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Maneus
Maneus 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.
678 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2023
9 people want to read
About the author
John M. Bauer
7 books10 followersJohn M. 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 is ever truly home.
Adrift on that tiresome sea, he spent years writing for other people and their goals: podcasts, blogs, marketing copy, press releases, and other nightly noise. Disillusioned, overexposed, and anxiety-ridden, he began seeking refuge from the emotional tithe. In words and stories, solid ground finally began to form.
John now captures that magic, exploring the space between us all. Conversations around cheap cups of coffee or just a reminder of the significance all too often lost in otherwise mundane moments.
Adrift on that tiresome sea, he spent years writing for other people and their goals: podcasts, blogs, marketing copy, press releases, and other nightly noise. Disillusioned, overexposed, and anxiety-ridden, he began seeking refuge from the emotional tithe. In words and stories, solid ground finally began to form.
John now captures that magic, exploring the space between us all. Conversations around cheap cups of coffee or just a reminder of the significance all too often lost in otherwise mundane moments.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 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.
January 23, 2026
Maneus is an amazing journey of a generational battle of good and evil. I have little doubt if it was written at a different time it would be analyzed in schools during the heroic journey and literary analysis classes alongside big names like 'The Odyssey' and 'Julius Caesar'.
The author put so much work into the names, world building, gods, characters, storyline, etc. After reading a few of John's books, it has become apparent to me that everything is well planned and built. There may be moments of doubt throughout, but it always comes together as designed and ends up baffling me with his ability to tell a story.
Maneus is a 3 part book, with the first being much slower paced than the rest. It was a drastic change from the epic journey of Rhean, but it's worth reading for the character and story building. It follows the light/dark battle found in mundane humane life, and outside influence.
I recommend reading Rhean before Maneus, to better appreciate the hidden irony and the character backgrounds. However, as we have learned from the greats ('Lord of the Rings' and 'Star Wars') the prequels can come afterwards and still better the story in either order.
I can't say this book is for everyone, but if you enjoy classics and epic journeys and books that are truly a work of art, then I think Maneus is for you!
The author put so much work into the names, world building, gods, characters, storyline, etc. After reading a few of John's books, it has become apparent to me that everything is well planned and built. There may be moments of doubt throughout, but it always comes together as designed and ends up baffling me with his ability to tell a story.
Maneus is a 3 part book, with the first being much slower paced than the rest. It was a drastic change from the epic journey of Rhean, but it's worth reading for the character and story building. It follows the light/dark battle found in mundane humane life, and outside influence.
I recommend reading Rhean before Maneus, to better appreciate the hidden irony and the character backgrounds. However, as we have learned from the greats ('Lord of the Rings' and 'Star Wars') the prequels can come afterwards and still better the story in either order.
I can't say this book is for everyone, but if you enjoy classics and epic journeys and books that are truly a work of art, then I think Maneus is for you!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews