The Path of Ascension 2 Audiobook – The Path of Ascension, Book 2

One drizzly Saturday, with the gray Oregon sky muting the world outside my window, I settled in for a listening marathon of “The Path of Ascension 2.” As someone who grew up daydreaming about faraway realms and secret powers, it was thrilling to let C. Mantis’s latest LitRPG/Xianxia adventure sweep me away. There’s something special about hearing Matt, Liz, and Aster’s voices come alive through J.S. Arquin’s narration while sipping chamomile tea—especially when the story is all about pushing past limits in unknown lands.

This sequel picks up right where its predecessor left off: with our trio diving into a strange new world teeming with hidden dangers and boundless possibilities. What immediately pulled me back in was the sense of real consequence—the magic system feels thought-through and logical rather than hand-waved or arbitrary, which is a rare treat in fantasy audiobooks. Every skill upgrade and cultivation breakthrough has weight; it reminded me of leveling up at my own pace as a teacher learning new methods each school year.

What stands out most this time around are the emotional stakes between characters. The addition of a temporary team member brings tension that echoes some dynamics I’ve felt stepping into new creative collaborations—a blend of excitement, vulnerability, and recalibrating trust. Their relationships mature amid chaos; you feel their triumphs and missteps not just as plot points but as genuine moments of growth.

J.S. Arquin is exactly what this series needs in an audiobook narrator: expressive without being overbearing, clearly loving every twist as much as we do. He makes battle scenes pulse with urgency—I found myself holding my breath during more than one fight!—and also captures quieter exchanges with enough nuance that you can almost see facial expressions behind his voicework.

There were things I loved (beyond those addictive battle sequences). C. Mantis strikes such a careful balance between detailed progression mechanics—think dungeons, cultivation stages—and evocative world-building that blends martial arts mystique with grounded character arcs. It scratches the itch for both stats-driven logic and sweeping fantasy landscapes (and anyone who geeks out on systems will be very happy here).

On the downside? If you’re like me and sometimes forget key threads from earlier books when sequels arrive months later, you might wish for a recap section before plunging back into complex alliances and power hierarchies; there are so many moving pieces that keeping track required some rewinding on my part.

While some may find certain relationship developments abrupt or long-winded compared to action-packed chapters (I craved more space for slower-burning emotional reveals), overall these detours made everyone feel more three-dimensional—even if not every subplot resonated perfectly with me personally.

All told, “The Path of Ascension 2” delivers what fans crave: immersive battles, evolving friendships (and rivalries), plus steady escalation towards greater stakes—all wrapped in expert narration that turns even everyday chores into epic moments when listened to on audio.

If you adored book one—or love your progression fantasy blended expertly with Xianxia traditions—don’t hesitate to queue this one up next rainy weekend (or any day needing extra adventure).