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Darkness Awakes
The Northshield Nexus hides a rift, a breach between our reality and one populated by horrible monsters.
But they want out.
Ryan's fought one of them and the battle almost killed him. Now a legion of the creatures is trying to break free from their extra-dimensional prison. They've found humans willing to help them smash down the magical barriers keeping them locked away.
Ryan has to stop them. If the demons invade Earth, everyone he's ever known and loved will be in jeopardy. Even his magic won't be enough to save them.
Stopping their human catspaws before they can accomplish their mission is the only hope. But they know Ryan is coming for them. They know his strengths and his weaknesses, and have a plan to stop him in his tracks.
They think they know Ryan Blackwell, but they've never faced off against him when his friends' lives are on the line. Can he stop this deadly menage before the Darkness Awakes and destroys our world?
But they want out.
Ryan's fought one of them and the battle almost killed him. Now a legion of the creatures is trying to break free from their extra-dimensional prison. They've found humans willing to help them smash down the magical barriers keeping them locked away.
Ryan has to stop them. If the demons invade Earth, everyone he's ever known and loved will be in jeopardy. Even his magic won't be enough to save them.
Stopping their human catspaws before they can accomplish their mission is the only hope. But they know Ryan is coming for them. They know his strengths and his weaknesses, and have a plan to stop him in his tracks.
They think they know Ryan Blackwell, but they've never faced off against him when his friends' lives are on the line. Can he stop this deadly menage before the Darkness Awakes and destroys our world?
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2016
34 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Kevin O. McLaughlin
177 books138 followersWhen not practicing hobbies which include sailing, constructing medieval armor, and swinging swords at his friends, Kevin McLaughlin can usually be found in his Boston home. Kevin’s award-winning short fiction is now available in digital form at all major ebook retailers. He writes fantasy in settings both historical and contemporary, and science fiction in both the near and distant future.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 5, 2020
Non stop action!
Ryan Blackwell is back! I have to give this series 5 stars because it is so unique! Ryan is a young man who has magic. He found out in a horrifying incident which left him with psychological scars. He was helped by his grandfather who didn’t have magic himself but who was a wise man. Ryan decided to attend the military academy that his grandfather had attended which didn’t sit well with his father but he went there hoping to put his ‘magic’ in the past and be just the same as any other student. What a shock he got when he discovered that the academy was situated on a Ley line nexus! The next thing he knew he was fighting things out of nightmare! These books are fast paced and always bringing in new, but well formed, characters. One of the enemies that he picks up is shocking and we are bound to see him in conflict with them in future books.
Ryan Blackwell is back! I have to give this series 5 stars because it is so unique! Ryan is a young man who has magic. He found out in a horrifying incident which left him with psychological scars. He was helped by his grandfather who didn’t have magic himself but who was a wise man. Ryan decided to attend the military academy that his grandfather had attended which didn’t sit well with his father but he went there hoping to put his ‘magic’ in the past and be just the same as any other student. What a shock he got when he discovered that the academy was situated on a Ley line nexus! The next thing he knew he was fighting things out of nightmare! These books are fast paced and always bringing in new, but well formed, characters. One of the enemies that he picks up is shocking and we are bound to see him in conflict with them in future books.
January 25, 2021
Ryan Blackwell is back again in Darkness Awakes: A military academy urban fantasy (Blackwell Magic Book 5) by Kevin McLaughlin. Like every book in the series it has a really original plot and tons of action. But I wish these books were longer! Book 5 is terrific and calls for more action, more monsters and many more great stories. The monsters are being held back by a nexus of ley lines which prevent those from the other side from breaking into our world. But someone is tampering with with the barrier. Lance, an exciting new character, and employee of ASTRAL is introduced. His super abilities just may help Ryan save the world from the others, the monsters from beyond.
January 21, 2024
Year 2 at the military academy starts off with a bang for Ryan. Year 1 was stressful; Year 2 promises to be worse. This is like Buffy having the Hellmouth next door. I wonder what tales Ryan and Buffy would exchange if they were ever to sit down and shoot the breeze (if either of them had the downtime to do that). I wonder how Buffy would handle military school. I wonder if Buffy fans would like this series (especially since romance is not part of the mix).
August 30, 2020
Another magical adventure
I like how this one turns out as we dont know if there is any good guys left and the forces against Blackwell may again be more than he is prepared for.
I would like to see these come out a bit faster but looking forward to book 6 as the teaser keeps my interest peaked.
I like how this one turns out as we dont know if there is any good guys left and the forces against Blackwell may again be more than he is prepared for.
I would like to see these come out a bit faster but looking forward to book 6 as the teaser keeps my interest peaked.
April 28, 2023
Another good story in the Blackwell series
A good main character with various friends both human and not. The story was fast paced and interesting and I didn't want to put it down. I look forward to reading the next book in the series
A good main character with various friends both human and not. The story was fast paced and interesting and I didn't want to put it down. I look forward to reading the next book in the series
July 1, 2025
Save the World!
I really liked the story line, and the action and excitement made for fast reading. Friends to spar with is an added bonus. Nice to have family reconciliation as a strengthening moral support.
I really liked the story line, and the action and excitement made for fast reading. Friends to spar with is an added bonus. Nice to have family reconciliation as a strengthening moral support.
December 8, 2020
Ok, but.
It's too short, but the writing is good. The premise that an unknown enemy would send/spend second or third rates to do his nefarious plans...
It's too short, but the writing is good. The premise that an unknown enemy would send/spend second or third rates to do his nefarious plans...
May 4, 2021
Great Book
A well written novel and fun to read ! But too short in length to be a great read .
A well written novel and fun to read ! But too short in length to be a great read .
July 10, 2021
Darkness
I loved it. Another great book. Some new characters are coming into play. I also love some of the new beasties that are showing up. Can't wait for the next one.
I loved it. Another great book. Some new characters are coming into play. I also love some of the new beasties that are showing up. Can't wait for the next one.
August 5, 2021
Fast-paced, quick read
Still fun, still expanding the cast and growing the main character. Keep 'em coming! Would love to see more Lance and Mel!
Still fun, still expanding the cast and growing the main character. Keep 'em coming! Would love to see more Lance and Mel!
December 10, 2021
Omg
Omg these books are so great.You won't want to put them down.I can't wait to find out what happens to Ryan next.
Omg these books are so great.You won't want to put them down.I can't wait to find out what happens to Ryan next.
March 23, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, his books are space opera to magical to sorta history to LitRPG, and pretty sure they are all available individually/through ku too. FYI, yes I do binge read writers, unless give them 1 or 2 stars and sometimes 3. Obviously not the case here. Look at amazon writer page. Want a rundown of plot? Look at blurb; want more, read reviews, actually just go to reading the books.
Adventures of the Starship Satori: Omnibus 1 (Books 1-3) Book 1: Ad Astra Book 2: Stellar Legacy Book 3: Deep Waters
(Starship Satori Omnibus) - Adventures of the Starship Satori: Omnibus 2 (Books 4-6) (Starship Satori Omnibus) 1 No Plan Survives Contact 2 Liberty 3 Satori’s Destiny
Blackwell Magic: Books 1-3 (Blackwell Magic Omnibus) Book One - 1 By Darkness Revealed 2 Ashes Ascendant 3 Dead In Winter
Blackwell Magic: Books 4-6 (Blackwell Magic Omnibus Book 2) - 4: Claws That Catch 5: Darkness Awakes 6: Spellbinding Entanglements
The Raven and the Rose: A Blackwell Magic Novella exclusive story not available retail stores set between “By Darkness Revealed” and “Ashes Ascendant”, offer in back of books of his
King of the Dead: Heroes, Swords, and Zombies - Queen of Demons: Heroes, Swords, and Zombies
Valhalla Online: A LitRPG Saga
Adventures of the Starship Satori: Omnibus 1 (Books 1-3) Book 1: Ad Astra Book 2: Stellar Legacy Book 3: Deep Waters
(Starship Satori Omnibus) - Adventures of the Starship Satori: Omnibus 2 (Books 4-6) (Starship Satori Omnibus) 1 No Plan Survives Contact 2 Liberty 3 Satori’s Destiny
Blackwell Magic: Books 1-3 (Blackwell Magic Omnibus) Book One - 1 By Darkness Revealed 2 Ashes Ascendant 3 Dead In Winter
Blackwell Magic: Books 4-6 (Blackwell Magic Omnibus Book 2) - 4: Claws That Catch 5: Darkness Awakes 6: Spellbinding Entanglements
The Raven and the Rose: A Blackwell Magic Novella exclusive story not available retail stores set between “By Darkness Revealed” and “Ashes Ascendant”, offer in back of books of his
King of the Dead: Heroes, Swords, and Zombies - Queen of Demons: Heroes, Swords, and Zombies
Valhalla Online: A LitRPG Saga
March 9, 2017
When I discovered the Blackwell Magic series, I read a book a night for 4 nights and then 2 short stories on the 5th night. I forced myself to wait a few days before starting into Claws, to try to savor the stories. I failed. I immediately read book 5 the next night and book 6 the following night. I just couldn't get enough of the interesting plots, the character interaction and the action action.
Looking forward to more Blackwell Magic from Kevin.
Looking forward to more Blackwell Magic from Kevin.
June 7, 2017
This book is the 5th in the series. Ryan is learning how to use his Magic more and more everyday. he is also learning he has to start trusting his friends more. In this book he learns that there other people that has powers like him but, they are way better that him because they have been at it a lot longer. He also learns that there are people in the government that want to silence him for good. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 6, 2017
Fantastic
If you like action in magic for today's Era then read this series. The Blackwell character is fun to read plus the story is entertaining l highly recommend it.
If you like action in magic for today's Era then read this series. The Blackwell character is fun to read plus the story is entertaining l highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews