Although I read a lot of books, it’s very rare for a series to really sink its hooks into me. To drag me so deeply into a world and a story that I can’t put it down. Most of the time, I’ll read multiple series at once, taking a break from one to read the next entry of another.
Don’t question the process. Not even I know how my brain works.
Back in February, anime Youtuber Mother’s Basement uploaded a video talking about power fantasies. If you haven’t seen it, I’d highly recommend it. He goes in deep on the topic, siting not just anime, but even written works like ‘The Stormlight Archive‘. Link right here.
Why do I bring this up? Because near the end of that video (spoilers, I guess), he brought up a book series I had never heard of: Cradle, by Will Wight. After listening to half an hour of analysis and critique, his glowing review of the books piqued my curiosity. And by coincidence, the first few books of the series were on sale on Audible for just five bucks a pop. So I decided to check it out.
And holy shit, it put its hooks in me deep. I couldn’t put it down! When I finished one book, I immediately went back into the store to buy the sequel! Was that financially responsible? Probably not. But I just had to know what happened next!
Within the beautiful land of Sacred Valley, young children are tested for their aptitude in the Sacred Arts. But our protagonist, Lindon, fails an unfailable test. Deemed an Unsouled, he is forbidden from practicing the Sacred Arts, doomed to live a life less valuable than garbage.
Lindon is by far my favorite character in the series. Don’t get me wrong, there are a ton of incredible characters in the books. But none of their stories are even half as gripping as Lindon’s. This kid starts at the very bottom, so he has to get creative and resourceful in order to succeed. To prove his worth not just to the world, or his family, but to himself. He’s the world’s most honorable cheater. Every victory he gets feels like a monumental achievement, right up to the end when he’s climbed from the bottom of the food chain to the top.
Every step of his journey is exciting to read. Its a true shounen adventure through and through, blending fantasy and sci-fi into a delicious cocktail. You’ve got ancient tombs hiding forbidden secrets. A massive multi-book long tournament arc. Pocket worlds brimming with advanced technology. One of my favorite parts of the series was simply seeing where Lindon would end up next.
Of course, he’s not alone. Dozens of characters share in his journey, from his sword-crazed co-star Yerin to his fashionably cocky mentor Eithan. There are dozens more, many of which have little to do with Lindon at all. The world feels vast and alive; even after thirteen whole books, it still feels like we’ve barely scratched the surface.
Cradle does an excellent job in progressing its power system. It starts small, building a strong understanding of how the Sacred Arts work on a foundational level. Then, in a surprise twist that had my jaw on the floor, we’re shown what they look like at the very end. You’re lead to believe punching through trees is impressive only to be faced with someone who can topple mountains. It gives both Lindon and the viewer a great sense of progression.
But what actually are the Sacred Arts? Imagine a typical shounen anime power system and you’ve got the gist. I’m talking the really good ones, like Hunter x Hunter. You name it, Cradle’s got it. Summoned animals, form-changing weapons, shadow dimensions, giant power armor, the list goes on and on. No two fight scenes play out the same way, and every single one of them is gripping from start to finish.
It’s not just combat, either. All of Cradle revolves around the Sacred Arts. Culture, currency, class, it all comes down to power. As a result, many of the villains Lindon and his friends face are cocky rich assholes high off the smell of their own farts. Which makes it very, very satisfying to see them get their due.
Tonally, these books are a perfect balance between light-hearted fun and grim darkness. For a series clearly aimed towards younger audiences, there are some gruesome scenes in this story. But then you get to the end, where the author left silly bloopers parodying his own story, and you can’t help but laugh.
Word of advice: don’t listen to the audiobooks in public. Particularly not at work. The aforementioned bloopers had me crying with laughter, which had my coworkers staring at me like I’d finally lost my mind. Though I would highly recommend the audiobooks if only for Travis Baldree‘s wonderful narrating.
Cradle has got everything I look for in fantasy books. Compelling characters, an interesting world, exciting action, dark moments balanced by humor, a deep magic system, it’s got it all. I cannot recommend it enough!
Thank you all very much for reading. Until next time, stay safe and keep healthy.
Jonah's Books & Rants 
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