What do you think?
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 . . .
473 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 23, 2026
The Path of Dragons series has started well. I rated the previous book five stars mostly because my expectations were low and the book far surpassed them. Now that I have expected this to be a good series, my rating is more reflective of the work. This was a gritty and well done tale, but some of the flaws have been exposed. This does not mean that I did not enjoy the novel. I did. But there will be some who enjoyed the first book who will be turned-off by this one.
First, I should state that Searcy penned a more gritty story in this one. He didn't shy away from addressing what absolutely would occur if our world suddenly descended into chaos following the introduction of the world tree. Where I thought that Searcy surpassed some others - at least as it relates to my personal preference which can only tolerate moderate levels of grim-dark - is that he did not go into gratuitous details about the darker side of humanity. It is enough to acknowledge that there are bad people who do bad things. When we get a chapter that dives into their point-of-view, we don't need to relive these atrocities. I have never understood why some authors decide to write about the most abhorrent things that people can do. Is it shock value? Do these authors have a sick fetish? While I will acknowledge that there are examples where a point or objective is met through showing this in detail, that is the exception, not the rule. So I was glad that Searcy did not shove my face into things that I'd rather not think about, while simultaneously forcing me to recognize that it absolutely is happening.
I probably spent too much time on the above point for how many pages were dedicated to this. But it is important because this book marked a turn from simple survival to living in the new world (and if memory serves, Elijah states as much in the book commenting that "surviving is not the same as living"). And this new world is neither an easy place to live nor a welcoming one. And our main characters are learning this in myriad ways. I am a sucker for a happy ending and for the evil to see their just deserts. It is why I had a love / hate relationship with A Song of Ice and Fire. Again, I think Searcy has struck a great balance here. While we don't expect Elijah to suddenly have an axe descending on his head in front of his children, we also already know that not everyone is safe. The blend of realism into this fantasy world is needed and executed well.
As noted above, I enjoy when the good guys win, so it is with mixed emotions that I have to admit that there were times when Searcy maybe went too far to ensure that outcome. The number of times Elijah is saved from certain doom by happenstance is straining even the most generous definition of 'lucky'. Where I will give points back is that Elijah didn't come by his power easily. He put in the work. Agonizing months and years to show for it. But he also got lucky in more ways than I can count, and we are approaching the level of luck where it is no longer believable. I am reminded of what I can admit is a totally selfish feeling when I think of Elijah in this new world. Covid-19 was awful. It is such a random disease where the outcomes range from never knowing you have it to death. When the world came to a halt in early 2020, it also came with uncertainty and fear; yet, for me, it turned out to be one of the best years of my life. I saved three hours of commute time while working from home which meant I could spend that time working out and focusing on my health. We had a baby in January 2020 and whereas my eldest was born while I was in private practice and left for work before she was awake and came home when she was asleep, I got to see my youngest every single moment of every single day. As an introvert, not having to go out in public left my tank full for my family. With everyone wearing masks, I didn't get sick all year. In short, while the world burned I was happy for the first time in a long time. This is how I think of Elijah. The world as he knows it ends, but for him, he was flying home to his death from cancer. Everything that has happened has been beneficial for him. When I put it into that perspective, the string of luck he has seen is nearly cosmically impossible.
The last note I will make is that Elijah is starting to become a bit of an asshole. Not that I necessarily blame him. Several actions he has taken were forced upon him. The issue is that several others were not. And how he responds to certain actions is more telling than anything else. As one of the most powerful people on the planet, he holds enormous influence. It is hard even to conceive of this in our world because there is no real parellel (at least, and fortunately for me, in my experience). There are certainly places in the world where people live in fear of those who hold power of government. That is probably the best possible comparator. Elijah is equivalent of a warlord who has unchecked power and can do as he pleases unfettered. In our world, those people rarely, if ever, are good people. Elijah has the chance to be a good person. He usually is, but it is starting to fray at the edges. I don't think he will turn to the dark side, but I do think he is going to straddle the line. While I have called Elijah a budding asshole, I must acknowledge that this is exactly the kind of topic that I appreciate in my stories. In the warlord example, we are seeing that power is the ultimate corruptor. Well, Elijah has a lot of power. I cannot in good conscience criticize Searcy for a lack of realism in one point, only to hypocritically say that I don't like it when Searcy pens realism into the main character. In short, the character development is spot on and well executed. I just don't happen to like Elijah sometimes, and that is probably the best indicator that this is a great and well executed story.
For the final thought, I just have to pick a nit... I applauded how Searcy approached Elijah's survival in the first book. As Elijah has expanded his toolkit, we have a side story into how he has made soap (and it continues into book 3). Searcy accurately and maturely showed how one in Elijah's position who is thinking critically and reasonably would prioritize first safety, then shelter, water, food, and only after that, luxury items. Why did we go to soap and not toothpaste!!! Yes, I would hate not being clean but why does that not apply to my teeth! If I don't brush my teeth within 30 minutes of waking I feel gross. I mean I am eating that grossness! If stranded on a tropical island with access to clean water, I absolutely would prefer to have an unlimited supply of toothpaste than soap. I can still wash up even if I don't have soap. Going three years without brushing my teeth on the other hand ....
First, I should state that Searcy penned a more gritty story in this one. He didn't shy away from addressing what absolutely would occur if our world suddenly descended into chaos following the introduction of the world tree. Where I thought that Searcy surpassed some others - at least as it relates to my personal preference which can only tolerate moderate levels of grim-dark - is that he did not go into gratuitous details about the darker side of humanity. It is enough to acknowledge that there are bad people who do bad things. When we get a chapter that dives into their point-of-view, we don't need to relive these atrocities. I have never understood why some authors decide to write about the most abhorrent things that people can do. Is it shock value? Do these authors have a sick fetish? While I will acknowledge that there are examples where a point or objective is met through showing this in detail, that is the exception, not the rule. So I was glad that Searcy did not shove my face into things that I'd rather not think about, while simultaneously forcing me to recognize that it absolutely is happening.
I probably spent too much time on the above point for how many pages were dedicated to this. But it is important because this book marked a turn from simple survival to living in the new world (and if memory serves, Elijah states as much in the book commenting that "surviving is not the same as living"). And this new world is neither an easy place to live nor a welcoming one. And our main characters are learning this in myriad ways. I am a sucker for a happy ending and for the evil to see their just deserts. It is why I had a love / hate relationship with A Song of Ice and Fire. Again, I think Searcy has struck a great balance here. While we don't expect Elijah to suddenly have an axe descending on his head in front of his children, we also already know that not everyone is safe. The blend of realism into this fantasy world is needed and executed well.
As noted above, I enjoy when the good guys win, so it is with mixed emotions that I have to admit that there were times when Searcy maybe went too far to ensure that outcome. The number of times Elijah is saved from certain doom by happenstance is straining even the most generous definition of 'lucky'. Where I will give points back is that Elijah didn't come by his power easily. He put in the work. Agonizing months and years to show for it. But he also got lucky in more ways than I can count, and we are approaching the level of luck where it is no longer believable. I am reminded of what I can admit is a totally selfish feeling when I think of Elijah in this new world. Covid-19 was awful. It is such a random disease where the outcomes range from never knowing you have it to death. When the world came to a halt in early 2020, it also came with uncertainty and fear; yet, for me, it turned out to be one of the best years of my life. I saved three hours of commute time while working from home which meant I could spend that time working out and focusing on my health. We had a baby in January 2020 and whereas my eldest was born while I was in private practice and left for work before she was awake and came home when she was asleep, I got to see my youngest every single moment of every single day. As an introvert, not having to go out in public left my tank full for my family. With everyone wearing masks, I didn't get sick all year. In short, while the world burned I was happy for the first time in a long time. This is how I think of Elijah. The world as he knows it ends, but for him, he was flying home to his death from cancer. Everything that has happened has been beneficial for him. When I put it into that perspective, the string of luck he has seen is nearly cosmically impossible.
The last note I will make is that Elijah is starting to become a bit of an asshole. Not that I necessarily blame him. Several actions he has taken were forced upon him. The issue is that several others were not. And how he responds to certain actions is more telling than anything else. As one of the most powerful people on the planet, he holds enormous influence. It is hard even to conceive of this in our world because there is no real parellel (at least, and fortunately for me, in my experience). There are certainly places in the world where people live in fear of those who hold power of government. That is probably the best possible comparator. Elijah is equivalent of a warlord who has unchecked power and can do as he pleases unfettered. In our world, those people rarely, if ever, are good people. Elijah has the chance to be a good person. He usually is, but it is starting to fray at the edges. I don't think he will turn to the dark side, but I do think he is going to straddle the line. While I have called Elijah a budding asshole, I must acknowledge that this is exactly the kind of topic that I appreciate in my stories. In the warlord example, we are seeing that power is the ultimate corruptor. Well, Elijah has a lot of power. I cannot in good conscience criticize Searcy for a lack of realism in one point, only to hypocritically say that I don't like it when Searcy pens realism into the main character. In short, the character development is spot on and well executed. I just don't happen to like Elijah sometimes, and that is probably the best indicator that this is a great and well executed story.
For the final thought, I just have to pick a nit... I applauded how Searcy approached Elijah's survival in the first book. As Elijah has expanded his toolkit, we have a side story into how he has made soap (and it continues into book 3). Searcy accurately and maturely showed how one in Elijah's position who is thinking critically and reasonably would prioritize first safety, then shelter, water, food, and only after that, luxury items. Why did we go to soap and not toothpaste!!! Yes, I would hate not being clean but why does that not apply to my teeth! If I don't brush my teeth within 30 minutes of waking I feel gross. I mean I am eating that grossness! If stranded on a tropical island with access to clean water, I absolutely would prefer to have an unlimited supply of toothpaste than soap. I can still wash up even if I don't have soap. Going three years without brushing my teeth on the other hand ....
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.
March 28, 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.
August 4, 2026
Because book one was such a complete shit show at the end, i read this with no expectations. Going into that made it better, and i'd rate it as a solid 2.5/3 stars. One of those books you can turn on and keep your mind occupied while doing something else, but not quite good to the point of taking all your focus.
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.
July 10, 2026
So, the MC's sister is dead yet the author keeps going back to her family and the dude who killed her. Why? Doesn't really matter in the long run. Not until the the MC finds out and takes revenge. Just seems like a lot of useless plot to make the book longer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
May 6, 2025
Great sequel.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews