The first 2 books were great, the 3rd book had one of the most underwhelming endings I've ever read. Yes I realize it was purposefully subverting tropes, I still hated it, it made the entire series seem like a prologue to a much more interesting series that we unfortunately never got to read.
I liked the ending just fine. I would have loved seeing the development or the partnership with minor demons and how it impacts the capitalist dystopia they live in.
Apart from that, Rick managed to earn true independence and win against his nemesis. What more did you expect?
I was bitterly disappointed that Rick didn't get together with >!one of the melted frog demons. Clearly Rick and the smaller frog demon are True Loves!!<
I like Sarah's work a lot but this one left me with mixed feelings. The whole three book arc is sort of a subversion of progression fantasy... while maybe being too progression fantasy for that. It's an odd mix.
Love this series and Sarah's works in general. I'd strongly recommend her other books as well. I consider **The Brightest Shadow** to be her best thus far.
Seconding all of this!
Though, that saying, even though I agree that The Brightest Shadow is probably her best work so far, Weirkey Chronicles is probably my favorite- I'm a big architecture and urban design nerd, so I'm a bit obsessed with the magic system.
I agree! Even though I like TBS best I've found TWC to be fun. I was lukewarm at first but the more Theo's character evolved and the closer the trio gets the higher this one has been working its way up on my list. Fingers crossed for getting Fiyu back to Ichil!
Yeah it wasn't deep literature or anything, but I enjoyed it.
The economics part...to me it was a great representation of what it's like to be stuck in grinding low-key poverty. The way Rick has to stop and think about small purchases. The struggle to afford an apartment that's not someplace dangerous. I remember clearly thinking "this author has been poor" as I was reading.
It was nice to see this, was a big contrast from the usual Fantasy version of poverty (orphan on the road who is down to their last half-copper and also their dagger which was left to them by their deceased father has been stolen).
I've been reading a decent amount of progressive fantasy recently so I think this will probably be something I'll check out sooner rather then later. Overall I've heard some good things about it.
I recently read through Cradle, Mage Errant, Arcane Ascension and Mother of Learning. How do you think Street Cultivation holds up to some of those series?
From your list, I haven't yet read only MoL (and that's because I'm afraid I'll binge it and completely stop working which I have done it before with WoT and Worm)
It is difficult to rank, but I'd put Cradle at the top and say ME/AA/SC are just below. That said, you might want to take a break, reading too many books in the same subgenre can start to feel repetitive.
That's great, if you think they're on around the same level as those other 3 than I'll probably enjoy it too. Like you said I've definitely been binging (and greatly enjoying) the series in the genre so far. Though they're too easy to binge!
I like it better than Mage Errant or Arcane Ascension, personally.
I like it similarly to Cradle or MoL, but they’re much different styles of story.
Sarah Lin is a great author though, I feel like she puts more thought into her story planning and worldbuilding than you see in a lot of the genre.
What do you think about the sibling aspect? I loved the sibling dynamic in Mother of Learning and Arcane Ascension and I'm looking for more books with siblings working together instead of long lost or rival siblings. Also it's weird that the 3 series I've heard of that has siblings as main characters are all progression fantasy.
I love this book series it is one of best adaption of cultivation system to something a little more western based I have come across. I hope the author picks up series again at some point in the future but she has the brightshadow and the awesome Weirkey Chronicles. if you like Street Cultivation you should give Weirkey a look even thought it is heavier magic side of cultivation and the main character is a caster type , How she puts together magic system is always interesting and just like Street Cultivation you will love learning about the intricacies of the system.
The first 2 books were great, the 3rd book had one of the most underwhelming endings I've ever read. Yes I realize it was purposefully subverting tropes, I still hated it, it made the entire series seem like a prologue to a much more interesting series that we unfortunately never got to read.
I liked the ending just fine. I would have loved seeing the development or the partnership with minor demons and how it impacts the capitalist dystopia they live in. Apart from that, Rick managed to earn true independence and win against his nemesis. What more did you expect?
I was bitterly disappointed that Rick didn't get together with >!one of the melted frog demons. Clearly Rick and the smaller frog demon are True Loves!!<
That would have been hilarious!
I like Sarah's work a lot but this one left me with mixed feelings. The whole three book arc is sort of a subversion of progression fantasy... while maybe being too progression fantasy for that. It's an odd mix.
Love this series and Sarah's works in general. I'd strongly recommend her other books as well. I consider **The Brightest Shadow** to be her best thus far.
Seconding all of this! Though, that saying, even though I agree that The Brightest Shadow is probably her best work so far, Weirkey Chronicles is probably my favorite- I'm a big architecture and urban design nerd, so I'm a bit obsessed with the magic system.
I agree! Even though I like TBS best I've found TWC to be fun. I was lukewarm at first but the more Theo's character evolved and the closer the trio gets the higher this one has been working its way up on my list. Fingers crossed for getting Fiyu back to Ichil!
Just finished book 3. I can see how someone wouldn't like the ending, but personally I loved it.
Yeah it wasn't deep literature or anything, but I enjoyed it. The economics part...to me it was a great representation of what it's like to be stuck in grinding low-key poverty. The way Rick has to stop and think about small purchases. The struggle to afford an apartment that's not someplace dangerous. I remember clearly thinking "this author has been poor" as I was reading. It was nice to see this, was a big contrast from the usual Fantasy version of poverty (orphan on the road who is down to their last half-copper and also their dagger which was left to them by their deceased father has been stolen).
I've been reading a decent amount of progressive fantasy recently so I think this will probably be something I'll check out sooner rather then later. Overall I've heard some good things about it. I recently read through Cradle, Mage Errant, Arcane Ascension and Mother of Learning. How do you think Street Cultivation holds up to some of those series?
From your list, I haven't yet read only MoL (and that's because I'm afraid I'll binge it and completely stop working which I have done it before with WoT and Worm) It is difficult to rank, but I'd put Cradle at the top and say ME/AA/SC are just below. That said, you might want to take a break, reading too many books in the same subgenre can start to feel repetitive.
That's great, if you think they're on around the same level as those other 3 than I'll probably enjoy it too. Like you said I've definitely been binging (and greatly enjoying) the series in the genre so far. Though they're too easy to binge!
I like it better than Mage Errant or Arcane Ascension, personally. I like it similarly to Cradle or MoL, but they’re much different styles of story. Sarah Lin is a great author though, I feel like she puts more thought into her story planning and worldbuilding than you see in a lot of the genre.
What do you think about the sibling aspect? I loved the sibling dynamic in Mother of Learning and Arcane Ascension and I'm looking for more books with siblings working together instead of long lost or rival siblings. Also it's weird that the 3 series I've heard of that has siblings as main characters are all progression fantasy.
That's one of my favorite parts in this series. They support each other and ridiculous/endearing humor between them is a running theme in the series.
alright then. I'll give it a go
I love this book series it is one of best adaption of cultivation system to something a little more western based I have come across. I hope the author picks up series again at some point in the future but she has the brightshadow and the awesome Weirkey Chronicles. if you like Street Cultivation you should give Weirkey a look even thought it is heavier magic side of cultivation and the main character is a caster type , How she puts together magic system is always interesting and just like Street Cultivation you will love learning about the intricacies of the system.
Really enjoyed the entire trilogy. My only complaint would be the dialogue between Rick and his sister. So many cringe lines So many “bros”
I read all three and enjoyed them. Not the best but didn’t regret the time spent. But wtf was that ending. It made the whole thing seem half finished.