What do you think?
Rate this book
Kataklysm #0·5
Darkworld: The Fall of Ashathar
The sun is dying over Ashathar.
Kataklysm arrives every three thousand years.
It's always different, but whatever form it takes, the result is the same—it brings humanity to the brink of extinction.
The last Kataklysm... happened three thousand years ago.
To save the world from Kataklysm, Tannen seeks an ancient path, once cultivated by the ancestors, long since abandoned and forgotten.
To find the path, Tannen must venture into hostile lands.
Did the path save a remnant of life during the last Kataklysm?
Or was there something else about the path they pursued that left them warped, exiled, and nearly forgotten?
Tannen must venture into Tensia. A place occupied by a barbaric superhuman race.
Tannen isn't a warrior. He's an archaeologist.
His companion, Valoria, is an astrologist.
This could be the last Kataklaym, the end of humanity forever.
Can Tannen and Valoria survive in hostile territory, or will their deaths seal the fate of the world?
Darkworld is the inaugural installment of Kataklysm: Origins—a series that details the rise of the post-apocalyptic, magical world of Blightmage and the Kataklysm Series. It features a progression and cultivation system with both good and evil cosmic dimension. Darkworld is a standalone story that you can enjoy as a first-read in the Kataklysm universe.
Kataklysm arrives every three thousand years.
It's always different, but whatever form it takes, the result is the same—it brings humanity to the brink of extinction.
The last Kataklysm... happened three thousand years ago.
To save the world from Kataklysm, Tannen seeks an ancient path, once cultivated by the ancestors, long since abandoned and forgotten.
To find the path, Tannen must venture into hostile lands.
Did the path save a remnant of life during the last Kataklysm?
Or was there something else about the path they pursued that left them warped, exiled, and nearly forgotten?
Tannen must venture into Tensia. A place occupied by a barbaric superhuman race.
Tannen isn't a warrior. He's an archaeologist.
His companion, Valoria, is an astrologist.
This could be the last Kataklaym, the end of humanity forever.
Can Tannen and Valoria survive in hostile territory, or will their deaths seal the fate of the world?
Darkworld is the inaugural installment of Kataklysm: Origins—a series that details the rise of the post-apocalyptic, magical world of Blightmage and the Kataklysm Series. It features a progression and cultivation system with both good and evil cosmic dimension. Darkworld is a standalone story that you can enjoy as a first-read in the Kataklysm universe.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2022
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
T.R. Magnus
11 books13 followersT.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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 16, 2025
Apocalypse, Archaeology, and the Beginning of Blight—Count Me In
Okay. So here’s the thing—I was already deep in love with the gritty, magic-drenched chaos of the Kataklysm world. But Darkworld? It cracked open the origins like a cursed vault door and said, “Come suffer with me.” And you better believe I did—with heart in hand and goosebumps on standby.
This isn’t your average prequel. Nope. Darkworld: The Fall of Ashathar doesn’t just set the stage—it drops you into the fire and dares you to crawl out with your soul intact.
Tannen is not your broody sword-wielding warrior (and shockingly, I didn’t miss that). He’s an archaeologist—a man of logic, history, and haunted curiosity. Watching him fumble through ancient ruins, decoding humanity’s last hope while battling his own doubt? Absolutely gripping. I loved seeing a hero who fights with brains instead of blades—and trust me, in a world staring down the throat of apocalypse, that’s no less brave.
Then there's Valoria, the astrologist with that ethereal edge I totally fell for. She’s intuitive, a little mysterious, and honestly kept me grounded through the book’s most surreal moments. The dynamic between her and Tannen? It’s not romance (yet?), but it’s that kind of bond forged in fire that feels like it could become something more—if they survive.
And Tensia. Let’s talk about Tensia. Savage superhuman nightmare territory. I could feel the tension through the page—like that creeping dread of walking into someplace holy and cursed at the same time. The tension between discovery and danger in every scene kept my heart thumping.
But what really hit me was the weight of legacy and doom. The way this book leans into the existential dread of Kataklysm—not as some distant fantasy disaster, but as a rhythm of destruction etched into history. That was chilling in the best way. Add in a progression system that starts whispering promises of power and corruption… and yeah, I was hooked.
Bottom line: This is the kind of prequel that doesn’t just tell you what happened before—it makes you feel the desperation of a world falling, and the impossible hope of saving something from the wreckage. It’s raw. It’s eerie. It’s got intellect, danger, and seeds of something powerful sprouting in the darkness.
If you’ve never touched the Kataklysm series, Darkworld is the gateway drug. If you have? This origin story will absolutely deepen your obsession. Either way, grab your torch—we’re going into the dark, and I promise, it’s worth it.
5 out of 5 apocalyptic heart squeezes. Let’s rewrite the end, one ancient ruin at a time.
Okay. So here’s the thing—I was already deep in love with the gritty, magic-drenched chaos of the Kataklysm world. But Darkworld? It cracked open the origins like a cursed vault door and said, “Come suffer with me.” And you better believe I did—with heart in hand and goosebumps on standby.
This isn’t your average prequel. Nope. Darkworld: The Fall of Ashathar doesn’t just set the stage—it drops you into the fire and dares you to crawl out with your soul intact.
Tannen is not your broody sword-wielding warrior (and shockingly, I didn’t miss that). He’s an archaeologist—a man of logic, history, and haunted curiosity. Watching him fumble through ancient ruins, decoding humanity’s last hope while battling his own doubt? Absolutely gripping. I loved seeing a hero who fights with brains instead of blades—and trust me, in a world staring down the throat of apocalypse, that’s no less brave.
Then there's Valoria, the astrologist with that ethereal edge I totally fell for. She’s intuitive, a little mysterious, and honestly kept me grounded through the book’s most surreal moments. The dynamic between her and Tannen? It’s not romance (yet?), but it’s that kind of bond forged in fire that feels like it could become something more—if they survive.
And Tensia. Let’s talk about Tensia. Savage superhuman nightmare territory. I could feel the tension through the page—like that creeping dread of walking into someplace holy and cursed at the same time. The tension between discovery and danger in every scene kept my heart thumping.
But what really hit me was the weight of legacy and doom. The way this book leans into the existential dread of Kataklysm—not as some distant fantasy disaster, but as a rhythm of destruction etched into history. That was chilling in the best way. Add in a progression system that starts whispering promises of power and corruption… and yeah, I was hooked.
Bottom line: This is the kind of prequel that doesn’t just tell you what happened before—it makes you feel the desperation of a world falling, and the impossible hope of saving something from the wreckage. It’s raw. It’s eerie. It’s got intellect, danger, and seeds of something powerful sprouting in the darkness.
If you’ve never touched the Kataklysm series, Darkworld is the gateway drug. If you have? This origin story will absolutely deepen your obsession. Either way, grab your torch—we’re going into the dark, and I promise, it’s worth it.
5 out of 5 apocalyptic heart squeezes. Let’s rewrite the end, one ancient ruin at a time.
March 17, 2023
Received as an audio review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Narrated wonderfully by Kelley Hazen, Darkworld: The Fall of Ashathar is a poignant and profound adventure as Tennen, an archaeologist is desperate to get those of power and influence to believe their world is headed into a dangerous downfall. No one will listen and in turn decide to engage in a fruitless war instead of utilizing the science that Tannen and Voloria have uncovered to prepare for the harrowing future. Powerless and on their own, Tannen and Voloria head deep within enemy lands to find anything theat will make even the slightest difference of their fate. An exciting journey and blessed with complex characters. Highly recommended.
February 23, 2023
BOOK:THE FALL OF ASHATHAR-THE DARK WORLD-KATAKLYSM:ORIGINS. BY T.R.MAGNUS
BOOK REVIEWER-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
A poetic style fictional prose with the protagonist being the character Tannen.The story is centred on the invention of new methods of writing to preserve records by insingnias, artifacts and inscriptions that appeared to be new language and preserved the people's language.It also speaks of the threath of a kataklysm that's threatening life on the world as we know it(pronounced eat) giving a margin of error(err or).The story unravels this kataklysm in the existence and time of Tannen with predictions of the world ending( earning eat in Nigeria).It mirrors Tannen and his folks journey through the land of the Tensians while putting the prosperity of the kingdom above his happiness (Ha-Pee-ness).It raises questions whether there should be a balance between good and evil and whether evil should be expelled for food to flourish;whether darkness was a necessity to know the light and whether we should delibrately create such darkness;whether there was such a thing as the right insignias and ones association and manifestation in the world;whether we make the insignias the right one for us by making a demand on it;raises questions on when and at what rank the insignias of a profession becomes poison and whether this could instigate a fight between the rank and file;whether harm can be done by weilders of this insignias to others without ill effect on the perpetrator and whether there should be a lawful restriction or management of such to prevent eventualities;whether ones rank and earnings in a profession or as a soldier could instigate bad behaviour or practice;amongst others.The book generally looks at the various professions , institutions ,and bodies and their insignias and its effect on wage earnings while looking at the insignias potential in stopping the kataklysm.
BOOK REVIEWER-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
A poetic style fictional prose with the protagonist being the character Tannen.The story is centred on the invention of new methods of writing to preserve records by insingnias, artifacts and inscriptions that appeared to be new language and preserved the people's language.It also speaks of the threath of a kataklysm that's threatening life on the world as we know it(pronounced eat) giving a margin of error(err or).The story unravels this kataklysm in the existence and time of Tannen with predictions of the world ending( earning eat in Nigeria).It mirrors Tannen and his folks journey through the land of the Tensians while putting the prosperity of the kingdom above his happiness (Ha-Pee-ness).It raises questions whether there should be a balance between good and evil and whether evil should be expelled for food to flourish;whether darkness was a necessity to know the light and whether we should delibrately create such darkness;whether there was such a thing as the right insignias and ones association and manifestation in the world;whether we make the insignias the right one for us by making a demand on it;raises questions on when and at what rank the insignias of a profession becomes poison and whether this could instigate a fight between the rank and file;whether harm can be done by weilders of this insignias to others without ill effect on the perpetrator and whether there should be a lawful restriction or management of such to prevent eventualities;whether ones rank and earnings in a profession or as a soldier could instigate bad behaviour or practice;amongst others.The book generally looks at the various professions , institutions ,and bodies and their insignias and its effect on wage earnings while looking at the insignias potential in stopping the kataklysm.
December 14, 2024
2.5 ✨
I want to preface this review by saying that I can totally see how people will disagree with my review. However, there were some things that really irked me. In my opinion, they sadly took away from the super interesting and unique ideas, so I wasn’t able to enjoy them to the fullest.
First of all, everything is just so damn convenient. There is no struggle or fight to do anything because the plot is already forged, and the way the characters are advancing just is not natural. It seems as though they’re carried through the plot without having to work for anything themselves. It’s way too easy compared to what trials they could’ve gone through to become Lightweaver. I understand that the gods forged a path for the characters, but there could’ve been stones in their way. At least maybe rocks? Pebbles? Even sand?? Just to make sure that they’re actually the chosen dudes.
Additionally, the dialogue is unnatural. It sounds stilted and overloaded. Like, there is no room for the characters to breathe and be themselves. Every sentence has to convey something or drop information on us, and you can’t even identify which character is actually speaking because there’s no differences. Glimmer, for example, is just speaking way too maturely for her age on one page and like a 6-year-old on the next.
I also don’t like the very sci-fi-y twist at the end. The plot and information were already overloaded as it is (with all the ascensions and lack of work to get there) for those little pages. That addition just made it worse. Even with more time to reach this very interestingly absurd stage of the story, I’m not sure I would like it.
This keeps your original phrasing intact while improving clarity and flow. Thoughts?
I want to preface this review by saying that I can totally see how people will disagree with my review. However, there were some things that really irked me. In my opinion, they sadly took away from the super interesting and unique ideas, so I wasn’t able to enjoy them to the fullest.
First of all, everything is just so damn convenient. There is no struggle or fight to do anything because the plot is already forged, and the way the characters are advancing just is not natural. It seems as though they’re carried through the plot without having to work for anything themselves. It’s way too easy compared to what trials they could’ve gone through to become Lightweaver. I understand that the gods forged a path for the characters, but there could’ve been stones in their way. At least maybe rocks? Pebbles? Even sand?? Just to make sure that they’re actually the chosen dudes.
Additionally, the dialogue is unnatural. It sounds stilted and overloaded. Like, there is no room for the characters to breathe and be themselves. Every sentence has to convey something or drop information on us, and you can’t even identify which character is actually speaking because there’s no differences. Glimmer, for example, is just speaking way too maturely for her age on one page and like a 6-year-old on the next.
I also don’t like the very sci-fi-y twist at the end. The plot and information were already overloaded as it is (with all the ascensions and lack of work to get there) for those little pages. That addition just made it worse. Even with more time to reach this very interestingly absurd stage of the story, I’m not sure I would like it.
This keeps your original phrasing intact while improving clarity and flow. Thoughts?
March 20, 2023
Leveling Up to Save the World
Parents: PG-PG13 this is acceptable for preteens and up
Language: PG
Violence: PG13 - normal to genre, nothing overly graphic
Sexual content: PG13 - clean, kissing and alluded to bedroom activities but it stays behind closed doors
This was different... the summary gives you a good idea of the storyline but the element of "magic" or being an "elemental" with a God like spirit dragon is just a bit odd. I feel like this is a great book for younger readers as I felt the story was a bit rush and simplistic in parts and yet too contrived in others. Not a bad story by any means, but not enough to keep an older audience fully engaged.
The narrator was a bit too dramatic at times in the narrative parts (for me personally), she had good differentiations - I just didn't like the voice she used for Glimmer. I did prefer listening at 1.25x speed. There were some odd breaks in the sound and editing that could be smoothed out.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Parents: PG-PG13 this is acceptable for preteens and up
Language: PG
Violence: PG13 - normal to genre, nothing overly graphic
Sexual content: PG13 - clean, kissing and alluded to bedroom activities but it stays behind closed doors
This was different... the summary gives you a good idea of the storyline but the element of "magic" or being an "elemental" with a God like spirit dragon is just a bit odd. I feel like this is a great book for younger readers as I felt the story was a bit rush and simplistic in parts and yet too contrived in others. Not a bad story by any means, but not enough to keep an older audience fully engaged.
The narrator was a bit too dramatic at times in the narrative parts (for me personally), she had good differentiations - I just didn't like the voice she used for Glimmer. I did prefer listening at 1.25x speed. There were some odd breaks in the sound and editing that could be smoothed out.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 16, 2024
Surviving the doom.
From the imagination of the authors T. R. Magnus and Theophilus Monroe a pure of joy story of an archaeologist discovery that have discovered in a dig a clue which tells of a three thousand years cataclysm hits the earth, only that his discovery was written on the wall of the dig in three different languages saying the same thing which lead him to believe that survival was possible but knowledge get lost and a new language evolve after each, he decides to go on a quest to find answers.
A beautiful story, a little short and befitting a very young adults.
The authors excellent decision to create a series from this book which makes this one a prelude and by reading about the next I feel that it’s much better and longer.
Excellent narration by Kelley Hazen for each of the characters in this creation.
My recommendations !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
From the imagination of the authors T. R. Magnus and Theophilus Monroe a pure of joy story of an archaeologist discovery that have discovered in a dig a clue which tells of a three thousand years cataclysm hits the earth, only that his discovery was written on the wall of the dig in three different languages saying the same thing which lead him to believe that survival was possible but knowledge get lost and a new language evolve after each, he decides to go on a quest to find answers.
A beautiful story, a little short and befitting a very young adults.
The authors excellent decision to create a series from this book which makes this one a prelude and by reading about the next I feel that it’s much better and longer.
Excellent narration by Kelley Hazen for each of the characters in this creation.
My recommendations !!!
Oded Ostfeld.
March 19, 2023
Beginning of an epic series
The kataklysm occurs every 3,000 years, but the next one day be the last.
Tannen, an archeologist, has translations that allude to the last kataklysm, but when he tries to warn everyone about the impending kataklysm, he laughed at.
Valoria isn't laughing — she's an astrologist and has seen evidence that the sun could be extinguished.
The two of them must venture into the war-torn country of their enemies in order to search for a way to stop the kataklysm.
A good introduction to the world and characters.
Kelley Hazen was very expressive and did a wonderful job with the narration and all the different characters.
The kataklysm occurs every 3,000 years, but the next one day be the last.
Tannen, an archeologist, has translations that allude to the last kataklysm, but when he tries to warn everyone about the impending kataklysm, he laughed at.
Valoria isn't laughing — she's an astrologist and has seen evidence that the sun could be extinguished.
The two of them must venture into the war-torn country of their enemies in order to search for a way to stop the kataklysm.
A good introduction to the world and characters.
Kelley Hazen was very expressive and did a wonderful job with the narration and all the different characters.
November 23, 2024
I think there truly cannot be anything more devastating than to learn your world is due any time for a total devastation.
Nor that it has happened before. At least something might be done to alleviate and survive such a cataclysm?
Or not?
For Tannen this is a challenge in which he has to succeed at any cost. But can he?
Dark world: The Fall of Ashatar by TR Magnus is quite the epic fantasy leading the reader into a world where you as reader inevitably feels like you want to shake some characters into recognition of the dark days to arrive. Yet, surprises are there as well. It certainly makes tackling the remaining books in this series an equally powerful encouragement.
Enjoy.
Nor that it has happened before. At least something might be done to alleviate and survive such a cataclysm?
Or not?
For Tannen this is a challenge in which he has to succeed at any cost. But can he?
Dark world: The Fall of Ashatar by TR Magnus is quite the epic fantasy leading the reader into a world where you as reader inevitably feels like you want to shake some characters into recognition of the dark days to arrive. Yet, surprises are there as well. It certainly makes tackling the remaining books in this series an equally powerful encouragement.
Enjoy.
December 22, 2022
I received Darkworld: The Fall of Ashathar(Kataklysm:Origins) by T.R. Magnus. Great book and I enjoyed reading and definitely recommend. Tannen isn't a warrior, he is an archaeologist and his companion is an astrologist. To save the world from Kataklysm he seeks an ancient path once cultivated by the ancestors and he ventures into Tensia. If they fail this could be the end of humanity forever. Can Tannen and Valoria survive in hostile territory or will their deaths seal the fate of the world? This book is available on Amazon
Read
March 7, 2023Darkworld: The Fall of Ashathar (Kataklysm: Origins), my thirty-fifth read from author Theophilus Monroe and the first "co-written" with T.R. Magnus.. Theophilus Monroe has become one of my favorite authors over the last year. Well written & enjoyable read, different than his typical work. 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. Kelley Hazen’s narration again adds to the book’s enjoyment. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
March 9, 2023
Audiobook: In this story, "Kataklysm, brings humanity to the brink of extinction and occurs every three thousand years". Two unlikely people, Tannen who is an archaeologist and Valoria who is an astrologist, must find a way to avert the newest Kataklysm. I enjoyed the story. I liked the unique characters. I appreciated the complex worldbuilding. Kelley Hazen's narration was good, and her expressive voice kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
March 29, 2023
"Darkworld: The Fall of Ashathar" by T.R. Magnus and Theophilus Monroe is a captivating post-apocalyptic fantasy novel that will transport you to a world of magic and adventure. The authors have created a richly detailed and immersive world, with a unique and fascinating progression and cultivation system. Narrator Kelley Hazen's excellent performance brings each character to life with skill and nuance, making it a highly recommended listen for anyone who loves fantasy novels with a hint of cosmic dimension.
March 14, 2023
Great story! I really enjoyed reading this. Excellent characters and great word building.
Yet another winner from the author. Audio version also has top notch narration. Love this author! Highly recommended.
I received a free copy from Story Origin and am leaving this review completely voluntarily.
Yet another winner from the author. Audio version also has top notch narration. Love this author! Highly recommended.
I received a free copy from Story Origin and am leaving this review completely voluntarily.
October 27, 2023
If you enjoyed this Thomas Covenant series of books by Stephen R Donaldson you'll thoroughly enjoy this series as I found it has a similar quality to it and hope that there's just as many books in it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 17, 2024
Allow a day for this family-friendly apocalypse set mostly in Ashathar where 30-year-old archaeologist Qal-Mal Tannan fills the role of Cassandra to start with. As usual with T.R. Magnus there is a LOT to think about.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 24, 2024
This is a solid start to the Kataklysm universe. If you’re into epic fantasy, cosmic forces, and archaeologists moonlighting as heroes, give it a whirl. Just know that it’s a 3 star ride (imo) - enjoyable but not mind-blowing.
October 3, 2022
It was okay.
March 11, 2023
Fun. I like how the sciences of old were linked to a more modern framework. The narrator was fabulous too, and really worked well in this story.
May 14, 2023
Great book. It keeps you engaged the entire time
July 6, 2024
A great start to a new series. This book is full of information about how the kataklysm happens. Great world building and character development. I recommend reading this book Now on to the next book
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews