Books Like...
'Unsouled' in the 'Cradle' series by Will Wight follows the journey of Lindon, an underpowered hero striving to forge his own path in the world of Cradle. The story blends elements of magic and kung fu, presenting a unique take on the cultivation genre. Lindon's growth, ingenuity, and determination make him a compelling protagonist as he navigates through trials with a mix of wits and luck. The world-building in the book is immersive, drawing inspiration from Avatar The Last Airbender and wuxia, creating a rich and imaginative setting for the story to unfold.
If you liked the series Cradle, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
'House of Blades' in the 'Traveler's Gate Chronicles' series by Will Wight follows the journey of Simon, a young boy whose life takes a tragic turn when he witnesses the murder of his parents by Travelers. Saved by another Traveler, Simon embarks on a path of vengeance and self-discovery, eventually becoming entangled in a world of magic, prophecy, and power struggles. As Simon navigates through different territories and encounters various characters, he learns about the complexities of good and evil, the nuances of power, and the importance of inner strength and growth. The writing style of the book combines elements of traditional fantasy with modern expressions, creating a unique and immersive reading experience that keeps readers engaged throughout the story.
He could barely make it out through the darkness and the pouring rain, but he knew a ghost when he saw one. A man-shaped cloud of mist drifting through the air in the opposite direction of the wind, g... - #2
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.
Bringing weapons and armor into the test was strictly forbidden, but there weren’t any rules about bringing a backpack full of supplies. I had double checked, triple checked. Maybe they’d consider my ... - #3
'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.
Hugh slid farther back into the space behind the bookshelf. Rhodes and his friends might have chosen him as their favorite victim, but their attention span usually wasn’t too long. If he stayed hidden... - #4
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.
Standing in Rea’s home, Zorian ignored the curious gazes leveled at him from Rea and Haslush and kept silent, calmly considering things. A million questions swam through his head. Why were these three... - #5
'Iron Prince' by Bryce O'Connor follows the protagonist, Reidon Ward, as he navigates a world where users strive to become the strongest. The story combines elements of progression fiction and action-packed dueling style combat within a unique sci-fi setting. Readers are drawn into Reidon's journey towards his ultimate destination, witnessing his drive and determination to achieve his goal despite facing challenges and obstacles along the way. is praised for its captivating plot, solid writing, and well-developed characters, making it a compelling read that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
“The Simulated Combat Tournaments developed by the Intersystem Collective Military are arguably mankind’s greatest form of entertainment. Complex engagement training at the core of their design, since... - #6
In 'Dungeon Crawler Carl,' readers are thrust into an absurd and violent game-like world where survival means killing monsters and fellow humans Battle Royale style. The protagonist, Carl, stands out as a balance of blue-collar everyman, nerd, and isekai protagonist, navigating through a mix of absurd violence and depravity with close companionship with his cat and complicated feelings towards his ex and father. The writing style is described as modern and idiomatic, with masterful dialogue that elevates fictional craftsmanship while maintaining natural and unaffected character interactions.
- #7He Who Fights with MonstersBook 1 in the series:He Who Fights with Monsters
'He Who Fights with Monsters' by Shirtaloon is a LitRPG fantasy adventure following the main character Jason as he navigates a new world with unique values and a complex magic system. The story mixes elements of cultivation and progression fantasy with a touch of comedy, exploring themes of power structures, morality, and self-discovery. Despite facing challenges and making mistakes, Jason's journey is filled with humor, intriguing world-building, and engaging character interactions, making for an entertaining and immersive read.
The writing style in 'He Who Fights with Monsters' is characterized by a mix of humor, philosophical musings, and fast-paced storytelling. The main character's snarky and opinionated personality adds a layer of depth to the narrative, while the world-building and magic system bring a sense of intrigue and complexity to the story. Readers can expect a balance of comedic moments, thrilling adventures, and thought-provoking discussions on morality and power dynamics as Jason navigates through this fantastical realm.
Jason woke up naked, face down in the grass. That was not how he expected to wake up, having gone to sleep in his own bed and his own Darth Vader boxer shorts. From the feel of cool grass on his unmen... - #8
'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.
Waiting for their reaction, the thin, mustached older teacher stared at the students seated cross-legged before him. Apparently not seeing the reaction he wanted, the teacher flung the long, trailing ... - #9
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.
After a few minutes, the traveler sat back up. No, not a traveler. She hadn’t intended to travel anywhere tonight. The young woman frowned as she rubbed at her face. She’d been going to the bathroom a... - #10
'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.