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Beyond The Dominion
Finally, Nancy is free. Long kept locked away by the ‘normal’ people of the dominion for being a Disfigure, considered ugly and dangerous, she seeks a distant shore and a cure to the affliction she knows will kill her.
This is to be a tough journey through mysterious lands full of fantastic creatures. She must call on great courage and use her special powers to negotiate the perils and face powerful men with their own agenda. Does she have the guile and determination to survive? How much will she sacrifice for success? And are all of her efforts to be in vain?
In this novella - Beyond the Dominion, highly acclaimed author Chris Cloake takes you back to the epic fantasy world of his Dominion Trilogy. If you love deep story telling and inspiring imagination, you won’t want to miss this special addition to his work.
Get Beyond the Dominion and prepare to be transported to a land of aching beauty.
This is to be a tough journey through mysterious lands full of fantastic creatures. She must call on great courage and use her special powers to negotiate the perils and face powerful men with their own agenda. Does she have the guile and determination to survive? How much will she sacrifice for success? And are all of her efforts to be in vain?
In this novella - Beyond the Dominion, highly acclaimed author Chris Cloake takes you back to the epic fantasy world of his Dominion Trilogy. If you love deep story telling and inspiring imagination, you won’t want to miss this special addition to his work.
Get Beyond the Dominion and prepare to be transported to a land of aching beauty.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2023
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Chris Cloake
13 books172 followersChris Cloake was born in 1964 and began telling stories a couple of years later. He grew up in Kent, England. He is motivated to write by a deep interest in life, particularly the cruel, deeply flawed nature of people contrasted with their incredible creativity and inspiration. The power of the natural world is a common theme in his work as a writer and professional photographer. He lives happily with his wife, two children and a large collection of music, books and board games.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 13, 2023
Nancy has lived her entire life imprisoned by circumstance, love, or power. Freedom calls her, but can she survive long enough to find it?
**I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author and Reedsy Discovery. Receiving a copy for free did not influence my review in any way. This is an honest, spoiler-free review, and any/all opinions expressed within are solely my own.**
Nancy's special powers and peculiar illness branded her a "Disfigure" from an early age.
From a prison in the form of a place of healing as a youth to a prison of a villainous, greed-centered city far from her home and her beloved, Nancy's much-desired freedom seems less and less possible with every turn.
But even in the deepest darkness, Nancy has hope.
With time running out to find a whispered, unproven cure for the disease that promises to claim her life, Nancy must take control over whose prison she allows herself to be in, if she's ever to find true peace.
Beyond the Dominion is a challenging, captivating, and inspiring novella in a great series Chris Cloake has masterfully delivered. While this novella may be shorter than the other books in the series, it packs a serious punch in action, heart, and soul that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the full-length novels in this world.
As a reader of the other books in the series, it was so refreshing to see Nancy (a minor character in the grand scheme of the series as whole) get the spotlight she truly deserves.
Nancy is loving and innocent, but not naïve. She knows what (and how) to reason with the whims of those around her (typically men) in ways that are refreshingly not always her body. She is bold and blunt and passionate about what is right and wrong, but also soft-spoken and empathetic during the worst situations.
This young woman, cast out or not allowed freedom by any (as even those who claim to 'love her' struggle with wanting to 'own' her in some way, body, mind, soul, or marriage), stands tall and untainted by the darkness of her cruel world.
Nancy is a woman who inspired me to be a better person. She encourages readers with her strong story of perseverance to stand up and take a stand for what's right, even when you think you're not the 'right one' or 'too small to make a change'. To not lose sight of one's value just because others may discard it or twist it into something it's not.
Some stories stick with you because they're excellent, page-turning stories. Some characters stick with you because of their heroics or sacrifices.
Beyond the Dominion is so much more than that. It's one of the stories that really means something.
This novella has been one of my favorite books of the entire series. I only wish we could see much more of what happens next in Nancy's world.
**Trigger Warnings: Abuse, Abandonment, Sexual Exploitation, Slavery, Death, War (mentioned but not shown on the page)**
**I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author and Reedsy Discovery. Receiving a copy for free did not influence my review in any way. This is an honest, spoiler-free review, and any/all opinions expressed within are solely my own.**
Nancy's special powers and peculiar illness branded her a "Disfigure" from an early age.
From a prison in the form of a place of healing as a youth to a prison of a villainous, greed-centered city far from her home and her beloved, Nancy's much-desired freedom seems less and less possible with every turn.
But even in the deepest darkness, Nancy has hope.
With time running out to find a whispered, unproven cure for the disease that promises to claim her life, Nancy must take control over whose prison she allows herself to be in, if she's ever to find true peace.
Beyond the Dominion is a challenging, captivating, and inspiring novella in a great series Chris Cloake has masterfully delivered. While this novella may be shorter than the other books in the series, it packs a serious punch in action, heart, and soul that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the full-length novels in this world.
As a reader of the other books in the series, it was so refreshing to see Nancy (a minor character in the grand scheme of the series as whole) get the spotlight she truly deserves.
Nancy is loving and innocent, but not naïve. She knows what (and how) to reason with the whims of those around her (typically men) in ways that are refreshingly not always her body. She is bold and blunt and passionate about what is right and wrong, but also soft-spoken and empathetic during the worst situations.
This young woman, cast out or not allowed freedom by any (as even those who claim to 'love her' struggle with wanting to 'own' her in some way, body, mind, soul, or marriage), stands tall and untainted by the darkness of her cruel world.
Nancy is a woman who inspired me to be a better person. She encourages readers with her strong story of perseverance to stand up and take a stand for what's right, even when you think you're not the 'right one' or 'too small to make a change'. To not lose sight of one's value just because others may discard it or twist it into something it's not.
Some stories stick with you because they're excellent, page-turning stories. Some characters stick with you because of their heroics or sacrifices.
Beyond the Dominion is so much more than that. It's one of the stories that really means something.
This novella has been one of my favorite books of the entire series. I only wish we could see much more of what happens next in Nancy's world.
**Trigger Warnings: Abuse, Abandonment, Sexual Exploitation, Slavery, Death, War (mentioned but not shown on the page)**
January 23, 2026
The story follows Nancy, a young woman branded a Disfigure, whose life has been defined by captivity, judgment, and survival. From the moment she steps beyond the Dominion’s boundaries, the world opens up — but not gently. Cloake captures that unsettling mix of hope and dread that comes with freedom when you’ve never truly had it before.✨
What makes this story stand out is Nancy’s inner conflict. She has learned to endure cruelty and silence, yet outside the Dominion she must learn how to choose — whom to trust, when to fight, and whether she even believes she deserves safety. Small moments, like her cautious interactions with strangers and her instinctive expectation of punishment, quietly reveal the trauma she carries. Cloake doesn’t rush her growth; instead, he lets it unfold naturally through experience, danger, and fleeting kindness.💕
What makes this story stand out is Nancy’s inner conflict. She has learned to endure cruelty and silence, yet outside the Dominion she must learn how to choose — whom to trust, when to fight, and whether she even believes she deserves safety. Small moments, like her cautious interactions with strangers and her instinctive expectation of punishment, quietly reveal the trauma she carries. Cloake doesn’t rush her growth; instead, he lets it unfold naturally through experience, danger, and fleeting kindness.💕
November 5, 2025
Beyond the Dominion by Chris Cloake is a beautifully written and deeply immersive return to the richly imagined world of the Dominion Trilogy. Cloake masterfully blends epic adventure, emotional depth, and lyrical prose as Nancy’s journey of courage and self-discovery unfolds across mysterious lands filled with danger and wonder. Her struggle for freedom and redemption is both moving and inspiring. A perfect read for fans of classic fantasy and heartfelt storytelling Beyond the Dominion is a mesmerizing tale that lingers long after the final page.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews