What do you think?
Rate this book
Grimdark Magazine Issue #45
Grimdark Magazine presents the darker, grittier side of fantasy and science fiction. Each quarterly issue features established and new authors to take you through their hard-bitten worlds alongside articles, reviews and interviews. Our stories are grim, our worlds are dark and our morally grey protagonists and anti-heroes light the way with bloody stories of war, betrayal and action.
FICTIONOur Lady of Perpetual Disdain by Rich LarsonLove's Mirror by Ken LiuTears Cost Extra by Yudhanjaya WijeratneEviction Notice by Corey Jae White and Maddison StoffDrona's Death by Max GladstoneReconnaissance Notes Part 2 by Miles Cameron and Emma BurnettThe Long Sleep by T.R. NapperNON-FICTIONThis Machine Kills Billionaires by T.R. NapperInterview with Sarah Moses by Will McClellandA Hole in the Sky by Peter F. Hamiliton (Review by Rai Furniss-Greasley)The Machinery of Control An Interview with Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and Tim NapperWolfskin by Jeremy Szal (Review by Adrian Collins)What does it mean to be human in a sci-fi world? by Aaron S. JonesThe Future is a Scalpel An Interview with Rich Larson and Izzy WassersteinAn Interview with Jim Butcher by Beth TablerParalize by S.K. Putt (Review by Ainy Cormac)Project Faster Than Light Travel by G.M. Nair
FICTIONOur Lady of Perpetual Disdain by Rich LarsonLove's Mirror by Ken LiuTears Cost Extra by Yudhanjaya WijeratneEviction Notice by Corey Jae White and Maddison StoffDrona's Death by Max GladstoneReconnaissance Notes Part 2 by Miles Cameron and Emma BurnettThe Long Sleep by T.R. NapperNON-FICTIONThis Machine Kills Billionaires by T.R. NapperInterview with Sarah Moses by Will McClellandA Hole in the Sky by Peter F. Hamiliton (Review by Rai Furniss-Greasley)The Machinery of Control An Interview with Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and Tim NapperWolfskin by Jeremy Szal (Review by Adrian Collins)What does it mean to be human in a sci-fi world? by Aaron S. JonesThe Future is a Scalpel An Interview with Rich Larson and Izzy WassersteinAn Interview with Jim Butcher by Beth TablerParalize by S.K. Putt (Review by Ainy Cormac)Project Faster Than Light Travel by G.M. Nair
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2026
20 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
T.R. Napper
36 books246 followersT. R. Napper is a multi-award-winning author. His honours include the prestigious Australian Aurealis four times. His short fiction has appeared in Asimov’s, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Grimdark Magazine, and numerous others. Napper received a creative writing doctorate for his thesis: The Dark Century, 1946 - 2046. Noir, Cyberpunk, and Asian Modernity (yes, he is a Doctor of Cyberpunk).
Before turning to writing, T. R. Napper was a diplomat and aid worker, delivering humanitarian programs throughout Southeast Asia for a decade. During this period he was a resident of the Old Quarter in Hanoi for several years, the setting for his acclaimed debut novel, 36 Streets.
These days he has returned to his home country of Australia, where, in addition to his writing, he runs art therapy programs for people with disabilities.
Before turning to writing, T. R. Napper was a diplomat and aid worker, delivering humanitarian programs throughout Southeast Asia for a decade. During this period he was a resident of the Old Quarter in Hanoi for several years, the setting for his acclaimed debut novel, 36 Streets.
These days he has returned to his home country of Australia, where, in addition to his writing, he runs art therapy programs for people with disabilities.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 9, 2026
Biased obviously (I've a story and essay in this issue), but I am genuinely impressed with the professionalism and quality of the first print edition of Grimdark (which until now has been electronic only). Some great content, with the short story by Yudhanjaya ('Tears Cost Extra') being the standout.
March 22, 2026
This was my first GDM that I read, and I loved it. This issue focused mainly on the themes of Cyberpunk - its origin, how it has evolved through time, and difference perspectives on the genre from different authors. I specifically loved 2 novellas in this issue :
The first was "Our Lady of Perpetual Disdain" by Rich Larson - an intense second-person perspective story of a man who wakes up in a hospital bed following a surgery with no memory of how he got there. What follows is the most intense escape scene I might have ever read. It was awesome.
The second was "The Long Sleep" by T.R. Napper - First off, this issue's cover art is actually based on this novella, so if you find the cover to be cool, then I'd recommend you read this. This follows a Dreamscape Engineer as he works to modify the dreams of people for megacoporations (i.e. by making ads and influencing political votes). The story then unfolds to be much deeper than this premise too, but I won't reveal too much because I want you all to read the actual novella instead!
To note: There was 1 novella in here that I didn't read. This was "Reconnaissance Notes Part II" by Miles Cameron and Emma Burnett. From what I gathered this is the second part of a story told in many parts. The first part of this story was told in the previous GDM issue (#44). While I don't own that specific issue, I might end up getting it if this story continues again in the following issues.
Overall, this was a great issue. I really loved it. Can't wait to read more in the future.
The first was "Our Lady of Perpetual Disdain" by Rich Larson - an intense second-person perspective story of a man who wakes up in a hospital bed following a surgery with no memory of how he got there. What follows is the most intense escape scene I might have ever read. It was awesome.
The second was "The Long Sleep" by T.R. Napper - First off, this issue's cover art is actually based on this novella, so if you find the cover to be cool, then I'd recommend you read this. This follows a Dreamscape Engineer as he works to modify the dreams of people for megacoporations (i.e. by making ads and influencing political votes). The story then unfolds to be much deeper than this premise too, but I won't reveal too much because I want you all to read the actual novella instead!
To note: There was 1 novella in here that I didn't read. This was "Reconnaissance Notes Part II" by Miles Cameron and Emma Burnett. From what I gathered this is the second part of a story told in many parts. The first part of this story was told in the previous GDM issue (#44). While I don't own that specific issue, I might end up getting it if this story continues again in the following issues.
Overall, this was a great issue. I really loved it. Can't wait to read more in the future.
March 31, 2026
Love’s mirror was very nice.
March 29, 2026
This was my first time reading Grimdark Magazine, which I picked up for their inaugural print run. It featured some cool cyberpunk stories, though I am interested in seeing more fantasy content in the next issue. Still, reading a magazine complete with editorials and interviews was a nice blast of nostalgia.
Our Lady of Perpetual Disdain (3 ⭐️): It has cool horror vibes, but lacks a coherent narrative.
This Machine Kills Billionaires (5 ⭐️): A great essay about how supporting the arts serves as a form of resistance against fascism and the ultra-wealthy.
Love's Mirror (5 ⭐️): Ken Liu's poetic writing about technology, AI, and intimacy is fantastic.
Tears Cost Extra (4 ⭐️): A clever sci-fi story exploring generational debt and trauma.
Eviction Notice (3 ⭐️): This definitely puts the "grim" in grimdark, following a team of hired guns cleaning out a slum tower in a cybernetic future.
Drona's Death (2 ⭐️): I am not a fan of overpowered god stories, and the twist here was entirely predictable.
Reconnaissance Notes Pt. 2 (Unrated): Did not read, since Part 1 was unavailable.
The Long Sleep (4 ⭐️): A clever premise on integrating imagination with AI. It is bleak, but highly entertaining.
Our Lady of Perpetual Disdain (3 ⭐️): It has cool horror vibes, but lacks a coherent narrative.
This Machine Kills Billionaires (5 ⭐️): A great essay about how supporting the arts serves as a form of resistance against fascism and the ultra-wealthy.
Love's Mirror (5 ⭐️): Ken Liu's poetic writing about technology, AI, and intimacy is fantastic.
Tears Cost Extra (4 ⭐️): A clever sci-fi story exploring generational debt and trauma.
Eviction Notice (3 ⭐️): This definitely puts the "grim" in grimdark, following a team of hired guns cleaning out a slum tower in a cybernetic future.
Drona's Death (2 ⭐️): I am not a fan of overpowered god stories, and the twist here was entirely predictable.
Reconnaissance Notes Pt. 2 (Unrated): Did not read, since Part 1 was unavailable.
The Long Sleep (4 ⭐️): A clever premise on integrating imagination with AI. It is bleak, but highly entertaining.
February 13, 2026
Fantastic quality for the first printed edition of this magazine. To see the brilliant writing and artwork brought to life on the page instead of virtually made the whole experience better.
As always a variety of short stories with something for everybody. Max Gladstone’s ‘Drona’s Death’ being the stand out for me personally. Also some interesting interviews on the nature of cyberpunk and how it blurs the lines with grimdark. Definitely worth a read!
As always a variety of short stories with something for everybody. Max Gladstone’s ‘Drona’s Death’ being the stand out for me personally. Also some interesting interviews on the nature of cyberpunk and how it blurs the lines with grimdark. Definitely worth a read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews