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Maneus
An homage to ancient epics, late night coffee, and chaotic conversationsManeus is a surreal fantasy novel told in fragments of short lives. A generational curse - generational trauma - moves from family to family, hymn to harmony, father to son.
Whether it's maintaining a simple life in a complex world, or finding meaning in long conversations, each generation finds themselves at the bottom of a cheap cup of coffee at a dirty corner store.
From the corruption of a modern city, unmarked paths across snow capped mountains, and a flight from the distant shores, there's adventure waiting in the drama between destiny and humanity's last hope.
Whatever it takes to take one step further into the chaos.
Whether it's maintaining a simple life in a complex world, or finding meaning in long conversations, each generation finds themselves at the bottom of a cheap cup of coffee at a dirty corner store.
From the corruption of a modern city, unmarked paths across snow capped mountains, and a flight from the distant shores, there's adventure waiting in the drama between destiny and humanity's last hope.
Whatever it takes to take one step further into the chaos.
660 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2023
8 people want to read
About the author
John M. Bauer
6 books10 followersJohn Bauer spent his youngest years on a farm in the middle of nowhere. His dad was a lawyer for the local tribe and he grew up thinking he would one day raise pigs. After several more moves across countries and continents he ended up leaving that swine fueled dream behind and settling into an apartment just outside Paris. The constant shifting of the Earth has left John with a feeling that nowhere on the planet is truly ever home.
Adrift on that tiresome sea, he found a career in writing for other people and their goals - podcasts, blogs, marketing copy, press releases, vague content creation across the board. Disillusioned, undervalued, overexposed, and anxiety ridden, the emotional toll of every tick and every other tock ate away at that core motivation to see another tomorrow. But John could not stop that undying drive to create, letting passion guide him to a new focus: novels.
Adrift on that tiresome sea, he found a career in writing for other people and their goals - podcasts, blogs, marketing copy, press releases, vague content creation across the board. Disillusioned, undervalued, overexposed, and anxiety ridden, the emotional toll of every tick and every other tock ate away at that core motivation to see another tomorrow. But John could not stop that undying drive to create, letting passion guide him to a new focus: novels.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 17, 2025
Maneus tells the story of a family curse spanning 3 generations. This is a fantasy with no romance, so if that is something you want, definitely check this book out. Whilst I have given it 3 stars, it's more of a 3.5 stars.
Book 1 tells Maneus (generation 1) story. This is 100 pages of chaos and epic battles set in a coffee shop. I did have to check to make sure there was not a book before Maneus because you are thrown straight into the action with little information. However, that is part of the fun of this book. Explanations come the more you read.
Book 2 (Generation 2)
This is for me for the star of the show. The story of a mothers sacrifice to protect her son and how his choices for the life he wanted to live ultimately ends up with chaos and evil finding him.
In book 3, the curse once again finds the family, and through sacrifice, love, family, and friends, he sees the curse resolved but at what price.
My issues with this book are that some things are left unexplained or seem to happen very quickly. However, that is the purpose of this story. it just didn't suit my type of reading fully.
Book 1 tells Maneus (generation 1) story. This is 100 pages of chaos and epic battles set in a coffee shop. I did have to check to make sure there was not a book before Maneus because you are thrown straight into the action with little information. However, that is part of the fun of this book. Explanations come the more you read.
Book 2 (Generation 2)
This is for me for the star of the show. The story of a mothers sacrifice to protect her son and how his choices for the life he wanted to live ultimately ends up with chaos and evil finding him.
In book 3, the curse once again finds the family, and through sacrifice, love, family, and friends, he sees the curse resolved but at what price.
My issues with this book are that some things are left unexplained or seem to happen very quickly. However, that is the purpose of this story. it just didn't suit my type of reading fully.
December 25, 2023
A story about a fight spanning 3 generations against primordial evil.
I have to admit that the beginning left me feeling a bit confused as to where the story was going. But, I enjoyed the mundane act of strangers becoming friends over a cup of coffee at the local corner store.
This may be a bit niche, but the vibes reminded me of the video game Coffee Talk.
I was shocked with the turn that the story took at the end of book I.
And I felt incredibly sad after reading book II and III. It's a beautiful story and left me feeling melancholy.
The generational curse is broken, but it did come at a great cost.
I have to admit that the beginning left me feeling a bit confused as to where the story was going. But, I enjoyed the mundane act of strangers becoming friends over a cup of coffee at the local corner store.
This may be a bit niche, but the vibes reminded me of the video game Coffee Talk.
I was shocked with the turn that the story took at the end of book I.
And I felt incredibly sad after reading book II and III. It's a beautiful story and left me feeling melancholy.
The generational curse is broken, but it did come at a great cost.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews