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VeilVerse: Cultivating Chaos #3
Cultivating Chaos 3
(Book 3 of 9)
Ash’s life is anything but normal these days.
Having discovered his Dao, he’s grown in power. Grown to the point that others are now aware of him and that he could be a danger.
In this world of martial arts, only the strong and the ruthless survive.
Everyone else is merely a stepping stone on their path of Cultivation, or an obstacle to be overcome.
Or knocked down.
It’s a world where the strong rule, and the weak die.
Utilizing the Hall, the voice in his head that calls itself Locke, those who have aligned with his faction, and all the powers available to him, Ash has begun his own journey of Cultivation.
Except that as a Fated One, his journey is a narrow and winding path between two cosmic forces. Each one vying for dominance.
That doesn’t even take into account the royal family or the Realm Lord.
This is his third step in his life as a Cultivator.
Overcoming his first tribulation, and solidifying his Dantian.
This is a VeilVerse novel.
Ash’s life is anything but normal these days.
Having discovered his Dao, he’s grown in power. Grown to the point that others are now aware of him and that he could be a danger.
In this world of martial arts, only the strong and the ruthless survive.
Everyone else is merely a stepping stone on their path of Cultivation, or an obstacle to be overcome.
Or knocked down.
It’s a world where the strong rule, and the weak die.
Utilizing the Hall, the voice in his head that calls itself Locke, those who have aligned with his faction, and all the powers available to him, Ash has begun his own journey of Cultivation.
Except that as a Fated One, his journey is a narrow and winding path between two cosmic forces. Each one vying for dominance.
That doesn’t even take into account the royal family or the Realm Lord.
This is his third step in his life as a Cultivator.
Overcoming his first tribulation, and solidifying his Dantian.
This is a VeilVerse novel.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2022
232 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
March 9, 2022
Wow talk about a bad ending.
Warning spoilers and I rate books for how they entertain me and make me feel not by grammar, sentence structure or well anything else.
This is hands down the worst ending to any of his books since the one series I refuse to mention where everyone dies. Hot damn, cliff hanger, shitty one by the way and pretty helpless feeling. Sour taste in my mouth. I regret everything lol. Ima go ahead and try to wipe this series from my mind hopefully I'll forget about like the other one for the most part.
Warning spoilers and I rate books for how they entertain me and make me feel not by grammar, sentence structure or well anything else.
This is hands down the worst ending to any of his books since the one series I refuse to mention where everyone dies. Hot damn, cliff hanger, shitty one by the way and pretty helpless feeling. Sour taste in my mouth. I regret everything lol. Ima go ahead and try to wipe this series from my mind hopefully I'll forget about like the other one for the most part.
March 13, 2022
Shitty ending
I don't know what the author was thinking but a crappie ending on a good book ruins most of it. Why do that just to end in a cliffhanger is beyond me, but it's at least, very disappointing.
I don't know what the author was thinking but a crappie ending on a good book ruins most of it. Why do that just to end in a cliffhanger is beyond me, but it's at least, very disappointing.
March 15, 2022
Not a good installment of the series.
Honestly the book was solid but the last part with the multiple cliff hangers completely ruined the reading experience for me. After waiting close to 2 years for the book the story just did not have the excitement to it that I had for the first 2 books. The fact that the Emperor let one direct vassal be murdered and no big deal does not even check on it but oops MC can be blamed for death of a different vassal bam he's there. Oh Realm Lord tried to kill you and conspired to kill my other vassal well that's bad but you killed him so lets throw you in prison for a few hundred years. Oops I hit your companion so hard they are going to die oh well whatever lets just not care and send you to jail. Yeah so overall I really enjoyed till last part since waiting for so long to get a massive cliffhanger leaves me with really bad taste in mouth could have easily sentenced Ash to jail beginning of book 4 and used whole book to move on nope lets just make sure your last thought of the book is negative.
Honestly the book was solid but the last part with the multiple cliff hangers completely ruined the reading experience for me. After waiting close to 2 years for the book the story just did not have the excitement to it that I had for the first 2 books. The fact that the Emperor let one direct vassal be murdered and no big deal does not even check on it but oops MC can be blamed for death of a different vassal bam he's there. Oh Realm Lord tried to kill you and conspired to kill my other vassal well that's bad but you killed him so lets throw you in prison for a few hundred years. Oops I hit your companion so hard they are going to die oh well whatever lets just not care and send you to jail. Yeah so overall I really enjoyed till last part since waiting for so long to get a massive cliffhanger leaves me with really bad taste in mouth could have easily sentenced Ash to jail beginning of book 4 and used whole book to move on nope lets just make sure your last thought of the book is negative.
March 15, 2022
On another day, this may have gotten a 5. Today, I found that as much as I like the author's work, the constant relationship affirmations in this one seemed to overbear the actual story. It bothered me enough to cost it a star.
This does not mean I won't read whatever follows this. However, when I find myself skimming significant blocks of text for non-sex-scene reasons it detracts from my overall experience, and I guess I'm not in a forgiving mood in that regard today. This is why I write reviews, so that people (myself included, when I look back) understand WHY things get the ratings they do.
This does not mean I won't read whatever follows this. However, when I find myself skimming significant blocks of text for non-sex-scene reasons it detracts from my overall experience, and I guess I'm not in a forgiving mood in that regard today. This is why I write reviews, so that people (myself included, when I look back) understand WHY things get the ratings they do.
May 14, 2023
🫤
Well, I don’t know where to start here. Ash spent the whole book doing silly things. There was just a lot of the book that just kinda went backwards to me. Ash never should have went to see the realm lord… for hu to ask him to do this I thought it was extremely foolish… especially since they think he’s dirty. Also, while in Chang’e he made so many mistakes. He let them plot, plan and ambush him when he had only a couple of people with him… not even his strongest at that and yet he still stayed in the city. What was Hu’s goal sending Ash to be the ambassador in Chang’e? Knowing what they knew. Also, he asked ash to stop taking the lightning vine to start building a family with ju which ash agreed that he needs a few days for that to work and then he could start building a family with her. But before that could even happen he’s on the road to Chang’e… as a pretty permanent posting… I mean who else was going to work there? Then the end of the book truly sealed the deal on frustration for me. We know that the realm lords sceptre opened a portal to this prison colony/realm… now that Gen is the new realm lord will he use that rod and bring them back? Sighs, anyways… yeah that’s where I am. The nonexistent romance scenes is kinda annoying as well. Not a deal breaker for me by far…but it could be handled better. Also I wish he took care of his wives better. Especially Liu, Siu, and Biyu. Onwards lads
Well, I don’t know where to start here. Ash spent the whole book doing silly things. There was just a lot of the book that just kinda went backwards to me. Ash never should have went to see the realm lord… for hu to ask him to do this I thought it was extremely foolish… especially since they think he’s dirty. Also, while in Chang’e he made so many mistakes. He let them plot, plan and ambush him when he had only a couple of people with him… not even his strongest at that and yet he still stayed in the city. What was Hu’s goal sending Ash to be the ambassador in Chang’e? Knowing what they knew. Also, he asked ash to stop taking the lightning vine to start building a family with ju which ash agreed that he needs a few days for that to work and then he could start building a family with her. But before that could even happen he’s on the road to Chang’e… as a pretty permanent posting… I mean who else was going to work there? Then the end of the book truly sealed the deal on frustration for me. We know that the realm lords sceptre opened a portal to this prison colony/realm… now that Gen is the new realm lord will he use that rod and bring them back? Sighs, anyways… yeah that’s where I am. The nonexistent romance scenes is kinda annoying as well. Not a deal breaker for me by far…but it could be handled better. Also I wish he took care of his wives better. Especially Liu, Siu, and Biyu. Onwards lads
July 28, 2022
Better than the first two since MC stopped whining
Some of the dialogue and flirting was pretty cringe, but the protagonist at least stopped throwing toddler temper tantrums every few seconds. Not my favorite by the author, but I wish the other books were finished and I didn't have to wait.
Some of the dialogue and flirting was pretty cringe, but the protagonist at least stopped throwing toddler temper tantrums every few seconds. Not my favorite by the author, but I wish the other books were finished and I didn't have to wait.
December 2, 2024
I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed. Randi Darren couldn't have saved it. When book 4 eventually comes out I will still listen to it. This review is really relative to all of this author's books. So many of them are better. Also referencing characters from alternate universes doesn't feel right.
March 11, 2022
I think I am done with Arand.
There are so many female characters, and they are in no way unique, that they become interchangeable and irrelevant. The betrayal plot is overly large and complex, but seems to be fun by childish, short sighted idiots. I can not reconcile that. Throw in an ending that just seems a rehash from another one of his series and I am done.
There are so many female characters, and they are in no way unique, that they become interchangeable and irrelevant. The betrayal plot is overly large and complex, but seems to be fun by childish, short sighted idiots. I can not reconcile that. Throw in an ending that just seems a rehash from another one of his series and I am done.
March 13, 2022
Terrible ending
Cliffhangers are a gimmick of serialized fiction, something that should at least come out quarterly if not faster imo. There are 2 years between each of these novels. Maybe wait on reading this till 2024 when book 4 comes out, if you're still interested and/or alive by then.
Cliffhangers are a gimmick of serialized fiction, something that should at least come out quarterly if not faster imo. There are 2 years between each of these novels. Maybe wait on reading this till 2024 when book 4 comes out, if you're still interested and/or alive by then.
March 9, 2022
Well that certainly escalated (Spoiler Review)
WARNING: Spoilers Ahead
The story picks up right after the previous novel at the Jade Fist. First Ashley deals with the fact that Locke, the voice in his head, is now and always has been a woman. Then Ashley and crew deal with the aftermath of killing one of the masters and crushing Bao's testicles: he must leave the sect for a period of 1 year and had to leave some of his crew behind, though they are allowed to visit.
He takes a few of his allies and goes back to Xing City, where it all started, and sees his family.
He shares everything with them, making his mom, dad, and sister very happy. He promises to try and save his brother (presumably in another novel), and then one of his Brides buys up the property around his parents (creating a Sheng compound).
What is supposed to be a leisurely year at home quickly takes a turn. It starts with a trip to the auction house. Buying a weapons shipment leads to an altercation with a member of the royal family (in which Locke is summoned from the Hall as a Martial spirit) and things snowball from there. To whit, he becomes married to the crown princess (asked not to father children from her), gets presented to the royal family only to interrupt an attack by Demonic Cultivators (Life Qi users) that kills the King. His brother-in-law, Hu, is the new King and needs him to run to the imperial city to secure it.
Upon arrival it turns out the Queen was in on it, expected to be the new ruler of the kingdom and is briefly flabbergasted when her allies turn on her and start trying to kill everyone.
Ash once more settles things down, only for the Realm Lord to show up, expecting a very different situation.
It seems the Realm Lord was in league with this nonsense as well. Further, he appears to have been behind or at least supporting some of the shenanigans happening at the various sects of the lower realm.
The Realm Lord quietly departs off screen before the King arrives. As the king approaches, Ash notices a LARGE force of Cultivators headed his way from the direction of the Realm Lord's city, Chang'e. Fortunately it is Yue and almost everyone who was left behind at the Jade Fist. The letters home reached them in time and they brought their forces to bear in case our hero still needed help.
With King Hu safely installed as ruler of the citizenry, Ash is asked to be his envoy to the Realm Lord, but can only take 2 companions.
The previous envoy is very happy to leave (being a citizen in a city of Cultivators hasn't been pleasant). The Realm Lord is openly antagonistic and starts out by trying to take Locke, and becoming very frustrated when she disappears.
During this same initial court visit, a forced duel results in Team Sheng taking in a large quantity of spirit stones.
The next court visit finds one of Bartek's (aka Mr Stupid from Book 2) elders in attendance on special dispensation (he is too high a rank cultivator to be in the lower realm normally). He accuses Ash of murder. When Ash points out that it was a legal match overseen by a sect master (who was later punished for letting it go on so long) the Realm Lord yells that he should accept his punishment of life in prison. Ash declines and states he will file a petition with the Emperor instead and leaves.
Unsurprisingly this doesn't end it and at the next courtly visit he has to fight another Bartek.
Ash wins again (he is the hero, after all) and goes back to his envoy home and opens it up for visitors. Gu, a demonic cultivator, comes to visit hoping to get him to commit to murdering the Realm Lord.
A few days later and a formal invitation for court is sent. Everyone must show up and it is a big TRAP. Life Qi users start attacking everyone. The Realm Lord uses it as an opportunity to kill Ash, but finds himself on the wrong end of a decapitated Life Qi user.
Ash blacks out and is woken up by the Emperor who gets the whole story then whisks him to the Imperial City to chat with King Hu. Gen Sheng is installed as the Realm Lord.
Ash is to be killed for killing the Realm Lord, but is spared for rendering beneficial service to the Emperor. Instead he is flung into the Emperor's prison for "a few hundred years".
The Epilogue takes place as Ashley, Locke, and Rue emerge in the prison and need to find a place to hide. The prison is more like a city and they are at the entrance. Ash detects Sheng's Qi and decides if he can survive here, so can they and they head toward him.
WARNING: Spoilers Ahead
The story picks up right after the previous novel at the Jade Fist. First Ashley deals with the fact that Locke, the voice in his head, is now and always has been a woman. Then Ashley and crew deal with the aftermath of killing one of the masters and crushing Bao's testicles: he must leave the sect for a period of 1 year and had to leave some of his crew behind, though they are allowed to visit.
He takes a few of his allies and goes back to Xing City, where it all started, and sees his family.
He shares everything with them, making his mom, dad, and sister very happy. He promises to try and save his brother (presumably in another novel), and then one of his Brides buys up the property around his parents (creating a Sheng compound).
What is supposed to be a leisurely year at home quickly takes a turn. It starts with a trip to the auction house. Buying a weapons shipment leads to an altercation with a member of the royal family (in which Locke is summoned from the Hall as a Martial spirit) and things snowball from there. To whit, he becomes married to the crown princess (asked not to father children from her), gets presented to the royal family only to interrupt an attack by Demonic Cultivators (Life Qi users) that kills the King. His brother-in-law, Hu, is the new King and needs him to run to the imperial city to secure it.
Upon arrival it turns out the Queen was in on it, expected to be the new ruler of the kingdom and is briefly flabbergasted when her allies turn on her and start trying to kill everyone.
Ash once more settles things down, only for the Realm Lord to show up, expecting a very different situation.
It seems the Realm Lord was in league with this nonsense as well. Further, he appears to have been behind or at least supporting some of the shenanigans happening at the various sects of the lower realm.
The Realm Lord quietly departs off screen before the King arrives. As the king approaches, Ash notices a LARGE force of Cultivators headed his way from the direction of the Realm Lord's city, Chang'e. Fortunately it is Yue and almost everyone who was left behind at the Jade Fist. The letters home reached them in time and they brought their forces to bear in case our hero still needed help.
With King Hu safely installed as ruler of the citizenry, Ash is asked to be his envoy to the Realm Lord, but can only take 2 companions.
The previous envoy is very happy to leave (being a citizen in a city of Cultivators hasn't been pleasant). The Realm Lord is openly antagonistic and starts out by trying to take Locke, and becoming very frustrated when she disappears.
During this same initial court visit, a forced duel results in Team Sheng taking in a large quantity of spirit stones.
The next court visit finds one of Bartek's (aka Mr Stupid from Book 2) elders in attendance on special dispensation (he is too high a rank cultivator to be in the lower realm normally). He accuses Ash of murder. When Ash points out that it was a legal match overseen by a sect master (who was later punished for letting it go on so long) the Realm Lord yells that he should accept his punishment of life in prison. Ash declines and states he will file a petition with the Emperor instead and leaves.
Unsurprisingly this doesn't end it and at the next courtly visit he has to fight another Bartek.
Ash wins again (he is the hero, after all) and goes back to his envoy home and opens it up for visitors. Gu, a demonic cultivator, comes to visit hoping to get him to commit to murdering the Realm Lord.
A few days later and a formal invitation for court is sent. Everyone must show up and it is a big TRAP. Life Qi users start attacking everyone. The Realm Lord uses it as an opportunity to kill Ash, but finds himself on the wrong end of a decapitated Life Qi user.
Ash blacks out and is woken up by the Emperor who gets the whole story then whisks him to the Imperial City to chat with King Hu. Gen Sheng is installed as the Realm Lord.
Ash is to be killed for killing the Realm Lord, but is spared for rendering beneficial service to the Emperor. Instead he is flung into the Emperor's prison for "a few hundred years".
The Epilogue takes place as Ashley, Locke, and Rue emerge in the prison and need to find a place to hide. The prison is more like a city and they are at the entrance. Ash detects Sheng's Qi and decides if he can survive here, so can they and they head toward him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2022
Meh (Some Spoilers)
3/10 if this isn't a parody of a Xanxia/Wuxia style novel 5/10 if it is. First the rating I gave is strictly because I didn't buy this book. Thank God I used KU because the 5 stars is for the algorithm and to help the author with sales, I'm not a complete jerk but whateverthe hell this is isnt even worth the five bucks Id normally be happy to shill out for an Arand book. That said for the last couple of years, actually since about late 2019 Arand has been dropping into this cycle of pumping out a lot of pretty terrible books this one included with only some minor redeeming bits.
It felt like a good 1/3 of this novel was Ash and Locke mentally communicating which is cool and all but adding Locke to the harem and making them a woman after this long is just a bit weird. Honestly it felt forced, in the last book it felt more like because of Locke's trickster nature there would be more to it than that, and I'm just disappointed that adding Lock to the harem was the best he could come up with. But that is a minor grievance compared to how often Arand was just being weird about body types in this. Look I'll be honest here, I don't feel like saying petite women look like children or skinny women are rails is exactly okay in the context that Arand has been using it in this book. Nor do I believe that insinuating that those who are sexually attracted to them are into children is okay either. It's something that's come up before in both his other writing and this series and frankly it's a bit stupid. Yeah, we get it Will you like thick women, with dark hair and blue eyes. Really. We. Get. It. But don't yuck on someone else's yum especially when you've included those types of women in the harem of your mc. Also shame on you for shaming anyone's body. But I digress... skinny and petite women get talked down to about their shape too and adding fuel to the fire is a double move.
Moving on... that really did get me upset but not as much as whatever this series has become. It started off with LitRPG elements with Locke and the whole unlocking things in the hall with points, then it was a scanning for potential, rhen a hud which only made a brief appearance, and as she (Locke) developed it kind of stopped being in a thing. Ash was able to do things like scan people which is now just a minor thing, the hall is pretty much just a convenienc device most of the major plot points, it doesn't mesh well with the other VeilVerse novels since it's trying so hard to be Xanxia but really fails at it.
I mean I'm just disappointed right now, this complete dung and I want the hours of my life spent reading it mostly back. The dialogue is the only redemption because it fails at just about everything else. But not all of the dialogue was that good. Further there's the same Arandism of killing off a wife of the mc by a BBEG to motivate them into becoming some kind of revenge driven psycho. Honestly I was expecting better from him but I guess this old dog won't learn any new tricks. I'd say I'm looking forward to the next one but even with him promising to break with his trilogy fetish, I think I might actually be done with him. I hoped awhile ago the dead wife thing would stop and it's just becoming too trope-y for me to keep at it. If you do read this... well have fun. It's not as bad if you don't read Xanxia or Wuxia, it's a nice and simple story to get through but if you really appreciate wuxia, xanxia, western style cultivation, or progression fantasy, or whatever else it's called mixed with light harem elements this isn't for you. Overall this book that I know I've waited a decent amount of time for has fallen way below my hopes. So yeah just meh.
3/10 if this isn't a parody of a Xanxia/Wuxia style novel 5/10 if it is. First the rating I gave is strictly because I didn't buy this book. Thank God I used KU because the 5 stars is for the algorithm and to help the author with sales, I'm not a complete jerk but whateverthe hell this is isnt even worth the five bucks Id normally be happy to shill out for an Arand book. That said for the last couple of years, actually since about late 2019 Arand has been dropping into this cycle of pumping out a lot of pretty terrible books this one included with only some minor redeeming bits.
It felt like a good 1/3 of this novel was Ash and Locke mentally communicating which is cool and all but adding Locke to the harem and making them a woman after this long is just a bit weird. Honestly it felt forced, in the last book it felt more like because of Locke's trickster nature there would be more to it than that, and I'm just disappointed that adding Lock to the harem was the best he could come up with. But that is a minor grievance compared to how often Arand was just being weird about body types in this. Look I'll be honest here, I don't feel like saying petite women look like children or skinny women are rails is exactly okay in the context that Arand has been using it in this book. Nor do I believe that insinuating that those who are sexually attracted to them are into children is okay either. It's something that's come up before in both his other writing and this series and frankly it's a bit stupid. Yeah, we get it Will you like thick women, with dark hair and blue eyes. Really. We. Get. It. But don't yuck on someone else's yum especially when you've included those types of women in the harem of your mc. Also shame on you for shaming anyone's body. But I digress... skinny and petite women get talked down to about their shape too and adding fuel to the fire is a double move.
Moving on... that really did get me upset but not as much as whatever this series has become. It started off with LitRPG elements with Locke and the whole unlocking things in the hall with points, then it was a scanning for potential, rhen a hud which only made a brief appearance, and as she (Locke) developed it kind of stopped being in a thing. Ash was able to do things like scan people which is now just a minor thing, the hall is pretty much just a convenienc device most of the major plot points, it doesn't mesh well with the other VeilVerse novels since it's trying so hard to be Xanxia but really fails at it.
I mean I'm just disappointed right now, this complete dung and I want the hours of my life spent reading it mostly back. The dialogue is the only redemption because it fails at just about everything else. But not all of the dialogue was that good. Further there's the same Arandism of killing off a wife of the mc by a BBEG to motivate them into becoming some kind of revenge driven psycho. Honestly I was expecting better from him but I guess this old dog won't learn any new tricks. I'd say I'm looking forward to the next one but even with him promising to break with his trilogy fetish, I think I might actually be done with him. I hoped awhile ago the dead wife thing would stop and it's just becoming too trope-y for me to keep at it. If you do read this... well have fun. It's not as bad if you don't read Xanxia or Wuxia, it's a nice and simple story to get through but if you really appreciate wuxia, xanxia, western style cultivation, or progression fantasy, or whatever else it's called mixed with light harem elements this isn't for you. Overall this book that I know I've waited a decent amount of time for has fallen way below my hopes. So yeah just meh.
March 9, 2022
Meh
It was bland. By the end of the book, I could predict everything that was going to happen like 20 pages before it happened, sands minor details. Like which character was going to happen to, and the wording of the conversation. The conversation I could still tell you is going to happen though. It's not a bad book. It's just no longer got that originality that the first book of the series did have. That kind of pulled it out of just a by the Numbers cultivation novel, and made it an interesting twist on it.
At this point it's just another random op protagonist harem cultivation novel. That isn't a bad thing. Those are very successful, and I even enjoy them from time to time. But it's not what I loved about this series
So I'm giving it three stars. It's average. Three stars is average. It's not terrible. It's not even bad. It's just not great, and certainly not amazing. It's just meh. I don't really regret reading it. I'm just never going to reread it or think about it again after I'm done with this review
It was bland. By the end of the book, I could predict everything that was going to happen like 20 pages before it happened, sands minor details. Like which character was going to happen to, and the wording of the conversation. The conversation I could still tell you is going to happen though. It's not a bad book. It's just no longer got that originality that the first book of the series did have. That kind of pulled it out of just a by the Numbers cultivation novel, and made it an interesting twist on it.
At this point it's just another random op protagonist harem cultivation novel. That isn't a bad thing. Those are very successful, and I even enjoy them from time to time. But it's not what I loved about this series
So I'm giving it three stars. It's average. Three stars is average. It's not terrible. It's not even bad. It's just not great, and certainly not amazing. It's just meh. I don't really regret reading it. I'm just never going to reread it or think about it again after I'm done with this review
March 23, 2022
Good but low impact
Overall this book was well written and enjoyable. It could have greatly benefited from a hierarchy list for cultivation levels / nomenclature (and maybe a character refresher). Mostly the missing stars are due to a lack of real conflict or risk. The MC has a demigod wrapped around his finger, a god tier artifact and several combat and utility abilities the likes of which his vowel veil has never seen. All this adds up to him being more powerful than his highest ranked superiors... so maybe that hierarchy chart would be useless after all. But with low risk, low conflict it's hard for me to get excited about this book... although there is a hook in place id the author feels like breaking his typical trilogy cap and going for book 4 (especially as this is a joined universe with another author's series).
All that said he's still one of my favorite authors and has enough good will with me that I'll definitely pick up his next book whenever it drops.
Overall this book was well written and enjoyable. It could have greatly benefited from a hierarchy list for cultivation levels / nomenclature (and maybe a character refresher). Mostly the missing stars are due to a lack of real conflict or risk. The MC has a demigod wrapped around his finger, a god tier artifact and several combat and utility abilities the likes of which his vowel veil has never seen. All this adds up to him being more powerful than his highest ranked superiors... so maybe that hierarchy chart would be useless after all. But with low risk, low conflict it's hard for me to get excited about this book... although there is a hook in place id the author feels like breaking his typical trilogy cap and going for book 4 (especially as this is a joined universe with another author's series).
All that said he's still one of my favorite authors and has enough good will with me that I'll definitely pick up his next book whenever it drops.
March 7, 2022
Great addition to the series, but...
I really liked almost all of this book - it has everything the past books had, but with what felt a little better structure.
Except.
I did not care for the ending. I'm worried because Mr. Arand usually writes books in threes, and this ending really isn't satisfying at all. This is t a part of his main universe, though, so maybe there will be more to the story.
Still, even if there's more books, this was a disappointing ending to a pretty great book. It feels like it really jumped the shark - I don’t see how it can recover to any sense of normalcy after this. And all in the last chapter, so we had it all dumped on us and then it just... ends.
I still strongly recommend the series if you like any of Arands other books. This is honestly one of my favorite series that he writes!
I really liked almost all of this book - it has everything the past books had, but with what felt a little better structure.
Except.
I did not care for the ending. I'm worried because Mr. Arand usually writes books in threes, and this ending really isn't satisfying at all. This is t a part of his main universe, though, so maybe there will be more to the story.
Still, even if there's more books, this was a disappointing ending to a pretty great book. It feels like it really jumped the shark - I don’t see how it can recover to any sense of normalcy after this. And all in the last chapter, so we had it all dumped on us and then it just... ends.
I still strongly recommend the series if you like any of Arands other books. This is honestly one of my favorite series that he writes!
March 15, 2022
Great book, nasty cliffhanger ending
The saga of Ash Agent continues. Yanked from our existence to a realm of Asian influence, Ash is forced to learn to survive with his martial arts background and to learn to cultivate Qi in order to improve himself. Ash surmount every problem and grows increasingly powerful, accumulating a harem along the way that he's not really sure what to do with. The feudal Asian realm accepts harems far more readily than his current-day American upbringing does. As he progresses along his path he finds himself battling stronger and stronger foes and excels. Right up until he is forced to kill the Realm Lord. The Emperor is forced to punish him, which he does by sentencing Ash and two of his compatriot wives to a hundred years in prison...and paves the way for the next book.
The saga of Ash Agent continues. Yanked from our existence to a realm of Asian influence, Ash is forced to learn to survive with his martial arts background and to learn to cultivate Qi in order to improve himself. Ash surmount every problem and grows increasingly powerful, accumulating a harem along the way that he's not really sure what to do with. The feudal Asian realm accepts harems far more readily than his current-day American upbringing does. As he progresses along his path he finds himself battling stronger and stronger foes and excels. Right up until he is forced to kill the Realm Lord. The Emperor is forced to punish him, which he does by sentencing Ash and two of his compatriot wives to a hundred years in prison...and paves the way for the next book.
March 27, 2022
Good book love the author
I enjoyed this book as expected. I was a little slow coming back up to speed with the characters in this series as the time from last book was long. Not really I so should have reread The previous books before reading this one but I was hoping for a synopsis by the author. Oh well. That's sad I still enjoy the series. And I was definitely waiting for this book hoping that it would come out. The M. see of course is OP. That said he pushers those around him to use his resources instead of himself. Trying to make his Family/clan stronger. Admirable sentiment And very unusual in this veil. This veil doesn't have a lot of sympathies for those who are weak. The end of the book had a bit of a twist which I enjoy hopefully that means the author will be writing the next book a little sooner than later. And I look forward to it.
I enjoyed this book as expected. I was a little slow coming back up to speed with the characters in this series as the time from last book was long. Not really I so should have reread The previous books before reading this one but I was hoping for a synopsis by the author. Oh well. That's sad I still enjoy the series. And I was definitely waiting for this book hoping that it would come out. The M. see of course is OP. That said he pushers those around him to use his resources instead of himself. Trying to make his Family/clan stronger. Admirable sentiment And very unusual in this veil. This veil doesn't have a lot of sympathies for those who are weak. The end of the book had a bit of a twist which I enjoy hopefully that means the author will be writing the next book a little sooner than later. And I look forward to it.
September 4, 2022
Let us see if the author listens to his readers and curbed his ways, or if this will be as phoned in as his other recent books.
I'm not liking how the author is bleeding his other series into this. He already named dropped the protagonist for his Wild Wastes series, so I don't know if this is now part of his "server-verse" series.
He also has too much sex happening with his non smut penname. Yes, it's fade to black, but the dialogue revolves too much around sex. I will read the sequel, because I like the plot of the series.
I hope the protagonist does more of what he did in book one in the next book, and focuses less on the sex. It's almost reaching filler status as of late. Can't think of something for the protag to do?
have a bunch of sex, banter, and blushing. It's getting tiring.
3/5 Stars
I'm not liking how the author is bleeding his other series into this. He already named dropped the protagonist for his Wild Wastes series, so I don't know if this is now part of his "server-verse" series.
He also has too much sex happening with his non smut penname. Yes, it's fade to black, but the dialogue revolves too much around sex. I will read the sequel, because I like the plot of the series.
I hope the protagonist does more of what he did in book one in the next book, and focuses less on the sex. It's almost reaching filler status as of late. Can't think of something for the protag to do?
have a bunch of sex, banter, and blushing. It's getting tiring.
3/5 Stars
March 19, 2024
What a terrible book in this series!
This book was a complete disappointment. I’d really loved the first two books, but this one fell far short. What I normally like about this Arthur’s novels, is that they focus more on plots an storylines then on the harem aspect. That changed in this book with more emphasis put on codependent relationship interactions. With most cultivation and self improvement aspects glossed over. The plot and storyline became very weak background aspects for the story. This part would have been so bad if it wasn’t for the terrible ending to this book. Since I’ve already purchased the next book in the series, I’ll go ahead and read it, but I have very little confidence in it being any good.
This book was a complete disappointment. I’d really loved the first two books, but this one fell far short. What I normally like about this Arthur’s novels, is that they focus more on plots an storylines then on the harem aspect. That changed in this book with more emphasis put on codependent relationship interactions. With most cultivation and self improvement aspects glossed over. The plot and storyline became very weak background aspects for the story. This part would have been so bad if it wasn’t for the terrible ending to this book. Since I’ve already purchased the next book in the series, I’ll go ahead and read it, but I have very little confidence in it being any good.
March 9, 2022
Acceleration
From the very beginning the pace is set in this edition as we move stages, climb through a flurry of events, build alliances and dig deeper into the who and why of recent events. I loved re-entering this universe and revisiting some of the amazing characters. The main downside for me is just that I really loved the personal interactions and building of the relationships in the previous books which are much sparser here because of the ground needed to cover, I imagine if it included more the book would be several hundreds of thousands of words longer. All in all, I love the series and look forward to seeing where it goes next.
From the very beginning the pace is set in this edition as we move stages, climb through a flurry of events, build alliances and dig deeper into the who and why of recent events. I loved re-entering this universe and revisiting some of the amazing characters. The main downside for me is just that I really loved the personal interactions and building of the relationships in the previous books which are much sparser here because of the ground needed to cover, I imagine if it included more the book would be several hundreds of thousands of words longer. All in all, I love the series and look forward to seeing where it goes next.
March 28, 2022
Not your usual cultivation story
The story continues and it's really really good it kept me reading and reading long into the night. The characters continue to be three-dimensional they are humorous dramatic summer evil and some are very good. I love the way they all interact with each other the main character is a real nice guy even though he's becoming more and more powerful. He's finally starting to enjoy life but he has a lot of challenges that come his way from those that are evil. I hope to enjoy more to the story the ending leaves many questions but it is a good thing. I hope to read soon what happens next I really love this story a lot.
The story continues and it's really really good it kept me reading and reading long into the night. The characters continue to be three-dimensional they are humorous dramatic summer evil and some are very good. I love the way they all interact with each other the main character is a real nice guy even though he's becoming more and more powerful. He's finally starting to enjoy life but he has a lot of challenges that come his way from those that are evil. I hope to enjoy more to the story the ending leaves many questions but it is a good thing. I hope to read soon what happens next I really love this story a lot.
Read
April 24, 2022Great continuation to a martial cultivation story
Wow, what a cliffhanger. Really enjoyed the 3 books in this series as l love the qi cultivation as well as the martial arts aspects. They support a strong storyline as most of the author's books have consistantly done. My only issue is remembering all the (female) characters and how they came into his orbit. Although in this book there was only 1 new female character, Ju to keep track of. All said, lve become a fan of William Arand's writing having read almost all of his trilogies (just 2 left to read). Keep up the good work!
Wow, what a cliffhanger. Really enjoyed the 3 books in this series as l love the qi cultivation as well as the martial arts aspects. They support a strong storyline as most of the author's books have consistantly done. My only issue is remembering all the (female) characters and how they came into his orbit. Although in this book there was only 1 new female character, Ju to keep track of. All said, lve become a fan of William Arand's writing having read almost all of his trilogies (just 2 left to read). Keep up the good work!
March 11, 2022
Great story
This is book three of this authors portion in this universe, and it is a great story. This is also one of the few four stars I have given to this author. Without spoilers, I will simply say that the ending made no sense, even though it was foreshadowed throughout the book. This entire book was sideways of the first two books. I very much look forward to next book, and highly recommend this series overall.
This is book three of this authors portion in this universe, and it is a great story. This is also one of the few four stars I have given to this author. Without spoilers, I will simply say that the ending made no sense, even though it was foreshadowed throughout the book. This entire book was sideways of the first two books. I very much look forward to next book, and highly recommend this series overall.
March 23, 2022
Epic
I loved this book and can't wait for the audio version to come out. Now then for the author.
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F**k that ending. This is my favorite series but the emotions you turn up at the end there are still going strong with no satisfaction. This is like a series f**king shot to the bread basket followed up with someone curb stopping the family jewels. So yeah not happy that the book ended where it did I need the next book asap tomorrow would be nice.
I loved this book and can't wait for the audio version to come out. Now then for the author.
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F**k that ending. This is my favorite series but the emotions you turn up at the end there are still going strong with no satisfaction. This is like a series f**king shot to the bread basket followed up with someone curb stopping the family jewels. So yeah not happy that the book ended where it did I need the next book asap tomorrow would be nice.
April 2, 2022
Ash Continues On The Cultivater's Path; The Body Count Grows With His Cultivation.
This novel ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I suspect a second trilogy is planned, or the story interleaved with other VeilVerse novels.
This novel, and the trilogy of which it is a part, may be of interest to fans of the broader Fantasy genre. Those who enjoy LitRPG novels and those who enjoy playing RPGs may also find this an interesting read.
This novel ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I suspect a second trilogy is planned, or the story interleaved with other VeilVerse novels.
This novel, and the trilogy of which it is a part, may be of interest to fans of the broader Fantasy genre. Those who enjoy LitRPG novels and those who enjoy playing RPGs may also find this an interesting read.
April 16, 2022
What can words express
Not a lot really just excellent as always a book i did not want to finish i wanted to savour every word a most excellent story and boy i want the next book now to find out just what the hell is going to happen next, just before you think you know what will happen mr arand pulls the table cloth from underneath the full dinner service leaving you wanting more adventures in the veilverse.
Not a lot really just excellent as always a book i did not want to finish i wanted to savour every word a most excellent story and boy i want the next book now to find out just what the hell is going to happen next, just before you think you know what will happen mr arand pulls the table cloth from underneath the full dinner service leaving you wanting more adventures in the veilverse.
April 3, 2023
Great Read!
Another excellent installment in this series. Well developed characters. Great storyline. Can't wait for the next book to come out. Hate when the author kills of important members of the MC's group though, that always makes me hate that part of the story, and makes me a bit more trepiditous about the next. I mean who will he kill off next. I read books like this to escape the harshness of reality not to embrace it full on.
Another excellent installment in this series. Well developed characters. Great storyline. Can't wait for the next book to come out. Hate when the author kills of important members of the MC's group though, that always makes me hate that part of the story, and makes me a bit more trepiditous about the next. I mean who will he kill off next. I read books like this to escape the harshness of reality not to embrace it full on.
June 10, 2024
Good story and still fun.
Overall the story is fun and entertaining. The use of the main character and his supporting cast is interesting however the constant pandering and validating of feelings becomes tiresome and boring. It becomes filler and does not add to the story. It got bad enough that the pacing of the book suffers because it's the same regurgitated validating and reaffirming statements over and over between the characters. Pulls the story as a whole down.
Overall the story is fun and entertaining. The use of the main character and his supporting cast is interesting however the constant pandering and validating of feelings becomes tiresome and boring. It becomes filler and does not add to the story. It got bad enough that the pacing of the book suffers because it's the same regurgitated validating and reaffirming statements over and over between the characters. Pulls the story as a whole down.
March 7, 2022
Loved this book though I have to say, I am not really a fan of the emperor. I wonder what happens to all of Ash's women while he is in prison. Also I wonder if Ash will break out of jail and be like the Koolaid man. Will tribulations strike him in jail I wonder. Also why is the Emperor like Runner Norwood or am I just imagining things.
March 9, 2022
Excellent as always
Really enjoying this installment of this story and looking forward to more. As usual Arand provides a great tale with interesting worldbuilding and solid characters. This one expands much more on the general underpinnings of the veil and lays out how the society functions beyond the bounda of the sect.
Really enjoying this installment of this story and looking forward to more. As usual Arand provides a great tale with interesting worldbuilding and solid characters. This one expands much more on the general underpinnings of the veil and lays out how the society functions beyond the bounda of the sect.
March 9, 2022
Hits the ground running and doesn't stop
So this is part 3 of 9 if you haven't read the first two go back and do that else you'll be utterly confused about what's happening as for the book we start out with a bang and the story just keeps going non stop from there if you liked the fun rat 2 you'll Really like this one if you didn't like the first 2 why are you even here?
So this is part 3 of 9 if you haven't read the first two go back and do that else you'll be utterly confused about what's happening as for the book we start out with a bang and the story just keeps going non stop from there if you liked the fun rat 2 you'll Really like this one if you didn't like the first 2 why are you even here?
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