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Parasitic Omens: A Gods of Dallalmar Story
"Elegantly crafted and deliciously dark, this first installment in the Gods of Dallalmar world will leave you craving more." — Anna Stephens, author of Godblind and The Songs of the Drowned.
In the world of the occult, new is never good.
As one of Copperton's hardworking investigators, Lawrence Reed has seen it all: vampires, werewolves, warlocks and witches.
When a monstrous creature crawls from the corpse of a mutilated girl, Law is determined to find answers—with or without payment.
Ignoring advice to leave the mystery alone, he sets out to uncover the details of the girl's death. But the deeper he digs, the more questions he unearths.
Can Law bring peace to the dead girl's family? Or will his investigation open the door to far darker discoveries?
Only one certainty remains: monsters aren’t the only evil stalking the streets of Copperton.
Parasitic Omens is a gaslamp fantasy horror, perfect for fans of TV's Supernatural and From Software's cult classic video game, Bloodborne.
In the world of the occult, new is never good.
As one of Copperton's hardworking investigators, Lawrence Reed has seen it all: vampires, werewolves, warlocks and witches.
When a monstrous creature crawls from the corpse of a mutilated girl, Law is determined to find answers—with or without payment.
Ignoring advice to leave the mystery alone, he sets out to uncover the details of the girl's death. But the deeper he digs, the more questions he unearths.
Can Law bring peace to the dead girl's family? Or will his investigation open the door to far darker discoveries?
Only one certainty remains: monsters aren’t the only evil stalking the streets of Copperton.
Parasitic Omens is a gaslamp fantasy horror, perfect for fans of TV's Supernatural and From Software's cult classic video game, Bloodborne.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2025
3 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Jessica A. McMinn
7 books45 followersJessica A. McMinn is a dark fantasy author based in regional Australia with a passion for dark fantasy, dark coffee and cats (which, let’s face it, are all dark inside).
Since graduating from the University of Wollongong with Distinction in BCA (Creative Writing) and BA (Japanese), Jessica spent five years in Japan teaching English while refining her writing craft.
She now works as a freelance writer and offers editing and coaching services to authors. When she is not writing (which is more often than you’d think), Jessica can be found raising her two beautiful children or immersed in an audiobook while drawing, crafting or playing video games.
Her debut novel, The Ruptured Sky, is the first installment in the gritty dark fantasy quartet, Gardens of War & Wasteland, and is perfect for fans of Robin Hobb, Anna Stephens and R F Kuang.
Two prequel novellas are currently available for free on her website, jessicaamcminn.com
Since graduating from the University of Wollongong with Distinction in BCA (Creative Writing) and BA (Japanese), Jessica spent five years in Japan teaching English while refining her writing craft.
She now works as a freelance writer and offers editing and coaching services to authors. When she is not writing (which is more often than you’d think), Jessica can be found raising her two beautiful children or immersed in an audiobook while drawing, crafting or playing video games.
Her debut novel, The Ruptured Sky, is the first installment in the gritty dark fantasy quartet, Gardens of War & Wasteland, and is perfect for fans of Robin Hobb, Anna Stephens and R F Kuang.
Two prequel novellas are currently available for free on her website, jessicaamcminn.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 9, 2025
This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine
Okay, I don’t know what I was expecting from a gaslamp fantasy horror novella pitched as Supernatural meets The Witcher meets Bloodborne, but Jessica A. McMinn truly surprised me in all the best ways with Parasitic Omens. It’s unapologetically dark, gruesome and gory, and it packs a way bigger punch than its deceptively short page count might suggest. Talk about a brutal emotional rollercoaster!
Through the eyes of jaded investigator Lawrence Reed, we are drawn into the gritty world of Dallalmar, where fae, vampires, werewolves, warlocks and witches lurk around every dark corner. He thought he had seen it all on his job, but when his latest assignment into the creepy Taschenwilde woods leads him to the corpse of a mutilated girl which is inhabited by a monstrous creature, his entire worldview starts to shatter. Law will stop at nothing to unravel the mystery of the girl’s death, but the more hidden truths he uncovers, the more the lines between monster and man start to blur, and soon he might wish he had stayed blissfully ignorant and in the dark after all.
Now, the opening of Parasitic Omens reminded me heavily of Krystle Matar’s Legacy of the Brightwash (which just so happens to be one of my all-time favourite books), so safe to say that we were off to a strong start. McMinn honestly does a masterful job of setting the scene, and the eerie atmosphere combined with the irresistible air of mystery and intrigue had me locked in from page one.
Although Lawrence didn’t immediately pop off the page for me as a protagonist here, I honestly loved going on this increasingly wild and horrifying investigation with him. The way that McMinn built up the tension and looming sense of dread as Law discovered new and ever more disturbing clues had me glued to the page, and all the shocking twists, turns and revelations were absolutely diabolical in the best way possible.
I mean, I knew from reading McMinn’s works in the Gardens of War and Wastelands series that she is not afraid to go dark, but Parasitic Omens really goes to the next level. Be it the gruesome body horror, the terrifying creatures, or the sheer depravity of humanity; this story just pulls zero punches, and I was so here for it. Themes of religious zealotry, cultism, child abuse, and the ironic injustice of the justice system are all explored with unflinching honesty, which is exactly what makes this novella hit so hard.
Moreover, I loved how McMinn made this vast and darkly alluring world come to life despite the limited scope of the novella with its intimate setting of Coppertown (including the legendary Dripping Bucket Inn), and I think it is nothing short of masterful how much rich world building was packed into so few pages. Especially the rich creature lore and the strong presence of the divine were morbidly fascinating to me, and the enticingly ominous ending has me more than eager to return to this world for more in the upcoming full novels in the Gods of Dallalmar series. Also, I desperately need more of my enigmatic girl Cait, so there’s that.
Parasitic Omens is one of those stories that just creeps under your skin and leaves you wanting more in the best way possible. If you like your fantasy with a good dose of paranormal and horror vibes mixed in, then I can’t recommend this little gem highly enough. It might be a short read, but it will absolutely leave its mark on you, whether you like it or not.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Parasitic Omens is scheduled for release on May 27th, 2025.
Okay, I don’t know what I was expecting from a gaslamp fantasy horror novella pitched as Supernatural meets The Witcher meets Bloodborne, but Jessica A. McMinn truly surprised me in all the best ways with Parasitic Omens. It’s unapologetically dark, gruesome and gory, and it packs a way bigger punch than its deceptively short page count might suggest. Talk about a brutal emotional rollercoaster!
Through the eyes of jaded investigator Lawrence Reed, we are drawn into the gritty world of Dallalmar, where fae, vampires, werewolves, warlocks and witches lurk around every dark corner. He thought he had seen it all on his job, but when his latest assignment into the creepy Taschenwilde woods leads him to the corpse of a mutilated girl which is inhabited by a monstrous creature, his entire worldview starts to shatter. Law will stop at nothing to unravel the mystery of the girl’s death, but the more hidden truths he uncovers, the more the lines between monster and man start to blur, and soon he might wish he had stayed blissfully ignorant and in the dark after all.
Now, the opening of Parasitic Omens reminded me heavily of Krystle Matar’s Legacy of the Brightwash (which just so happens to be one of my all-time favourite books), so safe to say that we were off to a strong start. McMinn honestly does a masterful job of setting the scene, and the eerie atmosphere combined with the irresistible air of mystery and intrigue had me locked in from page one.
Although Lawrence didn’t immediately pop off the page for me as a protagonist here, I honestly loved going on this increasingly wild and horrifying investigation with him. The way that McMinn built up the tension and looming sense of dread as Law discovered new and ever more disturbing clues had me glued to the page, and all the shocking twists, turns and revelations were absolutely diabolical in the best way possible.
I mean, I knew from reading McMinn’s works in the Gardens of War and Wastelands series that she is not afraid to go dark, but Parasitic Omens really goes to the next level. Be it the gruesome body horror, the terrifying creatures, or the sheer depravity of humanity; this story just pulls zero punches, and I was so here for it. Themes of religious zealotry, cultism, child abuse, and the ironic injustice of the justice system are all explored with unflinching honesty, which is exactly what makes this novella hit so hard.
Moreover, I loved how McMinn made this vast and darkly alluring world come to life despite the limited scope of the novella with its intimate setting of Coppertown (including the legendary Dripping Bucket Inn), and I think it is nothing short of masterful how much rich world building was packed into so few pages. Especially the rich creature lore and the strong presence of the divine were morbidly fascinating to me, and the enticingly ominous ending has me more than eager to return to this world for more in the upcoming full novels in the Gods of Dallalmar series. Also, I desperately need more of my enigmatic girl Cait, so there’s that.
Parasitic Omens is one of those stories that just creeps under your skin and leaves you wanting more in the best way possible. If you like your fantasy with a good dose of paranormal and horror vibes mixed in, then I can’t recommend this little gem highly enough. It might be a short read, but it will absolutely leave its mark on you, whether you like it or not.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Parasitic Omens is scheduled for release on May 27th, 2025.
October 23, 2025
Review originally on JamReads
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
Parasitic Omens is a gaslamp horror fantasy novella that marks the first entry in the Gods of Dallamar universe, a new proposal by Jessica A. McMinn (Gardens of War & Wasteland). A dark and gruesome story that presents us a gritty world, with a tightly written plot that makes the best use of the short page count to deliver a big punch, using some eldritch touches as the horror touches.
Lawrence Reed works as an investigator in Copperton, having dealt with almost anything: vampires, warlocks and witches. He's running low on coin, so he accepts a task for Briar, the local alchemist: just retrieving the liver from a corpse; however, what started as a simple organ harvesting task ends with Reed having to avoid a strange creature. Despite Briar telling him to stay away from it, he can't let it go, especially with a family seeking answers.
Through the eyes of Reed, we get introduced to such a dark and gritty place as the city of Copperton, early establishing how we are into a grimdark setting; but it's as the plot advances that readers have to face the supernatural elements of this book. McMinn packs an incredible amount of worldbuilding for such a short length, even hinting at mysteries that Reed is not aware of their existence; an investigation that has some twists under its sleeve, always with the grim in mind.
The writing suits well the dark atmosphere of this world, not being shy of describing the gruesome and gory details; the prose is tight and precise, contributing to create an atmosphere that at moments remembers Yharnam.
Parasitic Omens is a promising novella, perfect if you are looking for a dark proposal that can scratch your itch of Bloodborne and with hints of a bigger world that I hope we continue exploring in successive stories.
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
Parasitic Omens is a gaslamp horror fantasy novella that marks the first entry in the Gods of Dallamar universe, a new proposal by Jessica A. McMinn (Gardens of War & Wasteland). A dark and gruesome story that presents us a gritty world, with a tightly written plot that makes the best use of the short page count to deliver a big punch, using some eldritch touches as the horror touches.
Lawrence Reed works as an investigator in Copperton, having dealt with almost anything: vampires, warlocks and witches. He's running low on coin, so he accepts a task for Briar, the local alchemist: just retrieving the liver from a corpse; however, what started as a simple organ harvesting task ends with Reed having to avoid a strange creature. Despite Briar telling him to stay away from it, he can't let it go, especially with a family seeking answers.
Through the eyes of Reed, we get introduced to such a dark and gritty place as the city of Copperton, early establishing how we are into a grimdark setting; but it's as the plot advances that readers have to face the supernatural elements of this book. McMinn packs an incredible amount of worldbuilding for such a short length, even hinting at mysteries that Reed is not aware of their existence; an investigation that has some twists under its sleeve, always with the grim in mind.
The writing suits well the dark atmosphere of this world, not being shy of describing the gruesome and gory details; the prose is tight and precise, contributing to create an atmosphere that at moments remembers Yharnam.
Parasitic Omens is a promising novella, perfect if you are looking for a dark proposal that can scratch your itch of Bloodborne and with hints of a bigger world that I hope we continue exploring in successive stories.
Read
November 28, 2025I read this novella for the indie novella competition, SFINCS. The following review is my own personal opinion as a judge and does not reflect the views of the team as a whole.
Parasitic Omens by Jessica A. McMinn is an intriguing, twisty fantasy horror about a weary investigator getting entangled in a plot of child kidnapping and murder sprinkled with a gruesome possession-slash-experimentation of sorts, leading us into the cruel world of monsters, warlocks, and dangerous cults on the gaslamp-lit streets of Copperton.
From the first pages, the novella is confident and efficient in depicting a world where the paranormal seems to be perfectly normal: witches, concoctions, ghoul-haunted woods, and spells and rituals are not at all unheard-of here, and especially not to investigator Lawrence Reed, who is a frequent visitor of Briar Loren, owner of the bar Dripping Bucket and dealer of clues and secrets about supernatural activities and crimes. Now, too, he is on an errand for Briar, however, encounters more than what he’s bargained for when he observes an abomination birthing itself from the dead body of a little girl in the outskirts of the menacing, magical forest of the Taschenwilde. When no one seems to really care about the monstrous crime and its implications, and Briar even advises Law to leave it well enough alone, our detective, of course, does what we really love in detective stories like this: he does not leave it well enough alone. And as he tries to unravel the whys and hows of the horrible death of this lost girl, he sheds light on something much bigger than he previously imagined: a plot of greed and fanaticism that could destroy the already hard lives of the good people of Copperton.
This story gave me everything it promised in those first pages: grit, gore, mysteries, twists, and emotion. I really like how it managed to tell a compact, logical, interesting detective story on very few pages, and even though Law’s character needed the whole span of the book to develop enough so I could get close to him, I’m happy to report that he certainly did. He is the classic gritty, jaded, but truth-seeking detective whose everyday, grimy outside hides a gentle heart, but there is enough here to make him interesting and human. There is also a lot of lore and worldbuilding compressed into the story, but it never felt too much or too little as the author managed to expertly balance our understanding of the world with what mysteries and enigmas she wanted us to ponder on. There are many interesting creatures, powers, and players in and around Copperton, and if this really becomes a novella or novel-series, Parasitic Omens, even with its smaller scale, is a perfect taster for all of it. And in the end, both Law and Briar (and a third, very interesting character we encounter) stayed with me as characters with great dynamics that I enjoyed to follow, and I’d love to read more about them. Many things mentioned also turn out to be cool little details to wonder about and I expect them to maybe come into play as the series progresses.
All in all, I enjoyed the novella very much. It is a satisfying, well-rounded, monstrous little story that hooks you in for more with capable, immersive writing, keeping to the expectations and rules of the genre but providing all of it with a sure hand and a gusto for storytelling that carries the reader through it all. I definitely recommend this one to lovers of the supernatural investigation genre, and as the author says in the blurb, to those who love the mood of Bloodborne, the video game.
Parasitic Omens by Jessica A. McMinn is an intriguing, twisty fantasy horror about a weary investigator getting entangled in a plot of child kidnapping and murder sprinkled with a gruesome possession-slash-experimentation of sorts, leading us into the cruel world of monsters, warlocks, and dangerous cults on the gaslamp-lit streets of Copperton.
From the first pages, the novella is confident and efficient in depicting a world where the paranormal seems to be perfectly normal: witches, concoctions, ghoul-haunted woods, and spells and rituals are not at all unheard-of here, and especially not to investigator Lawrence Reed, who is a frequent visitor of Briar Loren, owner of the bar Dripping Bucket and dealer of clues and secrets about supernatural activities and crimes. Now, too, he is on an errand for Briar, however, encounters more than what he’s bargained for when he observes an abomination birthing itself from the dead body of a little girl in the outskirts of the menacing, magical forest of the Taschenwilde. When no one seems to really care about the monstrous crime and its implications, and Briar even advises Law to leave it well enough alone, our detective, of course, does what we really love in detective stories like this: he does not leave it well enough alone. And as he tries to unravel the whys and hows of the horrible death of this lost girl, he sheds light on something much bigger than he previously imagined: a plot of greed and fanaticism that could destroy the already hard lives of the good people of Copperton.
This story gave me everything it promised in those first pages: grit, gore, mysteries, twists, and emotion. I really like how it managed to tell a compact, logical, interesting detective story on very few pages, and even though Law’s character needed the whole span of the book to develop enough so I could get close to him, I’m happy to report that he certainly did. He is the classic gritty, jaded, but truth-seeking detective whose everyday, grimy outside hides a gentle heart, but there is enough here to make him interesting and human. There is also a lot of lore and worldbuilding compressed into the story, but it never felt too much or too little as the author managed to expertly balance our understanding of the world with what mysteries and enigmas she wanted us to ponder on. There are many interesting creatures, powers, and players in and around Copperton, and if this really becomes a novella or novel-series, Parasitic Omens, even with its smaller scale, is a perfect taster for all of it. And in the end, both Law and Briar (and a third, very interesting character we encounter) stayed with me as characters with great dynamics that I enjoyed to follow, and I’d love to read more about them. Many things mentioned also turn out to be cool little details to wonder about and I expect them to maybe come into play as the series progresses.
All in all, I enjoyed the novella very much. It is a satisfying, well-rounded, monstrous little story that hooks you in for more with capable, immersive writing, keeping to the expectations and rules of the genre but providing all of it with a sure hand and a gusto for storytelling that carries the reader through it all. I definitely recommend this one to lovers of the supernatural investigation genre, and as the author says in the blurb, to those who love the mood of Bloodborne, the video game.
January 13, 2026
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
Another Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship 2025 entry, another blind read…another mind-blowing experience! Wow, Jessica A. McMinn…why have you been in the shadows of my reading stack?! “Parasitic Omens” has crawled out of the darkness and stolen my very soul…and I'm here for it! 😈
If your jam is Grimdark Fantasy, suspense, mystery, flashes of horror and emotional turmoil…well look no further, McMinn has satisfied every dark desire and raised the bar for each! This was my first adventure with Jessica, safe to say, she's solidified a spot on my “readers to watch” list…I could not put this down! 🔥
Our MC Lawrence Reed is our guide through the dark and sinister world McMinn sets us in. Copperton has its mysteries, troubles and yes…monsters. Set beside the dark and dangerous Taschenwilde Forest, our supernatural investigator is down on his luck and money…sent out on a basic (for this dark world) body part retrieval mission by the town's local alchemist / witch, Law stumbles upon a gruesome scene in the unforgiving forest. A young body lies dismembered and mutilated…and not alone, attacked while searching the body for his retrieval, Law opens the curtain on a heinous secret that could quite possibly be behind a number of young disappearances and deaths. This supernatural, horror filled race to piece together a dark mystery like no other, is what has us readers turning pages at lighting speed while holding our breath…the sheer amount of environment detail, character progression and emotional toil Jessica manages to set into this quick but powerful Novella is a huge nod as to why you MUST read this entry and add her to your list of must read authors! 📚
In a very “Witcher” style horror romp, we are exposed to Supernatural terrors, werewolves, vampires, suspicious alchemist, and wildly intriguing Fae. Cult-like atrocities stretch from the slums to the rich alike…no one in this dark town is safe and men like Lawrence exist for this very reason. This disturbing yet creative story will crawl under your skin and set your emotions on fire…all while you plead for it not to stop! Gods I hope to see more of Dallalmar in the very near future, this was a deliciously disturbing thriller that itches to be let loose, and expand its venomous bite! 💀
4.5⭐ rounded up for this horrifyingly addictive sinister mystery! The shadows are never empty, arm yourself for otherworldly dangers and trust no one…this world Jessica penned holds secrets that can make even the most hardened hunter's blood run cold! I for one, will be waiting for the fog to clear and expose us to another entry and hunt! 🍻
Another Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship 2025 entry, another blind read…another mind-blowing experience! Wow, Jessica A. McMinn…why have you been in the shadows of my reading stack?! “Parasitic Omens” has crawled out of the darkness and stolen my very soul…and I'm here for it! 😈
If your jam is Grimdark Fantasy, suspense, mystery, flashes of horror and emotional turmoil…well look no further, McMinn has satisfied every dark desire and raised the bar for each! This was my first adventure with Jessica, safe to say, she's solidified a spot on my “readers to watch” list…I could not put this down! 🔥
Our MC Lawrence Reed is our guide through the dark and sinister world McMinn sets us in. Copperton has its mysteries, troubles and yes…monsters. Set beside the dark and dangerous Taschenwilde Forest, our supernatural investigator is down on his luck and money…sent out on a basic (for this dark world) body part retrieval mission by the town's local alchemist / witch, Law stumbles upon a gruesome scene in the unforgiving forest. A young body lies dismembered and mutilated…and not alone, attacked while searching the body for his retrieval, Law opens the curtain on a heinous secret that could quite possibly be behind a number of young disappearances and deaths. This supernatural, horror filled race to piece together a dark mystery like no other, is what has us readers turning pages at lighting speed while holding our breath…the sheer amount of environment detail, character progression and emotional toil Jessica manages to set into this quick but powerful Novella is a huge nod as to why you MUST read this entry and add her to your list of must read authors! 📚
In a very “Witcher” style horror romp, we are exposed to Supernatural terrors, werewolves, vampires, suspicious alchemist, and wildly intriguing Fae. Cult-like atrocities stretch from the slums to the rich alike…no one in this dark town is safe and men like Lawrence exist for this very reason. This disturbing yet creative story will crawl under your skin and set your emotions on fire…all while you plead for it not to stop! Gods I hope to see more of Dallalmar in the very near future, this was a deliciously disturbing thriller that itches to be let loose, and expand its venomous bite! 💀
4.5⭐ rounded up for this horrifyingly addictive sinister mystery! The shadows are never empty, arm yourself for otherworldly dangers and trust no one…this world Jessica penned holds secrets that can make even the most hardened hunter's blood run cold! I for one, will be waiting for the fog to clear and expose us to another entry and hunt! 🍻
May 22, 2025
This is the first I have read by Jessica McMinn. But it won't be the last.. Well written - great growth of the characters and the storyline.
This story has it all - Vampires, werewolves,warlocks & witches. I mean really what else do you need?
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story has it all - Vampires, werewolves,warlocks & witches. I mean really what else do you need?
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 21, 2025
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Parasitic Omens
Lawrence Reed is low on money, but the local alchemist could use a special ingredient and pay a decent price for it. There's just the matter of finding a body and the forest has a recently deceased one. What begins as a fetch quest turns into Reed narrowly avoiding a monster once encased in the deceased. When news of the body and the strange creature reach the alchemist, Reed is told to stay far away. But he isn't one to let go when a family is seeking answers.
Parasitic Omens starts right off with dark and creepy vibes. And despite being a novella, there is a wonderful amount of world-building and character development. Reed will encounter a new supernatural being he's yet to face, and the learning curve might just end his life. The occult feel of this setting and the grim presence are sure to satisfy any reader looking for a more horrific read.
There are quite the twists hidden for readers along their reading journey. And some resolutions may prove to be quite striking when the truth begins to unfold. Reed would have had a much quieter life if he stuck to drinking and the occasional job. But by digging into the dark history of a family and those they are involved with, grisly details and horrific beliefs will be revealed. The type that changes a person forever.
Parasitic Omens is a quick and bewitching read. The tagline for this immediately caught my attention mentioning Supernatural. This novella is very much a gas lamp version with a monster of the week flare to it. And given that it is a prequel novella, I am looking forward to what else may be in store.
Lawrence Reed is low on money, but the local alchemist could use a special ingredient and pay a decent price for it. There's just the matter of finding a body and the forest has a recently deceased one. What begins as a fetch quest turns into Reed narrowly avoiding a monster once encased in the deceased. When news of the body and the strange creature reach the alchemist, Reed is told to stay far away. But he isn't one to let go when a family is seeking answers.
Parasitic Omens starts right off with dark and creepy vibes. And despite being a novella, there is a wonderful amount of world-building and character development. Reed will encounter a new supernatural being he's yet to face, and the learning curve might just end his life. The occult feel of this setting and the grim presence are sure to satisfy any reader looking for a more horrific read.
There are quite the twists hidden for readers along their reading journey. And some resolutions may prove to be quite striking when the truth begins to unfold. Reed would have had a much quieter life if he stuck to drinking and the occasional job. But by digging into the dark history of a family and those they are involved with, grisly details and horrific beliefs will be revealed. The type that changes a person forever.
Parasitic Omens is a quick and bewitching read. The tagline for this immediately caught my attention mentioning Supernatural. This novella is very much a gas lamp version with a monster of the week flare to it. And given that it is a prequel novella, I am looking forward to what else may be in store.
January 29, 2026
This review is available on Grimoire Ink Reviews
Well this one completely side swiped me!
I read this as a judge for SFINCS3 and good lord, I am so blown away.
I’m not even sure what category it falls under, so if you love a dark, horror filled dose of trauma, ugly beasties and mystery, then get your grubby mitts on this book!
I am so so excited to see more of the goings on in Copperpot, and will be waiting with bated breath for the next installment.
Law, our MC is jaded and gritty, and comes across as someone with a very dark past, which I hope we get more insigt into in the future. The world here is definitely a dark place, with the fae mentioned, but not being a huge part of this story….yet, but I am intrigued by their legend/myth, and what part if any, they will play going forwards.
The story was left with lots of mysteries to be solved, and left me desperate for more! I couldn’t put it down for the last half, and was frantically screaming in disappointed fury when it finished with so many questions unanswered!!
Well done Jessica, this has well and truly put you on my TBR watch list.
Don’t wait…..go buy this right now, and join me in the misery of waiting for more! 😂😂
Well this one completely side swiped me!
I read this as a judge for SFINCS3 and good lord, I am so blown away.
I’m not even sure what category it falls under, so if you love a dark, horror filled dose of trauma, ugly beasties and mystery, then get your grubby mitts on this book!
I am so so excited to see more of the goings on in Copperpot, and will be waiting with bated breath for the next installment.
Law, our MC is jaded and gritty, and comes across as someone with a very dark past, which I hope we get more insigt into in the future. The world here is definitely a dark place, with the fae mentioned, but not being a huge part of this story….yet, but I am intrigued by their legend/myth, and what part if any, they will play going forwards.
The story was left with lots of mysteries to be solved, and left me desperate for more! I couldn’t put it down for the last half, and was frantically screaming in disappointed fury when it finished with so many questions unanswered!!
Well done Jessica, this has well and truly put you on my TBR watch list.
Don’t wait…..go buy this right now, and join me in the misery of waiting for more! 😂😂
May 26, 2025
Parasitic Omens, a short novella introduction to the intriguing new gaslamp fantasy horror world of Jessica McMinn (author of the grimdark fantasy series Gardens of War and Wasteland) is one of those stories that, for a certain kind of nerd, tantalises with the comparisons. The author describes it as for fans of TV's Supernatural and From Software's cult classic video game, Bloodborne. As an uber fan of the first and someone who respects the vibe of the second while never having been good enough to master the gruelling game mechanics to actually play it, I was more excited than a rat who’s won a holiday in a cheese tower block. A read of the synopsis brought two more comps to mind: the Witcher (a game series I am good enough to play) and The Dresden Files, albeit a more eldritch version of the urban fantasy detective series. That’s a lot of great comparisons, and often with such things disappointment awaits. But boy has McMinn knocked this ball of body parts and viscera straight out of the haunted park.
The plot concerns the town of Copperton, an town of the occult and the monstrous in which the creature investigator and permanently broke Lawrence Reed plies his trade. When he’s faced with the mystery of a girl found dead in the forest with something previously undiscovered having crawled out of her, he decides, against the advice of his colleague, to proceed with the investigation, which threatens to take him to some pretty dark places and seriously violent ends.
The first thing to say is that this is a prime example of how to establish a vivid, grim, fleshed out world (the emphasis on flesh) in a short page length. From the grime of Lawrence’s and the population's living conditions to the catalogue of creatures he’s investigated previously to the sense of doom-laden atmosphere that stalks this semi-forsaken land, this is wickedly efficient and impressive worldbuilding. I could really see myself riding around as Geralt of Riveria being told to investigate the presence at the local manor by a concerned peasant with just enough coin to hire a Witcher.
McMinn also leaves a mark with her protagonist. As any good noir/urban fantasy/mystery writer knows, there is something gold in the concept of a private eye character, on the edge of penniless, desperately needing that good-paying job while also wanting to do right by that moral instinct eating at him. It’s narrative heroin, but also easy to descend into cliché. McMinn steers it well into the path of complexity rather than caricature, and I was genuinely desperate for the long-suffering Lawrence to get his due. The subtle antagonistic-friendly push and pull of his relationship with the woman he procures jobs from is nicely done too, as is the appearance of a feisty, deftly written fae character who I can’t say much about with spoilers but I expect to become a firm fan favourite if we see this series blossom.
But many readers will be here for the horrors as well as the characters, and McMinn does not disappoint on these grounds either. Mutilated bodies are vividly described; hellish, eldritch creatures make haunting appearances, and the lingering sense of cosmic unease hangs over it all, with themes of the evils of humans as well as monsters ever-present. I desperately want to see what horrors McMinn has in her toolbox for future efforts—someone petition her for the next one to be a full-length novel (the use of “0.5” for the novella’s full description suggests my wish may be granted).
A manual for how to do a fantasy horror mystery right, Parasitic Omens is the eldritch-flavoured amalgamation of the Dresden Files and the Witcher you didn’t know you needed. I want a full length novel of this series more than I want the knees of a 25-year-old.
The plot concerns the town of Copperton, an town of the occult and the monstrous in which the creature investigator and permanently broke Lawrence Reed plies his trade. When he’s faced with the mystery of a girl found dead in the forest with something previously undiscovered having crawled out of her, he decides, against the advice of his colleague, to proceed with the investigation, which threatens to take him to some pretty dark places and seriously violent ends.
The first thing to say is that this is a prime example of how to establish a vivid, grim, fleshed out world (the emphasis on flesh) in a short page length. From the grime of Lawrence’s and the population's living conditions to the catalogue of creatures he’s investigated previously to the sense of doom-laden atmosphere that stalks this semi-forsaken land, this is wickedly efficient and impressive worldbuilding. I could really see myself riding around as Geralt of Riveria being told to investigate the presence at the local manor by a concerned peasant with just enough coin to hire a Witcher.
McMinn also leaves a mark with her protagonist. As any good noir/urban fantasy/mystery writer knows, there is something gold in the concept of a private eye character, on the edge of penniless, desperately needing that good-paying job while also wanting to do right by that moral instinct eating at him. It’s narrative heroin, but also easy to descend into cliché. McMinn steers it well into the path of complexity rather than caricature, and I was genuinely desperate for the long-suffering Lawrence to get his due. The subtle antagonistic-friendly push and pull of his relationship with the woman he procures jobs from is nicely done too, as is the appearance of a feisty, deftly written fae character who I can’t say much about with spoilers but I expect to become a firm fan favourite if we see this series blossom.
But many readers will be here for the horrors as well as the characters, and McMinn does not disappoint on these grounds either. Mutilated bodies are vividly described; hellish, eldritch creatures make haunting appearances, and the lingering sense of cosmic unease hangs over it all, with themes of the evils of humans as well as monsters ever-present. I desperately want to see what horrors McMinn has in her toolbox for future efforts—someone petition her for the next one to be a full-length novel (the use of “0.5” for the novella’s full description suggests my wish may be granted).
A manual for how to do a fantasy horror mystery right, Parasitic Omens is the eldritch-flavoured amalgamation of the Dresden Files and the Witcher you didn’t know you needed. I want a full length novel of this series more than I want the knees of a 25-year-old.
January 8, 2026
Original review: https://beforewegoblog.com/sfincs-rev...
Jessica A. McMinn’s Parasitic Omens is one of our five semi-finalists, and one I wasn’t initially assigned. Having read McMinn’s Call of the Huntress last year, I knew I was in for polished prose and a smooth, easy read, and I wasn’t disappointed. McMinn’s an author who recognizes the importance of clarity to the reading experience, and she wisely prioritizes that in her work. Parasitic Omens itself deals with darker subject matter than Call, and has a more layered narrative. While its spooky setting and set pieces should appeal to dark fantasy fans who love a secondary world, monster-of-the-week feel, engagement with its darker plot elements is fairly light, broadening his potential appeal. Much like Dave Lawson’s Pawns of Havoc (though I want to emphasize that the books are very very different), this one has real crowd-pleasing potential. Although Parasitic Omens includes fantastical and horror elements as part of its setting, at its heart it’s a detective story that sets the scene for future adventures with its protagonist. The detective elements and gaslamp setting should appeal to fans of Krystle Matar’s Legacy of the Brightwash, as well as TV shows like Penny Dreadful.
Parasitic Omens centers an investigator named Law as he takes on the case of the missing daughter of a wealthy local family. Unbeknownst to the girl’s desperate mother, however, Law has already happened upon the unfortunate young woman’s corpse, largely at random. A number of things bother Law about the case right from the jump, including the fact that the corpse appears to have hosted a monstrous parasite and that his boss clearly knows more about what happened to the girl than she’s willing to reveal. As Law’s grip on the truth tightens, he comes to suspect that the victims’s disappearance and death aren’t the work of a random woodland beastie, but someone–or something–closer to home. To catch the culprit, Law must employ supernatural tactics of his own, including calling on the duplicitous (though lovable) Cait Sidhe.
A truly plot-focused story, Parasitic Omens hits its stride about midway through, once Law begins investigating in earnest and is joined by the deliciously fun Cait Sidhe. Law’s quite a dry protagonist and I initially had a hard time getting a feel for his personality or motivations, but Cait Sidhe’s sly antics did a great job providing contrast, and her presence kept me guessing whether she might double-cross Law. If future installments include her, I’ll be rushing to grab the next one, and the levity McMinn injects into the story through Cait did wonderful work adding tonal layers to the novella as a whole.
Plot-wise, and despite the novella’s fantasy trappings, Parasitic Omens is a pretty classic detective story, and McMinn does a good job balancing the setting’s supernatural elements with its mundane ones. One of more common issues I see in fantasy mysteries is that there’s a lack of investment in the outcome of the mystery part of the plotline, but I never had that impression here, and while it’s not quite a story where its feels as though the point is to solve the case, by the halfway mark I was clipping along with the book, interested in how McMinn’s ending would unfold. It’s a novella that will leave you wanting to read more in the setting, with a sense that future entries will enrich the lore of Law’s world in meaningful ways.
While I do recommend Parasitic Omens, it’s not a perfect book, and I did find myself craving just a little more depth from its characters, themes, and its treatment of certain aspects of its subject matter. Without giving away specifics, there are some key plot elements that form part of the mystery’s resolution that I was salivating to find out more about. I don’t want to blame Parasitic Omens too much for not cluing up its plot threads, since it is the beginning of a series, but a slightly meatier, weightier ending with a bit more intention about it would have helped the book truly sing. As it stands, with a little bit of a meandering first half and a conclusion that doesn’t quite feel fully fleshed, the novella isn’t as structurally sound as I was expecting. There’s a lot that’s fairly standard about the plot and setting, the benefits of which are typically that the structure is very strong, but I had a bit of a sense that McMinn had created a lot of fascinating individual pieces (Cait Sidhe, the culprit, the visual of the corpse) and maybe wasn’t as sure how to combine them into a story that felt deliberate and specific. McMinn’s one of those writers, though, who’s got such full command of her line-level writing, that this is the kind of nitpicky stuff that stands out. It’s a testament to her skill in other areas that these are the issues that come to the fore for me. It’s also very possible that these issues are a result of Parasitic Omens being a lead-in novella.
As indie authors and reviewers, it can be daunting trying to make a name for yourself or for indie books at large. There’s a presumption that indie books will be poorly written or edited. Parasitic Omens is one I’d recommend to mainstream fantasy readers as a first foray into indie fantasy. It’s accessible, well-written, and has some genuinely fun moments. I said it in my review for McMinn’s earlier novella, but she’s consistently an author I feel I can trust. While I’ve offered my own suggestions as to who might most enjoy Parasitic Omens, I’ve also seen it compared with the Witcher franchise. I’ve only played the first game, so can’t speak to how much like the Witcher books it is, but certainly the investigative element, bounty-hunter/monster-of-the-week feel, and playful folklore could be compared with what I know of the series.
Jessica A. McMinn’s Parasitic Omens is one of our five semi-finalists, and one I wasn’t initially assigned. Having read McMinn’s Call of the Huntress last year, I knew I was in for polished prose and a smooth, easy read, and I wasn’t disappointed. McMinn’s an author who recognizes the importance of clarity to the reading experience, and she wisely prioritizes that in her work. Parasitic Omens itself deals with darker subject matter than Call, and has a more layered narrative. While its spooky setting and set pieces should appeal to dark fantasy fans who love a secondary world, monster-of-the-week feel, engagement with its darker plot elements is fairly light, broadening his potential appeal. Much like Dave Lawson’s Pawns of Havoc (though I want to emphasize that the books are very very different), this one has real crowd-pleasing potential. Although Parasitic Omens includes fantastical and horror elements as part of its setting, at its heart it’s a detective story that sets the scene for future adventures with its protagonist. The detective elements and gaslamp setting should appeal to fans of Krystle Matar’s Legacy of the Brightwash, as well as TV shows like Penny Dreadful.
Parasitic Omens centers an investigator named Law as he takes on the case of the missing daughter of a wealthy local family. Unbeknownst to the girl’s desperate mother, however, Law has already happened upon the unfortunate young woman’s corpse, largely at random. A number of things bother Law about the case right from the jump, including the fact that the corpse appears to have hosted a monstrous parasite and that his boss clearly knows more about what happened to the girl than she’s willing to reveal. As Law’s grip on the truth tightens, he comes to suspect that the victims’s disappearance and death aren’t the work of a random woodland beastie, but someone–or something–closer to home. To catch the culprit, Law must employ supernatural tactics of his own, including calling on the duplicitous (though lovable) Cait Sidhe.
A truly plot-focused story, Parasitic Omens hits its stride about midway through, once Law begins investigating in earnest and is joined by the deliciously fun Cait Sidhe. Law’s quite a dry protagonist and I initially had a hard time getting a feel for his personality or motivations, but Cait Sidhe’s sly antics did a great job providing contrast, and her presence kept me guessing whether she might double-cross Law. If future installments include her, I’ll be rushing to grab the next one, and the levity McMinn injects into the story through Cait did wonderful work adding tonal layers to the novella as a whole.
Plot-wise, and despite the novella’s fantasy trappings, Parasitic Omens is a pretty classic detective story, and McMinn does a good job balancing the setting’s supernatural elements with its mundane ones. One of more common issues I see in fantasy mysteries is that there’s a lack of investment in the outcome of the mystery part of the plotline, but I never had that impression here, and while it’s not quite a story where its feels as though the point is to solve the case, by the halfway mark I was clipping along with the book, interested in how McMinn’s ending would unfold. It’s a novella that will leave you wanting to read more in the setting, with a sense that future entries will enrich the lore of Law’s world in meaningful ways.
While I do recommend Parasitic Omens, it’s not a perfect book, and I did find myself craving just a little more depth from its characters, themes, and its treatment of certain aspects of its subject matter. Without giving away specifics, there are some key plot elements that form part of the mystery’s resolution that I was salivating to find out more about. I don’t want to blame Parasitic Omens too much for not cluing up its plot threads, since it is the beginning of a series, but a slightly meatier, weightier ending with a bit more intention about it would have helped the book truly sing. As it stands, with a little bit of a meandering first half and a conclusion that doesn’t quite feel fully fleshed, the novella isn’t as structurally sound as I was expecting. There’s a lot that’s fairly standard about the plot and setting, the benefits of which are typically that the structure is very strong, but I had a bit of a sense that McMinn had created a lot of fascinating individual pieces (Cait Sidhe, the culprit, the visual of the corpse) and maybe wasn’t as sure how to combine them into a story that felt deliberate and specific. McMinn’s one of those writers, though, who’s got such full command of her line-level writing, that this is the kind of nitpicky stuff that stands out. It’s a testament to her skill in other areas that these are the issues that come to the fore for me. It’s also very possible that these issues are a result of Parasitic Omens being a lead-in novella.
As indie authors and reviewers, it can be daunting trying to make a name for yourself or for indie books at large. There’s a presumption that indie books will be poorly written or edited. Parasitic Omens is one I’d recommend to mainstream fantasy readers as a first foray into indie fantasy. It’s accessible, well-written, and has some genuinely fun moments. I said it in my review for McMinn’s earlier novella, but she’s consistently an author I feel I can trust. While I’ve offered my own suggestions as to who might most enjoy Parasitic Omens, I’ve also seen it compared with the Witcher franchise. I’ve only played the first game, so can’t speak to how much like the Witcher books it is, but certainly the investigative element, bounty-hunter/monster-of-the-week feel, and playful folklore could be compared with what I know of the series.
May 18, 2025
If someone says to me my new series is Supernatural meets The Witcher, I am going to immediately demand to read the book asap. Parasitic Omens, the new novella by Jessica A. McMinn, is a wonderfully dark and gory start to her new Gods of Dallalmar series.
We are introduced to Lawrence Reed, a weary supernatural investigator whose latest job has him entering the creepy and somewhat sinister Taschenwilde forest. Inside the woods he finds the mutilated corpse of a young girl and the monster that may have inhabited her body. What was supposed to be an easy find and retrieve mission has now turned into a quest for answers. Law realises he will stop at nothing to uncover the mystery of what happened to the girl, and that there may be a bigger and darker monster out in the world. McMinn has a way of establishing a looming sense of dread throughout her stories, and this novella is no exception. As we follow Law on his investigation the tension builds steadily, each clue seems more ominous than the last adding to the impact of each revelation.
If you’ve read McMinn’s Gardens of War and Wastelands series, you’ll know that her books are dark and gory, but Parasitic Omens is on another level. With a hefty dose of ghastly monsters, and gruesome body horror, she has also added a small dose of cultism and religious zealotry for good measure. In a short amount of pages she deftly brings the setting of Coppertown, and the surrounding world, to life. Both Coppertown and the Taschewilde feel like characters in their own right with the mythology behind the Taschenwilde being especially intriguing. I am beyond keen to return to this world and the future full length novels. I need to know more about the Gods of Dallalmar the role Law will play.
If you enjoy fantasy with a side of paranormal and horror thrown in for good measure, this novella packs a punch and leaves you wanting more.
We are introduced to Lawrence Reed, a weary supernatural investigator whose latest job has him entering the creepy and somewhat sinister Taschenwilde forest. Inside the woods he finds the mutilated corpse of a young girl and the monster that may have inhabited her body. What was supposed to be an easy find and retrieve mission has now turned into a quest for answers. Law realises he will stop at nothing to uncover the mystery of what happened to the girl, and that there may be a bigger and darker monster out in the world. McMinn has a way of establishing a looming sense of dread throughout her stories, and this novella is no exception. As we follow Law on his investigation the tension builds steadily, each clue seems more ominous than the last adding to the impact of each revelation.
If you’ve read McMinn’s Gardens of War and Wastelands series, you’ll know that her books are dark and gory, but Parasitic Omens is on another level. With a hefty dose of ghastly monsters, and gruesome body horror, she has also added a small dose of cultism and religious zealotry for good measure. In a short amount of pages she deftly brings the setting of Coppertown, and the surrounding world, to life. Both Coppertown and the Taschewilde feel like characters in their own right with the mythology behind the Taschenwilde being especially intriguing. I am beyond keen to return to this world and the future full length novels. I need to know more about the Gods of Dallalmar the role Law will play.
If you enjoy fantasy with a side of paranormal and horror thrown in for good measure, this novella packs a punch and leaves you wanting more.
March 10, 2026
Parasitic Omens by Jessica A. McMinn was quite the adventure for me. I really like it when a story makes me go through a range of emotions and this one did that quite well. Disgust, discomfort, satisfaction, sorrow… Though most of them were towards the negative, I don’t mind that at all. It was a horror fantasy that was quite satisfying to read. Though I would’ve loved to find out more details about the [redacted], it sounds like there’ll be more books in this series and that the answers might be in those. I’m looking forward to that. I would’ve loved to explore the characters, world building, and creatures more, but they do seem to work well for a series of short reads. I’m just always reluctant to part with first books in interesting new worlds.
May 26, 2025
The Witcher meets supernatural. this short novella is all things grim. You follow Lawrence on his investigation as a supernatural investigator. heavy on monsters, body horror, and cultism. if you like things interesting, and dark. this one is for you!
November 7, 2025
Very good.
Excellent world building and it was dripping with atmosphere. I'm very excited to spend more time in this world in the future and it's characters, but that was an impressive introduction to the world of Dallalmar and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it.
Excellent world building and it was dripping with atmosphere. I'm very excited to spend more time in this world in the future and it's characters, but that was an impressive introduction to the world of Dallalmar and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it.
May 16, 2025
Very solid start! I feel like this book is a mix of low town and the Witcher. I think without a doubt we’ll see good things in her Future.
August 10, 2025
Got some solid Witcher and Bloodborne vibes out of this. Fun read
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February 15, 2026I read this book as part of the SFINCS3 finals - review and rating to follow!
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