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The Dao of Magic #3
The Dao of Magic #3
A sea of savage beasts. An ancient order of mages. A looming cataclysm.
Now that Drew has become even more powerful by stepping into the Foundation Realm, new challenges await him. He is quietly growing his school and sect, and allowing his students to recruit whoever they want so he can take it easy.
Trouble looms as his old mistakes come back to haunt him. The entire planet is about to be sent down a savage and unforgiving path, and it might be his fault. Monsters are popping up everywhere, packs of deadly animals led by terrible mutants. The worst part? They seem to be steered by some higher power, some nefarious being that holds the reins of the planet.
His students have turned from bright-eyed, eager learners… into lazy good-for-nothings. Whoops. It seemed he was too influential in their development. Teach now has to spend large amounts of time crafting gear for all the new recruits, and the rising tensions are giving him a headache.
Teach might just decide to end them all. He had a fresh start once… maybe he should try again?
Now that Drew has become even more powerful by stepping into the Foundation Realm, new challenges await him. He is quietly growing his school and sect, and allowing his students to recruit whoever they want so he can take it easy.
Trouble looms as his old mistakes come back to haunt him. The entire planet is about to be sent down a savage and unforgiving path, and it might be his fault. Monsters are popping up everywhere, packs of deadly animals led by terrible mutants. The worst part? They seem to be steered by some higher power, some nefarious being that holds the reins of the planet.
His students have turned from bright-eyed, eager learners… into lazy good-for-nothings. Whoops. It seemed he was too influential in their development. Teach now has to spend large amounts of time crafting gear for all the new recruits, and the rising tensions are giving him a headache.
Teach might just decide to end them all. He had a fresh start once… maybe he should try again?
15 pages, Audible Audio
Published February 4, 2020
About the author
Andries Louws
12 books132 followersAndries 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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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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October 1, 2019The horrible series I couldn't put down.
These books are terrible. The grammar is way off, spelling issues, format issues, duplicated words and punctuation everywhere. The plot is all over the place. The swearing is like a 4 year old reciting bad words they heard. The protagonist is straight up crazy. It's a power fantasy gone sideways. By all normal measures I should hate this series and should not have made it this far in attempting to read it.
That being said, for some reason I've read all three. For some reason I still found it fun, funny, and interesting in spite of it's many, many, many glaring flaws. I actually hate myself a little bit for not putting it down in disgust and not being able to just fry the work in a review.
These books are terrible. The grammar is way off, spelling issues, format issues, duplicated words and punctuation everywhere. The plot is all over the place. The swearing is like a 4 year old reciting bad words they heard. The protagonist is straight up crazy. It's a power fantasy gone sideways. By all normal measures I should hate this series and should not have made it this far in attempting to read it.
That being said, for some reason I've read all three. For some reason I still found it fun, funny, and interesting in spite of it's many, many, many glaring flaws. I actually hate myself a little bit for not putting it down in disgust and not being able to just fry the work in a review.
October 10, 2019
Interesting with errors
Lots or repeated words next to each other ans some spelling errors. Other than that a decent read. Will read the next one. Please update book with corrections.
Lots or repeated words next to each other ans some spelling errors. Other than that a decent read. Will read the next one. Please update book with corrections.
October 27, 2019
There is a core in the series that I'm really fond of. Dew's development and the casual reality-shaping, god like cultivation path is quite fascinating. The roots and dungeons and their impact on the world is interesting.
Unfortunately most of the book is not about Dew's progression or him exploring the concepts of the world and is just plain boring. Half the student stories just happen without much impact or meaning. Oh well.
And as others have mentioned, the editing is terrible. Looks like nobody read the completed book before publishing.
Unfortunately most of the book is not about Dew's progression or him exploring the concepts of the world and is just plain boring. Half the student stories just happen without much impact or meaning. Oh well.
And as others have mentioned, the editing is terrible. Looks like nobody read the completed book before publishing.
January 25, 2024
Title: The Dao of Magic #3 by Andries Louws
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Review:
The Dao of Magic #3 by Andries Louws is a continuation of the mystical journey embarked upon in the earlier installments, yet it faces certain challenges that impact the overall reading experience. While the series maintains its appeal with elements of cultivation and magical exploration, the third book falls short in certain aspects, hindering the narrative's potential.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Review:
The Dao of Magic #3 by Andries Louws is a continuation of the mystical journey embarked upon in the earlier installments, yet it faces certain challenges that impact the overall reading experience. While the series maintains its appeal with elements of cultivation and magical exploration, the third book falls short in certain aspects, hindering the narrative's potential.
Stagnant Plot Development:
One of the primary issues in The Dao of Magic #3 is the stagnation of plot development. The narrative seems to meander without significant progress in terms of overarching plotlines. The lack of substantial forward momentum may leave readers craving more substantial revelations or impactful events to drive the story forward. The pacing feels uneven, with moments of excitement followed by prolonged periods of stagnancy.
Character Arcs and Motivations:
The character arcs in this installment lack the depth and progression seen in previous books. The characters, including the protagonist, appear to be caught in a holding pattern, with limited growth or evolution. Motivations for characters' actions may feel unclear or underdeveloped, making it challenging for readers to fully empathize with their choices. The emotional investment in the characters' journeys, a strength in earlier books, seems diluted in this installment.
Overreliance on Familiar Tropes:
The Dao of Magic #3 leans heavily on familiar tropes associated with the cultivation genre. While tropes can be effective when employed creatively, this installment feels somewhat formulaic. The narrative lacks the freshness and innovation that characterized the earlier books, potentially causing readers to sense a repetition of themes and scenarios from previous installments.
World-building and Exposition:
While the world-building has been a strength of the series, The Dao of Magic #3 introduces new elements in a way that might feel overwhelming. Expository moments, intended to expand the understanding of the mystical universe, can come across as information dumps, disrupting the flow of the narrative. The balance between world-building and storytelling appears to tip towards excessive exposition, potentially alienating readers seeking a more immersive and organic exploration of the magical realm.
Conclusion:
The Dao of Magic #3 struggles to maintain the momentum and innovation of its predecessors, facing challenges in plot development, character arcs, and an overreliance on established tropes. While the series still holds potential for fans of cultivation fantasy, this particular installment may leave readers hoping for a return to the narrative strengths and creativity that characterized the earlier entries in the series. With a more focused approach to advancing the plot and deepening character dynamics, future installments could rekindle the magic that initially captivated readers.
July 4, 2020
So I've blown through books 3-5 so fast I can't remember where one ends and the next began. Therefore I am going to give them all the same generic review.
The author does a pretty good job of focusing on the journey of the MC. As a result, it isn't disappointing when a book ends and the MC hasn't reached his over all goal of ascending to a higher cultivation realm. The author really tests this, though, not even really attempting to resolve story lines as the MC progresses. Plus, the author is overly detailed, something that I am fine with but limits my ability to recommend these books to others. Even so, it is readily apparent that these books would be twice as good if they contained fewer background details and more story progress. Part of the problem is the author keeps adding characters, none of whom ever die or otherwise leave the story. I can barely keep track of the story lines following the MC and his seven original students, I don't even try to keep track of the rest of the cast.
The length of this story also has the downside of removing any sense of danger for the characters. The author pretty much establishes by the end of book 3 that no harm is going to come to any of his favorite characters. Between that and the over explanation of everything the big fight in book 5 was completely predictable.
Bottom line: Worth the read for me since I like cultivation books and the author focuses on the MC's journey rather than the MC's destination, but it is a questionable recommendation to others due to a lack of risk to characters and a way to detailed story.
The author does a pretty good job of focusing on the journey of the MC. As a result, it isn't disappointing when a book ends and the MC hasn't reached his over all goal of ascending to a higher cultivation realm. The author really tests this, though, not even really attempting to resolve story lines as the MC progresses. Plus, the author is overly detailed, something that I am fine with but limits my ability to recommend these books to others. Even so, it is readily apparent that these books would be twice as good if they contained fewer background details and more story progress. Part of the problem is the author keeps adding characters, none of whom ever die or otherwise leave the story. I can barely keep track of the story lines following the MC and his seven original students, I don't even try to keep track of the rest of the cast.
The length of this story also has the downside of removing any sense of danger for the characters. The author pretty much establishes by the end of book 3 that no harm is going to come to any of his favorite characters. Between that and the over explanation of everything the big fight in book 5 was completely predictable.
Bottom line: Worth the read for me since I like cultivation books and the author focuses on the MC's journey rather than the MC's destination, but it is a questionable recommendation to others due to a lack of risk to characters and a way to detailed story.
April 7, 2020
I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous two books. Our protagonist is just adding more and more students, and things are getting more hectic.
There are still the wacky elements present that made me enjoy the series in the first place.
There are also more powerful things to knock our protagonist down a peg or two (so he doesn't seem too
powerful)...
It's just that I think the focus is too diluted. I guess finding something tasty, then constantly gorging yourself with it does make you sick of the taste eventually? Maybe the author should have ended this at a trilogy? I know I will not be enjoying the
I will get around to the next book eventually. I'm not in a hurry to do so however. Maybe I'm just in a rut that has me feeling this way. Time will tell.
3/5 Stars
There are still the wacky elements present that made me enjoy the series in the first place.
There are also more powerful things to knock our protagonist down a peg or two (so he doesn't seem too
powerful)...
It's just that I think the focus is too diluted. I guess finding something tasty, then constantly gorging yourself with it does make you sick of the taste eventually? Maybe the author should have ended this at a trilogy? I know I will not be enjoying the
I will get around to the next book eventually. I'm not in a hurry to do so however. Maybe I'm just in a rut that has me feeling this way. Time will tell.
3/5 Stars
August 9, 2020
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like cultivating and ascension type of books
I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like cultivating and ascension type of books
October 24, 2020
Mind blowing
I am loving this series but it really bends the brain cells. Being over powered is not a simple concept at all!
I am loving this series but it really bends the brain cells. Being over powered is not a simple concept at all!
May 8, 2021
It's getting better, and if the characters could get their collective heads out of their butts I might enjoy it more. That ending, though. Such a left turn out of nowhere with no apparent build up or explanation until the subsequent book.
February 10, 2020
I was a little disappointed in the story.
What started as a clear and precise story with excellent motives and good storyline has become a confusing mess of interconnected random stories. I am quickly losing interest in this whole story. At this point I’m not even sure if I’m going to pick up the fourth book. It is sad to see such an excellent concept and storyline fragment into this jumbled mess. I would highly recommend the first two novels in this series without hesitation but this third novel gives me pause and I am not sure an almost hate to see what the next novel will bring.
What started as a clear and precise story with excellent motives and good storyline has become a confusing mess of interconnected random stories. I am quickly losing interest in this whole story. At this point I’m not even sure if I’m going to pick up the fourth book. It is sad to see such an excellent concept and storyline fragment into this jumbled mess. I would highly recommend the first two novels in this series without hesitation but this third novel gives me pause and I am not sure an almost hate to see what the next novel will bring.
February 14, 2020
4.5 Stars
September 1, 2019
Good book can’t wait for more
Good book can’t wait for more. Very busy and a bit lost in the details but I think that’s on purpose. Definitely has its own unique and busy “magic system”; “Richard” Core lol. Can’t wait to see where things go. Needs more Lola perspective even if it’s only for a few paragraphs.
Good book can’t wait for more. Very busy and a bit lost in the details but I think that’s on purpose. Definitely has its own unique and busy “magic system”; “Richard” Core lol. Can’t wait to see where things go. Needs more Lola perspective even if it’s only for a few paragraphs.
October 24, 2019
Pretty Fun
If you enjoyed the second book, you'll enjoy this one as well. There are quite a few spelling and editing errors, but the plot is decent and the characters funny. The series could use a good editor, both to clean up errors and the rather disjointed if amusing storyline.
If you enjoyed the second book, you'll enjoy this one as well. There are quite a few spelling and editing errors, but the plot is decent and the characters funny. The series could use a good editor, both to clean up errors and the rather disjointed if amusing storyline.
October 21, 2019
Good story but a lot of spelling and grammar errors.
Story was good just like the preivous two but something must have gone wrong when formatting to a kindle version because there are a lot of obvious and weird spelling and grammar errors.
Story was good just like the preivous two but something must have gone wrong when formatting to a kindle version because there are a lot of obvious and weird spelling and grammar errors.
November 26, 2019
Keeps getting better and better
There are a few editing hiccups here and there, but the quality of the storytelling is fantastic. The characters are wonderfully developed and the humor is outstanding. Hardly feels like a cultivation series sometimes, and thats just fine.
There are a few editing hiccups here and there, but the quality of the storytelling is fantastic. The characters are wonderfully developed and the humor is outstanding. Hardly feels like a cultivation series sometimes, and thats just fine.
December 27, 2019
Tao
I enjoy the world made in the book
I get annoyed at the nonchalance and lackadaisical protagonist and the audacious and idiotic nature of his supposed students as well as some of the solidified ideologies behind the cultivation system and some other minor issues.
I enjoy the world made in the book
I get annoyed at the nonchalance and lackadaisical protagonist and the audacious and idiotic nature of his supposed students as well as some of the solidified ideologies behind the cultivation system and some other minor issues.
January 5, 2020
The entertainment continues
The story continues to be entertaining but the typos really need to be fixed. I'm mean even Microsoft Word would fix half the typos, and point out several sentence fragments that make little sense even in context.
The story continues to be entertaining but the typos really need to be fixed. I'm mean even Microsoft Word would fix half the typos, and point out several sentence fragments that make little sense even in context.
August 29, 2019
Great continuation
Continues to be smart, funny, and unpredictable. I’m excited to read the next phase of the series when it comes out
Continues to be smart, funny, and unpredictable. I’m excited to read the next phase of the series when it comes out
September 10, 2019
Content and story was good, lacked editing. If it receives an editing pass, 4 stars.
October 23, 2019
needs editing
several times words are repeated throughout the book. Needed another read through before being published. I am still looking forward to the next book.
several times words are repeated throughout the book. Needed another read through before being published. I am still looking forward to the next book.
April 23, 2020
Still fun, though the progress is slowed down a lot...
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews