There is a fantasy genre, Chinese in origin, called xianxia, sometimes also called cultivation novel. It is based on martial arts, and influenced by eastern religions and philosophy. These novels usually have an associated mythology with magic and supernatural beings of different types. The main characters seek to increase their power by a process called cultivation. It allows humans to extend their lifespan and gain supernatural powers through a set of martial and mystical arts involving meditation and the use of potions and other magical instruments. Often, the ultimate objective of the cultivation path is becoming immortal or even a god.

Although the genre was popular in China, we western readers didn't see much of it until recently. There are online fan translations of xianxia Chinese epics, but the reading experience is often rough, with subpar or at least too literal translations, and narrative conventions that seem strange to us.

The Cradle series is a xianxia story but easier for western readers, being written by a western writer and adapted to western narrative conventions. The story is set in a secondary world of medieval eastern inspiration. The main character is Wei Shi Lindon, a young member of the Wei clan.

All people of this world practice follow one of the many sacred arts paths, either used for combat or for other professions. Lindon, however, is unsouled, a kind of disability that prevents him from following a sacred arts path like everyone else. This is a culture that prices strength about everything else, and measures people for how much they can contribute to the clan. Although Lindon is allowed to live and perform some minor role in service of the clan, he is given no respect, is not allowed to marry or have children, and anyone could potentially kill him with little penalty, since killing someone who doesn't contribute much to the clan is a minor offense. Lindon is not content with that situation, however, and he is determined to find the means to advance somehow in spite of his disability.

The time has come for a meeting of the most powerful clans in the sacred valley. There will be martial arts tournaments, and Lindon is supposed to compete with the youngest children who have not yet attained Copper status (a sacred artist can level up from different stages of madra mastery and strength from Copper to Iron, to Jade and then to Gold). The children he is to compete against are small and inexperienced but theoretically more powerful than him. In the meantime, the leaders from one of the other clans are involved in a plot that will change the balance of power in the sacred valley.

I found the writing plain and unadorned but effective, and the story quite entertaining. It's a very high fantasy setting. I had thought that it would be more like one of those shonen mangas where you have a dumb but very determined main character, who fights increasingly powerful enemies and gets stronger. However, the story surprised me with some twists that I was not expecting and that radically changed the scope of the epic and Lindon's objectives. Also, do not expect any fast advancement. Lindon is obsessed with advancing and getting stronger, but it's difficult, and throughout this book at least, anyone he meets is much more powerful than him. He is not adverse to cheating, groveling or using his brains in a creative way to achieve what he wants.

I thought the setting and the associated mythology was very interesting, although this is a fast-moving story. Only one point of view character and things are always happening, so do not expect a lot of leisure for worldbuilding, except as far as the story requires.

It's not, and doesn't try to be, a masterpiece, but it was a fun read, and I'm firmly on board to continue the series (seven books at the time I write this review). I think I read somewhere that it was planned to last 12 books, but we'll see. It doesn't seem to be destined for GRRM or Rothfuss-style delays, though. So far the author seems to be writing about two new books in the series per year. ( )

A bit like reading a video game ( )

Eastern Setting. During initiation a young man shows no magic main emphasis and is more or less the pariah of his clan. But he is smart and tough and still fights for his place. An immortal sends him on a special journey.
Very nice world building and interesting magic system. ( )

Unsouled by Will Wight

In this fantasy, a vaguely East Asian-based society is rules by people who can use a natural force called "madra" to fight, create, and manipulate the works arrive them. Everyone is tested for their affinity to one of the various paths of usage and are assigned a future: except the Unsouled, who show no affinity and this are only objects of shame and pity.

Wei Shin Lindo is one such, but he honers to break out of this rigid system and show that he is every bit as capable as his peers.

What occurs carries Lindo far beyond anything he found have imagined, with the fate of worlds moving around him.

This is a great, fun adventure reminiscent of Avatar, the Last Airbender. The practice is great, the characters fun and the working is interesting without being overwhelming in detail.

It's definitely a pleasure to see Lindo use his wits to overcome his weaknesses, although I can see a definite Dragon Ball Z possibility of endless power creep if the writer isn't careful.

But I hated to put the story down and I looked pretty much every choice made. What a fun read! ( )

Not going to lie the beginning was pretty slow, but the action picked up really quickly by the end. I enjoy the over story and look forward to continuing the series. ( )