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The Quintessence: Crucible #2
Blighted
Determination. Predestination. Redemption.
Aryc Tal Venn was supposed to be the savior of the universe.
But a fateful decision left him blighted, unable to cultivate the primal Aether into the life-empowering energy of the Quintessence.
With nothing but hope, Aryc undertakes a desperate quest to reverse his blighting.
Yet the way is not easy and there are those on Crucible who covet Aryc’s lost power. Those who will do anything to take it for themselves.
Despite the dangers, Aryc must fight.
But when a terrible truth challenges everything he believes, Aryc is forced to question whom he fights for and why?
Destiny comes for Aryc Tal Venn and the fate of the universe rests in his hands.
Blighted – Book Two of The Quintessence: Crucible continues the epic progression fantasy cultivation universe brought to you by C.M. Carney, author of the #1 Bestselling LitRPG Saga The Realms.
The book is chock full of Qi cycling, measurable power progression, immortal gods, intriguing characters, deadly mysteries and universe shattering threats. It is perfect for all fans of progression fantasy, including lovers of LitRPG/GameLit, isekai, western cultivation, wuxia, and xianxia.
Aryc Tal Venn was supposed to be the savior of the universe.
But a fateful decision left him blighted, unable to cultivate the primal Aether into the life-empowering energy of the Quintessence.
With nothing but hope, Aryc undertakes a desperate quest to reverse his blighting.
Yet the way is not easy and there are those on Crucible who covet Aryc’s lost power. Those who will do anything to take it for themselves.
Despite the dangers, Aryc must fight.
But when a terrible truth challenges everything he believes, Aryc is forced to question whom he fights for and why?
Destiny comes for Aryc Tal Venn and the fate of the universe rests in his hands.
Blighted – Book Two of The Quintessence: Crucible continues the epic progression fantasy cultivation universe brought to you by C.M. Carney, author of the #1 Bestselling LitRPG Saga The Realms.
The book is chock full of Qi cycling, measurable power progression, immortal gods, intriguing characters, deadly mysteries and universe shattering threats. It is perfect for all fans of progression fantasy, including lovers of LitRPG/GameLit, isekai, western cultivation, wuxia, and xianxia.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2021
56 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Carney
20 books244 followersAfter reading an editorial claiming Dungeons and Dragons drove kids to worship dark forces in the sewers, C.M. Carney's mother immediately bought it for him. He was ten, and it's probably a good thing he was afraid of sewers. Since then he has been obsessed with reading, writing and playing all things fantasy and science fiction.
After spending nearly two decades working as a creative executive for an animation and SFX studio, C.M. decided to pursue his lifelong dream of writing and publishing novels and short stories.
He writes sci-fi, fantasy and LitRPG that run the gamut from epic to humorous. His first novel Barrow King: Book One of The Realms was published in February 2018 and has become a #1 Bestseller in Norse and Viking Myths and Legends and a #1 Bestseller in Role Playing and Fantasy Games.
He loves hearing from fans, like minded thinkers and anyone else who shares his dislike of sewers.
Facebook Group: C.M. Carney's Book Room (https://www.facebook.com/groups/15527...)
Email: chris@cmcarneywrites.com.
Website: www.cmcarneywrites.com. Keep up with new releases, other news and the occasional freebies.
After spending nearly two decades working as a creative executive for an animation and SFX studio, C.M. decided to pursue his lifelong dream of writing and publishing novels and short stories.
He writes sci-fi, fantasy and LitRPG that run the gamut from epic to humorous. His first novel Barrow King: Book One of The Realms was published in February 2018 and has become a #1 Bestseller in Norse and Viking Myths and Legends and a #1 Bestseller in Role Playing and Fantasy Games.
He loves hearing from fans, like minded thinkers and anyone else who shares his dislike of sewers.
Facebook Group: C.M. Carney's Book Room (https://www.facebook.com/groups/15527...)
Email: chris@cmcarneywrites.com.
Website: www.cmcarneywrites.com. Keep up with new releases, other news and the occasional freebies.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 10, 2021
It's a shame to say that I just could not stomach anymore of this series about 20% of the way through. I was willing to overlook the lack of progression provided the characters and plot were engaging enough, unfortunately that was far from the case here.
Aryc is really insufferable with very little to redeem for the the first fifth of the novel. He is snotty and churlish, while constantly making the stupidest decisions. It found myself rolling my eyes at most of his dialogue sadly.
However, what really made me drop this series is the nascent romantic developments early on in the book. The budding romance was so ham fisted I couldn't go on. Really a shame. Anyway, I enjoyed the first book, shame the author couldn't maintain the momentum.
Aryc is really insufferable with very little to redeem for the the first fifth of the novel. He is snotty and churlish, while constantly making the stupidest decisions. It found myself rolling my eyes at most of his dialogue sadly.
However, what really made me drop this series is the nascent romantic developments early on in the book. The budding romance was so ham fisted I couldn't go on. Really a shame. Anyway, I enjoyed the first book, shame the author couldn't maintain the momentum.
May 8, 2022
This is a martial arts wuxia novel, planet/galaxy is a prison and the MC is concerned about TAINTING HIS SOUL. GTFO!!
So Martyn gravely injured the MONITOR, took his brain samples, but in his infinite wisdom he doesn't make sure Monitor is completely DEAD. Lol 😂 ooook.. Oh and the Monitor has been looking for the pool for number of years but coukdnt find it, yet he knows to lay ambush at the temple... Talk about huggge plot holes.
So Martyn gravely injured the MONITOR, took his brain samples, but in his infinite wisdom he doesn't make sure Monitor is completely DEAD. Lol 😂 ooook.. Oh and the Monitor has been looking for the pool for number of years but coukdnt find it, yet he knows to lay ambush at the temple... Talk about huggge plot holes.
September 30, 2021
Belabored
There is very little cultivation in this book, mostly because the MC was ‘blighted’ in the last one. So it ends up being more about the ‘feels’ and less about increasing power, etc.
And it’s the ‘feels’ that was most irritating. I realize they are teenagers saving the world, but do they have to twist between guilt and resolve quite so frequently? Having a new secondary character seemingly fall in love ‘at first sight’ (with a whole ration of hate and angst first, so you know it’s true /s) strained credulity.
I don’t know. Much about the first book that I liked was missing from this one. Too metaphysical, too angst, too gonzo…I just don’t know.
I might get the next book when it is released. But I don’t really recommend this one. Not yet.
There is very little cultivation in this book, mostly because the MC was ‘blighted’ in the last one. So it ends up being more about the ‘feels’ and less about increasing power, etc.
And it’s the ‘feels’ that was most irritating. I realize they are teenagers saving the world, but do they have to twist between guilt and resolve quite so frequently? Having a new secondary character seemingly fall in love ‘at first sight’ (with a whole ration of hate and angst first, so you know it’s true /s) strained credulity.
I don’t know. Much about the first book that I liked was missing from this one. Too metaphysical, too angst, too gonzo…I just don’t know.
I might get the next book when it is released. But I don’t really recommend this one. Not yet.
February 6, 2022
nice sequel
Took a while for book two to come out and I read it without rereading the first book. Would suggest you do as there is no recap of prior events but there are references in the story. Good book and enjoyable to read.
Took a while for book two to come out and I read it without rereading the first book. Would suggest you do as there is no recap of prior events but there are references in the story. Good book and enjoyable to read.
February 11, 2023
Dear Mr. Carney.
I've read hundreds of Lit-RPG and fortunately yours is not the worst.
Unfortunately it is definitely not the best either.
Your worldbuilding is solid and the emotional and cringey dialogue between the two characters in the book aside it is very enjoyable.
However, this means I'm literally fast-forwarding or skipping entire sections of the novel because, let's be real.... I got sick of the MC trying TO GIVE AWAY HIS POWER. I get that he's a child, sure; don't do this.
He's still asking if he doomed himself and the rest of the world 6 hours into the book. Indecisiveness is hard to convey, I get that. However, the constant "I am worthless and I want to give everything up and go hide in a hole" gets really boring and makes me doubt why I believe in the MC or want to know more.
Brandon Sanderson did the same thing during his 2nd to last Stormlight novel. He just kept beating the same drum. It happens.
I could easily forgive these errors as you're breaking in a new character with a VERY ATTRACTIVE world, but then you let your publisher release the audiobook with many words mispronounced.
This is endemic with the LitRPG world as I am SURE that the only people who edit/proof these books are people who read online text and haven't read aloud in years/ever.
Case in point:
Apotheosis is a very important word. It's not pronounced properly. It ruins the gravity of the dialogue to anyone who knows how that word sounds.
Many others have stumbled into this. I remember one book that shall not be named that had Legionnaires in the TITLE, and proceeded to say it wrong; horribly, for the ENTIRE BOOK.
Do not let this happen to you.
I've read hundreds of Lit-RPG and fortunately yours is not the worst.
Unfortunately it is definitely not the best either.
Your worldbuilding is solid and the emotional and cringey dialogue between the two characters in the book aside it is very enjoyable.
However, this means I'm literally fast-forwarding or skipping entire sections of the novel because, let's be real.... I got sick of the MC trying TO GIVE AWAY HIS POWER. I get that he's a child, sure; don't do this.
He's still asking if he doomed himself and the rest of the world 6 hours into the book. Indecisiveness is hard to convey, I get that. However, the constant "I am worthless and I want to give everything up and go hide in a hole" gets really boring and makes me doubt why I believe in the MC or want to know more.
Brandon Sanderson did the same thing during his 2nd to last Stormlight novel. He just kept beating the same drum. It happens.
I could easily forgive these errors as you're breaking in a new character with a VERY ATTRACTIVE world, but then you let your publisher release the audiobook with many words mispronounced.
This is endemic with the LitRPG world as I am SURE that the only people who edit/proof these books are people who read online text and haven't read aloud in years/ever.
Case in point:
Apotheosis is a very important word. It's not pronounced properly. It ruins the gravity of the dialogue to anyone who knows how that word sounds.
Many others have stumbled into this. I remember one book that shall not be named that had Legionnaires in the TITLE, and proceeded to say it wrong; horribly, for the ENTIRE BOOK.
Do not let this happen to you.
December 13, 2021
KU Review
“This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis. I hate trying to define my enjoyment and describe facets of it that would appeal to someone else. It is simply not my style. But for the sake of those fishing for clues:
Character development: exceptional
Harem elements: none
Tone: exciting continuation of story but this one contains very minimal progression elements. MC’s self doubt got on my nerves a bit.
I will happily discuss the book with you on Goodreads if you are so inclined. As always, I am open to debates and arguments, but also vain enough to seek acknowledgement, so feel free to roast me or applaud my efforts. Either is acceptable, because if you are paying attention to me then you are at least considering the book. And THAT my friends is exactly why you see my comments here.
Cheers
“This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis. I hate trying to define my enjoyment and describe facets of it that would appeal to someone else. It is simply not my style. But for the sake of those fishing for clues:
Character development: exceptional
Harem elements: none
Tone: exciting continuation of story but this one contains very minimal progression elements. MC’s self doubt got on my nerves a bit.
I will happily discuss the book with you on Goodreads if you are so inclined. As always, I am open to debates and arguments, but also vain enough to seek acknowledgement, so feel free to roast me or applaud my efforts. Either is acceptable, because if you are paying attention to me then you are at least considering the book. And THAT my friends is exactly why you see my comments here.
Cheers
October 1, 2021
wonderful
Really enjoyed the sequel almost as much as the first!! Not quite as good as the realms but a wonderful story
Really enjoyed the sequel almost as much as the first!! Not quite as good as the realms but a wonderful story
November 18, 2021
Really Cool
I read the first a couple years ago and have waited for a while for the next installment. Can’t wait for more.
I read the first a couple years ago and have waited for a while for the next installment. Can’t wait for more.
October 23, 2021
Another fantastic book
Great continuation of Aryc’s story, thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Curious if any of the tidbits laid throughout the book will come to fruition.
Great continuation of Aryc’s story, thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Curious if any of the tidbits laid throughout the book will come to fruition.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews