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Arcane Cultivator #1
Arcane Cultivator 1
Build the deck. Cultivate power. Slay the gods.
When a magic ritual goes disastrously wrong, Jaden is exiled to the heart of the desert and left to die. Battered and bruised, Jaden encounters the outcast Nomadwater Sect, who grant him a second chance at life as a mysterious arcane cultivator.
With its savage beasts and cryptic mysteries, survival in the sprawling desert of Southfall is a dangerous game. Yet Jaden and the Nomadwater Sect persevere, growing closer and forming bonds over the course of a long summer.
This changes the day the Gods kill their leader, seize the sect, and task Jaden with competing in the legendary Tournament of the Gods.
If Jaden survives the tournament, the members of his sect live. If he dies, they die alongside him.
Jaden now has just ten days to rank up. Ten days to master the dragonessence system. Ten days to save those who have become his new family.
Arcane cards, mana cultivation, martial arts, elemental magic, a LitRPG system, and incredible relics are all at his disposal.
And even then, it might not be enough...
Arcane Cultivator is a deckbuilding cultivation LitRPG series about an underdog cultivator taking on the gods against overwhelming odds. It is set in the Four Kingdoms of the Sagaland, a world rich with lore from Harmon Cooper, bestselling and award winning author of Pilgrim, Cowboy Necromancer, War Priest, The World According to Dragons, and LitRPG classic, The Feedback Loop. It is perfect for fans of All the Skills, Cradle, Mage Errant, and Mark of the Fool.
When a magic ritual goes disastrously wrong, Jaden is exiled to the heart of the desert and left to die. Battered and bruised, Jaden encounters the outcast Nomadwater Sect, who grant him a second chance at life as a mysterious arcane cultivator.
With its savage beasts and cryptic mysteries, survival in the sprawling desert of Southfall is a dangerous game. Yet Jaden and the Nomadwater Sect persevere, growing closer and forming bonds over the course of a long summer.
This changes the day the Gods kill their leader, seize the sect, and task Jaden with competing in the legendary Tournament of the Gods.
If Jaden survives the tournament, the members of his sect live. If he dies, they die alongside him.
Jaden now has just ten days to rank up. Ten days to master the dragonessence system. Ten days to save those who have become his new family.
Arcane cards, mana cultivation, martial arts, elemental magic, a LitRPG system, and incredible relics are all at his disposal.
And even then, it might not be enough...
Arcane Cultivator is a deckbuilding cultivation LitRPG series about an underdog cultivator taking on the gods against overwhelming odds. It is set in the Four Kingdoms of the Sagaland, a world rich with lore from Harmon Cooper, bestselling and award winning author of Pilgrim, Cowboy Necromancer, War Priest, The World According to Dragons, and LitRPG classic, The Feedback Loop. It is perfect for fans of All the Skills, Cradle, Mage Errant, and Mark of the Fool.
644 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2023
466 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Harmon Cooper
146 books372 followersHarmon Cooper is the author of over sixty fantasy works. His bestselling series include Pilgrim, War Priest, Cowboy Necromancer, and Tokens and Towers.
His series, The Feedback Loop, is one of the earlier GameLit works first published in 2015. An earphone award winner for the series Death's Mantle, Harmon won the LitRPG/GameLit Audiobook of the Year award for Sacred Cat Island, narrated by Legends and Lattes author Travis Baldree.
Harmon write progression fantasy, cultivation fantasy, and LitRPG/GameLit.
His series, The Feedback Loop, is one of the earlier GameLit works first published in 2015. An earphone award winner for the series Death's Mantle, Harmon won the LitRPG/GameLit Audiobook of the Year award for Sacred Cat Island, narrated by Legends and Lattes author Travis Baldree.
Harmon write progression fantasy, cultivation fantasy, and LitRPG/GameLit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 16, 2024
3.5 stars. General filler fantasy not bad. Not Sanderson.
August 17, 2023
Another good book.
A very interesting take on the cultivation genre with a mixture of LITRPG system thrown in. Jaden is a unique character that has a lot of room to grow and has s backstory is waiting to unfold for our enjoyment.
A very interesting take on the cultivation genre with a mixture of LITRPG system thrown in. Jaden is a unique character that has a lot of room to grow and has s backstory is waiting to unfold for our enjoyment.
September 21, 2023
I swear I really tried, but I found so boring and with many plot holes.
Why is there a sixth sect that sometimes show up and even recruits people, but it is as it doesn’t exist. No whispers or rumors about it, that hardly seems believable.
Then we have no context of why there isn’t water, while existing this three classes, but have they no contact with other countries? Is that how it is every where? Is it the same classes for everyone!?
Why is there a sixth sect that sometimes show up and even recruits people, but it is as it doesn’t exist. No whispers or rumors about it, that hardly seems believable.
Then we have no context of why there isn’t water, while existing this three classes, but have they no contact with other countries? Is that how it is every where? Is it the same classes for everyone!?
October 10, 2023
barely deckbuilding
Decent story, plenty of plot points solved by dues ex rather than written into the character. The cards are barely core to the story, more like an occasional item. Hardly a deckbuilding litrpg
Decent story, plenty of plot points solved by dues ex rather than written into the character. The cards are barely core to the story, more like an occasional item. Hardly a deckbuilding litrpg
August 15, 2023
More Worldbuilding
The Sagalands series is great, so to have another within the world Cooper has built is great. For the most part, either new or familiar with the world, the concepts match what I had read with his Dragons series. Some of the ideals are expanded upon, and we see more of how the Gods interact with humanity. Jaden is a promising prospect for a water cultivation sect, but we see how he is taken down to the lowest and how he rises his hopes and skills as an important event occurs. Without any spoilers, this one integrates well with the Dragon series I read, but flows in a different direction, expanding even more content to the world building Cooper is doing. Playing on the young youth to important focal point is a tried and true route but still feels surprisingly very fresh as we grow with Jaden. Now im stuck as to what series of Coopers I want more of first, but im sure it will be enjoyable no matter what.
The Sagalands series is great, so to have another within the world Cooper has built is great. For the most part, either new or familiar with the world, the concepts match what I had read with his Dragons series. Some of the ideals are expanded upon, and we see more of how the Gods interact with humanity. Jaden is a promising prospect for a water cultivation sect, but we see how he is taken down to the lowest and how he rises his hopes and skills as an important event occurs. Without any spoilers, this one integrates well with the Dragon series I read, but flows in a different direction, expanding even more content to the world building Cooper is doing. Playing on the young youth to important focal point is a tried and true route but still feels surprisingly very fresh as we grow with Jaden. Now im stuck as to what series of Coopers I want more of first, but im sure it will be enjoyable no matter what.
August 15, 2023
loved it
Really enjoyed the card aspect and the art! Can’t wait for book two also loved how he is building the world more!
Really enjoyed the card aspect and the art! Can’t wait for book two also loved how he is building the world more!
August 16, 2023
Very good one sitting read
I enjoyed this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
July 3, 2024
Pretty good
Pros: I really like that the main character has a different story than most do. The world building is really cool and I haven't heard of this type of power before while it is based in elemental power, there's a bit more to it. I also like the animal companion and I like the camaraderie among the main character and his friends.
Cons: it feels like a lot of the time the main character doesn't have any agency. When the main character is kicked out of his home, he is stuck in the desert trying to figure out what to do. He is taken in by the new group of friends that becomes his new home and that's great. However, it seems like the path that he walks has been walked before. It makes him less of an individual and less of a main character. His powers are dictated by the advice of his sect leader. And it's all the same things that has sect leader took. So his power is the same as the sect leader and of course you know if both of them have the same power what authors do to resolve that.... so the main character is kind of at the whim of a path that's already there. There's nothing special about him. Now he can talk to water and elements. That's a pretty cool power, however, they also tell him what to do and give him ideas so it just feels like he lacks agency and also lacks imagination and effort on his end. It makes the story harder to read because the main character doesn't explore. it seems like he gets direction on what to do which everyone gives him the system gives him, the leader gives him, the elements give him... Part of this is because he doesn't have a memory of before but the other part is just there's no books around there's nothing around so he has to have somebody lead him but it also feels spoon-fed versus he explored and found things out on his own this entire book has been him following the path of somebody else took. I think I could have been solved by just having a path that he was offered that nobody knew what to do with that he chose. Then still he could learn from the sect leader and the elements and all of that but he would have a path that didn't feel stale.
Pros: I really like that the main character has a different story than most do. The world building is really cool and I haven't heard of this type of power before while it is based in elemental power, there's a bit more to it. I also like the animal companion and I like the camaraderie among the main character and his friends.
Cons: it feels like a lot of the time the main character doesn't have any agency. When the main character is kicked out of his home, he is stuck in the desert trying to figure out what to do. He is taken in by the new group of friends that becomes his new home and that's great. However, it seems like the path that he walks has been walked before. It makes him less of an individual and less of a main character. His powers are dictated by the advice of his sect leader. And it's all the same things that has sect leader took. So his power is the same as the sect leader and of course you know if both of them have the same power what authors do to resolve that.... so the main character is kind of at the whim of a path that's already there. There's nothing special about him. Now he can talk to water and elements. That's a pretty cool power, however, they also tell him what to do and give him ideas so it just feels like he lacks agency and also lacks imagination and effort on his end. It makes the story harder to read because the main character doesn't explore. it seems like he gets direction on what to do which everyone gives him the system gives him, the leader gives him, the elements give him... Part of this is because he doesn't have a memory of before but the other part is just there's no books around there's nothing around so he has to have somebody lead him but it also feels spoon-fed versus he explored and found things out on his own this entire book has been him following the path of somebody else took. I think I could have been solved by just having a path that he was offered that nobody knew what to do with that he chose. Then still he could learn from the sect leader and the elements and all of that but he would have a path that didn't feel stale.
July 27, 2023
Another FANTASTIC series starter from the pen of Harmon Cooper. What a book - I adored this piece of work. This is QUALITY. The author's writing just gets better and better. The storyline flows so smoothly that it is was absolute pleasure to read. I savoured every word.
There is everything you could ever want between these pages - tiers, sects, Arcane Cards, Dragon meridians, mana cultivation, elemental magic, mudras, close character bonds, underdogs, the legendary Tournament of the Gods, strong and fully realised characterisations, and wonderful world building.
As the son of a warrior nun and a water harvester, Jaden Spirit was expected to become something very special indeed. At his Trine Ceremony, however, he didn't fit into any of the class powers, and was outcast into the desert to die. Despite being given a 'good hiding' by a hooded galecaller, Jaden survives and begins an adventure with the rest of the outcasts in the Nomadwater Sect that will make you turn the pages at speed.
Is Jaden strong, trained, and intelligent enough to get through this Tournament of the Gods? Will the Nomadwater Sect survive?
There is everything you could ever want between these pages - tiers, sects, Arcane Cards, Dragon meridians, mana cultivation, elemental magic, mudras, close character bonds, underdogs, the legendary Tournament of the Gods, strong and fully realised characterisations, and wonderful world building.
As the son of a warrior nun and a water harvester, Jaden Spirit was expected to become something very special indeed. At his Trine Ceremony, however, he didn't fit into any of the class powers, and was outcast into the desert to die. Despite being given a 'good hiding' by a hooded galecaller, Jaden survives and begins an adventure with the rest of the outcasts in the Nomadwater Sect that will make you turn the pages at speed.
Is Jaden strong, trained, and intelligent enough to get through this Tournament of the Gods? Will the Nomadwater Sect survive?
August 30, 2024
It seriously was a happy coincidence that 5 newly released deckbuilding litRPG's were released within the last couple of months... And I just happen to adore this type of story ARC. I decided that I should actively seek out more... and this is one of the titles that I found not only was it written by Harmon Cooper whose written some really fine books, but Neil Hellegers adds his voice performance into the mix.
This is the story of Jaden a young man who was rejected by his clan and exiled into the desert. Where everyone anticipated his death. Only Jaden had other plans on account'a Jaden was a fighter and wasn't planning to go down easy. So yeah grab this book to follow Jaden's exploits.
Here's a great quote:
"The nightmare vision of stone and malevolence..."
This is the story of Jaden a young man who was rejected by his clan and exiled into the desert. Where everyone anticipated his death. Only Jaden had other plans on account'a Jaden was a fighter and wasn't planning to go down easy. So yeah grab this book to follow Jaden's exploits.
Here's a great quote:
"The nightmare vision of stone and malevolence..."
January 17, 2026
This is the first book I have read with the Arcane Card elements, absolutely fascinating. I enjoyed how the statues updates did not overpower the book. An Arcane Cultivator who starts as the vision of weakness. Is not as weak as the story starts. He actually has a really strong foundation of training from his beloved parents which helps play a huge role in accomplishing his journey.
Jaden has found himself cast out of the ceremony, considered not worthy or worth the energy to fix, and left for death. But by the turns of fate, he meets the wind, which creates a domino effect leading him to meet what will become his found family. Jaden and the Nomadwater Sect begin to train, but complications arise leading to the torment of the Gods.
Jaden has found himself cast out of the ceremony, considered not worthy or worth the energy to fix, and left for death. But by the turns of fate, he meets the wind, which creates a domino effect leading him to meet what will become his found family. Jaden and the Nomadwater Sect begin to train, but complications arise leading to the torment of the Gods.
February 5, 2026
I found this jewel just exploring Cultivation and magic, and I gave this first book a listen, and glad I did. This has been a great story of progression, blending many forms of LitRPG leveling and beautiful Cultivation discipline with a chosen family that only gets better with every chapter. Elemental powers, Martial Arts, uniques classes, and one more surprise.
I highly recommend it if you like Cultivation stories that include solid LitRPG mechanics. Already listening to Book 2
I highly recommend it if you like Cultivation stories that include solid LitRPG mechanics. Already listening to Book 2
August 29, 2023
Not the best but readable
This book is not bad but it is not inspiring. I worked through it when I couldn't find anything else to read. But I am truly sorry to say this is just not really good. The plot does not show unique, unexpected turns. I like the characters but they are mostly just there. Maybe a reading/writers group could help with suggestions.
This book is not bad but it is not inspiring. I worked through it when I couldn't find anything else to read. But I am truly sorry to say this is just not really good. The plot does not show unique, unexpected turns. I like the characters but they are mostly just there. Maybe a reading/writers group could help with suggestions.
August 31, 2023
Read it!
It’s another great story set in a fantastic new world from a great storyteller. Each novel I read shows the author getting better at their craft.
This new story set in a familiar world (or maybe not familiar) gives more detail into the world and the complicated, but clean, magic system. I really enjoyed the pace and the plot being not overly complicated.
It’s another great story set in a fantastic new world from a great storyteller. Each novel I read shows the author getting better at their craft.
This new story set in a familiar world (or maybe not familiar) gives more detail into the world and the complicated, but clean, magic system. I really enjoyed the pace and the plot being not overly complicated.
February 6, 2024
For Whom the Sands Blow
It is for you whom the sand blows.
Join Jaden as he journeys forth to face the elements in a quest to thwart the Gods, save his friends, restore his memories, and break his Dry Spell!
When is a Camel not a Camel? Take a long drink of water, and prepare for this Desert Dessert!
It is for you whom the sand blows.
Join Jaden as he journeys forth to face the elements in a quest to thwart the Gods, save his friends, restore his memories, and break his Dry Spell!
When is a Camel not a Camel? Take a long drink of water, and prepare for this Desert Dessert!
April 9, 2024
Poorly written and vague
I don't know what the translation issue or if it's just poor writing but the action sequences are incredibly vague the descriptions of the world building are very vague. The story meanders quite a bit and there's just not enough detail when there should be in too much when there shouldn't be..
I don't know what the translation issue or if it's just poor writing but the action sequences are incredibly vague the descriptions of the world building are very vague. The story meanders quite a bit and there's just not enough detail when there should be in too much when there shouldn't be..
October 27, 2023
not bad
It’s a decent story. Characters are kinda flat and not overly Developed. Entertaining but also nothing worthwhile there is some buildup but doesn’t seem to culminate in anything.
It’s a decent story. Characters are kinda flat and not overly Developed. Entertaining but also nothing worthwhile there is some buildup but doesn’t seem to culminate in anything.
January 7, 2024
Excellent Read
Wasn't sure what to expect. This is the first deck building litrpg I've read, but I couldn't put it down. The story is compelling, and you really get a feel for the characters, I can't wait to read the second book.
Wasn't sure what to expect. This is the first deck building litrpg I've read, but I couldn't put it down. The story is compelling, and you really get a feel for the characters, I can't wait to read the second book.
March 12, 2024
DNF at 11%.
The book seems to be intended for a teenage audience.
The protagonist is very selective what he remembers and what not. The protagonists were too juvenile for my taste and i lost interest..
The book seems to be intended for a teenage audience.
The protagonist is very selective what he remembers and what not. The protagonists were too juvenile for my taste and i lost interest..
October 2, 2024
This was a great series. Not the best but still a good side story. It is very creamy as LitRPGs go but honestly feels like it barely fits in that genre. It's closer to classic fantasy than more modernized fantasy.
August 26, 2023
A throughly interesting story
I have to say it was quite the wild ride and I look forward to seeing where they go next.
I have to say it was quite the wild ride and I look forward to seeing where they go next.
September 14, 2023
Love this book
I love reading anything written by Harmon Cooper. He is one of my favorite writers, and he hasn't disappointed again. Another great series beginning.
I love reading anything written by Harmon Cooper. He is one of my favorite writers, and he hasn't disappointed again. Another great series beginning.
Read
October 1, 2023Great book
Stellar work once again from Harmon Cooper! Lots of action and adventure, monsters and cultivation. Looking forward to the next one!
Stellar work once again from Harmon Cooper! Lots of action and adventure, monsters and cultivation. Looking forward to the next one!
December 30, 2023
Okay
I think the story is solid but is all seems a little muted somehow. Anyway reasonably interesting but I won't be reading further.
I think the story is solid but is all seems a little muted somehow. Anyway reasonably interesting but I won't be reading further.
February 12, 2024
A New adventure
Great characters, good plot line. Kind of a flawed vessel holds the better wine type of adventures. Give it a try.
Great characters, good plot line. Kind of a flawed vessel holds the better wine type of adventures. Give it a try.
July 29, 2024
Like this series
It is a really interesting series using a card mechanism. Like how it builds towards a god tournament. I cannot wait for the n3xt book
It is a really interesting series using a card mechanism. Like how it builds towards a god tournament. I cannot wait for the n3xt book
June 12, 2025
It was a fun read.
Read
July 17, 2025Finished but dnf the rest of the series.
January 31, 2024
awesome deck building fantasy!
Ok, so if you've never read a deck building fantasy, this is a great one to start with! There is fantastic worldbuilding and a rich magic system in a world filled with monsters, dragons, gods and quests. The story was not overly complex as some LitRPGs can get (that's a good thing) while still being a compelling read that I didn't want to put down! I haven't read the other completed series that I'm in the same world as this one, but now I definitely will.
Ok, so if you've never read a deck building fantasy, this is a great one to start with! There is fantastic worldbuilding and a rich magic system in a world filled with monsters, dragons, gods and quests. The story was not overly complex as some LitRPGs can get (that's a good thing) while still being a compelling read that I didn't want to put down! I haven't read the other completed series that I'm in the same world as this one, but now I definitely will.
August 15, 2023
So exciting
This coming of age cultivation book set in the same world as The World According to Dragons (which is a complete trilogy that you should also read!) had me enthralled from the first page. It was exciting, with great character and world building. I can't wait for book 2!
This coming of age cultivation book set in the same world as The World According to Dragons (which is a complete trilogy that you should also read!) had me enthralled from the first page. It was exciting, with great character and world building. I can't wait for book 2!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews