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The Scroungers
The lords have fallen.
It was the war to end all wars.
Violence had plagued the Fractured Kingdoms since the fall of the Old Empire.
But as the generals and the lords died in the Valley of Torglen, the folk looked beyond their allegiances. Beyond their nations.
The bedraggled masses that survived the battle flocked to the nearest town with hopes of a new life.
One in which their rulers remained rotting in the mud.
Brigge led her company of sellswords to foreign lands.
Now she seeks to lead the dispossessed into a new life.
Ebar was forced into duty. Conscripted by the war machine of Volgsland.
Though the war is over, his service is not.
A killer stalks the streets of Bright Hollow. Tortured by their past and longing for vengeance.
Disparate tales intertwine as the lives of the survivors collide.
Bright Hollow is a small town, brimming with newcomers.
It was the war to end all wars.
Violence had plagued the Fractured Kingdoms since the fall of the Old Empire.
But as the generals and the lords died in the Valley of Torglen, the folk looked beyond their allegiances. Beyond their nations.
The bedraggled masses that survived the battle flocked to the nearest town with hopes of a new life.
One in which their rulers remained rotting in the mud.
Brigge led her company of sellswords to foreign lands.
Now she seeks to lead the dispossessed into a new life.
Ebar was forced into duty. Conscripted by the war machine of Volgsland.
Though the war is over, his service is not.
A killer stalks the streets of Bright Hollow. Tortured by their past and longing for vengeance.
Disparate tales intertwine as the lives of the survivors collide.
Bright Hollow is a small town, brimming with newcomers.
- GenresEbooks
134 pages, ebook
Published April 27, 2024
3 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Thomas J. Devens
5 books17 followersThomas is the author of the Fall of Emros Saga, his first series of gritty epic fantasy. He released his first novel Stone & Shield in 2020. A foundry worker by day, he currently resides in the Hudson Valley region of New York state.
Outside of working and writing, he prefers his time spent around a campfire with a few beers.
Outside of working and writing, he prefers his time spent around a campfire with a few beers.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 4, 2024
This short novella is dark and grim, and written in a concise, no-nonsense prose that is also moody and mood-setting. It conveys the stakes of the world, the setting, and everything around with just a few words. It is downright immersive.
Best of all is that regardless of how grim the story gets, the novella is never unnecessarily explicit; likewise, it never added scenes or events just to make the point that it's grim. On the contrary, this is concise and to-the-point, and what is there (which is a lot of events in such a short narrative), is actually needed for the plot or the worldbuilding. Also, although this novella takes place in the same world of the other novels of this author, they are not needed to understand this—namely, you can go ahead and read this one, and you'll love it.
In terms of narration (which is very tight and fitting), this novella uses a very close third-person past narrative. It follows several continuous points-of-views. For example, A is in a tavern while something is happening, and the chapter ends in a climax; the next chapter continues from there, but narrated by another character. It is always the same group of people, but the narration moves between them.
Each chapter is titled as the narrating character, and the narration itself changes to suit the character's style. While some have this heavy feeling (like an exhausted veteran who cares not about the war), others are full of questions, or more dialogue, depending on the character. Regardless, the prose remains consistent throughout, and it's a pleasure to read.
Between chapters, you get extracts of poetry or songs from in-book bards and poets, that are narrating the events of the novel (in a highly curated, historically washed-out way), or from setting events (like the war ending before the novel starts). These are gorgeous and so well made! The author definitely has a talent for it, because these poems/songs were also moody, and foreboding somewhat hopeful, depending on the theme. Perfection, really.
Overall, if I needed to compare it, I'd say this somewhat blends a very rich equal-opportunity world Malazan-style (yeah, that level), with independent points-of-views that rapidly converge into a storyline, with grim and moody prose like Abercrombie's, and poems/songs of a quality comparable to Tolkien.
Oh, and that's another perfect, amazing detail of this—an equal opportunity world. It has a nice balance and blend of characters, from the honourable captain now questioning beliefs, to the soldiers, the drunkards, and the unpredictables. It doesn't preach about it, doesn't make a point about it, nope. It just is and, given the grim genre of it, it is perfect.
I'm not using 'grimdark' because it's not bleak for the sake of it—this is a postwar setting and the bleakness is associated with that. Some people are actually trying to do stuff (trying not to spoil it here), but we really don't see what happens; the point of the story is a small mystery-like whodunnit style of thing, and works very well.
It was an engaging read. I haven't read anything from the author before, and now I'm definitely hooked, and will move into the main series.
Best of all is that regardless of how grim the story gets, the novella is never unnecessarily explicit; likewise, it never added scenes or events just to make the point that it's grim. On the contrary, this is concise and to-the-point, and what is there (which is a lot of events in such a short narrative), is actually needed for the plot or the worldbuilding. Also, although this novella takes place in the same world of the other novels of this author, they are not needed to understand this—namely, you can go ahead and read this one, and you'll love it.
In terms of narration (which is very tight and fitting), this novella uses a very close third-person past narrative. It follows several continuous points-of-views. For example, A is in a tavern while something is happening, and the chapter ends in a climax; the next chapter continues from there, but narrated by another character. It is always the same group of people, but the narration moves between them.
Each chapter is titled as the narrating character, and the narration itself changes to suit the character's style. While some have this heavy feeling (like an exhausted veteran who cares not about the war), others are full of questions, or more dialogue, depending on the character. Regardless, the prose remains consistent throughout, and it's a pleasure to read.
Between chapters, you get extracts of poetry or songs from in-book bards and poets, that are narrating the events of the novel (in a highly curated, historically washed-out way), or from setting events (like the war ending before the novel starts). These are gorgeous and so well made! The author definitely has a talent for it, because these poems/songs were also moody, and foreboding somewhat hopeful, depending on the theme. Perfection, really.
Overall, if I needed to compare it, I'd say this somewhat blends a very rich equal-opportunity world Malazan-style (yeah, that level), with independent points-of-views that rapidly converge into a storyline, with grim and moody prose like Abercrombie's, and poems/songs of a quality comparable to Tolkien.
Oh, and that's another perfect, amazing detail of this—an equal opportunity world. It has a nice balance and blend of characters, from the honourable captain now questioning beliefs, to the soldiers, the drunkards, and the unpredictables. It doesn't preach about it, doesn't make a point about it, nope. It just is and, given the grim genre of it, it is perfect.
I'm not using 'grimdark' because it's not bleak for the sake of it—this is a postwar setting and the bleakness is associated with that. Some people are actually trying to do stuff (trying not to spoil it here), but we really don't see what happens; the point of the story is a small mystery-like whodunnit style of thing, and works very well.
It was an engaging read. I haven't read anything from the author before, and now I'm definitely hooked, and will move into the main series.
July 9, 2024
The town of Bright Hollow lies as a respite of the wars. It’s tavern, an escape of life’s hardships. Until, of course, strife walks right through its doors.
A ton of fun! Surprising turns, action & full of wit. Grimdark in the vein of Abercrombie!
Excellent!
A ton of fun! Surprising turns, action & full of wit. Grimdark in the vein of Abercrombie!
Excellent!
October 13, 2025
The battle is over, the leaders are dead...Fighting eachother doesn't matter anymore, time to go to the pub. And then people start dying again.
Great use of multiple POVs, excellent characters and a bloody good time (...for me getting to read this gem).
Great use of multiple POVs, excellent characters and a bloody good time (...for me getting to read this gem).
September 5, 2024
A really good, solid quick read. I flew through this book in two days (and I'm a very easily distracted reader). This book feels extremely ambitious for a short read, and the author handles an extremely high number of character perspectives with skill. The opening had me hooked immediately, as we see the immediate moments after a battle and the varying reactions of those involved. I absolutely loved the concept of exploring what becomes of the remnants of a number of opposing armies/sides in the aftermath of battle, bringing them all together into what quickly became a stifling, oppressive small space where tensions and prejudices threaten to explode at every moment.
Devens did an outstanding job of switching between perspectives. The oppressive, small space mentioned is Bright Hollow - a place that is anything but bright (certainly not a holiday destination). Devens manages to convey the darkness and claustrophobia of the town on every page, even with only minimal locations actually mentioned (the temple, the tavern, an official's office). What I liked most about this book was that despite it's density (content, if not length wise) it never once felt bloated or overblown. It simply doesn't waste time before moving from one scene to another, pulling you along.
This is a dark and bleak story set in a dark and bleak world, so if that's not your cup of tea, this probably isn't for you. But if you like your characters mud-covered, dangerous and ready to bloody or be bloodied, then this is a great choice for a quick read between chonky tomes.
The only thing that didn't quite work for me was that, due to the sheer number of character perspectives, we didn't get to spend a lot of time with some of them and I therefore didn't get to know them as much as I'd have liked. That being said, as a fan of shorter books, this wasn't much of an issue for me. I also found that the poems at the start of each chapter, while initially interesting, did somewhat slow the pace at times. This is the first book by Devens I have read, it certainly won't be the last. Muddy, grubby and bl**dy good stuff.
Devens did an outstanding job of switching between perspectives. The oppressive, small space mentioned is Bright Hollow - a place that is anything but bright (certainly not a holiday destination). Devens manages to convey the darkness and claustrophobia of the town on every page, even with only minimal locations actually mentioned (the temple, the tavern, an official's office). What I liked most about this book was that despite it's density (content, if not length wise) it never once felt bloated or overblown. It simply doesn't waste time before moving from one scene to another, pulling you along.
This is a dark and bleak story set in a dark and bleak world, so if that's not your cup of tea, this probably isn't for you. But if you like your characters mud-covered, dangerous and ready to bloody or be bloodied, then this is a great choice for a quick read between chonky tomes.
The only thing that didn't quite work for me was that, due to the sheer number of character perspectives, we didn't get to spend a lot of time with some of them and I therefore didn't get to know them as much as I'd have liked. That being said, as a fan of shorter books, this wasn't much of an issue for me. I also found that the poems at the start of each chapter, while initially interesting, did somewhat slow the pace at times. This is the first book by Devens I have read, it certainly won't be the last. Muddy, grubby and bl**dy good stuff.
November 29, 2025
The Scroungers by Thomas J Devens is one of a series of interconnected standalone novellas, which form part of his Vermin of the Old Empire collection. I listened to the audiobook narrated by RJ Bayley, whose range of voices and overall style of delivery was a perfect fit for this material.
Although this was a short book I was really impressed with the variety of characters we meet in this story, all with their distinctive voice (literally, in the case of RJ Bayley’s narration) and outlook on life. The tone is decidedly grimdark as the reader is plunged straight into the muddy, bloody, chaotic aftermath of an epic battle in the Fractured Kingdoms. What lightens the mood of what would otherwise be a rather depressing book is Devens has a terrific turn of phrase and a wonderful author voice. He brings the scenes to life with sardonic wit, using it to skewer the pompous, uncaring nobles who, through their arrogance and self-importance, have brought ruin to the land.
Brig and her loyal warrior Dag were some of my favourite characters, whilst Ebar, a thief conscripted to fight in the war and still serving his captain Anassia (more out of habit than anything else), was always entertaining. Ebar was my favourite when it came to RJ Bayley’s narration – I loved the voice he used for him. The inclusion of so many characters does make this a little hard to get into at first, especially as Devens moves back and forth through time to offer different perspectives on the same events. However, this lays the groundwork for a compelling story.
The Scroungers does include one of my pet hates in fantasy fiction – poetry. I should probably clarify here that this is directed at authors who do this badly. Fantasy poetry is incredibly difficult to write well but, to give Devens his due, I think he pulls this off. At the start of each chapter he alternates extracts of poems and songs with excerpts from the history books of the Fractured Kingdoms. It lends itself well to building the wider world in the reader’s mind and RJ Bayley’s performance adds suitable depth and soul in his delivery of these parts, which really brings them to life.
The result is poetic grimdark and I liked how the history and verse conjured up an image of traditional epic fantasy, which is contrasted with the brutal, vicious reality the characters are facing when we return to the main story. This in turn mirrors the difference between the ruling lords and the ordinary people, who ultimately decide they’re not willing to die so someone who doesn’t even know their name can wear a crown.
The story is essentially an essay about the futility of war. Despite the grim subject matter I enjoyed this tale, especially since Devens keeps you guessing right until the end. This was a great introduction to his writing and he’s definitely an author I’ll be reading more in the future.
Although this was a short book I was really impressed with the variety of characters we meet in this story, all with their distinctive voice (literally, in the case of RJ Bayley’s narration) and outlook on life. The tone is decidedly grimdark as the reader is plunged straight into the muddy, bloody, chaotic aftermath of an epic battle in the Fractured Kingdoms. What lightens the mood of what would otherwise be a rather depressing book is Devens has a terrific turn of phrase and a wonderful author voice. He brings the scenes to life with sardonic wit, using it to skewer the pompous, uncaring nobles who, through their arrogance and self-importance, have brought ruin to the land.
Brig and her loyal warrior Dag were some of my favourite characters, whilst Ebar, a thief conscripted to fight in the war and still serving his captain Anassia (more out of habit than anything else), was always entertaining. Ebar was my favourite when it came to RJ Bayley’s narration – I loved the voice he used for him. The inclusion of so many characters does make this a little hard to get into at first, especially as Devens moves back and forth through time to offer different perspectives on the same events. However, this lays the groundwork for a compelling story.
The Scroungers does include one of my pet hates in fantasy fiction – poetry. I should probably clarify here that this is directed at authors who do this badly. Fantasy poetry is incredibly difficult to write well but, to give Devens his due, I think he pulls this off. At the start of each chapter he alternates extracts of poems and songs with excerpts from the history books of the Fractured Kingdoms. It lends itself well to building the wider world in the reader’s mind and RJ Bayley’s performance adds suitable depth and soul in his delivery of these parts, which really brings them to life.
The result is poetic grimdark and I liked how the history and verse conjured up an image of traditional epic fantasy, which is contrasted with the brutal, vicious reality the characters are facing when we return to the main story. This in turn mirrors the difference between the ruling lords and the ordinary people, who ultimately decide they’re not willing to die so someone who doesn’t even know their name can wear a crown.
The story is essentially an essay about the futility of war. Despite the grim subject matter I enjoyed this tale, especially since Devens keeps you guessing right until the end. This was a great introduction to his writing and he’s definitely an author I’ll be reading more in the future.
May 3, 2025
A group of survivors from different armies forego their former allegiances to set up in the nearest town. They all have to work together to find a serial killer who follows one of the lands Saints.
The Scroungers is a Grimdark novella that I assume introduces some of the characters in the novel THE DREGS - a novel that I'm about to start reading.
The Scroungers is a Grimdark novella that I assume introduces some of the characters in the novel THE DREGS - a novel that I'm about to start reading.
December 6, 2024
I picked this up after talking to the author on BlueSky and decided to read it right away. What can I say? I'm a sucker for short books this year. This had some really interesting bits and others that didn't quite work for me. There were a lot of POVs to the point that I was expecting every single chapter to be told by a different character at first. We did come back to the same cast eventually, which were all interesting characters to follow. The world building wasn't vast but it worked well for the story so no real complaints there. The timeline didn't always make sense to me though and while the poetry was a neat addition, I do think that in this instance, it took a bit away from the story for me. I think I was trying to analyze it too much and would've enjoyed the flow of the actual story more without the poetry interruptions before every chapter. I did like the story enough though that I'm looking forward to the next novella that's coming out soon (This month? I think this month!).
July 8, 2025
Read this review and more on Page Chewing
What happens to the “lucky” few who survive the ravages of war? They scrounge their way forward, of course!
Thomas Devens regales us with standalone novellas in his Vermin of the Old Empire series to answer that question. The first standalone, The Scroungers follows a rag-tag bunch of survivors navigating the gritty aftermath of the final wars between the Fractured Kingdoms.
In The Scroungers, Devens channels the bloody, filthy, messily non-chalant aspect of warfare, where blades care not for blood nor status, and the only people who survive are those of skill, resolve, cunning, and just dumb luck, with his opening sequence giving a similar flavor to The Heroes (Joe Abercrombie).
There is no shortage of POV characters in The Scroungers, and those of us steeped in grimdark lore will identify many of the archetypes - the gruff and jaded Ebar, the honor-bound, loyal Captain Anasya, the steadfast Dag, the silent shadowy Mor, the opportunistic Brigge, and others. When crowns fall, and the lords are killed, our gang must overcome their differences to work toward a different (daresay brighter?) future.
Where I assumed that Devens would scratch deeper into the central “war is hell” grimdark premise in The Scroungers, he decided instead to go down a different route, with the gritty gang attempting to solve a series of murders by a crazed zealot. This plot direction had reminisces of The Justice of Kings (Richard Swan) with the dark-fantasy noir aspect. The climactic chapters and action setpieces delved into the supernatural with elements of dark magicks, toeing the line between low-magic grimdark and higher-magic dark fantasy. As a personal preference, I would have rather the plot stayed grounded and the magical aspects be replaced by sheer blade-in-cheek badassery, but Devens does a serviceable job of keeping the magical elements vague enough without overstaying its welcome.
The novella length did not lend itself well to fleshing out the characters or developing the plot into something meaty enough that the reader could sink their teeth into. However, Devens does succeed in creating a familiar world with depth, filled with characters worth investing in, following a plot with a quick clip, and plenty of violence. All the things that us ravenous consumers of dark fantasy and grimdark need.
If you are a fan of gritty, a blood-under-your-nails fantasy, The Scroungers will scratch that itch. The next in the series, The Dregs continues to broaden the Vermin of the Old Empire series and that should be your next stop after this one. I look forward to Devens’ bloodier full-length entries!
Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Thomas J. Devens and Page Chewing
What happens to the “lucky” few who survive the ravages of war? They scrounge their way forward, of course!
Thomas Devens regales us with standalone novellas in his Vermin of the Old Empire series to answer that question. The first standalone, The Scroungers follows a rag-tag bunch of survivors navigating the gritty aftermath of the final wars between the Fractured Kingdoms.
In The Scroungers, Devens channels the bloody, filthy, messily non-chalant aspect of warfare, where blades care not for blood nor status, and the only people who survive are those of skill, resolve, cunning, and just dumb luck, with his opening sequence giving a similar flavor to The Heroes (Joe Abercrombie).
There is no shortage of POV characters in The Scroungers, and those of us steeped in grimdark lore will identify many of the archetypes - the gruff and jaded Ebar, the honor-bound, loyal Captain Anasya, the steadfast Dag, the silent shadowy Mor, the opportunistic Brigge, and others. When crowns fall, and the lords are killed, our gang must overcome their differences to work toward a different (daresay brighter?) future.
Where I assumed that Devens would scratch deeper into the central “war is hell” grimdark premise in The Scroungers, he decided instead to go down a different route, with the gritty gang attempting to solve a series of murders by a crazed zealot. This plot direction had reminisces of The Justice of Kings (Richard Swan) with the dark-fantasy noir aspect. The climactic chapters and action setpieces delved into the supernatural with elements of dark magicks, toeing the line between low-magic grimdark and higher-magic dark fantasy. As a personal preference, I would have rather the plot stayed grounded and the magical aspects be replaced by sheer blade-in-cheek badassery, but Devens does a serviceable job of keeping the magical elements vague enough without overstaying its welcome.
The novella length did not lend itself well to fleshing out the characters or developing the plot into something meaty enough that the reader could sink their teeth into. However, Devens does succeed in creating a familiar world with depth, filled with characters worth investing in, following a plot with a quick clip, and plenty of violence. All the things that us ravenous consumers of dark fantasy and grimdark need.
If you are a fan of gritty, a blood-under-your-nails fantasy, The Scroungers will scratch that itch. The next in the series, The Dregs continues to broaden the Vermin of the Old Empire series and that should be your next stop after this one. I look forward to Devens’ bloodier full-length entries!
Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Thomas J. Devens and Page Chewing
July 10, 2025
This review was originally posted on r/GrimDarkEpicFantasy by u/SoullessEddie.
So, how good is it? It's brief, it's punchy, it sacrifices scope on the altar of forward momentum. The story gives us a glimpse into a world where moral compasses weigh everyone down and gore-slicked skirmishes leave us panting alongside the delinquents that inhabit it. Should you dig a fast-paced, Abercrombie-esque take on survival, fortitude, and friction, the Scroungers will graciously fill that ditch—while you're still inside, rooting through the dirt for meaning, you'll get buried alive.
Now, let Eddie tell you why this book is worth your time without spoiling anything major…
The Scroungers was my first incursion into Thomas's work, and it left me rather satisfied. My anticipation was diverted in the best possible way, veering the story into an unforeseen direction, dismissing the already well-explored and the obvious as an afterthought. Instead, we experience a fragmented journey filled with pettiness, gore, and misfortune that flows from one character to another without needlessly dizzying the reader. The author doesn't obfuscate, but also doesn't over-explain. I find that to be the best approach to cohesive storytelling within this kind of episodic setting.
0.85 | Themes — Yes, it's gruesome and grim without much to hope for. And yes, it won't surprise all that much, but it does several things exceptionally well. In the besmeared, gratuitous war, nobody wins. And weathering the battle doesn't automatically lead to the land of milk and honey. The plights of the world continue regardless of the outcome. The chilling dissociation of everyone, the second the command structure is decimated, feels only too real. So to say, people in the story adapt quickly to their new reality and try to bend it to their benefit or go with the flow. The themes of treachery from supposed allies, righteousness in the face of adversity, or the fact that some are plain luckier than others, are all skillfully woven into the narrative.
0.55 | Characterization — The characters are mostly gray-ish. You may distinguish the different PoVs easily, granted you pay enough attention, but more could be done to make them feel special. As an episodic piece, it works, but I'd like to know a little more about the protagonists and their motivations, hopes, and dreams. They could do with a bit more profundity: a memorable quirk, an itch or curse, an interesting world view, anything to differentiate them a bit more. I'd recommend taking a look at the Liveship Traders by R. Hobb or, more recently, the Devils by J. Abercrombie to get more inspiration for blending unique character voices. We didn't get enough of an attachment in the span of less than 150 pages with multiple PoVs. But perchance that was the point? Life is fleeting—we could as effortlessly say goodbye to any or all of the cast members at a moment's notice, which makes the scenes feel almost real and alive, despite the grounded stakes.
0.70 | Plot — Thomas reverses narrative structure in his novellas, bucking the trend of streamlined, easily digestible fantasy. A bit of Gene Wolfery is always appreciated in my book, but might inhibit more jittery readers. Plotlines begin at the same starting line and divide, converge, and wobble all at once. I cherish the idea of different takes on the same set of events within the timeframe of a pivotal battle across multiple installments, given that they are nuanced and memorable enough. As for the Scroungers themselves, the idea is a Session 1 of any roleplaying game. They all have their worries and backstories, motivations and doubts, but are forced to work together, or at least, co-exist for a few days. It is more than serviceable and fits within the limited scope. A lot of the time, an author goes above and beyond to make their story something extraordinary and gets snared in their own webbings of sub-plots and easter eggs, ending up with a messy pancake. Thomas here doesn‘t dazzle, but he gets it right from start to finish. The story doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It doesn't have to.
0.65 | World-building — A vile world filled with bottom-feeders and scavengers. Unfortunately, we only get to see glimpses of its true obscenity besides war-torn battlefield, piss enveloped streets, and a strangely familiar tavern. The surrounding world is more of a stage for the action, which is not wrong, but could use more technicolor to contrast with its established muck and grime. I also enjoyed the experimental poems, which give us a bit of a breather, texture, and insight between the action. The use of magic in two or three instances was a little dramatic in this setting, but not altogether jarring. A little dubious? Possibly.
0.85 | Prose — Gritty, unpretentious, with the occasional questionable author's intent. The cadence could be smoother, but this work is more about the experience than the delivery mechanism—the way the exposition is handled is secondary to the story. Nothing to scoff at, it's just things you notice when you do a lot of reading. Doubtless, Thomas knows what he's doing, and it's perfectly functional to me. Sure, a line edit would elevate the work even further, but the rough edges have their charms, too. And, more than anything, it fits the paradigm of Grimdark exceedingly well. Overall, the writing kept me engaged and immersed, which is what counts.
The Scroungers is an original Grimdark novella with immense potential for further installments. I wouldn't say its brevity is an outright flaw. It's a required feature to keep the structure tied together. While I may take issue with the scope, the Scroungers delivers on its core promises, so I can't hold it against the novella. Since the lords have fallen, what do any of us have to lose by digging a little deeper into the world of the Vermin of the Old Empire? The odd limb, mayhap. Or a bit of sanity. However, that is part of the curriculum, and getting swallowed by Bright Hollow's filth is merely the advent of the swarthy pilgrimage—take a breather if you must, but do carry on, Grimdark acolyte.
Running Total: 3.60 / 5.00 — Grimdark Worth Its Salt
So, how good is it? It's brief, it's punchy, it sacrifices scope on the altar of forward momentum. The story gives us a glimpse into a world where moral compasses weigh everyone down and gore-slicked skirmishes leave us panting alongside the delinquents that inhabit it. Should you dig a fast-paced, Abercrombie-esque take on survival, fortitude, and friction, the Scroungers will graciously fill that ditch—while you're still inside, rooting through the dirt for meaning, you'll get buried alive.
Now, let Eddie tell you why this book is worth your time without spoiling anything major…
The Scroungers was my first incursion into Thomas's work, and it left me rather satisfied. My anticipation was diverted in the best possible way, veering the story into an unforeseen direction, dismissing the already well-explored and the obvious as an afterthought. Instead, we experience a fragmented journey filled with pettiness, gore, and misfortune that flows from one character to another without needlessly dizzying the reader. The author doesn't obfuscate, but also doesn't over-explain. I find that to be the best approach to cohesive storytelling within this kind of episodic setting.
0.85 | Themes — Yes, it's gruesome and grim without much to hope for. And yes, it won't surprise all that much, but it does several things exceptionally well. In the besmeared, gratuitous war, nobody wins. And weathering the battle doesn't automatically lead to the land of milk and honey. The plights of the world continue regardless of the outcome. The chilling dissociation of everyone, the second the command structure is decimated, feels only too real. So to say, people in the story adapt quickly to their new reality and try to bend it to their benefit or go with the flow. The themes of treachery from supposed allies, righteousness in the face of adversity, or the fact that some are plain luckier than others, are all skillfully woven into the narrative.
0.55 | Characterization — The characters are mostly gray-ish. You may distinguish the different PoVs easily, granted you pay enough attention, but more could be done to make them feel special. As an episodic piece, it works, but I'd like to know a little more about the protagonists and their motivations, hopes, and dreams. They could do with a bit more profundity: a memorable quirk, an itch or curse, an interesting world view, anything to differentiate them a bit more. I'd recommend taking a look at the Liveship Traders by R. Hobb or, more recently, the Devils by J. Abercrombie to get more inspiration for blending unique character voices. We didn't get enough of an attachment in the span of less than 150 pages with multiple PoVs. But perchance that was the point? Life is fleeting—we could as effortlessly say goodbye to any or all of the cast members at a moment's notice, which makes the scenes feel almost real and alive, despite the grounded stakes.
0.70 | Plot — Thomas reverses narrative structure in his novellas, bucking the trend of streamlined, easily digestible fantasy. A bit of Gene Wolfery is always appreciated in my book, but might inhibit more jittery readers. Plotlines begin at the same starting line and divide, converge, and wobble all at once. I cherish the idea of different takes on the same set of events within the timeframe of a pivotal battle across multiple installments, given that they are nuanced and memorable enough. As for the Scroungers themselves, the idea is a Session 1 of any roleplaying game. They all have their worries and backstories, motivations and doubts, but are forced to work together, or at least, co-exist for a few days. It is more than serviceable and fits within the limited scope. A lot of the time, an author goes above and beyond to make their story something extraordinary and gets snared in their own webbings of sub-plots and easter eggs, ending up with a messy pancake. Thomas here doesn‘t dazzle, but he gets it right from start to finish. The story doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It doesn't have to.
0.65 | World-building — A vile world filled with bottom-feeders and scavengers. Unfortunately, we only get to see glimpses of its true obscenity besides war-torn battlefield, piss enveloped streets, and a strangely familiar tavern. The surrounding world is more of a stage for the action, which is not wrong, but could use more technicolor to contrast with its established muck and grime. I also enjoyed the experimental poems, which give us a bit of a breather, texture, and insight between the action. The use of magic in two or three instances was a little dramatic in this setting, but not altogether jarring. A little dubious? Possibly.
0.85 | Prose — Gritty, unpretentious, with the occasional questionable author's intent. The cadence could be smoother, but this work is more about the experience than the delivery mechanism—the way the exposition is handled is secondary to the story. Nothing to scoff at, it's just things you notice when you do a lot of reading. Doubtless, Thomas knows what he's doing, and it's perfectly functional to me. Sure, a line edit would elevate the work even further, but the rough edges have their charms, too. And, more than anything, it fits the paradigm of Grimdark exceedingly well. Overall, the writing kept me engaged and immersed, which is what counts.
The Scroungers is an original Grimdark novella with immense potential for further installments. I wouldn't say its brevity is an outright flaw. It's a required feature to keep the structure tied together. While I may take issue with the scope, the Scroungers delivers on its core promises, so I can't hold it against the novella. Since the lords have fallen, what do any of us have to lose by digging a little deeper into the world of the Vermin of the Old Empire? The odd limb, mayhap. Or a bit of sanity. However, that is part of the curriculum, and getting swallowed by Bright Hollow's filth is merely the advent of the swarthy pilgrimage—take a breather if you must, but do carry on, Grimdark acolyte.
Running Total: 3.60 / 5.00 — Grimdark Worth Its Salt
November 22, 2025
I listened to The Scroungers via audiobook with RJ Bayley’s sublime narration. He adds such depth to a book, and here his voice was perfect for The Scroungers which is both grim and very dark. The vast majority of this novella has a low fantasy tone that I appreciated, with most of the time spent in Bright Hollow – a town so far from its title that even the folk there find it hard to swallow. A dark place, filled with muddy, slime-laden hovels and alleyways, that heralds the Dripping Bucket tavern as its major port of call. However, let us start at the beginning.
Devens leads us through a tale of those at the sharp end of war. As the battle for the Fractured Kingdoms comes to a bloody, gore-filled end, the few nobles that survive abandon their soldiers to the unwelcome embrace of death. At that moment, the dregs of the battlefield are left to do as they will, and soldiers from both sides drag themselves to the nearest town to drink themselves into oblivion. Amongst these bedraggled revellers are the mercenaries that turned the tide of battle, only to shoot down their paymaster before leaving the rest to rot. This powder keg is lit by a killer stalking the streets, smashing the skulls of unbelievers on all sides.
Devens weaves his tale through multiple POVs interspersed with the history of the Fractured Kingdoms. Bayley brings them all to life masterfully, and the author’s succinct prose eases the switches, layering the story of the hunt for a killer between the agonies and aftermath of a war no one wearing the mud of the dank streets really wanted.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters, and would love to spend more time with those that survived. I highly recommend this grim novella, especially on audiobook.
This was a 4.5/5 but considering the superb narration it had to be rounded up!
Devens leads us through a tale of those at the sharp end of war. As the battle for the Fractured Kingdoms comes to a bloody, gore-filled end, the few nobles that survive abandon their soldiers to the unwelcome embrace of death. At that moment, the dregs of the battlefield are left to do as they will, and soldiers from both sides drag themselves to the nearest town to drink themselves into oblivion. Amongst these bedraggled revellers are the mercenaries that turned the tide of battle, only to shoot down their paymaster before leaving the rest to rot. This powder keg is lit by a killer stalking the streets, smashing the skulls of unbelievers on all sides.
Devens weaves his tale through multiple POVs interspersed with the history of the Fractured Kingdoms. Bayley brings them all to life masterfully, and the author’s succinct prose eases the switches, layering the story of the hunt for a killer between the agonies and aftermath of a war no one wearing the mud of the dank streets really wanted.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters, and would love to spend more time with those that survived. I highly recommend this grim novella, especially on audiobook.
This was a 4.5/5 but considering the superb narration it had to be rounded up!
July 4, 2025
Bloody, muddy, visceral poetry of war’s innate carnage.
If The Scroungers was a movie, its opening credits would fade in against a backdrop of blood-pooled boot prints as they stomped into rancid mud.
The first third of this book reads like a blood soaked 4D virtual reality experience of medieval warfare. Blades and blood come flying at the reader from all angles, bludgeoning, bruising, screaming torturous chaos until the bodies lay still and the carrion come out to eek survival from the ever-altered world.
Devens has an efficiency of words, as if counted by a jaded quarter master before handing them over to face the jagged frontline. Nothing is wasted but everything ends up discarded in the blood-pooled mud.
If The Scroungers was a movie, its opening credits would fade in against a backdrop of blood-pooled boot prints as they stomped into rancid mud.
The first third of this book reads like a blood soaked 4D virtual reality experience of medieval warfare. Blades and blood come flying at the reader from all angles, bludgeoning, bruising, screaming torturous chaos until the bodies lay still and the carrion come out to eek survival from the ever-altered world.
Devens has an efficiency of words, as if counted by a jaded quarter master before handing them over to face the jagged frontline. Nothing is wasted but everything ends up discarded in the blood-pooled mud.
November 8, 2025
Scroungers is the immediate aftermath of a hefty battle. Chaos reigns, the noble class are vilified and a mage rips through the remnants.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and can commend the performance by the narrator, as well as the mix of lyrics and prose made this an enjoyable afternoon for sure.
I listened to the audiobook version of this story and can commend the performance by the narrator, as well as the mix of lyrics and prose made this an enjoyable afternoon for sure.
October 13, 2025
An anti-war story set in a Medieval town, The Scroungers plays with a lot of really fun ideas. It’s a story told through many perspectives and vignettes, from characters on both sides of a disastrous battle and the events that follow. I like this kind of format, but it caused me to struggle to understand what was happening for some time, and made it tough to connect with the cast. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone seeking a quick Medieval fantasy read, but I can't help but feel like I wanted more from it. Full review on FanFiAddict.
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