The Desolate Era

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

Fate had never been kind to Ji Ning. Wracked by illnesses and infirm his entire life on Earth, Ji Ning knew early on that he would die as a teenager. What he didn’t know was that there really was such a thing as life after death and that the multiverse was a far larger place than he thought.

A lucky twist of fate meant that Ji Ning was reborn into a world of Immortals and monsters, of Ki Refiners and powerful Fiendgods, a world where Dynasties lasted for millions of years. A world which is both greater… and yet also smaller… than he ever could imagine. He would have the opportunity to join them, and in this life, Ji Ning swore to himself, he would never let himself be weak again! The Era he was born into was a Desolate one, but Ji Ning would make it his era.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Age of Desolation
Jade Sword (official English title of drama and anime version)
Mãng Hoang Kỷ (Man Huang Ji)
Records of Barbarian Ji of the Primeval Era
العصر المقفر
莽荒纪
Related Series
Coiling Dragon (Shared Universe)
Recommendations
Coiling Dragon (23)
Stellar Transformation (12)
I Shall Seal the Heavens (10)
Swallowed Star (9)
The Nine Cauldrons (8)
Tales of Demons and Gods (7)
Recommendation Lists
  1. china
  2. Best Novels I Read in years (Must read for you)
  3. My Gem Collection
  4. For the chuunibyou guy inside us all: male centric...
  5. Wow there's a manhua version (ML)

Latest Release

Date Group Release
03/08/15 World of Watermelons v1c18
03/08/15 World of Watermelons v1c17
03/07/15 World of Watermelons v1c16
03/06/15 World of Watermelons v1c15
03/06/15 World of Watermelons v1c14
03/05/15 World of Watermelons v1c13
03/05/15 World of Watermelons v1c12
03/04/15 World of Watermelons v1c11
03/04/15 World of Watermelons v1c10
03/03/15 World of Watermelons v1c9
03/03/15 World of Watermelons v1c8
03/02/15 World of Watermelons v1c7
03/02/15 World of Watermelons v1c6
02/28/15 World of Watermelons v1c5
02/28/15 World of Watermelons v1c4
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
198 Reviews sorted by


Isaic
Isaic rated it
September 5, 2019
Status: v5c1
I'll give it a solid 3 rating for the genre, but I can't change my rating after clicking so it's stuck at 2.

I had higher expectations for this novel, so I went into it without expecting to pick it apart as I tend to do with many novels, which isn't good for enjoying a novel. Since if you look for problems then you will find them. However, I didn't do so with this one, but there are still a few already.

I am dropping due to the power-up situation. Most of... more>> the power-ups, so far, have been gained right when they are needed. Some have a little set-up beforehand, so they aren't bad, but others completely come out of nowhere.

The personalities were fine for a few chapters, but I'm already starting to see the MC act a bit like a villainous "young master" that is only intent on caring about those near to him, which contradicts his past-life's personality. I

This isn't really a big deal, but since it is already happening, then there is no reason for me to expect different later on.

So I'm dropping here. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
oldghost
oldghost rated it
August 3, 2019
Status: v1c1
absolutely brilliant what an epic and like an epick it just keeps getting more epic till my brain exploded due to scale. Still, I look back on it fondly
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
GrumpyNPC
GrumpyNPC rated it
March 15, 2019
Status: v5
I was disappointed, I let the hype get to me because so many people were describing this novel as a must read for any cultivation fan, so I was expecting at the very least a 3 star experience. This novel is highly overrated in my opinion. I couldn't get past book 5, and I only made it that far cause I kept stubbornly hoping it would get better.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Lawkz
Lawkz rated it
January 12, 2019
Status: v4c8
Read until v3c6, it's pretty fun, the plot really takes a nose dive right after on c7 onwards, you will regret it if you read it. More details on spoiler.

... more>>
Spoiler

likable character killed in a depressing way so that the reader stays invested in the story and awaiting for revenge, three fights one after the other that can be summed up with "MC is completely helpless until he actually starts trying" (seriously, the author repeats the word despair a lot), author pulls a "the mom was actually sick all along" out of nowhere probably just so he can make MC go on a quest to try and heal her/take revenge in the future.

[collapse]

The exposition is very boring.
The author is the kind of writer that keeps repeating stuff and interrupting intense moments with multiple paragraphs of unrelated sh*t, possibly to increase the character count.

I liked the beginning because the story seemed to focus on cultivation instead of boring fights filled with repeated attack descriptions and cartoonish villain-of-the-week characters. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Brockavitch
Brockavitch rated it
September 5, 2018
Status: Completed
Whew, Im done. I finished it. Every chapter, every plot device. I have broken through my friends and know know the dao that is IET.

Is it a ground breaking novel, no but it is a great time sink. There were moments that elicited a strong emotional response, as well as times when I am just waiting for the next moment of whoops there the bad ass I was waiting for.

The translation quailty is really nice, about 1 or 2 typos every five chapters or so.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Tornadokick
Tornadokick rated it
May 25, 2018
Status: Completed
That's my first review and I'm also very bad at english, then sorry if I write like a dog.

Desolate era is a good novel till book 38.
Spoiler

The main problem after book 38 is that actually the novel could end up in 3 other books but the author wisely decided that ning had to fail the daomerge, and it could not be a problem if he were not exactly as strong as in book 43 when he actually find a method to reverse the soul shattering. Rly try to read till book 38 and then jump directly to book 43 and u will find that I'm right. The problem is that he actually is very strong but he still take sh*t for actually 6 books cause everyone think that he is a normal daolord. This can be fine if the author wrote this misunderstanding one or two times but he actually do this very, very, very often.

[collapse]
sry for the bad english :)
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
FatalWeapon
FatalWeapon rated it
May 24, 2018
Status: v45c17
Your perspective, as the reader in the MC’s shoes, goes from a few individuals, to a group, to the world, to a whole universe, then you’d find out that there’s actually even more to it than that. The types of conflict, the way the MC thinks, the cultivation methods, everything becomes much much more complex then it even became somewhat simple but understandable at times. I love the story, the characters, their development, and also how the author slips in parts of Chinese culture here and there. I just finished... more>> reading it yesterday and I miss it already. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
lojacob
lojacob rated it
May 16, 2018
Status: Completed
This book is my ALL-time FAVOURITE!!!

There are several reasons for this:

RWX's translation of this book is amazing. It almost feels like RWX is the author of the book and there are almost zero grammatical errors. He had done a great job on translating as the Daos and the names are pretty difficult to translate.

... more>> The storyline is also great. I loved the beginning (the Three Realms) the most but the ending is also quite nice.

The power hierarchy is also well constructed despite it's slightly confusing for the levels between Daolord and Celestial Immortal.

World building is great, MC's personality is also great (hardworking as hell)

  • It would be great if there's a bit more romance... the ending is also kinda rushed.
BUT It's still a solid 5/5. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
MacDaddy
MacDaddy
May 8, 2018
Status: afterword
Amazing book have been following it for close to 2 years and never thought of dropping it, which is rare for me considering I forget to check new releases. Desolate era probably has one of the best cultivation systems in its realism and isn't to "his level is higher that me it is impossible to beat him". It is a straight cut masterpiece, in my opinion
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Kailyria20
Kailyria20 rated it
May 4, 2018
Status: afterword
I enjoyed this story. Ofc everyone would feel that the protagonist halo is pretty over powered, but he wouldn't be the protagonist if he just suddenly died right?

I like the development over time with his personality and his cultivation and there were ups and downs and explanations that were within logic so everything seems to flow smoothly imo.

Give it a try, its a good story, but ofc if you like harem stories then this one isn't for you... he's loyal to the very end.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
RussIsWatchinU
RussIsWatchinU rated it
May 2, 2018
Status: afterword
Honestly, this is one of my favorite novels. There were a few dull bits in the middle, but othersiwe a very strong story.

Even after reading the novel for over a year, chapter to chapter as it was released, I can still remember the beginning crystal clear. The worst part of the novel were the cliffhangers, which to all those reading reviews, won't be a problem anymore.

45 volumes may seem like a lot, but it feels like I just started reading it only a month ago. Definately worth investing the time... more>> into the story.

You may have noticed I didn't mention a lot about the content, but that's because I wouldn't even know where to begin. There are plenty of reviews that are much more detailed in that aspect, and you'd read those if you want glimpses or spoilers. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I was frustrated, but most of all, in the end, it was everything I wanted and more. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
exodus47
exodus47 rated it
April 24, 2018
Status: v45c17
Actually this novel is not that good, the author make too much of level of power. The early chapters were emotional and the plot was more or less acceptable. But about 500 chapters later, everything can be visibly predicted by the readers. From there the novel is much more lower than average. You could say that the mc's goal was only to resurrect the members of the chaosverse. The author seemed to not have ideas of what he was doing, because he just kept adding levels of power but could... more>> not keep up. I think it would be better if the author was fixed on the three realms more or less, like that we would'nt have this disgusting ending who was not emotional at all. That was really disappointing. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
ziki
ziki rated it
April 22, 2018
Status: Completed
Great novel from IET, and at long last it has finally been fully translated. I originally started reading it right when it started getting translated so yea, it's been a long time ago. I didn't read it chapter by chapter but rather only after few books stock up as this is always my style.

The entire story can be divided in multiple portion but the main one is. Three realms and rest!

The first half that takes place in Three Realms is absolutely fantastic and it's best that IET has to offer.... more>> From the very get go the first chapter foreshadow the main conflict and that conflict continues throughout the entire Three Realms till the great final war. As we follow MC throughout the Three Realms we get introduced to more and more characters as well as hear legends of the powerful top tiers. With those top tiers being properly established when we finally get to the final war that continue for multiple times with MC climbing the ranks being able to fight along side all those well established characters against well established antagonists! It's truly brilliant. Better yet, there are multiple plot twists in the entire war with final being pretty much OH SHIT! In many cultivator stories when it comes to those final wars MC has to do too much! He usually carries the entire weight on his shoulders, here however all those characters are well used in the story and while final go still belongs to MC it's pretty much him becoming the strongest guy in three realms right in the last chapter of the final war! So yea, first half of three realms is proper world building as well as MC's grow to power while second half is a giant epic war that last just as much time! TRULY GREAT EPICNESS!!!

Unfortunately the second half is nowhere as good and the story turns into typical MC going higher and higher with his cultivation, he encounters new problems and deals with them as they come. Unlike Three realms that turly builds up the antagonists and threats through the entire story, here we just get new bad guy every week kind of thing and while there is THE FINAL BOSS lurking around and he has some hints to him, he is pretty much introduced at the very end and gets bit*h slapped in the face times and times again without accomplishing anything. Worse of yet, he keeps on getting reckt and keeps on saying all goes according to keikaku. Well generally though the adventures of MC after leaving the three realms is the usual IET standard kind of things so it's really a good read still so it's definitely worth reading till the end, still it will definitely be the Three Realms portion for which I will remember this series as greatness. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
T4icho
T4icho rated it
December 9, 2017
Status: v36c5
If we're talking about IET, I think some people need to understand a point and that point is very obvious. IET likes to repeat himself, he wrote good stories and is a consistent author. But imo DE is a spesific novel. If you're into the Chinese History and Myths, then you're gonna love this. It has everything. Taoist Three Purities, Houyi, Tathagata, everything! So for the first 23 volumes, i'll rate this 5. But after 23, like other peoples reviews, story gets kinda pointless. For the waifu he goes, and... more>> goes through thick and thin. That's fine, but not as exciting as the first 23 volumes. Well, read it, I can tell you that at least half of this novel makes you feel good, and very excited. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
aditya8795
aditya8795 rated it
November 23, 2017
Status: v12c35
A true masterpiece. Makes you eager to read each chapter. A gem among such novels. I truly enjoyed the journey. We have the ups and downs where even as we know the conclusion. The how of it is fascinating. I highly recommend this book.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Ichigocheesecake
Ichigocheesecake rated it
October 6, 2017
Status: v33c8
i was shocked when I saw the low rankings. This novel totally deserves more. Sure the novel drags abit, he's just getting more op as the days go by but isn't that just typical of a IET novel?!?! It's not like he's totally supreme- jining has to suffer in every single arc and each time it's something new, not a recycling of the past events at a larger scale. I really enjoy this latest arc, especially as you see how he sticks to his morals and principles even when the... more>> situation calls for him not to- this is something that makes the novel interesting, yet at the same time so unpredictable. What an enjoying read !! <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Nemogbr
Nemogbr rated it
July 16, 2017
Status: v16c10
I did enjoy the start of this series and I have enjoyed I eat Tomatoes stories.

Unfortunately, the writer doesn't seem to know how to keep friends. The MC gains friends and retainers. Then once he becomes powerful enough, they are discarded. What's the point of being loyal to the MC? We can only put it to the lack of writing skills, to have some closure with the side characters. The MC could have spent some time assisting them in gaining power, so they could continue traveling with him. Not developed... more>> at all. At least, Linley in Coiling Dragon kept one companion throughout his ascension to power.

I suppose you can enjoy the power creep of the universe. As someone else pointed out, each of I eat Tomatoes characters can be interchangeable. Do Chinese really support the idea of discarding their friends once the achieve more power? I hope the fans can advise the writer. Perhaps at some point, the writer will mature in their writing. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
NiTian
NiTian rated it
June 21, 2017
Status: v28c37
Spoiler

It is an IET novel. When compared to CD, it certainly seems a bit lackluster, the fights aren't as interesting.

The first big enemy takes the first half or quarter of the novel and bores you to no extent, the war between seamless gate versus the natives.

After that, quite a few books are just the MC going hither tither gaining power. The fact that he wants to revive his wife is his excuse as well as saving grace. Currently, the things seem to be picking up but meh.

After seamless gate, nothing life threatening has occured.

[collapse]
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
wizardjian
wizardjian rated it
June 12, 2017
Status: v28c24
Short Summary:
A sickly boy (aka MC) dies in modern day china after giving away all his money to help other. After dying was called by a Judge of hell who just happens to be from Earth, just long long ago. The MC was offered to be reborn in the celestial realm (basically where the chinese gods live) but then the path of reincarnation was attacked and he fled into one of them without drinking the soup (makes him forget his previous life) and was reborn as the child of... more>> a chief in charge of multiple clans. Being sickly all his previous life, he embarks on the road to become a immortal. But fate isn't as simple as that, for a great storm is brewing and the MC will become a major part of it... Also it doesn't even end there.

Pros:
Dedicated MC: (very loyal and selfless to those he holds dear.
Spoiler

in fact the he's entire goal later on is to get back his wife who has died and had her truesoul destroyed. So he cultivates and becomes stronger just so one day he can see her once again. //sheds a tear

[collapse]
)
Strong willed MC: (while the MC is OP, he gets there through his own willpower and dedication as he overcomes may problems in his path not just a pie falls out of the sky and problem solved.
Amazing MC development: (the MC struggles through hardships, continues even with setbacks, risks everything for he's hearts only desire)
Detailed lore: (very detailed lore since it is mostly based on Chinese mythology for the most part)
Very long: (well, you can never have too much of a good thing now can you? Well, as long as the story makes sense based on it's own world it built.)
Etc (too many to count and type really)

Cons (sorta)
Somewhat slow start: (the story starts of rather slowly since he is just a mortal in the beginning, but that quickly changes as he grows in power and soon stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the most famous characters in Chinese mythology like Sun Wu Kong... and then even past them to a new realm of power)
Mediocre side characters: (while most side character do get enough time to differentiate themselves, due to how fast the MC grows, they soon disappear and not many reappears.)
Somewhat lore reliant : (doesn't need to know Chinese mythology, but it sure would help since there is a lot of it. Without knowing Chinese mythology, many of the HOLY sh*t moments have much less impact.)
Very long: (once you start there is a lot to go though. This may scare some readers since it's VERY long. Still not long enough in my opinion though lol)

Conclusion:
Desolate Era is by far one of the best cultivation LNs out there and one of my personal favorites. The story is long, but filled with suspense, action, emotional events etc making this one epic story in the making. I can find very few flaws, if you can even call it flaws, in DE due to how well it's written. As a reader you watch him grow, face setbacks, broken hearts, despair etc but also him going beyond them to become even stronger. All of these for just a very simple goal, a very sweet but heaven defyingly hard goal. By far one of the best LNs I have read. <<less
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Arafell
Arafell rated it
May 3, 2017
Status: --
Very formulaic. The protagonist reincarnates, gets really lucky, gets really powerful, and every time he gets some impossibly valuable weapon, he ends up getting something better soon after. Rinse, repeat, raise power levels past all sanity. There were a few good, unique moments where the protag lost, but these were few and far between.

Not terrible, but TDE definitely grinds down to average after he gets to what I call 'world punting' levels of power.
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
1 4 5 6 7 8 10
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.