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Chronicles of Cain #4
At the Forest of Madness
Gorgons might be stony-faced but they know how to rock.
After his adventure in an apocalyptic alternate dimension, Cain is ready for some downtime and mangoritas. But when a gorgon asks Cain to help her remove the curse of Medusa from her bloodline, he sees an opportunity to learn about his origins. He might even be able to help Aura with her curse.
Three birds with one stone seems like a pretty good deal. Their quest leads them to the Shalthaes Woodlands, aka, the Dead Forest. Somewhere inside lies the lost city of Fyeth Elunore and its ancient library that may hold answers.
The forest is guarded by a small army of drow, and those who get past the drow have never returned. Cain has been to alternate dimensions, fought godlike beings, and faced down Cthulhu himself, but the forest holds secrets darker than anything he could have expected. In fact, the forest has morphed into something otherworldly and deadly.
An Elder Thing has infested the forest with her minions. And at the heart of this cursed place beats a rotting heart full of tentacles and madness. Cthulhu, for all his power, has nothing on the creature who rules here.
As if that wasn't enough, Cain learns that this forest of madness holds a secret that could overturn the balance of power across the realms and there are powerful beings who will stop at nothing to protect it.
There's no turning back. It's do or die, and Cain was never any good at dying.
After his adventure in an apocalyptic alternate dimension, Cain is ready for some downtime and mangoritas. But when a gorgon asks Cain to help her remove the curse of Medusa from her bloodline, he sees an opportunity to learn about his origins. He might even be able to help Aura with her curse.
Three birds with one stone seems like a pretty good deal. Their quest leads them to the Shalthaes Woodlands, aka, the Dead Forest. Somewhere inside lies the lost city of Fyeth Elunore and its ancient library that may hold answers.
The forest is guarded by a small army of drow, and those who get past the drow have never returned. Cain has been to alternate dimensions, fought godlike beings, and faced down Cthulhu himself, but the forest holds secrets darker than anything he could have expected. In fact, the forest has morphed into something otherworldly and deadly.
An Elder Thing has infested the forest with her minions. And at the heart of this cursed place beats a rotting heart full of tentacles and madness. Cthulhu, for all his power, has nothing on the creature who rules here.
As if that wasn't enough, Cain learns that this forest of madness holds a secret that could overturn the balance of power across the realms and there are powerful beings who will stop at nothing to protect it.
There's no turning back. It's do or die, and Cain was never any good at dying.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2021
109 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
John Corwin
81 books559 followersJohn Corwin is the bestselling author of the Overworld Chronicles.
He enjoys long walks on the beach and is a firm believer in puppies and kittens.
After years of getting into trouble thanks to his overactive imagination, John abandoned his male modeling career to write books.
He resides in Atlanta.
He enjoys long walks on the beach and is a firm believer in puppies and kittens.
After years of getting into trouble thanks to his overactive imagination, John abandoned his male modeling career to write books.
He resides in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 29, 2021
Still original & even more adventures!! I’m hooked!
Lots of books get formalistic by book 4 & I start to drift off-but not this book!!! Still very original plot lines while expanding on the past books. Characters are continued to be developed with a couple of surprises thrown in.
The various gods has me really questioning my beliefs-but that could also be because I just lost my father. I’ve been escaping into books & binged read this series as a coping mechanism. So thank you Mr. Corwin & when can I expect book 5 please & thank you!
Lots of books get formalistic by book 4 & I start to drift off-but not this book!!! Still very original plot lines while expanding on the past books. Characters are continued to be developed with a couple of surprises thrown in.
The various gods has me really questioning my beliefs-but that could also be because I just lost my father. I’ve been escaping into books & binged read this series as a coping mechanism. So thank you Mr. Corwin & when can I expect book 5 please & thank you!
March 6, 2023
This is a four star read with a downgrade for so many loose ends that I am hesitant to call cliff hangers and hooks but... damn.
In fairness I should grade back up just for all the twists, too. Ok. So I will. I'll go to four and we'll call it 3.5.
That.
In fairness I should grade back up just for all the twists, too. Ok. So I will. I'll go to four and we'll call it 3.5.
That.
October 18, 2021
A really great story. It does have some editing-misspelling/punctuation-issues but the plot and characters are fascinating.
June 8, 2021
Hell of a Great read!!!
This storyline is awesome and I CANNOT wait for the next one to come out!!! I’ve got nothing but great things to say about John Corwin and his books!!!
This storyline is awesome and I CANNOT wait for the next one to come out!!! I’ve got nothing but great things to say about John Corwin and his books!!!
August 14, 2022
Lots of new icky pustule and semen spouting creatures to be found in this forest. Also a group of cultists led by an insane fae (Prince? I think) Cain negotiates with the gods to have the curses on Dusa and Aura lifted if he can clear the forest of the blight. At one point he travels to Oblivion and locates the village where his family had been massacred. He also finds a bit of history about his heritage. His fae father has been keeping secrets from Cain his entire life, which we already kinda knew. That guy sure wears blinders when it comes to obeying the two fae queens even when he knows they’re wrong.
Despite Cain and Layla professing love for each other I don’t like her and am not bothered by her fate. I will admit it wasn’t justified. Beta Aura is a piece of work (Batshit crazy anyone? Anyone? Bueller?)
Despite Cain and Layla professing love for each other I don’t like her and am not bothered by her fate. I will admit it wasn’t justified. Beta Aura is a piece of work (Batshit crazy anyone? Anyone? Bueller?)
October 31, 2021
Decent but for younger crowd
I like the books but the teenage sex fantasy stuff is just getting piled on to thick at this point, didn’t even bother finishing this one made it halfway through. Personally done with the series as the intended age keeps getting lower. If you are a horny teenager though this is probably perfect mix of fantasy for you.
I like the books but the teenage sex fantasy stuff is just getting piled on to thick at this point, didn’t even bother finishing this one made it halfway through. Personally done with the series as the intended age keeps getting lower. If you are a horny teenager though this is probably perfect mix of fantasy for you.
January 23, 2026
Rank C+
Personal Tags: Urban Fantasy, FR, PR, GP, Fae-Focused, Lovecraft
I binged this immediately after the last book and it's a 3.5-star read for me. I’m honestly enjoying the Lovecraftian gods the most right now, they’re creepy, weird, and easily the most interesting part of the story. Lucifer showing up felt almost like a cameo from the TV show, which made me laugh more than once and didn’t take itself too seriously. I also liked that Cain is finally learning more about his past, which adds some origin story to his character. On the downside, I am getting a bit of narrative whiplash with Cain fast traveling all over the place. It looks like we got another main team member but of course its another woman. Cain needs a Bro on the team. The romance still isn’t really working for me either; it feels flip-floppy and underdeveloped, and I kept wishing it would either commit or step aside. Mc needs to take a break from all the side questing, none of them have ever been simple. That said, I really enjoyed the wrench thrown into the story at the end, even if I feel like I’ve already figured out who the big bad is. Overall, it’s still a fun read, just one that feels a little uneven compared to its strongest moments.
Personal Tags: Urban Fantasy, FR, PR, GP, Fae-Focused, Lovecraft
I binged this immediately after the last book and it's a 3.5-star read for me. I’m honestly enjoying the Lovecraftian gods the most right now, they’re creepy, weird, and easily the most interesting part of the story. Lucifer showing up felt almost like a cameo from the TV show, which made me laugh more than once and didn’t take itself too seriously. I also liked that Cain is finally learning more about his past, which adds some origin story to his character. On the downside, I am getting a bit of narrative whiplash with Cain fast traveling all over the place. It looks like we got another main team member but of course its another woman. Cain needs a Bro on the team. The romance still isn’t really working for me either; it feels flip-floppy and underdeveloped, and I kept wishing it would either commit or step aside. Mc needs to take a break from all the side questing, none of them have ever been simple. That said, I really enjoyed the wrench thrown into the story at the end, even if I feel like I’ve already figured out who the big bad is. Overall, it’s still a fun read, just one that feels a little uneven compared to its strongest moments.
February 14, 2022
Oh man, each story in this series gets more exciting, and this one was no exception. In this, the fourth book of the Chronicles of Cain, Cain takes on the challenge of trying to convince the gods to overturn two separate curses. An added bonus is that this quest happens to take him to a place that might give him clues to either his or Hannah's origins. We get loads of action, familiar characters to enjoy, new characters to meet and . . . that ending, whew! If you like action-packed urban fantasy, with a tight, exciting and unpredictable story, pick up this book! Better yet, pick up the series from the start with "To Kill a Unicorn".
January 14, 2023
I am absolutely obsessed with this entertaining and inclusive (🏳️🌈) eight book series. Even better that I was able to read them all on Kindle unlimited. I was a little skeptical at first when I realized they were trying to combine fairies, Cthulhu mythos, werewolves, vampires, witches, etc. BUT I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!
I devoured this whole series in a couple of weeks so have been able to enjoy the story arc and character development. My only complaint is that the books are a little on shorter side (I want more Cain!).
No spoilers but if you like an ex-assassin who’s secretly a softy, kids with powers, or good eldritch monsters you won’t be disappointed.
I devoured this whole series in a couple of weeks so have been able to enjoy the story arc and character development. My only complaint is that the books are a little on shorter side (I want more Cain!).
No spoilers but if you like an ex-assassin who’s secretly a softy, kids with powers, or good eldritch monsters you won’t be disappointed.
June 19, 2021
Beginning kind of drags
I wasn’t a fan of the way it started off. Characters that I don’t particularly care for were the majority of the first half of the story. I persevered. I enjoyed the previous books and ended up enjoying this book. The hints about what will come are obvious. The frequent references to beta world and how the main character should go there. The author didn’t need to highlight those comments because they were obviously portending the plot.
I wasn’t a fan of the way it started off. Characters that I don’t particularly care for were the majority of the first half of the story. I persevered. I enjoyed the previous books and ended up enjoying this book. The hints about what will come are obvious. The frequent references to beta world and how the main character should go there. The author didn’t need to highlight those comments because they were obviously portending the plot.
January 3, 2022
Corwin does it again!
Corwin does it again. He spins a tail about Cain and his friends that keeps you engrossed and invested in this awesome book. Cain wishes to help, not one, but two of his friends and in doing so, hopefully learn something of himself. He, again, gains new allies as well as making old ones more beholding to him. Hope you enjoy this tail as much as I did. On to the next book.
Corwin does it again. He spins a tail about Cain and his friends that keeps you engrossed and invested in this awesome book. Cain wishes to help, not one, but two of his friends and in doing so, hopefully learn something of himself. He, again, gains new allies as well as making old ones more beholding to him. Hope you enjoy this tail as much as I did. On to the next book.
February 6, 2023
I will always have a spot for Cain in my heart, since with him nothing can be simple. The man has to do thirty side quests to do the things he needs to do. Also the betrayal of the trickster gods gets deeper and more unhinged and even more complicated. I also never want to be in any of these situations ever.
May 24, 2023
Cain must be Gen Z!
I thoroughly enjoyed the writer's style and characters he's created. Cain is a problem solver with little time for bullsh$t and snarky to boot. I also like the mixture of pantheons, not really giving credence to a specific ideology. I would love to see Hectecte and where she might fit in the story. Bravo, John Corwin, I'm hooked!
I thoroughly enjoyed the writer's style and characters he's created. Cain is a problem solver with little time for bullsh$t and snarky to boot. I also like the mixture of pantheons, not really giving credence to a specific ideology. I would love to see Hectecte and where she might fit in the story. Bravo, John Corwin, I'm hooked!
November 9, 2024
At the Forest of Madness
John Corwin continues to tread the thin line of providing fun action packed adventures while introducing cool ideas and bogging it down with shoddy prose and intrusive sex scenes.
Cain’s adventures are super fun to read and constantly leave me wanting more, even if the dialogue makes me cringe sometimes.
John Corwin continues to tread the thin line of providing fun action packed adventures while introducing cool ideas and bogging it down with shoddy prose and intrusive sex scenes.
Cain’s adventures are super fun to read and constantly leave me wanting more, even if the dialogue makes me cringe sometimes.
June 16, 2021
Thank you! I love anything to do with Lovecraft and the eldritch horrors so this came as a wonderful and much appreciated surprise. Bringing the horrors to life and being able to picture them in my mind as I read was cathartic. I eagerly await the next adventure. Well done!
July 21, 2025
Fantastic
The epic continues and it gets more dark, more convoluted and much much more interesting. I think these,series may be one of my favorites by far so far. Can't wait to read more about Cain and his band of associates.
The epic continues and it gets more dark, more convoluted and much much more interesting. I think these,series may be one of my favorites by far so far. Can't wait to read more about Cain and his band of associates.
May 20, 2021
Great book.
Really enjoyed this book. I just finished and want more. The next story should be even better. Cant wait. Must rwad
Really enjoyed this book. I just finished and want more. The next story should be even better. Cant wait. Must rwad
July 24, 2021
Great
Another wonderful ride into insane predicaments. I'm glad the story hasn't ended yet, but I can't wait to get to the next part.
Another wonderful ride into insane predicaments. I'm glad the story hasn't ended yet, but I can't wait to get to the next part.
December 27, 2021
I couldn't get into this book for some reason, quit halfway in.
January 26, 2022
once you accept the worlds as they are
After you let go of the wow, not again, poor Cain and just read for the adventures it’s so much fun can’t wait to read #5
After you let go of the wow, not again, poor Cain and just read for the adventures it’s so much fun can’t wait to read #5
February 10, 2024
Best one so far
This one was the most fun so far. Cain is finally coming into his own power.
On to the next...
This one was the most fun so far. Cain is finally coming into his own power.
On to the next...
September 11, 2025
This has been the best one since the first. And the narrator learned how to pronounce Lake Lanier, woo!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews