What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 19:35:10
10 copies available
U.S. only
The Calamities
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 19:35:10
10 copies available
U.S. only
The heir to one of the world’s most influential families reckons with the demonic secret to their power, in this contemporary dark fantasy that melds occult magic with shocking family drama from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.
Mourning Mayne knows he’ll one day bear the duty of managing his family’s vast empire of wealth and power. But the feckless Mourning has always struggled to accept this legacy, which is one of cruelty, domination, and exploitation... and something even darker.
Because the Maynes are no ordinary family: Hidden in our world are the fiends—half-human, half-demon, and possessed of dark magic born from buying human souls—and the Maynes are one of the oldest and most influential fiendish families.
But when Mourning’s estranged father, the formidable and terrifying Hadrian Mayne, demands that he return to the fold, Mourning has to make a decision whether to accept his legacy and embrace his role in the family, or to forge his own destiny, and with it, change the course of the world.
Because along the way home, he will meet Key, a black-market seller of human souls, and Quinn, an artist who may hold the dark truth behind the fate of the fiends. Alone, they have all struggled with the darkness of their fiendish nature... but together, they might find a path out of the shadows.
Mourning Mayne knows he’ll one day bear the duty of managing his family’s vast empire of wealth and power. But the feckless Mourning has always struggled to accept this legacy, which is one of cruelty, domination, and exploitation... and something even darker.
Because the Maynes are no ordinary family: Hidden in our world are the fiends—half-human, half-demon, and possessed of dark magic born from buying human souls—and the Maynes are one of the oldest and most influential fiendish families.
But when Mourning’s estranged father, the formidable and terrifying Hadrian Mayne, demands that he return to the fold, Mourning has to make a decision whether to accept his legacy and embrace his role in the family, or to forge his own destiny, and with it, change the course of the world.
Because along the way home, he will meet Key, a black-market seller of human souls, and Quinn, an artist who may hold the dark truth behind the fate of the fiends. Alone, they have all struggled with the darkness of their fiendish nature... but together, they might find a path out of the shadows.
560 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 18, 2026
About the author
Chuck Wendig
186 books7,424 followersChuck Wendig is a novelist, a screenwriter, and a freelance penmonkey.
He has contributed over two million words to the roleplaying game industry, and was the developer of the popular Hunter: The Vigil game line (White Wolf Game Studios / CCP).
He, along with writing partner Lance Weiler, is a fellow of the Sundance Film Festival Screenwriter's Lab (2010). Their short film, Pandemic, will show at the Sundance Film Festival 2011, and their feature film HiM is in development with producer Ted Hope.
Chuck's novel Double Dead will be out in November, 2011.
He's written too much. He should probably stop. Give him a wide berth, as he might be drunk and untrustworthy. He currently lives in the wilds of Pennsyltucky with a wonderful wife and two very stupid dogs. He is represented by Stacia Decker of the Donald Maass Literary Agency.
You can find him at his website, terribleminds.com.
He has contributed over two million words to the roleplaying game industry, and was the developer of the popular Hunter: The Vigil game line (White Wolf Game Studios / CCP).
He, along with writing partner Lance Weiler, is a fellow of the Sundance Film Festival Screenwriter's Lab (2010). Their short film, Pandemic, will show at the Sundance Film Festival 2011, and their feature film HiM is in development with producer Ted Hope.
Chuck's novel Double Dead will be out in November, 2011.
He's written too much. He should probably stop. Give him a wide berth, as he might be drunk and untrustworthy. He currently lives in the wilds of Pennsyltucky with a wonderful wife and two very stupid dogs. He is represented by Stacia Decker of the Donald Maass Literary Agency.
You can find him at his website, terribleminds.com.
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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Chuck Wendig pulls out all the stops for the first book in a series which seamlessly combines dark fantasy with horror and gives us an epic tale of greed, dysfunctional family, revenge, and absolute terror. This book is right up there in scope with The Stand and there's more to come.
There are "broods" of families who are, for the most part, human but their ancestry goes back eons to actual demons. These families who are blood born are soulless and ruthless. They're wealthy and powerful but the source of this are the founts each family keeps to drink of. These founts are comprised of human souls.
These families make faustion deals with humans in exchange for the souls and this elixir from the souls keeps them powerful and provides them with long life and health. But they are also wary of each other. These families don't get along and sometimes the dysfunction within the broods causes a rift within the family itself. It's a world where very bad people will do very bad things with no regards to morality.
In this book, Mourning is the eldest son and heir apparent to a powerful family. But he doesn't want it. He'd rather be on an island drinking, drugging, and having sex with whoever catches his eye. He's dragged back by his absolutely ruthless father and things are going to take a horrific turn. Because the founts are becoming empty and the heads of families are either missing or dead.
When Mournings father disappears, taking the family elixir supply with him, he's forced to find out what's going on before he's killed. This is where the book turns into a great multi-character road trip from hell. With dreams and visions of a terrifying tower in a cornfield, Mourning, a soul hunter named Key, and an artist named Quinn are all drawn to this mysterious structure for their own reasons and, along the way, there will be bloody and violent repurcussions.
There are scenes in here that'll turn your stomach and creatures which will make your skin crawl. I'm not even going to mention a character named Julian and what he has in his house. Grandly gross and delightfully disgusting is all I'll say! It sticks with you.
You'll have to read this book to discover all the bone chilling secrets but you'll be happy you did. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
There are "broods" of families who are, for the most part, human but their ancestry goes back eons to actual demons. These families who are blood born are soulless and ruthless. They're wealthy and powerful but the source of this are the founts each family keeps to drink of. These founts are comprised of human souls.
These families make faustion deals with humans in exchange for the souls and this elixir from the souls keeps them powerful and provides them with long life and health. But they are also wary of each other. These families don't get along and sometimes the dysfunction within the broods causes a rift within the family itself. It's a world where very bad people will do very bad things with no regards to morality.
In this book, Mourning is the eldest son and heir apparent to a powerful family. But he doesn't want it. He'd rather be on an island drinking, drugging, and having sex with whoever catches his eye. He's dragged back by his absolutely ruthless father and things are going to take a horrific turn. Because the founts are becoming empty and the heads of families are either missing or dead.
When Mournings father disappears, taking the family elixir supply with him, he's forced to find out what's going on before he's killed. This is where the book turns into a great multi-character road trip from hell. With dreams and visions of a terrifying tower in a cornfield, Mourning, a soul hunter named Key, and an artist named Quinn are all drawn to this mysterious structure for their own reasons and, along the way, there will be bloody and violent repurcussions.
There are scenes in here that'll turn your stomach and creatures which will make your skin crawl. I'm not even going to mention a character named Julian and what he has in his house. Grandly gross and delightfully disgusting is all I'll say! It sticks with you.
You'll have to read this book to discover all the bone chilling secrets but you'll be happy you did. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Calamities is an upcoming contemporary dark fantasy novel by Chuck Wendig, the first in a duology ...
It’s scheduled for release on August 18, 2026, from Del Rey.
The story centers on Mourning Mayne, the reluctant heir to one of the world’s most powerful and influential families. Mourning has long resisted his family’s legacy of cruelty, domination, exploitation, and something far darker. The Maynes are part of a hidden world of “fiends” — half-human, half-demon beings who possess dark magic powered by buying and trading human souls. The Maynes are one of the oldest and most powerful fiendish families. When Mourning’s estranged and terrifying father, Hadrian Mayne, summons him back into the fold, Mourning faces a pivotal choice: embrace his demonic heritage and role in the family empire, or try to break free and forge his own path (potentially altering the world in the process). Along the way, he encounters Key, a black-market seller of human souls, and Quinn, an artist who may hold key truths about the fiends’ fates. Together, these characters—who have each grappled with their own fiendish darkness—might discover a way out of the shadows.
This story blends occult magic, family drama, horror, fantasy, demons and adventure. There are many other characters in this supernatural novel, the twins, brother and sister to Mourning, Silas ( a trip in himself), Sophie, Mournings absent love and so many more.
Wendig has called it a story about a group of “demon-blooded freakshows.”
This story leans into his signature mix of dark, character-driven storytelling with supernatural elements.
I don't know how he does it, but his writing is incredible! I loved the aside to his story, The Staircase in the Woods, (which was terrific!), subtly referenced to in The Calamities. He is absolutely one of my top 5 authors..and right up there with Stephen King, which is the highest recommendation I can give..yet Chuck, is entirely in his own genre. Bravo and so well done and scary...I loved this book and can't wait to read the sequel!!!
It’s scheduled for release on August 18, 2026, from Del Rey.
The story centers on Mourning Mayne, the reluctant heir to one of the world’s most powerful and influential families. Mourning has long resisted his family’s legacy of cruelty, domination, exploitation, and something far darker. The Maynes are part of a hidden world of “fiends” — half-human, half-demon beings who possess dark magic powered by buying and trading human souls. The Maynes are one of the oldest and most powerful fiendish families. When Mourning’s estranged and terrifying father, Hadrian Mayne, summons him back into the fold, Mourning faces a pivotal choice: embrace his demonic heritage and role in the family empire, or try to break free and forge his own path (potentially altering the world in the process). Along the way, he encounters Key, a black-market seller of human souls, and Quinn, an artist who may hold key truths about the fiends’ fates. Together, these characters—who have each grappled with their own fiendish darkness—might discover a way out of the shadows.
This story blends occult magic, family drama, horror, fantasy, demons and adventure. There are many other characters in this supernatural novel, the twins, brother and sister to Mourning, Silas ( a trip in himself), Sophie, Mournings absent love and so many more.
Wendig has called it a story about a group of “demon-blooded freakshows.”
This story leans into his signature mix of dark, character-driven storytelling with supernatural elements.
I don't know how he does it, but his writing is incredible! I loved the aside to his story, The Staircase in the Woods, (which was terrific!), subtly referenced to in The Calamities. He is absolutely one of my top 5 authors..and right up there with Stephen King, which is the highest recommendation I can give..yet Chuck, is entirely in his own genre. Bravo and so well done and scary...I loved this book and can't wait to read the sequel!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a case of me reading for the author and not for the book. I would not normally read whatever this genre is. I would read the description and be like, Nope, not for me. Which… what is it? Is it considered urban fantasy? Like, where it’s modern times but there are mafia-ish families run by demons? Magical elixirs and selling souls and shit? Wendig says horror-fantasy. And if Wendig writes it, I’ll read it. But I’m way more into mysterious staircases in the woods and cursed apple orchards and sleepwalkers. Go figure.
This is very good and there are the usual Wendig scenes of absolutely brutal/beautiful/fucked-up (all things at once) horror. If you read the description and are drawn to that sort of thing? Probably a 6-star read. For me, it’s not my genre and yet it was interesting and propulsive(?) enough to keep me entertained.
This is very good and there are the usual Wendig scenes of absolutely brutal/beautiful/fucked-up (all things at once) horror. If you read the description and are drawn to that sort of thing? Probably a 6-star read. For me, it’s not my genre and yet it was interesting and propulsive(?) enough to keep me entertained.
May 22, 2026
This book was easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year and The Calamities didn't let me down at all. It's fast, thrilling and horrifying in equal measure and Wendig has proven again that he's one of the best horror writers currently writing. I don't want to spoil anything but this book is like a mash-up of Cassandra Khaw & Richard Kadrey's The Dead Take the A Train and Seanan McGuire's Middlegame in all of the best ways. There's an especially creepy recurring room in this book that felt incredibly novel and terrifying.
Mourning Mayne and Key are easily some of my favorite new characters this year and I'm excited to see what Wendig does with this world in the sequel. There's also some (alot, honestly) really great Easter Eggs for those who are avid readers of what I've seen called the Wendigoverse. I can't wait to see what Chuck has for us next.
Mourning Mayne and Key are easily some of my favorite new characters this year and I'm excited to see what Wendig does with this world in the sequel. There's also some (alot, honestly) really great Easter Eggs for those who are avid readers of what I've seen called the Wendigoverse. I can't wait to see what Chuck has for us next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Calamities is a horror-fantasy, demon-family drama that’s strange, engaging, and very entertaining. Mourning is a fail-son in his father’s eyes, (although in this family, that might be a good thing) who finds himself suddenly back home at his father’s request.
As the book develops, he joins forces with Key, a human soul broker he kinda already knows, Quinn, an artist with strange visions, and Silas, a…well, not quite sure what Silas is. Also, there’s a cat named Apple. Does this sound warm and fuzzy? Yeah, it’s not. I’m super eager to see where The Fiends series continues next. This is a great read for Wendig fans, horror fans, and anyone who wants a darker-themed page turner!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
As the book develops, he joins forces with Key, a human soul broker he kinda already knows, Quinn, an artist with strange visions, and Silas, a…well, not quite sure what Silas is. Also, there’s a cat named Apple. Does this sound warm and fuzzy? Yeah, it’s not. I’m super eager to see where The Fiends series continues next. This is a great read for Wendig fans, horror fans, and anyone who wants a darker-themed page turner!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review Copy
THE CALAMITIES is the newest novel by author Chuck Wendig. It is the beginning of the horror/dark fantasy series The Fiends.
It is best described as being about a family who buys human souls as their way of living.
I found it a little slow to start in the beginning. But you do have to start somewhere, right? To learn the players and their oddities and Wendig's writing style did take me a little time. But once I did, wow! I do love me a good demon story.
It's definitely different from anything you've been reading. I say that's a very good thing. I rated it 4 1/2 stars.
THE CALAMITIES is the newest novel by author Chuck Wendig. It is the beginning of the horror/dark fantasy series The Fiends.
It is best described as being about a family who buys human souls as their way of living.
I found it a little slow to start in the beginning. But you do have to start somewhere, right? To learn the players and their oddities and Wendig's writing style did take me a little time. But once I did, wow! I do love me a good demon story.
It's definitely different from anything you've been reading. I say that's a very good thing. I rated it 4 1/2 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Calamities, a modern horror-fantasy centered on a cabal of families corrupted by greed and power, is pure-grade, white knuckle Wendig. Entertaining throughout, with interesting characters and high stakes, it’s a delightful read of globetrotting gore and deal-making demons. The novel has a satisfying arc, while also leaving the reader wanting more. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Thank you to Del Rey for access to the ARC.
Thank you to Del Rey for access to the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews