Featured Review: Black Mirrors of the Soul

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greenstripedgiraffe
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Featured Review: Black Mirrors of the Soul

Post by greenstripedgiraffe »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Black Mirrors of the Soul" by Charles W. McDonald Jr..]
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4 out of 4 stars
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Black Mirrors of the Soul is the second novel in a series by Charles McDonald. McDonald brings you to the brink of logic while simultaneously weaving an unforgettable story. I had the privilege of reviewing the first book in the series, A Kingdom Forgotten. Both books are written in a style that jumps through time and space at a near-dizzying rate. Had I not already read the first book, I feel I would have been lost while reading Black Mirrors of the Soul. However, having said that, I feel that the second book in the series is much more accessible than the first.

In order to fully appreciate Black Mirrors of the Soul, one must first know a little from A Kingdom Forgotten. The first of seven seals has been broken by Radin who felt he was “the one” mentioned in prophecy. The seven seals are destined to bring about the end of all times, the undoing of creation itself—possibly not on just one world, but all the worlds. The first broken seal has brought about severe devastation, jeopardizing at least one entire planet.

Damon has set himself up as a mastermind determined to create a new reality that will allow the survival of civilization after all seven seals are broken.

Radin was defeated by evil personified and is being held and tortured in Hades. Can Radin be rescued, and if so, will he ever recover?

Royvan Miral (famed discoverer who found the first seal) is on a quest to find the second seal, only to be presented with perhaps the greatest quandary that humanity has ever seen.

Talemar (famed lamean or magic person) is currently crowned with the crystal crown won in A Kingdom Forgotten. Talemar quite literally holds down the fort, attempting to keep the army supplied and happy with little to no information.

While following the threads of the above-mentioned characters, Black Mirrors of the Soul also provides some critical back story, particularly concerning Damon. What happened in Damon’s past that destroyed seemingly all goodness in his soul? Everyone who meets Damon agrees that he is not a good person. However, he is such a complex character that nearly all are drawn to him either in fear, hate, or love.

Black Mirrors of the Soul will take you through all the emotions. Just as in A Kingdom Forgotten, good and evil are not the simple concepts you assume they should be. In Black Mirrors of the Soul, the relationship of father to son is explored. The book also includes power struggles, manipulative relationships, pure love, lust, vengeance, and redemption.

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; however, due to sultry scenes, I would not recommend this to anyone under the age of 18.

******
Black Mirrors of the Soul
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Post by kandscreeley »

This sounds like another good one by this author. I guess I need to start with the first book in the series though. Thanks for the great review. I'm glad you got to review both of these books.
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Post by Amagine »

This book sounds like there is so many elements to it! I like how you said that the concept of evil and good aren't simple and that this book goes deeper than that. It sounds very interesting!

Great Review! ?
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Post by greenstripedgiraffe »

kandscreeley wrote:This sounds like another good one by this author. I guess I need to start with the first book in the series though. Thanks for the great review. I'm glad you got to review both of these books.
I'm glad too. It took me a while to understand what was going on, but this is definitely a worthy series to look into! What a story!!!

-- 04 May 2017, 09:49 --
Amagine wrote:This book sounds like there is so many elements to it! I like how you said that the concept of evil and good aren't simple and that this book goes deeper than that. It sounds very interesting!

Great Review! ?

Thanks! This is very complex, indeed! If you decide to plunge in, definitely read book one first!
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Post by MarisaRose »

It's really great that the author is able to utilize descriptions in the narrative without having them be overwhelming. The overall story of this one sounds interesting - I'll definitely have to read the first one before this though!
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Post by rglafleur »

Its often interesting to see others ideas of what heaven and hell must be like. I cant wait to read this one and book one.
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Post by greenstripedgiraffe »

rglafleur wrote:Its often interesting to see others ideas of what heaven and hell must be like. I cant wait to read this one and book one.
thanks for comments! I hope you love the books! As fascinating as this series is, it hasn't yet dealt with heaven, though.
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Post by Jaime Lync »

Great review. I like that you included reader's discretion at the end. I am in my early 20s but I am not a fan of work that has content for 18+ audience. The book sounds intriguing otherwise.
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Post by greenstripedgiraffe »

Jaime Lync wrote:Great review. I like that you included reader's discretion at the end. I am in my early 20s but I am not a fan of work that has content for 18+ audience. The book sounds intriguing otherwise.
Thanks for your remarks. To be honest, I'm not a fan of "adult" content either. In this book, it was not as bad as it could be, but definitely present. Personally, I think the book would not suffer if this were taken out.
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Post by Nthabeleng »

Great review the book sounds intriguing, if I get the fist book I'll definitely read this one.
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Post by adampaarma_1 »

This is great. keep it up!
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greenstripedgiraffe
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Post by greenstripedgiraffe »

Nthabeleng wrote:Great review the book sounds intriguing, if I get the fist book I'll definitely read this one.
-- 12 May 2017, 17:28 --
adampaarma_1 wrote:This is great. keep it up!

thanks, guys!! 8-)
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Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

I absolutely love stories that take me through all of the emotions, as you describe it. Will definitely need to consider reading this one, as well as the first in the series. I see from the sidebar that you are currently reading a Temple Grandin book. I had the privilege of hearing her speak once; she is such an inspiration.
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Post by greenstripedgiraffe »

CatInTheHat wrote:I absolutely love stories that take me through all of the emotions, as you describe it. Will definitely need to consider reading this one, as well as the first in the series. I see from the sidebar that you are currently reading a Temple Grandin book. I had the privilege of hearing her speak once; she is such an inspiration.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I ought to - definitely a different story than any I have ever read yet!

Yes, I am reading through Temple Grandin. I have a child who needs some special help, as it were. I'm hoping to get some tips. However, unfortunately, I have a touch of distraction in my own soul and I read it slower than I want to :lol2: All that to say, I feel that Ms. Grandin definitely nails it in this book. Everything I have read has applied to my child and I feel the urgent need to teach it to him, if he will be taught!
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Post by jud »

this is a good story :D :D :D :D :D
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