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Towers of Acalia #1
Türme Von Acalia: DER WIEDERGEBORENE KERN: BAND I
Ich wurde als Kultivator mit einem beschädigten Kern wiedergeboren. Zeit, die Welt zu retten.Zum Glück hat das Wesen, das mich wiedergeboren hat, meinen Kern mit einer Rune der Macht verändert. Jetzt kann ich mit jedem Aufstieg auf eine höhere Stufe eine neue Rune hinzufügen, die meine Kraft steigert.
Doch dieses Geschenk war an eine Bedingung geknü Wenn ich die Türme von Acalia nicht erklimme und erobere, ist diese neue Welt dem Untergang geweiht. Zahlreiche Hindernisse stellen sich mir dabei in den Weg.
Wütende Spiritbestien. Von Türmen beschworene Monster. Rivalisierende Kultivatoren. Doch indem ich mich mit wunderschönen Kriegerinnen verbünde, kann ich aufsteigen und stark genug werden, um es mit den sieben Türmen aufzunehmen.
Die Götter mögen jedem beistehen, der sich mir in den Weg stellt.Dieses Buch enthäIsekai / Portal-FantasyCultivation Gamelit / Lite LitRPGZauberkunstProgression FantasyLevel-Systeme und FähigkeitenZaubersprüche und MagieSlow-BurnHarem
Doch dieses Geschenk war an eine Bedingung geknü Wenn ich die Türme von Acalia nicht erklimme und erobere, ist diese neue Welt dem Untergang geweiht. Zahlreiche Hindernisse stellen sich mir dabei in den Weg.
Wütende Spiritbestien. Von Türmen beschworene Monster. Rivalisierende Kultivatoren. Doch indem ich mich mit wunderschönen Kriegerinnen verbünde, kann ich aufsteigen und stark genug werden, um es mit den sieben Türmen aufzunehmen.
Die Götter mögen jedem beistehen, der sich mir in den Weg stellt.Dieses Buch enthäIsekai / Portal-FantasyCultivation Gamelit / Lite LitRPGZauberkunstProgression FantasyLevel-Systeme und FähigkeitenZaubersprüche und MagieSlow-BurnHarem
490 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2021
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342 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
April 10, 2021
Charming But Unimaginative Adolescent Masturbation Fantasy
I aspire to write. I voraciously consume as a reader. I'm a grown adult, and father, who has seen a bit of life. Sometimes, life is a bitch and we need simple, lighthearted or fantastical stories to help us cope and feel better. If that is what you are looking for, as a sexually frustrated and societally disenfranchised cis white male, who craves validation, feelings of empowerment, expanded privilege, and patriarchal whitewashing, then this story is up your alley.
But, for the most part stories are meant to teach and communicate through metaphor things that words can't easily convey otherwise.
The author of this story has some decent skill with writing. But...BIG BUT here...they seem to completely lack perspective and maturity, or otherwise crafted this story as purposeful gratuitous fan service carefully targeted at a specific audience that they hoped to appeal to.
To speak in the author's own chosen tone...
Jesus, how much more wretchedly could you perpetuate the sexual objectification and devaluation of women dude? Assuming that you are probably a cis male based on so many of your painfully sexist and privileged tropes, and not your overly pretentious pen name. But hey, you definitely pulled off the metaphor of killing your brother with this story man, but Ayn Rand would giggle uncomfortably by how much Atlas would shrug when not offering you any recognition for this piece of pulp detritus. But hey, you've been published, and I've never had the balls to put myself out there yet, so kudos for you. But after reading this, man, I am feeling like maybe my self standards are just a tad bit way too high.
I aspire to write. I voraciously consume as a reader. I'm a grown adult, and father, who has seen a bit of life. Sometimes, life is a bitch and we need simple, lighthearted or fantastical stories to help us cope and feel better. If that is what you are looking for, as a sexually frustrated and societally disenfranchised cis white male, who craves validation, feelings of empowerment, expanded privilege, and patriarchal whitewashing, then this story is up your alley.
But, for the most part stories are meant to teach and communicate through metaphor things that words can't easily convey otherwise.
The author of this story has some decent skill with writing. But...BIG BUT here...they seem to completely lack perspective and maturity, or otherwise crafted this story as purposeful gratuitous fan service carefully targeted at a specific audience that they hoped to appeal to.
To speak in the author's own chosen tone...
Jesus, how much more wretchedly could you perpetuate the sexual objectification and devaluation of women dude? Assuming that you are probably a cis male based on so many of your painfully sexist and privileged tropes, and not your overly pretentious pen name. But hey, you definitely pulled off the metaphor of killing your brother with this story man, but Ayn Rand would giggle uncomfortably by how much Atlas would shrug when not offering you any recognition for this piece of pulp detritus. But hey, you've been published, and I've never had the balls to put myself out there yet, so kudos for you. But after reading this, man, I am feeling like maybe my self standards are just a tad bit way too high.
February 22, 2021
Overall I enjoyed Towers of Acalia. It has a cute romance and interesting characters, but lacks in some points of world building.
Likes:
-Astra and Rin's romance was preceeded by a friendship.
-Time was taken to introduce other characters before introducing the main love interest.
-How wholesome Astra and Rin's relationship felt.
-Show don't tell, maybe the way it was presented could feel cheap to some, but I appreciated the fact the explanation of how things work was in Rin's actions and not exposition.
Liked it BUT:
-Bern, it felt lived in and like the small towns I've been to in the past, but its location to a tower, the tower ALL cultivators need to climb to advance, doesn't make sense relative to its size and population density. I also feel that Bern should be overflowing with first time tower climbers.
-Runesmithing, I enjoy hard magic systems, and I'm very interested in Runesmithing and its potential as a whole, but it seems kind of overpowered. If Rin can easily make a rune that kills a monster in one or two hits, that his weapon can't do much against, then why use a weapon at all? I feel like with Runesmithing as powerful as it is, there really needs to be a larger drawback and/or weakness to keep it interesting.
Dislikes:
-Minh, for all her role in the story I feel like she could have been replaced with an "ordinary" shield with the same powers and nothing would have changed.
-What's the point in saying that he has a week to find a vessel or he dies, when he finds a solution within several hours?
-Tower design. The 1st tower only had 4 rooms, didn't change patterns between runs, and you can potentially leave after each level? Going forward I hope towers will be more interesting.
-Rin's motivation, he's been told to climb the towers and needs the money that can come from it. But he's still 50% Rin from Sales. You would think someone who just got done dying would want to avoid that experience again. I'm not saying it can't happen, I'm saying that the journey from Rin from Sales to Rin Runesmith was a bit stark.
-Overall lack of a larger threat, "the towers are acting weird" isn't as interesting as "collect the gifts from each tower and you might be able to save the world". I'm worried that by the time the 7th tower is cleared the event won't be as impactful, because its essentially expected of the story.
Likes:
-Astra and Rin's romance was preceeded by a friendship.
-Time was taken to introduce other characters before introducing the main love interest.
-How wholesome Astra and Rin's relationship felt.
-Show don't tell, maybe the way it was presented could feel cheap to some, but I appreciated the fact the explanation of how things work was in Rin's actions and not exposition.
Liked it BUT:
-Bern, it felt lived in and like the small towns I've been to in the past, but its location to a tower, the tower ALL cultivators need to climb to advance, doesn't make sense relative to its size and population density. I also feel that Bern should be overflowing with first time tower climbers.
-Runesmithing, I enjoy hard magic systems, and I'm very interested in Runesmithing and its potential as a whole, but it seems kind of overpowered. If Rin can easily make a rune that kills a monster in one or two hits, that his weapon can't do much against, then why use a weapon at all? I feel like with Runesmithing as powerful as it is, there really needs to be a larger drawback and/or weakness to keep it interesting.
Dislikes:
-Minh, for all her role in the story I feel like she could have been replaced with an "ordinary" shield with the same powers and nothing would have changed.
-What's the point in saying that he has a week to find a vessel or he dies, when he finds a solution within several hours?
-Tower design. The 1st tower only had 4 rooms, didn't change patterns between runs, and you can potentially leave after each level? Going forward I hope towers will be more interesting.
-Rin's motivation, he's been told to climb the towers and needs the money that can come from it. But he's still 50% Rin from Sales. You would think someone who just got done dying would want to avoid that experience again. I'm not saying it can't happen, I'm saying that the journey from Rin from Sales to Rin Runesmith was a bit stark.
-Overall lack of a larger threat, "the towers are acting weird" isn't as interesting as "collect the gifts from each tower and you might be able to save the world". I'm worried that by the time the 7th tower is cleared the event won't be as impactful, because its essentially expected of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2021
Perfect example of how to not write a book. Isekai genre in itself is hot garbage and has been overdone now. It might feel okay for an anime, but in a book format it generally feels completely wrong. This book has the same set of utterly predictable sequence of events that every isekai book starts with:
1. a first chapter showcasing an ordinary guy doing an ordinary job.
2. the guy tries to save someone's life and dies in a car accident / street mugging / workplace accident.
3. his soul is deemed special because he died trying to save someone's life (which is often hilarious because the character turns out to be a right little bastard as we read on), and is transported into someone's body that usually shares the same name and has also died, mostly from a strange disease.
4. then there are the cursory chapters where the character bemoans how short his "new body" is, or how skinny his legs are, or how weak his arms feel etc. etc.
From this point onwards these kinds of books might diverge. Either the character retains the dead body's memories, or he doesn't. This particular series falls in the former category. And what we end up with is the main character trying to fall in the shoes of the original character as he one by one remembers and describes every thing about the body's original owner, and continues his life. Every time he meets a new person, we're told what that person meant to the former inhabitant, and as they have an almost normal conversation, we're somehow supposed to swing along with it.
Honestly, what is the point? Why do this "person-in-a-strange-world" nonsense and feed us information in roundabout manner? Why not start with the original occupant of the body itself and make him the main character? The reason why isekai a.k.a. "person-in-a-strange-world" suddenly blew up as a genre is because when people watched these kinds of anime or series, they were able to actually visually see and experience going from one world into another. To represent the same in a book, you'd need to do the equivalent world building 2 times. Yes 2 times. Just because a person's first life starts on Earth doesn't mean you can get away without world building. One chapter where he's working and suddenly dies doesn't cut it. And then once we are in the new world, the author suddenly gets too busy info dumping than gradually world building, which makes the entire exercise pointless!
Using modern language in a medieval fantasy setting doesn't help either. Not to mention constant references and comparisons to things on Earth.
Books are not video series. A reader needs to be able to get into the character's skin to truly appreciate the setting. Hard to do when the main character himself is not really able to get into his character's skin.
1. a first chapter showcasing an ordinary guy doing an ordinary job.
2. the guy tries to save someone's life and dies in a car accident / street mugging / workplace accident.
3. his soul is deemed special because he died trying to save someone's life (which is often hilarious because the character turns out to be a right little bastard as we read on), and is transported into someone's body that usually shares the same name and has also died, mostly from a strange disease.
4. then there are the cursory chapters where the character bemoans how short his "new body" is, or how skinny his legs are, or how weak his arms feel etc. etc.
From this point onwards these kinds of books might diverge. Either the character retains the dead body's memories, or he doesn't. This particular series falls in the former category. And what we end up with is the main character trying to fall in the shoes of the original character as he one by one remembers and describes every thing about the body's original owner, and continues his life. Every time he meets a new person, we're told what that person meant to the former inhabitant, and as they have an almost normal conversation, we're somehow supposed to swing along with it.
Honestly, what is the point? Why do this "person-in-a-strange-world" nonsense and feed us information in roundabout manner? Why not start with the original occupant of the body itself and make him the main character? The reason why isekai a.k.a. "person-in-a-strange-world" suddenly blew up as a genre is because when people watched these kinds of anime or series, they were able to actually visually see and experience going from one world into another. To represent the same in a book, you'd need to do the equivalent world building 2 times. Yes 2 times. Just because a person's first life starts on Earth doesn't mean you can get away without world building. One chapter where he's working and suddenly dies doesn't cut it. And then once we are in the new world, the author suddenly gets too busy info dumping than gradually world building, which makes the entire exercise pointless!
Using modern language in a medieval fantasy setting doesn't help either. Not to mention constant references and comparisons to things on Earth.
Books are not video series. A reader needs to be able to get into the character's skin to truly appreciate the setting. Hard to do when the main character himself is not really able to get into his character's skin.
November 10, 2023
great read, and I found the story charming and fun. I really enjoyed the relationship between the protag and his community and companions. It felt much more wholesome that I expected, which gives me hope that the next books in the series will be a fun read.
However, being a lover of financial fiction, I was ready to pull out my spreadsheets at the first mention of money and conversion rates. This was my jam and I was going to master the economy of Acalia...But, to my dismay, the money in this universe was sloppy and inconsistent.
If you aren't a financial nerd, then stop reading here.
While the text explicitly states conversion rates between coper-silver (10:1), silver-gold (20:1), and gold-platinum (50:1), the text seems to contradict this in the following chapters. For example, in one part, the author says a customer paying 2 gold was 'his biggest client', despite having sold 2 items to single customer not five minutes earlier for 40 silver each (40s=2g. 2 x 2g = 4g).
This leads me to believe that the money conversion rates were overhauled at some point, creating narrative contradictions that were less obvious to correct.
Furthermore, the gaping disconnect between the money earnable through commerce and the money earnable through loot its so jarring that it destroys the narrative stakes set up by the author. Why bother worrying about money when you can just go farm loot for a day and get enough money to last you a year or two.
For example, he earns enough money to solve all of his financial problems on his first DAY out, before even levelling up, with no prior combat experience. Just imagine how much more he could earn once he gets stronger.
Which brings me to my final issue. If retired cultivators earned as much money as the protagonist did in just 1 month, they should have thousands of even hundreds of thousands of platinum saved up after a lifetime of progressively grander combat. Yet they live humble lives of low means, unable to help their dear friend with his poultry few platinum of debt. The way it is described, combat cultivators like his old master and godfather should be as rich as gods and kings, settling down in a giant mansion with dozens of servants and big piles of gold. So why in the seven towers does his old master not even own his own shop? And before you say "Rin's illness", I propose that his godfather, who presumably didn't spend a kings ransom on that, is also basically poor as sh*t compared to what he should be after years of phat lewtz.
TLDR; the story is great, but the money system is sloppy and half-baked, which undermines its use as a mechanism for driving narrative stakes.
However, being a lover of financial fiction, I was ready to pull out my spreadsheets at the first mention of money and conversion rates. This was my jam and I was going to master the economy of Acalia...But, to my dismay, the money in this universe was sloppy and inconsistent.
If you aren't a financial nerd, then stop reading here.
While the text explicitly states conversion rates between coper-silver (10:1), silver-gold (20:1), and gold-platinum (50:1), the text seems to contradict this in the following chapters. For example, in one part, the author says a customer paying 2 gold was 'his biggest client', despite having sold 2 items to single customer not five minutes earlier for 40 silver each (40s=2g. 2 x 2g = 4g).
This leads me to believe that the money conversion rates were overhauled at some point, creating narrative contradictions that were less obvious to correct.
Furthermore, the gaping disconnect between the money earnable through commerce and the money earnable through loot its so jarring that it destroys the narrative stakes set up by the author. Why bother worrying about money when you can just go farm loot for a day and get enough money to last you a year or two.
For example, he earns enough money to solve all of his financial problems on his first DAY out, before even levelling up, with no prior combat experience. Just imagine how much more he could earn once he gets stronger.
Which brings me to my final issue. If retired cultivators earned as much money as the protagonist did in just 1 month, they should have thousands of even hundreds of thousands of platinum saved up after a lifetime of progressively grander combat. Yet they live humble lives of low means, unable to help their dear friend with his poultry few platinum of debt. The way it is described, combat cultivators like his old master and godfather should be as rich as gods and kings, settling down in a giant mansion with dozens of servants and big piles of gold. So why in the seven towers does his old master not even own his own shop? And before you say "Rin's illness", I propose that his godfather, who presumably didn't spend a kings ransom on that, is also basically poor as sh*t compared to what he should be after years of phat lewtz.
TLDR; the story is great, but the money system is sloppy and half-baked, which undermines its use as a mechanism for driving narrative stakes.
February 5, 2021
Poor foundation
The good: few if any typos. One or two odd word choices, but nothing that truly interrupted the narrative. Mostly readable, as the narrative flows well.
The bad: The world building made no sense. Cultivation was only done immediately after killing something; gee, I hope it’s safe... There was no practicing or cultivating to gain skill, just after killing. It made for a very weak cultivation aspect. Compounded by no actual impact on his cultivation from gaining a new vessel. It just lets him level.
Then there is the fact only one other team seems to be in the area, and once you beat the tower boss you can’t go back in. So it’s not really clear how this whole town is supplied and maintains an economy. The MC goes out and kills a ‘spirit beast’ as a level one and it is worth over 100 platinum...that simply doesn’t work economically.
Why does the neighbor want the shop?!? A critical plot point and driver of the early narrative, and there was no explanation beyond ‘he was jealous of your old master’.
The OVA that handles vessel acquisition is...just stupid. It doesn’t work.
The sex...was pedestrian. And the harem bits were so obvious. It honestly felt like it was being written by a teen boy. A creepy teen boy.
We’ll just ignore how badly horses and swords are described and handled. “Black and white” does not describe a horse, nor is a sword described as having a “flat side”.
It really boils down to someone writing a book and not understanding anything about how the elements work, let alone work together.
It *was* readable, and I did finish it. But I wish I hadn’t read it. It makes the genre look bad.
The good: few if any typos. One or two odd word choices, but nothing that truly interrupted the narrative. Mostly readable, as the narrative flows well.
The bad: The world building made no sense. Cultivation was only done immediately after killing something; gee, I hope it’s safe... There was no practicing or cultivating to gain skill, just after killing. It made for a very weak cultivation aspect. Compounded by no actual impact on his cultivation from gaining a new vessel. It just lets him level.
Then there is the fact only one other team seems to be in the area, and once you beat the tower boss you can’t go back in. So it’s not really clear how this whole town is supplied and maintains an economy. The MC goes out and kills a ‘spirit beast’ as a level one and it is worth over 100 platinum...that simply doesn’t work economically.
Why does the neighbor want the shop?!? A critical plot point and driver of the early narrative, and there was no explanation beyond ‘he was jealous of your old master’.
The OVA that handles vessel acquisition is...just stupid. It doesn’t work.
The sex...was pedestrian. And the harem bits were so obvious. It honestly felt like it was being written by a teen boy. A creepy teen boy.
We’ll just ignore how badly horses and swords are described and handled. “Black and white” does not describe a horse, nor is a sword described as having a “flat side”.
It really boils down to someone writing a book and not understanding anything about how the elements work, let alone work together.
It *was* readable, and I did finish it. But I wish I hadn’t read it. It makes the genre look bad.
January 10, 2022
What's the point of Isekai if the MC who gets sucked into the other world gets an immediate download of an entire lifetimes worth of memories from an artisan and immediately decides to just continue that guy's life? Just give "that guy" the magic powers and the free second chance at life. The reminiscing about home and constantly "remembering" things/people/backstory that he already-knows-but-doesn't-know-he-knows is just annoying. It would be one thing if, for instance, you Isekai'd a thief or a cop, or even a blacksmith who brought something with them to the other world, but instead we get a horny yet shady furniture salesman. Wow. Great characterization there. He's not even a GOOD shady furniture salesman, despite his constant attestation to the contrary. What I'm saying is if you're going to go there, lean into it.
This book is filled with lazy writing traps just like that. "Vessels" are 2 for 1 cultivation aids and f*ck toys that follow around cultivators and massage their egos... And other parts. Oh good, glad you have an in world reason why the MC needs a flock of beautiful sex starved women to chase after him. The MC goes adventuring despite, apparently, being easily capable of earning a living once his cultivation is unlocked, because "save the world from collapsing" because "reasons."
This book is filled with lazy writing traps just like that. "Vessels" are 2 for 1 cultivation aids and f*ck toys that follow around cultivators and massage their egos... And other parts. Oh good, glad you have an in world reason why the MC needs a flock of beautiful sex starved women to chase after him. The MC goes adventuring despite, apparently, being easily capable of earning a living once his cultivation is unlocked, because "save the world from collapsing" because "reasons."
October 19, 2023
Not bad for a light novel
Fantasy Culivation / Harem / awkward Sex scenes / Isekai / sent by the goddess to save the world / Light Novel
Most light novels don't work for me. Trying to completely recreate a visual medium in text is a fools errand. Leaning so heavily on tropes & clichés to imitate anime usually results in a lousy book. This one isn't so bad BECAUSE it doesn't try to be anime on each and every page.
That's not to say this book is great, it isn't. But it manages to avoid the worst offenses usually committed by light novels.
This is a run of the mill reincarnated on a fantasy world plot line ( just like the name says: The Reincarnated Core). Standard progression, tower climber. with some magic shop, in town drama.
So far no forced stupidity to drive the plot yet. We'll see what happens in book 2.
Fantasy Culivation / Harem / awkward Sex scenes / Isekai / sent by the goddess to save the world / Light Novel
Most light novels don't work for me. Trying to completely recreate a visual medium in text is a fools errand. Leaning so heavily on tropes & clichés to imitate anime usually results in a lousy book. This one isn't so bad BECAUSE it doesn't try to be anime on each and every page.
That's not to say this book is great, it isn't. But it manages to avoid the worst offenses usually committed by light novels.
This is a run of the mill reincarnated on a fantasy world plot line ( just like the name says: The Reincarnated Core). Standard progression, tower climber. with some magic shop, in town drama.
So far no forced stupidity to drive the plot yet. We'll see what happens in book 2.
May 17, 2024
After dying on Earth while working as a salesman, he finds himself transported to a new world—one where ruin crafting is commonplace. The transition is both bewildering and exciting, as he grapples with the rules of this unfamiliar land.
He faces a daunting challenge: maintaining his shop while gradually levelling up to tackle the first tower. The stakes are high, and every decision matters. As he hones his skills and navigates the intricacies of ruin crafting, readers are drawn into a world of magic, danger, and ambition.
After much effort, our hero emerges victorious, defeating the first tower and reclaiming his shop. But this is only the beginning. Armed with newfound knowledge and determination, he sets his sights on conquering the remaining six towers. The journey ahead promises more trials, allies, and mysteries waiting to be unravelled.
He faces a daunting challenge: maintaining his shop while gradually levelling up to tackle the first tower. The stakes are high, and every decision matters. As he hones his skills and navigates the intricacies of ruin crafting, readers are drawn into a world of magic, danger, and ambition.
After much effort, our hero emerges victorious, defeating the first tower and reclaiming his shop. But this is only the beginning. Armed with newfound knowledge and determination, he sets his sights on conquering the remaining six towers. The journey ahead promises more trials, allies, and mysteries waiting to be unravelled.
July 10, 2022
I think this fantasy-isekai (reincarnated into another world) novel series is better written and thought out than other of the novel series that this author has. This author is taking advantage of the ebook, to include color illustrations, color maps, into typical isekai type of light novel series. With over 300+ pages and 37 chapters, this is a good first volume to a new series. The author uses reincarnation, uses magical abilities, mana cores, cultivation, runes, and a lot of other isekai-fantasy novel tropes and clichés.
It seems main character's special abilities, with practice and cultivation may help this other world to conquer the series of towers of this world. So the main plot arc is clear and possible. Main character is filling his retinue with girls, apparently to have a harem-like retinue.
No gore, no sexual assaults, no extreme violence or profanity, so this is super positive. The only thing is that the main character's personality and dialogues, adventures are kind of bland. Because the author tries to write about most tropes and clichés, maybe takes out all of the "surprise" or novelty from this story series, but it is not a major complaint.
I do not understand if the isekai and light novel tropes are because the readers like them and buy them or because the authors write about them and "force" the readers to only read these kinds of light novel series. I read not because I know what the light novels and novels and books in general are about, but because places like this one (that does not really classify their books or authors) recommend them to me. I do not like Horror, Terror or Suspense and books or authors do not really inform the readers what genres and themes the books are about or include. I do not seek erotica, or harem-like stories, and most do not really inform the readers what themes the authors and books have.
It seems main character's special abilities, with practice and cultivation may help this other world to conquer the series of towers of this world. So the main plot arc is clear and possible. Main character is filling his retinue with girls, apparently to have a harem-like retinue.
No gore, no sexual assaults, no extreme violence or profanity, so this is super positive. The only thing is that the main character's personality and dialogues, adventures are kind of bland. Because the author tries to write about most tropes and clichés, maybe takes out all of the "surprise" or novelty from this story series, but it is not a major complaint.
I do not understand if the isekai and light novel tropes are because the readers like them and buy them or because the authors write about them and "force" the readers to only read these kinds of light novel series. I read not because I know what the light novels and novels and books in general are about, but because places like this one (that does not really classify their books or authors) recommend them to me. I do not like Horror, Terror or Suspense and books or authors do not really inform the readers what genres and themes the books are about or include. I do not seek erotica, or harem-like stories, and most do not really inform the readers what themes the authors and books have.
March 3, 2021
I enjoyed this light hearted LitRPG/Harem/Fantasy novel. The characters were intriguing. The action was big and light hearted and not overwhelming. Just the right touch of Thud & Blunder with enough character drama to keep the story interesting. I would really like for Book 2 to be out right now. I don't know if this is going to be a 7 novel fantasy with each novel being an element in the quest. Or some other combination. I could see 7 novels getting boring if they followed the same format over the length of the series.
In the meantime I really want to see how things develop with Minh, Astar, Brea and Rin. Both personally and professionally. It seems intriguing how the girls will interact and deal with their affections for Rin and each other. It would seem that the Culture of Acalia would inherently lend itself to a polygamous relationship due to the fact that a cultivator is required to bond with a female with an affinity for a single type of element for the purification effects from each. It will be interesting to see how the world building goes. I'm looking forward to the next Tower of Acalia.
In the meantime I really want to see how things develop with Minh, Astar, Brea and Rin. Both personally and professionally. It seems intriguing how the girls will interact and deal with their affections for Rin and each other. It would seem that the Culture of Acalia would inherently lend itself to a polygamous relationship due to the fact that a cultivator is required to bond with a female with an affinity for a single type of element for the purification effects from each. It will be interesting to see how the world building goes. I'm looking forward to the next Tower of Acalia.
May 13, 2021
Another Beta simp story
I had my hopes up at first, the story started out decent enough for this genre. Should have known better though... Anything in this genre that uses the terms "ivory skin" or "fiery red hair" are going to be a wash. Additional red flags are the MC's childish way of thinking and speaking, his 1950's view on women and morals, or the fact that he shouts his abilities in a fight like an idiot. The last part makes a lot of sense when his opponents are basically harmless and do not shout thier own abilities.....sarcasm. he just thinks it's cool or something. Even his sense of business is terrible... Especially for someone who supposedly had a career in sales. Which brings up another point... Why is a salesman so socially awkward?
Anyhow.. the story idea was good, but it's riddled with plot holes, logical pitfalls, and just a pretty unlikeable MC. It's another one of those wish fulfillment stories for simps and manchildren that use the word mlady and think fedoras look stylish.
I had my hopes up at first, the story started out decent enough for this genre. Should have known better though... Anything in this genre that uses the terms "ivory skin" or "fiery red hair" are going to be a wash. Additional red flags are the MC's childish way of thinking and speaking, his 1950's view on women and morals, or the fact that he shouts his abilities in a fight like an idiot. The last part makes a lot of sense when his opponents are basically harmless and do not shout thier own abilities.....sarcasm. he just thinks it's cool or something. Even his sense of business is terrible... Especially for someone who supposedly had a career in sales. Which brings up another point... Why is a salesman so socially awkward?
Anyhow.. the story idea was good, but it's riddled with plot holes, logical pitfalls, and just a pretty unlikeable MC. It's another one of those wish fulfillment stories for simps and manchildren that use the word mlady and think fedoras look stylish.
December 30, 2021
My Rating System:
5- Perfect for my taste, could not physically stop reading/listening, wanted more afterword.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterword.
3- Enjoyed the book, could see others loving it, need to think if I want more.
2- Can see why others might like the book, but I could not, I do not want more.
1- What is this? What went wrong? Why did they do this? This doesn't make any sense! (No idea who it is for but definitely not for me).
[Audiobook Version]
I didn't care too much for this book. While it was decent enough, most of the characters seemed bland and boring. It wouldn't be so bad if it was only some of the side characters. Unfortunately, it applies mainly to the protagonist and his "support" group. Overall, the premise and idea were great as well as the cultivation system; however, it was executed poorly with dull characters and uninspiring dialogue.
5- Perfect for my taste, could not physically stop reading/listening, wanted more afterword.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterword.
3- Enjoyed the book, could see others loving it, need to think if I want more.
2- Can see why others might like the book, but I could not, I do not want more.
1- What is this? What went wrong? Why did they do this? This doesn't make any sense! (No idea who it is for but definitely not for me).
[Audiobook Version]
I didn't care too much for this book. While it was decent enough, most of the characters seemed bland and boring. It wouldn't be so bad if it was only some of the side characters. Unfortunately, it applies mainly to the protagonist and his "support" group. Overall, the premise and idea were great as well as the cultivation system; however, it was executed poorly with dull characters and uninspiring dialogue.
April 13, 2021
Well done; no complaints
It's a good story, but there's something I can't quite put my finger on which is why I didn't give it five stars. Grammar and spelling were on point, better than most other indie author / harem books that I read, so that was great. The pacing was good, the story was good, definitely intrigued to see where everything goes.
Again, I'm not quite sure what it is that makes me not absolutely love this book. There's nothing wrong with it, which is more than I can say for a lot of books as I mentioned before. Maybe there aren't enough challenges? It just kind of seems like he approaches things and although it doesn't go perfect the first time it does the second time. I'm still going to read the next book in the series. Perhaps I can find that thing I'm missing and give it that final star.
It's a good story, but there's something I can't quite put my finger on which is why I didn't give it five stars. Grammar and spelling were on point, better than most other indie author / harem books that I read, so that was great. The pacing was good, the story was good, definitely intrigued to see where everything goes.
Again, I'm not quite sure what it is that makes me not absolutely love this book. There's nothing wrong with it, which is more than I can say for a lot of books as I mentioned before. Maybe there aren't enough challenges? It just kind of seems like he approaches things and although it doesn't go perfect the first time it does the second time. I'm still going to read the next book in the series. Perhaps I can find that thing I'm missing and give it that final star.
September 28, 2021
It's an alright read, the author has some writing skill but he is lacking knowledge of what he is writing about and not spent enough time on planning the basis of the world.
The cultivation makes no sense.
The economics are ridiculous and make no sense
Woman are too objectified without a moral lesson being built into the story.
There are loads of other tiny issues too which any alone wouldn't be a problem it's the accumulation of lots of little niggling annoyances that takes it down to 2 stars.
My advice to the author is do more research, plan better, build up a solid foundation for the world you're writing about and then write a story in that world you have built up. At the moment it's like you have just decided you want to write something that is litrpg and picked cultivation out of a hat with zero knowledge of what that's about and just kinda winged it.
The cultivation makes no sense.
The economics are ridiculous and make no sense
Woman are too objectified without a moral lesson being built into the story.
There are loads of other tiny issues too which any alone wouldn't be a problem it's the accumulation of lots of little niggling annoyances that takes it down to 2 stars.
My advice to the author is do more research, plan better, build up a solid foundation for the world you're writing about and then write a story in that world you have built up. At the moment it's like you have just decided you want to write something that is litrpg and picked cultivation out of a hat with zero knowledge of what that's about and just kinda winged it.
January 26, 2021
This novel is well above average for its genre. It takes the time to establish itself and the characters within in a consistent and believable manner. Many novels are little more than a framework to deliver smut, power fantasy, and stat blocks. Towers of Acalia has some of that that sure but its focus is on telling an adventure story. And if the elements aren't always the most original thing ever they at least are presented well, rather than blatant ripoffs and references. As a standalone work the stakes and adventures in this book can be a bit humble, but as a starting point for a weak-to-strong adventure series establishing a firm foundation can only be rewarding when future books are released.
All told you can do a lot worse and I look forward to seeing where the series goes.
All told you can do a lot worse and I look forward to seeing where the series goes.
February 27, 2021
Interesting mix of lit RPG and cultivation story
The main character is definitely not perfect nor is he overpowered. I like the way he perseveres and overcomes the challenges and the weaknesses that he has that comes his way. There are enduring characters that give a warmth to your heart as well. Also villains and stuck up difficult people that add drama to the story. I enjoyed the battles and the budding romance that is starting between the main character and his all female party members so far. I hope to read what happens next in the next tower that he goes to what adventures he'll get into I enjoyed the book and hope to read the next one soon.
The main character is definitely not perfect nor is he overpowered. I like the way he perseveres and overcomes the challenges and the weaknesses that he has that comes his way. There are enduring characters that give a warmth to your heart as well. Also villains and stuck up difficult people that add drama to the story. I enjoyed the battles and the budding romance that is starting between the main character and his all female party members so far. I hope to read what happens next in the next tower that he goes to what adventures he'll get into I enjoyed the book and hope to read the next one soon.
March 15, 2021
Fun book
This book a little slow fir me at first. I never really got into the MC for at least the 1st half. I was initially disappointed because Atlas Kane is a favorite author of mine. I love everything else he’s written. But when the first love interest shows up the book takes an amazing turn and gallops along from there. I was addicted to her character and their relationship and was surprised when I finished the book, not realizing how fast I read through that second half of the book. I really couldn’t put it down after that.
tl;dr- Starts slow but picks up the pace and ends strongly. Definitely worth reading.
This book a little slow fir me at first. I never really got into the MC for at least the 1st half. I was initially disappointed because Atlas Kane is a favorite author of mine. I love everything else he’s written. But when the first love interest shows up the book takes an amazing turn and gallops along from there. I was addicted to her character and their relationship and was surprised when I finished the book, not realizing how fast I read through that second half of the book. I really couldn’t put it down after that.
tl;dr- Starts slow but picks up the pace and ends strongly. Definitely worth reading.
April 15, 2021
Surprising
Honestly I was expecting the book to be utter trash. Nothing personal but the cover, the unimaginative title, the blurb, it all just screamed basic “H” type cultivation novel... Which I mean I enjoy since they’re trashy and utterly ridiculous. HOWEVER, what I found was a delicious depth of emotion, a whirlwind romance, and an incredibly well written story. If the author can sustain this level of writing for awhile I would not be surprised if this series thrives, I know I for one will be doing the rounds to recommend it to people I know enjoy a series like this. I know Book 2 is out already so here’s hoping it’s just as good.
Honestly I was expecting the book to be utter trash. Nothing personal but the cover, the unimaginative title, the blurb, it all just screamed basic “H” type cultivation novel... Which I mean I enjoy since they’re trashy and utterly ridiculous. HOWEVER, what I found was a delicious depth of emotion, a whirlwind romance, and an incredibly well written story. If the author can sustain this level of writing for awhile I would not be surprised if this series thrives, I know I for one will be doing the rounds to recommend it to people I know enjoy a series like this. I know Book 2 is out already so here’s hoping it’s just as good.
November 30, 2021
A short but enjoyable read
Very much a typical isekai light novel with a touch of romance and a sex scene which can be read or skipped depending on your taste. I found the sex scene to be in line with the story and expanding the characters rather than fade to black or a sex scene thrown in just for the sake of it. The characters start out a little 2 dimensional but have begun to fill out nicely by the end of the book. The characters are not over powered and do not win every battle easily, even retreating on occasion. Much more realistic than the character who starts off OP and never looks back. A good read if your looking for an easy to read fun light novel.
Very much a typical isekai light novel with a touch of romance and a sex scene which can be read or skipped depending on your taste. I found the sex scene to be in line with the story and expanding the characters rather than fade to black or a sex scene thrown in just for the sake of it. The characters start out a little 2 dimensional but have begun to fill out nicely by the end of the book. The characters are not over powered and do not win every battle easily, even retreating on occasion. Much more realistic than the character who starts off OP and never looks back. A good read if your looking for an easy to read fun light novel.
February 5, 2021
Weak story.
Not much here to be honest. Characters are one dimensional, plot line is rather boring. Fighting sequences are bland. The cultivation aspect is practically missing, with new skills just appearing. The !son character shows no growth from level one through three. Once he starts walking around, that is it. Just some random spirit numbers thrown out after that. This is an idea that lacks substance.
Not much here to be honest. Characters are one dimensional, plot line is rather boring. Fighting sequences are bland. The cultivation aspect is practically missing, with new skills just appearing. The !son character shows no growth from level one through three. Once he starts walking around, that is it. Just some random spirit numbers thrown out after that. This is an idea that lacks substance.
January 24, 2021
Awful drama
If you are looking for action and adventure, look elsewhere or wait a long, long time. It takes over 100 pages for the mc to fight and almost die to a level 1 mob. Pathetic. The majority of the book the mc is trying to pay off a debt I could care less about. How about move ins..
If you are looking for action and adventure, look elsewhere or wait a long, long time. It takes over 100 pages for the mc to fight and almost die to a level 1 mob. Pathetic. The majority of the book the mc is trying to pay off a debt I could care less about. How about move ins..
April 14, 2023
Ein gutes Fantasy Buch, welches mit einer gut durchdachten Story überzeugt. Man kann es gut am Stück durchlesen. Am Ende erwartet ein eine schöne Überraschung. Durch gut gewählte umschreibungen werden die Szenen noch anschaulicher, was ein ganz besonderes Leseerlebniss erschafft.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2021
3.5 stars. Nothing particularly bad about it, just nothing special either. An easy day-off read if you like the tower-climb-harem sub-genre.
August 25, 2021
Magic system makes no sense! The author wanted women to be subservient to men, this is smut, that makes sense. What doesn't make sense is the mechanic by which this is achieved. And before you say "well it's fine if it's stupid" then the reply would be, "it's fine if it's stupid by choice". IF the author intended this to be stupid, he can go over the top if he wanted. But this isn't stupid by choice, effort was made for this nonsensical system.
See it's like this. Cultivators kill monsters, those monsters expel some kind of matter and cultivators fill their core with said matter. Vessels, usually women, are supposed to partner up with a cultivator to absorb an element from the core and make themselves stronger. If this isn't done, the cultivator will supposedly die or get their cores destroyed or something.
See, it's detailed. The problem with making such a detailed mechanic is when it's so stupid that it's distracting. First, why don't the vessels just absorb directly from the monsters? Second, why are most cultivators men? I mean this is mentioned so it's part of world building and therefore there should be a reason for why the world is like that. Also, there seems to be no technical difference between a vessel and a cultivator except that one choose to absorb an element from the other. If they have that ability, then why do you need the other for it? I mean the energy is already inside you, you just need to purify it and it's already established that both men and women have that ability.
So many questions and distractions when in the first place this is just a contrite way to force a situation where it is justified to have a harem or some such. And it makes no sense because this is smut! why be so contrite? Just have both men and women here have the need to fuck each other in order to purify each other's core. Make the reason something like yin and yang and that there are energies better suited to be processed by men and some by women. See? It's easy, simple, and not some convoluted excuse just to have people fuck each other.
See it's like this. Cultivators kill monsters, those monsters expel some kind of matter and cultivators fill their core with said matter. Vessels, usually women, are supposed to partner up with a cultivator to absorb an element from the core and make themselves stronger. If this isn't done, the cultivator will supposedly die or get their cores destroyed or something.
See, it's detailed. The problem with making such a detailed mechanic is when it's so stupid that it's distracting. First, why don't the vessels just absorb directly from the monsters? Second, why are most cultivators men? I mean this is mentioned so it's part of world building and therefore there should be a reason for why the world is like that. Also, there seems to be no technical difference between a vessel and a cultivator except that one choose to absorb an element from the other. If they have that ability, then why do you need the other for it? I mean the energy is already inside you, you just need to purify it and it's already established that both men and women have that ability.
So many questions and distractions when in the first place this is just a contrite way to force a situation where it is justified to have a harem or some such. And it makes no sense because this is smut! why be so contrite? Just have both men and women here have the need to fuck each other in order to purify each other's core. Make the reason something like yin and yang and that there are energies better suited to be processed by men and some by women. See? It's easy, simple, and not some convoluted excuse just to have people fuck each other.
March 4, 2025
Why this book is for young adults and should not be
Why does the MC stand there like a blithering moron yelling out his moves for what purpose what does it accomplish other than to make him look like a 12-year-old which you find in Japanese and Chinese anime throwing his arms up in the air exactly as a misbehaving child would do some of the time he acts like a spoiled child and all of this is hidden within a adult mature males theme where you have sex and death it doesn't fit and none of this is spoken of in the description in fact it's supposed to not even be within the realms of the young adult but his actions and his behavior is that of a spoiled child 12 years old when the story starts out on Earth he is an adult male over 30 years old where is this childlike behavior coming from it seems like the author has read far too much anime Japanese and Chinese stories all of that is for young adults children ages 8 to 12 does not belong here on Amazon many of these stories of this type are on the WN where it should stay because I read the description and decided to buy this novel because of the theme of the story it sounded interesting so I bought it but I am not interested in reading about the characters behaving like children does not interest me it's stupid to fling your arms up in the air and yell as loud as you can your move what does that sound like to you a 12-year-old correct think about it this is supposed to be a theme for adults when you look at everything else that it goes into this novel
Why does the MC stand there like a blithering moron yelling out his moves for what purpose what does it accomplish other than to make him look like a 12-year-old which you find in Japanese and Chinese anime throwing his arms up in the air exactly as a misbehaving child would do some of the time he acts like a spoiled child and all of this is hidden within a adult mature males theme where you have sex and death it doesn't fit and none of this is spoken of in the description in fact it's supposed to not even be within the realms of the young adult but his actions and his behavior is that of a spoiled child 12 years old when the story starts out on Earth he is an adult male over 30 years old where is this childlike behavior coming from it seems like the author has read far too much anime Japanese and Chinese stories all of that is for young adults children ages 8 to 12 does not belong here on Amazon many of these stories of this type are on the WN where it should stay because I read the description and decided to buy this novel because of the theme of the story it sounded interesting so I bought it but I am not interested in reading about the characters behaving like children does not interest me it's stupid to fling your arms up in the air and yell as loud as you can your move what does that sound like to you a 12-year-old correct think about it this is supposed to be a theme for adults when you look at everything else that it goes into this novel
July 23, 2023
I wasn't going to touch this. The cover nor blurb gave me any confidence in the story... but a friend said it's passable, so here we go.
Hmm. I'm getting Cradle Vibes from this book. I did not like that spells were consumables (one time use). I thought he would have used some information from earth to make multi-use / permanent spell shards.
I also found it funny (like usual), the lengths these authors go to have their harem be "a totally valid and acceptable option" in their works. Putting mechanics in place so the protagonist ends up with multiple women.
This wasn't "so bad", and I'm willing to read the sequel.
If the author didn't put these anime girls on the cover, I might have picked it up without a friend's prompting. I might also (hesitantly) try another of the author's series. I saw a lot of books by him, but never touched them because they looked too anime and poorly written. I may have to reevaluate this stance.
3/5 Stars
Hmm. I'm getting Cradle Vibes from this book. I did not like that spells were consumables (one time use). I thought he would have used some information from earth to make multi-use / permanent spell shards.
I also found it funny (like usual), the lengths these authors go to have their harem be "a totally valid and acceptable option" in their works. Putting mechanics in place so the protagonist ends up with multiple women.
This wasn't "so bad", and I'm willing to read the sequel.
If the author didn't put these anime girls on the cover, I might have picked it up without a friend's prompting. I might also (hesitantly) try another of the author's series. I saw a lot of books by him, but never touched them because they looked too anime and poorly written. I may have to reevaluate this stance.
3/5 Stars
April 11, 2023
Slave harem vibes. You literally buy a women for life…. That’s the harem aspect of the story. You must bond a vessel of the opposite sex, and of course it’s only men that can do this mainly. It isn’t explicitly spelled out, but it hints that bonding has subtle mind control, or at the very least positively predisposes you. It also has a VERY Japanese trope of a summoned girl immediately inexplicably NEEDING the MC. Gross. The “Women” he encounters to have a relationship with, he only focuses on their physical features, I don’t need to read 6 times in a chapter how thin someone is.
It’s well written, and the setting is sort of original. About the only good things I can say about it.
Also strays dangerously into incel vibes with girls being “assigned.” I seriously worry about the guys giving this more than 3 stars…
It’s well written, and the setting is sort of original. About the only good things I can say about it.
Also strays dangerously into incel vibes with girls being “assigned.” I seriously worry about the guys giving this more than 3 stars…
May 7, 2022
A pretty good start to a series, but the whole Isekai part feels really tacked on. It tends to feel superfluous anyways and usually only serves an excuse to make pop culture references, but here is especially bad since the MC gains the memories of the new body and his old ones fade.
Also not a huge fan of how soft the magic system is. It's based nearly entirely on what the character imagines with minor bits other reagents that need to be correct.
But, I'm a sucker for merchant stories so I'll probably keep going.
Also not a huge fan of how soft the magic system is. It's based nearly entirely on what the character imagines with minor bits other reagents that need to be correct.
But, I'm a sucker for merchant stories so I'll probably keep going.
September 15, 2022
Rin from earth is reborn as Rinmarron runemaker 2 on planet Acalia
Rin from earth is accidentally killed by neglect by a co-worker on the job . His soul is transported to a different galaxy different world to start a different second life if he chooses to an gives a dying man their a second chance at life as well combining them 2 together as one an heal his broken core of the dying man .New life new reborn for Rin from earth as know their as Rinmarron runemaker the second .excellent series recommend reading .
Rin from earth is accidentally killed by neglect by a co-worker on the job . His soul is transported to a different galaxy different world to start a different second life if he chooses to an gives a dying man their a second chance at life as well combining them 2 together as one an heal his broken core of the dying man .New life new reborn for Rin from earth as know their as Rinmarron runemaker the second .excellent series recommend reading .
January 25, 2021
Uplifting!
I devoured this book in an afternoon. I bought it because atlas is a favorite of mine. Little did I know it was going to be one of my absolute favorites! I have seen other reviews complaining that the MC is not over powered, however I feel the exact opposite. He is VERY op and that will only increase in time I feel! I very much recommend this book, and am very much looking forward to the next!
I devoured this book in an afternoon. I bought it because atlas is a favorite of mine. Little did I know it was going to be one of my absolute favorites! I have seen other reviews complaining that the MC is not over powered, however I feel the exact opposite. He is VERY op and that will only increase in time I feel! I very much recommend this book, and am very much looking forward to the next!
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