“To rise, you must let go of what holds you back.”
Will Wight’s Underlord, the sixth installment in the Cradle series, marks a turning point—not just for Lindon, but for the entire progression-based fantasy genre. This book is like a stepping stone for what comes in the next two books, and is more about charcater developpements than about the level-up aspect.
In Underlord, as the name obviously of the book, it’s all about the advancement to Underlord, and the key to this advancement is not training or by gaining more power, but only when the person knows truly his inner emotions and the reason they started learning the sacred arts, only then can they advance to the next step. The journey is grueling, emotional, and immensely satisfying. The narrative balances intense training sequences, clever worldbuilding, and gut-punching character development.
What stands out most is how Wight handles progression with purpose. Every advancement feels earned, and every challenge forces Lindon—and his friends—to grow in more than just power levels. The theme of transformation and letting go resonates strongly, especially in Lindon’s inner struggles and moments of reflection.
The action scenes are, as always, top-tier: fast-paced, imaginative, and full of energy. But it’s the emotional resonance of Underlord that surprised me most. Loss, legacy, ambition—it all blends into a story that’s both epic and intimate.
If you’re a fan of LitRPG or cultivation fantasy and haven’t picked up Cradle yet, you’re missing out on one of the most consistent and rewarding series in modern fantasy. And if you’re already hooked, Underlord is where the series hits a new high.
Before I read this book, I went and read some reviews about it — most of them highlighted how it explores the characters from an emotional perspective, which I think was the best approach. It really allows you to connect more with the characters and understand them more deeply. As always, the final sequence of actions at the end was everything I could have hoped for and didn’t disappoint at all.
Final thoughts:
Underlord is not just about reaching a new level of power—it’s about becoming worthy of it. Will Wight has crafted a book that delivers action, emotion, and meaning in equal measure.
Final rating: ★★★★★
