The Dao of Magic

Dao of Magic, Book 1

By: Andries Louws

Narrated by: Pavi Proczko

Cultivation. Magic. Empowering unwitting animals!

A thousand-year-old cultivator, Drew, is about to ascend to a higher existence. As he begins the process, he finds out he has pissed off one too many demigods. Though he manages to fight off the concerted effort of sect elders and patriarchs...he is slapped away from the higher realms by something.

After an instant or an eternity, he awakens on a lower realm! The air is filled with garbage energy, and his emotions of all things are allowing him to control it. For a cultivator that has spent his existence absolutely controlling his thoughts...that won’t do at all. To regain his place in the cosmos, he will need to create the energy his is familiar with once more...even if it might poison the entire world.

Then again...he could just take it easy and leave all the hard work to his "willing" apprentices.

©2019 Andries Louws (P)2019 Podium Audio

Snoozefest

The first third of this book is just the MC monologueing. There is no conflict. Six hours is just him explaining everything about the convoluted magic/wuxia system.

The other issue I have with this book is it's use of pop culture and harsh language. All the pop culture just becomes very confusing and really doesn't belong. I'm usually fine with cursing and crude language. But every time I heard it in this book it sounded like someone just discovered swearing.

finally, the narration sounded very phoned in. I like Pavi Proczko other works, but man I could feel the disinterest in his voice. Or maybe I'm projecting.

im happy with this book

this one got me sucked in quick what a great book hoping the next will be here soon bc I'll be buying it

Pretty good. 3.5 Stars

With the level of comedy included in the story, it might actually a parody of litrpg/cultivation novels. But I did enjoy reading it and the references to the tropes in other stories.

I am fairly certain this book started as a web serial somewhere. This would explain the slice-of-life, not really going anywhere anytime soon, feel of the book. A lot of other reviewers complain that this book doesn't have a plot. While I can see their point, I still enjoyed going along for the ride, and I realize that the 'first book' needed to end somewhere. They probably just stopped after a certain length/word-count.

I'm enjoying it as a relaxing, mostly light-hearted, slice-of-life power-fantasy.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the 'foul language' is abundant, but I barely noticed it. This is probably because swearing doesn't shock or bother me in general. However, one big complaint, regarding language, that I do have, was the use of a word that is considered hate speech in this day and age. A king is going on an internal tirade and uses an F word that I don’t want my review flagged for repeating. I’m not gay myself, but that word dropping out of nowhere was a shock and really pulled me out of the story for a while there. It just didn’t fit with the world we were in and did nothing for the story at all.

I don’t know how difficult it is to edit a book and audiobook after they’ve been published, but that one word would be worth removing, in my humble opinion.

I was okay

I think my main problem is the double POV, first person vs narrator with little warning.

wished the author didn't do that. still, I will purchase next book as I am almost insatiably curious.

I need more

I miss teach and Lola 🥲 and… and triangles. Absolutely wonderful series. I can’t wait for more