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Heaven's Laws #1
Prodigies
The apex of the martial arts calls out. It challenges all to ascend.
Long Chao is the son of a hedge mage—a heretic cultivator. He doesn’t cultivate for power, but to satisfy his endless curiosity.
One fateful day, Xiao Huifen, a girl aiming to be the youngest Sky Realm cultivator in the Monolith continent’s history, crashes into his life. She’s from the world of top-ranked sects and strict cultivation methodologies.
They share nothing in common except for the unquenchable desire to unlock heaven’s every mystery.
This is their journey.
However, the brightest glory casts the darkest shadow.
Strength begets brutality. Long-life begets the foulest perversions.
To those who dwell in the darkness, young cultivators such as them are nothing more than some of the finest resources.
To use them as slaves. Refine them into pills.
When faced with such depravity, this unorthodox pair must do all they can to survive. Even if they do, how can they hope to remain unchanged?
Long Chao is the son of a hedge mage—a heretic cultivator. He doesn’t cultivate for power, but to satisfy his endless curiosity.
One fateful day, Xiao Huifen, a girl aiming to be the youngest Sky Realm cultivator in the Monolith continent’s history, crashes into his life. She’s from the world of top-ranked sects and strict cultivation methodologies.
They share nothing in common except for the unquenchable desire to unlock heaven’s every mystery.
This is their journey.
However, the brightest glory casts the darkest shadow.
Strength begets brutality. Long-life begets the foulest perversions.
To those who dwell in the darkness, young cultivators such as them are nothing more than some of the finest resources.
To use them as slaves. Refine them into pills.
When faced with such depravity, this unorthodox pair must do all they can to survive. Even if they do, how can they hope to remain unchanged?
1062 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2021
449 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
December 30, 2021
All I'm going to say is that anything I enjoyed about this book couldn't compete with the poor sentence clarity, awkward prose, dozens of proofreading errors, and just plain lazy writing.
As soon as the story mentioned "virgin" yin, I already knew a rape plot was incoming. While the scene itself could have been worse and more tastelessly explicit, the best-case scenario is that it's still nothing but lazy writing. Why not rape the male main character instead for a change? Or come up with something else - literally anything else - to do to a female character other than default to rape. There are hundreds of alternatives that could achieve the same plot goals.
I'll just leave these here for anyone willing to read a little about rape in writing:
https://gizmodo.com/something-to-thin...
https://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/...
https://www.wired.com/2015/06/rape-sc...
As soon as the story mentioned "virgin" yin, I already knew a rape plot was incoming. While the scene itself could have been worse and more tastelessly explicit, the best-case scenario is that it's still nothing but lazy writing. Why not rape the male main character instead for a change? Or come up with something else - literally anything else - to do to a female character other than default to rape. There are hundreds of alternatives that could achieve the same plot goals.
I'll just leave these here for anyone willing to read a little about rape in writing:
https://gizmodo.com/something-to-thin...
https://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/...
https://www.wired.com/2015/06/rape-sc...
September 29, 2021
Rating 5.0 stars
This book is excellent. I have always felt there is something missing in cultivation novels. That missing element is emotion. Someone joins the path of cultivation to take the energy of the world into themselves to become stronger. As much as I love the process, that gets old after a while without something more. This book had all the cultivation aspects that I love AND added emotion to the mix. The MC wasn't spending all day cultivating to become stronger but with fascination of the process. Most characters in cultivation novels spend all their time working on getting better, stronger, faster, adding more chi. Hardly ever do the characters stop and delight in what they are doing. Imagine being able to fly and then being bored with it as soon as it is accomplished.
The story follows 2 main characters Xiao Huifen, and Long Chao with Chao being the true main character. Xiao Huifen is a once in many generation talent of one of the largest sects on the continent. She is hunting for a beast to help her cultivation and gets in a little over her head. She ends up getting help from Long Chao. He is the son of a hedge or heretic cultivator (one that follows their own path and doesn't follow the strict guidelines of cultivation). His is an average cultivator at best but he has a different kind of talent and is able to help the young beautiful fairy Huifen. Things happen and Long Chao follows fairy Huifen back to her sect to join.
This is one of the best cultivation novels I have read and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the Cradle series by Will Wright.
This book is excellent. I have always felt there is something missing in cultivation novels. That missing element is emotion. Someone joins the path of cultivation to take the energy of the world into themselves to become stronger. As much as I love the process, that gets old after a while without something more. This book had all the cultivation aspects that I love AND added emotion to the mix. The MC wasn't spending all day cultivating to become stronger but with fascination of the process. Most characters in cultivation novels spend all their time working on getting better, stronger, faster, adding more chi. Hardly ever do the characters stop and delight in what they are doing. Imagine being able to fly and then being bored with it as soon as it is accomplished.
The story follows 2 main characters Xiao Huifen, and Long Chao with Chao being the true main character. Xiao Huifen is a once in many generation talent of one of the largest sects on the continent. She is hunting for a beast to help her cultivation and gets in a little over her head. She ends up getting help from Long Chao. He is the son of a hedge or heretic cultivator (one that follows their own path and doesn't follow the strict guidelines of cultivation). His is an average cultivator at best but he has a different kind of talent and is able to help the young beautiful fairy Huifen. Things happen and Long Chao follows fairy Huifen back to her sect to join.
This is one of the best cultivation novels I have read and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the Cradle series by Will Wright.
November 10, 2021
Has the same problem that every Thorne work I've tried does--telling, telling, telling. Telling the whole way.
There's no room for characters to act without having exactly everything they're doing and thinking relayed to you in the driest way imaginable. To compound, there's an endless stream of narrated exposition that makes it even more dull to read.
There's no room for characters to act without having exactly everything they're doing and thinking relayed to you in the driest way imaginable. To compound, there's an endless stream of narrated exposition that makes it even more dull to read.
December 31, 2021
Another one down the bin. Decent potential wasted.
What it could have been:
- An orthodox cultivation novel, but with sufficient difference compared to lot of other works by focusing on and comparing two vastly different methods of cultivation - a 'by the book' sect method for Huifen's POV, and an unorthodox hedge mage method in Chao's POV.
- Competitive as well as romantic tension could have been added between two people using very different methods to try and reach the same goal.
- Every new experience could have been used for character development. The 'trauma' event could have been used as a harsh eye opener for both to shake their beliefs and focus their mentality to that which can survive a dog eat dog world. To be fair, Huifen does get some development. Chao though... I'll leave a rant about him for later.
- Much better use of page space instead of trying to explain garbage laws like creating a lightning lion or ice dragon or a tiny earth golem etc. etc. The laws themselves aren't the problem, but trying to explain something in great detail that even you (yes you author) have no idea how it exactly works is stupid. All that page space could have been use to make the progress in cultivation more gradual, more visible and more believable. Instead what we get is jumps of 3-4 realms for Chao split by months of nothing, and just rash climbing for Huifen when author doesn't no what to do with her.
- Better antagonists, but if I was to be honest I've stopped hoping authors delivering anything quality on this front.
What it is:
- An account, half of which is of a simpleton that refuses to grow up. Frankly his character is sickening. He obviously hides his emotions behind goofy smiles. He has an unhealthy obsession over a girl who's life he helped save. He eavesdrops on people's personal conversations when he has obviously the ability to stop doing so. He has no drive other than desperately wanting the girl he saved, and possibly going to any lengths to be with her, which is what makes him try and cultivate as fast as he can.
He acts like a servant or a slave, constantly bowing his head and apologizing for no reason whatsoever to people he likes or has a neutral relationship with, and yet takes vital decisions that could affect the entire sect without consulting anyone. It ranks of duplicity. First of all, someone who has been raised in a bloody jungle should never have such a slavish personality. Apparently he's supposed to take his personality from his mother who was the height of kindness and gentleness, but I think the author confuses these two traits with being utterly meek and servile.
After his friend/mentor/senior/love of his life suffers a traumatic experience, he grins, smiles 'bashfully' and says "Senior sister, you're incredible!". What. The. Actual. Fuck? Never mind that if I had a penny for every time he says "senior sister you're incredible", I'd not have to work a day more in my life.
- A collection of contradictions.
1. Apparently laws are supposed to be incredibly hard to master. Chao teaches them > people start grasping 2-3 laws in mere days. Especially Huifen. It takes her one time to master everything. Makes her disbelief in Chao's ability to use laws seem a bit... thin.
2. Huifen invites Chao to come to the sect to help him grow... and their first order of business is to make him hide most of his laws and techniques so evil people don't figure out who he is. Here's a free tip: people don't grow by hiding their strengths. They grow by using it, and pushing it to its limit.
3. An elder betrays the most promising candidate the sect has produced ever since its conception, someone who could have breezed even through the higher realm, all to get pathetic benefits. We're told she "doesn't know" that the candidate was that promising, and would have possibly brought hundred times more benefits if they hadn't been betrayed. This despite the fact that the candidate in question all but beats her own genius senior sister (and possible future sect master) who's hundred years older, at the ridiculously young age of 18. Honestly, the plots most of these cultivation novels come up with are utter trash, and this one's doesn't stray too far.
- An exercise in relationship absurdity. Chao saves Huifen's life, so Huifen decides to reward him by making her his personal disciple?! This despite the fact that she has no idea of his cultivation method, his martial skills, or what he can do with his laws?! Despite the fact that considering he has been taught by his mother and father, both of whom have hundred times more experience than even her own sect master, she thinks that she can bring something new to the table despite being only one year older?! It is an utterly lame cover by the author to tie stories of two people up.
Its a shame that this foundation has now been set in stone. There is no hope for future books being anything but continuation of the same, where one main character childishly devotes himself to the other. Weak, motivation-less characters are a bane of stories where the protagonists are one day supposed to get to the very top of the world/worlds.
What it could have been:
- An orthodox cultivation novel, but with sufficient difference compared to lot of other works by focusing on and comparing two vastly different methods of cultivation - a 'by the book' sect method for Huifen's POV, and an unorthodox hedge mage method in Chao's POV.
- Competitive as well as romantic tension could have been added between two people using very different methods to try and reach the same goal.
- Every new experience could have been used for character development. The 'trauma' event could have been used as a harsh eye opener for both to shake their beliefs and focus their mentality to that which can survive a dog eat dog world. To be fair, Huifen does get some development. Chao though... I'll leave a rant about him for later.
- Much better use of page space instead of trying to explain garbage laws like creating a lightning lion or ice dragon or a tiny earth golem etc. etc. The laws themselves aren't the problem, but trying to explain something in great detail that even you (yes you author) have no idea how it exactly works is stupid. All that page space could have been use to make the progress in cultivation more gradual, more visible and more believable. Instead what we get is jumps of 3-4 realms for Chao split by months of nothing, and just rash climbing for Huifen when author doesn't no what to do with her.
- Better antagonists, but if I was to be honest I've stopped hoping authors delivering anything quality on this front.
What it is:
- An account, half of which is of a simpleton that refuses to grow up. Frankly his character is sickening. He obviously hides his emotions behind goofy smiles. He has an unhealthy obsession over a girl who's life he helped save. He eavesdrops on people's personal conversations when he has obviously the ability to stop doing so. He has no drive other than desperately wanting the girl he saved, and possibly going to any lengths to be with her, which is what makes him try and cultivate as fast as he can.
He acts like a servant or a slave, constantly bowing his head and apologizing for no reason whatsoever to people he likes or has a neutral relationship with, and yet takes vital decisions that could affect the entire sect without consulting anyone. It ranks of duplicity. First of all, someone who has been raised in a bloody jungle should never have such a slavish personality. Apparently he's supposed to take his personality from his mother who was the height of kindness and gentleness, but I think the author confuses these two traits with being utterly meek and servile.
After his friend/mentor/senior/love of his life suffers a traumatic experience, he grins, smiles 'bashfully' and says "Senior sister, you're incredible!". What. The. Actual. Fuck? Never mind that if I had a penny for every time he says "senior sister you're incredible", I'd not have to work a day more in my life.
- A collection of contradictions.
1. Apparently laws are supposed to be incredibly hard to master. Chao teaches them > people start grasping 2-3 laws in mere days. Especially Huifen. It takes her one time to master everything. Makes her disbelief in Chao's ability to use laws seem a bit... thin.
2. Huifen invites Chao to come to the sect to help him grow... and their first order of business is to make him hide most of his laws and techniques so evil people don't figure out who he is. Here's a free tip: people don't grow by hiding their strengths. They grow by using it, and pushing it to its limit.
3. An elder betrays the most promising candidate the sect has produced ever since its conception, someone who could have breezed even through the higher realm, all to get pathetic benefits. We're told she "doesn't know" that the candidate was that promising, and would have possibly brought hundred times more benefits if they hadn't been betrayed. This despite the fact that the candidate in question all but beats her own genius senior sister (and possible future sect master) who's hundred years older, at the ridiculously young age of 18. Honestly, the plots most of these cultivation novels come up with are utter trash, and this one's doesn't stray too far.
- An exercise in relationship absurdity. Chao saves Huifen's life, so Huifen decides to reward him by making her his personal disciple?! This despite the fact that she has no idea of his cultivation method, his martial skills, or what he can do with his laws?! Despite the fact that considering he has been taught by his mother and father, both of whom have hundred times more experience than even her own sect master, she thinks that she can bring something new to the table despite being only one year older?! It is an utterly lame cover by the author to tie stories of two people up.
Its a shame that this foundation has now been set in stone. There is no hope for future books being anything but continuation of the same, where one main character childishly devotes himself to the other. Weak, motivation-less characters are a bane of stories where the protagonists are one day supposed to get to the very top of the world/worlds.
October 15, 2021
one heck of a book
I swear it seemed like a trilogy instead of one book! Good characters and plot development although the world building got a little too much for me around 79% but thats xanxia for you! A really solid progression novel
I swear it seemed like a trilogy instead of one book! Good characters and plot development although the world building got a little too much for me around 79% but thats xanxia for you! A really solid progression novel
December 2, 2021
To start off it is an okay book. Thats about it really, it doesn't have an amazing story but things kind of still happen. It doesn't have amazing characters but its still readable.
The author uses too many words to describe scenes which makes the sentences feel convoluted. For example he never puts focus on one thing to describe but describes everything in the sentence. It's never "He watched her through the stained glass" but always "From within his room he watched his ice fairy in her icy phoenix gown through the stained glass window the size of a wardrobe." It becomes tedious to read after a while.
Secondly the story is never driven by the main characters but always by those around them manipulating everything. Chao is probably the worst main character simply because he is a passive voice throughout the story. He tinkers with his laws but other than he doesn't do anything. We get told that he does have ambition but then he doesn't show any.
Rape is a cheap gimmick to use to evoke emotion in the readers however its fairly tame in this book and gets resolve quickly so ill give it a pass, though i think the book might as well have gone without it and be better for it.
I feel like there was a lot of potential in this book that was wasted. The laws for example are just tools for combat in the grand scheme of things when it could have been a way to cultivate for chao had he figured out how. This feels more like a badly written slice of life romance novel with some cultivation splashed in for flavour and its just not my thing.
The author uses too many words to describe scenes which makes the sentences feel convoluted. For example he never puts focus on one thing to describe but describes everything in the sentence. It's never "He watched her through the stained glass" but always "From within his room he watched his ice fairy in her icy phoenix gown through the stained glass window the size of a wardrobe." It becomes tedious to read after a while.
Secondly the story is never driven by the main characters but always by those around them manipulating everything. Chao is probably the worst main character simply because he is a passive voice throughout the story. He tinkers with his laws but other than he doesn't do anything. We get told that he does have ambition but then he doesn't show any.
Rape is a cheap gimmick to use to evoke emotion in the readers however its fairly tame in this book and gets resolve quickly so ill give it a pass, though i think the book might as well have gone without it and be better for it.
I feel like there was a lot of potential in this book that was wasted. The laws for example are just tools for combat in the grand scheme of things when it could have been a way to cultivate for chao had he figured out how. This feels more like a badly written slice of life romance novel with some cultivation splashed in for flavour and its just not my thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2021
umm…wow
Eastern cultivation with Western flavors. And a MASSIVE novel, as well. A full, well-rounded story.
A few grammatical errors (“wounding stairs”, “explicate” instead of “exacerbate”, etc.), but quite clean given the sheer size of the manuscript.
Compares *very* favorably with Will Wight’s ‘Cradle’.
If you’re looking for a novel to introduce someone to cultivation, this is the one.
I can’t wait to find out if there will be a sequel!!
Eastern cultivation with Western flavors. And a MASSIVE novel, as well. A full, well-rounded story.
A few grammatical errors (“wounding stairs”, “explicate” instead of “exacerbate”, etc.), but quite clean given the sheer size of the manuscript.
Compares *very* favorably with Will Wight’s ‘Cradle’.
If you’re looking for a novel to introduce someone to cultivation, this is the one.
I can’t wait to find out if there will be a sequel!!
October 9, 2021
Made it halfway through.
Rape plot. No thanks.
Rape plot. No thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2021
Arguably, this is the best book I have read this year and I read a lot more than what it makes it on good reads as my amazon account is not linked.
An amazing novel what more do you need?
-An imaginative, unique take on cultivation - Tick
-Comprehensive world building - Tick
-Amazing characters that just come to life -Tick
-A story that you would love - Hell yeah
An amazing novel what more do you need?
-An imaginative, unique take on cultivation - Tick
-Comprehensive world building - Tick
-Amazing characters that just come to life -Tick
-A story that you would love - Hell yeah
October 3, 2021
A love letter to wuxia penned by a simp
I'm a huge fan of Thorne and wuxia so I wanted to love this. This story is written by an western author, but does an incredible job of translating Chinese fantasy into a form that is palatable to western readers while uncompromisingly sticking to Chinese wuxia tropes. Normally, I would consider it an incredible work. Unfortunately, the story, at a hefty 1000+ pages,has zero conflict and drags. Frankly, its boring. Also, the primary plot seems to revolve around the hero being a simp for his love interest. I know that's a rude word to use, but it is appropriate. He follows the girl around like a puppy dog and worships the ground she walks on. without giving away any plot holes,a good example would be when he mentions how it would be okay for her to sleep with other men while they are together, because there are so many men "who would be better than him". Its an unhealthy relationship where the woman can do no wrong and chao is pathetic.
I'm a huge fan of Thorne and wuxia so I wanted to love this. This story is written by an western author, but does an incredible job of translating Chinese fantasy into a form that is palatable to western readers while uncompromisingly sticking to Chinese wuxia tropes. Normally, I would consider it an incredible work. Unfortunately, the story, at a hefty 1000+ pages,has zero conflict and drags. Frankly, its boring. Also, the primary plot seems to revolve around the hero being a simp for his love interest. I know that's a rude word to use, but it is appropriate. He follows the girl around like a puppy dog and worships the ground she walks on. without giving away any plot holes,a good example would be when he mentions how it would be okay for her to sleep with other men while they are together, because there are so many men "who would be better than him". Its an unhealthy relationship where the woman can do no wrong and chao is pathetic.
November 1, 2023
This is not for everyone!
This book is definitely for those who enjoy cultivation, but to be more specific those who like romance heavy books. Just fortunately I have always been a romance enthusiast, so this book was just my cup of tea. This book ended up being a romance, slice of life book that uses cultivation to be it setting, rather than it been a cultivation type book that just so happens to have a romance side plot that was on the rare occasion somewhat explored. Although, I found there to be a lot of cultivation details that a cultivation enthusiast might enjoy.
However, this book is quite long, and there isn't much reason for it. It definitely had a very long build up of the two main characters meeting and getting to know one another, and a even longer build up to set up the chemistry and budding relationship between the two. Though at some moments/scenes it can be somewhat cliched and predictable (as if you are a fan of tsundere you will understand), I found that it was worth it at the end.
Also the author is too too too too wordy on things. Like sometimes sentences/paragraphs would just be to focused on describing something and too lengthy just to explain something simple and can be easily described like, Chao was watching Huifen and Chao found her beautiful. No need to write so much, we get it! This was painful to read in the first third of the book.
Lastly if you want a strong protagonist and a heavy emphasis on badass fights and OP MCs, that just lay the smackdown on their enemies without any issues, then this isn't for you. And also, if you don't like "soft" main characters then you wouldn't like this book. My best way to describe the male MC would be similar to that of Eleceed and Jiwoo. The MC is soft hearted and painfully naïve and approaches the world with his open heart and childish thinking. (At least in the first third of the book)
This book is definitely for those who enjoy cultivation, but to be more specific those who like romance heavy books. Just fortunately I have always been a romance enthusiast, so this book was just my cup of tea. This book ended up being a romance, slice of life book that uses cultivation to be it setting, rather than it been a cultivation type book that just so happens to have a romance side plot that was on the rare occasion somewhat explored. Although, I found there to be a lot of cultivation details that a cultivation enthusiast might enjoy.
However, this book is quite long, and there isn't much reason for it. It definitely had a very long build up of the two main characters meeting and getting to know one another, and a even longer build up to set up the chemistry and budding relationship between the two. Though at some moments/scenes it can be somewhat cliched and predictable (as if you are a fan of tsundere you will understand), I found that it was worth it at the end.
Also the author is too too too too wordy on things. Like sometimes sentences/paragraphs would just be to focused on describing something and too lengthy just to explain something simple and can be easily described like, Chao was watching Huifen and Chao found her beautiful. No need to write so much, we get it! This was painful to read in the first third of the book.
Lastly if you want a strong protagonist and a heavy emphasis on badass fights and OP MCs, that just lay the smackdown on their enemies without any issues, then this isn't for you. And also, if you don't like "soft" main characters then you wouldn't like this book. My best way to describe the male MC would be similar to that of Eleceed and Jiwoo. The MC is soft hearted and painfully naïve and approaches the world with his open heart and childish thinking. (At least in the first third of the book)
March 11, 2022
Rating 5.0 stars
I read this book a while ago and this time I listened to the audiobook. Please see my other edition for my original review. I recommended this book to a bunch of people because it had something unique IMO when compared to other cultivation novels. It had emotion. It had wonder. Some of the people that I recommended this book for them to read liked it and others did not. It seems to be about half and half. I can understand some of the reasoning for not liking the book. There is a rape plot and that could trigger some people. Some of the other comments I sort of understand but not exactly. I read comments about lazy writing (mainly in concerns to the rape plot). I can sort of see that point for a normal book but this is a cultivation book. When you have female characters that are cultivators who battle all the time, what else is there to be afraid of? If you are trying to bring out emotions in this particular world I really can't think of any other way to do it. Does that make it lazy or necessary? I don't know. That is what makes reviews and rating systems so difficult. I personally try to measure apples to apples and oranges to oranges. I might rate a B rank movie 5 stars but that doesn't mean it is as good as something like Shawshank redemption. I remember years ago people getting upset about all the superhero movies because the story wasn't complex. During those times I just had to wonder what they really expected when the movie is based on a comic book?
So in reality this isn't really a 5 star book when compared to all the other books I have read. But it is a 5 star book IMO when I compare is only to cultivation novels. The one things I felt those books lacked was emotion which is the one thing this one had.
I read this book a while ago and this time I listened to the audiobook. Please see my other edition for my original review. I recommended this book to a bunch of people because it had something unique IMO when compared to other cultivation novels. It had emotion. It had wonder. Some of the people that I recommended this book for them to read liked it and others did not. It seems to be about half and half. I can understand some of the reasoning for not liking the book. There is a rape plot and that could trigger some people. Some of the other comments I sort of understand but not exactly. I read comments about lazy writing (mainly in concerns to the rape plot). I can sort of see that point for a normal book but this is a cultivation book. When you have female characters that are cultivators who battle all the time, what else is there to be afraid of? If you are trying to bring out emotions in this particular world I really can't think of any other way to do it. Does that make it lazy or necessary? I don't know. That is what makes reviews and rating systems so difficult. I personally try to measure apples to apples and oranges to oranges. I might rate a B rank movie 5 stars but that doesn't mean it is as good as something like Shawshank redemption. I remember years ago people getting upset about all the superhero movies because the story wasn't complex. During those times I just had to wonder what they really expected when the movie is based on a comic book?
So in reality this isn't really a 5 star book when compared to all the other books I have read. But it is a 5 star book IMO when I compare is only to cultivation novels. The one things I felt those books lacked was emotion which is the one thing this one had.
February 9, 2022
This book suffers from three main flaws: length, plot, and characters.
The story could have been told in half the length. I only finished this book by skipping chapters towards the end. Also for the length of the book, hardly anything happens.
As for the plot, little happens other than the developing weird romance between the two main characters. The main focus is really everyone trying to have sex with the female MC and taking her virginity for sex magic. This is completely the male MC's motivation even if the author tries not to blatantly state it. Naturally in a book that focuses so heavily on sex magic, there is rape. Hardly anything in the actual aspect of cultivation happens. It's just the main characters talking and very very slowly falling in love.
Finally, the two MCs are both Mary Sues. They are stupidly overpowered from the beginning, become as strong as gods by the end, have boring personalities and goals, have weird chemistry, and the most powerful people in the world are doing everything in their power to assist them. There is never any fear that the MCs will fail because the strongest people really like them for reasons and assist them in everyway possible. Nothing feels earned with them and there is no reason to care about them.
I highly discourage this book to anyone trying to get into the cultivation/xianxia genre. Read Cradle, Forge of Destiny, One thousand Li, or painting the mists instead.
The story could have been told in half the length. I only finished this book by skipping chapters towards the end. Also for the length of the book, hardly anything happens.
As for the plot, little happens other than the developing weird romance between the two main characters. The main focus is really everyone trying to have sex with the female MC and taking her virginity for sex magic. This is completely the male MC's motivation even if the author tries not to blatantly state it. Naturally in a book that focuses so heavily on sex magic, there is rape. Hardly anything in the actual aspect of cultivation happens. It's just the main characters talking and very very slowly falling in love.
Finally, the two MCs are both Mary Sues. They are stupidly overpowered from the beginning, become as strong as gods by the end, have boring personalities and goals, have weird chemistry, and the most powerful people in the world are doing everything in their power to assist them. There is never any fear that the MCs will fail because the strongest people really like them for reasons and assist them in everyway possible. Nothing feels earned with them and there is no reason to care about them.
I highly discourage this book to anyone trying to get into the cultivation/xianxia genre. Read Cradle, Forge of Destiny, One thousand Li, or painting the mists instead.
October 8, 2021
The Pinnacle of Western Xianxia
I do not say this lightly. I *love* cultivation novels. I've read dozens of Chinese series (the best probably being Stellar Transformations), half a dozen Russian series (the best being Dragon Heart) and almost every English language cultivation series on Amazon. If you had asked me last week what the premier example of western cultivation fantasy would be, I would have said the Cradle series. But now I'll have to say Heaven's Laws.
Any ordinary ebook author would have broken this one book into three volumes, but instead we get to read the whole first chapter of our protagonists lives in one go.
The cultivation system and cosmology feels innovative and fresh without straying far from the genre's roots, and it's logical enough that the reader can guess some of the future applications without spoiling the crowning moments of awesome.
I'm blown away by how good and satisfying this book was. 11/10. I'll be rereading this one for sure, and you should absolutely jump on this one.
I do not say this lightly. I *love* cultivation novels. I've read dozens of Chinese series (the best probably being Stellar Transformations), half a dozen Russian series (the best being Dragon Heart) and almost every English language cultivation series on Amazon. If you had asked me last week what the premier example of western cultivation fantasy would be, I would have said the Cradle series. But now I'll have to say Heaven's Laws.
Any ordinary ebook author would have broken this one book into three volumes, but instead we get to read the whole first chapter of our protagonists lives in one go.
The cultivation system and cosmology feels innovative and fresh without straying far from the genre's roots, and it's logical enough that the reader can guess some of the future applications without spoiling the crowning moments of awesome.
I'm blown away by how good and satisfying this book was. 11/10. I'll be rereading this one for sure, and you should absolutely jump on this one.
February 12, 2022
I'm so glad I gave this book another chance because let me tell you it was an experience. While the book does start out rather slow, the build up of emotional investment you gain is well worth it. The world building is amazing. The magic/cultivation system is not wholly unique but some of the aspects are. As someone whom is not a fan of Apollos Thorne's other books, I found my self pleasantly surprised by this book. The important characters all have a distinct personality and feel very real which leads to you getting very invested in what happens to them. Big praise for not being one of those authors who split a book this large into 4 different books and make us wait a year or 2 for the next one. Just too generate more hype and make more money off it. Truly an author worthy of respect.
This series is now in my top 5 Western Cultivation series along with (Cradle) written by Will Wight, (Condemning The Heavens) & (Blue Phoenix) both written by Tinalynge.
This series is now in my top 5 Western Cultivation series along with (Cradle) written by Will Wight, (Condemning The Heavens) & (Blue Phoenix) both written by Tinalynge.
March 7, 2022
One of the interesting things about audiobooks is that they can sometimes breathe fresh life into a story I didn't quite like when reading it physically. I have found that this is especially true when the writing style of the author is something that I find hard to read because as someone who tends to read quite quickly, anything that slows me down frustrates me to the point where I start to dislike the book.
This is the case with this novel. The style of writing and slow pace of the plot didn't work well together to hold my interest when reading the e-book, but considering all the great reviews for the book I wanted to give the audiobook a try... and in many ways, I am glad I did. The narrators br0ught the story to life by adding emotion and a great performance to the writing that I thought was stilted and overly formal.
However, that being said, this is the second time I have not been able to finish this book. The first time was at about the 30% mark because it just wasn't holding my interest. This time I got much further, just over 75%, before I gave up for a very different reason.
This is a book of two opposing stories. The first explores the ideas of the accepted path to knowledge not always being the only path to knowledge, and that sometimes it is the belief that something can't be done because it has never been done that way that holds people back from success. This is explored through the two types of magic powers in this world, one gained through the accepted path of cultivation, and the other through the exploration of heaven's laws, techniques that it is believed that only those who had already mastered cultivation could learn. Chao is a boy who mastered more of heaven's laws as an infant than most people master in thousands of years, and the following story is about him showing how a non-traditional form of learning might just be better than the traditional path told through the medium of a slice-of-life style cultivation story.
This story took its time, and while stumbling here and there, was charming in its own right and was progressing just enough to be interesting. However, there wasn't much conflict to speak of and the overall plot was driven purely by the rates of progression of the two main characters, one that was so far ahead of the other that despite his incredible progress he probably wouldn't catch up. Personally, this was enough for me, but clearly not for the author because about the 50-60% mark he decides to kick it up a gear in a really jarring way, leading to the second type of book.
Thanks to the most uncomfortable aspect of this magic system (the power gains of taking someone's virginity, and the power loss of having your virginity taken), this story quite abruptly turns sour through the use of a completely unnecessary rape plot. I personally hate rape plots in any story, mostly because it's an evil thing to read about and never fails to make me uncomfortable with what I am reading, but in some stories, it is a vital part of the story... not here. Here it didn't need to happen to drive the plot that follows, and the author almost seems to realise that when he immediately tries to undo the after-effects of the event. However, that only makes it worse and everything that followed really made me cringe.
Suddenly the story is no longer about cultivation, but instead, the protagonists going on the run from enemies that haven't really been built up enough that I even know what they're actually looking for. In fact, I don't even know what the main characters are striving towards at this point. All I know is that it's a very different story where suddenly everyone is in desperate training as though their life depends on it but I don't entirely understand why, and also everyone is suddenly pairing up romantically.
This last part is the most distasteful part for me and probably what kicked me out of this story so much. When the main characters get married, it feels like it was a direct result of one of them getting raped. The slow-burn romance between the two characters was barely starting out before she was raped, and after just a couple of chapters (maybe covering 2-3 months in the book), suddenly she gets over this horrific act, ignores the fact that she has spent a lifetime with the intention of remaining a virgin for thousands of years, and they find a loophole through the hole virgin problem that allows them to get married and start having sex. What is worse, is that one of them marries the other not knowing this and expecting to stay a virgin for the rest of his life (another bizarre concept that seemed unnecessary in this book) only to have the new reality thrust upon him on his wedding night. The caveat to this relationship is that it involves a lifelong bond (making it kind of a big deal) and maybe it is something that should have been brought up with someone before you marry them.
Honestly, this is all super weird to review because not only is it really distasteful, but none of it needed to be here. The virgin side of the powers didn't need to be there and was creepy from the start. The rape plot that kicks a lot of the other storylines into new directions could have easily been replaced with a more tasteful storyline, and therefore also didn't need to be there. Ultimately it is cringeworthy storytelling for no reason, and while I tried to put it behind me, ultimately it was too much.
I stopped reading about the moment I realised that I didn't really understand any of the character motivations anymore, the actions they were taking, or even recognise this as the same story that was unfolding before the stupid rape plot. The characters were unrecognisable from what I had been reading about until this point, the story had stopped making sense, and worst of all, I realised I just didn't care about anything that came next. It was like the author had got halfway through his story, realised it wasn't the story he wanted to tell, so he took an axe to it and started over with the same character names and magic system, but with everything else unrecognisable.
For that reason, this book stays at 2 stars even on my second review, and while I did enjoy the first half of the book much more, the second half of the book ruins all that the audiobook narrators managed to save.
This is the case with this novel. The style of writing and slow pace of the plot didn't work well together to hold my interest when reading the e-book, but considering all the great reviews for the book I wanted to give the audiobook a try... and in many ways, I am glad I did. The narrators br0ught the story to life by adding emotion and a great performance to the writing that I thought was stilted and overly formal.
However, that being said, this is the second time I have not been able to finish this book. The first time was at about the 30% mark because it just wasn't holding my interest. This time I got much further, just over 75%, before I gave up for a very different reason.
This is a book of two opposing stories. The first explores the ideas of the accepted path to knowledge not always being the only path to knowledge, and that sometimes it is the belief that something can't be done because it has never been done that way that holds people back from success. This is explored through the two types of magic powers in this world, one gained through the accepted path of cultivation, and the other through the exploration of heaven's laws, techniques that it is believed that only those who had already mastered cultivation could learn. Chao is a boy who mastered more of heaven's laws as an infant than most people master in thousands of years, and the following story is about him showing how a non-traditional form of learning might just be better than the traditional path told through the medium of a slice-of-life style cultivation story.
This story took its time, and while stumbling here and there, was charming in its own right and was progressing just enough to be interesting. However, there wasn't much conflict to speak of and the overall plot was driven purely by the rates of progression of the two main characters, one that was so far ahead of the other that despite his incredible progress he probably wouldn't catch up. Personally, this was enough for me, but clearly not for the author because about the 50-60% mark he decides to kick it up a gear in a really jarring way, leading to the second type of book.
Thanks to the most uncomfortable aspect of this magic system (the power gains of taking someone's virginity, and the power loss of having your virginity taken), this story quite abruptly turns sour through the use of a completely unnecessary rape plot. I personally hate rape plots in any story, mostly because it's an evil thing to read about and never fails to make me uncomfortable with what I am reading, but in some stories, it is a vital part of the story... not here. Here it didn't need to happen to drive the plot that follows, and the author almost seems to realise that when he immediately tries to undo the after-effects of the event. However, that only makes it worse and everything that followed really made me cringe.
Suddenly the story is no longer about cultivation, but instead, the protagonists going on the run from enemies that haven't really been built up enough that I even know what they're actually looking for. In fact, I don't even know what the main characters are striving towards at this point. All I know is that it's a very different story where suddenly everyone is in desperate training as though their life depends on it but I don't entirely understand why, and also everyone is suddenly pairing up romantically.
This last part is the most distasteful part for me and probably what kicked me out of this story so much. When the main characters get married, it feels like it was a direct result of one of them getting raped. The slow-burn romance between the two characters was barely starting out before she was raped, and after just a couple of chapters (maybe covering 2-3 months in the book), suddenly she gets over this horrific act, ignores the fact that she has spent a lifetime with the intention of remaining a virgin for thousands of years, and they find a loophole through the hole virgin problem that allows them to get married and start having sex. What is worse, is that one of them marries the other not knowing this and expecting to stay a virgin for the rest of his life (another bizarre concept that seemed unnecessary in this book) only to have the new reality thrust upon him on his wedding night. The caveat to this relationship is that it involves a lifelong bond (making it kind of a big deal) and maybe it is something that should have been brought up with someone before you marry them.
Honestly, this is all super weird to review because not only is it really distasteful, but none of it needed to be here. The virgin side of the powers didn't need to be there and was creepy from the start. The rape plot that kicks a lot of the other storylines into new directions could have easily been replaced with a more tasteful storyline, and therefore also didn't need to be there. Ultimately it is cringeworthy storytelling for no reason, and while I tried to put it behind me, ultimately it was too much.
I stopped reading about the moment I realised that I didn't really understand any of the character motivations anymore, the actions they were taking, or even recognise this as the same story that was unfolding before the stupid rape plot. The characters were unrecognisable from what I had been reading about until this point, the story had stopped making sense, and worst of all, I realised I just didn't care about anything that came next. It was like the author had got halfway through his story, realised it wasn't the story he wanted to tell, so he took an axe to it and started over with the same character names and magic system, but with everything else unrecognisable.
For that reason, this book stays at 2 stars even on my second review, and while I did enjoy the first half of the book much more, the second half of the book ruins all that the audiobook narrators managed to save.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2021
Remarkable
The best cultivation novel I have read. The main characters are fully fleshed out and the action is separated enough to be completely realistic in that the protagonists aren’t going from one dangerous event after another in what would seem like every other day in their world. The sect they’re apart of actually looks after is disciples and the main characters have an actual support system in family and friends that help them along. No sect bully that makes they’re life a living hell trope and even though there is betrayal the powers that be actually take care of it once it comes to light.
This book actually brings common decency from most of its characters that a majority of cultivation novels completely lack. There is competition but not a lot of cruelty from the majority of citizens in the world. And where there is cruelty there is actually more than than just the protagonists that actually care and to something to put an end to it.
It’s truly refreshing that the author didn’t ascribe to nearly every cultivation trope that practically every other novel of its kind that I’ve read so far.
ALSO THERE IS A VERY WELL WRITTEN LOVING RELATIONSHIP THAT IS COMPLETELY BELIEVABLE AND ACTUALLY GROWS TO FULL FRUITION IN THE FIRST BOOK!!!!! OH MY GOD FINALLY SOMEONE DECIDED THAT THEY Don’t HAVE TO STRING ALONG A FORMING UNION OVER 5+ BOOKS OR MORE. It can be done in one and give you the FEELS to boot. TRULY REFRESHING to read after reading other authors books doing the same thing over and over. Thank you sir and I cannot wait till the next book
The best cultivation novel I have read. The main characters are fully fleshed out and the action is separated enough to be completely realistic in that the protagonists aren’t going from one dangerous event after another in what would seem like every other day in their world. The sect they’re apart of actually looks after is disciples and the main characters have an actual support system in family and friends that help them along. No sect bully that makes they’re life a living hell trope and even though there is betrayal the powers that be actually take care of it once it comes to light.
This book actually brings common decency from most of its characters that a majority of cultivation novels completely lack. There is competition but not a lot of cruelty from the majority of citizens in the world. And where there is cruelty there is actually more than than just the protagonists that actually care and to something to put an end to it.
It’s truly refreshing that the author didn’t ascribe to nearly every cultivation trope that practically every other novel of its kind that I’ve read so far.
ALSO THERE IS A VERY WELL WRITTEN LOVING RELATIONSHIP THAT IS COMPLETELY BELIEVABLE AND ACTUALLY GROWS TO FULL FRUITION IN THE FIRST BOOK!!!!! OH MY GOD FINALLY SOMEONE DECIDED THAT THEY Don’t HAVE TO STRING ALONG A FORMING UNION OVER 5+ BOOKS OR MORE. It can be done in one and give you the FEELS to boot. TRULY REFRESHING to read after reading other authors books doing the same thing over and over. Thank you sir and I cannot wait till the next book
October 15, 2021
I'm so happy I've discovered this book, what an amazing start to a new series!
This is absolutely the best western cultivation novel next to Cradle and I can't recommend it enough if you're a fan of the genre.
It follows enough of the cultivation tropes to put it firmly within the genre (evil young masters, MC with a unique cultivation who works hard to get strong, cut-throat sects, etc) while giving it enough of a spin to make it interesting. The Heaven's laws of the title in particular make for a fascinating addition to the magic system with emotionally rich narrative payoff.
The characters are distinct and well developed and the book is massive (this could have easily been split into two books).
This will become my number one recommendation for fans of Cradle and other cultivation novels.
This is absolutely the best western cultivation novel next to Cradle and I can't recommend it enough if you're a fan of the genre.
It follows enough of the cultivation tropes to put it firmly within the genre (evil young masters, MC with a unique cultivation who works hard to get strong, cut-throat sects, etc) while giving it enough of a spin to make it interesting. The Heaven's laws of the title in particular make for a fascinating addition to the magic system with emotionally rich narrative payoff.
The characters are distinct and well developed and the book is massive (this could have easily been split into two books).
This will become my number one recommendation for fans of Cradle and other cultivation novels.
October 17, 2021
It is superbly well written
This story is about a cultivation universe, or universes. It begins with a girl who chewed off more then she could handle, but in so doing, drew in he which completes and compels her. Leading to a grand narrative for them and others.
The story and plot are entrancing, revealing a lush and rich low realm world and culture, and giving a glimpse of realms above. The action is enthralling, in that most of the time it is for deeper reasons then usual in a cultivation story.
The true poignant and most compelling aspects of this book are the emotional situations and the actions taken in result to them. The situations and feelings are very powerful and thought provoking. It entices your own strong emotional response and draws you even deeper into the tale. At least it did for me.
It was wonderfully well written.
This story is about a cultivation universe, or universes. It begins with a girl who chewed off more then she could handle, but in so doing, drew in he which completes and compels her. Leading to a grand narrative for them and others.
The story and plot are entrancing, revealing a lush and rich low realm world and culture, and giving a glimpse of realms above. The action is enthralling, in that most of the time it is for deeper reasons then usual in a cultivation story.
The true poignant and most compelling aspects of this book are the emotional situations and the actions taken in result to them. The situations and feelings are very powerful and thought provoking. It entices your own strong emotional response and draws you even deeper into the tale. At least it did for me.
It was wonderfully well written.
October 18, 2021
Well done
You know how sometimes you wish you could give zero stars? This book makes me wish to give more than five. Interesting story line, well written and it has depth not easily found in the genre.
The father character is complex, nudging instead of bossing, the teachers differs in their goals as well as methods ranging from motherly to the sociopath, the protagonist is enjoying his work, and with a goal to strive to, his life changes drastically, his crush/love changes her feelings and dealings with him reasonably naturally. All that and more is woven in a smooth tapestry with care to details. I mean even their nicknames are developed for a reason, be it teasing, endearing or rigid social tradition.
Definitely recommend and waiting for the next instalment.
You know how sometimes you wish you could give zero stars? This book makes me wish to give more than five. Interesting story line, well written and it has depth not easily found in the genre.
The father character is complex, nudging instead of bossing, the teachers differs in their goals as well as methods ranging from motherly to the sociopath, the protagonist is enjoying his work, and with a goal to strive to, his life changes drastically, his crush/love changes her feelings and dealings with him reasonably naturally. All that and more is woven in a smooth tapestry with care to details. I mean even their nicknames are developed for a reason, be it teasing, endearing or rigid social tradition.
Definitely recommend and waiting for the next instalment.
June 24, 2024
This might be the “purest” western wuxia I’ve read yet that really adheres to feeling, tropes, and writing of some of normal Chinese wuxia.
That said, there is no tension or real adversity here; bullies become friends easily, actual villains are killed off quickly, and the constant accompaniment of higher tiered people just makes everything safe. It’s basically a 700 page training and romance arc.
If you are in the mood for a more slice of life wuxia then this is right up your alley, outside a moment halfway through which is absolutely blood boiling.
That said, there is no tension or real adversity here; bullies become friends easily, actual villains are killed off quickly, and the constant accompaniment of higher tiered people just makes everything safe. It’s basically a 700 page training and romance arc.
If you are in the mood for a more slice of life wuxia then this is right up your alley, outside a moment halfway through which is absolutely blood boiling.
September 21, 2021
great take on cultivation
This novel exceeded my expectations and wildly. Many of the standard tropes of Xania were replaced by much better ones. The characters were well crafted especially the female ones, who are often one dimensional or used for nothing more than to torture porn by most Chinese authors, there was still some allusions to the sexually violent ways of men in power but overall it was done about as well as it could have been. Looking forward to book two.
This novel exceeded my expectations and wildly. Many of the standard tropes of Xania were replaced by much better ones. The characters were well crafted especially the female ones, who are often one dimensional or used for nothing more than to torture porn by most Chinese authors, there was still some allusions to the sexually violent ways of men in power but overall it was done about as well as it could have been. Looking forward to book two.
October 12, 2021
Slow build to reveal a masterpiece
Second read is even better. Read in its entirety on Patreon and couldn’t wait to read again on KU. Now I am torn because I love the other series but want the next novel in this one to come out immediately. Only one answer. No sleep for the author. Type type type.
Second read is even better. Read in its entirety on Patreon and couldn’t wait to read again on KU. Now I am torn because I love the other series but want the next novel in this one to come out immediately. Only one answer. No sleep for the author. Type type type.
October 28, 2021
Thank you Mr. Thorne for the fantastic read!
Long Chao (one of two main characters) is a person to look up to not just because of his determination and will but for his compassion. Rarely is this seen in the genre. I look forward to the continuation of Chao and Huifen's story along with the other interesting characters.
Long Chao (one of two main characters) is a person to look up to not just because of his determination and will but for his compassion. Rarely is this seen in the genre. I look forward to the continuation of Chao and Huifen's story along with the other interesting characters.
September 21, 2021
wonderful!
Highly enjoyed this new series by Apollos Thorne. The different take on cultivation is a joy to experience. The dark tones in the book really set an atmosphere for the characters and I can’t wait to see where this journey goes from here!
Highly enjoyed this new series by Apollos Thorne. The different take on cultivation is a joy to experience. The dark tones in the book really set an atmosphere for the characters and I can’t wait to see where this journey goes from here!
September 22, 2021
A really interesting cultivation story
A really interesting cultivation story with major character development along with a good slice of romance. I cannot wait to see the relationship of the two main character develop.
A really interesting cultivation story with major character development along with a good slice of romance. I cannot wait to see the relationship of the two main character develop.
October 4, 2021
Fantastic Book
I am a die hard fan of Thorne's books, but this book is a true step forward in quality and craftsmanship. It is an exceptionally good novel and I cannot wait to read more.
I am a die hard fan of Thorne's books, but this book is a true step forward in quality and craftsmanship. It is an exceptionally good novel and I cannot wait to read more.
October 14, 2021
So good!
Probably one of the best cultivation novels I have ever read. It is fun, engaging and well written. The book is also extremely long and covers a full story arc, which is a refreshing change from how most authors write now.
I highly recommend this book!
Probably one of the best cultivation novels I have ever read. It is fun, engaging and well written. The book is also extremely long and covers a full story arc, which is a refreshing change from how most authors write now.
I highly recommend this book!
November 6, 2021
Book one
I had a hard time getting into this story. The way people act and talk to each other was very off putting. Others may enjoy this, but I did not and dropped it before finishing.
What I did read was well edited so I will give it three stars instead of two.
4/10
I had a hard time getting into this story. The way people act and talk to each other was very off putting. Others may enjoy this, but I did not and dropped it before finishing.
What I did read was well edited so I will give it three stars instead of two.
4/10
September 21, 2021
Epic, awesome
Gimme more! Another start to what’s probably going to be a hit series man! Keep up the good work! Wow!
Gimme more! Another start to what’s probably going to be a hit series man! Keep up the good work! Wow!
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