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Painting the Mists #3
Light in the Darkness
Peace has returned to Fairweather County thanks to the timely interference of Cha Ming and his friends. Zhou Xian and the Merchant have been defeated, and the surviving residents have begun piecing their lives back together. But things have been better for the young heroes.
Cha Ming has been maimed and crippled. Alone and alienated, he must find a new place for himself in a new society. Meanwhile, Huxian is stranded on an isolated mountain. Having spent most of his life as a domesticated animal companion, he must awaken his animal instincts or die trying.
Gong Lan is losing herself with every passing day. Is this the price for power, or is there a better way? Hong Xin has disappeared, and Wang Jun is desperate to find her—for even the most wretched souls need light in their world of darkness.
This novel is an Eastern fantasy novel, which means it contains a lot of martial arts, asian mythical creatures, and many references to Budhism and Daoism. Cultivators fight to pursue immortality, fight demons and devils, and engage in ancient crafts like alchemy and weapon forging. If you've never tried an Eastern fantasy novel before, give it a try. You'll like it!
Cha Ming has been maimed and crippled. Alone and alienated, he must find a new place for himself in a new society. Meanwhile, Huxian is stranded on an isolated mountain. Having spent most of his life as a domesticated animal companion, he must awaken his animal instincts or die trying.
Gong Lan is losing herself with every passing day. Is this the price for power, or is there a better way? Hong Xin has disappeared, and Wang Jun is desperate to find her—for even the most wretched souls need light in their world of darkness.
This novel is an Eastern fantasy novel, which means it contains a lot of martial arts, asian mythical creatures, and many references to Budhism and Daoism. Cultivators fight to pursue immortality, fight demons and devils, and engage in ancient crafts like alchemy and weapon forging. If you've never tried an Eastern fantasy novel before, give it a try. You'll like it!
- GenresFantasy
406 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2018
305 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Patrick G. Laplante
37 books72 followersPatrick Georges Laplante was born in a small town in the Canadian prairies in 1987. He began publishing Painting the Mists online under the pseudonym RedMirage in January 2018.
An engineer by trade, he graduated from the University of Alberta in 2009 and completed his master's degree in 2011. While writing and engineering have little in common, he actively utilizes his experiences and attention to detail in fleshing out a vivid world and answering the "whys," which are often left unanswered in Xianxia fiction.
As an avid vegan, he aims to prompt internal reflection in his readers through various themes like non-violence, choice, and begging the question: Is personhood restricted to humanity? And what is proper conduct, morality, and love?
His work is inspired by a combination of Western fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, Chinese web novels, and various Japanese, Korean, and Chinese comics and illustrated novels.
Patrick's hobbies include: reading, board games, and taekwondo.
An engineer by trade, he graduated from the University of Alberta in 2009 and completed his master's degree in 2011. While writing and engineering have little in common, he actively utilizes his experiences and attention to detail in fleshing out a vivid world and answering the "whys," which are often left unanswered in Xianxia fiction.
As an avid vegan, he aims to prompt internal reflection in his readers through various themes like non-violence, choice, and begging the question: Is personhood restricted to humanity? And what is proper conduct, morality, and love?
His work is inspired by a combination of Western fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, Chinese web novels, and various Japanese, Korean, and Chinese comics and illustrated novels.
Patrick's hobbies include: reading, board games, and taekwondo.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 12, 2018
Ugh.
Half the book wasted just making the mc into a slave... By this point I've lost all interest. No progression, almost no character development, feels less like entertainment and more like a chore to read this
Half the book wasted just making the mc into a slave... By this point I've lost all interest. No progression, almost no character development, feels less like entertainment and more like a chore to read this
November 13, 2020
This book so far is filled with misery and suffering. I guess that's what it takes to build character?
I just hope the protagonist isn't so naive and bleeding-hearted in the future.
There are too many POVs in this novel.
This book is reading like some out there anime. The animals have audio and video technology.
Seeing how the "main protagonist" benefited greatly from his blunder in the end, I don't think he is going to learn his lesson.
I'm going to read the sequel sometime in the future, even though I'm sure more POVs will be added, and I will have to read about people I have absolutely no interest in.
3/5 Stars
I just hope the protagonist isn't so naive and bleeding-hearted in the future.
There are too many POVs in this novel.
This book is reading like some out there anime. The animals have audio and video technology.
Seeing how the "main protagonist" benefited greatly from his blunder in the end, I don't think he is going to learn his lesson.
I'm going to read the sequel sometime in the future, even though I'm sure more POVs will be added, and I will have to read about people I have absolutely no interest in.
3/5 Stars
September 18, 2021
pretty meh
An interesting world, a very well thought out magic system but severely hampered by mediocre writing and the obvious lack of an editor. Filled with typos and duplicate text. This book contains more POV characters than the previous and the author was not up to the task of handling them. All the characters sound the same so other than their names being frequently mentioned in their chapters there is not much to tell them apart. Not a terrible book, but only worth reading for free with Kindle Unlimited.
An interesting world, a very well thought out magic system but severely hampered by mediocre writing and the obvious lack of an editor. Filled with typos and duplicate text. This book contains more POV characters than the previous and the author was not up to the task of handling them. All the characters sound the same so other than their names being frequently mentioned in their chapters there is not much to tell them apart. Not a terrible book, but only worth reading for free with Kindle Unlimited.
December 24, 2021
How long can you go on tangents until the reader gets bored? In the previous book, in the acknowledgments section, the author mentioned that that book was going to be a turning point to the story. As it turned out, it was. But what I didn't expect was, instead of things finally kicking off and setting towards a certain direction... what we end up with is nothing. Utterly nothing. If there ever could be a "filler" in a book series, this is it.
The sheer amount of tangents that the author goes on in this book are limitless. They add nothing to the story. The author would like you to believe that they're there for character development, but for characters to undergo development, they'd need to have a certain level of depth in the first place, which they don't.
When I first started reading these books, I was somewhat pleased that the main character wasn't utterly immature. Getting upto book 3 though, a different issue popped up, one that you don't usually come across. The protagonist here has a complete lack of drive and quite a weak mentality. Any time things start to get difficult, he's ready to give up or let someone else take the heat. I had seen even in the previous books, the moment he gets one scratch in a fight, he starts gobbling all the pills he has. And we're supposed to believe this guy is a body cultivator with a supreme cultivation technique.
I had already gotten annoyed at the fighting style that the author has decided to stick on him, what with him using fucking prayer beads like elemental pellets. This is the best you could come up with for someone who has 7-8 types of qi? Even his initial choice of learning one technique for one aspect was much better than this. At least the reader could properly visualize what was happening. After the start of the beads, it all became mind numbingly boring and repetitive. Oh now he's used beads to create firewall. Now he's used them to make a frost cloud. Now to create a minor earthquake. Now some tiny swords. Over and over and over again. Fucking brilliant. I'm dropping to sleep in my excitement.
Another thing thats a mild negative is the constant changing of POVs. You rarely see cultivation books written in constantly changing POV style because they're mainly about progression and discovery / world building. Changing POVs take away from this as they break the progressive flow. You could still get away with it if your story was good enough, but there is no story here to speak of.
Also the amount of times the main character gets carried on someone's back is hilarious. These sorts of books always trounce the phrase 'if someone shows me kindness, I'll pay them back ten times', and yet I've yet to ever see that happen. Random people find some or the other reason to extravagantly support the MC, even going so far as to give up years of their life or their cultivation for him, and he never even pays them back once, let alone ten times. Whenever this happens it leaves a bad taste in the mouth because you cannot but feel that the world is completely unrealistic and tailored to have the MC progress as fast as possible. The other people only exist to be of some use or to antagonize the MC. They don't have any lives or ambitions or needs of their own.
Anyway, I'm stopping this series here, but I hope that this is a good experience for the author and maybe his next series is better planned and has a better story as well as more flesh out characters.
The sheer amount of tangents that the author goes on in this book are limitless. They add nothing to the story. The author would like you to believe that they're there for character development, but for characters to undergo development, they'd need to have a certain level of depth in the first place, which they don't.
When I first started reading these books, I was somewhat pleased that the main character wasn't utterly immature. Getting upto book 3 though, a different issue popped up, one that you don't usually come across. The protagonist here has a complete lack of drive and quite a weak mentality. Any time things start to get difficult, he's ready to give up or let someone else take the heat. I had seen even in the previous books, the moment he gets one scratch in a fight, he starts gobbling all the pills he has. And we're supposed to believe this guy is a body cultivator with a supreme cultivation technique.
I had already gotten annoyed at the fighting style that the author has decided to stick on him, what with him using fucking prayer beads like elemental pellets. This is the best you could come up with for someone who has 7-8 types of qi? Even his initial choice of learning one technique for one aspect was much better than this. At least the reader could properly visualize what was happening. After the start of the beads, it all became mind numbingly boring and repetitive. Oh now he's used beads to create firewall. Now he's used them to make a frost cloud. Now to create a minor earthquake. Now some tiny swords. Over and over and over again. Fucking brilliant. I'm dropping to sleep in my excitement.
Another thing thats a mild negative is the constant changing of POVs. You rarely see cultivation books written in constantly changing POV style because they're mainly about progression and discovery / world building. Changing POVs take away from this as they break the progressive flow. You could still get away with it if your story was good enough, but there is no story here to speak of.
Also the amount of times the main character gets carried on someone's back is hilarious. These sorts of books always trounce the phrase 'if someone shows me kindness, I'll pay them back ten times', and yet I've yet to ever see that happen. Random people find some or the other reason to extravagantly support the MC, even going so far as to give up years of their life or their cultivation for him, and he never even pays them back once, let alone ten times. Whenever this happens it leaves a bad taste in the mouth because you cannot but feel that the world is completely unrealistic and tailored to have the MC progress as fast as possible. The other people only exist to be of some use or to antagonize the MC. They don't have any lives or ambitions or needs of their own.
Anyway, I'm stopping this series here, but I hope that this is a good experience for the author and maybe his next series is better planned and has a better story as well as more flesh out characters.
April 26, 2022
not the best in the series but ok
I can’t say I loved this book; the book's pace became increasingly slower and slower. I think the main character's struggles were more than character-forming but too distracting from everything else; in a way, they are plot breakers that should color whatever happens next; I don't think that happens here.
On the positive, the spirit animal arc is fantastic; if the book had killed the main character by taking a pill and making the tablet stuck on his throat it would have been an excellent book just because of this subplot.
What I disliked the most about the book was how reductionist the central arch becomes and how two of the most interesting characters are barely mentioned.
I can’t say I loved this book; the book's pace became increasingly slower and slower. I think the main character's struggles were more than character-forming but too distracting from everything else; in a way, they are plot breakers that should color whatever happens next; I don't think that happens here.
On the positive, the spirit animal arc is fantastic; if the book had killed the main character by taking a pill and making the tablet stuck on his throat it would have been an excellent book just because of this subplot.
What I disliked the most about the book was how reductionist the central arch becomes and how two of the most interesting characters are barely mentioned.
May 21, 2020
This was a real letdown to read. The first two books had a number of issues but still managed to convey a reasonably interesting story with engaging enough characters to keep me reading. This book essentially unravelled all and any progress made so far, split up all the characters in a way that was vastly detrimental to their individual stories instead of beneficial and then the story just got worse and worse until i abandoned it in disgust.
January 29, 2021
Really losing interest.
I'm half way in. There are too many points of view. So much of this could be skipped and summarized. Is the MC the MC? I'm sorry this could be much better if different choices were made. Focus on the MC. Again I find myself really wanting to skim through whole sections. A few interludes here and there from another view point would be much better than this swapping.
I'm half way in. There are too many points of view. So much of this could be skipped and summarized. Is the MC the MC? I'm sorry this could be much better if different choices were made. Focus on the MC. Again I find myself really wanting to skim through whole sections. A few interludes here and there from another view point would be much better than this swapping.
September 4, 2018
Great series
I hope this is not the end. True you could walk away from the series since you tried to wrap up different characters story lines within this book. This is a very good series and I hope you will continue to bring your English reading followers more.....
I hope this is not the end. True you could walk away from the series since you tried to wrap up different characters story lines within this book. This is a very good series and I hope you will continue to bring your English reading followers more.....
June 17, 2019
Enjoyed it the second time
I thought thus was familiar. I read at least part of this on Royal Road. Had a great time with book 3. It bounced around between characters a bit more than I'd like, but it is cool to see multiple characters developed. A great series.
I thought thus was familiar. I read at least part of this on Royal Road. Had a great time with book 3. It bounced around between characters a bit more than I'd like, but it is cool to see multiple characters developed. A great series.
August 1, 2019
Great cultivation growth
The third book in the series demonstrates great growth of all the characters in the series. Each undergoes some great tribulations and dynamic change. The author’s work was really impressive.
The third book in the series demonstrates great growth of all the characters in the series. Each undergoes some great tribulations and dynamic change. The author’s work was really impressive.
August 31, 2019
A very solid book that entertains.
I enjoyed how the author handled the separation of the characters. The MC was interesting in how he grows while he was injured. I enjoyed the progression of the spirit beasts in how they had a rigid system of who was the most powerful.
I enjoyed how the author handled the separation of the characters. The MC was interesting in how he grows while he was injured. I enjoyed the progression of the spirit beasts in how they had a rigid system of who was the most powerful.
February 7, 2021
Strong Improvement
The series is starting to find its feet, I feel, and the author’s voice. Most of the characters are progressing both in power and characterization, and while they’re trope-y, it is not a poor execution.
The series is starting to find its feet, I feel, and the author’s voice. Most of the characters are progressing both in power and characterization, and while they’re trope-y, it is not a poor execution.
May 18, 2022
Nice addition to the series. This is one of those books where the main characters get beat down over and over again. I’ll be honest, this isn’t my favorite contact but it does make their resurgence all the more sweet. So this was an up and down ride.
August 14, 2018
enjoyable english first wuxia
April 11, 2019
Need more
June 24, 2019
Keeps.on going
The quality and everything I liked about books 1 and 2 keep on growing. Absolutely fantastic keep It up sir
The quality and everything I liked about books 1 and 2 keep on growing. Absolutely fantastic keep It up sir
September 20, 2019
Book 3 still good
A.great book, i really enjoyed light in the darkness: book 3 of painting the mists by Patrick laplante. It was a fun reaf.
A.great book, i really enjoyed light in the darkness: book 3 of painting the mists by Patrick laplante. It was a fun reaf.
May 8, 2020
Good
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
September 8, 2020
Each of the major characters is on their own journey in this book.
March 15, 2021
The MC's perspective was the only interesting storyline, with the fox's being an arguable second. Again, for being such a string proponent of choice, none of the characters seem to have any.
July 24, 2021
Right wing propaganda
Literally half the book is just a far right economic expose. The author should be ashamed of him or herself.
Literally half the book is just a far right economic expose. The author should be ashamed of him or herself.
November 28, 2021
Love the series
Great cultivation series for those getting started in the genre. I highly recommend the series. Each book gets better and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Great cultivation series for those getting started in the genre. I highly recommend the series. Each book gets better and I can't wait to see what happens next.
November 30, 2021
So after giving this a second chance and skipping several hours I found it good enough to continue.
April 20, 2022
Great book
Honestly found it a little slow at the beginning. But it picked and turned into a great book. Cannot wait to read the next book.
Honestly found it a little slow at the beginning. But it picked and turned into a great book. Cannot wait to read the next book.
July 20, 2022
Much darker
Much darker than the last two books. Not really what I signed up for when I started reading the series
Much darker than the last two books. Not really what I signed up for when I started reading the series
December 15, 2022
intense
What an emotional journey including dealing with ptsd / post traumatic stress syndrome, and depression, in a very realistic manner. Wow.
What an emotional journey including dealing with ptsd / post traumatic stress syndrome, and depression, in a very realistic manner. Wow.
April 21, 2023
This one is better, the story flows better, quite enjoyable :-)
November 18, 2021
When I re-read this I was struck by how all the side characters exist purely to be slaughtered so a main character can have an epiphany. It got so tiresome I gave up before the end. Also worth mentioning is how often they say “an incense time”. Is one of this world’s mystical features that everything takes five minutes? This also became very tiresome. After an incense time.
February 22, 2021
14.12.2020 - 3,5*
17.12.2018 - 4*
17.12.2018 - 4*
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews