SYNOPSIS

When a video depicting the brutal murder of a former classmate leaks online, Kylie Bennington’s—whose dreams of becoming a successful influencer remain frustratingly elusive—curiosity gets the better of her, leading to the discovery of an off-the-grid social media app called MonoLife. As it turns out, there are certain cryptic rules in the user agreement that must be adhered to, such as interacting with other users at least twice daily or risk losing it all…and never, ever speaking of MonoLife’s existence to non-users or risk dire consequences.

For this is a platform that primarily rewards the worst in human behavior, and which begins chipping away at Kylie’s sanity across post after post for an ever-increasing audience of immoral fans. Now Kylie’s going to find out just how far she’s willing to go on her unyielding rise to the top—even if that means coming face-to-face with the frightening and ruthless forces behind MonoLife, who see all from deep within the shadows…

REVIEW

Feeders is a fast paced, descent into the darkest corners of the internet and the human mind. Jealousy, greed and depravity pave the way to hell as we watch how far Kylie Bennington is willing to go for internet stardom.

Social media is terrifying enough as it is, and in Feeders, Matt Serafini takes it to another level. We follow Kylie as she struggles in the shadow of her friend Erin and her ever growing social media stardom. Kylie grows increasingly envious of the endorsements and opportunities, her envy quickly turning into resentment. So when Kylie learns of a new app called Monolife, she jumps at the chance to surpass her friend on a new platform, no matter how shady it seems.

Feeders has a lot to say about social media and the influence it has on today’s youth. Worth is defined by likes and followers. It also has a tendency to bring out the worst in people. There’s an anonymity you can only get online and sadly, most people will take advantage of that to show their ugliest attributes.

The violence in this novel is visceral and more than a few moments may be triggering to some. Monolife is basically Twitter meets early 4Chan or the infamous rotten dot com. The worst things humanity is capable of are rewarded in the only way that matters, likes and praise from strangers.

Watching Kylie go down an increasingly dark path to achieve what she believes is success is both heart-breaking and fascinating. Serafini makes the reader an unwitting participant in her descent. I found myself at one moment wanting her to see it’s not worth it and turn back, then the next, curious about what she’s going to do next.

Like a great episode of Tales from the Crypt or Black Mirror, Feeders is a cautionary tale wrapped in blood, gore and bad decisions. A train-wreck you can’t take your eyes off of. Dark, satirical and violent, this novel is a wild ride straight to hell. Fans of Grady Hendrix should definitely check this out.

SYNOPSIS

What do you see…?

When the mutilated body of a young woman is discovered in the desert on the outskirts of Los Angeles, the detective assigned to the case can’t deny the similarities between this murder and one that occurred a year prior. Media outlets are quick to surmise this is the work of a budding serial killer, but Detective Bill Renney is struggling with an altogether different scenario: a secret that keeps him tethered to the husband of the first victim.

What do you hear…?

Maureen Park, newly engaged to Hollywood producer Greg Dawson, finds her engagement party crashed by the arrival of Landon, Greg’s son. A darkly unsettling young man, Landon invades Maureen’s new existence, and the longer he stays, the more convinced she becomes that he may have something to do with the recent murder in the high desert.

What do you feel…?

Toby Kampen, the self-proclaimed Human Fly, begins an obsession over a woman who is unlike anyone he has ever met. A woman with rattlesnake teeth and a penchant for biting. A woman who has trapped him in her spell. A woman who may or may not be completely human.

In Ronald Malfi’s brand-new thriller, these three storylines converge to create a tapestry of deceit, distrust, and unapologetic horror. A brand-new novel of dark suspense set in the City of Angels, as only “horror’s Faulkner” can tell it.

REVIEW

Thank you Titan Books for sending me an ARC of Senseless to read and review. All opinions are honest and my own.

If there’s a theme tying all of Ronald Malfi’s book together, it is secrets, and Senseless is his magnum opus of secrets. Every character in this novel is brimming with them and they will keep you guessing until the final page, and for a few, long after.

Talking about this novel without spoilers is near impossible, the synopsis really gives you all you need to know. With echoes of the Black Dahlia murder, Malfi takes us on a journey into all corners of Los Angeles. From the sweltering desert and the McMansions to the secret clubs and seediest corners, we meet characters from all walks of life who have no business crossing paths, but somehow Malfi masterfully weaves all these stories together into a beautiful horror-noir (noirror?) tapestry.

Ronald Malfi has been quickly climbing my list of favorite authors and Senseless is my favorite so far. I say “so far” and not “by far” because everything I’ve read by him is incredible and he keeps getting better and better. But as a true crime junkie who’s gateway in was The Black Dahlia Murder, this is the book I’ve been waiting for. Every character’s story is gripping and the way it all ties together is just…brilliant.

Beautifully written, ingeniously structured and paced, and filled with characters you won’t soon forget, Senseless is my favorite Ronald Malfi book yet and will surely remain one of my favorite books of the year. Filled with tension, twists and secrets, Malfi takes us into the deepest, darkest corners of humanity and emerges with a masterpiece that will knock you senseless.

SYNOPSIS

One night, Jess, a struggling actress, finds a five-year-old runaway hiding in the bushes outside her apartment. After a violent, bloody encounter with the boy’s father, she and the boy find themselves running for their lives.

As they attempt to evade the boy’s increasingly desperate father, Jess slowly comes to a horrifying understanding of the butchery that follows them―the boy can turn his every fear into reality.

And when the wolf finally comes home, no one will be spared.

REVIEW

Thank you Tor Nightfire for sending me an ARC of When the Wolf Comes Home to read and review. All opinions are honest and my own.

When the Wolf Comes Home hit me like a ton of screaming bricks and it might be a contender for my favorite horror book, if not ever, then in a very long time. The sheer raw imagination on display here is unbelievable. And I can’t talk about any of it in detail because to spoil this book would be a crime punishable by death.

The set pieces are literally jaw dropping in their creativity and depravity. Reading this novel felt like watching Evil Dead 2 for the first time when I was way too young. I was in awe at what was unfolding between the pages. A truly unique story, I haven’t been so excited while reading a book in, I don’t know how long. Like a kid in a candy store, there was always something to keep me glued to the page. Relatable, flawed and real characters; unbelievably imaginative kills (one of which will scar me for the rest of my life, holy shit Nat Cassidy, how the fuck do you even think of that); found family and daddy issues like you’ve never seen before.

Beneath all the blood, gore and viscera, there is a beating heart and Nat Cassidy has crafted a beautiful story of reckoning with your parents that can be effective to any perspective you read from. As a father with two kids from a previous relationship and one from my current, this book was eye opening. Reading from the perspective of a character who didn’t really know her father really struck a chord with me. It made me step back and re-evaluate my relationships with my kids. It made me want to be the best father I can be, but also realize I’ll never be perfect and that’s okay. If you’ve recently lost a parent, or have a troubled relationship with a parent, you might take away something completely different, and that’s the true magic of this book.

Fear is another theme running through the veins of this story. This is just my interpretation, but I feel like it’s saying that fear isn’t bad, fear is vital to being human. It’s how you manage that fear. You can lose yourself to it and never try for fear of failing. You can let fear rule your life and hide from everything. Everyone deals with fear differently and there are no easy answers.

A fast-paced, blood soaked, nightmare fueled road trip full of as much heart as it is gore, When the Wolf Comes Home will have you reading on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It’s not all carnage and mayhem though. Nat Cassidy poses many moral quandaries and dilemmas throughout that will have you questioning the characters decisions while wondering what you would do in these characters’ shoes. What would you do to protect your child? That question is brought up several times through this novel and it’s a tough one to answer. One might say, “anything”, but do you know what “anything” really means? Read this novel and find out.

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 22. 2025

SYNOPSIS

A brand-new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie, featuring a notorious band of anti-heroes on a delightfully bloody and raucous journey

Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds.

Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters. The mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends.

Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it’s a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.

REVIEW

When you’re going through Hell, you need The Devils on your side. And with Devils like these, who needs friends?

Joe Abercrombie, most well known for his First Law Trilogy, is back with a brand new series and this time, while things are still dark, it’s much less grim. The Devils has all the ingredients of a grimdark novel but Abercrombie cleverly subverts them by injecting a fair amount of humor and revealing depths to these devils, showing there’s more to them then the monster on the surface.

Vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers, oh my! The Devils may have the most colorful cast of characters from Abercrombie yet, that I’ve seen. This novel is a true ensemble piece and I don’t know if I can nail down a main character. You’ve got Brother Diaz, who is our introduction to this world, responding to a holy summons to take on an important quest for The Pope. Alex, a street rat who discovers she may have a higher calling. Accompanying them on this quest is a monstrous werewolf who can win every battle, except the one within herself; a sorcerer, I mean wizard, who will do anything to escape; a mysterious woman who seems to have done a little bit of everything; a vampire who is much more than meets the eye; an elf who has a habit of vanishing; and a cursed soldier who only wanted a little getaway, and all he got was Nothing but Trouble (directed by Dan Akroyd).

It is with these characters that Joe Abercrombie truly shines. His character work has always been impeccable, and it’s no different here. With The Devils, he juggles possibly his biggest cast yet and for a majority of the story they’re together on this quest. He seamlessly switches POVs throughout scenes, each having a distinctive voice, as we’ve come to expect from him. Abercrombie continues to use fun “catch-phrases” that speak to the heart of the character which will surely become as iconic as “say one thing for Logen Ninefingers…”, “you have to be realistic about these things” and “why do I do this”.

What makes this novel different from previous Abercrombie outings is the tone. While it’s still gritty, vulgar and violent, The Devils feels more lighthearted than The First Law. It’s weird to say that about a book containing some truly fucked up shit, but there’s always a sense of hope, partially due to the very liberal use of comedy throughout this novel. There’s also a theme of redemption woven through many of the ensemble’s arcs that shows maybe there’s worse things than The Devils in this world.

Speak of, well, you know, the world of The Devils is also another departure from Abercrombie’s norm, taking place not in a fantasy world per se, but instead an alternate version of medieval Europe in which the great classical cities never fell, elves are real and bloodthirsty, and there’s monsters and magic. A knowledge of history is not necessary to read this novel though, as things are changed so much it almost feels like a fantasy world anyway.

Fast-paced, action packed and with enough laughs that I’d call this a comedy, albeit a dark comedy, The Devils is Joe Abercrombie at his best. He is flexing every writing muscle he has with this novel, from his character work and sense of humor, to the nasty, expertly crafted action set-pieces, and perfect pacing. But between the laughs is horror, heart and tragedy, and that’s what brings The Devils to the next level. Keep an eye on this Joe Abercrombie guy, I think he may be going places.

RELEASE DATE: MAY 13, 2025

SYNOPSIS

On a sunny morning in June, Margaret Carpenter wakes up to find a new iPhone on her doorstep. She switches it on to find a text from her best friend, Charity Atwater. The problem is, Charity’s been missing for over a month. Most people in town—even the police—think she’s dead.

Margaret and Charity have been lifelong friends. They share everything, know the most intimate details about one another…except for the destructive secret hidden from them both. A secret that will trigger a chain of events ending in tragedy, bloodshed, and death. And now Charity wants Margaret to know her story—the real story. In a narrative that takes place over one feverish day, Margaret follows a series of increasingly disquieting breadcrumbs as she forges deeper into the mystery of her best friend—a person she never truly knew at all…

REVIEW

Thank you Gallery Books for sending me a copy of The Queen to read and review. All opinions are honest and my own.

Growing up is hard. Friends drift apart, your body changes, you get new urges that can be exciting and equally terrifying. For Margaret and Charity it’s about to get a helluva lot harder.

Dealing with themes of classism, puberty, friendship, and growing up, The Queen is a break-neck paced body horror taking place over the course of one wild day. Cronenbergian body horror meets Stephen King high school horror with a dash of 13 Reasons Why,

Charity has been missing for a while and Margaret has cut herself off from the world. Until she wakes up to an iPhone delivered to her house and starts receiving mysterious messages from Charity. This leads to a wild goose chase to find out what happened to her best friend and the revelations are truly buzzworthy.

The character work in this novel is fantastic, portraying a fraying friendship in one of the most extreme circumstances possible. People grow and change, some because of money or college, some in more bizarre ways, but the message is the same. You never truly know anyone, sometimes you’re lucky to even fully know yourself. As a thirty-one year old with a practically non-existent friend group, this really resonated with me. People I was inseparable from I haven’t talked to in a decade or more. Some of them went down paths I never thought would be possible for them, both good and bad. Although, none of them went through what Charity went through, so I guess we’re lucky there.

But now on to the fun stuff. This book is full of ants, bees and creepy crawlies galore. I don’t want to spoil too much, but as the description and cover implies, this is a body horror novel involving wasps. Nick Cutter describes the transformations in gloriously excruciating detail that is sure to get under your skin, not unlike some unfortunate souls in this novel. I will never look at a wasp the same and I hope beyond hope that I NEVER encounter a siafu ant.

Nick Cutter lives up to his namesake with this novel. He cuts through your skin with stingers and teeth, leaving you feeling raw. He cuts through your fears and shows you what’s creeping and crawling underneath. And he cuts into your heart as you watch a friendship fall apart while showing you how good it used to be. Nick Cutter is one of my favorite horror authors right now, and this book is a perfect example of why.

SYNOPSIS

Jeffrey Knight is a down on his luck self proclaimed loser. He can’t keep a job, forced into hours of work in the hell that is retail. His only stable thing in his life was his relationship with his longtime girlfriend…that is until he catches her cheating on him. Now with nothing left, he begrudgingly agrees to join his best friend on a night of fake zombie hunting paintball. The only solace he has in his pitiful life. That is, until he learns zombies are real…

Jennifer Mayer has spent her whole life hunting monsters. Working tirelessly for a secret organization of mercenaries to protect normal citizens from learning the truth. However, there are a growing number of undead, and her organization leaders refuse to believe her that something catastrophic is coming. She is in need of new recruits to prevent a coming “Day of the Dead” event.

After saving Jeff from near death Jennifer takes him on as a pupil. Jennifer must train Jeff in everything she knows while avoiding the growing feelings and memories he reignites in her — feelings she thought she buried long ago.

Jeff has never finished anything in his life, allowing his fears to stop him. If he chokes up now, there might not be a normal world to go back to.

REVIEW

When a game of Zombie Paintball becomes frighteningly real, Jeff is brought into a secret group of operatives who protect the world from what’s hiding in the shadows. A spark of romance ignites up between him and Jennifer, his recruiter and trainer. Chaos ensues.

Fast-paced, action packed, and full of great characters, Z.E.R.O. was a real treat. I went in mostly blind with only the cover, a brief synopsis, and a glowing recommendation from Ed Crocker, editor of this novel and friend/co-conspirator here at FanFiAddict/FearForAll. I was NOT disappointed.

The character work in this novel is top-notch. We’re introduced to quite a few characters once Jeff is brought into the Z.E.R.O. organization, but it never felt overwhelming. We meet people who at first seem like typical caricatures, the tough boss, the mysterious one, etc. but as we get to know them, they become fully realized characters that go far beyond what was on the surface. Everyone has a very unique voice, and every action they take makes sense based on what we know of them.

There is a fair amount of romance, which I’m not usually the biggest fan of, but I thought it was handled quite well. It felt a bit like a great sitcom romance, and by that I mean it isn’t the focus of the novel, but there just enough that I was invested and found myself rooting for them to work out.

What really stood out for me though, is the world-building. There’s hints at a lot more going on than we see, and what we do see is fascinating. Vampire clans, zombies, werewolves (not in this novel but mentioned), and more fun surprises make for a very unique take on the supernatural. The big bad was especially interesting and original, but I won’t elaborate on them to avoid spoilers.

Z.E.R.O. is an excellent book one to what will surely be a very fun series. Funny, scary, bloody and with just enough romance, this book has a little something for everyone. I had a blast reading this one and I can’t wait to see what Jessica Ungeheuer has in store for us next.

SYNOPSIS

Once a year, scoutmaster Tim Riggs leads a troop of boys into the Canadian wilderness for a three-day camping trip; a tradition as comforting and reliable as a good ghost story and a roaring bonfire. But when an unexpected intruder — shockingly thin, disturbingly pale, and voraciously hungry — stumbles upon their campsite, Tim and the boys are exposed to something far more frightening than any tale of terror. The human carrier of a bioengineered nightmare. An inexplicable horror that spreads faster than fear. A harrowing struggle for survival that will pit the troop against the elements, the infected … and one another.

REVIEW

The Troop is terrifically disturbing body horror story, not for the faint of heart. Creepy, disgusting, visceral and vividly imagined, Nick Cutter balances the truly terrifying with the truly disgusting expertly.

At the core of this tale are Scoutmaster Tim Riggs and scouts, Ephraim, Kent, Shelley, Newt and Max. The relationship between these boys is the backbone of this story. Underneath the blood, guts and bodily fluids is a dark coming-of-age story. Cutter is able tap into the kids’ psyche in a way that I haven’t seen outside of Stephen King, who is undoubtedly an influence here. Each kid stands out as an individual, having they’re own voice, personality and motivation. Never did they say anything out of character for someone their age.

The setting, a quarantined island, is a character of itself. The creeping shadows, ambiguous sounds and wildlife all add to the terror and suspense as this troop of teenagers fight to survive not just this mysterious disease, but each other.

I’ve mentioned a few times that this novel can be quite disgusting and disturbing. This book won’t be for everyone. First, there are a few scenes of animal abuse that are very upsetting. Nick Cutter does not shy away from descriptions of very unsettling imagery. Much of the horror in The Troop is enacted on children and animals which heightens the tension and terror.

Underneath all that, you will find some beautiful passages meditating on life, its fleeting nature and its worth. How far will you go to preserve it, to extend it. And what happens when there is no hope. What does it mean to be hopeless?

The Troop is without a doubt dark and over the top. It strives to make you squirm and succeeds in spades. My flesh crawled, my stomach turned, my heart raced and a few times, my eyes teared up. Beautiful and disturbing, Nick Cutter is a rising star in no-holds-barred horror, The Troop is a brilliant debut and I can’t wait to see what he does next.*

*Review originally written December 12, 2022

SYNOPSIS

Based on the film written and directed by Ti West

When screams of X-tasy turn into cries for help!

In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas. But when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives…

Written by four-time Bram Stoker Award-winning writer Tim Waggoner, this thrilling novelization is printed in throwback pocket-sized paperback format, bringing beloved scream queens Pearl and Maxine to a new medium. Relive the tragedy that befell Lorraine, Bobby-Lynne, Jackson, Wayne, RJ, and Howard with grisly new details drawn from West’s original screenplay. 

As Sherrif Dentler would say: it’s one goddamn fucked up horror story.

REVIEW

X is one of my favorite movies to have come out in the last ten years, beat out only by Pearl, the prequel to X. So when I heard A24 was releasing novelizations of the whole trilogy (X, Pearl, and Maxxxine) I ordered it immediately.

Ti West described X as a B-movie with A-list ideas and Tim Waggoner has tapped into that perfectly. Dealing with themes of aging, feeling loved, seeking fame and beauty surrounded by blood, sex, and violence, X is the perfect definition of an “elevated” slasher.

Film is an external medium, and more often than not, doesn’t allow the viewer to get into a character’s head like a novel can. We have to rely on the actors expressions and the way they say things to get to know them. Novels allow us a glimpse inside their head, and give us access to memories that films sometimes don’t. Tim Waggoner excels at adding these little details to further enrich an already great story and expand on already beautifully realized characters.

X, the novelization, reads as a beat for beat adaptation of the film, but it’s the inner monologues of the elderly couple, Pearl and Howard, as well as the group of actors who arrive at their farm that makes this a more than worth while read. What’s incredible about both the film and book is that, every revelation we get from the novel isn’t the kind that makes you think, “Oh, I never would’ve thought of that”, but more “of COURSE that’s what was going on”. We get more concrete motivations for the killers as well as what drove Lorranie to do what she does near the middle of the story.

Tim Waggoner perfectly captures the dark comedy, grisly violence and horror, and psychological make up of the characters. He takes Ti West’s incredible film and makes the experience ever better. If you’re a fan of the film, or just horror in general, this is a must read.

Link To Buy

SYNOPSIS

Aram Raythe has the power to challenge the gods. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Aram thinks he’s nothing but a misfit from a small fishing village in a dark corner of the world. As far as Aram knows, he has nothing, with hardly a possession to his name other than a desire to make friends and be accepted by those around him, which is something he’s never known.

But Aram is more. Much, much more.

Unknown to him, Aram bears within him a gift so old and rare that many people would kill him for it, and there are others who would twist him to use for their own sinister purposes. These magics are so potent that Aram earns a place at an academy for warrior mages training to earn for themselves the greatest place of honor among the armies of men: dragon riders.

Aram will have to fight for respect by becoming not just a dragon rider, but a Champion, the caliber of mage that hasn’t existed in the world for hundreds of years. And the land needs a Champion. Because when a dark god out of ancient myth arises to threaten the world of magic, it is Aram the world will turn to in its hour of need.

REVIEW

Aram isn’t like the other kids. He has trouble communicating with them, doesn’t understand how to connect with other people. He’s content with his mom and his knots. But all of that is about to change. Aram has a secret hidden from even himself. A power to take hold of the fabric of the universe itself and bend it to his will. With his best friend, Markus, Aram will have to embrace his destiny, lest it be stolen from him.

What worked for me the most in this book was Aram. Aram displays many attributes of autism and ML Spencer portrayed him with a realism and understanding I haven’t seen before. As an autistic male, this meant so much to me. Countless times I would stumble across little lines that spoke volumes to me. Never did it feel like Spencer was writing Aram as dumb, he is a very smart character. It’s in the little details, the social misunderstandings, the internal debates and self berating. The lack of confidence and anxiety over possible embarrassment. I could go on forever. So I would like to slip in a little thank you, to ML Spencer, for taking such care with your portrayal of Aram.

Markus is the friend I wish I had growing up. He understands Aram in a way no one else does and they’re platonic love for each other is the backbone of this story. Both characters go through so much believable growth over the course this thick book, and it pays off in spades.

The world is vividly realized and celebrates all of what epic fantasy amazing. Secret lineages, forbidden magic, other worlds, magic schools, big bad mysterious baddie, oh, and BIG ASS FREAKIN’ DRAGONS!

The quality of the hardback is stunning. It survived me reading with no real wear and tear. The art under the jacket is beautiful and the print never faded. I’m truly blown away with the production quality of this book.

I swear, I must’ve been smiling the whole way through Dragon Mage. Everything about it made me happy. Spencer nails the tropes, the world, the story. But for me, the clincher was Aram. I’ve never felt so close to a character or related with one so much.

*Review originally written June 19th, 2021

SYNOPSIS

For centuries, vampires freely roamed the land until the Grays came out of nowhere, wiping out half the population in a night. The survivors fled to the last vampire city of First Light, where the rules are simple. If you’re poor, you drink weak blood. If you’re nobility, you get the good stuff. And you can never, ever leave.

Palace maid Sam has had enough of these rules, and she’s definitely had enough of cleaning the bedpans of the lords who enforce them. When the son of the city’s ruler is murdered and she finds the only clue to his death, she seizes the chance to blackmail her way into a better class and better blood. She falls in with the Leeches, a group of rebel maids who rein in the worst of the Lords. Soon she’s in league with a sorcerer whose deductive skills make up for his lack of magic, a deadly werewolf assassin and a countess who knows a city’s worth of secrets.

There’s just one problem. What began as a murder investigation has uncovered a vast conspiracy by the ruling elite, and now Sam must find the truth before she becomes another victim. If she can avoid getting murdered, she might just live forever.

REVIEW

IN A WORLD…WITH NO HUMANS…MONSTERS RULE THE WORLD. UNTIL…A NEW RACE MAKES ITSELF KNOWN…THREATENING THE BRITTLE TRUCE…BETWEEN WEREWOLVES AND VAMPIRE…HOLDING BACK ALL OUT WAR.

Just when you thought you’ve seen everything the vampire sub-genre has to offer, in comes Ed Crocker with one of the most original novels I’ve ever read. Lightfall is a stroke of brilliance that will suck you in and it won’t let go until you’ve been bled dry.

The world-building is next level, both in imagination and scope. A rich land with deep lore and secret histories, the world building alone is gripping enough to keep you invested. Once you think you’ve got it all figured out, Crocker throws a wrench in the whole thing, flipping everything you and the characters thought you knew on its head.

Speaking of characters, Lightfall has a great cast that comes from all stations in life, giving a broad view of the world in a smaller setting. We spend most of our time in the vampire run city of Last Light. We follow leaders, servants, monks and more, each character feeling unique and lived in. Sometimes in these multiple POV epic fantasy novels, I’ll feel more attached to certain characters and anticipate their chapters more than others. Not the case here, I was always excited to switch POV’s, being equally invested in them all.

Crocker blurs the lines between horror and fantasy with expert ease, switching gears from one sentence to the next while never feeling jarring. This book is advertised as a debut for Ed Crocker, but I refuse to believe that. He comes out swinging with this novel, stamping his name down in horror and fantasy as an author to definitely keep your eye on.

A reverse Nighbreed meets Assassin’s Apprentice, with a dash of Broken Empire and the wit of Joe Abercrombie, this novel has something for everyone. Lovable and hateable (is that a word?) characters, an endlessly fascinating world, and a story dripping with blood…I mean intrigue…I guess both…this is a new fantasy series you don’t want to miss.