If you have finished Sufficiently Advanced Magic and find yourself quite bereft—as one does when dear friends vanish at the turning of a final page—take heart. There exist other worlds equally wondrous, other heroes equally determined, and other magic systems equally intricate, all waiting to be discovered.
Andrew Rowe’s Arcane Ascension series has captured hearts with its methodical magic, its dungeon-delving adventures, and its protagonist Corin Cadence, who thinks his way through problems rather than merely punching them. If such delights appeal to you, then come along. We shall not be gone long, for the next great adventure is closer than you might think.
Cradle by Will Wight
First among equals in the realm of progression fantasy stands the Cradle series, and with very good reason indeed. Will Wight has crafted something rather magnificent here—a tale of young Lindon, born without the sacred arts in a world that values little else.
The cultivation system proves as addictive as anything in Eastern fantasy, with stages of power from Copper through Gold and beyond. Yet it is the characters—patient Lindon, fierce Yerin, and the delightfully mysterious Eithan—who steal one’s heart entirely. Twelve books await you, each more satisfying than the last.
Mage Errant by John Bierce
For those who adored the magical academy portions of Arcane Ascension, John Bierce has prepared something wonderful. Hugh of Emberlin believes himself the worst student at Skyhold Academy, and perhaps he is—until the peculiar Librarian Alustin takes him as an apprentice.
What follows is a heartwarming tale of friendship, found family, and learning that one’s perceived weaknesses might be strengths in disguise. The magic system is intricate, the characters endearing, and the world expands beautifully as the series progresses through seven delightful volumes.
Mother of Learning by Domagoj Kurmaić
Here is something rather special—a time loop fantasy that somehow never grows tedious. Zorian Kazinski, an antisocial young mage, finds himself murdered on the eve of a festival and then awakens again at the month’s beginning. And again. And again.
Each loop brings new knowledge, new allies, and new mysteries to unravel. The magic system rewards careful attention, and Zorian’s growth from prickly student to capable mage unfolds with remarkable satisfaction. Originally a web novel, it has since been polished into a complete and compelling tale.
Iron Prince by Bryce O’Connor and Luke Chmilenko
Should you fancy your progression with a science fiction twist, Iron Prince delivers spectacularly. Reidon Ward, born weak and sickly, receives a Combat Assistance Device with terrible initial specifications but limitless potential for growth.
At the Galens Institute, he must prove himself against those born with every advantage. The tournament-style combat is exhilarating, the underdog story compelling, and at over thirty hours per audiobook, these novels provide generous entertainment indeed. Think Ender’s Game meets cultivation fantasy.
The Weirkey Chronicles by Sarah Lin
Sarah Lin has invented something genuinely original with her soulhome system. Rather than simply accumulating power, practitioners in the Nine Worlds construct buildings within their souls, each room serving specific magical functions.
Theo returns to this fantasy world for a second chance, carrying the bitter knowledge of his first life’s betrayal. The cultivation feels fresh, the world-building proves fascinating, and the romance subplots are mercifully restrained. Ten books currently exist, with more promised.
He Who Fights With Monsters by Shirtaloon
A word of warning: Jason Asano is not everyone’s cup of tea. The snarky Australian finds himself transported to a world of magic and monsters, where his powers prove suspiciously villainous and his mouth proves endlessly witty.
For those who appreciate humor with their progression, this series delivers abundantly. The cultivation system blends Eastern and Western elements, the action satisfies, and Jason’s evolution from bewildered newcomer to confident adventurer spans many entertaining volumes. The audiobook narration is particularly recommended.
Mark of the Fool by J.M. Clarke
Alex Roth had plans—become a wizard, attend the greatest magical university, make something of himself. Then his kingdom marked him as “The Fool,” the worst of five heroic designations, meant to serve the other heroes or die trying.
Instead, he flees to university anyway, determined to exploit his mark’s peculiar limitations. The magic academy setting rivals Arcane Ascension for detail, the protagonist’s analytical approach to problems feels familiar in the best way, and ten complete books await your attention.
The Wandering Inn by pirateaba
For those who prefer their fantasy with generous portions of slice-of-life charm, The Wandering Inn offers something unique. Erin Solstice, transported from Earth to a dangerous fantasy world, becomes not a warrior or mage but an innkeeper.
The LitRPG elements integrate subtly—classes, levels, and skills exist but never overwhelm the character-driven narrative. Be warned: this web serial is monumentally long, with single volumes exceeding a thousand pages. For those seeking immersion, however, no series provides it more thoroughly.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
When aliens destroy Earth’s surface and transform the planet into a dungeon-based reality show for galactic entertainment, Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat Princess Donut must survive increasingly absurd challenges.
The humor is dark, the violence spectacular, and the commentary on exploitation surprisingly pointed. Matt Dinniman balances comedy with genuine stakes remarkably well. The audiobook version, with its sound effects and voice acting, has earned particular acclaim.
The Beginning After The End by TurtleMe
King Grey possessed everything—power, wealth, prestige—yet found existence hollow. Reincarnated as a baby in a world of magic and monsters, he has a second chance to live meaningfully.
The early volumes charming explore family dynamics rarely seen in isekai fiction, while later books expand into darker territory. TurtleMe draws inspiration from Hunter x Hunter and Fullmetal Alchemist, and such influences serve the story well. An anime adaptation is forthcoming.
A Thousand Li by Tao Wong
For cultivation in its most traditional Chinese expression, Tao Wong’s series delivers authentically. Long Wu Ying rises from peasant farmer toward immortality through determination rather than destiny.
The pacing is deliberate, the cultural details lovingly rendered, and footnotes explain unfamiliar concepts for Western readers. Will Wight himself recommends this as an excellent entry point for readers new to cultivation fiction. The first three books will be republished by Ace Books in 2026.
Finding Your Next Adventure
Each reader’s heart calls toward different horizons. For magic academy warmth, choose Mage Errant or Mark of the Fool. For cultivation excellence, Cradle or A Thousand Li await. For time loops and mysteries, Mother of Learning has no equal. For humor and heart, He Who Fights With Monsters or Dungeon Crawler Carl will serve.
Whatever you choose, know this: the genre Andrew Rowe helped popularize has grown magnificently. Hundreds of worthy tales now exist, each offering that particular satisfaction of watching a protagonist grow stronger, smarter, and more capable through dedication and cleverness.
The adventure, as they say, has only just begun.
Looking for more progression fantasy recommendations? The genre continues to evolve, with new releases appearing regularly—visit our weekly roundups to see what just dropped. Happy reading!
