Category: Dark

“Raven Seeker” by JS Murphy

October 29, 2024

The warrior Provos was living a blessed life: after his cousin wed the princess of the magical kingdom Mirren-barr, he was free to explore the beautiful Mirren countryside at his leisure. All that changed when he was captured by slavers and forced to wage war in their grisly fighting pits, day after day. While fighting for his life he meets Terrin-tie, an intelligent and resourceful young woman also forced into slavery. The two quickly fall in love and plot their escape from their hellish conditions. But will Provos’ expert fighting skills and Terrin-tie’s cleverness be enough to win their freedom? … More “Raven Seeker” by JS Murphy

“The Sermon of Loss” by JH Tomen

October 22, 2024

“The Sermon of Loss” by JH Tomen is one of those satisfying slow-build narratives whose puzzle pieces fit in seamlessly as the book blossoms. Teros, an eight-year-old and a low-level noble in the Zi’yun line, is an incredibly gifted boy with magic powers living in a state ruled by authoritarian principles. In a bid to be in the King’s good books, the High Priest, Keroes, sends his most obedient and destructive sorcerer, 732, to go after Teros, intending to sacrifice his soul to the gods and impart in him the spirit of the King’s dead son, Bitan nir Föhr. … More “The Sermon of Loss” by JH Tomen

“A World Without Trees” by Joseph Blackhurst

September 30, 2024

In “A World Without Trees,” Joseph Blackhurst weaves a gripping post-apocalyptic narrative set in New Eden, which is believed to be the last bastion of humanity. This place has a stark, arid landscape dominated by red soil. Beings referred to as angels maintain a fragile order over a society riddled with oppression. The living conditions have been dire for over one hundred and twenty years when a “Godmonster” attacked and destroyed almost all life on the planet. The angels declared that beings with red hair had tainted blood marked by the Godmonster. … More “A World Without Trees” by Joseph Blackhurst

“A Walk in the Sun” by Lisa Dominique Machat

September 25, 2024

Lisa Dominique Machat’s first entry in her vampire series, “A Walk in the Sun:10th Anniversary Edition,” offers readers of vampiric fiction a gateway into a world of romance, action, and mystery. It is no wonder that this novel was nominated for Best Horror Novel when it first came out, as the descriptions stay with you long after you’ve finished the book and are trying to sleep at night. … More “A Walk in the Sun” by Lisa Dominique Machat

“One More Kill for Mother” by C.R. Clark

September 24, 2024

DI Gutteridge is a detective who prides himself on closing cases, but the Masterson case is one that has stuck out in his mind. Gutteridge and his partner DS Keaton thought the Masterson case was closed but were soon called out for a murder investigation. At the scene, they quickly realize the Masterson case may not be solved. The Masterson murderer has a grudge against DI Gutteridge and vows to make him lose every person whom he ever loved. As events unfold, DI Gutteridge finds himself making tough decisions and learning how to keep calm in the midst of chaos. … More “One More Kill for Mother” by C.R. Clark

“Children of Madness” by Jarrett Brandon Early

September 23, 2024

“Children of Madness” by Jarrett Brandon Early is a fascinating, dark fantasy novel centered around a group of children called the Sour Flower Gang. The novel is set in a world where supernatural forces and dangerous creatures threaten mankind’s existence, and the Sour Flower Gang is tasked with harvesting the Moon Tears, an important ingredient for a remedy used to overcome “the Bloat,” a disease that is ravishing their homes. … More “Children of Madness” by Jarrett Brandon Early

“Night Terrors” by Maya Forrester

September 16, 2024

Seventeen-year-old Snow Rothfuss hasn’t had an easy life. She’s been living with a father she doesn’t get along with and hasn’t seen her mother in over ten years. But now her life is about to change. She’s finally returning to the home she remembers from her childhood to be with her mother and reconnect with long-lost friends. Snow finally feels like things are working out. … More “Night Terrors” by Maya Forrester

“Curse of Ashmedei” by Michal Snaerravn

August 29, 2024

Druids, Trollbloods, Lycans, and Demonbloods. What treacherous world is this? As if the thought isn’t mind-numbing enough, these magical beasts know the Hell Cycle of the Druid calendar has arrived and that Hell’s Gate is in danger of being opened as the various races vie for power.  I don’t care which world you live in; this can’t be good. … More “Curse of Ashmedei” by Michal Snaerravn

“Dreams Never End: The Feigned Moon of Entiria” by E.A. Bagby

July 31, 2024

E.A. Bagby continues his epic serial The Feigned Moon of Entiria with Episode 3, “Dreams Never End.” I don’t usually describe novels as immersive; it just seems so cliché.  But I’ve got to in this instance, because to say this sci-fi/fantasy epic is immersive would be akin to commenting, “I fell in the water and got wet.”  It is fall-down-the-well immersive.  Readers are destined to see, hear, feel, and perhaps even smell this mechanized Underworld that gives more than a nod to steampunk traditions. … More “Dreams Never End: The Feigned Moon of Entiria” by E.A. Bagby

“Evergreen Dread” by Victor Marrow

July 10, 2024

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Alex Kelso has been recruited to work with the FBI’s Unique Investigations Department, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She is called in because of her zoology knowledge and experience. She soon discovers that the creatures she has been sent to investigate are dangerous cryptids! She finds herself investigating a variety of unique beasts such as the Trinity Terror Serpent, a banshee, the Cascade Tiger, Sasquatch, and even a leviathan. Whether they were created naturally through evolution, unnaturally through environmental disasters, supernaturally, or intentionally designed, Kelso must handle each of these cases. … More “Evergreen Dread” by Victor Marrow