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Empire of the Wolf #0.5
The Scour: An Empire of the Wolf novella
Fifteen years before the events of The Justice of Kings, Vonvalt and Bressinger investigate the imprisonment of a fellow justice for murder.
154 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2025
55 people are currently reading
1580 people want to read
About the author
Richard Swan
18 books1,704 followersRichard Swan is a critically acclaimed British genre writer. He is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Empire of the Wolf and Great Silence trilogies, as well as fiction for Black Library and Grimdark Magazine. His work has been translated into ten languages.
Richard is a qualified lawyer, and before writing full time spent ten years litigating multimillion pound commercial disputes in London. He currently lives in Sydney with his wife and three young sons.
For updates follow him at stonetemplelibrary.com.
Richard is a qualified lawyer, and before writing full time spent ten years litigating multimillion pound commercial disputes in London. He currently lives in Sydney with his wife and three young sons.
For updates follow him at stonetemplelibrary.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
December 27, 2025
My first Richard Swan read and it was a very good one.
It's a novella so the constricted space available naturally imposes some constraints. This is a murder mystery with a haunting and some necromancy thrown in for good measure. The focus is on the mystery rather than the inner workings of the characters, but that isn't to say they are cardboard cutouts, just that they're not the focus.
The mystery is compelling and Swan's writing is engaging, pulling the reader through. We follow two justices and their enforcer bringing the conquerer's justice to a recently subjugated outpost. Complications ensue!
I did notice that although he doesn't use the phrase "lousy with" many times, he does use it enough for me to have noticed. He also uses a colloquialism that I only just learned (during the felling of the 'famous' Hadrian's wall sycamore), namely "you/he/they don't have the minerals for that" - meaning the courage. Again, he only uses two or three times, but I noticed because it's the only other place I've ever seen it (might be used a lot up north). That's not a bad thing - adding local colour to the story - just wanted to mention it :)
The magic is not explained through some complicated system (hard magic system) but there was enough for me to go on and I'm fine with that softer (LotR-mode) approach. In addition to the action and crime-solving there was an underlying theme of who-judges-the-judges, and plenty of nice little epigraps from the law texts that train/direct would-be justices.
Our main character of the three point-of-view characters is a seemingly incorruptable stickler for process with little tolerance for the newly conquered population's suspicions of his bias.
There's not a great deal of emotional connection (for me) in the novella, but I still had a really good time with it because the character interactions were fun and the murder intriguing.
All in all, a great novella!
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It's a novella so the constricted space available naturally imposes some constraints. This is a murder mystery with a haunting and some necromancy thrown in for good measure. The focus is on the mystery rather than the inner workings of the characters, but that isn't to say they are cardboard cutouts, just that they're not the focus.
The mystery is compelling and Swan's writing is engaging, pulling the reader through. We follow two justices and their enforcer bringing the conquerer's justice to a recently subjugated outpost. Complications ensue!
I did notice that although he doesn't use the phrase "lousy with" many times, he does use it enough for me to have noticed. He also uses a colloquialism that I only just learned (during the felling of the 'famous' Hadrian's wall sycamore), namely "you/he/they don't have the minerals for that" - meaning the courage. Again, he only uses two or three times, but I noticed because it's the only other place I've ever seen it (might be used a lot up north). That's not a bad thing - adding local colour to the story - just wanted to mention it :)
The magic is not explained through some complicated system (hard magic system) but there was enough for me to go on and I'm fine with that softer (LotR-mode) approach. In addition to the action and crime-solving there was an underlying theme of who-judges-the-judges, and plenty of nice little epigraps from the law texts that train/direct would-be justices.
Our main character of the three point-of-view characters is a seemingly incorruptable stickler for process with little tolerance for the newly conquered population's suspicions of his bias.
There's not a great deal of emotional connection (for me) in the novella, but I still had a really good time with it because the character interactions were fun and the murder intriguing.
All in all, a great novella!
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Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
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October 24, 2025
I’m giving out 5⭐️ like candy this month 😄
The Scour could’ve easily been fan service with no substance, but I’m happy to say this is a strong novella with a compelling mystery unfolding. I should’ve expected nothing less from Swan!
Throughout the trilogy, we’ve seen Vonvalt have an almost unshakeable belief in a sense of “rightness”, especially when it comes to his own duties as a justice. In the Scour, we now have a younger Vonvalt whose idealism and belief in justice is even stronger, and it’s a stark contrast in a world where people and systems are incredibly fallible. There’s so many great moments in this novella, but the quieter, more contemplative scenes/conversations that speak to who Vonvalt is and has always been really shine. One of my favorites is Vonvalt needing to believe in the good the justices do because otherwise “what was it all for?”
I’ve always loved the themes in the Empire of the Wolf and how Swan expertly balances morality, corruption, and justice. This novella is a treat for any fan of the series, plus the return of 2 characters from the trilogy makes it even more special. Great read!
The Scour could’ve easily been fan service with no substance, but I’m happy to say this is a strong novella with a compelling mystery unfolding. I should’ve expected nothing less from Swan!
Throughout the trilogy, we’ve seen Vonvalt have an almost unshakeable belief in a sense of “rightness”, especially when it comes to his own duties as a justice. In the Scour, we now have a younger Vonvalt whose idealism and belief in justice is even stronger, and it’s a stark contrast in a world where people and systems are incredibly fallible. There’s so many great moments in this novella, but the quieter, more contemplative scenes/conversations that speak to who Vonvalt is and has always been really shine. One of my favorites is Vonvalt needing to believe in the good the justices do because otherwise “what was it all for?”
I’ve always loved the themes in the Empire of the Wolf and how Swan expertly balances morality, corruption, and justice. This novella is a treat for any fan of the series, plus the return of 2 characters from the trilogy makes it even more special. Great read!
September 15, 2025
I received a review copy of The Scour in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Grimdark Magazine and Richard Swan. Please note: I do write reviews infrequently for Grimdark Magazine, however, I have no involvement with the publishing elements of the magazine or website.
The Scour follows Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor's Justice, and his trusted bondsman, Bressinger. On his rounds as a detective, lawyer, executioner, magic-wielder, and necromancer, Vonvalt hears a worrying rumour. In the coastal and derelict town of Gdansburg, a fellow Justice has been arrested for the killing of a six-year-old boy. What awaits Vonvalt and Bressinger is mysterious indeed. None of the townsfolk are willing to assist in the investigation, and a seemingly haunted lighthouse looms over Gdansburg and the problematic events that have occurred there.
The Scour is a prequel to Swan's Empire of the Wolf trilogy. This novella follows two main characters from Swan's series, who readers first meet in The Justice of Kings. Personally, I have only read the first novel of the trilogy, and although there were some clever moments enhanced by my prior series knowledge, this book will work well as a standalone. In fact, I preferred my reading experience of The Scour to The Justice of Kings.
This novella is a dark fantasy and gothic horror murder mystery. It features trials and tribulations, ghost hunting, intense action, and humour within its 193 pages. Vonvalt is a great character and a joy to follow, and in The Scour, he is fifteen years younger than in The Justice of Kings. I envisaged him as being a mix of Geralt of Rivia and Sherlock Holmes. He is competent, intelligent, and moody with special gifts that include the Emperor's Voice. Interestingly, we witness some cracks in his resolve and competence, as he has not yet built up all the experiences and formidability showcased in the works that follow chronologically. The Scour is a great taster for seeing the presence and power of this world's Justices, specifically Vonvalt.
The banter between Vonvalt and Bressinger is top-notch and reminiscent of high-quality exchanges between fantasy book duos Geralt and Dandelion (The Witcher) and Hadrian and Royce (The Riyria Revelations). Additionally, the supporting characters are adequately fleshed out for this short tale, and it was a pleasure to see another key The Justice of Kings character within these pages.
The Scour is a well-written novella, and, although dialogue-heavy, it features great pacing. The build-up, investigation, suspenseful segments, and conclusion are all finely crafted. Furthermore, the outcome is fulfilling and believable within this fantasy world. I do adore the legal framework that Swan has created, however, one moment in the otherwise excellent trial scene seemed almost too convenient.
Writing-wise, the character dialogue exchanges are gripping, Swan admirably creates an uneasy atmosphere of foreboding and despair, and makes great use of focalisation as we slip into the minds of the main characters. Combined, these elements all enhance the drama and build up the stakes for some fine set pieces.
To conclude, The Scour is a strong and polished horror fantasy thriller that I rate as a 9/10. I would welcome more focused and sharp prequel novellas in the Empire of the Wolf universe, and this reading experience may have nudged me back onto picking up The Tyranny of Faith.
'Vonvalt stood in the centre of this rancid cocktail of unspent hate, trying to see and feel past what his body was telling him- which was to scream and run away as fast as he could.'
The Scour follows Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor's Justice, and his trusted bondsman, Bressinger. On his rounds as a detective, lawyer, executioner, magic-wielder, and necromancer, Vonvalt hears a worrying rumour. In the coastal and derelict town of Gdansburg, a fellow Justice has been arrested for the killing of a six-year-old boy. What awaits Vonvalt and Bressinger is mysterious indeed. None of the townsfolk are willing to assist in the investigation, and a seemingly haunted lighthouse looms over Gdansburg and the problematic events that have occurred there.
The Scour is a prequel to Swan's Empire of the Wolf trilogy. This novella follows two main characters from Swan's series, who readers first meet in The Justice of Kings. Personally, I have only read the first novel of the trilogy, and although there were some clever moments enhanced by my prior series knowledge, this book will work well as a standalone. In fact, I preferred my reading experience of The Scour to The Justice of Kings.
This novella is a dark fantasy and gothic horror murder mystery. It features trials and tribulations, ghost hunting, intense action, and humour within its 193 pages. Vonvalt is a great character and a joy to follow, and in The Scour, he is fifteen years younger than in The Justice of Kings. I envisaged him as being a mix of Geralt of Rivia and Sherlock Holmes. He is competent, intelligent, and moody with special gifts that include the Emperor's Voice. Interestingly, we witness some cracks in his resolve and competence, as he has not yet built up all the experiences and formidability showcased in the works that follow chronologically. The Scour is a great taster for seeing the presence and power of this world's Justices, specifically Vonvalt.
The banter between Vonvalt and Bressinger is top-notch and reminiscent of high-quality exchanges between fantasy book duos Geralt and Dandelion (The Witcher) and Hadrian and Royce (The Riyria Revelations). Additionally, the supporting characters are adequately fleshed out for this short tale, and it was a pleasure to see another key The Justice of Kings character within these pages.
The Scour is a well-written novella, and, although dialogue-heavy, it features great pacing. The build-up, investigation, suspenseful segments, and conclusion are all finely crafted. Furthermore, the outcome is fulfilling and believable within this fantasy world. I do adore the legal framework that Swan has created, however, one moment in the otherwise excellent trial scene seemed almost too convenient.
Writing-wise, the character dialogue exchanges are gripping, Swan admirably creates an uneasy atmosphere of foreboding and despair, and makes great use of focalisation as we slip into the minds of the main characters. Combined, these elements all enhance the drama and build up the stakes for some fine set pieces.
To conclude, The Scour is a strong and polished horror fantasy thriller that I rate as a 9/10. I would welcome more focused and sharp prequel novellas in the Empire of the Wolf universe, and this reading experience may have nudged me back onto picking up The Tyranny of Faith.
'Vonvalt stood in the centre of this rancid cocktail of unspent hate, trying to see and feel past what his body was telling him- which was to scream and run away as fast as he could.'
October 2, 2025
Shape-shifting, inappropriate jokes, necromancy, a spooky lighthouse, a murder mystery and Swan’s characteristic sharp-dialogue, moments of gravitas and a gothically-immersive world. This is the novella you NEED.
December 17, 2025
I have been extraordinarily amiss in posting this review. I was very kindly provided with an ARC of this and I swear I thought I had already written this, only to see now that I did not. My apologies to both the publisher and the author.
I would read an entire series of short novels about Vonvalt solving supernatural mysteries. 100%. This scratches that fantasy law-and-order vibes that appealed to so many people in JUSTICE OF KINGS. Here we have a younger and more rash Vonvalt, also without his assistant Helena. Its length forces it to move at a brisk pace, and neither any scene nor the overall mystery overstays its length. We need more of these.
I would read an entire series of short novels about Vonvalt solving supernatural mysteries. 100%. This scratches that fantasy law-and-order vibes that appealed to so many people in JUSTICE OF KINGS. Here we have a younger and more rash Vonvalt, also without his assistant Helena. Its length forces it to move at a brisk pace, and neither any scene nor the overall mystery overstays its length. We need more of these.
October 29, 2025
mind you i haven’t even finished the main series but this was just so much fun and so damn funny! it also helps that it was a quick read
October 31, 2025
They say careful what you wish for. But this novella is exactly what many people wanted, I'm sure. While I understand that Swan had loftier goals for the stakes of the series, I would have taken this lower stakes version of Vonvalt, Bressinger, and, later, Helena, just going through Sova, solving crimes and dispensing justice, with a dollop of necromancy and horror tropes to really get the blood tingling.
As a prequel, this novella is nice in that it does not try to explain a whole bunch of things that didn't need explaining from the original trilogy. Vonvalt doesn't turn to Bressinger near the end and say, "you see that orphan girl over there? mayhaps I should make her my clerk" with a wink to the audience. (although there is a cutsy line about this earlier). But the novella does do a good job of showing a background in how Vonvalt's thinking of Sova might be slowing changing in the background of his mind as he wrestles with his morals and the word of law.
As a prequel, this novella is nice in that it does not try to explain a whole bunch of things that didn't need explaining from the original trilogy. Vonvalt doesn't turn to Bressinger near the end and say, "you see that orphan girl over there? mayhaps I should make her my clerk" with a wink to the audience. (although there is a cutsy line about this earlier). But the novella does do a good job of showing a background in how Vonvalt's thinking of Sova might be slowing changing in the background of his mind as he wrestles with his morals and the word of law.
October 18, 2025
Review originally on JamReads
The Scour is a prequel novella to the Empire of the Wolf series, written by Richard Swan, published by Grimdark Magazine. A murder mystery set fifteen years before the main novels, following the earlier experiences of Konrad Vonvalt in a really atmospherical and full of intrigue story, while putting the emphasis on the nature of justice and if those that are in charge of administering it are also under its control.
Sir Konrad Vonvalt, Emperor's Justice, and his bondsman, Bressinger, hear rumours about a fellow Justice being imprisoned for the killing of a six-year-old boy in the coastal town of Gdansburg; what they find is a city where nobody is willing to assist in the investigation and a seemingly haunted lighthouse. However, there's more behind the appearances, and our duo will have to work hard to untangle this mess, especially to determine if the Justice is guilty, and how justice can be applied to an individual that already represents a powerful institution.
Despite this being a prequel, the reader can already expect Vonvalt to be a really proficient character, intelligent and with already access to gifts such as the Emperor's Voice; however, being fifteen years before the main series, he lacks the experience and the resolve, with his confidence sometimes showing cracks in this specific situation. His duo with Bressinger is already delightful, especially how the trust between both leads to wit and banter; Bressinger is the perfect complement to Vonvalt, even if sometimes you can see how their methods might clash.
The secondary cast is also well fleshed, supporting the plot and sometimes giving our characters a nudge in the correct direction.
The setting excellently fits this kind of dark fantasy novella, touching gothic elements, building an atmosphere that greatly immerses the reader while they follow the build-up, the investigation and the more tense moments. Swan's prose is really sharp, and combined with a heavy dialogue factor gives us a really adequate pacing to such a plot.
And the ending is simply perfect, really fitting of Sova (can't say more without spoiling).
The Scour is a perfect taster of what readers can find in the bigger Empire of the Wolf series, an excellent prequel novel that successfully mixes together murder mystery and gothic horror into a fantasy setting; if you haven't already, Richard Swan is an author that should be in your TBR.
The Scour is a prequel novella to the Empire of the Wolf series, written by Richard Swan, published by Grimdark Magazine. A murder mystery set fifteen years before the main novels, following the earlier experiences of Konrad Vonvalt in a really atmospherical and full of intrigue story, while putting the emphasis on the nature of justice and if those that are in charge of administering it are also under its control.
Sir Konrad Vonvalt, Emperor's Justice, and his bondsman, Bressinger, hear rumours about a fellow Justice being imprisoned for the killing of a six-year-old boy in the coastal town of Gdansburg; what they find is a city where nobody is willing to assist in the investigation and a seemingly haunted lighthouse. However, there's more behind the appearances, and our duo will have to work hard to untangle this mess, especially to determine if the Justice is guilty, and how justice can be applied to an individual that already represents a powerful institution.
Despite this being a prequel, the reader can already expect Vonvalt to be a really proficient character, intelligent and with already access to gifts such as the Emperor's Voice; however, being fifteen years before the main series, he lacks the experience and the resolve, with his confidence sometimes showing cracks in this specific situation. His duo with Bressinger is already delightful, especially how the trust between both leads to wit and banter; Bressinger is the perfect complement to Vonvalt, even if sometimes you can see how their methods might clash.
The secondary cast is also well fleshed, supporting the plot and sometimes giving our characters a nudge in the correct direction.
The setting excellently fits this kind of dark fantasy novella, touching gothic elements, building an atmosphere that greatly immerses the reader while they follow the build-up, the investigation and the more tense moments. Swan's prose is really sharp, and combined with a heavy dialogue factor gives us a really adequate pacing to such a plot.
And the ending is simply perfect, really fitting of Sova (can't say more without spoiling).
The Scour is a perfect taster of what readers can find in the bigger Empire of the Wolf series, an excellent prequel novel that successfully mixes together murder mystery and gothic horror into a fantasy setting; if you haven't already, Richard Swan is an author that should be in your TBR.
January 1, 2026
What a great novella to finish the year off with one of my favorite authors. I’ve always loved fantasy and horror and he does a good job of including elements of both although this particular story was more toned down than the others concerning horror.
This story follows Sir Konrad before the events of his first series. He travels to a distant city and finds a fellow Justice imprisoned by mere citizens who claim he murdered a boy. Konrad investigates this, with no help from mistrusting citizens, and the trail leads to a haunted lighthouse. The clues unfold something more sinister and Konrad will serve justice!
I highly recommend every book Swan has written and a comparative series I recommend is Son of the Black Sword by Larry Correia. Both of these series are exceptional!
This story follows Sir Konrad before the events of his first series. He travels to a distant city and finds a fellow Justice imprisoned by mere citizens who claim he murdered a boy. Konrad investigates this, with no help from mistrusting citizens, and the trail leads to a haunted lighthouse. The clues unfold something more sinister and Konrad will serve justice!
I highly recommend every book Swan has written and a comparative series I recommend is Son of the Black Sword by Larry Correia. Both of these series are exceptional!
September 12, 2025
“He was in a forest, but not one of trees. Here, hundreds of dead black arms jutted up from the ground, whilst a cold, powerful wind scoured the bleak landscape.”
Give me Richard Swan‘s razor sharp prose, a fantasy mixed with elements of horror and the supernatural, and give me our temperamental Konrad Vonvolt and I am one happy reader.
The Scour by Richard Swan is a prequel novella to truly satisfy those craving an early adventure with their favourite Justice and his foul-mouthed companion. What a treat this was!
When rumours of a haunted lighthouse and a Justice accused of murder in the merchant town of Gdansburg reach Konrad Vonvalt, he immediately decides he must go to investigate. Upon arrival it is clear that the once thriving town has become an unsettled, derelict and barren place. The few townsfolk remaining are uncooperative, cagey and distrustful. Something malevolent has happened here and it’s left to Konrad Vonvalt to uncover the truth.
Right from the onset I was so pleased to be back with some of my most favourite characters from Empire of the Wolf trilogy—yes Vonvalt is certainly at the forefront but this time around so is Dubine Bressinger and Justice Resi August. The banter between Bressinger and Vonvalt was as witty, crude and highly entertaining as I expected. Bressinger as always was his filthy, gruff and straight to the point self, his rather vulgar manner always grates on Vonvalt causing some pretty hilarious and testy dialogue between them. Yet they can’t do without each other, they always have each other’s back and in this case Bressinger is even willing to spend a night in a haunted lighthouse with Vonvalt, even though he fears it immensely. Now that is a true bromance!
We also get a perspective from Justice Resi August who I was so pleased had some time to shine. Resi's ability to shift into any animal’s mind has always fascinated me and to see this done firsthand was a welcomed addition. August and Vonvalt’s relationship gripped me too, their longing for each other, their need, but never being able to fully commit because their lives as Justices meant a life of always traveling the Sovan Empire was well portrayed. The way August could always weather Vonvalt’s explosive temper and make him see reason, make him see things differently, really shows through in this novella.
“There was nothing quite like Vonvalt in a fury. He was like a storm.
Like the Scour.”
One of the most prevalent themes throughout this novella was whether those that enforce the law are also accountable when they break the law. Swan spends much time focusing on the ‘Sovan Criminal Code’ in the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter, giving us a further insight into the role of a Justice. Swan then goes on to debate this issue superbly and here is where Vonvalt’s character really comes into play as he has always been a stickler for following rules and obeying the law but he’s also been known to go by his own moral code, his own ideals, which may not always adhere to those laws. Vonvalt is in a rather precarious situation in The Scour because the townsfolk do not believe that a Justice accused of murder would be trialled as fairly and would receive the same harsh punishment as a commoner would. Therefore they take the law into their own hands and Vonvalt has a hard time keeping the peace and also making sure the law is upheld. By the end the reader is left judging whether Vonvalt did the right thing and I absolutely loved that.
I won’t go into detail about the plot but I will say I was thoroughly impressed with how Swan once again merged supernatural horrors into a fantasy world. I feel this truly gives Swan’s books a unique edge and in this novella I loved how both the narratives of the haunted lighthouse and the murder mystery played out. There was enough puzzlement and enough creepy scenes to keep me compelled throughout and even though the revelations were not at all what I was quite expecting, I appreciated how thought-provoking it all was.
ARC provided by Richard Swan and Grimdark Magazine. Thank you for the copy! All quotes used are from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
The Scour is out 20th October 2025
Give me Richard Swan‘s razor sharp prose, a fantasy mixed with elements of horror and the supernatural, and give me our temperamental Konrad Vonvolt and I am one happy reader.
The Scour by Richard Swan is a prequel novella to truly satisfy those craving an early adventure with their favourite Justice and his foul-mouthed companion. What a treat this was!
When rumours of a haunted lighthouse and a Justice accused of murder in the merchant town of Gdansburg reach Konrad Vonvalt, he immediately decides he must go to investigate. Upon arrival it is clear that the once thriving town has become an unsettled, derelict and barren place. The few townsfolk remaining are uncooperative, cagey and distrustful. Something malevolent has happened here and it’s left to Konrad Vonvalt to uncover the truth.
Right from the onset I was so pleased to be back with some of my most favourite characters from Empire of the Wolf trilogy—yes Vonvalt is certainly at the forefront but this time around so is Dubine Bressinger and Justice Resi August. The banter between Bressinger and Vonvalt was as witty, crude and highly entertaining as I expected. Bressinger as always was his filthy, gruff and straight to the point self, his rather vulgar manner always grates on Vonvalt causing some pretty hilarious and testy dialogue between them. Yet they can’t do without each other, they always have each other’s back and in this case Bressinger is even willing to spend a night in a haunted lighthouse with Vonvalt, even though he fears it immensely. Now that is a true bromance!
We also get a perspective from Justice Resi August who I was so pleased had some time to shine. Resi's ability to shift into any animal’s mind has always fascinated me and to see this done firsthand was a welcomed addition. August and Vonvalt’s relationship gripped me too, their longing for each other, their need, but never being able to fully commit because their lives as Justices meant a life of always traveling the Sovan Empire was well portrayed. The way August could always weather Vonvalt’s explosive temper and make him see reason, make him see things differently, really shows through in this novella.
“There was nothing quite like Vonvalt in a fury. He was like a storm.
Like the Scour.”
One of the most prevalent themes throughout this novella was whether those that enforce the law are also accountable when they break the law. Swan spends much time focusing on the ‘Sovan Criminal Code’ in the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter, giving us a further insight into the role of a Justice. Swan then goes on to debate this issue superbly and here is where Vonvalt’s character really comes into play as he has always been a stickler for following rules and obeying the law but he’s also been known to go by his own moral code, his own ideals, which may not always adhere to those laws. Vonvalt is in a rather precarious situation in The Scour because the townsfolk do not believe that a Justice accused of murder would be trialled as fairly and would receive the same harsh punishment as a commoner would. Therefore they take the law into their own hands and Vonvalt has a hard time keeping the peace and also making sure the law is upheld. By the end the reader is left judging whether Vonvalt did the right thing and I absolutely loved that.
I won’t go into detail about the plot but I will say I was thoroughly impressed with how Swan once again merged supernatural horrors into a fantasy world. I feel this truly gives Swan’s books a unique edge and in this novella I loved how both the narratives of the haunted lighthouse and the murder mystery played out. There was enough puzzlement and enough creepy scenes to keep me compelled throughout and even though the revelations were not at all what I was quite expecting, I appreciated how thought-provoking it all was.
ARC provided by Richard Swan and Grimdark Magazine. Thank you for the copy! All quotes used are from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
The Scour is out 20th October 2025
July 28, 2025
4.5/5
“There was something about being told so directly, so plainly, about such systemic malfeasance that shocked him. Worse, that he was expected to be complicit with it.”
This 143-page novella is everything I’d hoped for in an Empire of The Wolf prequel. It takes place prior to the events of the first novel and travels with Vonvalt, Bressinger, and August as they investigate the imprisonment of a fellow Imperial Justice. Along the way there’s a mysterious murder investigation, a dilapidated haunted lighthouse, and of course a creepy seance and some necromancy.
I forgot how much I enjoy the colorful characters of Vonvalt and Bressinger, they are just so richly developed. Like Swan’s previous Empire books, each of the thirteen chapters features a quote from a reference book for Justices, this one being “The Sovan Criminal Code.” I love the world of the Sovan Empire that Richard Swan has created and this novella is a fabulous extension of it.
“There was something about being told so directly, so plainly, about such systemic malfeasance that shocked him. Worse, that he was expected to be complicit with it.”
This 143-page novella is everything I’d hoped for in an Empire of The Wolf prequel. It takes place prior to the events of the first novel and travels with Vonvalt, Bressinger, and August as they investigate the imprisonment of a fellow Imperial Justice. Along the way there’s a mysterious murder investigation, a dilapidated haunted lighthouse, and of course a creepy seance and some necromancy.
I forgot how much I enjoy the colorful characters of Vonvalt and Bressinger, they are just so richly developed. Like Swan’s previous Empire books, each of the thirteen chapters features a quote from a reference book for Justices, this one being “The Sovan Criminal Code.” I love the world of the Sovan Empire that Richard Swan has created and this novella is a fabulous extension of it.
December 27, 2025
Okay so I was quite nervous to pick up The Scour because The Justice of Kings didn't work as well for me as it seems to for so many others, but I always wondered if that was more a timing/mood problem than a book problem. So, I decided this prequel novella would be a great way to give Swan a second chance and test how I really jive with his storytelling, and holy smokes, did this just blow all my expectations out of the water!
I've been in a bit of a dark fantasy slump recently, but this totally made me remember why I fell in love with the grimdark genre in the first place. We get to follow a younger Vonvalt and Bressinger solving a supernatural murder (?) mystery in the coastal town of Gdansburg with its supposedly haunted lighthouse, and I was truly living for the gothic horror murder mystery dark fantasy vibes of it all.
Swan does a great job of balancing the supernatural horrors with the human horrors and the depravity with the dark humour, which in combination with the razor-sharp prose just makes the thematic core of this story hit so well. I am still not sure if I really like Vonvalt as a main character, but there is no denying that he is one hell of a complex and intriguingly complicated man.
I am very glad I gave this novella a shot despite my apprehension, because I enjoyed it so much that it totally rekindled my interest in going back to the main series to give book 1 a second chance and hopefully binge it out. Highly recommend this as an entry point into the series or just as a nice little extra treat for established fans, it's a great one-day read full of grim delights.
I've been in a bit of a dark fantasy slump recently, but this totally made me remember why I fell in love with the grimdark genre in the first place. We get to follow a younger Vonvalt and Bressinger solving a supernatural murder (?) mystery in the coastal town of Gdansburg with its supposedly haunted lighthouse, and I was truly living for the gothic horror murder mystery dark fantasy vibes of it all.
Swan does a great job of balancing the supernatural horrors with the human horrors and the depravity with the dark humour, which in combination with the razor-sharp prose just makes the thematic core of this story hit so well. I am still not sure if I really like Vonvalt as a main character, but there is no denying that he is one hell of a complex and intriguingly complicated man.
I am very glad I gave this novella a shot despite my apprehension, because I enjoyed it so much that it totally rekindled my interest in going back to the main series to give book 1 a second chance and hopefully binge it out. Highly recommend this as an entry point into the series or just as a nice little extra treat for established fans, it's a great one-day read full of grim delights.
Want to read
February 5, 2025Please do TELL me that I am not dreaming
and I don't have a heart attack
and this is Konrad before The Justice of Kings
IAM crying
Me more than a year before
and I don't have a heart attack
and this is Konrad before The Justice of Kings
IAM crying
Me more than a year before
January 2, 2026
To 2026, I say, "Let us be about it," so I picked up this little novella I've been anxiously awaiting and finally landed in my hands. It felt so good to be back in Richard Swan's world and with Vonvault and Bressinger.
The Scour is a prequel novella to the Empire of the Wolf trilogy following the earlier adventures of two of the main characters of that trilogy, the aforementioned Konrad Vonvault and Dubine Bressinger. I hesitate to recommend this novella without having read the trilogy but that might be hasty of me. I'm sure it's a solid introduction, but I appreciated the way this felt like catching up with two old friends. However, Vonvault is... sterner and harsher, younger and still learning. I almost fear if you dont know the man he becomes, this younger version is unlikeable.
However, I myself, am an avid fan of Richard Swan and his Sovan Empire stories amd so I adored this. I appreciated the view of who Vonvault was. It offers an interesting look at the character and a bit more to his motivations in the later trilogy. Honestly, just go read Empire of the Wolf because it's amazing. Then, when you're missing the characters, you can come and read this one. I really hope we get more of these novellas.
The Scour is a prequel novella to the Empire of the Wolf trilogy following the earlier adventures of two of the main characters of that trilogy, the aforementioned Konrad Vonvault and Dubine Bressinger. I hesitate to recommend this novella without having read the trilogy but that might be hasty of me. I'm sure it's a solid introduction, but I appreciated the way this felt like catching up with two old friends. However, Vonvault is... sterner and harsher, younger and still learning. I almost fear if you dont know the man he becomes, this younger version is unlikeable.
However, I myself, am an avid fan of Richard Swan and his Sovan Empire stories amd so I adored this. I appreciated the view of who Vonvault was. It offers an interesting look at the character and a bit more to his motivations in the later trilogy. Honestly, just go read Empire of the Wolf because it's amazing. Then, when you're missing the characters, you can come and read this one. I really hope we get more of these novellas.
August 20, 2025
Fans of Empire of the Wolf are going to love The Scour, exploring the earlier experiences of the formidable Konrad Vonvalt.
A delightfully dark tale of magic, mystery and monstrous actions. This novella is packed with atmosphere and intrigue as the Emperor's Justice brings the law to a run-down town. When a fellow Justice is accused of murder most foul, and imprisoned by the locals, it falls to Konrad Vonvalt and Bressinger to determine the truth of the matter, when nobody is talking, the lighthouse is haunted, and the town's sheriff is already dead and his ledgers missing.
A delightfully dark tale of magic, mystery and monstrous actions. This novella is packed with atmosphere and intrigue as the Emperor's Justice brings the law to a run-down town. When a fellow Justice is accused of murder most foul, and imprisoned by the locals, it falls to Konrad Vonvalt and Bressinger to determine the truth of the matter, when nobody is talking, the lighthouse is haunted, and the town's sheriff is already dead and his ledgers missing.
September 20, 2025
Full RTC
August 20, 2025
Richard Swan you son of a bitch you did it again. Why do you tease me so with only one short story about our favourite Justice???? I demand more, a collection, a series perhaps hahaha can't you just write more for me??? Specifically for me, and no one else. 😈😈😈
The story was compelling, the characters are my favourite and the plot was juicy. I loved this glimpse into the early days of our dynamic duo.
The story was compelling, the characters are my favourite and the plot was juicy. I loved this glimpse into the early days of our dynamic duo.
September 4, 2025
Initial Impressions
I actually own Richard Swan’s Empire of the Wolf trilogy and I’ve been meaning to get around to it for ages.
So in the middle of a reading slump, the arrival of Swan’s prequel novella was the perfect opportunity to potentially turn around the reading malaise and reignite those burners. And boy did it deliver.
Highlights
I can assure anyone that you absolutely do not have to have read any of Swan’s previous work to appreciate and enjoy this. I have no idea if there were any Easter eggs I missed, but I never felt like there was any prior knowledge I would have benefitted from at all.
I suspect it may even elevate my reading experience of The Justice of Kings having now read this and getting some prior context to some of the characters.
The character of Konrad Vonvalt is really well written, as are all the characters. You could suspect that an Imperial Magistrate (or Justice) – someone who basically circuits the land, dealing with disputes, applying the letter of the law and dispensing justice could be a bit of a square. And Vonvalt is actually very serious about what he does, a stickler for following the correct procedures. Yet he’s written so well – with self doubt, desires, pride and just enough emotion, that you can’t help but warm to him and really respect his character. His taskman, Bressinger is the less brooding, more rash and impulsive yet still very competent comrade, who provides a little comedy here and there. Of course, if you’ve already been reading the Justice of Kings, you probably already know all this.
The writing is tight and the prose flows so easily I was lost in the pages. If I had more time I could very easily have curled up in a comfy spot and read all this in an afternoon. What struck me is that this isn’t action heavy like I usually enjoy the most, yet the dialogue was so captivating that I found it just as easy to read as something with sword fights or dragons all the way through.
The plot is a classic murder mystery with supernatural elements, which worked really well. It also serves to give us some insight into the world and how parts of the empire see its rule and representatives. Our protagonists must navigate the challenges of maintaining control in a run down port whose residents are opposed to them. I really enjoyed Vonvalt’s methods of dealing with these altercations and his thinking behind the decisions he makes.
Richard Swan is a qualified lawyer and this shone through with the attention to the laws of The Sovan Criminal Code, a small piece of advice to practitioners at the start of every chapter and the focus on examining the nature of power and justice, which made this book both exciting and thought provoking.
Considerations
I’d usually use this section to consider what elements might not work for some readers or bits I’d maybe change or question, but I honestly can’t think even of any constructive criticism I could offer. It’s one of the best novellas I’ve read, perhaps the very best.
Final Thoughts
The Scour pulled me with force straight out of a reading slump, making me take the book to work, and to give that ‘one more chapter’ feel every single time. I can’t wait to read the full trilogy now, it was a real pleasure.
thanks so much to Adrian at Grimdark Magazine for including me in the list of lucky ARC recipients! this does not impact the content of my review
I actually own Richard Swan’s Empire of the Wolf trilogy and I’ve been meaning to get around to it for ages.
So in the middle of a reading slump, the arrival of Swan’s prequel novella was the perfect opportunity to potentially turn around the reading malaise and reignite those burners. And boy did it deliver.
Highlights
I can assure anyone that you absolutely do not have to have read any of Swan’s previous work to appreciate and enjoy this. I have no idea if there were any Easter eggs I missed, but I never felt like there was any prior knowledge I would have benefitted from at all.
I suspect it may even elevate my reading experience of The Justice of Kings having now read this and getting some prior context to some of the characters.
The character of Konrad Vonvalt is really well written, as are all the characters. You could suspect that an Imperial Magistrate (or Justice) – someone who basically circuits the land, dealing with disputes, applying the letter of the law and dispensing justice could be a bit of a square. And Vonvalt is actually very serious about what he does, a stickler for following the correct procedures. Yet he’s written so well – with self doubt, desires, pride and just enough emotion, that you can’t help but warm to him and really respect his character. His taskman, Bressinger is the less brooding, more rash and impulsive yet still very competent comrade, who provides a little comedy here and there. Of course, if you’ve already been reading the Justice of Kings, you probably already know all this.
The writing is tight and the prose flows so easily I was lost in the pages. If I had more time I could very easily have curled up in a comfy spot and read all this in an afternoon. What struck me is that this isn’t action heavy like I usually enjoy the most, yet the dialogue was so captivating that I found it just as easy to read as something with sword fights or dragons all the way through.
The plot is a classic murder mystery with supernatural elements, which worked really well. It also serves to give us some insight into the world and how parts of the empire see its rule and representatives. Our protagonists must navigate the challenges of maintaining control in a run down port whose residents are opposed to them. I really enjoyed Vonvalt’s methods of dealing with these altercations and his thinking behind the decisions he makes.
Richard Swan is a qualified lawyer and this shone through with the attention to the laws of The Sovan Criminal Code, a small piece of advice to practitioners at the start of every chapter and the focus on examining the nature of power and justice, which made this book both exciting and thought provoking.
Considerations
I’d usually use this section to consider what elements might not work for some readers or bits I’d maybe change or question, but I honestly can’t think even of any constructive criticism I could offer. It’s one of the best novellas I’ve read, perhaps the very best.
Final Thoughts
The Scour pulled me with force straight out of a reading slump, making me take the book to work, and to give that ‘one more chapter’ feel every single time. I can’t wait to read the full trilogy now, it was a real pleasure.
thanks so much to Adrian at Grimdark Magazine for including me in the list of lucky ARC recipients! this does not impact the content of my review
November 22, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
Una novella che propone, in maniera condensata e molto ben studiata, tutte le caratteristiche fondamentali dei romanzi di Swan: murder mystery, necromanzia e un mondo oscuro.
Entriamo (finalmente!) nella testa dei personaggi più carismatici della trilogia originale, qui riproposti più giovani ma perfettamente riconoscibili per quello che diventeranno in futuro. Tra dilemmi morali, un viaggio nel regno dei morti e dialoghi affilati, le 150 pagine di questa storia breve scorrono con estremo piacere.
Un'opera perfetta, tra l'altro, per dare una possibilità all'autore senza impegnarsi in una saga più lunga (anche se dubito la vedremo mai in italiano... ma possiamo sempre sperare).
Una novella che propone, in maniera condensata e molto ben studiata, tutte le caratteristiche fondamentali dei romanzi di Swan: murder mystery, necromanzia e un mondo oscuro.
Entriamo (finalmente!) nella testa dei personaggi più carismatici della trilogia originale, qui riproposti più giovani ma perfettamente riconoscibili per quello che diventeranno in futuro. Tra dilemmi morali, un viaggio nel regno dei morti e dialoghi affilati, le 150 pagine di questa storia breve scorrono con estremo piacere.
Un'opera perfetta, tra l'altro, per dare una possibilità all'autore senza impegnarsi in una saga più lunga (anche se dubito la vedremo mai in italiano... ma possiamo sempre sperare).
Want to read
February 8, 2025MY BABIES ARE COMING BACK OMG
October 22, 2025
I want to extend my thanks to Adrien Collins and Grimdark Magazine for making this happen because I really wanted to get back to this characters. Saving the world is fine, but I just wanted more of Vonvalt just traveling and doing his regular Justice work and more of Bressinger being Bressinger.
The Scour opens with Konrad and Bressinger traveling to Gdansburg, old Grozodan coast town, now under the authority of Sovan Empire. There is a rumor about a haunted lighthouse and the townsfolk arrested a Justice.
Compared to the main trilogy that was written from the point of view of Helena, this novella is sharing it between main characters. And let me tell you, this is the Konrad at his most pompous, most arrogant and selfrighteous. The deconstruction of his character is my favorite thing about this series, so not depicted through the rose-tinted lenses, you see that there was always a danger he would go the path he ended up going at the end. I hope more novellas are on the way that will pull Vonvalt from his high horse to a version we finally meet in The Justice of Kings. I really liked where the investigation led because it touched upon some interesting things about the whole legal and governing process of Sovan Empire. Since I practice law for a living, the legal conundrums, procedure and pedantry of trials Konrad perform is just fun to read. The way I cackled when I read beatings in vinculis...
I loved being back to the world and characters I already liked and I would love to see more of these small scale Justice work novellas.
Per info from Grimdark Magazine who acquired the rights for this novella, it's set fifteen years before the events of trilogy and will feature Vonvalt and our favorite fixer, who kicks criminals just as hard as he kicks himself, Bressinger, and it will be a dark fantasy police procedural.
And apparently it's first of several novellas? Many? Honestly, Mr Swan, just give us his case history and throw in his Legion years as far as I am concerned.
The Scour opens with Konrad and Bressinger traveling to Gdansburg, old Grozodan coast town, now under the authority of Sovan Empire. There is a rumor about a haunted lighthouse and the townsfolk arrested a Justice.
Compared to the main trilogy that was written from the point of view of Helena, this novella is sharing it between main characters. And let me tell you, this is the Konrad at his most pompous, most arrogant and selfrighteous. The deconstruction of his character is my favorite thing about this series, so not depicted through the rose-tinted lenses, you see that there was always a danger he would go the path he ended up going at the end. I hope more novellas are on the way that will pull Vonvalt from his high horse to a version we finally meet in The Justice of Kings. I really liked where the investigation led because it touched upon some interesting things about the whole legal and governing process of Sovan Empire. Since I practice law for a living, the legal conundrums, procedure and pedantry of trials Konrad perform is just fun to read. The way I cackled when I read beatings in vinculis...
I loved being back to the world and characters I already liked and I would love to see more of these small scale Justice work novellas.
Per info from Grimdark Magazine who acquired the rights for this novella, it's set fifteen years before the events of trilogy and will feature Vonvalt and our favorite fixer, who kicks criminals just as hard as he kicks himself, Bressinger, and it will be a dark fantasy police procedural.
And apparently it's first of several novellas? Many? Honestly, Mr Swan, just give us his case history and throw in his Legion years as far as I am concerned.
November 7, 2025
5/5 stars.
This novella definitely brings back the murder mystery vibes of the first book, along with that eerie fantasy horror vibe. While the main Empire of the Wolf series eventually leans into a kind of religious horror, The Scour stays more grounded and keeps the mystery as the main focus.
The plot kicks off with Justice Sir Konrad Vonvalt being informed that another Justice has been arrested in the town of Gdansburg. If you’ve read the main series, you already know what Justices are: they serve as judge, jury, and executioners for the Empire, and possess arcane powers such as the ability to speak with the dead. Gdansburg has recently come under Sovan control, and Vonvalt is disturbed that the townsfolk have taken it upon themselves to arrest a Justice, lawkeepers of the empire, for murder. His job of investigating the matter is complicated by the fact that the townspeople don’t trust him. They see Justices as witches and believe he’s come to free his peer, not to uphold the law. Many believe he is there to interfere with what they see as justice, which is the execution of the accused.
What at first seems like a story about murder and mob rule soon reveals something more sinister and unsettling. The town has been in decline for several years, and that decay may be tied to something supernatural connected to the alleged crime.
I will say that one of the things I really appreciated the most reading this story was the commentary on the nature of law: who it protects, who it fails, and how people can be deeply suspicious of those who enforce it. And in many cases, that suspicion is absolutely justified. The novella does a great job of showing how the law should be used to protect the people, not just preserve the power of the elite. These themes are woven throughout the plot and add another layer to the story.
Characters: Familiar characters return here, including Vonvalt, Resi August, and Dubine Bressinger. Since this is a prequel, we are seeing them in their younger years before the events of the main series. I actually enjoyed their relationships even more in this story than in the main series. Vonvalt and Dubine’s banter had me in stitches, and Vonvalt’s dynamic with Resi felt more believable and emotionally developed in this novella (impressive considering its length!).
Vonvalt continues to be one of my favorite kinds of characters. He’s rigid and inflexible when it comes to the law, but he clearly cares about his friends. He lashes out at times, but that made him feel more realistic and less Gary Sue to me. He’s the kind of polarizing figure readers will either love or hate. Personally, I feel the same way about him as I do about El from The Scholomance series. He may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he's absolutely mine.
Pacing: I was hooked right from the beginning. For a novella, the pacing was excellent and held my attention all the way through. The plot (re: the murder mystery) kept me guessing all the way until the end.
I would recommend this novella to:
- Fans of the Empire of the Wolf trilogy (obviously)
- Readers who liked the mystery in The Tainted Cup/A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett, but would like something a bit more fantasy than sci-fi
- Lovers of murder mysteries in general
This novella definitely brings back the murder mystery vibes of the first book, along with that eerie fantasy horror vibe. While the main Empire of the Wolf series eventually leans into a kind of religious horror, The Scour stays more grounded and keeps the mystery as the main focus.
The plot kicks off with Justice Sir Konrad Vonvalt being informed that another Justice has been arrested in the town of Gdansburg. If you’ve read the main series, you already know what Justices are: they serve as judge, jury, and executioners for the Empire, and possess arcane powers such as the ability to speak with the dead. Gdansburg has recently come under Sovan control, and Vonvalt is disturbed that the townsfolk have taken it upon themselves to arrest a Justice, lawkeepers of the empire, for murder. His job of investigating the matter is complicated by the fact that the townspeople don’t trust him. They see Justices as witches and believe he’s come to free his peer, not to uphold the law. Many believe he is there to interfere with what they see as justice, which is the execution of the accused.
What at first seems like a story about murder and mob rule soon reveals something more sinister and unsettling. The town has been in decline for several years, and that decay may be tied to something supernatural connected to the alleged crime.
I will say that one of the things I really appreciated the most reading this story was the commentary on the nature of law: who it protects, who it fails, and how people can be deeply suspicious of those who enforce it. And in many cases, that suspicion is absolutely justified. The novella does a great job of showing how the law should be used to protect the people, not just preserve the power of the elite. These themes are woven throughout the plot and add another layer to the story.
Characters: Familiar characters return here, including Vonvalt, Resi August, and Dubine Bressinger. Since this is a prequel, we are seeing them in their younger years before the events of the main series. I actually enjoyed their relationships even more in this story than in the main series. Vonvalt and Dubine’s banter had me in stitches, and Vonvalt’s dynamic with Resi felt more believable and emotionally developed in this novella (impressive considering its length!).
Vonvalt continues to be one of my favorite kinds of characters. He’s rigid and inflexible when it comes to the law, but he clearly cares about his friends. He lashes out at times, but that made him feel more realistic and less Gary Sue to me. He’s the kind of polarizing figure readers will either love or hate. Personally, I feel the same way about him as I do about El from The Scholomance series. He may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he's absolutely mine.
Pacing: I was hooked right from the beginning. For a novella, the pacing was excellent and held my attention all the way through. The plot (re: the murder mystery) kept me guessing all the way until the end.
I would recommend this novella to:
- Fans of the Empire of the Wolf trilogy (obviously)
- Readers who liked the mystery in The Tainted Cup/A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett, but would like something a bit more fantasy than sci-fi
- Lovers of murder mysteries in general
August 28, 2025
I absolutely love this world and was so happy to be given a chance to dive in again with this prequel story. Vonvalt, August and of course, Bressinger are together for a murder mystery with arcane forces muddying the waters.
I love that Richard is always willing to go where the story need to go...as dark and twisted as it sometimes gets. It's all tight, concise writing with characters that are flawed and on the edge of darkness themselves. Breaking rules comes with the Justice life.
There is sadness to this story too and that is also handled with care and respect.
Swan can do no wrong in my book so easy 5 stars.
I love that Richard is always willing to go where the story need to go...as dark and twisted as it sometimes gets. It's all tight, concise writing with characters that are flawed and on the edge of darkness themselves. Breaking rules comes with the Justice life.
There is sadness to this story too and that is also handled with care and respect.
Swan can do no wrong in my book so easy 5 stars.
October 26, 2025
I absolutely love this universe and I really loved this novella.
Here’s to hoping we get more of these short stories from Swan.
Here’s to hoping we get more of these short stories from Swan.
Currently reading
May 17, 2025I need this now! I loved Empire of the Wolf, now we are getting prequel novellas? Yes please!
November 6, 2025
4.5 stelle
È sempre un gran piacere tornare insieme a Vonvalt nel suo Impero dei Lupi, e soprattutto ritrovare le stesse sensazioni noir-gotiche del primo romanzo.. Swan riesce a creare grandi ambienti con poche parole, e anche qua le scure scogliere battute dalle onde in tempesta, il faro infestato, il paese misterioso.. tutto è eccezionale..
Ritrovare poi un Bressinger spumeggiante e punzecchioso mi ha divertito davvero tanto.. un po' mi è mancata Helena, ma la presenza di August riempie la mancanza perfettamente..
La mezza stella in meno è per la risoluzione del mistero, troppo rapida e troppo poco approfondita per come l'avrei voluta e per come si sarebbe prestata.. Ma resta una novella notevole!! Spero presto in altre della serie..
È sempre un gran piacere tornare insieme a Vonvalt nel suo Impero dei Lupi, e soprattutto ritrovare le stesse sensazioni noir-gotiche del primo romanzo.. Swan riesce a creare grandi ambienti con poche parole, e anche qua le scure scogliere battute dalle onde in tempesta, il faro infestato, il paese misterioso.. tutto è eccezionale..
Ritrovare poi un Bressinger spumeggiante e punzecchioso mi ha divertito davvero tanto.. un po' mi è mancata Helena, ma la presenza di August riempie la mancanza perfettamente..
La mezza stella in meno è per la risoluzione del mistero, troppo rapida e troppo poco approfondita per come l'avrei voluta e per come si sarebbe prestata.. Ma resta una novella notevole!! Spero presto in altre della serie..
December 29, 2025
4,5 stars
The scour is a short novel in the universe of the empire of the wolf by Richard Swan.
The story took place fifteen years before the events of Justice of kings, Sir Konrad Vonvalt is a young justice touring with his faithful Bressinger in a nascent sova empire.
When he heard the news that a peer justice had been arrested in a provincial town he hasten to unravel the case.
Unknown to him this case will change his mindset about his values and the very foundation of the empire of the wolf…
After reading the trilogy of empire of the wolf it was a great pleasure to go back with Sir Konrad and leaned more about him about his motivations. The story is short but the plot is well managed and leave us yearning for more.
This story can be read before the Justice of kings and might give the reader the impulse of reading the whole trilogy.
The scour is a short novel in the universe of the empire of the wolf by Richard Swan.
The story took place fifteen years before the events of Justice of kings, Sir Konrad Vonvalt is a young justice touring with his faithful Bressinger in a nascent sova empire.
When he heard the news that a peer justice had been arrested in a provincial town he hasten to unravel the case.
Unknown to him this case will change his mindset about his values and the very foundation of the empire of the wolf…
After reading the trilogy of empire of the wolf it was a great pleasure to go back with Sir Konrad and leaned more about him about his motivations. The story is short but the plot is well managed and leave us yearning for more.
This story can be read before the Justice of kings and might give the reader the impulse of reading the whole trilogy.
October 24, 2025
It is so great to be back with Vonvalt and Bressinger. I didn’t realize how much I missed them until I started reading this. Thanks to Grimdark Magazine and Richard Swan for creating this novella. I hope there are more to come!
If you have read the Empire of the Wolf trilogy, then you definitely need to read this novella. If you haven’t read Empire of the Wolf, you need to read it ASAP. Fantasy/horror/mystery. Just so good!
Everything by Richard Swan is highly recommended.
If you have read the Empire of the Wolf trilogy, then you definitely need to read this novella. If you haven’t read Empire of the Wolf, you need to read it ASAP. Fantasy/horror/mystery. Just so good!
Everything by Richard Swan is highly recommended.
November 1, 2025
This was a fantastic short read that was everything I wanted from an Empire of the Wolf novella. I always love getting taken back into the creepy, captivating, horrifying world that is the Sovan Empire. If you’ve read the Empire of the Wolf trilogy, and enjoyed the mystery plots in that series, this story will work for you. Getting to read a story of a case early on in Vonvalt’s career gave me a much better understanding of why he is the Justice he is in the main trilogy, and I loved that. Richard Swan is incredibly gifted, and is doing things with his writing that is so unique. The way he blends fantasy with eldritch horror pulls me in every single time. I can’t wait to read more of his work!
January 6, 2026
Page 81: "I have a bad feeling about this."
"This was a place of desolate stillness and silence, a place where sound seemed like a foreign concept"
There's a scene in the book that will shape Konrad's decision in the beginning of the first book which is hugely important.
Empire of the Wolf. Probably the best fantasy series I've ever read.
"This was a place of desolate stillness and silence, a place where sound seemed like a foreign concept"
There's a scene in the book that will shape Konrad's decision in the beginning of the first book which is hugely important.
Empire of the Wolf. Probably the best fantasy series I've ever read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews