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This is Where the Future Bleeds
A thrilling adventure packed with laughs, escapes and kick-ass action, about a smart-talking bunch of rogues and dropouts being thrust into the destinies of empires. From the fan-favourite Warhammer 40k author, perfect for fans of Kings of the Wyld and Arcane.
Kitt Carver is one of the best diviners in the business at finding destinies for the rich and powerful. When she’s nearly killed, and her regular broker is murdered, it becomes clear that someone has an issue with the last destiny that she found.
Determined not to let anyone else die, Kitt gathers a mismatched group – including Two Tongue Derna, her childhood friend and now a renowned street duellist; Sulian the Swallowmage, powerful but plagued with intrusive visions of futures; and Donal Klae, Kitt’s one-night stand who was accidentally responsible for her near-murder – and sets off across the Timeless Lands to warn the destiny’s recipient.
However, unbeknownst to Kitt, she has her own destiny; one which might spell disaster for everyone.
Kitt Carver is one of the best diviners in the business at finding destinies for the rich and powerful. When she’s nearly killed, and her regular broker is murdered, it becomes clear that someone has an issue with the last destiny that she found.
Determined not to let anyone else die, Kitt gathers a mismatched group – including Two Tongue Derna, her childhood friend and now a renowned street duellist; Sulian the Swallowmage, powerful but plagued with intrusive visions of futures; and Donal Klae, Kitt’s one-night stand who was accidentally responsible for her near-murder – and sets off across the Timeless Lands to warn the destiny’s recipient.
However, unbeknownst to Kitt, she has her own destiny; one which might spell disaster for everyone.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2026
About the author
Mike Brooks
90 books588 followersMike Brooks was born in Ipswich, Suffolk and moved to Nottingham when he was 18 to go to university. He’s stayed there ever since, and now lives with his wife, two cats, two snakes and a collection of tropical fish. When not working for a homelessness charity he plays guitar and sings in a punk band, watches football (soccer), MMA and nature/science documentaries, goes walking in the Peak District or other areas of splendid scenery, and DJs wherever anyone will tolerate him.
And, y’know, writes.
And, y’know, writes.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 9, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
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This really got better as I kept reading. The party of people we follow get to know each other better and make for a really good dynamic. Think kind of D&D party vibes. I could have done without the other POV chapters, as I like the main character's POV much more. The romance development was also nice, and I'm glad they were endgame. The plot was interesting, but it was more of a wild ride we were on with these insane characters.
PUBLICATION DATE: JULY 07 2026
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This really got better as I kept reading. The party of people we follow get to know each other better and make for a really good dynamic. Think kind of D&D party vibes. I could have done without the other POV chapters, as I like the main character's POV much more. The romance development was also nice, and I'm glad they were endgame. The plot was interesting, but it was more of a wild ride we were on with these insane characters.
PUBLICATION DATE: JULY 07 2026
June 28, 2026
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is Where the Future Bleeds had such a unique premise, and the worldbuilding was definitely the strongest part of the book. The idea of destinies being discovered and traded, combined with a ragtag group of unlikely heroes trying to change the future, made for an interesting fantasy adventure.
That said, I had a hard time fully connecting with the story. While there were some fun action scenes and witty dialogue, I found the pacing uneven, and I never became as invested in the characters as I wanted to. There were moments where the story really picked up, but overall it didn’t quite hold my attention from beginning to end.
I listened to the NetGalley audiobook ARC, and Kim Bretton did a solid job bringing the large cast and different personalities to life. The narration made it easier to keep up with the story and added to the experience.
Overall, this was a decent fantasy with creative magic, found family vibes, and an imaginative world. It just didn’t completely click for me, but I think fans of epic fantasy adventures with destiny-driven plots may enjoy it more than I did.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is Where the Future Bleeds had such a unique premise, and the worldbuilding was definitely the strongest part of the book. The idea of destinies being discovered and traded, combined with a ragtag group of unlikely heroes trying to change the future, made for an interesting fantasy adventure.
That said, I had a hard time fully connecting with the story. While there were some fun action scenes and witty dialogue, I found the pacing uneven, and I never became as invested in the characters as I wanted to. There were moments where the story really picked up, but overall it didn’t quite hold my attention from beginning to end.
I listened to the NetGalley audiobook ARC, and Kim Bretton did a solid job bringing the large cast and different personalities to life. The narration made it easier to keep up with the story and added to the experience.
Overall, this was a decent fantasy with creative magic, found family vibes, and an imaginative world. It just didn’t completely click for me, but I think fans of epic fantasy adventures with destiny-driven plots may enjoy it more than I did.
June 22, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
After falling in love with the world the author created in The God-King Chronicles, I was very keen to see what else I could find from this author and this book didnt disappoint. The world was easy to imagine and immerse myself in. I wish we could have got more details especially when it came to the magic of the rift and destinies. But there is only such many pages in a standalone novel. What made this book stand out to me was the characters and their banter, connection and trials that they go through. I though the author did a great job with all the complexities of the characters and their relationships and still maintain humor throughout.
After falling in love with the world the author created in The God-King Chronicles, I was very keen to see what else I could find from this author and this book didnt disappoint. The world was easy to imagine and immerse myself in. I wish we could have got more details especially when it came to the magic of the rift and destinies. But there is only such many pages in a standalone novel. What made this book stand out to me was the characters and their banter, connection and trials that they go through. I though the author did a great job with all the complexities of the characters and their relationships and still maintain humor throughout.
June 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I was familiar with Mike Brooks from his Black Library books, and I was very excited to watch him work in his own setting. He did not disappoint! The tone is grounded, but there is plenty of room for humor, even more so than in his BL books, which was amazing for me. I quite liked the characters; nobody was particularly complex, but it worked for what Brooks was trying to accomplish in this book. Lesbianism is always appreciated, as is the trans man character! Thank you Mike Brooks, if you make a transgender space marine, you will be reincarnated as a lotus flower. My one of two complaint is that the pacing is a little weird: it takes a long time to get to one of the plot points mentioned in the summary. My other is that the villains were really underdeveloped; I would have liked a little more of an idea what their plan was before the ultimate reveal. However, it's still a fun ride, and I would recommend to anyone after some lighter/humorous fantasy that isn't afraid to get a little scary/serious with it.
I was familiar with Mike Brooks from his Black Library books, and I was very excited to watch him work in his own setting. He did not disappoint! The tone is grounded, but there is plenty of room for humor, even more so than in his BL books, which was amazing for me. I quite liked the characters; nobody was particularly complex, but it worked for what Brooks was trying to accomplish in this book. Lesbianism is always appreciated, as is the trans man character! Thank you Mike Brooks, if you make a transgender space marine, you will be reincarnated as a lotus flower. My one of two complaint is that the pacing is a little weird: it takes a long time to get to one of the plot points mentioned in the summary. My other is that the villains were really underdeveloped; I would have liked a little more of an idea what their plan was before the ultimate reveal. However, it's still a fun ride, and I would recommend to anyone after some lighter/humorous fantasy that isn't afraid to get a little scary/serious with it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is Where the Future Bleeds is an entertaining stand-alone fantasy adventure from Mike Brooks.
Kitt Carver is a diviner whose magic allows her to find unclaimed Destinies, by-products of a god’s attempt to destroy the future, on the moors above Mereport where time stands still. It’s a risky business, but it doesn’t usually make her the target of assassins. When Kitt learns the attempt on her life is connected to a previously traded Destiny, and that its intended recipient is also in danger, she joins forces with her childhood friend Two Tongue Derna, also known as the Duchess of Death; Sulian, a powerful but permanently sozzled Swallowmage; and a small band of volunteers, including Kitt’s regrettable one-night stand, Donal Klae. Together they must cross the Timeless Lands to thwart a conspiracy that threatens to upend what remains of the world’s fate.
With a plot reminiscent of a D&D campaign, This is Where the Future Bleeds delivers adventure, action and a light touch of romance as Kitt and her companions risk everything to complete their quest. The journey is perilous, their enemies formidable, and there are several unexpected twists that keep both the characters and the reader on edge.
Kitt is an appealing lead, and her found family make for a terrific cast. Derna’s blunt manner had me laughing more than once, as did Sulian’s persistent grumpiness. I also enjoyed the later additions to the adventuring party, particularly Gra’al, Arkony and even Plainsong. The variety among the characters that populate Brooks’s world is engaging, and the queer representation feels seamless.
The magic system in This is Where the Future Bleeds is a little vague, though there is enough detail to support the story. Brooks’s most distinctive idea, that Destiny is a physical object that can be bought and sold, could have been explored further. He touches on how this trade affects individuals and society at large, but I would have appreciated a deeper examination of the concept.
I found the setting of This is Where the Future Bleeds effortlessly immersive. Brooks creates a vivid world, and I could easily picture both its geography and Kitt’s journey across it.
Offering excitement, humour and plenty of surprises, I think This is Where the Future Bleeds has much to recommend it to fantasy readers who enjoy a compelling adventure.
Kitt Carver is a diviner whose magic allows her to find unclaimed Destinies, by-products of a god’s attempt to destroy the future, on the moors above Mereport where time stands still. It’s a risky business, but it doesn’t usually make her the target of assassins. When Kitt learns the attempt on her life is connected to a previously traded Destiny, and that its intended recipient is also in danger, she joins forces with her childhood friend Two Tongue Derna, also known as the Duchess of Death; Sulian, a powerful but permanently sozzled Swallowmage; and a small band of volunteers, including Kitt’s regrettable one-night stand, Donal Klae. Together they must cross the Timeless Lands to thwart a conspiracy that threatens to upend what remains of the world’s fate.
With a plot reminiscent of a D&D campaign, This is Where the Future Bleeds delivers adventure, action and a light touch of romance as Kitt and her companions risk everything to complete their quest. The journey is perilous, their enemies formidable, and there are several unexpected twists that keep both the characters and the reader on edge.
Kitt is an appealing lead, and her found family make for a terrific cast. Derna’s blunt manner had me laughing more than once, as did Sulian’s persistent grumpiness. I also enjoyed the later additions to the adventuring party, particularly Gra’al, Arkony and even Plainsong. The variety among the characters that populate Brooks’s world is engaging, and the queer representation feels seamless.
The magic system in This is Where the Future Bleeds is a little vague, though there is enough detail to support the story. Brooks’s most distinctive idea, that Destiny is a physical object that can be bought and sold, could have been explored further. He touches on how this trade affects individuals and society at large, but I would have appreciated a deeper examination of the concept.
I found the setting of This is Where the Future Bleeds effortlessly immersive. Brooks creates a vivid world, and I could easily picture both its geography and Kitt’s journey across it.
Offering excitement, humour and plenty of surprises, I think This is Where the Future Bleeds has much to recommend it to fantasy readers who enjoy a compelling adventure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Titan Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
4.5/5
"This might be the weirdest thing I'll ever say, but: sometimes you just have to figure out who the people are in your life that you're willing to gamble the world for."
After thoroughly enjoying Mike's God-King Chronicles, I knew I would read whatever he would write in the future. And This Is Where The Future Bleeds did not disappoint!! I love a good found family story with high stakes, mixed with magic and laced with a goodly amount of humor. The world here was broken long ago when a god ripped open a portal, and everyone's destines and futures were thrown into chaos. Not only are destinies physical objects to be bought and sold, but to retrieve them you have to enter a part of the world where time has frozen. Kitt Carver is a diviner who travels to the time frozen moors to collect and sell destinies when she finds a powerful one and ends up on the run as people associated with this destiny are killed. Reunited with a childhood friend and thrown together with a motley crew of rogues, she sets out to warn people who may be harmed by this particular destiny. Let's just say things don't go exactly to plan and Kitt learns some startling information about herself and her family.
I was so entertained by this story and fell in love with so many of these characters. The world building is excellent and how this world adapted to this event and how the rich and powerful came to control so much of the destiny trade is so on point and felt very realistic. I liked that there aren't really any perfect characters, they all have faults and are a bit morally gray so you can really relate to the choices that they make. I love a good snarky side character, and you give me one that also loves knives.......I am all in on that character for sure, and Two-Tongued Derna is perfect!!! The story is well-paced with good action sequences, has creepy slydewasps 😬and some great twists. Highly recommend and if you enjoy this you should also definitely check out Mike's other stories!!
4.5/5
"This might be the weirdest thing I'll ever say, but: sometimes you just have to figure out who the people are in your life that you're willing to gamble the world for."
After thoroughly enjoying Mike's God-King Chronicles, I knew I would read whatever he would write in the future. And This Is Where The Future Bleeds did not disappoint!! I love a good found family story with high stakes, mixed with magic and laced with a goodly amount of humor. The world here was broken long ago when a god ripped open a portal, and everyone's destines and futures were thrown into chaos. Not only are destinies physical objects to be bought and sold, but to retrieve them you have to enter a part of the world where time has frozen. Kitt Carver is a diviner who travels to the time frozen moors to collect and sell destinies when she finds a powerful one and ends up on the run as people associated with this destiny are killed. Reunited with a childhood friend and thrown together with a motley crew of rogues, she sets out to warn people who may be harmed by this particular destiny. Let's just say things don't go exactly to plan and Kitt learns some startling information about herself and her family.
I was so entertained by this story and fell in love with so many of these characters. The world building is excellent and how this world adapted to this event and how the rich and powerful came to control so much of the destiny trade is so on point and felt very realistic. I liked that there aren't really any perfect characters, they all have faults and are a bit morally gray so you can really relate to the choices that they make. I love a good snarky side character, and you give me one that also loves knives.......I am all in on that character for sure, and Two-Tongued Derna is perfect!!! The story is well-paced with good action sequences, has creepy slydewasps 😬and some great twists. Highly recommend and if you enjoy this you should also definitely check out Mike's other stories!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars
I think what impressed me most about this book was simply how imaginative it was. From the very first pages, I was struck by the writing style. It is incredibly expressive and artistic without feeling pretentious. There is something almost playful about the way the author uses language, and combined with the occasional humor throughout the story, it made me want to keep reading just to see what strange and wonderful idea would come next.
And there are so many good ideas in this book.
The entire concept of time being fractured, of there being places where time itself no longer behaves correctly, and of Diviners being able to find and collect destinies is just fascinating. I loved the small details that made this world feel so unique. For example, the fact that one Diviner experiences powerful destinies as heat, while another can literally smell them. It is such a specific and creative detail, and the book is full of moments like that.
I kept finding myself thinking: How do people come up with something like this? Not just one interesting idea, but an entire world full of them that somehow still feels coherent, lived-in, and completely believable.
I also really enjoyed the characters. They are not polished heroes or perfectly matched companions. They feel messy and sometimes a little rough around the edges, which made their relationships and interactions feel all the more authentic. Despite being such an unusual group of people, they somehow come together in a way that feels surprisingly natural and satisfying.
What impressed me most, however, is how complete and well thought-out everything feels. This is not a book built around one clever idea; it is a book filled with original concepts that all work together to create something genuinely unique.
This is the kind of fantasy I love most: imaginative, ambitious, beautifully written, and completely unafraid to do its own thing.
4.5 stars. A genuinely creative and wonderfully crafted hidden gem.
I think what impressed me most about this book was simply how imaginative it was. From the very first pages, I was struck by the writing style. It is incredibly expressive and artistic without feeling pretentious. There is something almost playful about the way the author uses language, and combined with the occasional humor throughout the story, it made me want to keep reading just to see what strange and wonderful idea would come next.
And there are so many good ideas in this book.
The entire concept of time being fractured, of there being places where time itself no longer behaves correctly, and of Diviners being able to find and collect destinies is just fascinating. I loved the small details that made this world feel so unique. For example, the fact that one Diviner experiences powerful destinies as heat, while another can literally smell them. It is such a specific and creative detail, and the book is full of moments like that.
I kept finding myself thinking: How do people come up with something like this? Not just one interesting idea, but an entire world full of them that somehow still feels coherent, lived-in, and completely believable.
I also really enjoyed the characters. They are not polished heroes or perfectly matched companions. They feel messy and sometimes a little rough around the edges, which made their relationships and interactions feel all the more authentic. Despite being such an unusual group of people, they somehow come together in a way that feels surprisingly natural and satisfying.
What impressed me most, however, is how complete and well thought-out everything feels. This is not a book built around one clever idea; it is a book filled with original concepts that all work together to create something genuinely unique.
This is the kind of fantasy I love most: imaginative, ambitious, beautifully written, and completely unafraid to do its own thing.
4.5 stars. A genuinely creative and wonderfully crafted hidden gem.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Titan for the eARC
"This is where the future bleeds" is my first book by Mike Brooks, despite having his trilogy in my TBR since... well, let's say way too long. When I saw this book, with the beautiful cover, intriguing title, and the comps title, I couldn't resist the temptation to request it.
I'm glad I did! There something both old timey and new in this story. Old timey because of the time it takes for the story to be set up and going, the portion of it spend travelling, before we hit the thick of it in the last 40%. It did take me quite a while to read it, but I enjoyed the hours spend in the world. It didn't feel reheated but had familiar elements, as well as strong tale vibe I enjoyed deeply. The characters are... well, big character, especially Derna and Sulian, as well as Plainsong. I enjoyed them quite a lot actually, along with Kitt, and later, another character pushed into this mess.
It's quite funny and interesting to see how the pacing goes. There is a lot happeing, and at the same time, it didn't felt like it. Not something I'm complaining about, but it's curious. Worldbuilding wise, we do not go really deep but all we need to enjoy to story is there, intriguing and efficient, in my opinion.
Same goes for the sort of romance plot line. Not really a stake or anything, but it does permeate the story since it involve two of its important characters and inform the action of Kitt multiple time. It was sweet and fun honestly.
Really glad to have gotten a chance to read this one early, it makes for a very nice reading time.
"This is where the future bleeds" is my first book by Mike Brooks, despite having his trilogy in my TBR since... well, let's say way too long. When I saw this book, with the beautiful cover, intriguing title, and the comps title, I couldn't resist the temptation to request it.
I'm glad I did! There something both old timey and new in this story. Old timey because of the time it takes for the story to be set up and going, the portion of it spend travelling, before we hit the thick of it in the last 40%. It did take me quite a while to read it, but I enjoyed the hours spend in the world. It didn't feel reheated but had familiar elements, as well as strong tale vibe I enjoyed deeply. The characters are... well, big character, especially Derna and Sulian, as well as Plainsong. I enjoyed them quite a lot actually, along with Kitt, and later, another character pushed into this mess.
It's quite funny and interesting to see how the pacing goes. There is a lot happeing, and at the same time, it didn't felt like it. Not something I'm complaining about, but it's curious. Worldbuilding wise, we do not go really deep but all we need to enjoy to story is there, intriguing and efficient, in my opinion.
Same goes for the sort of romance plot line. Not really a stake or anything, but it does permeate the story since it involve two of its important characters and inform the action of Kitt multiple time. It was sweet and fun honestly.
Really glad to have gotten a chance to read this one early, it makes for a very nice reading time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is my first Mike Brooks novel and I requested this because it's for fans of Kings of the Wyld and Arcane (which I both love). I'll just say I think this didn't work for me.
The pacing is all over the place for me, we got the set-up, then the journey - both of this is around 60% of the book. I'm not saying that nothing happened during the journey we have some lore dropped and some characterization (which I also feels wasn't fleshed out). All of these will of course will be important later
Then once they arrive and *that happened* we are already around 70% of the book and I feel that the plot just started. Then after *another thing happened*, and we are at 80%, the pacing once again slowed down. Another plan. Plot moves again.
Then, with last 2/3 chapters, *another thing happened* I honestly thought that the main plot will continue into the next book. So I was shocked when it was wrapped up in the end, and it doesn't feel rushed.
The worldbuilding is also just okay, but it seems we only scratched the surface of this world. We have the Timeless Lands, then another place with dangers (I honestly enjoyed this part of the journey). I like what the author did with destinies, I feel like it's way underused in the story.
I enjoy the revelation of what kickstarted this whole book, the revelation at the end, but sadly this book didn't work for me.
The pacing is all over the place for me, we got the set-up, then the journey - both of this is around 60% of the book. I'm not saying that nothing happened during the journey we have some lore dropped and some characterization (which I also feels wasn't fleshed out). All of these will of course will be important later
Then once they arrive and *that happened* we are already around 70% of the book and I feel that the plot just started. Then after *another thing happened*, and we are at 80%, the pacing once again slowed down. Another plan. Plot moves again.
Then, with last 2/3 chapters, *another thing happened* I honestly thought that the main plot will continue into the next book. So I was shocked when it was wrapped up in the end, and it doesn't feel rushed.
The worldbuilding is also just okay, but it seems we only scratched the surface of this world. We have the Timeless Lands, then another place with dangers (I honestly enjoyed this part of the journey). I like what the author did with destinies, I feel like it's way underused in the story.
I enjoy the revelation of what kickstarted this whole book, the revelation at the end, but sadly this book didn't work for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review Details?
-no spoilers!
-ebook (ARC)
-3.75 (out of 5)
Fanta-SciFi-ness?
-this is a high fantasy world where the future has been shattered. we do learn how that came to be, and the mystery around that is interesting.
-the setting is interesting, and most of the main locales are vividly described. the world here is great.
-the magic system seemed somewhat imprecise, but the basic premise--some people have a bit of magic while others don't; magical abilities are very specific for most people--was fun.
-dungeons and/or dragons: no to both, but that said, this did read like a D&D campaign in terms of structure and how things moved along.
Complexity?
-we mostly follow the central protagonist, Kitt, throughout the story. a couple other POVs are added later in the book (for me, a bit too late into the story, but that comes down to personal preference).
-the world and the magic system are very easy to follow.
-for the most part, Kitt and her crew are likable, and there is not much conflict within the "good guy" group beyond some complicated feelings between Kitt and her romantic interest.
Keep it Coming?
-overall, I did want to see how the story concluded, and I was motivated to get to that point. however, I did not find myself yearning to read another chapter, and it took me a while to get through the book.
-no spoilers!
-ebook (ARC)
-3.75 (out of 5)
Fanta-SciFi-ness?
-this is a high fantasy world where the future has been shattered. we do learn how that came to be, and the mystery around that is interesting.
-the setting is interesting, and most of the main locales are vividly described. the world here is great.
-the magic system seemed somewhat imprecise, but the basic premise--some people have a bit of magic while others don't; magical abilities are very specific for most people--was fun.
-dungeons and/or dragons: no to both, but that said, this did read like a D&D campaign in terms of structure and how things moved along.
Complexity?
-we mostly follow the central protagonist, Kitt, throughout the story. a couple other POVs are added later in the book (for me, a bit too late into the story, but that comes down to personal preference).
-the world and the magic system are very easy to follow.
-for the most part, Kitt and her crew are likable, and there is not much conflict within the "good guy" group beyond some complicated feelings between Kitt and her romantic interest.
Keep it Coming?
-overall, I did want to see how the story concluded, and I was motivated to get to that point. however, I did not find myself yearning to read another chapter, and it took me a while to get through the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My rating is 4.5
Mike Brooks is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me. I have the God-King Chronicles trilogy on my shelf and this one will be a perfect standalone to sit beside those.
Humour is often subjective in fantasy but Mike strikes the right balance of banter and wit in This is Where the Future Bleeds. I loved it!
Kitt is our main character and while diviners for destinies aren't rare, her talent is. When she is knifed (the audacity) after searching out one such destiny, all hell breaks lose.
She teams up with a group of misfits that just WORK together. My fav is, of course, Two Tongued Derna but Sulian the Swallowmage and Donal Klae, the "ex" in a way, all really captured me in full.
Full of banter, repartee and clever humour there is also a sense of found family. I love reading about this group and their inter-relationships. Can they solve a murder together? Solid maybe, especially because there are secrets the rag tag group doesn't know about.
The audio is terrific and the narrator Kim Bretton deserves a gold star. She brought ALL the characters to life with different accents, personalities and emotions. Such a good voice performance.
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. My thoughts are my own.
Mike Brooks is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me. I have the God-King Chronicles trilogy on my shelf and this one will be a perfect standalone to sit beside those.
Humour is often subjective in fantasy but Mike strikes the right balance of banter and wit in This is Where the Future Bleeds. I loved it!
Kitt is our main character and while diviners for destinies aren't rare, her talent is. When she is knifed (the audacity) after searching out one such destiny, all hell breaks lose.
She teams up with a group of misfits that just WORK together. My fav is, of course, Two Tongued Derna but Sulian the Swallowmage and Donal Klae, the "ex" in a way, all really captured me in full.
Full of banter, repartee and clever humour there is also a sense of found family. I love reading about this group and their inter-relationships. Can they solve a murder together? Solid maybe, especially because there are secrets the rag tag group doesn't know about.
The audio is terrific and the narrator Kim Bretton deserves a gold star. She brought ALL the characters to life with different accents, personalities and emotions. Such a good voice performance.
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. My thoughts are my own.
Did Not Finish
July 8, 2026Thank you to Mike Brooks, Titan Books, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This Is Where the Future Bleeds is a standalone fantasy book set in a world where time is broken and destinies are found as crystals in timeless lands. Kitt is a diviner, and with a crew of muscle and spotters, hunts the crystals with her innate magical ability whilst dodging crystal thieves and mega wasps.
After finding an exceptional destiny a few years ago, Kitt is now part of a national conspiracy and must undertake a quest with a ragtag found family to stop it. She is joined, amongst others, by Sulian, a mage, Derna, her intimidating childhood best friend, and Donal, a one night stand, who may have accidentally directed an assassin to her.
Whilst the premise was incredibly interesting and I loved the worldbuilding, it really, really struggles with pacing, which affected its ability to be engaging. The actual journey through the timeless lands seemed to drag on endlessly.
I like the characters but none overly stood out to me as their humour tended to blend into one. I didn’t really care for the multiple POV either. I couldn’t see this being anymore than 3 stars and so I had to dnf as I was struggling.
This Is Where the Future Bleeds is a standalone fantasy book set in a world where time is broken and destinies are found as crystals in timeless lands. Kitt is a diviner, and with a crew of muscle and spotters, hunts the crystals with her innate magical ability whilst dodging crystal thieves and mega wasps.
After finding an exceptional destiny a few years ago, Kitt is now part of a national conspiracy and must undertake a quest with a ragtag found family to stop it. She is joined, amongst others, by Sulian, a mage, Derna, her intimidating childhood best friend, and Donal, a one night stand, who may have accidentally directed an assassin to her.
Whilst the premise was incredibly interesting and I loved the worldbuilding, it really, really struggles with pacing, which affected its ability to be engaging. The actual journey through the timeless lands seemed to drag on endlessly.
I like the characters but none overly stood out to me as their humour tended to blend into one. I didn’t really care for the multiple POV either. I couldn’t see this being anymore than 3 stars and so I had to dnf as I was struggling.
July 7, 2026
What if you could pay for a more favorable destiny? What if ones destiny was a physical thing that one (some) can hold?
Well, Mike Brooks did the hard work for us and wrote This Is Where the Future Bleeds. Imagine a ragtag group of individuals with their own beliefs and reasons, banding together to save the Future.
I really appreciate the thought of ones destiny being a physical thing to hold, the commodification of it, and the different characters all agreeing to change the status quo. Yes, I am a sucker for the reluctant hero trope! Regarding the pacing, it's rather steady and you move along through the shenanigans with the characters. However, and that is laregly the reason I went with 3 instead of 4 stars... I kept hoping for a deep dive into the magic system. I wanted to understand and "see" how the magic operates. There was an opportunity for a deeper explanation that could have made this a 5 star read.
Overall, a fun ride, great characters and a nice thought exercise as well. Definitely a quest worth embarking on!
Thank you to Mike Brooks and Orbit Books for being the dealers of destinies and allowing me to claim mine.
Well, Mike Brooks did the hard work for us and wrote This Is Where the Future Bleeds. Imagine a ragtag group of individuals with their own beliefs and reasons, banding together to save the Future.
I really appreciate the thought of ones destiny being a physical thing to hold, the commodification of it, and the different characters all agreeing to change the status quo. Yes, I am a sucker for the reluctant hero trope! Regarding the pacing, it's rather steady and you move along through the shenanigans with the characters. However, and that is laregly the reason I went with 3 instead of 4 stars... I kept hoping for a deep dive into the magic system. I wanted to understand and "see" how the magic operates. There was an opportunity for a deeper explanation that could have made this a 5 star read.
Overall, a fun ride, great characters and a nice thought exercise as well. Definitely a quest worth embarking on!
Thank you to Mike Brooks and Orbit Books for being the dealers of destinies and allowing me to claim mine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kitt Carver is all of us. She uses the magic she has to hustle a living out of the trauma inflicted on her world. She's doing the best she can and trying not to die or get her friends killed in the process. When someone attempts to assassinate her, she tries not to take it personally, but it turns out they really were after her, specifically. Now she needs to figure out why--oh, and figure out her feelings for her frenemy, Two-Tongued Derna, while trying to stay alive.
This was a lot of fun, and a great summer pick. It's a quick romp in RPG lit with solid plotting and interesting characters. I'll be honest and admit that I do kinda wish that this had been written as epic fantasy instead, but only because I'm selfish and really wanted to explore the side characters (squinting at you, Falzine Halfshade!) and world lore more. Bonus points for queer rep.
This will be great for fans of Finn Fancy and any dungeon crawler.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a lot of fun, and a great summer pick. It's a quick romp in RPG lit with solid plotting and interesting characters. I'll be honest and admit that I do kinda wish that this had been written as epic fantasy instead, but only because I'm selfish and really wanted to explore the side characters (squinting at you, Falzine Halfshade!) and world lore more. Bonus points for queer rep.
This will be great for fans of Finn Fancy and any dungeon crawler.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5 ⭐
This book was a really interesting read, I liked the journey the characters went on and how the plot developed, there were several unpredictable twists which held my attention. Derna and Sulian really grew on me over the story and I especially loved the addition of Gra’al. Although there is some romance this doesn’t take over the storyline, I like how it actually added to the plot in places.
I would say that the plot mostly progressed at a good pace as the book goes on, however around the last 10% it really amps up and a lot of things happen at once.
I was a bit dubious about having a male author write a female main character after having been burned in the past by other book, but I think this was very well done and I will definitely be reading more of their books in the future, and will be recommending this one for sure!
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a really interesting read, I liked the journey the characters went on and how the plot developed, there were several unpredictable twists which held my attention. Derna and Sulian really grew on me over the story and I especially loved the addition of Gra’al. Although there is some romance this doesn’t take over the storyline, I like how it actually added to the plot in places.
I would say that the plot mostly progressed at a good pace as the book goes on, however around the last 10% it really amps up and a lot of things happen at once.
I was a bit dubious about having a male author write a female main character after having been burned in the past by other book, but I think this was very well done and I will definitely be reading more of their books in the future, and will be recommending this one for sure!
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is my first Mike Brooks book and Kim Bretton narration. The world building is very strong. There are a lot of characters questing and meddling for big adventure. The story reminds me a lot of Samantha Shannon's Bone Season with respect to its grand story and immense world.
I would recommend reading with the audiobook narration as the narration alone is hard to visualize. I had a difficult time connecting with the story and the characters. I had to rewind the audio several times to attempt to make sense of events. The writing improved throughout but I can't deny that the start was a little overwhelming. There are a lot of characters and they all want to have their say which doesn't help those of us who were reading "audio only." Kudos to Kim Bretton for bringing the characters viewpoints and feelings to life.
#ThisisWheretheFutureBleeds #NetGalley #RBMedia #TantorMedia
Thank you to RB Media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I would recommend reading with the audiobook narration as the narration alone is hard to visualize. I had a difficult time connecting with the story and the characters. I had to rewind the audio several times to attempt to make sense of events. The writing improved throughout but I can't deny that the start was a little overwhelming. There are a lot of characters and they all want to have their say which doesn't help those of us who were reading "audio only." Kudos to Kim Bretton for bringing the characters viewpoints and feelings to life.
#ThisisWheretheFutureBleeds #NetGalley #RBMedia #TantorMedia
Thank you to RB Media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This Is Where the Future Bleeds was a fascinating blend of science fiction, action, and thought-provoking ideas. From the very beginning, I found myself immersed in a future that felt both imaginative and unsettling. The story raised interesting questions about technology, humanity, and the choices we make, while never losing sight of the characters at its heart.
I especially enjoyed how the mystery unfolded piece by piece, revealing a much bigger picture than I initially expected. The pacing kept me engaged, and I was always eager to see what new discovery or twist was waiting around the corner.
By the end, I found myself thinking about the story long after I finished reading. If you enjoy science fiction that combines big ideas with memorable characters and an engaging plot, this is definitely one worth picking up.
I especially enjoyed how the mystery unfolded piece by piece, revealing a much bigger picture than I initially expected. The pacing kept me engaged, and I was always eager to see what new discovery or twist was waiting around the corner.
By the end, I found myself thinking about the story long after I finished reading. If you enjoy science fiction that combines big ideas with memorable characters and an engaging plot, this is definitely one worth picking up.
July 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this. I think the core idea is fantastic, and the thesis statement of the book is well delivered. The humour broadly landed for me, and the characters felt fairly well realised. The plot roars along well, and the characters relationships are well realised.
I did occasionally find some of the conversations seemed overly quippy in a way that was a bit jarring, but this is a relatively minor concern. Overall I had a jolly good time.
I guess the only question remaining is "What happened to the Slydewasps?"
I did occasionally find some of the conversations seemed overly quippy in a way that was a bit jarring, but this is a relatively minor concern. Overall I had a jolly good time.
I guess the only question remaining is "What happened to the Slydewasps?"
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Had some great ingredients in this book, fantasy strong female characters - Kitt and Deena were great. And it just didn’t quite gel for me… not sure if the plot was a bit light or the execution. Thank you to the author. Thank you to # NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review to follow
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