This imaginative fantasy novella drops the reader into the action right from the start and takes off from there. The story begins with monster-hunter Varity captured by the Dominga and hauled off to their fortress/encampment where they hope to pry information from him. But he’s got secrets that they can’t learn and a task to accomplish. And he won’t let them stand in his way.

Elements I liked:
There’s so much here to like … the unique magic systems of jewelburning and deathrunes; all the various species; the world-building that’s even got a steampunk hint to it (the train); and then there was Daffney (I really loved Daffney). I enjoyed Varity’s irreverent attitude and confidence — maybe even over-confidence — in the face of threats and danger. There’s a lot packed into this short book and it’s a great introduction to many details that, I would hope, further books in the series will expand on.

Elements I struggled with:
At times, the writing was a little rough, with errors that jarred me from the flow of the story. A final proofread and edit should take care of those readily, however.

Overall:
This novella is a fast-paced, entertaining, and fun read. It gave me a taste of the possibilities of this series and has left me looking forward to more stories in this world.

(Read September 2021) ( )