A Story of Sorrow: Book 1: Of Flesh and Blood

A Story of Sorrow #1

by Daniel J. Volpe

He should be dead.

But Sorrow is a hard man to kill.

Left shipwrecked after being sold into slavery, he once again finds himself on the verge of death. The sudden arrival of a huge sea vessel gives him a glimmer of hope, but this ship belongs to one of his most hated organizations - The Church of the Refining Light.

Sorrow's will to live outweighs his prejudice, so he reluctantly joins the Church's expedition. Little does he know they've been summoned to investigate a peculiar claim...

Something is causing the dead to rise.

Will Sorrow escape death again, or will his enemies - both living and dead - finally put him in a grave of his own?

Genres: Horror, Fantasy

129 pages, Paperback

Published June 5, 2023

Reviews

[John Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun pivot from Volpe. I think often times an author gets placed in genre and fans of the writer tend to get disappointed, leaving authors to stick to the same genre, not wanting to lose their readership. So I think it's a nice surprise to see Volpe try his hand at fantasy, a genre he mentions as one of his loves. I think he makes the pivot well, at least from a horror readers perspective. It has an interesting story that kept me wanting to read. Violence and blood, which are something Volpe fans expect are here. If you're a fan of Volpe and you are on the fence about this give it a shot, it is well worth the chance. I think it has the added benefit of having one of the best "stories" volpe has crafted thus far in his career.

[Brandy Brusseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, different read from Daniel. I really enjoyed this and felt it left me wanting more of the series. Fans of horror and fantasy will love this book.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great blend of fantasy and splatter! I can’t wait to read the next 2!

[Autumn Feathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this completely and enjoyed every morsel!
Volpe is one of my favorite authors and he certainly delivered as always.
Sorrow is a character that I am utterly in awe of, and remains shrouded in mystery, and I certainly look forward to the upcoming releases in this series as Sorrow is now a favorite character now. Volpe winds a tale of epic proportions intertwined with that good old fashioned gore that his readers love. This is a tale woven with magic, necromancy, and plenty of craftsmanship. Again, I cannot wait for the next one and whatever he has in store for Sorrow. Note to author: please don’t kill him :D

[Uptown Horror Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best villain/character design I've probably ever read in a book 😱

I loved this novella and I loved the world it takes place in, but I just wish that we could've spent more time with this ragtag group of mercenaries and got to learn a bit more about the lore of this world.

Hopefully Daniel J. Volpe ditches the plan of making this a 3 part series of short novellas and decides to go all out and make it a true sprawling, fantasy epic.

[Tyler Metcalfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Story of Sorrow is a dark fantasy (horror) about our titular protagonist, Sorrow. It is novella length, quite possibly the only disappointing part of it, but I understand a variety of reasons as to why it is kept on the shorter side. Second and Third volumes are coming out, if it’s successful enough, I’m sure a possible special omnibus type of edition could be considered.

I found myself comparing it to pulp fiction like the Robert E. Howard Conan stories, which were quite often amoral and grim. It gives off that kind of vibe with a heavier blend of horror. Anyone who has read a lot of Howard knows that he wrote horror and delved into the dark and supernatural quite a bit. The Solomon Kane tales went more into horror, but Kane himself was a *do gooder* whereas Sorrow falls more into a Conan warrior vibe (he is a killer first and foremost until we know more). While I do not typically get all too excited for short story collections compared to novels, I think a future idea of a short story collection about characters in this world could be fun, and we meet a handful in this tale.

Due to the Conan vibe, I think this story could be quite appealing to a variety of people. It’s accessible in length and, in my opinion, not overly gory other than descriptions of the creatures. There is definitely gore, but I would not say Volpe goes over the top at all as some of his extreme horror can.

In the actual tale itself, Sorrow is shipwrecked and comes upon a group led by a member of the Church of the Refining Light. They are investigating claims of the dead rising. Among this group are an assortment of mercenaries as well, one small group of which Sorrow falls in with. Sorrow has tension with the church leader but goes on this expedition as they are his only way off the land.

I’m definitely looking forward to volume 2 where we could get more answers to things in the first story (such as the sword). I recommend this to horror and fantasy fans.

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me to love a book I need to be able to believe in the character. I need to buy into his struggles. Sorrow did just that for me, and once I was hooked, I could not stop following him until he had vanquished his enemies. Sorrow and his cronies leave behind a wake of enough gore and fluids to fill a river. Reminiscent of Christopher Buehlman’s between two fires, I enjoyed the adventure style of storytelling and as the plot is cleverly crafted you get introduced to more layers of treachery and evil. It’s just a good fun romp in the mud. No. Wait. Is that blood? I’ve read all three books in the series and I’m looking forward to more. My only complaint is that I wish they were longer.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️. Great story. lots of fun. I wish it were 100 pages longer, though. very fast paced with very little world building for a fantasy book.

[Amanda castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Really gives off Darren Shan’s Demonata series vibes, but the adult version.

[Mackenzie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish all fantasy books were this gory. I listened to the POTC soundtrack while reading this and it was perfect

[David Swisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came in to this one a little skeptical, but DJV did a great job here. It was a little light on Fantasy aspects at first l, but it did show up and it worked well with the splatter. I'd call it Grimmerdark Fantasy. Love the ending and set up for sequels. Sorrow is a wonderful and intriguing character. Recommend to all readers of horror and dark fantasy.

[Madalyn Pehoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hesitant to read this book as it was classified as "fantasy" but I'm so glad I gave it a try because it was absolutely fantastic. It was well written, gory, and overall a great story. I cannot wait for the next book! Daniel Volpe has not disappointed me yet.

[Shelby Denison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grimdark, splatterpunk hellscape where the dead refuse to stay buried, blood magic runs like an open wound, and survival is a brutal, clawing thing? Sign me up. This book doesn’t just embrace violence—it bathes in it. Flesh is torn, bones splinter, and the scent of rot clings to every page. It is raw, relentless, and utterly unhinged in the best way possible.

Sorrow is a walking contradiction—a man who should be dead a hundred times over, yet refuses to kneel. He is grit and defiance wrapped in scars, an unstoppable force pitted against horrors that should never have crawled out of their graves. And the monsters? They are grotesque, shambling nightmares, a relentless tide of terror that keeps the tension razor-sharp and the blood flowing in rivers.

My only frustration? The necromancer. He is introduced with a presence so chilling, so steeped in foreboding, that I was ready to see him reign in all his dark, eldritch glory. But while his shadow looms, I wanted more. More power, more menace, more scenes dripping with his brand of twisted sorcery.

That said, this book is a full-throttle sprint through madness and mayhem, a blood-soaked fever dream where death is never the end. If you have the stomach for it, step into the abyss. Just know—what waits inside is hungry.

[B. Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. Just what I wanted. It’s coined as Volpe’s splatter fantasy series but this book 1 was mainly horror and gore. It’s got everything a horror junkie wants in a fast paced, tightly packed “novella”. The setting of this book reminded me of “between two fires” and this era is something I want to see more horror books take place in. This thing scratched my itch just the right way.

[Jamie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I felt hesitant with this book as DJV is one of my favorites but I struggle with fantasy. At least, reading it. Watching it, LOVE it. But I needed to give it a try as I will read all of his books and turns out, I loved it!

Splatter fantasy is so fun! Or what I am hearing it also called: Grim Dark fantasy. This one includes: dark magic, necromancy, zombies, mercenaries, ships at sea, fighting and stabbing and violence and blood and gore - heck yeah!

Sorrow is our main character and he has a dark and violent past. He is the sole survivor of a shipwreck and as he wanders the remote beach he finds a saving grace - another ship but this one is from the church and he really, really hates the church. This crew is a bit different as they are on a mission and accompanied by hired a group of mercenaries to investigate some weird happenings at a town associated with the church. Sorrow feels he has no choice and joins the crew.

What is waiting for them is truly not what anyone had in mind. The dead won’t stay dead, they can’t keep their men alive and if zombies weren’t bad enough, there is an extremely evil force leading this group of undead. They are going to need more than swords and scythes to come out of this alive.

How does DJV make me love characters so quickly?! Sorrow is such a cool dark soul and I could read a whole book on his life story. I also love Jagrim. I just pictured a big funny Teddy Bear of a man that can slice heads off without breaking a sweat. It’s like.. Game of Thrones meets Conan the Barbarian meets The Witcher. And it is a good time! I’ll be eating up the other two books in this series very soon!

🧟‍♂️⚔️🩸⚓️

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5

*I'm not going to give you the 'what this book is about' blurb - you can read that elsewhere.


 1. If you know me, you know I love Daniel J Volpe - if his name is on something, I’m gonna own it. If you know me, you also would know that I struggle with fantasy. My brain can’t handle the ridiculous world building and crazy names that tend to run rampant in fantasy books, but Daniel wrote a fantasy that is devoid of all the superfluousness which made it so digestible for me. It’s also very dark and violent – as you’d expect from a horror author. Reading this felt like a trusted friend walking by my side into something overwhelming.  

2. I really love Sorrow – he’s dark, gritty, fearless, and flawed. He has lived a hard life and has utilized those experiences to better himself; maybe not in the traditional way, but to become the best at what he is, and that has allowed him to survive incredible obstacles. However, he’s not the youngest man anymore which adds a very relatable undertone to the book; realizing he can’t necessarily do what he used to do and he needs to think more critically about his actions. I found this so poignant and intriguing. It’s awesome to have a ‘hero’ that feels fallible and real.

3. The plot felt very Cast Away meets Game of Thrones meets Midnight Mass, and I loved everything about it! The beginning was a bit slow as we were introduced to the key players and themes, but the end was action-packed and left me wanting more immediately – good thing I have the 2nd book 😉

[Stephanie E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a fast-paced dark fantasy, look no further than this book. I’ve been reading Daniel J. Volpe for a couple of years. While he’s best known for his extreme horror books, like Talia, A Story of Sorrow holds an otherworldly edge with the same brutality.

Sorrow is a warrior and former slave who’s trying to survive after the ship he was forced to work on suffers a shipwreck. While Sorrow takes a ride on a ship owned and operated by the church that Sorrow detests, he needs food, shelter, and money, so he hops aboard. What Sorrow doesn’t know is he’ll confront one of his nightmares when they land on sea.

What I love about fantasy how you feel like you’re in another world but so much is still the same. Volpe reminded me of this in this book; while I don’t want to spoil too much, this book holds secrets, lies, and corruptions among the most powerful.

This is also a great fantasy for horror fans. A Story of Sorrow deals with many horror elements: death, gore, zombies, corpses, and reanimation. Pair all of that in a fantasy setting and you have a book unlike one you read in the genre.

I did take off one star for some minor writing things, specifically some repetition and telling instead of showing. But I still recommend this book to anyone who wants a unique extreme horror book or want a new dark fantasy/horror read.

[Kimyona Dietter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy and Zombies in the Same Jelly Roll

I enjoy reading fantasy every so often, but it can be "long-winded" and very overwhelming at times. Too many names, locations, and back stories to keep up with. This book (the first of a three book series) was different. Mr. Volpe sidestepped the typical pages of world building to throw the reader directly into the story following the predicament of the main character/protagonist. With his introduction, Sorrow's journey begins and the story follows him from one chaotic experience to the next, increasing in horror. And when I say horror, I mean zombies and dark magic. Mr. Volpe offers the reader a smorgasbord of fantastic fight scenes smothered with gore and rabid flesh consumption.

This story kept my attention from start to finish. It never lingered on any point or conversation and there was no lull. As I said before, this story is direct and to the point. There's not much world building or character background(s). There's no guessing, and any "bones" thrown out are paid off. This book is about the journey....and zombies. It is a short book, but it's a fun read that moves well. The best part is the setup for the next book. It makes the reader not want to know Sorrow's next adventure, but NEED to.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A building of holiness and light, defiled by the sigil of a dark God.”

A Story of Sorrow Book 1: Of Flesh and Blood by Daniel Volpe has an Island of the Dead (Brian Keene) vibe to it that I enjoyed. I actually like this book better. Through it's disgustingly descriptive and concise language, the world building is quick but thorough. I also like that it could be read in one sitting without feeling rushed. Being able to write a novella that is entertaining yet balanced is an artform and Daniel Volpe has it right. The characters are gritty and harsh. If you like gore and enjoyed Island of the Dead pick this one up.

Quick review: slavery, necromancer, band of fighters, zombies, foul language, gore and fighting. I liked it. 

"The trees thinned ahead and in the clearing was the town. The laughter stopped, and the banter ceased. It was like the entire group of men, the vicar included, had walked through a curtain of ice water. A few men rubbed at their arms, dispelling gooseflesh. The smell—the unholy stench of decay—intensified to an almost eye-watering level of putrescence."

Overall enjoyment:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Prose: ⭐️⭐️
Pacing (1=slow 5=fast):
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Scary (1=cozy 5=terrifying):
⭐️⭐️💫
Gore (1=none 5=splatter):
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character Development:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere:
⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Veronica ☠️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorrow is a strong man, but he has been sold as a slave on a ship. When the ship has a wreck, it's time to escape. Close to dying, Sorrow ends up finding some men to help him out. They take him back to their ship and Sorrow soon notices he's on the Church's ship. The Church of the Refining Light. A hated church by many, including Sorrow.

He accepts their help just until he can get by on his own. What Sorrow finds out is that the church was on sail for a very important mission. Some evil being is threatening the church and it needs to be stopped. With the help from Sorrow, they head into battle. What none of the men know is the true evil lurking along the way.

Splatter and dark fantasy go so well together! This was such a treat to read. Like any Volpe book, this reads quick and is full of action. I loved the battles, I loved the evil, and I could smell the grime through the pages. I'm in love with this world and can't wait to explore more! Sorrow is a really fun character and I can't wait to hear more of his journey! This was a great start to the trilogy.

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for recs in a splat group, and if it hadn't been for that, I would have never known that Volpe had written a fantasy story... I don't think I've read much fantasy since GOT (well, the more I think about it, maybe a few here and there other lesser known fantasy books)....
This was so detailed, I felt like I was in the boat with the characters in the opening scenes, which is always a great way to start a story. Sometimes I shy away from fantasy due to the fact that sometimes the plots go over my head if they are too deep fantasy. This one is simple to keep up with, and the villain is the stuff that creates nightmares

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grim dark fantasy with an extra dose of splatter

These days I read exclusively horror and crime fiction. Every now and then I'll read some fantasy, A genre I almost exclusively read in my twenties. A Story Of Sorrow reminds me why I used to love fantasy so much. Its imaginative, strange, and full of violent sword play. This book is dark and bloody and exciting. Its grim dark fantasy or as the author calls it splatter fantasy. If you are a fan of Mark Lawrence or Peter Mclean, or Joe Abercrombie you'll probably enjoy this too.

[DA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously gruesome action packed dark splatter fantasy. I am completely invested in the characters and really interested to see what happens next in Sorrow's journey.
Two lines stand out for me.

"The arms were corpses of headless children, ending in hands made of baby legs." Absolutely terrifyingly visual I got after reading that.

"The metal sun was a scythe, and they were wheat." What a brutal line, without describing a single drop of blood.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am addicted to Sorrow and his creepy adventures =) As soon as you finish book one, you are scrambling to dive into book two! I’m always amazed how so much feeling and wonder can be packed into smaller books. Daniel Volpe is doing a massive flex showing how well he can write across multiple genres. I look forward to seeing more fantasy/sci-fi from him.

[Glennjoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ripping yarn (sometimes quite literally!) which reads like a cross between Treasure Island and The Walking Dead. With the requisite amount of swordplay, sorcery and severed limbs our hero Sorrow (Zorro?!) encounters shipwreck, religious mania and zombies and even makes a few unlikely allies along the way. The first in a series which left me (blood) thirsty for more. 4 and a 1/2 *s.

[Ashley Mess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually into fantasy, but when I saw "A splatterpunk fantasy by Daniel J. Volpe" I had to give it a try! And I'm so glad I did because this was so much fun to read! Pirates, sword fighting, alchemy, and zombies! What more cold you ask for?! It's a super short (121 pages) and very quick read! I can't wait to start the second book!

[Clariece · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredibly written, I wouldn’t call it extreme horror but it’s still horror nonetheless. It’s like the walking dead meets pirates of the Caribbean. The book is also extremely detailed and the descriptions are well written and do a great job of getting you immersed in the world.
Overall, I give it 4 stars!!! Only because it’s not extreme horror at least not the first book.

[Tyler Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick read. Zombies and sword fighting, what else could one ask for? I read this on a day that I was home sick and did so in one sitting.
Though I thought the resolution was somewhat underwhelming, I enjoyed the journey and the descriptions. It definitely played in my mind like a movie and I would read it again. It was a good little book.

[William Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome little book. A fast paced brutal action and gore filled fantasy story. Very easy to read and about as subtle as a brick to the ball sack!
Can't wait for the next volumes. A cracking little break from the norm for me, and I recommend you to give it a go. Short, sweet and leaves you wanting for more of the testosterone fuelled, blood soaked madness that is Sorrow!

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It rode into town on the back of a dead horse, wearing a cloak of human flesh.”

This was an epic dark fantasy, book 1 in the series and it starts out very strong.

I loved the characters and can’t wait to read more about Sorrow and his bloody (mis)adventures!