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The Wretched Trilogy #1
The Price of Fear
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26For a Godless like Azreal the Wretched, peace might be a more profitable time, but it’s no less bloody…
A decade into the armistice with Inath, the North, once united against invasion, finds itself a divided kingdom. Azreal – an infamous mage of the Northern military – operates in his native land as a contract killer, employed to hunt traitors by a king who is squabbling against his would-be usurpers.
But when the completion of his latest bounty unveils a foreign plot to dethrone the North altogether, Azreal is the only one who can cross the border and respond in kind…
Or he would have been, until betrayal at the final moment resulted in his killing of the wrong man and capture by those that he’s spent half his life fighting.
Now, imprisoned and awaiting his execution for the murder of an Inathian crown prince, Azreal finds himself across the interrogation table from Anamira Lestrade. A career criminal investigator, Ana is tasked with extracting the truth behind the assassination or dying in failure – linking the two through one last story that could stave off both their gruesome ends.
Possessed of few friends, countless enemies, magic blades that feast on his emotions, and the haunting rumors of how he won his name, Azreal the Wretched’s narrative pits him against traitorous conspiracy, brutal magical feuds, and broken promises of love. And if there is any hope of making it out alive at its end, he’ll need to conquer the price it cost him to paint the tale
Fear.
A decade into the armistice with Inath, the North, once united against invasion, finds itself a divided kingdom. Azreal – an infamous mage of the Northern military – operates in his native land as a contract killer, employed to hunt traitors by a king who is squabbling against his would-be usurpers.
But when the completion of his latest bounty unveils a foreign plot to dethrone the North altogether, Azreal is the only one who can cross the border and respond in kind…
Or he would have been, until betrayal at the final moment resulted in his killing of the wrong man and capture by those that he’s spent half his life fighting.
Now, imprisoned and awaiting his execution for the murder of an Inathian crown prince, Azreal finds himself across the interrogation table from Anamira Lestrade. A career criminal investigator, Ana is tasked with extracting the truth behind the assassination or dying in failure – linking the two through one last story that could stave off both their gruesome ends.
Possessed of few friends, countless enemies, magic blades that feast on his emotions, and the haunting rumors of how he won his name, Azreal the Wretched’s narrative pits him against traitorous conspiracy, brutal magical feuds, and broken promises of love. And if there is any hope of making it out alive at its end, he’ll need to conquer the price it cost him to paint the tale
Fear.
487 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 24, 2026
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January 24, 2026don't fear, this is as good as the cover promises it to be hehehe
RTC
RTC
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well holy crap...this is a book you don't want to miss!
First, thank you to Miles for the ARC, what an honour it's been to read this incredible story. (less than 24 hours, done and dusted)
Second, immediately put this on your TBR. trust me, you'll be thanking me later. I might actually think that I've found my book of the year...in JANUARY!
This framed narrative story opens with immediate tension...two lives are on the line and Ana, the Memory of Crime, needs answers in a hurry from Azreal the Wretched, who's death is planned for 6 hours later.
The descriptive language and prose is sharp and tight, not overwhelming but pointed in the right direction...forward. Through intense fight scenes and internal monologues, I'm totally captured.
The story takes us on a journey through Azreals eyes, he tells us of the Godless, their powers and who they are and have been, to him. The power, and it's cost to the welder, is simply stunning in its inventiveness. While looking back, we are also in the present experiencing the here and now conflict and horror to come.
The pacing of the chapters is perfect, just long enough to tell the tale but short enough to keep the 'one more chapter' vibe alive and well lol I couldn't put it down.
The Godless are the stars of the show here....it's a totally unique magic system to each but the cost to wield it remains the same...the more they use, the more they lose.
Great characters, mostly morally grey and often unlikeable. Subtle snarkly humour where you least expect it and a story that begs to be read.
I'm not saying a word about the ending but you're going to love it!
First, thank you to Miles for the ARC, what an honour it's been to read this incredible story. (less than 24 hours, done and dusted)
Second, immediately put this on your TBR. trust me, you'll be thanking me later. I might actually think that I've found my book of the year...in JANUARY!
This framed narrative story opens with immediate tension...two lives are on the line and Ana, the Memory of Crime, needs answers in a hurry from Azreal the Wretched, who's death is planned for 6 hours later.
The descriptive language and prose is sharp and tight, not overwhelming but pointed in the right direction...forward. Through intense fight scenes and internal monologues, I'm totally captured.
The story takes us on a journey through Azreals eyes, he tells us of the Godless, their powers and who they are and have been, to him. The power, and it's cost to the welder, is simply stunning in its inventiveness. While looking back, we are also in the present experiencing the here and now conflict and horror to come.
The pacing of the chapters is perfect, just long enough to tell the tale but short enough to keep the 'one more chapter' vibe alive and well lol I couldn't put it down.
The Godless are the stars of the show here....it's a totally unique magic system to each but the cost to wield it remains the same...the more they use, the more they lose.
Great characters, mostly morally grey and often unlikeable. Subtle snarkly humour where you least expect it and a story that begs to be read.
I'm not saying a word about the ending but you're going to love it!
January 19, 2026
I rate this 4.5.
The Price of Fear by Miles Lyon is the kind of story that grabs you from the very first page and refuses to let go. The world Lyon builds feels vivid and dangerous, full of tension and the real cost of wielding power. Every scene carries weight, with stakes that keep the story moving.
The pacing is excellent—there’s plenty of action, but also quiet moments that give real weight to the characters’ choices. Lyon’s writing is sharp, immersive, and gritty, but what I love most is the humor woven throughout. The world is so alive and tense that you can’t help but stay hooked the whole way through.
What really stands out is how grounded the story remains, even amid its most thrilling moments. The characters are complex, the relationships are a highlight, and there’s a constant sense of uncertainty that keeps you guessing what might happen next. For anyone who enjoys high-stakes fantasy with clever plotting, moral complexity, and dark humor, this book is a must-read.
I had the opportunity to read this as an ARC and truly appreciate the chance to dive into such a gripping story.
The Price of Fear by Miles Lyon is the kind of story that grabs you from the very first page and refuses to let go. The world Lyon builds feels vivid and dangerous, full of tension and the real cost of wielding power. Every scene carries weight, with stakes that keep the story moving.
The pacing is excellent—there’s plenty of action, but also quiet moments that give real weight to the characters’ choices. Lyon’s writing is sharp, immersive, and gritty, but what I love most is the humor woven throughout. The world is so alive and tense that you can’t help but stay hooked the whole way through.
What really stands out is how grounded the story remains, even amid its most thrilling moments. The characters are complex, the relationships are a highlight, and there’s a constant sense of uncertainty that keeps you guessing what might happen next. For anyone who enjoys high-stakes fantasy with clever plotting, moral complexity, and dark humor, this book is a must-read.
I had the opportunity to read this as an ARC and truly appreciate the chance to dive into such a gripping story.
January 19, 2026
What a great surprise The Price of Fear was. After picking it up and reading the first few chapters, I ended up just finishing in one sitting (at 3am).
Even though this is a very dark tale, I loved the way Miles balanced the overall tone with some absolutely hilarious moments in just the right places. Fans of Empire of the Vampire will find a ton to like here. Pacing is very well done and there’s a nice balance in action and political maneuvering. That ending to Azreal’s story, though...
If you’re a fan of Jay Kristoff or Z.B. Steele, this is going to be right up your alley. The Price of Fear is a very early contender for debut of the year.
86/100
4.5/5 ⭐️
***
Fans of Jay Kristoff and ZB Steele are going to love this. It’s bloody, it’s dark, it’s hilarious. A longer review to come.
An easy 4.5/5 ⭐️
Even though this is a very dark tale, I loved the way Miles balanced the overall tone with some absolutely hilarious moments in just the right places. Fans of Empire of the Vampire will find a ton to like here. Pacing is very well done and there’s a nice balance in action and political maneuvering. That ending to Azreal’s story, though...
If you’re a fan of Jay Kristoff or Z.B. Steele, this is going to be right up your alley. The Price of Fear is a very early contender for debut of the year.
86/100
4.5/5 ⭐️
***
Fans of Jay Kristoff and ZB Steele are going to love this. It’s bloody, it’s dark, it’s hilarious. A longer review to come.
An easy 4.5/5 ⭐️
January 25, 2026
So we’ve been here before. There’s been a calamity and the perpetrator gets cornered and spills their heart out. Patrick Rothfuss, Anthony Ryan and more recently Z.B. Steele are recent examples.
It’s always a heartbreaking tale. One which requires a tissue box nearby. You dab your eyes, blow your nose and shakily turn each page.
We begin to identify with our poorly misunderstood lead.
Azreal the Wretched is not that man.
No, just the opposite really. He’s a crude, foul mouthed, sarcastic ass.
If there are tears shed, they will only be from laughter.
Billed as “deadpool meets Kristoff” is pretty accurate. There is plenty of riveting action, conspiracy, magic and bloodshed amidst the buffoonery.
It’s a chuckle inducing , violent romp and something a little different in our usually bleak grimdark worlds.
A humour filled rollicking adventure!
Thanks to the author for providing this ARC.
It’s always a heartbreaking tale. One which requires a tissue box nearby. You dab your eyes, blow your nose and shakily turn each page.
We begin to identify with our poorly misunderstood lead.
Azreal the Wretched is not that man.
No, just the opposite really. He’s a crude, foul mouthed, sarcastic ass.
If there are tears shed, they will only be from laughter.
Billed as “deadpool meets Kristoff” is pretty accurate. There is plenty of riveting action, conspiracy, magic and bloodshed amidst the buffoonery.
It’s a chuckle inducing , violent romp and something a little different in our usually bleak grimdark worlds.
A humour filled rollicking adventure!
Thanks to the author for providing this ARC.
January 22, 2026
What a banger debut! For fans of Deadpool’s humor, Logen Ninefingers’ realistic worldview, and a very cool magic system, this darker fantasy is a MUST.
Lyon’s sense of prose, pacing, and balancing humor within the darkness is *chef’s kiss*. Also, pegging jokes abound. You’ve been warned/encouraged.
From an ever-growing conspiracy, to interrogation scene banter, to mage-on-mage battles, The Price of Fear has it all! I can’t wait to see where the rest of the story goes.
Edit to add: I forgot to mention one of my favorite aspects: frame narrative!
Lyon’s sense of prose, pacing, and balancing humor within the darkness is *chef’s kiss*. Also, pegging jokes abound. You’ve been warned/encouraged.
From an ever-growing conspiracy, to interrogation scene banter, to mage-on-mage battles, The Price of Fear has it all! I can’t wait to see where the rest of the story goes.
Edit to add: I forgot to mention one of my favorite aspects: frame narrative!
January 19, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
I received this as an ARC for an honest review. Thank you Miles for choosing me!
Wow! I think this is the fastest I’ve consumed a book in a while. Gory, dark, but also hilarious? Sign me up!
…And I personally think ass surgery center and bakeries go well together 😂 (as a baker, this was hilarious)
Azreal the Wretched might be my new favorite MMC. He’s cunning and funny and a little flirtatious and I love it. Definitely Shadow Daddy Vibes!
The Godless and how they earned their number, who they are to Azreal and how their power and magic blades/ weapons all work is so fascinating! I like that the magic in this book comes at a price. Someone else left a review about how they would like a novella about the academy, and I second this!
“The day a Godless wins his name is the day he wins his glory; the day he wins his number, he loses the rest of his life to it.”
Ana, The Memory of Crime ( excellent title btw) has six hours to find out what happened to the Crown Prince. And Azreal, being the accused, takes her on a wild ride as he retails the story from his point of view. All is not what it seems. Mystery, intrigue, politics, betrayal, mages, and good banter. This book is a good time!
The writing is very descriptive where I feel like I’m put right there as the scene plays out. I can picture it from the interrogation room they are in, the roads they travel, down to the boots covered in brains and blood. Some chapters it felt like the MMC inner dialogue went on for awhile, but I think I was just excited to get back to the action packed scenes, which were many.
Highly recommend you add this to your TBR! What a twist at the end, I need the next book, please and thank you!
I received this as an ARC for an honest review. Thank you Miles for choosing me!
Wow! I think this is the fastest I’ve consumed a book in a while. Gory, dark, but also hilarious? Sign me up!
…And I personally think ass surgery center and bakeries go well together 😂 (as a baker, this was hilarious)
Azreal the Wretched might be my new favorite MMC. He’s cunning and funny and a little flirtatious and I love it. Definitely Shadow Daddy Vibes!
The Godless and how they earned their number, who they are to Azreal and how their power and magic blades/ weapons all work is so fascinating! I like that the magic in this book comes at a price. Someone else left a review about how they would like a novella about the academy, and I second this!
“The day a Godless wins his name is the day he wins his glory; the day he wins his number, he loses the rest of his life to it.”
Ana, The Memory of Crime ( excellent title btw) has six hours to find out what happened to the Crown Prince. And Azreal, being the accused, takes her on a wild ride as he retails the story from his point of view. All is not what it seems. Mystery, intrigue, politics, betrayal, mages, and good banter. This book is a good time!
The writing is very descriptive where I feel like I’m put right there as the scene plays out. I can picture it from the interrogation room they are in, the roads they travel, down to the boots covered in brains and blood. Some chapters it felt like the MMC inner dialogue went on for awhile, but I think I was just excited to get back to the action packed scenes, which were many.
Highly recommend you add this to your TBR! What a twist at the end, I need the next book, please and thank you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4,25 stars!
So THAT was fun.
Imagine Deadpool humor in a grimdark setting based on the narrative structure of Empire of the Vampire / Interview with a Vampire with Fist Law vibes.
We are writing a rather dark world. The story starts in Carth, the capital of the Inathian Empire. Our main character, Azreal the Wretched, is behind bars because he killed the crown prince of Inathian (no spoiler, it's also in the blurb). The Memory of Crime, Anamira Lestrade, visits him in the morning and wants to get information and his story out of him before his execution in the early afternoon. So we keep switching between the present, where Ana is asking questions on him, and the past, which Azreal recounts from his point of view.
The writing style is kept simple and thrives on shit talking, banter, and dirty jokes. Set in a dark, grim world, it's very reminiscent of Deadpool, especially because Azreal tells his story and constantly comments on what happened. His story starts off bloody and action-packed - but not mindless. We learn more about Azreal's values and what makes him tick.
Important worldbuilding elements - such as how the magic of the Godless works - are touched upon in his story and then explained in conversation with Ana. In my opinion, this is a smart way to get the reader on the same page without massive info dumping.
At the beginning, the gaps between the past and the present are a little short with Ana, and we don't really get anywhere in the story. Funnily enough, Ana notices this too and calls him out on it - I had to snort. Gradually, however, the story picks up speed and the chaos of scene strands and storylines comes together. Azreal even finds companions to accompany him on his journey. They don't serve much purpose yet, but maybe something will come of it in the next volume ;)
What I particularly liked was the balance between banter and depth, especially in relation to Azreal. He talks a lot and also talks a lot of nonsense, wink deadpool wink, but in other scenes he has great emotional depth. That's why reading it is really fun. It's entertaining, the jokes aren't excessive, and yet you still want to know how it continues and what ultimately happens. The magic system is also a great strength: the weapons of the Godless work in a certain way and connect with the user, without giving too much away. The political machinations with different opponents are also specific, but easy to understand.
The biggest strength in the writing of Miles Lyon is his showing of emotion: He isn't just telling us, he shows us. I personally love that in books and I am quickly disappointed when authors just tell. Lyon has a perfect mix of both - depending on the situation and some other important factors ;)
The ending is also very well crafted - I'm so excited to see how it continues in book 2!
The side characters are a slight weakness. The genders are fairly balanced, but unfortunately both are a little flat at times. Of course, there's the ex-girlfriend, and of course she has beef with the current girlfriend, who is also jealous. Come on, we don't need that anymore in 2026. Basically, however, this didn't seem to me to be a "women's" issue, but more a fundamental problem with the side characters. I would have liked to see more depth or more background, especially with regard to Yan, considering his previous position. There is definitely more to be gained here! The end promises a lot on those though.
One point of criticism that is important to me aswell is the constant use of “girl” instead of “woman.” I understand that it is intended as a stylistic device here and that Azreal refers to most women as “girls.” However, a war veteran who acts as a captain and has known Azreal for decades is not a "girl" in my eyes. The same goes for the gatekeeper woman of the most important man in another city - Azreal should reconsider his view of women here. At least the women in the dirty scenes were called “woman,” otherwise it would have been really uncomfortable. I see that he respects them alot and sees them as equal to him, sometimes even greater, not to shit on that. I personally just don't like the word "girl" used overly.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The minor criticisms regarding depth and side characters are offset by the humor, the funny reactions, and Azreal as the main character. And also Ana! Shes the most deep character, next to Azreal. I know many grimdark books that lack depth but have other strengths (looking at Priest of Bones for example)- this is one of them. And a good one at that! Please, more of the same!
Honestly, I can't wait to read volume 2 in the future.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes Deadpool humor, grimdark worlds like First Law, and can handle the interview structure.
I see the Empire of the Vampire comparisons and agree with them, but book 1 doesn't yet promise as deep an emotional world as Empire. Don't let that put you off, though- this book is hugely worth reading.
Thank you so much Miles and St. James Press to give me the opportunity to read this ARC copy of the book in exchange for a honest review!
So THAT was fun.
Imagine Deadpool humor in a grimdark setting based on the narrative structure of Empire of the Vampire / Interview with a Vampire with Fist Law vibes.
We are writing a rather dark world. The story starts in Carth, the capital of the Inathian Empire. Our main character, Azreal the Wretched, is behind bars because he killed the crown prince of Inathian (no spoiler, it's also in the blurb). The Memory of Crime, Anamira Lestrade, visits him in the morning and wants to get information and his story out of him before his execution in the early afternoon. So we keep switching between the present, where Ana is asking questions on him, and the past, which Azreal recounts from his point of view.
The writing style is kept simple and thrives on shit talking, banter, and dirty jokes. Set in a dark, grim world, it's very reminiscent of Deadpool, especially because Azreal tells his story and constantly comments on what happened. His story starts off bloody and action-packed - but not mindless. We learn more about Azreal's values and what makes him tick.
Important worldbuilding elements - such as how the magic of the Godless works - are touched upon in his story and then explained in conversation with Ana. In my opinion, this is a smart way to get the reader on the same page without massive info dumping.
At the beginning, the gaps between the past and the present are a little short with Ana, and we don't really get anywhere in the story. Funnily enough, Ana notices this too and calls him out on it - I had to snort. Gradually, however, the story picks up speed and the chaos of scene strands and storylines comes together. Azreal even finds companions to accompany him on his journey. They don't serve much purpose yet, but maybe something will come of it in the next volume ;)
What I particularly liked was the balance between banter and depth, especially in relation to Azreal. He talks a lot and also talks a lot of nonsense, wink deadpool wink, but in other scenes he has great emotional depth. That's why reading it is really fun. It's entertaining, the jokes aren't excessive, and yet you still want to know how it continues and what ultimately happens. The magic system is also a great strength: the weapons of the Godless work in a certain way and connect with the user, without giving too much away. The political machinations with different opponents are also specific, but easy to understand.
The biggest strength in the writing of Miles Lyon is his showing of emotion: He isn't just telling us, he shows us. I personally love that in books and I am quickly disappointed when authors just tell. Lyon has a perfect mix of both - depending on the situation and some other important factors ;)
The ending is also very well crafted - I'm so excited to see how it continues in book 2!
The side characters are a slight weakness. The genders are fairly balanced, but unfortunately both are a little flat at times. Of course, there's the ex-girlfriend, and of course she has beef with the current girlfriend, who is also jealous. Come on, we don't need that anymore in 2026. Basically, however, this didn't seem to me to be a "women's" issue, but more a fundamental problem with the side characters. I would have liked to see more depth or more background, especially with regard to Yan, considering his previous position. There is definitely more to be gained here! The end promises a lot on those though.
One point of criticism that is important to me aswell is the constant use of “girl” instead of “woman.” I understand that it is intended as a stylistic device here and that Azreal refers to most women as “girls.” However, a war veteran who acts as a captain and has known Azreal for decades is not a "girl" in my eyes. The same goes for the gatekeeper woman of the most important man in another city - Azreal should reconsider his view of women here. At least the women in the dirty scenes were called “woman,” otherwise it would have been really uncomfortable. I see that he respects them alot and sees them as equal to him, sometimes even greater, not to shit on that. I personally just don't like the word "girl" used overly.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The minor criticisms regarding depth and side characters are offset by the humor, the funny reactions, and Azreal as the main character. And also Ana! Shes the most deep character, next to Azreal. I know many grimdark books that lack depth but have other strengths (looking at Priest of Bones for example)- this is one of them. And a good one at that! Please, more of the same!
Honestly, I can't wait to read volume 2 in the future.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes Deadpool humor, grimdark worlds like First Law, and can handle the interview structure.
I see the Empire of the Vampire comparisons and agree with them, but book 1 doesn't yet promise as deep an emotional world as Empire. Don't let that put you off, though- this book is hugely worth reading.
Thank you so much Miles and St. James Press to give me the opportunity to read this ARC copy of the book in exchange for a honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Price of Fear - Fantastic !!
To be completly transparant I received an arc for an honest review and boy I am so glad I did !!
Like a great cake, the ingrediants have to be just right. The Price of Fear is a little Joe Abercrombie, A little Jay Kristoff a smidge of Scott Lynch and a smattering of Rob.J.Hayes and what you get in return is a story so delicious yet so disturbing!! (like seriously Miles, a box of what now......) you just have to keep going in for another slice. Wrapped up in that beautiful cover art by the main man Jeff Brown. (I need this book on my shelf)
This grimdark yet hilarious tale follows Azreal the Wretched as he is out for vengence against fellow mages of his order. I was initially worried to the comparison to Empire of the Vampire that this may be a lesser version and whilst our leading man Azreal shares a similar sense of humour to Gabriel de Leon and the story set up is that of our leading man has been inprissoned and is having to tell the story to his captures, this is where the comparison ends.
The story very much stands on its own, fast paced with short chapters that beg you to read just one more before bed. The characters are very morally grey, and the world feels as alive as Lynchs' Locke Lamora which is not easy to achieve especially in a debut novel. The prose is outstanding and I would go as far to say it is better than some leading fantasy authors out there right now whilst never leaving the reader frustrated by being overly flowery it blends that perfect mix of direct storytelling whilst using intelligent and lyrical crafting to keep the excitement building. The magic system is truly spectacular, I will not ruin it by going into any further detail but again to be somewhat original in this genre is hard to come by and its just another aspect that Lyon delivers.
The only criticism I would highlight is that most of the characters share a similar dark, yet hilarious sense of humour and I believe this could have been balanced a little more across the wide cast that we get but for me this is a minor gripe, I love me some humour in my stories, especially the dark type we get here.
Goodreads uses a sime 1-5 Star rating, I give this a sold 4.5 on my own and cannot wait to see how this series progresses. Stop reading this review and go and read it. Go on.....like seriously go now.
To be completly transparant I received an arc for an honest review and boy I am so glad I did !!
Like a great cake, the ingrediants have to be just right. The Price of Fear is a little Joe Abercrombie, A little Jay Kristoff a smidge of Scott Lynch and a smattering of Rob.J.Hayes and what you get in return is a story so delicious yet so disturbing!! (like seriously Miles, a box of what now......) you just have to keep going in for another slice. Wrapped up in that beautiful cover art by the main man Jeff Brown. (I need this book on my shelf)
This grimdark yet hilarious tale follows Azreal the Wretched as he is out for vengence against fellow mages of his order. I was initially worried to the comparison to Empire of the Vampire that this may be a lesser version and whilst our leading man Azreal shares a similar sense of humour to Gabriel de Leon and the story set up is that of our leading man has been inprissoned and is having to tell the story to his captures, this is where the comparison ends.
The story very much stands on its own, fast paced with short chapters that beg you to read just one more before bed. The characters are very morally grey, and the world feels as alive as Lynchs' Locke Lamora which is not easy to achieve especially in a debut novel. The prose is outstanding and I would go as far to say it is better than some leading fantasy authors out there right now whilst never leaving the reader frustrated by being overly flowery it blends that perfect mix of direct storytelling whilst using intelligent and lyrical crafting to keep the excitement building. The magic system is truly spectacular, I will not ruin it by going into any further detail but again to be somewhat original in this genre is hard to come by and its just another aspect that Lyon delivers.
The only criticism I would highlight is that most of the characters share a similar dark, yet hilarious sense of humour and I believe this could have been balanced a little more across the wide cast that we get but for me this is a minor gripe, I love me some humour in my stories, especially the dark type we get here.
Goodreads uses a sime 1-5 Star rating, I give this a sold 4.5 on my own and cannot wait to see how this series progresses. Stop reading this review and go and read it. Go on.....like seriously go now.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An incredible debut with a masterful, confident skill with language, wielding metaphors like swords and taking risks that pay off.
For fans of Joe Abercrombie, Jay Kristoff, and ZB Steele.
The greatest extractor of truths in all of Inath has only six hours to get the confession of a foreign assassin who murdered the Crown Prince.
Azreal the Wretched: self-professed merchant of death, one of the Godless, someone who really likes to tell the FULL story. Which might just turn out to be a grand conspiracy. A treasonous coup.
I love a framed narrative. Especially one where you have a countdown until the reveal. This lets you sit and reflect on what has been relayed, as well as the two character perspectives on the tale. An arrogant, weary prisoner and a stressed, impatient interrogator.
What is a life without color? What is a moment minus the feeling? What kind of a memory exists without the notion that it matters? What purpose is there to follow without a motive?
What I appreciated was how lived-in this world felt.
The world-building is clear and nicely integrated. There are factions, intrigue, and warring nations. History is carefully interspersed throughout in a way that felt natural.
The magic has a price. For Azrael, this means giving up emotions every time he uses his destructive weapons. A weapon that constantly hungers for more which results in Azrael becoming more and more numb whilst desperately trying to hold onto humane moments.
This was grotesque, hyper-violent bloodshed, and philosophical as our interrogator so aptly puts it.
Whilst this definitely cements itself in the grimdark niche and will (NEEDS) to find its audience, I did find it leaned into the genre conventions too much for my taste.
Whilst the humour worked better for me compared to Abercrombie and the philosophical musings were akin to Jay Kristoff (who I love), I still struggled with the repetitive literary troupes of the sub-genre. I’m not saying this is repetitive at all - this will have you whiplashed and glued to the pages; but for my personal preferences, I’m saying I noticed them more.
An extremely high, strong four stars that will be my new recommendation.
Arc gifted by author.
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For fans of Joe Abercrombie, Jay Kristoff, and ZB Steele.
The greatest extractor of truths in all of Inath has only six hours to get the confession of a foreign assassin who murdered the Crown Prince.
Azreal the Wretched: self-professed merchant of death, one of the Godless, someone who really likes to tell the FULL story. Which might just turn out to be a grand conspiracy. A treasonous coup.
I love a framed narrative. Especially one where you have a countdown until the reveal. This lets you sit and reflect on what has been relayed, as well as the two character perspectives on the tale. An arrogant, weary prisoner and a stressed, impatient interrogator.
What is a life without color? What is a moment minus the feeling? What kind of a memory exists without the notion that it matters? What purpose is there to follow without a motive?
What I appreciated was how lived-in this world felt.
The world-building is clear and nicely integrated. There are factions, intrigue, and warring nations. History is carefully interspersed throughout in a way that felt natural.
The magic has a price. For Azrael, this means giving up emotions every time he uses his destructive weapons. A weapon that constantly hungers for more which results in Azrael becoming more and more numb whilst desperately trying to hold onto humane moments.
This was grotesque, hyper-violent bloodshed, and philosophical as our interrogator so aptly puts it.
Whilst this definitely cements itself in the grimdark niche and will (NEEDS) to find its audience, I did find it leaned into the genre conventions too much for my taste.
Whilst the humour worked better for me compared to Abercrombie and the philosophical musings were akin to Jay Kristoff (who I love), I still struggled with the repetitive literary troupes of the sub-genre. I’m not saying this is repetitive at all - this will have you whiplashed and glued to the pages; but for my personal preferences, I’m saying I noticed them more.
An extremely high, strong four stars that will be my new recommendation.
Arc gifted by author.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Reader Book Review 🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an unexpectedly AMAZING read—
The writing is very reminiscent of Jay Kristoff.
Empire of The Vamp (no vampires lmfao) meets Nevernight. Such a good read!!
“Ultimately, agreement is nothing but a shield against further judgment after the deed is done anyway. It lets other people shoulder some of the fallout. But in war, in battle, in killing… what matters is resolve and resilience. Always has. It’s the internal drive of the man that makes him dangerous, not the number of supporters he has for his cause.”
Azreal is my fave fr. His quick wit and chaotic good personality is so entertaining.
I was literally CACKLING the whole time. This was a fast paced read, full of political intrigue. The Godless was such a unique and interesting addition. And honestly? It fed my anime loving soul lol.
I’m not sure if anyone’s ever seen Black Cat, but it reminded me so much of that.
Back to the Godless though… Each character was freakin’ cool. I love them all, even the bad ones lol!!
I’m just soooooooo curious about them and as I told Miles, I would LOVE to have a prequel or even a novella just based on academy days 👀
I think that would be so 🔥
And the way Miles wrote the fight scenes?
No notes. I was at the edge of my seat!!
His eyebrows rose. “You really have no appreciation for art, do you?” “Art? It sounded a lot like a man aimlessly killing and then getting drunk or high to me.” “Oh, darling… that is art in some circles.”
(I love him sm 🤣🤍)
The way I ate this up in one day was insane though, but it was just THAT good. The way it kept me engaged throughout the whole book, not a single boring chapter. Such a page turner!!
Overall, I’m so glad I signed up for the arc. This did not disappoint at all. The twist at the end…
I can’t wait for the sequel 😭🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an unexpectedly AMAZING read—
The writing is very reminiscent of Jay Kristoff.
Empire of The Vamp (no vampires lmfao) meets Nevernight. Such a good read!!
“Ultimately, agreement is nothing but a shield against further judgment after the deed is done anyway. It lets other people shoulder some of the fallout. But in war, in battle, in killing… what matters is resolve and resilience. Always has. It’s the internal drive of the man that makes him dangerous, not the number of supporters he has for his cause.”
Azreal is my fave fr. His quick wit and chaotic good personality is so entertaining.
I was literally CACKLING the whole time. This was a fast paced read, full of political intrigue. The Godless was such a unique and interesting addition. And honestly? It fed my anime loving soul lol.
I’m not sure if anyone’s ever seen Black Cat, but it reminded me so much of that.
Back to the Godless though… Each character was freakin’ cool. I love them all, even the bad ones lol!!
I’m just soooooooo curious about them and as I told Miles, I would LOVE to have a prequel or even a novella just based on academy days 👀
I think that would be so 🔥
And the way Miles wrote the fight scenes?
No notes. I was at the edge of my seat!!
His eyebrows rose. “You really have no appreciation for art, do you?” “Art? It sounded a lot like a man aimlessly killing and then getting drunk or high to me.” “Oh, darling… that is art in some circles.”
(I love him sm 🤣🤍)
The way I ate this up in one day was insane though, but it was just THAT good. The way it kept me engaged throughout the whole book, not a single boring chapter. Such a page turner!!
Overall, I’m so glad I signed up for the arc. This did not disappoint at all. The twist at the end…
I can’t wait for the sequel 😭🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
Judge a book by it's cover? When the cover is by Jeff Brown, maybe:
Azreal the Wretched, 6th of the Godless to the Throne of Ice and Wrath, is a wise-cracking, dangerous, foul mouthed assassin for hire and con-man who calls everyone "darling". Particularly Anamira Lestrade, Inath's Memory of Crime, assigned by her Emperor to wrest the truth of the assassin's last kill - the Emperor's son - from that mouth before his execution set only half a day hence. Ana's own life dependent on the answers she gets.
Thus are we introduced to the shattered peace between North and South, it's origins and complications, the treacheries that threaten all out war between the realms.
The Price of Fear, Book 1 of the Wretched Trilogy, is Miles Lyon's debut novel, and it's a wild, grim and bloody ride told in the suspect words and tones of Azreal himself. Who is possessed of a sometimes too modern sounding and Deadpool-esque aspect, delightfully overcome by an opposite tendency towards thoughtful, almost flowery philosophical monologues that show Lyon's prose abilities at their finest. Much of Fear reads with a mature fantasy author's voice. Good reasons to inhale this whiff of new writer smell forthwith and prepare to savor what comes after.
I received an e-arc from the author in exchange for an honest review, and it doesn't get more honest than this: Yes, The Price of Fear lives up to it's awesome Jeff Brown cover! Set to publish February 24, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC reader review:
Rating : 9/10
Genre: Grim Dark Fantasy with Dark Humor and lots of action
Similar to: Joe Abercrombie but more action and humor
What I Liked :
+ Magic System is smart, interesting and unforgiving. I loved the idea that you have to give/sacrifice something to make/create something (in this case magic). You can not have something out of nothing, without nothing.
+ Main character is Humorous, Deadly, both good and bad, reminded me of Deadpool and Logan Ninefingers
+ Lots of memorable characters. Sometimes when you read a book you do not remember or have a hard time remembering each character just by reading their name. But not in this one. I think the author achieved this with excellent name choices that does not sound familiar and with unique character traits
+ Mage battles . They felt like PvP duels In a fantasy game
+ Story has a very nice flow to it. It keeps you interested while being very promising
+ Cover hype matching the book
This did not feel like a debut at all. I think the Author is very smart and knows what he is doing. I am very excited for his next books. The story is set and ready to bloom.
I believe the next books are going to be more deep, dark and action packed.
Rating : 9/10
Genre: Grim Dark Fantasy with Dark Humor and lots of action
Similar to: Joe Abercrombie but more action and humor
What I Liked :
+ Magic System is smart, interesting and unforgiving. I loved the idea that you have to give/sacrifice something to make/create something (in this case magic). You can not have something out of nothing, without nothing.
+ Main character is Humorous, Deadly, both good and bad, reminded me of Deadpool and Logan Ninefingers
+ Lots of memorable characters. Sometimes when you read a book you do not remember or have a hard time remembering each character just by reading their name. But not in this one. I think the author achieved this with excellent name choices that does not sound familiar and with unique character traits
+ Mage battles . They felt like PvP duels In a fantasy game
+ Story has a very nice flow to it. It keeps you interested while being very promising
+ Cover hype matching the book
This did not feel like a debut at all. I think the Author is very smart and knows what he is doing. I am very excited for his next books. The story is set and ready to bloom.
I believe the next books are going to be more deep, dark and action packed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Price of Fear is grimdark fantasy that understands violence, consequence, and emotion. The interrogation framing immediately sets the tone, Azreal telling his story just hours from execution keeps the tension tight and constant. Azreal is chaotic, darkly funny, and deeply damaged. Ana is sharp, smart, and the perfect counterbalance to him. The Godless are so sick, the magic system actually costs something, and every fight carries so much weight. The world is brutal, the politics are tense, the pacing is relentless, and the story keeps you on edge the entire time. It’s brutal, it’s clever, it’s funny, and it’s tragic all at once.
Thank you to Miles Lyon for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Miles Lyon for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love a story teller and Miles Lyon not only is one he wrote one. Azreal feeds you his story by the spoonful. It’s not enough and to much all at once. The man is verbose, detailed, building the tension in his tale with every word of descriptive prose. You forget, as he drags you along that reason you are along for the ride at all is because he has come to the end of his time and sits chained to the floor of an interrogation room. So the story begins as it’s ending. You will feel waterboarded in the best possible way by this book. I said to my husband multiple times while reading “ this F***ING guy!” Now imagine using that phrase with a rueful smile, a scowl and with tears shimmering in your eyes. Yeah, that about describes what you are in for. Bang wheeze splatter.
Review of advance copy received from Author
INSTANT 5 STAR FROM ME
I really enjoyed the book and as for it being a debut story from Miles Lyon, It was such a fun read!
Yes it was Grimdark, yes it had intense action, and yes it had fantastic humor. After you get the gist of what the magic system is like (which is unique and very interesting in its own way) as well as the world building and characters are like, it gets really hard to even take a break from reading.
A fantastic debut and highly recommend to pick it up on release if you are a fan of anything to do with Fun Grimdarky adventures!
I really enjoyed the book and as for it being a debut story from Miles Lyon, It was such a fun read!
Yes it was Grimdark, yes it had intense action, and yes it had fantastic humor. After you get the gist of what the magic system is like (which is unique and very interesting in its own way) as well as the world building and characters are like, it gets really hard to even take a break from reading.
A fantastic debut and highly recommend to pick it up on release if you are a fan of anything to do with Fun Grimdarky adventures!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wasn't sure what to expect when reading The Price of Fear, a wonderful page-turner by Miles Lyon. I read this faster than I thought I was going to and this is indeed a compliment.
I can see the Kristoff comparisons but Lyon makes this their own. This was a dark tale, full of blood, guts, swearing and betrayal but I really enjoyed how light-hearted it could be. It really helped with the fluidity of the novel.
The ending did creep up a bit abruptly, however it really does make me want to pick up book two.
I can see the Kristoff comparisons but Lyon makes this their own. This was a dark tale, full of blood, guts, swearing and betrayal but I really enjoyed how light-hearted it could be. It really helped with the fluidity of the novel.
The ending did creep up a bit abruptly, however it really does make me want to pick up book two.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC supplied by author in exchange for an honest review.
Well,
I didn’t get me immediately, but I came to enjoy this book. I’m now very interested to see where this story goes and how the lore deepens and expands through books two and three.
There are definite Jay Kristoff vibes here, with particular hat-tips to EOTV and Nevernight. Aside from the pacing being a little too breakneck for my taste, I’m looking forward for the next instalment.
Cheers. 🍻
Well,
I didn’t get me immediately, but I came to enjoy this book. I’m now very interested to see where this story goes and how the lore deepens and expands through books two and three.
There are definite Jay Kristoff vibes here, with particular hat-tips to EOTV and Nevernight. Aside from the pacing being a little too breakneck for my taste, I’m looking forward for the next instalment.
Cheers. 🍻
January 26, 2026
Dark, gritty and compelling! What a start to a trilogy that I can’t wait to continue
Strong characters throughout, great pacing and throw in betrayal, epic fights and a magic system that continues to intrigue me and I was hooked. Im also a sucker for a strong character with sarcasm and snarky humour and Azreal perfectly encapsulates this.
Cannot recommend enough that you pick this book up on its release on 24th February and Thankyou to Miles for sending me an ARC to review.
Strong characters throughout, great pacing and throw in betrayal, epic fights and a magic system that continues to intrigue me and I was hooked. Im also a sucker for a strong character with sarcasm and snarky humour and Azreal perfectly encapsulates this.
Cannot recommend enough that you pick this book up on its release on 24th February and Thankyou to Miles for sending me an ARC to review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Price of Fear is an absolute master stroke of a debut. Lyon has some of the most polished prose and engaging characters of any book, let alone debut, I’ve ever read. Perfect for fans of Jay Kristoff and Z.B. Steele, and honestly, any grimdark piece of literature published to date
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