Unintended Cultivator, Volume One

By: Eric Dontigney

Narrated by: Adam Verner

Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

He never intended to be a cultivator. The heavens have another plan…

Sen never dreamed of ascension. Such were the aspirations of the rich young nobles, not orphans like him, scraping together a meager living on the streets of Orchard’s Reach.

However, when destiny takes an unexpected turn, Sen finds himself thrust into the role of a cultivator’s disciple. Chosen over the nobles who once looked down on him, he is adopted into a makeshift family of three ancient cultivators, each with a lifetime of knowledge and insights. These old monsters will teach Sen everything they can, from the art of the jian and spear to the mysteries of arcane alchemy.

Yet, on the path to defying the heavens, Sen will have to make difficult choices. He needs to decide what kind of person he wants to be, and what mark he wants to leave on the world. Because when his training ends, he will have the power to shake the world. He will also have formidable enemies who will do anything to put him back in his place…

For those who like a bit of slice-of-life with their coming-of-age cultivation tales, this is a can’t-miss listen. Over 3,000,000 views on Royal Road. Click 'Buy Now' to start the journey.

©2023 Shadow Alley Press Inc (P)2024 Shadow Alley Press Inc

This guy knows how to write a compelling story.

Most of this book is watching a child be trained into a monster. He doesn't quite figure out that he is one by the end of the book.

And I don't mean monster as in someone bad. I mean monster as in someone who has no right to be as strong as he is at his level.

That's what happens when three old monsters train an ignorant child who harbors gratitude in his heart at all times.

Seriously, I was positively giddy to see the reactions of other cultivators when he fights for real.


We only get a taste of it at the end, but I cannot wait for the next book man.

gracefully told from start to finish

leaves me wanting to walk the story with him can't wait till the next book comes out in audible

Pleasant Surprise

Solid book to start a series. Main character isn’t whiny or magically overpowered. Just a victim of a fortunate circumstance.

Likable Rags to Riches MC

Good book if you’re new to cultivation or experienced with it. The storyline is steady and builds using a very different frame of reference for each character. Not a lot of action but enough to force the MC to sharply define who he really is. A very entertaining book and I’ve just purchased volume two.

Book is very well written but the narrator drives me nuts.

I really enjoyed the story and MC but the narrator sounds like he’s an AI who just learned how to talk. So many awkward pauses and strange emphasis on unnecessary words is super frustrating. A good narrator should make you forget they exist but this guy isn’t it.

Soil is story with minor issues

Better than most books out there, few minor problems that could be fixed. Overall pace of the book is too slow it this should be fixed in the next series. Characters are well rounded but fall a bit flat. Works building is good not great.

Rags to Rumor

Great intro to a new series about a street rat that is picked up by a wandering cultivator and trained up. Lots of character development without being just a training montage or a MC that is some sort of unknown genius.

Adam Verner turned in another great narration performance with great recognizable character voices, inflection and flow.

Character, story, cultivation, the works

I have been on a losing streak lately of bad books. I picked this one up and I am astounded. This has all that I want. training, rags to riches, tough but realistic fights. The MC is not OP, but he isn't weak either. he struggles when it is needed and he is overpowers when it makes sense. I cannot wait for the second book. keep it up, keep his path like this and you'll have a long term invested reader.

Great Start

Great start to a new series. A very naive homeless kid slowly turns into a Cultivator without knowing the world around him because he is innocent to the outside world.

I would recommend folks try to listen to this at 1.2 speed.

Good light story

Some action but mostly a slice of life novel I enjoyed. Will keep reading series