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This is Where the Future Bleeds
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26A 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.
- GenresFantasy
400 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 30, 2026
About the author
Mike Brooks
84 books576 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
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
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
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.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews