Books Like...

'The First Step' in the series 'A Thousand Li' by Tao Wong follows the journey of a peasant cultivator named Wu Ying as he navigates the world of cultivation. The book offers a unique perspective by focusing on Wu Ying's growth and challenges, showcasing his determination and struggles to prove himself in a world filled with organizational and class politics. The writing style captures the essence of classic Chinese fantasy, incorporating rich world-building, authentic martial arts elements, and cultural references that immerse readers in a deep and lived-in setting.

The plot of 'The First Step' delves into Wu Ying's progression from a novice cultivator to facing tough challenges, unlearning social behaviors, and striving to be more than mediocre. The story unfolds with a blend of character development, relationship building, and personal growth, highlighting the memorable characters and their interactions as they adapt to their surroundings and realities. Despite facing obstacles and setbacks, Wu Ying's journey is portrayed as a continuous effort to overcome his limitations and evolve both personally and in his cultivation skills.

'Beware of Chicken: A Xianxia Cultivation Novel' by Casualfarmer is a refreshing take on the Xianxia genre, focusing on themes of kindness, generosity, family, and joy. The protagonist, Jin, is isekai'd into a world of cultivation but chooses to lead a peaceful life as a farmer, setting off a unique path of cultivation. The story is beautifully crafted with elements of love, betrayal, humor, courage, atonement, and redemption intricately woven together. The writing style is gentle and profound, avoiding the typical tropes of violent battles and instead offering a meandering yet captivating narrative that keeps readers engaged.

Patriarch Reliance, the first book in the 'I Shall Seal the Heavens' series, follows the story of Meng Hao, a failed scholar who is thrown into a new world of immortal cultivation after being kidnapped by an immortal cultivator. The book introduces higher cultivations and power dynamics, building a world filled with challenges that Meng Hao must overcome with wit, stubbornness, and luck. The story is fast-paced, filled with fights, mysteries, and a unique magic system, all set in a world where personal power comes at a cost.

The writing style of 'Patriarch Reliance' is described as engaging, humorous, and filled with character monologues that add depth to the storytelling. The book is praised for its complex characters, different plot from Western fantasy novels, and the rational honesty in world-building and path systems, making Meng Hao's journey from a failed scholar to a powerful being a captivating hero's journey.

Mother of Learning is a web novel by Domagoj Kurmaic, also known as Nobody103, that follows the story of Zorian, a wizard trapped in a time loop at a magic academy. The book focuses on Zorian's journey of learning and developing his skills as he tries to figure out the mysteries of the time loop. Readers praise the detailed world-building and the progression fantasy elements in the story, which keep them engaged throughout the series. The book is described as a blend of fantasy epic and time loop narrative, with a strong focus on character development and magical realism.

Sufficiently Advanced Magic by Andrew Rowe is a unique blend of RPG elements and intricate magic systems set in a world filled with dungeon crawls and magical schools. The story follows Corin Cadence, a character who is speculated to be on the autism spectrum, as he navigates through a world of attunements and cultivation-like progression. The book combines dungeon diving, magic school, and world-building with elements of betrayal and mystery, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged.

The writing style in Sufficiently Advanced Magic is characterized by detailed descriptions of the magic system and the world, reminiscent of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign or a computer program technical manual. The narrative balances between a dungeon grind and a detailed exploration of magical systems, enchanting, and attunements, offering a fresh take on the fantasy genre with modern touches on topics like racism, asexuality, and child abuse.

'Into the Labyrinth' in the 'Mage Errant' series by John Bierce is a coming-of-age fantasy novel set in a magical academy. The story follows the protagonist, Hugh of Emberlin, a young mage who struggles with his magical abilities and faces challenges as he navigates through a complex magic system. The book introduces readers to a well-developed world with intricate world-building elements, a unique magic system, and a small cast of relatable and diverse characters. The plot revolves around Hugh's growth as a character, his journey from self-doubt to embracing his powers, and his experiences in a school setting reminiscent of other popular fantasy series.

Soulhome by Sarah Lin is the first book in the Weirkey Chronicles series, introducing readers to the main protagonist, Theo, who is a complex character with a bitter soul on a quest for vengeance. The story follows Theo's journey as he navigates the Nine Worlds, dealing with betrayal, loss, and the challenge of rebuilding his strength and power. The book features a unique magic system where power is gained by constructing a house inside one's soul using materials from the Nine World, offering a fresh take on the cultivation genre. Sarah Lin's writing style is described as clean and imaginative, with a focus on character development and world-building, making the story engaging and intriguing for readers.

'Street Cultivation' in the series of the same name by Sarah Lin is a unique cultivation litRPG novel set in a world resembling modern society. The protagonist, Rick, stands out as a sensible and wise character, navigating through a world where physical prowess is rewarded. The story combines elements of cultivation with themes of financial wisdom, creating a refreshing perspective within the genre. is praised for its engaging characters, well-thought worldbuilding, and a plot that keeps readers hooked till the end.

The narrative follows Rick's journey as he explores his place in a society that values fighting abilities, leading him to unexpected paths like becoming a professional athlete. is commended for its good action scenes, training sequences, and character development, culminating in a satisfying ending that ties up loose ends while leaving room for future exploration of the world and its characters.

The Wandering Inn is a slow-paced fantasy novel with a unique twist of characters from our world being teleported to a fantasy world filled with monsters and different races. The story is a mix of light humor and grim tragedy, exploring themes of loss, friendship, and personal growth. The writing style is described as somewhat grounded, with a well-developed world and memorable characters that evolve throughout the series.

In "The Brightest Shadow" by Sarah Lin, readers are immersed in a world where humanity coexists with a dominant humanoid species called the mansthein, known derogatorily as deathspawn. The Hero, a force of nature, is destined to challenge the Dark Lord and bring hope to a world threatened by chaos and destruction. The novel delves into themes of power, destiny, and the struggle for peace between different species, all presented through a multi-perspective narrative style that keeps readers engaged with its distinct character viewpoints.

The plot unfolds with engaging fight scenes, mysterious horror themes, and complex character dynamics that evolve as the story progresses. As readers follow characters like Slaten, Tani, and Kolanin through their journeys of self-discovery and growth, they are drawn into a world rich in worldbuilding and progression fantasy elements. The author skillfully weaves together classic tropes with unexpected twists, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the sequel to uncover new mysteries and revelations.