Bizarre Fate: An Urban Crime Xianxia (Stand Cultivation)

It's fresh. Now no idea is truly hundred percent unique, but what I mean by when I say fresh is more the approach the novel takes, the approach in world building, and the overall fun factor--- makes it for a very enjoyable experience that stands out from the rest. If you're a binge reader, this is one novel that's gonna stay with you and you'll definitely want more chapters. 

Binge read it, that I did. It was good enough to pull me in, and not let me even have a decent meal between the chapters. Also, it's 2 AM where I live now. I would be writing this review even later, but I finished reading already.

I feel like it ended in the right place. A lot of people would go and try milking their fictions until nothing is left to write, but the way this ended was nice, didn't feel like a cliffhanger, yet gave the writer a way to easily start a sequel, if they so desired.

Honestly this is an amazing story. It's engaging, well written and has a unique take on the usual cultivation tropes. The different aspects of the story all work together to create a really amazing story with heaps of potential, whether that be the family situation of Luca, the gangs which he's involved in, or even his gambling and cultivation itself, all of these different details work together to build this fantastic story. I can't wait for more

So far I have really enjoyed this series. I like that the characters feel real and relatable. MC is a uneducated street kid who really doesn't have anything going for him. All he has is his luck and family. The cultivation system is pretty seemlessly used in the story. Some people are lucky to be born with a gift that they can grow. The poor are kept on a leash by giving them crumbs to grow their power. People who are extra strong, shoot fire, very fast, are the norm. The idea of gang bangers and thugs who can tear up a city block is really powerful. I really want to see how MC's  luck power will grow and where his journey leads. There is that epic universe shaking power potential hinted by their being people who end up god level, and I'm excited for it. I feel the slums and even this planet is just the tip of the iceberg. I want to see MC stumbling his way to be a top tier power and potentially leading humanity. I have read plenty of wuxia, LitRPG, Western Fantasy. And I have not seen a story like this with a magic system like the one in this world. My fingers are crossed that this series can keep its momentum and there will be a satisfying ending to this story. 

Style

It's decently written, I suppose. The author isn't heavy handed with the exposition -- only writing details relevant to the scene at hand -- but is often repetitive with what he tells us. It's burned into my brain now that the sects only care about certain districts since it's said every other chapter (sometimes multiple times).

Story

I'm really digging the concept. So far the 'cultivation' aspect hasn't come into play besides talking about Soul Seeds and various daos, however, the author's done a good job of showing us the abilities of more advanced/talented cultivators than the MC, so good job.

So while the cultivation aspects are rather lacking, the MC's relationship with the Brass King and the things he's forced to get into (or gets himself into) is going forward rather well. There's always a moment where something is happening, regardless of whether I like what's happening or not.

Grammer

One of Bizarre Fate's weakpoints. There are some sentences that just sound rather clunky and various errors here and there. Nothing too immersion breaking (especially for my standards) but it's definitely noticeable.

Character

Probably my least favorite part. I don't really mind any other character besides the MC and Eve.

Reading the MC is like having that one...friend, I guess? in your life that just can't seem to wrap his head around good advice. He knows that doing certain things is stupid or that he should back off but then his pride gets in the way and ruins everything. For once I don't think plot armor would be a bad thing. This story does a really good job of portraying a dumb teenager who doesn't wanna listen to people who know better than him, though. Kudos to that.

And then Eve. Eve's just a prick. Don't be like Eve.

Overall

It's a decent read. While the MC is kind of annoying, I'm looking forward to when finally decks him so hard common sense is knocked loose. I recommend if you're in the mood for a (very) light cultivation story, a deliquent cast of characters, and a loveable musclehead.

Cheers!

I've read the ARC copy of the story.

OVERALL

It's been a long time since I've really seen any innovation in the Xianxia genre. Sure, there are lots of stories that bastardize it and create something they call Xianxia, but I often find most of those authors do not even read Xianxia. This story changes what I define Xianxia as and pushes the envelope forward. I'm very glad to have him as part of my critique group

CHARACTERS

Zach Skye has well defined characters, each with their own motivations, interesting backstories, and internal conflicts. Over the story we see them change. One of my favorite executions in a story is a character mastering their powers further as they overcome the internal struggles they're facing.

STORY

Zach Skye manages his story's conflict well, building up to a conclusion that I think will satisfy all readers.

GRAMMAR

Zach is extremely meticilous in finding errors in his work, posting it through corrections and soliciting feedback. He loves it when readers point out errors so he can fix them.

STYLE

I think Zach is in the top 5% if not the top 1% for prose on RRL. Mans crazy talented and I cant wait to read more. I hope everyone enjoys as much as I do

A very nice reinterpretation of the genre. Interesting characters so far, a fun world building, nice fights with powers aplenty. Who'd ever thought of mafia cultivators? Amazing, for real. Give it a try!

I am very excited to see what comes next in the tale of Luca, the Immortal of Gambling!

This was a blast. I came back here to reread it. It didn't overstay its welcome & ended well enough to read it again. That's just my opinion though.

I am The Willingly Ignant, & even I must meet the 50 word requirement to post this, as will you dear future reader after enjoying this.

All seriousness, I'm reading this like it's playing in a GTO Onizuka style animation, & I'm lovin it. Da duh da da da~ McDonald's jingle

This looks like is going to be an interesting story/ concept. Looking forward to reading more.  I have read one other of this author's books and I thoroughly enjoyed it.   I am hoping this one will be as good as his other. I am glad I found this authors writings. 

A pretty cool concept, something new! I like the introduction so much! It's nice for a xianxia story to have subtle characterizations of the mc. I can appreciate some of the thematic references made so far. 

There you go! That is my disorganized thought blurb about the novel. I rec you give it a read!