Tag: fiction

Stephen King to Write Introduction for Nat Cassidy’s New Horror Collection

‘I Know a Place’ is the new short story collection by Nat Cassidy. Photo: Shortwave Publishing.

The King of Horror Joins Forces with Nat Cassidy for New Collection

PORTLAND, OR – In a massive win for horror fans, Shortwave Publishing has announced that the legendary Stephen King will write the introduction to bestselling author Nat Cassidy’s upcoming short story collection, I Know A Place. (Shortwave Publishing, 2026)

King, who rarely lends his pen to contemporary introductions, has previously written forewords for literary staples such as Lord of the Flies and The Haunting of Hill House. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Cassidy, placing him among a select few living authors to receive such an endorsement from the “King of Horror.”

A Record-Breaking Release

The buzz surrounding I Know A Place is growing. Since its announcement, the collection has:

  • Peaked in the Top Ten Most Requested Books on NetGalley.
  • Remained the #1 Most Requested title in the Horror category.

This follows the massive success of Cassidy’s most recent novel, When The Wolf Comes Home, which was both a USA Today bestseller and a Goodreads Choice Award nominee.

About the Collection

I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours

There are locations in this world where the light doesn’t seem to reach. Where, no matter how illuminated the place might be, shadows creep in too strongly to fight back.

From a suspiciously empty gas station littered with googly eyes to a tech millionaire’s haunted kitchen, Cassidy takes readers on a travelogue through the macabre. The collection features:

  • “Rest Stop”: The Bram Stoker Award-nominated novella named one of Esquire’s Best Horror Books of 2024.
  • New Material: A number of original short stories, including several never-before-published pieces.

“I Know A Place is a travelogue down twisting side streets and through alleyways where the darkness has eyes… and teeth. Let’s hope you make it home in one piece.”

Meet the Author: Nat Cassidy

Nat Cassidy is a multi-talented force in the horror genre, writing for the page, stage, and screen.

  • The Novelist: Named one of the “writers shaping horror’s next golden age” by Esquire, NPR, Harper’s Bazaar, and the NY Public Library have featured his work.
  • The Playwright: A winner of multiple NY Innovative Theatre Awards, Cassidy has written everything from one-man shows about H.P. Lovecraft to commissions for the Washington National Opera.
  • The Actor: You may recognize him as a “Bad Guy of the Week” on shows like Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, and Quantico.

Mark Your Calendars

I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours officially drops on May 5.

Ready to secure your copy? The collection is available for pre-order now at Shortwave Publishing and wherever books are sold.

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Fear, Noise, and Propaganda: Reviewing Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick Ness

Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick Ness. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Related Post: New World Trilogy: Why Patrick Ness’ New Book is the Must-Read Sci-Fi of 2026

Book Review: Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick Ness

In Piper at the Gates of Dusk, Patrick Ness returns to the beautiful and brutal landscape of New World, the setting first introduced in the Chaos Walking trilogy (The Knife of Never Letting Go). This continuation feels urgent and intimate, bridging the gap between a scarred past and an uncertain future. It will be released on April 7, 2026.

A New Generation in a Fragile Peace

Set twenty years after the original trilogy, the story follows Todd and Viola’s sons, Ben and Max. Having grown up untouched by the violence that shaped their parents, the brothers now navigate a peace that feels increasingly thin.

The novel opens with a heart-pounding sequence: a figure the boys call a “god” emerges from the woods, leveling trees in its path. Ness’ prose captures the sheer scale of the terror:

“Like a mountain coming at you, like the whole landscape peeling up into the sky, as if someone’s grabbed the far corners of it like a blanket and pulled it into the air, and all you can do is watch your death come at you, because there’s nowhere to stand, nowhere to run–.”

While they survive the encounter, Ben is left injured, forcing Max to leave his side to find help, setting the emotional and narrative stakes early.

The Evolution of “Noise”

For those new to this world, Noise is the telepathic broadcast of thoughts. When settlers first arrived, men’s thoughts became public, while women’s remained private. While a “cure” was eventually developed, it came with side effects. For Ben, it affected his vocal cords; unable to speak, he relies on a communication device and sign language.

Now, a new threat is emerging:

  • Nightmares: Young people are experiencing terrors believed to be brought on by Noise.
  • Paranoia: As suspicion falls on indigenous people and rumors of an ominous object in the sky swirl, the adults’ fragile truce threatens to unravel.

The Weight of Legacy

The story is told through dual first-person perspectives, offering a poignant look at what it means to inherit a hero’s history. Ben carries Viola’s analytical strength and navigates the world through logic and sign language while Max inherits Todd’s impulsive bravery and is driven by action and the need to protect this brother.

Ness’ vivid language propels the action:

“The scream comes again, louder this time, like a siren blaring right in your face but filled with terror and pain.”

Themes: Fear as a Weapon

When children begin to vanish, the “uneasy truce” of New World collapses. Ness uses Noise as a brilliant and painful metaphor for the modern mental health crisis and the corrosive power of internalized fear.

In this new saga, Noise becomes a targeted psychological weapon used to create chaos and spread propaganda. It is a haunting examination of how quickly communities turn on one another when fear is weaponized.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Piper at the Gates of Dusk is a gripping and atmospheric science fiction novel. It explores whether the stories we tell ourselves are meant to protect us or if they are the very things keeping us in the dark. Epic and deeply personal, it stands confidently on its own while honoring the emotional legacy of the original trilogy.

Recommended for readers who enjoy:

  • Thought-provoking discussions on xenophobia and disinformation.
  • Imaginative world-building and sci-fi landscapes.
  • Nuanced explorations of gender identity and family legacy.

“They want the comforting lie, the one that lets them sleep at night. They want to know who their enemy is, because they’re never, ever going to believe it’s themselves.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*Thank you to Sara DiSalvo for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Stethoscopes to Suspense: A Spotlight on Shantanu Rai’s Debut Novel

‘A Dangerous Diagnosis’ is the new thriller novel by Shantanu Rai. Photo: Barnes & Noble

New Book Spotlight: A Dangerous Diagnosis

Get ready for a gripping addition to your thriller shelf! This Tuesday, February 24, marks the release of A Dangerous Diagnosis, the timely debut medical thriller by practicing physician Shantanu Rai. (Sharkpoint Studio, 2026)

Whether you’re a fan of high-stakes medical dramas or legal thrillers with a heart, this is one release you won’t want to miss. It is currently available for pre-order.

The Story: Luxury Medicine Meets a Deadly Conspiracy

Brilliant diagnostician Dr. Sanjay Patel has come a long way from his dreams of serving the needy. These days, he treats the global elite, traveling by private jet and receiving payments in cash-stuffed designer totes.

But his high-flying life is grounded when his estranged mentor, Dr. Tom Carpenter, collapses from a fatal stroke. His final act? A cryptic message scribbled on a prescription pad: “Page Dr. Sanjay.”

The mystery pulls Sanjay back to Boston’s Mount Beacon Hospital, the very place that nearly destroyed his career. There, he must face his past in more ways than one, reuniting with cancer researcher Emma Carpenter-Flores, Tom’s daughter and the woman Sanjay left behind a decade ago.

Together, they uncover a trail of disturbing cases that put them directly in the crosshairs of a powerful medical-industrial complex. In a race against time, Sanjay and Emma must risk their lives to expose a truth that could shatter the foundations of modern medicine.

Perfect for fans of: Robin Cook, The Lincoln Lawyer, House, and HBO’s The Pitt.

Core Themes

A Dangerous Diagnosis dives deep into the complexities of the modern healthcare world, exploring:

  • Moral Injury: The psychological toll on providers within a broken system.
  • Ethics vs. Profit: The tension between patient care and corporate greed.
  • Redemption: A second chance at a lost legacy and a lost love.
  • Systemic Injustice: Uncovering the hidden flaws within the healthcare machine.

Meet the Author: Shantanu Rai

Shantanu Rai is a physician and writer who uses fiction to illuminate the hidden struggles of the American healthcare system. Drawing from years of frontline patient care, Rai blends his medical expertise with a lifelong love for Bollywood films and classic whodunits.

When he isn’t at the hospital or at his desk, you can find him hiking, enjoying a family movie night, or refueling with a strong cup of chai. A Dangerous Diagnosis is his first novel.

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‘The Accident’: A Gripping Tale of Secrets, Lies, and a Small-Town Tragedy

‘The Accident’ is the new YA thriller by Lori Miller Kase. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: The Accident by Lori Miller Kase

The Accident is a tense, emotionally charged YA novel that explores how one terrible moment can fracture families, friendships, and a teenager’s sense of right and wrong.

Overview

Hannah has a secret: She thinks she knows who’s behind the hit-and-run accident that killed a popular high school football player in her small Connecticut town. But could it really be her brother, Rob? Or worse, his best friend Zach, the first boy to show her any romantic attention? (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

As the police investigation unfolds and Hannah falls hard for Zach, she vows to protect them both. Consumed with guilt, she finds herself lying to her parents and her friends alike.

The Breaking Point

Tensions mount as Hannah discovers she and Rob aren’t the only ones in the family with a secret. As her friends turn against her and two different versions of the truth emerge, she is forced to decide where her loyalties lie: With her brother? Or with her boyfriend?

The Accident is a story about choices and consequences, secrets and lies, and what happens when you follow your heart instead of your conscience.

Review: A Deep Dive into Moral Complexity

Set in a small Connecticut town, Kase captures the claustrophobic pressure of secrets where everyone watches and rumors spread faster than facts. Hannah’s guilt feels palpable as she convinces herself that loyalty is the same as love.

What Makes This a Must-Read:

  • Vivid Imagery: The narrative is written in the first person with poetic language. Kase writes: “A bright yellow or red leaf clings stubbornly to a limb here and there, but most of the foliage now litters the grass and the walkways like giant pieces of confetti.”
  • Fast-Paced Plot: Short chapters keep the action flowing seamlessly, making it a “one-sitting” kind of read.
  • Relatable Themes: By exploring family, identity, and betrayal, the book avoids easy answers. It forces readers to sit with uncomfortable questions about self-deception and the cost of protecting the people we love.

The Bottom Line: The Accident is a suspenseful family drama and a sharp reminder that choices, once made, never come without consequences. Fans of YA coming-of-age fiction will find Hannah’s journey of self-reflection deeply relatable.

“I stand outside The Music Shoppe and stare after the boy and his babysitter long after they disappear from view. Then I walk home and cry. For the boy, for Tyler, for all their family has lost.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

About the Author

Lori Miller Kase is an award-winning journalist, short story writer, essayist, and young adult author. Her work has appeared in prestigious publications including The Atlantic, Vogue, Literary Mama, Brain, Child, and Discover.

With a background as a reporter-trainee at The New York Times and a health editor at Vogue, Lori has covered everything from neuroscience to clean beauty. However, as a lifelong lover of books, her true passion lies in writing for children and young adults.

*Thank you to Meryl Moss Media for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

New World Trilogy: Why Patrick Ness’ New Book is the Must-Read Sci-Fi of 2026

The king of dystopian YA books is back with ‘Piper at the Gates of Dusk.’ Photo: Barnes & Noble

Return to the Noise: Patrick Ness Reinvents the Chaos Walking Universe

Patrick Ness is making a thrilling return to the world of Chaos Walking with his highly anticipated new YA novel, Piper at the Gates of Dusk. (Candlewick Press, 2026)

As the first installment in the extraordinary New World trilogy, this is a timely work of science fiction that dissects the interplay of fear, power, and propaganda. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original series or a newcomer to Ness’s visceral storytelling, this book is set to be a definitive literary event of the year.

Mark Your Calendars: The release date is Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and it is available for pre-order now.

Book Overview: A New Generation, A New Threat

It has been twenty years since the monstrous war that nearly tore New World apart. For Todd and Viola’s sons, Ben and Max, life on the family farm has been defined by peace and the typical dreams of school and adventure, until the nightmares began.

A sudden sickness is sweeping through the youth of New World. It infects them with Noise, manifesting as their darkest, most self-destructive thoughts. As the planet’s uneasy truce begins to crumble, the mystery deepens:

  • The Spackle: Suspicion falls on the indigenous people of New World.
  • The Sky: A mysterious object looms overhead, watching the planet.
  • The Disappearances: One by one, the children of New World are vanishing.

Caught in a race for answers, Ben (armed with his mother’s logic) and Max (carrying his father’s courage) embark on separate quests. Their journeys will force them to question everything—their parents, their brotherhood, and their very right to exist on this planet.

About the Author: Patrick Ness

Patrick Ness is a titan of dystopian fiction. His original Chaos Walking trilogy has sold over three million copies worldwide, cementing his reputation for high-stakes, emotional storytelling.

Ness is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller A Monster Calls (inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd), which won both the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals and was adapted into a major motion picture. His diverse body of work includes:

  • More Than This
  • The Rest of Us Just Live Here
  • Burn
  • Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody

With two Carnegie Medals, an Olivier Award, and a Costa Children’s Book Award to his name, Ness continues to push the boundaries of YA literature from his homes in Los Angeles and London.

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Don Winslow’s ‘Broken’ and the Movie Adaptation of Crime 101

Crime 101 is one of the short stories in Don Winslow’s Broken. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Broken by Don Winslow: From Gritty Crime Fiction to the Big Screen

“No matter how you come into this world, you come out broken…”

Don Winslow’s Broken is a blistering collection of crime stories that showcases why he’s long been considered one of the most powerful voices in contemporary crime fiction. Now, one of its standout stories—“Crime 101”—has made the leap from the page to a major motion picture, bringing Winslow’s razor-sharp storytelling to an even wider audience.

About the Book: Broken

Hailed by Stephen King as “one of America’s greatest storytellers,” #1 international bestselling author Don Winslow returns in Broken with six intense short novels. Some feature familiar characters, others introduce new ones, but all are connected by Winslow’s signature themes: crime, vengeance, guilt, and redemption.

With his trademark blend of insight, humanity, dark humor, and propulsive action, Winslow delivers stories that feel both immediate and timeless. These are tales of people living by codes, moral, criminal, or personal, and the devastating consequences when those codes are tested or broken.

Spotlight on “Crime 101”

At the heart of Broken is “Crime 101,” a tightly wound crime story that reads like a perfect noir film waiting to happen.

A series of high-level jewel heists along California’s Pacific Coast Highway has baffled law enforcement for years. The crimes are initially attributed to Colombian cartels, but Detective Lou Lubesnick suspects something else entirely: a lone thief operating under a strict personal philosophy known as Crime 101.

The jewel thief has followed his rules flawlessly, until now. As he plans one final, legendary score, Lou decides to do the unthinkable: break every rule of Crime 101 to stop him.

It’s a story about obsession, intuition, and the thin line between hunter and hunted, and it’s no surprise Hollywood came calling.

About the Movie: Crime 101

The film adaptation of Crime 101 brings Winslow’s story to life with an all-star cast and sleek, tension-filled direction.

Plot Overview

A jewel thief named Mike Davis has executed a series of daring heists along the 101 freeway, leaving police completely stumped. When he sets his sights on the ultimate score, his plans intersect with those of insurance broker Sharon Colvin. Meanwhile, Detective Lou Lubesnick believes he’s finally cracked the thief’s pattern and is determined to bring him down before the next job.

Film Details

  • Written and Directed by: Bart Layton
  • Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and Halle Berry

Crime 101 premiered on January 28, 2026, in London and is scheduled for U.S. release on February 13, 2026.

About the Author: Don Winslow

Don Winslow is the author of twenty-six acclaimed, award-winning international bestsellers, including eight New York Times bestsellers such as Savages, The Cartel, The Force, The Border, and his epic City trilogy (City on Fire, City of Dreams, City in Ruins).

A former investigator, anti-terrorism trainer, and trial consultant, Winslow brings lived experience to his fiction, lending it an authenticity that sets his work apart. He has also written award-winning short stories for Audible, narrated by four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris. Winslow currently lives in California and Rhode Island.

Final Thoughts

With Broken, Don Winslow once again proves his mastery of crime fiction, and Crime 101’s transition from short novel to feature film feels both natural and inevitable. Whether you encounter this story first on the page or on the screen, one thing is certain: Winslow’s world is gripping, morally complex, and impossible to forget.

Photo: Google

Book Review: ‘The Dark Art of Life Mastery’ and Why It’s a Wake-Up Call for Personal Growth

The Dark Art of Life Mastery is a a powerful guide to living fearlessly. Photo: Barnes & Noble

The Dark Art of Life Mastery: Your Life, Your Way, Right Here, Right Now

by Hussein Hallak

Overview

Life doesn’t slow down just because you want it to. It’s complicated and messy. It tests you and shapes your experiences, especially if you don’t shape your own. Sometimes it demands more than we feel able to give.

But you can’t wait for an opportunity to spark change. You have to create it.

In The Dark Art of Life Mastery, Hussein Hallak helps unleash your potential by offering a guide for living fearlessly, second-guessing less, and embracing your true purpose.

The first chapter makes one thing clear: this book won’t tell you anything entirely new. Instead, it compares his writing to putting on sunglasses:

“Sunglasses aren’t right or wrong; they just allow you to see things differently based upon the environment surrounding you.”

What’s Inside

  • Rewind
  • (Untitled)
  • Time Is the Key
  • Then You Die
  • Let Go
  • Captain On Deck
  • Master
  • At the Helm
  • Take It In

Highlights

Captain On Deck
Sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. We pretend to be kings of our lives when in reality, we can’t control everything. All you can do is step on deck, take the wheel, and hope for the best.

Scanning
We’ve evolved to prioritize survival. That’s why criticism feels like a threat, triggering defensiveness and pushing us into fight-or-flight mode.

Review

The Dark Art of Life Mastery is a reflective and motivating guide for anyone who feels like life is happening to them rather than being shaped by them. Hallak begins with a question that quietly lingers throughout the book: If it’s your life, who’s really in control? From there, he explores the uncomfortable truth that life doesn’t pause when we feel overwhelmed, it keeps moving, demanding intention, courage, and self-awareness.

Hallak blends personal stories with poetic insight, creating a tone that feels grounding and quietly empowering. He doesn’t offer rigid formulas for success. Instead, he focuses on mindset: learning to sit with discomfort, questioning self-doubt, and taking responsibility for the choices that define our path. The “dark art” isn’t about manipulation or secrecy, but about mastering unseen inner battles, fear, hesitation, and the stories we tell ourselves.

The illustrations at the beginning of each chapter are beautiful and thoughtfully reflect each chapter’s theme. It’s a short read and serves as a reminder that transformation doesn’t come from waiting for the right moment, it comes from creating it.

“You may have to pause, think hard, and go deep inside to bring out the one thing that matters most. It’s likely buried under all those meaningless someday goals.”

This book is recommended for readers who enjoy inspirational and introspective personal development reads.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Hussein Hallak is a founder, entrepreneur, and strategist dedicated to helping people and organizations find clarity in complexity and build lasting impact. As CEO of Next Decentrum, he guides leaders and teams worldwide through digital transformation, innovation, and values-driven growth.

He is the author of The Dark Art of Life Mastery, a blunt and honest invitation to confront illusions, reclaim personal agency, and stop waiting for permission to live. His work challenges easy answers and rewards those willing to choose meaning over comfort.

*Thank you to Next Decentrum for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

From Page to Screen: People We Meet On Vacation Is Now Streaming on Netflix

People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry. Photo: Barnes & Noble

People We Meet On Vacation: From Beloved Novel to Netflix Movie

The New York Times bestselling romance novel People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry has officially made its leap from page to screen. The long-awaited Netflix adaptation stars Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, and Sarah Catherine Hook, and is now available to stream.

For fans of the book, and for anyone who loves a slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance, this adaptation brings one of Emily Henry’s most cherished stories to life.

About the Book: People We Meet On Vacation

Two best friends.
Ten summer trips.
One last chance to fall in love.

Poppy and Alex couldn’t be more different.

She’s a wild child with insatiable wanderlust.
He wears khakis and prefers staying home with a good book.

After a chance car share home from college, the two form an unlikely friendship that becomes the most important relationship in their lives. For a decade, despite living far apart, Poppy in New York City and Alex in their small Ohio hometown, they spend one glorious week each summer traveling together.

Until two years ago, when everything fell apart.

They haven’t spoken since.

The Story at Its Heart

On the surface, Poppy has everything she’s supposed to want. But she’s stuck in a rut. When she’s asked when she was last truly happy, the answer comes easily: that final, ill-fated vacation with Alex. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

Determined to fix what they broke, Poppy convinces Alex to take one last trip together—to lay everything on the table and make things right. Miraculously, he agrees.

Now she has one week to fix everything… if she can finally face the truth that has always hovered between them.

What could possibly go wrong?

The Netflix Adaptation

Directed by Brett Haley, People We Meet On Vacation was released this month and has received generally positive reviews. The film captures the charm of Emily Henry’s original story, following Poppy and Alex’s decade-long tradition of shared summer vacations and the deeper connection that slowly unfolds between them.

At its core, the movie remains a story about timing, vulnerability, and the quiet, life-changing power of friendship turning into love.

Have you watched the Netflix adaptation yet, or are you still loyal to the book? 📚🎬

Photo: IMDb

Jan-Philipp Sendker Returns with ‘Akiko’s Quiet Happiness’

‘Akikos’ Quiet Happiness’ is a moving new Japan trilogy novel. Photo: Other Press

Akiko’s Quiet Happiness

The Japan Trilogy, Vol. 1
by Jan-Philipp Sendker
Translated by Daniel Bowles

The first book in a new series by the beloved author of The Art of Hearing Heartbeats trilogy is now out. Jan-Philipp Sendker returns with Akiko’s Quiet Happiness, the opening novel in The Japan Trilogy, a tender, introspective story about grief, identity, and the courage it takes to love. (Other Press, 2025)

About the Novel

Still grieving the death of her mother, 29-year-old Akiko lives alone in Tokyo, withdrawn and emotionally isolated. Her quiet, carefully contained life is interrupted one evening when she unexpectedly runs into Kento, her first love from school.

Kento now lives as a hikikomori, leading a reclusive life and only venturing outside at night. As the two former classmates reconnect, their fragile bond begins to open doors neither of them expected.

At the same time, Akiko uncovers unsettling evidence that her mother had been lying to her about their family. The discovery shakes her sense of self and forces her to confront a painful truth: she doesn’t really know who she is.

With Kento’s support, Akiko embarks on a journey into her own past, one that leads her in surprising directions and toward questions she has never dared to ask before:

  • How do I want to live?
  • And do I have the courage to love?

Perfect for fans of Satoshi Yagisawa’s Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Akiko’s Quiet Happiness is a poignant story of family, identity, and belonging.

About the Author

Jan-Philipp Sendker, born in Hamburg in 1960, was the American correspondent for Stern from 1990 to 1995 and its Asian correspondent from 1995 to 1999. In 2000, he published Cracks in the Wall, a nonfiction book about China.

His first novel, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, became an international bestseller. Sendker now lives in Potsdam with his family.

About the Translator

Daniel Bowles is Associate Professor of German Studies at Boston College. His translation of Imperium won the Goethe-Institut’s Helen & Kurt Wolff Translator’s Prize in 2016.

‘Whispers of Mayhem’ Is a Must-Read Dark Romantasy for Fans of Fierce Female Leads

Whispers of Mayhem is Aurora Ramsden’s latest romantasy novel. Photo: Amazon

Whispers of Mayhem (Guardians of Death)

by Aurora Ramsden

Overview

Whispers of Mayhem is a dark romantasy packed with savage creatures, deadly magic, unhinged humor, and a heroine who absolutely will take your head.

Nyx Blackwood has always suspected she isn’t human. She’s immune to fire and plagued by visions ripped straight from a horror movie. Loud, unapologetic, and fiercely independent, Nyx is done pretending to be normal and she has no intention of softening herself for anyone.

Alongside her sisters, triplets Opal and Rue, Nyx owns The Triad, a tattoo and piercing studio. Opal serves as the rational backbone of the business, balancing Nyx’s explosive temper and Rue’s take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Together, the Blackwood sisters take life by the horns, and heaven help anyone who gets in their way.

Everything changes when a mysterious stranger named Ryker walks into the shop, tosses Nyx a gold coin, and promises he’ll see them soon.

Not long after, the sisters are transported to another realm and enrolled in Death University. Surrounded by chaos and danger, they learn they are powerful creatures who need intense training, because the world’s evil isn’t waiting for them to catch up.

Review

Whispers of Mayhem is a fast-paced plunge into dark romantasy that revels in chaos, blood, and biting humor. Aurora Ramsden introduces Nyx as a vision-seeing tattoo artist whose sharp wit is matched only by her sharper instincts. Alongside her sisters, she is violently ripped from everything familiar and thrown into a brutal new world crawling with savage creatures, deadly magic, and truths that refuse to stay buried.

The tone is unapologetic and the humor delightfully unhinged. Fight scenes are vivid and immersive, pulling the reader straight into the action:

“I pull the vine tighter around his throat, standing to the side of him, reveling in his rising panic…”

Told in first person through both Nyx and Ryker’s perspectives, the danger feels constant and deeply personal.

Nyx is not a passive heroine waiting to be saved, she is rage, survival, and teeth. Ramsden writes her with an itchy trigger finger and zero hesitation to turn violent when pushed, making it impossible not to root for her. The bond between the sisters adds emotional weight, grounding the carnage in loyalty and love. Together, they are an unstoppable trio.

As they uncover who and what they truly are, the tension escalates toward a chilling truth: self-discovery isn’t optional, and time is not on their side.

Dark, violent, and wickedly entertaining, Whispers of Mayhem is a must-read for fans of gritty fantasy with heart and humor buried beneath the bloodshed. This being the first book in the Guardians of Death series, prepare yourself for the Blackwood sisters, they’re just getting warmed up. If you love strong female leads, this book is for you.

“The shadow figure-faceless and void-moves with predatory grace, slicing at her with a malevolent glee, leaving trails of darkness swirling in the aftermath of each cruel blow.”

Content Warning

Intended for mature audiences. Contains:

  • Violence and gore
  • Dark humor
  • Strong language
  • Explicit sex scenes

About the Author

Aurora Ramsden’s love for fantasy romance is rooted in memories of her mother and strengthened by the bond she shares with her closest girlfriends, trading smutty recommendations, laughing over morally gray men, and celebrating heroines who bite back.

Her stories are messy, blunt, sexy, a little unhinged, and unapologetically raw, packed with chaos, sarcasm, and enough spice to keep your Kindle sweating.

Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 out of 5)

Whispers of Mayhem delivers a ferocious blend of dark fantasy, sisterhood, violence, and unhinged humor. The worldbuilding is immersive, the pacing relentless, and Nyx Blackwood is the kind of heroine who refuses to be forgotten. The sister dynamic adds emotional depth, while the action and spice keep the pages turning.

A few moments feel intentionally chaotic, which largely works in the book’s favor, but readers who prefer slower worldbuilding or softer fantasy tones may find the intensity overwhelming. For fans of gritty romantasy with spice, morally gray characters, and heroines who choose violence every time, this book hits hard.

Perfect for readers who want their fantasy dark, bloody, funny, and unapologetically wild.

*Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.