Hunter Origins [Cultivation, Progression, LitRPG]

[ Review Swap ] 

Style : Oh baby, italics for inner thoughts. I love it. Alternating chapters with present day characters and then a earlier storyline is interesting. It could set up some interesting pay offs far later in the book and shows that the author is thinking ahead. 

Grammar : present. No detectable issues. It does the one thing grammar should. Get out of the way of the story. Words are the medium, not the end result. 

Characters : story is character focused, even though we don’t use his name for a while. Relatable and interestingly diverse. One character is kinda a dick, the other often repeats his old words of wisdom. If the names were removed from the dialogue, I would still be able to tell hunter and nic apart. 

Perfect. The magistrate gets a couple of lines and that is perfectly fine since he shows his character in them. Simple and concise. 

Story : story hooks are dangled and fulfilled. Ie he is going to a coming of age ceremony, but he was not invited. There are tense moments where we fear for hunter’s safety and they come early. Each chapter has it’s own scene that is distinct from the previous one. 

Cultivation and progression are linear and built entirely into the story. No jarring stat blocks or huge dumps anywhere to be found. Quite the relief to be honest. Some authors pad their word counts with stat blocks a bit too often. 

Style: Hunter Origins: Uncharted Bloodlines, an epic tale that slowly unravels to show progression using cultivation for building the main character.  The author has very descriptive writing style that helps the reader really sink their teeth into the story.

Story:  the author gives us a vast universe, skillfully shrouded in mystery from the outset. While initial expectations of LitRPG, Time Travel, and Progression elements may not be immediately fulfilled, the narrative proves itself an enjoyable fantasy read.   The hero, Hunter, must rise to some serious challenges after a serious of unfortunate events steal his normal route for growth.

Grammar: The gramma is accurate with good cadence and doesn't detract from the overall reading experience. This allows the reader to really engage with the story without getting thrown off.

Character: Meticulously crafted characters, notably Hunter, showcase diverse personalities. Hunter's strength, wit, and determination shine through, even as cultivation powers remain untapped. The supporting cast, with a mix of likeable and despicable characters, enhances overall dynamics. The dialogue effectively distinguishes character giving each unique voices and motivation.

In summary, Hunter Origins: Uncharted Bloodlines invites readers into a new realm filled with mystery, strength, and contemplation. Highly recommended for those seeking a well-crafted fantasy narrative that unfolds with each page, promising an immersive reading journey.  The author hints at a much broader world and an epic time travelling romp that will likely lead to some solid and significant twists and turns.

This was a fascinating mix of Greek lore and Xianxia style storytelling. It captured my attention from the get-go with the amount of lore and the way it wove the different elements it drew from together.

Story: I really liked the worldbuilding. There’s a deep and expansive history and world that adds a lot to what I’m visualizing as I’m reading. The heavy Greek influence is particularly refreshing and an interesting mix with a Xianxia style story. It’s a bit difficult to pin down what exactly is happening at first, but it’s never dull getting from one point to the next and is an entertaining ride.

Character: Hunter is very clever with a kind heart toward other less-favored creatures. I certainly enjoy his attitude. The secondary characters feel fairly distinct, though every now and then they have similar voices, but it wasn’t enough to take any points off here.

Style: My biggest complaint was that the story jumps between the past and present and while it’s clearly stated when the jumps happen in chapters, it happened enough to make it a bit difficult to settle into the story at first. Apart from that, the style was enjoyable. Very straightforward, with good humor that wasn’t overdone but added to the different characters’ personalities.

Grammar: A few errors here and there, but that’s true of any story. This was overall a very cleanly written story, and definitely earned an easy five stars here.

I would say this story is well worth diving into and giving a shot!

OVERALL SCORE: 5/5 Stars

This story is enchanting :) A magical journey in ancient Greece that does what great historic fictions does so well, it takes a "familiar" world and laers its own on top, telling an engaging story with plenty of worldbuilding, but one that sits on top of a lot we know from before (Greek mythology).The story is filled with action, adventure, and a unique blend of cultivation and magic.

STYLE SCORE: 5/5

The authors' style is wonderful. Fluid, clear, and engaging, making the story fly by, yet having just enough "spice" from myth to give it that Greek flavour. It’s the kind of writing that immerses you so deeply, you barely notice it because you’re so caught up in the story.

STORY SCORE: 5/5

The plot is BIG. A great mix of traditional Greek mythological elements with modern LitRPG twists and more, which I won't spoil here. It starts with a bang and a clear motive, and keeps up the pace. As mentioned, the world-building feels natural and real, making it fantastical and believable at the same time.

GRAMMAR SCORE: 5/5

Nearly flawless. The few mistakes are far outweighed by the compelling storytelling. I could tell that this is not the authors' first book.

CHARACTER SCORE: 5/5

The characters, especially Hunter, are wonderfully crafted. Relatable but larger than life, much like the heroes of ancient myths. I root for Hunter and his sister and can't wait for the payoff when certain people get whats coming for them (hopefully). 

Summary

Hunter Origins is delightful. A charming mix of ancient myths and modern fast-paced storytelling. For anyone who loves Greek mythology or fantasy, this is a must-read.

In many ways, sifting through a sea of cultivation stories can be as arduous as the path to ascendance itself.  Fortunately, the hunt can be over with Hunter Origins.

Style - Hunter Origins is a stylish take on the genre, blending in Greek mythos with the classic cultivation we've all come to know.  It definitely hits that tried-and-true xianxia feel at times, while also doing a great job immersing you with in-universe lore and phrasings.  The pacing strikes a great balance between action and exposition, and it makes you want to keep turning the pages.

Story - The premise, at face value, is pretty simple.  We join Hunter as he's taking his first steps on the path of power, but it's evident that nothing is going to be handed to him.  The plot is developing effectively so far, with consistent lore and a well-developed power system.  Overall it's promising to be a read you can enjoy for years to come!

Grammar - No issues that popped out to me.  It's clean and crisp writing.

Character - I like Hunter, and his hero's journey is shaping up to be a great one.  So far we haven't gotten as much time with the supporting cast, but with the scope of a story like this I don't think that's necessarily an issue.  As it builds, the surrounding characters will ebb and flow alongside Hunter's story.

I've really been enjoying what I've read so far of Hunter Origins, and my only regret is that I don't have more time to read it.  Whether you're a seasoned xianxia fan, or somebody new to the genre, Hunter Origins is well worth a spot on your list

So far, Hunter Origins Uncharted Bloodlines is an engaging fantasy read. It has a nice sense of mystery up-front, and the prose reads like a fantasy novel. I’m enjoying it so far—especially the writing style—but am unsure whether it’s been tagged properly versus would benefit from edits or even starting the story off later in its arc. If you’re expecting a LitRPG or Time Travel or Progression story, they aren’t really paid out in the first 11k words. As is though, it’s an enjoyable fantasy read. If you like fantasy, I would definitely recommend it.

Style: The narrative voice makes me think of epic fantasy. It’s descriptive, has rich details, and nice word choices. It's my favorite part of this story. It did feel, to me at least, like the voice shifted a bit in the prologue, but then it settled in the subsequent chapters. So, if you notice the bumpy start, stick with it; it's worth it.

Story: There’s clearly a big universe here, which is a real strong suit, and the story does a good job of setting up enough mystery at the start to keep you reading. I’m enjoying it so far but, going in expecting LitRPG + Time Travel + Progression from the tags, I’m left disappointed. Those are the only three tags and none of them feel firmly established, 11k words in. I wonder if it would better be tagged Fantasy + GameLit + Portal Fantasy (instead of, or in addition to the current tags). Or, if the original tags are correct, a revision to establish elements from most of the tags in the opening chapters would strengthen it.

Grammar: Good. I noticed a number of small things (commas, semicolons, and typos), but they didn’t cause me to stumble when reading. So, definitely don’t let the imperfections stop you from reading this story; nothing on RR is perfectly edited.

Character: I feel like I have a stronger sense of who the secondary character is than the main character. I’m unclear about whether the character from the prologue is the same one as in chapters 1 and 2—but perhaps that’s intentional. I really enjoyed the mystery the early chapters created, so am looking forward to seeing how the characters develop further.

Reading this story has been easy. I can’t say that about every book I’ve read but when you reach that one you know it’s just going to fly by. Hunter is a fun character and someone people can relate to. The twists his life takes aren’t something one would expect and the villains are everywhere leaving you to believe there is little hope. But when the light of the gods shine on your hopeless situation things can take a turn. 

The story is easy to follow and very enjoyable. I’ve been loving the interactions between Hunter and his furry companions and I’m excited to see where his human companions may come into play.

There have been very few grammatical errors and it’s easy to understand the language they are using for the writing. The authors have a way with words when painting a picture and it clearly shows they know what they are doing.

Cultivation is not something that just anyone can write and these authors are doing well with all the tropes and terminology. I am excited to see where Hunter’s journey takes him and where the story will lead next.

I am thoroughly enjoying the story, the characters, and the struggle feels relatable. I can’t wait to continue reading this story and see what secrets can be unlocked in the tower!

This is a really promising start  at a progression fantasy, possibly tower climber story. I would urge readers to give this a try and read at least the first eight chapters because every time I thought I knew what was happening, I was wrong.

That's a double-edged sword. I'd think, "Oh, this is an isekai story" - nope. "Oh, this is an academy story" -- nope. "Oh, this is a zero-to-double-gold-jade-progression" - maybe, but not in the way I thought. There's familiar tropes. Cultivation, progression, gods interfering with mortals to set them on an epic path. But it's done in all new ways. 

The first couple chapters aren't completely linear. That let us get reveals about Hunter's past, but can possibly challenge the reader in trying to connect with him in the present. Even at chapter 9 I'm not quite sure which of the rivalries and threats are going to remain and which are just red herrings. But I'll definitely hang in there to find out!

Grammar - practically flawless, there's nothing to criticize here.

Style - for the most part, clear and straightforward without being pedestrian or dull.

Character - Hunter is determined, though a bit odd. Side characters are well realized for the most part, with the exception that all the currently evil-ish characters are mustache twirling and a bit one dimensional. Other side characters are delightfully drawn with quick strokes.

Story - I'm not the biggest fan of the non-linear, never-really-answering-all-my-questions narrative but it works well enough to draw the reader along. Now that we are about to launch into what I hope is the meat of the story, I think the backstory reveals ought to be less drawn out.

Great start, hope the story continues to live up to its promise.

Hunter Origins throws you headfirst into a cultivation story with a dizzying amount of depth to its power system. Chapters are meaty, and at least in the early pages, the story alternates between showing the underdog protagonist’s current struggle and flashback chapters that reveal the mystery of his backstory one careful piece at a time. Each chapter provokes more questions and supplies more details of the tragedy that turned Hunter from noble heir to shamed exile. While the flashback-heavy style might not be to everyone’s preference, I personally found it one of the most enjoyable and intriguing parts of the story, as it creates a well-done mystery that gets you immediately interested in the protagonist’s struggle to become a certified cultivator. It’s a method of storytelling that really sinks its teeth into you the further you progress.

I’ve not read many cultivation-genre stories, so I can’t speak much to the particular elements there. But as a casual reader who tends to enjoy more bookstore fantasy with less overt numbers populating the pages, I really did appreciate that Uncharted Bloodlines perfectly conveys the strength of their characters without needing to resort to stat sheets or ability points. Cultivation is a cornerstone of the society the story takes place in, and with the glimpses of system complexity that I’ve already seen in the early chapters, it’s clear that this story is planned with room to grow.

Overall, if you enjoy complex power systems or straightforward cultivation with a likeable and relatable protagonist, I have a feeling this story is going to bloom into one you’ll very likely enjoy. My only and minor dislike was that the prose can sometimes err on an overly dramatic side, where characters’ reactions are described a bit disproportional to the situation at hand. And the opening chapter seemed a tad self-indulgent- it’s strangely unrelated to anything that happens in the early pages of the story. Though of course, that’s always subject to change in an ongoing tale.

The narrative unfolds in a unique setting, intertwining the elements of nature, work, and a hint of desire for change. The protagonist, Hunter, is a character of strength yet with an undercurrent of contemplation, giving the story a layer of depth that goes beyond the surface. His relationship with Big Nic, his mentor, adds a dimension of learning and growth, though the subtleties of their interactions leave much to the imagination. The presence of animals, both wild and domesticated, introduces an aspect of unpredictability, blending seamlessly with the story's overarching themes.

The plot takes a turn with the unexpected intrusion of an authoritative figure, bringing about a moment of reflection and a subtle shift in the story’s dynamics. The author successfully creates an atmosphere of contemplation and anticipation, leaving readers with a sense of curiosity about Hunter’s next steps. The story’s setting, with its descriptive elements, adds a vivid backdrop to the unfolding events, though it remains shrouded in a veil of ambiguity.

The use of symbols, such as the cultivation tower and the rising tide, introduces a metaphoric layer, inviting readers to draw their own connections and conclusions. The writing style, with its careful balance of detail and vagueness, creates an engaging narrative that encourages readers to delve deeper, exploring the underlying themes and motivations of the characters.

In summary, the story presents a captivating blend of strength, reflection, and the subtle complexities of life, leaving readers with a sense of intrigue and contemplation. The author masterfully navigates the narrative, crafting a story that is as thought-provoking as it is ambiguous, providing a unique reading experience.