Good morning, folks. I know a lot think 10 minutes is still long for a segment called "Rapid Reviews" but for me, it's quite toned down since most of my reviews tend to be 20 minutes long. Anyways, hope you like it! Have a great weekend.
Even though it's the start of the story, book 1 isn't the best. From book 2 onwards it gets better. When I re-read this series, I tend to skip book 1. But I still love the story and the characters.
Unsouled is one of those books I'll admit; I liked but wasn't over the moon with. But having read the entire series, I can tell you it is 100% worth it. It is a slow burn but in the best way. The first two to three books very much are dedicated to setting up the world, characters etc. before becoming amazing. Especially with Wei-Shi Lindon. Will Wight took the cultivation element of Wuxia fantasy and refined it really well. It isn't perfect but in terms of long form storytelling, it is some of the best I've experienced in a long time. Stick with it, Mike. I was in your shoes. I didn't believe it until I kept reading. The books were insanely addicting.
It was a tough slog. But after getting through all of them and circling back, its actually a pretty satisfying read. Not my favorite of the series, but still makes sense and is pretty well written once you understand the magic system. I think that is the crux and why there is so much resistance ot the series at first. The magic is so complicated that trying to read Unsouled with every other word a new idea that its hard to get into a rhythym following the flow to where the book is heading. But as you say, after the first few, its one of the best series I've ever read. Even my love of Howard's Conan books with their raw power is no match.
Everything gets explained really well as you carry on. I felt the same reading the first couple books. But as you get farther in the series you see the big picture and realize that he had everything meticulously planned out the whole time. But, I didn't care for the first couple books at all. And I'm not a big anime fan myself. My daughter pushed it on me. I'll just say that if you do carry-on it definitely pays off in my opinion. Character development, world-building, magic, every aspect gets fleshed out very well.
The first book was also one of Wills first books he wrote as an Indy writer. He has said himself he kinda cringes re reading the first couple books saying he could of set it up a lot better.
@@zachryder3150 Well they are very short so if you consider that the first three books are like half of a Stormlight book or ASOIAF book, you can look at it a different way. The amount of "books" is arbitrary. 😅
@@zachryder3150 I get that. That's why I'm defending the series. But there are a multitude of series that have stronger starts then cradle even though the first couple books are also used for setup. I'm not trying to bash unsouled I'm just saying that it gets much better.
As someone that's read all the books (only once), completely valid critiques and I'm glad you are going to continue. Excited for your thoughts on book 2!
While things do go lindons way, its never unsatisfactory. He always has to think outside the box in a way that the others never had too. Ascending the mountain and coming first is a great example, as is his use of the locust remnant.
I’m through eight Cradle books and the series really improves over time. Blackflame is where I really felt it started to hit its stride. You learn so much more about the magic and Lindon really goes through some good development and powering up. I also think the series has really good side characters that you will get to know as you continue. It also has some of my favorite action scenes and Wight really knows how to balance magic fighting with hand to hand fighting. I think you will like more as you continue. He adds in so much weird and crazy stuff. I love it as I know others do.
John Sanger Something I really appreciated is how Will handled Lindon. The hero's journey is done very well as he really allows Lindon to struggle, but we also see the potential he has as he slowly, but surely improves. A lot of newer writers could benefit from looking to this series with regards to making a compelling hero's journey story.
Very fair and understandable review. I think the first 46 comments show that most Cradle fans (so far) understand why you have mixed feelings about the first book. Also, that the Cradle fan base isn't toxic. I agree with almost everything my fellow Cradle fans have said so far, but I would want to emphasize that after finishing book 10 many fans reread the entire series (myself included) and book 1 was much more enjoyable to read because you can see Will Wight laying down the groundwork for long-term investments in the series some of which he doesn't cash in until the later books in the series. Thanks for the review Mike!
Very valid review. I've read all 10 and i've done rereads too. Very good character development as it progresses and last book made me shout out loud at the end. Great linkages!
Hello MBR. It wasn't until the middle of the 3rd book that I started to like and interested on to the series myself. After that, the series just gets better and better. When I reread the series last Christmas, I liked it a lot more. One of my current favorite series👏
Oh hey, started reading this series a couple of weeks ago and I’m already on book nine. That probably says more for how much I like the series than anything else. I feel like the series got a lot better midway through book five, it was good before that but after it I feel like all of the world building really starts to pay off.
I'm a huge fan of the series and I'm currently reading book 6, but watching your review, I can't say I disagree with anything you've said! It's cracking me up because you're spot on as to the characters and the random character cerial (sp? I'm listening on audio) who comes out of nowhere! Thanks for always being honest and straight-forward, it's why your reviews are the best man
I do think there is character development as we learn more about the magic and the world. I clicked with the series very quickly and by book 2 I was addicted.
Will plays the long game with this series for sure. You slowly but surely understand more of the magic system and Suriel. The character development is subpar in book 1, especially for Lindon. However, Wight does improve on that a lot. Wight has also been known to viciously cut out things during the editing process so that's where that limited explanations come from. But that also improves as the series goes. My favorite character is introduced in book 2 so hopefully you like the next book more. Great review Mike!
Best series i've ever read, it gets exponentially better. Everything was planned out right from the start, has the best character development. The magic system is beautiful and consistent. Plot is just fabulous👌🏿. The side characters are one of the best thing about this book, they almost feel like the main character and wont get bored with any of them. The series deserves far more recognition than it has now. I can imagine it being a classic in the anime world.
I'm late seeing this youtube review, but I'm in the 'rabid' fan group. The 're-readers' as it were. The magic system is just massively satisfying. But as you say, the real value is the characters. All of them. Even the throw-away characters have enough depth that you like them. It reminds me of George Martin's writing in that he also creates literally hundreds of characters with whole backstories. The difference being that George Margin uses the character expansion to make it possible to kill off his major characters every book. It allows him to build the idea that the world, people, and systems are all a continuum of gray corruption. Will Wight creates the characters to add depth to the world. They are still throw-aways but they expand the world he builds giving it depth and nuance. And hence all the rabid re-readers.
I’m a Cradle super fan but I agree and understand all the critiques you mentioned. In regards to the Magic not being explained, I genuinely think people who grew up reading Manga and watching anime have an easier time picking up the ins and outs of the magic system. So much so that I didn’t even realize that he didn’t explain the magic system that much in the first book. I find that interesting, but trust me it will become more clear later on.
I felt the same way after the first book, I'll admit that it took me almost a month to finish, but I kept coming back to it. The second book was better, but I think the fourth book or so is where I finally found my footing. Books five through 9 I read in a week and had to wait for book 10 to come out. I gave copies of books 1 through 3 to my cousin and when I spoke to her a couple weeks later, she had gone through the entire series as well. (She didn't have to wait for book 10 at that point). I hope you enjoy the series.
Your concern about them not developing as characters was also my concern. Rest assured, they do. Especially the supporting cast, most of whom you haven't met yet.
I discovered this saga thanks to the Kickstarter campaing, found out the 3 first books were for free in Amazon at the time, got them and I was hooked from the first page, it’s a real page turner, I’m definitely going to continue with this saga.
Really enjoyed tour review! I haven't read any of the Cradle books, but their on my radar, seeing you get through them will definitely help me decide if they are something for me or not. Liked this short format as well - of course i love listening to some in depth thoughts and analysis of sff, but sometimes it's hard to keep my focus. Here I paid attention to every word:) good job man
Book 1 is just like a foundation for Lindon, he kind of starts off neglected and spends most of his time beating up children. Then he starts to fail upwards because of main character energy. After he starts that in book 1 he never quite gets his feet under him. And that kind of continues because the experience of the characters "gaining experience" frequently involves hardship. And that hardship and camaraderie is what builds the characters.
I like the new format Mike. It certainly seems to work well with shorter books. I'll be interested to see which other books you review this way. Not sure Cradle is up my street, but I'll listen to your further reviews regarding the series to act as my guide.
The challenge with understanding the magic system is that it pulls heavy from the wushu style of fantasy. Think “crouching tiger hidden dragon” with more elemental/ritualistic magic.
Ay I'm reading it right now. Have to agree on some of your points but I'd like to offer up that a lightning fast-paced, borderline shonen anime-style action book where protagonists regularly put up wins was exactly what the doctor ordered for me as a palate cleanser between Malazan books.
Okay so I've taken a lot of writing classes and Will Wight is doing 2 amazing things. 1. He is world building for many paragraphs at a time in a super boring Telling style. 2. He isn't letting you know things about the world until Lyndon(sorry audiobook reader) knows it! It IS AMAZING. Also the boring world ending paragraphs stop halfway through book 2. The characters start becoming more developed too as Lyndon starts maturing. Don't give up till you finish book 2. Everyone on the planet tells me 3 is where it becomes amazing but i finish 1+2 last week and am currently checking out the Kickstarter to order my wife some paperbacks. Seriously no spoilers, but everything you were saying you didn't like, improves greatly in book 2. I know it's not Stormlight or Rithmatist but I'm convinced it's the most enticing thing I've read since Harry Potter. I mean reading book 1, I'm thinking, "I can't wait to see his journey to book 12!"
I made it through a chapter or so and felt like I was reading something like Naruto. I was pretty meh on it and put it down; I will hold out to see how you feel about future books before I commit.
Fair review and pretty much inline with that I would think your opinion of it would be. Not because of any "he don't like anime hurp derp", since I myself never really describe it as "anime in book form", but just from what you have liked/disliked from your previous reviews of books. I would say that the books will get better in regards to explaining stuff and character development. I think even WIll have spoken about how he had to write Unsouled in such a way to "prime" the new audience to the genre, but I can't find the quote for that so may just be my memory going bad. Anyway, it sounds like you will continue of with them for now, which is what my biggest concern was at the start (that you wouldn't like it enough and drop it), at least now the series has another chance to win you over, and hopefully it will by the 3rd book. :)
I think I'm gonna give this series a go. I like that they're short. It'll a nice way to reset the brain. Plus this genre will be new to me and I'm into trying new things lately. So thanks for the review.
At least in my opinion, every criticism is valid, however all get resolved over the next few books. As for Lindon having plot armor, doesn't every main character to some degree? However what I like about it is that he really does have to work for everything he gets. The summary is definitely read the whole series. Also from someone that's read the series probably around 15 times or so, the world build, and multiverse building in this is one of the best I've seen
lmao I saw u starting this and was like huh, I think ill check it out! catch me listening to 6 of these already -.- it's like anime but book form it's so bingeable
I had revelation today about Cradle. For a majority of my life the Wheel of Time was my favorite series, but midway into book 7 of Cradle there is a very good chance (should it continue in its consistent quality) that this series will overtake it. It’s shorter l, by far, but the character development and world building that Will achieves in so many fewer pages and his ability to keep things active and engaging and always moving forward while also doing so in service of the larger narrative is impressive. I’m enjoying this more than anything I have in years. Book 2 is a big step up and book 3 takes it many steps forward beyond that. I kind of wish Will had don’t Unsouled and Soulsmith as a single book.
Hint: Explaining the Magic System is what the entire series is about. Enjoy your progression throughout Fantasy. Same with character work, Sacred Valley has not the best characters in the series, Suriel takes a lot of time to become relevant, so just bear with it, it will all make sense by book 10. My main grumble with Unsouled is that mostly everything that is set up here is abandoned for many books and it goes to some far more interesting places. When a couple characters are introduced in book 2 it gets a level up and better stakes.
Unsouled is definitely not the strongest book in this series - in fact I feel like it is really the first arc of a bigger book (Books 1-3 Combined). A lot of your critiques are valid, and whilst the progressive fantasy genre is focussed around the main character getting more powerful over time its in line with a lot of other fantasy / school setting books where each book the main character develops new skills/magics, progressive fantasy tends to be more overt with this - you've unlocked cycling technique X you can now do Y. In other books like WoT this would be you've learned the X weave and now you can channel balefire. I look forward to seeing more of your reviews of the series and hopefully the author can convince you its more than just reading final fantasy :D
Yeah, that's a good point. Unsouled isn't actually a complete volume, by how the average epic fantasy reader might perceive it. I got a Kindle omnibus edition of the first 3, and I felt like I was still continuing the same book when I transitioned over into the second one. If I'd had a physical copy of Unsouled, I probably would have felt that it wasn't very good.
Just remember, this is from Lindon's point of view and at this time, he doesn't know that much about how society and magic works. He is from an insular village and he is considered to be a non-entity due to being an unsouled. As he learns more, we learn more.
I'm sure everyone will say this, but all the things you mentioned will be made clear. I'm on book 5 and I've got most of it figured out I think. I don't like anime and I enjoy this series. I would say at least read the first 3 and see how you feel. Edit: I don't mean I know everything that's going on with Suriel. But I know what I need to know to enjoy the books. Don't come for me. Lol
I also wasn't convinced by the first book. But there was something there, so I kept going. Book 2 was okay. As was the third. And the fourth. And the fifth. None of them awful, but not great, yet still with a glimmer of hope that they could be something more. It was book 6 where everything finally came together, the type of series Cradle had aspired to be by the beginning and had not yet grasped until that moment. And then it was off to the races. The latter half of the series is absolutely immense.
Hey Mike, I don't watch anime either or Manga. He does shape and build characters, but it's a long game. He does give answers to most your questions, but its going to take time. In my opinion, I agree, I wish he would give us a moment to develop his characters more, but that never really happens. We get to know them more, but Will is all about the break-neck pace. He sacrifices all to that pacing and I have the same complaint. I'm so glad you are going to read the next book. I think the first book is my least favorite of the series and my favorite character shows up later. Great Review!! Thanks. I had fun watching that.
I haven't read Unsouled yet, but do own it. Thanks for the review! I have a much better idea of what to expect now. I like this new format of the rapid review.
All your criticisms are completely legit, and to answer your question... no we aren't supposed to know these details at first lol. Every book builds and similar to Dresden, every one gets better and better.
Love the idea of Rapid Reviews. I think it'll be a winner. I haven't read any Cradle books, but I've read tons in the LITRPG genre. From what I've heard, there are far better series in litrpg than this one.
I had very similar thoughts to you on the first book, and honestly the second book as well. But I just finished book seven and honestly... I'm having a fucking blast. Yes, a lot of the series is focused on "the next powerup" (though I genuinely feel that the execution makes this better than it sounds when saying it like that), but I now find the characters- which were probably my biggest critique of the first books- to be quite endearing and the world building definitely improves as well. Is it a top 10 series of all time? No, but it only gets better and better (at least where I'm at as of seven books) and it is a lot of fun to read through. I don't know if you've tried moving on yet, but I would recommend sticking with it until you've finished book three at least. I mean don't force yourself to do anything you just REALLY don't want to do, but like you said these are easy books to read and I do honesty believe you'll start to see improvement by book three- and it just gets better, no exaggeration I genuinely think I've enjoyed each book more than the last so far.
Dude. The first book is slow, confusing, and hard to get through. At least for those that aren't familiar with the cultivation and power fantasy genres. This series is AMAZING. Just keep reading it. It gets so much better.
Great review Mike I don't know when I'm reading this, but I was already going to go into book 1 with some tempered expectations. I have seen people say it does a Dresden Files, and that it keeps getting better. So I hope for both our sakes that is the case
I DNF’d it after about 120 pages. Just couldn’t get invested into it when I was confused and wasn’t getting anything to fulfill me or hold me over until things were explained
The characters become so well developed don't worry. I'm also not an anime fan and still Cradle is definitely one of my favorite reads from the past few years. I really hope you continue with it. Would be fun to hear your thoughts on the rest of them.
The first few books are worst in the series when you hit book 5 that’s when it all pays off and the series gets soooooo good. Will is a good writer and his writing continues to improve as the books continue. A lot of the issues you are facing he explains later. I feel like book 1 is more like the prologue to the series
The first 3 books were/are free for the kindle :) I picked them up the other day and I can't wait to try them! I like the rapid review, hope to see more of it, esp for these shorter books, or books not as packed with details as the heavier ones.
Unsouled was fine but I’m still struggling to connect with it, but it helps that it’s fast-paced. It’s an easy read so I don’t mind continuing to see where it goes. I watch (and enjoy) anime/manga and this is my second time trying to read it so don’t feel like you are missing something. Looking forward to your next review.
I think you were spot on with this review! Shabby character work and a lack of explanation really hurt my investment-and I’m sad to say things went further south in bk 2 for me which I just finished. I’m giving it one more try with bk 3 at the moment but I fear like this storytelling style might just not be for me.
Hey Mike I'm like 12 books into this series and I love it...but I also love anime a lot lol. I definitely think there's a chance for you to like It though. Really the first 3 books put together is a single story arc. Will wight in a indie published author and needed to put out the books like this when they first came out. It was too much of a risk for him at the time since he didn't know the series was going to be succesful. So the magic system is explained. Characters get developed. The Sci fi plot twist you mentioned is actually extremely integral to the story but you don't get to see much of it for now. Just now that really the "first book" is really 1/3 of story arc. I see other reviewers make the same mistake all the time despite every fan telling them "please read the first 3!"
Hello! Very new to this channel, just binged all of your berserk videos and was wondering if there was any word on when another was coming? Or if there was somewhere he has already mentioned this
Honestly I have read quite a few progression fantasies from countries where they "originated" and Cradle is such a vanilla-watered-down take on it that it just could not click with me. Will Wight put outline and prose in a genre that unfortunately severely lacks it, but his influences are simply much more interesting than what I have read so far.
Like the Rapid Review, I'm more likely to watch shorter reviews when a book's not hugely on my radar like this one. I picked up the books (when free, like everyone else I imagine) and had similar thoughts when I briefly started this one. Not a DNF, it just wasn't what I was looking for at the time. Will follow your reviews of the series with interest.
Honestly the magic system and the readers understanding of it unfolds slowly over the course of the entire series AS the main character comes to understand it. It's a bit jarring coming from more traditional fantasy but I actually really learned to enjoy it with time :) Will Wight does actually excel at worldbuilding but its a bit of a slowburn because you're *supposed* to be a bit confused at first. Will Wight is a bit weak at character writing, he gets better with time and some other main characters join in book two but its never a series (for me at least) where I'm dead attached to characters and im going to sobb my eyes out for them kinda thing. I never read progression fantasy either but I actually really enjoyed this series and it's truly a series that gets much better each book. It's "popcorn" picture in a way, it's not made to be high literature but it's fun and entertaining :)
Anime is not for everyone. I like some anime, but not everything myself. Some things are really over the top, but there are things that are serious too. If the dubs bother you, you can always go subtitles instead. But there are a couple of anime films I think you would enjoy by Satoshi Kon 1) Perfect Blue (dub) and 2) Millennium Actress (sub). There are some serious stories going on in those.
While I have often heard that the series gets and better as it progresses (no pun intended), I didn't like the 1st book enough to continue with the series. And I say this as a 50-year old who has read tons of manga and watched a lot of anime. I'm curious about your reaction to the later books.Maybe it will change my mind. Either way, happy reading.
I disagree with your point on Yerin, it took him killing the Iron guy to gain a little bit of her trust. Yet even after that, she still left the forged marda in the door in case he tried to sneak away and get others.
I’m terrible at remembering book order but ghostwater is my favorite so far in the series. I’ve read other series kind of similar in character Progression and gotten board quickly. But something about this series always has me wanting the next book.
I though book 1 was ok, book 2 was less than ok, book 3 was the best so far. This is my first time at reading progression fantasy and your concerns are the same as mine. BUT, I’ve seen that many people rave about it I’m prepared to stick with it
Like many series, book 1 is often the weakest. I’m just happy you’re reading them and I hope as you continue on, you’ll enjoy them more and more like I did. Outside of Sacred Valley, there’s a whole big world and cast of characters for Lindon to explore, lean about and meet! I think you’ll find the world and characters definitely expand and more things are explained as you progress through the books. Excited to hear your thoughts on the next one.
Thanks for that review Mike. I have this series, so when I give it a try, I will keep what you said in mind. Right now, I am listening to an audio book that I do think would have made a better anime than book. It's called the Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa. It's about a half fox half human girl and a Demon Slayer young man going on a journey together. The beginning of the book was fun, but the middle dragged a bit. I will let you know how it goes after I get done with it.
I always felt the first book could be skipped and you would not lose out much of anything in the story, book 1 is very much a small contained story that's main purpose is looking back in later books and seeing the scale of power difference. Book 2 really opens your eye's to the world and starts on the actual world-building and starts to explain everything gradually. You very much learn the magic system and the world building as Lindon learns about it as at this point he very much he does not really understand much himself at this point
Funny you should mention it's as rabid as the Dresden fandom. As it turns out Dresden is my favorite series, Cradle is #2. When I went to DragonCon I went as Harry Dresden and Will Wight complemented my Dresden, he's apparently a big fan too. As far as your complaints - some are ones I had early one, some are in media res that will be answered, and some are "wait, did he skip part of the book? Suriel TOLD him to seek Yarin out, she didn't come out of nowhere!". When I recommend Cradle I generally give people the same advice as I do with Dresden. Books 1 and 2 are alright, but it doesn't really get going until book 3.
I also plan to read this series in future. Great having your reviews to prepare me for what to expect. Also from the explanation you gave for Progression fantasy, isn't Stormloght Archive also progression fantasy? Imagine Kaladin!
I felt about the same as you after Unsouled. I'm through four books now and I do think it gets better over time. Still not one of my absolute favorites but good if you need a lighter read between the tomes.
Curious if you read the other 10 books you said you were given. Your review is correct that the first book (and really the first 3 books) don't spend a lot of time on the magic system. For the "rabid" fan base, once you understand the magic system, which is an investment, the character development is fairly satisfying. There are short-distance, mid-distance, and long-distance story arcs that play out of the entire series. I will suggest that since you also read Steven King, progression fantasy probably isn't for you. I will say the thing you'll see with Wei Shi Lindon is that early on, he cheat and wit his way to "winning". But he is weak. He needs protection - his sister, his father, Suriel the immortal, Yerin. Eventually, he becomes strong enough that he can protect himself. Then, he is strong enough to protect others. As others have mentioned, the first three books are an investment. Separately, this genre is about not showing you don't know what you don't know, and only sharing information once someone has been initiated. Think buddhist monks. To get the special knowledge, you need to be ready to receive it. So the author also limits what the moderator knows and shares. The moderator learns about the magic system as we the reader does. And the magic is complicated. The use of souls as magical materials, for instance. what is the difference between a remnant and a natural spirit. There is just a lot. Hope you made it past the first few. It is also a deparature from the Wuxia/LitPRG ideas where the pure genre books are just trope. The author modified the basic genre to provide a more interesting story and more satisfying character development.
If this series shares too much of the shounen manga DNA, then I suspect that the same problems will plague this story. Hopefully, the author goes deeper into his worldbuilding and magic system in order to keep consistent, because if there's one thing that shounen manga suffers from is lack of stakes and powercreep (when things escalate so much in order to keep the tension and things fresh that the soul of the story is lost). This downward trend in quality and power creep is pretty much a staple of these shounen battle manga (which the book series seems to be inspired by). I'm fairly interested in giving this series a chance because in book form things can be planned more thoroughly and the world-building and magic system can be deep enough to allow an escalation of power that feels natural and reasonable. So far, the only series that nailed this for me was The Dresden Files. Battle Ground Harry and Storm Front Harry are two entirely different beasts, yet you don't feel any weirdness or that Harry didn't earn the power level reached.
A lot of the confusion comes from the expectations of the author for the reader to be well versed in the genre. Xianxia as a genre is extremely formulaic they share the same basic magic system with a few tweaks story to story. Xianxia as a genre also has many of the same plot points, such as weak cultivation, spiritual realm competitions, higher realms etc; if you have read one you know where the others are headed. The cradle series is a westernized version of this, and as a whole it is on the simpler side. For people who really enjoyed this series I would like to recommend King Of God's, Chaotic Sword God, or Immortal and Martial Dual Cultivation, all of which are translated Chinese novels. If you are heavily into dark fantasy Age of Adepts may be more of what you would like.
Hey guys I was thinking about reading cradle just want to know if this review is spoiler free or not I couldn't tell. Thanks guys and thanks for the video Mike love the channel.
Man I'm 50h deep in Forbidden West and then there's still Elden Ring waiting. My reading is really suffering. I don't even understand how people play all those games and still keep up with their TBR. I must be doing something wrong.
I DNFed this one last year. Nothing wrong with the book, I may try it again in the future, it just wasn't the book for me at that time & couldn't get into it.
... Lindon's a Gary Stu? In the beginning?? uh... :D Look, I know people might get turned off from the series by the first book, or don't want to hear "it gets better later", or "maybe you should start from this book." However, some series work best by taking their time, and laying the groundwork. Which make the series as a whole infinitely worth a slow start. This is definitely one of them. If you really have reservations, start at Ghostwater. I guarantee you'll go back and read the first books eventually. Also, you really don't need to watch anime to get it. I get the comparisons, but it's probably more Chinese xianxia than anything, but you don't need to read those either.
I know I've read at least the first book and maybe all of the second--at least some of it, anyhow. It does explain stuff more as it goes on, if memory. I do want to continue it eventually, but my main problem with it was the out-of-hand power levels. Everyone who isn't the main character basically has godlike powers, and they're like ants next to anyone outside of the valley. And the people outside the valley are like little children compare to whoever the space lady is. Knowing that the whole series about powering up, the starting point seems too high, even given the main character's handicaps.
The series IS a lot of grinding and getting beat up. He isn't wrong on descriptions and explanations of anything at all. I'm reading the series because it's an easy read and isn't bad. But it isn't really good, either.
Explanations get doled out bit by bit as you go on. You learn more the more you read. I'm not going to sit here and say it's for everyone, but I would say stick with it at least if you have any interest in it at all. However, this series is more about Lindon and friends progressing their powers so they can take on bigger threats. You may not like them if that's not something you would like to read. I love Cradle. Isn't for everyone. Nothing is. That's fine.
