Fallen Star

The Eternal Path #2

by Ivan Kal

Kai Zhao Vin had once been the greatest spirit artist his people had ever known—until he was stripped of his power by the world-conquering Host known as the Arashan. With his world destroyed and his people gone, Vin managed to escape to another world: the next target of the Arashan conquest. There, he managed to recover much of his former power as well as make powerful allies, all the while preparing for the arrival of the Arashan. But the people of his new home don't want to believe in the danger, forcing Vin to take the matter in his own hands. His only desire was to take revenge, and he has vowed to stop them from conquering another world.

Kyarra Con Aroch, the Eternal Soul, had always been the protector of the Kingdom of Tourran, with every one of her former lives serving in that capacity—until the royal family was killed, and she was forced to fight to take the Kingdom back. Alongside powerful allies such as Vin, a warrior from another world, Kyarra managed to take back the city, but only found herself with more responsibility. Now crowned Queen, she finds herself in a situation for which she had never been prepared for. Forced to maneuver world politics as well as govern her own people, she must also convince everyone that the Arashan are coming.

Ashara Ravena, daughter of a prominent merchant in the kingdom of Amaranthine, had come a long way from being destitute and running from her past. Now an adviser to the Queen of Tourran, the Eternal Soul, and with more wealth than her family ever had, she still doesn’t feel like she belongs. Her knowledge lacking, and her advice worth little, Ashara can’t help but feel worthless—especially considering that the two people she is closest to, Vin and Kyarra, are both incredibly powerful figures in every sense of the word. While she cares for both of them, she can’t help but feel inadequate next to them. All the while, the offer she received from a stranger keeps replaying inside her head. All she had to do was whisper a name, and she could gain enough power to be their equal, but Ashara fears that the price would be more than she was willing to pay.

The Arashan were coming to conquer another world, and the decisions the three of them make will shape the future of an entire world and more.



For the fans of eastern and western fantasy.

Genres: Fantasy

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2019

About the author

Ivan Kal writes science fiction and fantasy, and is the author of the space opera series Rise of the Empire.
For most of his life he had been studying in the fields of electronics, IT, and web design.
But because of his great love for books and his need to tell stories, he decided to start writing.
His other interests include martial arts, movies and tv, and gaming.

Reviews

[Ibri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed part 1 and was looking forward to the next one, in that aspect it was an disappointment. But it is still a decent book and I should have expected this since the other books I read from the author aren't quite on the level of the first eternal path book so it was probably a fluke that it matched my taste so well.

I think one thing this book is missing is character interaction. The first had various things I enjoyed, a spirit artist landing in an unfamiliar world with magic worked, well but I also enjoyed the characters interacting (and the budding relationship between the three which here only serves as food for drama) and here for reasons that involve big spoilers there isn't all that much of them talking with each others.
Making miss eternal soul the queen pretty much destroyed the group. Ashara feels inadequate, Kyarra is pretty much useless now because she takes it as reason to stay in the city and play politics which is pointless because nobody is willing to listen to the warnings, and Vin breaks of to search for the gate alone. I think if instead they had traveled as a party they would naturally have interacted more which should have speed up them talking about their relationships, they would have a shared goal and Kyarra could have worked on her magic instead of on politics and defenses that only bought the city a day.

First the Ashara subplot which I didn't like and which unfortunately made me not like her. I know there is probably a heavy helping of mind manipulation involved but we don't once in the book see he in a way that makes her likeable and constantly see her think stuff that makes her unlikeable and the last book is a while ago so I remember what happens but not much of my character impressions so there is nothing to balance the negative. I wouldn't be particularly bothered if they can't get her back to the good guy side and she just dies instead. Which is why I hope that doesn't happen because such things are supposed to be tragic so if I don't care that would be bad story enjoyment wise. (Well considering the seventh step requires self knowledge and she is trying to reach it maybe it will require her to realize what nonsense she is thinking.) Amway her plot quickly removes her from the group.

While the other two, well once Vin returns their relationship is mostly characterized by them being troubled thinking about it alone, because he can't get her to act even after finding the gate which strains their relationship a bit.

Also not all that much happens it basically feels like a transition book. Well next book should have two of them at least travelling together again so I might enjoy the next one more.

[Vincent Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff as xianxia/cultivation goes.

The second book of the series simply takes the first, and pushes it on. The MC demonstrates his innate superiority by recovering his original strength, and the enemies only manage to advance by superior numbers, treachery, and the innate stupidity of people. Or some combinations of the above.

That's not to say that there are no unexpected things. One feels a bit forced, though. Mr Kal does a good job of justifying the turn of events, but it requires a bit of distantiation, because the average reader is not going to agree with how this goes. It also leaves room for a future reversal, but at that point, it might be as unexpected as the original, and while people would probably cheer about it in book 3, it would probably be cheesy.

The second is a recent trend. While all stories written by Ivan Kal are supposed to share the same multiverse, the original sharing was very light. More like an easter egg here and there. The last few books were all very heavy about interlocked narratives based on Heart of the Mountain/Oxylus, and while this one remains very light about it, it does promise even more "interference". In my experience, trying to tie overly different stories and universes into a single grand-unified one tends to cause more problems than it improves the stories. But that's my opinion.

[Ben Mailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know it’s good with Luker shows up

This was an epic book but one that made me sad and made me make a connection. We all feel alone and we all feel less than sometimes but when we feed those thoughts and feelings they turn into more than they are. What a wonderful plot device to drive this story forward. A very organic and real emotion and roller coaster ride that many have been on. The “Choice” hurt my soul but the end of the book made my soul rejoice, as we are about to see some epic shit in the next book!

[William Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yessss

Okay, awesome finale. A lot of good stuff.

There was also a lot of exposition by individuals. Part of the problem of separating the MCs is losing the ability to have them interact and thus provide context. A bit more exposition and navel gazing than I usually like.

But the final battle brought it all together.

Yeah, I’m gonna read the next one...or is it the next series? Whatever. Worth the money.

[Caleb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

Ruined 1 of the main characters and made another dumber. Enemies were interesting enough and got more development. Author made every good character stupid for this book tho.

[Sunmade Ejiwunmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive

You made me care about even the bad guys! I still don't know how people can believe destruction is the path to a better tomorrow but I guess people will deceive themselves about anything. More please

[Michael Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of mixed feeling about this one. Very good yet honestly my least favorite Ivan Kal series. Still worth the read for the multiverse stuff and at times highlighting the authors strengths. One thing I did struggle with the way the chapters jump from character to character across timelines.

[Jeffrey R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cultivation novel

I really like this author. The multiverse elements are really well done. Overall great book. I can't wait for the next book.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

East and western fantasy.

The main characters are (somewhat) relatable in their pain and emotional growth. Great mix of Western and Eastern fantasy/ Magic. Loved it.