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The Barbaric Ledgers #1
Kill All Wizards
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26SWORDS, SORCERY, AND A SPOT OF TEA
Kill All Wizards is a blood-soaked romp through high society—picture Conan the Barbarian caught up in a comedy of manners, and you're almost prepared for this unmissable new series.
We could think of nothing but the barbarian. He had come here, surely, to murder or marry someone, to exact revenge, or to say or do something very scandalous. We could hardly wait to see which it was. We hoped it would be all of them.
The barbarian traveled far to consult the wizards of the empire. Instead of lending their aid, they ensorcelled him, exploited his strength, and stole his sword. They should not have done that.
Now the barbarian plans to kill every wizard who wronged him, even if that means blending in with their vile dressing in finery, taking tea in exclusive clubs, and reserving the best box at the theater.
Oh, he hates it all with the fiery passion of his savage heart—but not as much as he hates these wizards.
Kill All Wizards is a blood-soaked romp through high society—picture Conan the Barbarian caught up in a comedy of manners, and you're almost prepared for this unmissable new series.
We could think of nothing but the barbarian. He had come here, surely, to murder or marry someone, to exact revenge, or to say or do something very scandalous. We could hardly wait to see which it was. We hoped it would be all of them.
The barbarian traveled far to consult the wizards of the empire. Instead of lending their aid, they ensorcelled him, exploited his strength, and stole his sword. They should not have done that.
Now the barbarian plans to kill every wizard who wronged him, even if that means blending in with their vile dressing in finery, taking tea in exclusive clubs, and reserving the best box at the theater.
Oh, he hates it all with the fiery passion of his savage heart—but not as much as he hates these wizards.
144 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 16, 2026
8 people are currently reading
5050 people want to read
About the author
Jedediah Berry
22 books308 followersJedediah Berry is the author of two novels, The Naming Song (Tor Books, 2024) and The Manual of Detection (Penguin Press), and a story in cards, The Family Arcana. He lives in Western Massachusetts. Together with his partner, writer Emily Houk, he runs Ninepin Press, an independent publisher of fiction, poetry, and games in unusual shapes.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Want to Read
April 18, 2026New Tor novella, TBP June 16, 2o26. Recommended by John Joseph Adams, who wrote on his blog: "So fun, so clever, so well-written. Really just a joy from start to finish. A must read! Rating: 9/10"
$13 ebook. Hopefully a library copy will appear.....
$13 ebook. Hopefully a library copy will appear.....
April 17, 2026
This book has no business being this good and entertaining!! I can not wait for the next installment!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was delightfully different in so many weird ways — like a fever dream watched through a kaleidoscope. It's not going to be for everyone, but anyone that enjoys it will appreciate its novelty.
The protagonist, the barbarian Gotchimus, is surprisingly clever and well-spoken, and the trials he suffers throughout this novella are each stranger than the next. Nothing is as expected, and the author paints the narrative so vividly, in fresh, wonderful prose, that it compelled me to pay closer attention than I'd admittedly thought I'd have to pay to a simple barbarian revenge tale. Because this story, as told, is so much more elevated than that.
The one small gripe I have is that it's being marketed as a hyper-violent comedy, but it's really not. It's unique, witty and intricate, and everything in it, as bizarre as it may be when it's happening, all pays off at the end. But I don't think I really laughed while reading it. The cover art, however, gives off a very comedic, juvenile vibe, and the tagline, which I've added below, is almost entirely inaccurate.
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
The protagonist, the barbarian Gotchimus, is surprisingly clever and well-spoken, and the trials he suffers throughout this novella are each stranger than the next. Nothing is as expected, and the author paints the narrative so vividly, in fresh, wonderful prose, that it compelled me to pay closer attention than I'd admittedly thought I'd have to pay to a simple barbarian revenge tale. Because this story, as told, is so much more elevated than that.
The one small gripe I have is that it's being marketed as a hyper-violent comedy, but it's really not. It's unique, witty and intricate, and everything in it, as bizarre as it may be when it's happening, all pays off at the end. But I don't think I really laughed while reading it. The cover art, however, gives off a very comedic, juvenile vibe, and the tagline, which I've added below, is almost entirely inaccurate.
Kill All Wizards is a blood-soaked romp through high society—picture Conan the Barbarian caught up in a comedy of manners, and you're almost prepared for this unmissable new seriesIn fact, the only thing it nailed is that it's unmissable, and it's a mystery how they arrived there from a description that missed the mark so wide. (Note that I'm well aware that authors rarely write their own blurbs, so I'm not faulting the author for this, I'm pointing it out because anyone reading this review should know what they're signing up for, which is something far more interesting, and far more bizarre, than "Conan the Barbarian caught up in a comedy of manners.")
Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's a romp, a fun little novella. There's two things preventing this from having the heft of The Naming Song, which was maybe the best book I read in 2024 (and was the reason I jumped at the chance to read this): first, it's too short to really get deep into any of the emotions it might get to over the course of a novel, and second, there's no real sense of true peril for our main characters. The first of those things comes with the territory of being a novella, though, and the second one doesn't prevent it from being a lot of fun, so I'd still recommend it without hesitation.
Gotch, our barbarian protagonist, keeps having things revealed to him that give the sense of him being a tool moved around by more powerful entities, in much the same way that the gods of Discworld directly play with the fates of Rincewind and the rest. This means that he doesn't have as much agency as he might; I couldn't help but feel that whatever he did would be part of some larger plan of mage or god, and that therefore there was no real chance of his death or failure. The flipside of this is that it allows us to pay more attention to the world around him, which is certainly very cool, and to more or less relax. It means it's not a stressful read, and there's enough cool ideas and magical baubles everywhere to keep things moving apace and keep the reader having fun.
Gotch, our barbarian protagonist, keeps having things revealed to him that give the sense of him being a tool moved around by more powerful entities, in much the same way that the gods of Discworld directly play with the fates of Rincewind and the rest. This means that he doesn't have as much agency as he might; I couldn't help but feel that whatever he did would be part of some larger plan of mage or god, and that therefore there was no real chance of his death or failure. The flipside of this is that it allows us to pay more attention to the world around him, which is certainly very cool, and to more or less relax. It means it's not a stressful read, and there's enough cool ideas and magical baubles everywhere to keep things moving apace and keep the reader having fun.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
April 12, 2026A tea‑sipping, well‑dressed barbarian sets out for vengeance against The Fifth Committee — a tribunal of wizards — after the death of his little brother. He’s on a mission to track down one very specific wizard with whom he has some unfinished business.
Told in third‑person plural and set in a bar built inside the skull of a long‑dead god (yes, really), our barbarian Gotchimus... a name I actually loved... sits at a table with his friend and colleague, trying to barter for information about this elusive wizard. But before his friend will spill anything, he demands the story behind Gotchimus’s newly acquired eyepatch.
Sounds simple enough but omg this thing is so confusing.
I thought the cover and description sounded intriguing, and I accepted the review copy from Tordotcom... a publisher I usually enjoy... but Kill All Wizards was just too strange, too meandering, and too out‑there for me. I tapped out on page 74. And considering the book is only 133 pages long, that’s saying something.
As much as I hate DNFing books, I simply could not bring myself to care about Gotchimus, whether his friend ever gave him the information he needed, or whether he’d get his revenge.
Count. Me. Out.
Told in third‑person plural and set in a bar built inside the skull of a long‑dead god (yes, really), our barbarian Gotchimus... a name I actually loved... sits at a table with his friend and colleague, trying to barter for information about this elusive wizard. But before his friend will spill anything, he demands the story behind Gotchimus’s newly acquired eyepatch.
Sounds simple enough but omg this thing is so confusing.
I thought the cover and description sounded intriguing, and I accepted the review copy from Tordotcom... a publisher I usually enjoy... but Kill All Wizards was just too strange, too meandering, and too out‑there for me. I tapped out on page 74. And considering the book is only 133 pages long, that’s saying something.
As much as I hate DNFing books, I simply could not bring myself to care about Gotchimus, whether his friend ever gave him the information he needed, or whether he’d get his revenge.
Count. Me. Out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Maybe I'm just being too picky here, but I feel like a book whose blurb calls it “a blood-soaked romp” and “a comedy of manners” should actually be funny? This was a decent read and it had its entertaining bits, but there was very little romping and pretty much zero comedy. And honestly, there was also much less wizard killing than I would have expected considering the title … I think the final count was three dead wizards? Maybe four? Certainly not all the wizards, at any rate.
Anyway, I dunno, this book is fine for what it is, but it definitely is not what I was expecting. I wanted romping and humor and wizard killing, and instead I got a rather serious tale about a barbarian with PTSD. And just for the record, I would never knowingly choose a book about a traumatized barbarian if it weren't funny because I don't do serious high fantasy.
But, I mean, if this is your usual sort of read, it's entirely possible that you'll enjoy this one more than I did. There's magic and wizards and battling and romance and a mystery of sorts, and there's even a pretty surprising twist near the end. It's not funny, though. Don't expect funny. Or maybe I just have a lame sense of humor and this book is hilarious, who knows?
So, yeah. This was fine, but I almost certainly won't be reading the next book in the series.
3.2 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is June 16, 2026.
Anyway, I dunno, this book is fine for what it is, but it definitely is not what I was expecting. I wanted romping and humor and wizard killing, and instead I got a rather serious tale about a barbarian with PTSD. And just for the record, I would never knowingly choose a book about a traumatized barbarian if it weren't funny because I don't do serious high fantasy.
But, I mean, if this is your usual sort of read, it's entirely possible that you'll enjoy this one more than I did. There's magic and wizards and battling and romance and a mystery of sorts, and there's even a pretty surprising twist near the end. It's not funny, though. Don't expect funny. Or maybe I just have a lame sense of humor and this book is hilarious, who knows?
So, yeah. This was fine, but I almost certainly won't be reading the next book in the series.
3.2 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is June 16, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tor Publishing Group provided an early galley for review. This story is the first in the Barbaric Ledgers series.
This sword and sorcery tale has a different feel right out of the gate (as if the cover did not hint at that). It is a world that blends fantasy with more advanced concepts (trains, mechanical servants, and typeset news). Berry's writing weaves poetic prose, wide worldbuilding, and buddy banter in an interesting way. It reminds me a bit of Dave Sim's long-running Cerebus comic.
I appreciate that Berry chose to publish a shorter work, rather than pad it with additional tangents and subplots that did not fit with this story's arc. It really avoids the saggy-middle that plagues a lot of books.
The cast of characters here were interesting and fun, with plenty of room for growth in future tales. Though this was my first reading of the author's work, I doubt it will be my last. I look forward to more.
This sword and sorcery tale has a different feel right out of the gate (as if the cover did not hint at that). It is a world that blends fantasy with more advanced concepts (trains, mechanical servants, and typeset news). Berry's writing weaves poetic prose, wide worldbuilding, and buddy banter in an interesting way. It reminds me a bit of Dave Sim's long-running Cerebus comic.
I appreciate that Berry chose to publish a shorter work, rather than pad it with additional tangents and subplots that did not fit with this story's arc. It really avoids the saggy-middle that plagues a lot of books.
The cast of characters here were interesting and fun, with plenty of room for growth in future tales. Though this was my first reading of the author's work, I doubt it will be my last. I look forward to more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gotchimus, a barbarian, was in town because he had a beef with a number of wizards. Mind you, he had upgraded his wardrobe to the latest fashion, but he still carried his sword and was hunting the wizards all the while. His friend Hecksley, a former thief turned stolen goods supplier, inquired about how he had gotten his eye-patch which led Gotchimus to relay a bit of his past history in exchange for the story of how Hecksley had gotten his mechanical arm. These tales led to a great confrontation with the powers that be with adventures to be had by all! A fun mashup of Conan the Barbarian and a magic infused Victorian society! And since is labeled as Part One, it looks to be the opening of a series. It will be interesting to see what Gotch gets up to next!
Thanks Netgalley and Tor for the chance to read this volume!
Thanks Netgalley and Tor for the chance to read this volume!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While this had the feel of a Conan the Barbarian story with its classic use of tropes and a wizard-killing barbarian, I really don’t think “comedy” is the right descriptor for it. I didn’t really see the comedy side of this. Sure, it had great moments, especially the ending but it wasn’t funny.
I liked the idea of the barbarian telling his story to his friend cutting between the past and present with a while mystery involved, but idk it was good just not great. I liked the pay off with the eye patch and even Hecksley’s arm. The twist at the end was also peak. But idk it didn’t really stand out to me as anything special. I’m not sure if it would be something worth continuing in the series.
Also good for Gotchimus for being a total bi king not caring if Dora or Theo kissed him. We stan an icon.
I liked the idea of the barbarian telling his story to his friend cutting between the past and present with a while mystery involved, but idk it was good just not great. I liked the pay off with the eye patch and even Hecksley’s arm. The twist at the end was also peak. But idk it didn’t really stand out to me as anything special. I’m not sure if it would be something worth continuing in the series.
Also good for Gotchimus for being a total bi king not caring if Dora or Theo kissed him. We stan an icon.
May 9, 2026
this book was very unique and interesting, but at times not at all what i had been picturing when i downloaded this book haha. omg what a wackadoodle story. simultaneously very run and also very strange
i listened to this book thanks to an advanced listeners copy, and i thought the audio was extremely well done. i really liked the narrator they picked for this story and i thought that was probably the best part. he added so much charm to the story tbh
overall though i did enjoy this book i think? i would recommend it for anyone looking for a quick read. i think it would be good for fans of things like DND and such. it leans heavily into that classic dungeons and dragons type feel? but like i said it was also wackadoodle and unique ? i am so so so happy that i got the chance to read and review this book for netgalley and Macmillan Audio ! thank you so much for the opportunity
i listened to this book thanks to an advanced listeners copy, and i thought the audio was extremely well done. i really liked the narrator they picked for this story and i thought that was probably the best part. he added so much charm to the story tbh
overall though i did enjoy this book i think? i would recommend it for anyone looking for a quick read. i think it would be good for fans of things like DND and such. it leans heavily into that classic dungeons and dragons type feel? but like i said it was also wackadoodle and unique ? i am so so so happy that i got the chance to read and review this book for netgalley and Macmillan Audio ! thank you so much for the opportunity
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost I’d like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me the honor of listening to this book before its June Release date. I am forever thankful and my review will be a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
This book was something I really didn’t know a needed. A palate cleanser if you will.
In this short we meet a barbarian who is on a mission to unalive all the wizards that wronged him.
The narrator of this book, Raphael Corkhill was a amaizng good narrator of this barbarian’s story.
Now the story took me a min to get into the flow of it but when i did I was on this mission with this man. Short but effective with solid pacing and character developement.
Would for sure recommend this book to all lovers of stories of revenge and entertaining story telling.
This book was something I really didn’t know a needed. A palate cleanser if you will.
In this short we meet a barbarian who is on a mission to unalive all the wizards that wronged him.
The narrator of this book, Raphael Corkhill was a amaizng good narrator of this barbarian’s story.
Now the story took me a min to get into the flow of it but when i did I was on this mission with this man. Short but effective with solid pacing and character developement.
Would for sure recommend this book to all lovers of stories of revenge and entertaining story telling.
March 5, 2026
2.5 to 3 stars. I received this novella this morning and was able to finish it quite quickly. The cover is very bright and colorful. Berry’s Kill All Wizards is a fun read and i liked the idea of two friends swapping stories back and forth but found I couldn’t really get it lost in it to soak up details like I usually like when reading. I felt like was still missing something. And felt even more confused when furniture started moving. I felt like I was finally able to get into the story just when it was ending. Also I think I counted that only four wizards in the whole length of the novel. Perhaps I could have enjoyed it more if the story was longer and began a bit differently.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this novella early.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read this novella early.
May 12, 2026
I would like to thank Tor Publishing Group for the opportunity to receive and review the ARC of this novella. All opinions are that of my own.
Kill All Wizards is a unique and witty story about a barbarian, wizards, loss and remediation.
This is my first read of Jedediah Berry and I was not disappointed.
I will admit that this story is outside of most genres I read. The novellas is only about 130 pages, but Jedediah sure knows how to pack a lot of action.
Kill All Wizards may give you some whiplash from the story telling from the MMC, Gotchimus, but don’t fret, because before you know it, the story ends and you’ll be left earning for more! (The ending gave hints to a second novella).
I was laughing, my heart was shattered (only a little bit) and frankly, I think I need more!
Kill All Wizards is a unique and witty story about a barbarian, wizards, loss and remediation.
This is my first read of Jedediah Berry and I was not disappointed.
I will admit that this story is outside of most genres I read. The novellas is only about 130 pages, but Jedediah sure knows how to pack a lot of action.
Kill All Wizards may give you some whiplash from the story telling from the MMC, Gotchimus, but don’t fret, because before you know it, the story ends and you’ll be left earning for more! (The ending gave hints to a second novella).
I was laughing, my heart was shattered (only a little bit) and frankly, I think I need more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 rounded up
A super short novella (audiobook is 4.5 hours). I like the idea of a revenge seeking barbarian on a spree but I think the humor was a little over my head (or non existent?) the cover/blurb gave a little lighter (and more British) vibe than I think we got here. Still a good time if you’re looking for a short D and D style story.
I like the audiobook narrator and think the voice is very fitting but due to the accent I wouldn’t turn the speed up past 1.25x (a personal critique) I would listen to a sample first.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
A super short novella (audiobook is 4.5 hours). I like the idea of a revenge seeking barbarian on a spree but I think the humor was a little over my head (or non existent?) the cover/blurb gave a little lighter (and more British) vibe than I think we got here. Still a good time if you’re looking for a short D and D style story.
I like the audiobook narrator and think the voice is very fitting but due to the accent I wouldn’t turn the speed up past 1.25x (a personal critique) I would listen to a sample first.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
this is between a two and three star read (please can we get 1/2 stars?). it attempts a lot that it can’t quite accomplish. it’s a comedy of errors but where are the jokes? in trying to sound mannered the speech comes off of like a stilted attempt - a connecticut barbarian in mansfield park. it feels like a treatment for a novel that good be good.
savage review aside, i’d add it to the teen collection at the library; it would have its readers.
exciting to get my hands on arc through tor publishing group and netgalley ✌️
savage review aside, i’d add it to the teen collection at the library; it would have its readers.
exciting to get my hands on arc through tor publishing group and netgalley ✌️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fantastic find. Lucky enough to get a free advance copy. I'm unfamiliar with this author, but I plan to become much more familiar.
This is a short and fun read, but calling it light would be a disservice. The cover of the book definately over-empasizes the comedy elements. It can be funny at times, but I was disarmed at how much of the story is well written and sincere.
This is a short and fun read, but calling it light would be a disservice. The cover of the book definately over-empasizes the comedy elements. It can be funny at times, but I was disarmed at how much of the story is well written and sincere.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I was lucky enough to win an advance reader’s copy of Kill All Wizards through a Goodreads giveaway and I am completely blown away.
Kill All Wizards is everything I love about the fantasy genre - strange new lands and myths with magic that is both wonderful and monstrous.
It is short, but it never felt short. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book.
Kill All Wizards is everything I love about the fantasy genre - strange new lands and myths with magic that is both wonderful and monstrous.
It is short, but it never felt short. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not easy to be a barbarian in a world where wizards are your worst enemy. A tale of vengeance, betrayal, deception, and some humor. An eye for an eye, the meaning taken creatively by the author that sets this classic barbarian character on a journey. I liked Samara a lot, She used magic to perform and her act with the replicas was fun. Short read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s cute, it’s a quick read and I did enjoy it. But it isn’t funny like the blurbs suggest it will be and the writing style is a little odd and florid. If there’s a book two I’d read it but I probably wouldn’t hunt it out. I’m glad I got to read an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Delightfully revenge driven, this bloody romp of a novella takes us through a madcap world following a barbarian on his quest for vengeance -- and ultimately understanding and healing -- as Gotchimus faces down wizards, gods, and memory alike.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a short, satisfying fantasy adventure and I did enjoy it, but I thought it was going to be funnier. Also, I liked the main guy but definitely would have liked knowing him better. It's an entertaining audiobook though.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
May 11, 2026
This book was very interesting and I really enjoyed it once I accepted the fact it wasnt gonna be funny like it says. Its not a long book so the characters weren't flesh out but I still liked what we got.
December 10, 2025
The crème de la crème of novellas, Kill All Wizards mixes sarky humor, succulent prose, and resplendent action to tell one of the best stories I’ve ever laid eyes on
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Damn near perfect. Read like I was playing the best one-shot of all time. Loved loved loved it and I can’t wait to see what other adventures we get with Gotchimus and crew.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Such an exciting, fun book! It is packed full of magical creatures and non-stop thrills. I can’t wait for the next book!
May 9, 2026
Review to follow.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was very cute. I will likely read the next one. I was expecting a bit more humor, however but still this was a good use of my time.
review-netgalley
May 13, 2026(Review copy courtesy of Jedediah Berry, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley.)
April 7, 2026
So weird. The strangest barbarian and their partnership I’ve come across yet, and I feel like I’ve read a lot of them over the years. Whimsical, in a murderous way, and unexpected and very enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews