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Fates Parallel #1
Fates Parallel Vol. 1: A Xianxia/Wuxia Inspired Cultivation Academy Series
It's easy to wager everything when you have nothing to lose.
It's a hard life for a young mortal girl, living on the streets. After Lee Jia narrowly escapes a fate worse than death, her last ditch effort to flee her pursuers and survive the winter finds her accidentally enrolled in a brand new academy for immortals. Now faced with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Lee Jia will have to survive a violent roommate, arrogant young masters, and—worst of all—social hierarchies in order to carve out a place for herself in the world of magic, martial arts, and cultivation.
Join Lee Jia in a progression fantasy adventure about friendship, self-discovery, personal growth, and of course magical martial arts!
It's a hard life for a young mortal girl, living on the streets. After Lee Jia narrowly escapes a fate worse than death, her last ditch effort to flee her pursuers and survive the winter finds her accidentally enrolled in a brand new academy for immortals. Now faced with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Lee Jia will have to survive a violent roommate, arrogant young masters, and—worst of all—social hierarchies in order to carve out a place for herself in the world of magic, martial arts, and cultivation.
Join Lee Jia in a progression fantasy adventure about friendship, self-discovery, personal growth, and of course magical martial arts!
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2021
217 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 7, 2022
My favourite Xanxia
It's good, like really, really good. I've read a lot of terrible Xanxia so trust me when I say that this is a brilliant gem that stands head and shoulders above the competition.
It's not a shallow power fantasy though, which is probably why you've never heard of it. DT had instead opted to create real characters with depth and feelings.
I love it, and you will too.
It's good, like really, really good. I've read a lot of terrible Xanxia so trust me when I say that this is a brilliant gem that stands head and shoulders above the competition.
It's not a shallow power fantasy though, which is probably why you've never heard of it. DT had instead opted to create real characters with depth and feelings.
I love it, and you will too.
November 29, 2022
My first cultivation story, good beginning.
Loved the characters 👍🏻
Loved the characters 👍🏻
December 19, 2021
Needs a stronger central conflict. There's no real tension for too long after she arrives at the academy.
April 13, 2023
While this is a fun novel that is interesting as it feels like a Wuxia novel but at the start of it. Back before cultivation has a long history of how best to do it, this book feels like not quite the start but the 'start' of what cultivation becomes. All the books one normally reads of Wuxia it's about how there are long forgotten empires and ancient tombs, mystic realms and people who discovered how to cultivate. This feels more like before all that, when people are learning the ins and out of cultivation and combining different aspects of it..
It's more of a slice of life story line at least in this one which isn't bad and has a cast of likable characters.
However this book is more of a YA novel. The main characters make a choice as teenagers the MC is around 14-15 so it make sense to do something that can affect her for life, not wanting to spoil so being vague, Something that if one thing goes wrong will stop her from ever being able to grow more powerful.
It's basically like she took a item that makes it so she can only grow stronger with that item if she ever loses it, she can't grow stronger and if the item ever breaks, she's done growing for good. Yet at 14 she decides to bind herself to it for good. For young readers that might be sweet or fun, for a adult it's ridiculously stupid that she'd take such a risk with her growth..
She's a orphan thief who has nothing to her name and has to scramble for every little thing yet she risks her one shot to make something of herself and become stronger by taking a short cut to power by binding herself to a item rather than doing it all on her own making steady progress that is still faster than all the other students. Progress that no one could take away from her but now she's made a weakness for herself..
It's the premises for the whole books but honestly that ruined it for me. I think these books would been FAR more interesting just to focus on the friendships she has, her growth in learning to combine different 'cultivation' to make the 'true' cultivation and see what it brings out.
To have her go fight magical beasts, gain rewards and items, grow stronger on her own, discover more things and perhaps do something like become a noble house and start her own house. Just some main goal beyond growth. THAT would have been a great book.
Instead if focuses on her always at risk if her bound 'item' breaks or loses it, and her personality and thoughts morphing because of the item. Losing who she is due to the item's influence. Honestly this book is basically a 'pro' co-dependent relationship book. Trying to make co-dependency look like a good thing and more powerful rather than a serious mental health issue.
It's more of a slice of life story line at least in this one which isn't bad and has a cast of likable characters.
However this book is more of a YA novel. The main characters make a choice as teenagers the MC is around 14-15 so it make sense to do something that can affect her for life, not wanting to spoil so being vague, Something that if one thing goes wrong will stop her from ever being able to grow more powerful.
It's basically like she took a item that makes it so she can only grow stronger with that item if she ever loses it, she can't grow stronger and if the item ever breaks, she's done growing for good. Yet at 14 she decides to bind herself to it for good. For young readers that might be sweet or fun, for a adult it's ridiculously stupid that she'd take such a risk with her growth..
She's a orphan thief who has nothing to her name and has to scramble for every little thing yet she risks her one shot to make something of herself and become stronger by taking a short cut to power by binding herself to a item rather than doing it all on her own making steady progress that is still faster than all the other students. Progress that no one could take away from her but now she's made a weakness for herself..
It's the premises for the whole books but honestly that ruined it for me. I think these books would been FAR more interesting just to focus on the friendships she has, her growth in learning to combine different 'cultivation' to make the 'true' cultivation and see what it brings out.
To have her go fight magical beasts, gain rewards and items, grow stronger on her own, discover more things and perhaps do something like become a noble house and start her own house. Just some main goal beyond growth. THAT would have been a great book.
Instead if focuses on her always at risk if her bound 'item' breaks or loses it, and her personality and thoughts morphing because of the item. Losing who she is due to the item's influence. Honestly this book is basically a 'pro' co-dependent relationship book. Trying to make co-dependency look like a good thing and more powerful rather than a serious mental health issue.
April 23, 2024
Very addictive writing style!
I enjoyed Jia as the main character well enough. She has somewhat typical main character OPness, but part of it is because she's a blank slate for the 3 types of magic that are being combined at the school, instead of already leaning on one, and part of it seems to be the dual cultivation stuff, which seems like it could have serious (negative) consequences down the line, so I'm still pretty intrigued.
I also wonder if we'll ever learn more about her backstory with the gang boss Jia? It's implied to be bad, but unclear what exactly she had to do while there. Eui's whole thing where she is a potential-demon/future ticking time bomb while bonded with Jia immediately made their relationship more interesting, and looking forward to how that gets resolved (if it does).
The setups for the next book seem super interesting! Eui's past crush/the (indirect? direct?) reason she got exiled returns, the guy who Jia stole from returns, and people seeking revenge on those who killed the Yan scion, which wasn't Jia but she was in the same room, all seem like great plot hooks.
My only mild complaints were that some of the descriptions of the various magic/cultivation systems could get kind of tedious, and Jia (and Eui) made friends remarkably quickly with very few speedbumps (though they were fairly well justified).
I enjoyed the friends/side characters that were part of the story, and look forward to them getting fleshed out a little more in future books.
I enjoyed Jia as the main character well enough. She has somewhat typical main character OPness, but part of it is because she's a blank slate for the 3 types of magic that are being combined at the school, instead of already leaning on one, and part of it seems to be the dual cultivation stuff, which seems like it could have serious (negative) consequences down the line, so I'm still pretty intrigued.
I also wonder if we'll ever learn more about her backstory with the gang boss Jia? It's implied to be bad, but unclear what exactly she had to do while there. Eui's whole thing where she is a potential-demon/future ticking time bomb while bonded with Jia immediately made their relationship more interesting, and looking forward to how that gets resolved (if it does).
The setups for the next book seem super interesting! Eui's past crush/the (indirect? direct?) reason she got exiled returns, the guy who Jia stole from returns, and people seeking revenge on those who killed the Yan scion, which wasn't Jia but she was in the same room, all seem like great plot hooks.
My only mild complaints were that some of the descriptions of the various magic/cultivation systems could get kind of tedious, and Jia (and Eui) made friends remarkably quickly with very few speedbumps (though they were fairly well justified).
I enjoyed the friends/side characters that were part of the story, and look forward to them getting fleshed out a little more in future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2021
Great read!
I have read quite a few of the cultivation styled stories and after reading enough of any genre you start to see common traits or aspects of the genre that persist from one story to another. In that regard it can be hard to find stories that put a unique spin on the formula. I enjoyed reading this story specifically because it found interesting and fun ways to differ from the other stories out there. I found the characters to be very believable as well as easy to sympathize with. The progression of the story and development of thr characters felt natural and enjoyable to watch.. One of my favorite stories in the genre hands down.
I have read quite a few of the cultivation styled stories and after reading enough of any genre you start to see common traits or aspects of the genre that persist from one story to another. In that regard it can be hard to find stories that put a unique spin on the formula. I enjoyed reading this story specifically because it found interesting and fun ways to differ from the other stories out there. I found the characters to be very believable as well as easy to sympathize with. The progression of the story and development of thr characters felt natural and enjoyable to watch.. One of my favorite stories in the genre hands down.
December 11, 2021
Nice balance
An enjoyable book that illustrates much of what makes wuxia novels so enjoyable and a great cast of characters. The two main characters are great together, sweet and funny, and serious cultivators. I like how Jia is a total outsider to the mysterious world of immortals, but she’s smart and talented and describes what’s happening to her so that the reader can understand. More antagonists of varying levels of threat would be nice. I’d like the story to be more ruthless and brutal, but it’s still a fun light novel and I hope there are more volumes to come.
An enjoyable book that illustrates much of what makes wuxia novels so enjoyable and a great cast of characters. The two main characters are great together, sweet and funny, and serious cultivators. I like how Jia is a total outsider to the mysterious world of immortals, but she’s smart and talented and describes what’s happening to her so that the reader can understand. More antagonists of varying levels of threat would be nice. I’d like the story to be more ruthless and brutal, but it’s still a fun light novel and I hope there are more volumes to come.
January 9, 2022
I enjoyed this first book.
Story includes basic wuxia cultivation in a pretty fun school environment. The characters are fine and the MC is pretty refreshing.
However, nothing is really new for this story and it doesn’t really kick off until the last 15% or so. From there I immediately jumped into the work posted on RoyalRoad and unfortunately it doesn’t get any better. All the main tropes of wuxia are still there and if you’re looking for more of the same, this is it.
Story includes basic wuxia cultivation in a pretty fun school environment. The characters are fine and the MC is pretty refreshing.
However, nothing is really new for this story and it doesn’t really kick off until the last 15% or so. From there I immediately jumped into the work posted on RoyalRoad and unfortunately it doesn’t get any better. All the main tropes of wuxia are still there and if you’re looking for more of the same, this is it.
April 9, 2022
...it does get a lot better.
The first "act" of the book is very boring. And you can really tell the quality of the authors writting gets better as it goes along I will say.
"So why is this a 5 star review" one might ask?
Because once it picks up it really does pick up. It also contrasts and adds to the punch of the climax. In a way I didn't know I wanted.
Don't put it down. Keep going.
Overall I'd say a really good first book.
The first "act" of the book is very boring. And you can really tell the quality of the authors writting gets better as it goes along I will say.
"So why is this a 5 star review" one might ask?
Because once it picks up it really does pick up. It also contrasts and adds to the punch of the climax. In a way I didn't know I wanted.
Don't put it down. Keep going.
Overall I'd say a really good first book.
June 24, 2023
different
Jia has barely survived poverty and hardship , she gets a chance to join an elite group from several nations who are young cultivators , she is one of those rare talents that either dies young or changes the world , her fellow cultivator Eui who she has ended up bonded with is a dark soul who attracts trouble and could be the downfall of them both , really interesting story about cultivation , fate and determination.
Jia has barely survived poverty and hardship , she gets a chance to join an elite group from several nations who are young cultivators , she is one of those rare talents that either dies young or changes the world , her fellow cultivator Eui who she has ended up bonded with is a dark soul who attracts trouble and could be the downfall of them both , really interesting story about cultivation , fate and determination.
September 30, 2023
Great Read
This was a very entertaining read, overall, with a very likable main character, and a secondary character that acted as a very good foil for her. The cultivation methods that were separated into three were very interesting, any of the end of the story, a wider world was hinted at that should be very interesting. Overall, I think I would highly recommend this to anyone, thinking of giving it a try.
This was a very entertaining read, overall, with a very likable main character, and a secondary character that acted as a very good foil for her. The cultivation methods that were separated into three were very interesting, any of the end of the story, a wider world was hinted at that should be very interesting. Overall, I think I would highly recommend this to anyone, thinking of giving it a try.
April 10, 2024
Eh....
So I liked a lot of this book and it has some interesting plot points... However An apparently lying to Jia even though they have this shared... Connection feels like it just invalidate all the closeness and other stuff they went through, especially with their shared memories and thoughts. Why make their shared minds a plot point of you're also going to make one of them hiding something a plot point... Seems very counterintuitive
So I liked a lot of this book and it has some interesting plot points... However An apparently lying to Jia even though they have this shared... Connection feels like it just invalidate all the closeness and other stuff they went through, especially with their shared memories and thoughts. Why make their shared minds a plot point of you're also going to make one of them hiding something a plot point... Seems very counterintuitive
September 29, 2023
DNF not because it was a badly written book. However it lacks any sort of real conflict and the relationships feels pretty shallow and the plot is honestly boring me to tears. Imagine Xianxia but before everything about cultivation was figured out. The writing feels lazy and very little thought seems to have gone into the power system as it's all very basic.
October 20, 2023
Interesting! The opening is a bit awkward, but once it gets rolling it's quite fun. One thing I like is that the main characters move past the typical "awkward commoners everyone shuns" pretty quickly and the protag starts to build a group of people who trust and support her. Too rare.
Will pick up the next for sure.
Will pick up the next for sure.
October 31, 2021
Good start, but fell a bit flat on the end. Way too much cast got introduced
November 30, 2021
5 stars
Wonderful new series. I enjoyed how the author wove 3 different magic systems into the story. I am definitely reading book 2
Wonderful new series. I enjoyed how the author wove 3 different magic systems into the story. I am definitely reading book 2
June 12, 2022
The author's first book... wow! Interesting characters, a fairer version of a cultivation world than is often portrayed, and a magic system that is wonderfully complex but synergistic. I'm loving it.
September 20, 2022
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
June 17, 2023
Good read
Good read story is very compelling and well thought out and written the characters are most vivid and relatable all in all a fine story
Good read story is very compelling and well thought out and written the characters are most vivid and relatable all in all a fine story
April 8, 2025
Very good
It's a very good story with interesting characters and challenges. I'm looking forward to reading more of the adventures of the characters.
It's a very good story with interesting characters and challenges. I'm looking forward to reading more of the adventures of the characters.
October 28, 2021
This isn't my first Xianxia. Nor my first cultivation story. But it was the first one I've read that was so... so moe. It's cute. I can hear the foreign language giggles, see the exaggerated flushed cheeks and the emotive lines emanating from characters. Catgirls, combat, and cultivation, styled to be as anime as possible.
In most of these stories, the masters are corrupt, most students are out to get the main character, and they have to overcome a world that hates them. This series promises that, but... underdelivers. Most characters are friendly either from the offset or eventually, and it is those friendly relationships that hold my interest. I did not regret the low quantity of arrogant young masters.
The cultivation system was complex yet simple, and appealed to me as a software guy. Everything fits logically, but there's a lot that goes into it. The cultivation is woven into the setting and main characters in a way that justifies their rapid progression, in a way I've not seen before. I get the feeling that our main characters are being pushed into the unknown boundaries of cultivation... rather than just happening to make breakthroughs because they're so 'cool.'
Not much else to say. Cute slice-of-life cultivation tale, solid, very anime, written decently. I do wish the author wasn't allergic to dialogue tags. You also won't find a ton of 'realistic characters' here, everyone is unique but exaggerated to accentuate their personality in a way somewhere between fun and overdone. For what it tries to be, though, Fates Parallel is a decent 4.5/5.
In most of these stories, the masters are corrupt, most students are out to get the main character, and they have to overcome a world that hates them. This series promises that, but... underdelivers. Most characters are friendly either from the offset or eventually, and it is those friendly relationships that hold my interest. I did not regret the low quantity of arrogant young masters.
The cultivation system was complex yet simple, and appealed to me as a software guy. Everything fits logically, but there's a lot that goes into it. The cultivation is woven into the setting and main characters in a way that justifies their rapid progression, in a way I've not seen before. I get the feeling that our main characters are being pushed into the unknown boundaries of cultivation... rather than just happening to make breakthroughs because they're so 'cool.'
Not much else to say. Cute slice-of-life cultivation tale, solid, very anime, written decently. I do wish the author wasn't allergic to dialogue tags. You also won't find a ton of 'realistic characters' here, everyone is unique but exaggerated to accentuate their personality in a way somewhere between fun and overdone. For what it tries to be, though, Fates Parallel is a decent 4.5/5.
April 3, 2023
Good because of all the anime references:
1. Gay (JoJo reference)
2. Transfer magic energy via (original fate/nasuverse reference)
3. Fighting (Dragonball Z reference)
4. Street urchin who was kinda able to use magic without realizing it (Mystborn reference)
5. Being afraid of eye contact with a women (Reference to my life)
6. A patriarchal clan that doesn't let any women go to the school (Bible reference)
7. Use of the word "susurration" (Amogus reference)
In summary, I have horrible taste but I can easily say this is my favorite book about an uwu gay catgirl who beats people up with the magic powered by "friendship" and martial art.
1. Gay (JoJo reference)
2. Transfer magic energy via (original fate/nasuverse reference)
3. Fighting (Dragonball Z reference)
4. Street urchin who was kinda able to use magic without realizing it (Mystborn reference)
5. Being afraid of eye contact with a women (Reference to my life)
6. A patriarchal clan that doesn't let any women go to the school (Bible reference)
7. Use of the word "susurration" (Amogus reference)
In summary, I have horrible taste but I can easily say this is my favorite book about an uwu gay catgirl who beats people up with the magic powered by "friendship" and martial art.
October 10, 2022
Too long
This book had an interesting idea, but by around 35% I was struggling through it. It got boring fast. The main character was apparently amazing in her ability to progress, and she meditated all the time. By 50%, I just skipped to the 90% mark and started reading there. Apparently they release a demon? I also didn’t like how the two girls started to become romantic with each other.
Ultimately, I felt like this book was too long. It needed things to happen in it other than meditation after meditation after meditation.
This book had an interesting idea, but by around 35% I was struggling through it. It got boring fast. The main character was apparently amazing in her ability to progress, and she meditated all the time. By 50%, I just skipped to the 90% mark and started reading there. Apparently they release a demon? I also didn’t like how the two girls started to become romantic with each other.
Ultimately, I felt like this book was too long. It needed things to happen in it other than meditation after meditation after meditation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
I really liked it! It has some issues with pacing and occasionally writing quality, but this *is* the first volume of a web-novel (which I believe is the author's first public work?). The fight scenes were fun to read, and the magic system is really cool and an interesting take on the "standard" cultivation magic system. It's also gay as hell and I love it for that! All in all, I think this is a really good read.
February 2, 2025
My first 5 star read since I started reading again in 2020.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews