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Sulterra: Unblood #1
Unblood
Kiran is unblood.
Becoming a cultivator is hard. Being an adopted child makes it even harder.
Kiran must overcome his position if he wants to succeed and challenge the heavens.
When a tragic mistake unlocks a powerful artifact that changes time and space, Kiran's life is forever changed. Danger brings opportunity, and for a young cultivator there is nothing like pressure to force them to adapt and grow stronger!
For fans of Cradle, Thousand Li and Heaven's Laws. This epic new progression fantasy story is a western cultivation fantasy novel with mild romance but no harem.
Becoming a cultivator is hard. Being an adopted child makes it even harder.
Kiran must overcome his position if he wants to succeed and challenge the heavens.
When a tragic mistake unlocks a powerful artifact that changes time and space, Kiran's life is forever changed. Danger brings opportunity, and for a young cultivator there is nothing like pressure to force them to adapt and grow stronger!
For fans of Cradle, Thousand Li and Heaven's Laws. This epic new progression fantasy story is a western cultivation fantasy novel with mild romance but no harem.
519 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2022
143 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 13, 2022
frayed narrative
The narrative swirls and dips without a clear path forward. Random names are sprinkled about for herbs and pills and cultivation styles and clans/sects, but there isn’t a coherent theme.
I’m also not a fan of the casual disdain and violence, even between family members. Not liking a cousin is one thing; attacking them just for existing *in their own house* goes to a level of familial dysfunction that is unsupportable.
So far this doesn’t feel like a novel, so much as a writing experiment in search of a concept.
I was ~30% in when I wrote this review. I will try to continue for a bit, but there are better novels waiting to be read.
DNF
The narrative swirls and dips without a clear path forward. Random names are sprinkled about for herbs and pills and cultivation styles and clans/sects, but there isn’t a coherent theme.
I’m also not a fan of the casual disdain and violence, even between family members. Not liking a cousin is one thing; attacking them just for existing *in their own house* goes to a level of familial dysfunction that is unsupportable.
So far this doesn’t feel like a novel, so much as a writing experiment in search of a concept.
I was ~30% in when I wrote this review. I will try to continue for a bit, but there are better novels waiting to be read.
DNF
July 5, 2023
1.5 stars
This review is based on an ARC e-audiobook received for free from Libro.fm. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.
This book was truly not for me. It was like listening to the descriptive audio service of a Chinese-themed MMORPG, with lots of anachronistic modern language and given character names that don't conform to any one linguistic family. I am given to understand that the constant references to chi and leveling up and the like are standards in cultivation novels, and as such I think I can safely say that it is a genre that is simply not for me, and I'm not really qualified to review the quality of the book's content.
As an audiobook, I'm afraid it left much to be desired. The characters' voices were more or less identical, and whenever the narrator decided to give someone a deep voice, it sounded as though he was yawning prodigiously. I'm also unclear why one of the characters had a Scottish-sounding accent when everyone else was definitely American.
rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - It was interesting. I liked it.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - It was extraordinary. I really hope the author wrote more things.
This review is based on an ARC e-audiobook received for free from Libro.fm. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.
This book was truly not for me. It was like listening to the descriptive audio service of a Chinese-themed MMORPG, with lots of anachronistic modern language and given character names that don't conform to any one linguistic family. I am given to understand that the constant references to chi and leveling up and the like are standards in cultivation novels, and as such I think I can safely say that it is a genre that is simply not for me, and I'm not really qualified to review the quality of the book's content.
As an audiobook, I'm afraid it left much to be desired. The characters' voices were more or less identical, and whenever the narrator decided to give someone a deep voice, it sounded as though he was yawning prodigiously. I'm also unclear why one of the characters had a Scottish-sounding accent when everyone else was definitely American.
rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - It was interesting. I liked it.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - It was extraordinary. I really hope the author wrote more things.
July 11, 2022
Was hopeful for a good read with this with high comments praises and good sounding summary but.
When started it was ok and was looking forward to a good cultivation read but shortly found myself confused especially with cultivation and wear meridian cleansing fits in order so forth. Then wonder often what point or Orin was he seemed pointless yet in a lot then worse the quinge parts that was everytime mc with Soraya it was un-readable bad for me personally could not skim fast enough. (Liked Sami little sister though.)
I really struggled to get through this book and found it not a very good read. Which was a shame.
When started it was ok and was looking forward to a good cultivation read but shortly found myself confused especially with cultivation and wear meridian cleansing fits in order so forth. Then wonder often what point or Orin was he seemed pointless yet in a lot then worse the quinge parts that was everytime mc with Soraya it was un-readable bad for me personally could not skim fast enough. (Liked Sami little sister though.)
I really struggled to get through this book and found it not a very good read. Which was a shame.
March 15, 2023
It took me awhile to get into this one, but at about 50% I was fully engaged. I think fans of both Name of the Wind and Avatar: The Last Airbender would love Unblood. The character progression was enjoyable, but I would have liked to have Asher introduced a bit sooner. Wideman has done a great job building a fantasy world to get wrapped up in. My only issue with the writing is that trite modern phrases were used that took me out of the narrative.
Thank you Robyn Wideman, Dreamscape Audio, and Netgalley for my audio advanced review copy. My opinions are my own.
Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 3
Character Development - 3
Narration - 4
Personal Bias - 3
Final Score - 3.4
Thank you Robyn Wideman, Dreamscape Audio, and Netgalley for my audio advanced review copy. My opinions are my own.
Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 3
Character Development - 3
Narration - 4
Personal Bias - 3
Final Score - 3.4
March 3, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for an Audio ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
I was very hopeful for this book and the story was okay, but it struggled to keep my attention.
The story jumped around and with a lot of the characters being very similar, it was hard to keep them straight. A little info dumpy about things that didn't seem important to the story or characters, but then lacked in info about other specifics that seemed pretty important to the story. After all that, I'm still not sure I understand what an unblood is.
I was very hopeful for this book and the story was okay, but it struggled to keep my attention.
The story jumped around and with a lot of the characters being very similar, it was hard to keep them straight. A little info dumpy about things that didn't seem important to the story or characters, but then lacked in info about other specifics that seemed pretty important to the story. After all that, I'm still not sure I understand what an unblood is.
June 15, 2022
Good read but a bit underwhelming
I enjoyed the ride and the story but I was in the mood for some hard training montages and technique training. This did deliver on most.of that but I felt like the story was only half way flushed out. The arcs were quick and then on to the next one which is a nice change for this genre but do think we could have take the time to get a bit more out of them. Overall a good book and hope to see what comes next.
I enjoyed the ride and the story but I was in the mood for some hard training montages and technique training. This did deliver on most.of that but I felt like the story was only half way flushed out. The arcs were quick and then on to the next one which is a nice change for this genre but do think we could have take the time to get a bit more out of them. Overall a good book and hope to see what comes next.
August 19, 2022
Too much perspective- and time-hopping, too many characters with very similar personalities. I got tired of trying to remember which sly elder was which, and which snobby noble was threatening which incarnation this time and why. Not to mention they don’t really explain who the gods are, why they’re unable to stop the time split or whatever, or even what an ‘unblood’ is. My best guess is a commoner? Gave up at about 80%.
March 13, 2023
Unblood is an adventure fantasy that follows a quest-driven plot with a wide cast of characters. I thought the story was entertaining and fun, but I occasionally got confused with all the characters. Some of the dialogue was cliché, but it didn't put me off from reading. This was a good first book in an interesting new series!
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
May 8, 2022
Unblood
Magic, honor, family, strength, love, courage, and a bunch of other words describe this book that I'm waiting for the next one in the series. I will 💕💕💕 this one. Time travel, god's affinities, power, and friendship makes it a remarkable start of a good series.
Magic, honor, family, strength, love, courage, and a bunch of other words describe this book that I'm waiting for the next one in the series. I will 💕💕💕 this one. Time travel, god's affinities, power, and friendship makes it a remarkable start of a good series.
May 20, 2022
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books. There was a lot of cultivation work in this book.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books. There was a lot of cultivation work in this book.
May 31, 2022
Muddled.
April 30, 2024
I was interested in the synopsis and the beginning had promise but it got bogged down with a lot of characters and too many were just unlikable. It began to drag and I just skimmed to the end.
March 25, 2023
Unblood, Scribes of Sulterra by Robyn Wideman is a mesmerising narration. It’s a book which takes you from one adventure to another. Kiran, the main character of the story, is an adopted child of his family. His efforts to become a great time cultivator lead him to tests and trials that’ll make him stronger and a better cultivator than he could have imagined.
His curiosity about the artefacts and yearning to get hold of some great cultivating manuals is where his journey through different adventures began. The sense of the place is very strong in the whole story. The way Robyn narrates the new year festivities and the auction day at Kiran’s foster parent’s place takes one to the world of magic and powerful spells. It introduces one to a fantasy digging further deep along with the author travelling through the unfolding mysteries.
Kiran’s brother Oran and sister Sami, though seem like mischievous characters in the beginning, are the two people who love and care for him as a family.
The eternal star dial, jade tablets, and the time chi stored in Kiran’s core are where he wants to seek perfection. But being unblood, he has no access to any manuals or elders (teachers) even.
From here begins the expeditions to the jade stone forest, facing deep fang tree and beyond. As Sami happens to read a bone script of an ancient artefact gifted by her aunt on auction day. This oracle bone script leads Kiran and his family into a dangerous situation when his parents suddenly disappear and he finds himself as the only saviour for his sister and the rest of the family from getting into evil hands.
The jade tablets, blacked-horned dagger, the bone script and the eternal star dial and its energy that Kiran felt are the powerful magical elements that grab one’s attention towards their qualities and secret powers. It opens up doors to the story of self-discovery, mastering the time chi, journeying towards the Azure dragon sect and dangerous challenges.
The light romantic touch in the story and the sweet chemistry between Kiran and Suriya are well-placed by Robyn throughout the whole book. It fits greatly in the situations where they parted and met again.
I will not ruin the audience’s curiosity about how these adventures and challenges end up for Kiran in book 1. The characters like Baris, Arsel, Oran, Asher and many others play an important part, making this book more exciting to go through. The language and choice of words are beautiful and elegant. Very refined indeed.
I really appreciate Robyn for the great plot, and strong narration creating an amazing fantasy. Curiosity keeps a strong hold on one throughout the book. I recommend Unblood, Scribes of Sulterra for a general audience, especially the younger ones who have an interest in magical fantasy, martial training and great adventures, will enjoy this book. Well written. Enjoyed listening.
His curiosity about the artefacts and yearning to get hold of some great cultivating manuals is where his journey through different adventures began. The sense of the place is very strong in the whole story. The way Robyn narrates the new year festivities and the auction day at Kiran’s foster parent’s place takes one to the world of magic and powerful spells. It introduces one to a fantasy digging further deep along with the author travelling through the unfolding mysteries.
Kiran’s brother Oran and sister Sami, though seem like mischievous characters in the beginning, are the two people who love and care for him as a family.
The eternal star dial, jade tablets, and the time chi stored in Kiran’s core are where he wants to seek perfection. But being unblood, he has no access to any manuals or elders (teachers) even.
From here begins the expeditions to the jade stone forest, facing deep fang tree and beyond. As Sami happens to read a bone script of an ancient artefact gifted by her aunt on auction day. This oracle bone script leads Kiran and his family into a dangerous situation when his parents suddenly disappear and he finds himself as the only saviour for his sister and the rest of the family from getting into evil hands.
The jade tablets, blacked-horned dagger, the bone script and the eternal star dial and its energy that Kiran felt are the powerful magical elements that grab one’s attention towards their qualities and secret powers. It opens up doors to the story of self-discovery, mastering the time chi, journeying towards the Azure dragon sect and dangerous challenges.
The light romantic touch in the story and the sweet chemistry between Kiran and Suriya are well-placed by Robyn throughout the whole book. It fits greatly in the situations where they parted and met again.
I will not ruin the audience’s curiosity about how these adventures and challenges end up for Kiran in book 1. The characters like Baris, Arsel, Oran, Asher and many others play an important part, making this book more exciting to go through. The language and choice of words are beautiful and elegant. Very refined indeed.
I really appreciate Robyn for the great plot, and strong narration creating an amazing fantasy. Curiosity keeps a strong hold on one throughout the book. I recommend Unblood, Scribes of Sulterra for a general audience, especially the younger ones who have an interest in magical fantasy, martial training and great adventures, will enjoy this book. Well written. Enjoyed listening.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews