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The Paradox Legion: Starforged Empire: Omni Tempore 1
A single death is not a luxury granted to Timecasters.
When Tidus Antirrhinum dies alongside his entire family, he discovers the end is not so simple. Instead of moving on to the Gilded Halls, Tidus discovers he has the ability to reset time and change his fate. He has the chance to save his family.
But things don't go as planned.
When his brother still dies, Tidus realizes there is only one way for him to succeed.
He must kill himself and try again.Honor your gifts.
Tidus Antirrhinum has a gift not granted to most, the ability to get a second chance. Or a third. Or a fourth.
Treasure your sacrifices.
All Timecasters are destined for the Omni Tempore, the elite military legion protecting the Reklum Empire. When an assassin follows him through time to end his training before it truly begins, can he survive with his humanity intact?
One thing he knows to be true above all else.
It is better to die once.
The Paradox Legion is the first installment in the Omni Tempore trilogy. An action packed Star Wars meets Edge of Tomorrow adventure readers describe as meant to be read in one night- once you start you won't want to put it down.
Explore the complexities of Timecasting, join Tidus on his journey to prove himself and protect the people he loves, and enter the expansive universe of the Starforged Empire.
When Tidus Antirrhinum dies alongside his entire family, he discovers the end is not so simple. Instead of moving on to the Gilded Halls, Tidus discovers he has the ability to reset time and change his fate. He has the chance to save his family.
But things don't go as planned.
When his brother still dies, Tidus realizes there is only one way for him to succeed.
He must kill himself and try again.Honor your gifts.
Tidus Antirrhinum has a gift not granted to most, the ability to get a second chance. Or a third. Or a fourth.
Treasure your sacrifices.
All Timecasters are destined for the Omni Tempore, the elite military legion protecting the Reklum Empire. When an assassin follows him through time to end his training before it truly begins, can he survive with his humanity intact?
One thing he knows to be true above all else.
It is better to die once.
The Paradox Legion is the first installment in the Omni Tempore trilogy. An action packed Star Wars meets Edge of Tomorrow adventure readers describe as meant to be read in one night- once you start you won't want to put it down.
Explore the complexities of Timecasting, join Tidus on his journey to prove himself and protect the people he loves, and enter the expansive universe of the Starforged Empire.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2024
1 person is currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 5, 2024
This book really surprised me in the best way possible, I absolutely loved it!
The story was so well written and intriguing, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
The book takes place over several years, which I really enjoyed. It felt more realistic and made more sense to me. A lot of fantasy and science fiction tend to take place in such a short period of time and the characters are so young and inexperienced which would annoy me a lot sometimes but this book really gave Tidus the time to develop his skills, his character and his knowledge. It just felt very natural.
I enjoyed Tidus' character so much that he was so well fleshed out, and I enjoyed his personality; he wasn't a perfect, fearless main character (which is exactly why I liked him). He was so complex, and his growth as a character is so enjoyable to read. His inner turmoil and thought process was also so interesting and kind of relatable because he isn't perfect, he makes mistakes, he gets anxious and scared, but he persists. I also liked the nuanced relationships between the characters. There was also a lot of casual representation that did not feel in any way forced or performative or like it was trying too hard. It was just done really well and made so much sense in the context, and I enjoyed that it wasn't the focus of the book at all.
The timecasting and power system was also extremely interesting and well done for me, I felt completely absorbed in it. Time travel and playing with time can get pretty complicated, but everything just made sense, which was so enjoyable.
I could also see and feel the timecasting magic with very little explanation in the writing. The world was also complex but not really described in many words, but I felt like I knew where everything was, what it looked like, and how the characters interact with their world. It felt like I had the freedom to create my own world/ universe, which I enjoyed a lot and made it a unique reading experience visually.
There are a few aspects that go unexplained that I would have liked to know more about - like the system of the universe and the idea of the Emperor and the Empire.
The most satisfying part of this book was that it just made sense for me, it wasn't trying to do too much, everything was so well balanced and I haven't felt so enamoured by a book in a long time.
The story was so well written and intriguing, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
The book takes place over several years, which I really enjoyed. It felt more realistic and made more sense to me. A lot of fantasy and science fiction tend to take place in such a short period of time and the characters are so young and inexperienced which would annoy me a lot sometimes but this book really gave Tidus the time to develop his skills, his character and his knowledge. It just felt very natural.
I enjoyed Tidus' character so much that he was so well fleshed out, and I enjoyed his personality; he wasn't a perfect, fearless main character (which is exactly why I liked him). He was so complex, and his growth as a character is so enjoyable to read. His inner turmoil and thought process was also so interesting and kind of relatable because he isn't perfect, he makes mistakes, he gets anxious and scared, but he persists. I also liked the nuanced relationships between the characters. There was also a lot of casual representation that did not feel in any way forced or performative or like it was trying too hard. It was just done really well and made so much sense in the context, and I enjoyed that it wasn't the focus of the book at all.
The timecasting and power system was also extremely interesting and well done for me, I felt completely absorbed in it. Time travel and playing with time can get pretty complicated, but everything just made sense, which was so enjoyable.
I could also see and feel the timecasting magic with very little explanation in the writing. The world was also complex but not really described in many words, but I felt like I knew where everything was, what it looked like, and how the characters interact with their world. It felt like I had the freedom to create my own world/ universe, which I enjoyed a lot and made it a unique reading experience visually.
There are a few aspects that go unexplained that I would have liked to know more about - like the system of the universe and the idea of the Emperor and the Empire.
The most satisfying part of this book was that it just made sense for me, it wasn't trying to do too much, everything was so well balanced and I haven't felt so enamoured by a book in a long time.
April 9, 2024
The sole protagonist of this novel, Titus, is a hyper-intelligent, emotionally stunted 17-year-old. He spends the majority of this book trying to discover his unique place in the Empire, as the son of a wealthy Baron who was also born with very rare, magical abilities. This journey primarily revolves around him working towards a series of five Trials he must pass in order to become a fully-fledged Timecaster.
For a book whose magic systems primarily revolve around time and death, C.E. Foltz does an incredible job keeping The Paradox Legion feeling grounded in reality. Although characters can manipulate these forces, death has real consequences in this story (see the quote on the book’s cover), and there are no plot holes caused by time manipulation seen in similar sci-fi books. Each moment/scene feels essential to the story’s progression, and the pacing does not let up!
A review of this book would not be complete without also mentioning the world building--from page one, the setting feels intriguing, natural, and “lived-in”. As Titus’s story develops in this initial entry to the series, it truly feels as though the reader is looking through one carefully tailored perspective into a vast ocean of potential narrative. The author does a terrific job drip-feeding you just enough information about the larger plot to keep you interested, without giving too much away up front.
While the book remains an excellent page-turner, it did as though the gap between this book and the next (unreleased as of the writing of this review) is in an awkward spot. There were several good places to leave off on a cliffhanger towards the end of the story, but it felt as though the author wanted to quickly wrap things up and put the proverbial bow on it, without a lot of the final sequence feeling earned. The last five chapters specifically (about 35 pages) felt as though they could have and should have warranted their own novel.
Time will tell if the sequel delivers answers to the unresolved questions and plotlines of the first entry to this series. A few important members of the supporting cast were abandoned midway through the book, and I’m hopeful that this was done intentionally in order for them to play a larger role in the future of the narrative. For now, I’m left craving more understanding about this sprawling world, its unique characters, and the overarching story of the Starforged Empire. I cannot wait to get my hands on whatever Foltz writes next!
For fans of: Pierce Brown, Suzanne Collins, Rebecca Yarros
For a book whose magic systems primarily revolve around time and death, C.E. Foltz does an incredible job keeping The Paradox Legion feeling grounded in reality. Although characters can manipulate these forces, death has real consequences in this story (see the quote on the book’s cover), and there are no plot holes caused by time manipulation seen in similar sci-fi books. Each moment/scene feels essential to the story’s progression, and the pacing does not let up!
A review of this book would not be complete without also mentioning the world building--from page one, the setting feels intriguing, natural, and “lived-in”. As Titus’s story develops in this initial entry to the series, it truly feels as though the reader is looking through one carefully tailored perspective into a vast ocean of potential narrative. The author does a terrific job drip-feeding you just enough information about the larger plot to keep you interested, without giving too much away up front.
While the book remains an excellent page-turner, it did as though the gap between this book and the next (unreleased as of the writing of this review) is in an awkward spot. There were several good places to leave off on a cliffhanger towards the end of the story, but it felt as though the author wanted to quickly wrap things up and put the proverbial bow on it, without a lot of the final sequence feeling earned. The last five chapters specifically (about 35 pages) felt as though they could have and should have warranted their own novel.
Time will tell if the sequel delivers answers to the unresolved questions and plotlines of the first entry to this series. A few important members of the supporting cast were abandoned midway through the book, and I’m hopeful that this was done intentionally in order for them to play a larger role in the future of the narrative. For now, I’m left craving more understanding about this sprawling world, its unique characters, and the overarching story of the Starforged Empire. I cannot wait to get my hands on whatever Foltz writes next!
For fans of: Pierce Brown, Suzanne Collins, Rebecca Yarros
April 11, 2024
Prepare yourself for a wondrous, time-traveling journey! This tome chronicles the rise of Tidus from his accidental discovery of his ability to restart his life to joining the ranks of the all-powerful Omni Tempore. Tidus's discovery that he is a timecaster is harrowing, and his fight to stay alive, keep time together, and rise above his challengers for a place of honor in the empire never slows down. With lively twists, heartbreak, and friendship, this book opened my eyes to a compelling universe - one I plan to visit again!
September 19, 2025
Ooh, this might be my favorite read of the year so far! It pulled me in right from the beginning, both Titus's powers as a Timecaster and his personality/struggles (anxiety coupled with an overbearing father who he can never please). The beginning was brutal with Titus killing himself, twice, to save his brother from the explosion where they all die in chapter one (so not a spoiler). But even when he succeeds, his brother accidentally finds out and hates him for it because it goes against everything in their religion. That broke my heart, but it was SUCH GOOD tension for over half of the book. Still not sure if I am completely satisfied with how it "resolved" but it certainly was a good plot twist (though by "good" I mean "heart wrenching"). And side note: Titus's parents are horrible and I really wanted him to punch his father at some point (would've been out of character but still).
I also loved Helix, Titus's cat alien friend! Though I can't believe he's still Titus's friend after he treats him so poorly on several occasions (Titus is obsessed with the idea he has to prove himself by doing everything by himself; that is one thing I wish would've been resolved, or at least shown some character growth in . Maybe in the next book?). Generally, this book has some fun species, though we never learn much about any of them. When Titus meets an elf and a tiefling (not called that but a girl with horns and a devil tail), I figured this was adapted from a D&D campaign, and her author's note confirmed it. That can be hit or miss for me sometimes, but this author did it in a very cool way that wasn't overly obvious.
The trials Titus goes through to learn Timecasting and become an Omni Tempore were super cool. And intense. I would definitely die 😅 I loved watching Titus grow in power, hehe. He can do so many cool things with time by the end!
The only complaint I have is the ending. Don't get me wrong, it was super good, but the plot resolved when Titus killed a certain person (I won't say who), then the book kept going for several more chapters. It kinda felt like that part should've been the beginning of the next book. Or a flashback in the next book if there's a huge time jump from book 1 to book 2. I wasn't disgruntled enough to drop a star, though; the rest of the book still made up for it.
Highly recommend! Super excited for the next one!
I also loved Helix, Titus's cat alien friend! Though I can't believe he's still Titus's friend after he treats him so poorly on several occasions (Titus is obsessed with the idea he has to prove himself by doing everything by himself; that is one thing I wish would've been resolved, or at least shown some character growth in . Maybe in the next book?). Generally, this book has some fun species, though we never learn much about any of them. When Titus meets an elf and a tiefling (not called that but a girl with horns and a devil tail), I figured this was adapted from a D&D campaign, and her author's note confirmed it. That can be hit or miss for me sometimes, but this author did it in a very cool way that wasn't overly obvious.
The trials Titus goes through to learn Timecasting and become an Omni Tempore were super cool. And intense. I would definitely die 😅 I loved watching Titus grow in power, hehe. He can do so many cool things with time by the end!
The only complaint I have is the ending. Don't get me wrong, it was super good, but the plot resolved when Titus killed a certain person (I won't say who), then the book kept going for several more chapters. It kinda felt like that part should've been the beginning of the next book. Or a flashback in the next book if there's a huge time jump from book 1 to book 2. I wasn't disgruntled enough to drop a star, though; the rest of the book still made up for it.
Highly recommend! Super excited for the next one!
April 17, 2024
4.5 Stars!
Wow wow wow. I was shocked by how much I loved this book. This was truly an epic sci-fi novel. The characters were so well thought out and I LOVED the relationship between Tidus and Helix.
The plot was so unique and the writing was excellent, it made it so easy to devour this novel.
I so look forward to reading book 2.
Wow wow wow. I was shocked by how much I loved this book. This was truly an epic sci-fi novel. The characters were so well thought out and I LOVED the relationship between Tidus and Helix.
The plot was so unique and the writing was excellent, it made it so easy to devour this novel.
I so look forward to reading book 2.
October 31, 2024
!!!!!!!!!!!CHECK TW!!!!!!!!!!!
Honestly, this book was really well written, but there are some spots that weren't for me! Not for people under 18 I would think as well.
Honestly, this book was really well written, but there are some spots that weren't for me! Not for people under 18 I would think as well.
April 15, 2024
I am so impressed.
The Paradox Legion is an incredible story.
It mixes Sci fi and magic.
It honestly gave Star Wars mixed with The Last Air bender vibes to me.
It invoked so many emotions. It made me happy, sad, enraged, heartbroken, and absolutely amazed.
I feel this story is unique and an amazing adventure.
The Paradox Legion is an incredible story.
It mixes Sci fi and magic.
It honestly gave Star Wars mixed with The Last Air bender vibes to me.
It invoked so many emotions. It made me happy, sad, enraged, heartbroken, and absolutely amazed.
I feel this story is unique and an amazing adventure.
November 9, 2024
This was so good! Time travel academia in space. With a crazy twist! I absolutely loved it. The characters were so well done, the plot was fast paced, and the world was so immersive. Tidus was a great MC and I adore Helix. The power system with the timecasters is next level. I wish more were talking about this book! I’m very much looking forward to more of the Omni Tempore.
July 28, 2024
I loved this book from beginning to end and am so excited for the next ones to come out! Most books with time-travel have the same recycled ideas. This was different with fresh concepts and a unique plot full of twists I never saw coming! This book kept me up to ridiculous hours of the night! I just couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who love Sci Fi, time travel, or space!
June 15, 2025
Absolutely loved this book!
This was basically time wizards, doing hunger games, in space.
And if that isn't a fantastic tag line then I don't know what is 😂
I loved how rich the characters are and how they evolve into vastly different people, but also the world building is insane. Absolutely mind blowing and so vast.
Without a shadow of a doubt, I will be reading EVERYTHING else set in this universe before the end of 2025.
Favourite book of the year so far. By miles.
This was basically time wizards, doing hunger games, in space.
And if that isn't a fantastic tag line then I don't know what is 😂
I loved how rich the characters are and how they evolve into vastly different people, but also the world building is insane. Absolutely mind blowing and so vast.
Without a shadow of a doubt, I will be reading EVERYTHING else set in this universe before the end of 2025.
Favourite book of the year so far. By miles.
October 12, 2024
I don’t read sci-fi ever really, but the author reached out and asked if I would read and review. When she gave me the synopsis I was very intrigued. It was such an interesting, action packed, and plot twisty book. I found myself to be on the edge of my seat at times and I thought the time magic was super interesting. The world building was just enough that I could picture it but not so much that I found myself confused and frustrated. I think as someone coming into this genre it was a perfect starting point!
I will say the only thing I found was there to be some fluff, so just some unnecessary details that I could have done without but because I was so hooked with the story and wanted to see what happened next that I can overlook it.
I will say the only thing I found was there to be some fluff, so just some unnecessary details that I could have done without but because I was so hooked with the story and wanted to see what happened next that I can overlook it.
April 12, 2024
What excited me the most about finishing The Paradox Legion was realizing it's a villain origin story. This is Anakin Skywalker, this is Thanos.
Titus has the power, drive, and emotional instability to tear the universe in half. Can't wait to see what, or who, will save Titus from himself, if he gets saved at all.
Titus has the power, drive, and emotional instability to tear the universe in half. Can't wait to see what, or who, will save Titus from himself, if he gets saved at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
No spoilers - I was a beta reader for the series, and I had a hard time putting it down (well - turning the screen off).
It was quite good, and I'm looking forward to Book 2 & beyond; and where the protagonist chooses to spend his time energy. It's an interesting world, with a unique take on time.
10/10, wish I could read it for the first time again.
It was quite good, and I'm looking forward to Book 2 & beyond; and where the protagonist chooses to spend his time energy. It's an interesting world, with a unique take on time.
10/10, wish I could read it for the first time again.
March 24, 2025
Excellent, refreshing new take on time management in sci fi! Not really time travel, not really time weaponry, but a fascinating combination. I started with the ebook and by chapter 9 I was so hooked I went to the author’s website and ordered a signed copy. Likable characters and interesting world building. Definitely recommend!
April 7, 2024
this is an amazing piece of art! a book worthy of a reading binge!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews