Cradle
This is a series that I only became aware of around 2020, after seeing it mentioned in several YouTuber videos, the majority of which praised it and recommended reading it.
Unsouled then popped up in one of the Amazon Kindle monthly deals for 99 pence, so I thought that was the ideal time to try it.
The concept behind the magic system in this series is fascinating, being linked to the spirit of the body. The amount of spirit a person has determines their level, Copper, Iron, Jade, which individuals can advance through as they grow older. However, as with most things, everyone progresses at different rates depending on ability, training and resources. Lindon, unfortunately, has very little in the way of spirit and is classified as unsouled, which more or less dooms him to a life of insignificance unless he can find a way to forge a new life for himself.
An interesting aspect of this story is that it is multi-layered and the further into the books you go the more interesting it gets.
After reading the first book, Amazon had several of the other books in their monthly deals, which I picked up as a group, then the first nine books, in three trilogies were on a daily deal for free, so I grabbed these, however, before I got around to reading the second book in the series, or starting these trilogies there was another daily deal to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Will Wight publishing his first book, this deal saw all of Will's books on offer for free, so i picked up all the remaining individual Cradle books I didn't already have. Therefore, I decided to read the individual books and shelf the trilogies. I also broke one of my rules for reading books, which is to read them in the order I buy them unless I buy them out of order, which I have done accidentally in the past. I was enjoying the series so much that after reading Ghostwater I jumped right to Underlord, which if I had gone in purchase order I wouldn't have got around to for maybe eighteen months.
Unsouled: Cradle: Book 01
Sacred artists follow a thousand Paths to power, using their souls to control the forces of the natural world.
Lindon is Unsouled, forbidden to learn the sacred arts of his clan.
When faced with a looming fate he cannot ignore, he must rise beyond anything he's ever known...and forge his own Path.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
4th April 2021Retail Cost
£7.93Number of Pages
294Year Read
2021Outside Sacred Valley, ancient ruins rise from the earth, drawing sacred artists from miles around to fight for the treasures within.
Lindon has reached Copper, taking the first step on the road to power, but the warriors of the outside world are still far beyond him.
To advance, he turns to the arcane skills of the Soulsmiths, who craft weapons from the stuff of souls. With new powers come new enemies, and Lindon soon finds himself facing an entire sect of Golds.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
2nd July 2022Retail Price
£3.69Number of Pages
310Year Read
2023Blackflame: Cradle: Book 03
Lindon has a year left.
When his time runs out, he’ll have to fight an opponent that no one believes he can beat. Unless he learns sacred arts the right way, from scratch, he won’t have a chance to win…and even then, the odds are against him.
In the course of their training, he and Yerin travel to the Blackflame Empire, where they fight to master an ancient power.
Success means a chance at life, but failure means death.
In the sacred arts, only those who risk the most can travel far.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
2nd July 2022Retail Price
£4.88Number of Pages
370Year Read
2023Skysworn: Cradle: Book 04
With his duel fast approaching, Lindon is locked away in prison.
As a Blackflame, he is too dangerous to remain free. The Skysworn, protectors of the Empire, have imprisoned him to keep him under control until the day of his promised fight arrives.
When it does, he will face Jai Long.
But a new danger approaches the Empire, closer every day. Only the Skysworn stand between the people of the land and total annihilation.
And Lindon may be forced to join them.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
2nd July 2022Retail Price
£4.62Number of Pages
292Year Read
2023Ghostwater: Cradle: Book 05
Long ago, the Monarch Northstrider created a world of his own.
This world, known as Ghostwater, housed some of his most valuable experiments. Now, it has been damaged by the attack of the Bleeding Phoenix, and a team of Skysworn have been sent to recover whatever they can from the dying world.
Now, Lindon must brave the depths of this new dimension, scavenging treasures and pushing his skills to new heights to compete with new enemies.
Because Ghostwater is not as empty as it seems.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
2nd July 2022Retail Price
£4.62Number of Pages
312Year Read
2023Cradle, Foundation: Cradle Collection: Book 01
***This volume contains the first three novels in the Cradle series: Unsouled, Soulsmith, and Blackflame, all of which are available separately.***
Sacred artists follow a thousand Paths to power, using their souls to control the forces of the natural world.
Lindon is Unsouled, forbidden to learn the sacred arts of his clan.
When faced with a looming fate he cannot ignore, he must rise beyond anything he's ever known...and forge his own Path.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
30th July 2022Retail Cost
£8.17Number of Pages
1004Year Read
UnreadCradle, Path of Gold: Cradle Collection: Book 02
***This volume contains books four, five, and six in the Cradle series: Skysworn, Ghostwater, and Underlord, all of which are available separately.***
With his duel fast approaching, Lindon is locked away in prison.
As a Blackflame, he is too dangerous to remain free. The Skysworn, protectors of the Empire, have imprisoned him to keep him under control until the day of his promised fight arrives.
When it does, he will face Jai Long.
But a new danger approaches the Empire, closer every day. Only the Skysworn stand between the people of the land and total annihilation.
And Lindon may be forced to join them.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
30th July 2022Retail Cost
£8.33Number of Pages
1005Year Read
UnreadCradle, Rise of Lords: Cradle Collection: Book 03
***This volume contains books seven, eight and nine in the Cradle series: Uncrowned, Wintersteel, and Bloodline, all of which are available separately.***
Emriss Silentborn, Memory of the World.
Tiberian Arelius, the fallen Patriarch.
Akura Malice, Queen of Shadows.
Seshethkunaaz, King of Dragons.
Reigan Shen, Emperor of Lions.
Luminous Queen Sha Miara.
The Eight-Man Empire.
Northstrider.
The Monarchs, the most powerful sacred artists on Cradle, rule with unquestioned authority. They are mysterious and distant, and catching a glimpse of one is privilege enough for a lifetime.
Now, they have all gathered in one place, bringing their heirs and greatest students together for a competition to determine whose successor is the best in the world:
The Uncrowned King tournament.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
30th July 2022Retail Cost
£8.33Number of Pages
1301Year Read
UnreadUnderlord: Cradle: Book 06
A tournament approaches.
All around the world, great clans and sects prepare their disciples to fight against one another in a competition of young Underlords. Even the Blackflame Empire is drawn in, but their youth are not strong enough to compete.
Yet.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
31st May 2023Retail Price
£14.12Number of Pages
348Year Read
2023Uncrowned: Cradle: Book 07
Emriss Silentborn, Memory of the World.
Tiberian Arelius, the fallen Patriarch.
Akura Malice, Queen of Shadows.
Seshethkunaaz, King of Dragons.
Reigan Shen, Emperor of Lions.
Luminous Queen Sha Miara.
The Eight-Man Empire.
Northstrider.
The Monarchs, the most powerful sacred artists on Cradle, rule with unquestioned authority. They are mysterious and distant, and catching a glimpse of one is privilege enough for a lifetime.
Now, they have all gathered in one place, bringing their heirs and greatest students together for a competition to determine whose successor is the best in the world:
The Uncrowned King tournament.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
31st May 2023Retail Price
£12.55Number of Pages
338Year Read
2023Wintersteel: Cradle: Book 08
As the Uncrowned King tournament reaches its final rounds, tensions between the competing factions are higher than ever. The outcome may determine the power balance throughout the rest of the world.
Each Monarch schemes to seize any advantage they can...while far away, a Dreadgod stirs.
When the tournament ends, the Dreadgod will rise. Whether it will be driven back into the sea or allowed to rampage depends on the Monarchs.
And on which of them is left standing.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
31st May 2023Retail Price
£14.22Number of Pages
522Year Read
2023Bloodline: Cradle: Book 09
It’s time to go back home.
In the years since Lindon left Sacred Valley, he has attained power beyond anything his family thought possible. Now he’ll have to put those powers to the test, because a Dreadgod is on its way.
Lindon and his allies set out to evacuate the valley before the arrival of the Wandering Titan, but their sacred arts are weakened by an ancient curse. They’ll have to persuade the squabbling inhabitants of Sacred Valley to leave behind their home and set off into the outside world.
But it has been a long time since Lindon left, and more has changed than he realized.
He has always sought power to save his family…but now he might be too late.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
31st May 2023Retail Price
£14.25Number of Pages
378Year Read
2023Reaper: Cradle: Book 10
Sacred Valley has been saved…at least, what’s left of it.
With his home finally secure, Lindon delves deep into the ancient labyrinth, seeking long-lost Soulsmithing knowledge and the secret to destroying the Dreadgods. Monarchs plot against him and against each other, unaware of the threats gathering in realms beyond.
Far above Lindon and the Monarchs and the Dreadgods, another war is waged. Suriel and the Abidan clash against the Mad King and his forces in a battle for the fate of many worlds.
And if it is lost, Cradle will be destroyed.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
31st May 2023Retail Price
£15.93Number of Pages
442Year Read
2023Dreadgod: Cradle: Book 11
The battle in the heavens has left a target on Lindon’s back.
His most reliable ally is gone, the Monarchs see him as a threat, and he has inherited one of the most valuable facilities in the world. At any moment, his enemies could band together to kill him.
If it weren’t for the Dreadgods.
All four are empowered and unleashed, rampaging through Cradle, and grudges old and new must be set aside. The Monarchs need every capable fighter to help them defend their territory.
And Lindon needs time.
While he fights, he sends his friends off to train. They’ll need to advance impossibly fast if they want to join him in battle against the kings and queens of Cradle.
Together, they will need power enough to rival a Dreadgod.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
31st May 2023Retail Price
£15.30Number of Pages
504Year Read
2023Waybound: Cradle: Book 12
The final book in the Cradle series!
Years ago, Lindon left his home as a powerless Unsouled. Now, he goes to war with the most powerful beings in the world over the future of Cradle itself.
The Weeping Dragon has a grudge to settle, and Lindon intends to take out the Dreadgod with his friends by his side. But rival Monarchs know his plans, and they won’t let things end so easily.
If Lindon does win, he will ascend to the heavens. But he may not find a safe haven there either.
In the worlds above, Suriel and Ozriel face off against the Mad King to determine the new shape of the cosmos. The victor will decide the fate of countless universes.
Whether he wins or dies, Lindon will soon leave this life behind.
The time has come to say goodbye to Cradle.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
11th October 2023Retail Price
£17.99Number of Pages
518Year Read
2023