About the Series
Phil Tucker’s second progression series (after Bastion) puts its protagonist in a repeated death-loop arena where the key mechanic is soul grafting, the permanent absorption of abilities from defeated opponents. Each loop provides opportunities to face different opponents, gain new grafts, and build toward a soul architecture powerful enough to break free.
The death-loop structure creates natural progression milestones (each iteration is a fresh attempt with accumulated grafts), and the soul-grafting mechanic means every fight has stakes beyond survival: what abilities can you steal from this opponent? Tucker’s system design strength (established in Bastion) carries over. The graft combinations have meaningful interactions and build-crafting depth.
This works for readers who enjoyed Bastion’s system design and want another Tucker series with a different framework. The death-loop structure provides clear progression beats. Early in its run but already demonstrating the author’s strengths. The tradeoff: only two books, so the long-term arc is unknown. The death-loop structure can feel repetitive if the iterations don’t vary enough. If you want a completed series, this isn’t it yet. If you trust Tucker based on Bastion and want in on the ground floor, this delivers his signature system-design quality.
Reading Order
- Immortal Great Souls (2024)
- Immortal Great Souls 2 (2025)
If You Like This Series
- Bastion by Phil Tucker. Same author, different system (aeviternum vs soul grafting); similar quality
- Mother of Learning by nobody103. Loop structure used for accumulation; completed
- The Perfect Run by Maxime Durand. Loop/save mechanic with accumulated advantage; completed
- Cradle by Will Wight. If you want Phil Tucker’s quality at Cradle’s speed; completed
- Iron Prince by O’Connor & Chmilenko. Combat progression with detailed system design