Welcome to the Jungle

Shadow's Path #2

by John Ringo

Conspiracy Theories Meet Superhero Reality

Dumped in an alleyway as a baby and raised in one of the most vicious inner cities this country has to offer, Michael Edwards' life changed forever when he acquired Earth powers and heard the words, “The Storm is Coming.” He trained those powers, forged a team with the other Junior Supers, and took down a vicious criminal. Then, he disappeared to hunt down the remains of that creature's gang on his own.

Now, he's back in New York City. Not only is he looking for justice—no, vengeance—for what was done to his mother, but he also seeks the inheritance that's his due.

Blocking the path to Michael's inheritance is The Society, a secret organization which runs most of the world and can best be described as pure evil. No teenage boy alive could possibly hope to bring down The Society on his own. Except, perhaps, for one Michael Edwards, aka Stone Tactical, aka Boogie Knight.

The Society is about to get a visit, and they won’t know what hit them.

Genres: Fantasy

467 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2025

About the author

John Ringo is a prolific author who has written in a wide variety of genres. His early life included a great deal of travel. He visited 23 foreign countries, and attended fourteen different schools. After graduation Ringo enlisted in the US military for four years, after which he studied marine biology.

In 1999 he wrote and published his first novel "A Hymn Before Battle", which proved successful. Since 2000 Ringo has been a full time author.

He has written science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy.


Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Jim Gutzwiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the Jungle (Shadows Path Book 2)

Well, except for the author having drank the republican party koolaide , it was an interesting take on the superhero genre.

Evil, and good come from all over. The storyline ties together, but you have to read and understand.

Thank you for an enjoyable story.

[Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

With his past well and truly in the open, Mike must take steps to secure his enormous inheritance from his adversaries. They run the family trust, abused his mother, and are tied into evil globe-spanning conspiracies.

Mr. Ringo can make reading about legal proceedings and land purchases interesting, and that's what he does here. There isn't very much action, and the book seems sometimes like a long political lecture. If you're a Ringo fan, you'll probably enjoy it anyway.

https://www.books.rosboch.net/2025/11...

[Kevin Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than the first book but not by much. Getting a bit deeper into what's going on and actively fighting the evil Society. Constantly bringing up that the main character is 13 years old and that makes much of their skill set and expertise feel more and more unrealistic even in a superhero setting. Honestly I thought the character was a couple years older which would have made that same skill set improbable but not impossible. There is a good scene between the main character and the dad where we learn about the Dad and Mom's relationship that was well done. The spiritual aspects brought up in the novel are interesting additions. It is building momentum towards "The Storm" which is good.

[Ray Renner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shame on John Ringo and Baen for publishing this worthless POS right-wing conspiracy theory junk of a book. Giving the right-wing tropes of pedophile, demon worshipping Democrats as the villains in the book shows a complete lack of intelligence, integrity and creativity. Setting aside the right-wing conspiracy theory BS, it was just not a good action, superhero SSF book. The hero was uninteresting and not likeable. There was considerable use of unnecessary racial stereotypes that did nothing to further the story. The action sequencies were boring and uninteresting. I wish I could give it zero stars. Do not read this book.

[Henry Lazarus · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Ringo and Casey Moores continue the adventures of extremely bright Michael Edwards, now thirteen and looking at colleges. This is a world where people get superpowers and Mike has Earth powers. In the first tale he discovered that his mother had not abandoned him, but had been murdered by a Society of pedofiles that just wanted access to her billion dollar trust. Most of this second adventure is devoted to thwarting evil lawyers to get his inheritance. Welcome to the Jungle doesn’t disguise its conservative politics. It’s a lot of fun particularly when Mike has to be assessed by psychiatrists for mental competency. The scene had me rolling in laughter.

[Grant Hogarth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not that good

Formulaic John Ringo. Pedantic and predictable. Some interesting things, but otherwise popcorn. Nothing new, and not much of a plot. If you have read any of his other series, you have already met his protagonist, and those that he opposes. I almost regret having paid for this, and won't be buying any more. 3 stars only because he is a fluid writer, and if one hadn't read anything else by him, it would be an OK read. But I have, and I was disappointed.

[William Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay, so

I enjoyed it. But…I need a palate cleanser for my next book. Something where the bad guys’ evil deeds aren’t quite so…yeah.

And maybe something that doesn’t preach about politics and power quite as much.

It was tasty. But that’s a *strong* taste.

Also, “Oh, John Ringo, no”. IFYKYK

[John G · Rating 5 out of 5]

more of the story

My first book by John was in 2003 on the way to the Persian gulf. Loved and never have been disappointed. And so it continues. This is a great backfill to what comes next. If really fill in the MT info. While you should read “not that kind of hero first” it would still be a fun read

[David Harriss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frustrating

Good characters, solid plot, vile villains - all to the good.
Wrapped in political messaging from QAnon groups, and social philosophy at stage 3 / 10 of the neo-Nazi pipeline.
Not recommended, no interest in continuing the series.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

More woke bashing and some funny bits but overall underwhelming for a Ringo book

[George S · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a problem with this book, I am now dying for the next one. The first one in the series did the same thing. John Ringo has a gift and it is here.

[Karl Hombaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ringo scores again

I've never read any of Mr Ringo's stories that weren't excellent! This story line is no exception.
Sci-fi, and social political theory!

[Greg Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

Storyline is pretty good, characters are ok. But it jumps all over the place. Hopefully we get back on track to the storm that's coming.

[timothy dodd · Rating 5 out of 5]

a smooth read you won’t want to put down.

As always with a new book by John ringo. This book is hard to put down and just flows nicely.

[Edgar G · Rating 5 out of 5]

strange story but really interesting

This started out a little off then turned into a great fun story. Included humor is great. The education part is interesting.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The political diatribes Ringo is starting to put into his books make it hard to read/enjoy the superhero/antihero sci fi antics.

[keith rafferty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to John's latest series

I enjoy ringos take on political correctness gone mad , some of his carreraesque rants are quite entertaining , not too sure about his mining and logging chops...I'll be continuing to follow Mike's journey to the storm.
An addendum from recent news : it seems "the society " is realer than john thought , but based on what the Epstein victims are saying , its the conservatives and evangelicals who've been raping and sacrificing kids , and they run the whole government now...wonder if john will make any comment in his next chapter