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Path of Dragons #2
Whispers of the Wild
A druid's search for his missing sister lands him in the middle of a deadly battle to fight back the forces of tyranny in the second installment of this action-packed fantasy epic from the author of Genesis.
The world has been remade. Transformed by the touch of the World Tree, Earth has regressed to a pretechnological age. Machines no longer function, nations have fallen, and the remnants of humanity struggle to survive in a world brimming with danger . . . and power. But from the ashes of civilization, Ethera—a mystical energy that grants supernatural abilities through a game-like system of stats, spells, and magical evolutions—has emerged.
After surviving a plane crash and finding himself on an island in the Pacific Northwest, cancer-stricken Elijah Hart was given the powers of a shapeshifting Druid. As nature’s champion, he’s fought mutated monsters, armies of fantastical creatures born from folklore, and interdimensional invaders from another reality. But he can no longer live in isolation.
Having forged an uneasy alliance with the dwarves, goblins, and gnomes of Ironshore, Elijah sets out on a quest to reunite with his sister and her family. Along the way, he helps those in need—be they beasts or people—and plays the role of both healer and protector, battling plague and peril in a cursed tower of puzzles and alien threats.
But unbeknownst to Elijah, his kin have fallen under the tyrannical control of a rising despot. It seems a former-sheriff-turned-warlord has seized the suburbs of Seattle and declared himself their unquestioned ruler. And he doesn’t take kindly to challenges to his authority . . .
The world has been remade. Transformed by the touch of the World Tree, Earth has regressed to a pretechnological age. Machines no longer function, nations have fallen, and the remnants of humanity struggle to survive in a world brimming with danger . . . and power. But from the ashes of civilization, Ethera—a mystical energy that grants supernatural abilities through a game-like system of stats, spells, and magical evolutions—has emerged.
After surviving a plane crash and finding himself on an island in the Pacific Northwest, cancer-stricken Elijah Hart was given the powers of a shapeshifting Druid. As nature’s champion, he’s fought mutated monsters, armies of fantastical creatures born from folklore, and interdimensional invaders from another reality. But he can no longer live in isolation.
Having forged an uneasy alliance with the dwarves, goblins, and gnomes of Ironshore, Elijah sets out on a quest to reunite with his sister and her family. Along the way, he helps those in need—be they beasts or people—and plays the role of both healer and protector, battling plague and peril in a cursed tower of puzzles and alien threats.
But unbeknownst to Elijah, his kin have fallen under the tyrannical control of a rising despot. It seems a former-sheriff-turned-warlord has seized the suburbs of Seattle and declared himself their unquestioned ruler. And he doesn’t take kindly to challenges to his authority . . .
- GenresFantasy
473 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
243 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 31, 2025
Let this review be for both book 1 and book 2.
This litrpg doesn't really do anything new, per se, but the stuff it does do are executed pretty well. That said, it does do something less common: it focuses on the druid fantasy archetype. If you're a fan of progressive power fantasies where the protagonist starts from a very low place and climbs higher and higher, this does that pretty well. I'm also a fan of the side stories told from the view of the main character's relatives. The lore of the system is intriguing, but it's not going to the driving force for most readers. Searcy's strength lies in the thought and care he puts into writing the way the MC interacts with his environment, though the action scenes are nothing to scoff at either.
My only real complaint I have regarding this story is that the "dungeons" take huge hunks of the books. I end up getting bored past a certain point and just wishing they would be over. While it is fun to see how the MC might approach various challenges, I don't like spending chapters on chapters discussing how to traverse an underwater maze and the difficulties of doing so.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
Edit: I had completely forgotten but was reminded upon looking at a different review. The MC being bad flirting is fine. That said, I really hope Searcy pulls a little further away from the line where the MC tries his hand flirting at awkward times to the point it approaches sexual harassment. We weren't right at the line or anything, but maybe don't get as close next time.
This litrpg doesn't really do anything new, per se, but the stuff it does do are executed pretty well. That said, it does do something less common: it focuses on the druid fantasy archetype. If you're a fan of progressive power fantasies where the protagonist starts from a very low place and climbs higher and higher, this does that pretty well. I'm also a fan of the side stories told from the view of the main character's relatives. The lore of the system is intriguing, but it's not going to the driving force for most readers. Searcy's strength lies in the thought and care he puts into writing the way the MC interacts with his environment, though the action scenes are nothing to scoff at either.
My only real complaint I have regarding this story is that the "dungeons" take huge hunks of the books. I end up getting bored past a certain point and just wishing they would be over. While it is fun to see how the MC might approach various challenges, I don't like spending chapters on chapters discussing how to traverse an underwater maze and the difficulties of doing so.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
Edit: I had completely forgotten but was reminded upon looking at a different review. The MC being bad flirting is fine. That said, I really hope Searcy pulls a little further away from the line where the MC tries his hand flirting at awkward times to the point it approaches sexual harassment. We weren't right at the line or anything, but maybe don't get as close next time.
April 3, 2026
Mostly enjoyable
I'm enjoying the main story, but the secondary plotline is just way more compelling. Carmen would have been the more interesting main character since book one. I understand that a lot of men read these books who prefer their solo MC storylines and I wish this story would cater to them even less. I'm annoyed that the MC is already pretty much the strongest person we know due to his fortuitous encounters in book one, and reading his lonely tower delves is the least interesting aspect about these books.
I have difficulty believing that his attitude is strongest in the world material and when he does , it is always more interesting. I still like his archetype, but I wish his climb to the top would be much slower to make it more believable. Even with his fortuitous encounters, it is just very difficult to see how he is a one in eight billion talent due to his dragon core. I also don't like this weird view by the author that people rarely band together and adjust. I don't like how uninterested and slow the average person is depicted. From all we see, the crafters don't die as often and should be at the top for growth opportunities. That the MC cleared puts emphasis on that authorial oversight. Many combatants should fuel the progression of few top notch crafters, who every combatant should in turn want to cooperate with even more.
I don't like the politics displayed either, there is very little faith in community and very strong philosophy of individual exceptionalism at work. I'll keep reading, but this story could be so much more than a very competently executed LitRPG Apocalypse. Oh well, I'll take what I can get.
I'm enjoying the main story, but the secondary plotline is just way more compelling. Carmen would have been the more interesting main character since book one. I understand that a lot of men read these books who prefer their solo MC storylines and I wish this story would cater to them even less. I'm annoyed that the MC is already pretty much the strongest person we know due to his fortuitous encounters in book one, and reading his lonely tower delves is the least interesting aspect about these books.
I have difficulty believing that his attitude is strongest in the world material and when he does , it is always more interesting. I still like his archetype, but I wish his climb to the top would be much slower to make it more believable. Even with his fortuitous encounters, it is just very difficult to see how he is a one in eight billion talent due to his dragon core. I also don't like this weird view by the author that people rarely band together and adjust. I don't like how uninterested and slow the average person is depicted. From all we see, the crafters don't die as often and should be at the top for growth opportunities. That the MC cleared puts emphasis on that authorial oversight. Many combatants should fuel the progression of few top notch crafters, who every combatant should in turn want to cooperate with even more.
I don't like the politics displayed either, there is very little faith in community and very strong philosophy of individual exceptionalism at work. I'll keep reading, but this story could be so much more than a very competently executed LitRPG Apocalypse. Oh well, I'll take what I can get.
September 14, 2025
Book two
I will admit that I couldn't give book one one of the best reviews. However that is because like a lot of stories on Royalroad they improve as they are being written. The author starts to find their Rhythm and flow.
As any long time follower of my reviews knows I am not a fan of the modern dragon. So while I don't like them the author hasn't turned the MC into a dragon yet. The tendencies that we do get a glimpse of are very in line with my ideas of how a dragon might act.
Plenty of action, but as always I'd like to see more loot.
Also lets start getting grove members.
9/10 This is my opinion. Yours may differ.
I will admit that I couldn't give book one one of the best reviews. However that is because like a lot of stories on Royalroad they improve as they are being written. The author starts to find their Rhythm and flow.
As any long time follower of my reviews knows I am not a fan of the modern dragon. So while I don't like them the author hasn't turned the MC into a dragon yet. The tendencies that we do get a glimpse of are very in line with my ideas of how a dragon might act.
Plenty of action, but as always I'd like to see more loot.
Also lets start getting grove members.
9/10 This is my opinion. Yours may differ.
October 8, 2025
Mostly enjoyable
I'm enjoying the main story, but the secondary plotline is not compelling. Carmen was, and is, written as a minor character. While I understand her motivation I have difficulty believing that those around her during her decent into madness keep following her. She does things that deserve more than, 'this makes me uncomfortable.' The response should have been, 'no, I won't do that.' If that plot disappeared the story wouldn't suffer much.
That said I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Tom out
I'm enjoying the main story, but the secondary plotline is not compelling. Carmen was, and is, written as a minor character. While I understand her motivation I have difficulty believing that those around her during her decent into madness keep following her. She does things that deserve more than, 'this makes me uncomfortable.' The response should have been, 'no, I won't do that.' If that plot disappeared the story wouldn't suffer much.
That said I'm looking forward to the next in the series. Tom out
September 4, 2025
Overall a very enjoyable read. It falls victim to granting the MC a new power just before the next big moment that was only winnable by the sheer Cosmic Luck that gave the single exact power needed just moments before. Cringe-worthy "flirting" a few times that did not land as humor to me. Creepy, sure. Toes over the line into sexual harassment, probably. Those are my two downsides, and do not overall take away from a fun book. I will gladly follow into book 3.
September 4, 2025
This book should be able to get more than five stars! For someone that has never read a LitRPG book other than the first one in the series, I am completely astounded at how good it is. Elijah is a beast. The writing is so good. You can see yourself in the middle of this book. It almost feels real. January can’t get here fast enough. I know books 3 will be just as good as the other two if not better.
November 6, 2025
Whispers of the wild is the second book in this series, and while it doesn't have as much world building in this one, there's plenty of characters getting stronger, and plenty of clashes between them. Pretty good story, but now that I'm done, I need to wait until January for the next one.
April 18, 2026
Like the story more the longer it gets
After half of book 1 I was pretty torn and was close to put it away. I restarted it after a couple of months and now I’m captivated. The writing has improved a lot, the story is becoming more lively, multiple different views and interesting personalities and new mechanics.
I will stay critical as I continue with book 3, but right now it deserves 5 stars from me.
After half of book 1 I was pretty torn and was close to put it away. I restarted it after a couple of months and now I’m captivated. The writing has improved a lot, the story is becoming more lively, multiple different views and interesting personalities and new mechanics.
I will stay critical as I continue with book 3, but right now it deserves 5 stars from me.
September 28, 2025
Nothing really happens (DNF 75%). Mc is just aimlessly wandering around „searching for Seattle“. The world is randomized if this at least half way realistic he is not finding Seattle in a thousand years (especially that the world is enlarged if I remember correctly). There are a few subplots with other people I do not really care about.
September 5, 2025
a bit frustrating
Would prefer if mc was colder.
Spoilers
Roman lives. Is still a jerk. MC awkward as all get out with people.
Loved book 1, but annoyed now. Sister unavenged. New enemy revealed at the end that is more of a drag than anything imo.
Would prefer if mc was colder.
Spoilers
Roman lives. Is still a jerk. MC awkward as all get out with people.
Loved book 1, but annoyed now. Sister unavenged. New enemy revealed at the end that is more of a drag than anything imo.
September 3, 2025
Yes.
Caught up on royalroad and patreon. Not perfect but it's one of my favorite series. Author writes insanely fast. Word
Caught up on royalroad and patreon. Not perfect but it's one of my favorite series. Author writes insanely fast. Word
September 14, 2025
wonderful book!
I absolutely love this series! I love the world building and the characters. I can’t wait for the next one!
I absolutely love this series! I love the world building and the characters. I can’t wait for the next one!
October 20, 2025
2.5 Stars
October 25, 2025
Protagonist seemed nerfed
There's a few times in the book that the protagonist seems somewhat nerfed but all in all a decent addition to the series
There's a few times in the book that the protagonist seems somewhat nerfed but all in all a decent addition to the series
Read
March 16, 2026Finished, but will not continue. Was hoping for citybuilding and a better arc.
September 16, 2025
Great sequel.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews