Rebirth of The Blade

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Arrogance is the necklace of the competent and the noose of the failure.

At just nineteen years old, Inaki is one of the greatest swordsman ever born. But when his arrogance, narcissism and impulsiveness lead him to an awful injury, he finds that he has gone from nearly the top of the world of swordsmen, to the bottom. Now he must walk a path of burning coals and broken glass in a vain hope of once again becoming his previous self, but maybe along the way he can learn that the man he used to be is not worth idolizing.

'Rebirth of The Blade' is a slow-paced coming-of-age, low-magic, action-packed, progression story about a man on a quest for self-improvement through the path of the sword, and the healing power of connection with others. Inspired by Takehiko Inoue's manga 'Vagabond.'

What to Expect:

1. A Slow-Paced character focused story

2. Lots of action

3. Protagonist learning to become a better person.

4. Progression.

5. Exploration of meaning, depression, and purposelessness.

++++++

Scheduling: Unfortunately, some stuff has come up, which means that my schedule has to become sporadic. I can't promise when I'll be able to release chapters anymore. It's still going to be timely enough where I don't think I need to mark it as on hiatus.

Information

Status
Hiatus
Year
2023
Author
NPDavis

Tags

ACTIONFANTASYADVENTUREMARTIAL ARTSMALE LEADPROGRESSION

Royal Road Stats

Rating
4.8/ 5.0
Followers
156
Views
39,212

Chapters(45 total)

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

  • ZephilinoxRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    This is an interesting story, the blurb describes it perfectly. If you're looking to read something about a low-magic honour-based society of swordsmen and the character growth of an MC that strives for perfection, but can never reach it, then this is ideal for you.
    Throughout reading it, it's clear that a lot of thought has gone in to the different characters in the story. There are lots of stand-out, thoughtful lines, which can make you stop and think about the impact they have on the characters, and ourselves. The characters are definitely the highlight, so if you like that introspective style of writing, this is perfect for you.
    The writing itself is clear and accurate, and with minimal prose. It is not overly wordy or descriptive, which is how I prefer it. I always find long descriptive blocks sleep-inducing. The story mostly focuses on dialogue and internal monologue, along with several fight scenes. For a slow-moving story, it has a good amount of action in just these first 8 chapters. There are the ocassional mistakes and bits where it flows a little awkwardly, but the rest of the story more than makes up for it.
    I'm interested in seeing how the main character develops in the future. A lot of stuff has happened to them, and their families, already. I really love the contrasts between how the character views themselves, and how other characters view them. The side characters have their own stories to tell, and it's interesting seeing those insights, like that of the MC's mother.
  • DagrunRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Style: The general feel I got as I read this book was that the author placed a lot of intentional planning into the progression of the plot, characters, and world. This can be seen in how immediately immersed readers are from the very beginning. There's no major info dumping, so much as the reader moving along in a world that is normal to the main character, making it easier to accept the differences between our own cultures on and the cultures represented in this book.
    Story: This story is a slow burn, but well structured. Right in the very first arc, everything that builds ultimately leads up to the climax all while giving us a good sense of the world's unique culture. It is packed with action every step of the way, continuously progressing the plot. Because of this, I never feel like the story slows down, despite being a slow burn.
    Grammar: There are some consistent grammar mistakes, but for the quality of the story, I find them easily overlooked. Overall, still fairly easy to digest and read through.
    Character: Probably by far the most well fleshed out and established part of the story are all of the characters. Each important character gets their time in the spotlight, giving us a solid understanding of who they are along with family dynamics. I especially have loved watching how the characters develop, overcoming prejudices and overall becoming better people, yet with more still to come.
    Overall: This was enjoyable read. I found myself continuously turning the page to find out what happens next. There are gripping moments that had me at the edge of my seat, and others where I could sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
  • FeynixRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Style: I really like the style of the writing here. The author has clearly put great thought into the words they choose to put on the page. There are lines that are so relatable that I feel like the lessons are both for the MC and for the reader themselves. A particular example of this is the following line from a monk  “We spend so much time thinking about ourselves, that we believe that everyone else does the same.”
    It's simple but carries a pretty valuable message.
    Story: This leans hard into the honor tropes, as is fit for the style and setting. Talking about the line I pasted above, I have a feeling that the Honor trope is going to play a big role in the story, with MC likely having to alter and overcome their preconception of what honor even means. This read came about as part of a review swap, however I will be adding this story to my favorites and following the progress of the MC for sure.
    Grammar: It's well written, there were one or two points where I felt a repeated word made it somewhat clunky, however, the piece is very well written and those words were easy to miss unless you're reading it aloud. I will add my suggested corrections in the comments.
    Character: This is where the story really shines for me. The main character is being built up very well, and I'm intrigued by their eventual path to progression, however other characters have a lot of life breathed into them. The monk for example, I get the sense they're going to play a much larger role in this story, and I am almost as interested in their role as I am in that of the MC. I hope the Author continues to develop this character throughout the entirety of this journey.
    Thanks for a great read!
  • JujubeanzRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Is it perfect? No. But it is perfect for me. I do not know when the author will return to this novel but I am happy I gave it a shot despite the Hiatus. The root of this story lies in character development and maturity. There’s a lesson that author encompasses flawlessly about one’s pursuits and finding inner peace and joy as opposed to power. I hope this gets the attention it deserves and inspires the author to return or keep writing.
  • L.E. FrenchRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Style: I truly enjoyed the author's writing style. The story is well-written and has some lines that I read a few times because they were written so nicely. Not every book on this site infuses their story with deep themes and with zinger lines that stick with you. I very much enjoyed the writing style and handling of themes. More setting and worldbuilding would not hurt, but these aspects were still good. I would like to see some deeper three dimensional emotions, especially during the action sequences.
    Story: There is a gradual start with the story, but I don't mind that. I like having the chance to get to know the characters and the tone of the story. Certainly the action sequences are the shining star of the book. The fights are written very well and the swordsmanship is detailed. It made me want to watch Ruroni Kenshin! There seems to be the promise of some very exciting battles ahead and the effort put into these combat scenes will pay off when the time comes.
    Grammar: I did not find many issues. It's a clean read.
    Character: The characters feel fully fleshed out. I really enjoyed reading about their view of honor and seeing the MC be challenged on this. The swordsmanship is such a big part of the book that it also feels like a character. I love when an author can bring such life to a mechanic of the book that it feels like a genuine part of the cast.
    Overall, this is a great read that I highly recommend!
  • Lucian T. EinarRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    *Overall: "Rebirth of The Blade" is a character-focused story that delves into the world of swordsmanship and self-improvement. The slow-paced narrative introduces readers to Inaki, a talented but arrogant swordsman on a quest for redemption. As the story unfolds, themes of honor, progression, and connection with others take center stage, creating an engaging and immersive read.
    *Style: The writing style in "Rebirth of The Blade" has deep themes and impactful lines that resonate with readers. While there's some lack of world-building in the early chapters, the focus on character development and action-packed scenes keeps the story compelling. The descriptive fight sequences and character-driven narrative add depth to the overall storytelling.
    *Story: The story of Inaki's journey from arrogance to self-discovery is a gradual and well-structured progression. The action sequences shine as the protagonist navigates challenges and seeks to reclaim his former glory. The incorporation of samurai culture and swordsmanship techniques adds authenticity to the narrative, drawing readers into a world of honor and redemption. The slow-burn pacing keeps readers engaged as they witness Inaki's growth and emotional struggles.
    *Grammar: While minor grammar issues are noted by some reviewers, the overall readability of the story remains strong. Clean prose and well-executed dialogue contribute to a smooth reading experience, allowing the focus to remain on the characters and their development.
    *Character: The characters in "Rebirth of The Blade" are a standout aspect of the story, with Inaki's complex personality driving the narrative forward. I appreciate the depth and growth of the main characters, particularly in their struggles with honor, self-improvement, and familial dynamics. Supporting characters like Gonten and Takehito add layers to the story, enhancing the overall character interactions and plot progression.
    In conclusion, "Rebirth of The Blade" offers a captivating explo
  • Adrian CassiusRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    I will start with the best parts of the story and move down to the parts that need refinement.
    Characters:
    The characters are focused on the most in Rebirth of the Blade, and it shows.
    The concept of Inaki Tomoka's character is excellent. A talented young man who needs to be more and is constantly berated by a voice in his head he has encouraged into existence. The chip on his shoulder is evident, and I'm very interested to see how his character develops. The possibilities the author has managed to create with Inaki's character's foundation have a lot of potential and are definitely the strongest aspect of the story.
    The side characters, such as Gonten are also well-defined and add interesting dynamics to the story as well as helping the reader understand more about Inaki.
    Also, Takehito is the best character I've seen on RR thus far. As for reasoning... I have no reasoning. It's just facts.
    Story:
    The story compliments the characters well and doesn't really do anything wrong.
    Let's start with the first scene, which is a bit confusing. I would recommend adding an explanation of what it is that Inaki is fighting before it's over so that the reader doesn't get confused right from the start.
    I feel like the stances could be a rich part of the world-building, but they aren't really described much, except for being stamped as either defensive or offensive. Giving the stances short but detailed descriptions and origins in later chapters (possibly including how a stance reflects a fighter's psyche, like is done with Lionstance) could enrich the story a lot.
    The choice of having the second chapter not follow the main character is unconventional, but it was executed well, in my opinion.
    The addition of Inaki's father coming home adds a lot to the plot. It makes the story feel more urgent and sets a lot of expectations.
    Grammar:
    It's generally clear that the author has a good understanding of the English language. However, there are some errors here and there with punctuation
  • One Way JusticeRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    It's a slow-burn start as the author admits, but that was not much of a problem for me; the ambiance set by the duels and the moral codes are enough to paint a strong starting picture, urging you on to the next page. The writing is generally good, with some repetition, though not irksome. Inaki is an interesting character, and his emotional growth certainly promises to be a highlight (come to grips with his reduced state, or do everything in his power to reclaim his past glory). Grammar is clean, no problems there.
  • SlaughterBotRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Overall: Interesting story which is going fully in-depth with the samurai culture in a fantasy world, progression elements build-in as there are metal ranks for swordsmen. Cool to see, interesting system as opposed to standard cultivation or litrpg. I find the character quite rootable though, they are packed with self-loathing so that might cause issues for some. For me it makes me wanna see them do better.
    Style: Written in a fairly easy-to-read style. My favourite element is the descriptions during the fighting ^^
    Story: So far I’ve seen a bit of both of the brothers but mostly focus on Inaki. His goal is to become the bestest sword-dude he can be, which clearly isn’t easy. I have no idea where this is gonna go lol, lots of pressure cuz the scary-dad gets back soon. Very interesting world with this super honour obsessed, sword obsessed samurai culture. The sword fighting reminds me a bit of Wheels of Time with the stances (books not series), which I always thought was one of the cooler elements of the series so I’m excited to see it used here! The nice thing about giving each sword-move a descriptive name means, the author doesn’t have to describe absolutely every move, they can just say, doing -tigermove- and the reader can infer from the name what it’ll look like. It’s a great way of doing fight scenes imo.
    Grammar: I’ve not noticed many issues, overall seems good.
    Character: Wow everyone hates each other lol. I feel bad for the two boys, who hate each other, hate their family, hate themselves. The monk is chill though, I like him. I do actually like both the brothers especially Inaki, just because damn they’ve got a tough life. Like literally anything they do is a mistake, it seems. I’m curious to see how they develop in this pressure-cooker environment.
  • Magius SwiftscaleRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    I did not think the blurb could quite convey the early days of Inaki with the word 'arrogant'
    Oh boy. I was warned. It was right there in the manual.
    Style-wise, the fights and the dialogue are the heart of the story here--worldbuilding seems to be taking a bit of backseat, but that may come later--this is very much a character driven story.
    The story thus far is straightforward--Inaki kills a kid in a dual, is blindingly arrogant, and then allows himself to be goaded into a fight with that kids father who then demands his head. Inaki has a long way to go for the path of betterment, and I love the details to the swords--where the rank literally means, gold is inlaid on it, or platinum even. I want to know more about this feudal system and why 'honor' is so important--or why it gets blatantly ignored by Takal, later.
    Grammar wise, I feel it reads a little...monotone. There doesn't seem to be as many natural breaks in the regular narration as the dialogue, which is a little punchier. It's not tragically flawed, but question marks and exclamation points could go a long way to add further emphasis on speech.
    Characters--Gonten is alright, he's turned the corner with his path to betterment, and I'm glad he realizes he doesn't have to hold himself to others impossible standards. Takahito is a national treasure, he's really chill and wants both these brothers to succeed in their own way--even if he has to teach Inaki through humiliating defeat.
    Here's the hard part for me. I know that this story is about Inaki's betterment, but he hasn't turned that corner with as far as I've read. I just don't quite connect with him He's really flawed, believable, haunted by his nearly non-existent father, but he's got arrogance for miles and doesn't know how to pump the brakes. I'm hoping Takahito can knock some sense into him before he burns every bridge possible (figurative and literal), because he needs to be chill more often, and not worry about honor like it's going out of style.
    Th