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Arcane Cultivator #2
Arcane Cultivator 2
In the gripping sequel to Arcane Cultivator, Jaden and the Nomadwater Sect are drawn deeper into the Tournament of the Gods and must cultivate new abilities and powers if they hope to survive. Growing ever closer in the treacherous desert kingdom of Southfall, the Sect embarks on a daring quest to uncover secrets left behind by Elder Brother.
But with Elias, the God of Sand, as their reluctant new sponsor, the Sect's journey is anything but straightforward...
Defying the god's wishes, they delve into Elder Brother's crypt, uncovering a prophecy of dire confrontations and discovering a powerful one-use Arcane Card known as Elemental Convergence. Their defiance, however, comes at a cost. Enraged, Elias freezes their progress for three months, drastically cutting their training time for the looming tournament challenges.
In what soon becomes a race against time, the Sect journeys through the Kingdom of Middling, where they face the Emperor's Magi to complete a bizarre task set by find five floating demonic heads in a forbidden forest filled with dangerous yokai. Their mission leads to a daring rescue operation from the catacombs beneath E'Kanth, and a revelation that could change their fate or epically fail...
Can Jaden and the Nomadwater Sect emerge victorious, or will the cost of their defiance be too great?
Arcane Cultivator is a deckbuilding cultivation LitRPG series about an underdog cultivator and his sect 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.
Arcane Cultivator is perfect for fans of All the Skills, Cradle, Mage Errant, and Mark of the Fool.
But with Elias, the God of Sand, as their reluctant new sponsor, the Sect's journey is anything but straightforward...
Defying the god's wishes, they delve into Elder Brother's crypt, uncovering a prophecy of dire confrontations and discovering a powerful one-use Arcane Card known as Elemental Convergence. Their defiance, however, comes at a cost. Enraged, Elias freezes their progress for three months, drastically cutting their training time for the looming tournament challenges.
In what soon becomes a race against time, the Sect journeys through the Kingdom of Middling, where they face the Emperor's Magi to complete a bizarre task set by find five floating demonic heads in a forbidden forest filled with dangerous yokai. Their mission leads to a daring rescue operation from the catacombs beneath E'Kanth, and a revelation that could change their fate or epically fail...
Can Jaden and the Nomadwater Sect emerge victorious, or will the cost of their defiance be too great?
Arcane Cultivator is a deckbuilding cultivation LitRPG series about an underdog cultivator and his sect 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.
Arcane Cultivator is perfect for fans of All the Skills, Cradle, Mage Errant, and Mark of the Fool.
- GenresFantasy
584 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2024
90 people are currently reading
26 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 25, 2024
Continued Adventures
This book speeds through a lot of the process of progression as our characters make their journey. I’m not a fan of a lot of details on stats being thrown into stories as most of this genre does. In this book we get more of a story about the powers and stats, less of an expansion on the overall point of the story. I’m still not sure what the end goal is beyond possible revenge against gods.
The stat updates are pretty much the whole book, as you will see when you read it. Seems like we are reading a transcript of events and conversations at times, but it kinda works? I feel like the dialogue is stilted, as it tends to be done in short sentences without much “color” or inflection being described. Almost like reading a translation from a different language, if that makes sense. It’s not hard to follow, so that is all that really matters to me when it comes to writing style.
The action is good, but thin. It’s like the buildup to a big fight that never gets described. You watch the characters grow, slowly it seems but then suddenly a month has passed and they are stronger…but without context or comparisons to others outside the group, this growth is not obvious enough to mean anything. Yes, stats went up, but the author doesn’t give any examples of what a stronger power does. The MC just has “more strength” or “better control” but it doesn’t translate to the fights that we do see. They just use the power the same way and the bad guys lose. Every time. So, I’m curious what the next book shows as I truly believe this story is great, just needs more focus on the character and less on the system. If it’s that complicated of a system, it should be more books that slow down the narrative and incorporate more characters to speed up showcasing the system. But I’m not an author or editor and know very little about the actual process of writing. I’m just a fan of the author and wanted to give my gut feeling.
This book speeds through a lot of the process of progression as our characters make their journey. I’m not a fan of a lot of details on stats being thrown into stories as most of this genre does. In this book we get more of a story about the powers and stats, less of an expansion on the overall point of the story. I’m still not sure what the end goal is beyond possible revenge against gods.
The stat updates are pretty much the whole book, as you will see when you read it. Seems like we are reading a transcript of events and conversations at times, but it kinda works? I feel like the dialogue is stilted, as it tends to be done in short sentences without much “color” or inflection being described. Almost like reading a translation from a different language, if that makes sense. It’s not hard to follow, so that is all that really matters to me when it comes to writing style.
The action is good, but thin. It’s like the buildup to a big fight that never gets described. You watch the characters grow, slowly it seems but then suddenly a month has passed and they are stronger…but without context or comparisons to others outside the group, this growth is not obvious enough to mean anything. Yes, stats went up, but the author doesn’t give any examples of what a stronger power does. The MC just has “more strength” or “better control” but it doesn’t translate to the fights that we do see. They just use the power the same way and the bad guys lose. Every time. So, I’m curious what the next book shows as I truly believe this story is great, just needs more focus on the character and less on the system. If it’s that complicated of a system, it should be more books that slow down the narrative and incorporate more characters to speed up showcasing the system. But I’m not an author or editor and know very little about the actual process of writing. I’m just a fan of the author and wanted to give my gut feeling.
February 1, 2024
Having been successful in getting through the First Pillar in the Tournament of the Gods, Jaden Spirit and the rest of the Nomadwater Sect have six months to cultivate new powers before attempting the Second Pillar. Long enough? You'd think so, but that's before their sponsor, Elias, God of Sand, shows up. Elias orders the Sect to carry out a task for him. The Sect basically ignore him and head to Elder Brother's crypt to reveal what, if any, secrets Owen has left behind for them.
A mega-peed-off Elias makes sure that they lose three months of their training for disobeying him. During that time, the Sect are unable to do anything, but they find out just how devoted one of them is. It's now crunch time once they are finally released. They've to carry out Elias' 'heady' task, as well as training for the Tournament of the Gods in a considerably shorter timescale. The task is not easy, however Jaden and the others get some very welcome help.
The wee Easter eggs in here are sublime, and the book contains everything a reader could wish for: three-tiered system for elemental-based; card-; cultivation-, and combat- powers; roar and back the underdogs; cultivation and LitRPG elements; and Yokai (I love the Yokai!). Harmon Cooper's standard of writing and storytelling never lets me down, and his world building is always fabulous. An excellent sequel!
Now, I can't wait for the book three finale...
A mega-peed-off Elias makes sure that they lose three months of their training for disobeying him. During that time, the Sect are unable to do anything, but they find out just how devoted one of them is. It's now crunch time once they are finally released. They've to carry out Elias' 'heady' task, as well as training for the Tournament of the Gods in a considerably shorter timescale. The task is not easy, however Jaden and the others get some very welcome help.
The wee Easter eggs in here are sublime, and the book contains everything a reader could wish for: three-tiered system for elemental-based; card-; cultivation-, and combat- powers; roar and back the underdogs; cultivation and LitRPG elements; and Yokai (I love the Yokai!). Harmon Cooper's standard of writing and storytelling never lets me down, and his world building is always fabulous. An excellent sequel!
Now, I can't wait for the book three finale...
January 31, 2024
The 2nd Pillar
This is our groups chance to grow strong, ready for our 2nd pillar, and we get a great chance to see even more of the Sagalands as we travel widely with frequent bouts of well written action scenes
What I love about Harmons books is that world building is really detailed and takes you to these places vividly in your imagination, and if we love some characters more than others, then all the better. As this is the 2nd book and part of a wider series, some will be familiar with it. It's a lot easier to enjoy and get to grips with quickly. I found this one of those books you just have to start and then finish quickly with that joy of finishing and sadness that we come to hate so much when we realise we have to wait for the next one.
Oh well, 5 stars either way, and hopefully, we can cajole more speed for the next book.
This is our groups chance to grow strong, ready for our 2nd pillar, and we get a great chance to see even more of the Sagalands as we travel widely with frequent bouts of well written action scenes
What I love about Harmons books is that world building is really detailed and takes you to these places vividly in your imagination, and if we love some characters more than others, then all the better. As this is the 2nd book and part of a wider series, some will be familiar with it. It's a lot easier to enjoy and get to grips with quickly. I found this one of those books you just have to start and then finish quickly with that joy of finishing and sadness that we come to hate so much when we realise we have to wait for the next one.
Oh well, 5 stars either way, and hopefully, we can cajole more speed for the next book.
February 6, 2024
Arcane Cultivator 2 by Harmon Cooper- Like the gods of mythical Greece, the gods of this world can be very petty and cruel. Humans are used only for their entertainment, with many gods having a total disregard for human life. One band of waterharvesters that are drawn into the gods' tournament is going to try to do something about it. (Yeah, they don’t have a chance.) Follow this continuance of book 1, a captivating story of magic progression as Jaden and his Nomadwater Sect friends try to make a difference. This series intersects with Harmons’ World according to Dragons which is cool when you're a fan. Influenced by Far Eastern mythology, these series are a breath of fresh air. You won’t be disappointed as Harmon is one heck of a worldbuilder and storyteller. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2024
Jaden has come a long way since the clans ceremony to activate his mana and skills and he's gotten powerful. In this book Jaden and team are as ready as they can be, ready to face the challenge of the 2nd piller. A game to entertain the gods. This is really a combination of Cultivation and a Deckbuilding LitRPG. It's the first time I've run into a trilogy like that. It's interesting and quite good too... but unfortunately this wasn't the deckbuilding book that I expected to read. So I'm going to continue the hunt to satisfy my craving for true deckbuilding litRPG's...
February 4, 2024
Teamwork is the best
Jaden worked hard to get stronger for the second trail with his sect. Now, he is extremely strong compared to the first book. I loved how they dealt with the flying heads, and I was saddened to read what happened to their companion. I am really looking forward to the next book, which I think might be the last in this series, but I could be wrong.
Jaden worked hard to get stronger for the second trail with his sect. Now, he is extremely strong compared to the first book. I loved how they dealt with the flying heads, and I was saddened to read what happened to their companion. I am really looking forward to the next book, which I think might be the last in this series, but I could be wrong.
Read
February 9, 2024Sands of Time and Tide Move On!
The 2nd Pillar Looms!
The Webs of Fates are Woven and Worn on a Winged Camels Back!
Will it be One Straw too Many?
Mudra's are Muddled!
The Future is Mirrored!
Will the Nomadwater Sect survive the Whims of the Gods?
The 2nd Pillar Looms!
The Webs of Fates are Woven and Worn on a Winged Camels Back!
Will it be One Straw too Many?
Mudra's are Muddled!
The Future is Mirrored!
Will the Nomadwater Sect survive the Whims of the Gods?
July 3, 2024
Nah
Honestly these books keep killing off the characters that are more engaging and likable than the main character. Not reading further. Stakes feel really off and things aren't explained well enough.
Honestly these books keep killing off the characters that are more engaging and likable than the main character. Not reading further. Stakes feel really off and things aren't explained well enough.
August 1, 2024
Enjoying this series
I am really enjoying this series and how cruel the gods are. It is a different twist because normally at least one good is good. Also, the magic system is great consistent and interesting
I am really enjoying this series and how cruel the gods are. It is a different twist because normally at least one good is good. Also, the magic system is great consistent and interesting
February 4, 2024
Great one sitting read
I enjoyed reading 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 reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action
February 15, 2024
A fun read.
This book reminds in parts of dark sun where water is scarce and magic is as well. The magic system is interesting and the world building is intriguing.
This book reminds in parts of dark sun where water is scarce and magic is as well. The magic system is interesting and the world building is intriguing.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews