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Path of Transcendence #2
Slave Pits of the Tyrannical God
Betrayed by the person he trusted most, Brand, formerly Mark McGuinness of Earth, has been enslaved and given to a DokkAlfar Wytch, Elan'fer'sha. Trapped deep within the heart of the Great Citadel of Gor'achen, he is thrown into a gladiatorial stable and marked to be the new Champion for the stable.
In the gladiatorial stable of Elan'fer'sha, Brand meets a mysterious human Smith, with Power far beyond anything he has ever seen used before. Given no alternative by the Smith, Brand forms a compact with Elan'fer'sha. Somewhere within Gor'achen lie partial answers in Brand's quest for vengeance. If he can truly become Gor'achen's Champion, he may open a road to the Wytch's future.
While learning from the Smith, Brand works with and against Elan'fer'sha, as he tries to move farther along the Path to Power. Will Brand achieve his goals or will he fall in the blood drenched arenas of a DokkAlfar empire?
In the gladiatorial stable of Elan'fer'sha, Brand meets a mysterious human Smith, with Power far beyond anything he has ever seen used before. Given no alternative by the Smith, Brand forms a compact with Elan'fer'sha. Somewhere within Gor'achen lie partial answers in Brand's quest for vengeance. If he can truly become Gor'achen's Champion, he may open a road to the Wytch's future.
While learning from the Smith, Brand works with and against Elan'fer'sha, as he tries to move farther along the Path to Power. Will Brand achieve his goals or will he fall in the blood drenched arenas of a DokkAlfar empire?
- GenresFantasyScience Fiction
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2016
33 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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October 21, 2016Who else is amused when the authors world view shines through? I don't know whether the author just loves slippery slope arguments or truly is incapable of understanding the actual standpoint of more liberal people and truly believe the caricature society he has created is the end goal. But when it turns up it is just so blatant and unsubtle that it amuses me. Let me quote something:
It is just so silly.^^ And in the first book the rainbow alliance (consisting of one gender only guilds) who were just in the first book for one scene so that they could betray the good guys for obviously stupid reasons and immediately pathetically fail at their backstabbing without ever being a threat, so that the good guy could lecture the leader a bit before killing him.^^
I seriously laughed while writing this comment, in other forms the sentiments might have annoyed me but here they are just so silly that they are amusing. (I think if it actually played on earth I would find it annoyingly cringey but like this the blatant bits are rare enough that I can be amused at the silliness and move on.)
It is just so silly.^^ And in the first book the rainbow alliance (consisting of one gender only guilds) who were just in the first book for one scene so that they could betray the good guys for obviously stupid reasons and immediately pathetically fail at their backstabbing without ever being a threat, so that the good guy could lecture the leader a bit before killing him.^^
I seriously laughed while writing this comment, in other forms the sentiments might have annoyed me but here they are just so silly that they are amusing. (I think if it actually played on earth I would find it annoyingly cringey but like this the blatant bits are rare enough that I can be amused at the silliness and move on.)
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March 28, 2016Not for the weak willed sheep who love PC.
Brand/ Talon is the best thing smoking in dark fantasy right now. He f**** when he wants, kills when he wants, bashes all the butt boys, and doesn't stand by for women to talk, yell, whine louder and longer than everyone else and think that they are superior because of it.
The Path of Transcendence is about Power, pure and simple. Those that have power can do whatever they want. Those without it get to be used. Pure and simple. Whether it was rape, homosexuality, or slavery those who were strong enough crushes everyone else under there heel. And that's the main issue with all the PC lovers who are bashing the book and giving it one star. How dare McGoldrick write a book the dismisses their beliefs and sheep-like mentality. How dare he write a book that destroys all those who would sit up and go Baaaa. In the Battleground of the Damned the meek do not inherit the earth.
I loved it!!!
Brand/ Talon is the best thing smoking in dark fantasy right now. He f**** when he wants, kills when he wants, bashes all the butt boys, and doesn't stand by for women to talk, yell, whine louder and longer than everyone else and think that they are superior because of it.
The Path of Transcendence is about Power, pure and simple. Those that have power can do whatever they want. Those without it get to be used. Pure and simple. Whether it was rape, homosexuality, or slavery those who were strong enough crushes everyone else under there heel. And that's the main issue with all the PC lovers who are bashing the book and giving it one star. How dare McGoldrick write a book the dismisses their beliefs and sheep-like mentality. How dare he write a book that destroys all those who would sit up and go Baaaa. In the Battleground of the Damned the meek do not inherit the earth.
I loved it!!!
June 12, 2018
To be honest. This was a really hard read. Every page had either missing words, misspellings, or the wrong word completely. When I read the first book, it was a little frustrating, but I was able to persevere and enjoyed the book. The second book, I really had to persevere. A lot more then the first. I'm not sure if the author can even see his own errors. The story is awesome and gritty and a slap in the face. All in all, really good. That is this books only saving grace. If you can suffer with having the flow broken in all most every paragraph, then read it. If not...find another series. Ugh..the story is so well done, I just can't understand why the editing is so bad. I gave the last book 5 stars even with the poor editing. 3 stars..more like 2 1/2, because I still liked the story.
January 15, 2019
I'll be brief (too many aren't...)
- If you haven't already read the first one, I wouldn't recommend this one to start
- If you liked the first one, you'll really like this one - it develops and enriches the characters, history and 'world' backdrop very well. Having completed the series to date, this was the best book by far.
- The spelling/grammar/proof-reading errors and anomalies worsen by a reasonable factor (personally, it's dealable - it may prove more irritating to some, if you have a particular sensitivity for such things)
- The level of graphic brutality, misogyny and sexual violence increases further still - it's all part of the environment that supports the story. If you don't enjoy stories set in such environments, this isn't for you.
- Brand (as he now is) is even more of a cnut in this one and it's entertaining to watch his development and discovery
- If you haven't already read the first one, I wouldn't recommend this one to start
- If you liked the first one, you'll really like this one - it develops and enriches the characters, history and 'world' backdrop very well. Having completed the series to date, this was the best book by far.
- The spelling/grammar/proof-reading errors and anomalies worsen by a reasonable factor (personally, it's dealable - it may prove more irritating to some, if you have a particular sensitivity for such things)
- The level of graphic brutality, misogyny and sexual violence increases further still - it's all part of the environment that supports the story. If you don't enjoy stories set in such environments, this isn't for you.
- Brand (as he now is) is even more of a cnut in this one and it's entertaining to watch his development and discovery
November 15, 2018
I really wanted to like this series. I liked the world setting and the basic premises, but there was no redeeming factor to the main character in any fashion. This was a series full of hate, anger, violence, and vulgarity passed off as shining example of originality. From sexual violence and rape (both of body and mind) to bigotry and murder this series tried to pass off all the darker aspects of human nature as a path to betterment. I cannot recommend this series in any fashion and only write this review to try and save other readers from having the same need of brain bleach that I now do. I want those hours of my life back.
September 24, 2017
Overall I feel like this was decent. Could use more editing and less focus on sexual preferences. I get it, the main character likes women - big deal.
The majority of people, other than the possessed, don't care about other peoples proclivities, and the rest of the possessed are tolerant (to a fault sometimes). I don't see why we time is spent on the main charter turning his nose up at stuff different from what he likes. Do people really think like this?
My gripes with the main character in general: He needs to check himself before he wreaks himself
The main character despises pity, but he doesn't hesitate to put himself on a pedestal and feel sorry for the men who find pleasure in the company of other men. He hates heroes, but everyone he has sex with becomes his property - an excuse for bad/risky decisions and heroic action.
The majority of people, other than the possessed, don't care about other peoples proclivities, and the rest of the possessed are tolerant (to a fault sometimes). I don't see why we time is spent on the main charter turning his nose up at stuff different from what he likes. Do people really think like this?
My gripes with the main character in general: He needs to check himself before he wreaks himself
The main character despises pity, but he doesn't hesitate to put himself on a pedestal and feel sorry for the men who find pleasure in the company of other men. He hates heroes, but everyone he has sex with becomes his property - an excuse for bad/risky decisions and heroic action.
December 25, 2020
Dark, gritty good read
A dark fantasy with a MC who is very gritty. At times it is hard to line him but he does grow on you. The society is not pleasant. The premise is power makes right. If you look at the story from that perspective, I find it easier to understand character motives. Enjoyable but not a pleasant read for those how want to feel good about the MC.
A dark fantasy with a MC who is very gritty. At times it is hard to line him but he does grow on you. The society is not pleasant. The premise is power makes right. If you look at the story from that perspective, I find it easier to understand character motives. Enjoyable but not a pleasant read for those how want to feel good about the MC.
June 28, 2025
Great
This was a great pit stop for Brands increase in Power before the story progresses. Also appreciated the drops of significant background info to the storyline and some hints about characters we haven’t met yet. Waiting for Thorrin and Brand to meet back up and tear some Alfar up😁
This was a great pit stop for Brands increase in Power before the story progresses. Also appreciated the drops of significant background info to the storyline and some hints about characters we haven’t met yet. Waiting for Thorrin and Brand to meet back up and tear some Alfar up😁
June 27, 2017
Awesome!
Keep the series coming! When can we expect the next installment? This story rocks!Thanks for being a writer who is fun to read and knows how to tell a great story!
Keep the series coming! When can we expect the next installment? This story rocks!Thanks for being a writer who is fun to read and knows how to tell a great story!
May 2, 2021
Hmmm
I enjoyed watching the protagonist develop both as a person and a leader.The author also did a great job fleshing out the world.
I enjoyed watching the protagonist develop both as a person and a leader.The author also did a great job fleshing out the world.
February 6, 2017
Great Read
Brand reminds me of Conan the Barbarian but on a lot of steroids, and with if possible a more vicious streak. The scope of this story is kind of mind boggling, it includes Major and Minor Gods,Orcs,Dragons,Elves, and of course Man. The writing has great Imagination, the Sex and violence is pretty graphic but if anything it adds more drama to an already rollercoaster ride. Fab
Brand reminds me of Conan the Barbarian but on a lot of steroids, and with if possible a more vicious streak. The scope of this story is kind of mind boggling, it includes Major and Minor Gods,Orcs,Dragons,Elves, and of course Man. The writing has great Imagination, the Sex and violence is pretty graphic but if anything it adds more drama to an already rollercoaster ride. Fab
March 7, 2016
Good read.
Pros: Story is on point, as-well-as the action. There is plenty of mature content involved, just as it was in the first book.
Cons: This series can be even more awesome if an editor or proofreader was involved in the process.
Pros: Story is on point, as-well-as the action. There is plenty of mature content involved, just as it was in the first book.
Cons: This series can be even more awesome if an editor or proofreader was involved in the process.
March 15, 2016
Misogynistic, violent, overly aggressive, gory, not needed to move the story forward .. but somewhere underneath there is actually a good story going on, despite the distaste for some of the events throughout
March 17, 2016
I truly enjoyed the story and series so far. Waiting for the 3rd book now. Brian does need to have a better proofreader though.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews