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Vengeance Waits: A Tale from the Fables of Chaos
Seven men. Seven sins. Seven debts to be repaid.
Tristan sin-Morel craves vengeance against the men who destroyed his life. Seven powerful nobles, bottom-feeding hirelings... and the man he once loved, all with a debt to pay. Seeking the help of a chaotic band of allies, Tristan dons the masked persona of 'the Harlequin' to take back the violent, plague-ridden streets of Jaedus, a city on the cusp of industrial revolution. The vigilante thirsts for blood, but at what cost?
On wrongs swift vengeance waits... and for Tristan sin-Morel, forgiveness was never an option.
Tristan sin-Morel craves vengeance against the men who destroyed his life. Seven powerful nobles, bottom-feeding hirelings... and the man he once loved, all with a debt to pay. Seeking the help of a chaotic band of allies, Tristan dons the masked persona of 'the Harlequin' to take back the violent, plague-ridden streets of Jaedus, a city on the cusp of industrial revolution. The vigilante thirsts for blood, but at what cost?
On wrongs swift vengeance waits... and for Tristan sin-Morel, forgiveness was never an option.
310 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2024
About the author
Jackson Simiana
10 books9 followersJackson Simiana is an Australian self-published grimdark fantasy author and poet, with a visceral and character-driven writing style akin to Abercrombie, Martin, and Sanderson.
Reviewers have called him "a master at crafting realistic and revolting violence of such brutality that we are taken aback and start questioning if fighting is ever worth it," with stories that are "emotional, engrossing, gripping" and "filled with gut-wrenching moments, betrayals and twists that leave you gasping."
Reviewers have called him "a master at crafting realistic and revolting violence of such brutality that we are taken aback and start questioning if fighting is ever worth it," with stories that are "emotional, engrossing, gripping" and "filled with gut-wrenching moments, betrayals and twists that leave you gasping."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 12, 2025
Repulsive Grim Darkness in a Classical Revenge Plot.
I’ve read many Dark stories, accounts of violence and destruction, words that would make most humans disgusted. Yet never has a book thrown me closer to vomiting like this one. And I consider that an absolute win.
Jackson Simiana is a Master at crafting realistic and revolting violence, of such brutality that we are taken aback and start questioning if fighting is ever worth it. In a world of videogames and action movies, combat and violence in general seems fun, cathartic and lightweight, a way to progress through levels or the story. Not here. In this book, every punch, every cut, slash or impact has a consequence, usually devastating.
Every blow makes us wince and the aftermath almost retch (especially the fight against a member of the clergy… you’ll know when you get there). Simiana’s writing makes sure this story will remain in my mind for long after I finished it.
Plot wise: it’s a classic revenge story. Main character is wronged in some way and returns for payback. Granted, this character suffers astronomically, which, in turn, cranks the violence of the revenge beyond 11.
The interesting thing is the way the resolution makes the reader feel. At first, we cheer for Tristan, the main character, but as the carnage unfolds, we start wondering if it’s worth it, if it all couldn’t be avoided. So does Tristan, but alas, he is too far gone for redemption.
The world building feels natural, leaving many questions in the air and feeding our curiosity. Thankfully, Simiana has the series “The Fables of Chaos”, with many books in this world, already, which I will get to reading as soon as I can.
We understand, right from the start, how this story will end. We’ve seen it a thousand times before. But not this brutally. Not this realistically. Which makes it all worth it.
Maybe will hear about Tristan sin-Morel again, someday. But I hope we won’t. The guy deserves some peace, for once. As for Simiana’s brutal writing, I can’t read enough of it.
I’ve read many Dark stories, accounts of violence and destruction, words that would make most humans disgusted. Yet never has a book thrown me closer to vomiting like this one. And I consider that an absolute win.
Jackson Simiana is a Master at crafting realistic and revolting violence, of such brutality that we are taken aback and start questioning if fighting is ever worth it. In a world of videogames and action movies, combat and violence in general seems fun, cathartic and lightweight, a way to progress through levels or the story. Not here. In this book, every punch, every cut, slash or impact has a consequence, usually devastating.
Every blow makes us wince and the aftermath almost retch (especially the fight against a member of the clergy… you’ll know when you get there). Simiana’s writing makes sure this story will remain in my mind for long after I finished it.
Plot wise: it’s a classic revenge story. Main character is wronged in some way and returns for payback. Granted, this character suffers astronomically, which, in turn, cranks the violence of the revenge beyond 11.
The interesting thing is the way the resolution makes the reader feel. At first, we cheer for Tristan, the main character, but as the carnage unfolds, we start wondering if it’s worth it, if it all couldn’t be avoided. So does Tristan, but alas, he is too far gone for redemption.
The world building feels natural, leaving many questions in the air and feeding our curiosity. Thankfully, Simiana has the series “The Fables of Chaos”, with many books in this world, already, which I will get to reading as soon as I can.
We understand, right from the start, how this story will end. We’ve seen it a thousand times before. But not this brutally. Not this realistically. Which makes it all worth it.
Maybe will hear about Tristan sin-Morel again, someday. But I hope we won’t. The guy deserves some peace, for once. As for Simiana’s brutal writing, I can’t read enough of it.
November 5, 2024
OOOOO girl this was SO SO SO GOOD. Highly highly recommend for fans of high fantasy and revenge stories. If you read The Edgewood Chronicles as a youth or young adult, Vengeance Awaits feels like the hard-living older brother of it. I could see this being a much more mature version of “Midnight over Santaphrax” or something like that.
Violent, gory, gruesome, and soooo satisfying. Content warning for sexual violence, blood/gore, all that good stuff.
Tristan absolutely stole my heart and I felt his pain So Hard throughout the story. But reckoning with anger and the quest for justice when you’ve been wronged is such an important story to tell. I’ve had to seek peace for myself through the temptation of Justified Resentment, but reading this tale gave me such a wicked catharsis for that vicious part of my brain. My most devilish thought is so glad that Tristan did not falter with Kallos and the Oligarch. Fuck them.
Such a triumph of storytelling in both world building and character development.
Violent, gory, gruesome, and soooo satisfying. Content warning for sexual violence, blood/gore, all that good stuff.
Tristan absolutely stole my heart and I felt his pain So Hard throughout the story. But reckoning with anger and the quest for justice when you’ve been wronged is such an important story to tell. I’ve had to seek peace for myself through the temptation of Justified Resentment, but reading this tale gave me such a wicked catharsis for that vicious part of my brain. My most devilish thought is so glad that Tristan did not falter with Kallos and the Oligarch. Fuck them.
Such a triumph of storytelling in both world building and character development.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
Vengeance Waits: A Tale from the Fables of Chaos by Jackson Simiana is a brilliant read! I am new to the genre and am already rereading it. The storyline and characters! Loved it. Would really recommend if you're a fan of dark fantasy worlds filled with blood and vengeance, you will want to read this. Five stars!
December 10, 2024
Wow what an incredible ride from start to finish!
I have read the other books in this series but it is not required and can be read completely stand alone if you just wanted a taste of the universe they are set in.
Warning though, this book is not for the faint hearted, there is blood and gore, a lot of it, but it is absolutely fantastic! It feels like nothing is off limits in this world. Seeing the innocent and delicate Tristan change into a bloody thirsty killer hell bent on revenge was amazing to see such a transformation carried out so believably. It was an extreme change, but after seeing what happened to him it felt justified and realistic - truly a credit to the writing ability.
The world building is rich and visceral, with all senses heightened in the description, from the oppulence of the oligarch's home, to the streets of the poorest slums - no detail is left out, creating such a vivid image for the reader to feel like they are along for the journey with Tristan.
While I was on this journey with Tristan I truly felt the highs and the lows, and I was not sure if he was going to be able to go through with it as every step it felt like he was losing his identity - but this book really made me FEEL for Tristan as he went on this journey and I felt heartbroken when he failed and jubilant when he succeeded.
I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of dark fantasy, and particularly revenge stories - it truly is one of the best I have read
I have read the other books in this series but it is not required and can be read completely stand alone if you just wanted a taste of the universe they are set in.
Warning though, this book is not for the faint hearted, there is blood and gore, a lot of it, but it is absolutely fantastic! It feels like nothing is off limits in this world. Seeing the innocent and delicate Tristan change into a bloody thirsty killer hell bent on revenge was amazing to see such a transformation carried out so believably. It was an extreme change, but after seeing what happened to him it felt justified and realistic - truly a credit to the writing ability.
The world building is rich and visceral, with all senses heightened in the description, from the oppulence of the oligarch's home, to the streets of the poorest slums - no detail is left out, creating such a vivid image for the reader to feel like they are along for the journey with Tristan.
While I was on this journey with Tristan I truly felt the highs and the lows, and I was not sure if he was going to be able to go through with it as every step it felt like he was losing his identity - but this book really made me FEEL for Tristan as he went on this journey and I felt heartbroken when he failed and jubilant when he succeeded.
I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of dark fantasy, and particularly revenge stories - it truly is one of the best I have read
June 1, 2025
Cocks and glistening aside, a fantastic grim revenge story, as gory as they get in my opinion.
We follow Tristan aka the Harlequin a young man who works and dances at the Painted Lantern. He has met a boy that he loves more then anything, and having had nothing for most all of his life this is a big thing for him.
Alas, this lovestories turns tragic as it often does. In a world where man is forbidden to lay with another, Tristan's love is shattered and replaced with scars, sadness and rage... so much rage.
After finding a new friend and new strengths Tristan will not let anything get in his way.
Seven men, seven sins and seven debts to be repaid.
I'm not one for on-page sex scenes, but a few of them won't dismay me, like in this novel.
Filled with gut-wrenching moments, betrayals and twists that leave you gasping.
I was intrigued at first, after about 60 pages I was completely hooked and I just had to se how it would play out.
I want to applaud how real the fighting and turmoil felt, great narrative and vivid details. I liked how the PoV would change to enhance the feeling of different character moments. Plus maps are always a added bonus.
I'll definitely look into expanding my knowledge of this world.
I received a copy in exchange for a review through GrimDarkEpicFantasy via reddit.
We follow Tristan aka the Harlequin a young man who works and dances at the Painted Lantern. He has met a boy that he loves more then anything, and having had nothing for most all of his life this is a big thing for him.
Alas, this lovestories turns tragic as it often does. In a world where man is forbidden to lay with another, Tristan's love is shattered and replaced with scars, sadness and rage... so much rage.
After finding a new friend and new strengths Tristan will not let anything get in his way.
Seven men, seven sins and seven debts to be repaid.
I'm not one for on-page sex scenes, but a few of them won't dismay me, like in this novel.
Filled with gut-wrenching moments, betrayals and twists that leave you gasping.
I was intrigued at first, after about 60 pages I was completely hooked and I just had to se how it would play out.
I want to applaud how real the fighting and turmoil felt, great narrative and vivid details. I liked how the PoV would change to enhance the feeling of different character moments. Plus maps are always a added bonus.
I'll definitely look into expanding my knowledge of this world.
I received a copy in exchange for a review through GrimDarkEpicFantasy via reddit.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews