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Graymark: Assassin of the Answered
An exile. A mark. A war in the shadows.
Isen Delmire was born into one of Zenith’s most powerful families—until his Calling left him with a power deemed worthless. Cast into Deadreach, the rotting slum where the discarded fight to survive, Isen learns weakness means death.
But his strange Mark—the swirling gray emblem he can leave on others—isn’t so useless after all.
Taken in by a man with dangerous ambitions, Isen begins to change. Hardened by pain. Sharpened by purpose. Forged into something new.
And when he returns to the city that cast him out, it won’t be for forgiveness.
It will be for blood.
Perfect for fans of dark magic, morally gray assassins, and high-stakes rebellion, Graymark is a ruthless fantasy about power, vengeance, and the cost of becoming what they fear.
Isen Delmire was born into one of Zenith’s most powerful families—until his Calling left him with a power deemed worthless. Cast into Deadreach, the rotting slum where the discarded fight to survive, Isen learns weakness means death.
But his strange Mark—the swirling gray emblem he can leave on others—isn’t so useless after all.
Taken in by a man with dangerous ambitions, Isen begins to change. Hardened by pain. Sharpened by purpose. Forged into something new.
And when he returns to the city that cast him out, it won’t be for forgiveness.
It will be for blood.
Perfect for fans of dark magic, morally gray assassins, and high-stakes rebellion, Graymark is a ruthless fantasy about power, vengeance, and the cost of becoming what they fear.
369 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2025
10 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Jay Michael Night
12 books215 followersMeet the wizard of words, Jay Michael Night! By day, Jay works dental magic at a community health clinic in Virginia, and by night, conjures enchanting tales of fantasy. An Army Combat Veteran, Jay adds a touch of real-world heroism to every story woven. From young adult adventures to sizzling adult romances, Jay's series have something for everyone. With dreams as big as a dragon's wingspan, Jay aims to wave goodbye to the dental chair and dive into writing full time. So grab a quill and get ready for a fantastical journey!
Let's Escape Together. ❤️
You can find Jay at @authorjmn on Tiktok and Twitter.
Let's Escape Together. ❤️
You can find Jay at @authorjmn on Tiktok and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 19, 2025
I could not put this book down. I would sit and read, and 100 pages would be gone. This a fantasy book, with the feel of a classic novel. The characters drive this story, the unlikely hero, the slave daughter, the intelligent but ruthless leader, and the band of misfits. The magic is a character in this book, and how people wield this magic is a stroke of genius. No spice, but loads of drama, tension, and realizations come out of this book. No spoilers from me, the ending had me screaming!!!
October 18, 2025
I went into Graymark not really knowing what to expect! I didn’t realize just how emotionally gripping and beautifully written it would be. This book surprised me in all the best ways.
From the very first chapter, Jay Michael Night pulls you into a world that feels alive and raw. Zenith is this gleaming, dangerous city where everything looks perfect on the surface, but underneath it’s rotting and that’s where Isen Delmire’s story really begins. Born into privilege, then cast out and left to rot in Deadreach, he becomes someone you root for even when he’s making choices that are messy and morally gray. I loved that. He’s not a typical fantasy hero. Isen is complicated, wounded, and sometimes hard to like, but that’s what makes him real.
The thing that really stuck with me is how the book balances pain and purpose. Isen’s “Mark,” which everyone dismisses as worthless, becomes this incredible metaphor for how people are underestimated and devalued by the world around them and what happens when they refuse to stay powerless. Watching him learn to use it, and to own who he is, was honestly inspiring in a dark, haunting kind of way.
And then there’s the atmosphere… my god, the worldbuilding is phenomenal. Deadreach practically breathes through the page. You can smell the smoke, hear the rusted gates creak, feel the desperation in every alley. It’s not just grim for the sake of being grim; it feels purposeful, like every moment of suffering is shaping something bigger. There’s so much tension between the elite and the discarded, and that divide gives the story a sharp, almost dystopian edge that feels eerily believable.
I also have to talk about Nerra. She’s one of those rare supporting characters who steals scenes without overshadowing the protagonist. Her strength, her vulnerability, and her fierce will to survive made her one of my favorites. The relationship between her and Isen isn’t the typical romance subplot, it’s something rougher, more honest. You can feel how much they’ve both lost and how badly they want to claw back something like hope.
The pacing worked really well for me. There are quieter, emotional beats that let you breathe before diving back into the chaos, and when the story accelerates, it really does. The ending left me tense, heartbroken, and strangely hopeful. It was the kind of ending that makes you close the book and just sit there for a few minutes, processing.
If I had one tiny quibble, it’s that I wanted more at the end. Mostly more time to sit with these characters and see the fallout of what happened. But honestly, that’s probably a good sign. I didn’t want to leave this world.
In short: Graymark: Assassin of the Answered is dark, poetic, and emotionally resonant. It’s about vengeance, identity, and the painful cost of power, but it’s also about finding meaning in the ashes. Jay Michael Night writes with such precision and heart that you feel every scar and every small victory.
If you love morally gray protagonists, vivid worldbuilding, and fantasy that isn’t afraid to stare into the darker parts of the human soul, Graymark is absolutely worth your time. It reminded me a little of early Brandon Sanderson crossed with the emotional grit of Joe Abercrombie, but with its own distinct voice and depth.
From the very first chapter, Jay Michael Night pulls you into a world that feels alive and raw. Zenith is this gleaming, dangerous city where everything looks perfect on the surface, but underneath it’s rotting and that’s where Isen Delmire’s story really begins. Born into privilege, then cast out and left to rot in Deadreach, he becomes someone you root for even when he’s making choices that are messy and morally gray. I loved that. He’s not a typical fantasy hero. Isen is complicated, wounded, and sometimes hard to like, but that’s what makes him real.
The thing that really stuck with me is how the book balances pain and purpose. Isen’s “Mark,” which everyone dismisses as worthless, becomes this incredible metaphor for how people are underestimated and devalued by the world around them and what happens when they refuse to stay powerless. Watching him learn to use it, and to own who he is, was honestly inspiring in a dark, haunting kind of way.
And then there’s the atmosphere… my god, the worldbuilding is phenomenal. Deadreach practically breathes through the page. You can smell the smoke, hear the rusted gates creak, feel the desperation in every alley. It’s not just grim for the sake of being grim; it feels purposeful, like every moment of suffering is shaping something bigger. There’s so much tension between the elite and the discarded, and that divide gives the story a sharp, almost dystopian edge that feels eerily believable.
I also have to talk about Nerra. She’s one of those rare supporting characters who steals scenes without overshadowing the protagonist. Her strength, her vulnerability, and her fierce will to survive made her one of my favorites. The relationship between her and Isen isn’t the typical romance subplot, it’s something rougher, more honest. You can feel how much they’ve both lost and how badly they want to claw back something like hope.
The pacing worked really well for me. There are quieter, emotional beats that let you breathe before diving back into the chaos, and when the story accelerates, it really does. The ending left me tense, heartbroken, and strangely hopeful. It was the kind of ending that makes you close the book and just sit there for a few minutes, processing.
If I had one tiny quibble, it’s that I wanted more at the end. Mostly more time to sit with these characters and see the fallout of what happened. But honestly, that’s probably a good sign. I didn’t want to leave this world.
In short: Graymark: Assassin of the Answered is dark, poetic, and emotionally resonant. It’s about vengeance, identity, and the painful cost of power, but it’s also about finding meaning in the ashes. Jay Michael Night writes with such precision and heart that you feel every scar and every small victory.
If you love morally gray protagonists, vivid worldbuilding, and fantasy that isn’t afraid to stare into the darker parts of the human soul, Graymark is absolutely worth your time. It reminded me a little of early Brandon Sanderson crossed with the emotional grit of Joe Abercrombie, but with its own distinct voice and depth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2025
Graymark is an exceptionally executed dark fantasy which will keep you turning pages, luring you into the depths of Jay Michael Night's carefully crafted plot and the heart of the main character, Isen. Prodigious storytelling and clear writing makes Graymark stand out where other dark fantasies get muddied. There's nuance, but nothing that crosses the line into confusing psychological puzzlement. You're shown the motivation, the needs, the desires, and everything that builds Isen into the protagonist that you can get behind and root for - a boy laced with an understated gift and exceptional grit, literally beaten, crushed, and left for dead in a world where no one cares, who transforms into something sharp, strong, skilled, determined, and deadly - feared, but still human. You should really get started reading Graymark instead of my review, because I'm just going to continue to sing its praises, and you'll be missing out on the actual story.
September 4, 2025
This was a hauntingly beautiful read. I loved this fantasy it has it all drama, love, twists, magic and turns. I laughed and cried. Isen and Nerra have been through so much but despite it all are so strong. I can't wait to read more. I highly recommend.
Thanks so much for the ARC
Thanks so much for the ARC
September 14, 2025
Mind boggling
This story has you holding your attention from the very beginning. It shows you that know màtter if your rich or poor bad stuff can happen. I love this author in my opinion he has not written a bad book.
This story has you holding your attention from the very beginning. It shows you that know màtter if your rich or poor bad stuff can happen. I love this author in my opinion he has not written a bad book.
Read
September 5, 2025One of the most amazing written Assassin novels I have ever read, in less than 8 hours. definitely a five star book, and you should read it too.
September 5, 2025
This is a dark magic fantasy that had me hooked right from the start! Isen and Nerra were such compelling characters, and that ending left me eager for the next book!
August 27, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Graymark! Seriously! I did not want to put this book down! Isen and Nerra .. you guys Isen’s mother needs to just vanish.. she is the evil villain in my head. No way as a mother could I ever imagine being so awful to my children. No no just NO! Nerra’s father too I suppose. Sick cruel man. Nerra comes from the slums, she has nothing to her name. I already think that she is going to be the hero of the story in some way shape or form. She is a character I fell in love with. This story is fantasy and has magic and a beautiful love story! That ending!! THAT ENDING!! I’m ready for the next book immediately please.
Graymark! Seriously! I did not want to put this book down! Isen and Nerra .. you guys Isen’s mother needs to just vanish.. she is the evil villain in my head. No way as a mother could I ever imagine being so awful to my children. No no just NO! Nerra’s father too I suppose. Sick cruel man. Nerra comes from the slums, she has nothing to her name. I already think that she is going to be the hero of the story in some way shape or form. She is a character I fell in love with. This story is fantasy and has magic and a beautiful love story! That ending!! THAT ENDING!! I’m ready for the next book immediately please.
October 7, 2025
THIS IS MY FAVORITE READ OF 22025!!!
This book was a beautifully written epic dark fantasy, that is just hauntingly good. It kept my attention from beginning to end, and I have not been able to stop talking about it. I have read everything written by this author, and I swear his work gets better with every book. I'm absolutely dying to read the next book in the series, because I need to know what happens!
This book was a beautifully written epic dark fantasy, that is just hauntingly good. It kept my attention from beginning to end, and I have not been able to stop talking about it. I have read everything written by this author, and I swear his work gets better with every book. I'm absolutely dying to read the next book in the series, because I need to know what happens!
December 8, 2025
📚 I have loved this author for two years now. I have read and loved every one of his books. His characters are full, his world building makes you feel like you are walking side by side in every book.
💜 I knew when this was going out to arc readers that I had to read it. Graymark did not disappoint. I was committed to Isen from the beginning. The feelings Jay brought out in me held me to each page, chapter after chapter.
🖤 The biggest and worst villain, I believe, is Isens mother. What she does to Isen is deranged, despicable, and deplorable as a mother. I was screaming in my head “She needs to 💀”.
💖 There is a beautiful love story in Graymark that just tore at my heart. Honestly you will love this character. She goes from the “feeling” of the slum she lives in to, well, sorry, no spoilers but she is my hero of the story. She has a permanent spot in my heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Absolutely recommend this story. It is gripping, the characters are written beautifully, and the journey that Isen embarks on will live in your head.
SPEcIAL NOTE Jay is working on book 2. Yes I pleaded for an early look. It is better than I expected. Transported immediately to the last line of the last paragraph. All the same feelings coming back, holding my breath, what other powers will come to light. Will all those wicked villains get their just reward??
💜 I knew when this was going out to arc readers that I had to read it. Graymark did not disappoint. I was committed to Isen from the beginning. The feelings Jay brought out in me held me to each page, chapter after chapter.
🖤 The biggest and worst villain, I believe, is Isens mother. What she does to Isen is deranged, despicable, and deplorable as a mother. I was screaming in my head “She needs to 💀”.
💖 There is a beautiful love story in Graymark that just tore at my heart. Honestly you will love this character. She goes from the “feeling” of the slum she lives in to, well, sorry, no spoilers but she is my hero of the story. She has a permanent spot in my heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Absolutely recommend this story. It is gripping, the characters are written beautifully, and the journey that Isen embarks on will live in your head.
SPEcIAL NOTE Jay is working on book 2. Yes I pleaded for an early look. It is better than I expected. Transported immediately to the last line of the last paragraph. All the same feelings coming back, holding my breath, what other powers will come to light. Will all those wicked villains get their just reward??
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews