I Dream of Chiseling Worlds: A Greco-Roman World-Crafting Cultivation

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Kosta will craft a new world.

Born and raised as a sculptor in a humble frontier town, Kosta dreams of greatness: to perfect his craft, rise above his station, and one day shape a world of his own making. Magic permeates the world and fills every nook and cranny, ready to be harnessed to make those fantasies a reality. Yet magic lends itself just as well to destruction as to creation, if not moreso. Danger lurks around every corner and Kosta soon discovers that not all are so eager to build with the power they command.

When disaster comes knocking at his door, Kosta is forced out into a vast world full of legendary heroes, horrifying monsters, and three missions ahead of him: preserve the beautiful, hunt those who ravaged his hometown, and take on the legendary Aretan's Challenge. To accomplish his dreams, Kosta realizes that he must grow stronger than he ever imagined possible. He was raised an artist, but he must become a champion.

And maybe, just maybe, he might be able to make the greatest work imaginable: a world where it is easier to make than it is to break.

Cover art by Tyler Miles Lockett.

Current update schedule: Updates every other day (2-5k word chapters)

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2023
Author: Buzek

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 300
Views: 68,258

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

stuffsearcherRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I Dream of Chiseling Worlds is an imaginative story that sweeps readers into a realm where artistry and magic intertwine. The author's exceptional storytelling prowess shines through as they paint a vivid tapestry of Kosta's journey through a beautiful world.
The writing style is nothing short of remarkable, evoking a sense of wonder and enchantment. The author's use of language is poetic, effortlessly transporting readers into the world of Kosta and his aspirations. The descriptions are rich and evocative, bringing the magic-infused surroundings to life and immersing readers in the vibrant atmosphere of the story.
The plot is a delightful tapestry of adventure, self-discovery, and the power of dreams. The supporting cast is well-developed, with each character contributing to the overall richness of the story.
Grammar and editing are flawless, allowing the narrative to flow seamlessly. The author's command of language and attention to detail ensure that readers are fully immersed in the story, free from any distractions. The dialogue is natural and engaging, further enhancing the depth of the characters and their interactions and allowing you to quickly fall in love with them.
In conclusion, I Dream of Chiseling Worlds is a captivating and masterfully crafted story that excels in all aspects and is a must-read for lovers of progressive fantasy and adventure.
Youngish OldsterRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It's hard to say much more than 'Wow!' 'Please write more!' and 'Thank you!' regarding this story. But I'll find a way. 😏
IDoCW is an amazing hidden gem that deserves much more attention than it has gotten so far. While the idea of a progression fantasy set in a world inspired by Greek mythology isn't new, (hell, the ancient Greeks did it, among others 😁) the way that IDoCW tells its story absolutely sparkles with great characters, plot, and setting.
Style. 'Versatile' describes the style of the writing really well. Most of the story is told from MC Kosta's perspective, but uses dialog with a host of other characters, especially his twin sister Clymere (whom I'd personally love to see as a co-MC: she's great.) It's accessible, relatable and cleanly written, with great pacing to boot. Action scenes are clear and visceral in describing the dangers and risks the characters face while exploring the world outside of their frontier town. On top of all that, there are occasional descriptions of key magical and world-building events where the prose goes lyrical in how well it describes things. A really nice mix that highlights Buzek's serious writing chops.
Story. I'm a sucker for good artisan & crafter stories, and IDoCW delivers in spades. Or chisels. Whatever. 😁 Kosta's skill awakening and his ambition to become a literal artisan of worlds is a really neat driving theme for the story, and allows for a lot of skill development, personal development (and boy does he need some,) and embellishing side arcs. The background of Dytifroura as a frontier town is cleanly and organically revealed as Kosta & Clymere begin on their progression paths and brings the world to life in a way that always keeps the focus on the characters.
Grammar. Absolutely present.
Characters. The best & most important part, in my view. Kosta is an interesting and complex mix of ambition, passion, vision, hang-ups (daddy & mommy issues, anyone?) and occasional clear-headed thinking. 😁
0 Jordinio 0Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
While I Dream Of Chiseling worlds is only in its infancy right now, it definitely stands out head and shoulders above most other stories,
First things first, what drew me in initially? Was the amazing cover art. It reminded me, somewhat ironically of the old Disney Cartoon style of Hercules. I used to love it, and the vibrancy of this story is not lacking in comparison to that classic at all
That's where the similarities end there though, because unlike Hercules, the main character of this story starts from humble beginnings and contrasts the character's personality as well. He's an intelligent person, ruled by logic and doesn't seem to be the type at all to allow silly little tropes that usually stymie other characters to get in his way. He isn't what I'd call a people person, but he's not an asshole by any stretch of the imagination, he's a man with grand ambition just doing his own thing and I can vibe with that, I can always respect a main character who puts the work in to become great.
The grammar and spelling is flawless, and all ready the story is rich with world building and burgeoning lore that will no doubt in the end make for an epic read that will keep readers hooked for hours on end.
Seriously looking forward to more.
AressweRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I have to say I'm quite impressed with this one. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading it but the world/characters drew me in and I couldn't stop reading. Its very well written and the world is super interesting.
I see that the author hasnt posted in a while due to personal issues and I hope everything is ok and that eventually they will start posting again.
AtenburghRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I Dream of Chiseling Worlds stands out before you even open the page with its beautiful cover and unique title, and once you open the first chapter up, it only amazes from there. Buzek's work is intricate, prose-rich, and filled with a mysticism and wonder that unfortunately a lot of other progression fantasies are missing, and our titular character sums it up best - why is it always easier to destroy than to create?
Well, Kosta will solve that for you. He's as far from two-dimensional as possible and filled with depths of drive, ambition, and curiousity that lifts him above other protagonists in a way that gives him strengths and flaws together that only makes him more fascinating to read about. He's the driving force of this story and already you can see how he's developing, and what definitely makes it stand out even further is the power in which he's progressing. Too many times have I read stories where the main characters have the same power, just shifted over an element or three; Kosta has something completely unique and absolutely wonderful to witness. It makes him a true delight to read about.
I've already waxed poetics about the style but I'll do it again - this is the story to read if you want to feel things, not just imagine them. Kosta's internal dialogue has so much flavour and character that you're immediately sucked in, which is only a good thing. No grammatical problems that I found, and it all reads very smoothly. The story already promises to catapult us far into the high standings - we've got both an impossible goal and a protagonist who is going to fight for it, which is exactly what we progression fantasy fans love to see.
All in all, I Dream of Chiseling Worlds is the story to watch and stick with, and I can't wait to see how far it goes.
KarmaARoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Reviewed at Chapter 39
Great writing, excellent characterizations, interesting world building, and the slowest parts are still engaging.
Pros:
- It's impressive how quickly the side characters seem to have weight and unique personalities.
- Magic "system" seems pretty unique, source, interactions, growth, and individuality all are fresh. (No blue boxes in sight!)
- Reading about him strolling through the town, interacting with clients, and crafting were all as fun to read as combat. (After the first 2 chapters).
- Polities hint at a lot of depth though we've not yet gotten to see much due to distance.
Cons:
- A few times I'd wish for context before we got information. It would make it easier to figure out what the MC should reasonably know or be capable of. He's a teenager so his decision making will be questionable from time to time. I'm still figuring out what is bad decision making vs unavoidable with reasonable prep.
- World seems more dangerous than writing would suggest. This could be due to MC growing up in a relatively safe place and viewing the world with inexperienced eyes. As a reader though I'm feeling like his society or education doesn't quite line up with the level of danger I'm now setting as my mental baseline. This is likely a case of Con #1 and not so strong it breaks the story or my enjoyment.
Overall:
Awesome quality in an age of AI and mediocre translations. The first 15 chapters flew by for me. Definitely worth checking out.
MateuszRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I Dream of Chiseling Worlds is professional quality progression fantasy -- that's something that will be immediately obvious to anyone that gives it a shot. I'd say the quality is even on par with The Last Orellan. It's just a beautifully written tale, better than a Royal Road story has any right to be.
But if the style is top quality, how is the substance, you might wonder? That's where I was really taken aback. This story feels real and immersive in a way you rarely get with fantasies, or really any genre. The plot is a slowburn but it's obvious Kosta, the protagonist, is slowly ascending towards literal godhood. There's also a side dish of revenge, which is always a plus.
Kosta himself is a complex lead yet also an authentically smart one. He doesn't seem the type to ever grab an idiot ball for the sake of fueling the plot, and every bit of power he's accruing feels earned. He's standoffish but not arrogant, antisocial but not edgy, and focused but not one-note. Often I find protagonists to be the most underwhelming part of stories, and I'm glad this isn't the case here. The other characters (like Clymere) are colorful and nuanced so far, even if I doubt we've more than skimmed the surface of the main cast yet.
I seriously can't wait to see how this story unfolds. It's one to watch.
Silver_SentryRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I will be honest, I am not a person that really gets into fantasy much less those with magic systems so I preface my review and ask that you keep all this in mind. I'm more likely to get into something like Hunt for Red October or Patriot Games than I am to watch something like a Narnia or LoTR. However, I have always enjoyed strong character building and exploration of character traits -- these elements of storytelling are what got me into franchises like Zelda and Fire Emblem despite me not generally liking the fantasy genre.
I Dream of Chiseling Worlds is a strong character driven story that takes its time to let you get to know the story's cast as the plot progresses. And this makes all the difference. Right off the bat, Buzek establishes a story with engaging characters. The interaction between character make them come alive and makes for an enjoyable read whether it be the main character Kosta's back and forth exchanges with his sister, his father's advice to Kosta for him to continue honing his craft and abilities, and the interactions with the elders of the town. Kosta's drive for perfection and greatness aren't necessarily new traits in storytelling but at the same time the author never seems to retread paths with these traits.
Furthermore, not only is I Dream of Chiseling Worlds a story with engaging characters that feel real but it is a story with a very professional writing style.
All in all, this is a story with a great amount of potential. Buzek, like his protagonist, has a potential masterpiece in the palm of his hand and all that is left is turning the materials in his hand into a work of art.
StandingManRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I Dream of Chiseling Worlds is an engaging story and a fun dive into a unique fantasy world. It builds a fantasy world with depth taking some clear influences from Ancient Greek culture without completely breaking reader immersion. The writing style and prose itself is professional quality and this cannot be stressed enough. It likely gives most modern novels a run for their money and stands far above what one might normally find on RR.
However, Chiseling Worlds also stands out due to its characters who feel real and are well-rounded. The cast has legitimate strengths and weaknesses. The interactions in this story and conversations help make the characters pop and do a great job of showing off the characters' personalities. The main character, Kosta's growth feels natural and earned rather than forced. He is both intelligent and curious without falling into cliches generally associated with those traits.
Lastly, Chiseling Worlds features a magic system that anyone can enjoy. Even people like myself who are usually completely lost around such systems can understand how it works. I especially liked the powers of Kosta due to the potential of his abilities and am very curious to see how the main character evolves and progresses as a person and with the application of his abilities.
I await just what kind of world is crafted by the author.
ValasaniaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This review should be read with the understanding that I assisted in the proofreading process with this story. I have read most of it thus far, and want to give people my impressions of the story going in.
Style: Buzek's style is strong and memorable; it relies less on flourishes of poetry, and more on breadth of detail and clarity. I greatly appreciate the attention to detail given to the internal monologue and the attention to the world, which is where Buzek's strengths lie most deeply. I feel as though I come to know the world that Kosta inhabits, as well as the culture and how he views his place within it, and that would not be so clear and well-conveyed if Buzek's mastery of prose was not so evident.
Grammar: I feel I must be somewhat biased on this front, as I was one of the proofreaders for the earlier drafts. There are a few, occasional syntactical errors I'm sure we missed left over (experience has taught me to expect as much), but reading through it now that it's been posted, they do little to detract from the overall reading experience.
Story: The story begins simply, yet effectively. Though this is no romance, it is a slow-burn of character growth, seeing Kosta from his earliest days of childhood into young adulthood and beyond. Buzek takes the time to thoroughly establish his characters and gives you enough detail that you come to know their relationships to Kosta and their own place in the world without lingering or wallowing in exposition, which I greatly appreciate. It is just enough to satisfy, not so much as to bore. This being said, the story takes its time, and for those who may be looking for a story that just jumps right in, this may prove a barrier. For my part, I greatly enjoy a slow build to a great payoff, so this is no detriment. Strong fantasy thrives on strong foundations.
Character: This is where Buzek thrives. Kosta is an interesting take on the coming-of-age story prodigy; in a world where monsters roam and life outside the cities (es