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The Dagger in Vichy
In a deep medieval future, a band of players travels across France to perform the same old tales in the same old towns. When passing soldiers entrust them with a mysterious box that they say must be delivered to the Imperator, old playwright Master Guillaume and young escaped thief Rufus puzzle at what the box might contain.
When Rufus overhears strange conversations between his Master Guillaume and the thing in the box, he must choose between his loyalty to the man who saved him from the noose and fear of the ancient intelligence working in their midst.
Secrets spill out over the road to Avignon, and none in the troupe are safe. Not Blind Benedict, who once saw the faceless Empty Knight patrolling the deathless Wald that creeps ever closer to the cities, and not Master Bernard whose sensible plans are not equal to the eldritch thing the company now carries with them. All the world’s a stage, and so was every world that came before.
Cover illustration by Andrew Davis
When Rufus overhears strange conversations between his Master Guillaume and the thing in the box, he must choose between his loyalty to the man who saved him from the noose and fear of the ancient intelligence working in their midst.
Secrets spill out over the road to Avignon, and none in the troupe are safe. Not Blind Benedict, who once saw the faceless Empty Knight patrolling the deathless Wald that creeps ever closer to the cities, and not Master Bernard whose sensible plans are not equal to the eldritch thing the company now carries with them. All the world’s a stage, and so was every world that came before.
Cover illustration by Andrew Davis
119 pages, Hardcover
First published July 22, 2025
39 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Alastair Reynolds
313 books9,274 followersI'm Al, I used to be a space scientist, and now I'm a writer, although for a time the two careers ran in parallel. I started off publishing short stories in the British SF magazine Interzone in the early 90s, then eventually branched into novels. I write about a novel a year and try to write a few short stories as well. Some of my books and stories are set in a consistent future named after Revelation Space, the first novel, but I've done a lot of other things as well and I like to keep things fresh between books.
I was born in Wales, but raised in Cornwall, and then spent time in the north of England and Scotland. I moved to the Netherlands to continue my science career and stayed there for a very long time, before eventually returning to Wales.
In my spare time I am a very keen runner, and I also enjoying hill-walking, birdwatching, horse-riding, guitar and model-making. I also dabble with paints now and then. I met my wife in the Netherlands through a mutual interest in climbing and we married back in Wales. We live surrounded by hills, woods and wildlife, and not too much excitement.
I was born in Wales, but raised in Cornwall, and then spent time in the north of England and Scotland. I moved to the Netherlands to continue my science career and stayed there for a very long time, before eventually returning to Wales.
In my spare time I am a very keen runner, and I also enjoying hill-walking, birdwatching, horse-riding, guitar and model-making. I also dabble with paints now and then. I met my wife in the Netherlands through a mutual interest in climbing and we married back in Wales. We live surrounded by hills, woods and wildlife, and not too much excitement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
November 29, 2025
The Dagger in Vichy is a wonderfully genre-bending tale set in a world where Reynolds mixes medieval history with sci-fi, fantasy and a touch of horror. The result evokes the moods of SFF greats like Canticle for Leibowitz, Station Eleven and Annihilation. The story reads almost like a tragic morality play, steeped in atmosphere and ambiguity.
Although much of the world and its past remain deliberately mysterious, Reynolds reveals just enough to hook you and leave you wanting more. With so many compelling ideas at play, it's a shame the book isn't longer - but hopefully he'll return to this setting in the future!
Although much of the world and its past remain deliberately mysterious, Reynolds reveals just enough to hook you and leave you wanting more. With so many compelling ideas at play, it's a shame the book isn't longer - but hopefully he'll return to this setting in the future!
September 3, 2025
Took me more than a month to finish this one. Yes, I'm in a reading slump, but the story didn't grip me either.
In Reynolds' works I look for vastity, a scope as big as the universe, and this novella didn't have any of this.
It's set in a sort of post apocalyptic world, with a touch of cyber(steam?)punk - hard to tell.
I would have loved to read more about the Wald - the hinted past in the story was way more interesting than the present narrative.
In Reynolds' works I look for vastity, a scope as big as the universe, and this novella didn't have any of this.
It's set in a sort of post apocalyptic world, with a touch of cyber(steam?)punk - hard to tell.
I would have loved to read more about the Wald - the hinted past in the story was way more interesting than the present narrative.
March 14, 2025
Short novel set in a far future Earth of devolved tech and brimming with ideas, with a simple but effective plot and great atmosphere. Excellent stuff and would love more books set in this universe.
November 29, 2025
The Dagger In Vichy bills itself as an “eerie mix of fantasy and science fiction” and while I suppose that’s technically true, in execution it kind of just feels like Reynolds wanted to write medieval fiction with an occasional reference to laser guns and so threw in enough French place names and generic post apocalyptic sci-fi signifiers to justify getting his setting to that point. Add in some toothless horror towards the end and you’ve got yourself a weak, watered down stew. This is less a well thought out, intricately crafted example of world building, and more an instance of rote genre mashup.
Reynolds’s characters are equally lacking. The entire cast is one dimensional. Here’s the mean rich guy. Here’s the scholarly writer. Here’s the gruff but kind soldier. Here’s the kindly old man. Here’s two women, bet you won’t be able to tell them apart. The only time it feels like we’re dealing with actual people is during the scenes between Guillame and Bernard. The growing tension between them, two old friends who regard each other as brothers, and the portrayal of their waning trust in each other as it frays away over the course of this story, was very well done. To my mind it’s the only thing in this novella that I would actually say is well done.
If nothing else, Dagger In Vichy is a very quick, easy read. It chugged right along, the very definition of a solidly ok book, nothing more and nothing less, until the epilogue. This story doesn’t end so much as Reynolds just sort of hits a point where he goes “ok that’s it I guess, the end or whatever” and then shrugs his shoulders, stops writing and wanders off away somewhere. The perfunctory nature of it left a bad taste in my mouth and had me turn on a dime from “this is nothing but it’s a perfectly fine bit of nothing” to “uh, was that it?”
Overall I found myself pretty underwhelmed. I don’t know that this one is worth going too far out of your way for, but if it sounds like this is your kind of thing then I guess it’s a decent enough way to spend a couple hours. I mean, maybe? Possibly? Who even am I to tell you how best to use your time?
Reynolds’s characters are equally lacking. The entire cast is one dimensional. Here’s the mean rich guy. Here’s the scholarly writer. Here’s the gruff but kind soldier. Here’s the kindly old man. Here’s two women, bet you won’t be able to tell them apart. The only time it feels like we’re dealing with actual people is during the scenes between Guillame and Bernard. The growing tension between them, two old friends who regard each other as brothers, and the portrayal of their waning trust in each other as it frays away over the course of this story, was very well done. To my mind it’s the only thing in this novella that I would actually say is well done.
If nothing else, Dagger In Vichy is a very quick, easy read. It chugged right along, the very definition of a solidly ok book, nothing more and nothing less, until the epilogue. This story doesn’t end so much as Reynolds just sort of hits a point where he goes “ok that’s it I guess, the end or whatever” and then shrugs his shoulders, stops writing and wanders off away somewhere. The perfunctory nature of it left a bad taste in my mouth and had me turn on a dime from “this is nothing but it’s a perfectly fine bit of nothing” to “uh, was that it?”
Overall I found myself pretty underwhelmed. I don’t know that this one is worth going too far out of your way for, but if it sounds like this is your kind of thing then I guess it’s a decent enough way to spend a couple hours. I mean, maybe? Possibly? Who even am I to tell you how best to use your time?
November 13, 2025
This is an SF novella masquerading as fantasy, cleverly adding new interpretations to classic medieval tropes. I read it as a part of the monthly reading for November 2025 at SFF Hot from Printers: New Releases group. The novella was published in 2025 and is eligible for the next year’s genre awards.
The story begins quite ordinarily: a wandering theatre troupe is on the road in France, between Vierzon and Bourges. Two of them, writer Master Guillaume and master-soldier Bernard, move outside to piss and find a dying knight. Here, the reader is informed for the first time informed that this is not our past: A fissure had been opened in the man’s armour from rib to thigh, gouged wide and puddled with blood. He could not say if it had been done by blade, ball, or particle-strike. The knight asks the men to deliver a small box to the Imperator: “It’s a priceless relic, donated in tribute by one of the monasteries in the Lowlands. You must take it, friends, with your company. If you cannot reach Avignon yourselves, bring the tribute to soldiers of his High Holiness.”
As can be expected, the curiosity overcomes one of the men, and he secretly opens the box to find a remnant of the ancient forgotten wanderer. And just like the Pandora’s box, it brings to put in mildly, a lot of problems.
The story is told by Rufus, a young former thief whom Master Guillaume saved from a noose, pledging to reform him. Rufus tries to stay on the path of righteousness, even if it isn’t always easy. It could have been just another ‘degraded future society after a catastrophe’ if it hasn’t played with a bunch of medieval ideas, like the ones from the Arthurian mythos, from a character referred to as "The Black Knight" to a mysterious bearded male head, sometimes referred to as "Baphomet" from the accusations against The Knights Templar to a mysterious dark forest called the Wald which in this case is . While I liked this story well enough, it was fine but not great, 3.5* rounded to 4.
The story begins quite ordinarily: a wandering theatre troupe is on the road in France, between Vierzon and Bourges. Two of them, writer Master Guillaume and master-soldier Bernard, move outside to piss and find a dying knight. Here, the reader is informed for the first time informed that this is not our past: A fissure had been opened in the man’s armour from rib to thigh, gouged wide and puddled with blood. He could not say if it had been done by blade, ball, or particle-strike. The knight asks the men to deliver a small box to the Imperator: “It’s a priceless relic, donated in tribute by one of the monasteries in the Lowlands. You must take it, friends, with your company. If you cannot reach Avignon yourselves, bring the tribute to soldiers of his High Holiness.”
As can be expected, the curiosity overcomes one of the men, and he secretly opens the box to find a remnant of the ancient forgotten wanderer. And just like the Pandora’s box, it brings to put in mildly, a lot of problems.
The story is told by Rufus, a young former thief whom Master Guillaume saved from a noose, pledging to reform him. Rufus tries to stay on the path of righteousness, even if it isn’t always easy. It could have been just another ‘degraded future society after a catastrophe’ if it hasn’t played with a bunch of medieval ideas, like the ones from the Arthurian mythos, from a character referred to as "The Black Knight" to a mysterious bearded male head, sometimes referred to as "Baphomet" from the accusations against The Knights Templar to a mysterious dark forest called the Wald which in this case is . While I liked this story well enough, it was fine but not great, 3.5* rounded to 4.
March 12, 2025
Thank you to Sub Press for the ARC!
To be honest with you, I'm not really a big novella reader/fan. I always feel like just as the story gets going, it's over. However, that is not the case with "The Dagger in Vichy". Reynolds grips you right from the start. I found the story and characters to be very engaging. It is a theater troupe traveling around France in a wagon. It almost felt like I was in the wagon with them. At times this novella reminded me of Station Eleven and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It was a very enjoyable quick read and I do recommend it!
To be honest with you, I'm not really a big novella reader/fan. I always feel like just as the story gets going, it's over. However, that is not the case with "The Dagger in Vichy". Reynolds grips you right from the start. I found the story and characters to be very engaging. It is a theater troupe traveling around France in a wagon. It almost felt like I was in the wagon with them. At times this novella reminded me of Station Eleven and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It was a very enjoyable quick read and I do recommend it!
March 8, 2025
A fast and engaging read! Genre-bending through medieval fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. This goes several places you weren’t expecting in relatively quick fashion. With an incredibly interesting plot, and twists that you won’t expect, I would definitely recommend this! Especially if you like: medieval horror, A24 fantasy movies, or weird novellas.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC thru NetGalley!
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC thru NetGalley!
November 8, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up because it was a little bit weird & I love a side of weird with my books!
This is your basic characters of humble origin have to complete a quest set in medieval France except it’s actually thousands of years in earth future. What makes it fun is it’s really a character study disguised as the above book. We have an unreliable narrator who’s easily manipulated with a flawed sense of morality. Are the rest of the characters equally as flawed or is he misremembering them?
Rating wasn’t higher because while the above was engaging, what was truly interesting was only hinted at & never explored.
This is your basic characters of humble origin have to complete a quest set in medieval France except it’s actually thousands of years in earth future. What makes it fun is it’s really a character study disguised as the above book. We have an unreliable narrator who’s easily manipulated with a flawed sense of morality. Are the rest of the characters equally as flawed or is he misremembering them?
Rating wasn’t higher because while the above was engaging, what was truly interesting was only hinted at & never explored.
November 21, 2025
Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!
This quick read was really enjoyable! It doesn’t drag on like some stories tend to do—it tells its tale, and ends when it needs to. Overall, very well written, the atmosphere was realistic and easy to imagine, and the characters and relationships between them were pretty decently developed for being such a short read. I truly love this type of story, and I started liking it even more when I started picking up on the allusions to AI and how modern technology effects us as people and artists. I get it, it was good, it got the point across, and was very interesting and original in the process!
This quick read was really enjoyable! It doesn’t drag on like some stories tend to do—it tells its tale, and ends when it needs to. Overall, very well written, the atmosphere was realistic and easy to imagine, and the characters and relationships between them were pretty decently developed for being such a short read. I truly love this type of story, and I started liking it even more when I started picking up on the allusions to AI and how modern technology effects us as people and artists. I get it, it was good, it got the point across, and was very interesting and original in the process!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2025
The Dagger in Vichy is set in France, maybe a 1000 years hence. The world regressed following the Twilight Centuries and then progressed again to a medieval age with scattered relics of the past. A troupe comes across one of these relics and disaster soon befalls them.
I didn't enjoy this all that much, but I was impressed by how greatly Reynolds could change the voice of his writing, as it was very different from anything else I've read from him. This novella reads like a tragic play about morality, perhaps inspired by Faust and other similar sorts. At the least it's definitely much more about what it has to say about the human condition than about its plot, characters, world, or anything else. Maybe a certain type of literary critic, or a fan of 19th century proto-science fiction would appreciate it more. For me it's simply something I read that was ok and not really for me.
I don't really have much else to say about it. The characters are there to play their role, the plot is to allow for a narrative framework, the world is a backdrop, and the thematic message dominates. That combination left me feeling indifferent about it all. I didn't dislike it, and I can imagine an audience for it, though I'm only an incidental member of that audience.
I didn't enjoy this all that much, but I was impressed by how greatly Reynolds could change the voice of his writing, as it was very different from anything else I've read from him. This novella reads like a tragic play about morality, perhaps inspired by Faust and other similar sorts. At the least it's definitely much more about what it has to say about the human condition than about its plot, characters, world, or anything else. Maybe a certain type of literary critic, or a fan of 19th century proto-science fiction would appreciate it more. For me it's simply something I read that was ok and not really for me.
I don't really have much else to say about it. The characters are there to play their role, the plot is to allow for a narrative framework, the world is a backdrop, and the thematic message dominates. That combination left me feeling indifferent about it all. I didn't dislike it, and I can imagine an audience for it, though I'm only an incidental member of that audience.
March 23, 2025
NetGalley eARC. Releases Oct 31, 2025.
What an interesting French-medieval ‘fantasy’ novella by one of science fiction’s most important writers of the last 30 years! A Dagger in Vichy is set in humanity’s far future after an apocalyptic event has left the world without much technological advancement, no cars, no phones - just limited, to almost medieval, means. We follow a troupe of performers who are tasked with returning an important religious artifact to the Imperator in Avignon. As the story unfolds, we learn more about the narrator, the youngest member of the troupe, the master writer of the group, and the artifact itself. Wonderfully written and a nice distinction from Reynolds’ typical space-faring stories. Reminiscent in some ways of Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire trilogy - with the far-future setting and the left-over technologies, but not quite as dark. Reynolds leaves this world at the end of the story with potential future tales as an apparent option. I would certainly enjoy seeing more stories in this world. Reynolds is an excellent storyteller and has created a wonderful setting and characters. Highly recommended!!
What an interesting French-medieval ‘fantasy’ novella by one of science fiction’s most important writers of the last 30 years! A Dagger in Vichy is set in humanity’s far future after an apocalyptic event has left the world without much technological advancement, no cars, no phones - just limited, to almost medieval, means. We follow a troupe of performers who are tasked with returning an important religious artifact to the Imperator in Avignon. As the story unfolds, we learn more about the narrator, the youngest member of the troupe, the master writer of the group, and the artifact itself. Wonderfully written and a nice distinction from Reynolds’ typical space-faring stories. Reminiscent in some ways of Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire trilogy - with the far-future setting and the left-over technologies, but not quite as dark. Reynolds leaves this world at the end of the story with potential future tales as an apparent option. I would certainly enjoy seeing more stories in this world. Reynolds is an excellent storyteller and has created a wonderful setting and characters. Highly recommended!!
August 13, 2025
I don't know why but if someone is named Alastair, I just assume they know what they're talking about.
This new novella was a lot of fun. Novellas are my favorite size for a Reynolds story and this was a solid reminder of why. Fans of Gene Wolfe will probably vibe with this and the way the worldbuilding is doled out in little clues along the way.
This new novella was a lot of fun. Novellas are my favorite size for a Reynolds story and this was a solid reminder of why. Fans of Gene Wolfe will probably vibe with this and the way the worldbuilding is doled out in little clues along the way.
September 7, 2025
The beginnings of this novella are seemingly innocuous: members of a medieval future theater troupe need to stop for a piss. There, they find a wounded, dying soldier who entrusts them with a box for the Imperator. Master Guillaume finds himself enraptured by the mysterious contents it holds. Rufus, the thief Guillaume saved from punishment of his crimes, finds himself a conflicted participant in his savior’s questionably moral plot with that mystery within. The troupe travels their performance route, and other than narrator Rufus, they remain unaware of their trusted leader’s entrancement with the contents not meant for his, or any of their, eyes.
A story that begins simply quickly evolves into a complex story of loyalty amidst betrayal, of mortal folly, of the intensely human desire to be remembered. This story holds a glorious weight, an enthralling, timeless energy I won’t soon forget.
In all honesty, I struggled to keep track of the roles of side characters (such as Ida, Rosemary, and Faustin, members of the troupe not-so-instrumental or central as Guillaume, Rufus, and Bernard); however, this may largely have to do with my devouring this novella with fervor and wouldn’t give much complaint to this regard. Each character has their role to play, after all.
A heartfelt thanks to @SubPress via NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this beautiful work of fantasy-laden science fiction. I give this one a solid five stars. I look forward to reading it again sometime in the future and happily recommend it to my fellow bookworms.
A story that begins simply quickly evolves into a complex story of loyalty amidst betrayal, of mortal folly, of the intensely human desire to be remembered. This story holds a glorious weight, an enthralling, timeless energy I won’t soon forget.
In all honesty, I struggled to keep track of the roles of side characters (such as Ida, Rosemary, and Faustin, members of the troupe not-so-instrumental or central as Guillaume, Rufus, and Bernard); however, this may largely have to do with my devouring this novella with fervor and wouldn’t give much complaint to this regard. Each character has their role to play, after all.
A heartfelt thanks to @SubPress via NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this beautiful work of fantasy-laden science fiction. I give this one a solid five stars. I look forward to reading it again sometime in the future and happily recommend it to my fellow bookworms.
August 22, 2025
I haven’t read nearly as much Alastair Reynolds as I’d like, but what I have read has left a lasting impression. I began with House of Suns, which absolutely blew my mind, and then went back to the very beginning with Revelation Space. That one was a slower burn than House of Suns, but ultimately just as rewarding. From there, I dove into Chasm City, which remains my favorite of Reynolds’ works so far. Few science fiction novels I’ve read are as atmospheric, mysterious, and downright cool as Chasm City: the layers of forgotten history, the noir-ish grime of the city itself, the strangeness of the virus-altered environment—all of it combined into a kind of baroque fever dream that was impossible to shake. At the moment, I’m about halfway through Redemption Ark (which I am loving), but I set it aside briefly to read Reynolds’ upcoming novella, The Dagger in Vichy. And I’m very glad I did.
This is a short, sharp tale that feels both intimate and sweeping, the kind of story few could really pull off in such a compact space. Set in a far future where civilization has collapsed back into a kind of medieval darkness with only scattered remnants of advanced technology lingering, the novella follows a troupe of traveling thespians. They wander the European countryside, performing plays attributed to the aging Master Guillaume, who believes his best days as a playwright are behind him. Our point of view comes through Rufus, a reformed horse thief whose life was saved and reshaped by Guillaume. As they move from town to town, carrying with them a mysterious box, the question slowly emerges: what (or perhaps who) exactly is inside?
The answer gives the story a brilliant charge of tension and wonder, and while it’s tempting to say The Dagger in Vichy is, at its heart, about the dangers of generative AI and the role of art in human society, I think it works best as a clever, fast-paced, and simply enjoyable tale. Reynolds hints at larger allegories, yes, but he certainly doesn’t preach about it, and it never bogs the story down.
That said, it took me about twenty pages or so to really settle in. Reynolds throws the reader headlong into his world, asking us to keep up and piece things together ourselves. For instance, there’s mention of something called “the Wald,” a slow-moving blight that, as far as I can surmise, may have been responsible for the collapse of civilization? (At first I thought the characters were just pronouncing “World” with a thick accent.) Even by the end, I wasn’t entirely sure I understood it—and that’s probably on me, not on Reynolds. But the fact that the world feels bigger than what’s explained is part of what makes his writing so immersive.
Once the pieces began to click into place, I couldn’t put it down. The Dagger in Vichy is tight, intriguing, surprisingly fun, and just a little bit scary—Reynolds showing once again that he can conjure entire worlds with a few keystrokes and make them feel really lived-in.
For longtime fans, this will undoubtedly be a satisfying side dish alongside his larger works. For newcomers, it’s a good example of what makes Reynolds special: the mystery, the atmosphere, the sense of history pressing in on every page. It’s a novella that entertains effectively while leaving you with a few serious questions, and that’s exactly what I want from a story like this.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the eARC.
This is a short, sharp tale that feels both intimate and sweeping, the kind of story few could really pull off in such a compact space. Set in a far future where civilization has collapsed back into a kind of medieval darkness with only scattered remnants of advanced technology lingering, the novella follows a troupe of traveling thespians. They wander the European countryside, performing plays attributed to the aging Master Guillaume, who believes his best days as a playwright are behind him. Our point of view comes through Rufus, a reformed horse thief whose life was saved and reshaped by Guillaume. As they move from town to town, carrying with them a mysterious box, the question slowly emerges: what (or perhaps who) exactly is inside?
The answer gives the story a brilliant charge of tension and wonder, and while it’s tempting to say The Dagger in Vichy is, at its heart, about the dangers of generative AI and the role of art in human society, I think it works best as a clever, fast-paced, and simply enjoyable tale. Reynolds hints at larger allegories, yes, but he certainly doesn’t preach about it, and it never bogs the story down.
That said, it took me about twenty pages or so to really settle in. Reynolds throws the reader headlong into his world, asking us to keep up and piece things together ourselves. For instance, there’s mention of something called “the Wald,” a slow-moving blight that, as far as I can surmise, may have been responsible for the collapse of civilization? (At first I thought the characters were just pronouncing “World” with a thick accent.) Even by the end, I wasn’t entirely sure I understood it—and that’s probably on me, not on Reynolds. But the fact that the world feels bigger than what’s explained is part of what makes his writing so immersive.
Once the pieces began to click into place, I couldn’t put it down. The Dagger in Vichy is tight, intriguing, surprisingly fun, and just a little bit scary—Reynolds showing once again that he can conjure entire worlds with a few keystrokes and make them feel really lived-in.
For longtime fans, this will undoubtedly be a satisfying side dish alongside his larger works. For newcomers, it’s a good example of what makes Reynolds special: the mystery, the atmosphere, the sense of history pressing in on every page. It’s a novella that entertains effectively while leaving you with a few serious questions, and that’s exactly what I want from a story like this.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the eARC.
March 25, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I think that anybody who has any anxieties about the numerous artificial intelligence large language models, and what that could mean for books, the publishing industries, movies, television shows, and all the creative fields, should pick up this book regardless if they like novellas and/or sci-fi, or they don't. The reason is, that this is the first work of fiction that I have personally read that deals with these anxieties in a raw and tangible way. While I am sure this won't be the last of this theme in the years to come, I am willing to say this is one of the firsts. And because of this, when it comes out, I need you to pick up a copy and digest and sit with what this book is trying to communicate.
In this book, we follow a young man named Rufus in an entertainment troupe in a far future, post-industrial and post-technological France which has practically reset to the medieval times, retaining very few technological advancements from the previous ages and civilization. The entertainment troupe leader helped Rufus escape the death penalty, granted that he reformed his criminal ways. Because of this, Rufus feels a debt is owed to the leader. However, when the leader gets ahold of some old technology, Rufus must contend with his morals or the man who saved his life.
Again, I cannot express enough how much I want you guys to read this book if you have even the slightest anxieties about the future to come with websites like DeepSeek, Copilot, and ChatGPT, especially in the creative fields. Once again, while I am 1000000001% this won't be the last book with these themes, this is one of the first books with this theme that I can discern and I think everyone should read it.
I think that anybody who has any anxieties about the numerous artificial intelligence large language models, and what that could mean for books, the publishing industries, movies, television shows, and all the creative fields, should pick up this book regardless if they like novellas and/or sci-fi, or they don't. The reason is, that this is the first work of fiction that I have personally read that deals with these anxieties in a raw and tangible way. While I am sure this won't be the last of this theme in the years to come, I am willing to say this is one of the firsts. And because of this, when it comes out, I need you to pick up a copy and digest and sit with what this book is trying to communicate.
In this book, we follow a young man named Rufus in an entertainment troupe in a far future, post-industrial and post-technological France which has practically reset to the medieval times, retaining very few technological advancements from the previous ages and civilization. The entertainment troupe leader helped Rufus escape the death penalty, granted that he reformed his criminal ways. Because of this, Rufus feels a debt is owed to the leader. However, when the leader gets ahold of some old technology, Rufus must contend with his morals or the man who saved his life.
Again, I cannot express enough how much I want you guys to read this book if you have even the slightest anxieties about the future to come with websites like DeepSeek, Copilot, and ChatGPT, especially in the creative fields. Once again, while I am 1000000001% this won't be the last book with these themes, this is one of the first books with this theme that I can discern and I think everyone should read it.
October 25, 2025
This novella had the perfect pace and just the right amount of world-building for a quick ~120 page read. Rooted in fantasy but with a sprinkle of sci-fi elements, it focuses on the story narrative over fleshing out the characters. By doing this, this first-person single point of view story keeps on giving little tidbits of the world, having you discover more and more as the journey and the fortune of the traveling company changes. The ending is satisfying enough, with a slight horror bent which made this a wonderful read and left me wanting more.
The Dagger in Vichy is a tightly-focused novella about a traveling play company of actors and actresses traveling in France. They happen upon a dying soldier who asks them to deliver a box - the tribute - to a destination. However, there is one ask from him: do not open the box.
Look to read it if:
- You like world-building done in a condensed fashion that gives you a taste but doesn't tell you everything.
- You like first-person stories with only one point of view (something that I prefer).
- You like some mysterious vibes that pair well with the Fall and Winter seasons.
You might find it challenging if:
- You prefer the focus on character-building and relationships vs. world-building; this novella doesn't have enough time to cover both
Thank you to Subterranean Press for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. This did not influence my written review opinions or star rating.
The Dagger in Vichy is a tightly-focused novella about a traveling play company of actors and actresses traveling in France. They happen upon a dying soldier who asks them to deliver a box - the tribute - to a destination. However, there is one ask from him: do not open the box.
Look to read it if:
- You like world-building done in a condensed fashion that gives you a taste but doesn't tell you everything.
- You like first-person stories with only one point of view (something that I prefer).
- You like some mysterious vibes that pair well with the Fall and Winter seasons.
You might find it challenging if:
- You prefer the focus on character-building and relationships vs. world-building; this novella doesn't have enough time to cover both
Thank you to Subterranean Press for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. This did not influence my written review opinions or star rating.
October 28, 2025
Hundreds of years in the future, after the collapse of technology and climate devastation, the word has collapsed into a medieval future. Rufus, a former thief, travels with Master Guillaume, a playwright, and a band of players around France, to increasingly smaller audiences tired of the same shows. On the road, Guillaume acquires a box to be delivered to the Imperator, but curiosity gets the better of them all. Rufus can sense something sinister about the box, and a shift in his master's moods along with it.
The best thing about novellas is their ability to be weird. The Dagger in Vichy is weird in a fascinating way, and a I enjoyed Alastair Reynolds's worldbuilding. Traveling players for the cast of characters works well, with the journeys from town to town giving us a sense of direction, while the actual plot is "what's in the box" and "what's going on with Master Guillaume." I became invested the more the mystery started to affect Rufus and the cast, and ultimately enjoyed the resolution.
If you like your fantasy with a speculative futuristic edge, or just like a medieval twist, I recommend picking this up!
Thank you to Subterranean Press for an eARC. The Dagger in Vichy is out 10/31/2025.
The best thing about novellas is their ability to be weird. The Dagger in Vichy is weird in a fascinating way, and a I enjoyed Alastair Reynolds's worldbuilding. Traveling players for the cast of characters works well, with the journeys from town to town giving us a sense of direction, while the actual plot is "what's in the box" and "what's going on with Master Guillaume." I became invested the more the mystery started to affect Rufus and the cast, and ultimately enjoyed the resolution.
If you like your fantasy with a speculative futuristic edge, or just like a medieval twist, I recommend picking this up!
Thank you to Subterranean Press for an eARC. The Dagger in Vichy is out 10/31/2025.
March 18, 2025
Book review: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (ARC from Netgalley)
The Dagger in Vichy by Alastair Reynolds is a novella set to be released later this year by Subterranean Press. This is a fascinating tale set in a future where society has regressed back to medieval times, yet advanced technology still lingers from ages past. It is a story that plays with Clarke’s theme of sufficiently advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic. I have come to really enjoy stories that take characters in a low tech society and then introduce some kind of highly advanced and unexplainable tech, seeing how those characters react.
In this novella, a troupe of actors traveling across France in a wagon encounter a dying soldier on the road. This soldier entrusts them with delivering a mysterious box to the Imperator in Avignon. Master Guillaume, playwright and leader of the troupe, agrees to deliver the box and promises not to open it. A young actor and thief, who was saved from the noose by Guillaume, overhears his master speaking to the box, and from there the story sails.
This was a quickly paced story that can be read in an afternoon. The story showcases Alastair’s typical creative genius and his mastery over the science fiction genre. The characters are compelling and the plot is exciting. As usual, Al gives us just enough background to let our imagination ponder the possibilities, and yearn for more.
I would definitely recommend The Dagger in Vichy. Be on the lookout for its release later this fall from Subterranean Press. It is a perfect mix of medieval science fiction, a mashup not seen very often.
The Dagger in Vichy by Alastair Reynolds is a novella set to be released later this year by Subterranean Press. This is a fascinating tale set in a future where society has regressed back to medieval times, yet advanced technology still lingers from ages past. It is a story that plays with Clarke’s theme of sufficiently advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic. I have come to really enjoy stories that take characters in a low tech society and then introduce some kind of highly advanced and unexplainable tech, seeing how those characters react.
In this novella, a troupe of actors traveling across France in a wagon encounter a dying soldier on the road. This soldier entrusts them with delivering a mysterious box to the Imperator in Avignon. Master Guillaume, playwright and leader of the troupe, agrees to deliver the box and promises not to open it. A young actor and thief, who was saved from the noose by Guillaume, overhears his master speaking to the box, and from there the story sails.
This was a quickly paced story that can be read in an afternoon. The story showcases Alastair’s typical creative genius and his mastery over the science fiction genre. The characters are compelling and the plot is exciting. As usual, Al gives us just enough background to let our imagination ponder the possibilities, and yearn for more.
I would definitely recommend The Dagger in Vichy. Be on the lookout for its release later this fall from Subterranean Press. It is a perfect mix of medieval science fiction, a mashup not seen very often.
October 16, 2025
One would be forgiven for thinking, during the opening pages of The Dagger in Vichy, that Alastair Reynolds had moved past science fiction in favor of medieval fantasy for this short novella. It's not long before oddities and inconsistencies begin to pile up, though, and despite the seemingly ancient European setting Reynolds's latest is sci-fi through and through.
Readers are put into the middle of a wagon carrying a traveling theater troupe as they make their way through France, en route to Vichy. Along the way, they come across a dying soldier, who entrusts them with the delivery of an ancient artifact, the possession of which begins to sow distrust amongst the troupe.
The Dagger in Vichy is a spry little story and moves at pretty fair clip. I really dug Reynolds world-building here, which starts off subtly, almost puzzlingly so, before blowing the barn doors off, metaphorically at least. This one's a character-first piece, with the action contained to small fits here and there and driven by the various motivations of the members of this small group.
Readers are put into the middle of a wagon carrying a traveling theater troupe as they make their way through France, en route to Vichy. Along the way, they come across a dying soldier, who entrusts them with the delivery of an ancient artifact, the possession of which begins to sow distrust amongst the troupe.
The Dagger in Vichy is a spry little story and moves at pretty fair clip. I really dug Reynolds world-building here, which starts off subtly, almost puzzlingly so, before blowing the barn doors off, metaphorically at least. This one's a character-first piece, with the action contained to small fits here and there and driven by the various motivations of the members of this small group.
April 7, 2025
The Dagger in Vichy is a dark, short novella that presented a compelling consideration of how our creative impulses are shaped by technology. The story used a unique mix of sci-fi and fantasy tropes that created a world rich for exploration—I especially loved the quasi-medieval setting and our main cast of traveling performers. Outside of Rufus, Guillaume, and Bernard, characterization in the story was a little flat, though that is likely due to the constraints of a novella (so not a huge deal). And without giving away too much of the main mystery, the story’s reflection on our anxieties over some new and unknown frontiers of technology was very well done. It didn’t feel like this story had answers for all the questions it raises, but the critiques it did make were nuanced and presented in a fascinatingly fresh way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for an ARC of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for an ARC of this book.
April 17, 2025
[Thank you to Net Galley for the advance copy of this book.] This novella opens with a troupe of performers traveling through what at first appears to be medieval France, what with the presence of knights and traveling by horse-drawn wagon. But once their playwright agrees to transport a mysterious object, the story tip-toes into both fantasy and sci-fi to tell a story spanning centuries that culminates in a tragedy that, even with all the foreshadowing, feels like a punch to the gut. Our characters, the players in their own play, reckon with the consequences of greed and betrayal. All the while, in the background and eventually within grasp, a magical forest rapidly encroaches and threatens to overtake the land. It reminded me a little of Ser Gawain and the Green Knight. This was a great little afternoon read with a lot of world building and messaging that I would definitely recommend to lovers of sci fi, fantasy, and horror alike!
April 22, 2025
I really wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, so I want to thank Alastair Reynolds’s and Subterranean Press for this advanced readers copy. The Dagger in the Vichy comes put on October 31, 2025.
This was a very quick paced, short read set in a future society that has regressed to something resembling medieval times. I really appreciated how unique this setting was, as it was cool to see the vestiges of current technology feel like magic. I’ve never read medieval science fiction before, so if anyone has additional recs like that.
Importantly, despite this being a novella, the characters felt well developed and compelling, and the plot felt full. The troupe of actors, the mystery of the dying soldier’s box, and the setting culminated in a really enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the final published version this fall, and highly recommend this to folks looking for an exceptionally well-written, short sci fi.
This was a very quick paced, short read set in a future society that has regressed to something resembling medieval times. I really appreciated how unique this setting was, as it was cool to see the vestiges of current technology feel like magic. I’ve never read medieval science fiction before, so if anyone has additional recs like that.
Importantly, despite this being a novella, the characters felt well developed and compelling, and the plot felt full. The troupe of actors, the mystery of the dying soldier’s box, and the setting culminated in a really enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the final published version this fall, and highly recommend this to folks looking for an exceptionally well-written, short sci fi.
August 6, 2025
Reynolds spins a story in the far future where the world has regressed to a medieval level but there is some leftover high technology that is used but not clearly understood. The narrator is a young boy who is apprenticed to a traveling acting troupe, dodging brigands and whose leader is entrusted with a secret mission that threatens the cohesion of the group and may even threaten the existence of their world.
Reading a little like Station Eleven and a little like A Canticle for Leibowitz, the book succeeds on the voice of its main character, Rufus, who is not an entirely reliable narrator – not even to himself. This is very different than the space opera books that Reynolds is usually known for, but is a successful novella in the grand tradition of far future fallen civilizations.
Reading a little like Station Eleven and a little like A Canticle for Leibowitz, the book succeeds on the voice of its main character, Rufus, who is not an entirely reliable narrator – not even to himself. This is very different than the space opera books that Reynolds is usually known for, but is a successful novella in the grand tradition of far future fallen civilizations.
March 28, 2025
The Dagger in Vichy just slaps, friends. Telling you too much about it spoils the weird creepy vibes. Have you ever watched some of A24's movies, especially the Green Knight? It's spooky and strange like that, and despite its short length of about 120 pages, it packs a heck of a punch. Dagger in Vichy is coming out on Halloween and I can't think of a better time to pick this one up. It's a horror-fantasy-scifi rolled up nice and neat in a small package you can read in an hour or two.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this early copy in exchange for an honest review!
March 24, 2025
A dagger in Vichy gives an eerie and shadowy vibe. In this old fashioned novella, a group of traveling actors in France come across a dying soldier on the road. With his last breath, he gives them a sealed box and asks them to deliver it to the Imperato. Their leader promises to complete the task and never open the box. But the master’s curiosity gets the best of him. The journey takes an unexpected turn filled with secrets, manipulation, and betrayal to the masters companions.
I enjoyed this fast-paced read. I loved the vibe from the beginning which kept me hooked. The authors writing style was smooth and easy to follow. The story had a great balance of mystery and tension. While I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece, it was still well-crafted and entertaining read that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a quick, immersive story.
I enjoyed this fast-paced read. I loved the vibe from the beginning which kept me hooked. The authors writing style was smooth and easy to follow. The story had a great balance of mystery and tension. While I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece, it was still well-crafted and entertaining read that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a quick, immersive story.
April 2, 2025
My most read author in 2025 has been Alastair Reynolds, so I was pretty excited to see a novella from him available on Netgalley. Thanks to the publishers and author for the eARC!
The Dagger in Vichy is a slim story about a band of traveling performers that come across a dying man holding a mysterious wooden box. In his final act, he gives them instructions to deliver this box - the successful completion of this delivery being of upmost importance. But the contents of the box have a different idea...
While the story in The Dagger in Vichy draws you in quickly, I found it to have none of the big scope/ideas that I've come to associate with Reynolds' works. The setting felt more historical than futuristic (but having read Eversion recently, this didn't throw me off). My biggest issue was that I think novellas need strong endings - some of my favorite short stories usually end in a punch. But Dagger in Vichy just kinda.... fades away... and this is frankly my #1 critique for Reynolds' books in general - he rarely sticks the landings . Usually there are all these big ideas and concepts to offset any feeble conclusions, but not so much in the case of The Dagger in Vichy
Overall, an intriguing start but this won't stick with me long term. I will, however, keep reading Reynolds books! Next up Elysium Fire!
The Dagger in Vichy is a slim story about a band of traveling performers that come across a dying man holding a mysterious wooden box. In his final act, he gives them instructions to deliver this box - the successful completion of this delivery being of upmost importance. But the contents of the box have a different idea...
While the story in The Dagger in Vichy draws you in quickly, I found it to have none of the big scope/ideas that I've come to associate with Reynolds' works. The setting felt more historical than futuristic (but having read Eversion recently, this didn't throw me off). My biggest issue was that I think novellas need strong endings - some of my favorite short stories usually end in a punch. But Dagger in Vichy just kinda.... fades away... and this is frankly my #1 critique for Reynolds' books in general - he rarely sticks the landings . Usually there are all these big ideas and concepts to offset any feeble conclusions, but not so much in the case of The Dagger in Vichy
Overall, an intriguing start but this won't stick with me long term. I will, however, keep reading Reynolds books! Next up Elysium Fire!
March 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this. It was fast paced and kept me engaged the whole time. I absolutely loved the world and the setting - it's medieval but also Sci Fi and post-apocalyptic all at the same time, which sounds confusing but it was awesome.
I really enjoyed the cast of characters and the fact that they were a theater troup, I kind of wish the book was longer so we got more time with them. I really enjoyed the perspective of Rufus, the main character telling the story, I didn't really understand his decisions at the end, but that's ok. I'm still thinking about it after it's done so that's a good sign.
Also the fact that the book opens with jokes about the characters needing to pee was actually really funny. We never see that side of adventures
I really enjoyed the cast of characters and the fact that they were a theater troup, I kind of wish the book was longer so we got more time with them. I really enjoyed the perspective of Rufus, the main character telling the story, I didn't really understand his decisions at the end, but that's ok. I'm still thinking about it after it's done so that's a good sign.
Also the fact that the book opens with jokes about the characters needing to pee was actually really funny. We never see that side of adventures
March 30, 2025
Thank you to Subterranean Press for the ARC!
Altogether I found this an interesting story, particularly in how it blended futuristic sci-fi elements with archaic medieval story. A traveling theater group end up transporting a mysterious while they perform their plays, the contents on the box exerts its influence on one of the players and the story goes on from there. I was disappointed by the extreme lack of characterization in this book. The characters were all bland and boiled down to 1-2 character traits. I enjoy novellas when they tell a full fledged story in a short page count, however this told part of a story without showing us much more than a few 2 dimensional characters. The writing style was a tad bland for my taste, I was hoping for something more whimsical and descriptive with the promise of a medieval landscape from the start. The story itself has potential but ultimately let me down in its execution.
Altogether I found this an interesting story, particularly in how it blended futuristic sci-fi elements with archaic medieval story. A traveling theater group end up transporting a mysterious while they perform their plays, the contents on the box exerts its influence on one of the players and the story goes on from there. I was disappointed by the extreme lack of characterization in this book. The characters were all bland and boiled down to 1-2 character traits. I enjoy novellas when they tell a full fledged story in a short page count, however this told part of a story without showing us much more than a few 2 dimensional characters. The writing style was a tad bland for my taste, I was hoping for something more whimsical and descriptive with the promise of a medieval landscape from the start. The story itself has potential but ultimately let me down in its execution.
September 25, 2025
4.5. I wanted more! Very interesting post-technological future.
March 10, 2025
The Dagger in Vichy is a fascinating, genre-defying work of fiction. This novella is like an intricately constructed puzzle; with each page, I discovered another element of world-building that subtly altered my understanding of the story. Reading it was a delight.
Rufus is the youngest member of a close-knit troupe travelling the countryside performing plays in each city and village. When they discover a dying man on the road one night, he entrusts them with a box that must be taken to the Imperator. But when the leader of their troupe becomes dangerously obsessed with the thing inside the box, Rufus is drawn into a world beyond his understanding that may be destined to end in tragedy.
This novella is truly genre-defying; it seems to be equal parts fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure, with a wistful coming-of-age story woven throughout. It's a quick read, but it pulled me into the plot swiftly and entirely, and I suspect this story will linger in my thoughts for a long time.
I would recommend this book to fans of Station Eleven and The Butcher of the Forest, as well as to readers who enjoy post-post-apocalyptic worlds, sci-fi / fantasy mixes, and coming-of-age tales.
Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.
Rufus is the youngest member of a close-knit troupe travelling the countryside performing plays in each city and village. When they discover a dying man on the road one night, he entrusts them with a box that must be taken to the Imperator. But when the leader of their troupe becomes dangerously obsessed with the thing inside the box, Rufus is drawn into a world beyond his understanding that may be destined to end in tragedy.
This novella is truly genre-defying; it seems to be equal parts fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure, with a wistful coming-of-age story woven throughout. It's a quick read, but it pulled me into the plot swiftly and entirely, and I suspect this story will linger in my thoughts for a long time.
I would recommend this book to fans of Station Eleven and The Butcher of the Forest, as well as to readers who enjoy post-post-apocalyptic worlds, sci-fi / fantasy mixes, and coming-of-age tales.
Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.
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