Blightmage: A Progression/Cultivation Epic

Kataklysm #1

by T.R. Magnus, Theophilus Monroe

Embrace the (B)light... It has been fifty years since the sun died over Ashathar.

Blaike was born in the blight. As one of the "touched" he is devoid of power.

He is forbidden from following the Lightweaver Path.

The "touched" still serve the brightlands, working the mines to extract sunstone; to deliver it to the Lightweavers, the saviors, preservers, and rulers of Ashathar.

The largest sunstone ever extracted from the mines has been found. It could empower the brightlands for months. When it is discovered that someone stole the sunstone's power, Blaike is exiled from the brightlands. Was he really to blame? Can he survive the blight? Or, is there a larger threat than the Lightweavers ever realized that could destroy Ashathar once and for all?

Ming Yue is the daughter of a brewer. The Ming clan's elixirs have supported those on the Lightweaver path for a half-century.

Yue's twin brother was taken by the blighted when they were children. But when she's denied access to the Lightweaver path, since she is not the first-born child of her clan, Yue's father tasks her to create an elixir that might save her brother from the blight.

He's the only chance the Ming clan has to remain prominent amongst the brightborn, to produce a Lightweaver who might protect Ashathar for years to come.

But there is no guarantee that Yue's brother has survived among the blighted. Would he remember her at all? Is the mysterious figure, found in the blight, truly her brother--or is he someone else, someone who might challenge the dominance of the Lightweavers and the security of Ashathar?

Blightmage is the first book in Kataklysm, an action packed epic progression fantasy series. Fans of progression/cultivation epic fantasies, unique magic systems, and immersive epics like Will Wight's Cradle series or Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive where the hero starts weak but gains power over time will also enjoy this expansive saga.

Genres: Fantasy

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2022

About the author

T.R. Magnus is the elven half-brother of the urban and paranormal fantasy author Theophilus Monroe. Unlike his brother, T.R. writes immersive epics and cultivation/progression fantasies. He enjoys creating expansive worlds, unique magical systems, and plots that favor the unfavored. T.R. goes by T.R. because Thranduil Ravavaris is hard to say.

T.R.’s favorite color is plaid. Ketchup is his favorite condiment. He enjoys polka music.

If you’d like to learn more about T.R. or his half-brother’s novels, visit TRMAGNUS.com. Sign up for his reader club and, once available, T.R. will also send you a free novel, “DARKWORLD,” an origin story for his forthcoming “Kataklysm” progression fantasy series.

Reviews

[Danny Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good beginning for a progression fantasy novel. There is an interesting magic in play. The two main characters are cool and each brings something unique to the table. The beginning felt like it was a little rushed but it settled down and the plot was really compelling with an epic battle at the end. I’m excited to see what happens next.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book followed on from Darkworld. It has interesting characters fighting for the right to live. There is plenty of magic involved

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, I came into Blightmage by T.R. Magnus expecting a cool post-apocalyptic fantasy, maybe a little magic, a little rebellion… but what I got? An emotional sucker-punch wrapped in shadows, grit, and raw power just waiting to be unleashed. This book grabbed me from the first ash-choked page and didn’t let go.

Let’s talk Blaike. Poor guy is born “touched”—basically magicless, stuck doing grunt work in the mines, and constantly reminded that he’s less-than. I swear, the injustice had me full-on growling. And just when you think, “Maybe he’ll get a break,” BAM. He gets framed and exiled like trash tossed into the void. Except Blaike? He’s not trash. He’s the storm building in the distance. And watching him slowly start to become… whatever the hell the Lightweavers fear? Yeah, I was all in.

Then there’s Ming Yue. This girl has brains, fire, and a heart that won’t stop bleeding for her lost twin. Denied the path to power just because she’s not the first-born son? Oh, please. That only made me root for her more. She's out here brewing elixirs with the weight of her family and the whole dang realm on her shoulders. Her chapters hit different—there’s this quiet strength to her that sneaks up and clutches your chest when you’re not looking.

And can we just take a minute to appreciate the world-building? A dead sun, glowing sunstones, magic with a cost, Lightweavers who might not be the noble saviors they claim to be… It’s deliciously bleak and morally murky. T.R. Magnus doesn’t spoon-feed you. He tosses you into the blight, dares you to survive, and then whispers, “Oh, by the way, everything you think you know? Might be a lie.”

I won’t spoil anything, but there’s a slow unraveling of power and purpose here that is just… chef’s kiss. It’s not about chosen ones—it’s about broken ones. The castoffs, the overlooked, the underestimated. And that hits home for me in all the best, most soul-stirring ways.

Blightmage is a dark, addicting ride through a world where light is weaponized, power is hoarded, and the people who were never supposed to matter might be the only ones who can save it all. If you like your fantasy with a side of rebellion, mystery, and characters who claw their way from nothing—welcome to Ashathar. I’m already bracing for book two.

[Tom Intiso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smack you upside the head and call me silly

Ok .. Moment of honesty - the headline, above, has absolutely nothing to do with this review. However, since nothing clever or apropos came to mind, I decided to go with ridiculous in an attempt to grab your attention. Clearly it worked.

I'm glad of that, because I'm a huge fan of both Theo Monroe's work and writing style, but since I gave this book only 3 stars, I desperately wanted to explain myself and why you should buy this book.

First off, I gave it only 3 stars because the writing in this book was fairly "flat," for lack of a better word. By this I mean it's a sequence of statements giving us all the informstion we need. That's it. It's a lot of "telling" and not much storytelling. And let me tell you, while his half-brother may not do that quite so well, Theo, much like another favorite author, C Martelle, could "storytell" the phonebook and nake it interesting, entertaining and even more impressively, make you wanna buy the sequel, even though all the names would be the same.

All of that being said, while the storytelling might not be aces, the story itself is a concept spun from pure gold (no joking, or subtle story-related puns, here, it's just that great a concept), and that IS what we've come to expect from Theo.

So I'll leave it with that and these closing words: even if Magnus just can't learn (after all, not all half-siblings get the GOOD half) and the storytelling remains flat, I would still read another eight or nine books to finish the overall story. But that would be my maximum. So please, take some lessons from your human half and fix that or finish it before 10 books, lol.

Ps: yes Theo, I do understand he's not really a half-elf (and likely not really real), but it was too much fun not to play with just a little. That being said, seriousky, my friend, what the HELL happened here? *** Insert McCauley Culkin face from Home Alone, here***

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the stratified society of Ashatar the pathless were considered to be the lowest of the low, and Blaike was one such, he was a miner mining for sunstone, to be delivered to the pathweavers who in turn turned this to light up the spires, since the sun had gone dark after the last kataklysm. However when he finally struck the largest sunstone ever to be excavated and realised this was going to be stolen from him, he commited a crime, for which if caught he would be killed, so he escaped into the blighted lands. There he discovered a destiny he never believed was his to follow. Yue Ming on the other hand was a distiller of elexirs which helped those on the path to advance, she was the daughter of one of the three pathweavers, and her twin brother who was also starting out on his own path had been abducted and believed to be dead, until he suddenly was returned to them. However nothing is as it seems regarding the man who was returned to their family home. Yue had wanted to herself be able to follow the path, however with the return of her brother older than her by a few minutes, she was unable until forced to swallow one of her own elexirs, which turned her into a criminal, who also escaped to the blight. Farrell was the returned man, the one who forced her to drink the elexir and who went with her, saying that together they were to save the world. They discovered a people in a land no one is Ashatar had believed existed, a peaceful people who thrived and lived in the light. They were also approached by various Gods who told them that not only were they set on this path of enlightenment to save their people, but also to save the Gods from the Darklord. Can these youngsters advance and achieve what seemed to be their destiny? This is the first book in a very thrilling cultivation epic series and I am dying to start reading book 2 to see where the dangerous path full of betrayals and dangers untold leads them!

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blightmage is the first book in the Kataklysm series and a great start to a new series. Blightmage is told from more than one point of view. Their sun is dying. There are minors who work to extract the sunstone that is used to empower their world.

The biggest sunstone ever has been found. This sunstone could empower their world for a very long time. But someone has stolen its power. When this is discovered one of the workers, Blaike is sent out into the blight, a very dangerous place. Can Blaike survive in the blight?

Ming Yue and her family have created elixirs that help the Lightweaver on their paths. Yue has a twin brother who was taken from them by the blighted years ago. Yue wants nothing more than to find her brother and hopefully save him from the blighted. Can Yue find her brother? Can she save him from his plight? Can she save the world from the blighted as well?

Blightmage will pull you into its world leaving you wanting more and more page after page. The twists and turns will keep those pages turning while you race to the end to see how it is all going to intertwine in the end. The descriptions are so well written that it is very easy to see it all playing out right before your eyes as if you are right there and see it all as if you are a part of the story yourself.

I would recommend Blightmage to all fans of magical worlds of fantasy! Grab your copy of Blightmage today!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

For something that was supposed to be a progression LitRPG story, the only thing this story had was levels, and a few mentions of circulating power through their body after an upgrade. I suppose that qualifies it as LitRPG in some cases, but for me, that doesn't do it. You could remove those few mentions of cultivation, and the story wouldn't change one single bit. That doesn't make a cultivation story in my opinion. Removing the cultivation part of the story shouldn't be possible without significantly altering the story. I'm guessing the author just wanted to sell the story to a particular audience, and so threw in enough to make it qualify (in their mind), then called it good enough.
I disagree.
For what it's worth, the story started out well enough, but as mentioned, except for a few mentions of cultivating after upgrading bodies, there's precious little LitRPG of any kind in this story. If that's your primary reason for reading the story, you can skip this one.
If you just like the fantasy aspects, then don't toss it aside on my account, the story works, though I wouldn't have read it without it being recommended as a LitRPG story. I'm sure that's the author's intent here, but I intensely dislike such tactics, and so likely will avoid anything written by this author in the future.

[Korinne Tande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frist, I did really enjoy this book. I am giving it a 4 instead of a 5 because I found the story with its many diverse characters a bit complex at times. I ended up taking several pages of notes. I do recommend the book so don't let my comments dissuade you from reading it if you enjoy stories with lots of characters and lots of layers. The main question in the book is "who will help save and the world vs. who will destroy it?" The story will keep you guessing who is friend or foe. I appreciated the clever banter among the characters as they trek to their destinations. The book also offers a few philosophical questions to consider, for example, if one tells people at home about paradise, will paradise survive? I appreciated the quote, "Light is more brilliant when shrouded in darkness." In a nutshell, an alien world is in crisis and several characters come together to try save the world. There is also a sense that the characters are not only on their own paths of discovery, but that they must intersect with one another in both good and bad ways. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Charles L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blightmage is a journey into an alien world where the sun has dimmed, and the people must mine sunstone to generate light and heat for survival. However, the process of mining and processing this ore is tied to the genealogy and ancestry of the people which leads to a type of caste system where only the chosen few are allowed to progress along the path that leads to the ultimate goal, of being a lightweaver. Blightmage is an interwoven tale of three characters that have challenged the established system and we the readers, travel along with them as they rally, struggle and fight to ascend to the highest level in this pathway. There are differing paths to the end goal based on moral and ethical sense of right and wrong or good vs evil. The question remains, does it really matter which path you chose along the journey if you get to your destination? People who ae into this genre will love the book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Incredible!
Continuing off the same world created by ‘the destroyer’ (Batara Kala), a giant sea turtle (Bedawang), a dragon (Antaboga) and counterparts: a black panther-good (Barong) and a leyaks/warthog-looking creature-vile (Rangda); miner Blaike is summoned on his pathwalker quest and learns many revealing things about the mythical Blightmage and his origins. Two stories that merge into one, we meet twin daughter, Ming Ye, of one of the few remaining Lightweavers who is summoned on a quest herself. She has a travel companion miner Farrel and they meet some unlikely allies. Although this is a sequel, it features different characters from before and does mention the previous characters as reference and with reverence as legends. Loads of action and adventure and not a light read. Prepare to immerse yourself in magic and good and evil.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vannessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first book in this series and follows the same idea as the Kataklysm Origins story, which if you haven't read is a great place to start as it explains more about the ascensions and powers that people have being a pathwalker.

In this one, Blaike and Ming Yue both have separate journeys on their paths to become more than just a Lightweaver, but their paths must combine at some point if both are going to succeed. Living in a world with a dying sun, they need to find a way to make their city survive and have to go through many experiences and changes in order to find the way on their paths. Luckily for them both, they have help in various ways from others, with their own skills complementing them as well.

This book was fast paced and highly engaging - I didn't want to put it down! If you enjoy fantasy books, this is a great read and will hopefully be a great series as well.

I received a copy of this book from the author but this review is my own, honest one.

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting mix of gods and men, in a setting which contains a setting which contains another setting. Or, in a world contained in a universe among other universes.
Also, a mix of classic and modern - a kingdom with alien gods, like I always thought the old Greek gods were. Since I was young, I was convinced the Olympians were the crew of the ship of some advanced aliens stranded on Earth, with Zeus being the captain and each of them specialized in some part of running it, hence the designations for the gods. How else to explain their "powers", their behavior, ambitions, jealousies, preferences, bickering and so many of their other very human traits?

Are you intrigued? Start this series, you will like it!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Manie · Rating 4 out of 5]

guess many of our forebears can speak with authority of the lean years that followed the conclusion of World War 2.
For Blake things actually turned out worse after the blight that followed as the sun drastically diminished in intensity and nature all but died.
Hence the search for sun stones to assist with growing food and surviving. And this is where Blake got all those classes from mining for sun stones...till the day he was fired for failing to make his quota.
But he would never have guessed the adventure and surprises that layed ahead in traversing the blight.
This Kataklysm series is gathering momentum and the surprises and twists rather intriguing, making for a well designed plot and new characters that keep you keenly interested in what can still happen.
Enjoy

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blightmage: A Progression/Cultivation Epic (Kataklysm Book 1), my thirty-sixth read from author Theophilus Monroe and the second "co-written" with T.R. Magnus his "elven half-brother". Theophilus Monroe has become one of my favorite authors over the last year. Very different than his typical work and the first co-written work, Darkworld: The Fall of Ashathar. I was given an Audible copy of this book (and own a Kindle copy as well so I could read along while being read to) & am voluntarily reviewing it. Giancarlo Herrera, Hannah Schooner’s narration adds to the book’s enjoyment. I'll read Ember: A Progression/Cultivation Epic (Kataklysm Book 2). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Joseph Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on the power of magic in a damaged world. The blight seems to be a consequence of the mages taking all the sunlight to fuel their power (forcing many people into a slave's existence, to find other resources for the magician leaders). Yet, there's a lot more to it than that. This is a power struggle. The players include the magicians, and other clans - but also an active group of "gods" (with hints there is more to these gods than is explained by first impressions).
Intricate, but also a quick read. The author weaves a number of story lines together, but it's still easy to follow along.
Definitely recommend the series.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I enjoyed the first book in the "A Progression/Cultivation Epic" series. The worldbuilding was interesting. The characters were complicated and sometimes sublime. The author created characters that weren't just one dimensional. I appreciated the different species that took part in the tale. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Giancarlo Herrera's and Hannah Schooner's narrations enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaike is a pathlessr who toils in the mines, searching for sunstones. He is facing exile to the blight for failing to meet his quota when he discovers a massive stone. Meanwhile, Ming Yue is a skilled brewer of elixirs that aid pathwalkers in their journeys. Despite her desire to become a pathwalker, she is the second-born twin and thus faces obstacles. Together, these two individuals are poised to make a significant impact on history. This story contains plenty of action and deceit as well as truthfulness, ending with a cliffhanger. Very highly recommended.

[Manuela Molteni · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world where the sun has dimmed, this book leads the readers through the personal journey of 3 characters in their challenges and adventures. With the ultimate goal to ascend in their social position, in the eternal struggle between right and wrong, good and bad.
Magic, a lot of twists and turns and a writing style that accompains this journey, the book is engaging and hooked me to the pages.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows two peoples lives that are on a journey of their own. The lives of different people and how they are treated by who they are. We have Blaike who is a miner looking for sunstone. We have Yue who loves to make elixirs to further others paths. There will be other characters tha play some roles that can change their paths. What path will they take? When their path finally meet what will happen?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nemesis Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blightmage by T.R. Magnus and Theophilus Monroe, narrated by Giancarlo Herrera and Hannah Schooner, is an enthralling epic fantasy tale set in the world of Ashathar. The story follows the journey of Blaike and Ming Yue as they navigate the blight and strive to protect their world from a looming threat. Action-packed and full of unique magic systems, Blightmage is sure to captivate fans of epic fantasies like the Cradle series or Stormlight Archive.

[Jonathan Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing opening to a new series. Book one, opens up the reader to a new world that is struggling after multiple cataclysms. The story of a miner that becomes a hero pulls the reader in. Additionally, the author alludes/hints to a much greater world and story line that is coming in future books. Looking forward to the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Silver Surfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is going from strength to strength and this book is a little cracker. It kept my interest from the first page to the last. Couldn’t put it down. What’s going to happen in the next one I wonder. Where does the author find these inspirations from. Their mind must be working constantly over and over to produce these storylines. Highly recommended.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Blightmage, your life and future can depend upon a single choice. If you are fortunate enough to evolve into a light user, along the way your actions determine whether you join goodness or evil .. and living "gods" will involve themselves. Their sun has begun to fail, and those capable of controlling light are all who stand between life and death. How would you choose, and why?

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great start to the Kataklysm series, it had what I was looking for from this type of book and enjoyed reading this. T.R. Magnus has a great writing style that works well with the plot. It left me wanting to read more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Coralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like litRPG, this book is a very good start in a series that promises plenty of exciting twists. This first book hooks you from start within its world, and you will find yourself loosing track of time. The characters are engaging, and the story well-paced. Treat yourself to something nice and take this book up!

[Leona Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is complex. Two intersecting books in one. Two main characters in the story who meet up after 2/3 of the book gone. Some surprises in the other characters intersecting with the main characters. But most of the book is setting up background information for the universe the story is based on which makes the story too long. I cannot wait for the next book to find out will happen.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow two days (or an entire extremely long one) for this PG supernatural paranormal post-Kataklysm quest set mostly in Ashathar when 20-year-old Blaike the pathless discovers an extremely large sunstone in the Sudveil mine. There are issues of slavery and abuse, but do NOT read in public as chortles will also ensue.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as audio review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Beautifully narrated by Giancarlo Herrera and Hannah Schooner, immerse you in this wildly invented world that blends the rich atmosphere of fantasy with strong elements of dystopian thread as Blake and Ming discover to both be one and inter-woven path as they struggle to thrive in their world without a sun... but with so hope for. Highly recommended.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could be the start of something big! It sure seemed that way to me. This was an exciting, riveting read. I am so glad to already know that there are more books to follow, otherwise I think the wait would've killed me!! Seriously, get started reading this book, I couldn't possibly say enough good things about it. Enjoy!

[Sheila White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought it was a great story, reminds me of The Chronicles of Thomas Conovent Unbeliever by Stephen R Donaldson, which I've read numerous times over the years and have never gotten tired of and can't wait to start the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.