What do you think?
Rate this book
Cradle #7-9
Cradle: Rise of Lords
*** This volume contains books seven, eight and nine in the Cradle series: Uncrowned, Wintersteel, and Bloodline, all of which are available separately. ***
Emriss Silentborn, Memory of the World.
Tiberian Arelius, the fallen Patriarch.
Akura Malice, Queen of Shadows.
Seshethkunaaz, King of Dragons.
Reigan Shen, Emperor of Lions.
Luminous Queen Sha Miara.
The Eight-Man Empire.
Northstrider.
The Monarchs, the most powerful sacred artists on Cradle, rule with unquestioned authority. They are mysterious and distant, and catching a glimpse of one is privilege enough for a lifetime.
Now, they have all gathered in one place, bringing their heirs and greatest students together for a competition to determine whose successor is the best in the world:
The Uncrowned King tournament.
Emriss Silentborn, Memory of the World.
Tiberian Arelius, the fallen Patriarch.
Akura Malice, Queen of Shadows.
Seshethkunaaz, King of Dragons.
Reigan Shen, Emperor of Lions.
Luminous Queen Sha Miara.
The Eight-Man Empire.
Northstrider.
The Monarchs, the most powerful sacred artists on Cradle, rule with unquestioned authority. They are mysterious and distant, and catching a glimpse of one is privilege enough for a lifetime.
Now, they have all gathered in one place, bringing their heirs and greatest students together for a competition to determine whose successor is the best in the world:
The Uncrowned King tournament.
1302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2021
261 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 14, 2023
Oh. I forgot I finished the last one in this collection some time ago...
NoRTC, as there are ready long ones for each individual volume (:
NoRTC, as there are ready long ones for each individual volume (:
November 10, 2021
Can't Wait For More
Cradle series is almost addictive. I devour them as soon as they are released. The characters are rich and vibrant and feel like old friends. I not only recommend them highly, I propose an uninterrupted weekend to devour them like hunger madra.
Cradle series is almost addictive. I devour them as soon as they are released. The characters are rich and vibrant and feel like old friends. I not only recommend them highly, I propose an uninterrupted weekend to devour them like hunger madra.
January 22, 2022
Uncrowned: 3.5/5.
Wintersteel: 5/5.
Bloodline: 4.75/5.
Overall: 4.5/5.
Wintersteel: 5/5.
Bloodline: 4.75/5.
Overall: 4.5/5.
April 14, 2025
This was all high stakes and overpowered characters!
I don't see the MCs saving the whole universe in just 3 books but... they can try? Love the dynamics and it was great to know that I wasn't hallucinating the romantic tension. Eithan is still my favourite, of course, too bad about his hair.
I don't see the MCs saving the whole universe in just 3 books but... they can try? Love the dynamics and it was great to know that I wasn't hallucinating the romantic tension. Eithan is still my favourite, of course, too bad about his hair.
December 18, 2021
Cherries on top please
I don’t know how you put cherries on top of more cherries but apparently you can. Three books in the series 7, 8,9 of the Cradle series. Things get really good here that’s all I can really say the other books in the series were all really good it’s just more of that same great flavor. Even better we get more action and you get what you want it answers to some of those questions that have slowly unfolded throughout the series. Now of these three books the eighth book in the series is the best out of the first nine. You’re going to love some of the things that go on there. You’re going to love the new character dynamics the new character development. Now book 9 is interesting it brings you back it takes you back but there’s purpose with it. It was my least favorite of these three books it was more story less action oriented I prefer a little bit more action but it was worth reading because of the story you get. Now I have to make some comment about book 7 so I’ll just say this it’s a building block it helps set the scene it helps set the stage for what well of course bouquet the next book in the series but book 8 is pivotal.
I don’t know how you put cherries on top of more cherries but apparently you can. Three books in the series 7, 8,9 of the Cradle series. Things get really good here that’s all I can really say the other books in the series were all really good it’s just more of that same great flavor. Even better we get more action and you get what you want it answers to some of those questions that have slowly unfolded throughout the series. Now of these three books the eighth book in the series is the best out of the first nine. You’re going to love some of the things that go on there. You’re going to love the new character dynamics the new character development. Now book 9 is interesting it brings you back it takes you back but there’s purpose with it. It was my least favorite of these three books it was more story less action oriented I prefer a little bit more action but it was worth reading because of the story you get. Now I have to make some comment about book 7 so I’ll just say this it’s a building block it helps set the scene it helps set the stage for what well of course bouquet the next book in the series but book 8 is pivotal.
February 22, 2023
Friends recommended me the series in December. I started reading them right after new years and I haven't been able to put them down since. They hooked on the premise that its like long form manga or anime, but I think of it more of the story of a massive rpg and the main character Lindon is in serious grind mode once he leaves the tutorial level that is sacred valley. Its such a bingable series and I'm glad that I wasn't introduced to it until it was near its end as I think it works best as one long book instead of singles.
Once you get to these 3 books the story has a expanded to full scope of what the world of Cradle and beyond has to offer. The fight scenes are amazing! The characters continue to grow and develop in ways that are remain consistent to the bounds of the world. And the author does a great job of returning to and addressing the lingering questions from earlier point in the story that Lindon has as he learns more about the world in his journey. He even addresses things that bugged me, such as why does everyone speak in a weirdly consistent manner despite the different regions of this massive planet.
Once you get to these 3 books the story has a expanded to full scope of what the world of Cradle and beyond has to offer. The fight scenes are amazing! The characters continue to grow and develop in ways that are remain consistent to the bounds of the world. And the author does a great job of returning to and addressing the lingering questions from earlier point in the story that Lindon has as he learns more about the world in his journey. He even addresses things that bugged me, such as why does everyone speak in a weirdly consistent manner despite the different regions of this massive planet.
February 13, 2024
Enjoyed the first two, especially how the tournament plays out.
And, this shouldn't be a spoiler, since it's an elimination tournament, what the characters do once they're eliminated.
The last third, wasn't my favorite storyline, and could have been told in less time. I realize that this is the event forecasted in book 1, and needs a fair amount of time, but would have liked it tightened up. Though I share that opinion in book 10 as well.
And, this shouldn't be a spoiler, since it's an elimination tournament, what the characters do once they're eliminated.
The last third, wasn't my favorite storyline, and could have been told in less time. I realize that this is the event forecasted in book 1, and needs a fair amount of time, but would have liked it tightened up. Though I share that opinion in book 10 as well.
February 2, 2023
Another epic read
This cultivation series has really attached to me. It's difficult to not read and I know when I hit the end of this, I'm going to be sad and hope that the final book will bring a good conclusion to everything. The character development is on point
This cultivation series has really attached to me. It's difficult to not read and I know when I hit the end of this, I'm going to be sad and hope that the final book will bring a good conclusion to everything. The character development is on point
April 4, 2024
Excellent Writing
Consistent story across multiple books as all the characters continue to be developed. The plotlines are straight forward. The story has multiple surprises which the characters are forced to deal with.
Consistent story across multiple books as all the characters continue to be developed. The plotlines are straight forward. The story has multiple surprises which the characters are forced to deal with.
October 11, 2024
The story of our growing cast of important characters continues to grow. Drastic changes occur with respect to many main and auxiliary characters. Old relationships are renewed. New responsibilities are claimed. New rewards are received. Almost minor characters become more important.
![Profile Image for A [War]Cross BookWorm.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1702661330i%2F171320414._UX200_CR0%2C41%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 6, 2025
Overall found this less enjoyable than path to gold - Lindon felt like he was becoming more like a background character again and lots of like random power-ups without much impact.
I do like tournament arcs and there were cool moments throughout but felt like a drop in quality overall
I do like tournament arcs and there were cool moments throughout but felt like a drop in quality overall
January 26, 2026
My favorite part of the series. I loved the Uncrowned King tournament. Wintersteel is my favorite book in the series. Lindon’s obsession with points was hilarious. Watching his legend grow from other people’s perspective was a great touch
November 5, 2021
Nice deal
The cons: reading this books makes me ache For bigger regular cradle books.
The pros: rereading is encouraged and made easy.
The cons: reading this books makes me ache For bigger regular cradle books.
The pros: rereading is encouraged and made easy.
February 17, 2022
Continues
I've said plenty about previous collections so I'll just say.. This is really good. On to the next collection now!
I've said plenty about previous collections so I'll just say.. This is really good. On to the next collection now!
June 22, 2023
Best journey-arc ever.
November 10, 2025
Wintersteel, I did not like Wintersteel one bit. Would have been higher if not for Wintersteel
April 27, 2025
Books seven through nine of lots (this is an omnibus edition). Book 1 review and series overview is here. Whew! This is the point at which I was finally forced to spend Actual Cash Money to read the rest of the series, which shall stand as testament to how readable this series is (I usually read almost all library books, since otherwise I couldn’t afford my decadent and catastrophically expensive book-reading habit).
This is also what I’d consider the strongest part of the series. This is the point where Lindon is finally forced to face failure– and failure in the face of one of his friends’ success, which is a real test of his character. It’s also the point where we get to see different areas of the world– and exciting but deadly tournament shenanigans– and of course, more people swearing eternal vengeance on Lindon. We also see more of the enigmatic Eithan, as he’s forced to show more of his real power in the tournament, rather than relying on turning up behind people and smacking them with his broom. Or his sewing scissors.
Alas, this is also the book in which the hinted-at romance arc descends, like the sword of damocles that’s been looming over this entire series. It’s still only lightly gestured at, but I still think these characters function much better as a qpr. Grr. Oh well. Six books without romance is better than we usually get. Someone needs to give Will Wight the powerpoint on how people can live together and shape their lives around each other without necessarily being sexually or romantically involved.
I also like how the plotline of Lindon returning home is handled. Most of this is [redacted] for plot reasons, but in short I like how Wight shows us that you can never really come home– and the people who never respected you when you were growing up aren’t going to respect you now, no matter what you achieved or who you became after you moved out.
In short: the best installment so far in a compulsively readable series.
This is also what I’d consider the strongest part of the series. This is the point where Lindon is finally forced to face failure– and failure in the face of one of his friends’ success, which is a real test of his character. It’s also the point where we get to see different areas of the world– and exciting but deadly tournament shenanigans– and of course, more people swearing eternal vengeance on Lindon. We also see more of the enigmatic Eithan, as he’s forced to show more of his real power in the tournament, rather than relying on turning up behind people and smacking them with his broom. Or his sewing scissors.
Alas, this is also the book in which the hinted-at romance arc descends, like the sword of damocles that’s been looming over this entire series. It’s still only lightly gestured at, but I still think these characters function much better as a qpr. Grr. Oh well. Six books without romance is better than we usually get. Someone needs to give Will Wight the powerpoint on how people can live together and shape their lives around each other without necessarily being sexually or romantically involved.
I also like how the plotline of Lindon returning home is handled. Most of this is [redacted] for plot reasons, but in short I like how Wight shows us that you can never really come home– and the people who never respected you when you were growing up aren’t going to respect you now, no matter what you achieved or who you became after you moved out.
In short: the best installment so far in a compulsively readable series.
July 18, 2024
Switched from 5 stars to 1 due to the seedy bait-and-switch tactics of the Wight family. Do not waste your money buying these collections, either in Kindle or physical form. It's been over a year since the last book was released and there's no sign of the final collection even being worked on, with the Wright family refusing to put even a tentative release date.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews