Blades of the Night: The Severance Trilogy

by Daniel Wiebe

Ellie the innocent.Sainte her keeper.Malignin the esurient.The Blades of the Night, a militia formed to keep the Malignin at bay, fight the creatures every night to keep them from the Barrier. But with The Blades of the Night's dwindling numbers and the nearly endless Malignin, it's only a matter of time before the Malignin get what they want.

Genres: Fantasy

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2023

Reviews

[MikeLikesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was exceptional. The Blades of the Night is a militia that is trying to control creatures called the malignin. They have yellow eyes, sharp pointed teeth and claws that will rip you to shreds. A group of militia friends get separated. Will they all survive? The story is pretty intense. The ending had me on the edge of my seat, part scared, part disgusted and part hopeful. If you like grimdark fantasy and horror you need to add this to your reading list. It’s very dark. The plot is fascinating and unique. It was one of my favorite reads of the year so far.

[G.J. Terral]

Going into it, I wasn't sure 100% what to expect, other than some darker-leaning action fantasy. And that's what this book delivered. A sense of hopelessness throughout for the characters and the world.

There were some great and some downright terrifying ideas, and while the execution could've been stronger in some sections, it's great to see unique concepts used in fantasy.

I'm confident Daniel's writing will continue to improve, and the ending left me concerned with the characters who survived.

[beck_books_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think your life is tough, just be glad you aren’t a Blade of night having to fight off Malignin every night. Sainte has the most important job of all, protect Ellie but one night things hit the fan and Sainte gets his whole world flipped upside down. There’s action packed adventure, friends turn into enemies, strangers become allies and there is a lot of bloodshed.

What I loved about this story was how real everything felt, every character was unique and the world building is phenomenal! So much time and detail went into this and I appreciate that, I also appreciate that the author states very early on that this isn’t a happy story, which is a nice change.

Just to put things into perspective, the whole book takes place in like 3-4 weeks so keep that in mind when you’re reading all the crazy shit that goes on.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm speechless. But not really, so here are my thoughts.

I'll be honest. I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I did. This book hooked me from the start and I read it in less than 24 hours. It was imaginative, intriguing, and had me reading at lightning speed to figure out what would happen.

The writing kept me completely engaged and the characters were well written. With third person, it can sometimes be tough to feel connected to them, but I had no issue with it in this book. The multiple points of view were executed flawlessly and gave us the perfect amount of information during each section.

I love that this wasn't a book with a sweet ending. It had some darkness that was deliciously gruesome. I'm always here for that. I experienced the downfall of characters I was rooting for and it tugged at my cold dead heart. I'm incredibly happy that certain characters survived, but I'm not going to let myself get too attached because I'm sure there is more pain coming.

The next book can't come soon enough because I have so many questions. There are still a lot of things I don't know and I hope get answered in book 2.

This was just phenomenal. I have no complaints.

[Tory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blades of the Night is an absolute masterpiece that captivated me from start to finish! The author weaves a rich and immersive tale filled with unforgettable characters, breathtaking world-building, and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Sainte’s journey is both compelling and relatable, showcasing a perfect balance of strength and vulnerability. The action sequences are vividly described, making you feel as though you’re right there in the heart of the battle. Meanwhile, the emotional depth and character development add layers to the story that resonate long after you’ve turned the last page.

What truly sets this book apart is its ability to blend high-stakes adventure with moments of quiet introspection. The themes explored—whether loyalty, sacrifice, or the blurred lines between good and evil—are thought-provoking and handled with nuance.

If you're a fan of gripping fantasy with a dark edge, Blades of the Night is a must-read. I can’t wait to see what this author has in store next!

[Peter Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really ripped through this fantasy adventure, the start in particular was very strong, pulls you in straight away.

I found the world building excellent, leaving plenty unsaid but drop feeding nuggets that make you re-evaluate.

I found Sainte an interesting character, conflicted about his role and definitely not one dimensional.

The Malignin are properly scary creatures, motivations initially unknown then later explained.

There is still a lot to learn and I look forward to reading the next installment. A solid 4.5 stars.

[J. Colford · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing new.

The opening chapter is bland. The author relies on overly used fantasy tropes. The characters feel undeveloped to me, their characteristics unoriginal. There is nothing here that distinguishes this book from the thousands of other fantasy books that rely on bloody action to entertain the reader rather than telling a real story with well developed characters. I am sorry to say that most of the fantasy books written in the past quarter century follow this pattern. I crave originality. Sadly, this book did not provide it.

[Colleen Hutsler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author!

It has been a long time since I have devoured a book in the fantasy genre, but I couldn't put Blades of the Night down. It jumps in from the start and keeps you invested until the end. Sainte is not your average protagonist and shows some vulnerabilities that keep you feeling for him. Dark moments that surprise you, but keep you reading for more... The end seems to be just the beginning. Starting the second book tonight.

[Shana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The prologue was promising, but then the story telling got more and more sloppy. There was a lot of fluff, and some big events were rushed. The dialogue was awkward and the characters need to be fleshed out more. I wasn’t really rooting for anyone. I like the idea of the plot, but I feel like the execution fell flat.

[jessie hague · Rating 5 out of 5]

great debut

Really enjoyed this first book and have already started the second. The ending was so wild and I can’t wait to see where the series goes!

[Jennifer Rolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Not my typical genre but I enjoyed it! It kept my attention and made me what to see what was going to happen next.

[Jessica Borland · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible journey! I am hooked on this story and can not wait to pick up the next in the series to find out what happens to our hero.

[Haley Anna Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A world swallowed by night with deadly creatures lingering in every shadow. Best be on your guard when a fight for your life is guaranteed at any moment. There is no better setting for anyone who enjoys a dark and bloody story.

“Blades of the Night” seized my attention with Wiebe’s incredible descriptions of battle against an army of monsters, Malignin. I perfectly pictured what was happening in every scene without getting lost. Nothing is more pleasing than that.

I am typically a slow reader, but I finished in 3 days. I laughed, gasped, curled my lip, and frowned, further expressing how gripping this story was. Wiebe touches on a theme that is rarely seen, and it was refreshing, despite it being twisted.

If you aren’t afraid of the dark, and not easily disturbed, I highly suggest you dive into the depths of Crearia.