Path of Defiance: Isekai Cultivation

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

CURRENTLY ON HIATUS

High-school senior Rowan doesn’t have a bright future ahead of him. He has no plans, his grades are average and he isn’t exceptional at sports. When faced with the choice to fade into obscurity as a mindless drone in corporate hell or try his luck in a world where mere mortals can battle gods, his choice is clear.

Little did he expect that he’d be thrown into an alternate world very much like his old one where everyone he knows is present, but their roles and personalities twisted to fit the cruel world they now reside in. The worst part is, his bully can and will kill him for the slightest offense and Rowan happens to have picked a fight with him.

The story is set in a Xuanhuan-based world (basically Xianxia, but extended to include Western concepts).

This story is also posted onNeovel.

Cover Art fromAsviloka'sFree Coverthread.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2022
Author: Dusty_Glamour

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.3/ 5.0
Followers: 14
Views: 7,451

Chapters(9 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(2)

NatarajaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
- Style & Grammar
This is well written, no grammar, syntax nor style issues. The expressions are very colorful which I love (Minon number 1's mutant-like strenght lol). The layout is good which makes the text pleasant to read. However, English is not my native language, so I may have missed some things...
- Story
The arrival of the voice could be more thorough, it is very Deus Ex Machina as it is. Some reflections of the character could also be more developed (sold his soul?). I really like the Isekai variation that makes him find himself in a kind of parallel fantasy world instead of somewhere completely new. That said, the plot is pretty much non-existent and relies only on the mysterious motivations of the voice... which are probably far-fetched. The mere prospect of a succession of adventures is not enough to make us want to binge-read the fiction, we need a stake!
- Character
Rowan is immediately interesting, his difficulties to integrate himself in the world and to understand sciences make that we identify with him easily. His qualities are also well put forward, he is intelligent and courageous in his face to face with his aggressors. I also like the secondary characters even if they could be more developed (especially in what Rowan feels about them).
S.N. KeirsteadRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style: Style gets a perfect score. The story is well-written. Using a third person style, the author is able to effectively to convey the thoughts and actions of all characters as well as establish setting. Overall, an easy and pleasant read, perfect for the genre and web novels as a whole.
Grammar: Also a perfect score. From what I have read, there were no grammatical, syntax or punctuation issues to be seen. Compliments the author's style well.
Story: The story delivers exactly what the titles promises: a cultivation isekai. Due to the nature of the genre, some will either be turned off or thoroughly enjoy how well the author sticks to the tropes and plot points present in Path of Defiance. The core elements of traditional isekai are all present (thrust into a new world, a protagonist that was less than exceptional in their original world, etc) but they're done well. The same is true for the cultivation elements, too (expect a long journey with huge potential for growth).
Character: The characters of the story are by far the best part. They're all unique but still believable and the relationships are strong, (particularly between Rowan and Liz). Similar to what was mentioned before, you can expect how some of the characters will act and behave due to the nature of the genre, but the author executes it well.