4 out of 4 stars
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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?
I would not suggest anyone read The Fall of Hate without having read the first two books. This is not a stand alone novel. However, having said that, if you are up for a mind-bending challenge, I highly recommend this series as a whole. If you are up for an emotional roller coaster, I definitely recommend this series. 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.
In my review of the first book, I noted that there were adult scenes that would hinder me from recommending the series to certain audiences. I am pleased to note that in this third book, the author has modified his descriptions to be much more "G-rated." While the author does include adult scenes, he describes them in a modest format that allows readers to do their own imagining, if desired.
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. The one issue I had with the characters is that there are so many! Immortals of various stripes and humans all interacting according to their various personalities and characters! The author has an astounding grasp on humanity and various motives. I did get a bit confused at times as to some of the characters and how they fit into the past or present of the story. I was wishing for a listing of all the characters along with their histories and importance. When I got to the end, voila, there it was! It was as though the author read my mind. This would be easier to manage in a hard copy of the book, however. An e-copy isn't as flexible to flip back and forth when you need a refresher on someone.
All in all, I feel this book deserves a solid 4 out of 4 stars. I did not find editing errors, grammatical issues, or spelling problems. The author has woven an incredible tale that exceeds all my expectations. He deals with evil, hate, love, lust, power, and much more. The pace is just right for the story line. If you are interested in a complex fantastical science fiction epic that goes farther than Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, I suggest you check out this series.
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The Fall of Hate
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