Mana Beast

A Mage's Cultivation #2

by Bruce Sentar

Isaac's story continues. He knows being a mage is more than just simple luck. His mother tipped the dice in his favor. But that's ended. Lucky can only carry you so far.
Arriving at the Ferrymen Sect, he hopes to ignite a war between the corrupt mages and those sworn to defend to the average person. But he finds the world of Sects more complex than he'd hoped.
In order to direct the sects into a war with the corrupt mages, Isaac must first overcome genius mages even more blessed than himself.
Join Isaac and his girls in their next adventure.

Genres: Harem, Fantasy, Litrpg, Smut, Magic, Adult, Erotica

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2021

About the author

Born and raised in the agricultural midwest, I moved every year after school even as far as Shanghai before settling down with my wife in Chicago.

I have always enjoyed Wuxia stories and became thrilled when I discovered harem stories spreading to western books. I've written down my day dreams for years as an idle hobby. Inspired by the harem genre I'm finally fleshing them out into full blown novels.

I'm excited to share my stories with you as I turn them into novels and series.

Connect with me on Facebook for updates on my latest books.
https://www.facebook.com/Bruce-Sentar...

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.0 stars

A good continuation of the series. This is a light cultivation novel. What that means is that the majority of the cultivation isn't very detailed, but the components are there. In this book the group heads off to the sect in order to get stronger. Even though the sect is there to back each other and to provider guidance, that didn't really happen. There was infighting in the sect right from the beginning. I know in these books competition is encouraged as to let the strongest rise to the top. That is usually done without sacrificing the weaker though. The MC and his group find themselves at odds with the strongest in the sect from the beginning. The group goes off hunting to get stronger and move up in the sect. The real goal is to get strong enough to fight the corrupted mages. The characters are pretty good.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book.

I enjoyed this book and had a good time reading it. The story is very interesting and the world building is very good as well. Overall I really enjoyed it.

[Dave Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little more plot, a little less smut
do you like action in the form of needless conflict?
If you could get through book one untroubled then the slight increase of stupidity in book two should be no great barrier. I found myself shouting out loud "NO! Don't do that!" 4 or 5 times in this book. I thought it many times, but didn't care enough to shout those other times.
You can only lower expectations so many times before I have no expectations left.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid follow-up to book 1. Well written, good pacing, a sensible but not OP MC and a good balance with the harem elements (for the genre). I have no complaints and found it entertaining, so 5 stars and off to the 3rd book.

[Kiba Snowpaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Final Rating: 3.40/5.00

Starting score: 2.50
+0.35 for meaningful treatment of consent, freedom, and mana-beast personhood.
+0.30 for varied combat and effective teamwork.
+0.30 for the links between sect politics, resources, and environmental change.
+0.25 for supporting characters with histories and purposes beyond Isaac.
+0.25 for intimate chemistry, mutual pleasure, and commitment.
+0.30 for vulnerability, cooperation, and scale in the later survival journey.
+0.20 for Kat's emotional conflict and the danger of conditional freedom.
+0.15 for a clear objective and the succession struggle's culmination.
-0.35 for convenient power gains and cultivation crises that become advantages.
-0.25 for repetitive hostility and predictable antagonists.
-0.15 for repetitive erotic language and intrusive physical appraisals.
-0.15 for reconciliation that moves past mistreatment too easily.
-0.15 for compressed political consequences and an unresolved personal thread.
-0.15 for confirmed grammar and word-choice errors.
Calculated final score: 2.50 + 2.10 - 1.20 = 3.40/5.00

I enjoyed this audiobook most when strength meant taking responsibility for someone vulnerable. There is a good sequel here, with fierce companionship, satisfying fights, and frequent, fully explicit intimacy. There is also a stubborn habit of arranging the world around Isaac's next reward. My fur bristled at the cruelty he confronts, but the repeated arrival of another convenient advantage left me less impressed than the surrounding crowds. As Kiba Snowpaw, Alpha of the Ice Wolf Clan, I respond strongly to a character who treats protection as a responsibility. It earns that response, then tests my patience with conspicuously stupid enemies and careless prose.

The move into the Ferrymen gives the story a useful new problem. Isaac reaches the institution he expected to provide direction and discovers that joining it brings another set of obstacles. He wants the strength and backing to oppose corrupt mages, while the sect's resources are tied to status, internal factions, and leaders with priorities of their own. That links his personal cultivation to the wider conflict. His relationships arrive with unfinished business, too. Narissa's dependence, Celina's obligations, and Michelle's fears about home all belong to the story he is trying to move forward. Compared with Mana Master, the sequel spends more time examining what protection actually requires after the immediate rescue. The earlier suffering remains something the characters must live with, even when the adventure is eager to hurry them toward another fight.

The world becomes more convincing through its material arrangements. Styx has businesses, servants, beast farms, transport, and people whose work supports the mountain above them. Inside the sect, merit points determine access, useful jobs disappear into clan networks, and crafting offers a path for people who cannot simply overpower their competition. Those details explain how privilege reproduces itself. The dungeon breaks add a nastier layer: events that destroy familiar landscapes can also increase the mana available for cultivation. Powerful people therefore have reasons to tolerate conditions that are dangerous for everyone beneath them. My ears pinned back at that logic because it makes the indifference intelligible. The discussion of succession and earlier institutional failures also supplies reasons for rules that initially look arbitrary. The floating mountains feel like places people exploit and depend on, with a history extending beyond Isaac's arrival.

The immediate antagonism is considerably less interesting. The entrance challenge, hostile administration, collectors, pursuit, and further intimidation pile up until the sect sometimes feels like a queue of people waiting to be unpleasant at Isaac. Leo has a recognisable motive in defending inherited advantage, and the approach of a change in leadership gives his aggression a purpose. His behaviour still becomes tiresomely predictable. Arrogance, humiliation, another threat, another spectacle. Too many surrounding people respond with the same amazement or contempt, as though public opinion has only two settings. The poison cultivators briefly suggest a stronger argument about people shut out of legitimate advancement, but their cruelty quickly overwhelms that possibility. Yessa's repeated hostility toward men has a similar problem: a broad grievance does too much work in place of an individual personality. Enough with the damn sneering. The hostility stops surprising me.

The combat supplies much of the energy that keeps those encounters moving. Michelle's shielding, Thea's blade work, Isaac's offensive life mana, and the poison specialists' abilities produce different solutions to different bodies and terrain. Tough hide matters. So do an exposed wound, a blocked attack, the space available to move, and whether someone can keep an enemy occupied long enough for another person to act. The fight inside the confined cave makes particularly good use of those dependencies. Isaac's contribution opens possibilities for the others, and their work makes his effort useful. I also liked the danger of relying on a spell when the strain reaches back into the caster's soul. The connection gives magical defence a physical cost. His companions rescue, cover, stabilise, and support him often enough to feel necessary. When he holds protection over people who cannot safely escape, I understand the decision. That is the kind of danger an Alpha sometimes has to accept for the pack.

My problem with progression lies in how often a frightening limit turns into an unusually generous opportunity. One cultivation attempt threatens disaster because Isaac lacks sufficient resources; another overwhelms him with more mana than he knows how to handle. Both become substantial advances. Wealth, inherited equipment, exceptional companions, and increasingly specialised knowledge keep meeting the next requirement. There is a coherent explanation for his luck, and he still has to act on the opportunities. The cumulative arrangement is nevertheless too accommodating. I can understand exactly how a reward works and still find its arrival convenient. The speed of his ascent makes periods of apparent helplessness feel temporary in a very predictable way. His reckless baiting plan does injure people he cares about, but the longer pattern keeps converting exceptional danger into exceptional profit. The promised struggle for resources loses force when so many advantages accumulate around one person. His progress keeps accelerating through crises presented as potential catastrophes.

Diana is one of the better attempts to give that dependence on resources a human face. Her money initially looks like an easy answer to Isaac's needs, but her business pressures and family history explain why she reaches so readily for financial help. She has learned to connect worth with achievement and safety with strength. The story about her childhood pet makes the damage behind that outlook painfully concrete. That father's cruelty made my claws curl. A child should never be taught that love becomes worthless because she failed to win. Isaac's effort to separate her responsibility from her father's actions is one of his kinder moments. Their partnership also benefits from recognising that affection, gratitude, financial support, and romantic compatibility are different things. I found his repeated insistence on repayment increasingly tiresome when she had already explained her wishes, but Diana has a useful place in the adventure through her own expertise. Her confidence changes with the setting, and her work matters.

Thea's protectiveness gains similar substance when her history with the children of Styx becomes clear. Her insistence on looking after the Tiger Clan grows from an established way of surviving and caring for others. That makes her difficulty stepping back understandable. She is used to being the person who cannot afford to relax. I liked the moments when another person taking responsibility lets her become less guarded without making her less capable. Her relationships within the clan establish a life Isaac has entered, with commitments beyond him. Rob contributes a different kind of value. His interest in alchemy, initial fear, growing loyalty, and awkward attempts to become braver keep him recognisably himself. Isaac remembering Rob's needs and providing a suitable beast core makes their friendship tangible. My idea of a dependable pack has room for the person making what everyone needs, as well as the person charging first into danger. Those relationships help the cast breathe.

Michelle remains the most settled presence beside Isaac. Their familiarity shows through their coordination in a fight, their teasing, and her willingness to challenge him when he frightens her. She wants him, enjoys their shared physical life, and also expects him to remember that his decisions affect other people. I appreciated the explicit recognition that they have learned something from their earlier failure to keep proper watch. Their restraint during a dangerous expedition is an actual change in behaviour. Celina supplies another useful boundary through the demands of her sect and the danger created by her poison cultivation. Caring about Isaac does not erase her need to pursue her own development. The quieter gestures of commitment also work: a modest personal token can mean something that expensive equipment cannot buy. These details put warmth inside the group. In my HowlStrom den, closeness means knowing that someone has considered what tomorrow will ask of you, as well as wanting you tonight.

Narissa is where the sequel makes its most important improvement. The soul bond carried an ugly unresolved question out of Mana Master: how could Isaac distinguish her desires from the influence he held over her? This story takes that question seriously enough to examine the difference between cooperation, apparent attraction, and an independent choice. His discomfort matters because he acts on it instead of treating her responsiveness as permission. The bond can be useful, including in a crisis, while remaining something she needs freedom from. Her own wishes deserve attention even when they diverge from his direction. I particularly value the recognition that recovery cannot be measured by someone's willingness to become a lover or keep pursuing the same dangerous life. My protective instincts found something solid here. Helping someone should leave them more room to choose. Isaac's willingness to accept that makes him more credible to me than another display of overwhelming magic.

Kat complicates the same theme in a darker and more disturbing way. Her suffering helps explain her instability, while her actions keep open the question of what she might do with power over someone she loves. Her desire to help other women exists alongside possessiveness and an alarming need for devotion. That tension made her far more interesting to me than the enemies who simply announce their appetite for cruelty. Isaac has to recognise what happened to her without pretending that their history makes her safe. There is a painful uncertainty in caring about someone whose intentions toward you can change under pressure. My hackles rose at the possibility of rescue becoming another demand for obedience. I wanted the story to stay with that discomfort, and its strongest exchanges do. The broader jokes about desirable, unstable women occasionally flatten what is otherwise a serious emotional conflict, but Kat's situation carries genuine danger within the relationship itself.

Quinn exposes a weakness in the handling of emotional change. Her fear and defensiveness acquire understandable roots, and the gradual discovery of the person behind her authority gives her considerable appeal. Her earlier treatment of Isaac still needs a fuller reckoning. Threats and physical aggression are easier for the story to move beyond once vulnerability and attraction come into view. Understanding why someone expects betrayal does not settle what they have done to other people. I wanted her changing relationship with him to make more room for that accountability. Thea's angry physical response while Isaac is recovering from serious injury produces a related irritation: the scene turns her fear into a violent gag and then quickly returns to affection. There is plenty of evidence that these people care deeply. The story occasionally uses that care to hurry past behaviour which ought to require a more difficult conversation.

The later journey with sharply restricted access to magic is the strongest sustained adventure in the book for me. Suddenly, fatigue, food, water, carrying another person, and finding a defensible place to stop become urgent concerns. Isaac has to use skills he possessed before his extraordinary advantages accumulated. His companion's observations also matter; physical weakness does not erase the ability to contribute. That gives their cooperation a satisfying practical foundation. I loved the scale of the dragon-related setting, where travelling across a creature's body becomes a geographical problem and an ordinary movement can threaten everything nearby. I love dragons with that sense of vastness and presence. The small predators become frightening because the circumstances have changed, not because the story merely announces a larger number. Isaac's continued care for another person costs him effort throughout the journey. I believed in that loyalty. It has the weight of exhausted paws still moving because someone is depending on the next step.

The sexual content is frequent, detailed, and an important attraction throughout the audiobook, including its later stages. That suits what I want from harem fiction: a satisfying story and fully developed explicit intimacy with real chemistry. The cultivation techniques give bodily pleasure a place within the magic, while the differences in how the women approach closeness prevent every encounter from having precisely the same emotional shape. Michelle can ask for a slower, more intimate connection; Thea's eagerness comes with uncertainty that requires attention; the mana beasts bring their own impulses and negotiations. I liked the willingness to include communication about pace and intensity within the encounters. The pleasure also belongs to the women, and their relationships with one another contribute to the sense of an intimate group. Those distinctions, the surrounding affection, and the attention to mutual enjoyment give the intimacy its value.

The erotic prose does not maintain that level of individuality consistently. Repeated emphasis on Isaac's size, stamina, and ability to overwhelm everyone starts replacing discoveries about the people involved. Some descriptions and patterns of reaction return so often that the later encounters lose texture. The problem extends beyond sex scenes. Isaac's attention repeatedly drifts toward a woman's body during conversations that could have carried more emotional or practical weight. Yes, Isaac, we know she's attractive. Let her finish being interesting. The habit of interpreting hostile women's glances as concealed appreciation becomes particularly wearing. The humour has a similar divide. Physical absurdity arising from the scale and behaviour of mana beasts has personality, while another round of sexual nudges or predictable embarrassment can feel automatic. The writing needs fresher observations, especially when it is asking me to remain emotionally invested.

The grammar and word choice also need a proper correction pass. “we’d just ran” uses the wrong verb form after “had”; it should be “run.” During a massage, “menstruations” appears where the intended word is “ministrations,” changing the meaning completely. Another intimate passage describes opening martial robes and “fully exposing her robes,” repeating the garment where the sentence requires something else. These are identifiable mistakes in the wording. The second is especially disruptive to the intended meaning, and the third leaves an absurd image at the centre of an otherwise straightforward action. Across an adventure that depends on clear physical relationships, the wrong action or object weakens the description. Basic grammatical control and accurate word choice deserve attention in their own right.

The succession struggle gives this volume a definite direction and a substantial climax. Its best payoff draws on the relationships and abilities developed along the way, so the earlier work has a purpose beyond collecting upgrades. I also appreciated that Isaac's companions pursue their own advancement while he is occupied elsewhere. The final movement, however, compresses the political consequences into a very short space, and an important personal concern remains hanging. The story has spent considerable effort showing how power is protected, traded, and abused; I wanted more time with the difficulty of changing that arrangement. Winning authority and being ready to govern are separate achievements. The ending recognises further trouble, but its rush toward the next conflict limits the satisfaction of this one. What earns the audiobook its place in my den is the care shown when someone is frightened, dependent, or trying to reclaim a choice. Those moments have lasting warmth. I wanted the rest of the writing to show the same patience and conviction.

[Solitaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this almost immediately after finishing book 1 of this series.

The quality of writing and the overall story is to a high enough standard that I was able to read this novel without noticing too much in the way of technical mistakes.

As for the story, if you enjoyed book 1, this novel will be more or less "more of the same"
It loses a single star from me, because, in comparison to the first book, there is not that much accomplished here.
There is plenty of world-building, and a bit of a twist when the reader learns that "The Ferrymen" are not as cut and dry as they seem.
The first book managed to tell the story of EPIC events, this book covers GREAT events, but they are a step down from book one.
Beyond this, there is decent character development, with an MC who still manages to be an honorable and respectful gentleman to the women in his life, while also being accepting of a growing Harem and maintaining a high moral code. In short, the relationships seem genuine, loving and, make sense given the setting (A feat that I wish more authors were able to pull off).

Bravo Bruce Sentar, I look forward to book 3.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second book

Again. Another enjoyable book from this author.In this the second book of the series Isaac Must continue his power leveling so to speak and cultivating if he is to help Stop the spread of evil. Along the way he of course meets more mana monsters and women willing to help him. He learned more about the Sect he joined and what he must for to persuade them to join the battle. When he's done with the Sect it will live up to it's name the Ferrymen. More politics and internal bickering hampers his Ability to grow but secret missions and knowledge open new avenues for him. The added bonus of learning more about himself his bloodline and he's past. I am looking forward to the 3rd book

[Mezzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s a Harem story but not as you know it ;-)

This series was my 1st foray into reading the Harem genre .
I initially picked up book 1 without knowing what the genre was about and enjoyed the book immensely, the sex was an added extra .
So I started on book 2. I really enjoyed the back story to the world, the fact that there is a ‘Big Nasty’ villain to get your teeth into , as well as a not so big nasty lol.
The battle segments are really well written and I just love the whole magic structure that is the backbone to the sects.
Just downloaded book 3 and can’t wait to start it , so enough of my poorly written review :-)

Great story,
Great characters,
Great Villains,
Great setting ,

What more could you ask for

[Desert Lumens · Rating 5 out of 5]

simply MARVELLOUS!!!

I absolutely loved this instalment of this series! Wow and more wow! This was pure insanity! Plot twists and turns and actions out the wazoo! Also romance galore! I’m very happy with his harem choices! Isaac is coming along quite nicely, although I’m not a fan of kats… there’s an old saying about crazy and sticks…🤔🤭😏… also, I can one hundred percent guarantee you where the four rings are going isn’t some far off land to cultivate. I bet you they’re going to some other world as slaves or to die. Bet you a spatial ring of the highest rank beast cores. I’m excited about Mei and thrilled about Leo 🤣😋. I cannot wait to start the next book!! Onward lads!

[Luca von Morgen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t Wait

Can’t wait for the next book to be released, been waiting a while for this one, and found it had been released without me being notified, which was rather annoying.
But, got it, read it, enjoyed it thoroughly.

As for the lack of a 5-star rating, I reserve those for books with no mistakes. (No typos, spelling or grammatical errors.)
There were few in this book, same as the last one, but I must follow my standards, or I have nothing to follow.

PS: Keep up the good work, and take your time writing the third. Don’t rush it. Quality, over quantity.

[Deon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting adventure that kept me up late into the night

One of the rare few books of this genre that can balance an exciting story with intriguing and creative combat with quality, developing romances with a harem of distinctive and interesting women. I loved it. It's hard to find good quality as mentioned above but this is definitely one of the gems. Lots of praise for the author and I'm moving directly to the next book and look forward for the audiobook to come out to relive the adventure with great voice actors!

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isacc must join a sect to get protection an secure a place where he can get stronger

Isacc left his village after his dad taught him all he knew about combat and strengthing as his dad left to find his wife Isacc mom . Michael left with him as he started his journey to improve himself an they forge a life together . set upon by slavers he must free himself an Michael after capture an kill the slavers at all cost . An find a sect to join for himself an Michael together .recommend reading excellent series .

[Alan K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good continuation from Book 1

The story was not as predictable as many I have read, with a few surprises in who joins the MC in his ongoing adventure or increasing harem. The book was well paced and the sex scenes now with cultivation aspects are varied enough to not be generic/repetitive garbage that some authors seem to think is good enough to put in their books. A good fun read that is also a fairly compelling read as you want to know what happens next. Many larger battles added to the intensity of story.

[Christopher Conatser · Rating 5 out of 5]

i enjoy this book

in one word i can sum up this book rollercoaster. from picking up from the last book to learning what happen to other charicters i thourghly enjoy ever inch and will wait for the final book. cultivation novels are aguilty pleasure for me i like seeing many ofold chine's myth cause they alway have grand tails that take you away together with how they unfold. great work

[Jake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sentar whiffs it again

Poorly written, poorly executed.

Sentar loves to write characters that come in and upset the Apple cart, taking control over enormous organizations with absolutely no clue of what to do. His characters make an “impressive and inspiring” speech, and then proceeds to somehow perfectly execute despite no training, no familiarity, no experience.

Nothing like a Gary stu cardboard cutout MC.

[Niffler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but I found it subpar compared to the first. There was an attempt at a magic/cultivation system in the first book. Here, it's a bit free for all and very lax. It's like the author abandoned the idea of spell, cultivation and techniques. I found it a bit disappointing even if the story was still good.

[Sword Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of conflict

Joins a sect where most everyone wants him dead. Gets new wives and more enemies. Aside from all the drama there is alot of conflict in his sect and action. The second half of the book is better and has better pacing. I almost quit the book over the constant conflict/betrayal.

[Jacob Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

this was awesome. I was really not looking forward to reading this book, because the first one was so good that I was expecting to be horribly disappointed. I was shockingly engaged with this from beginning to end. Very well done, and this author could have a new fan for life

[Anthony Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I think one of the aspects that I like most about this series is the Arthur's ability to Encompass what I really enjoy about cultivation novels without including many of the parts that tend to be overly explained or the parts that many tend to cut short. The author is very good at balancing action with plot development

[Jamie Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

They just keep getting better!

After reading other Bruce Sentar books, I got curious about this series, and after reading the first book, was thoroughly engrossed in the world of Mages Cultivation.

But book two takes that and goes. Eyond with even more interesting characters, quests, magical mayhem and epic duels.

I can't wait to read the next one!

[Rocco Sgabellone · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

Bruce Sentar with another hit. Love the continued world building and the characters progression. The addition of luck as a pivotal element is a very unique concept and keeps me on edge wondering where the luck happens. The first loss and then redemption was an awesomely agonizing read.

[Tom Tonn]

Rising to the Challenge

Bruce Sentar does it again with his 2nd book in A Mage's Cultivation saga. His unique take on mana and growth compel the reader on an epic journey filled with intrigue and suspense. Mana cultivation is the name of the game and the protagonist and his companions prove they gave more than enough metal for the task ahead.

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit cringey

Wanted to like this, but it was too immature for me to get into. The main character has the worst case of 'main character syndrome' I've come across. Worse yet, the world and its women seem to have little better to do than revolve around him as well. Has all the believability of an eight year old's power and romance fantasy.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two books down and both merely teasing me with a fox...

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one. Really peeved that we get teased by mia joining in both books only to be left waiting...

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A damn good sequel

I'll be honest I got this book and finished it the same day. This book like the first keeps a fast pace and never really slows down. The author expands more on the world building without detracting from character development. All in all worth the buy.

[Ricardo Centeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first if not better!!

Read this book in one day as I simply could not put it down. The story got better and advanced at a great pace. I can't wait for the third book and will strongly recommend this series to anyone.

[SaKen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I truly love the way the story flows without a hitch.It’s as if I’m watching the story unfold before my eyes and I’m there experiencing it myself!If you love a great tale and a good book to curl up and read I highly recommend this series for you.

[Gregory · Rating 2 out of 5]

Largest minus was the very thin veneer of character development. Two new characters join the party and there personalities and motivations are nearly nonexistent in the story. Everything in the book seams rushed and shallow.

[Paps · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has an interesting system, and a world that can be enjoyable. Either way the premise is to rushed, the setting is too common to give it an original spinning. Sincerely the way the protagonist is growing in a system known for its slow build up doesn't feel right.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read

This book continues to push the boundaries and potential of what a cultivation novel can be. The lore, world building and characters keep you engrossed and coming back for more!