Prodigies

Heaven's Laws, Book 1

By: Apollos Thorne

Narrated by: Cindy Kay, David Shih

The apex of the martial arts calls out. It challenges all to ascend.

Long Chao is the son of a hedge mage — a heretic cultivator. He doesn’t cultivate for power, but to satisfy his endless curiosity.

One fateful day, Xiao Huifen, a girl aiming to be the youngest Sky Realm cultivator in the Monolith continent’s history, crashes into his life. She’s from the world of top-ranked sects and strict cultivation methodologies. They share nothing in common except for the unquenchable desire to unlock heaven’s every mystery.

This is their journey.

However, the brightest glory casts the darkest shadow. Strength begets brutality. Long-life begets the foulest perversions. To those who dwell in the darkness, young cultivators such as them are nothing more than some of the finest resources. To use them as slaves. Refine them into pills.

When faced with such depravity, this unorthodox pair must do all they can to survive. Even if they do, how can they hope to remain unchanged?

This is a coming-of-age story that follows two paths to power. For one, it's long and arduous. Despite his unique insights, Long Chao must always strive to keep up with those around him. For the other, strength comes easy. Xiao Huifen isn't competing against her peers, but the vague legends of Divine cultivators.

©2021 Apollos Thorne (P)2021 Podium Audio

My Guyski... Another, ASAP PLZ

I already love Cultivation, but my goad.. the way science, and cultivation was blended was absolutely amazing, I've always had ideas/thoughts that if "Magic" were real (technically it is in a matter of speaking), it would be like this, but I've not read anything where they've done built a world like said ideas/thoughts, but this.. keep in mind, just my opinion, is absolutely amazing! well worth the listen 10x over!

best character development in world building I've encountered

amazing storyline with characters whose world will suck you right in. absolutely amazing book.

Remarkable story hopefully a series to come

I enjoyed this book the author did a great job painting varying points of view. In the beginning there was slow progress towards the story; however, the progress of the book beginning allowed for the universe to be understood to the point of appreciation. This coming of age story has great character that you can come to love. Additionally, the author does a great job of showing the internal struggles a lot of people have to come to terms with. I don't usually write review, but one must " give credit where credits due."

I hope there is expansion on the storyline, because I'm interested in seeing the the growth of core characters and am intrigued by the introduction of new characters.

Great job keep up the good work!

Not a fan of the narration

Cindy sounds like she is whispering loudly at all times. I won't say this is the worst narration, but it was difficult to know which characters were actually speaking at times. The book overall is amazing. The story is well fleshed out and the power structure is decently explained. I look forward to book 2.

superb

I can't wait to see what's next in the series. great story progression and plot twist.

took a Lil while to get over some of the dialogue

but pretty good all around I look forward to the next part of this

Good story

It started off a little slow, but got better as the story went.

Can’t wait for the next book.

slow start

it started pretty slow, but a few hours in the story really picks up,and they flesh out the characters.

Class 👌🏾

As everyone one of Apollos Thorne’s works; quality is a trademark; consistent flow even with continuous transitioning from 1st-2nd-3rd person narration, spinning the imagination continuously, enticing emotions just to the right amount, despite of the smart censoring of grizzly and intimate scenes, while maintaining a well balanced drama that permeates the plot.
In short; Apollos Thorne signature!

Not terrible, but not great

Apollos Thorne is a good world builder, and he can definitely create some fabulous characters, but I don't like this one nearly as much.

The two MCs were compelling on their own, and I enjoyed their struggles and the ambition they both displayed, but I was not a fan of the inherent disparity of potential between the sexes, and the slightly creepy ownership men have over women. It makes them seem like vulnerable flowers, just waiting for a man to pick them, and Heaven forbid that woman ever changes her mind about the man she's with.

In a world of magic, where all injuries are temporary and the natural physical differences between all people are meaningless past a certain point of training, the author felt the need to give women yet another impediment to keep them bound to men.

Also, trigger warning, unnecessary rape, foreshadowed like crazy, which acts purely as a motivation for the male MC.