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Street Cultivation #1
Street Cultivation
In the modern world, qi is money.
The days of traveling martial artists and mountaintop masters are over. Power is controlled by corporations, modernized martial arts sects, and governments. Those at the bottom of society struggle as second class citizens in a world in which power is a commodity.
Rick is a young fighter in this world. He doesn't dream of immortality or becoming the strongest, just of building a better life for himself and his sister, who suffers from a spiritual illness. Unfortunately, life isn't that easy...
The days of traveling martial artists and mountaintop masters are over. Power is controlled by corporations, modernized martial arts sects, and governments. Those at the bottom of society struggle as second class citizens in a world in which power is a commodity.
Rick is a young fighter in this world. He doesn't dream of immortality or becoming the strongest, just of building a better life for himself and his sister, who suffers from a spiritual illness. Unfortunately, life isn't that easy...
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2019
959 people are currently reading
1550 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Lin
32 books465 followersHello! I'm Sarah Lin and I write various kinds of fantasy. If you want to keep up with my work, feel free to check out the following:
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/dMSw2A
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sarahlin
Blog: http://sarahlinauthor.blogspot.com/
Join either list to get immediate access to illustrations of all my characters, plus bonus content and previews. If you've tried my work, I'd be happy to hear from you!
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/dMSw2A
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sarahlin
Blog: http://sarahlinauthor.blogspot.com/
Join either list to get immediate access to illustrations of all my characters, plus bonus content and previews. If you've tried my work, I'd be happy to hear from you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
August 18, 2019
An urban fantasy take on cultivation magic
Take a struggling hero, add in a contemporary environment, Eastern cultivation magic and Sarah Lin's compelling writing and you've got the makings of a great story.
Take a struggling hero, add in a contemporary environment, Eastern cultivation magic and Sarah Lin's compelling writing and you've got the makings of a great story.
December 29, 2019
Rating 1.0 star - DNF
I have been on a cultivating kick recently and I have enjoyed them all. Up until this book. I am not sure what was going on. The way people advanced didn't make any sense to me. People got paid with lucrim and money. Lucrim was how powerful someone was. The lower the score the less power they had. It wasn't explained very well how to gain lucrim except by fighting. Not sure how that was supposed to work. I also didn't understand why it was needed at all. In most of these types of books cultivators are special people who are on a path of power. Not everyone needs to be a cultivator though. In this book I guess they do? I didn't like the magic system, I didn't think it was explained very well. I didn't like the story and I didn't really like the characters. A triple whammy for me putting it down. I made it about 35% through the book when I realized there was nothing for me and put it down.
I have been on a cultivating kick recently and I have enjoyed them all. Up until this book. I am not sure what was going on. The way people advanced didn't make any sense to me. People got paid with lucrim and money. Lucrim was how powerful someone was. The lower the score the less power they had. It wasn't explained very well how to gain lucrim except by fighting. Not sure how that was supposed to work. I also didn't understand why it was needed at all. In most of these types of books cultivators are special people who are on a path of power. Not everyone needs to be a cultivator though. In this book I guess they do? I didn't like the magic system, I didn't think it was explained very well. I didn't like the story and I didn't really like the characters. A triple whammy for me putting it down. I made it about 35% through the book when I realized there was nothing for me and put it down.
December 23, 2019
Yes!
What a great cultivation + slice of life story!
I really enjoyed the other series by the author, but I must say that this has quickly become my favorite one from her.
Unique takes on established tropes seems to be her thing and I can't get enough of it.
Just plain awesome.
What a great cultivation + slice of life story!
I really enjoyed the other series by the author, but I must say that this has quickly become my favorite one from her.
Unique takes on established tropes seems to be her thing and I can't get enough of it.
Just plain awesome.
September 17, 2020
It always pains me slightly to give out a 1-star review, knowing how much effort went into creating it and also mindful that just because something isn't to my taste doesn't mean it is bad. I admit I didn't finish this -- I made it a bit over 100 pages in, 25% of the book -- before I decided to cut my losses. I'm not a masochist completionist.
This is a "cultivation" book, a style I hadn't ever read before. Cultivation is, I gather, a style of "progression fantasy" derived from wuxia and xianxia. It is all about people becoming stronger -- physically and mentally -- via martial arts and meditation until they transcend and become enlightened and immortal.
I'll be the first to admit that I approached this more as "a genre I haven't heard about but lots of people like it so maybe I will too". Of course that was tempered by reading the author, Sarah Lin, writing somewhere that none of her protagonists are women because genre surveys have shown an overwhelming number of cultivation-genre readers absolutely refuse to read a book with a female protagonist.
So, definitely vibes of "power fantasy targeted at young men". I can roll with that -- a middle-aged man can still have power fantasies, you know? And I was a young man in the previous century. So I gave it a shot.
And honestly, it isn't even the cultivation power fantasy that didn't work for me. If it was just that, I would probably give this 2-stars. Unfortunately, I can't even really call the prose "workman-like"; it doesn't rise to that level. It isn't actively bad or anything. But every aspect of the book is weak to the point of nonexistence. World building, creating a sense of place, dialogue, characters. There was nothing to hook me into caring enough to keep reading. Even the plot, such as it is, is simply "My sister is sick and I'm poor and I wish we had enough money for her medicine". (Somewhat ironic that in an apolitical book about martial arts the entire plot revolves around America being the only civilized country not having nationalized healthcare and other social safety nets.)
I'm not a literature snob, so I hesitate to phrase it this way, but none of the writing in Street Cultivation felt like it had any craft of writing behind it. That said, Sarah Lin's other on-going work, The Brightest Shadow, sounds like an intriguing and eclectic mix of western fantasy, wuxia, and JRPG elements -- so I'll give that a try at some point.
This is a "cultivation" book, a style I hadn't ever read before. Cultivation is, I gather, a style of "progression fantasy" derived from wuxia and xianxia. It is all about people becoming stronger -- physically and mentally -- via martial arts and meditation until they transcend and become enlightened and immortal.
I'll be the first to admit that I approached this more as "a genre I haven't heard about but lots of people like it so maybe I will too". Of course that was tempered by reading the author, Sarah Lin, writing somewhere that none of her protagonists are women because genre surveys have shown an overwhelming number of cultivation-genre readers absolutely refuse to read a book with a female protagonist.
So, definitely vibes of "power fantasy targeted at young men". I can roll with that -- a middle-aged man can still have power fantasies, you know? And I was a young man in the previous century. So I gave it a shot.
And honestly, it isn't even the cultivation power fantasy that didn't work for me. If it was just that, I would probably give this 2-stars. Unfortunately, I can't even really call the prose "workman-like"; it doesn't rise to that level. It isn't actively bad or anything. But every aspect of the book is weak to the point of nonexistence. World building, creating a sense of place, dialogue, characters. There was nothing to hook me into caring enough to keep reading. Even the plot, such as it is, is simply "My sister is sick and I'm poor and I wish we had enough money for her medicine". (Somewhat ironic that in an apolitical book about martial arts the entire plot revolves around America being the only civilized country not having nationalized healthcare and other social safety nets.)
I'm not a literature snob, so I hesitate to phrase it this way, but none of the writing in Street Cultivation felt like it had any craft of writing behind it. That said, Sarah Lin's other on-going work, The Brightest Shadow, sounds like an intriguing and eclectic mix of western fantasy, wuxia, and JRPG elements -- so I'll give that a try at some point.
April 22, 2020
Notes:
A fun, slice of life martial arts story. The narration was great. Basic plot & characters with fanboy elements. It's odder to see the Japanese style fanboy extras from a female writer.
I think it's rather lame to write a series and call the books Series Name 1-2-3-etc. This has become a detail that makes me not want to read a series. It doesn't even matter if I like the author.
A fun, slice of life martial arts story. The narration was great. Basic plot & characters with fanboy elements. It's odder to see the Japanese style fanboy extras from a female writer.
I think it's rather lame to write a series and call the books Series Name 1-2-3-etc. This has become a detail that makes me not want to read a series. It doesn't even matter if I like the author.
January 7, 2024
I read Street Cultivation all in one go during a sleepy afternoon on the sofa. It was originally published as a web serial so is fast-paced and undemanding fun. The protagonist Rick attempts to get ahead of debts and family problems in an Americanised world of xianxia cultivation. His dead end job in a gym pays hardly any qi ('lucrim'), while rich kids inherit powerful spiritual cores from their parents. I enjoyed comparing this world with actual xianxia I've read, as well as modern AU fanfiction for that. The lack of swords was a little disappointing, although the normality of duelling was amusing. What really stood out in Street Cultivation were the excellent fight scenes. They're also frequent, as Rick can only improve his skills and get paid via fighting. Lin writes vivid, kinetic, and exciting fights involving martial arts, weapons, and special abilities like wielding lightning.
Street Cultivation is essentially a less sophisticated version of Jade City and sequels (which I highly recommend). There isn't a lot of character development, as it's an action thriller centred upon Just Some Guy. The world-building is great, though. It was fun to see a Westernised xianxia world from the perspective of someone at the bottom of the pile, keenly aware of structural inequality. The subprime demonic bonds were a particularly good detail. Incidentally, I read a hardcopy from eBay which must be amazon print-on-demand as it has no page numbers! That was disconcerting. If I come across hardcopies of the sequels I'll gladly read them in the hope of more exciting battles.
Street Cultivation is essentially a less sophisticated version of Jade City and sequels (which I highly recommend). There isn't a lot of character development, as it's an action thriller centred upon Just Some Guy. The world-building is great, though. It was fun to see a Westernised xianxia world from the perspective of someone at the bottom of the pile, keenly aware of structural inequality. The subprime demonic bonds were a particularly good detail. Incidentally, I read a hardcopy from eBay which must be amazon print-on-demand as it has no page numbers! That was disconcerting. If I come across hardcopies of the sequels I'll gladly read them in the hope of more exciting battles.
September 11, 2019
This was an overall ok story that is a pretty good introduction to cultivation/gamelit if a reader is new to the genres. If you have read many of these stories, then you might struggle to find the first half engaging since it is mostly just laying the foundation of how the lucrima stuff works. Likewise, if you have no idea how poor people live, this story does a fair job capturing a lot of the feeling of a young person being in poverty. I honestly thought it was a little too straight 1 to 1 ratio and on the nose. Substitute lucrima for money and some different loan methods, but otherwise a lot of this stuff felt more like substitution rather than an exercise in creativity for me.
For a story that is in a large way about fighting, there's not much here for people really interested in the fights. They are described in little detail, though that might be a good thing if you do know much about fighting. I am undecided whether some of the things were supposed to be funny or not, but they sure were to me so I will pretend it was intentional tongue in cheek stuff rather than serious. This is the only book from Sarah Lin that I have read, so I will give the benefit of the doubt.
I thought this was a pretty good story overall, I just personally found it pretty flat. There wasn't much here that I haven't seen before with the exception of the story just reveling in the main character being poor and constantly suffering due to circumstances. Unfortunately to me, he never felt like a real character as much as he did a walking set of circumstances.
I would recommend this to anyone new to the cultivation genre since this would be a good introduction. Likewise anyone new to gamelit, since this would be a good book to dip the toes in without drowning in stat sheets. For readers who are more experienced with cultivation, your mileage will likely vary, but I would still say to give it a shot. While I was underwhelmed much of the time, I wasn't bored either.
For a story that is in a large way about fighting, there's not much here for people really interested in the fights. They are described in little detail, though that might be a good thing if you do know much about fighting. I am undecided whether some of the things were supposed to be funny or not, but they sure were to me so I will pretend it was intentional tongue in cheek stuff rather than serious. This is the only book from Sarah Lin that I have read, so I will give the benefit of the doubt.
I thought this was a pretty good story overall, I just personally found it pretty flat. There wasn't much here that I haven't seen before with the exception of the story just reveling in the main character being poor and constantly suffering due to circumstances. Unfortunately to me, he never felt like a real character as much as he did a walking set of circumstances.
I would recommend this to anyone new to the cultivation genre since this would be a good introduction. Likewise anyone new to gamelit, since this would be a good book to dip the toes in without drowning in stat sheets. For readers who are more experienced with cultivation, your mileage will likely vary, but I would still say to give it a shot. While I was underwhelmed much of the time, I wasn't bored either.
May 7, 2021
Street Cultivation is a book completely immersed and enamored with the cultivation genre, its strengths and weaknesses emblematic of the entire class, the only exclusionary unique flavor in it being derived out of being set in a capitalistic and modern world. The plot is fast paced, the progression system is transparent and the protagonist is a fantastic stand in (Keanu Reeves Tier). Also, the small cast of characters in the book help zone in on the fundamental intentions of such novels of focusing in on the change of the available agency of the primary character and helping delineate the plot from the progression. It also aids in developing a bond with the primary character and thus further intensify the dopamine-centric process of observing him gradually and painstakingly grow. But the flaws rampant in the burgeoning field is starkly present in ample amounts in here too. Many of the characters are milquetoast, their motivations clichéd and underdeveloped. The dialogue often turns into a delivery system for contrived plot points. The Qi system is uninspired and derivative. Overall, the vague and thin conservatively dispersed social commentary doesn’t save the book from being another middling endeavor within the cultivation shelf. I’m going to read the whole series though. Who says no to an easy and cheap fix?
2.5/5
2.5/5
August 20, 2019
Book one
Mistakes: None found!
Plot: Poor boy taking care of ill younger sister gets stronger at cultivating through hard work.
Characters: Decent characters, but nothing really draws me to any of them.
8/10
I watched this story grow online and had to read the book as well because of my habit of letting chapters stack so I can bing read. The book published with me still needing to read the last three chapters.
I hope to see book two up on that same site.
Mistakes: None found!
Plot: Poor boy taking care of ill younger sister gets stronger at cultivating through hard work.
Characters: Decent characters, but nothing really draws me to any of them.
8/10
I watched this story grow online and had to read the book as well because of my habit of letting chapters stack so I can bing read. The book published with me still needing to read the last three chapters.
I hope to see book two up on that same site.
September 2, 2021
Solid progression/cultivation fantasy that partially takes place in the real/urban world. I enjoyed the refreshing, modern take to progression/cultivation fantasy and the characters were very well fleshed out; However, the plot does not ignite the ever consuming fire I look for in my fantasy/progression. This book was very good chapter by chapter but lacked some resonance as a cohesive story. Will be continuing and can’t wait for what’s next for Rick and his cohorts!
September 11, 2019
4.5 Stars
I wasn't sure about this novel at first. The magic system is modeled on an RPG mana mechanism, but set in a real-world... so it's not technically LitRPG. In fact, the level of realism is dialed up to eleven, making it sometimes frustrating and sometimes infuriating.
I remember hearing Jim Butcher talk about his protagonists like they were over-worked mules. If they seem too comfortable, just load more on their back. That's Rick in this story. He's a hard-working, honest and loving young man that keeps having yet another load of shit dumped on his head. We, the reader, walk side by side with Rick every step of the way as he makes, and executes, plans to get out from under.
I really like Rick's proactive path. He's always the underdog, but he's in control and manages to turn bad situations into long-term gains. Sign me up for more of this!
I wasn't sure about this novel at first. The magic system is modeled on an RPG mana mechanism, but set in a real-world... so it's not technically LitRPG. In fact, the level of realism is dialed up to eleven, making it sometimes frustrating and sometimes infuriating.
I remember hearing Jim Butcher talk about his protagonists like they were over-worked mules. If they seem too comfortable, just load more on their back. That's Rick in this story. He's a hard-working, honest and loving young man that keeps having yet another load of shit dumped on his head. We, the reader, walk side by side with Rick every step of the way as he makes, and executes, plans to get out from under.
I really like Rick's proactive path. He's always the underdog, but he's in control and manages to turn bad situations into long-term gains. Sign me up for more of this!
March 25, 2020
It seems I'm on a "cultivation" novel binge.
The author somehow managed to incorporate cellphone apps with stats (while checking the stats as much as possible) into a cultivation novel. All while giving a sob story about a sick sister at home.
Well. The story wasn't so bad after I forced myself through it. It seems like the author drew inspiration from the Cradle Series. This felt more like a Western adaptation, than an Eastern one. The people didn't demand enough face, and they were not cruel enough.
I will not be reading any sequel from the author. The "woe is me" worked out in the end, but it annoyed me like nothing else when it was introduced.
2/5 Stars
The author somehow managed to incorporate cellphone apps with stats (while checking the stats as much as possible) into a cultivation novel. All while giving a sob story about a sick sister at home.
Well. The story wasn't so bad after I forced myself through it. It seems like the author drew inspiration from the Cradle Series. This felt more like a Western adaptation, than an Eastern one. The people didn't demand enough face, and they were not cruel enough.
I will not be reading any sequel from the author. The "woe is me" worked out in the end, but it annoyed me like nothing else when it was introduced.
2/5 Stars
September 6, 2019
Well-written, but it seemed long for what was accomplished. My rating really reflects that I'm not super-interested in cultivation, certainly not books that revolve completely around it. Other reviewers have rated it much higher, but I note that they like cultivation/wuxia books and see this as an excellent example. If you like that genre you'll probably like this book more than I did.
August 3, 2020
I did not expect to enjoy this book quite so much. There is a very strong underdog vibe here and the writing is solid with plenty of humorous exchanges that made me smile or outright laugh. I like the setting of wuxia theme in the modern world and the story itself was enjoyable. No regrets in picking this one up :)
January 10, 2024
The book overall was enjoyable with no major flaws. While some parts felt slightly off, it wasn't bothersome.
The characters and their relationships seemed a bit unreal at times. Additionally, the power structure was a tad confusing; incorporating a more defined structure from cultivation novels could enhance the overall experience.
Despite these minor points, it was a good read.
The characters and their relationships seemed a bit unreal at times. Additionally, the power structure was a tad confusing; incorporating a more defined structure from cultivation novels could enhance the overall experience.
Despite these minor points, it was a good read.
April 10, 2020
One of the first cultivation stories I've read. This book has a more western style to it, and does away with heavy use of meditation that I think takes place in typical cultivation stories.
Society is modernized, and the MC Rick struggles to rise out of poverty and various unfortunate circumstances, training to survive and fight in underground matches. It's all a long, tortuous uphill battle, but unfortunately, things never meaningfully change for Rick, even by the end of the book. I won't spoil it, but that's my biggest gripe.
Still a great read.
Society is modernized, and the MC Rick struggles to rise out of poverty and various unfortunate circumstances, training to survive and fight in underground matches. It's all a long, tortuous uphill battle, but unfortunately, things never meaningfully change for Rick, even by the end of the book. I won't spoil it, but that's my biggest gripe.
Still a great read.
September 26, 2024
The last time I read this book I dropped it because I couldn't put up with the whole bully and underdog story.
The main character kept getting knocked down by unreasonable people and it seemed like he couldn't catch a break. I picked it up again yesterday and it's been close to a year since I last dropped it. This time, I had no problem finishing the book although the problems with the work were still glaring and obvious, I was able to look past that and enjoy the story as a whole.
I also loved the brother and sisters character interactions and I think it was one of the books more pleasing aspect, normally when I read a book like this, I expect a straight forward power grabbing progression binge, this book offered little of that but compensated in other ways.
My main issue with the book were the poorly developed characters, everyone outside the main characters circle were either extremely dumb or just plain. That aside I rate books on how I enjoy them, and I did enjoy this, so I wouldn't say it was all that bad.
The main character kept getting knocked down by unreasonable people and it seemed like he couldn't catch a break. I picked it up again yesterday and it's been close to a year since I last dropped it. This time, I had no problem finishing the book although the problems with the work were still glaring and obvious, I was able to look past that and enjoy the story as a whole.
I also loved the brother and sisters character interactions and I think it was one of the books more pleasing aspect, normally when I read a book like this, I expect a straight forward power grabbing progression binge, this book offered little of that but compensated in other ways.
My main issue with the book were the poorly developed characters, everyone outside the main characters circle were either extremely dumb or just plain. That aside I rate books on how I enjoy them, and I did enjoy this, so I wouldn't say it was all that bad.
May 30, 2020
Off to a solid start. The author chose to make the qi system look more like financial assets, with parallel concepts for credit score etc. My initial reaction was that the system would let her down somewhere along the way, but it holds up surprisingly well.
We also see glimpses of demonic entities, which is promising. There are also traditional wuxia-style harem scenarios arising, but I hope they get more modern treatment as well.
Only reason it's 4 stars instead of 5, the mc monologues too much about how his parents gave him nothing. It got repetitive after a while, especially since his outward actions don't seem to make him feel bitter.
We also see glimpses of demonic entities, which is promising. There are also traditional wuxia-style harem scenarios arising, but I hope they get more modern treatment as well.
Only reason it's 4 stars instead of 5, the mc monologues too much about how his parents gave him nothing. It got repetitive after a while, especially since his outward actions don't seem to make him feel bitter.
February 27, 2020
DNF at 30%. Moderately interesting world-building, but the characters all felt just a little bit flat and unemotional. Don't hate it, but felt bored after a while.
December 30, 2020
Written for people who aren't quite ready for the subtlety and nuance of harry Potter r
June 28, 2024
3.5 but 4 for the April fool's chapter
September 2, 2025
Honestly a solid book. Was not sure going in, it does lack in humor, but the story and characters are good. The story feels far more grounded than most cultivation novels. More realistic. Definitely enjoyed.
October 23, 2022
Reminded me of the Outsiders/Karate Kid meets an RPG.
August 25, 2019
Imaginative with a fresh take on the cultivation genre, the book provides an entertaining read, albeit with several flaws. This was a fun exploration into magic-meets-modern day and a step up from the previous series (better described as "reformed villain has complex relationship conversations").
"Poor down-on-his-luck but hard-working and good-hearted hero makes something of himself and takes care of his sick trope sister" describes the story but minimizes the cool world building. It's classic cultivation transformed to the modern world. From banking and credit scores to social standing, it's all about the mana, mana, mana, or as this book calls it the lucrim. The protagonist can be beat to a pulp on a daily basis and grow and benefit from that abuse because the world is twisted enough that those who suffer figuratively transform themselves ever upwards.
Yes, many characters, especially the villains, have little personal development and are mean for no particularly good reason, the main character is pulled into a tournament progression that it is better not to think about too hard, and the people of the world are insufferably prejudiced until they are enlightened by said hero. Also, the writing is a bit flat. Despite all that, I really liked it, so my Goodreads 4-star rating.
It's a full story with beginning and end, not the start of a series, so yay to that, too.
"Poor down-on-his-luck but hard-working and good-hearted hero makes something of himself and takes care of his sick trope sister" describes the story but minimizes the cool world building. It's classic cultivation transformed to the modern world. From banking and credit scores to social standing, it's all about the mana, mana, mana, or as this book calls it the lucrim. The protagonist can be beat to a pulp on a daily basis and grow and benefit from that abuse because the world is twisted enough that those who suffer figuratively transform themselves ever upwards.
Yes, many characters, especially the villains, have little personal development and are mean for no particularly good reason, the main character is pulled into a tournament progression that it is better not to think about too hard, and the people of the world are insufferably prejudiced until they are enlightened by said hero. Also, the writing is a bit flat. Despite all that, I really liked it, so my Goodreads 4-star rating.
It's a full story with beginning and end, not the start of a series, so yay to that, too.
November 22, 2020
Honestly this is one of those books that grows on you. The start of it is a bit rough. And you have to put aside some things. But after a while it really does grow on you. I enjoyed the 3 books that are currently out. Hope that there is more.
*The way the cultivation works in this universe is ... ODD. And def NOT what you would usually expect.
To explain it the best way i can. = Think about the way our society is in Real life. Big Corps and old money squeezing the normal people for all they can. All in the name of profits and power. Now translate that current real life situation into one where it also includes Cultivation resources.
In the End its the Age old story of Greed and struggle by someone who starts out with nothing. And goes on to fight their way to something more than themselves. Rags to riches in other words.
*The way the cultivation works in this universe is ... ODD. And def NOT what you would usually expect.
To explain it the best way i can. = Think about the way our society is in Real life. Big Corps and old money squeezing the normal people for all they can. All in the name of profits and power. Now translate that current real life situation into one where it also includes Cultivation resources.
In the End its the Age old story of Greed and struggle by someone who starts out with nothing. And goes on to fight their way to something more than themselves. Rags to riches in other words.
February 2, 2020
It loses one point because it waits until the end to explain a cultivation system that could be taught as a 3 year degree course. Seriously it feels like accountancy and economics on steroids. Getting the general idea was possible but it is not a magic system that you can think about in your off time like allomancy or ferochemy for instance.
I would be interested in reading a sequel the characters are interesting to me. The martial arts descriptions aren't varied though so that can be a little boring.
I would be interested in reading a sequel the characters are interesting to me. The martial arts descriptions aren't varied though so that can be a little boring.
December 12, 2020
Good read about an young artist trying to get better and get money for his sister's illness. He's forced to take a risky route and that ends in more bad choices. Good writing, the cultivation parts are done well and world building is great. Characters are good and have personality. Overall a good plot and a good read.
January 27, 2022
So 5 minutes in and I just felt like wtf is this it sounded like some kind of middle book of a series where no real setup existed before the book just randomly start at a specific scene. I've been on a Cultivation/Xianxia/Wuxia spree as of late and I've found several series I enjoyed. But this was the worst I've listened too in a long while.
August 19, 2019
Hard Recommend
I backed this story on Patreon when it first came out on Royal Road and I've loved it since then. It's got a nice twist on xianxia/litrpg genres. The magic system might take a while to get your head around but it's a really enjoyable system.
I backed this story on Patreon when it first came out on Royal Road and I've loved it since then. It's got a nice twist on xianxia/litrpg genres. The magic system might take a while to get your head around but it's a really enjoyable system.
September 26, 2019
Don't sleep on this!!
This book was probably one of the more underwhelming advertisement starts I have seen in a while. It is a cleverly designed plot to make you want to sleep on one of the top 5 western cultivation novels this year. React this now!!
This book was probably one of the more underwhelming advertisement starts I have seen in a while. It is a cleverly designed plot to make you want to sleep on one of the top 5 western cultivation novels this year. React this now!!
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