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Ancient Dreams #2
Spells of Old
Having successfully driven off an assault and freed captives of Kelvanis, Sistina begins fortifying to defend those she cares about from further attacks. Yet with all her power within her halls, she cannot grant those under her protection true freedom. To truly bring hope to her love, Sistina must delve into who she once was, and bring forth every scrap of magic she has to become a shining beacon of hope.Sadly, Kelvanis' plans are only mildly impeded by her efforts up until now, and they will stop at nothing to bring their ends about. The only question is, whose side is time on?
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2017
215 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Medrano
47 books308 followersI was born in October, 1985. Not much of my history would likely be of interest, but I grew up primarily in Utah, a land of ultra-conservative people, and yet oddly open to Science Fiction and Fantasy.
I started trying to write in high school. That didn't go well, and I mostly lost the spark for a long time, only rarely finishing writing a story, as most of my inspiration instead went into tabletop role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. In the process I developed a possibly unhealthy obsession with elves and succubi. If I ever write a story without either, it's probably Science Fiction...and there are even odds that someone will body-mod themselves to look like an elf. Trying to be honest here.
My writing tends to focus on the relationships between characters, though it may not seem like it at times. The stories in the background are just that, a backdrop for the development of the characters and situation. I try to fully think them through, but it's not always the case.
Anyway, not much more to be said. I'm an oddball, and I know it. I'm also somewhat stunned at the success my work has attained thus far, and am trying not to panic over it.
I started trying to write in high school. That didn't go well, and I mostly lost the spark for a long time, only rarely finishing writing a story, as most of my inspiration instead went into tabletop role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. In the process I developed a possibly unhealthy obsession with elves and succubi. If I ever write a story without either, it's probably Science Fiction...and there are even odds that someone will body-mod themselves to look like an elf. Trying to be honest here.
My writing tends to focus on the relationships between characters, though it may not seem like it at times. The stories in the background are just that, a backdrop for the development of the characters and situation. I try to fully think them through, but it's not always the case.
Anyway, not much more to be said. I'm an oddball, and I know it. I'm also somewhat stunned at the success my work has attained thus far, and am trying not to panic over it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 9, 2018
Just like the first book in the series this was a mix of traditional old school fantasy and LitRPG fantasy. It had LitRPG style Dungeons mixed into an old school fantasy world of humans, dwarves, orcs, and elves. The story actually blended and balanced both aspects of the tale really well.
The story picked up from where it left off in the first book with the human kingdom of Kelvanis is continuing to grow in power and to strike at the two elven kingdoms surrounding it. The Arcon has ambitious plans to capture one of the elven queens and even to enslave a Goddess! Sistina also continues to grow in power and to increase the size of her own realm.
The story was engaging and fun but not super exciting. The best bits of this second book were learning a bit more of the second elven kingdom and of learning a bit more about Sistina's true nature.
All in all this was a decent enough story that had a few slow spots but was still a worthwhile read.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: I think Gabriella Cavallero did a good job with the audio.
The story picked up from where it left off in the first book with the human kingdom of Kelvanis is continuing to grow in power and to strike at the two elven kingdoms surrounding it. The Arcon has ambitious plans to capture one of the elven queens and even to enslave a Goddess! Sistina also continues to grow in power and to increase the size of her own realm.
The story was engaging and fun but not super exciting. The best bits of this second book were learning a bit more of the second elven kingdom and of learning a bit more about Sistina's true nature.
All in all this was a decent enough story that had a few slow spots but was still a worthwhile read.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: I think Gabriella Cavallero did a good job with the audio.
October 26, 2018
3.5 stars
The second book was a little better than the first one. There was more action and I didn't feel bored as I did while reading the previous book in the series.
The second book was a little better than the first one. There was more action and I didn't feel bored as I did while reading the previous book in the series.
April 9, 2017
I'm a very avid fantasy reader, and I liked Ancient Ruins. This book picks up where the last one left off, where Phynis is with Sistina. The book is huge. There are adjustments made by everyone with the multi-person situation (if you read the end of Ancient Ruins, you know what I'm talking about with the Jewels). It's very interesting and original.
I thought that the discussion of Sistina's magic-working skills and speed was very interesting. If you've read Originally Human by Eileen Wilks, you're familiar with the concept of ancient knowledge being written down in a book. Sistina's knowledge is vast.
I received a review copy and have voluntarily reviewed this book with my honest opinion.
I thought that the discussion of Sistina's magic-working skills and speed was very interesting. If you've read Originally Human by Eileen Wilks, you're familiar with the concept of ancient knowledge being written down in a book. Sistina's knowledge is vast.
I received a review copy and have voluntarily reviewed this book with my honest opinion.
March 30, 2020
4 stars
This book was a lot better than the last book. It went into detail about the world and explained things a bit more. The characters are also not as confusing anymore but I still have trouble telling them apart.
This book was a lot better than the last book. It went into detail about the world and explained things a bit more. The characters are also not as confusing anymore but I still have trouble telling them apart.
July 7, 2019
This was exciting as the author introduced even more characters to the Ancient Dreams series. The twist at the end made my jaw drop! Time for the next book.
February 14, 2018
I can see why people give this book better reviews than me- it is creative and, on a page by page basis well written. It is with the big picture story where the author fails. In short, THIS ISN’T A BOOK. IT IS THE MIDDLE OF A BOOK SOLD SEPARATELY. In book 1 the author had one stupid thing happen after another so he could create the desired scenario, which was extremely irritating because perfectly intelligent ways to the same ends not only existed but were obvious. In this book the author is just moving that scenario forward, which he does well and no truly stupid things happen in this book. However, the author essentially replaces stupidity with an unfocused story. Do we really need to know about each individual date the women of the “dungeon” go on? Do we really need to know every last detail of how a captured elven queen is being perverted?
The author has some talent and some good ideas for a book but doesn’t understand that a book consists of a beginning, middle and end. And the author’s handling of ley lines deserves special criticism since a couple of the most stupid things to happen in book 1 involve ley lines which aren’t explained until book 2. Apparently ley lines, for no reason, allow teleportation in one direction only. That might be deduced from certain happenings in book 1 but, GIVEN HOW IMPORTANT SUCH A STATE OF AFFAIRS WOULD BE TO THE STORY IF IT EXISTED, I personally assumed a different set of circumstances since the author failed to communicate on this point. Further, even in book 2, the author fails to give any basis for this state of affairs like “ley lines can only be traveled toward sunrise” (yes, I know that’s lame and yet it is more thought than the author apparently put into it.)
Also, I’m not certain the author thought out his story in advance at all. I’d point to the many stupid story choices in book 1 and the unnecessary inclusion of dungeon dating life in book 2 in support of this but what I’m actually thinking of is the main character’s (Sistina’s) soul crystal. Sistina was trapped in a soul crystal for 10,000 years at the start of book 1 and that crystal sucked away her memories. The author makes a point of telling the reader that Sistina gathered up every last piece of her shattered soul crystal (still in book 1) but that is the last we hear of it. Sistina, who spent months studying architecture and correcting a 6 volume seminal work on magic theory never even looks into her former prison. In this book Sistina has a big jog to her memory and I immediately thought that, after years of book time, she is finally going to look into her old prison, maybe pull some of her memories back out of it. No. I can only believe that the author had something like this planned but forgot about it.
Bottom line: Don’t waste your time.
The author has some talent and some good ideas for a book but doesn’t understand that a book consists of a beginning, middle and end. And the author’s handling of ley lines deserves special criticism since a couple of the most stupid things to happen in book 1 involve ley lines which aren’t explained until book 2. Apparently ley lines, for no reason, allow teleportation in one direction only. That might be deduced from certain happenings in book 1 but, GIVEN HOW IMPORTANT SUCH A STATE OF AFFAIRS WOULD BE TO THE STORY IF IT EXISTED, I personally assumed a different set of circumstances since the author failed to communicate on this point. Further, even in book 2, the author fails to give any basis for this state of affairs like “ley lines can only be traveled toward sunrise” (yes, I know that’s lame and yet it is more thought than the author apparently put into it.)
Also, I’m not certain the author thought out his story in advance at all. I’d point to the many stupid story choices in book 1 and the unnecessary inclusion of dungeon dating life in book 2 in support of this but what I’m actually thinking of is the main character’s (Sistina’s) soul crystal. Sistina was trapped in a soul crystal for 10,000 years at the start of book 1 and that crystal sucked away her memories. The author makes a point of telling the reader that Sistina gathered up every last piece of her shattered soul crystal (still in book 1) but that is the last we hear of it. Sistina, who spent months studying architecture and correcting a 6 volume seminal work on magic theory never even looks into her former prison. In this book Sistina has a big jog to her memory and I immediately thought that, after years of book time, she is finally going to look into her old prison, maybe pull some of her memories back out of it. No. I can only believe that the author had something like this planned but forgot about it.
Bottom line: Don’t waste your time.
July 17, 2017
I was very critical of this author when I read the first book in this series. This was because the book started so well my expectations were very high. Unfortunately the rest of the book didn’t live up to the start and I suppose the contrast made it more disappointing.
I decided to read this book because I wanted to find out what was going to happen to Sistina. I hoped that starting the book with lower expectations I wouldn’t be as disappointed.
This is a fairly run-of-the-mill fantasy, which has a few great characters, but the construction of the story is just ordinary. There are several sub-plots that seem to be mainly ‘filler’ and are just boring. Unfortunately, they get in the way of Sistina’s story, which is still very interesting, but seems to be only about a quarter of the book.
However, I did enjoy the ending and if the rest of the book had been like this I would have given a higher rating.
I decided to read this book because I wanted to find out what was going to happen to Sistina. I hoped that starting the book with lower expectations I wouldn’t be as disappointed.
This is a fairly run-of-the-mill fantasy, which has a few great characters, but the construction of the story is just ordinary. There are several sub-plots that seem to be mainly ‘filler’ and are just boring. Unfortunately, they get in the way of Sistina’s story, which is still very interesting, but seems to be only about a quarter of the book.
However, I did enjoy the ending and if the rest of the book had been like this I would have given a higher rating.
October 17, 2018
There were a few ups and downs since the start of the novel, but what annoyed me was
The major focus on things other than the dungeon is more than a little annoying. It's true what they say that too many POVs kills a book.
This book definitely suffers from the "one book stretched into three" syndrome.
There were times you notices a dropped in the story quality (maybe that is because the POV wasn't something I wanted to know).
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first, but I will read the sequel.
3/5 Stars
The major focus on things other than the dungeon is more than a little annoying. It's true what they say that too many POVs kills a book.
This book definitely suffers from the "one book stretched into three" syndrome.
There were times you notices a dropped in the story quality (maybe that is because the POV wasn't something I wanted to know).
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first, but I will read the sequel.
3/5 Stars
September 20, 2017
Better than the First Book
The first book in this series started rather average for me, but finished strong, which compelled me to the next book. Ancient Dreams, book two, started better and finished better. I'm still not completely sold on the whole dungeon storyline; however, the main character, Sistine and the supporting characters carry the story. The story is well told, I will eventually swing around for book three to complete the trilogy. Enjoy.
The first book in this series started rather average for me, but finished strong, which compelled me to the next book. Ancient Dreams, book two, started better and finished better. I'm still not completely sold on the whole dungeon storyline; however, the main character, Sistine and the supporting characters carry the story. The story is well told, I will eventually swing around for book three to complete the trilogy. Enjoy.
January 4, 2019
This is a good book with a well flushed out plot. Unfortunately if you went into the series because you were after a dungeon book you might be disappointed. The dungeon aspect wanes in this book but the plot gets better and our character growth keeps the story going. While I was really turned off by the slavery and rape aspect as the guilty slowly get their due I've become more excepting that the story will work out.
August 20, 2017
The annoying moments a over and the series picks up momentum. We get a better look at the bigger picture with this book (lets be honest, the first book hinted that we only see pieces of a bigger game) but far more important: THE book is interesting - many second books suck (its a fact) but this keeps us occupied so read on and enjoy lads!
September 7, 2017
Still don't know?
I found myself turning pages without reading them as these and other parts of the book was becoming monotonous and boring. Not enough action, too much explanation. Towards the end it became more interesting again. Still a good story, but too much meandering and explanation dulls it somewhat. Let's hope for better in the last book.
I found myself turning pages without reading them as these and other parts of the book was becoming monotonous and boring. Not enough action, too much explanation. Towards the end it became more interesting again. Still a good story, but too much meandering and explanation dulls it somewhat. Let's hope for better in the last book.
October 31, 2018
WOW! This story just keeps getting more complex! The character development is strong and moves forward at a good pace! The plot twists and turns with one single thread that keeps it straight! The dungeon continues to grow and develop at an ever increasing pace! Funny that the dungeon gets in a bit of it's own trouble while delving!
May 6, 2017
Another great addition
Well written entertaining continuation for the first book. So much intrigue you're not sure which plots and plans will succeed or fail. Can't wait for book 3.
Well written entertaining continuation for the first book. So much intrigue you're not sure which plots and plans will succeed or fail. Can't wait for book 3.
July 27, 2017
Great book
Great if rather nonstanard fantasy book. Author continue to impress me. I’m looking forward for book 3. Author try to keep intrigue : Sistina’s plans, real reasons of Wenris's actions, Sistina's history. It's interesting what disruptor actually is...
Great if rather nonstanard fantasy book. Author continue to impress me. I’m looking forward for book 3. Author try to keep intrigue : Sistina’s plans, real reasons of Wenris's actions, Sistina's history. It's interesting what disruptor actually is...
September 29, 2017
Unique and interesting
This book is in a style that I have never sampled before. The setting distinctly reminds me of an mmo but is written from the perspective of a dungeon rather than an adventurer.
This book is in a style that I have never sampled before. The setting distinctly reminds me of an mmo but is written from the perspective of a dungeon rather than an adventurer.
October 24, 2017
3.5 Stars
I think this one is a little better than the first or I am just more into the character and story. If you liked the first one you should like this one as well. I will continue with the series.
I think this one is a little better than the first or I am just more into the character and story. If you liked the first one you should like this one as well. I will continue with the series.
October 7, 2019
The Story,
I really enjoyed this tale. You did a great job on answering many questions of who what where and when! I am very curious to see how you are going to tie up all the ends and to see if we get a happy ending. At least I hope so! Sincerely, Nancy
I really enjoyed this tale. You did a great job on answering many questions of who what where and when! I am very curious to see how you are going to tie up all the ends and to see if we get a happy ending. At least I hope so! Sincerely, Nancy
July 8, 2020
Needs actions
I loved the 1st book more than this book this book has so much drama and heram shenanigan going on I'm hoping book 3 to go back to what made this series good if it keeps going in this direction I'm I just gonna dropped the series and move on.
I loved the 1st book more than this book this book has so much drama and heram shenanigan going on I'm hoping book 3 to go back to what made this series good if it keeps going in this direction I'm I just gonna dropped the series and move on.
May 12, 2023
Continues everything awesome from the first book
I swear, this series got better every book— especially considering how high the bar was set with the first one!! I still need… WANT DESPERATELY… to continue following their lives, endeavors, journeys & futures of their stories.
I swear, this series got better every book— especially considering how high the bar was set with the first one!! I still need… WANT DESPERATELY… to continue following their lives, endeavors, journeys & futures of their stories.
May 10, 2017
Can't wait for the third book
The first two books in this series are an absolute joy to read the story is great and well written it's a medieval theme and compulsive reading.
The first two books in this series are an absolute joy to read the story is great and well written it's a medieval theme and compulsive reading.
May 15, 2017
Cracking good read
I can honestly say I spent a whole day reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed every page. Can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy.
I can honestly say I spent a whole day reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed every page. Can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy.
May 17, 2017
Deeper in
The dungeon we go. The plot thickens and things are getting interesting. Really looking forward to book three.
I highly recommend this book.
The dungeon we go. The plot thickens and things are getting interesting. Really looking forward to book three.
I highly recommend this book.
May 21, 2017
New and refreshing path to an old storyline
New and refreshing path to an old storyline.i found the story entrancing with out the normally annoying motif.
New and refreshing path to an old storyline.i found the story entrancing with out the normally annoying motif.
June 25, 2017
incredible
I read the fittest book in one sitting and the second was even better. After I started reading I don't think I would have even noticed of I was on fire.
I read the fittest book in one sitting and the second was even better. After I started reading I don't think I would have even noticed of I was on fire.
July 21, 2017
Great book
This was a great book the characters were well fleshed out and real helped the great story need book three now
This was a great book the characters were well fleshed out and real helped the great story need book three now
October 3, 2017
This was a very good story though I am still wondering about the underline dungeon story looking like somebody ripped somebody else off.
October 22, 2017
Fantastic
One of the few books that I have recently read that was so hard to put down that I almost started neglecting my priorities. Be careful. This could happen to you.
One of the few books that I have recently read that was so hard to put down that I almost started neglecting my priorities. Be careful. This could happen to you.
November 23, 2017
Good Read
A dungeon core story. A little different type of dungeon core (from what I read in the past). Great story. Some adult themes.
A dungeon core story. A little different type of dungeon core (from what I read in the past). Great story. Some adult themes.
November 25, 2017
Another winner!
As good as the preceding book, and that is saying something, because the first book rocked! I am getting book 3 immediately! Great job!!!
As good as the preceding book, and that is saying something, because the first book rocked! I am getting book 3 immediately! Great job!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews