A Throne of Souls
-Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Fiction Author-
Charles W. McDonald Jr.
We, the seeds of Humanity, are all the descendants of hardened criminals, fighting to survive the unmaking of A Throne of Souls…
Reviews for A Throne of Souls...
A Kingdom Forgotten:
"For me, this is a 4 out of 5 stars but only because I felt lost for almost half of the book. Once I persisted with the read things began to take shape and make sense. The more I read the better it became. Each character is well developed and human in their actions. This story crosses generational time and different settings; 3 planets. I like how everything built to a compelling climax. This book is a work of art and is a new style of writing. The way the author manipulated and produced this story is genius and unique. This is not for the casual reader but if you enjoy a thought-provoking tale of wonder that includes the time of dragons to the future, this book is for you. Genres are crossed and characters are woven with thoughtfulness and creativity. I Highly recommend this book and I am excited to read more in the series." 4 / 5 stars.
—— Gregory Willingham on Amazon.com
"The level of complexity is astounding. Frankly, I didn’t feel that I knew what was going on for greater than a third of the novel. By the time I did figure out what was going on, I found a compelling story with a plot so different from any others I have read before, that I remained intrigued until the end. The style of storytelling is so radically different that I am undecided as to whether it is brilliant or insane."
—— OnlineBookClub.org (Female Reviewer Perspective)
"A Kingdom Forgotten, the first book in the Throne of Souls series by new author Charles McDonald, Jr., is easily the most uniquely written novel I've read in many moons. There is nothing conventional about this book. Part Wheel of Time, part Warhammer 40000, A Kingdom Forgotten presents itself as a multidimensional epic that juxtaposes ancient kingdom magic with modern world science, and potentially vice versa. On a number of occasions, I found myself comparing its asynchronous narrative to the movie Pulp Fiction, where the protagonist isn't always apparent, the hero isn't necessarily the good guy, and the present doesn't make sense until you've seen the future. To be clear, A Kingdom Forgotten was a wild ride from start to finish, and I am extremely eager to begin the sequel, Black Mirrors of the Soul.
A Kingdom Forgotten is, again, extremely unconventional and unorthodox; however, this book is a totally worthwhile read for those looking for a unique Fantasy novel. It is a scrumptious dessert of epic Fantasy, layered with science fiction and drizzled with the paranormal, and served one small slice at a time, as if it were a delicacy to be savored and not devoured. The story skips time, jumps between multiple worlds, and gives away no secrets before they're due; I was over halfway finished with this book before I stopped sorting all the pieces and actually began putting it all together. That is not to say, though, that I was bored by any means. Every character, every time period, and every world is an intriguing entity in and of itself, and I was up past my bedtime for a few consecutive nights trying to unravel the mystery of this great novel."
—— OnlineBookClub.org (Male Reviewer Perspective)
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"This is a monumental story with its unique kind of conflict and multiple storylines. Readers are introduced to powerful heroes, magic, portals into other worlds and times, medieval settings, and a lot more. The book is intelligently imagined and masterfully executed, and it is important to note that it isn’t a light read. Yes, the story is complex on multiple levels, including the points of views that shift and that can cause some dizziness in the reader, the writing that is extraordinary, fraught with depths of meaning, and the storyline with numerous characters. Charles McDonald Jr. has created a story that is colossal and that combines various elements of the art of storytelling into one place. I was wowed by the writing and the characters, but most importantly, by the author’s ability to unveil the depth of human emotion and consciousness. A Kingdom Forgotten is a story of great magnitude, one to read with focus, a story that will remind readers of their roots." 5 / 5 stars.
“A Kingdom Forgotten is a textured, subtle and all-encompassing book for serious Sci-Fi fanatics willing to invest in more than one universe, and in all likelihood, willing to re-read it, too.”
“You can tell that the author feels what his characters feel; they are his family, his children. His emotional connection with this book pours out of every single page and you feel as if you are being allowed into the innermost sanctums of his soul.” 5 / 5 stars.
“McDonald writes with a style that Robert Jordan would be proud of! I truly enjoyed reading this terrific novel. McDonald presents his audience with a complex story that is filled with beautiful characters and terrific fighting scenes. I am excited to read the remaining four books in the series!” 4 / 5 stars.
"A Kingdom Forgotten is a dramatic, thrilling and exciting novel that will keep readers entertained, captivated and engrossed from start to finish. Fantasy reads are my go to read and even more so when they have a unique twist; A Kingdom Forgotten does have this because it is a novel that combines magic with technology and takes readers on an unforgettable journey through different periods of time. Now that I have finished A Kingdom Forgotten I can honestly write that never before have I been so captivated by a Fantasy read and this is thanks to the sensational author Charles McDonald Jr who I must say has a bright future ahead of him!
A Kingdom Forgotten is a multi-layered novel with an in-depth plot that will take readers on an expansive journey across many landscapes and periods of time. A Kingdom Forgotten in my opinion is a story that should not be spoiled, so I am going to let you readers know a little premise of the book without spoiling it for you lovely readers! The novel starts centuries ago, and the reader will be introduced to the protagonist of the book called Damon who, during this period in time, does something which is a part of his big plan for the future… a plan that will change everything. There is a significant amount of mystery surrounded around this plan, but as the novel unfolds, the reader will learn more about the mystery and when it finally unravels it is shocking! The story is one that is full of magic, mystical creatures and beings and even magical portals, all of which is flawlessly weaved together by the talented author Charles McDonald Jr and the result is a breathtaking affair that will keep readers entertained from beginning to end!" 5 / 5 stars.
"A hard read but an amazing one if you can wrap your mind around it. It takes a long time for things to start coming together, and as such starts with a slow tempo that nearly made me quit reading. However once the pace picked up and things began to fall into place I was impressed and enjoyed the remainder of this ride through many worlds, many people, and many times. Not for casual readers, but if you want a thought provoking good read pick this one up." 4 / 5 stars.
"I found this book to have a very complex but amazing storyline. The author did a fantastic job at explaining how he jumped through times and worlds. I could not put this book down." 5 / 5 stars.
"I want to say that I was quite shocked when I first opened this book. There was an instruction manual on how to read it! Nervously I read through it, and I was glad I did. The way the author explains how he differentiates through the settings allowed me to keep on track throughout the entire story.
This book has a very complex storyline. It jumps between various times and locations. One paragraph takes place on Earth in modern time and the next one takes place on a distant planet during what can only be described as medieval times. The author, Charles W. McDonald Jr., does a great job at explaining how the different times and location are separated at the beginning of the book.
McDonald Jr. does a great job at describing the characters. Everything in the novel is described down to the smallest detail which adds to the greatness of this book. The details he uses gives each person a depth rarely seen in writing. This allows the reader to be transported into the story from the very start and makes it impossible to put A Kingdom Forgotten down." 4 / 4 stars.
"With deeply complex characters and well-detailed scenery, this story is sure to grab your attention. I am very excited for the next installment of A Throne of Souls to come out." 5 / 5 stars.
"A Kingdom Forgotten by Charles W. McDonald Jr. is fantastic addition to the genres of Fantasy and Sci-Fi. The plot is structured so that past events, future events, and present events are intertwined throughout the story, which may be summarized as being about the end of times and a group of varying interests are fighting to reach their respective goals. Far from detracting from the flow, the events of the timelines actually serves to keep the reader intrigued by sudden revelations and increases the anticipation of what will happen in between these times. Magic, technology, witches, wizards, demons, angels, demigods, and more are all a part of this world and are not always at peace with one another! Intricate detail is strongly present; and McDonald Jr. wields all the tools at his disposal quite efficiently.
At the beginning, I was unsure of the format with the differing timelines and the abundance of details, but as I continued to read, the details served to create the image that Mcdonald Jr. envisions for his world. I was alongside the characters, learning more about them and their circumstances and was something I enjoyed immensely. The world created comes to life to the point of making one unaware of their surroundings." 4 / 4 stars.
"A Kingdom Forgotten is a wonderful tale fraught with mystery, adventure, engaging characters and relatable situations. It's one of the best books I've read in awhile! I highly recommend it." 4 / 5 stars.
"Many a time when one tends to read a book they often hope to find one that takes their breath away, this is exactly the type of book I found. A long awaited response to Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and such types. An amazing book to say the least.
Written by Charles W. McDonald Jr is a book so rare to find that has an exciting yet intriguing name. A Kingdom Forgotten, is a work of true fictional genius where the need to fulfil one's true purpose clashes with one's ultimate lust and passion for power. The book addresses a world yet to be seen, a world where magic and technology concur parts of universes unknown and where the fate of all existence is placed into perspective.
McDonald displays and writes about a lifestyle and shows it in such a way that one sees the openness and connection of each character to one another. The role each character plays is fundamental, the descriptive nature of each person, area and planet allows access into that ideal world. I rate this book an outstanding 4 out of 4 Stars. It is by far the most amazing Fantasy book I have read and therefore one has to appreciate its creation and beauty. I am now overly eager to read the second book in the series. I recommend it to all Sci-Fi and Fantasy book lovers or if your just a magic fan." 4 / 4 stars.
"This story has a very complicated plot with many subplots and counterplots. I found it fascinating trying to extrapolate what would come next. At times it is a struggle to keep the story straight in your mind especially as some of the characters seem to want to both help Damon and stop him! Speaking of characters, there are many in this storyline. Some of them reappear after a long break in the story, and it can be hard to remember where they were mentioned before, and what their purpose is. That being said, they are all needed and the story would be diminished if any were missed out.
I absolutely love this story! I especially love the scenes of the grand magic undertakings. There was one great scene where Damon was trying to channel a new kind of energy to power his magic which resulted in... (Spoiler Removed)
As there is travel between worlds and dimensions, there are times when there is a crossover of technology. The story contains swords of many types, including the legendary Excalibur. There are also pistols and a mini-gun for comparison. There are also many forms of transport which include horses, cars, tanks and also a dragon (though these last two could also be used as weapons).
Charles describes places and people in vivid detail. The people seem to leap off the page, with detailed back stories that bring them to life and make them very distinct from one another. The map seems to be very detailed too, with a certain congruency among the locations. I could always envision exactly what was happening and where it took place." 4 / 4 stars.
"A Kingdom Forgotten by Charles W McDonald is the first novel in A Throne of Souls series. It is a slightly disorienting but interesting opening to A Throne of Souls series. The author has managed to combine different genres (Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller and Military Fiction) together in a single novel, also the story-line spans across different worlds and timelines. The author succeeded in connecting the past, present and future actions of all the characters involved. The author wrote a short note at the beginning of the novel warning about the complexity of the style of writing and what various symbols used in the novel implies.
A Kingdom Forgotten is a novel written in a way to challenge your idea about good and evil. It talks about the readiness of a man to achieve his goal by any means, it also dwells on the effect that war has on a person’s humanity. There were multiple characters in the novel, and all of them played a crucial role in the plot. The author vividly described each of the characters and how each of their choices impacted the rest of the characters.
I rate this novel 4 out of 4 stars due to the good editing, also it was both plot based(focused on the storyline) and character driven(focuses on more than a character) and the fact that it was concluded in a manner that compels you to anticipate the next novel in the series." 4 / 4 stars.
""A Kingdom Forgotten" is a marvelous story which includes magicians, castles, dragons, modern-day scenes, and modern day special forces from the future. If you are curious now, then you will definitely not be disappointed. There are numerous characters in this involved story which travel from many different ages on three different planets.
This is an end of times story which starts in ancient times with the main character Damon doing something to start a process for what he wants to accomplish in the distant future. He is patient. The mystery is not revealed until the end where it comes to a breathtaking crescendo.
Each individual person in the story seems so very real and developed so well as to be remembered vividly after the book is finished. I would sum up this book as not an easy read for the casual reader. This book is well worth it for the more serious reader.
Charles McDonald Jr. is a consummate writer. His people are very real and captivating. The writing, so exciting, keeps you interested until the end. I am hard-pressed to come up with something that I did not like about this book. Maybe a little more character development. Enjoyed this so much. Hope you enjoy it as well." 5/5 stars.
——Lhawk19
Black Mirrors of the Soul:
"McDonald’s writing style includes a happy mix of description and narrative. Rarely have I found a book that includes such amazing synergy between foreknowledge and mystery. Information is doled out in a way that compels you to read more and leaves you breathless when you reach the end. McDonald keeps up a thrilling pace while he continues to develop the characters. Consequently, I understood increasingly more of each character while reading the second book in this series. I am glad to give this 4 out of 4 stars." The reviewer went on to say, "It took me a while to understand what was going on, but this is definitely a worthy series to look into! What a story!!!"
"Readers are caught up in the great setting, in the kaleidoscopic world-building in this second installment in the series. The setting spans many centuries and moves across multiple geographical locations. The great cast of characters involves heroes and villains that readers will be keen to follow; some of my best characters were Damon and Mira, the powerful witch called Adena and her role in the story, Kaylan, and a host of others. The story begins with action, and the reader is captivated by the evocative prose and the vivid imagery that fill the opening pages. The descriptions will transport readers into other worlds and excite their imaginations in powerful ways. I enjoyed the great dialogues, crafted to read so naturally that the reader feels as though they were part of it. Black Mirrors of the Soul by Charles McDonald Jr. is another great success in a spellbinding and monumental series." 5 / 5 stars.
"Black Mirrors of the Soul is incredible. This is not a stand-alone story, though. In order to enjoy this book, it is imperative that you read the first book, A Kingdom Forgotten. I have never read a tale as epic as this one. Epic in the true sense of the word, that is! Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, etc - this series ranks in with those in groundbreaking storytelling. I was confused for a while when I read the first book, but by the time I finished the second, I was hanging on every word. Can't wait to read the third installment!" 5 / 5 stars.
"WOW! This was my best read so far. Even though the switching back and forth kind of confused me and all the different characters, I loved it. Can't wait to read more.
Thank you so much for sharing your imaginative mind. I will recommend this to all my friends." 5 / 5 stars.
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"Upon finishing A Kingdom Forgotten, I was extremely excited to get started on Black Mirrors of the Soul. I admit that there was a slight part of me that was hesitant to immerse myself in the book fully at first and this was because I loved the first book so much! It is the sad truth that many sequels do not live up to the quality of the first book, but I can happily write that a reader will not encounter this issue with Black Mirrors of the Soul! I can happily write book lovers that Black Mirrors of the Soul was incredible and a strong follow up and expansion of an already exceptionally well crafted and entertaining story. What struck me in the first book A Kingdom Forgotten was the sheer amount of imagination thanks to McDonald as well as McDonald’s creativity, and in Black Mirrors of the Soul, I felt this once again.
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Black Mirrors of the Soul once again reunites the reader with Damon on his adventures and this time the world the reader reads about in A Kingdom Forgotten will be expanded on, and wow it is breath-taking! " 5 / 5 stars.
The Fall of Hate:
"The Fall of Hate… where do I start book lovers? How about I start by writing that I am obsessed with The Fall of Hate, so much so that I feel the urge to pick this book up and re-read it! This is what the exceptional author Charles McDonald Jr does to his readers, he captivates, fascinates and compels them to turn the pages, and the result is an exhilarating reading experience that will make you feel a host of different emotions! The Fall of Hate is book three in the Throne of Souls series, and I admit that I think I prefer The Fall of Hate the most. I personally feel that The Fall of Hate is a game changer and the direction the story took was so astounding that I found myself shocked and left wanting more. In other words, the novel had a significant impact on me thanks to its unique and even emotive themes and of course McDonald’s literature that seems only to improve with each book!
Personally, I feel that McDonald’s literature has developed with each book, because I write this does not mean his other books are poorly written, far from it! In fact, they are just as incredibly written as The Fall of Hate but in The Fall of Hate more themes are explored, and strong emotive topics are which had a great impact on me and my reading experience. That is why I feel that McDonald has grown as a writer because he explores new themes, new situations and expands on his story and the world he has created even more, and the result is incredible! You may be thinking book lovers “what is this book about?” and I will be happy to tell you; however, The Fall of Hate is the third book in the series, so instead I am going to give you a general overview of the world of A Throne of Souls which is one that is full of magic, technology, and epic action moments!" 5 / 5 stars.
"The third book in an epic style series, The Fall of Hate by Charles McDonald did not disappoint! Complex and controversial, this particular book explores the personal history of the main character, Damon. Having set himself up as a deity, Damon has made allies, enemies, friends, and followers. Traveling through time and space, he breaks all the known "rules" in his quest for justice. However, the more Damon explores the concepts of evil, hate, and justice, the more complex his world becomes. His past spans an untold length of time. When he thinks on the evil that he has committed, he believes himself ultimately damned. What are the responsibilities for someone like Damon, who has nearly absolute power? Can he right the wrongs that were done to him or the wrongs that were done by him?
After reading the first two books, I thought I knew exactly what to expect and that nothing much could surprise me. I was wrong! This third book introduces the past behind Damon's past! Plans that have been set in motion since before the dawn of memory. Who exactly IS pulling the strings? Why Damon? Why the destruction of all mankind? Can Damon successfully create an alternate future? What does that involve?
With so much destruction, surely the ultimate cause is driven by hate. Can anyone or anything actually bring down the webs of deceit behind the violence that is rocking mankind on multiple planets? I cannot tell you the answer without divulging a plot spoiler that totally rocked my emotions. From a complete devastating low, to a high so personal and thrilling, I could not have guessed that particular turn in the plot. I cannot rightly designate it a plot twist, for in hindsight, it was a natural and necessary event. However, Damon's plots and schemes had not accounted for this miracle. As a result, he is made to reconsider, recalculate, and modify his master plan.
The main characters continue to develop and unfold masterfully. Several characters come to crisis moments in which they must make crucial decisions. The reader is allowed to peak inside the minds of several key characters and see exactly what drives them." 4 / 4 stars.
——OnlineBookClub.org (Female Reviewer Perspective)
"I have now read 3 books in the Throne of Souls series. The first one was a little rough, but at the same time overwhelmingly amazing. Now that I've gotten through to book 3, I'm really hoping this takes off - it's an epic unlike any story I've ever heard before. I would call the story arc to be in the leagues with such series as Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Wrinkle in Time, etc. This is ground-breaking literature. I don't say that lightly. But, PLEASE, do not just read book 3 - you will be lost haha! If you like Sci-fi, fantasy, epic, etc ... you need this series in your life." 5 / 5 stars.