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The False Ascendant

The Menocht Loop, Book 2

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About this listen

Ian beat the system, but he'll quickly learn the real world wasn't as safe as he remembered.

Threats are rising, placing Ian in the crosshairs of global conflict. Reunited with an old ally from the loop, he must prepare to take part in an international tournament where the most powerful practitioners in the world fight for dominance.

And unbeknownst to all, a calamity looms overhead - a continent-shattering trial that only Ian can stop.

©2021 Lorne Ryburn (P)2021 Podium Audio Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Time Travel Paranormal
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The narration is easy to listen to and well done. The story feels different to the first one for obvious reasons without spoilers and I'm enjoying it a lot. A great example of the progressive fantasy genre. I look forward to the rest of the series!

Different feel than the first book but still great

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The story of the first book was for Ian to escape the Menocht Loop, it was strong enough to drive the plot all on its own. Here in the second and from what I read in further reviews the lose of that overarching framework has made the utter lack of a basic character motivation glaringly obvious.

Ian's a gadabout who wants to do nothing, he offers nothing to the story other than being the strongest necromancer in existence which means other nations don't want him using his powers which messes well with his goals of doing nothing.

Literally everything of note that happens in this book is other people doing things and Ian is along for the ride. To the point where author has to Deus ex machina, a motivation in that a threat is coming and Ian has to do what the messenger says of he will completely forget every and die as a result.

This is why story protagonists are always given a story motivation or goal, to keep momentum in the sails.

No Base Motivation

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