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A Chronicle of Chaos: MM Epic Fantasy (The Light and Shadow Chronicles Book 1) Kindle Edition

by D.M. Cain (Author), Pam Elise Harris (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

3.7 72 ratings

Book 1 of 3: The Light and Shadow Chronicles

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In a realm ravaged by war, The Brotherhood of Shadow and The Children of Light will stop at nothing to destroy each other.

Chaos is a warrior who fights for the Children Of The Light, in the name of honor and glory. The demon Anathema has pledged his loyalty to the Brotherhood of Shadows.

Arrogant and headstrong, they both believe they're the strongest in the land. The two strike up an intense rivalry, but their obsession to defeat one another only leads them closer together.

When the forces of Light and Darkness collide, where will their loyalties lie?

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fantasy world where the classic struggle between good and evil takes on an interesting twist. D.M. Cain has a great imagination, and has written an outstanding first book in her Light and Shadow Chronicles Series.- Kenneth J. Kerr, author of 'The First Madam President' and 'Life Of A Double Agent'

Well crafted, with believable characters forced to make difficult decisions about life, love, and war. A perfect gift idea for a fantasy reader. - Michael R. Stern, author of 'Storm Portal' and 'Sand Storm'

The characters in this novel are finely written, both those representing the good side and evil -you'll wonder how Callista rose to her position of supremacy, and who the malevolent Bavelize is. You'll marvel at the wonderful power and goodness of the angels while weeping at the fate of some of them. You'll gasp in horror at the ruthless brutality of the demons as they unleash their horrors upon hordes of innocent villagers,as well as on the angels and Children of Light. And you'll be perplexed at Mikhail's stunning ability. Don't expect to find all the answers in A Chronicle of Chaos. We'll have to wait for each character's own novel to tie up the loose ends. - Stewart Bint, author of 'In Shadows Waiting' and 'Timeshaft'

From the Inside Flap

The world in the Light andShadow Chronicles is in a state of eternal conflict between two nations - TheChildren of Light and Brotherhood of Shadow. They have been at war forthousands of years, in a stalemate that is manipulated by forces greater thanany of the characters realise. In order for one side to shift the scales intheir favour they have to recruit greater forces - angels, demons, dragons,armies of the underworld, magical beings etc. The war continues to grow inscale until the entire world is dragged into the conflict and it can only endin a cataclysmic Armageddon.

Each of the novels in theseries focuses on a significant character or group and their role within thebattle. Every story is laying the foundations for something else, like buildingblocks for the epic finale. The books are written out of order - one story mayfeature a character in his adulthood, the next is set before he is born, thenext after his death. Putting the order of events together is up to the reader.

This means that the readermay choose their own journey through the saga. If they feel connected to acertain character, they can follow that individual's story first. And if theyjoin the series after book 5 is released, there is no need to read books onethrough four first.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01H2TV8O8
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Next Chapter; 5th edition (June 14, 2016)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 14, 2016
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3538 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 566 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,324,450 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,475 in Metaphysical Science Fiction eBooks
- #2,557 in LGBTQ+ Fantasy Fiction
- #5,513 in LGBTQ+ Fantasy (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
3.7 72 ratings

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D.M. Cain

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D.M. Cain is a dystopian and fantasy author working for Next Chapter Publishing. The Light and Shadow Chronicles series features a range of books which can be read in any order. The series instalments to date include A Chronicle of Chaos, The Shield of Soren, The Sins of Silas, Genesis of Light and Origin of Shadow.

Cain has released one stand-alone novel: The Phoenix Project, a psychological thriller set in a dystopian future. The Phoenix Project was the winner of the 2016 Kindle Book Review Sci-Fi novel Award.

Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK with her partner and two young children,and spends her time reading, writing, reviewing, and indulging in geek culture (Marvel, Star Wars, Final Fantasy).

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3.7 out of 5

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Books and Blurbs

Amazing and entertaining. This book explores many themes and delves deep into the question of what is right.

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2014

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“A Chronicle of Chaos” by D.M. Cain – the first in The Light and Shadow Chronicles series is an glorious beginning to what appears to be an Epic Saga, that stretches for at least 5 books; fear not though, each book is a standalone story as each follows the lives and fates of certain individuals.
Good and evil, light vs. shadow, heaven vs. hell – yet strangely, no right vs. wrong. This is a book of grays, of the shadows it so deeply employs and explores. Morality vs. immorality, yet no white and black. It is a perfect blending and it made me stop more than once to consider the how’s and whys of conviction, and why certain things are accepted, even expected to be just one way.
Five demons have been summoned by the Bavelize to shed the chains of Hell and serve an Earthly Master, Vincent Wilda of the Brotherhood of Shadows. Their mission is both simple and complex – disguise themselves as human and help the Brotherhood in their long war against The Children of Light. These Children are led by Callista, a 396 year old Matriarch that has birthed 46 children and countless grandchildren. One of the brethren is Chaos, a young and head strong, not to mention arrogant, solider convinced he is the one to rid the world of the Brotherhood as the prophecy predicts.
His arrogance and Anathema’s (one of the 5 demons released from Hell) youth prove to be a volatile combination that changes the fate of all factions involved, and lays the foundation for questions creation itself.

5 people found this helpful

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Sunshine Somerville

Morally complex, original fantasy

Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2014

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A fantasy world, demons, angels, complex moral dilemmas = I’m sold.

The author clearly spent a lot of time world-building for this story, and that richness comes across on every page. The writing itself is extremely well-crafted and nearly goof-free, which makes for a very enjoyable reading experience. While the book could easily be for a YA audience, the language and subject matter also feels very adult so that the book can be enjoyed by all ages.

The world itself is a bit of a mystery. It feels old (think Middle-Earth with different races/civilizations), but there are hints that something big happened in the past which brought the world to its current state. We’re immediately thrown into the conflict between the Brotherhood of Shadows and the Children of Light, and these two groups seem to have a history stretching back some time. What started this conflict? Not sure. Much of the background is purposefully vague so you have to jump right in, and the lack of exposition for the most part works really well. (It also is worth noting that this is the first book in a collection of sorts, and I suspect a lot of the other characters/storylines will be fleshed out in the sequels, which is a unique way to go about a series and I think will pay off really well.)

The plot itself was really, really good and changed in direction many times from the way I assumed things were headed – this is in no way a typical, predictable story. We start with the “bad guys” as demons are called forth from hell to do the Brotherhood’s bidding. Then the “good guys” come in and we see that the semi-immortal Children of Light are an equally fascinating culture. We meet Chaos on one side and Anathema on the other, and although they’re from different sides of the war it’s immediately clear that they’re kindred spirits. And THAT’S what I found most interesting about the story – the author shows the struggle between good and evil, even within a single character, showing that sometimes the lines are not so easily drawn.

I will say that Chaos and Anathema both really annoyed me for about the first half of the book, but they’re supposed to be arrogant, testosterone-driven know-it-alls, so I’m sure that was mostly purposeful on the author’s part. But all the whining was a bit much for me. However, once they met and the unexpected twist happened, the story got bigger with the introduction of angels and other characters, and that helped to smooth out the story for me. Because this is Chaos’s chronicle, the minor characters weren’t fleshed out very much, and even when we see glimpses from their viewpoints these characters felt a little bit flat to me. I would’ve liked to get a little wider feel for the world and these people, but again the author is clearly focused on this being Chaos’s story, so the focus makes sense.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and liked the moral complexity the author infused into the story. Definitely worth a read if you like fantasy with a unique mythology involving demons and angels.

5 people found this helpful

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Kenneth J. Kerr

Fascinating YA Fantasy

Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2014

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The Human Realm, demons from Hell, and angels from Heaven; The Children of Light and The Brotherhood of Shadow; The first Chronicle focuses on the character, Chaos. A Fantasy world where the classic struggle between good and evil takes on an interesting twist when a good human, Chaos, and an evil demon, Anathema, fall in love. Demons can't feel love, they can only feel evil emotions, so what will happen when the evil demon Anathema experiences the emotion of love?

D.M. Cain has developed her own fantasy world and plans to write a series of books focusing on a different main character in each book. Humans populate her fantasy world, but they are different from the humans we know. The Human Realm is divided into two groups who battle for domination. The author has dropped the readers into her fantasy world where the conflict between the two major human groups changes when the Brotherhood of Shadow brings demons from Hell into the conflict. The demons can disguise themselves as humans and transform back and forth. The Children of Light counter with angels from heaven that can also disguise and transform.

D.M. Cain has a great imagination, and has written an outstanding first book in her Light and Shadow Chronicles Series. Her descriptions of the world and the inhabitants, including the demons and angels is very well done, and her writing style keeps the action moving at an enjoyable pace.

I strongly recommend this book to everyone who likes YA Fantasy.

2 people found this helpful

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Mark Johnson

Not bad

Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015

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I enjoyed the book very much. The unexpected homosexual relationship was well done and while not my usual thing was fun to watch play out. However, this book has typos that drove me nuts. Whatever happened to editing in this country? Overall though a good read.

6 people found this helpful

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Brad

No Heart

Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2019

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I have never given 2 stars to a book before, nor have I ever commented on a book before, but this book was just that bad. There was no atmosphere, no real passion in the book. I couldn't get into any of the characters. It was more like reading a list of events that happened. So this happened, then this happened, so he said, and they reacted, and they felt like this. Even the banter felt forced, artificial, like robots were talking to each other, and they were programmed to feel a certain way but they didn't know why.

7 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Carol Macfie Lange

A HEARTRENDING TALE OF BRUTALITY, LOVE, COMPASSION AND DESTINY.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2015

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This wonderful work of fantasy literature is not just for young adults. It is for all who love to be taken into the hearts and yearnings of the characters, to see them come alive, and to experience their conflicting worlds. In landscapes so vividly and poetically described that we feel we are there inside them, DM Cain depicts a world of complex opposites when the love and compassion of the Children of Light strive to overcome the destructiveness and violence of the vengeful Brotherhood of Darkness.

The bonding between the warriors Chaos and Anthema takes place without either realizing that they are adversaries. They fall in love. Slowly Chaos is led to the discovery of his lover's true nature. As he goes into battle, the writer paints a magical sense of place and time: "...a faint mist coated the fields, obscuring the approaching figures. The sun's golden rays shone through the mist and illuminated the droplets that hung in the glistening air". But the atmosphere changes abruptly when the truth dawns on Chaos as he witnesses the metamorphosis of Anathema into demon form. The transformation is horrific, chilling. He is the embodiment of evil. Chaos is appalled, transfixed: "all was muted, slow motion, inconceivable." Anathema captures him. Yet although he fantasizes about the slaughter of the Children of Light, and "the destruction of the pure was like a drug in his veins", he cannot bring himself to kill Chaos.

Dialogue between the two men - and throughout the book - is dynamic and believable. The unforgivable sin, as Anathema tells Chaos, is that "you tried to love me and to make me love you." He brutally tortures and destroys the angel Icarus, because it satisfies him "to take such divine perfection, and ruin it." With the passing of time, however, Anathema begins to change. His love for Chaos humanizes and restrains him: "the avenues of thought and understanding opened up to him ... emotion flooded his senses...", and he cannot destroy his lover. He flees the Brotherhood of Darkness "haunted by the faces of every person he has murdered". We can feel the tension build, wondering if he will survive, and how. And astonishingly, I found myself caring about what happened to him. Into this dilemma moves a mysterious, shadowy figure, appearing to represent the power of conscience.

This book, and this series, should be adapted to a rousing and successful film or TV series. The writer is gifted with an extraordinary imagination in the building and description of characters and the landscapes in which they live and die. We learn about them not only through vivid visualization, but also in the thoughts they express. Once again, we see this writer's ability to place social commentary and conviction subtly within the heart of her writing.

Providence with her long, golden hair and wings of whitest feathers, reminds us that "humans are free beings, allowed to choose their allegiance as they wish." The cascading, white blonde hair of Callista, her lithe figure covered by filmy white garments, veil the wisdom of a matriarchal leader when she reminds her people of "compassion and the capacity for forgiveness", and that "without virtue, it is only a small step to becoming tyrants". The angel Tensi proclaims, "to me, violence is never a solution, merely a further problem. I offer support through healing".

The Demons of the Brotherhood of Darkness represent Sloth, Cowardice, Destruction ( and the Malice of Anathema).
Chaos gives sanctuary to his lover with the Children of Light, but is warned of Anathema's probable inability to adapt humankind; that he "will bring you down from within if you get to close to him", and of his propensity for "the destruction of innocence, the sheer bliss of crushing a life of beauty", all of which pronouncements resonate later in the story.

Is Anathema able to adapt to the ways of humankind? Can he transcend the violence and horror of his past demonic life, his predilection for torture and death? "The only way for a demon to turn human is to feel love", the angels warn the Children of Light.

I will not reveal the choices and the journeys the two men take to their destinies, except to say that the ending had me close to tears and that the judgements I made earlier in the story became irrelevant. And that I eagerly await the next book, The Shield of Soren!

One person found this helpful

Miff

A Sweeping Fantasy With a Very Relevant Message.

Reviewed in Australia on July 24, 2015

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DM Cain had me cringing in fear with The Phoenix Project, this time around she took me into a world of angels and demons with humankind the hapless middle group. This is much more than just a story about good versus evil. It's an insight into an unconventional love between two males one human and one a demon. Don't think for one moment that this is a gay romance in any traditional sense. The characters genders are superfluous to the books real message that of love and tolerance and overcoming obstacles and doubt. In addition to this,DM creates a visual cornucopia of demon savagery and angelic might coupled with rich detail and wonderful narrative. I'm now a dedicated fan of the series and I look forward to the next instalment.

Kevin Chilvers (Author)

An Entertaining Fantasy.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2015

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This Fantasy novel follows the war between two human nations – Children of Light (good) and Brothers of Shadow (evil).
The author creates an intriguing world in which humans, angels and demons clash and an unexpected meeting alters the course of history.
The plot is full of unexpected twists and keeps you guessing to the end.
A great read, though I feel that the overuse of adjectives view slows the pace in places and the omniscient point distances me from the story (this is however a personal view). Still I think that this is an author to watch in future if you enjoy fantasy.

Kevin Chilvers (Author)

tony bourne

It's fantasy Jim but not as we know it.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2014

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'A Chronicle of Chaos' is a love story, but not just any love story. Cain builds on the classic Romeo and Juliet trope but this isn't just as tale of Montague and Capulet, of enemies discovering their love for each other and the impossible odds against realizing it. It is that of course, but not just that. It's not just a story of love between two men where homoerotic love is sensationalised, though their love is to be found to be sensational. It is a love story that it both unbelievable and yet utterly believable and it is one that demands to be felt as the characters explore their feelings for each other.

That's it, that's the review.

Though I suppose saying a few more things wouldn't hurt.

Cain builds a world full of character and exemplifies the use of classic tropes in storytelling to build a feeling of familiarity and then subtly twisting them into something different. You think you've read the classic story of heaven versus hell, the war between demon and angel? You've not read Cain's version. Think you know the story of an elite band of soldiers who don't age? Think again. You'll start the book thinking you know how the story will go and at the end you'll realise that the ending is vastly different to your original expectations yet it was inevitably all along.

Something to keep in mind is that this is the first book in a series and as such there is a lot of world building going on, a lot of names are placed out there. This book is the foundation. Though don't get confused, this story isn't the beginning. When you start reading this book you are already well into a four hundred year war. As the series progresses each book will jump around the timeline, giving the whole story but not necessarily in a linear fashion, much like a Tarantino movie.

And much like a movie this book moves quickly from scene to scene. There is no filler in this book, all the chaff has been separated and all we are left with is the fine grain. As such 'A Chronicle of Chaos' is faster paced than your typical fantasy novel. Here the journey is purely about the human condition. So if your thing is endless miles on horseback after a mysterious magic object then this isn't the story for you, though I urge you to try it anyway because the journey contained within is definitely worth it.

The most important question though of any book review is 'did you enjoy it'?

Yes, I did and so will you.

One person found this helpful

Galning

Bit GOT wannabe?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2017

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I'm giving this a 3 - even though I'm giving up at around 40%. I read books from all kinds of genres which sometimes stretches to kids stuff (recently read the first Harry Potter) - so I'm pretty flexible about the kind of book I read. But this one just isn't grabbing me. The main character, Chaos, is just a whining, pain the rear brat. And without someone to like, to root for, I'm struggling to push on.

So far there has been a lot of descriptions of fight action, which I found boring. I suspect this book is more for a younger audience and, for me, there's just not enough there to grab my attention.

I gave it a 3rd star because the author is competent...but with all the fighting, immortality, sending mythical birds with messages, demons and guarding of territories and stuff I just can't help feeling it's a bit of a GOT wannabe. But don't let me put you off as plenty of other people seem to love it.

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