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The Makalang #4
The Crimson Star
An Alien Sci-Fi Harem Adventure
Former Marine Will Hawthorne has defeated the Gates of the Golden Staff, but the remnants of the cult have escaped with the tools he needs to finally save his adopted world.
Searching for their last stronghold, he and three of his closest wives – fox-girl Merindra, cat-girl Narilora, and bat-girl Mereceeree – must trek deep into the Taitalan wilderness in hopes of destroying the cult once and for all.
But the trip uncovers a series of new and dangerous secrets that call into doubt everything he has believed up to now. With the fate of Taitala hanging in the balance, he faces a final, fateful decision that will determine both his past and his future.
The Crimson Star is the fourth book in The Makalang series and contains explicit adult scenes and graphic violence.
Former Marine Will Hawthorne has defeated the Gates of the Golden Staff, but the remnants of the cult have escaped with the tools he needs to finally save his adopted world.
Searching for their last stronghold, he and three of his closest wives – fox-girl Merindra, cat-girl Narilora, and bat-girl Mereceeree – must trek deep into the Taitalan wilderness in hopes of destroying the cult once and for all.
But the trip uncovers a series of new and dangerous secrets that call into doubt everything he has believed up to now. With the fate of Taitala hanging in the balance, he faces a final, fateful decision that will determine both his past and his future.
The Crimson Star is the fourth book in The Makalang series and contains explicit adult scenes and graphic violence.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2021
About the author
Michael Dalton
84 books343 followersMichael Dalton is a professional journalist and editor.
Michael wrote his first piece of fiction in third grade, for which he was immediately accused of plagiarism by his teacher. Since then, he has been writing more or less steadily, interrupted only by occasional demands of work and family.
Michael lives with his family and multiple pets in Southern California.
Michael wrote his first piece of fiction in third grade, for which he was immediately accused of plagiarism by his teacher. Since then, he has been writing more or less steadily, interrupted only by occasional demands of work and family.
Michael lives with his family and multiple pets in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 18, 2024
I reviewed the first book and had planned to wait until the last book to make a general review, but was amazed to see there are EIGHT books in this series. For the record, this book feels like a natural endpoint, from the MC finally talking about his marital problems, to resolving the main plot concern regarding Taitala, to figuring how to go back to Earth. Perhaps he wrote it as a soft ending but fans wanted more? But just so prospective readers know that if you're getting tired of this series, you could stop at book 4 and be content, there's only one or two loose ends.
In my review of the first book I gave the writing kind of a mid review. You would think after reading four of these books I must have changed my mind, but I still feel the same. I don't really believe in guilty pleasures, even for smut, but this series is absolutely a guilty pleasure. Whenever I start reading I think "god this is so dumb" and then I end up reading the entire book in one sitting.
The smut is still well written, if you care about that part. Many KU writers often seem to abandon the smut aspect of their HaremLit once they get going, but Dalton is consistent. The Thai-like fantasy setting is still really interesting. Despite all the dumb animal hybrids, which are literally just 'human with bunny ears' Dalton successfully makes Taitala come alive as a real place with a unique culture, technology, and history. I noticed today that it's subtitled 'alien harem fantasy' but alien is a bit misleading. There are elements of scifi, but since the last book there have also been elements of horror too. it's a -punk subgenre which is rare to see used for smut.
I'm still not a fan of the doltish MC with the marine background, especially with the frankly insane decision he makes about his kids in this book. But as HaremLit MCs go, he's tolerable, not as arrogant as most. There's even a nod in this book to kids transitioning and the MC's approval of it, which is fairly unusual given how conservative the genre is.
Like I said, you could easily stop at this book if you've had enough Makalang, but I already know I'm going to keep going. And when I'm done that I'm going to look at his other series, because despite my reservations, I'm hooked.
In my review of the first book I gave the writing kind of a mid review. You would think after reading four of these books I must have changed my mind, but I still feel the same. I don't really believe in guilty pleasures, even for smut, but this series is absolutely a guilty pleasure. Whenever I start reading I think "god this is so dumb" and then I end up reading the entire book in one sitting.
The smut is still well written, if you care about that part. Many KU writers often seem to abandon the smut aspect of their HaremLit once they get going, but Dalton is consistent. The Thai-like fantasy setting is still really interesting. Despite all the dumb animal hybrids, which are literally just 'human with bunny ears' Dalton successfully makes Taitala come alive as a real place with a unique culture, technology, and history. I noticed today that it's subtitled 'alien harem fantasy' but alien is a bit misleading. There are elements of scifi, but since the last book there have also been elements of horror too. it's a -punk subgenre which is rare to see used for smut.
I'm still not a fan of the doltish MC with the marine background, especially with the frankly insane decision he makes about his kids in this book. But as HaremLit MCs go, he's tolerable, not as arrogant as most. There's even a nod in this book to kids transitioning and the MC's approval of it, which is fairly unusual given how conservative the genre is.
Like I said, you could easily stop at this book if you've had enough Makalang, but I already know I'm going to keep going. And when I'm done that I'm going to look at his other series, because despite my reservations, I'm hooked.
July 1, 2024
As far as the harem fantasy adventure goes, the Makalang series novels aren’t bad per se. In fact, they are pretty good, assuming the erotica with some fantasy adventure on the side is what you expected, and there are serious improvements plot-wise as the story goes on. While in the second book, the plot was essentially resolved by the deus ex machina, in the third and fourth the protagonist actually did have to show effort himself (even if on the destined to win chosen one scale)
Sadly, the protagonist's unhinged obsession with his ex-wife and someone else's children went off the rails in book 4. Nearly half of the book are flashbacks, or constant moaning about what amounts to someone else's problem, about how none of it wasn’t his ex’s fault, how justified she was in cheating on him, and so on. It was so out of place for the harem adventure, it completely alienated me.
Sadly, the protagonist's unhinged obsession with his ex-wife and someone else's children went off the rails in book 4. Nearly half of the book are flashbacks, or constant moaning about what amounts to someone else's problem, about how none of it wasn’t his ex’s fault, how justified she was in cheating on him, and so on. It was so out of place for the harem adventure, it completely alienated me.
July 28, 2021
Good read!
Book four of this series is short but entertaining, but not riveting! Story continues with same MC and is a cool world and concept, but little things seem to be to contrite. Example: most of the premise of this book was to go after bad guy...fine. But when a showdown takes place, the MC wins, but is distracted for a moment allowing the bad guy to able to escape... really? It wasn't like there was a master plan or the good guy was fully distracted to where none of the other 36 people with him might/could/should have noticed the bad guy running away....just saying, it's annoying. That is a minor point, however it's a stumble in the book where you stop wanting to be vested, and you spit out the cool-aid.
That said, good simple fun read.
Book four of this series is short but entertaining, but not riveting! Story continues with same MC and is a cool world and concept, but little things seem to be to contrite. Example: most of the premise of this book was to go after bad guy...fine. But when a showdown takes place, the MC wins, but is distracted for a moment allowing the bad guy to able to escape... really? It wasn't like there was a master plan or the good guy was fully distracted to where none of the other 36 people with him might/could/should have noticed the bad guy running away....just saying, it's annoying. That is a minor point, however it's a stumble in the book where you stop wanting to be vested, and you spit out the cool-aid.
That said, good simple fun read.
June 22, 2021
A good continuation.
Almost as if perhaps the author got criticism and took it, the smut has varied a little. So it's got that going for it.
I enjoyed it. I'm... a little worried where the story will go. When I think it's wrapped up more happens, such can be good, but sometimes bad. Hopefully good things will come from it.
I devoured the book when I should have been sleeping so I guess I can give it a recommend, will see how the next one is
Almost as if perhaps the author got criticism and took it, the smut has varied a little. So it's got that going for it.
I enjoyed it. I'm... a little worried where the story will go. When I think it's wrapped up more happens, such can be good, but sometimes bad. Hopefully good things will come from it.
I devoured the book when I should have been sleeping so I guess I can give it a recommend, will see how the next one is
July 7, 2022
The Makalang Has to Save the World
Will tries and tries to do what is best for the world he was brought to. He "suffers" having to have sex with a lot of women, multiple parties most of the time, but he does what the world needs to survive. Some try to fight against his efforts to save the world saying that he is not the savior by creating Zombies.
He is adding more beast women to his harem, too.
More, more, more...
Read in 1 day
Will tries and tries to do what is best for the world he was brought to. He "suffers" having to have sex with a lot of women, multiple parties most of the time, but he does what the world needs to survive. Some try to fight against his efforts to save the world saying that he is not the savior by creating Zombies.
He is adding more beast women to his harem, too.
More, more, more...
Read in 1 day
April 4, 2021
So glad
Spoiler alert....
.
.
,
,
Most authors that mentions the MC has children don't weave them into the story or use a common plot device to allow the MC to have to abandon them. I glad the author didn't do that in this series. The MC pulled a reserve lifetime movie of the week I don't know whether to applaud or cheer from the rafters,
Spoiler alert....
.
.
,
,
Most authors that mentions the MC has children don't weave them into the story or use a common plot device to allow the MC to have to abandon them. I glad the author didn't do that in this series. The MC pulled a reserve lifetime movie of the week I don't know whether to applaud or cheer from the rafters,
April 6, 2021
Rating 4.0 stars
A good continuation of the series. I was actually surprised to learn that there is another book after this one. While there were a couple of loose ends at the conclusion of the book, I thought this book would have been a good place to stop the series. Will addressed the problem that had been plaguing the world since the first book.
A good continuation of the series. I was actually surprised to learn that there is another book after this one. While there were a couple of loose ends at the conclusion of the book, I thought this book would have been a good place to stop the series. Will addressed the problem that had been plaguing the world since the first book.
April 2, 2021
I discovered M. Dalton during the pandemic, and having read the 1st 3 books of the Makalang series,had pre-ordered #4. It held my attention, to the point I finished it in one setting. The writing and editing are good, and that keeps me engaged. I look forward to #5!
April 8, 2021
I found this a solid and entertaining book, thus it gets a relatively rare "natural" 5 rating. I am not lone in being surprised that this didn't wrap the series, as it seemed an excellent place to stop, but apparently the author has some more story to tell. Book 5 will show if it is worthwhile.
April 20, 2021
Very good series
An incredibly interesting and entertaining series!!! Amazing characters and first class adult fantasy!! Plenty of adventure, magic and battles as well as thought provoking ideas!
An incredibly interesting and entertaining series!!! Amazing characters and first class adult fantasy!! Plenty of adventure, magic and battles as well as thought provoking ideas!
February 2, 2022
continuation of a good story
Looking forward to book 5. Just enough underhanded drama to be interesting (unlike Congress, which is way overboard with respect to underhanded drama and lies).
Looking forward to book 5. Just enough underhanded drama to be interesting (unlike Congress, which is way overboard with respect to underhanded drama and lies).
April 6, 2021
A good read
Still an interesting series, will look forward to and read the next installment. Back story on Will’s ex wife was good, explained some things.
Still an interesting series, will look forward to and read the next installment. Back story on Will’s ex wife was good, explained some things.
April 10, 2021
Fun and enjoyable read
The author continues to build up the plot, knocking out situations on the way, with a host of emotion, action, and great scenes... keep up the great work!!
The author continues to build up the plot, knocking out situations on the way, with a host of emotion, action, and great scenes... keep up the great work!!
April 26, 2021
Fun book
This is a good book. You shouldy read it. I like the story. The characters are fun. The book is a good read. i enjoyed it alot.. Download or buy it today. why not?
This is a good book. You shouldy read it. I like the story. The characters are fun. The book is a good read. i enjoyed it alot.. Download or buy it today. why not?
May 24, 2021
Fun harem
This is an entertaining series. I like the MC and the support characters are fun. Each book resolves without real cliffhangers. Very refreshing!
This is an entertaining series. I like the MC and the support characters are fun. Each book resolves without real cliffhangers. Very refreshing!
May 24, 2021
Good read
Finally an ex-wife gets what she deserves. Enough said great book in a great series. Couldn't put it down even to sleep.
Finally an ex-wife gets what she deserves. Enough said great book in a great series. Couldn't put it down even to sleep.
June 9, 2021
Outstanding
Great series, each book just gets better and better. I can't wait to see what happens next. Its going to be a heck of a ride.
Great series, each book just gets better and better. I can't wait to see what happens next. Its going to be a heck of a ride.
June 25, 2021
Finally! Adult content sci fi!
Am onto the fifth book now and have thoroughly enjoyed the first four. Will be exploring more in this genre.
Am onto the fifth book now and have thoroughly enjoyed the first four. Will be exploring more in this genre.
July 26, 2021
Still weird that he brought the kids over lol.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews