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The Fear of Moncroix
All the Waywards have Fallen…
After a mission against the Royal Vampiric Court goes horribly wrong, all of the Waywards are slaughtered.
All except one.
Davion, the last surviving member, must consume potions to mask himself and hide amongst the very people who killed his brethren. After a decade of living this double-life, Davion has resigned himself to his new purgatory. But all will not remain calm for him or the Court.
An unknown swordsman arrives, and after killing several Royal Vampires, rumor spreads that he’s searching for anyone still belonging to The Wayward order.
Davion decides he must track down this mysterious swordsman. But will finding him bring freedom or his own demise.
After a mission against the Royal Vampiric Court goes horribly wrong, all of the Waywards are slaughtered.
All except one.
Davion, the last surviving member, must consume potions to mask himself and hide amongst the very people who killed his brethren. After a decade of living this double-life, Davion has resigned himself to his new purgatory. But all will not remain calm for him or the Court.
An unknown swordsman arrives, and after killing several Royal Vampires, rumor spreads that he’s searching for anyone still belonging to The Wayward order.
Davion decides he must track down this mysterious swordsman. But will finding him bring freedom or his own demise.
250 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2023
5 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Asher
4 books41 followersBryan Asher is a native Washingtonian and lifelong fan of fiction in all its forms. He started out like many kids from the '90s, being enthralled by all the superhero comics and cartoons crossing his vision. His love of literary fiction came when he was handed a copy of John Bellairs, “The Chessmen of Doom” by his local librarian. Bryan still credits John Bellairs as his greatest literary influence, with his books featuring multiple illustrations and stand-alone adventures, just like Bellairs.
After years of dedication and planning, he debuted his first novel in 2020, “The Assassin of Malcoze.” The following year he released his second novel, “The Treasure of Lor-Rev,” which went on to win multiple awards.
Bryan still lives in Renton Washington with his loving wife and two awesome children. He also still has the first comic book he ever purchased (which cost a quarter in 1990).
After years of dedication and planning, he debuted his first novel in 2020, “The Assassin of Malcoze.” The following year he released his second novel, “The Treasure of Lor-Rev,” which went on to win multiple awards.
Bryan still lives in Renton Washington with his loving wife and two awesome children. He also still has the first comic book he ever purchased (which cost a quarter in 1990).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 28, 2023
This was an exciting reading experience. I thought the world, magic, story, and characters were all awesome. It was the length that had me scratching my head. Because the book is only 250 pages long it uses specific structure mechanics to set a breakneck speed.
It felt like this could easily be adapted to an animated feature film. This is not a bad thing I just found it really unique and interesting.
I found it incredibly interesting when I kept waiting for the climax of the book. When I Hit 90% I started getting nervous and then it all wraps up rather suddenly in a neat bow. Overall I enjoyed this reading experience and recommend this book to lovers of vampire stories!!!
Pacing 5/5 it goes so fast
Structure 4/5
Story 4/5
Inventivnestt 4/5 great world and magic
Characterization 4/5
Enjoyment 3/5 I wanted to get more of the finer details of the Waywards and this world and setting.
Overall 4/5
It felt like this could easily be adapted to an animated feature film. This is not a bad thing I just found it really unique and interesting.
I found it incredibly interesting when I kept waiting for the climax of the book. When I Hit 90% I started getting nervous and then it all wraps up rather suddenly in a neat bow. Overall I enjoyed this reading experience and recommend this book to lovers of vampire stories!!!
Pacing 5/5 it goes so fast
Structure 4/5
Story 4/5
Inventivnestt 4/5 great world and magic
Characterization 4/5
Enjoyment 3/5 I wanted to get more of the finer details of the Waywards and this world and setting.
Overall 4/5
May 11, 2023
Actual Rating: a little bit more than 4 stars
It is so rare to find good vampire books that once you do you feel amazing. I went into The Fear of Moncroix after falling in love with the cover and it did not disappoint.
We are following mainly four characters. An exiled vampire turned merchant named Yaspen, a vampire lady called Fiona, a swordsman named Carneth and a hunter called Davion. Each one with their own motivations for or against the Royal Court of Vampires. The only thing I’ll say about the plot is that is related to the massacre of the Wayward order several years ago and some still answered questions about it, but since this book is quite short, I would recommend not knowing more.
Overall, the plot was good, it started great with a great pace, but I have to say that the ending felt a bit rushed, not as much as for the writing style but because when I realized there were only like 20 pages left to resolve the book. I was hoping for it to have a sequel, but it’s a standalone (according to the author’s note we’ll see more of the characters in later books but the arc for this one is closed), so I couldn’t help to feel a bit let down. But taking out the length, the ending was satisfying enough. We even have a good douse of court intrigue!
In regards of the world building, again, my main complain is going to be the length. Even though we are quite settled in the world (it is definitely not lacking), it felt so interesting but there wasn’t a very immersive worldbuilding since its more of a straight to the point story, which is not bad by any means, but if you know me you know I love some heavy world building, so I love gigantic tomes. In this aspect I loved the relationship between the vampiric powers and the spirits, and also the limitation of geographical zone due to them.
Seems like I might be complaining a bit but not at all, these two minor things are the only aspects that I can call “misses” since I ended up devouring this book in almost one sitting. If you like the animated Castlevania you would probably really like this, is quite dark in ambiance but it doesn’t enter the territory of grim dark so if you are not a fan of the genre, you’re still good to go. If you are looking for a fantastic novel about vampires, I couldn’t recommend this one enough.
It is so rare to find good vampire books that once you do you feel amazing. I went into The Fear of Moncroix after falling in love with the cover and it did not disappoint.
We are following mainly four characters. An exiled vampire turned merchant named Yaspen, a vampire lady called Fiona, a swordsman named Carneth and a hunter called Davion. Each one with their own motivations for or against the Royal Court of Vampires. The only thing I’ll say about the plot is that is related to the massacre of the Wayward order several years ago and some still answered questions about it, but since this book is quite short, I would recommend not knowing more.
Overall, the plot was good, it started great with a great pace, but I have to say that the ending felt a bit rushed, not as much as for the writing style but because when I realized there were only like 20 pages left to resolve the book. I was hoping for it to have a sequel, but it’s a standalone (according to the author’s note we’ll see more of the characters in later books but the arc for this one is closed), so I couldn’t help to feel a bit let down. But taking out the length, the ending was satisfying enough. We even have a good douse of court intrigue!
In regards of the world building, again, my main complain is going to be the length. Even though we are quite settled in the world (it is definitely not lacking), it felt so interesting but there wasn’t a very immersive worldbuilding since its more of a straight to the point story, which is not bad by any means, but if you know me you know I love some heavy world building, so I love gigantic tomes. In this aspect I loved the relationship between the vampiric powers and the spirits, and also the limitation of geographical zone due to them.
Seems like I might be complaining a bit but not at all, these two minor things are the only aspects that I can call “misses” since I ended up devouring this book in almost one sitting. If you like the animated Castlevania you would probably really like this, is quite dark in ambiance but it doesn’t enter the territory of grim dark so if you are not a fan of the genre, you’re still good to go. If you are looking for a fantastic novel about vampires, I couldn’t recommend this one enough.
March 23, 2024
I'll admit that what originally drew me to The Fear of Moncroix is the incredible cover art by Los Angeles artist Christian Angel.
I think that plus the fact that Bryan Asher entered SPFBO9 put this one on my TBR. So, amazing art (including several interior pieces by the same artist) and a SPFBO9 entrant. Beyond that, I had no idea what I was getting into.
Turns out, it's a fast-paced vampire revenge thriller. And a bite-sized one at that – I read the majority of this book during a single plane ride from Tampa to Philadelphia...last July. Yikes, I am very behind on some reviews! As I've simply waited too long to write this, I don't have my fresh thoughts from reading it. But I did take some notes and can talk about what stuck with me about the book after these 7-ish months.
The story is primarily told from the perspectives of two opposing figures. The first is Davion, who is a Wayward, member of a secretive order of fighters that has been almost entirely wiped out trying to infiltrate the Vampiric Court. After all his friends are killed, he has no choice but to stay undercover, and eventually gives up on trying to complete his original mission.
The second is Carneth, son of a dead Wayward who is searching for the order. He's in possession of a magical artifact and wants to return it to the Waywards to keep a promise to his father. We bounce back and forth between his chapters and Davion's, and it's clear early on that these two are on a collision course. I liked this, as it kept the story moving along and gave a sense of progression as each POV set up for their conflict with the other.
At first, I also thought there was going to be a third perspective, as a chapter started with another character before suddenly switching to Davion's POV when he entered the scene. Eventually, I realized a lot of chapters start like this: begin with a separate perspective before switching to one of the main characters. It took a bit to get used to, but it helped the story move quickly and gave us some interiority from many different characters despite being a short book.
A very short book, I should say. Like I said, the book is bite-sized. At just over 250 small pages, it's not quite as short as a novella, but you can still probably read this in an afternoon. There are benefits and drawbacks to this. It's nice to be able to take in a whole story in a single sitting. But it also means that many things have to be condensed – it really limits the depth of the story that can be told.
One thing that held me back from enjoying this even more was that we didn't get much time dedicated to character development. Relationships are glossed over pretty quickly, and while I appreciated the lack of hand-holding, I did wish there was a bit more time spent exploring the depths of these relationships. The plot moved so quickly, I found it hard to become attached to anyone. This is just a preference of mine, of course. If you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, this might be just the book for you.
It had many unique elements that kept me enjoying the story, even if it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Some of the worldbuilding around the Vampiric Court is fantastic. The court is so powerful that they have human farms, which they call blood orchards, and they process blood into all sorts of food like wine and pastries. It's an interesting take on vampire culture, making them more sophisticated and industrious than what I normally see.
The setting is also part of a chain of floating islands called the Intercontinents. There are two other standalone books that take place in this wider setting, and from what I understand, each one has its own genre. This one was fantasy horror, another is post-apocalyptic, and the third is medieval fantasy. Pretty cool idea, and there are some references to other islands in this book that might add some more depth to the story for you if you've read Asher's other works.
In sum, the book's length made this a swift and engaging read, with some excellent action and intriguing worldbuilding elements, exemplified by its depiction of a sophisticated vampiric society, complete with all kinds of scheming and backstabbing among the most powerful vampires. The Fear of Moncroix may not delve into the extensive depths of its characters, but it compensates with a compelling plot and an innovative take on vampire lore, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in a fresh take on fantasy horror.
3.5/5 ⭐
I think that plus the fact that Bryan Asher entered SPFBO9 put this one on my TBR. So, amazing art (including several interior pieces by the same artist) and a SPFBO9 entrant. Beyond that, I had no idea what I was getting into.
Turns out, it's a fast-paced vampire revenge thriller. And a bite-sized one at that – I read the majority of this book during a single plane ride from Tampa to Philadelphia...last July. Yikes, I am very behind on some reviews! As I've simply waited too long to write this, I don't have my fresh thoughts from reading it. But I did take some notes and can talk about what stuck with me about the book after these 7-ish months.
The story is primarily told from the perspectives of two opposing figures. The first is Davion, who is a Wayward, member of a secretive order of fighters that has been almost entirely wiped out trying to infiltrate the Vampiric Court. After all his friends are killed, he has no choice but to stay undercover, and eventually gives up on trying to complete his original mission.
The second is Carneth, son of a dead Wayward who is searching for the order. He's in possession of a magical artifact and wants to return it to the Waywards to keep a promise to his father. We bounce back and forth between his chapters and Davion's, and it's clear early on that these two are on a collision course. I liked this, as it kept the story moving along and gave a sense of progression as each POV set up for their conflict with the other.
At first, I also thought there was going to be a third perspective, as a chapter started with another character before suddenly switching to Davion's POV when he entered the scene. Eventually, I realized a lot of chapters start like this: begin with a separate perspective before switching to one of the main characters. It took a bit to get used to, but it helped the story move quickly and gave us some interiority from many different characters despite being a short book.
A very short book, I should say. Like I said, the book is bite-sized. At just over 250 small pages, it's not quite as short as a novella, but you can still probably read this in an afternoon. There are benefits and drawbacks to this. It's nice to be able to take in a whole story in a single sitting. But it also means that many things have to be condensed – it really limits the depth of the story that can be told.
One thing that held me back from enjoying this even more was that we didn't get much time dedicated to character development. Relationships are glossed over pretty quickly, and while I appreciated the lack of hand-holding, I did wish there was a bit more time spent exploring the depths of these relationships. The plot moved so quickly, I found it hard to become attached to anyone. This is just a preference of mine, of course. If you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, this might be just the book for you.
It had many unique elements that kept me enjoying the story, even if it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Some of the worldbuilding around the Vampiric Court is fantastic. The court is so powerful that they have human farms, which they call blood orchards, and they process blood into all sorts of food like wine and pastries. It's an interesting take on vampire culture, making them more sophisticated and industrious than what I normally see.
The setting is also part of a chain of floating islands called the Intercontinents. There are two other standalone books that take place in this wider setting, and from what I understand, each one has its own genre. This one was fantasy horror, another is post-apocalyptic, and the third is medieval fantasy. Pretty cool idea, and there are some references to other islands in this book that might add some more depth to the story for you if you've read Asher's other works.
In sum, the book's length made this a swift and engaging read, with some excellent action and intriguing worldbuilding elements, exemplified by its depiction of a sophisticated vampiric society, complete with all kinds of scheming and backstabbing among the most powerful vampires. The Fear of Moncroix may not delve into the extensive depths of its characters, but it compensates with a compelling plot and an innovative take on vampire lore, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in a fresh take on fantasy horror.
3.5/5 ⭐
December 28, 2024
An enjoyable dark fantasy, complete with separate sort of realms and kingdoms and VAMPS!
This short book had some inventive aspects and impressive world-building that I found exciting and not overdone--which can happen in fantasy stories. There were a few times I missed a detail or event and then I had to go back and re-read, but I didn't find that too onerous.
Overall this was an enjoyable book by Bryan Asher. I plan to read more of his work in the future.
This short book had some inventive aspects and impressive world-building that I found exciting and not overdone--which can happen in fantasy stories. There were a few times I missed a detail or event and then I had to go back and re-read, but I didn't find that too onerous.
Overall this was an enjoyable book by Bryan Asher. I plan to read more of his work in the future.
February 24, 2023
I first found out about Bryan Asher through his other books however the Fear of Moncroix is the first I’ve actually read. Safe to say it will not be the last.
All the Waywards have Fallen…
After a mission against the Royal Vampiric Court goes horribly wrong, all the Waywards are slaughtered.
All except one.
Davion, the last surviving member, must consume potions to mask himself and hide amongst the very people who killed his brethren. After a decade of living this double-life, Davion has resigned himself to his new purgatory. But all will not remain calm for him or the Court.
An unknown swordsman arrives, and after killing several Royal Vampires, rumour spreads that he’s searching for anyone still belonging to The Wayward order.
Davion decides he must track down this mysterious swordsman. But will finding him bring freedom or his own demise.
Firstly, the cover for this book is amazing. Illustrator Christian Angel has provided such elegantly bleak visuals for this book. We have this gorgeous cover art alongside inner page drawings that bring these characters to life. I also found out that these books are connected to a bigger universe called The Intercontinents, numerous floating continents where different stories take place. I was happy to find out that these, for now, are loosely referenced but I can see myself reading these in the near future.
This story follows a few characters but each of these have their own motives and depth to their side of the plot. We do get a great introduction to these characters and how their ideals fit in the world, how their thoughts and processes lead to their actions. For such a short book, Bryan has left me engaged with how authentic these characters are to the world that they are living in. The interactions, the dynamics, the satisfaction from revelations was top notch. I was especially intrigued by the mystery surrounding whodunnit and how things unfolded. Bryan has a great way of catching interest and leaving us guessing.
The idea of the connected universe intrigues me and I wonder if I'm missing something from not reading the others but I'll be soon to find out. It does leave an interesting take on telling these stories because there can be so many different aspects to each. The setting of Moncroix itself was reminiscent of Bloodborne to me, or at least how I pictured it.
This was a brilliantly quick read but the action, the world, the characters, and everything else were fantastic. If you're looking for an imaginatively short read that leads to a much larger scope, then this is a series for you.
All the Waywards have Fallen…
After a mission against the Royal Vampiric Court goes horribly wrong, all the Waywards are slaughtered.
All except one.
Davion, the last surviving member, must consume potions to mask himself and hide amongst the very people who killed his brethren. After a decade of living this double-life, Davion has resigned himself to his new purgatory. But all will not remain calm for him or the Court.
An unknown swordsman arrives, and after killing several Royal Vampires, rumour spreads that he’s searching for anyone still belonging to The Wayward order.
Davion decides he must track down this mysterious swordsman. But will finding him bring freedom or his own demise.
Firstly, the cover for this book is amazing. Illustrator Christian Angel has provided such elegantly bleak visuals for this book. We have this gorgeous cover art alongside inner page drawings that bring these characters to life. I also found out that these books are connected to a bigger universe called The Intercontinents, numerous floating continents where different stories take place. I was happy to find out that these, for now, are loosely referenced but I can see myself reading these in the near future.
This story follows a few characters but each of these have their own motives and depth to their side of the plot. We do get a great introduction to these characters and how their ideals fit in the world, how their thoughts and processes lead to their actions. For such a short book, Bryan has left me engaged with how authentic these characters are to the world that they are living in. The interactions, the dynamics, the satisfaction from revelations was top notch. I was especially intrigued by the mystery surrounding whodunnit and how things unfolded. Bryan has a great way of catching interest and leaving us guessing.
The idea of the connected universe intrigues me and I wonder if I'm missing something from not reading the others but I'll be soon to find out. It does leave an interesting take on telling these stories because there can be so many different aspects to each. The setting of Moncroix itself was reminiscent of Bloodborne to me, or at least how I pictured it.
This was a brilliantly quick read but the action, the world, the characters, and everything else were fantastic. If you're looking for an imaginatively short read that leads to a much larger scope, then this is a series for you.
February 24, 2024
The author offered me a review copy, for which I took far too long to get to, but he was really gracious about it. And honestly, I’m pretty pissed I waited.
This is a vampire-led dark fantasy that is scifi-linked to the author’s other works via the Intercontinents. Regardless of that, on its own, this is one of the most unique novels I’ve read in years. It has the fast paced, fang-fueled action of Underworld (sans guns), with the backdrop of a completely original fantasy world. Since the fall of the Waywards, the Midlands are said to be safe from the vampires, when really they are the focal point of secret vampiric hunting parties. Not everything—and most definitely not everyone—is as they seem.
The main character of Davion is both accessible while still being somewhat tainted and morally gray. His hands aren’t clean, but he still fights for what’s right. A secret potion allows him to blend seamlessly with the vampires, being accepted as one of them, but it also leaves him with the same insatiable bloodlust they suffer from.
The novel somehow manages to be its own entity while still having this entirely gothic feeling to it. The descriptions of the vampiric court are gaudy and vibrant, while still otherworldly.
This is a first for me from the author, definitely won’t be the last. I need to know more about the wolven race! Personally a 5/5*.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-the-fe...
This is a vampire-led dark fantasy that is scifi-linked to the author’s other works via the Intercontinents. Regardless of that, on its own, this is one of the most unique novels I’ve read in years. It has the fast paced, fang-fueled action of Underworld (sans guns), with the backdrop of a completely original fantasy world. Since the fall of the Waywards, the Midlands are said to be safe from the vampires, when really they are the focal point of secret vampiric hunting parties. Not everything—and most definitely not everyone—is as they seem.
The main character of Davion is both accessible while still being somewhat tainted and morally gray. His hands aren’t clean, but he still fights for what’s right. A secret potion allows him to blend seamlessly with the vampires, being accepted as one of them, but it also leaves him with the same insatiable bloodlust they suffer from.
The novel somehow manages to be its own entity while still having this entirely gothic feeling to it. The descriptions of the vampiric court are gaudy and vibrant, while still otherworldly.
This is a first for me from the author, definitely won’t be the last. I need to know more about the wolven race! Personally a 5/5*.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-the-fe...
July 8, 2023
4.5 stars (Since I can’t do ½ stars)
Wow, I continue to be amazed at how well some authors can put together an excellent reading experience in less than 250 pages. With The Fear of Moncroix, less is clearly more!
Packed in this fast-paced story centered around a Vampiric Court is a cast of compelling and fun characters, particularly the main antagonist, Countess Fiona. Also, there are well-put-together action scenes and some surprisingly detailed world-building for such a short novel.
The build-up throughout the book grows and you know you are waiting for it, and when it happens the read is over leaving you satisfied but at the same time wishing that maybe it when on a bit. I do prefer to be immersed in books a little longer than this.
I continue to be impressed each time I read one of Asher’s books set in his Floating Inner Continents, each giving you a different reading experience. If you are on the hunt for an actual good gothic vampire story, that makes a great palette cleanser, I recommend checking out The Fear of Moncroix
Sidebar: Probably one of the most beautiful and favorite book covers of a book that I own.
Wow, I continue to be amazed at how well some authors can put together an excellent reading experience in less than 250 pages. With The Fear of Moncroix, less is clearly more!
Packed in this fast-paced story centered around a Vampiric Court is a cast of compelling and fun characters, particularly the main antagonist, Countess Fiona. Also, there are well-put-together action scenes and some surprisingly detailed world-building for such a short novel.
The build-up throughout the book grows and you know you are waiting for it, and when it happens the read is over leaving you satisfied but at the same time wishing that maybe it when on a bit. I do prefer to be immersed in books a little longer than this.
I continue to be impressed each time I read one of Asher’s books set in his Floating Inner Continents, each giving you a different reading experience. If you are on the hunt for an actual good gothic vampire story, that makes a great palette cleanser, I recommend checking out The Fear of Moncroix
Sidebar: Probably one of the most beautiful and favorite book covers of a book that I own.
April 2, 2023
The Fear of Moncroix is short, action-packed writing that doesn’t overstay its welcome. There’s no more world-building or description than is absolutely necessary to tell the story Bryan Asher wanted to tell, which makes the book incredibly light and digestible, and a solid palette cleanser for someone currently overwhelmed by larger fantasy epics. If you like vampires, vampire hunters, and a familiar gothic setting? Then you’ll probably find plenty to enjoy here.
What prevents me from rating it higher is twofold. For starters, the books briefness, while being a strength in many ways, is also the cause of its biggest downsides. Conflict resolves too quickly, and the pacing doesn’t allow for the reader to sit with the characters and get to know them beyond a surface level. This means that certain moments that are meant to carry emotional weight, especially at the end of the book, ended up landing more in the ‘viscerally cool’ category than the ‘emotionally resonant’.
The second flaw comes back to one of the things that originally drew me into the book, that being the wonderfully beautiful and imaginative illustrations. Bryan Asher, with the artistic talents of Christian Angel, sprinkles the book with plenty of gorgeous portraits depicting the characters we see throughout the story. But while I appreciated these for how pleasant they are, I also had to stop and think to myself, would I be able to picture any of the characters without them? And the answer is no, because the illustrations are used more as a substitute for describing the world and its people, rather than a supplement.
For some, both these things will barely register as issues. But for me personally, they held back the book from being 'great' versus merely just 'okay'. Still, an okay book is not one I regret reading, and as previously mentioned, The Fear of Moncroix's short length prevents it from ever feeling like a waste of your time.
What prevents me from rating it higher is twofold. For starters, the books briefness, while being a strength in many ways, is also the cause of its biggest downsides. Conflict resolves too quickly, and the pacing doesn’t allow for the reader to sit with the characters and get to know them beyond a surface level. This means that certain moments that are meant to carry emotional weight, especially at the end of the book, ended up landing more in the ‘viscerally cool’ category than the ‘emotionally resonant’.
The second flaw comes back to one of the things that originally drew me into the book, that being the wonderfully beautiful and imaginative illustrations. Bryan Asher, with the artistic talents of Christian Angel, sprinkles the book with plenty of gorgeous portraits depicting the characters we see throughout the story. But while I appreciated these for how pleasant they are, I also had to stop and think to myself, would I be able to picture any of the characters without them? And the answer is no, because the illustrations are used more as a substitute for describing the world and its people, rather than a supplement.
For some, both these things will barely register as issues. But for me personally, they held back the book from being 'great' versus merely just 'okay'. Still, an okay book is not one I regret reading, and as previously mentioned, The Fear of Moncroix's short length prevents it from ever feeling like a waste of your time.
January 13, 2024
3.75 or 4 stars, haven't decided yet
I found this through a Youtube video and was very excited about getting my hands on another vampire book, which just luckily happens to be short. And also independently published? Sign me up!
I think the best thing about this book was the plot. The political intrigue was interesting, the concept of the Snare was unique, and the way the story progresses was satisfying. The battle scenes were also really thrilling and fun to read. The book felt like an action movie, and the length helped me continue reading as well.
There are some things that I thought could be improved upon. Firstly, the writing style felt a bit clunky at times and told rather than showed. I like to figure out a character's motives and emotions rather than have it be explained to me every time. Some repetition happened throughout as well. Secondly, the worldbuilding felt a bit lackluster. I couldn't picture the sceneries or visualize the different nations of the Intercontinent. Having a map would help, but I'd prefer to have more vivid descriptions of the places the characters are in. Thirdly, because of the short length, which I always love in a book, we didn't get to spend much time with the characters to build their personalities. The politicking plotline would have been much richer if the characters had more depth. But all this can be fixed in future works, and I think as an indie author, Asher has a lot of potential.
Overall, I did have a good time reading this despite its flaws. It definitely warrants respect in regards to the fact that this was independently published. Plus, the illustrations were beautiful. Certainly a story I'd revisit and if Asher writes any more vampire books in the future, I'll pick them up.
I found this through a Youtube video and was very excited about getting my hands on another vampire book, which just luckily happens to be short. And also independently published? Sign me up!
I think the best thing about this book was the plot. The political intrigue was interesting, the concept of the Snare was unique, and the way the story progresses was satisfying. The battle scenes were also really thrilling and fun to read. The book felt like an action movie, and the length helped me continue reading as well.
There are some things that I thought could be improved upon. Firstly, the writing style felt a bit clunky at times and told rather than showed. I like to figure out a character's motives and emotions rather than have it be explained to me every time. Some repetition happened throughout as well. Secondly, the worldbuilding felt a bit lackluster. I couldn't picture the sceneries or visualize the different nations of the Intercontinent. Having a map would help, but I'd prefer to have more vivid descriptions of the places the characters are in. Thirdly, because of the short length, which I always love in a book, we didn't get to spend much time with the characters to build their personalities. The politicking plotline would have been much richer if the characters had more depth. But all this can be fixed in future works, and I think as an indie author, Asher has a lot of potential.
Overall, I did have a good time reading this despite its flaws. It definitely warrants respect in regards to the fact that this was independently published. Plus, the illustrations were beautiful. Certainly a story I'd revisit and if Asher writes any more vampire books in the future, I'll pick them up.
August 8, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall, this was a good story and I enjoyed the characters Davion, Carneth, and Tassia very much; however, it took me about 20% into the story to start enjoying it. Some of the early part was a bit confusing and could have been written a little more concisely. The politics of the world were well played out and the story had a good ending with a nice couple of twists. The vampires had some unique attributes and the ideas behind the ‘Snares’ were interesting, but parts of the Snares made aspects of the story a bit more convoluted than perhaps it needed to be.
I would recommend this story to anyone who likes vampire tales, a unique dark world, interesting characters, and some good twists.
Overall, this was a good story and I enjoyed the characters Davion, Carneth, and Tassia very much; however, it took me about 20% into the story to start enjoying it. Some of the early part was a bit confusing and could have been written a little more concisely. The politics of the world were well played out and the story had a good ending with a nice couple of twists. The vampires had some unique attributes and the ideas behind the ‘Snares’ were interesting, but parts of the Snares made aspects of the story a bit more convoluted than perhaps it needed to be.
I would recommend this story to anyone who likes vampire tales, a unique dark world, interesting characters, and some good twists.
March 4, 2023
I loooved the worldbuilding in this book. The character descriptions and introductions in the beginning were very nice + the illustrations are beautiful!! I always like a book with illustrations! The writing style was good but I was a little bit confused sometimes (could also just be me!)
Sometimes it was a bit hard for me to keep focused on a chapter if it stretched too long (could be just me tho!🤭)
My favourite character was the witch!
However, I’m sure that it could be a 4-5* read for someone else! This is just my personal opinion and the story and characters have a lot of potential!🤭✨
Sometimes it was a bit hard for me to keep focused on a chapter if it stretched too long (could be just me tho!🤭)
My favourite character was the witch!
However, I’m sure that it could be a 4-5* read for someone else! This is just my personal opinion and the story and characters have a lot of potential!🤭✨
February 28, 2023
Excellent magical vampire story with gorgeous illustrations. In my opinion it gave similar vibes as the Witcher. The action scenes were really good, but sometimes the scenes didn't flow well and it left me confused. Didn't really connect with any of the characters, except for the classic witch living in a badass moving house (perfect), and the power play with the villain.
October 5, 2023
A shorter read rich in world building and a unique magic system. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a unique take on vampires.
November 18, 2023
Now this is how a vampire story should be written.
I met Bryan Asher at a fantasy panel in the Spring of 2023 and picked up his books later in the Fall (past me is really kicking myself here that I didn’t get them sooner).
I decided to start with The Fear of Moncroix first per recommendation and was not let down. The book is only 256 pages, but Asher has this godlike talent to completely build a world, magic system, characters, and a cool sleeper agent plot line into such a short length and it all flows together beautifully.
At no point was I putting this book down. The story from beginning to end was highly engaging and when I thought I had the mystery figured out, I was proven wrong. I also really enjoy the very unique take on the vampires and their lore, specifically surrounding their fangs. It is something that I have never seen before in the fantasy setting and it really gives the book that extra depth.
I hear that all three of his books take place within the same world. I’m wondering if little bits and references of this book will be revealed in the other two, as TFOM had references to the locations depicted on the covers of his other two novels. I have always enjoyed individual novels that tie in together with others and am excited to dive into Asher’s other works.
I met Bryan Asher at a fantasy panel in the Spring of 2023 and picked up his books later in the Fall (past me is really kicking myself here that I didn’t get them sooner).
I decided to start with The Fear of Moncroix first per recommendation and was not let down. The book is only 256 pages, but Asher has this godlike talent to completely build a world, magic system, characters, and a cool sleeper agent plot line into such a short length and it all flows together beautifully.
At no point was I putting this book down. The story from beginning to end was highly engaging and when I thought I had the mystery figured out, I was proven wrong. I also really enjoy the very unique take on the vampires and their lore, specifically surrounding their fangs. It is something that I have never seen before in the fantasy setting and it really gives the book that extra depth.
I hear that all three of his books take place within the same world. I’m wondering if little bits and references of this book will be revealed in the other two, as TFOM had references to the locations depicted on the covers of his other two novels. I have always enjoyed individual novels that tie in together with others and am excited to dive into Asher’s other works.
October 31, 2023
This book is a solid vampire thriller that leans into the behind-enemy-line political intrigue, cloak-and-dagger style reminiscent of Inglorious Basterds while draped in the haunting Victorian gothic aesthetic of Symphony of the Night.
Action and fight scenes often read blow-by-blow but are brutal and sometimes over the top like an anime.
The story is laser focused on the plot, no filler, no bloat, no naval gazing. It makes this book a quick, punchy read that closes well. Fantasy fans who love world-building will find the bare essentials to establish the setting, but as I said everything is narrow focused on just the story and not getting lost in anything else.
Combined with no map or calender, it means your sense of spacial context where everything is in relation to everything else and the passage of time is wonky, but you’re only here for the story, not the window dressing.
All in all, a perfect read for fans of Castlevania season 2 and gothic vampire stories. Highly recommend
Action and fight scenes often read blow-by-blow but are brutal and sometimes over the top like an anime.
The story is laser focused on the plot, no filler, no bloat, no naval gazing. It makes this book a quick, punchy read that closes well. Fantasy fans who love world-building will find the bare essentials to establish the setting, but as I said everything is narrow focused on just the story and not getting lost in anything else.
Combined with no map or calender, it means your sense of spacial context where everything is in relation to everything else and the passage of time is wonky, but you’re only here for the story, not the window dressing.
All in all, a perfect read for fans of Castlevania season 2 and gothic vampire stories. Highly recommend
June 25, 2023
It’s been a while since I’ve read a vampire novel and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The characters were interesting and the story fast paced and entertaining.
March 22, 2025
The vibes were immaculate, and the book was incredible, if a little messy at points.
July 28, 2024
I have a video review of this on my Channel: The Fear of Moncroix Review
I first want to give a little attention to the gorgeous cover of this book, this is what drew me to it. Then to make it even better there is art all throughout the book, so if that is going to be a drawing point for you, you will not be disappointed because the art is fantastic.
The Fear of Moncroix follows Davion, a man who drinks special potions to blend into a vampire court and eventually finds himself having to uncover who the unknown swordsman is who is going around killing vampires and trying to find anyone who has any connection to the Waywards.
I'm going to start out by saying I am not a big fan of vampires; they are my least favorite paranormal creature. I'm a werewolf girl through and through but every now and then I read a book with a vampire in it to see what can be done and I have to say I really love what Asher did. While his vampires have some of the standard ways you would expect such as court systems, politics, strength and speed and so forth I love that his vampires have found different ways to eat. There is still blood involved but they have found other sources of food and I think it's really intriguing idea and was kind of fun.
Now the story does start with a prologue and I know a lot of you readers have problems with prologues, me personally I'm a prologue girly, I love them but I have to say when I initially started this book and read the prologue and then went into chapter one and it was an immediate time jump I was annoyed. There was quite a bit built up in the prologue and the time skip kind of took me out and it might do that to you as well but hear me out, keep going. Asher brings it full circle and it is worth it.
I do believe the story is very well balanced between plot and action and that's something that I have noticed shorter books sometimes struggle with and I feel Asher found a really good balance between the two. At some point I did start to think there was a lot going on and was wondering how Asher was going to wrap it all up but then he had this explosive ending and it all fell into place, the climax scene was phenomenal, and the reveals were shocking! All I can say is trust the process!
One of my favorite parts was a certain character reveal they way Asher built up the mystery around them was so intriguing and made me start trying to figure out who they were. I started forming theories and of course the one character who it ends up being was not even in the realm of my theories. I never want to be able to predict my books and it makes it even more satisfying when I am complexly blindsided, and the reveal of who this character was extremely satisfying. I kind of want to see if on a second read I can identify any clues or context or if it’s just that well-hidden.
The world building is remarkably interesting, but I need to be honest and say I was a tad bit confused about it. From what I understand this story takes place in this interconnected world that Asher has created. What I understood is that this vampiric land is in a bubble somewhere and if you try to leave said place and you have a spirit's magic you will either die if you leave or get snapped back into it. As I said I'm a little fuzzy on it but I'm pretty sure a second read through will make it a lot clearer for me but it's an intriguing idea and I think if I understood it better, I would be able to appreciate it more. The fact that there's this interconnected place that sounds like I'm dealing with different bubble-like planets is so intriguing.
Now there were a few minor elements I was either let down with or annoyed by. The first one is a particular word that was used repeatedly and that would be VAMPIRIC. This word is so overused and being told everything was a vampiric power or a vampiric motion just became a nuisance, because inherently I know a vampire is an enhanced human essentially. So being told that every time a vampire did something that was vampiric was annoying. Another part that bothered me dealt with the story around Carneth’s parentage. I feel who ended up be revealed as his father was so out of left field and honestly had me confused. I thought it was this other character who really stood out in the beginning based on how he was described but when it was revealed it was nowhere near that. It’s an odd choice and not one that I particularly cared for.
The biggest disappointment though comes with a particular scene between two characters. There is this moment when a character reveals all their secrets, who they are, and what their plans have been, and I was so excited to see the other character’s reaction. Unfortunately Asher skips over this, I wanted to see how the other character was going to handle this information it was built up to be such a big deal so not seeing the others reaction was so incredibly disappointing, it would have helped add just a little more depth their companionship.
Other than those issues I really did enjoy this, it ends with the possibility of their being more stories following these characters and if that happens, I look forward to picking them up. It’s a lot of fun with some new intriguing ideas and very easy and quick to get through.
I first want to give a little attention to the gorgeous cover of this book, this is what drew me to it. Then to make it even better there is art all throughout the book, so if that is going to be a drawing point for you, you will not be disappointed because the art is fantastic.
The Fear of Moncroix follows Davion, a man who drinks special potions to blend into a vampire court and eventually finds himself having to uncover who the unknown swordsman is who is going around killing vampires and trying to find anyone who has any connection to the Waywards.
I'm going to start out by saying I am not a big fan of vampires; they are my least favorite paranormal creature. I'm a werewolf girl through and through but every now and then I read a book with a vampire in it to see what can be done and I have to say I really love what Asher did. While his vampires have some of the standard ways you would expect such as court systems, politics, strength and speed and so forth I love that his vampires have found different ways to eat. There is still blood involved but they have found other sources of food and I think it's really intriguing idea and was kind of fun.
Now the story does start with a prologue and I know a lot of you readers have problems with prologues, me personally I'm a prologue girly, I love them but I have to say when I initially started this book and read the prologue and then went into chapter one and it was an immediate time jump I was annoyed. There was quite a bit built up in the prologue and the time skip kind of took me out and it might do that to you as well but hear me out, keep going. Asher brings it full circle and it is worth it.
I do believe the story is very well balanced between plot and action and that's something that I have noticed shorter books sometimes struggle with and I feel Asher found a really good balance between the two. At some point I did start to think there was a lot going on and was wondering how Asher was going to wrap it all up but then he had this explosive ending and it all fell into place, the climax scene was phenomenal, and the reveals were shocking! All I can say is trust the process!
One of my favorite parts was a certain character reveal they way Asher built up the mystery around them was so intriguing and made me start trying to figure out who they were. I started forming theories and of course the one character who it ends up being was not even in the realm of my theories. I never want to be able to predict my books and it makes it even more satisfying when I am complexly blindsided, and the reveal of who this character was extremely satisfying. I kind of want to see if on a second read I can identify any clues or context or if it’s just that well-hidden.
The world building is remarkably interesting, but I need to be honest and say I was a tad bit confused about it. From what I understand this story takes place in this interconnected world that Asher has created. What I understood is that this vampiric land is in a bubble somewhere and if you try to leave said place and you have a spirit's magic you will either die if you leave or get snapped back into it. As I said I'm a little fuzzy on it but I'm pretty sure a second read through will make it a lot clearer for me but it's an intriguing idea and I think if I understood it better, I would be able to appreciate it more. The fact that there's this interconnected place that sounds like I'm dealing with different bubble-like planets is so intriguing.
Now there were a few minor elements I was either let down with or annoyed by. The first one is a particular word that was used repeatedly and that would be VAMPIRIC. This word is so overused and being told everything was a vampiric power or a vampiric motion just became a nuisance, because inherently I know a vampire is an enhanced human essentially. So being told that every time a vampire did something that was vampiric was annoying. Another part that bothered me dealt with the story around Carneth’s parentage. I feel who ended up be revealed as his father was so out of left field and honestly had me confused. I thought it was this other character who really stood out in the beginning based on how he was described but when it was revealed it was nowhere near that. It’s an odd choice and not one that I particularly cared for.
The biggest disappointment though comes with a particular scene between two characters. There is this moment when a character reveals all their secrets, who they are, and what their plans have been, and I was so excited to see the other character’s reaction. Unfortunately Asher skips over this, I wanted to see how the other character was going to handle this information it was built up to be such a big deal so not seeing the others reaction was so incredibly disappointing, it would have helped add just a little more depth their companionship.
Other than those issues I really did enjoy this, it ends with the possibility of their being more stories following these characters and if that happens, I look forward to picking them up. It’s a lot of fun with some new intriguing ideas and very easy and quick to get through.
March 13, 2023
4.25 Stars!
Vampires, humans disguised as vampires, a lot of betrayal,s and fun action scenes? Hell yeah!
This book reminded me a bit of Castlevania and it was great to see the similar themes of political betrayal- I imagined Fiona as a different form of Carmilla (both of who are great vampire badasses).
I think the setup for this was very fun! I enjoyed the characters a lot (although I would've loved more interaction with Carneth and Davion. I think the world-building was also great but in my opinion, could've used a bit more!
There were also parts that were a tad dry- at least very minor parts because most of it was very exciting and intriguing.
I'm looking forward to more stories about Davion soon!
Vampires, humans disguised as vampires, a lot of betrayal,s and fun action scenes? Hell yeah!
This book reminded me a bit of Castlevania and it was great to see the similar themes of political betrayal- I imagined Fiona as a different form of Carmilla (both of who are great vampire badasses).
I think the setup for this was very fun! I enjoyed the characters a lot (although I would've loved more interaction with Carneth and Davion. I think the world-building was also great but in my opinion, could've used a bit more!
There were also parts that were a tad dry- at least very minor parts because most of it was very exciting and intriguing.
I'm looking forward to more stories about Davion soon!
July 7, 2023
This fast-paced, action packed, vampire fantasy isn't a perfect book, but it was a perfect fit for me as a reader and I am so happy I got to go on this thrilling adventure with Davion.
PLOT/TONE
The first thing that might be good to know is that this is most definitely a plot-driven story. This is generally a huge positive for me, but it is worth noting since some fans of fantasy prefer longer, more character-driven experiences. The character work in this book is spot-on, but the main focus here is in telling a tightly woven narrative filled with action, conspiracy, and some flourishes of light mystery. We follow Davion, who is the last member of an order that the Vampire Court wiped out. He's managed to survived for a decade in their midst through special magic that lets him pose as one of them. While we initially see him consigned to this purgatory, everything changes when a mysterious young man shows up to seemingly continue the work of the fallen Waywards. The story is told in a very cinematic way with some people comparing it to a Vampire Anime or Netflix's CASTLEVANIA series (though I have to say that I enjoyed this a lot more than CASTLEVANIA). We follow a couple of main POV characters around, though there are members of the supporting cast that we also spend some time with during the course of the adventure. The gothic overtones felt fitting and contrasted nicely with the rather mysterious magic system that serves to make this feel like something a little more special than your average vampire-ridden marshland. Uncovering all these little details was a treat as Davion carefully maneuvers through court politics in an effort to free himself from his living nightmare and also exact revenge for his fallen comrades. One small complaint I have is that there is a time skip that happens between the Prologue and the First Chapter that felt abrupt. The time between is shared with us via an info dump and I found myself wishing that we would have at least gotten to see the climactic end to the Wayward order. Fortunately, that wish ends up being granted much later in the story which I was very happy about. Aside from that one aspect, this really hit all the right notes for me plot-wise. The action scenes were spectacular and brutal, the conniving antics of the Vampire Court were a delight, and the story takes a handful of interesting twists as it zeroes in on it's conclusion. What's particularly impressive about the pacing of this story is that although it never really slows down, it also never felt rushed or exhausting. Every scene holds meaning and significance while every fight felt earned and rewarding.
CHARACTERS
Davion can easily be described as our primary protagonist for the events of this story. He takes on a little bit of a brooding hero architype, though given the losses he has suffered and how he needs to bury that grief for the sake of his own survival, it is easy to see why he acts the way he does. I really appreciated how we got to see him briefly in his former life and started to see through the cracks of his hardened exterior as his old self starts to return to him when he finally finds a sliver of hope to hold onto. It was also a joy to see how convincingly he could pose as a vampire and watching him trade political blows with the beautiful-but-dangerous Countess Fiona was a ton of fun. Fiona herself is a deeply interesting character and served as an excellent antagonist to Davion's efforts. Carneth is one character that I would have liked to see a little more of, but what we do get was quite compelling and I found him to be a very worthy secondary protagonist in his own right. He's also a character that brings a little bit of levity to what are some otherwise dark situations and I appreciated that he could deliver that without coming off as stupid, flippant, or just a little bit extra. Yasen doesn't take on a super prominent role, but I thought he was fascinating. His fierce intellect and how his motives seem rather ambiguous until later in the story made him such a brilliant minor character whose actions ultimately have some major impacts on the story at large. Similarly impactful and interesting is the Witch, Peregrine. While many aspects of her character remained a mystery even as the book ended, I really enjoyed the way that she was handled and thought that she contributed a lot to not only the plot, but the worldbuilding as well. Other characters like the Count that Davion serves, or the Baron and Baroness of the Vampire Court, as well as key members of Fiona's house all made for nice additions to the supporting cast. I really appreciated how each of them had little moments that made their characterization feel distinct and sometimes added a layer of depth that I was not expecting.
SETTING/WORLD
The world in which THE FEAR OF MONCROIX takes place is a particularly interesting aspect of the story. We only really get to see the region within Moncroix known as The Midlands and the continent itself is actually part of a much larger world of floating island-continents referred to as The Intercontinents. This gave the story that shared universe type of feel that you might get with a Marvel Movie or a Sanderson novel, but the story itself as well as this section of it do not require any knowledge of Asher's other books in order to be enjoyed. Other Intercontinents that exist are referenced, but there weren't any obvious crossovers that I was able to identify (at least in the sense that there weren't any moments where I was like "am I supposed to know what that means," or "should I know who that person is?"). I think this aspect of the worldbuilding works strongly in the books favor in that I never felt like I was missing out on something important, but I did feel simultaneously intrigued by other books set in this universe. Regardless of whether or not you feel the same, I think it's really impressive how the book can be enjoyed entirely on its own, while still being part of something much grander.
Getting into the aspects of the setting that are closer to the plot, everything is still fantastic. The world of the Vampire Court is one of tall, intricately detailed stone architecture, lavish parties, and decadent blood-infused delicacies. In some ways, it's what I'd expect from a society of scheming vampires, but in other ways, I found myself pleasantly surprised. The way that Vampires consumed blood was a rather interesting twist. I liked that feeding off of a live human is still the most premier way for a Vampire to get their fix, but that they also have other means of nourishing themselves with sweets, wines, and foods that are laced with the stuff. For some reason, the concept of vampires sipping on blood wine or munching on a blood-glazed carrot felt both more sophisticated and even more disturbing than them having to always go straight for the carotid. The way that their vampirism played into the magic of this world also made for a fun twist on typical vampiric lore. While the magic is decidedly "soft," I found the idea of it all being based on snares of different types that bind people to powerful spirits to be really creative. Things get especially interesting when we find out early on that snares can be manipulated to mimic other types of snares, effectively being what allows Davion to appear to be a vampire. This concept leads to some other interesting twists later on and while it's all very mysterious, I thought it was well executed and suited the overarching plot quite nicely. There are other aspects that would have been neat to see expanded upon like seeing more witches/warlocks or having werewolves play a bigger part (especially since there is one on the cover even though we never see one that's fully morphed into their wolf form during the story). I ultimately left feeling satisfied with what we got, but also hoping that Asher will return to Moncroix at some point to give us even more. One nitpick I have is that I wish some of the worldbuilding that was done via tiny info dumps would have been handled differently (like delivering some of it through dialogue), especially since that would have added to the more cinematic qualities of the plot.
THE PAPERBACK
First off, this has to be one of the most beautiful covers on my shelves. It is also one of the most impressive standard editions that I own since there are a handful of character illustrations and other little flourishes that adorn the pages and make the overall package feel that much more special. I noticed a few minor hiccups with the formatting of certain lines, but overall, this is a well-polished product that was the perfect size for some easy reading.
CONCLUSION
THE FEAR OF MONCROIX may or may not be for everyone, but if a fast-paced vampire action-drama with lots of cool worldbuilding and intriguing characters sounds like your cup of tea, then I think you might love this as much as I did. If you're someone looking for a nice pallet cleanser between massive fantasy epics, then this might be a solid choice for you as well.
(+) Pacing that never slows down, but also never felt exhausting or rushed.
(+) Intriguing and entertaining characters who are a little deeper and more nuanced than you might expect.
(+) Some very exciting action scenes that blend nicely with all the court conspiracy/intrigue.
(+) Some really interesting tidbits of worldbuilding that are sprinkled throughout.
(+) A satisfying conclusion that managed to keep with the pacing, but not feel abrupt.
(+) Some light mystery elements to keep readers guessing.
(+) A unique take on Vampires with interesting connections to the magic of this particular world.
(+) Lots of fun character interactions.
(-) Some very minor formatting hiccups with the paperback.
(-) An early time skip that threw me off a little as well as some tiny little info dumps that I would have rather seen delivered differently.
PLOT/TONE
The first thing that might be good to know is that this is most definitely a plot-driven story. This is generally a huge positive for me, but it is worth noting since some fans of fantasy prefer longer, more character-driven experiences. The character work in this book is spot-on, but the main focus here is in telling a tightly woven narrative filled with action, conspiracy, and some flourishes of light mystery. We follow Davion, who is the last member of an order that the Vampire Court wiped out. He's managed to survived for a decade in their midst through special magic that lets him pose as one of them. While we initially see him consigned to this purgatory, everything changes when a mysterious young man shows up to seemingly continue the work of the fallen Waywards. The story is told in a very cinematic way with some people comparing it to a Vampire Anime or Netflix's CASTLEVANIA series (though I have to say that I enjoyed this a lot more than CASTLEVANIA). We follow a couple of main POV characters around, though there are members of the supporting cast that we also spend some time with during the course of the adventure. The gothic overtones felt fitting and contrasted nicely with the rather mysterious magic system that serves to make this feel like something a little more special than your average vampire-ridden marshland. Uncovering all these little details was a treat as Davion carefully maneuvers through court politics in an effort to free himself from his living nightmare and also exact revenge for his fallen comrades. One small complaint I have is that there is a time skip that happens between the Prologue and the First Chapter that felt abrupt. The time between is shared with us via an info dump and I found myself wishing that we would have at least gotten to see the climactic end to the Wayward order. Fortunately, that wish ends up being granted much later in the story which I was very happy about. Aside from that one aspect, this really hit all the right notes for me plot-wise. The action scenes were spectacular and brutal, the conniving antics of the Vampire Court were a delight, and the story takes a handful of interesting twists as it zeroes in on it's conclusion. What's particularly impressive about the pacing of this story is that although it never really slows down, it also never felt rushed or exhausting. Every scene holds meaning and significance while every fight felt earned and rewarding.
CHARACTERS
Davion can easily be described as our primary protagonist for the events of this story. He takes on a little bit of a brooding hero architype, though given the losses he has suffered and how he needs to bury that grief for the sake of his own survival, it is easy to see why he acts the way he does. I really appreciated how we got to see him briefly in his former life and started to see through the cracks of his hardened exterior as his old self starts to return to him when he finally finds a sliver of hope to hold onto. It was also a joy to see how convincingly he could pose as a vampire and watching him trade political blows with the beautiful-but-dangerous Countess Fiona was a ton of fun. Fiona herself is a deeply interesting character and served as an excellent antagonist to Davion's efforts. Carneth is one character that I would have liked to see a little more of, but what we do get was quite compelling and I found him to be a very worthy secondary protagonist in his own right. He's also a character that brings a little bit of levity to what are some otherwise dark situations and I appreciated that he could deliver that without coming off as stupid, flippant, or just a little bit extra. Yasen doesn't take on a super prominent role, but I thought he was fascinating. His fierce intellect and how his motives seem rather ambiguous until later in the story made him such a brilliant minor character whose actions ultimately have some major impacts on the story at large. Similarly impactful and interesting is the Witch, Peregrine. While many aspects of her character remained a mystery even as the book ended, I really enjoyed the way that she was handled and thought that she contributed a lot to not only the plot, but the worldbuilding as well. Other characters like the Count that Davion serves, or the Baron and Baroness of the Vampire Court, as well as key members of Fiona's house all made for nice additions to the supporting cast. I really appreciated how each of them had little moments that made their characterization feel distinct and sometimes added a layer of depth that I was not expecting.
SETTING/WORLD
The world in which THE FEAR OF MONCROIX takes place is a particularly interesting aspect of the story. We only really get to see the region within Moncroix known as The Midlands and the continent itself is actually part of a much larger world of floating island-continents referred to as The Intercontinents. This gave the story that shared universe type of feel that you might get with a Marvel Movie or a Sanderson novel, but the story itself as well as this section of it do not require any knowledge of Asher's other books in order to be enjoyed. Other Intercontinents that exist are referenced, but there weren't any obvious crossovers that I was able to identify (at least in the sense that there weren't any moments where I was like "am I supposed to know what that means," or "should I know who that person is?"). I think this aspect of the worldbuilding works strongly in the books favor in that I never felt like I was missing out on something important, but I did feel simultaneously intrigued by other books set in this universe. Regardless of whether or not you feel the same, I think it's really impressive how the book can be enjoyed entirely on its own, while still being part of something much grander.
Getting into the aspects of the setting that are closer to the plot, everything is still fantastic. The world of the Vampire Court is one of tall, intricately detailed stone architecture, lavish parties, and decadent blood-infused delicacies. In some ways, it's what I'd expect from a society of scheming vampires, but in other ways, I found myself pleasantly surprised. The way that Vampires consumed blood was a rather interesting twist. I liked that feeding off of a live human is still the most premier way for a Vampire to get their fix, but that they also have other means of nourishing themselves with sweets, wines, and foods that are laced with the stuff. For some reason, the concept of vampires sipping on blood wine or munching on a blood-glazed carrot felt both more sophisticated and even more disturbing than them having to always go straight for the carotid. The way that their vampirism played into the magic of this world also made for a fun twist on typical vampiric lore. While the magic is decidedly "soft," I found the idea of it all being based on snares of different types that bind people to powerful spirits to be really creative. Things get especially interesting when we find out early on that snares can be manipulated to mimic other types of snares, effectively being what allows Davion to appear to be a vampire. This concept leads to some other interesting twists later on and while it's all very mysterious, I thought it was well executed and suited the overarching plot quite nicely. There are other aspects that would have been neat to see expanded upon like seeing more witches/warlocks or having werewolves play a bigger part (especially since there is one on the cover even though we never see one that's fully morphed into their wolf form during the story). I ultimately left feeling satisfied with what we got, but also hoping that Asher will return to Moncroix at some point to give us even more. One nitpick I have is that I wish some of the worldbuilding that was done via tiny info dumps would have been handled differently (like delivering some of it through dialogue), especially since that would have added to the more cinematic qualities of the plot.
THE PAPERBACK
First off, this has to be one of the most beautiful covers on my shelves. It is also one of the most impressive standard editions that I own since there are a handful of character illustrations and other little flourishes that adorn the pages and make the overall package feel that much more special. I noticed a few minor hiccups with the formatting of certain lines, but overall, this is a well-polished product that was the perfect size for some easy reading.
CONCLUSION
THE FEAR OF MONCROIX may or may not be for everyone, but if a fast-paced vampire action-drama with lots of cool worldbuilding and intriguing characters sounds like your cup of tea, then I think you might love this as much as I did. If you're someone looking for a nice pallet cleanser between massive fantasy epics, then this might be a solid choice for you as well.
(+) Pacing that never slows down, but also never felt exhausting or rushed.
(+) Intriguing and entertaining characters who are a little deeper and more nuanced than you might expect.
(+) Some very exciting action scenes that blend nicely with all the court conspiracy/intrigue.
(+) Some really interesting tidbits of worldbuilding that are sprinkled throughout.
(+) A satisfying conclusion that managed to keep with the pacing, but not feel abrupt.
(+) Some light mystery elements to keep readers guessing.
(+) A unique take on Vampires with interesting connections to the magic of this particular world.
(+) Lots of fun character interactions.
(-) Some very minor formatting hiccups with the paperback.
(-) An early time skip that threw me off a little as well as some tiny little info dumps that I would have rather seen delivered differently.
October 5, 2023
The Fear of Moncroix by Bryan Asher -Book covers sell, and this one by artist Christian Angel is beautiful. Okay, to the words! Fear of the Moncroix gave me immediate Castlevania Symphony of the Night (video game) meets the Witcher vibes. The story covers a series of vampire courts, witches, and werewolves vying for control and power within the world Mr. Asher created. In this book, the werewolves are not prominent as it’s a conspiracy between vampire courts and the few Waywards (guardians) left in the world. As the reader starts the first chapter, the vampires control the land via a shadow government/cabal using humans as unknown cattle allowed to live their lives as usual, unknowingly picked apart for food for their vampire overlords. Waywards are a group of protectors/guardians for humans who have been nearly wiped out of existence.
“The magic of this town is truly splendid.”
I pictured most of the main characters wearing some form of a mixture of 17th or 18th-century clothes, slightly dapper yet functional leather, silk, and cotton ready for battle or a night on the town. Like I said, the entire book felt slick to me, everyone, beautiful yet cold and deadly, and I loved it. I mean Royal Vampire Court, it has to be like that, laughter of the beautiful people in a mansion with candles, fine wines, brandy and the like.
The book is sharp (like a vampire’s teeth) and focuses on four characters: Davion, the last surviving Wayward, and Carneth, a human with several abilities and training of a Wayward. There is also a witch, Peregrine, and Tassia, a member of the vampire court. There are more, but attention fell to these four in total.
The book’s mood brought images of southern-like forests and swamps. I could feel the damp, humid air in the scenes with castles, the warmth and moisture on the stones. The atmosphere always felt dark, swampy, and full of decay. Trees with long branches and flowing arms, stone castles, and large mansions where vampires and their minions walk and talk in Aaron Sorkin-like scenes.
“I hope you enjoy this grandeur while it lasts.”
One of my favorite fight scenes is between Tassia, a member of the vampire court, and the witch Peregrine. It has natural magic and an almost acrobatic feel to some action scenes. To give it a nice metaphor, it felt like a nice boss fight in an action RPG, with flashes of small movements and big power moves, reactions to those moves, and some slight banter as the scene shifted.
I tend to devour books, sometimes missing some of the details and facts I need, and will go back and reread sections. I read this book quickly as the prose was clean and fluid enough that I didn’t feel I needed to backpedal. My reading speed and ability to finish it quickly is a commentary on myself here, but I think this shows the work of Mr. Asher put to paper is crisp yet detailed prose. There were enough elements and metaphors to give a good fantasy feel but nothing overbearing or complicated where I had to slow down like in some epic fantasy. The words continued to guide me into moving forward with the story. The book should be read by candlelight with a glass of spirited wine near at hand.
The Fear of the Moncroix comes in at under three hundred pages. Mr. Asher lets the reader drift into the humid dark south where vampire hunters are hunted, witches creep on the edges of forests and swamps, and somewhere as the moon crests, a werewolf howls. Each chapter has a small sketch to accompany the book, and a few other professional sketches are throughout the book. It’s a lovely shelf piece to add to a book collection.
“The magic of this town is truly splendid.”
I pictured most of the main characters wearing some form of a mixture of 17th or 18th-century clothes, slightly dapper yet functional leather, silk, and cotton ready for battle or a night on the town. Like I said, the entire book felt slick to me, everyone, beautiful yet cold and deadly, and I loved it. I mean Royal Vampire Court, it has to be like that, laughter of the beautiful people in a mansion with candles, fine wines, brandy and the like.
The book is sharp (like a vampire’s teeth) and focuses on four characters: Davion, the last surviving Wayward, and Carneth, a human with several abilities and training of a Wayward. There is also a witch, Peregrine, and Tassia, a member of the vampire court. There are more, but attention fell to these four in total.
The book’s mood brought images of southern-like forests and swamps. I could feel the damp, humid air in the scenes with castles, the warmth and moisture on the stones. The atmosphere always felt dark, swampy, and full of decay. Trees with long branches and flowing arms, stone castles, and large mansions where vampires and their minions walk and talk in Aaron Sorkin-like scenes.
“I hope you enjoy this grandeur while it lasts.”
One of my favorite fight scenes is between Tassia, a member of the vampire court, and the witch Peregrine. It has natural magic and an almost acrobatic feel to some action scenes. To give it a nice metaphor, it felt like a nice boss fight in an action RPG, with flashes of small movements and big power moves, reactions to those moves, and some slight banter as the scene shifted.
I tend to devour books, sometimes missing some of the details and facts I need, and will go back and reread sections. I read this book quickly as the prose was clean and fluid enough that I didn’t feel I needed to backpedal. My reading speed and ability to finish it quickly is a commentary on myself here, but I think this shows the work of Mr. Asher put to paper is crisp yet detailed prose. There were enough elements and metaphors to give a good fantasy feel but nothing overbearing or complicated where I had to slow down like in some epic fantasy. The words continued to guide me into moving forward with the story. The book should be read by candlelight with a glass of spirited wine near at hand.
The Fear of the Moncroix comes in at under three hundred pages. Mr. Asher lets the reader drift into the humid dark south where vampire hunters are hunted, witches creep on the edges of forests and swamps, and somewhere as the moon crests, a werewolf howls. Each chapter has a small sketch to accompany the book, and a few other professional sketches are throughout the book. It’s a lovely shelf piece to add to a book collection.
April 25, 2023
"The Fear of Moncroix" by [Author's Name] is a gripping vampire thriller that combines elements of Castlevania and The Departed to deliver a fast-paced and action-packed story. The novel follows Davion, the last surviving member of the Wayward order, who must hide among the very people who killed his brethren, consuming potions to mask his identity. But when a mysterious swordsman arrives, hunting down members of the Wayward order, Davion is faced with a difficult decision - should he track down the swordsman in hopes of finding freedom or risk his own demise?
The author's writing is immersive and vivid, creating a dark and dangerous world filled with vampires and intrigue. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats and eager to know what happens next. The action sequences are well-written and intense, with sword fights and supernatural abilities adding to the excitement.
Davion is a compelling protagonist, torn between his desire for revenge and his need to survive. The secondary characters are also well-developed, adding depth and complexity to the story. The world-building is rich and detailed, with a unique take on vampire lore that adds freshness to the genre.
"The Fear of Moncroix" is a thrilling and engaging vampire thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. With its blend of supernatural elements, intense action, and intriguing characters, this book is a must-read for those who enjoy fast-paced and dark fantasy novels.
The author's writing is immersive and vivid, creating a dark and dangerous world filled with vampires and intrigue. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats and eager to know what happens next. The action sequences are well-written and intense, with sword fights and supernatural abilities adding to the excitement.
Davion is a compelling protagonist, torn between his desire for revenge and his need to survive. The secondary characters are also well-developed, adding depth and complexity to the story. The world-building is rich and detailed, with a unique take on vampire lore that adds freshness to the genre.
"The Fear of Moncroix" is a thrilling and engaging vampire thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. With its blend of supernatural elements, intense action, and intriguing characters, this book is a must-read for those who enjoy fast-paced and dark fantasy novels.
April 19, 2023
This book was action packed from start to finish. I loved the new spin on vampires in this book. I met Bryan two years ago at Comic-Con. I had never read a fantasy book before, only some fantasy video games. I bought both of his books and read them in about 2 weeks. It opened my eyes up to the genre. This was just as good as the first two books. I am excited for more to come.
August 14, 2023
An intriguing tale of trickery and subterfuge that unfortunately felt undercooked.
This story had a lot going for it — a compelling concept, likable heroes, and great action scenes — but those moments were broken up by downtime that often felt like it only served to pad out the word count.
Davion is the last survivor of the Waywards which are essentially this world’s version of witchers. And after a failed mission to infiltrate a vampiric court, he’s now forced to spend his life pretending to be the same creatures of the night that slaughtered his brethren.
That could have opened up the door for court intrigue and tension as Davion now has to hide in the enemy’s ranks while avenging his former order alone. But that aspect of the story largely lies dormant until the story’s second protagonist, Carneth, enters onto the scene.
I was surprised by how many scenes mostly amounted to characters eating and drinking to pass time all while so many pressing plot details felt unexplored. If this were a slice-of-life story, I’d understand wanting to micro in on the characters’ day-to-day lives, but most character arcs were explored on a surface level or left unresolved by the end of the book — making the tenth time that Davion stood around drinking feel like it was just there to inflate the chapter count.
There was often greater detail spent on describing the appearance of side characters (who never appear in the book after their introduction) than answering the story's biggest questions such as how Davion even managed to be the only survivor in the first place, which ended up coming across as a matter of plot convenience.
All in all, this is far from a bad book. Davion, despite the narrative’s insistence on him being ‘brooding’, was actually a very likable character. And once he and Carneth crossed paths, I enjoyed their interactions. Unfortunately, most of that didn't occur until the last half of the story.
The action scenes, too, were incredibly enjoyable and helped to breathe life back into the book after long spans of downtime.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story had a lot going for it — a compelling concept, likable heroes, and great action scenes — but those moments were broken up by downtime that often felt like it only served to pad out the word count.
Davion is the last survivor of the Waywards which are essentially this world’s version of witchers. And after a failed mission to infiltrate a vampiric court, he’s now forced to spend his life pretending to be the same creatures of the night that slaughtered his brethren.
That could have opened up the door for court intrigue and tension as Davion now has to hide in the enemy’s ranks while avenging his former order alone. But that aspect of the story largely lies dormant until the story’s second protagonist, Carneth, enters onto the scene.
I was surprised by how many scenes mostly amounted to characters eating and drinking to pass time all while so many pressing plot details felt unexplored. If this were a slice-of-life story, I’d understand wanting to micro in on the characters’ day-to-day lives, but most character arcs were explored on a surface level or left unresolved by the end of the book — making the tenth time that Davion stood around drinking feel like it was just there to inflate the chapter count.
There was often greater detail spent on describing the appearance of side characters (who never appear in the book after their introduction) than answering the story's biggest questions such as how Davion even managed to be the only survivor in the first place, which ended up coming across as a matter of plot convenience.
All in all, this is far from a bad book. Davion, despite the narrative’s insistence on him being ‘brooding’, was actually a very likable character. And once he and Carneth crossed paths, I enjoyed their interactions. Unfortunately, most of that didn't occur until the last half of the story.
The action scenes, too, were incredibly enjoyable and helped to breathe life back into the book after long spans of downtime.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Want to read
February 2, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
Vampires in this dark steampunk world are making an unprecedented move, & the Waywards (our group of magical defenders) have all been called together to do something about it, and fast!
I’ve only caught a glimpse of the full setting in the prologue to this under 300pg urban fantasy, but it reminds me a bit of a swampy final fantasy 7 meets Vampire Hunter D
The opening of our prologue is most interested, in its initial stages, in introducing us to how cool our MC is, and I appreciate that.
Leaping through the high branches of the swamp, he makes his way towards the meeting place where he shares a flask of werewolf rum with other waiting, bantering Waywards. I mean, come on. Cool points.
This also serves as an active introduction of just what the Waywards are, and, through their talk, the kind of creatures they dispatch. But something is going on. A Wayward says he killed a ghoul with wings … but ghouls aren’t supposed to have those…
The dialogue is a strength of this opening. The descriptions are engaging, the prose does its work, and the narrative does eventually do some good exposition work for us.
The uniqueness of the setting has me intrigued, and the promise of vampiric disaster is tantalizing. Everything is going to go wrong. Our book description leads with that. I’d like to know just how, and what the aftermath looks like.
It’s exciting to read a story that promises to change the status quo is a significant way from the beginning. Is our MC going to be one of the few survivors who tries to pick up the pieces?
This is off to a competent start. I’m a fan of the genre, and I’m sure that’s also pulling some weight. The shorter length of this story makes me hope it will be active straight through. I’m in.
Vampires in this dark steampunk world are making an unprecedented move, & the Waywards (our group of magical defenders) have all been called together to do something about it, and fast!
I’ve only caught a glimpse of the full setting in the prologue to this under 300pg urban fantasy, but it reminds me a bit of a swampy final fantasy 7 meets Vampire Hunter D
The opening of our prologue is most interested, in its initial stages, in introducing us to how cool our MC is, and I appreciate that.
Leaping through the high branches of the swamp, he makes his way towards the meeting place where he shares a flask of werewolf rum with other waiting, bantering Waywards. I mean, come on. Cool points.
This also serves as an active introduction of just what the Waywards are, and, through their talk, the kind of creatures they dispatch. But something is going on. A Wayward says he killed a ghoul with wings … but ghouls aren’t supposed to have those…
The dialogue is a strength of this opening. The descriptions are engaging, the prose does its work, and the narrative does eventually do some good exposition work for us.
The uniqueness of the setting has me intrigued, and the promise of vampiric disaster is tantalizing. Everything is going to go wrong. Our book description leads with that. I’d like to know just how, and what the aftermath looks like.
It’s exciting to read a story that promises to change the status quo is a significant way from the beginning. Is our MC going to be one of the few survivors who tries to pick up the pieces?
This is off to a competent start. I’m a fan of the genre, and I’m sure that’s also pulling some weight. The shorter length of this story makes me hope it will be active straight through. I’m in.
July 3, 2023
Vampire crime mystery in a well realised world. The Fear of Moncroix is a fascinating take on economy in world building. Everything here is here for a purpose and you end up with an incredibly strong sense of place, yet the story is remarkably short and self contained. We are introduced at the start to a kind of secret society dedicated to maintaining the balance between the different races/factions in Moncroix. Something goes horribly wrong leaving the Vampires with a dominant position. The bulk of the book is looking at unpacking what actually happened - what hidden conspiracy is at the heart of the failure.
This mystery setting in a vampire court with the inherent darkness of such creatures well realised gives a wonderful murky morality to everything going on. I love the unsuspected farming of humans as a concept, with people from different areas treated as different vintages like in wine... The rules and structure of the vampire court is cleverly defined. The pettiness that entails is well brought in to the story as well.
A fun shorter novel that works as a great palate cleanser between the bulkier fantasy epics out there. Enough grit and darkness to get your teeth into as well!
This mystery setting in a vampire court with the inherent darkness of such creatures well realised gives a wonderful murky morality to everything going on. I love the unsuspected farming of humans as a concept, with people from different areas treated as different vintages like in wine... The rules and structure of the vampire court is cleverly defined. The pettiness that entails is well brought in to the story as well.
A fun shorter novel that works as a great palate cleanser between the bulkier fantasy epics out there. Enough grit and darkness to get your teeth into as well!
March 24, 2023
This is the third book in the awesome world Bryan created and it was awesome. The new continent, the new powers, the characters and story were great. I like Sci-Fi, Fantasy and some zombie and vampire stories. Bryan's world gives you all of that. Now I want follow ups, continuations, the rest of the story. It leaves you wanting to read more about each continent in the world! I have read all his books and each one a stand alone great read and together I want to see where he goes with this world.
April 2, 2024
A good adventure/revenge tale in a gothic horror inspired setting. Light on character building and exposition but heavy on swashbuckling fantasy action.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is probably on me anyway. This is the 3rd book to take place in this setting, and although it is a standalone story, it seems to assume that you know the basics about the world and how it works beforehand.
A little more exposition/explanation regarding things like "The Snare", "Intercontinents", and other in-world terms would have been appreciated.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is probably on me anyway. This is the 3rd book to take place in this setting, and although it is a standalone story, it seems to assume that you know the basics about the world and how it works beforehand.
A little more exposition/explanation regarding things like "The Snare", "Intercontinents", and other in-world terms would have been appreciated.
June 4, 2024
Let's start by mentioning how beautiful the exterior art and also the interior art are! I have never seen a book so visually enticing!
I had a gifted copy from the wonderful author, and I couldn't be more grateful.
Everything you'd want in a vampire novel. Ghouls, witches, warlocks the whole shebang.
What I loved about this book is how fast-paced it was, how carefully written the storyline is with excellent worldbuilding, and a gothic aesthetic.
I'm impressed and cannot wait to read more from Bryan.
I had a gifted copy from the wonderful author, and I couldn't be more grateful.
Everything you'd want in a vampire novel. Ghouls, witches, warlocks the whole shebang.
What I loved about this book is how fast-paced it was, how carefully written the storyline is with excellent worldbuilding, and a gothic aesthetic.
I'm impressed and cannot wait to read more from Bryan.
March 24, 2023
Been waiting for this book since I met Bryan at Emerald City Comic Con a few years back and he introduced me to his world. Immediately I loved the premise and it’s been such a joy reading his stories and seeing his progress as an author.
Fear is fast paced, engrossing, and a bloody journey from beginning to end. I could hardly put it down and read it in a day…I haven’t read a book that quickly in years!
Can’t wait for the next one and…perhaps a crossover?
Fear is fast paced, engrossing, and a bloody journey from beginning to end. I could hardly put it down and read it in a day…I haven’t read a book that quickly in years!
Can’t wait for the next one and…perhaps a crossover?
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