Crystal Core

Crystal Core, Book 1

By: David Burke

Narrated by: Daniel Wisniewski, Rebecca Woods

Ryan lived his life on Earth trapped in his own body.

The doctors couldn't explain what was happening to him, but slowly, his body was crystallizing.

Then, a portal opened up on the ceiling of his hospital room. He'd seen that one in enough anime to recognize what was happening. It couldn't possibly be worse than the hell that was his life on Earth, not that he was given any choice.

Now, those who summoned him expect some type of hero. That isn't Ryan. Ryan wants freedom. He wants to live his life his way. He'll do the right thing when confronted with it, but he isn't out to be anyone's savior.

Of course, in a world under a brutal siege and surrounded by powerful cultivators, Ryan realizes the only path to freedom is becoming strong enough to make his own path. For once, the mysterious disease will work in his favor as he forms his Crystal Core.

This story features slow-burn romantic interests, world-building, a cultivation system with LitRPG framework, making fun of cultivation tropes, powerful supporting characters who have their own motivations and backgrounds, and an MC who has potential, but is still growing in power. Be warned, there is some mild cussing from some of the characters, and the MC undergoes a great deal of personal growth in this book so that he will be in the place he needs to be for the rest of the series.

©2023 David Burke (P)2024 Podium Audio

Middle School Sexual Tension Ruins It

I really just wanted to enjoy the story that kept getting interrupted by a bunch of middle school sexual fantasy.

good book

this book has some potential in the future I really liked it. I really wonder where it will go

If I can finish, I may adjust the rating.

I'm about four hours in and struggling to keep going. The issue I'm having so far is how dumb the MC is in this book. I understand the idea of being ignorant or gullible, but the issue arises when you claim over and over to understand things then completely show the opposite. So far the series just appears to be making a puppet as the MC. Which isn't bad if the other characters can be interesting but so far they have no depth other than being "alpha" and manipulative.

Can't wait for the next book.To come out

I listen to the story i'm very happy Just waiting for the next one to come out.

A fun closed door romance harem

I really enjoy the worlds and stories that this author creates. In this world the character is isekaied to a cultivator world to be the new hero to save their world. He has to be bound to this world through arranged marriages which makes him feel uncomfortable for forcing this upon himself and the women he's now married to. I started this story because it ties in after it ends into the Welcome to the Multiverse series but am now enjoying it because of the great characters, amazing new world, and of course fun fights.
My only negative is on the performance side, the narrators do great except in the fact that they pronounce some names differently which makes it hard to follow at times.