Street Cultivation 3

Street Cultivation #3

by Sarah Lin

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 has attempted to separate himself from the world of cutthroat killers, but is drawn in by a chance to participate in a contest at the highest levels. The resulting trials will take him across the world against many different opponents, but he knows that his sponsors ultimately just want to use him for their own profit. In the end, he'll need to decide what it is that he really wants...

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction

366 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2020

About the author

Hello! 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!

Reviews

[Tao Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitting end to the trilogy

Well done end by Sarah Lin with the story coming full circle. There are a few plot threads left, but nothing major. It's be great to see more of Rick though in future works

[Alastair Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Lin cranked out a full progression character arc in three novels???? No way! I truly hope we get to see these characters again and follow them on their immortal journey, but I will not hesitate to say that Sarah Lin put in the WORK for the last book in the trilogy. Self pub authors are a different sort entirely. Whereas traditional published authors seem to have so much energy funneled into the publishing house and their requirements that *some* trilogies hurt by the finale. With the traditionally published author ending the series as effectively as possible. I have not seen the same lag with self published authors. Truly a magnificent and layered job. I hope we get a continuation, but am so happy we ate well with this third installation of Street Cultivation

[Andrey Lukyanenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great end of the series.

I really like how the author handled balance between training and life. Too often we see heroes who focus everything on training. It is quite refreshing to see main hero, who wants to live well and have more things in life that pure training. And I'm glad he has a nice sister :)

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely chucking a dog like a frisby deep into the woods

[Chris Durston · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trilogy's enjoyable enough, although the realisation that this may well be the last SC book (and is certainly at least intended to be the end of an arc, as per the author's note at the end) soured me on it somewhat. It doesn't feel like an ending here - if this is the end of the series, it's finished before it's hit its potential. Feels like there are a lot of things I would've expected to see as the story continued, but I guess we're not getting any of them.

[GaiusPrimus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man o man! I didn't know it was going to be the end of the series!

If you haven't picked up these books yet, do so. You'll definitely enjoy them if you are into gamelit elements and/or light novels.

Bittersweet, as I really want to see more of what's taking place in Rick and Melissa's lives and that epilogue!!!!!!

[Farida Saleem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tis is a review for the entire series

The romantic subplot left much to be desired but in the end it fulfilled its roll even though it wasn't the best
The fights were good
The plot for the first book was excellent for the second and third,not so much
Its like the writer meant to only write the first book but for some reason wrote two more
They don't feel connected more like notes tacked together
I would have preferred more variety of villains but they stay the same throughout
The involvement of granny Whitney in the second book wasn't needed for the plot
The overarching Alger plot was pretty good
Tis would have read much better if there was no second book and the writer tied the first book into the third one

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this weekly as part of the author’s Patreon.

The conclusion to the trilogy adds a lot of new elements and is full of unexpected twists and turns. The writing is fantastic as ever by Sarah Lin. The ending was a surprise but wholly satisfying.

[A.R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best entry in the series by far. This book takes a bit of a darker path, with some really good twists near the end. Everything comes together fantastically, definitely worth a read.

[Soo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:

Turns out I haven't read this one before. Not sure why the audiobook is in my Audible library as 'finished'.

World elements & power system are still cool. I wish the author wrote more for this series. There's a weird story-time skip between 2 and 3. That made the story flow slow down and it doesn't really pick up until the last 1/3.

Ok story, but could have been better.

[Tony Hinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was of two minds about this series until I finished this book. Now I'm all in.

The magic system is taken seriously. It gives the impression of depth and complexity, as you find when studying any real-world subject. In addition, the corruption of the powerful is totally convincing. Like every other avenue to power, magic has been coopted to entrench the status quo, leaving the underclass to scabble for the left-overs.

Not only do we get to watch a lower-class underdog strive to get out from under the man's thumb... there are also hints that Rick may find a way to disrupt the whole unfair system for everyone. More, please.

[Akshay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Street Cultivation 3 (Street Cultivation, #3) by Sarah Lin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Review:

Sarah Lin's "Street Cultivation 3," the latest installment in the series, faces challenges in maintaining the narrative vigor and originality that characterized earlier books. While the series continues to explore the intriguing intersection of cultivation and urban life, this particular installment struggles with pacing issues, character arcs, and a sense of narrative predictability.

Pacing and Plot Development:

One of the notable drawbacks in "Street Cultivation 3" is the pacing, which can feel uneven at times. Certain plotlines may progress too rapidly, while others linger without significant advancement. Achieving a more balanced pacing would enhance the narrative flow and maintain reader engagement. A well-paced plot is crucial for sustaining tension and anticipation throughout the story.

Repetitive Plot Elements:

The novel occasionally relies on repetitive plot elements, revisiting challenges and conflicts that feel familiar from earlier books in the series. While some repetition can serve to reinforce thematic elements, an overreliance on established patterns may lead to a sense of predictability. Readers may seek more innovative developments that provide a fresh perspective on the cultivation journey within the urban setting.

Character Arcs and Depth:

Character arcs in "Street Cultivation 3" feel somewhat constrained, lacking the depth and evolution seen in earlier installments. While the characters face external challenges, their internal growth and motivations could be more intricately explored. A more nuanced approach to character development would allow readers to connect on a deeper level with the protagonists, enhancing the emotional resonance of the narrative.

World-Building Opportunities:

Given the urban cultivation setting, "Street Cultivation 3" presents an opportunity to further expand the series' world-building. The exploration of new facets of the urban environment, additional layers to the cultivation system, or the introduction of unique challenges could enrich the reader's experience. A more expansive world-building approach would contribute to the overall depth and immersion of the series.

Balance of Action and Reflection:

The balance between action sequences and moments of introspection is crucial in a cultivation novel. In "Street Cultivation 3," this balance occasionally tilts more towards action, potentially sacrificing opportunities for character reflection and philosophical exploration. A more harmonious integration of action and introspection would allow for a well-rounded narrative that caters to both the visceral and intellectual aspects of the genre.

Conclusion:

Street Cultivation 3 (Street Cultivation, #3) by Sarah Lin grapples with the challenges of maintaining narrative vitality and originality in a series. While the urban cultivation theme remains intriguing, issues with pacing, repetitive plot elements, character arcs, and the need for expanded world-building opportunities contribute to a somewhat diminished reading experience. Despite these drawbacks, readers invested in the series may still find enjoyment in the continuation of the cultivation journey within the urban landscape, with hopes that future installments will address these concerns and reinvigorate the narrative.

[Steven Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent one time read as a series....

That could easily be reread more than once. That might not make sense but honestly this series is a whole doesn't either in some ways. On one hand it offers a urban martial arts fantasy, on the other hand it gives the reader the bird making the martial arts mundane. There is little to no "h cool" factor about martial arts. there's nothing spiritual, mystical, special or even sacred. Power that would be known as chi in other books is called lucrim in this set of stories. it is literally spaced dust that corporations and world powers somehow figured out how to collect so that they can make an economy out of it that runs parallel to normal economy.

It's a mixed bag of interesting concepts and some depressing consistent social commentary. At the same time this third book is the most well-rounded book in terms of the beginning middle and end of the series. Granted much of the world building work was done in the first two books. It is still a shallow world where specifics actually pull the reader out of the story rather than keep them in because they don't quite work out well timeline wise.

Overall I do not regret reading this story. It was fun an instructive and seeing how the offer was able to still pull me along without the interesting antagonist for most of the series. This third had a fairly good reveal in twist with the character that turns out to be a little bit more than you expected him to be. Doesn't make complete sense if you look back logically through the first two books but as long as you go with it you'll enjoy the ride.

This is a bit of a progression story or the protagonist is striving to get more skilled or powerful but that is not really what it's about. There's not a lot of action but there is enough to wet the reader's appetite while telling a different style of story. I may go back and forth a bit about the series but I have to respect the authors ability to want to tell her story without falling into the typical outlines of the genre.

[Samrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting and satisfying end to the story without ever claiming to be an actual conclusion for the characters. Definitely makes for a cohesive trilogy that I really enjoyed.

The entire Lucrim situation and the institutions that grow out of it are clearly intended to map onto parts of real-life economics while making their negatives as explicit as possible - aura leeches as a method of debt collection, demonic bonds as another allegory for debt itself and how it affects the classes differently. Considering that, the "answers" that the main characters seem to arrive at for their problems feel pretty milquetoast, but I suppose I never have read a particularly politically radical cultivation novel. "Angel" bonds, on the other hand, seem actively patronizing in their description, but that's actually more fitting for cultivation as a genre.

SPOILERS FOLLOW

Surprising that Emily never makes it back for the plot, it felt like her return was being foreshadowed heavily with the repeated mentions of needing a lucrim engineer to figure out the angel bonds.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, worst book cover art of the series. :/ Should have stuck with the 2D art from the first two books.

Liked it better than book 2, Rick gets more focused on training and getting stronger, gets into a fighting tournament and tries to figure out if someone might be pulling his strings. Good conclusion to the trilogy, left sufficiently open for additional stories in this world with these characters, but also a satisfying ending.

Rating: R, for language (f-words) and some action violence.

***SPOILERY THOUGHTS***
I liked Rick's last encounter with Granny Whitney and Teragen--she didn't try to use him, but helped him see that Alger was setting things up to get Rick back into fighting.

I liked the trope of the lucrim dream that motivated Rick to get involved in the Showdown and kept waiting for some twist that would show Raggest taking a major heel turn. And really liked that he didn't. Still just dumb and entitled.

Glad Rick and Lisa have made up.

[Luke Molinar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read

I very much enjoyed this book, it sucked me in and I literally stayed up until 4:30 in the morning to finish it. Good development of the *world* of street cultivation, and the characters further developed.

I was not expecting the way this story ended, but it was very satisfying and a good end.

The only quibble is that the book is sadly lacking in describing Rick's lucrim cores, so if you don't binge, you may not remember what they all do- which isn't ideal when this is a big part of his progression through the book. I would suggest the author add a short description to each core in the book, and failing that readers may want to revisit the section of book 2 with a description of the Dark Blood Kettle.

[Sundeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my blog post for complete review of the series

The pacing continued to be good. It also helped that the world tour led to deeper world building and introduction to new characters. The second half was more interesting and I enjoyed the ending.

Given that some of the usual tropes of world saving, vengeance, rapid progression to higher tiers of power, etc were deliberately subverted, I wish we had more slice-of-life chapters. I liked Rick as a protagonist throughout the series, but a few more chapters from other characters would've made it for a more balanced reading. That said, I've seen readers in this genre preferring single POV, so perhaps this is to be expected.

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a completely satisfying trilogy... I'm so happy that I convinced myself to try out this new to me author... in part do to Travis Baldree's wonderful voice.
In this book Rick steps back into the fighting arena thinking that he's found the perfect Patreon and Contract. This time to play in a world event called The Showdown. Eventually Rick faces harsh reality of what he's gotten into. Rick knows that only he can dig his way out. But Rick also knows he's not alone as he's got the full backing of his family and friends.
You're gonna need to grab this action-driven trilogy to find out what happens because I'm not giving it away that's for you to find out. In this pedal-to-the-metal drive.

[Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice continuation to the series and we get to see some macro plot for once.

Writing is crisp as usual and book moves at a good pace despite most of the book focused on Rick's training/cultivation.

.My biggest gripe is that the big tournament turned out to be a damp squib. It was a huge letdown.

The lack of an overall plot is a big drawback as this feels like a filler chapter with a revelation at the end. I see some reviews stating this to be a trilogy...which would be a sad waste. It should continue as a series as it has all the elements to take things up a notch.

Though still and an interesting read. Will continue to look forward to book 4.

[jaeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect conclusion a book long epilogue.

This book was absolutely amazing and wrapped up the other two books perfectly. The entire Trilogy felt like watching a real person in a world very similar to our own but also very different. All in all there were times especially in book two where I didn't really know where Rick was going and was frustrated by that but honestly the epilogue of this book really wrapped it up for me he's not a traditional cultivation hero that needs to fight everybody or have a giant villain but he is a contender in his own right and managed to make a path forward where he can help people while getting stronger

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4/10 - Lost some of the luster of the first two, and I had trouble keeping interested in the middle, but the ending really stuck the landing. Alger’s deception and the fight with H was very well done, and the epilogue was a nice callback to the beginning with Rick helping a poor kid being picked on by birthrighters

I guess I’m mostly sad that there probably won’t be more of the story to explore. The world and system were fairly interesting, but a lot of Lucrim mechanics went unexplained.

Still I enjoyed it. It was nice to see a strong sibling relationship evolve through each installment.

[Bryce Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished my first reread of the series and it was just as awesome as the first. I don't have the words for how much I love those universe. The demon characters were some of my favorites and the lucrim system was incredibly interesting. I really enjoyed the accurate feel around the high performance athletes and the tradeoffs and the predatory trainers as well.
I feel like there is so much to explore here and I truly hope that one day those books are written, maybe in more of a typical fantasy setting so we can do more exploring, and not feel so constricted by the narrow definition of "progression fantasy". I'm sure in another few years I'll be back rereading this outstanding trilogy.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great conclusion to a trilogy

Let me start this off by saying this book was fantastic start to finish. It was the culmination of the previous two works and better in every way. It played up the tropes like expected, and gave a unique spin... it worked great.

And... I’m left sad because I want another trilogy in this world. I don’t know if I will see these characters again, and that’s sad. They have great arcs... and I enjoy seeing what they became from where they started... but I am sad that right now we won’t be seeing them for a time.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Sarah Lin is one of only three authors I have found that write kungfu/wuxia books worth reading. This book concludes her saga of a poor fighter struggling his way up to immortal grandmaster god-hood middle class. There is plenty of fighting but behind that the core of the book is more concerned with payday loans and retirement pensions.

(I wish Sarah wouldn't just keep churning out action novels and try for something with more depth and character focus because I think she has potential. Maybe the economics wont support it.)

[LAWRENCE SHIDELER · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good conclusion

The third book brings the story to a conclusion. It was a fitting ending to the story. If you enjoyed the first two books then you are in for more of the same. The book is well edited and the story well thought out. To be honest I gave it four stars instead of five because I just don't really care for the MC. Rick may well be the most boring MC I've ever run across.
Whatever, the book is well written and if you made it this far then you won't be disappointed.

[Francis Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to a great series. I had been worried that the slice-of-life feel of this cultivation story would be lost in favor of an epic finale, and while the ending was epic, it somehow still managed to retain what made the first story great throughout. Ultimately, this is a story about the importance of friends and family, and how achieving greatness isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. This was a perfect capstone to a story that has always been about the personal. I’m a little sorry to see Rick’s adventures come to an end, but what an enjoyable ride it was getting there.

[Dion Crump · Rating 5 out of 5]

A happy goodbye

While this is the last installment of this arc I hope there is more in the future. Watching Rick grow and struggle to bring his life from the pits has been a wild ride I throughly enjoyed. Sarah breathed life into the characters she crafted and made an amazing contribution to the Wuxia novels. I won’t think of the sad goodbye this series brings but about the joy I had along the way

[Sebastian Cuellar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Conclusion

This book is easily one of the best progressive fantasies I've ever read that is fully self contained in 3 books.

The author writes incredibly well, with vivid understandable characters, fascinating plot twists, and just a pure delight to read.

The books are also deep and use fantasy as an allegory for capitalism and ye olde bootstrap ideals. Honestly I could go on and on, but just read the series, I loved it.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently I forgot to review book 2. Weird.

Anyways, Book 3 is a good ending to the trilogy. The story continues the same tropes for the genre, and I appreciate the commentary on politics, economics, and Olympic/specialized training used as an analogy throughout.

As much as the story is done, I wanted more of Rick’s future, of his relationships, of all the things that happens after the end, and what more can you ask for?

[Matthew.wizardgmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please write another so you can wrap up the wrap up

I liked the series but man I wish they firmly tied up loose ends :D

So they have a sequel. Right? Right???

I'm giving this 5 starts because I really liked it. The world building was good and the action was good. At times the characters were great sometimes, at other times the characters felt like they existed to provide benefit to the main character.