Beneath The Ashen Sky: A Grimdark Fantasy of Blood, Ruin, and Redemption

by T.L. Bellia

When the small town of Drassox is massacred in a sudden, ruthless attack, veteran captain Lothar finds himself thrust into an impossible protector of Kael, a quiet, wide-eyed boy with a mysterious past-and a terrifying future.



Hunted by a ruthless holy order intent on exterminating all the children in the area and haunted by prophetic dreams it becomes clear Kael is no ordinary child. As they flee deeper into the wilderness, Lothar must confront dark forces far beyond mortal reckoning, including whispers of an ancient evil, eager to return to the world.



With allies scarce and dangers rising, Lothar faces a harrowing trust in the rumours of a hidden sanctuary-or forge his own path to keep Kael safe. But the further they travel, the more the line between salvation and damnation begins to blur.

In a land where faith is a weapon and destiny is written in blood, one man's vow could shape the fate of a child-and the world itself.



Before the end,



Lothar's honor and morals will be tested.



And a battle for Kael's innocence and soul will begin.



Beneath the Ashen Sky is a gripping Grimdark tale of sacrifice, honor, and the quiet courage that changes everything.



Keep an eye out for the sequel, due out before the end of 2025!

443 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2025

About the author

T.L. Bellia resides in Perth, Australia and began writing Beneath the Ashen Sky in mid-2024 while employed as an Emergency Services Officer.
Being an avid reader and fan of grim stories, he decided to try his hand at writing his own, he is currently working on a sequel to Beneath the Ashen Sky, which is set to be due out before the end of 2025.
When not writing he can be found hiking, fishing, gaming or hanging out with his Cat, Chester. He also has a keen interest in Boxing.

Keep both eyes open for future novels and if you enjoyed ‘Beneath the Ashen Sky’ please leave me a review on Amazon – it really helps!

Reviews

[T.L. Routledge]

4 stars

Dark, gritty medieval fantasy. The character dynamics reminded me a bit of the Last of Us or even the Witcher where the man has to become a sort of reluctant guardian over the child.

I did an immersive read with the audiobook, and really enjoyed it! The writing was fantastic, and I’m always a sucker for grimdark.

[G.B. Cook]

I enjoyed this! I would love to see it as a movie.

[Ellis Delaney]

For anyone that loves father/child duos and fantasy/grimdark settings. Think Kratos/Atreus, Joel/Ellie, Geralt/Ciri and even The Hound/Arya. The story is quite simple to understand, but what stands out is the relationship that grows between Lothar and Kael, and the gritty fighting and gore that happens throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed, and instantly moving onto book 2!

[☾⋆]

I love when books make me sob.

[Lydia]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beneath the Ashen Sky is an intense, emotionally layered grimdark fantasy that hooked me from the first chapter. The story begins with a brutal massacre in Drassox, and from there, it never really lets up. T.L. Bellia does a fantastic job weaving a grim, tension-filled world without losing sight of the emotional core, especially the bond between Lothar and Kael.

Lothar is such a compelling character. A hardened veteran suddenly responsible for a child with a dangerous past, he’s forced to confront everything he thought he knew about duty, morality, and sacrifice. His internal struggles felt raw and real, especially as the journey forces him to question whether protecting Kael is just about honor, or something deeper.

Kael, on the other hand, is a fascinating mystery. His quiet demeanor and unsettling visions hint at something ancient and powerful beneath the surface, and watching that tension build was one of the book’s highlights. The holy order chasing them added a chilling layer of religious fanaticism that kept the stakes high throughout.

What stood out most to me was how the book balanced high-stakes action with moments of vulnerability. This isn’t just a story about survival, it’s about what it means to protect something innocent in a world that seems determined to crush it. Fans of grimdark fantasy with emotional depth (think The Witcher or The Poppy War) will find a lot to love here.

I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel, there’s so much more I want to learn about Kael’s past, and I’m anxious to see what Lothar is willing to risk to keep him safe.

[J.A. Hunter]

A gripping book that you just can't put down! Not only does it keep the reader engaged with its fast pace, it also has relatable, likeable characters who draw you in.
Can't wait for the next book!

[Roger Schulz]

Very good read

Very interesting book, keep me interested ALL the way thru. Always something new and interesting going on all the time. Would recommend this book very highly!

[lookmairead]

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