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DISASTERS: BOOK 6 OF THE MAGICIUM SERIES
In Disasters, the sixth installment of the Magicium series by T.N. Baldwin, readers reunite with Logan, a once unremarkable student from The Rock who has returned as a battle-hardened hero. Baldwin masterfully continues the saga, weaving a narrative rich with magic and mythical creatures in a world teetering on the brink of survival. The scarcity of food and the need for a new refuge drive the plot forward as Logan, with allies Carla and Blessing, strives to keep every survivor, human and Clearblood, safe.
Baldwin’s skill in character development shines as we witness the evolution of Logan and his companions. Disasters diverge from it’s predecessor Dissidents, not just in the challenges they present but in their exploration of unity and conflict. The characters must navigate their divergent views and find a way to coexist and survive, creating a dynamic interplay that adds depth to the narrative.
The Magicium series, and particularly Disasters, will appeal to adults who appreciate a well-crafted fantasy world. Baldwin’s storytelling is both accessible and engaging, making it an excellent choice for both long-time fans of the genre and those looking to delve into fantasy for the first time. Disasters doesn’t just continue the story after Dissidents; it expands the universe and deepens the reader’s connection to the characters and their plight. As the series progresses, Baldwin’s talent for creating compelling, intricate narratives becomes increasingly evident.
Through vivid storytelling and well-rounded character evolution, Baldwin not only continues the beloved Magicium series but elevates it, presenting themes of survival, unity, and conflict with a deft hand. This installment is a compelling narrative that invites readers to ponder what happens after ‘the end.’ For those who appreciate the art of fantasy storytelling, Disasters is a journey well worth taking. I eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this captivating series.
Pages: 337 | ASIN: B0CKX8RT55
Dissidents
All roads ultimately converge at the place we call home. In the case of Carla and Logan, their journey leads them back to The Rock, driven by a noble purpose: to rescue the people they had once left behind, just as Mistress, the formidable antagonist, gathers her final forces in a bid to claim the city’s coveted power. Meanwhile, Blessing and Junior are compelled to safeguard their newfound family, even at the risk of their own lives. In this gripping climax, former adversaries find common ground, uniting our cherished characters for a final stand to defend their cherished ideals. But, with the impending threat of Mistress and her legion of A-boms, safety becomes a scarce commodity.
Dissidents, the fifth and concluding installment of The Mistress Manuscripts, penned by the talented T.N. Baldwin, is an electrifying tale that never relents in its pace and captivates readers with its abundant action and unbridled excitement. Baldwin, true to form, exhibits a mastery of crafting relatable and multifaceted characters, allowing readers to effortlessly comprehend their emotions, be it their sorrow or their elation, as they navigate through the peaks and valleys of their most challenging escapade to date. In addition, the poignant reunion of familiar faces from previous books adds an extra layer of emotional depth, reinforcing the notion that every individual’s story is worth telling, irrespective of their significance.
Undeniably, Dissidents deserves an unequivocal five-star rating. It offers a robust reading experience for enthusiasts of the fantasy genre and serves as a phenomenal culmination to an already extraordinary series. While the journey may have been arduous at times, the story effectively concludes, leaving a satisfying sense of closure while simultaneously leaving the door ajar for potential future expansions, should Baldwin choose to pursue them. No character is overlooked or abandoned; their arcs are meticulously tied together, creating a cohesive narrative that left me both fulfilled and eagerly anticipating whatever literary treasures Baldwin has in store for us.
Pages: 700 | ASIN : B09PR7JLVG
Disintegration
The gripping fourth installment in the Magicium series by T.N. Baldwin, Disintegration, brings the characters of Logan, Blessing, Junior, and Carla to their rightful places in the world. As they prepare to defend their beliefs, they face challenges from various sources, including the formidable Mistress and the Stonefish. However, their strength and determination to protect their loved ones are more vital than ever.
Baldwin’s exceptional character development skills are on full display, and it is a pleasure to witness the growth of the characters in the book. The author also builds upon the established world of the previous books with finesse, making for a seamless transition into the story. While Disintegration deviates from its predecessors by focusing more on politics than action, it is still a valuable addition to the series. However, it may not entirely live up to the expectations of readers who were anticipating the same level of magical battles and experimentation found in Discoveries and Disruptions. The slow build of action is a deviation, but a needed one to give readers the whole story. The characters must learn to lead beyond the battlefields and embrace the challenges that come with uniting nations. Sometimes survival is more than being the strongest or most powerful. They must all learn to know who to trust and who to watch to survive.
Overall, Disintegration is a well-written dystopian fantasy book and gives readers a different perspective than the prior novels. The political focus is intriguing and thought-provoking. The character development is deepened, and readers are shown new sides to the heroes they have grown to love in the past. The book ends on a high note, leaving readers eager for the final installment, Dissidents.
Pages: 711 | ASIN : B097ZZB1K8
Disciples
Carla is looking for the thing she lost, Blessing for who she is, Logan for what to do next, and Junior for who he’s supposed to be. With the characters still reeling from the events of Disruptions, nothing is what it once was or what it was said to be. In T.N. Baldwin’s third installment of the Magicium series, our beloved, rag-tag group of once hesitant adventurers find themselves buried deeper and deeper in the politics of the war they once sought to end. Disciples is an exciting and thrilling story that delves into the root of who the characters are.
Just like the previous books in the series, Disciples does a fantastic job of building off the already-established plot and characters while managing to bring everything to its full potential. Carla, Logan, Blessing, and Junior all have no choice but to step out of their comfort zones in order to grow. I found myself especially interested in Blessing, a character who I haven’t always loved. At times, it felt like I was reading a coming-of-age novel – definitely an interesting choice for the third book in a series but a choice that paid off immensely. It was a joy to watch the characters that I’d already fallen in love with grow into themselves and navigate the conflicts they were forced into, separated as they were.
Disciples kept me interested in everything while not making things too overwhelming. Disciples is a fantastic follow-up to its predecessors and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Action, politics, and adventure – it had everything I wanted out of a fantasy novel while keeping me excited for the inevitable reunion in the next book.
Pages: 485 | ASIN : B08QGQKP2B
Disruptions
T.N. Baldwin is back along with Logan, Carla, Junior, and his full cast of beloved characters in the second book of the Magicium series, Disruptions. Having survived their excursion to Shanghai, the group finds themselves going their separate ways in this action-packed adventure. As each character digs deeper into the world’s mysteries, they’re forced to come face to face with who they are and who they’ll have to be to survive. Loyalties are tested and sometimes betrayed when not everything is as it seems.
Disruptions is an incredible addition to the already fantastical series. Baldwin does a superb job of building off the world and magic systems already established in Discoveries. Where he truly shines through is his willingness to experiment with everything we thought we knew before. Logan and Carla, as magi, are constantly interacting with the world around them in new, engaging, and creative ways while staying within the bounds of what Discoveries built. Just like predecessors, Disruptions isn’t overbearing in its worldbuilding, either. Instead, Baldwin has a way of gently easing his readers into his realm without overwhelming them with information – a skill I’m sure plenty of fantasy readers can appreciate. The one thing I did struggle with was keeping track of the characters. Because Logan, Junior, and Carla are on such different paths, it becomes hard to keep track of everything happening and who everyone is. Other than that, I truly enjoyed reading Disruptions.
Disruptions is a gripping epic fantasy novel with exciting characters and world-building. Like in Discoveries, each character is well thought out and, most importantly, well-written. This series will keep science fiction readers engaged and excited for the next book, as the action and adventure are unpredictable. I can’t wait to see what Baldwin has in store for us in the third installment.
Pages: 671 | ASIN : B08CRKGN35
The Way We Play God
Discoveries follows three strangers searching for answers who are all headed for the same place and must work together to survive and save humanity. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I woke one morning, having dreamt of an idea for a novel, and sat down that day to start writing. As the ideas came thick and fast, the scope of the story developed, such that I soon found myself planning a five-book series. Other areas of inspiration came from my home country, my extensive travel experiences, the state of the world and possible outcomes I imagined, as well as my faith.
What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
I have always found dialogue the most challenging part of writing, so I often find myself reading it aloud in voices, drawing on my skills as a Drama teacher! The idea that we hide so much in any interaction was really important to me, so I have tried to leave the audience and even the characters doubting one another’s motives – and at times, even their own.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I was (and still am) interested in the way we play God – but when we do, we tend to make selfish and frivolous decisions, both individually and as a society. The idea of this driving humanity into a dystopian situation when we could have done so much good with the power of magicium was important. Other issues like social outrage, the complexities of parent-child relationships and ideas around charismatic personalities and self-doubt shaped the series.
What is the next book in the series that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have released five already: Discoveries, Disruptions, Disciples, Disintegration and Dissidents. Book 6 (as yet untitled) is currently being written and will most likely come out midway through 2023.
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In a post-apocalyptic future, humanity has been forced underground by Abominations, fantasy creatures created through the power of magicium. And when the Abominations rebelled, the secrets of manipulating magicium were lost.
Carla is smothered in secrets. Logan obeys without thinking. Junior regrets every choice he makes. They all want one thing.
All three are in a race to the broken city of Shanghai to recover a prized canister of the magical substance. Determined to brave the Open, each will discover about the lost science of magic on their quest – and will risk being torn apart by their mistakes, past and present.
If you don’t know you’re in a race, how do you know when you’ve won?
Discoveries
Junior, a monster-hunting Scav, is looking for a better hand in life for himself and his little family. Carla, a magi and teacher, wants an end to the War no matter the cost. Logan, a promising young magi, just wants to go home. Set in a dystopian future, a world where humanity has been forced underground in order to survive, Discoveries: Book 1 of the Magicuim Series follows three strangers on their way to Shanghai to find the answers they’ve been looking for and some that they never wanted to find. Beset by monsters known as abominations, through love, loss, and odd friendships, these three will stop at nothing to get what they’re after.
T.N. Baldwin’s debut novel is a thrilling rollercoaster of action and drama that leaves the reader wanting more. While each chapter focuses on one of the three protagonists, they fit together seamlessly. Baldwin lets the puzzle pieces fall into place with each word and creates something much greater than your average fantasy novel.
Beyond the plot, Baldwin also does a masterful job of weaving characters that have been clearly affected by the world around them. Carla’s skepticism of the Open, Junior’s stern care, and even Logan’s naivety all make sense when considering how they were forced to live. All the characters feel like people just doing their best to survive. They’re relatable and realistic, which makes it so much easier to sink into the world that’s being spun. It’s hard not to feel like one of the group.
For fans of dystopian fantasy, Discoveries is a great addition to the genre. With a thrilling and original plot, realistic characters, magic, and adventure, this book has something for everyone. I can’t wait to follow Junior, Logan, and Carla through their future adventures.
Pages: 567 | ASIN : B086MY91BT
LITERARY TITAN 