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Kataklysm #4

Dreadlord: A Progression/Cultivation Epic

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Is it possible to defeat a god of the gods? Batara Kala initiated his second Kataklysm.

Can Ashathar survive another Kataklysm while still suffering under the last?

The gods are failing. They're losing their powers.

There's only one being capable of oppressing the gods.

Blaike and Ming Yue faced the destroyer of worlds.

Can they possibly stand against the destroyer of gods?

They are faced with an impossible choice.

Save the world, or save the gods.

Dreadlord is the fourth book in Kataklysm, an action packed epic progression fantasy series. Fans of progression/cultivation epic fantasies, unique magic systems, and immersive epics like Will Wight's Cradle series or Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive where the hero starts weak but gains power over time will also enjoy this expansive saga.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2023

17 people want to read

About the author

T.R. Magnus

11 books13 followers
T.R. Magnus is the elven half-brother of the urban and paranormal fantasy author Theophilus Monroe. Unlike his brother, T.R. writes immersive epics and cultivation/progression fantasies. He enjoys creating expansive worlds, unique magical systems, and plots that favor the unfavored. T.R. goes by T.R. because Thranduil Ravavaris is hard to say.

T.R.’s favorite color is plaid. Ketchup is his favorite condiment. He enjoys polka music.

If you’d like to learn more about T.R. or his half-brother’s novels, visit TRMAGNUS.com. Sign up for his reader club and, once available, T.R. will also send you a free novel, “DARKWORLD,” an origin story for his forthcoming “Kataklysm” progression fantasy series.

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Beba Andric.
1,590 reviews116 followers
June 29, 2024
I'm finding each book in this series more exciting, more brain shatteringly brilliant! The progression of the plot and story, the growth of the characters, the compelling writing, by a superbly skilled author, propels me to unimaginable highs! Much like the works of Will Wight, the magic system is unique, the worlds are unique, the prose superb and the storytelling stunningly captivating. Once started, it's impossible to release until the final word in the final sentence.

The heroes, Blaike, Kirana, Yue, Aelfrid, Tanner, and the rest, might have defeated one evil but that evil pales in comparison to the Dreadlord. Once a man, a man consumed with the need to correct the wrongs, is consumed and corrupted instead. But he's no longer a man, he's something other, something vile, something no one can stand against. What he's become, what he's capable of, the depth of his control, the immense reach he has, makes him the ideal villain to really loathes. Even the snippets of his prior self can't erase that. His greed for power can't be sated, nothing and no one will stand in his way to his quest for total domination. And he's set his sights on Blaike and his friends, a major thorn in his side.

Our heros face is a daunting task, the failsafe released by Batara Kala is causing havoc, earthquakes, tsunamis, and a threat of annihilation, and with the Dreadlord ever nearer, the mad scramble to ready themselves against the Dreadlord, to prevent a full Kataklysm, they seperate between the worlds and face dangers every step of the way. My word, every time I think, ok, my adrenaline rush will abate, the author literally sets my veins on fire, raging and pounding full throttle! It boggles my mind at how full tempo the story actually is, not that there's action constantly but it's akin to putting ones hand on a stove and slowly turning up the heat, turning it down when it threatens to burn, then turning it up again. Yep, definitely sets the heart racing!

The characters have evolved so spectacularly, not only in their growth throughout the series, but also another notch or two on their Ascension, each one coming in faster than the last, each one equipping them more. More power, more clarity, more light, and they need all of it and then some to put a stop to the Dreadlord. I loved that they are a cohesive team, no matter where they are in their Ascension, they support one another, genuinely care for one another. I'm finding it difficult to convey the brilliance of this book and series, the supreme mastery the author possesses to bring a story of this magnitude to life, and trust me, to life he does bring it, to portay a complex plot and world so competently, pulling me into the story, for me to LIVE the story, is a stroke of genius. Need I say, YOU NEED TO READ IT!
Profile Image for Tracy Smyth.
2,208 reviews4 followers
June 1, 2025
All our heroes have advanced to Lightweaver - taken on the Dreadlord and defeated him. Now they have to save Ashathar from the Kataklysm (which was put in place to destroy the planet and kill everybody.
Profile Image for Rebel.
2,654 reviews
June 7, 2025
Okay, I’m not gonna lie—Dreadlord by T.R. Magnus knocked me sideways. Here I was, already wrapped deep in the ashes of Ashathar from the earlier books, and then BAM—the gods themselves start crumbling, the world’s on the edge, and Blaike and Ming Yue? They’re staring down the ultimate nightmare: a god-killing destroyer.

This isn’t just fantasy; it’s like watching the apocalypse unfold from the inside, with stakes so massive they almost broke me. The pressure Blaike and Ming Yue face—holy hell, it’s gut-wrenching. They’re stuck between saving a world that’s already cracked or protecting gods who might not deserve saving. That kind of impossible choice? It ripped at me because it’s not black-and-white. It’s raw, complicated, and painfully human in a world full of gods and magic.
I loved how Magnus kept layering the power progression—watching Blaike rise from the blighted outsider to someone who could challenge gods themselves is seriously addictive. And Ming Yue? Still my fierce heart. Their journey, together and apart, is the kind of storytelling that makes you feel every moment like it’s your own fight.

If you’re like me, craving that epic fantasy where the heroes start out small but grow into legends, with a magic system that feels fresh and alive, and a world so vivid you can almost taste the ash and fire, Dreadlord is the kind of book that grabs you by the soul and won’t let go.

Bottom line: If you want a sprawling, heart-pounding, mind-bending fantasy epic where gods fall, heroes rise, and nothing is ever as it seems—you need this one in your life. I’m already counting down to the next installment.
Profile Image for Lana.
2,790 reviews60 followers
July 14, 2024
Batara Kala, the destroyer had been defeated, however before his last breath he had released the last kataklysm which would bring their world to an end. Furthermore the power of the Gods was waning and they wanted our group of heroes to save them by taking on the destroyer of gods himself, the one known as the dreadlord. They all once again go their deparate ways in order to both stop the encroaching disaster which Ashatar is facing, as well as to gain more power by ascending yet again to stop the dreadlord. Kirana and Tinder go to Kala Tiga, the home world of Batara Kala himself, where they hoped to find the device he had hidden which could stop the kataklysm according to Trina his AI. Yue and Aelfrid both sought to ascend by travelling to their own gods' homeworlds, hoping to come back mighty enough so together they face their biggest threat. However their biggest threat knew where they all were, and what they were up to, he'd also picked up on their powerful magic and craved it for his own. Dewa Ruci, once a gentleman and his lover Thavory were traveling in a ship made of his own flesh, killing off worlds and syphoning their powers. Now he turned his eyes on Ashatar, and Thavory feared he would never have enough power to be satisfied. He was a changed being, hardly a man anymore. This book is very exciting as the final battle against the mightiest of foes, one who even the gods feared, takes place and our heroes cannot afford to lose! Can they defeat the dreadlord? Together as they had always stood they could and they did!
Profile Image for Nancy (The Avid Reader).
3,093 reviews131 followers
November 12, 2023
WOW! T.R. Magnus takes us for another great adventure in Dreadlord the fourth book in the Kataklysm series. Once I started reading Dreadlord I was pulled into its world leaving mine behind. I got caught up in all the magic and their powers as I was swept from one page to another racing through each word and waiting to see what awaited every character as they tried to save their world.

An evil has been released upon the world causing tsunamis. If they can’t find a way to stop this evil from spreading their world may be destroyed. The evil is way stronger than they are. How can they fight an evil so strong and win? But try they will. They will do whatever it takes to save their world no matter what the cost to themselves.

Where will their fight to save the world take them? Well, to another world of course. Their journey may be long, dark, and dangerous but I do believe they will prevail. But will they? I don’t know. The only one way I know of to find out is to read Dreadlord.

The world created for Kataklysm just gets better and better with each book. The world-building is brilliantly written and told in a way that makes it so easy to picture every word as if watching a movie. I was on the edge of my seat for most of it as I waited for the outcome of each battle.

I would recommend Dreadlord to all fans of Sword & Sorcery! Grab a copy of Dreadlord today!
Profile Image for Vannessa.
1,219 reviews25 followers
November 18, 2023
Another great read in this series! Lots of action, evolving of the characters and a battle to save the world!

With the second Kataklysm being triggered comes danger at every turn. Blaike, Kirana, Yue and Aelfrid definitely have their work cut out for them! Not only do they have to find some mysterious object that with help combat the effects of this kataklysm, but they also have to deal with the Dreadlord once and for all. But before they can do any of that, they need to advance to the next level, to a level that no-one had ever advanced to before, a complete unknown. They have no idea what these advancements will do to themselves and how they will effect others as well.

Each of Blaike, Yue and Aelfrid have to visit the world from which the gods they are affiliated with hail from, whilst Kirana travels to yet a different world to find some strange, mysterious device left behind by Batara Kala. It's definitely a race against time. With friends helping and foes trying to prevent them from achieving their goals, this was definitely a nail biting read!

I just wish the fight against the Dreadlord has been a bit longer - it seemed to be over too quickly! I'm very intrigued to find out what will happen to these characters, their gods and their worlds now though!

I received a copy of this book from the author through BookSprout but this review is my own, honest one!
373 reviews7 followers
November 15, 2023
Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. The entire world complex that Blaike and Kirana have known is in danger of being pulled apart and destroyed from the kataklysm prophecies triggered. They need to ascend into their true selves to defeat the Dreadlord who will absorb the powers unleashed, making him unstoppable at siphoning the power from those that are left. The journey is treacherous and each of the group of friends needs to reach ascension on a different world. Can they complete the change before an apocalyptic event has everything washed away, or will they be able to band together for victory. This plot and storyline are brilliantly written with plenty of heart pounding moments, suspense and emotional turmoil to have you reading from the first page til the end, with the ending having you wanting to know more!
90 reviews
November 17, 2023
Batara Kala has set a second Kataklysm into play while simultaneous revealing the location of Ashathar to the Dreadlord as his last act of revenge as his imminent defeat at the hands of the newly enhanced defenders of the realm. These defenders including Blaike and Ming Yue are in a race to upgrade their powers to a level that would allow them to face the Dreadlord on an equal footing. It is a race that both exciting and thrilling as the thralls of the Dreadlord both sentient and pure beast attack and seek to destroy our defenders on various worlds as they seek the means for their enhancement. The Dreadlord infiltrates the group disguising himself as a doppelganger of Blaikie as Ashathar slowly drowns under the effects of the second Kataklysm.
This is a most exciting book and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,476 reviews5 followers
November 19, 2023
The Feared Has Arrived!
As the three Aelfrid, Yue and Blaike prepare to face The DreadLord, formerly a gentleman nobleman Dewa Ruci, they must ascend per their respective god-origin world. While these three are off to do their thing, Karina and Tinder must face their own challenge to save their world from the second Kataklysm. With their journey to Kala Tiga, home world of Batara Kala, The Destroyer, Karina and Tinder must find a device to stabilize their world’s core with the help of Ai Trina. Loads of action and on the edge of your seat angst as these heroes set out to save their world but with all the wins, would it be enough to save their world? We are left with this cliffhanger before the next story Deluge answers this question.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lili.
848 reviews48 followers
November 12, 2023
Do we always have to sacrifice something of ourselves or of our feelings to achieve redemption, or to save what is important? Yes, it seems so, it's how legends are forged.
This is an epic story of heroes fighting across worlds and times to battle evil and the spread of darkness. Hero might seem a big word and an extinct species in today's world, but I'm certain they exist in the anonymity of everyday life. A ruler ready to sacrifice for his land and his people - what can be more legendary than that?

Well written, non-stop action, lots of imagination and a lot of heart makes this a very good read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kris Cobb.
175 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2023
(I received this copy for the ARC group, so I got to read it early. Eat your hearts out.)

King Blaike, Ming Yue, and Aelfrid travel to the home planets of their sponsors so they can continue their advancement. Queen Kirana and Tinder travel to Kala Tiga to retrieve a device that can mitigate most of the major effects of this new Kataclysm, hoping they can retrieve it and meet their backup which is due in two days. Both parties expect - and have - opposition that must be overcome. Blaike's party is given extra promises to keep so they will be kept safe while they advance.

They have one week to complete their missions before Ashathar is destroyed.
1,612 reviews32 followers
November 15, 2023
Dreadlord: A Progression/Cultivation Epic is the fourth novel in the Kataklysm series. This is an an action packed epic progression fantasy series. Fans of progression/cultivation epic fantasies will enjoy this series. I suggest reading from the very first novel. This is the concept of the hero starts weak but gains power over time. This novel leads to an expansive sage, one to be savored. Blaike and Ming Yue have faced the destroyer of worlds. They are now faced with an impossible choice. Save the world or save the gods. I received this novel from BookSprouts. This is my true and honest opinion.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Tahnia Ross.
2,184 reviews9 followers
November 16, 2023
Blaike, Kirana, Yue, Aelfrid, and Tinder advance towards something amazing. While Tinder tries to save as many people as possible from flooding caused by the Kataclysm, the rest, along with Bedawang, Barong, and Antaboga, head to the ship made with the essence of the Dreadlord. They pour all their power into the brain of the vessel which causes it to explode. Game over for the Dreadlord. This story is full of action, ending with a cliffhanger. Very highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,681 reviews28 followers
December 18, 2023
Dreadlord: A Progression/Cultivation Epic (Kataklysm Book 4), my fifty-fifth read from author Theophilus Monroe and the sixth "co-written" with T.R. Magnus his "elven half-brother". Theophilus Monroe has become one of my favorite authors. Very different than his typical work and reminds me greatly in style of the White Dragon works of Paul Cude. I was given a Kindle copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. I look forward to reading Deluge: A Progression/Cultivation Epic (Kataklysm Book 5) when it's published in June of next year. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
311 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2023
Dreadlord continues the Kataklysm series.
Blaike, Tirana, and their friends have defeated the evils of their world, but in ascending have learned of many other worlds, and a being even greater than their gods. They must ascend beyond where man has done before, all while their planet is falling apart and a greater force is out to conquer them.
Really good story, with solid characters. Only weak spot is that, after a build up to a key scene, the climax just sort of slips out.
676 reviews5 followers
November 28, 2024
was inevitable. The gods are not gods but enhanced beings in a universe fighting to survive the onslaught of a single being absorbing their lifesaving abilities...for his own survival.
The dreadlord has arrived. And he is ferocious and determined.
Dreadlord by author T R Magnus is quite the knee shaking experience as Blaike and company fight for their own lives and even that in and of their own universe.
Enjoy
Profile Image for Kristin Jensen.
665 reviews
November 14, 2023
I am still loving this series. Each book builds well on the last, and T.R. Magnus manages to keep the story appealing and exciting. This series is a series to read for all fans of epic stories with a cultivation twist. I'm looking forward to book 5!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Donna.
824 reviews13 followers
February 7, 2024
Dreadlord (Kataklysm Book 4) by T.R. Magnus is another great book of the series that I totally recommend. In this book the gods are failing. They're losing their powers. Can Blaike and Ming Yue stand against the destroyer of gods? They are faced with an impossible choice.. save the world or save the gods.
Profile Image for Raeleane.
580 reviews20 followers
July 11, 2024
Wow! Each book in this series just gets better and better. Theophilus Monroe an excellent story teller. Vivid world building. And characters who are engaging. Blaike, Yue, Kirana, Farrell and Tinder are all awesome. I can't choose just one as my favorite character. I definitely recommend reading this series. Now on to the last book.
776 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2023
So, book four in the series and yet another little cracker. This series is getting better and better with every book. The king and queen have to face more and more trials and tribulations that’s for sure. What will be in their way in the next one I wonder. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Dennis.
496 reviews5 followers
November 13, 2023
Book 4 of the incredible Kataklysm series. each one of these just gets better and better. I started this and I was immediately lost to the real world! Kept me so enthralled I couldn't stop reading! Can't wait for the epic conclusion!
1,144 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2023
Very good.
In order to save their world Blaike, Kirana, Aelfrid and Ming Yue must ascend to be able to defeat the Dreadlord and save their world. This is their very compelling story.
I received this as an ARC for review and enjoyed reading it.
Profile Image for Barbara Harrison.
3,416 reviews87 followers
November 28, 2023
Set aside a full day for this action-packed PG paranormal supernatural dystopian apocalyptic quest that is the fourth in the Kataklysm series. As usual, I commend binging, but the book also works as a stand-alone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sheila White.
84 reviews
February 4, 2024
thought that this is an amazing addition to the series and I really can't wait to see how it's going to end but at the same time I'm enjoying it so much I don't want it to end.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
39 reviews
February 9, 2024
Once again he held my attention with this series. I love the way he brings magic and tech together and blends it to the point of possibility. If you are just starting your journey with T.R. Mangus JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Phthon.
2,339 reviews8 followers
July 8, 2024
So much power is bestowed on our heroes, I can’t imagine how much further they can ascend. I loved how they work together, supporting each other no matter the challenges they face. This book is exciting and intense! I LOVED IT!
256 reviews
June 17, 2024
Great characters with good storyline. The world building was done well. Overall a well written book. I received as an ARC and this is my honest review.
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