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The Chronicles of Cornu #1
Through the Gate
Mike Mulvaney, a scientific prodigy who spent four years as a Maine after his father was almost killed in 9/11 went for a hike in the Adirondacks. He unknowingly walked through a star gate or portal to another world. The planet Cornu was settled by humans in the distance past who came through gates from earth. There were changes to human genes that strongly influenced human society. More women than man dictated multiple wives. Low fertility and birthrate with low population growth limited large scale conflicts. Pheromones played an important part in picking mates and in libido. The technology was early eighteenth century and progress was slow. Much of the progress came from the very rare person who came through the gates. While wars weren’t waged due to population loss. Bloody dynastic plots were hatched and waged. One particularly nasty and deadly one was conceived against the royal family of Nordia by a rival kingdom. When he arrived, Mike was disoriented and worried about his sanity. Was this real or a delusion? He gathered himself and slowly set out to explore this new world and soon found himself hip deep in the plot.
- GenresScience Fiction
487 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2019
417 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 8, 2020
Great premise, horrible sexist author
I love books like alternative worlds with a person out of synch making a difference. I even plodded through the way too irrelevant detailed back stories of Mike. But the comments about womens great tits were annoying but when he actually said, ( not kidding) that women were given drugged wine and then passed to the men as willing, that was too much. I read a lot of prepper fiction so violence and explicit sex does not bother me, but this level of sexism is so extreme that I could not finish the book. I usually never write reviews, as I read way too many books, but I could not let this stand.
I love books like alternative worlds with a person out of synch making a difference. I even plodded through the way too irrelevant detailed back stories of Mike. But the comments about womens great tits were annoying but when he actually said, ( not kidding) that women were given drugged wine and then passed to the men as willing, that was too much. I read a lot of prepper fiction so violence and explicit sex does not bother me, but this level of sexism is so extreme that I could not finish the book. I usually never write reviews, as I read way too many books, but I could not let this stand.
December 4, 2019
Great Idea, Rough Execution
I really enjoyed the idea behind the book and how it progresses WHILE from the main characters point of view. While I can understand going from the Father's prospective and the man to go to Cornu before him, all the others is just total overkill. In the end I just skimmed through the unimportant side stories and tried to keep with the main one. I finely get to where I believe I should have been 50% of the book ago and it suddenly ends without finishing, was a HUGE disappointment.
I really enjoyed the idea behind the book and how it progresses WHILE from the main characters point of view. While I can understand going from the Father's prospective and the man to go to Cornu before him, all the others is just total overkill. In the end I just skimmed through the unimportant side stories and tried to keep with the main one. I finely get to where I believe I should have been 50% of the book ago and it suddenly ends without finishing, was a HUGE disappointment.
January 1, 2021
This is the first book by Dalton Jr. I've read. I really liked it. Good characterizations, interesting settings, an unusual writing style, but very readable. Dalton Jr. was obviously very familiar with weapons, camping, and the USMC. The pace was a bit slow, but it all developed the plot. Very well done. Some my reject his depictions of different social norms, but as a student of history nothing he presented wasn't beyond what other societies on earth have produced. Mormons in our own country had sister wives. Incest was practiced by several other societies, the Egyptians most famously. The Ottomans among many others had a system of brother killing brother to become the ruler. He may have gone a bit far with mother/son incest, but I don't think that it wouldn't be possible.
My problem with the book, and the only reason I didn't give it a 5 was that there were too many sloppy mistakes. (If Amazon had a 1-10 scale I would have given it a 9 in spite of them.) For starters the story was spell checked, but obviously not proofread. To instead of two, then inside of than, thrown instead of throne are just a few of way too many examples. Worse, sometimes a word was clearly left out of a sentence. Finally. the author made quite a few grammatical mistakes - most often regarding quotations.
None the less, I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in the series and hope he cleans up the sloppy editing.
My problem with the book, and the only reason I didn't give it a 5 was that there were too many sloppy mistakes. (If Amazon had a 1-10 scale I would have given it a 9 in spite of them.) For starters the story was spell checked, but obviously not proofread. To instead of two, then inside of than, thrown instead of throne are just a few of way too many examples. Worse, sometimes a word was clearly left out of a sentence. Finally. the author made quite a few grammatical mistakes - most often regarding quotations.
None the less, I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in the series and hope he cleans up the sloppy editing.
December 2, 2020
So close
This type of book is one of my favorites. I really enjoy the whole modern person gets suck to the past etc. the problem with this book is that it takes forever to get rolling. The first 75% of the book drags on slower than cold honey. I’m going to keep on with the series and see how it goes though. I will also be following this author. One book doesn’t truly represent an authors development and this guy does show promise.
This type of book is one of my favorites. I really enjoy the whole modern person gets suck to the past etc. the problem with this book is that it takes forever to get rolling. The first 75% of the book drags on slower than cold honey. I’m going to keep on with the series and see how it goes though. I will also be following this author. One book doesn’t truly represent an authors development and this guy does show promise.
December 2, 2020
Loved it
Not gonna lie. This took forever to get to Mike's (MC) transmigration. This first book is primarily about the MC life up until he wakes up somewhere else.
Despite reading a sci-fi novel it was mostly slice of life. You watch the main character grow up along with key characters on Cornu.
This is vital since it gives this story a strong foundation and adds allot of depth to both worlds and the characters.
If this is to slow for you then look elsewhere but if you are able to finish it I can assure you that you will be buying the second book as I am about to.
This story has slice of life, romantic interests, political scheming, action, adventure and light humor.
(character spoiler) The MC is a genius, having attended a school for gifted children going to college and then getting PhD at MIT. Oh, and he becomes a marine, deploys and later wakes up on another world to kick a**....
You eventually get what you paid for just be patient.
I would recommend this to anyone who is willing to give this a read.
Not gonna lie. This took forever to get to Mike's (MC) transmigration. This first book is primarily about the MC life up until he wakes up somewhere else.
Despite reading a sci-fi novel it was mostly slice of life. You watch the main character grow up along with key characters on Cornu.
This is vital since it gives this story a strong foundation and adds allot of depth to both worlds and the characters.
If this is to slow for you then look elsewhere but if you are able to finish it I can assure you that you will be buying the second book as I am about to.
This story has slice of life, romantic interests, political scheming, action, adventure and light humor.
(character spoiler) The MC is a genius, having attended a school for gifted children going to college and then getting PhD at MIT. Oh, and he becomes a marine, deploys and later wakes up on another world to kick a**....
You eventually get what you paid for just be patient.
I would recommend this to anyone who is willing to give this a read.
March 15, 2020
This book has substantial potential. It was published too early in the process, as it need revising, with a shift into story telling for the several chapters detailing in recitative format the geologic and biologic evolution of the planet. The world development and plot development are there, and the progression of the story is there. I was intrigued by several of the premises and how the author explored them.
I skimmed those chapters that set forth excellent background material (such are better not remaining in the book in the present form.) Like some other readers, I felt rewarded once the story telling resumed.
I skimmed those chapters that set forth excellent background material (such are better not remaining in the book in the present form.) Like some other readers, I felt rewarded once the story telling resumed.
December 15, 2020
I like the series
Corny is a different world and populated by folks wandering through gates from time to time. Some biological changes have occurred so things are a bit different. There are many more women than men so it only makes sense that it might seem a little feminist but the men are still mAnly men. The guys aren't as fertile as they are on earth resulting in a lower birth rate.
The story starts a little slow but it picks up steam once the main character, Mike, makes it through the portal to Cornu. From there on enjoy the ride and read right through to the end. It does look like there is room for more books in the series so I'm waiting for book four.
Corny is a different world and populated by folks wandering through gates from time to time. Some biological changes have occurred so things are a bit different. There are many more women than men so it only makes sense that it might seem a little feminist but the men are still mAnly men. The guys aren't as fertile as they are on earth resulting in a lower birth rate.
The story starts a little slow but it picks up steam once the main character, Mike, makes it through the portal to Cornu. From there on enjoy the ride and read right through to the end. It does look like there is room for more books in the series so I'm waiting for book four.
May 5, 2020
Ok
Didn't like how it ended suddenly, the first page or so should have been the last one, actually it seems to be a little before the ending. A lot of stuff happens that's lightly glossed over like a training montage in a movie that takes up most of the book before you finally get to what seems to be the meat of the story then it ends suddenly. Its an interesting read and I'm curious to see what happens next, but a bit of a let down too, a big long build up without any resolution.
Didn't like how it ended suddenly, the first page or so should have been the last one, actually it seems to be a little before the ending. A lot of stuff happens that's lightly glossed over like a training montage in a movie that takes up most of the book before you finally get to what seems to be the meat of the story then it ends suddenly. Its an interesting read and I'm curious to see what happens next, but a bit of a let down too, a big long build up without any resolution.
May 5, 2020
Nerd Jock
Mike is a genius, however, he is very active physically. The dichotomy results in a PhD from MIT and becoming a 2nd lieutenant in the Marines. All this background sets him up for the action to come. I like the action, humor, and romance. The extensive background set-up makes the characters feel real and I can feel their emotions as I read. I am anxious to get into the next book to continue the adventures in the new world. Will he be able to protect the Royal Family?
Mike is a genius, however, he is very active physically. The dichotomy results in a PhD from MIT and becoming a 2nd lieutenant in the Marines. All this background sets him up for the action to come. I like the action, humor, and romance. The extensive background set-up makes the characters feel real and I can feel their emotions as I read. I am anxious to get into the next book to continue the adventures in the new world. Will he be able to protect the Royal Family?
July 15, 2025
This was interesting - until it wasn't. I felt like I was listening to a textbook. There was no real story here, just a narration of facts. A whole lot of tell and never enough show.
So I gave up mid-way through. I need some action, some true interaction between characters. If this was world building, it sure was boring.
The narration by Wayne Mitchell, however, was excellent. He did tend to get a little excited with description. But that was largely because there wasn't any dialogue there to inject the emotion. I think given a good sci-fi book he'd be great.
So I gave up mid-way through. I need some action, some true interaction between characters. If this was world building, it sure was boring.
The narration by Wayne Mitchell, however, was excellent. He did tend to get a little excited with description. But that was largely because there wasn't any dialogue there to inject the emotion. I think given a good sci-fi book he'd be great.
December 5, 2020
Finished all three again.
I loved the entire series, and have bought all three of them.
The only fault I see is the total lie about legal concealed carriers (gun owners), losing their tempers and shooting people.
I've been carrying for over forty years, in the US Navy and beyond. Haven't lost my temper yet while carrying.
The author should check his facts.
But he is writing fiction, so I gave five stars instead of four.
Be safe and stay masked like a bandit.
Bob
I loved the entire series, and have bought all three of them.
The only fault I see is the total lie about legal concealed carriers (gun owners), losing their tempers and shooting people.
I've been carrying for over forty years, in the US Navy and beyond. Haven't lost my temper yet while carrying.
The author should check his facts.
But he is writing fiction, so I gave five stars instead of four.
Be safe and stay masked like a bandit.
Bob
May 10, 2020
I actually saw book two in the series by chance as a recent release and the first pages were very interesting so I decided to start the series from book 1; it was definitely useful that book 2 interested me since this one by itself would have likely been open and put down after a while as the writing is very "I want to tell people what happened from the beginning and even before so I am going to actually not only do it but spell it out in detail with some side analysis to boot" rather than fiction; still an interesting enough universe and setup so I went fast through it; finally the action gets going in the last few chapters and they are fairly good; personally I think the series should have started there rather than with all the "that's what happened and this is how the hero was born, grew, was a boy genius and also a gentleman and officer until he went through the portal as all of that could have easily been inserted later as flashbacks if needed; overall I would suggest to try volume 2 and refer to this as needed
August 23, 2020
Rough but good
So the main problem here is the synopsis doesn't give you a clue about what the book presents. The talk of going through the gate is unfortunately at the end of the book. This is mostly a prequel to what will be a good series. Lot of back information and back buildup on why the characters are what they are. Obviously only if you're into that sort of thing. Which I am. However I find the title and the synopsis of the book is a bit misleading and disingenuous hence my 3-star rating instead of 4. This is a build up for a large World hopefully the author has a lot of plans considering all the effort he went through to build each character it will be encountered. Patience is the name of the game for this book. It's all good but you keep waiting for the gate and it's not there till the end. That said the series seems to be very good and I enjoyed it and read it very rapidly.
So the main problem here is the synopsis doesn't give you a clue about what the book presents. The talk of going through the gate is unfortunately at the end of the book. This is mostly a prequel to what will be a good series. Lot of back information and back buildup on why the characters are what they are. Obviously only if you're into that sort of thing. Which I am. However I find the title and the synopsis of the book is a bit misleading and disingenuous hence my 3-star rating instead of 4. This is a build up for a large World hopefully the author has a lot of plans considering all the effort he went through to build each character it will be encountered. Patience is the name of the game for this book. It's all good but you keep waiting for the gate and it's not there till the end. That said the series seems to be very good and I enjoyed it and read it very rapidly.
August 5, 2021
A very interesting read
This book has a Very interesting premise , and I like the way it flips back and forth between two worlds. The characters are good and after a bit of a slow start the story developed nicely. But I do have a couple of gripes, and while some may wag their fingers at me for being fussy, the author really needs to get a better proofreader. The text switches from using the terms magazine and clip as interchangeable but any funny in the Corps would kick your butt for referring to a magazine as a clip. Several camo clothing is called cameo, and the good doctor Lee, having gotten his PhD gets a job in a lavatory instead of a laboratory! The worst editing error,however, is that virtually every use of the phrase you are, which should be the contraction you're is instead simply your! It is very distracting to see that egregious an error repeatedly used throughout the book!
This book has a Very interesting premise , and I like the way it flips back and forth between two worlds. The characters are good and after a bit of a slow start the story developed nicely. But I do have a couple of gripes, and while some may wag their fingers at me for being fussy, the author really needs to get a better proofreader. The text switches from using the terms magazine and clip as interchangeable but any funny in the Corps would kick your butt for referring to a magazine as a clip. Several camo clothing is called cameo, and the good doctor Lee, having gotten his PhD gets a job in a lavatory instead of a laboratory! The worst editing error,however, is that virtually every use of the phrase you are, which should be the contraction you're is instead simply your! It is very distracting to see that egregious an error repeatedly used throughout the book!
December 25, 2019
Good idea but poorly executed
Good idea for a story but the author spent way to much time on unimportant filler. Do we really need to know how Mike's parents met or how Mike lost his virginity? Does any of that stuff actually add anything to the story? Also yeah what's up with the ending. We'd finally get to what should have happened at the beginning of the book then the book just ends. Did the author accidentally submit an unfinished draft or something? The ending doesn't even get to the prologue. I liked the idea behind the story so I hope the author release an updated copy with a real ending or at least releases the next book soon.
Good idea for a story but the author spent way to much time on unimportant filler. Do we really need to know how Mike's parents met or how Mike lost his virginity? Does any of that stuff actually add anything to the story? Also yeah what's up with the ending. We'd finally get to what should have happened at the beginning of the book then the book just ends. Did the author accidentally submit an unfinished draft or something? The ending doesn't even get to the prologue. I liked the idea behind the story so I hope the author release an updated copy with a real ending or at least releases the next book soon.
January 25, 2020
You gotta be kidding me!
You know, if you throw enough commas at a story some of them will inevitably stick where they should. The rest? Well hell, they can just end up wherever. Actually had one sentence that began with a period. Don’t know what kind of grade dude got in his creative writing class for this book but it couldn’t have been very good. When he finally got around to introducing the MC it started with his dads birth and took us up to when Mike was born. Totally unnecessary. I tried but only got halfway through. If you need something to put you to sleep then I highly recommend this book. Nah. It ain’t even a good sleep aid.
You know, if you throw enough commas at a story some of them will inevitably stick where they should. The rest? Well hell, they can just end up wherever. Actually had one sentence that began with a period. Don’t know what kind of grade dude got in his creative writing class for this book but it couldn’t have been very good. When he finally got around to introducing the MC it started with his dads birth and took us up to when Mike was born. Totally unnecessary. I tried but only got halfway through. If you need something to put you to sleep then I highly recommend this book. Nah. It ain’t even a good sleep aid.
June 30, 2020
An enjoyable read with a large need of editing.
The book is not like the synopsis suggests until the last 15% or so. The first 85% is setting up the characters and back story for the end where the story really begins leading into the next book/books.
I enjoy the authors writing although the book is seriously in need of editing. Numerous punctuation error,, several wrong words and a few grammatical errors which threw me out of the story while I read.
I will likely continue reading this series but would definitely enjoy it more with better editing and thus give it a better review.
The book is not like the synopsis suggests until the last 15% or so. The first 85% is setting up the characters and back story for the end where the story really begins leading into the next book/books.
I enjoy the authors writing although the book is seriously in need of editing. Numerous punctuation error,, several wrong words and a few grammatical errors which threw me out of the story while I read.
I will likely continue reading this series but would definitely enjoy it more with better editing and thus give it a better review.
April 18, 2021
This is not a story. It's a plot outline.
This entire book reads like someone wrote the outline for a book and is trying to flesh it out. Little to no dialogue between the characters and what little there is has no basis in reality. Everyone is happy, life is good, no-one disagrees with anything, ever! There is never an argument, OMG kill me now! Every, single thing is perfect. I tried to get through this hoping that it would pick up and get better, but after reading the other reviews and the previews of the other 2 books in this series I gave up all hope and decided to pull the plug.
This entire book reads like someone wrote the outline for a book and is trying to flesh it out. Little to no dialogue between the characters and what little there is has no basis in reality. Everyone is happy, life is good, no-one disagrees with anything, ever! There is never an argument, OMG kill me now! Every, single thing is perfect. I tried to get through this hoping that it would pick up and get better, but after reading the other reviews and the previews of the other 2 books in this series I gave up all hope and decided to pull the plug.
July 4, 2020
It repeats and repeats and...
Seriously, this book could have been done 1/4 of the length if it trusted the reader to remember ANY details. It reminded us of the reproductive pattern not less than 20 times. Seriously, this was the path for the WHOLE book. Sadly this is the first time I’ve ever given as 1 Star to a book. Had high hopes. Going to check out first part of next book to see if it’s more of the same, if so, I’m out.
Seriously, this book could have been done 1/4 of the length if it trusted the reader to remember ANY details. It reminded us of the reproductive pattern not less than 20 times. Seriously, this was the path for the WHOLE book. Sadly this is the first time I’ve ever given as 1 Star to a book. Had high hopes. Going to check out first part of next book to see if it’s more of the same, if so, I’m out.
October 20, 2020
Not the tale expected
This story doesn't fit my expectations from the teaser. The main plot line is the New world Cornu. Then to put me further off the story the Author tried to add interest by presenting two plot lines at the same time to be joined for the finish. This Author needs an Editor( oh and my usual pet peeve a PROOF reader) to clean up their fractured plot lines. Yes there are seeds of a good story here just not written in a fashion I think highly of.
This story doesn't fit my expectations from the teaser. The main plot line is the New world Cornu. Then to put me further off the story the Author tried to add interest by presenting two plot lines at the same time to be joined for the finish. This Author needs an Editor( oh and my usual pet peeve a PROOF reader) to clean up their fractured plot lines. Yes there are seeds of a good story here just not written in a fashion I think highly of.
January 13, 2021
Decent story that has some rather glaring flaws.
1. The Spelling
2. Flow of the story (Story starts out really oddly and you read through 1/2 the book before you even see a mention of the main character)
This book really needs a good editor. Its rather clear that the Author didn't bother to proofread it let alone have someone else look at it before submitting it.
Would have been 4 stars without the above issues
1. The Spelling
2. Flow of the story (Story starts out really oddly and you read through 1/2 the book before you even see a mention of the main character)
This book really needs a good editor. Its rather clear that the Author didn't bother to proofread it let alone have someone else look at it before submitting it.
Would have been 4 stars without the above issues
March 19, 2021
Down the Rabbit Hole
Loved the premise for the story but was eagerly hoping more people would also fall into the wormhole for the story to have greater Interaction with our main character. I love how the story progressed and that only certain inventions were initiated but that vein continues for most of the story and I was getting a bit blade ...I admit I stopped reading halfway through so probably missed some excitement.
Loved the premise for the story but was eagerly hoping more people would also fall into the wormhole for the story to have greater Interaction with our main character. I love how the story progressed and that only certain inventions were initiated but that vein continues for most of the story and I was getting a bit blade ...I admit I stopped reading halfway through so probably missed some excitement.
September 27, 2024
I have read this six book series twice. I find the stories well written and the characters enjoyable. Like any sci-Fi/fantasy series there are some things that are a little off however that goes with the territory for this kind of book.
If I have any complaint it is that there needs to be a seventh book to resolve the situation at the end of book six and to bring some level of closure to main characters stories.
If I have any complaint it is that there needs to be a seventh book to resolve the situation at the end of book six and to bring some level of closure to main characters stories.
March 3, 2020
Excellent
Really good, although I would have liked the story to have focused more on Mike as the MC, I found that after a while the split focus between the two worlds became a little detracting for me personally. I enjoyed Mike’s backstory a lot more, and are looking forward to see what happens next.
Really good, although I would have liked the story to have focused more on Mike as the MC, I found that after a while the split focus between the two worlds became a little detracting for me personally. I enjoyed Mike’s backstory a lot more, and are looking forward to see what happens next.
July 28, 2020
WOW what a ride
LJD creates two worlds which Clyde into a giant roller coaster. Sometimes you say hell what is going on, and then you find out. You never know where a story line is taking you until you get to the end. Love the way the characters interact with each other. The story is not for the faint of heart. Can’t wait to start the next book.
LJD creates two worlds which Clyde into a giant roller coaster. Sometimes you say hell what is going on, and then you find out. You never know where a story line is taking you until you get to the end. Love the way the characters interact with each other. The story is not for the faint of heart. Can’t wait to start the next book.
September 8, 2020
What a terrible book
I read a third of the book and all of it was background fluff that could have been handled in the first 20 pages but instead it was background with extreme detail. After 33% and the main story line still had not started I gave up. What an absolute waste of time. I hate leaving reviews like this but it has to be said. I wish I could get a refund
I read a third of the book and all of it was background fluff that could have been handled in the first 20 pages but instead it was background with extreme detail. After 33% and the main story line still had not started I gave up. What an absolute waste of time. I hate leaving reviews like this but it has to be said. I wish I could get a refund
December 8, 2020
Two world plots at once, with spoilers in each
Prologue tells the story after this book, then starts in the 1940s for the other world plot line before jumping back to our world in the 1980s or so. From then in time jumps forward as the world persoectives swap.
Not for me as I live in linear time and enjoy a story that way best.
Prologue tells the story after this book, then starts in the 1940s for the other world plot line before jumping back to our world in the 1980s or so. From then in time jumps forward as the world persoectives swap.
Not for me as I live in linear time and enjoy a story that way best.
August 25, 2021
Very good story
This is a good story, but the MC does not appear until min-point of book one. Unless author is going to tie original characters in later on, then it was exceptionally elaborate backstory. Overall, the world build is well done, the various characters are interesting, and I am off to read book two.
This is a good story, but the MC does not appear until min-point of book one. Unless author is going to tie original characters in later on, then it was exceptionally elaborate backstory. Overall, the world build is well done, the various characters are interesting, and I am off to read book two.
December 1, 2019
A good first book in the forum chronicles
A good start to what I hope is long run of books on cornu.
The book flows we'll and the main caricatures of the book are well rounded.
And the story flows we'll too bring on book 2
A good start to what I hope is long run of books on cornu.
The book flows we'll and the main caricatures of the book are well rounded.
And the story flows we'll too bring on book 2
December 17, 2019
Good start for a new series
Very good world and character building. Hopefully there will be more soon, both in Cornu as well as with the characters back on Earth. It would be a shame to not hear more about the main character family back at home.
Very good world and character building. Hopefully there will be more soon, both in Cornu as well as with the characters back on Earth. It would be a shame to not hear more about the main character family back at home.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews