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First Evil
"...A dark fantasy novel set in a world of disorder." - Kirkus Reviews
Finch Crushluck is going to be rich. Disguised as a Death Priest, he seeks a priceless amulet containing the blood of a dead god. Scams are never easy. And this one may take his life because the Doom Who Waits breathes still, imprisoned in the heart of a nightmare landscape of destruction and madness. The amulet sets Him free. Finch is not alone in his quest. Seduced by the whispers of the Doom Who Waits, a holy man betrays his vows to obtain the amulet, a merchant captain delivers a gilded dirigible as ransom for her kidnapped daughter, and a giant risks the fate of the world to avenge the murder of his family. Charlatan. Apostate. Fury. Brute. They can save the world. Or hasten its doom.
Finch Crushluck is going to be rich. Disguised as a Death Priest, he seeks a priceless amulet containing the blood of a dead god. Scams are never easy. And this one may take his life because the Doom Who Waits breathes still, imprisoned in the heart of a nightmare landscape of destruction and madness. The amulet sets Him free. Finch is not alone in his quest. Seduced by the whispers of the Doom Who Waits, a holy man betrays his vows to obtain the amulet, a merchant captain delivers a gilded dirigible as ransom for her kidnapped daughter, and a giant risks the fate of the world to avenge the murder of his family. Charlatan. Apostate. Fury. Brute. They can save the world. Or hasten its doom.
407 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2023
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
John White
871 books7 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 26, 2023
*Thank you to the author for providing a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
There ain't no good guys...
Overall rating: 3.5 Stars, only because this was not really my cup of tea.
John White's novel "First Evil" is a sequel to his novella "A Dead Place Calls". They take place in a world that is falling apart. The center of the continent is being consumed by a phenomenon known as The Wasting which destroys all life.
The plot moves along at a good pace. I appreciate that the author uses a "show, don't tell" style and does not over-explain anything. The reader can figure things out as the story goes along.
The author also does a good job of showing that no character is omniscient. They are all making choices based on what they are aware of at the time. And that knowledge may be out-dated, incomplete, or just plain wrong.
John White is a capable writer, and in addition, I was pleased to find that the book has no obvious typos or misspellings.
The rest of this review contains some spoilers for the beginning of the novel.
The style I would call Dark Medieval Fantasy, with touches of Steampunk. There are swords & sorcery, but also some tech.
The characters include:
General Lowthraxinor, a ruthless Dark Dwarf leader with a plan for world domination.
Celeste Varbringer, a wealthy merchant who will stop at nothing to recover her kidnapped daughter.
Priests of The Maker, including a strange being known as The Hand of God Incarnate - all relentless in pursuit of power for themselves and their religion.
Finch Crushluck, a small-time criminal and con man who would like to live an easy, comfortable life, and is greatly disappointed to find himself spending most of his time just trying to stay alive.
For me, the most interesting character is Finch, who is also the protagonist of the previous novella.
It seems that all characters act only out of self-interest and occasionally personal loyalty, without any conscience or morality to guide them. They all have base motives, typically fear, bigotry, greed, revenge, or lust for power. Torture and murder are commonplace. It could be that the imminent collapse of civilization is forcing people to do desperate things. But none of the characters seem bothered or conflicted about their choices and actions.
Magic in the novel is *weird*. I mean that in a good way, and also in two different senses of weird. Magic in this world is strange, even bizarre. But it is also uncanny, eerie, and unsettling. The depiction of magic is, I think, the strongest and most original aspect of this novel.
There ain't no good guys...
Overall rating: 3.5 Stars, only because this was not really my cup of tea.
John White's novel "First Evil" is a sequel to his novella "A Dead Place Calls". They take place in a world that is falling apart. The center of the continent is being consumed by a phenomenon known as The Wasting which destroys all life.
The plot moves along at a good pace. I appreciate that the author uses a "show, don't tell" style and does not over-explain anything. The reader can figure things out as the story goes along.
The author also does a good job of showing that no character is omniscient. They are all making choices based on what they are aware of at the time. And that knowledge may be out-dated, incomplete, or just plain wrong.
John White is a capable writer, and in addition, I was pleased to find that the book has no obvious typos or misspellings.
The rest of this review contains some spoilers for the beginning of the novel.
The style I would call Dark Medieval Fantasy, with touches of Steampunk. There are swords & sorcery, but also some tech.
The characters include:
General Lowthraxinor, a ruthless Dark Dwarf leader with a plan for world domination.
Celeste Varbringer, a wealthy merchant who will stop at nothing to recover her kidnapped daughter.
Priests of The Maker, including a strange being known as The Hand of God Incarnate - all relentless in pursuit of power for themselves and their religion.
Finch Crushluck, a small-time criminal and con man who would like to live an easy, comfortable life, and is greatly disappointed to find himself spending most of his time just trying to stay alive.
For me, the most interesting character is Finch, who is also the protagonist of the previous novella.
It seems that all characters act only out of self-interest and occasionally personal loyalty, without any conscience or morality to guide them. They all have base motives, typically fear, bigotry, greed, revenge, or lust for power. Torture and murder are commonplace. It could be that the imminent collapse of civilization is forcing people to do desperate things. But none of the characters seem bothered or conflicted about their choices and actions.
Magic in the novel is *weird*. I mean that in a good way, and also in two different senses of weird. Magic in this world is strange, even bizarre. But it is also uncanny, eerie, and unsettling. The depiction of magic is, I think, the strongest and most original aspect of this novel.
February 20, 2024
In his debut dark fantasy novel, author White invites readers into the tumultuous world of disorder in the fantastical city of Arcatia. “FIRST EVIL” unfolds as a captivating narrative with a cast of characters as diverse as the challenges they face, offering a memorable epic quest laced with dashes of dark humor. At the center of the chaos is Finch Crushluck, a disreputable individual who cleverly masquerades as a “death priest” with a supposed ability to communicate with the deceased. However, Finch’s talents are put to the test when a sorcerer named Lojean and a giant named Tolek recruit him to interrogate a slain dragon about the whereabouts of a powerful magical amulet.
The narrative weaves together multiple plotlines, introducing Lowthraxinor, a dwarf on trial for treason, who takes a drastic turn by eliminating the entire tribunal. Driven by a relentless desire to revive the declining dwarf empire of Kormodgeon, Lowthraxinor sets his sights on retrieving the coveted amulet, demonstrating an unforgiving nature towards anything that impedes his path.
The world itself is in disarray, with the enigmatic “Wasting,” a swirling morass of clouds, wreaking havoc on those who encounter it in the Null—a land housing the sought-after amulet. Celeste Varbringer, a determined airship captain, emerges as a central figure, navigating the complexities of the Null in her quest to find her kidnapped daughter, Ingrid.
While the narrative occasionally delves into more dry and earnest material, White infuses the story with comic relief through the character of Finch. Likable and endowed with a sense of humor, Finch becomes a source of empathy, even as he maneuvers through the complexities of a world in turmoil.
The novel’s strength lies in its engaging characters, from the bloodthirsty Lowthraxinor to the endearing Finch, whose interactions inject life into a story that is both violent and complex. White succeeds in crafting a fantastical realm where quirky elements, such as the Null and the Wasting, contribute to the story’s unique flavor.
Despite occasional moments of generic dialogue, the narrative remains anchored by the memorable characters and the dark humor that punctuates their journey. “FIRST EVIL” is a commendable debut that explores the boundaries of fantasy, offering readers an immersive experience that combines chaos, complexity, and a touch of levity. White’s inaugural work promises a promising future in the realm of dark fantasy storytelling.
The narrative weaves together multiple plotlines, introducing Lowthraxinor, a dwarf on trial for treason, who takes a drastic turn by eliminating the entire tribunal. Driven by a relentless desire to revive the declining dwarf empire of Kormodgeon, Lowthraxinor sets his sights on retrieving the coveted amulet, demonstrating an unforgiving nature towards anything that impedes his path.
The world itself is in disarray, with the enigmatic “Wasting,” a swirling morass of clouds, wreaking havoc on those who encounter it in the Null—a land housing the sought-after amulet. Celeste Varbringer, a determined airship captain, emerges as a central figure, navigating the complexities of the Null in her quest to find her kidnapped daughter, Ingrid.
While the narrative occasionally delves into more dry and earnest material, White infuses the story with comic relief through the character of Finch. Likable and endowed with a sense of humor, Finch becomes a source of empathy, even as he maneuvers through the complexities of a world in turmoil.
The novel’s strength lies in its engaging characters, from the bloodthirsty Lowthraxinor to the endearing Finch, whose interactions inject life into a story that is both violent and complex. White succeeds in crafting a fantastical realm where quirky elements, such as the Null and the Wasting, contribute to the story’s unique flavor.
Despite occasional moments of generic dialogue, the narrative remains anchored by the memorable characters and the dark humor that punctuates their journey. “FIRST EVIL” is a commendable debut that explores the boundaries of fantasy, offering readers an immersive experience that combines chaos, complexity, and a touch of levity. White’s inaugural work promises a promising future in the realm of dark fantasy storytelling.
August 5, 2024
I usually read romance so fantasy is rarely on my tbr, but I picked First Evil as I learned about the author and then was curious to read what he wrote.
From the beginning, I enjoyed it: the first few chapters cover different characters in different parts of this fantasy world, and that already told me, it will be epic, because I assumed (and rightly so) that at some point in time, they will meet.
And that is always so fun to anticipate what will bring them together and how will they interact to solve the adventure mystery.
Another thing I very much enjoyed was the world building. I can’t say if this is unique as I don’t read fantasy, but John White created this amazing world called Null where the time and space mold and change, scenery shifts from calm meadows to desolate drylands, and the shifts between the two – I find - are described so well that I was there, with the smells of it, and the sound that pierced my ears. Not only the scenery changed, but the people travelling through the lands get younger or older as well, which I found very cool!
There was a very satisfying revelation in the end with the giant, Tolek, when he finally discovers the reason of his action/inaction that has been tormenting him for years.
The story and the world building were truly epic with many characters and back-stories that over-lapped (my usual reads – romance - have only two main characters ;-) ) so I did find some parts grand and overwhelming, but I think for fantasy readers, this will be exactly what they are looking for.
Funnily enough out of all the characters, my favorite was Finch, a death priest who wasn’t really a death priest, but a con. Until the end, I so wished that he was the death priest and that his power remained hidden (even from himself) and that he will find out he can talk to the dead by the end of the book. He didn’t. But still, con or not, he was so endearing that he remained my favorite character.
From the beginning, I enjoyed it: the first few chapters cover different characters in different parts of this fantasy world, and that already told me, it will be epic, because I assumed (and rightly so) that at some point in time, they will meet.
And that is always so fun to anticipate what will bring them together and how will they interact to solve the adventure mystery.
Another thing I very much enjoyed was the world building. I can’t say if this is unique as I don’t read fantasy, but John White created this amazing world called Null where the time and space mold and change, scenery shifts from calm meadows to desolate drylands, and the shifts between the two – I find - are described so well that I was there, with the smells of it, and the sound that pierced my ears. Not only the scenery changed, but the people travelling through the lands get younger or older as well, which I found very cool!
There was a very satisfying revelation in the end with the giant, Tolek, when he finally discovers the reason of his action/inaction that has been tormenting him for years.
The story and the world building were truly epic with many characters and back-stories that over-lapped (my usual reads – romance - have only two main characters ;-) ) so I did find some parts grand and overwhelming, but I think for fantasy readers, this will be exactly what they are looking for.
Funnily enough out of all the characters, my favorite was Finch, a death priest who wasn’t really a death priest, but a con. Until the end, I so wished that he was the death priest and that his power remained hidden (even from himself) and that he will find out he can talk to the dead by the end of the book. He didn’t. But still, con or not, he was so endearing that he remained my favorite character.
June 5, 2023
First off, Oh My Goodness! First Evil has a map!!
First Evil was a captivating fantasy set in a world that I would love to explore more. With an array of characters to follow there was never a dull moment. The quick pace made of difficult to sit the book down at times. Since I read it on Kindle Unlimited, I will need to get a physical copy to add to my bookcase. First Evil is not only a book I will recommend but it is one that I will want to reread.
Here's to hoping for another amazingly great read by John White in the future.
First Evil was a captivating fantasy set in a world that I would love to explore more. With an array of characters to follow there was never a dull moment. The quick pace made of difficult to sit the book down at times. Since I read it on Kindle Unlimited, I will need to get a physical copy to add to my bookcase. First Evil is not only a book I will recommend but it is one that I will want to reread.
Here's to hoping for another amazingly great read by John White in the future.
May 5, 2024
A fantastic story that both ties up the loose ends of this book, while preparing readers for the next. The characters are the best part, each with fleshed out and interesting backgrounds. Has a steampunk feel to it. Highly recommend!
January 25, 2024
I don't typically read this genre, but this book was great! I loved the way the multiple POVs were woven together to tell a great story. Very imaginative and unlike anything I have read before!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews