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The Turned #1
The Sins of Steel and Shadow
Centuries have passed since the lauded Battle King defeated the vampyr hordes and ended the Years of Blood, but the memories on both sides are long, and some grievances are not so easily set aside. Humans and vampyrs coexist in an uneasy peace, but no peace lasts forever.
And for Bail Neren, there has never been peace. He is a Turned. Not fully vampyr, but no longer human. Hated and reviled by both sides of the divide, his very existence is a constant struggle to survive.
But Bail longs for more, and when he's offered the chance of a lifetime, there's more at stake than just his own survival. Already an accomplished smuggler, he must now turn his hand to becoming a master assassin, leading his fellow Turned on a deadly mission to stop a dangerous coup.
To survive, he will have to learn to work alongside other Turned. To succeed, he will have to learn to trust them. And only in doing both will he have a chance of securing the one thing that matters most to him; his humanity.
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The Sins of Steel and Shadow is the first book of The Turned series - a low fantasy series that follows the plight of those caught in the middle of an ancient feud.
Featuring gritty characters and dark settings, The Sins of Shadow and Steel is perfect for those readers who enjoy fast-paced, character-driven storytelling with plenty of action, set amid a thrilling and immersive fantasy world.
And for Bail Neren, there has never been peace. He is a Turned. Not fully vampyr, but no longer human. Hated and reviled by both sides of the divide, his very existence is a constant struggle to survive.
But Bail longs for more, and when he's offered the chance of a lifetime, there's more at stake than just his own survival. Already an accomplished smuggler, he must now turn his hand to becoming a master assassin, leading his fellow Turned on a deadly mission to stop a dangerous coup.
To survive, he will have to learn to work alongside other Turned. To succeed, he will have to learn to trust them. And only in doing both will he have a chance of securing the one thing that matters most to him; his humanity.
---
The Sins of Steel and Shadow is the first book of The Turned series - a low fantasy series that follows the plight of those caught in the middle of an ancient feud.
Featuring gritty characters and dark settings, The Sins of Shadow and Steel is perfect for those readers who enjoy fast-paced, character-driven storytelling with plenty of action, set amid a thrilling and immersive fantasy world.
Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2025
17 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Steve Pannett
2 books14 followersSteve Pannett is an author of dark fantasy fiction, living and working in Yorkshire, UK. He has a BA Hon degree in Graphic Design and also heads the creative team for a full-service marketing agency.
He enjoys writing flawed, nuanced characters and rich, expansive worlds for them to explore. His stories revolve around character development as their ideas and moralities are pulled into question through intriguing interactions and often brutal action scenes. His work often includes magical or supernatural elements, but he errs away from writing high fantasy. His writing style is gritty and fast-paced, but is capable of delivering twists and surprises.
He enjoys writing flawed, nuanced characters and rich, expansive worlds for them to explore. His stories revolve around character development as their ideas and moralities are pulled into question through intriguing interactions and often brutal action scenes. His work often includes magical or supernatural elements, but he errs away from writing high fantasy. His writing style is gritty and fast-paced, but is capable of delivering twists and surprises.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 17, 2025
Review originally on JamReads
The Sins of Steel and Shadow is the novel that kickstarts the grimdark fantasy series The Turned, written by Steve Pannett. A gritty low fantasy proposal, action-packed and blood soaked, which throws the reader into a complicated and merciless world, following Bail, a Turned (half vampire, half human, hated by both sides), who becomes part of a group to execute a difficult task in order to get the impossible as reward: giving back his humanity.
Bail has been a Turned for 50 years, surviving by trading human military secrets for vampyr artifacts, and those for coin, a cycle that allows him to continue his life, a task that has become increasingly difficult; so when another Turned, Vesca, approaches with an offer he can't refuse, he ends together with Vesca and another Turned, Merle in a task that promises to give them what they craved for in exchange for killing 4 individuals that are conspirating against the king. A really difficult mission, but with a reward that deserves taking the whole risk, recovering their humanity, something that was believed as impossible.
As you can imagine, with this premise, we have a plot full of well-written action and intrigue; each assassination becomes a mini quest by themselves, but also gives us enough space to enjoy the marvelous characters that Pannett gives us. For once, we have Bail, Turned for 50 years, who is tired of simply surviving in his condition and desires to become human again; however, he also has his doubts about the mission and the price they are paying for the reward. On the other side of the coin, Vesca wishes to become a vampyr, as she only found acceptance among those; her past marked her position about humans, and with both characters, we have enough information to understand why they embarked on this mission and for what reward.
Merle is the third in discord in our group, a good-hearted character that also acts as the moral compass for them, but still being part of the task; a really supportive character for Bail.
The rest of the cast is relatively colourful, being relatively large for the length of the novel, giving us glimpses of the world and how the people think, from the fanatical vampyr zealot to the magicker that offers this mission; they are less developed that our three characters, but still suits well with the world.
The setting is quite interesting, a gritty and low fantasy world (with some exceptions); we are given some details about how the relationship between the humans and the vampires evolved along the time and how we have arrived at the current climate, with Turned being hated by both sides and a great pressure to interrupt the conciliation between human and vampire sides. In this context, our story suits quite well; the pacing is in a great spot, fast and with plenty of actions, keeping the reader engaged until the very last page.
The Sins of Steel and Shadow is an excellent first instalment, a novel that I recommend if you love gritty low fantasy in the style of Abercrombie's First Law, with an ambitious plotline full of action and twists. There's so much potential in The Turned as a series, so do yourself a favour and pick this book before the second one is released!
The Sins of Steel and Shadow is the novel that kickstarts the grimdark fantasy series The Turned, written by Steve Pannett. A gritty low fantasy proposal, action-packed and blood soaked, which throws the reader into a complicated and merciless world, following Bail, a Turned (half vampire, half human, hated by both sides), who becomes part of a group to execute a difficult task in order to get the impossible as reward: giving back his humanity.
Bail has been a Turned for 50 years, surviving by trading human military secrets for vampyr artifacts, and those for coin, a cycle that allows him to continue his life, a task that has become increasingly difficult; so when another Turned, Vesca, approaches with an offer he can't refuse, he ends together with Vesca and another Turned, Merle in a task that promises to give them what they craved for in exchange for killing 4 individuals that are conspirating against the king. A really difficult mission, but with a reward that deserves taking the whole risk, recovering their humanity, something that was believed as impossible.
As you can imagine, with this premise, we have a plot full of well-written action and intrigue; each assassination becomes a mini quest by themselves, but also gives us enough space to enjoy the marvelous characters that Pannett gives us. For once, we have Bail, Turned for 50 years, who is tired of simply surviving in his condition and desires to become human again; however, he also has his doubts about the mission and the price they are paying for the reward. On the other side of the coin, Vesca wishes to become a vampyr, as she only found acceptance among those; her past marked her position about humans, and with both characters, we have enough information to understand why they embarked on this mission and for what reward.
Merle is the third in discord in our group, a good-hearted character that also acts as the moral compass for them, but still being part of the task; a really supportive character for Bail.
The rest of the cast is relatively colourful, being relatively large for the length of the novel, giving us glimpses of the world and how the people think, from the fanatical vampyr zealot to the magicker that offers this mission; they are less developed that our three characters, but still suits well with the world.
The setting is quite interesting, a gritty and low fantasy world (with some exceptions); we are given some details about how the relationship between the humans and the vampires evolved along the time and how we have arrived at the current climate, with Turned being hated by both sides and a great pressure to interrupt the conciliation between human and vampire sides. In this context, our story suits quite well; the pacing is in a great spot, fast and with plenty of actions, keeping the reader engaged until the very last page.
The Sins of Steel and Shadow is an excellent first instalment, a novel that I recommend if you love gritty low fantasy in the style of Abercrombie's First Law, with an ambitious plotline full of action and twists. There's so much potential in The Turned as a series, so do yourself a favour and pick this book before the second one is released!
February 20, 2025
One phrase to describe this book, short and sweet. Absolutely awesome.
We jump right into the thick of things, following a Turned; half-human, half-vampire, fully hated, named Bail. Right off the bat, I knew I'd be loving the book as Bail is a perfect mix of a main character. Smart, skilled at fighting, funny, and a loner, following him POV chapters were a lot of fun. The story is a fun one throughout and really kicks in once we meet another Turned, Vesca. She approaches Bail with an offer, one he can't refuse and it turns out to be more accurate than he can guess. The two of them plus another Turned, Merle, are approached and given a task; kill 4 individuals who are conspiring against the King, and they won't have to stay Turned thanks to a cure.
‘Maybe it’s better to be a monster and a Turned,’ Merle replied, still murmuring, ‘than a murderer and a human.’
What follows is a non-stop, action-packed and blood-soaked ride. Pannett did a fantastic job pacing the book, which is one of my biggest praises. The story twists and turns between Bail and Vesca, and both of them give plenty of backstory about their own histories and how they became Turned, and it really sheds light onto why they're willing to do the things they're asking to leave that life behind. Bail has been a Turned for over 50 years, Vesca much less, but the lives they've lived and tell us show how they deal with the challenges of being despised by both humans and vampyrs.
The other vampyrs on the trail joined him, the sounds of their combined laughter about as humorous as whispers from a grave.
Along the way, the cast of characters grows and every one of them brought something to the table. Whether it's the mysterious magicker who gives them the task, or the religious zealot vampyr's who roam the lands and kill without remorse, they all play a role in expanding the world and bringing it to life (or death).
Like always, I'm going to avoid going too deep into the plot to prevent spoilers. This is especially true of this book, as the sheer amount of whiplash I felt reading some parts left me going back to frantically make sure I didn't misread. Again, Pannett has the perfect amount of plot twists, betrayals, and conspiracies throughout it that it always kept me on my toes.
I also thought the writing was incredibly strong. Lots of phrases and descriptions that made me live the story out in my head; I could almost picture a tv show going on while reading, and it always kept things fun.
He was watching with undisguised horror as the shadow that had crashed in through the window slowly rose to its feet. The tangle of lace curtains— now pink with blood— falling away like a lizard shedding its skin.
Overall, this book actually left me pretty pissed. Well, in a good way. I'm furious that book 2 isn't available for me to get this fucking second, cause if it was, I'd be reading it right now instead of reviewing the 1st! Take my word for it, The Sins of Steel and Shadow is going to be the start of something amazing.
We jump right into the thick of things, following a Turned; half-human, half-vampire, fully hated, named Bail. Right off the bat, I knew I'd be loving the book as Bail is a perfect mix of a main character. Smart, skilled at fighting, funny, and a loner, following him POV chapters were a lot of fun. The story is a fun one throughout and really kicks in once we meet another Turned, Vesca. She approaches Bail with an offer, one he can't refuse and it turns out to be more accurate than he can guess. The two of them plus another Turned, Merle, are approached and given a task; kill 4 individuals who are conspiring against the King, and they won't have to stay Turned thanks to a cure.
‘Maybe it’s better to be a monster and a Turned,’ Merle replied, still murmuring, ‘than a murderer and a human.’
What follows is a non-stop, action-packed and blood-soaked ride. Pannett did a fantastic job pacing the book, which is one of my biggest praises. The story twists and turns between Bail and Vesca, and both of them give plenty of backstory about their own histories and how they became Turned, and it really sheds light onto why they're willing to do the things they're asking to leave that life behind. Bail has been a Turned for over 50 years, Vesca much less, but the lives they've lived and tell us show how they deal with the challenges of being despised by both humans and vampyrs.
The other vampyrs on the trail joined him, the sounds of their combined laughter about as humorous as whispers from a grave.
Along the way, the cast of characters grows and every one of them brought something to the table. Whether it's the mysterious magicker who gives them the task, or the religious zealot vampyr's who roam the lands and kill without remorse, they all play a role in expanding the world and bringing it to life (or death).
Like always, I'm going to avoid going too deep into the plot to prevent spoilers. This is especially true of this book, as the sheer amount of whiplash I felt reading some parts left me going back to frantically make sure I didn't misread. Again, Pannett has the perfect amount of plot twists, betrayals, and conspiracies throughout it that it always kept me on my toes.
I also thought the writing was incredibly strong. Lots of phrases and descriptions that made me live the story out in my head; I could almost picture a tv show going on while reading, and it always kept things fun.
He was watching with undisguised horror as the shadow that had crashed in through the window slowly rose to its feet. The tangle of lace curtains— now pink with blood— falling away like a lizard shedding its skin.
Overall, this book actually left me pretty pissed. Well, in a good way. I'm furious that book 2 isn't available for me to get this fucking second, cause if it was, I'd be reading it right now instead of reviewing the 1st! Take my word for it, The Sins of Steel and Shadow is going to be the start of something amazing.
May 22, 2025
Two years ago Steve Pannett impressed with his self-published debut The Hunter’s Lament, a grim fantasy with a tense and addictive plot, full of brilliant close-quarters action and subtle character work. Now Pannett has sought to build on that formula but, Spinal Tap-style, cranked the ambition up to eleven by presenting the first in a new (grim?)dark series The Turned, full of assassination, politics, vampires, humans, and things in between. The Sins of Steel and Shadow is a cracking first instalment that shows his ambition was not misplaced.
The plot concerns the Turned: half-human, half vampires, hated by everyone. Bail, a Turned, survives by selling human military secrets to the vampires in return for valuable relics. But when an emissary of the human king summons him and several other Turned for a mission—assassinate four key figures of a plot to overthrow the King—in return for the cure to his condition, he sees the opportunity to be human and no longer loathed.
There’s a lot to love in The Sins of Steel and Shadow. The worldbuilding—a vampire kingdom balancing a fragile peace with the neighbouring human kingdom—intrigues, although a lot is clearly being held back for the sequels, and the plot is addictively readable. There’s few things more fun than a bunch of assassins and a kill list, and Pannett uses this to his advantage, introducing a series of grim and conniving characters, all anchored on the central character of Bail, who’s a fascinating character to read not just because of his inner turmoil about being a Turned and his smart skillsets, but because he’s a refreshingly thoughtful character, which is helpful given his team include a permanently furious dagger-wielding woman with a tragic backstory and a tendency for literally burning everything down. There’s a bit of a slow start as the plot is established, but once the kill mission begins, it’s non stop, grim entertainment.
Then there’s the fight scenes. These are violent, engrossing action set pieces full of vicious injuries and kinetic, simple, yet effectively choreographed encounters. These violent blitzes that frame the finales of each assassination mission won’t just make you wince at the wanton bodily destruction (fans of daggers in faces, your time is now) but will suck you in with the careful, blow-by-blow narration. There is a true art to this kind of fight-write, and Pannett has it. One particular nasty set piece involving some forest traps laid down for some unsuspecting hunters galloping past is utter carnage in a can’t-look-away variety and one of the most brutally memorable scenes you’ll read in a fantasy this year.
But although the action is a headline reason to read, Pannett has more to his bow than that. There’s some meaty themes about discrimination and self-hatred in The Sins of Steel and Shadow. What makes a person and what makes a monster? Is it really important if the Turned get “cured” and get their humanity back? Or is it more important how you act, whether your ears are pointy or rounded? Pannett isn’t one to hammer themes over your head, but he does like his characters to chew over them. Just as impressive is his character development. Although there’s still a lot to come from these characters and it does feel like they’re just getting warmed up in the series, there is some subtle emotion and character development here, one of Pannett’s strengths. Oh and some great twists, as you’d expect from a tale like this full of connivers and spies.
Sins of Steel and Shadow is a great start to a promising new fantasy epic: an action-packed, bloody, character-driven fantasy ride in a fascinating, gritty world. The real sin is leaving this on the shelf.
The plot concerns the Turned: half-human, half vampires, hated by everyone. Bail, a Turned, survives by selling human military secrets to the vampires in return for valuable relics. But when an emissary of the human king summons him and several other Turned for a mission—assassinate four key figures of a plot to overthrow the King—in return for the cure to his condition, he sees the opportunity to be human and no longer loathed.
There’s a lot to love in The Sins of Steel and Shadow. The worldbuilding—a vampire kingdom balancing a fragile peace with the neighbouring human kingdom—intrigues, although a lot is clearly being held back for the sequels, and the plot is addictively readable. There’s few things more fun than a bunch of assassins and a kill list, and Pannett uses this to his advantage, introducing a series of grim and conniving characters, all anchored on the central character of Bail, who’s a fascinating character to read not just because of his inner turmoil about being a Turned and his smart skillsets, but because he’s a refreshingly thoughtful character, which is helpful given his team include a permanently furious dagger-wielding woman with a tragic backstory and a tendency for literally burning everything down. There’s a bit of a slow start as the plot is established, but once the kill mission begins, it’s non stop, grim entertainment.
Then there’s the fight scenes. These are violent, engrossing action set pieces full of vicious injuries and kinetic, simple, yet effectively choreographed encounters. These violent blitzes that frame the finales of each assassination mission won’t just make you wince at the wanton bodily destruction (fans of daggers in faces, your time is now) but will suck you in with the careful, blow-by-blow narration. There is a true art to this kind of fight-write, and Pannett has it. One particular nasty set piece involving some forest traps laid down for some unsuspecting hunters galloping past is utter carnage in a can’t-look-away variety and one of the most brutally memorable scenes you’ll read in a fantasy this year.
But although the action is a headline reason to read, Pannett has more to his bow than that. There’s some meaty themes about discrimination and self-hatred in The Sins of Steel and Shadow. What makes a person and what makes a monster? Is it really important if the Turned get “cured” and get their humanity back? Or is it more important how you act, whether your ears are pointy or rounded? Pannett isn’t one to hammer themes over your head, but he does like his characters to chew over them. Just as impressive is his character development. Although there’s still a lot to come from these characters and it does feel like they’re just getting warmed up in the series, there is some subtle emotion and character development here, one of Pannett’s strengths. Oh and some great twists, as you’d expect from a tale like this full of connivers and spies.
Sins of Steel and Shadow is a great start to a promising new fantasy epic: an action-packed, bloody, character-driven fantasy ride in a fascinating, gritty world. The real sin is leaving this on the shelf.
March 17, 2025
The Sins of Steel and Shadow is the barnstorming first book in Steve Pannett’s new series The Turned.
Having loved Pannett’s debut – the gritty and witty standalone The Hunter’s Lament – I was expecting great things from this book and I wasn’t disappointed.
It features another low fantasy setting and more delightfully flawed characters doing their best to get by and make a living in a brutal world while trying to keep a lid on the moral and ethical considerations and consequences of what they do.
The grit and wit of The Hunter’s Lament is back with a vengeance in this dark story which follows the plight of a motley crew of characters caught in the middle of an ancient feud.
And I mean literally caught in the middle. The main protagonists are half-human, half-vampyr – known as Turned - in a world where both races only coexist courtesy of a very uneasy and distrustful peace. The truce may have lasted centuries but memories are long on both sides and grievances do not die easily.
Pannett has produced a nice twist on the vampire trope, offering an interesting perspective on one of the staples of fantasy and horror fiction. His vampyres don’t conform to some of the expected traits. That appealed to me, as vampire stories aren’t my normal go-to read.
What was particularly interesting about this take was the different perspectives of the Turned POVs on their “condition”. As outsiders to humans and vampyrs, they straddle the divide between the rival races, reviled by each and welcomed by neither.
That creates a real sense of duality through the book, not only in how the different races view each other but in the different ways the Turned view themselves, each other and both races. Whether they see themselves as mainly human or have more empathy with the vampyrs.
It also plays to a theme of humanity and what it means to be human in that sense, against a backdrop of generational prejudices.
Pannett’s writing style is perfect for the story and characterisation. It has an Abercrombie feel to the narrative, with punchy prose and a cynical tone.
The plot features deep personal and high geopolitical stakes and the excitement comes as fast as the dry wit of some of the emotionally-scarred characters. It reads very visually, almost cinematic in its depiction of the combat and other action, and builds to a breathtaking climax.
Speaking of visuals, extra plaudits for the eye-catching cover, which is no surprise given the author’s design background, proving he’s as adept with creating stunning imagery as he is with wordsmithing.
If you like your books packed with twists and turns, humour, heart-pumping action, original worldbuilding, nuanced characters and emotional impact, I highly recommend The Sins of Steel and Shadow.
I lamented the end of Pannett’s debut, rejoiced at the start of this new adventure, and eagerly anticipate being able to turn the pages when book 2 lands.
I received an eARC of The Sins of Steel and Shadow from the author. This is a voluntary, honest review. The book is due to be released on 8 April 2025.
Having loved Pannett’s debut – the gritty and witty standalone The Hunter’s Lament – I was expecting great things from this book and I wasn’t disappointed.
It features another low fantasy setting and more delightfully flawed characters doing their best to get by and make a living in a brutal world while trying to keep a lid on the moral and ethical considerations and consequences of what they do.
The grit and wit of The Hunter’s Lament is back with a vengeance in this dark story which follows the plight of a motley crew of characters caught in the middle of an ancient feud.
And I mean literally caught in the middle. The main protagonists are half-human, half-vampyr – known as Turned - in a world where both races only coexist courtesy of a very uneasy and distrustful peace. The truce may have lasted centuries but memories are long on both sides and grievances do not die easily.
Pannett has produced a nice twist on the vampire trope, offering an interesting perspective on one of the staples of fantasy and horror fiction. His vampyres don’t conform to some of the expected traits. That appealed to me, as vampire stories aren’t my normal go-to read.
What was particularly interesting about this take was the different perspectives of the Turned POVs on their “condition”. As outsiders to humans and vampyrs, they straddle the divide between the rival races, reviled by each and welcomed by neither.
That creates a real sense of duality through the book, not only in how the different races view each other but in the different ways the Turned view themselves, each other and both races. Whether they see themselves as mainly human or have more empathy with the vampyrs.
It also plays to a theme of humanity and what it means to be human in that sense, against a backdrop of generational prejudices.
Pannett’s writing style is perfect for the story and characterisation. It has an Abercrombie feel to the narrative, with punchy prose and a cynical tone.
The plot features deep personal and high geopolitical stakes and the excitement comes as fast as the dry wit of some of the emotionally-scarred characters. It reads very visually, almost cinematic in its depiction of the combat and other action, and builds to a breathtaking climax.
Speaking of visuals, extra plaudits for the eye-catching cover, which is no surprise given the author’s design background, proving he’s as adept with creating stunning imagery as he is with wordsmithing.
If you like your books packed with twists and turns, humour, heart-pumping action, original worldbuilding, nuanced characters and emotional impact, I highly recommend The Sins of Steel and Shadow.
I lamented the end of Pannett’s debut, rejoiced at the start of this new adventure, and eagerly anticipate being able to turn the pages when book 2 lands.
I received an eARC of The Sins of Steel and Shadow from the author. This is a voluntary, honest review. The book is due to be released on 8 April 2025.
October 26, 2025
I loved Hunter’s Lament by Steve Pannett, so when this book came out in a new series, I just had to get it. Whereas Hunter’s followed a bounty hunter named Bitter Sweet through the trials and tribulations of a grim and, let’s say it, bitter choice, the Sins of Steel and Shadow follows the path of three Turned through the trials and tribulations of a grim and bitter choice. Yeah. I’m a sucker for it, I know. Sucker being the operative word, as The Turned are stuck halfway between being human and vampyr. Subjected to a ritual, they are now shunned by both sides of that coin. Hated by humanity, reviled by vampyrs, few survive for very long, and those that do have become inward, selfish creatures looking simply to survive.
It's a grim setup, and ripe for exploitation. Bail is the central MC with Vesca, a female Turned, acting as a foil and occasional POV. Where he longs to be human, she looks to the vampyr side. They are offered a pact, one that could see them both get their wish as a magicker and adviser to the king offers them hope. The catch? Assassination. And from here, with Merle, another turned, in the mix, the story follows their trail as they attempt to fulfil their pact. From drug dens to brothels, forest hunts and cathedrals, the action is grim, fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged throughout. Pannett doesn’t overcomplicate, setting the scenes with fluid prose and drawing you into the action, so you feel you are there.
Amid all the rush of action, you do long for more complexity to the plot, but somehow, I think Pannett is leading us into his world. That the machinations and politics we glimpse will darken Bail and Vesca’s future, and I, for one, will be there.
It's a grim setup, and ripe for exploitation. Bail is the central MC with Vesca, a female Turned, acting as a foil and occasional POV. Where he longs to be human, she looks to the vampyr side. They are offered a pact, one that could see them both get their wish as a magicker and adviser to the king offers them hope. The catch? Assassination. And from here, with Merle, another turned, in the mix, the story follows their trail as they attempt to fulfil their pact. From drug dens to brothels, forest hunts and cathedrals, the action is grim, fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged throughout. Pannett doesn’t overcomplicate, setting the scenes with fluid prose and drawing you into the action, so you feel you are there.
Amid all the rush of action, you do long for more complexity to the plot, but somehow, I think Pannett is leading us into his world. That the machinations and politics we glimpse will darken Bail and Vesca’s future, and I, for one, will be there.
December 17, 2024
Thank you to the author for the ARC! Here’s my review for Sins of Steel and Shadow. This books starts off really well. Honestly I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I just liked the cover, like a lot! This is a dark gritty fantasy that like I said, grips you from page one. I really like how the author structured the chapters with one POV starting off and the person they interacted with mainly being the second POV. The world building is great and very interesting. There is a rich history there that could be explored in even more depth and told in further stories and I hope the author does choose to do that. Learning what is to be Turned in this world and everything that goes along with it was very eye opening since my small knowledge of vampires only comes from tv and movies. This book starts out with a bang! I loved the beginning and how the setup was done. I will say the only thing I wasn’t the biggest fan of was the “task” the characters weee set upon. This isn’t usually my go to with books, but I will say the author made it work well. There are some big emotions flying around that make the reader think and really see life from a different point of view. It makes you consider if the ends really justify the means and that was a huge reason I was glued to this book! I had to know what happened to our main characters. This story ends in a whirlwind of action, betrayal, and good feels. The story was wrapped up nicely and left open for book 2!
June 25, 2025
Originally posted at
SFF Insiders
The Sins of Steel and Shadow (Book 1 of the Turned) was an absolute joy ride from start to finish. The writing was excellent throughout, with the characters very well-written (alongside an even better depicted villain!); the plot was fast-paced and full of stuff happening around every turn, and the world was rich and amazingly portrayed (with a particular place I simply couldn’t get enough of!). And even though it was a chonky boi alright, I was thoroughly intrigued by it all and constantly wanting to read more. This is an amazing start to a new fantasy series featuring vampires… and they ain’t the friendly types either! A very high recommendation from me. Go check it out ASAP!
The Sins of Steel and Shadow (Book 1 of the Turned) was an absolute joy ride from start to finish. The writing was excellent throughout, with the characters very well-written (alongside an even better depicted villain!); the plot was fast-paced and full of stuff happening around every turn, and the world was rich and amazingly portrayed (with a particular place I simply couldn’t get enough of!). And even though it was a chonky boi alright, I was thoroughly intrigued by it all and constantly wanting to read more. This is an amazing start to a new fantasy series featuring vampires… and they ain’t the friendly types either! A very high recommendation from me. Go check it out ASAP!
June 20, 2025
A very enjoyable read. Great characters, plot and pacing. A fascinating new fantasy world with a different take on vampires that is refreshing. My only complaint is that there is a little too much deus-ex-machina in getting the main characters out of trouble, other than that, I can honestly say I loved it and looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 14, 2025
TSOSAS is set in a world where humans and vampyrs maintain a fragile peace. We're following a group of 'turned', no longer human, but not quite vampyr's, who are doggedly trying to survive a brutal world in which they are shunned by both species.
When given the chance to change their fate they'll learn that this chance of a lifetime comes at a steep cost.
If you're a fan of character-driven stories, set against a backdrop of political intrigue and moral ambiguity, this book is the one for you.
It's dark, fast-paced, with immersive world building, that feels gritty, tense and distrustful. The murky politics, the social status and species divide, the morally grey characters - it hits all the right notes for fans of grimdark.
Bail is a fantastic anti-hero, haunted, hardened, and impossible not to root for. His team up with Vesca and Merle softens his edges enough that the character development starts to shine through. And the tasks they have to take on force them to make brutal, weighty decisions.
If you're wanting a dark, character driven fantasy, with plenty of action, and you love a story where no one is truly safe and every choice matters, you need to pick this one up!
When given the chance to change their fate they'll learn that this chance of a lifetime comes at a steep cost.
If you're a fan of character-driven stories, set against a backdrop of political intrigue and moral ambiguity, this book is the one for you.
It's dark, fast-paced, with immersive world building, that feels gritty, tense and distrustful. The murky politics, the social status and species divide, the morally grey characters - it hits all the right notes for fans of grimdark.
Bail is a fantastic anti-hero, haunted, hardened, and impossible not to root for. His team up with Vesca and Merle softens his edges enough that the character development starts to shine through. And the tasks they have to take on force them to make brutal, weighty decisions.
If you're wanting a dark, character driven fantasy, with plenty of action, and you love a story where no one is truly safe and every choice matters, you need to pick this one up!
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