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Paths of Power #2
Initialization: Book 2
Stage 2 of Initialization has begun. One week since System Initialization started and over 70% of the worlds population have been slain, groups of survivors are coming together and trying to rebuild civilization. Unfortunately, with Stage 2 of Initialization, this will prove to be a daunting task. More complex monsters and beasts are rising, some forming more cohesive and dangerous tribes, unlike the simple goblins and kobolds we have seen so far. Some leaders let their greed rule them, some seek to rule with an iron fist, and the precious few individuals who manage to control a settlement must struggle against not just the threats outside, but human nature and the threats from within.
John and Rukia, his beloved dog must continue their journey home through an increasingly dangerous world. He has the help of his three new companions. Magnus, the man he saved and fellow cultivator; Cody, the embodiment of what a man of faith should be; and Rowan, the Summoner and practitioner of magic. They must leave Utah and travel through Wyoming, dealing with Dungeons appearing in their path and creatures becoming more powerful, more complex and more dangerous. The party must keep up with the power curve if they are to survive.
John and Rukia, his beloved dog must continue their journey home through an increasingly dangerous world. He has the help of his three new companions. Magnus, the man he saved and fellow cultivator; Cody, the embodiment of what a man of faith should be; and Rowan, the Summoner and practitioner of magic. They must leave Utah and travel through Wyoming, dealing with Dungeons appearing in their path and creatures becoming more powerful, more complex and more dangerous. The party must keep up with the power curve if they are to survive.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2022
120 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 23, 2023
a fairly good story
As usual with this type of book, there are editing errors abound. But I enjoyed the story and will likely read the next one. I’m done with the audiobook versions though unless the narrator is changed.
If you like system apocalypse litrpgs, you will probably like, but not love, this one.
As usual with this type of book, there are editing errors abound. But I enjoyed the story and will likely read the next one. I’m done with the audiobook versions though unless the narrator is changed.
If you like system apocalypse litrpgs, you will probably like, but not love, this one.
March 1, 2024
Book 1: was okay. A little awkward but I thought by book 2; the author was going to get a bit better.
Wow, was I wrong. Book 2 was less awkward, but more embarrassing to read. I assumed that writing a trans character was going to be difficult so there was going to be some leeway on my criticism. However, it came off as clumsy and forced. Even worse, the author made it really weird when it came to writing about two teen characters. They came off as two lovable care bares dealing with being trans and other dealing being a seriously devoted to god. What really irritated me, was the actual prayer to god. They have Thor and Aries, but no bible tumpers chose GOD for Deity alignment. I actually felt weird when the trans kid said "it totally fire" and "woke". Maybe not write teen characters?
Also, for the MC urging himself to reconnect with his family...and his ex-wife's husband; he make a lot of pit stops and adventuring. I always found, "got to go see my family" to be a lazy writing in Apocalypse novels. Yes, it has a goal...but it usually a boring one. It this series was BORING. I was skipping chapters because all the MC did was whine about his family and how he has to stop and save people. Also, about 30% of the book is the MC going over everyones' stats over and over again. The item stats, his stats, the enemey's stats, HIS stats again. This book and the other are just stat focus rather than the story.
BORING BOOK with boring characters, boring enemies, boring situation but the "dog" was okay.
Wow, was I wrong. Book 2 was less awkward, but more embarrassing to read. I assumed that writing a trans character was going to be difficult so there was going to be some leeway on my criticism. However, it came off as clumsy and forced. Even worse, the author made it really weird when it came to writing about two teen characters. They came off as two lovable care bares dealing with being trans and other dealing being a seriously devoted to god. What really irritated me, was the actual prayer to god. They have Thor and Aries, but no bible tumpers chose GOD for Deity alignment. I actually felt weird when the trans kid said "it totally fire" and "woke". Maybe not write teen characters?
Also, for the MC urging himself to reconnect with his family...and his ex-wife's husband; he make a lot of pit stops and adventuring. I always found, "got to go see my family" to be a lazy writing in Apocalypse novels. Yes, it has a goal...but it usually a boring one. It this series was BORING. I was skipping chapters because all the MC did was whine about his family and how he has to stop and save people. Also, about 30% of the book is the MC going over everyones' stats over and over again. The item stats, his stats, the enemey's stats, HIS stats again. This book and the other are just stat focus rather than the story.
BORING BOOK with boring characters, boring enemies, boring situation but the "dog" was okay.
January 3, 2023
Did you get a proofreader an editor? No? ok
I enjoyed the book I loved seeing how different groups reacted to the apocalypse however the editing was atrocious. I was able to get past it and finish the book I genuinely want to know how John's journey ends and will carry on the series. However I couldn't stand rowan and her misgendering kept breaking my immersion every few paragraphs she would be called he and it would snap me out of the story. Personal bias 100% at one point you had a typo where you tried to say his but went with hir as Grosse would do with his hermaphrodite characters and had you did more of the hiring shi pronouns it would have been more palatable. I'm sorry for the low rating usually typo heavy good books would be 4 out of 5 but rowan herself dropped the book to 2 out of 5.
I enjoyed the book I loved seeing how different groups reacted to the apocalypse however the editing was atrocious. I was able to get past it and finish the book I genuinely want to know how John's journey ends and will carry on the series. However I couldn't stand rowan and her misgendering kept breaking my immersion every few paragraphs she would be called he and it would snap me out of the story. Personal bias 100% at one point you had a typo where you tried to say his but went with hir as Grosse would do with his hermaphrodite characters and had you did more of the hiring shi pronouns it would have been more palatable. I'm sorry for the low rating usually typo heavy good books would be 4 out of 5 but rowan herself dropped the book to 2 out of 5.
December 28, 2022
Great story and a variety of challenges continue to slow John down
But his and Magnus’s strength continues to grow as their cultivation continues. We see more of the available paths to power as well as grow the party a little. They find some scumbags and some good people just trying to survive, and even end up with remorse after being forced to kill a mother protecting her cub.
The journey toward Colorado has slowed down some and the dangers have grown forcing them all to take a break after nearly dying during a fight with giant spiders.
I love the story and characters but this book needs an editing pass unless those grammatical errors are on purpose.
But his and Magnus’s strength continues to grow as their cultivation continues. We see more of the available paths to power as well as grow the party a little. They find some scumbags and some good people just trying to survive, and even end up with remorse after being forced to kill a mother protecting her cub.
The journey toward Colorado has slowed down some and the dangers have grown forcing them all to take a break after nearly dying during a fight with giant spiders.
I love the story and characters but this book needs an editing pass unless those grammatical errors are on purpose.
January 31, 2023
Book two
I'm done with this series.
It's only been a few days since the system apocalypse and now we have bloodlines and extra Dimensional portals to totally tricked out forge rooms.
I thought adding the transgender child would open up a bit of depth for the characters. It doesn't. They just refer to her as him.
Editing isn't any better than book one.
To much to fast for the timeline. Everyone is super powered with powerful beast, weapons, and items and we aren't even a week into the apocalypse yet. Just to rushed with no depth.
I didn't finish this book and won't read more of the series.
.05/10
I'm done with this series.
It's only been a few days since the system apocalypse and now we have bloodlines and extra Dimensional portals to totally tricked out forge rooms.
I thought adding the transgender child would open up a bit of depth for the characters. It doesn't. They just refer to her as him.
Editing isn't any better than book one.
To much to fast for the timeline. Everyone is super powered with powerful beast, weapons, and items and we aren't even a week into the apocalypse yet. Just to rushed with no depth.
I didn't finish this book and won't read more of the series.
.05/10
March 16, 2023
Solid, if derivative
Maybe it’s unfair to say in todays era of litrpg, cultivation, and system apocalypse novels; but this series really strongly pulls from and resembles it’s predecessors/contemporaries. It also followed book 1 with the direct references to other works; and not the more “nod” type mentions. That aside, it’s still a fun book. I like the character growth and paths, the story so far has moved along pretty well, and there hasn’t been any really egregious errors that I spotted. Worth reading? Definitely. Just expect to be strongly reminded of your other favorites in the genre(s).
Maybe it’s unfair to say in todays era of litrpg, cultivation, and system apocalypse novels; but this series really strongly pulls from and resembles it’s predecessors/contemporaries. It also followed book 1 with the direct references to other works; and not the more “nod” type mentions. That aside, it’s still a fun book. I like the character growth and paths, the story so far has moved along pretty well, and there hasn’t been any really egregious errors that I spotted. Worth reading? Definitely. Just expect to be strongly reminded of your other favorites in the genre(s).
October 28, 2022
Outstanding Book Two in the Series
This continues the great writing and storytelling of the first book. The action and progress is well paced with some really good world building side stories woven in. Advancement continues to be believable and it's fun to learn the system with the characters . Also, the epilogue was a masterful expansion of the lore without weighing down the main story. If you read the first book and loved it you will love this one too. You can tell Sean has a strong plan for the story that is keeping each story focused.
This continues the great writing and storytelling of the first book. The action and progress is well paced with some really good world building side stories woven in. Advancement continues to be believable and it's fun to learn the system with the characters . Also, the epilogue was a masterful expansion of the lore without weighing down the main story. If you read the first book and loved it you will love this one too. You can tell Sean has a strong plan for the story that is keeping each story focused.
December 7, 2022
A good read
Just like the first one this was fun to read. The power advancement is faster than I prefer, but it doesn't really detract from the story. However the MC is starting to become OP, but not too far above his peers.
There will, no doubt, be some reviews panning this book as there is a trans person who is accepted by his friends without reservations and is treated with respect. There is also a gay kiss. If you are offended by non vanilla people this might not be the book for you. But if you read the first one you already know that. Tom out
Just like the first one this was fun to read. The power advancement is faster than I prefer, but it doesn't really detract from the story. However the MC is starting to become OP, but not too far above his peers.
There will, no doubt, be some reviews panning this book as there is a trans person who is accepted by his friends without reservations and is treated with respect. There is also a gay kiss. If you are offended by non vanilla people this might not be the book for you. But if you read the first one you already know that. Tom out
November 27, 2022
Glorious
Awesome continuation of the series can’t wait for the next one. The main character isn’t some fated hero or something and he’s not all powerful seems regularly human in actions and drives and gathers companions quickly and they are all interesting and not over powered either. They meet their share of the range of humans such a situation creates and do there best to come out the good guys. Can’t wait for the next book.
Awesome continuation of the series can’t wait for the next one. The main character isn’t some fated hero or something and he’s not all powerful seems regularly human in actions and drives and gathers companions quickly and they are all interesting and not over powered either. They meet their share of the range of humans such a situation creates and do there best to come out the good guys. Can’t wait for the next book.
December 23, 2022
I liked it.
The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is as I was reading, my flow was randomly and periodically interrupted by missing words. Other than that I think the story has a lot of potential for many more books and I look forward to reading them. I’ve loved these types of stories and would have similar thoughts as the MC that I was a little more prepared if this ever actually happens lol
The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is as I was reading, my flow was randomly and periodically interrupted by missing words. Other than that I think the story has a lot of potential for many more books and I look forward to reading them. I’ve loved these types of stories and would have similar thoughts as the MC that I was a little more prepared if this ever actually happens lol
November 16, 2022
An amazing book
I have enjoyed this book I could not stop reading it. I love the characters development and found the world to be interesting. I look forward to seeing the third book you leave me wanting more. Thank you for your hard work and I hope the next book will be soon to follow.
P.s I hope you look into audio versions of your work :)
I have enjoyed this book I could not stop reading it. I love the characters development and found the world to be interesting. I look forward to seeing the third book you leave me wanting more. Thank you for your hard work and I hope the next book will be soon to follow.
P.s I hope you look into audio versions of your work :)
October 28, 2022
Great story!
Great story! I can't wait to see where the author takes it from here, but I do hope he tidies up a few of the dangling story hooks from book 1 as well. Overall though, I really enjoyed the book, and am looking forward to the next!
Great story! I can't wait to see where the author takes it from here, but I do hope he tidies up a few of the dangling story hooks from book 1 as well. Overall though, I really enjoyed the book, and am looking forward to the next!
December 27, 2022
Excellent Series
This story of a truck driver who is Litrpg literate going through a System takeover was a Fantastic read. Okay, in this book I wasn’t a fan of the book starting on Characters not part of the story yet. Also why would you add Reality Tv to this excellent story?
This story of a truck driver who is Litrpg literate going through a System takeover was a Fantastic read. Okay, in this book I wasn’t a fan of the book starting on Characters not part of the story yet. Also why would you add Reality Tv to this excellent story?
January 4, 2024
Worthwhile read
I like the style. In the previous episode the balance between plot and grinding/cultivation was better, but this is still quite readable. It is passing the "read the next episode test"
I like the style. In the previous episode the balance between plot and grinding/cultivation was better, but this is still quite readable. It is passing the "read the next episode test"
November 26, 2022
Good as always
Barber writes well and with grace. His characters are fun and divergent. I very much enjoyed these two new books and greatly anticipate more to this series.
Barber writes well and with grace. His characters are fun and divergent. I very much enjoyed these two new books and greatly anticipate more to this series.
November 29, 2022
Liked it
Nice second book can't wait for book three. Decent character development and story line. Still to many status updates but that's my only complaint
Nice second book can't wait for book three. Decent character development and story line. Still to many status updates but that's my only complaint
December 16, 2022
Better
This one had more story than the first one, but is still extremely heavy on cultivation minutiae. Ki ki blah condense ki blah story ki ki ki dantian ki essence ki ki ki.
This one had more story than the first one, but is still extremely heavy on cultivation minutiae. Ki ki blah condense ki blah story ki ki ki dantian ki essence ki ki ki.
December 26, 2022
Awesome series
I love the mechanics of all 3 paths and how the characters are evolving. Reread the 1st book again before reading the 2nd and very much impatiently waiting on the 3rd
I love the mechanics of all 3 paths and how the characters are evolving. Reread the 1st book again before reading the 2nd and very much impatiently waiting on the 3rd
January 11, 2023
2nd better than the first.
I enjoyed the first book and have enjoyed the 2nd more. There was also an epilog that really sparked my interest. I look forward to the next book.
I enjoyed the first book and have enjoyed the 2nd more. There was also an epilog that really sparked my interest. I look forward to the next book.
February 7, 2023
Pile of woke garbage from what I could tell of the first couple of chapters. Not worth my time to read someone's virtue-signaling. YMMV of course.
May 18, 2023
Great book
Great book and I can't wait to see what you write about next time. This is what I love about this author.
Great book and I can't wait to see what you write about next time. This is what I love about this author.
August 19, 2023
Another Great Read!
Another homerun in my book. This book takes what I loved about the first one and doubled it. Can't wait to keep reading more.
Another homerun in my book. This book takes what I loved about the first one and doubled it. Can't wait to keep reading more.
May 15, 2024
Probably one of the coolest LitRPGs on the market. Excellent characters, fantastic writing, and super fun!
February 22, 2023
A fairly typical LitRPG book. Nice to see the group growing with more characters added to it and newer and stronger creatures. Also, they discover plenty of settlements that are run by ruthless and/or monsters in human form but not all. Some actually are fighting for the greater good of all.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews