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The Morbid Healer

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A healer obsessed with death and glory.
A doomed quest to the frozen edge of the world.
To become a legend, she must wage a one-woman war against the grave.


When an immortal Warden launches a voyage to the frozen edge of the world—to rescue a dying fragment of God locked beneath the polar ice—Alice seizes the chance to prove herself and forces her way on board.

But when the expedition is trapped in a white wasteland, the mission shifts from rescue to brutal survival. Stranded miles from civilization, the crew is besieged by a rotting sickness and a relentless, intelligent beast that stalks their trail.

Worse, the earth and running water Alice needs to fuel her magic are gone. To keep twenty-four men alive, she must push her powers beyond their known limits, pioneering gruesome techniques and risking the corruption of her mind.

As the shadows close in, Alice learns that being a hero isn't about the power to heal—it’s about having the strength to decide who lives, and who must be left behind.

273 pages, ebook

Published March 28, 2026

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About the author

Jake Rab

2 books8 followers
Jake is a fantasy author from northern England. He works the night shift, plays World of Warcraft, and drinks Yorkshire tea — all while daydreaming of a fantasy world too large in scope for his tiny work ethic.

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5 stars
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12 (63%)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Maeghan 🦋.
687 reviews617 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 4, 2026
Such an interesting premise! Thank you to NetGalley & the author for a chance to review this arc!!

3.75✨ rounded up for enjoyment.

The morbid healer was a fun & enjoyable read. It was definitely unique & had some interesting elements. I play video games and this book made me feel like a video game with all its quests.

We follow Alice (the healer) as she tries to prove herself to the Healer’s center. She wants to show that there’s different methods for healing. I really liked the opening scenes where we saw her actively healing the little girl - it was unique and hooked me on her character.

I will admit I did sometimes find the different chapters didn’t necessarily flow well - especially in the beginning and middle. It was better towards the ending. I also wanted more information about Elaina & her previous quests but I saw in the acknowledgement that the author’s other book covers that and he has more coming out! I’ll definitely get to that because I was curious.

When Alice joined Theryn’s crew ; I will admit I was a bit afraid to see only 2 women in a crew of men that weren’t necessarily nice at first. I liked that the author picked a different lane and I found the found family elements absolutely well written & sweet. At first I had a hard time framing Alice’s personality (her quirks were more easily identifiable) but she grew more distinguished as the novel went by.

I liked how certain aspects of being a healer (nurses/doctors) were explored. Especially how we usually go into this thinking we’re going to save everyone and put this gigantic pressure on ourselves to do so.

Overall, a fun & enjoyable read!
Profile Image for Ash.
35 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

This was such a refreshing read which is especially ironic considering the title of this book. But I wanted more from it.

The opening hooked me immediately - Alice as a traveling healer with morbid, matter-of-fact thoughts was such a fun and unique voice (especially if you’ve ever worked in healthcare… you just get it).

Where it lost me a bit was in some of the execution. Some of the transitions felt rushed or not fully earned - especially with the Warden and Alice’s decision to join up. There were a few moments where it felt like the plot needed something to happen, so it just… did.

The worldbuilding also had a lot of potential that wasn’t fully explored. I wanted more depth around the magic system, the rot, and the enemy. Honestly, this could have easily been 150–200 pages longer and been a 5⭐ read for me.

That said, I was never bored and never even considered DNFing. The writing style is strong, the dialogue feels natural, and I really appreciated that it didn’t rely on shock value or constant twists to stay engaging.

Overall: really enjoyable, super promising, but just needed a little more room to breathe.
Profile Image for Arianna.
22 reviews6 followers
April 22, 2026
Rating: 4.5 ⭐

The Morbid Healer has been one of my favorite reads of 2026 thus far. We follow the journey of Alice, our death-obsessed healer, as she searches for a way to prove that all witches from Den'gore aren't evil regardless of the reputation that precedes her. After she meets Elaina and Therynn, she finds her perfect idea of becoming the world's best healer imaginable. Throughout this journey, we watch as conflicts arise between crew mates, environmental issues arise to make it rougher not only on survival but Alice's ways of channeling her magic, and we encounter different beasts that threaten to kill them all.

There was so much that I loved about this book! It was very emotionally touching in parts, especially as some of the characters learn to stop fighting and hating each other, instead they begin working like an actual crew. Others learn to deal with their inner issues such as trust, depression, alcoholism, and Alice herself learns how to be more confident in herself and hone her magic. There was plenty of tension throughout the journey as they faced lack of supplies, lack of shelter, being lost in this icy region, dealing with those on the verge of dying from illnesses that plagued the group. All of this combined left me wondering who might die in the next chapter.

The only thing that I didn't like.. was how short the book was and the limited amount of medical interventions! Towards the 75% mark there is an AMAZING medical technique that is involved and highly detailed which I absolutely loved, but the majority of the healing is just channeling her magic so it wasn't very descriptive nor showcased how everything is treated. This is also a stand-alone story focusing on Alice in a much bigger series, so I understand the length, but I just want more!

If you enjoy shows like Charmed, Avatar, or Winx, then I think you will enjoy this. I can't wait to read the rest of the series! Thank you the Jake Rab for letting me read it prior to release!
Profile Image for Bookish Emili Reads.
73 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 22, 2026
The Morbid Healer is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that blends survival horror with character‑driven stakes, making for a gripping and unsettling read. The story follows Alice, a healer fascinated—almost consumed—by death and the desire for glory. When she forces her way onto an expedition led by an immortal Warden, she finds herself thrust into a deadly mission to retrieve a fragment of God trapped beneath polar ice.

What begins as an ambitious rescue mission quickly devolves into a brutal fight for survival. Stranded in a frozen wasteland without the earth or running water she needs for her magic, Alice is pushed to the edge of her abilities. As the crew falls prey to a rotting sickness and an intelligent, relentless beast stalking them through the snow, she must pioneer grisly new healing methods—risking both her sanity and her soul. These high‑pressure moral dilemmas give the novel real emotional weight, pushing Alice to confront what heroism truly demands when resources and hope are scarce.

The tone is decidedly dark, with vivid, visceral imagery and intense themes that won’t be for every reader—but for fans of grim, high‑stakes fantasy, this atmosphere is a strength. The premise itself is fresh and compelling, drawing loose inspiration from real-world survival epics while layering in supernatural danger. Jake Rab’s upcoming standalone is positioned within his larger Children of Grania universe, set 250 years after The Warden of Lies, and his world building is rich without overwhelming the narrative.

If the book has a drawback, it's that some moments lean heavily into bleakness, which may overshadow character nuance for readers who prefer a lighter or more varied emotional tone. But overall, the pacing, tension, and unique magic system make it a standout addition to dark fantasy.
A chilling, immersive survival tale with a strong, morally complex heroine—well worth four stars.
Profile Image for Lilith's_Library_.
733 reviews36 followers
April 3, 2026
Dark, intriguing, and morally gripping

The Morbid Healer is the kind of story that leans unapologetically into the shadows, and I was hooked by its unsettling edge from the very beginning.

What really stood out to me was the concept—a healer tied so closely to morbidity creates such a fascinating, almost eerie dynamic. It blurs the line between life and death in a way that feels both compelling and deeply uncomfortable, which made it hard to look away. There’s a constant tension running through the story, like something is always just slightly off.

The main character is far from traditional. Morally grey, complex, and at times difficult to fully understand, they carry the story with a quiet intensity that kept me invested. I found myself questioning their choices, their motives, and even my own reactions to them—which is always a sign of strong writing.

The atmosphere is another major strength. It’s dark, immersive, and at times almost suffocating, adding to the overall sense of unease. The world feels gritty and grounded, which makes the more disturbing elements hit even harder.

If I had one critique, it would be that some parts of the story felt a little uneven in pacing, and I would have loved a bit more depth in certain relationships or backstory elements. There were moments where I wanted to sit in the emotional weight just a little longer.

Overall, this is a haunting, thought-provoking read that isn’t afraid to explore the darker side of healing and humanity. If you enjoy morally complex characters, eerie atmospheres, and stories that make you question right and wrong, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Profile Image for SJ.
37 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2026
Wow.

This was a relatively quick, really enjoyable fantasy read.

The Morbid Healer by Jake Rab follows Alice, a healer from Den'gore, who is known as an outcast due to her unconventionally morbid personality and methods for healing. On a quest to better the image of the witches of Den'gore as well as the desire to gain knowledge and glory, she joins a crew on a doomed expedition to rescue a magical being.

This story was dark and gripping, really selling the morbid nature of brutal survival.
Jake Rab does a great job at setting the tone and atmosphere as the group falls victim to illness and desperation.

The character development was done exceptionally well. Alice quickly became a favorite character, which is not very surprising. What I did find surprising however, was just how much the side characters grew on me. I became just as invested in every single one of their survivals and I certainly did not expect to become as emotionally attached to them as I did.

If there was one thing that I really wanted elaboration on, it was the magic system. That said, the worldbuilding was somewhat limited however, this is because The Morbid Healer is considered an expansion story to the main storyline from "The Warden of Lies".

Overall, I really enjoyed this read and absolutely will be checking out the first novel "The Warden of Lies" as well as Alice's upcoming continuation novel.

This is a review of an ARC provided by the author.
Thank you Jake Rab for allowing me this opportunity! I am excited to read your other works!
428 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 15, 2026
Thank you to Jake Rab for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Morbid Healer presents a dark and intriguing story with a unique premise that immediately captures attention. The narrative explores unusual themes while following characters who must navigate difficult and sometimes unsettling circumstances.

What I found most interesting was the originality behind the concept. The story brings a distinctive tone that sets it apart and creates a sense of mystery as the plot gradually unfolds.

The characters add depth to the narrative, helping ground the darker elements of the story while driving the plot forward. Their journeys and challenges make the story engaging and keep the reader curious about what will happen next.

For me, this lands at 4 ⭐ because the story was creative and compelling, though there were a few moments where additional detail could have made certain scenes even stronger.

This is a 4 ⭐ for me because:

• the premise feels unique and intriguing
• the darker atmosphere adds depth to the story
• the characters help carry the narrative
• the unfolding plot keeps the reader invested

Dark. Unusual. Intriguing.

Read this book if you like:

• darker or unconventional stories
• character-driven narratives
• unique and creative premises
• atmospheric storytelling
Profile Image for Chelsea Walsh.
392 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 19, 2026
Compelling atmosphere, but the pacing struggles in the frost.

Jake Rab’s The Morbid Healer is a dark fantasy survival story with a fascinating premise: a protagonist, Alice, who is a healer obsessed with death rather than just preserving life. The setting—a doomed voyage to the frozen edge of the world to recover a fragment of God—is dripping with atmosphere and a palpable sense of dread.

The Good:
Unique Magic System: The concept of "morbid healing" is fresh. Watching Alice push her magic beyond its limits to keep twenty-four men alive against both sickness and a relentless beast provides some high-tension moments.

Grim Atmosphere: The 328-page novel successfully captures the survivalist grit of a white wasteland.

The Not-So-Good:
Pacing Issues: While the beginning and end are gripping, the middle act feels as frozen as the landscape. The repetition of the survival cycle occasionally slows the narrative momentum.

Character Depth: While Alice is a strong female protagonist, some of the secondary crew members feel a bit interchangeable, making it hard to feel the weight of every loss.

Overall, it’s a solid first in series for fans of Sword & Sorcery who enjoy a darker, more visceral take on fantasy. It shows a lot of promise, but it didn't quite reach "unputdownable" status for me.
34 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2026
I enjoyed reading The Morbid Healer. The story follows Alice on her journey to be the best Healer Den'gore has ever seen. The magic system isn't really explained, but I thought it was pretty cool that Alice figured out a few very complex medical techniques using the light magic, especially considering they seem to live around 400A.D. As a person with complex medical needs, I couldn't help but appreciate the actual healing aspect of Alice's power through the story, though I do wish there was more understanding of her actual magic.

The characters were complex enough, and Bulb grew to be my favorite. Winter is my hardest season, and imagining being surrounded by ice like the characters. I think I understand how they were feeling. For a good part of the book, the setting is "ice" and that frustrated me. If it was intentional, it worked! Overall, a good book. I think it could use a bit more excitement but I would still suggest reading it.
Profile Image for Miranda Norman.
64 reviews3 followers
dnf-2026
April 18, 2026
Thank you to the publishers for an e-ARC of this story through NetGalley!

DNF @ 30%

This reads much younger than I expected - if it was marketed as a younger YA book and I just didn't notice, then that can be on me but the writing just isn't very good, every character feels like cardboard and the magic system doesn't make enough sense. It doesn't feel original and unfortunately I just don't care enough to finish it. Again, I think this book could be fine for a slightly younger audience, but seeing as it's supposed to have darker themes / be fairly violent, I'm not sure how that intends to play out in the rest of the book if the goal is for younger readers. But me at 27, I just don't care.
Profile Image for Donna Robinson.
945 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 22, 2026
E-ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! Thank you!

This fantasy book had a lot of promise of a young witch, named Alice, determined to prove that her people aren't evil, and joins a crew to find a magical being as their healer. The cast of characters was really impressive, with the diversity of personalities, especially in Alice, who does have a rather morbid sense of healing and thoughts. The biggest issue of the book was the uneven pacing throughout it, which made it hard to keep focus. The magic setting of the book was cool since it gradually built itself up as the book progressed. Overall, the story holds strength in its characters and dark, cold setting, while struggling with its pace.
34 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 26, 2026
Going into reading this I was expecting to enjoy the premise but what I didn't expect was how much the story and the characters grew on me. Ive seen people say they struggled with pacing throughout this book but in my opinion the pacing is what lends so well to the struggle and need for survival portrayed in this book. I loved the unique magic system and the relationships built throughout the journey. I will say I shed some tears towards the end but I enjoyed this book immensely! It really gave me lord of the rings mixed with pirates of the carribean vibes but in a whole new world.
Profile Image for Maritza Laurienzo.
26 reviews
April 25, 2026
As a fan of horror and fantasy I loved the morbid magic system in this novel, as well as our morbid Alice herself. We love a good, weird inner monologue that sometimes becomes an outside voice. I’m someone who likes in-depth world building and there wasn’t as much as I’d hoped but it really didn’t take away too much from the plot or the enjoyment as the character development and the journey of the crew Alice joins makes up for it wholly.

This was a fun, unique, 4 star read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!
Profile Image for Brookie.
23 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 24, 2026
The premise of the story seemed very interesting and there were parts of the story that were enjoyable, but I did struggle with the pacing of the book. I did have a hard time keeping myself invested at times. Alice was such a unique character, and I enjoyed watching her growth throughout the story. The magic system was fascinating although very morbid. Overall, this was a good story for those that like elements of fantasy and horror.
Profile Image for Hazel Grey.
54 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2026
The Morbid Healer by Jake Rab is a dark, gripping read that completely pulled me in. Haunting yet beautifully written, it blends eerie atmosphere with emotional depth in a way that lingers long after the final page. The characters are complex and compelling, and the story walks the perfect line between unsettling and captivating. A brilliantly morbid tale I couldn’t put down!
71 reviews
May 1, 2026
What a journey! This was such a great read. It's one thing to read about a journey but to experience it, like you were there, that's the magic of good writing. Alice was a true gem of a character and I hope there is more to come of her story.
Profile Image for Kerri.
37 reviews
April 14, 2026
ARC Review!

3.5 stars! The author jumped right in with this one! Little world building but I didn’t miss it! The characters are like-able and make me chuckle. And I wholeheartedly enjoyed all the morbid thoughts that Alice has! I did feel like the climax of the book was a bit rushed but overall the storyline was unique and enjoyable!
Profile Image for ReneeReads.
1,639 reviews135 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
April 2, 2026
This book is aptly named because there are definitely some morbid moments throughout. Alice is definitely a quirky character that I found to be pretty endearing at times. The landscape is unforgiving in this book and the survival aspect had the tension ramping up. Overall I enjoyed the found family aspect and the storyline and I think many readers will enjoy this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Ravager Publishing for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 3/28/26
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews