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Lesser Souls #1
The Path of Celestial Thunder
In a world of power, Jasmine is the outcast.
No matter how long she meditates, breathing in the vital aura of the world, her soul refuses to cultivate. Her betters say the Heavens forbid it, but Jasmine isn’t so sure. She can’t be destined to live the quiet life of a nun. She is tired of being pushed around and watching others treat her friends like trash. She’ll do anything, even break the peace of the valley, to fix her condition and protect those she loves.
Meanwhile, Ti'Lee is trapped by tradition. His father expects him to become an imperial scholar, but his true passion lies in spiritsmithing—a career that would blacken his family’s name. As the entrance exam for the School of Rising Sun approaches, Ti'Lee must make a choice that will change his destiny forever.
Little do Jasmine and Ti'Lee know, their fates are intertwined, and the choices they make will alter the course of their ever-dying world—a world their Emperor spent centuries building. And he’s not about to let them ruin it.
Step into the world of Ohina and experience a story of bravery, sacrifice, and destiny. Get your copy of The Path of Celestial Thunder today!
No matter how long she meditates, breathing in the vital aura of the world, her soul refuses to cultivate. Her betters say the Heavens forbid it, but Jasmine isn’t so sure. She can’t be destined to live the quiet life of a nun. She is tired of being pushed around and watching others treat her friends like trash. She’ll do anything, even break the peace of the valley, to fix her condition and protect those she loves.
Meanwhile, Ti'Lee is trapped by tradition. His father expects him to become an imperial scholar, but his true passion lies in spiritsmithing—a career that would blacken his family’s name. As the entrance exam for the School of Rising Sun approaches, Ti'Lee must make a choice that will change his destiny forever.
Little do Jasmine and Ti'Lee know, their fates are intertwined, and the choices they make will alter the course of their ever-dying world—a world their Emperor spent centuries building. And he’s not about to let them ruin it.
Step into the world of Ohina and experience a story of bravery, sacrifice, and destiny. Get your copy of The Path of Celestial Thunder today!
808 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2023
51 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 1, 2025
Generally okay. A bit hard to follow sometimes as it often switches POV characters and doesn't do a great job setting the scene. Power scaling seems a bit off.
Not part of the rating, but my opinion on the audiobook: the narrator (Teri Snell) isn't all that good of a fit for audiobook narration. It might be a accent or a regional thing, but Snell doesn't have a lot of differentiation between vowel sounds, meaning that a lot of words are pronounced as if they were homophones to others that in most Standard English languages would be different, this happens over and over and seems to be as though some vowel sounds don't exist for her. Examples (former pronounced as if they are the latter): tin = ten, him = hem, fool = full, snail = snell. and many others.
Pronouncing words as though it's the first time she's had to read them out loud like 'cacophony', 'sagacious'. Usually mucking up the syllables.
It also seems like she has a very slight lisp in some sections but not in others (can be very obvious difference when it jumps to a take where it isn't happening). I wonder if she was recording some parts when overly tired.
Not part of the rating, but my opinion on the audiobook: the narrator (Teri Snell) isn't all that good of a fit for audiobook narration. It might be a accent or a regional thing, but Snell doesn't have a lot of differentiation between vowel sounds, meaning that a lot of words are pronounced as if they were homophones to others that in most Standard English languages would be different, this happens over and over and seems to be as though some vowel sounds don't exist for her. Examples (former pronounced as if they are the latter): tin = ten, him = hem, fool = full, snail = snell. and many others.
Pronouncing words as though it's the first time she's had to read them out loud like 'cacophony', 'sagacious'. Usually mucking up the syllables.
It also seems like she has a very slight lisp in some sections but not in others (can be very obvious difference when it jumps to a take where it isn't happening). I wonder if she was recording some parts when overly tired.
May 26, 2023
I received a complimentary copy and am willfully and voluntarily leaving a review.
So the beginning of this book (the prologue) kinda gives away an important plot line (I think) of the overall story. I think if the writer had not given us the killer's name it would have made for an interesting reveal but I'm only 60% in so I may be wrong. It should have also given us a proper introduction to the world.
First off I didn't like the main character because of the stealing and the entitlement I thought she had till I went further along the book. I realised she lives in a society that actively oppress and suppress weak people especially women. Also I think the stealing triggered my Catholic upbringing 🤣🤣 cos I just didn't understand how unremorseful she was after being caught. Jasmine's (the main character) general distrust of everyone and her instinct to get what she can from anyone and damn the consequences begins to make sense once you learn her background. You see this a lot in how her friendship with Ti'lee develops.
I think she was written in a grounded way in terms of how most in such circumstances would interact surrounded by oppression and casual cruelty. Her tenacity however is one a different level. You can literally feel her desire to level up no matter what and boy is she willing to put in the work.
When she's training with Kana Kana Wen you get a sense that if she only have a time cheat tool she would be a monster just by sheer determination. She's also pretty reckless which is understandable for a teenager who was powerless all her life and paid the price for it many times only to get a divine path. I think anyone would go ham.
With the way she's written I like the fight for justice and mercy aspect of her characterization. It doesn't feel forced or contrived in the writing. Someone who has experienced oppression for so long could have become jaded but I think the nuns who she wants to protect and Youxia helped her keep a portion of her humanity. I think Youxia gave her a target to be angry at keeping her edge and the nuns helped keep her empathy with their willingness to be malleable. I think it helped also that she wasn't ostracised by them even if she was the black sheep.
I however do like Ti'lee's character arc. I think he represents us all in one way of the other at some point in time in our lives. Also I'm extremely partial to characters who have supportive skills especially alchemy. Smithing/fabrication is also cool but I feel like it helps the character have a variety in their repertoire other than a strong fist.
I think the monk's plan may have been revealed a little too early in the story but I haven't seen how it turns out yet so I hope it makes sense in the end. The appearance of the infection in the story feels extremely abrupt. I get the sense it has something to do with the overall plan of said monk but it's and the carrier's origin are unknown.
I'm don't know if the author's other books are within the same universe but the cultivation system isn't very clear especially about the spirits and where they come from and the origin of the additional dantians etc.
The world and other characters in the book are not as well fleshed out as the main characters. I think we would have benefited from knowing all the major families in the area, their motivations and rivalries and also the neighbouring regions or countries. I don't recall a proper geographical description of the world we are reading about especially the main spots. The only mention is via a map Jasmine steals of I remember correctly.
Youxia's characterization arc feels a bit shallow. It lacks the depth of the man that I think he is or it may the way he was written.
Shika's rampages feels like they are happening across regions but we don't get a proper sense of the distances involved in relation to other places of interest etc. Not much of the commerce of the world is mentioned also.
I'm giving this book a 4 because the story despite a few issues I have is steady and it has potential to be great. It isn't Cradle but it is has a relatable main character especially for those who have been brought down by other people and or their environment. It isn't super flashy with main characters having OP powers all over the place which is nice. I liked the plotline of the necklace too. It opens up the story to so much more down the line. I really can't wait to see how Ti'lee develops and goes beyond forging the armour. The other person whose character arc I'm looking forest to is Xuang. Being able to suppress his appetites even after infection tells a lot about him and I want to know how he turns out. Slasher is also just as intriguing for now.
So the beginning of this book (the prologue) kinda gives away an important plot line (I think) of the overall story. I think if the writer had not given us the killer's name it would have made for an interesting reveal but I'm only 60% in so I may be wrong. It should have also given us a proper introduction to the world.
First off I didn't like the main character because of the stealing and the entitlement I thought she had till I went further along the book. I realised she lives in a society that actively oppress and suppress weak people especially women. Also I think the stealing triggered my Catholic upbringing 🤣🤣 cos I just didn't understand how unremorseful she was after being caught. Jasmine's (the main character) general distrust of everyone and her instinct to get what she can from anyone and damn the consequences begins to make sense once you learn her background. You see this a lot in how her friendship with Ti'lee develops.
I think she was written in a grounded way in terms of how most in such circumstances would interact surrounded by oppression and casual cruelty. Her tenacity however is one a different level. You can literally feel her desire to level up no matter what and boy is she willing to put in the work.
When she's training with Kana Kana Wen you get a sense that if she only have a time cheat tool she would be a monster just by sheer determination. She's also pretty reckless which is understandable for a teenager who was powerless all her life and paid the price for it many times only to get a divine path. I think anyone would go ham.
With the way she's written I like the fight for justice and mercy aspect of her characterization. It doesn't feel forced or contrived in the writing. Someone who has experienced oppression for so long could have become jaded but I think the nuns who she wants to protect and Youxia helped her keep a portion of her humanity. I think Youxia gave her a target to be angry at keeping her edge and the nuns helped keep her empathy with their willingness to be malleable. I think it helped also that she wasn't ostracised by them even if she was the black sheep.
I however do like Ti'lee's character arc. I think he represents us all in one way of the other at some point in time in our lives. Also I'm extremely partial to characters who have supportive skills especially alchemy. Smithing/fabrication is also cool but I feel like it helps the character have a variety in their repertoire other than a strong fist.
I think the monk's plan may have been revealed a little too early in the story but I haven't seen how it turns out yet so I hope it makes sense in the end. The appearance of the infection in the story feels extremely abrupt. I get the sense it has something to do with the overall plan of said monk but it's and the carrier's origin are unknown.
I'm don't know if the author's other books are within the same universe but the cultivation system isn't very clear especially about the spirits and where they come from and the origin of the additional dantians etc.
The world and other characters in the book are not as well fleshed out as the main characters. I think we would have benefited from knowing all the major families in the area, their motivations and rivalries and also the neighbouring regions or countries. I don't recall a proper geographical description of the world we are reading about especially the main spots. The only mention is via a map Jasmine steals of I remember correctly.
Youxia's characterization arc feels a bit shallow. It lacks the depth of the man that I think he is or it may the way he was written.
Shika's rampages feels like they are happening across regions but we don't get a proper sense of the distances involved in relation to other places of interest etc. Not much of the commerce of the world is mentioned also.
I'm giving this book a 4 because the story despite a few issues I have is steady and it has potential to be great. It isn't Cradle but it is has a relatable main character especially for those who have been brought down by other people and or their environment. It isn't super flashy with main characters having OP powers all over the place which is nice. I liked the plotline of the necklace too. It opens up the story to so much more down the line. I really can't wait to see how Ti'lee develops and goes beyond forging the armour. The other person whose character arc I'm looking forest to is Xuang. Being able to suppress his appetites even after infection tells a lot about him and I want to know how he turns out. Slasher is also just as intriguing for now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2023
An action-packed with epic combat and intense training scenes.
Have you read 'Lesser Souls: The Path of Celestial Thunder' by D.R.R.Hatch? It's a sick cultivation and progression fantasy novel that hooked me from the prologue. The way the author introduced each character in separate chapters was super clever and immediately invested me in their journeys. Ti Lee is my boy; he fought for his beliefs and didn't back down even when things got rough.
This book is action-packed with epic combat and intense training scenes. The stakes are high, and danger lurks around every corner. But the cultural and religious practices and the nuanced characters make this story stand out. They feel so real, and you can't help but root for them.
And let me tell you, just when you think you know where the story's headed, Hatch throws in some crazy plot twists that will blow your mind. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and couldn't put the book down even if I wanted to.
But it's not all about the action, though. The characters' struggles and inner demons are just as compelling as the fighting. The book explores some deep themes about power, morality, and destiny. The tone is philosophical but doesn't take away from the immersive world-building and transformational character arcs.
‘'Lesser Souls' is a well-written and engaging read I recommend to anyone looking for a fresh take on cultivation and progression fantasy. It's a dope adventure that will take you on a wild ride you won't forget anytime soon."
Have you read 'Lesser Souls: The Path of Celestial Thunder' by D.R.R.Hatch? It's a sick cultivation and progression fantasy novel that hooked me from the prologue. The way the author introduced each character in separate chapters was super clever and immediately invested me in their journeys. Ti Lee is my boy; he fought for his beliefs and didn't back down even when things got rough.
This book is action-packed with epic combat and intense training scenes. The stakes are high, and danger lurks around every corner. But the cultural and religious practices and the nuanced characters make this story stand out. They feel so real, and you can't help but root for them.
And let me tell you, just when you think you know where the story's headed, Hatch throws in some crazy plot twists that will blow your mind. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and couldn't put the book down even if I wanted to.
But it's not all about the action, though. The characters' struggles and inner demons are just as compelling as the fighting. The book explores some deep themes about power, morality, and destiny. The tone is philosophical but doesn't take away from the immersive world-building and transformational character arcs.
‘'Lesser Souls' is a well-written and engaging read I recommend to anyone looking for a fresh take on cultivation and progression fantasy. It's a dope adventure that will take you on a wild ride you won't forget anytime soon."
May 17, 2023
Lesser Souls is a fantastic progression fantasy book! The characters are fantastic, and I love Jasmine and Ti’Lee character growth, but Jasmine starts out as a young nun looking for a way to grow more powerful to protect the people she loves the most and ventures to make her dreams a reality. Meanwhile, Ti’Lee is pressured to live out the life his father plans out for him while dreaming of something more when the two connect, it pushes them each out of their comfort zone and onto a path to find themselves. Jasmine is a resilient female lead that holds her own throughout the story and the two of them have an explosive dynamic together. I would highly recommend this book whose looking for the next big fantasy novel!
June 5, 2023
Lesser souls By D.R.R hatch
A story of seekers and fighters. People who crave their own path.
The author paints quite the picture, ingaging all your senses.
The story is imaginative and full of indearing characters. They each have a clear voice and aren't afraid to fight for what they want.
The book is well researched and I enjoyed learning about the diffrent cultures.
The world building was diffrent than what I have seen thus far.
I look forward to read more of this author.
A story of seekers and fighters. People who crave their own path.
The author paints quite the picture, ingaging all your senses.
The story is imaginative and full of indearing characters. They each have a clear voice and aren't afraid to fight for what they want.
The book is well researched and I enjoyed learning about the diffrent cultures.
The world building was diffrent than what I have seen thus far.
I look forward to read more of this author.
January 15, 2024
Lesser Souls
Jasmine is a lesser soul. She is one of the few people who can not cultivate. This means that she will always be the weakest of the weak in a society that will only allow a woman to rise three steps up anyway. This is until she meets someone who seems very interested in helping her break into the first rank. This could change everything.
First off, it’s 28 1/2 hours long! The cultivation language is a little dense at first, but you quickly pick it up the difference between all the terms. The action is well done and the character’s motivations are believable. The point of view switches between three main characters and a few minor ones. Teri Snell did a great job with the narration.
Content warning: none
Jasmine is a lesser soul. She is one of the few people who can not cultivate. This means that she will always be the weakest of the weak in a society that will only allow a woman to rise three steps up anyway. This is until she meets someone who seems very interested in helping her break into the first rank. This could change everything.
First off, it’s 28 1/2 hours long! The cultivation language is a little dense at first, but you quickly pick it up the difference between all the terms. The action is well done and the character’s motivations are believable. The point of view switches between three main characters and a few minor ones. Teri Snell did a great job with the narration.
Content warning: none
May 30, 2023
This book was given to me complimentary and I am willingly writing this review without pay. This was an excellent book. It is the perfect mix of fantasy, action and drama. Although it was long, it was easy to keep reading because it was continuously interesting!
May 16, 2023
*Ahem*
This story is really good. It has a great hook in the beginning which keeps you reading.
It doesnt have any of those Supreme Cringe Cliches that other cultivation novels have.
The MC is female which is already unique and I love it. The story also has an actual plot, not the usual face-slapping nonsense in other cultivation novels.
Give the story a read it is worth it, I would know because I usually hate Cultivation novels but this one was *Chef's Kiss* and I have read it in advance as I have recieved a complimentary copy of the book and am willingly and totally voluntarily leaving this review.
*Crashing noises* "I'm FREEEEEEE"
This story is really good. It has a great hook in the beginning which keeps you reading.
It doesnt have any of those Supreme Cringe Cliches that other cultivation novels have.
The MC is female which is already unique and I love it. The story also has an actual plot, not the usual face-slapping nonsense in other cultivation novels.
Give the story a read it is worth it, I would know because I usually hate Cultivation novels but this one was *Chef's Kiss* and I have read it in advance as I have recieved a complimentary copy of the book and am willingly and totally voluntarily leaving this review.
*Crashing noises* "I'm FREEEEEEE"
June 17, 2023
I received a complimentary copy and am willfully and voluntarily leaving a review.
DRR Hatch creates a unique world in his novel, Lesser Souls. Filled to the brim with adorable and dangerous fantasy creatures, his protagonists (yes, multiple!) must grow in their magic and physical bodies if they have any hope of saving their world. The stakes are high, the characters are complicated and relatable, and the dark undercurrent of the world they live in eerily matches our own. Abuse, misogyny... Those are but the tip of the iceberg.
Hatch masterfully draws his readers in with epic, magical battle scenes involving good vs. evil and our favorite characters' lives (or their souls) on the line. I'll admit that I found myself pacing around the living room, unable to sit still with the intensity of some of the battles. And there are *many* battles. Just as Shika wields chaos magic, so too does chaos run through the pages of Hatch's latest novel. I had no idea where the story was going, and I was thrilled by it. As a hardcore reader of epic fantasy, the familiar tropes come easily to me, and I always have an inkling of the so-called plot "twists". But with this novel? Lefts turns abounded and I had no time to turn on my blinker. Be prepared to ride that chaotic wave, and enjoy the fantastical journey! For it truly is a journey.
Reminiscent of the worldbuilding and adventure of Tolkien and the magic systems of Brandon Sanderson, Hatch created a novel perfect for epic fantasy readers ready to tackle this 806-page beast. Well-written, page-turning, and heart-pounding, I invite you to crack open these pages and enjoy a story that will rattle around your brain days after you close the cover.
*Side Note: I highly enjoyed each of the chapter titles, as well as the interludes. Even when I'd called it a night and had to sleep for work the next day, a glance at the next chapter's title, and I was wide-awake. It gave just enough to tease at what was to come that I had to satisfy my curiosity. And I was never disappointed. And the interludes? AMAZING.
DRR Hatch creates a unique world in his novel, Lesser Souls. Filled to the brim with adorable and dangerous fantasy creatures, his protagonists (yes, multiple!) must grow in their magic and physical bodies if they have any hope of saving their world. The stakes are high, the characters are complicated and relatable, and the dark undercurrent of the world they live in eerily matches our own. Abuse, misogyny... Those are but the tip of the iceberg.
Hatch masterfully draws his readers in with epic, magical battle scenes involving good vs. evil and our favorite characters' lives (or their souls) on the line. I'll admit that I found myself pacing around the living room, unable to sit still with the intensity of some of the battles. And there are *many* battles. Just as Shika wields chaos magic, so too does chaos run through the pages of Hatch's latest novel. I had no idea where the story was going, and I was thrilled by it. As a hardcore reader of epic fantasy, the familiar tropes come easily to me, and I always have an inkling of the so-called plot "twists". But with this novel? Lefts turns abounded and I had no time to turn on my blinker. Be prepared to ride that chaotic wave, and enjoy the fantastical journey! For it truly is a journey.
Reminiscent of the worldbuilding and adventure of Tolkien and the magic systems of Brandon Sanderson, Hatch created a novel perfect for epic fantasy readers ready to tackle this 806-page beast. Well-written, page-turning, and heart-pounding, I invite you to crack open these pages and enjoy a story that will rattle around your brain days after you close the cover.
*Side Note: I highly enjoyed each of the chapter titles, as well as the interludes. Even when I'd called it a night and had to sleep for work the next day, a glance at the next chapter's title, and I was wide-awake. It gave just enough to tease at what was to come that I had to satisfy my curiosity. And I was never disappointed. And the interludes? AMAZING.
November 13, 2023
I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.
Not only did I love this book, it got me out of a reading slump. The writing, the characters, the action sequences... *chef's kiss* I was truly captivated by the plot and wanted to learn more and piece the mystery aspect together. This book has multiple plots and POVs, but the author does a fantastic job at helping the reader follow along. I never felt jarred or confused on what was happening. Action and fight sequences were easy to follow and were not repetitive or boring. The world-building was clear, concise and immersive.
I truly loved this book and cannot wait to read the second one.
10/10 would recommend to a friend!
Not only did I love this book, it got me out of a reading slump. The writing, the characters, the action sequences... *chef's kiss* I was truly captivated by the plot and wanted to learn more and piece the mystery aspect together. This book has multiple plots and POVs, but the author does a fantastic job at helping the reader follow along. I never felt jarred or confused on what was happening. Action and fight sequences were easy to follow and were not repetitive or boring. The world-building was clear, concise and immersive.
I truly loved this book and cannot wait to read the second one.
10/10 would recommend to a friend!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews