The Dao of Magic IV

Dao of Magic, Book 4

De: Andries Louws

Narrado por: Pavi Proczko

A devastated school. A collapsing planet. All eyes on Drew.

After teleporting his students all over the world in a rather dramatic attempt to stave off the inevitable apocalypse, Teach is busy. Instead of sipping and relaxing, he now has to slaughter the most powerful of beasts while running around and saving civilization as a whole. Re-Haan, his dragon mistress, isn’t helping either. She just waves him goodbye as he is swallowed by a massive sandworm.

When he finds an object that should be impossible, a hyper-dense projectile just like one that nearly bisected and killed him while he was breaking through, Drew sets out, determined to get to the root of this mystery.

This fresh start isn’t working out the way he hoped, and all the death threats his students are sending him aren’t helping. Teach might just have to face his past for real in order to survive this one.

©2020 Andries Louws (P)2020 Podium Audio

It’s a fun story

I don’t know why other posters are saying there are paid reviews. This is a continuation story that’s an easy listen and it is very funny.

Good listen

Was a good book the pace was a little weird but a good listen none the less

an improvement over book 3 at least

book 3 was a huge let down for me and while I did find this book more interesting, it still manages to feel directionless, despite that main character having several defined goals.

Short but Sweet

This book, while disappointingly short, continues the chaotic and utterly random mess that Andries Louws calls a plot, with the myriad of characters each getting at least some attention, and Teach working towards un-breaking the world.

Fun times all around, although I'm honestly not sure why these books are a series and not a single massive book. Ah well.

A Chaotic Progression

Andries Louws's "Dao of Magic, Book 4" catapults readers back into its uniquely chaotic blend of Eastern cultivation, Western fantasy, and a heavy dose of modern-day snark. This installment sees the immensely powerful yet internally conflicted protagonist, Drew, also known as 'Teach,' grappling with the consequences of his dramatic actions at the end of the previous book. While the novel delivers on the high-octane action and imaginative magic systems that fans have come to expect, it also continues to walk the tightrope of its own polarizing style, with a narrative that will either delight or deter readers depending on their tastes.
Picking up in the aftermath of Drew teleporting his students across the globe to stave off an impending apocalypse, the fourth book in the series finds our ancient cultivator in a typically reactive and reluctant heroic role. Tasked with battling monstrous beasts and saving civilization, Drew's journey is further complicated by the discovery of a mysterious hyper-dense projectile, an object that echoes a near-fatal encounter from his past and sets him on a new, more personal quest.
The central pillar of the "Dao of Magic" series has always been its protagonist, and Book 4 is no exception. Drew remains a fascinating, if often frustrating, character. He is a being of immense power and ancient wisdom, yet his internal monologue and dialogue are jarringly infused with the slang and sensibilities of a modern-day teenager. This duality is a core element of the series' identity, but it is also its most contentious. For some, this creates a humorous and relatable protagonist who demystifies the often-stoic archetype of an immortal cultivator. For others, the constant pop culture references and juvenile humor can feel tonally inconsistent and detract from the gravitas of the world-threatening stakes.
The plot of Book 4 is a whirlwind of action and investigation. Drew's overpowered nature means that external threats often feel less about genuine peril and more about showcasing his inventive and often brutally efficient application of his unique blend of cultivation and programming-inspired magic. The central mystery of the projectile provides a compelling throughline, forcing Drew to confront his past and offering glimpses into the wider, enigmatic cosmology of the series.
Where the novel stumbles, according to some reader critiques, is in the development of its supporting cast. Drew's students, scattered across the world, are a source of both concern and annoyance for him, with some even sending death threats. While their individual struggles and adventures are touched upon, they often feel more like plot devices to showcase the breadth of the world's dangers and the ripple effects of Drew's actions rather than fully realized characters with compelling arcs of their own.
Similarly, Re-Haan, Drew's formidable "dragon mistress," plays a more subdued role in this installment. While her presence is felt, and her relationship with Drew is a significant part of his character, her agency and development within the central narrative of Book 4 are not as prominent as some readers might hope for.
Andries Louws's writing style is as energetic and unconventional as his protagonist. The prose is fast-paced and action-oriented, with a focus on visceral combat and intricate descriptions of the magic system. The author's background and appreciation for a wide range of fantasy and sci-fi are evident in the creative world-building, which seamlessly merges disparate elements into a cohesive, if unconventional, whole. However, the informal and often flippant narrative voice can, at times, undercut moments of genuine tension or emotional depth.
In conclusion, "Dao of Magic, Book 4" is a book that knows its audience and unapologetically caters to them. It is a high-energy, action-packed installment that will satisfy fans of overpowered protagonists, intricate magic systems, and a healthy dose of irreverent humor. However, readers seeking deep character development from the supporting cast or a more serious and consistent tone may find themselves at odds with the novel's distinctive style. It is a chaotic, inventive, and ultimately entertaining ride for those who can embrace its unique dao.

Very good, better characterization

This book has shown how much the author has come from his first entry into DoM series. Good character growth and threading of the student plot-lines with Teach’s. The relationship between Rhea and Drew is much richer. Can’t recommend more

why do I need to read/hear the same thing twice

this story is great but the over worded thoughts get old and the chapters that give another prospective are entirely too similar too want to read/hear will probably continue but not sure with the knowledge that there's going to be more than one more

oh it just keeps getting better

I think Teach is starting to wear off on me.
can't wait for the next book to come out it's been a pretty good read so far. the fight scenes are well-written and keeping track of all the characters is rather entertaining. I can't wait to find out what happens with the dragon and Doard and without ruining the book those two women just sounds scary.

Still like it

The pace was slowing down a bit, but overall I still enjoyed this audio so on to the next one

Most excellent

Yet another great rendition by Pavi and an excellent continuation of the story! Loving the series!