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The Makalang #5
The Ebony Void
At long last, Will Hawthorne has corrected the genetic conflicts that had doomed Taitala to extinction. But all is not well on his adopted world, as the leader of the dwenda is determined to track down the elusive kaliman and attempt a reconciliation. Meanwhile, a heavily armed force of kaliman is marching on the city of Yama-Kana, led by none other than Sheedlyn, the leader of the Gates of the Golden Staff. Hoping to avoid a bloodbath, Will and his wives travel to Yama-Kana, where they discover that the cult may not have been eradicated from the city as thoroughly as he thought. As the dark clues pile up, the group comes in conflict with an old enemy who is determined to conceal her role in aiding them. With time running out, Will must race to expose the secrets and prepare the city for the arrival of the kaliman in time to prevent a slaughter. The Ebony Void is the fifth book in the Makalang series and contains explicit adult scenes and graphic violence.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2021
70 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Michael Dalton
82 books321 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 29, 2021
Interesting
Since the second book I've skipped through their sex scenes and I'm disappointed that Sheedlyn hasn't died yet. How much longer?
Since the second book I've skipped through their sex scenes and I'm disappointed that Sheedlyn hasn't died yet. How much longer?
May 22, 2021
4.5 This series continues to be well done and a good read despite the more lurid interludes. That is part of the "Harem" tag for this book, but while those bits aren't as overdone as some books of this sort, they take up a bit more of the book than I think is balanced.
One other quibble: repeatedly the MC notices something suspicious and doesn't think anything of it. As this is a first-person narration it means that he comments on and then dismisses things that later come to bite him. This is a rather clumsy use of foreshadowing and the author may want to rethink how he approaches passing this sort of info, as it really undermines one's faith in the intelligence of the hero. As does going out for a casual stroll when he knows people are trying to kill him...
That aside, I still enjoyed this and look forward to more.
One other quibble: repeatedly the MC notices something suspicious and doesn't think anything of it. As this is a first-person narration it means that he comments on and then dismisses things that later come to bite him. This is a rather clumsy use of foreshadowing and the author may want to rethink how he approaches passing this sort of info, as it really undermines one's faith in the intelligence of the hero. As does going out for a casual stroll when he knows people are trying to kill him...
That aside, I still enjoyed this and look forward to more.
June 26, 2021
Curious how it'll end.
A fair bit of progression, but still seems like a lot of loose ends. I'm curious how it'll wrap up or if this series is meant to go on for a lot longer.
The pacing was decent. A lot of things that he used again, you think it might be a throw away thing but like Chekov's gun it gets used, which is nice.
The smut is.. I feel running out of steam. It's alright, though I appreciate the story can carry now. Some grammar issues, a can instead of can't in a key spot to make something confusing. But overall solid. Curious when leaving that portal open will come back to cause problems.
Also wish there was more things to help relate time better. Earlier books he would correlate with earth time because he wanted to get home. With that impetus gone it's hard to keep straight how much time has gone on.
A fair bit of progression, but still seems like a lot of loose ends. I'm curious how it'll wrap up or if this series is meant to go on for a lot longer.
The pacing was decent. A lot of things that he used again, you think it might be a throw away thing but like Chekov's gun it gets used, which is nice.
The smut is.. I feel running out of steam. It's alright, though I appreciate the story can carry now. Some grammar issues, a can instead of can't in a key spot to make something confusing. But overall solid. Curious when leaving that portal open will come back to cause problems.
Also wish there was more things to help relate time better. Earlier books he would correlate with earth time because he wanted to get home. With that impetus gone it's hard to keep straight how much time has gone on.
August 30, 2025
(audiobook)
Book (3.5 stars)
Not my genre, unexpectedly decent.
Narrator (4 stars)
-Mason Lloyd-(Books 1-4)
-Reading an expression is excellent!
-Expression timing is occasionally off or excessive.
-Four stars is good, he's not R.C. Bray that's all
Narrator (4 stars)
-Sierra Kline-(Books 5-8)
-Reading an expression very good
-I had a hard time with her reading for a male character and not being the original narrator!
*Tantor Audio dropped the series after book 4.
**Personally I will carefully consider any future series from that publisher since clearly they can't be trusted to continue unless they feel like it.
Book (3.5 stars)
Not my genre, unexpectedly decent.
Narrator (4 stars)
-Mason Lloyd-(Books 1-4)
-Reading an expression is excellent!
-Expression timing is occasionally off or excessive.
-Four stars is good, he's not R.C. Bray that's all
Narrator (4 stars)
-Sierra Kline-(Books 5-8)
-Reading an expression very good
-I had a hard time with her reading for a male character and not being the original narrator!
*Tantor Audio dropped the series after book 4.
**Personally I will carefully consider any future series from that publisher since clearly they can't be trusted to continue unless they feel like it.
May 30, 2021
A wonderful story and series
What a truly unique and enjoyable adult fantasy series!!! Wonderful characters with amazing adult interactions!! A true adult fantasy adventure series!!! Your missing out not reading this series!!!
What a truly unique and enjoyable adult fantasy series!!! Wonderful characters with amazing adult interactions!! A true adult fantasy adventure series!!! Your missing out not reading this series!!!
November 9, 2025
Will never learns.
I like most of the characters, but the main character is very frustrating. He ignores his instincts and constantly puts off handling issues until people are dead, and it’s irritating.
I like most of the characters, but the main character is very frustrating. He ignores his instincts and constantly puts off handling issues until people are dead, and it’s irritating.
May 22, 2021
Excellent Addition
This is an excellent addition to the series. I was wouhiwnit would go after the last book. I am glad to see how it is evolving.
This is an excellent addition to the series. I was wouhiwnit would go after the last book. I am glad to see how it is evolving.
May 24, 2021
Nice book
This was book for this series. The MC is still developing as a leader. The world building is still interesting.
This was book for this series. The MC is still developing as a leader. The world building is still interesting.
May 26, 2021
Good book
Another out of the park hit in a great series. Plenty of action and suspense. Love the night club's. Sort of New Orleans with a twist.
Another out of the park hit in a great series. Plenty of action and suspense. Love the night club's. Sort of New Orleans with a twist.
June 12, 2021
Best book yet
Outstanding story. Just nonstop action. Very well written and the story just flows really well. Quickly becoming one of my favourite series.
Outstanding story. Just nonstop action. Very well written and the story just flows really well. Quickly becoming one of my favourite series.
Read
June 21, 2021Great series
Loved the book and I can't wait for the next I hope to see this new sea race of fish people soon
Loved the book and I can't wait for the next I hope to see this new sea race of fish people soon
August 18, 2021
Good read!
The series has been consistent for what it is. This book was short. But an emprovement over the last with good dialogue and logical plotline. Simple read but good!
The series has been consistent for what it is. This book was short. But an emprovement over the last with good dialogue and logical plotline. Simple read but good!
June 3, 2022
Book 5
I liked book 5! I'm so ready to read the next book in the series. I hope they finally get ' the evil, crazy lady'!
I liked book 5! I'm so ready to read the next book in the series. I hope they finally get ' the evil, crazy lady'!
June 10, 2021
So many wives!
Wondered if I would start to lose interest in this series after getting to five books but that has not been the case. There are still enough plot twists and turns to make me look forward to the next in series.
Wondered if I would start to lose interest in this series after getting to five books but that has not been the case. There are still enough plot twists and turns to make me look forward to the next in series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews