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The Dark Portal
"Honored delegates. The threat is real. I've encountered an alien, just one, and that was enough."
Professor Darrovan Weiv, an alien theorist, always dreamed of making first contact. But when a midnight kidnapping drags him to The Dome-a covert facility shrouded in secrecy-his captivity turns lethal. As the body count rises, it's less about discovery, and more about the truth: only survival matters.
Professor Darrovan Weiv, an alien theorist, always dreamed of making first contact. But when a midnight kidnapping drags him to The Dome-a covert facility shrouded in secrecy-his captivity turns lethal. As the body count rises, it's less about discovery, and more about the truth: only survival matters.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2020
4 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Belote
11 books23 followersTwenty-year vet writer of novellas and tomes; the grittier, the darker, the more the characters must go through, the better. In the bleakest of worlds, characters shine all the more! I strive to make readers weep, not only because I just slaughtered their favorite character, but because the ending was sudden, unexpected, and impactful!
My genres are grimdark epic fantasy, military sci-fi fantasy, horror/thriller, and currently working on a western fantasy about monster-slaying bounty hunters working for the gods of their holy house.
I'm a wandering Texan who served Uncle Sam for four years, moved about—'here and there and back again,' and been to the far reaches around the world. Always looking for another great adventure, some new idea to write and explore, and a couple of other things along the way to make my life complete.
If you want to know more, check out my blog: https://outpostdire.com
My genres are grimdark epic fantasy, military sci-fi fantasy, horror/thriller, and currently working on a western fantasy about monster-slaying bounty hunters working for the gods of their holy house.
I'm a wandering Texan who served Uncle Sam for four years, moved about—'here and there and back again,' and been to the far reaches around the world. Always looking for another great adventure, some new idea to write and explore, and a couple of other things along the way to make my life complete.
If you want to know more, check out my blog: https://outpostdire.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
May 1, 2025
This was tense. It had some similar dynamics to The Thing, especially towards the end, when you didn’t know who was actually themselves versus this alien force. So, as the reader, I just felt like I was on edge during the entire story. And as the truth about this dark portal became more clear, it became downright terrifying. Darrovan was also like an Ian Malcom from Jurassic Park, where he was this subtle genius who was ridiculed and laughed off for his chaos theories. But, in actuality, he was right about almost everything. The other interesting choice made by the author was to not have some of our characters not be human. So when their claws and scales are referenced, it just took me some time to acclimate to it. I do wish this was built on a bit more, as I did constantly revert to just thinking they were all normal humans based off their behaviors, attire, language, etc. Now the dark portal is just a hostile entity, and is more cerebral in its approach, as opposed to just being a little green man cruising around with a laser gun. I’ll stop there, as to not spoil anything. I’d classify this as a science fiction thriller, and it just had a lot going for it. Great effort by this author and I also want to thank him for his service, too!
October 10, 2021
A very interesting premise. It’s the first book where I see an alien call another one an “alien”, for example. The only thing I didn’t quite like was that it felt a little bit rushed. I think it’s a very interesting concept that can be expanded. But in general, the story is well written, the characters are interesting, and the author built their world in a consistent way. All in all, the story is worth the read if one likes this genre.
December 25, 2021
This book was phenomenal! I'm not much for sci-fi, but this story was such an interesting premise. It starts right in the middle of things, so it is so fast to get into. I remember being so confused because when I read the concept of alien encounter, I thought it meant humans making first contact with an alien, but no, it's other extraterrestrial beings - of different races/types - all on a military base that have found another alien or really something foreign because at first they do not know that it is an alien. The book itself does not a lot to lay down the groundwork when we first meet Dr. Darrovan Wiev. We just know he is an alien theorist that has been mocked by his own kind for his studies, but even he, having been ripped in the dead of night from his own bed, has no idea what he's about to deal with. Halfway through the story, there's a huge shift and it feels like everything goes into overdrive and the story is even more gripping than ever. I was so desperate as I read to get to the end because each word made me wonder what would come next. [Spoilers here, so don't read on if you want to avoid those.] One thing that I was confused about and wish the author would have elaborated on is when Lias is listening in to Dr. Wiev's conversation with Zhidur is why Zhidur then freaks out and talks about a betrayal? Immediately I thought it was just the knowing that the conversation has been infiltrated, but that seems so superficial a reason to get so irrationally angry considering what comes next. I would have liked more of a development of Zhidur to understand what it is that made him angry to lash out as he did and also to learn just WHY he harbored ill intent towards the other aliens in that military base or even the universe. We never really get an explanation of that, but I would have really liked that.
All in all, I loved this short story of an alien encounter. It was so different and just enthralling. I'm so glad Dr. Wiev and Dr. Brelo get a happy ending and we get a nice epilogue that sorts of ties things together, but I was saddened for the tragedy that preceded the end. Highly recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of sci-fi and likes the idea of potential alien encounters.
All in all, I loved this short story of an alien encounter. It was so different and just enthralling. I'm so glad Dr. Wiev and Dr. Brelo get a happy ending and we get a nice epilogue that sorts of ties things together, but I was saddened for the tragedy that preceded the end. Highly recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of sci-fi and likes the idea of potential alien encounters.
February 14, 2023
"The Dark Portal" by Kyle Belote is a science fiction novella that tells the story of Darrovan Weiv, a Professor in the field of alien studies who is kidnapped and taken to a military base where he is tasked with examining a mysterious and dangerous alien entity.
It is a fast-paced and gripping science fiction story, and has a tight construction, with excellent world-building.
Readers who enjoy science fiction, like myself, will likely find "The Dark Portal" to be an enthralling and tense read. The story is gripping and builds tension as the truth about the alien entity becomes more clear, and the dynamics between characters and their possible alien possession adds to the suspense. Although I wish that some of the aspects were explored more fully.
Overall, it is a well-executed and enjoyable novella that packs a lot of story into a short amount of space. It is a great short read for fans of science fiction who are looking for a fast-paced and gripping story.
It is a fast-paced and gripping science fiction story, and has a tight construction, with excellent world-building.
Readers who enjoy science fiction, like myself, will likely find "The Dark Portal" to be an enthralling and tense read. The story is gripping and builds tension as the truth about the alien entity becomes more clear, and the dynamics between characters and their possible alien possession adds to the suspense. Although I wish that some of the aspects were explored more fully.
Overall, it is a well-executed and enjoyable novella that packs a lot of story into a short amount of space. It is a great short read for fans of science fiction who are looking for a fast-paced and gripping story.
August 9, 2021
Darroven, an Alien theorist who has spent his whole life looking for an opportunity to put his studies in a practical use. When that opportunity finally came, he realized that it's wasn't as dreamy as he thought it would be. From talking to an Alien to being attacked by one, this story will keep your mind at it's toes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2023
Highly interesting, satisfying, and a real page-turner
It's a rich sci-fi story that's fast-paced despite being a short read. This is something I'd read when the sun is up because it has a horror/suspense element to it. The development of the plot is creative and unpredictable.
It definitely feels original due to its creative manner of story telling.
It's a rich sci-fi story that's fast-paced despite being a short read. This is something I'd read when the sun is up because it has a horror/suspense element to it. The development of the plot is creative and unpredictable.
It definitely feels original due to its creative manner of story telling.
June 1, 2022
I found this to be a short but very intriguing read.
Initially, I felt I didn't know much about any of the characters, or how they came to be in the situation they were in, but that didn't seem to matter. I felt the story escalated quickly, and I was taken in. I read one chapter, then another, then another, in fact, I read most of the story in one sitting. While it was only a short story, I felt that the author created an atmosphere quickly, that remained throughout.
The situation in the story was something that I found unsettling, but that was something that encouraged me to keep reading and turning the pages. While I was reading, I sometimes formed images in my mind of what was happening, and felt this would work well as a storyline for a sci-fi/horror film. While it wasn't a long story, I might be interested to read a sequel, if ever there should be one.
Initially, I felt I didn't know much about any of the characters, or how they came to be in the situation they were in, but that didn't seem to matter. I felt the story escalated quickly, and I was taken in. I read one chapter, then another, then another, in fact, I read most of the story in one sitting. While it was only a short story, I felt that the author created an atmosphere quickly, that remained throughout.
The situation in the story was something that I found unsettling, but that was something that encouraged me to keep reading and turning the pages. While I was reading, I sometimes formed images in my mind of what was happening, and felt this would work well as a storyline for a sci-fi/horror film. While it wasn't a long story, I might be interested to read a sequel, if ever there should be one.
March 5, 2022
Not my usual type of read, but the description sounded so intriguing that I had to check it out. I was glad I did because the story was so entertaining. With a very unique perspective, this book could make you wonder and ponder. Recommended.
August 21, 2023
I'm not much of a sci-fi fan, so I knew it would be hard to start at first.
It was, but once I opened it again I couldn't stop until the end. I just wanted to know what was going to happen on the next page and the atmosphere never let up.
I struggled to get into the atmosphere, because at first it seemed like an episode of something bigger. I was as lost and disoriented as our protagonist.
It seems to me that, although scarred physically, mentally and emotionally, Darrovan may return in search of more answers, to expand the universe?
There is no trace of humans, they seem far more advanced than us and believe themselves to be the only ones in the universe, until the arrival of the Dark Portal, but why did he react like that? Do we have any way of knowing? Are they coming back?
I appreciate the language used by the author to make it all more understandable and graphic.
With this kind of fragments it is very easy for me to imagine the plot of a film:
"Yes, that's a great idea," Darrovan muttered. Let's split up. Totally normal in this kind of situation.
situations. His eyes scanned the gloomy room. "Nothing can go wrong in a shattered room with body parts lying all over the place."
This book came to me through the Booktasters Review Program, thank you so much💖.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
No soy muy fan de la ciencia ficción, así que sabía que me iba a costar empezarlo...
Lo fue, pero una vez que volví a abrirlo no pude parar hasta el final. Sólo quería saber qué iba a pasar en la página siguiente y la atmósfera no decaía en ningún momento.
Aunque me costó entrar en dicha atmósfera, porque al principio parecía un episodio de algo más grande. Estaba tan perdida y desorientada como nuestro protagonista.
Me parece que, aunque con cicatrices física, mental y emocionalmente, Darrovan puede volver en busca de más respuestas, ¿Para expandir el universo creado?
No hay rastro de humanos, parecen mucho más avanzados que nosotros y se creen los únicos en el universo, hasta la llegada del The Dark Portal, pero ¿por qué reaccionó así? ¿Tenemos alguna forma de saberlo? ¿Van a volver?
Agradezco el lenguaje utilizado por el autor para hacerlo todo más comprensible y gráfico.
Con este tipo de fragmentos me resulta muy fácil imaginarme el argumento de una película:
"Sí, es una gran idea -murmuró Darrovan-. Separémonos. Totalmente normal en este tipo de
situaciones. Sus ojos recorrieron la sombría habitación. "Nada puede salir mal en una habitación destrozada y con trozos de cuerpos tirados por todas partes".
Este libro me llegó a través del Programa de Reseñas de Booktasters, muchas gracias💖.
It was, but once I opened it again I couldn't stop until the end. I just wanted to know what was going to happen on the next page and the atmosphere never let up.
I struggled to get into the atmosphere, because at first it seemed like an episode of something bigger. I was as lost and disoriented as our protagonist.
It seems to me that, although scarred physically, mentally and emotionally, Darrovan may return in search of more answers, to expand the universe?
There is no trace of humans, they seem far more advanced than us and believe themselves to be the only ones in the universe, until the arrival of the Dark Portal, but why did he react like that? Do we have any way of knowing? Are they coming back?
I appreciate the language used by the author to make it all more understandable and graphic.
With this kind of fragments it is very easy for me to imagine the plot of a film:
"Yes, that's a great idea," Darrovan muttered. Let's split up. Totally normal in this kind of situation.
situations. His eyes scanned the gloomy room. "Nothing can go wrong in a shattered room with body parts lying all over the place."
This book came to me through the Booktasters Review Program, thank you so much💖.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
No soy muy fan de la ciencia ficción, así que sabía que me iba a costar empezarlo...
Lo fue, pero una vez que volví a abrirlo no pude parar hasta el final. Sólo quería saber qué iba a pasar en la página siguiente y la atmósfera no decaía en ningún momento.
Aunque me costó entrar en dicha atmósfera, porque al principio parecía un episodio de algo más grande. Estaba tan perdida y desorientada como nuestro protagonista.
Me parece que, aunque con cicatrices física, mental y emocionalmente, Darrovan puede volver en busca de más respuestas, ¿Para expandir el universo creado?
No hay rastro de humanos, parecen mucho más avanzados que nosotros y se creen los únicos en el universo, hasta la llegada del The Dark Portal, pero ¿por qué reaccionó así? ¿Tenemos alguna forma de saberlo? ¿Van a volver?
Agradezco el lenguaje utilizado por el autor para hacerlo todo más comprensible y gráfico.
Con este tipo de fragmentos me resulta muy fácil imaginarme el argumento de una película:
"Sí, es una gran idea -murmuró Darrovan-. Separémonos. Totalmente normal en este tipo de
situaciones. Sus ojos recorrieron la sombría habitación. "Nada puede salir mal en una habitación destrozada y con trozos de cuerpos tirados por todas partes".
Este libro me llegó a través del Programa de Reseñas de Booktasters, muchas gracias💖.
November 6, 2023
“Science fiction, outside of poetry, is the only literary field which has no limits, no parameters whatsoever. You can go not only into the future, but into that wonderful place called other, which is simply another universe, another planet, another species.”
— Theodore Sturgeon
Disclaimer: I am a heavy critic of Science-Fiction media, whether it is literary, or visual media such as TV shows, movies, etc.
As a consequence, my review will likely be heavily influenced by this personal bias.
REVIEW:
Though I do heavily dislike any stories involving aliens, from movies to written stories, I will admit that the story written by Mr. Belote turned out to be quite an enganging read.
Like another review mentioned, I, too, was on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the story, wondering what turn it would take and where it would go, or if it would go where I would guess it would (it didn't).
I didn't expect for Talcen to be a robot, having seen multiple characters with his characteristics (in terms of personality) across media that were always made of flesh and bone.
An alien that is an alien theorist, labeled as a conspiracy theorist by his own kind, that ended up meeting a different alien from him was certainly an interesting reading ride.
Though I have enjoyed the book, it felt a bit too grim for my own personal taste, with what the dark cloud alien was doing to the aliens within the research facility.
This in particular is what I take issue with in alien-related media: they are all evil and out to kill at the slightest perceived slight.
Perhaps it is true, perhaps it isn't. I'm not here to debate whether aliens are good or evil; but Sci-Fi media in general seems to take pleasure in exposing gore similar to horror movies.
The writing skills of the author deserve 5 stars as an author able to keep someone on the edge of their seat and too entertained by the story to put the book down is an achievement many aspire to; but my personal "beef" with Sci-Fi media "forces" me to keep my rating to 3 stars (for anyone reading this, please keep in mind that I rate Sci-Fi media to 1 star, so THREE stars from someone as biased as me towards it is no easy feat!).
I deeply apologize for that.
If Mr. Belote ever will have a story that is not Sci-Fi themed, I will more than gladly be willing to read it.
— Theodore Sturgeon
Disclaimer: I am a heavy critic of Science-Fiction media, whether it is literary, or visual media such as TV shows, movies, etc.
As a consequence, my review will likely be heavily influenced by this personal bias.
REVIEW:
Though I do heavily dislike any stories involving aliens, from movies to written stories, I will admit that the story written by Mr. Belote turned out to be quite an enganging read.
Like another review mentioned, I, too, was on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the story, wondering what turn it would take and where it would go, or if it would go where I would guess it would (it didn't).
I didn't expect for Talcen to be a robot, having seen multiple characters with his characteristics (in terms of personality) across media that were always made of flesh and bone.
An alien that is an alien theorist, labeled as a conspiracy theorist by his own kind, that ended up meeting a different alien from him was certainly an interesting reading ride.
Though I have enjoyed the book, it felt a bit too grim for my own personal taste, with what the dark cloud alien was doing to the aliens within the research facility.
This in particular is what I take issue with in alien-related media: they are all evil and out to kill at the slightest perceived slight.
Perhaps it is true, perhaps it isn't. I'm not here to debate whether aliens are good or evil; but Sci-Fi media in general seems to take pleasure in exposing gore similar to horror movies.
The writing skills of the author deserve 5 stars as an author able to keep someone on the edge of their seat and too entertained by the story to put the book down is an achievement many aspire to; but my personal "beef" with Sci-Fi media "forces" me to keep my rating to 3 stars (for anyone reading this, please keep in mind that I rate Sci-Fi media to 1 star, so THREE stars from someone as biased as me towards it is no easy feat!).
I deeply apologize for that.
If Mr. Belote ever will have a story that is not Sci-Fi themed, I will more than gladly be willing to read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2021
They aren't human.
That's the first thing that learned about characters reading this book.
Upon reading this, very short story, a was initially thrown by the descriptions of tentacles and scales. I'm not sure if this is a series and this is the second book, but the main characters of The Dark Portal seem to be of an involved species. This is fascinating because the whole plot of the story is for them to learn what the Dark Portal is, a strange alien creature itself. I find that quite interesting.
I can't recall another time where the aliens studied another alien without some kind of human influence or at least as a supporting role.
Their world is also extremely evolved, like a cyberpunk version of ours, however, we are confined to mostly one setting: a high-tech, secretive building. Our lead, Darrovan, a professor in alien theory, is yanked from his bed and thrown into said building in the dead of night. There he meets a new set of scientists and other special intelligence characters to help them figure out what the Dark Portal is, if it's alive and intelligent and if it means to do them harm.
One thing I like about this story is how they start it off. There is practically no exposition like how some stories do, instead, we are thrown into a strange world under strange circumstances with an equally odd duck main lead. Small pieces of backstory and history are spread throughout as the story progresses, which I find to be the most entertaining way of telling a story. The characters are unique enough to be remembered like Lia, the head man in charge of the building, and Guinnian, another scientist who for all his brilliance couldn't comprehend the meaning of manners if his life depended on it. Normally a story under a hundred pages usually qualifies for a superficial plot that's trying to sell you something, but The Dark Portal is different. It provided an interesting plot and viewpoint, and after a few chapters of adjusting, I found myself invested in the big mystery!
That's the first thing that learned about characters reading this book.
Upon reading this, very short story, a was initially thrown by the descriptions of tentacles and scales. I'm not sure if this is a series and this is the second book, but the main characters of The Dark Portal seem to be of an involved species. This is fascinating because the whole plot of the story is for them to learn what the Dark Portal is, a strange alien creature itself. I find that quite interesting.
I can't recall another time where the aliens studied another alien without some kind of human influence or at least as a supporting role.
Their world is also extremely evolved, like a cyberpunk version of ours, however, we are confined to mostly one setting: a high-tech, secretive building. Our lead, Darrovan, a professor in alien theory, is yanked from his bed and thrown into said building in the dead of night. There he meets a new set of scientists and other special intelligence characters to help them figure out what the Dark Portal is, if it's alive and intelligent and if it means to do them harm.
One thing I like about this story is how they start it off. There is practically no exposition like how some stories do, instead, we are thrown into a strange world under strange circumstances with an equally odd duck main lead. Small pieces of backstory and history are spread throughout as the story progresses, which I find to be the most entertaining way of telling a story. The characters are unique enough to be remembered like Lia, the head man in charge of the building, and Guinnian, another scientist who for all his brilliance couldn't comprehend the meaning of manners if his life depended on it. Normally a story under a hundred pages usually qualifies for a superficial plot that's trying to sell you something, but The Dark Portal is different. It provided an interesting plot and viewpoint, and after a few chapters of adjusting, I found myself invested in the big mystery!
October 21, 2021
A suspenseful introduction really did a great job to tickle your imagination. This is a science fiction-themed story that lies with extraterrestrial beings, portals, telepathy, and even control the minds of others. This is a story that would make you think to a lot of conclusions. I admired the bravery and intellect of Darrovan that even though he was being manipulated, he fought the urge and he was able to thrive and help others. It caused a lot of deaths before they could even survive. I love the way how he thinks ahead in order to process everything and to find its solution. It is the story of how aliens imitate human beings and control their minds in favor of them. It also said that it wanted to use the knowledge of Calistor but it realized that its knowledge isn’t as accurate as how Darrovans thought. Its purpose is to gain knowledge and share knowledge but it wanted to use it for its own perspective. It came for answers, for information about us, and decided we were a threat. It came for the eradication of the entire other species. This story also proved that no man is an island. We should always trust people who always have our back and thank them for their willingness to help to disregard the threats. They could also be a great help in sharing thoughts and analyzing things.
Overall, it is a great read. Very engaging and it has the ability to grow more interest while reading. This could also make you think about the theories of the extraterrestrial beings in our galaxy. We aren’t even a percent close to exploring the universe and we might have or haven’t discovered other living species but we should know that there is a lot more to unfold in our galaxy.
Overall, it is a great read. Very engaging and it has the ability to grow more interest while reading. This could also make you think about the theories of the extraterrestrial beings in our galaxy. We aren’t even a percent close to exploring the universe and we might have or haven’t discovered other living species but we should know that there is a lot more to unfold in our galaxy.
December 16, 2022
This book draws you in, it builds up a sense of mystery and puts you on the edge.
People with scales … claws !!! Abandoned military base !
That was mind boggling to me? I kept wondering the entire read … scales how!! That added to the intrigue - I couldn’t put the book down.
This book starts with a bang, Darrovan kidnapped into top secret and secure science facility. As Proffesor and an alien theorist for him this was bitter sweet. He dedicated his life and was searching for first encounter and there it was. But certainly not how he had mapped it in his mind.
This a was an action packed adventure, fifth gear level from the start for him. No time to acclimatise; in his first few hours Zhidur the liquid/smoke/plasma alien had invaded his mind and could speak to him as in a dream. It needed to control him though but Darrovan was refusing.
Zhidur the alien visited earth from a galaxy far away to learn about and from humans. What this alien discovered necessitated that humans must be annihilated, they harbour secrets, lie … that triggered devilish anger for it - relentless destruction ensued
I wonder how this alien was captured in the Dome in the first place or how it chose scientists to capture it; that added to the mystery.
Great read and unputdownable.
People with scales … claws !!! Abandoned military base !
That was mind boggling to me? I kept wondering the entire read … scales how!! That added to the intrigue - I couldn’t put the book down.
This book starts with a bang, Darrovan kidnapped into top secret and secure science facility. As Proffesor and an alien theorist for him this was bitter sweet. He dedicated his life and was searching for first encounter and there it was. But certainly not how he had mapped it in his mind.
This a was an action packed adventure, fifth gear level from the start for him. No time to acclimatise; in his first few hours Zhidur the liquid/smoke/plasma alien had invaded his mind and could speak to him as in a dream. It needed to control him though but Darrovan was refusing.
Zhidur the alien visited earth from a galaxy far away to learn about and from humans. What this alien discovered necessitated that humans must be annihilated, they harbour secrets, lie … that triggered devilish anger for it - relentless destruction ensued
I wonder how this alien was captured in the Dome in the first place or how it chose scientists to capture it; that added to the mystery.
Great read and unputdownable.
January 15, 2023
I am not really much into sci-fi, so I was worried if I would be able to finish this book, but guess what? It appeared to be a great book, so I finished it faster than I expected.
At first, I was so confused by the scales and claws because I assumed the characters were humans. Who would have thought that it would be a story of an alien fighting against another alien? So I would say that added to the novelty of the book.
I was really annoyed with *character's name*, so I was shocked by the plot twist at the end. Very sci-fi indeed! I was also scared that one of them might be a traitor, so there was this one particular moment where I added more focus to my reading to start suspecting something. I am into mystery thrillers, so it just grabbed my attention right away.
Overall, I expected the story to be fast-paced given the number of pages, so I was not affected when the story seemed rushed. I just hoped that there would be more information about the alien than just being a *role in the story*. I enjoyed reading this book; in fact, it helped me with my reading slump. This book is a five out of five if you're into sci-fi, but due to personal preferences, I will give it a four out of five. Even if you're not a sci-fi fan, this is worth giving a try, so to everyone who's planning to read it, I hope you'll enjoy it as well.
Ps. I tried my best to not give any spoilers so the future readers won't be spoiled. Please don't get confused with the asterisk parts.
At first, I was so confused by the scales and claws because I assumed the characters were humans. Who would have thought that it would be a story of an alien fighting against another alien? So I would say that added to the novelty of the book.
I was really annoyed with *character's name*, so I was shocked by the plot twist at the end. Very sci-fi indeed! I was also scared that one of them might be a traitor, so there was this one particular moment where I added more focus to my reading to start suspecting something. I am into mystery thrillers, so it just grabbed my attention right away.
Overall, I expected the story to be fast-paced given the number of pages, so I was not affected when the story seemed rushed. I just hoped that there would be more information about the alien than just being a *role in the story*. I enjoyed reading this book; in fact, it helped me with my reading slump. This book is a five out of five if you're into sci-fi, but due to personal preferences, I will give it a four out of five. Even if you're not a sci-fi fan, this is worth giving a try, so to everyone who's planning to read it, I hope you'll enjoy it as well.
Ps. I tried my best to not give any spoilers so the future readers won't be spoiled. Please don't get confused with the asterisk parts.
October 31, 2021
Each chapter was captivating and only at the start was I bit puzzled, but, now that I’ve read the entire story the beginning almost gave me that sensation that I was thrown into the dome myself. I really felt just as confused as Darrovan himself!! I also realised from “claws” and “scales” that what I pictured were “humans” weren’t so human at all, that I liked. Then, Talcen assured my assumptions were to some extent correct, he is a robot after all. I thought the characters were very well chosen and I quite liked the idea of non-human creatures who would seem alien to me, research and hold an alien themselves! The only downside for me is I was really expecting to dig deeper into Zhidur’s feelings, which I think it quite lacked. I guess it was an alienated alien after all. I wish we got a more deeper background story instead of just how they looked and the constant calling… I felt like the dark portal lacked a little purpose. Other than that, the story was great! I look forward to reading more work from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2021
A very nice book, with an extraordinary introduction. The mystery/suspense aspect in the beginning really intrigued me into reading a ton at once, despite not having the time to.
I'm not really much of an extraterrestrial thing' type of a guy, but this book had its thing in me.
The book explores and introduces the reader to different extraterrestrial mysteries, which felt really unique.
Maybe it's cuz I'm new to the genre, but this book felt really deep to me in some way.
For example the part where, despite being manipulated, the MC still wanted to help others. This aspect speaks alot about humanity as a whole, and how we're different from other creatures.
The book also taught me that just how tiny we are, compared to the world, and just how much humanity still has to learn, and discover.
This science fiction was probably my best science fiction read, yet.
A huge thanks to BookTasters community for giving me the opportutinity to read and review the book!
I'm not really much of an extraterrestrial thing' type of a guy, but this book had its thing in me.
The book explores and introduces the reader to different extraterrestrial mysteries, which felt really unique.
Maybe it's cuz I'm new to the genre, but this book felt really deep to me in some way.
For example the part where, despite being manipulated, the MC still wanted to help others. This aspect speaks alot about humanity as a whole, and how we're different from other creatures.
The book also taught me that just how tiny we are, compared to the world, and just how much humanity still has to learn, and discover.
This science fiction was probably my best science fiction read, yet.
A huge thanks to BookTasters community for giving me the opportutinity to read and review the book!
January 31, 2022
Professor Darrovan Weiv is in trouble. He has just been ripped from his life and is apparently being taken to his death by someone. As a professor in alien studies he is seen by the government as a non-conformist and by fellow academics as a bit of a quack. His next several hours are some of the best and worst of his life to date.
As this is a novella, the story has a fast pace and there is not much room for fluff or side stories. It is quite remarkable how well the author builds a world in such a short number of pages. While there is so much more I would like to know about this world and it’s inhabitants I must be satisfied with this one episode in its history.
The construction and execution of the story are excellent and I hope that this is a jumping off place from which more stories can be told. I feel that the story is complete and the resolution fits. It would be a wonderful one night read for any sci-fi fan.
As this is a novella, the story has a fast pace and there is not much room for fluff or side stories. It is quite remarkable how well the author builds a world in such a short number of pages. While there is so much more I would like to know about this world and it’s inhabitants I must be satisfied with this one episode in its history.
The construction and execution of the story are excellent and I hope that this is a jumping off place from which more stories can be told. I feel that the story is complete and the resolution fits. It would be a wonderful one night read for any sci-fi fan.
August 10, 2023
I must confess I am not a fan of sci-fi or fantasy, however that won't stop me giving a favourable review of this short book.
The story is about a reptilian professor named Dannovan who specializes in aliens. He is kidnapped and taken to a secure former military base.
He has no idea why, and is quite concerned about his fate, not expecting to come out alive. What he encounters in there and how he escapes is the plot of this story.
It is very well told. There is plenty of suspense and action. The characters are all plausible. The dialogue moves along well and engages the reader throughout. There are some secrets which are revealed and the denouement is quite satisfying.
The physical description of the facility and the appearance of the participants is managed well. The author obviously has a good understanding of military security and how it works. He does make the story feel relevant even if it is complete fantasy. Or is it? There is even a touch of humour, and romance.
Enjoy if this is your preferred genre.
The story is about a reptilian professor named Dannovan who specializes in aliens. He is kidnapped and taken to a secure former military base.
He has no idea why, and is quite concerned about his fate, not expecting to come out alive. What he encounters in there and how he escapes is the plot of this story.
It is very well told. There is plenty of suspense and action. The characters are all plausible. The dialogue moves along well and engages the reader throughout. There are some secrets which are revealed and the denouement is quite satisfying.
The physical description of the facility and the appearance of the participants is managed well. The author obviously has a good understanding of military security and how it works. He does make the story feel relevant even if it is complete fantasy. Or is it? There is even a touch of humour, and romance.
Enjoy if this is your preferred genre.
September 27, 2023
- RATING
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- STORY PLOT
The protagonist, Professor Darrovan Wieve is an alien theorist who gets kidnapped and finds himself in an underground faculty called 'The Dome'. There, he became a part of the mission which is to study an anomaly that could be of alien origin.
- MY REVIEW
'The Dark Portal', it's just WOW. This is my first sci-fi read, and I totally loved it. To be honest, at first I didn't seem to understand the characters and the plot, which made me kinda bored, but as the story moved forward, I realised the plot was intriguing for readers. Also I really admire how the author added a slight touch of comedy amidst all the chaos. There were plot twists I didn't expect at all. While reading some of the plot twists, I was like WHAT? This is a must read for people who love reading sci-fi. It was simple and short, yet kept me on the hook while reading and made me wonder what'll happen next.
My most favourite part of the book was the introduction of the main protagonist or you may call it the introduction of the story. That part was quite suspenseful. And overall, the book was a 10/10.
---
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- STORY PLOT
The protagonist, Professor Darrovan Wieve is an alien theorist who gets kidnapped and finds himself in an underground faculty called 'The Dome'. There, he became a part of the mission which is to study an anomaly that could be of alien origin.
- MY REVIEW
'The Dark Portal', it's just WOW. This is my first sci-fi read, and I totally loved it. To be honest, at first I didn't seem to understand the characters and the plot, which made me kinda bored, but as the story moved forward, I realised the plot was intriguing for readers. Also I really admire how the author added a slight touch of comedy amidst all the chaos. There were plot twists I didn't expect at all. While reading some of the plot twists, I was like WHAT? This is a must read for people who love reading sci-fi. It was simple and short, yet kept me on the hook while reading and made me wonder what'll happen next.
My most favourite part of the book was the introduction of the main protagonist or you may call it the introduction of the story. That part was quite suspenseful. And overall, the book was a 10/10.
---
August 19, 2020
Take the threat of an alien invasion, heighten the intrigue, horror and emotions, and you'll get this masterpiece written by Kyle Belote.
The story follows Professor Darrovan Wiev as he's forced to an underground facility and confronted with the possible sign of alien life. With the hope of freedom dangling before him, he scrambles to figure out who, or what, has made contact with his people.
I must say, from all the books Kyle's written, this one's my favorite. This takes all his talent as a writer and shoves it into an action-packed treat that I absolutely devoured. Though a novella, the author took all the personality, twisted genius, light vs. dark of his previous books and threw it into one short, beautiful tale. Be prepared to read it in a single setting! I had a difficult time putting it down.
The story follows Professor Darrovan Wiev as he's forced to an underground facility and confronted with the possible sign of alien life. With the hope of freedom dangling before him, he scrambles to figure out who, or what, has made contact with his people.
I must say, from all the books Kyle's written, this one's my favorite. This takes all his talent as a writer and shoves it into an action-packed treat that I absolutely devoured. Though a novella, the author took all the personality, twisted genius, light vs. dark of his previous books and threw it into one short, beautiful tale. Be prepared to read it in a single setting! I had a difficult time putting it down.
January 2, 2022
I found this book through the Booktasters Review Program.
This is my second Kyle Belote novel, the first was The Bearer of Secrets.
As usual, Kyle has a way with words...they push you into the scene and keep you hooked. I love the idea behind the story and the fact that the characters weren't human, although bestowed with human characteristics.
The book is interesting, and it's a shame that it's so short. I feel like the author should have extended the plot, and explained why the portal is what it is. There's gold there. Well, maybe there's a sequel.
The beginning was slow-ish, but it picks up the pace quickly.
The ending wasn't very climatic too. It could have been stronger, or left us wanting more. Like I said, I think there's sequel material here.
But all in all, Kyle Belote has done a great job with The Dark Portal. It's a quick and engaging read. Well done!
This is my second Kyle Belote novel, the first was The Bearer of Secrets.
As usual, Kyle has a way with words...they push you into the scene and keep you hooked. I love the idea behind the story and the fact that the characters weren't human, although bestowed with human characteristics.
The book is interesting, and it's a shame that it's so short. I feel like the author should have extended the plot, and explained why the portal is what it is. There's gold there. Well, maybe there's a sequel.
The beginning was slow-ish, but it picks up the pace quickly.
The ending wasn't very climatic too. It could have been stronger, or left us wanting more. Like I said, I think there's sequel material here.
But all in all, Kyle Belote has done a great job with The Dark Portal. It's a quick and engaging read. Well done!
April 13, 2022
After reading this book, again I learnt that you will get what you wished for and it comes with a price. More than what you can bargain for.
Professor Dorrovan an Alien theorist was forced out of his home and dragged to military base known as, the Dome. At first, I find this story to be slow pace.
Unknown to Dorrovan, this is the journey of getting his secret prayer answered.
After his first meeting with the dark portal, thats when things sped up and I didnt have a choice but to stick to my reading. Its interesting to explore about the aliens and what they perceive us as to be.
I must say this is such a well written sci fi book with bit of poetic writing. I love theres little romance involved (lol typical woman).
Thank you Booktaster for reaching out to me and recommend this read to me on Twitter.
Professor Dorrovan an Alien theorist was forced out of his home and dragged to military base known as, the Dome. At first, I find this story to be slow pace.
Unknown to Dorrovan, this is the journey of getting his secret prayer answered.
After his first meeting with the dark portal, thats when things sped up and I didnt have a choice but to stick to my reading. Its interesting to explore about the aliens and what they perceive us as to be.
I must say this is such a well written sci fi book with bit of poetic writing. I love theres little romance involved (lol typical woman).
Thank you Booktaster for reaching out to me and recommend this read to me on Twitter.
January 11, 2023
A sci-fi novella packed with mystery, action and more than a little horror, this was a book I was sad had to end.
Kyle Belote has a talent for world building. The facility Dr Weiv finds himself in is well-developed and scarily realistic. I enjoyed the attention to detail with regard to the security procedures of the facility, which kept the tension quite high throughout.
The only little issue I had with the book was the odd information dump, but those didn't distract from the great plot and fascinating characters.
It was fun to discover the different kinds of characters, making me wish for prequels, sequels and lore.
If you're looking for a thrilling short read, with funny banter and an underlying tone of dread, check this novella out.
Highly recommended for fans of the 90s TV show "Space Precinct".
Many thanks to the author and Booktasters for a free ebook of "The Dark Portal" in exchange for an honest review.
Kyle Belote has a talent for world building. The facility Dr Weiv finds himself in is well-developed and scarily realistic. I enjoyed the attention to detail with regard to the security procedures of the facility, which kept the tension quite high throughout.
The only little issue I had with the book was the odd information dump, but those didn't distract from the great plot and fascinating characters.
It was fun to discover the different kinds of characters, making me wish for prequels, sequels and lore.
If you're looking for a thrilling short read, with funny banter and an underlying tone of dread, check this novella out.
Highly recommended for fans of the 90s TV show "Space Precinct".
Many thanks to the author and Booktasters for a free ebook of "The Dark Portal" in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2022
First of all, I would like to thank Booktasters and the author for providing me with the opportunity to read that work. 💜
In "The Dark Portal" by Kyle Belote, the author created a whole world, and I'm loving it so much, the imagination is incredible. It is the kind of stories that you get lost easily through.
And although being a sci-fi genre, the author could find a way in for many other different ideas, oh and humour included.
Honestly, the worst thing about this book is that it had an end.
You can REALLY feel that there was so much thought, effort and time that were put into this work, and I admire it. A chef's kiss 😙👌🏼
I would give "The Dark Portal" by Kyle Belote a 5 🌟
I would also recommend the work to every individual who is into science fiction, aliens, mystery, horror and stories of high quality emotions.
A very enjoyable journey 😇
In "The Dark Portal" by Kyle Belote, the author created a whole world, and I'm loving it so much, the imagination is incredible. It is the kind of stories that you get lost easily through.
And although being a sci-fi genre, the author could find a way in for many other different ideas, oh and humour included.
Honestly, the worst thing about this book is that it had an end.
You can REALLY feel that there was so much thought, effort and time that were put into this work, and I admire it. A chef's kiss 😙👌🏼
I would give "The Dark Portal" by Kyle Belote a 5 🌟
I would also recommend the work to every individual who is into science fiction, aliens, mystery, horror and stories of high quality emotions.
A very enjoyable journey 😇
September 2, 2023
When I started reading the first chapter, I had a feeling that this book would be good, and I wanna say that the book really served and didn't disappoint me.
This is one of the most thrilling books I have ever come across lol, like i was on the edge during the entire book and it will get you so caught up in it.
overall, this is an actually good novel, and an easy read, but the characters aren't particularly deep, i just wish we had more background on their lives and how they got there, from the beginning of the seventh chapter, I was really holding my breath. I was very scared and very excited at the same time.
I would recommend this book to horror and thrilling fans and people who don't get scared at night.
This is one of the most thrilling books I have ever come across lol, like i was on the edge during the entire book and it will get you so caught up in it.
overall, this is an actually good novel, and an easy read, but the characters aren't particularly deep, i just wish we had more background on their lives and how they got there, from the beginning of the seventh chapter, I was really holding my breath. I was very scared and very excited at the same time.
I would recommend this book to horror and thrilling fans and people who don't get scared at night.
December 22, 2022
I obtained this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
I haven’t read many sci-fi books, but I can tell this one was unique. It’s about aliens studying other aliens, which is something I’ve never come across. The beginning drew me in when the protagonist, Darrovan, gets taken in the middle of the night in order to study an enigmatic presence known as the Dark Portal. Throughout the chaos that ensues, I was on the edge of my seat. Darrovan barely
manages to escape and live to tell the tale.
Overall, I really liked the concept of this book. However, I felt like the introductions to the characters dragged, and I skimmed through some of the introductory scenes. If you want a quick sci-fi read, I recommend checking this book out.
I haven’t read many sci-fi books, but I can tell this one was unique. It’s about aliens studying other aliens, which is something I’ve never come across. The beginning drew me in when the protagonist, Darrovan, gets taken in the middle of the night in order to study an enigmatic presence known as the Dark Portal. Throughout the chaos that ensues, I was on the edge of my seat. Darrovan barely
manages to escape and live to tell the tale.
Overall, I really liked the concept of this book. However, I felt like the introductions to the characters dragged, and I skimmed through some of the introductory scenes. If you want a quick sci-fi read, I recommend checking this book out.
September 12, 2023
3.5 stars, really. Thanks to @booktasters_ on Instagram for facilitating this ARC!
This is a fast-paced, interesting sci-fi story about first contact and I won't say anything else so as not to spoil it for anyone reading this.
I finished this in less than 2 hours because it kept me hooked and I really wanted to know how it would end. Given that it's short, don't expect much worldbuilding or science, but there's enough there to place you in the context so you can feel immersed.
I honestly felt like I was watching a movie because things were very easy to visualize and though it's not a unique premise, I think it was executed really well. It's perfect if you want a short, highly entertaining sci-fi read.
This is a fast-paced, interesting sci-fi story about first contact and I won't say anything else so as not to spoil it for anyone reading this.
I finished this in less than 2 hours because it kept me hooked and I really wanted to know how it would end. Given that it's short, don't expect much worldbuilding or science, but there's enough there to place you in the context so you can feel immersed.
I honestly felt like I was watching a movie because things were very easy to visualize and though it's not a unique premise, I think it was executed really well. It's perfect if you want a short, highly entertaining sci-fi read.
February 19, 2021
This is great science fiction short story. I've read some science fiction previously that wasn't great so this was a good book to back into the genre. The action starts at page one, doesn't let up and keeps you reading until the very last page. As it is a short story you don't get to know all of the characters but it is easy to follow Darrovan, the main character of the book. The writing is fantastic and very descriptive. Overall a great book that is easy to read in a single setting; a must read for fans of science fiction or those looking for something different to read.
December 10, 2021
I'll be honest, the first 3 chapters were a bit slow, but then, I couldn't stop reading. Everything about "The Dark Portal" started to be one mystery after another, and when it was revealed I loved how it felt actually scary in some points. If this is the beginning of a series, I'm really looking forward for the next part, I wanna know if it will come back, and what will happen with Darrovan next!!
I think this would work pretty good for a prequel of a series. To have an idea about what to expect!
I think this would work pretty good for a prequel of a series. To have an idea about what to expect!
February 7, 2023
The author builds suspense during the whole book, adding some humor to his writing. The looming threat remains alive with every page that is turned. Darrovan is a compelling character and helps carry the story along. I do wish we got more development of the characters or some context to them. When the author mentions other traits as claws, I had to remember Darrovan and other characters were aliens having an interaction with another alien. A fun sci fi thriller for those of us who have a curious mind or just want to try something different.
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