Sword and Snow

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

A cross between a Cultivation epic and a slow-moving slice-of-life story about a close-knit family. Despite her absolutely hellish childhood, Emery has found not only her way in life, but her mission. Together with her wife Avuri, they aim to save and shelter others that went through their own hells. In the almost twenty years since they've undertaken their task, they have gathered a family of misfits that they would both would risk everything to protect. Of course, since there's not always trouble around every corner, and life isn't always so epic. Sometimes they just need to get through cooking dinner. You can expect to see: + A Cultivation-based setting + Cozy Slice-of-Life of A Large Found Family + Cultivation-Styled Progression + Adult Romance and Married Life + A Large Cast of Characters

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2024
Author: Veri Merri

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.8/ 5.0
Followers: 1,064
Views: 424,642

What readers say about Sword and Snow

“Cultivation stories often forget that power progression means nothing without people worth fighting for. Sword and Snow remembers. What hooked me isn't the dragon bonds or the political intrigue (though both are solid)—it's the parenting. Watching two mothe…”
D. BOHICARoyal Road5.0 / 5
“I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. Although I was was initially put off by the two timelines its ended up being a great addition to the story as it helps it maintain the heartwarming found family feel to it while also providing chance…”
TomBonezzzRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

D. BOHICARoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Cultivation stories often forget that power progression means nothing without people worth fighting for. Sword and Snow remembers.
What hooked me isn't the dragon bonds or the political intrigue (though both are solid)—it's the parenting. Watching two mothers navigate how to train their children without pushing them too hard, using an ice ball to demonstrate Core formation flaws to a seven-year-old, holding Cierra at peak Core Formation because rules should apply to everyone—this is the kind of grounded worldbuilding that makes fantasy feel lived-in.
The cultivation system is clear without being dry. The family dynamics are warm without being saccharine. The political tensions with Bouquet create real stakes without overwhelming the slice-of-life heart.
Minor notes: Some political discussions run long with multiple characters weighing in, and Cierra's internal conflict about indecisiveness circles the same ground a few times before her ceremony. Tightening those would sharpen the pacing.
But when a story makes me genuinely invested in whether a kid's Core is properly consolidated? That's craft.
"I promise, Stena. We'll get you there. Wherever 'there' is for you."
That's the whole story in one line.
TomBonezzzRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel.
Although I was was initially put off by the two timelines its ended up being a great addition to the story as it helps it maintain the heartwarming found family feel to it while also providing chances for character growth and exploration of the cultivation system. The character writing is great and i absolutely love seeing their relation in the present day, as well as how it developed in the past.
Since cultivation as a genre is inherently rather dark and brutal, it can be difficult to have levity in a story while treating the terrible situations that occur with the gravity that they deserve, yet this story does it wonderfully.
i typically read translated Xianxia cultivation novels which I will be the first to say are all completely derivative of each other, which is why this is such a breath of fresh air to me.
also cultivation novels with female characters that have personality are practically mythical so another plus.
first time reviewing but yeah. Read it
VeskoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I honestly don't remember why I started this story since I usually wait for ones with a longer backlog (don't want to run out fast).
It's a charming story. A lot of day to day happenings. It looks at a cultivation world from a slightly new perspective. Most of the main characters from the story are survivors of ... (no spoiler) and I've never thought about what happens to people like this in cultivation stories before.
The story is engaging. There is quire a bit of worldbuilding and we get to look at the background and reasoning of a lot of the characters.
No harem or haughty young masters so far. There is a bit of going back in time to tell how some things happened but it's been done pretty well.
There's even POV changes that actually make the whole thing really interesting since the main characters are a pair! It's not the stereotypical MC and their wife/husband who we don't know how they feel or why all the time.
Definitely recommend.
aldreilengurRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story balances what it has very well. One part cozy one part combats, it still manages to keep cultivation so well included. And most importantly, for me, it keeps me in the character's corners, cheering for them wholeheartedly. Also, I love the focus on family that it maintains.
Style: The setting and the events all work great, with the only downside (for me personally) being that it sometimes swaps back and forth between the present and the past. This wouldn't be an issue--I absolutely LOVE both settings here--but sometimes it happens mid-combat. NOT ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER!!!! But this is a small complaint, because it does usually make sense when this does happen, for some reason or another.
Grammar: Some small issues here and there, but nothing that really detracts from my reading experience. All in all, it flows really well, and never devolves into the absolute confusion that some stories do (for grammatical reasons--not story reasons! Although there's been no story-based confusion either...).
Story: Probably the highlight for me on this particular read. I absolutely LOVE the ideas that are presented for us, and the carry-through of those ideas. I have some nerves about future events, but that's not on the story, as much as the fact that I just want all the characters in the family, and their friends, to be happy in the end!
Character: Another highlight for me. I absolutely adore the main characters and their family. Character interactions make sense, beyond that, and decisions that are made also make sense. This is especially impressive, when you realize at what stages of their lives we see the characters.
Lucian T. EinarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Title: A Tale of Cultivation and Family
Overall:
"Sword and Snow" by Veri Merri is a compelling cultivation meets slice-of-life novel that skillfully weaves together elements of family dynamics and sect development. The story follows Emery, who has dedicated her life to protecting and nurturing children who have faced dark pasts. The narrative expertly balances the daily life of the characters with their cultivation journey.
Style:
Veri Merri's writing style in "Sword and Snow" is clean and balanced, allowing the plot to unfold naturally. The descriptions are vivid, immersing readers in the world of cultivation and family life. The author skillfully integrates action-packed scenes with moments of quiet reflection, creating a well-rounded narrative that keeps readers engaged.
Story:
The story in "Sword and Snow" revolves around Emery's mission to save and shelter children who have endured traumatic experiences. The cultivation elements add depth to the narrative, showcasing Emery's dedication to training the children and protecting them from harm. The plot cleverly combines elements of action, drama, and romance, creating a captivating tale of resilience and hope.
Grammar:
The grammar in "Sword and Snow" is impeccable, with well-structured sentences and clear communication of ideas. The author maintains a consistent tone throughout the story, ensuring a smooth reading experience for the audience. The dialogue is authentic, capturing the unique voices of each character.
Character:
The characters in "Sword and Snow" are well-developed and relatable, each with their own struggles and strengths. Emery's determination and compassion shine through, making her a compelling protagonist. The interactions between the characters feel genuine and heartfelt, adding depth to the story. Overall, the characters are the heart of the narrative, driving the plot forward with their emotions and decisions.
MirpletRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
First and foremost, this story does what it sets out to do. It's a cultivation slice of life.
I can tell you have put a lot of thought, love, and effort into this story. From the very first chapter to the latest I can feel the effort of your work. You are creating something very nice here.
There is the slice-of-life part with the growing sect and family. The interactions between characters feel right, and natural not something rushed. For things like these is the small stuff that counts.
Another thing I enjoy is the pacing of the story, along with your descriptions. The pacing of switching back an forth to offer a balance of slice of life and some action cultivation is very nice. With that, your descriptions are also nice and presented in a way that doesn't disturb the flow of the story.
The action is also great, and I like how you are integrating the past with the future and showing just how some things came to be.
Overall, it is great. I myself have read some cultivation stories, and it is always the mc trying to half hazardly throw a sect together or just empower certain characters. Here however, I do like that it feels the people care for each other and are actually trying to build a place to live.
Keep doing what you are doing because you are doing it great!
Raj Ch, AuthorRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
While I found this piece to be a decent read, it didn't quite capture my heart. The story tackled the slice-of-life aspect adequately, but its structure felt somewhat abrupt, leading to occasional disorientation. Additionally, I believe certain scenes, especially the initial encounter with the wife, could benefit from further elaboration to enhance the narrative depth.
The author's explanation of powers was commendable, although at times it felt slightly forced and could have been integrated more seamlessly into the storyline. However, this didn't pose a significant issue, considering similar challenges encountered in popular cultivation novels.
The weakest aspect, in my opinion, was the grammar. There were instances of misplaced or missing commas, as well as hyphenation errors, detracting from the overall readability. Additionally, some sentences felt unnecessarily wordy, and concise phrasing could have improved clarity and flow.
HeratixRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Nice and cozy read with slight confusion as it switches between past and present.
While the story isn't quite as amazing or consuming as some others; it is a plesant experience with a fresh take on the cultivation genre.
The only real flaw is the slight confusion when it switches timelines. I have seen the occasional comment with minor corrections, but haven't seen any in the text myself.
morphiwritesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Overall - This story is a cultivation meets slice of life novel that is very well done with an engaging plot and characters.
Slice of life elements that involve the development of a sect and family dynamics that are well written and compelling. The characters feel genuine and realistic and the descriptions are clear. The writing is clean and balanced with a natural flow.
Enjoying the story, keep up the good work!
PavvaRoyal Road
★★★★ 3.5
Style (2/5):
The choice to alternate between past and present feels unnecessary and adds confusion without much payoff. A chronological approach would likely make the story flow better. On top of that, the first-person perspective switches between multiple characters who don’t have distinct voices / thinking styles. It’s hard to tell who’s narrating at times until the character is directly addressed.
Characters (3.5/5):
The characters seem different based their backstories / described personalities, but they come across as too similar in actual personality and tone. Without the unique traits to make them stand out, it gets quite difficult to differentiate many of them after a while.
Story (3.5/5):
The overall plot is enjoyable and the world seems well thought out, but a lot of the storylines drag on too long. When they do finally reach their resolution, the payoff often feels anticlimactic.
Grammar (4.5/5):
The writing is mostly clean, with only a few minor errors.
Overall (3.5/5):
It’s tough to give this a low rating because there are parts of the story I genuinely enjoyed. Unfortunately, the issues with the structure, characters, and pacing weigh it down too much to overlook. If these areas were tightened up, this could be a much more compelling read.