What do you think?
Rate this book
Manifestation #2
Scion of Storms
It's time for Raysha to embrace her power.
After an arduous journey to integrate an ancient spirit heart into her core, Raysha sets out to prove her worth in the Academy's tournament.
Raysha must find a path, forge her own techniques, and advance to the Initiate. But as the clock ticks down to the start of the contest, will she be able to prepare and overcome the fierce competition from the student elite? Can she control the vast ocean of aeon with sheer stubbornness and claim victory?
Provided the tournament is a straightforward content of will and power, Raysha is determined to find a way. Political incidents, internal and international, are something she'd like to stay in her past.
After an arduous journey to integrate an ancient spirit heart into her core, Raysha sets out to prove her worth in the Academy's tournament.
Raysha must find a path, forge her own techniques, and advance to the Initiate. But as the clock ticks down to the start of the contest, will she be able to prepare and overcome the fierce competition from the student elite? Can she control the vast ocean of aeon with sheer stubbornness and claim victory?
Provided the tournament is a straightforward content of will and power, Raysha is determined to find a way. Political incidents, internal and international, are something she'd like to stay in her past.
608 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2023
102 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 14, 2023
I received an advanced review copy of this book. It was a fantastic continuation of the series. This is a fun story, full of action and development (as is expected in a progression fantasy story). I’m excited to continue with it!
This is unrelated to the story itself, but it’s something that I absolutely LOVE when authors do, this book has a recap of the previous book! I read a decent amount of things concurrently between regular books, series on Patreon, comics, etc. Sometimes you forget story elements, so I absolutely appreciate any series that helps refresh the foundation of the previous book without requiring me to add the previous book back to my reading list.
This is unrelated to the story itself, but it’s something that I absolutely LOVE when authors do, this book has a recap of the previous book! I read a decent amount of things concurrently between regular books, series on Patreon, comics, etc. Sometimes you forget story elements, so I absolutely appreciate any series that helps refresh the foundation of the previous book without requiring me to add the previous book back to my reading list.
June 14, 2024
This is a solid second book in a clearly longer series. There is a strongish ending.
The character definitely plays to her strengths. When I realised she was at the university but not to study.. I was not sure how I felt. Many other progression fantasy main characters love to study to develop, but she literally falls asleep when she tries.
She has strong morals and I can't wait to see where we go next with the ending leaving everything in a tricky place.
The character definitely plays to her strengths. When I realised she was at the university but not to study.. I was not sure how I felt. Many other progression fantasy main characters love to study to develop, but she literally falls asleep when she tries.
She has strong morals and I can't wait to see where we go next with the ending leaving everything in a tricky place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2023
In preparation for "Scion of Storms", I reread "Soul Relic", even though I knew about the recap included at the start of this book. There was also a list of power levels along with a brief description for lower stages.
This was a fantastic follow up to "Soul Relic". The main focus was on training, advancing and the tournament (limited to students at the Awakened and Initiate stages). As with the first book, there were plenty of slice-of-life scenes. I especially enjoyed the scenes featuring the misfits group and their banter. I was initially a bit disappointed that their group training was rarely described in detail. Seeing them in action in the actual tournament helped fill in the missing details. Nasdin hall scenes then became one of my favorite parts. And after the first round, there were a few training sessions shown anyway.
Raysha completely ignoring the academy side and focusing only on training and the tournament felt a bit ridiculous, but again I ended up enjoying the resulting hilarity. I did feel pity for the misfits trying to juggle their studies, homework and tournament preparation. And Raysha blazed past them in combat ability now that she had a spirit heart in addition to her impressive aeon manipulation skills. Raysha's bonding with Xora was one of my favorite scenes and I'm excited for their journey together in the coming books. I wanted to make an impressive pun here about Raysha spiriting away Xora under the nose of Veridon, but couldn't think of one. The color illustration of the nexus was great!
Vashi and Shirin working as a team for enchanting items as well as their cute flirting was another highlight of the book. Was especially impressed by their willingness to put in all the hardwork necessary for research and improving upon the designs they could find. Just wish they'd find someone as skilled as Master Veridon or someone from Erasted to guide them in the future. The latter is very much possible, if Raysha manages to drag them along to apply for Atareus's invitation. I was also dreading that something bad was going to happen to this happy couple, thankfully nothing of the sort did.
Raysha and Vashi's interaction as siblings continued to be nice too. Raysha finally bought a pareo for Palaya and sent it with Vashi's help. Wish they had received some sort of reply in this book itself. We didn't get to see Vashi's reaction to Xora but no doubt it would've been as exasperating as seeing Raysha's interest to Atareus's invitation :D
The other misfits, Kardan and Leyli, were great as side characters as well. Poor Kardan, has a crush on Raysha (which likely won't go further) and the most picked on misfits member. He seemed to have worked hard on his shadow/movement abilities and often explained things in easier to understand analogies (they were often coarse, but in line with his street background). Leyli came across as kind and savvy, and it was fun to see her helping Raysha navigate the political scene.
Hlaya, one of my favorite characters from the first book, was sorely missed as she embarked on another visit to the historical site. I wonder if that'll yield something relevant to the plot touched upon in the epilogue.
It was great to have Octavian continue mentoring Raysha. I'm still sad he lost his drawing notebook, though just as I wrote this, I got a tiny hope that there's a chance Hlaya will recover it. There were a few things I was confused related to Octavian in this book. Don't remember who said it, but his advancement stage was mentioned as Adept, which is one level lower based on Atareus saying Octavian was an Aspirant under him (may be Adept is more accurate with his shattered core, which reminded me of Ziel). Another confusion was related to Octavian mentoring Hecton's team despite an Erasti Master having accompanied the delegation. Perhaps Octavian was an additional mentor, but we only ever see Hecton's team training under Octavian. Not to mention Hecton and his team members were already overpowered compared to Darius students. And, my final confusion was about Octavian and Raysha going to the spirit nexus. Not about their motivation, but their chances against Master Veridon. We didn't get much details, but Veridon's warning shot alone seems to have left Octavian semi-conscious. Did Octavian underestimate Veridon's capabilities? Perhaps they couldn't have done anything better in the limited time they had and both were determined to save the spirit no matter the cost.
Amidst all of this, the overarching plot continued to build. House politics and Darius leadership was touched upon. Miskar and Whisperblades came across as jerks while Sahena and her House were much better behaved. Theolatos (Applicant) and Atareus (Sovereign/Archon, advancement stage wasn't clear to me) showed off their poweress. If I understood correctly, Atareus seemed to be preparing for war against Emperor Afi (of Nhami?). Seems Spirit-Human conflict (both past and present) will become a major plotline.
This was a fantastic follow up to "Soul Relic". The main focus was on training, advancing and the tournament (limited to students at the Awakened and Initiate stages). As with the first book, there were plenty of slice-of-life scenes. I especially enjoyed the scenes featuring the misfits group and their banter. I was initially a bit disappointed that their group training was rarely described in detail. Seeing them in action in the actual tournament helped fill in the missing details. Nasdin hall scenes then became one of my favorite parts. And after the first round, there were a few training sessions shown anyway.
Raysha completely ignoring the academy side and focusing only on training and the tournament felt a bit ridiculous, but again I ended up enjoying the resulting hilarity. I did feel pity for the misfits trying to juggle their studies, homework and tournament preparation. And Raysha blazed past them in combat ability now that she had a spirit heart in addition to her impressive aeon manipulation skills. Raysha's bonding with Xora was one of my favorite scenes and I'm excited for their journey together in the coming books. I wanted to make an impressive pun here about Raysha spiriting away Xora under the nose of Veridon, but couldn't think of one. The color illustration of the nexus was great!
Vashi and Shirin working as a team for enchanting items as well as their cute flirting was another highlight of the book. Was especially impressed by their willingness to put in all the hardwork necessary for research and improving upon the designs they could find. Just wish they'd find someone as skilled as Master Veridon or someone from Erasted to guide them in the future. The latter is very much possible, if Raysha manages to drag them along to apply for Atareus's invitation. I was also dreading that something bad was going to happen to this happy couple, thankfully nothing of the sort did.
Raysha and Vashi's interaction as siblings continued to be nice too. Raysha finally bought a pareo for Palaya and sent it with Vashi's help. Wish they had received some sort of reply in this book itself. We didn't get to see Vashi's reaction to Xora but no doubt it would've been as exasperating as seeing Raysha's interest to Atareus's invitation :D
The other misfits, Kardan and Leyli, were great as side characters as well. Poor Kardan, has a crush on Raysha (which likely won't go further) and the most picked on misfits member. He seemed to have worked hard on his shadow/movement abilities and often explained things in easier to understand analogies (they were often coarse, but in line with his street background). Leyli came across as kind and savvy, and it was fun to see her helping Raysha navigate the political scene.
Hlaya, one of my favorite characters from the first book, was sorely missed as she embarked on another visit to the historical site. I wonder if that'll yield something relevant to the plot touched upon in the epilogue.
It was great to have Octavian continue mentoring Raysha. I'm still sad he lost his drawing notebook, though just as I wrote this, I got a tiny hope that there's a chance Hlaya will recover it. There were a few things I was confused related to Octavian in this book. Don't remember who said it, but his advancement stage was mentioned as Adept, which is one level lower based on Atareus saying Octavian was an Aspirant under him (may be Adept is more accurate with his shattered core, which reminded me of Ziel). Another confusion was related to Octavian mentoring Hecton's team despite an Erasti Master having accompanied the delegation. Perhaps Octavian was an additional mentor, but we only ever see Hecton's team training under Octavian. Not to mention Hecton and his team members were already overpowered compared to Darius students. And, my final confusion was about Octavian and Raysha going to the spirit nexus. Not about their motivation, but their chances against Master Veridon. We didn't get much details, but Veridon's warning shot alone seems to have left Octavian semi-conscious. Did Octavian underestimate Veridon's capabilities? Perhaps they couldn't have done anything better in the limited time they had and both were determined to save the spirit no matter the cost.
Amidst all of this, the overarching plot continued to build. House politics and Darius leadership was touched upon. Miskar and Whisperblades came across as jerks while Sahena and her House were much better behaved. Theolatos (Applicant) and Atareus (Sovereign/Archon, advancement stage wasn't clear to me) showed off their poweress. If I understood correctly, Atareus seemed to be preparing for war against Emperor Afi (of Nhami?). Seems Spirit-Human conflict (both past and present) will become a major plotline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2023
I had rather high hopes for this series based on the blurbs. I was pretty disappointed with the first book but it still at least mostly met some minimum quality expectations. The world and its mechanics are interesting and the hints at the larger politics are engaging enough to want to learn the answers. This would all be to the good except that we're stuck experiencing the world from the perspective of an awful, frequently ungrateful and entitled brat of a 'protagonist.'
But hey! Maybe Raysha will start to matter and actually "move the story" in this second book!
She's finally had all of her major problems solved for her thanks to a decade of research by a professor, her brother's sacrifice of his progression and social development and the aid of a "deus ex OP tagalong" to fight the REALLY tough battles.
She still can't be bothered to spend real time or effort of her own but begs, pleads and complains for simple explanations and teaching from everyone around her. She had it SOOOO tough growing up that obviously everything should just be easy for her now! Of course she has also ended up rich (and not a thought to helping family back home at all). Great!
Now she's in the academy, decides that she's going to skip all of the classes because what could they possibly offer her and instead spend her time "training" on her own. She once again begs her brother to give her simplified lessons when it becomes clear that there *shockingly* is some value in the classes.
She spends some time hob-nobbing with the more established "family" students, complains about how entitled they are, and all-the-while acting in a way that is even worse than any of them as far as outward appearance goes. The one time she's called out on this exactly, she gets angry about how "they didn't have to *kill* and risk their life to get here"... because she REALLY invested so much into solving her original problems... REALLY??? What an entitled brat.
Her training stalls out when she can't breakthrough to initiate immediately with her existing half-assed effort and so she turns to blowing cash in gray/black market dealings rather than actually put any work in yet again. Once again she's butting heads with people who either call her out for being too poor ("I'm rich now dammit! How dare they!") or ignorant ("I don't need to go to classes!") or lazy... which she absolutely is.
It's maddening. She's earned nothing. She complains she should have everything easier constantly. She will take any shortcut offered. She takes the efforts of other for granted constantly. She's hypocritical in some way in nearly all of her interactions. And I guess we're just supposed to like her because she "used to have it rough" with her amazingly deep well that has no downsides now? Really? That's what's happening here.
I don't know who this story is for but it's got the be the worst kind of *cultivation* or *progression* fantasy I've ever come across.
But hey! Maybe Raysha will start to matter and actually "move the story" in this second book!
She's finally had all of her major problems solved for her thanks to a decade of research by a professor, her brother's sacrifice of his progression and social development and the aid of a "deus ex OP tagalong" to fight the REALLY tough battles.
She still can't be bothered to spend real time or effort of her own but begs, pleads and complains for simple explanations and teaching from everyone around her. She had it SOOOO tough growing up that obviously everything should just be easy for her now! Of course she has also ended up rich (and not a thought to helping family back home at all). Great!
Now she's in the academy, decides that she's going to skip all of the classes because what could they possibly offer her and instead spend her time "training" on her own. She once again begs her brother to give her simplified lessons when it becomes clear that there *shockingly* is some value in the classes.
She spends some time hob-nobbing with the more established "family" students, complains about how entitled they are, and all-the-while acting in a way that is even worse than any of them as far as outward appearance goes. The one time she's called out on this exactly, she gets angry about how "they didn't have to *kill* and risk their life to get here"... because she REALLY invested so much into solving her original problems... REALLY??? What an entitled brat.
Her training stalls out when she can't breakthrough to initiate immediately with her existing half-assed effort and so she turns to blowing cash in gray/black market dealings rather than actually put any work in yet again. Once again she's butting heads with people who either call her out for being too poor ("I'm rich now dammit! How dare they!") or ignorant ("I don't need to go to classes!") or lazy... which she absolutely is.
It's maddening. She's earned nothing. She complains she should have everything easier constantly. She will take any shortcut offered. She takes the efforts of other for granted constantly. She's hypocritical in some way in nearly all of her interactions. And I guess we're just supposed to like her because she "used to have it rough" with her amazingly deep well that has no downsides now? Really? That's what's happening here.
I don't know who this story is for but it's got the be the worst kind of *cultivation* or *progression* fantasy I've ever come across.
September 6, 2025
DNF at 30%. I’m pretty disappointed. The first book was a great simple introduction to this world. It was a great building block for the series to follow. There was just so much potential.
But I just couldn’t bring myself to like it. The main character Raysha, who was our underdog previously, has just become unlikeable. Everything I liked about her in book one seemed to have been lost in this one.
Previously she was desperate to have any teaching or training she could because she was dismissed in her village. But now she’s at an academy she skips her classes and is completely disinterested in any learning.
She was intelligent in book one. Being able to quickly adjust her fighting style to the moment. But in this she nags multiple times over about not understanding how to become an Initiate despite it being explained multiple different times and in multiple different ways, and it’s such a simple concept. She just needs to find meaning in why she wants power and let it shape how she develops. But god you would think it’s the most complicated thing in the world.
She’s incredibly arrogant of her ability, and gets overly angry every time someone who has had years more training than her easily beats her. Yes in previous book she did too but that was frustration at wanting to improve, whereas now she’s feels she should already be superior despite having little training time to back it up.
Majority of any action she does is either her rolling her eyes, snapping, grumbling, not paying attention, or being angry and resentful.
The lead up to the competition has had little happen which means there’s little story happening at least in beginning, and what of it there is is with a main character who is no longer likeable.
The writing quality is still great. The world building of the upper echelons of society is interesting. The power system itself is fascinating. So I can still see others enjoying this. I just no longer feel it’s something I’m enjoying so my time stops here.
But I just couldn’t bring myself to like it. The main character Raysha, who was our underdog previously, has just become unlikeable. Everything I liked about her in book one seemed to have been lost in this one.
Previously she was desperate to have any teaching or training she could because she was dismissed in her village. But now she’s at an academy she skips her classes and is completely disinterested in any learning.
She was intelligent in book one. Being able to quickly adjust her fighting style to the moment. But in this she nags multiple times over about not understanding how to become an Initiate despite it being explained multiple different times and in multiple different ways, and it’s such a simple concept. She just needs to find meaning in why she wants power and let it shape how she develops. But god you would think it’s the most complicated thing in the world.
She’s incredibly arrogant of her ability, and gets overly angry every time someone who has had years more training than her easily beats her. Yes in previous book she did too but that was frustration at wanting to improve, whereas now she’s feels she should already be superior despite having little training time to back it up.
Majority of any action she does is either her rolling her eyes, snapping, grumbling, not paying attention, or being angry and resentful.
The lead up to the competition has had little happen which means there’s little story happening at least in beginning, and what of it there is is with a main character who is no longer likeable.
The writing quality is still great. The world building of the upper echelons of society is interesting. The power system itself is fascinating. So I can still see others enjoying this. I just no longer feel it’s something I’m enjoying so my time stops here.
April 23, 2023
Help me buy more books
I'm guessing, that since this was the second book in the series, a good deal of the world building was done, and so the author could build the scenery better. This book was a really good one, and I really liked it.
I'm certainly going to read more in this series.
Again, this isn't your typical cultivation story, the advancement process isn't typical of most cultivation books, and I find that to be rather interesting. The layout of this method makes for some interesting combinations, and allows almost infinite combinations. That makes for some pretty cool things as the book progresses, as well as some unexpected developments as the story advances. I'm excited to see where this story goes.
I'm guessing, that since this was the second book in the series, a good deal of the world building was done, and so the author could build the scenery better. This book was a really good one, and I really liked it.
I'm certainly going to read more in this series.
Again, this isn't your typical cultivation story, the advancement process isn't typical of most cultivation books, and I find that to be rather interesting. The layout of this method makes for some interesting combinations, and allows almost infinite combinations. That makes for some pretty cool things as the book progresses, as well as some unexpected developments as the story advances. I'm excited to see where this story goes.
April 25, 2023
frustrating
While it is an enjoyable read, there are flaws.
Some of it, undoubtedly, can be placed at the feet of the larger plot. Not enough world information has been revealed, and the politics are murky. Especially since the main character is young and a student.
But the MC is the bigger problem. While the character is entertaining, she fails to be true to her backstory. And whimsical to a fault. It’s a matter of the narrative controlling the character to the point of robbing her of true agency.
I will likely try the Sequel. But I do not believe I can recommend this series fully.
While it is an enjoyable read, there are flaws.
Some of it, undoubtedly, can be placed at the feet of the larger plot. Not enough world information has been revealed, and the politics are murky. Especially since the main character is young and a student.
But the MC is the bigger problem. While the character is entertaining, she fails to be true to her backstory. And whimsical to a fault. It’s a matter of the narrative controlling the character to the point of robbing her of true agency.
I will likely try the Sequel. But I do not believe I can recommend this series fully.
April 26, 2023
I enjoyed this, it was a good sense of progression from the character because even though they're advancing quickly relative to others it's clear how it's too slow for them.
The insight aspect of ascending is good, I hope that continues. I like the realization of wanting power for the ambition to impose your will on the world (which gets to the heart of many progression fantasies), but I feel like it needs some more exploration and depth of that motivation going forward.
The worst parts were probably Vashi going scientist. It serves a place in the story for introducing the staff and developing Vashi some more, but the science isn't really holding me.
The insight aspect of ascending is good, I hope that continues. I like the realization of wanting power for the ambition to impose your will on the world (which gets to the heart of many progression fantasies), but I feel like it needs some more exploration and depth of that motivation going forward.
The worst parts were probably Vashi going scientist. It serves a place in the story for introducing the staff and developing Vashi some more, but the science isn't really holding me.
May 26, 2023
pretty good
An enjoyable story, although it’s slow in places. The MC is a simple minded battle junkie type with pretty straight forward motivation to kick ass and take names. She’s good natured and easy to root for. She’s not too bothered with her kill count, which is refreshing. She leads her brother by the nose, but there’s nothing gross or creepy to their relationship. The antagonists aren’t really that bad or dangerous or specific, which detracts from the story. I’d prefer more brutal enemies at the Academy who she has to kill.
An enjoyable story, although it’s slow in places. The MC is a simple minded battle junkie type with pretty straight forward motivation to kick ass and take names. She’s good natured and easy to root for. She’s not too bothered with her kill count, which is refreshing. She leads her brother by the nose, but there’s nothing gross or creepy to their relationship. The antagonists aren’t really that bad or dangerous or specific, which detracts from the story. I’d prefer more brutal enemies at the Academy who she has to kill.
July 20, 2023
Disfrute mucho mas que el primero, lo lei bastante freneticamente y ya quiero la tercera parte.
El worldbuilding sigue creciendo y ahora coquetea con ciertos tropos de manera adecuada.
El clash de world views y de como sistemas de organización social crean micro realidades que contrapuestas llevan fricciones o visiones interesantes de pensar.
La verdad que muy bien trabajado, el sistema de magia expansivo.
El worldbuilding sigue creciendo y ahora coquetea con ciertos tropos de manera adecuada.
El clash de world views y de como sistemas de organización social crean micro realidades que contrapuestas llevan fricciones o visiones interesantes de pensar.
La verdad que muy bien trabajado, el sistema de magia expansivo.
November 28, 2023
DNF 43%
Aside from nothing driving the plot, I found the protagonist's attitude infuriating. She's lucky enough to have the funds to pay for magic college but doesn't attend classes or read books. Imagine getting into a prestigious martial arts academy but just pumping iron every day. If it weren't for the author's help, she'd be making no progress at all.
Aside from nothing driving the plot, I found the protagonist's attitude infuriating. She's lucky enough to have the funds to pay for magic college but doesn't attend classes or read books. Imagine getting into a prestigious martial arts academy but just pumping iron every day. If it weren't for the author's help, she'd be making no progress at all.
December 27, 2024
One thing that really stands out about this series to me so far is how free of subtext, bias, or even subconscious agenda the writing is. All the characters seem very genuine, and the cast is also nicely diverse too, so that makes that quality of the writing even more remarkable
April 14, 2023
Excellent follow-up
This book is well-written, has interesting characters, a deep magic system, and an MC with a unique powerset. If you liked the first book, you'll love this one.
This book is well-written, has interesting characters, a deep magic system, and an MC with a unique powerset. If you liked the first book, you'll love this one.
April 21, 2023
Amazing
Awesome progression fantasy series with a unique magic system. The world building has only improved in the second book and I can't wait to see what Raysha gets up to next.
Awesome progression fantasy series with a unique magic system. The world building has only improved in the second book and I can't wait to see what Raysha gets up to next.
September 6, 2023
A little mixed for me. Wasn't a huge fan of the beginning and the tournament aspect of the book, but did enjoy the development of their path/techniques, as well as Raya bonding with the spirit.
November 3, 2023
Significant improvement over the first book, especially the pacing. Really looking forward to the next!
February 6, 2024
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
August 11, 2024
Good Read
Intriguing plot with steady character growth. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this series recommend you give it a go, I don't think you will be disappointed
Intriguing plot with steady character growth. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this series recommend you give it a go, I don't think you will be disappointed
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews