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Chronicles of Cain #3
Throne of Lies
Hannah returns to Cthulhu in a week and there's nothing Cain can do to stop it.
Though he still has Soultaker, Hannah won't let him trade it for her freedom. The sword can summon an army of the dead and Cthulhu wouldn't hesitate to use it. It turns out Soultaker wasn't the only thing from the armory to survive. A mysterious cube was stolen by the mechanists. When Cain tries to retrieve it, he and Hannah end up in a parallel world where the mechanists reached the armory first and plundered it.
Using apocalypse weapons, the mechanists destroyed most of the coastal cities with tsunamis and have ground others to dust. To avoid destroying the world altogether, they're fighting a conventional war with airships and a small army of demigods. And if that's not formidable enough, they're also allied with Cthulhu.
Cain discovers the only way back to his dimension is by finding a device called the Tetron. To do that, he'll have to infiltrate the mechanists and steal it from them. But then he discovers a nasty twist-the mechanists of this dimension plan to use the Tetron to invade other parallel dimensions. Cain's dimension is considered the original-Prime. And the mechanists have their sights set on it.
If Cain can't save this dimension, then his will also be doomed, and Cthulhu will ascend to true godhood.
Though he still has Soultaker, Hannah won't let him trade it for her freedom. The sword can summon an army of the dead and Cthulhu wouldn't hesitate to use it. It turns out Soultaker wasn't the only thing from the armory to survive. A mysterious cube was stolen by the mechanists. When Cain tries to retrieve it, he and Hannah end up in a parallel world where the mechanists reached the armory first and plundered it.
Using apocalypse weapons, the mechanists destroyed most of the coastal cities with tsunamis and have ground others to dust. To avoid destroying the world altogether, they're fighting a conventional war with airships and a small army of demigods. And if that's not formidable enough, they're also allied with Cthulhu.
Cain discovers the only way back to his dimension is by finding a device called the Tetron. To do that, he'll have to infiltrate the mechanists and steal it from them. But then he discovers a nasty twist-the mechanists of this dimension plan to use the Tetron to invade other parallel dimensions. Cain's dimension is considered the original-Prime. And the mechanists have their sights set on it.
If Cain can't save this dimension, then his will also be doomed, and Cthulhu will ascend to true godhood.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2020
170 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
John Corwin
81 books559 followersJohn Corwin is the bestselling author of the Overworld Chronicles.
He enjoys long walks on the beach and is a firm believer in puppies and kittens.
After years of getting into trouble thanks to his overactive imagination, John abandoned his male modeling career to write books.
He resides in Atlanta.
He enjoys long walks on the beach and is a firm believer in puppies and kittens.
After years of getting into trouble thanks to his overactive imagination, John abandoned his male modeling career to write books.
He resides in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 21, 2021
Pretty good book
The sex parts/sexual innuendo kind of drag the book down, and make it seem for a younger/teen crowd, maybe it is *shrug* but I think book would be better with it dropped.
The sex parts/sexual innuendo kind of drag the book down, and make it seem for a younger/teen crowd, maybe it is *shrug* but I think book would be better with it dropped.
August 12, 2022
Is it just me or does Cain appear much more dapper on the cover of the books than he is in the stories? It seems like he is portrayed wearing jeans, cargo pants and the like, not suits and vests.
Doing what I do best - nitpicking. I keep reading, “the gig is up.” I’m pretty sure the correct word is “jig.” Earlier in the book there is an elemental called Talladega that, unless I’m confused, is referred to both as he/him or she/her. Of course it could be that elementals don’t have genders.
Speaking of being confused, I didn’t like this book as much as the previous two. Keeping the doppelgängers and two worlds straight in my mind was sort of a PITA. For me, personally, there was too much detail involving the mechanists and their inventions. Then Loki gets thrown into the mix to add even more chaos. Was there ever an explanation of how they came to have the Rlhala that controlled Cthulhu? Getting the demis under control seemed kind of anticlimactic. Oh yeah, the gods weapons have to be dealt with again.
Doing what I do best - nitpicking. I keep reading, “the gig is up.” I’m pretty sure the correct word is “jig.” Earlier in the book there is an elemental called Talladega that, unless I’m confused, is referred to both as he/him or she/her. Of course it could be that elementals don’t have genders.
Speaking of being confused, I didn’t like this book as much as the previous two. Keeping the doppelgängers and two worlds straight in my mind was sort of a PITA. For me, personally, there was too much detail involving the mechanists and their inventions. Then Loki gets thrown into the mix to add even more chaos. Was there ever an explanation of how they came to have the Rlhala that controlled Cthulhu? Getting the demis under control seemed kind of anticlimactic. Oh yeah, the gods weapons have to be dealt with again.
February 5, 2025
-1 star for including the character that made me actively despise the Iron Druid series. Yes, the Iron Druid author is actually the one that took a big old dump all over his readers and told them how much he despises them, but Granuile's (sp?) character was the one delivering the message. To have her show up here, even in a limited capacity, almost made me drop this series altogether.
Thankfully she didn't matter much or have much page-time, but that being said, since she was so trivial to the story, it is clear that she was only included as a "look at me, I am using a character from a series I keep hinting about!" She could have been any random druid except for the fact that he decided there aren't any except the Iron Druid and her. I'm assuming he got permission to use her, despite not using her actual name, but who knows. Same with the other cameos late in the book.
I can only hope that she leaves by the start of the next book. This one was fine, and I enjoyed it for the most part, but I'm still gonna deduct that star because it forced me to remember how badly that series turned from something I loved to something I hated. I believe I never even read the final book or two, despite knowing the series was ending, because it turned to complete crap and actively worked to drive people like me away. I can't imagine she'll stick around, but if she does, game over man, game over.
Thankfully she didn't matter much or have much page-time, but that being said, since she was so trivial to the story, it is clear that she was only included as a "look at me, I am using a character from a series I keep hinting about!" She could have been any random druid except for the fact that he decided there aren't any except the Iron Druid and her. I'm assuming he got permission to use her, despite not using her actual name, but who knows. Same with the other cameos late in the book.
I can only hope that she leaves by the start of the next book. This one was fine, and I enjoyed it for the most part, but I'm still gonna deduct that star because it forced me to remember how badly that series turned from something I loved to something I hated. I believe I never even read the final book or two, despite knowing the series was ending, because it turned to complete crap and actively worked to drive people like me away. I can't imagine she'll stick around, but if she does, game over man, game over.
September 27, 2023
Yeah Fred
Have you met Cain's friend Fred?
Travel with the gang into the multiverse. More problems, more solutions and of course more Mangoritas.
Have you met Cain's friend Fred?
Travel with the gang into the multiverse. More problems, more solutions and of course more Mangoritas.
February 5, 2022
This is the third book in to the Chronicles of Cain series and I'm still enjoying it as much, if not more, with each book. Though he doesn't show it, Cain is sick at heart to think of losing Hannah to Cthulhu in a week. He receives a request for help from a druid that he decides to answer. Hannah goes with him for one last adventure before she is pulled back to her master, Cthulhu. They inadvertently get drawn into another dimension, a world similar to theirs except for an apocalyptic fight for world dominion by the mechanists. The story of Cain's struggles to save the dimension he's in to keep the fighting from overflowing to his world, to find a way to return to his world, and to somehow resolve the constant, underlying threat of losing Hannah to a monster is a good one. If you like well-written steampunk fantasy, with terrific characters, constant tension, emotional highs and lows, with a good dose of humor, you'll love t his story! Please note, if you find this book first, please read the series in order starting with 'To Kill a Unicorn'. It's time very well spent and you'll get the backstory on the characters and threads of this story. Bonus that it's on KU.
January 23, 2026
Rank C
Personal Tags: Urban Fantasy, FR, PR, GP, Fae, Steampunk, Cthulu MultiVerse?
I appear to be trapped in the series. This was a 3-star read for me. I still had fun with it, but this one didn’t quite hit the same highs as the earlier books. I did really like that Cain finally gets to recognize the positive impact he’s had on his dimension, which added some much-needed emotional weight. Those quieter moments of self-awareness were easily the strongest parts of the book for me. That said, the story felt a bit thinner overall, and I found myself wishing the main team had another male cast member to help balance out the group dynamics and freshen things up. Sometimes i cant tell if the author is a middle-aged man or a teenage girl when it comes to some of the dialogue, though. The plot moves along well enough, and the plot has pushed the series forward in a meaningful way, but it went kind of nonconsequential. It’s not a bad entry by any means, just a more middling one that feels like a setup rather than a payoff. I’ll keep reading, but I’m hoping the next book brings back more momentum and depth.
Personal Tags: Urban Fantasy, FR, PR, GP, Fae, Steampunk, Cthulu MultiVerse?
I appear to be trapped in the series. This was a 3-star read for me. I still had fun with it, but this one didn’t quite hit the same highs as the earlier books. I did really like that Cain finally gets to recognize the positive impact he’s had on his dimension, which added some much-needed emotional weight. Those quieter moments of self-awareness were easily the strongest parts of the book for me. That said, the story felt a bit thinner overall, and I found myself wishing the main team had another male cast member to help balance out the group dynamics and freshen things up. Sometimes i cant tell if the author is a middle-aged man or a teenage girl when it comes to some of the dialogue, though. The plot moves along well enough, and the plot has pushed the series forward in a meaningful way, but it went kind of nonconsequential. It’s not a bad entry by any means, just a more middling one that feels like a setup rather than a payoff. I’ll keep reading, but I’m hoping the next book brings back more momentum and depth.
January 14, 2023
I am absolutely obsessed with this entertaining and inclusive (🏳️🌈) eight book series. Even better that I was able to read them all on Kindle unlimited. I was a little skeptical at first when I realized they were trying to combine fairies, Cthulhu mythos, werewolves, vampires, witches, etc. BUT I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!
I devoured this whole series in a couple of weeks so have been able to enjoy the story arc and character development. My only complaint is that the books are a little on shorter side (I want more Cain!).
No spoilers but if you like an ex-assassin who’s secretly a softy, kids with powers, or good eldritch monsters you won’t be disappointed.
I devoured this whole series in a couple of weeks so have been able to enjoy the story arc and character development. My only complaint is that the books are a little on shorter side (I want more Cain!).
No spoilers but if you like an ex-assassin who’s secretly a softy, kids with powers, or good eldritch monsters you won’t be disappointed.
August 14, 2020
Loved it.
Just finished the series so far reading straight through. Loved the series as a whole and such a unique tasks on mythology, magic, etc. Cain is a hero worthy if a series and is easily relatable. The plots and espionage tied directly with life and death, not to mention paradox elements gives this series everything you could hope for and i strongly suggest others to check them out for they won't be disappointed!
Just finished the series so far reading straight through. Loved the series as a whole and such a unique tasks on mythology, magic, etc. Cain is a hero worthy if a series and is easily relatable. The plots and espionage tied directly with life and death, not to mention paradox elements gives this series everything you could hope for and i strongly suggest others to check them out for they won't be disappointed!
December 20, 2021
Great Story
Such a great story. Corwin is able to spin an authentic tail, keep with a great story line and characters you cant help but like. In this third installment of the Chronicles of Cain, we follow Cain, Layla, Hannah and all the characters you like, to a new world. Linked to our world, Cain must figure out how to change what has happened in the past. He makes a deal with very unlikely ally and results??? You have to read to find out.
Such a great story. Corwin is able to spin an authentic tail, keep with a great story line and characters you cant help but like. In this third installment of the Chronicles of Cain, we follow Cain, Layla, Hannah and all the characters you like, to a new world. Linked to our world, Cain must figure out how to change what has happened in the past. He makes a deal with very unlikely ally and results??? You have to read to find out.
Read
October 3, 2023Book Three and I am still enjoying the series. Wanted to give this one a 3.5 but good old GoodReads wont play that game.
The main character, Cain, continues to grow. We find out a bit more about him and Hannah, but there is still a lot of mystery surrounding them. Good thing there are more books in the series.
The action is plentiful and the humour is still there.
Defenatly going to continue on with the series. It is still entertaining in my opinion.
The main character, Cain, continues to grow. We find out a bit more about him and Hannah, but there is still a lot of mystery surrounding them. Good thing there are more books in the series.
The action is plentiful and the humour is still there.
Defenatly going to continue on with the series. It is still entertaining in my opinion.
December 28, 2023
When I started the first book in this series I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it enough to continue but I just finished this one (3rd in the series) and am loving everything about it. The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is my favorite series ever but this is definitely a good second. Entertaining and easy to read (hard to put down in other words) my only wish would be longer with more detail in the back stories. Still 5 stars though, highly recommend.
April 19, 2024
Great Read with Interesting Turn
This was a great read like the two books before it. I'm really enjoying the interweaving of the Cthulhu mythos with the other myths of it world. Each story brings a little bit of newness, which keeps it fresh to me. Best part is the found family story that always makes a story worth the read when the characters are as diverse and as interesting as these.
This was a great read like the two books before it. I'm really enjoying the interweaving of the Cthulhu mythos with the other myths of it world. Each story brings a little bit of newness, which keeps it fresh to me. Best part is the found family story that always makes a story worth the read when the characters are as diverse and as interesting as these.
September 17, 2024
Throne of Lies
Throne of Lies impressed me. It was the make it or break it for me on whether or not I would continue this series. It alleviated many of the problems I had with the last two books. The constant out of character bickering between the female characters, and especially the out of place sex scenes that contributed nothing to the story.
This series still has some work to do. But I’m glad Corwin started to find his legs here.
Throne of Lies impressed me. It was the make it or break it for me on whether or not I would continue this series. It alleviated many of the problems I had with the last two books. The constant out of character bickering between the female characters, and especially the out of place sex scenes that contributed nothing to the story.
This series still has some work to do. But I’m glad Corwin started to find his legs here.
February 22, 2025
Great series!
To anyone reading these reviews: I have just read the 3rd book in this series, and had a great
reading all of them. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for a few days of reading enjoyment. Great story line. Very nice characters.
Thank you Mr. Corwin! Well done!
To anyone reading these reviews: I have just read the 3rd book in this series, and had a great
reading all of them. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for a few days of reading enjoyment. Great story line. Very nice characters.
Thank you Mr. Corwin! Well done!
February 5, 2021
An excellent and fast paced ride!
A complex dimension hopping adventure worthy of the time. A heck of a ride. I wish there was more time with the characters...but there are so many to enjoy.
A complex dimension hopping adventure worthy of the time. A heck of a ride. I wish there was more time with the characters...but there are so many to enjoy.
July 27, 2021
Keeps Getter Better!
Third book takes you on a whole different trip-literally! A unique plot line that takes you to another world but still the same. Or as the say in Thailand “same same but different”.
Third book takes you on a whole different trip-literally! A unique plot line that takes you to another world but still the same. Or as the say in Thailand “same same but different”.
June 17, 2021
Ending had a different feel
I’ve already said that the ending felt different from the previous books. It’s not a bad ending it just feels strange after binge reading this series.
I’ve already said that the ending felt different from the previous books. It’s not a bad ending it just feels strange after binge reading this series.
October 11, 2021
Wow! So much happened that I cannot even begin to describe it. Multiple dimensions. Old gods. Trickster gods. Anything can happen!
January 14, 2022
Chibi cthulhu!!!!!
This is a great book! The entire series is amazing, but watching the protagonist grow into the hero we deserve was awesome!
I highly recommend this series!
This is a great book! The entire series is amazing, but watching the protagonist grow into the hero we deserve was awesome!
I highly recommend this series!
August 2, 2022
Hooked on this series .
November 1, 2022
An absolute smash of wonderful chaos, wrapped around myths being retold and mythical characters going above and beyond their stories to make me both furious and curious to see what comes next.
Read
January 6, 2023Exceptional
March 5, 2023
These aren't always gripping but they are fun and the characters get easier to care about with each installment.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews