat interesting, doesn't drive the narrative forward.
This book was immediately placed on my re-read shelf. I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
January 3, 2024
Read this on RR and found it quite well written and considered. Cultivation sories are prime targets for satire (a la Beware of Chicken) and this doesn't go that far, but a "young master" Sen is not. Gives a lot of thought to the use of power and the considerations of outliving almost everyone (and their great-grandchildren) around you.
Highly recommended if you like this sort of story. RR is ahead of this volume, in case you can't wait for vol. 2.
Highly recommended if you like this sort of story. RR is ahead of this volume, in case you can't wait for vol. 2.
January 15, 2024
Well executed start
Exciting new series as we follow the unhomed powerless to the power and height of cultivation.
Our main character, Sen, climbs the ladder and faces against those who stand against him with wonderful world building and well written plot.
Particularly liked how the characters' development was done within the series.
Exciting new series as we follow the unhomed powerless to the power and height of cultivation.
Our main character, Sen, climbs the ladder and faces against those who stand against him with wonderful world building and well written plot.
Particularly liked how the characters' development was done within the series.
March 23, 2024
Quite good and shows a lot of promise. The next book will really be the deciding factor and its greatness as this was really just a major setup book.
Thankfully, I get to start the next one immediately.
Thankfully, I get to start the next one immediately.
December 6, 2024
I rated this very generously at first, since I felt it had potential, but the 2nd and 3rd books were abysmal. Not only were they very boring, they had too many flaws and absurdities. It also became a Simpfest.
May 6, 2024
Amazing writing and progression. Definitely one of the best in the genre; not just because it had a proofread or two. The plot and pacing is great and there’s actual development
July 21, 2024
Not bad, slow burn but I like that in a first book. Good build up and look forward to this series.
May 28, 2025
dnf. MC is handed everything on a silver platter. MC is stupid and too much of the book is thoughts floating around in his head.
December 21, 2025
A weak intro novel but promising potential.
The first book of a new series, for me, needs to set the pace and tone of series to be good, and it also needs to craft the character of an MC that is likable to be great. This book doesn’t do any of those things, but not all is lost. The framework (world building) was laid for an interesting story, let’s just hope the MC becomes interesting as well.
Most of this book, virtually all of it, save a sliver on both ends, consists entirely of the training of the MC, Lu Sen. I won’t bore you with the details, they’re boring enough just to summarize. Essentially some random urchin gets mysteriously plucked off the streets by a powerful and ancient cultivator to be trained by himself and two other equally powerful and ancient cultivators. He lives on a mountain for six years, trains in various martial and cultivation skills, learns how to read, learns about all sorts of random things from cooking to crafting elixirs to how to find shops and navigate in a world as a wandering cultivator.
It’s an interesting setup for a series, with good potential, which is why I’m reading the second book. But in every other aspect this was a real slog. I, for one, despise endless explanations of some author’s version of the myriad details of their cultivation system. I know there’s a market for it, somehow people keep reading and even more implausibly liking Defiance of the Fall despite that series being virtually nothing but meaningless cultivation jargon at this point. But that market isn’t me.
For me, the book would have been much stronger had this training made up a first arc of the novel, maybe with adding in the second book’s story to round it out after trimming some of the needless and repetitive cultivation jargon.
However, the biggest mistake of this book is I don’t know why I should like the MC. Sure, he was an orphan, a poor, wretched street urchin scheming for a meal here and there and somewhere safe to sleep while dodging the tropey bungling noble kids. But that alone doesn’t make this an underdog story. For one, someone could easily come out of that situation a really angry, vindictive and potentially evil person. So there’s no real basis for why this character is the opposite. Then having been given this gift of the training of some of this world’s strongest and most legendary living cultivators, kinda undermines an underdog story.
And so does his character, he basically just goes along with the flow. His only redeeming aspects being his dedication to his training and his soft heart. But that heart is hardened to a degree by the world at the end, and the other degree is a guy willing to put himself on the line for others, so that is something to build on at least. But overall, I felt the development of the MC in this book was as weak as the story itself.
I also never understood why it is that he was chosen to begin with. By the second novel, thanks to “pulls” (probably karmic or something) the MC gets, combined with the looming ascension of his masters in the coming centuries, we can put together he was chosen by some karmic pull on his master, and that they also may want to leave a legacy when they ascend. This would have been better to include in the first book to give us more reason to want to like this character, that fate or the heavens or destiny had some plans for him.
That said, I do see potential in the MC, and certainly a wealth of potential in the world-building aspect of this series, which is this book’s strongest element. Partway into the second book, I can say the rest is improving across the board. There’s still some confusion I have with the MC, but at least his character is resolving and the story is certainly much more engaging. Not five star territory yet, but moving into four stars for me.
The first book of a new series, for me, needs to set the pace and tone of series to be good, and it also needs to craft the character of an MC that is likable to be great. This book doesn’t do any of those things, but not all is lost. The framework (world building) was laid for an interesting story, let’s just hope the MC becomes interesting as well.
Most of this book, virtually all of it, save a sliver on both ends, consists entirely of the training of the MC, Lu Sen. I won’t bore you with the details, they’re boring enough just to summarize. Essentially some random urchin gets mysteriously plucked off the streets by a powerful and ancient cultivator to be trained by himself and two other equally powerful and ancient cultivators. He lives on a mountain for six years, trains in various martial and cultivation skills, learns how to read, learns about all sorts of random things from cooking to crafting elixirs to how to find shops and navigate in a world as a wandering cultivator.
It’s an interesting setup for a series, with good potential, which is why I’m reading the second book. But in every other aspect this was a real slog. I, for one, despise endless explanations of some author’s version of the myriad details of their cultivation system. I know there’s a market for it, somehow people keep reading and even more implausibly liking Defiance of the Fall despite that series being virtually nothing but meaningless cultivation jargon at this point. But that market isn’t me.
For me, the book would have been much stronger had this training made up a first arc of the novel, maybe with adding in the second book’s story to round it out after trimming some of the needless and repetitive cultivation jargon.
However, the biggest mistake of this book is I don’t know why I should like the MC. Sure, he was an orphan, a poor, wretched street urchin scheming for a meal here and there and somewhere safe to sleep while dodging the tropey bungling noble kids. But that alone doesn’t make this an underdog story. For one, someone could easily come out of that situation a really angry, vindictive and potentially evil person. So there’s no real basis for why this character is the opposite. Then having been given this gift of the training of some of this world’s strongest and most legendary living cultivators, kinda undermines an underdog story.
And so does his character, he basically just goes along with the flow. His only redeeming aspects being his dedication to his training and his soft heart. But that heart is hardened to a degree by the world at the end, and the other degree is a guy willing to put himself on the line for others, so that is something to build on at least. But overall, I felt the development of the MC in this book was as weak as the story itself.
I also never understood why it is that he was chosen to begin with. By the second novel, thanks to “pulls” (probably karmic or something) the MC gets, combined with the looming ascension of his masters in the coming centuries, we can put together he was chosen by some karmic pull on his master, and that they also may want to leave a legacy when they ascend. This would have been better to include in the first book to give us more reason to want to like this character, that fate or the heavens or destiny had some plans for him.
That said, I do see potential in the MC, and certainly a wealth of potential in the world-building aspect of this series, which is this book’s strongest element. Partway into the second book, I can say the rest is improving across the board. There’s still some confusion I have with the MC, but at least his character is resolving and the story is certainly much more engaging. Not five star territory yet, but moving into four stars for me.
November 24, 2024
Your standard overpowered fantasy protagonist, this time in a Xianxia (spirit cultivation) setting. The first book in the series before things get.. angsty, and angry. It doesnt have a lot going for it, it plays the tropes of the genre straight, and I do love the mentored by an old monster trope or three, but its only well written by the standards of a web novel that pushed a chapter once a day and not really by book terms.
Compared to Beware of Chicken, which I loved, the characters are less likable and playing the tropes straight means that the main character, despite nominally hating the normal murder hobo tendencies of the genre, certainly racks up a body count that would make a serial killer blush.
Despite all my complaints its still not a bad story, playing the genre straight lets it still put its own spin on tropes and story beats that have been around, and have worked for very good reason. The main character isnt a blank slate in anything except the way his mentors view him, and the story for all its flaws has real character. Particularly in this first book where its setting the foundation of the world its just a nice slow build to power and understanding and not the hard crash of "And suddenly the story protagonist shows up and is amazing."
That said there is one last complaint that needs to be addressed. I listened to the audiobook. The narration gets better as it goes on but particularly at the start I dont think the narrator understood the genre, its like he heard 'spirit cultivation' and 'ascension' and decided to narrate in this ethereal wispy way that doesnt fit the story, or the characters in the least. When I first started listening I made it through the first chapter and I put it down and deleted it, it was only because I didnt want to waste the audiobook credit that I picked it back up and did my best to ignore the narration till it very slowly shifted to something a bit more reasonable. If you are interested in the genre and want to read the story id say to go with a physical edition, or if you dont mind missing the first 3 books you could go over to royal road and read the more recent stuff there (though be warned, currently it starts you in what I personally think of the angst arc, and it stays there for a while).
Compared to Beware of Chicken, which I loved, the characters are less likable and playing the tropes straight means that the main character, despite nominally hating the normal murder hobo tendencies of the genre, certainly racks up a body count that would make a serial killer blush.
Despite all my complaints its still not a bad story, playing the genre straight lets it still put its own spin on tropes and story beats that have been around, and have worked for very good reason. The main character isnt a blank slate in anything except the way his mentors view him, and the story for all its flaws has real character. Particularly in this first book where its setting the foundation of the world its just a nice slow build to power and understanding and not the hard crash of "And suddenly the story protagonist shows up and is amazing."
That said there is one last complaint that needs to be addressed. I listened to the audiobook. The narration gets better as it goes on but particularly at the start I dont think the narrator understood the genre, its like he heard 'spirit cultivation' and 'ascension' and decided to narrate in this ethereal wispy way that doesnt fit the story, or the characters in the least. When I first started listening I made it through the first chapter and I put it down and deleted it, it was only because I didnt want to waste the audiobook credit that I picked it back up and did my best to ignore the narration till it very slowly shifted to something a bit more reasonable. If you are interested in the genre and want to read the story id say to go with a physical edition, or if you dont mind missing the first 3 books you could go over to royal road and read the more recent stuff there (though be warned, currently it starts you in what I personally think of the angst arc, and it stays there for a while).
December 4, 2023
I love cultivation books and coming of age stories, as well as those about the poor kid who strikes lucky, and this first book in a new cultivation series has all this and so much more. I absolutely love the style of writing of this author which I found so easy to read, and yet so gripping. Sen is a poor orphan trying to live day by day on the streets, being harassed and bullied by the nobles' children of Orchard's Reach. An old woman he calls grandmother does her best to ease some of his cold nights by providing him with shelter, and he shares the food he steals. Sen never aspires to become anything let alone a cultivator, however destiny has other plans for him. He is chosen by a cultivator who comes to the town and is taken to the mountains where he is trained by not just one cultivator but three for six whole years. These masters teach him as much as possible pushing him beyond his limits, many a time sharing the knowledge of their long lived years. However Sen fears that he will lose his humanity and become a monster and a killing machine, so he has to decide what type of person he wants to become and what mark he wants to leave on the world once he sets out on his own. He returns to his hometown to see his grandmother and there encounters enemies, those same kids who had bullied him and were so full of envy when he got chosen, he the street rat. However now he is no street rat to be bullied any more so they had best beware! I love where this series is going and am dying to get my hands on the next book. I love the character of Zen, his humility and thoughtfulness which he never loses, and I really love his spirit companion Fallen Leaf who provides company and friendship during all his travails on the mountain.
March 18, 2025
Rating 4.0 stars
A really good cultivation story. It is more of a breath of fresh air kind of stories. Most of these books have the MC painstakingly trying to gain more power. Why? Just to have it. The MC usually has to bend and scrape to the people in his sect that are more powerful. Everyone talks about honor but barely any of them seem to know what that means. As much as I like the process I always ask myself who would like to live this kind of life. In this one the MC is a street rat orphan. He does something that catches the attention of a wandering cultivator and he takes him to be his disciple. He isn't sure at first but he gets more food than he knows what to do with and his master is actually pretty kind. This boy knows absolutely nothing about cultivation. Most people know at least a little and there was a comedy of errors that occured because his master just couldn't believe how little he knew. The MC is a good person and tries very hard. More than the first half of the book is training before he gets a feeling that he needs to go somewhere else. Maybe it is his cultivation, maybe it is the universe but he needs to go. That is when he figures out just how much his master and his friends taught him. He always thought of himself as just adequate. He was comparing himself to monsters that have lived for thousands of years. When he finds people at his own power level he finds out just how strong he is. He thinks what he does is nothing special, but every other person looks on him as a master. A master of cultivating more than one element, which is thought to be impossible. A master of the sword and the spear. A master of alchemy and formations. He knows more than most masters on the outside world. He does have to deal with the sects and their "honor". He is just trying to live his life and he has to come up with a balance between fighting everyone that pisses him off and wanting to show mercy. Overall, this is a very good start to the series.
A really good cultivation story. It is more of a breath of fresh air kind of stories. Most of these books have the MC painstakingly trying to gain more power. Why? Just to have it. The MC usually has to bend and scrape to the people in his sect that are more powerful. Everyone talks about honor but barely any of them seem to know what that means. As much as I like the process I always ask myself who would like to live this kind of life. In this one the MC is a street rat orphan. He does something that catches the attention of a wandering cultivator and he takes him to be his disciple. He isn't sure at first but he gets more food than he knows what to do with and his master is actually pretty kind. This boy knows absolutely nothing about cultivation. Most people know at least a little and there was a comedy of errors that occured because his master just couldn't believe how little he knew. The MC is a good person and tries very hard. More than the first half of the book is training before he gets a feeling that he needs to go somewhere else. Maybe it is his cultivation, maybe it is the universe but he needs to go. That is when he figures out just how much his master and his friends taught him. He always thought of himself as just adequate. He was comparing himself to monsters that have lived for thousands of years. When he finds people at his own power level he finds out just how strong he is. He thinks what he does is nothing special, but every other person looks on him as a master. A master of cultivating more than one element, which is thought to be impossible. A master of the sword and the spear. A master of alchemy and formations. He knows more than most masters on the outside world. He does have to deal with the sects and their "honor". He is just trying to live his life and he has to come up with a balance between fighting everyone that pisses him off and wanting to show mercy. Overall, this is a very good start to the series.
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