The Dao of Magic #2

The Dao of Magic #2

by Andries Louws

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Description:
In the second book of the Dao of Magic series, the thousand-year-old cultivator Drew Liam, who likes to call himself Teach, is happily sailing along. He has gathered a bunny, some random kids, and (almost) a dragon to his cause, and now all he wants to do is to play pirate. His private pocket dimension Tree is growing nicely, and his studies in the mysteries of mana and mutants are also progressing. Somehow, he feels like this all happened in a previous volume of his life, but every time he thinks about it, the details slip away.
Instead of taking it easy like he wants to, the Tower is suddenly sending him a distress signal, not hours after a certain female dragon sang along his mystical guitar playing, thus conjuring up a massive mana storm. Will he ever manage to ascend despite the planet lacking the energy to do so by many factors? Are his students finally going to stab him in the back for being an annoying asswipe? Will his pet rabbit, Lola, finally give up her horn fetish? Read and find out!

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Audiobook, Dragons

633 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2019

About the author

Andries Louws is an avid reader of fantasy, science fiction and pretty much everything interesting since a young age. He is still thankful to the nice ladies at the local library that let him check out all those violent action thrillers, epic fantasy books and encyclopaedias without enforcing age requirements. He also studied multimedia design and computer science while devouring as many novels, audiobooks, and video games as he could get his hands on. He then started writing his own stories after reading one too many badly translated Chinese novels and hasn't stopped since.

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Reviews

[Paul Calhoun · Rating 2 out of 5]

The serialization origin of this series is getting more apparent as the book takes multiple hard turns, backtracks, hot fixes, and dead ends. The MC seems to be regressing even as he grows in power. I can see why all the other enlightened powers decided to kick him out of their divine realm.

[radiathkutya · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 35%

Two major things which I don't like happened.
1. Romance, and icky one too
2. Power sharing. A part of the reason I like progression fantasy is because of the uniqueness of the MC but here it was shared, which is a no go for me.

[Timothy M. Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great twist

I love the way this book takes on cultivation and mostly does away or at least makes fun of the absurd false modesty and face that all wuxia stories usually have.

[Forrest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was enjoying the story as a slice of life type of thing. Which, it basically still is. However, it is apparent that this story isn’t really going anywhere. It is just so random. It feels like the author’s focus on the story switches from chapter to chapter. No real plan for the story other than what they felt like writing on that day.

I’ve read reviews for the next books and it looks like this won’t be getting any better. Even worse, I discovered that the story isn’t finished and hasn’t been updated in years.

I’ll be putting off getting book three. Perhaps indefinitely, or perhaps until I want to listen to some silly nonsense that isn’t going anywhere. Lol

[Akshay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The Dao of Magic #2 by Andries Louws

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Review:

Andries Louws continues to craft a mesmerizing journey in The Dao of Magic #2, the second installment of the series. Building upon the foundations laid in the first book, this sequel immerses readers deeper into a world of mystical cultivation, magical wonders, and personal discovery.

Expansive World-building:

The strength of The Dao of Magic #2 lies in its expansive and vivid world-building. Louws introduces readers to new realms, magical systems, and mythical creatures, enriching the tapestry of the series. The attention to detail in describing the intricacies of cultivation and the rules governing magical practices adds depth to the fantastical setting, creating a universe that feels both enchanting and immersive.

Character Development:

The characters in this installment undergo meaningful development, enhancing their complexity and relatability. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery and cultivation is interwoven with personal challenges, creating a compelling narrative arc. The supporting cast also experiences growth, contributing to the emotional depth of the story. Louws skillfully explores the psychological and emotional aspects of characters on the path of mystical enlightenment.

Mystical Themes and Philosophy:

True to the essence of cultivation fantasy, The Dao of Magic #2 delves into mystical themes and philosophical concepts. The exploration of the Dao, the nature of magic, and the pursuit of enlightenment adds intellectual depth to the narrative. Louws weaves these elements seamlessly into the story, inviting readers to reflect on the broader implications of the characters' journey beyond the immediate plot.

Engaging Plot and Pacing:

The plot maintains a balance between action, introspection, and moments of revelation. The pacing is well-managed, allowing for a steady flow of events while giving readers the opportunity to absorb the nuances of the mystical world. The narrative unfolds with a sense of purpose, drawing readers into the protagonist's quest and keeping them invested in the unfolding mysteries.

Prose and Descriptive Excellence:

Louws' prose is both accessible and eloquent, capturing the essence of magical landscapes, profound encounters, and intense battles. The descriptive excellence contributes to the visual richness of the narrative, allowing readers to vividly imagine the enchanting scenes and magical phenomena. The author's ability to convey the wonder and danger of the mystical realms enhances the overall reading experience.

Conclusion:

The Dao of Magic #2 is a compelling continuation of Andries Louws' enchanting series, delivering on the promises of its predecessor. With its expansive world-building, well-developed characters, and a balanced mix of mystical themes, philosophy, and engaging plotlines, this installment solidifies the series as a must-read for fans of cultivation fantasy. As the journey of the characters unfolds, readers can anticipate further exploration of the mystical realms and the profound mysteries that lie ahead.

[Nom On Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can’t explain how happy I was to have finished this book. For all the erm… things I enjoyed about book 1… I hated book 2 for almost all the same reasons. The narrator’s pompous voice got old and patronising. Too silly but also judgemental. I was uncomfortable with how misogynistic, sizeist, homophobic and ableist the narrator is. Let’s not even get into the ideas about relationships that were discussed. It became unpleasant to read all round. Do I want to know what’s going on with the planet? Kind of. But not enough to sit through another 18 hours of that drivel three times over! I did enjoy the world building and magic system. I enjoyed the cultivation discussions and the way it was all put together. I’ve not read a book that has a system like that before and it gets cudos for that. It’s just a shame about all the flaws. And, I think that using stereotypes about women, and fat people, and ableist words to describe things limits your imagination. It limits the growth and potential of characters. It limits your ways of expression. For all the potential the magic showed the limitation of ideas on a basic level was too strong to make it worth reading more. I regret reading book two.

[Julie Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Series of the Year!

True Action-Adventure, less plot and more...eh hmm.."let's just do this and have fun? Then we will see what we want to do next, ok? ok, good!", Lots of humor and heart. A lot of Easter eggs. The author loves to explain in detail; then depending on your own intelligence or knowledge you may or may not catch the full humor of the situation. It is fun to see who caught which reference and who didn't, and what one I missed, ect! Lots of fun people: what are you doing?! Why are you not reading the book yet!? Oh! Yeah! One more important thing to know: the narration on the Audible is fantastic... truly the narrator became the MC. I so enjoyed the performance I would buy the book asap but then wait till it came out in audible to read/listen.

Do yourself a favor and enjoy this series! Cool Beans!

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically if you liked book 1 in this series you will like book 2. What I like most about this series is the MC is actually intelligent. The MC still makes mistakes either due to limited time and information or simply because he is 1,000 years old and so just enjoys risking a mistake over plotting everything out.

The MC also is likely the most powerful individual active on the planet, and yet he does still face danger from time to time. (Also there is the possibility of some sleeping dragons being more powerful than him.) Like me, this author finds the question of what is done with power to be interesting. He even has the MC discuss the use of power with his companions.

Bottom line: Smart and enjoyable.

[Dániel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out ok, became a jumbled mess later. DNF @ 85%, might finish it later.

The writer started transforming the book into a written form of Yakety Sax, and that just shatters my suspension of disbelief. The whole school/sect thing was a mistake imo. I never encountered a book, where suddenly introducing 200 faceless, nameless people positively contributed to the story. I get that you want to make MC into a powerhouse, but if you don't flesh out the side characters, they'll become random props no one cares about. It feels like wasted time, reading about the "students" and the whole faction/cult nonsense.

Also, I hate the whole "2 years passed, during which I did this and finished that." thing. Show, don't tell! I want to see the stuff MC does, I don't just want to hear about it in one random sentence. Grrr.

[Elaina Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild adventure mixed with science

This second book is just as crazy an adventure as the first. I love how the characters switch from chaotic actions, to scientific analysis, to introspection. I really enjoy the mix and it feels more ‘real’ to me as a result. It’s kind of like the characters move between work/studying, going to an amusement park (e.g. fighting monsters and doing things they probably shouldn’t), and having a nice relaxing dinner with family and friends.

Not for kids, due to: violence, theft, some cursing, and some adult themes, including sex (with thankfully very little detail in this area).

[Vincent Archer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading a power trip full-on mashup of insanity.

But then, it is what you need to expect from M. Louws works. There's a semi-serious background under the story, there's a serious system in the aisle... and you find yourself unable to control the corners of your mouth because there's fight going on between a rabbit and a dragon (spoiler: the rabbit wins). Or the rabbit ends up with a red mohawk cut.

There's probably a bit too much of it, too fast, which is why I'm not satisfied with the book as much as I should be. It's like cake. It might be delicious enough, but if you eat it too fast, your stomach will complain no matter what.

[Tony Hinde · Rating 2 out of 5]

I pushed through to the end, despite wanting to give up.

There's no heart to this story, nor any feeling of realism, risk, or objective. There was a sense of discovery in book one. We learned of an entirely new world and observed the impact made by a cultivator from a higher realm on the local corrupt institutions. Fun! Now the story seems nonexistent.

Magical people are flitting around, doing things that resemble dreams more than reality. None of the characters take anything seriously, to the point where they just seem to be scoring points off of each other. It's frustrating.

Louws created an interesting world and a diverse team – and then did nothing important with them.

[David U. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the audiobook version. This book was entertaining enough for a light listen to pass the time. It’s not to be taken seriously and with the MC basically being incredibly OP with some limitations there weren’t any challenges. We get to see the development of the main disciples as well as how the MC’s actions unwittingly messed up the planet’s ecosystem. Regardless, it was funny and I’d give it a 3.5. I recommend this series if you are looking for a very lighthearted cultivation read.

[Marko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the opposite of book one. It starts strong, there’s a lot of plot, progression and even some surprises.

Somehow this dissolves a bit in the second half though. There are many weird plot holes (like Ragnari just casually overpowering Bord and Lola) and a lot of small, unimportant and seemingly random storylines get started but not really resolved. Most of the cast stays shallow, uninteresting side characters. There’s no real plot or progression.

[Danny Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid second installment. The characters are well written and interesting. The interplay between the characters was my favorite part. I got a little too much first person perspective from Teach which slowed down plot progression because the guy is constantly thinking and it feels like he has ADHD. Overall it was a fun read.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two

Mistakes: This book is riddled with errors. The editing could be a lot better.
Plot: things are getting interesting as the MC works to change the planet and some of it's people.
Characters: they keep growing and remain interesting.
7.5/10 Get better editing.

[Justin Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder if the author even had an outline

This book is great then it revolves into the author trying to fix previous mistakes in the book attempting to play it off as if the MC forgot. Bugged the hell out of me and won’t be reading anymore of this series

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 star book, 2 star editing

This book, much like the first book, is a fantastic story With great characters and world building. Unfortunately the spelling errors are significant to the point I had to knock it down a star.

[Chris Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cultivation series done wonderfully.

This cultivation series is great and I love all the powers and their variety throughout the story. The humor is great and the issues that are needed to be delt with are interesting and original. 7.8/10

[Curtis Gatterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read

I like the way the author is able to tell the complete story, but make it seem like it’s coming from different directions and going in different directions. Very entertaining and enjoyable.

[Lukas Lovas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun enough, though the novelty of the idea has worn off, and the book itself, though funny, is nothing too special. I plan to read on, but I don't feel the book is rave worthy - just a fun and pleasant read :)

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying how this book stitches all of the current fads (Dungeons, Cultivation, Other Worlds, etc) into a coherent seamless whole. The fact that the protagonist does a lot of building makes it even better.

I will be reading the sequel.

3.5/5 Stars

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, when there are potentially better options of things to read it’s difficult to make an argument for coming back to this one. Maybe after some time, if I’m reading a particularly heavy book, I can utilize this as a nice palate cleaner.

- Dropped Ch 100

[Tyler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not much happened in book one and decided to give this one a shot. There's several books so it should be interesting , right?

There's no conflict , no adventure, nothing. Anything they come up against is brushed off because they're too powerful.

Just ends up being some long wind e boring rant

[Crissy Moss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book, in general, but I though it felt a bit hard to follow in a couple of places. But Tree is coming along nicely, and the little world Teach is creating had just the right amount of chaos you would expect from a person like him.

[Melissa Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, a bit absurd, dragons, Qi powered rabbit with a magic horn, a millennium old dude that acts juvenile, more kidnapping, dungeons and lots of weird adventures. Highly recommended.

[Daniel Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book, great series

Fun book, great series. Can’t wait for the next book. Can’t wait to see how things develop and where the story goes.

[Ross Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

If you liked 1 you'll like 2, and I can't wait for 3. Good action parts, good funny parts and great world building.

[Ender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still an interesting book, but spends a bit too much time on the mechanics of his magic. I thought the first book was better. Still I like this author and will keep reading their works.

[Tiffany Taylor whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining

Quite a good sequel, I truly enjoyed the sarcasm and humor in this book and in the series overall. Highly recommend