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The Way City Chronicles #2
The Way to War
After the Infarction and the landing of Juvia Colony, Way City is in dire straits. In the deepest Recesses of Basal, a new faction has surfaced and their main objective is to oust Juvia from their city. Once again Shuu has gotten caught in the middle, working under the elusive faction leader 'Spyder'. Across the city Kagaali and the defectors are chipping away with their own plans to infiltrate Apex. Driven by obscure visions, vendettas, and trying to avoid a future dictated by the past, Shuu, Kagaali, and their companions must come to terms, make amends and accept the inevitable in order to take even a step forward in ejecting Juvia from Way City.
482 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Hutton
3 books8 followersM.C. is an avid reader of many genres but mostly fantasy. Living in the lovely Tobacco Valley of Montana, she inhabits a comfortable home with two fuzzies and enjoys introverted activities such as drawing, movies, K-dramas, studying languages and other geeky things.
Author of the Way City Chronicles Trilogy, an urban dystopian science-fiction trilogy. People who like Minority Report, Space Sweepers, Awaken (k-drama), Psycho Pass, Final Fantasy VII or Akira may like this trilogy.
Author of the Way City Chronicles Trilogy, an urban dystopian science-fiction trilogy. People who like Minority Report, Space Sweepers, Awaken (k-drama), Psycho Pass, Final Fantasy VII or Akira may like this trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 15, 2026
This next chapter in the Way City saga raises the stakes in every possible way. In the aftermath of the Infarction and the arrival of Juvia Colony, the city feels fractured, tense, and on the brink of collapse and the story captures that atmosphere perfectly.
The emergence of a new faction deep within the Recesses of Basal adds a dangerous new layer to an already volatile world. Shuu’s role under the enigmatic and unsettling leader known as Spyder is especially compelling, pulling him into morally gray territory where every choice carries consequences. The power dynamics, secrecy, and constant sense of threat make these sections pulse with tension.
Meanwhile, Kagaali and the defectors’ efforts to infiltrate Apex provide a sharp counterbalance, expanding the scope of the story while keeping it tightly focused on character motivations. The brothers’ diverging paths, shaped by visions, grudges, and unresolved history, create an emotional depth that elevates the narrative beyond standard dystopian fare.
What stands out most is the theme of inevitability how the past refuses to loosen its grip, and how progress demands painful acceptance and reconciliation. The story doesn’t rush these moments; instead, it lets them breathe, making the emotional payoffs feel earned.
Dark, immersive, and thoughtfully written, this installment deepens the mythology of Way City while pushing its characters toward an unavoidable reckoning. A powerful continuation that will satisfy longtime readers and leave them eager for what comes next.
The emergence of a new faction deep within the Recesses of Basal adds a dangerous new layer to an already volatile world. Shuu’s role under the enigmatic and unsettling leader known as Spyder is especially compelling, pulling him into morally gray territory where every choice carries consequences. The power dynamics, secrecy, and constant sense of threat make these sections pulse with tension.
Meanwhile, Kagaali and the defectors’ efforts to infiltrate Apex provide a sharp counterbalance, expanding the scope of the story while keeping it tightly focused on character motivations. The brothers’ diverging paths, shaped by visions, grudges, and unresolved history, create an emotional depth that elevates the narrative beyond standard dystopian fare.
What stands out most is the theme of inevitability how the past refuses to loosen its grip, and how progress demands painful acceptance and reconciliation. The story doesn’t rush these moments; instead, it lets them breathe, making the emotional payoffs feel earned.
Dark, immersive, and thoughtfully written, this installment deepens the mythology of Way City while pushing its characters toward an unavoidable reckoning. A powerful continuation that will satisfy longtime readers and leave them eager for what comes next.
April 26, 2025
The Way to War by M.C. Hutton – A Dark, Gritty Dystopian Ride I Couldn’t Put Down
I’ll admit, I went into The Way to War with high expectations after reading The Way to battle, and M.C. Hutton did not disappoint. If anything, this book upped the stakes in ways I wasn’t prepared for. The world of Way City feels even more desperate, the characters even more conflicted, and the tension so thick it practically pulses off the page.
Shuu’s journey in this book hit me hard. He’s not just caught in a war between factions—he’s caught in his own mind, haunted by visions that threaten to dictate his future. I love a protagonist who isn’t just fighting external battles but is also wrestling with inner demons, and Shuu delivers that in spades. Then there’s Kagaali and the defectors, carving their own path, chipping away at the monolith that is Apex. Their determination is inspiring, but it also left me feeling anxious because Hutton makes it clear that no one is safe.
The atmosphere in this book is everything. If you’re a fan of cyberpunk worlds that feel alive grimy, neon-drenched, and buzzing with tension this one will pull you right in. It reminded me of Blade Runner and Psycho-Pass but with its own unique energy. The writing style is sharp, immersive, and effortlessly cinematic. I could see every shadowed alley, hear every whispered conspiracy, and feel the weight of every choice the characters made.
One thing I truly appreciated was how this book doesn’t spoon-feed you the plot. You have to pay attention, connect the dots, and let the world unfold naturally. That might not be for everyone, but for me, it made the story even more gripping.
If you’re into dystopian sci-fi with moral complexity, unpredictable twists, and characters you can root for and fear for, The Way to War is 100% worth your time. Just make sure you read The Way to Battle first—this isn’t a world you can jump into halfway. But once you’re in? You won’t want to leave. M.C. Hutton I can’t wait to read the 3rd book
I’ll admit, I went into The Way to War with high expectations after reading The Way to battle, and M.C. Hutton did not disappoint. If anything, this book upped the stakes in ways I wasn’t prepared for. The world of Way City feels even more desperate, the characters even more conflicted, and the tension so thick it practically pulses off the page.
Shuu’s journey in this book hit me hard. He’s not just caught in a war between factions—he’s caught in his own mind, haunted by visions that threaten to dictate his future. I love a protagonist who isn’t just fighting external battles but is also wrestling with inner demons, and Shuu delivers that in spades. Then there’s Kagaali and the defectors, carving their own path, chipping away at the monolith that is Apex. Their determination is inspiring, but it also left me feeling anxious because Hutton makes it clear that no one is safe.
The atmosphere in this book is everything. If you’re a fan of cyberpunk worlds that feel alive grimy, neon-drenched, and buzzing with tension this one will pull you right in. It reminded me of Blade Runner and Psycho-Pass but with its own unique energy. The writing style is sharp, immersive, and effortlessly cinematic. I could see every shadowed alley, hear every whispered conspiracy, and feel the weight of every choice the characters made.
One thing I truly appreciated was how this book doesn’t spoon-feed you the plot. You have to pay attention, connect the dots, and let the world unfold naturally. That might not be for everyone, but for me, it made the story even more gripping.
If you’re into dystopian sci-fi with moral complexity, unpredictable twists, and characters you can root for and fear for, The Way to War is 100% worth your time. Just make sure you read The Way to Battle first—this isn’t a world you can jump into halfway. But once you’re in? You won’t want to leave. M.C. Hutton I can’t wait to read the 3rd book
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews