Dao Dominion

The First Immortal, Book 2

By: Bruce Sentar

Narrated by: Lewis Alexander, Rozelyn Rader

Dar and his dao companions are free of Bellhaven and breaking ground for their new village. But the forest by their village brings its own share of problems. A feral jaguar demoness harasses their hunters while a hive of devil ettercaps threatens village’s safety.

All Dar wants to do is get the village ready for the harsh winter. He needs food and lumber to do that.

When he brings the demon girl kicking and screaming back to the village, he gets even a bigger headache trying to civilize her. Now he only has to care for nearly a hundred villagers and get rid of the largest devil infestation anyone has ever seen.

Good thing Dar isn’t an ordinary man. Good thing he’s an immortal.

©2021 Bruce Sentar (P)2023 Bruce Sentar

Great book

This was a great book. All I can say, is a well crafted novel with action, adventure, romance, and giant spiders. What could anyone else ask for!
Also the narrator’s were fantastic!

Great continuation

VA is different but not bad and just a long awaited followup. Can't wait for the next book.

New narrators... much better.

I actually Talked to Bruce about his narrator on book one. He actually went, an got a new Narrator.

About half thru this book, I'm thinking great Narrators, but the Mc is still an idiot.

A couple of events, he seemed to grow up.
Wasn't an instant change,

Ok. overall.
New narrators... AWESOME
Story line .... Great.
Harem... Fantastic
World Development... improving.
MC... Is really improving. has went from omg please die, let one of the girls be the MC, to hmm this guy might be interesting..

I look forward to book 3.

Better then the first book

Bruce found his footing at the beginning of this book. My only compliant is that he is too good as cliffhangers that make you want more.

First Immortal #2: Dao Dominion" by Bruce Sentar

Introduction:
"First Immortal #2: Dao Dominion" is a fascinating addition to Bruce Sentar's First Immortal series. In this follow-up, the author dives deeper into the journey of Dar and his dao companions as they strive to build a new home for themselves. This sequel sees Dar facing new and exciting challenges, introducing more elements of the erotic romance and fantasy genres into the mix. However, it's a book that warrants a mixed bag of reviews, with some readers lauding the book's overall development and others pointing out areas of concern.

Basic Plot Summary:
Freed from the confines of Bellhaven, Dar and his companions now focus on establishing their new village. However, the forest around them is not devoid of threats, with a wild jaguar demoness and a hive of devil ettercaps posing serious risks. While all Dar desires is to prepare the village for the oncoming winter, the capture and attempted civilization of the demon girl complicates matters further. Despite the monumental tasks of caring for the villagers and eliminating a substantial devil infestation, Dar remains undeterred. After all, he isn't an ordinary man; he's an immortal.

Analysis/Evaluation:
"Dao Dominion" presents a more in-depth exploration of the world Sentar has created and the complex relationships that exist within it. However, some readers felt that the protagonist, Dar, faced few difficulties, which resulted in the plot progressing too smoothly. Also, the inclusion of a "new" demon girl and her relationship with Dar raised eyebrows, with some readers finding it distasteful.

Characters:
The character of Dar continues to intrigue, evolving from a man on the run in the first book to a leader managing a growing community. While his power grows, he remains a likable character, demonstrating care and responsibility for his people. However, the slow incorporation of new characters into Dar's harem has left some readers wanting.

Setting:
The wilderness setting around the new village enhances the survival aspect of the narrative, amplifying the sense of danger and urgency as winter approaches. Moreover, it offers fresh opportunities for world-building, allowing Sentar to introduce new creatures and challenges.

Structure:
The novel maintains a linear structure, progressing steadily from the establishment of the village to the arrival of winter. This simple narrative structure keeps the plot clear and focused, though some readers felt the character relationships were developed too slowly.

Themes:
The primary themes explored in this sequel are survival, power dynamics, human relationships with spiritual beings, and the quest for immortality. The book also delves into themes of civilization, with the process of transforming a wild, dangerous place into a safe, livable space at the forefront.

Writing style:
Sentar's writing style remains engaging, with a balance of action and character development. However, some readers felt that the terminology related to Eastern beliefs and spells was confusing and lacked clear explanation.

Tone:
The tone of "Dao Dominion" is a mixture of seriousness, owing to the survival and leadership challenges Dar faces, and sensuality, thanks to the harem and romance elements.

Impact:
The novel's impact varies among readers, with some appreciating the focus on world-building and character development, while others critique the lack of challenge for Dar and the uneasy introduction of the demon girl.

Hook and Thesis:
The hook of the story is Dar's transformation from an ordinary man to an immortal tasked with building a new community. However, the execution of this premise led to mixed reviews due to perceived ease of Dar's journey and the controversial introduction of the demon girl.

Praise and Critique:
"Dao Dominion" garners praise for its world-building, character development, and unique approach to the themes of survival and power. However, it also receives critique for the perceived lack of challenges faced by Dar and the controversial handling of relationships.

Evaluation:
The novel presents an engaging continuation of Dar's journey, effectively incorporating fantasy and erotic romance elements. However, it leaves room for improvement in terms of character depth, relationship development, and clarification of the Eastern-based belief systems.

Comparison:
Compared to the first book, "Dao Dominion" focuses more on world-building and the complexities of establishing a community. However, it falls short in maintaining the level of intrigue and suspense presented in its predecessor.

Conclusion:
"First Immortal #2: Dao Dominion" is an ambitious sequel that further explores Dar's journey towards establishing a new community and confronting otherworldly threats. It provides a rich blend of fantasy and romance, though it stumbles in the depiction of relationships and the utilization of Eastern spiritual concepts. While this installment may not appeal to all readers, it offers enough intriguing elements to keep dedicated fans of the First Immortal series eagerly anticipating the next book.