Storm Totem

Mana Beasts, Book 2

By: Derek Alan Siddoway

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

Kellen and his Mana Beast, Vex, have taken their first steps to greater power. Unfortunately, in Oras, there’s no rest for the weak.

Across the land, the power of the great totems is failing. Fanatical cultists are on the warpath for the first time in a thousand years, spreading chaos on a crusade of vengeance.

Seeking answers and a place to hone their mastery of mana, Kellen and Vex face their greatest trial yet: the Storm Totem.

Danger lurks at every step inside the colossal structure. Climbing higher and higher in search of a sacred artifact, they’ll discover forgotten lore, powerful new abilities, and even deadlier foes.

A storm is coming. And Kellen and Vex are right in its path.

The adventure continues in Storm Totem, a progression fantasy with magic animal familiars, perfect for fans of Monster Hunter: Stories, Codex Alera, Digimon, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

©2023 Derek Alan Siddoway (P)2023 Derek Alan Siddoway

another author absolutely bombing the split narrative

loved the story so far and over all I still want to continue the series if there is ever more. but my biggest complaint is the latter half of book two was just a PoV swapping nightmare that caused major whiplash killing any interest in that section of the story. it was build up, chapter change pov change more build up, chapter change pov change and previous tension of last chapter is lost. a very jarring g experience I hope the authour doesn't repeat

it's pretty good

I like it. I just get annoyed when you can clearly tell when parts of a book are ripped outta another story and this one borrows so very heavily from cradle that it's a little ridiculous. for example the main character is basically linden and he runs into a rage filled fight junkie who's basically yurin instead of a dead teacher she has a dead husband. then they run into a quirky mummy who knows everything about mana beasts who's basically a eithan wannabe.....but other wise it's a good spin on the story itself

Holds up well

Derek Alan Siddoway uses a pacing tempo not often used in fantasy novels, especially in Isekai ones. He has the MC skills hobbled through book 1 and most of book 2; yet having him survive, just barely, and yet be useful during difficult monster and antagonist encounters. While the MC's skills progress is stunted, his boastful and no-filter mana beast Vex provides an ample humor with his snark, seemingly, always at the most inopportune times. The story itself does move forward at a well-regulated pace.

Burning question answered. Does Vex finally get his pizza?

Look forward to book 3.

Travis Baldree continues to do what he does best.

great book series

love the series keeps me entertained. I need more please tell me more books will be out soon.

Another enjoyable adveture with Vex and Kellen

I enjoyed this one as much as the first , just felt to short as it went by so fast.

lost interest

I’m not sure if it’s missing tension or if there’s too much downtime descriptions or if the characters are kind of boring (except Vex) but I lost interest and couldn’t wait for the story to end. I probably won’t read the next book - I did like the last one though. Not all stories need to be a duology or trilogy…not sure why some feel they need to be.