Unsouled

I’m writing this review after reading this book for the second time in about 7 months. The new book in the series is out and I want a refresher on everything that’s happened before I jump back in.If you’ve never read a cultivation novel before this is the one you probably want to start with. It is fairly typical of them. There’s an initially weak martial artist and through work and adventures he slowly gains power.If you have read a cultivation novel before then you’ll still want to read this series, because it’s really really good.In this case the martial artist is Wei Shi Lindon. He has been set aside by his family and clan as he was born with a weak soul, destined to be unable to advance down any of the Paths to power. However, after an intervention from heaven he realises that he must go beyond the valley he was born in to seek true power.This is a long series and it starts relatively restrained. The book is comparatively short. And yet there are some moments that just made me sit up and go “Yes!” There’s a few scenes throughout the series that I’ve reread again and again because they’re so cool and one of them is in here, with a major character introducing the meaning of her Path. When you see it, you’ll know what I mean.The action is well described, though restrained as the main character isn’t that strong, instead relying on set up and trickery to win most confrontations. The world is nicely described and future conflicts are set up. Because it is the first book and thus must set a solid foundation, which it does.This book is a seed. Great on it’s own but read it and let it sprout into a series and you’ll fall in love. Just like I did.

My first Will Wight book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fantastic worldbuilding, plot, the Asian inspired setting and magical system he has created for us to get lost in for awhile is brilliant. If love unusual magical worlds, then you will love this. We follow a young character Lindon who is an Unsouled, when someone doesn't have enough magic in their soul to follow one of the traditional paths. Without this, he has no future, he will never be trained, and he will never be allowed a family. He will exist as a burden to his clan, subservient to everyone, even the weakest child in the clans will have more opportunities. All he wants is to prove himself to his clan, and to his family. When a near death experience and a chance meeting with a God like magical being saves his life, his destiny will change forever. I will definitely be checking out the rest of this series after reading this, highly recommended...😁💥🔥

It's difficult to write an unbiased review of this book.On its own, it is probably a 3.5 out of 5, however, the series as a whole (later books) are some of the most thrilling & engaging fantasy literature I have ever read.The premise has been done before - an underdog main character who rises to become one of the strongest people in their universe, however, the Asian/Oriental setting really sets this one apart.The prose is written well - the characters are well fleshed out & building blocks & foreshadowing is set up for events that take place many books later, which is a testament to the author.That being said...this book is a bit of a slow burner, as with any book, you have to get through the initial exposition, however, the pay off is very much worth it. Having just finished the most recent book in the series, Wintersteel, I came back to read the original again and whilst it lacks some of the explosive pace of the later books, the set up and introductions to the world & characters is definitely worth it.The book certainly picks up pace towards the second half of the novel and from then on, it's a wild rollercoaster of an adventure for Lindon and the characters he meets along the way.I hate this author for making me feel like a crack addict waiting for the next book to come out...I'd definitely recommend you try out this series if you enjoyed Rage of Dragons by Evan Winters, Red Rising by Pierce Brown or any of Brandon Sanderson's works.

História segue genero de cultivação. Proposta é boa, seguindo a linha do underdog. Como é o inicio da história, ainda esta se construindo o mundo/universo.

It had everything that made it so hard to put down.This is what all in the categories that this represents should aspire to.Ok. Pretty glowing praise you might say. I read this series three times and enjoyed it enough that I didn’t do any skimming or taking extended breaks (more than a day or so) which is what I tend to do with books I find less than interesting.

A very nice fantasy book, with action, actual magic and interesting characters. A long time has passed since the last time I read such a good book!Also well written.

Wieder ein super Setting, neue Ideen, lebendige Charaktere, spannende Kämpfe und eine Mischung aus Fantasy und Science Fiction, wow, wirklich gut und empfehlenswert!! Must have!!

Right from the opening scene, to the end, Will Wight will keep you hooked. There is so much crammed into this book, yet it feels like a light read. This is essentially just chapter one for a larger saga, yet it doesn’t leave you feeling like the ending was inadequate.Wei Shi Lindon is a typical underdog, similar to a typical nobody-turned-hero that embarks on the hero’s jounrey, or a shonen manga protagonist. He’s total loser and that’s established in chapter one. Yet, his drive to keep progressing is what makes him a very likeable character. You’ll root for him even when the odds are stacked against him like a mountain against a fly. His ingenuity – which often borders cheating and misconduct – actually works in his favour, given how unjust and cruel the world has been to him. There’s nothing special about Lindon, yet he stands out so brightly throughout the book.Now for the world. It’s not a fully realised world. It’s more of an imagination-gone-wild, that’s kept growing wilder with each subsequent chapter. Yet, Will Wight presents this in a manner that doesn’t make it feel bloated. Every aspect of the world that’s introduced plays a role in how the story progresses, or how the characters develop. All this, in addition to setting up and teasing future works. It’s a fascinating manga/anime-esque world that’s so rich and colourful that you’re bound to get captivated by it. Again, in a world that’s chockfull of content, Cradle’s world is nothing special, yet it stands out so brightly, purely because of how Will Wight treats world building as a secondary tool for plot and character development.Lastly, the writing. It’s simple enough to breeze through, yet has its occasional nibbles of profundity that brings layers to this world. It’s no Abercrombie or Erikson, but it gets the job done. And in a story that’s so faced paced, and a world that’s so rich and full of many imaginative characters, creatures, objects and more, I guess that simplicity in writing works in the favour of the book.It’s no easy task to find an almost-perfect balance between plot, narrative, character development, world building, and entertainment. Unsouled is one of the few books I’ve read that successfully balances everything, gives you a satisfying read, and leaves you craving for more. It’s like a good Marvel movie meets Manga/Anime aesthetics. This is a traditional underdog story that delivers exactly what it promises. No surprises, nothing too out of the box, yet so rich and satisfying. It isn’t easy to do something that’s been done thousands of times, but in an enjoyable, satisfying manner.5/5 would recommend.TL;DR:WHAT I LIKED: the protagonist, world building, fast paced narrative, connecting the dotsWHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: nothing, really. I think I liked all of it, despite it being so formulaic, arguably cliched, and traditional.