To Flail Against Infinity cover art

To Flail Against Infinity

The Stargazer's War, Book 1

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To Flail Against Infinity

By: J. P. Valentine
Narrated by: Connor Brannigan
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About this listen

Infinite power, infinite danger.

Growing up mortal, I only knew a few things about cultivators. They like their hierarchies, they hate disrespect, and if you leave one out in deep space long enough, they'll go homicidally insane.

It turns out, there's a reason for that. Away from all the gravity wells and biospheres that generate natural energy, things get just quiet enough to notice the infinite ocean of qi entirely incompatible with our own.

I should know. I've seen it.

Only difference is, I didn't go mad. I wasn't a cultivator. Technically, I wasn't even alive.

But now I can sense it. I can touch it.

I can cultivate it.

From the best-selling author of This Trilogy is Broken! and Dungeon Devotee comes the cultivation epic you've been waiting for.

©2023 Nixia Publishing LLC (P)2023 Nixia Publishing LLC Science Fiction Space Opera Space Fiction Progression Fantasy

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All stars
Most relevant  
It's quite good with believe characters and progress. I look forward to listen to the next book :)

I liked it

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I enjoyed most of it and I think I'll buy the sequel if it comes. The narration is quite good. The atmosphere is usually good. The characters have.. character. The premise is quite pleasant.

And the primary setting is.. a school. At least for now.

The core theme/premise is that the universe is formed of little bubbles of life and energy in the infinite sea of darkness. Cultivators huddle around those isolated beacons of light. Enter MC, who found himself cultivating the invisible darkness that surrounds those little bubbles of safety. Nobody else can see it, but he can harness that instead of "life".

A good theme honestly.

My issue is that while this whole thing is suitably moody, there's not a lot of thematic innovation, at least not for now. The epilogue hints at greater things, but the narrative flows along a set path.

Aside from that one heavily telegraphed crisis that for some reason nobody saw coming, there were a few well placed narrative twists.

There were no thematic innovations beyond that little premise though. Standard den of vipers interactions. A few close friends to take along for the ride. And a bit of a "chosen one" worldview among his peers. It's all.. direct.

So my main problem is that with the near-worshipful view of the infinite void of space, why is that space so boring? I get that "being boring" is on brand and kind of the point, but as a reader I felt like looking at a black canvas for too long. The main theme can only carry the story so much before you ask yourself if "infinity" will live up to any of its promises.

I hope the second book will convince me that cultivating the void has some uses. That the main character isn't deluding himself that his unique brand of chi isn't a waste of time. Most interesting events are still tied to planets. Standard talented cultivators do just fine. Yeah the social environment sucks, but the void ain't much better company. I want *more*. This book is but a blip in the vast sea of audiobook purchases.

Fish cultivates air instead of water.. but remains a fish

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After feeling a little genre fatigue I enjoyed this. My only real constructive criticism is some things could of been more fleshed out, a lack of time dedicated to the supporting characters combat development is the main one. A couple more fight scenes would of helped, they just suddenly get good and show off abilities for the final fight out of nowhere. Feels like the editor cut just a little too much in places.

I enjoyed this.

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I really enjoyed this story, nice pace, interesting characters and magic system. Can't wait for the next book

Very good

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Sci-fi isn't my normal cup of tea but this story just hit the right spots, Enthralling story I couldn't pull away from and and absolutely excellent performance to aid in its telling. Can't wait for the next book.

Enthralling story

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An excellent story, well told! Well written characters and an interesting magic system. Worth the credit!

Excellent

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I highly recommend this. I never thought someone could meld cultivation and sci-fi so well.

The story feels well written, real people, real consequences and a lack of constant deus ex machina for the sake of story progression.

I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next book in the series!

This book was so good!

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The book starts with the death of a brother and ends with the death of a friend. I'm between, expect all the usual cultivator school asshattery.

The book shines with the world building and an MC that strives to build relationships despite the grimmess of their reality.

Bleak but good

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