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The Wretched Trilogy #1
The Price of Fear: The Wretched Trilogy: Book 1
For 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.
406 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2026
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2335 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from Author
This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine
Miles Lyon apparently looked into my soul, took notes, and then chose violence by delivering all of my favourite things about grimdark fantasy in The Price of Fear. I love a framed narrative, I love a snarky, melodramatic bastard of an anti-hero who has done awful things and will absolutely tell you about them with a straight face and a bad attitude, I love magic that comes with a cost, and I love razorsharp dialogue paired with dark humour that makes you cry tears of laughter while everything is actively burning down. In other words, yes, I am the exact target audience for this book, and I absolutely ate it up in all its grimdark glory.
From page one, Lyon’s authorial voice grabbed me by the collar. It is darkly funny in a way that feels effortless, not unlike Abercrombie or Kristoff, but without ever feeling like a cheap rip-off of those grimdark legends. That said, the opening was not flawless for me. Early on, it felt like Lyon was still warming up to his own voice, resulting in some repetition and leaning a little too hard on the snark and crudeness. It occasionally felt like the book was nudging me in the ribs going get it, get it, I am grimdark and funny. I did get it. Thankfully, as the story progressed, that voice grew more confident and controlled, and before long I was deeply immersed and couldn’t stop myself from enthusiastically highlighting all the brilliant lines with genuine emotional weight and philosophical depth.
“Maybe that’s all this life is. The moments of regret that we live in between the tragedies that befall us. Moments separated by the hope that when the opportunity to change comes around, we take it. To forge something better. A divergence of the routine that makes us more.”
The framed narrative à la Empire of the Vampire or Whispers of the Storm is where The Price of Fear shines the most for me, with Azreal the Wretched spending six hours awaiting his execution while recounting his story to Anamira Lestrade, a criminal investigator whose own life is also very much on the line. Their interrogation scenes were easily my favourite parts of the book, as the banter between Azreal and Anamira is sharp, cruel, and increasingly tense with every tick of the clock. Azreal delights in pushing the buttons of his exhausted, stressed jailor, and I loved how what begins as verbal sparring slowly turns into something far more intimate and uncomfortable as the pressure and tension built. Both Ana and Azreal are forced to confront ugly truths about themselves, and the whole thing slowly started to feel less like an interrogation and more like the worst therapy session imaginable, just with armed guards and an execution looming overhead, and I was so here for that.
Ana’s eyes rolled. “You’re insufferable, do you know that?”
“Insufferable is a considerable improvement from what I’m typically called.”
“Surely. Yet here I am, suffering you anyway.”
Now, while The Price of Fear might not reinvent the wheel in any way when it comes to grimdark fantasy or framed narratives, it just absolutely nails the execution and manages to stand out from the crowd in some cool ways, particularly the uniquely compelling magic system. Power always comes at a deeply personal cost here, with Azreal sacrificing his emotions every time he uses the Wretched, his magic blades that hunger endlessly and leave him more numb with each use. Other Godless give up their happiness to create portals across time, their hearing to contort sound, or their sensations to create illusions, just to give a few examples. It is bleak, cruel, and intensely character driven, and watching Azreal and the other Godless desperately cling to fleeting human moments while becoming increasingly hollow was brutal in exactly the way grimdark should be.
“We’d always had that type of relationship, the Wretched and I. Give and take. They fed on what fear I could give them– be it the fear I created in others or the willing parts I let be consumed. But that was a delicate balance, and what I didn’t give freely, they were most desperate to take, like a forbidden fruit with the sweetest pulp.”
Though, one of the biggest surprises of The Price of Fear was Azreal himself, because beneath the bitterness, bloodshed, and emotional damage is a hopeless romantic loverboy making catastrophically bad decisions in the name of love. His devotion to the woman he loves drives much of the story and adds an unexpected tenderness that works far better than it has any right to. On top of that, the female characters were also a clear standout, and I loved that they were all so complex, capable, and full of agency. Obviously Anamira steals the show, but it was Vera who really stole my heart, and I think she deserves Azreal’s eternal gratitude and possibly worship for how she shows up when it matters most.
For all its blood and misery, The Price of Fear is also genuinely funny, sometimes hysterically so, with the snarky narrative voice and sharp situational humour perfectly balancing the darkness and depravity. I will admit that I was not especially invested in the political assassination plot on its own, as schemes and power struggles were never the reason I kept turning pages. What made me care was Azreal himself and the way he wove his story, and by the final quarter of the book I was buckled into an emotional rollercoaster that swung violently between gut punching brutality and laugh out loud absurdity. Like, I never thought a black box could be this funny, yet here we are. Some readers may find it all a bit excessive, but I was having a genuinely great time.
“And look, I’m not one to concern myself with the whims of luck and karma very often, but fucking hell, could I catch just one gods damned break?”
Ultimately, The Price of Fear more than lives up to its stunning cover, and I loved how it only improved along the way, gaining confidence, emotional depth, and stakes with each turn of the page. The ending blows the doors wide open, and I am completely invested to see where Lyon is going to take The Wretched Trilogy. It’s bloody, brutal, funny as hell, and unexpectedly tender when it hurts the most, and I have a feeling this has the potential to fill a First Law-sized hole in all of our grimdark loving hearts.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Price of Fear is scheduled for release on 24 February 2026.
Miles Lyon apparently looked into my soul, took notes, and then chose violence by delivering all of my favourite things about grimdark fantasy in The Price of Fear. I love a framed narrative, I love a snarky, melodramatic bastard of an anti-hero who has done awful things and will absolutely tell you about them with a straight face and a bad attitude, I love magic that comes with a cost, and I love razorsharp dialogue paired with dark humour that makes you cry tears of laughter while everything is actively burning down. In other words, yes, I am the exact target audience for this book, and I absolutely ate it up in all its grimdark glory.
From page one, Lyon’s authorial voice grabbed me by the collar. It is darkly funny in a way that feels effortless, not unlike Abercrombie or Kristoff, but without ever feeling like a cheap rip-off of those grimdark legends. That said, the opening was not flawless for me. Early on, it felt like Lyon was still warming up to his own voice, resulting in some repetition and leaning a little too hard on the snark and crudeness. It occasionally felt like the book was nudging me in the ribs going get it, get it, I am grimdark and funny. I did get it. Thankfully, as the story progressed, that voice grew more confident and controlled, and before long I was deeply immersed and couldn’t stop myself from enthusiastically highlighting all the brilliant lines with genuine emotional weight and philosophical depth.
“Maybe that’s all this life is. The moments of regret that we live in between the tragedies that befall us. Moments separated by the hope that when the opportunity to change comes around, we take it. To forge something better. A divergence of the routine that makes us more.”
The framed narrative à la Empire of the Vampire or Whispers of the Storm is where The Price of Fear shines the most for me, with Azreal the Wretched spending six hours awaiting his execution while recounting his story to Anamira Lestrade, a criminal investigator whose own life is also very much on the line. Their interrogation scenes were easily my favourite parts of the book, as the banter between Azreal and Anamira is sharp, cruel, and increasingly tense with every tick of the clock. Azreal delights in pushing the buttons of his exhausted, stressed jailor, and I loved how what begins as verbal sparring slowly turns into something far more intimate and uncomfortable as the pressure and tension built. Both Ana and Azreal are forced to confront ugly truths about themselves, and the whole thing slowly started to feel less like an interrogation and more like the worst therapy session imaginable, just with armed guards and an execution looming overhead, and I was so here for that.
Ana’s eyes rolled. “You’re insufferable, do you know that?”
“Insufferable is a considerable improvement from what I’m typically called.”
“Surely. Yet here I am, suffering you anyway.”
Now, while The Price of Fear might not reinvent the wheel in any way when it comes to grimdark fantasy or framed narratives, it just absolutely nails the execution and manages to stand out from the crowd in some cool ways, particularly the uniquely compelling magic system. Power always comes at a deeply personal cost here, with Azreal sacrificing his emotions every time he uses the Wretched, his magic blades that hunger endlessly and leave him more numb with each use. Other Godless give up their happiness to create portals across time, their hearing to contort sound, or their sensations to create illusions, just to give a few examples. It is bleak, cruel, and intensely character driven, and watching Azreal and the other Godless desperately cling to fleeting human moments while becoming increasingly hollow was brutal in exactly the way grimdark should be.
“We’d always had that type of relationship, the Wretched and I. Give and take. They fed on what fear I could give them– be it the fear I created in others or the willing parts I let be consumed. But that was a delicate balance, and what I didn’t give freely, they were most desperate to take, like a forbidden fruit with the sweetest pulp.”
Though, one of the biggest surprises of The Price of Fear was Azreal himself, because beneath the bitterness, bloodshed, and emotional damage is a hopeless romantic loverboy making catastrophically bad decisions in the name of love. His devotion to the woman he loves drives much of the story and adds an unexpected tenderness that works far better than it has any right to. On top of that, the female characters were also a clear standout, and I loved that they were all so complex, capable, and full of agency. Obviously Anamira steals the show, but it was Vera who really stole my heart, and I think she deserves Azreal’s eternal gratitude and possibly worship for how she shows up when it matters most.
For all its blood and misery, The Price of Fear is also genuinely funny, sometimes hysterically so, with the snarky narrative voice and sharp situational humour perfectly balancing the darkness and depravity. I will admit that I was not especially invested in the political assassination plot on its own, as schemes and power struggles were never the reason I kept turning pages. What made me care was Azreal himself and the way he wove his story, and by the final quarter of the book I was buckled into an emotional rollercoaster that swung violently between gut punching brutality and laugh out loud absurdity. Like, I never thought a black box could be this funny, yet here we are. Some readers may find it all a bit excessive, but I was having a genuinely great time.
“And look, I’m not one to concern myself with the whims of luck and karma very often, but fucking hell, could I catch just one gods damned break?”
Ultimately, The Price of Fear more than lives up to its stunning cover, and I loved how it only improved along the way, gaining confidence, emotional depth, and stakes with each turn of the page. The ending blows the doors wide open, and I am completely invested to see where Lyon is going to take The Wretched Trilogy. It’s bloody, brutal, funny as hell, and unexpectedly tender when it hurts the most, and I have a feeling this has the potential to fill a First Law-sized hole in all of our grimdark loving hearts.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Price of Fear is scheduled for release on 24 February 2026.
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.
March 9, 2026
The more Azreal fights for her, the closer he comes to losing her.
That's not drama. That's how Miles Lyon built the magic system. The Wretched feed on fear. Every time Azreal uses his blades, his fear gets pulled out of him. His fear of losing Lena is what powers them.
If Abercrombie's banter smashed together with Kristoff's interview framing plus a touch of emotionally driven spice, that's the twisted little love child that was born.
Azreal the Wretched. Assassin. Bad attitude. Shittier moral compass. But underneath it all, someone trying to hold onto his humanity and the one person he can't afford to lose.
The tension between the North and Inath is there from page one. A kingdom on the brink of broken peace, sparked by one man who fucked up the plan.
The entire book takes place over six hours leading up to his execution. The twist left me feeling like my emotions got sucked right out of me.
Book's a banger. Go buy it.
That's not drama. That's how Miles Lyon built the magic system. The Wretched feed on fear. Every time Azreal uses his blades, his fear gets pulled out of him. His fear of losing Lena is what powers them.
If Abercrombie's banter smashed together with Kristoff's interview framing plus a touch of emotionally driven spice, that's the twisted little love child that was born.
Azreal the Wretched. Assassin. Bad attitude. Shittier moral compass. But underneath it all, someone trying to hold onto his humanity and the one person he can't afford to lose.
The tension between the North and Inath is there from page one. A kingdom on the brink of broken peace, sparked by one man who fucked up the plan.
The entire book takes place over six hours leading up to his execution. The twist left me feeling like my emotions got sucked right out of me.
Book's a banger. Go buy it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
just finished: omfg. yes! 💯
***
Stumbled upon news of this book online with a link to ARC sign-up form. Liked what I saw (that blurb and book cover are like mm-mm-mmm level of come to mama) and figured, feck it, I’ll just throw my name in the hat, and what do you know?! An ARC landed in my inbox soon after. Score!
Oh. My. Gosh. People. This grimdark fantasy hits all the spots. It is likened to Empire of the Vampire meets Deadpool… and yeah, Azreal the Wretched has Deadpool-ish sass, but I wouldn’t know about EotV, because I found the latter so dull to start with I DNFd. THAT little fact tells me that The Price of Fear is better than EotV, because a book may be good, but it’s better when it’s hits the ground running from the first page, not halfway through after suffering a snoozefest. You know it’s true! It’s not just me. Many readers say EotV suffers at the start. Aaaanyway. My point is: The Price of Fear? The book not to miss in 2026 if you like your fantasy gritty and your action scenes epic. It is full of dark and bloody, as well as tensions, revelations, character insight and reflections, and a (non-vampire) MC so firmly in the grey in between moral and immoral that you don’t know which way to run, look or sit.
As the story starts with Azreal the Wretched sitting in an interrogation room in Inath, we learn that the peace in between Inath and North is about to fall apart like a house of cards. The crown prince of Inath has been murdered and Azreal, as the Northener, has been detained. Azreal… a Godless with a set of magical knives that feed on emotion. And let me mention this here and now, he is not the only Godless. There are others in the story of varying magical skills and weapons. I tell you, a fantasy fiend will find plenty to drool over in this story.
Anyway, we, the readers, get the whole story of what happened and how it all went down through Azreal’s masterful storytelling just hours before he is to be executed. He tells in surprising detail of every step he took along the road. The people he fought, killed, fucked and shot the shit with, made deals with, and we also get some side-glances to some background of what once was… all very mysterious… All very worth it to read about yourself. I mean, yes… Me? I did at some points think – man alive, do you have to be QUITE SO detailed? But, this is a personal preference, the words and sights and descriptions were not boring. Not at all. It was more like: stop telling me about the sights and putting me into INTO the scene, tell me, god damn it, what happened next!!!! Miles Lyon is a bloody tease! Talk about suspense!
And so it is, that as Azreal describes the political shenanigans, the betrayals, and magical catastrophes that preceded his arrest, it might just be a bigger plot is about to revealed. And as a reader you just wonder… you bloody wonder: my god, how is this all going to play out… Truly, Lyon will surprise you until the very end. The very end, I tell you. And the thing is, Azreal’s character is so confident and witty that you really do not know if he welcomes death, and all the wisdoms he parts for our benefit are like a last lesson before he bleeds out on the town square? Or if there is some other ploy about to be played out. The thing about a man knowing he is about to die is the clever bit… You will never truly know if the emotions and nonchalance is all about shit you don’t see coming, or is it acceptance of fate. It’s all very magnificently done.
That all is to say, Lyon is an excellent writer. Every chapter started with something profound and punchy, or witty. Every chapter ended with something tantalizing, to make you yearn to get back to it. There was not a single lull in the story, not a single “hmm, where should we go from here”, it was full on and unrelenting. It was also somewhat surprising, in the best of ways, to truly feel so much emotion off the page, but when all was said and done, it made sense. Lyon knows pain and despair, and he dissected that beastly darkness onto paper, made it yield. I am simply glad that there is also the lighthearted banter. That there is never a truly bad time to crack a witty one-liner to break the tension. Hell, if one has to introduce a box of dildos then it shall be done! Life is shitty enough, fictional and real alike, so it’s a good idea and a real power move to keep the humor alive to defeat the crushing weight of reality.
I want the story to toy with my emotions, I want to feel that punch in the gut, I want to laugh, and feel excited. I want to feel moved not simply entertained. Hell, the best of stories make me stop in my tracks and pull that thread of reflection in between a thought in the book and what has been mulling in my own head, likely unsaid. The Price of Fear does all that. Enough said.
***
Stumbled upon news of this book online with a link to ARC sign-up form. Liked what I saw (that blurb and book cover are like mm-mm-mmm level of come to mama) and figured, feck it, I’ll just throw my name in the hat, and what do you know?! An ARC landed in my inbox soon after. Score!
Oh. My. Gosh. People. This grimdark fantasy hits all the spots. It is likened to Empire of the Vampire meets Deadpool… and yeah, Azreal the Wretched has Deadpool-ish sass, but I wouldn’t know about EotV, because I found the latter so dull to start with I DNFd. THAT little fact tells me that The Price of Fear is better than EotV, because a book may be good, but it’s better when it’s hits the ground running from the first page, not halfway through after suffering a snoozefest. You know it’s true! It’s not just me. Many readers say EotV suffers at the start. Aaaanyway. My point is: The Price of Fear? The book not to miss in 2026 if you like your fantasy gritty and your action scenes epic. It is full of dark and bloody, as well as tensions, revelations, character insight and reflections, and a (non-vampire) MC so firmly in the grey in between moral and immoral that you don’t know which way to run, look or sit.
As the story starts with Azreal the Wretched sitting in an interrogation room in Inath, we learn that the peace in between Inath and North is about to fall apart like a house of cards. The crown prince of Inath has been murdered and Azreal, as the Northener, has been detained. Azreal… a Godless with a set of magical knives that feed on emotion. And let me mention this here and now, he is not the only Godless. There are others in the story of varying magical skills and weapons. I tell you, a fantasy fiend will find plenty to drool over in this story.
Anyway, we, the readers, get the whole story of what happened and how it all went down through Azreal’s masterful storytelling just hours before he is to be executed. He tells in surprising detail of every step he took along the road. The people he fought, killed, fucked and shot the shit with, made deals with, and we also get some side-glances to some background of what once was… all very mysterious… All very worth it to read about yourself. I mean, yes… Me? I did at some points think – man alive, do you have to be QUITE SO detailed? But, this is a personal preference, the words and sights and descriptions were not boring. Not at all. It was more like: stop telling me about the sights and putting me into INTO the scene, tell me, god damn it, what happened next!!!! Miles Lyon is a bloody tease! Talk about suspense!
And so it is, that as Azreal describes the political shenanigans, the betrayals, and magical catastrophes that preceded his arrest, it might just be a bigger plot is about to revealed. And as a reader you just wonder… you bloody wonder: my god, how is this all going to play out… Truly, Lyon will surprise you until the very end. The very end, I tell you. And the thing is, Azreal’s character is so confident and witty that you really do not know if he welcomes death, and all the wisdoms he parts for our benefit are like a last lesson before he bleeds out on the town square? Or if there is some other ploy about to be played out. The thing about a man knowing he is about to die is the clever bit… You will never truly know if the emotions and nonchalance is all about shit you don’t see coming, or is it acceptance of fate. It’s all very magnificently done.
That all is to say, Lyon is an excellent writer. Every chapter started with something profound and punchy, or witty. Every chapter ended with something tantalizing, to make you yearn to get back to it. There was not a single lull in the story, not a single “hmm, where should we go from here”, it was full on and unrelenting. It was also somewhat surprising, in the best of ways, to truly feel so much emotion off the page, but when all was said and done, it made sense. Lyon knows pain and despair, and he dissected that beastly darkness onto paper, made it yield. I am simply glad that there is also the lighthearted banter. That there is never a truly bad time to crack a witty one-liner to break the tension. Hell, if one has to introduce a box of dildos then it shall be done! Life is shitty enough, fictional and real alike, so it’s a good idea and a real power move to keep the humor alive to defeat the crushing weight of reality.
I want the story to toy with my emotions, I want to feel that punch in the gut, I want to laugh, and feel excited. I want to feel moved not simply entertained. Hell, the best of stories make me stop in my tracks and pull that thread of reflection in between a thought in the book and what has been mulling in my own head, likely unsaid. The Price of Fear does all that. Enough said.
March 27, 2026
3.75/5 Stars
Format: Trade Paperback
Spoilers: No
The Prince of Fear is a debut novel from Miles Lyon, and was a pick by my Bindery members to read for March of 2026 (paid members get to pick a book for me to read each month). This was a fun ride into a grim dark world that did leave Rome for some redemption and hope.
We follow the main character Areal, who is a godless. In this world, where warring kingdoms have been in a truce for 10 years, the godless are magical warriors from the north who use weapons that are inhabited by spirits that imbue them with magic. But to use the magic, each weapon requires something, and takes something out of the user. Areal has been arrested for the murder of a prince, and is being interviewed before his execution. So we get a retrospective story told about the events leading up to the assassination along with some real time stuff.
Overall, I had a really fun time reading this book. It has been described as Jay Kristoff meets Joe Abercrombie. Having never read Kristoff and only read The Devils by Abercrombie, I would call it the humor of Deadpool set in a grim dark world. It is separated into 3 parts. I did feel that part one was finding its way and finding Azreal's voice a bit. The dialogue at times felt a little clunky, and the humor either a bit ill timed or overdone.
However, in part 2 Lyon really hit his stride, and the character development and plot really built some momentum. I loved part 3. We finally get the story of how Areal came to be in prison, and then ultimately a great ending that sets us up for the rest of the planned trilogy really well. The magic in this one is very cool, using runes and arcane magical themes with a great twist on "magic at a cost." By the end I think we really got a great voice from Areal - he's an awful, hardened warrior, but he also has redeeming qualities and introspection that make his character incredibly compelling.
Overall really well done, and a very impressive first novel. Fans of dark and grim dark fantasy, especially with a bit of irreverent humor, will definitely want to check this one out, and I look forward to seeing where the series goes from here.
Format: Trade Paperback
Spoilers: No
The Prince of Fear is a debut novel from Miles Lyon, and was a pick by my Bindery members to read for March of 2026 (paid members get to pick a book for me to read each month). This was a fun ride into a grim dark world that did leave Rome for some redemption and hope.
We follow the main character Areal, who is a godless. In this world, where warring kingdoms have been in a truce for 10 years, the godless are magical warriors from the north who use weapons that are inhabited by spirits that imbue them with magic. But to use the magic, each weapon requires something, and takes something out of the user. Areal has been arrested for the murder of a prince, and is being interviewed before his execution. So we get a retrospective story told about the events leading up to the assassination along with some real time stuff.
Overall, I had a really fun time reading this book. It has been described as Jay Kristoff meets Joe Abercrombie. Having never read Kristoff and only read The Devils by Abercrombie, I would call it the humor of Deadpool set in a grim dark world. It is separated into 3 parts. I did feel that part one was finding its way and finding Azreal's voice a bit. The dialogue at times felt a little clunky, and the humor either a bit ill timed or overdone.
However, in part 2 Lyon really hit his stride, and the character development and plot really built some momentum. I loved part 3. We finally get the story of how Areal came to be in prison, and then ultimately a great ending that sets us up for the rest of the planned trilogy really well. The magic in this one is very cool, using runes and arcane magical themes with a great twist on "magic at a cost." By the end I think we really got a great voice from Areal - he's an awful, hardened warrior, but he also has redeeming qualities and introspection that make his character incredibly compelling.
Overall really well done, and a very impressive first novel. Fans of dark and grim dark fantasy, especially with a bit of irreverent humor, will definitely want to check this one out, and I look forward to seeing where the series goes from here.
March 22, 2026
Broke my rating scale. 🔥
I gotta come back and share my full review once the bloodshed has settled, but let's just say this book has everything I'm looking for in a story. The tone, the characters, plot, the storytelling & prose all worked so well for me.
This is definitely runner up for my favorite read this year thus far. Extremely excited to continue this series.
and yeah, new book boyfriend unlocked. Azreal has pushed his way to the top. 🙂↕️
I gotta come back and share my full review once the bloodshed has settled, but let's just say this book has everything I'm looking for in a story. The tone, the characters, plot, the storytelling & prose all worked so well for me.
This is definitely runner up for my favorite read this year thus far. Extremely excited to continue this series.
and yeah, new book boyfriend unlocked. Azreal has pushed his way to the top. 🙂↕️
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
The Price of Fear is a outstanding debut, that has been masterfully crafted and i can't believe it's a debut.
It's starts easy and intriguing. With a nice feeling of familiarity with Whispers of the Storm by ZB Steele, but then turns over to be it's own story with Miles passion for the art.
You follow Azreal the daring, dashing, intelligent and dangerously devious murderer. Which is a fantastic character! That is being interigatet by a badass woman. Which doesn't have so much page time, but are still a incredible character
Price of Power is such a addictive read. That I was impressed that even in some slower parts of the story, he made it impossible to put the book down. And there is truly not a single weak spot in this story.
The fighting scenes are to die for, incredible dialogue between friends and enemies and incredible magic that comes with a price. This is a world you will find bloody, dirty and messy as h...
And learn from my mistakes, don't read the last 100 pages unless you know you are able to read them in one sitting.....
Miles Lyon is gonna be one of the big ones in the grimdark univers.
The Price of Fear is a outstanding debut, that has been masterfully crafted and i can't believe it's a debut.
It's starts easy and intriguing. With a nice feeling of familiarity with Whispers of the Storm by ZB Steele, but then turns over to be it's own story with Miles passion for the art.
You follow Azreal the daring, dashing, intelligent and dangerously devious murderer. Which is a fantastic character! That is being interigatet by a badass woman. Which doesn't have so much page time, but are still a incredible character
Price of Power is such a addictive read. That I was impressed that even in some slower parts of the story, he made it impossible to put the book down. And there is truly not a single weak spot in this story.
The fighting scenes are to die for, incredible dialogue between friends and enemies and incredible magic that comes with a price. This is a world you will find bloody, dirty and messy as h...
And learn from my mistakes, don't read the last 100 pages unless you know you are able to read them in one sitting.....
Miles Lyon is gonna be one of the big ones in the grimdark univers.
February 28, 2026
This is a fast paced, action packed debut, filled with wit, filth and banter that will make your eyes water.
𝙃𝙚'𝙙 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝-𝙛*@#𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚.
Miles Lyon has not cut any corners with the Price of Fear. It is polished and professional with an excellent framed narrative. It is easy to see that Mike invested into this book to produce quality, and produce the goods he did. Jeff Brown cover art appreciation everyone?
Starting out at breakneck speed, I had questions before 20 pages and there were brutal deaths by the end of chapter 1. The magic system was great, the price of that magic even greater. Miles writing is whip smart, sharp and punchy, which is the perfect ingredient to his epic battle scenes and character interactions. This moved the story forward at a good pace and never felt like it was meandering or flat.
If you enjoyed Empire of the Vampire you should like this. Dare i say it, i liked this better. Miles is an author to watch and i am super keen for book 2.
𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥, 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝... 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙩.
𝙃𝙚'𝙙 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝-𝙛*@#𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚.
Miles Lyon has not cut any corners with the Price of Fear. It is polished and professional with an excellent framed narrative. It is easy to see that Mike invested into this book to produce quality, and produce the goods he did. Jeff Brown cover art appreciation everyone?
Starting out at breakneck speed, I had questions before 20 pages and there were brutal deaths by the end of chapter 1. The magic system was great, the price of that magic even greater. Miles writing is whip smart, sharp and punchy, which is the perfect ingredient to his epic battle scenes and character interactions. This moved the story forward at a good pace and never felt like it was meandering or flat.
If you enjoyed Empire of the Vampire you should like this. Dare i say it, i liked this better. Miles is an author to watch and i am super keen for book 2.
𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥, 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝... 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙩.
March 11, 2026
The Price of Fear started with a premise that sounded promising, but unfortunately the execution did not fully work for me.
The story is told through a framing narrative, where the main character recounts past events while already being imprisoned. This is an interesting storytelling device and can work very well when used carefully. In this case, however, it created a bit of distance from the story. Since we already know where the character ends up, I expected the narrative to move quickly toward the important answers.
Indeed the book actually begins in a fairly dynamic way, but after that the pacing drops significantly. The plot often wanders into long digressions that do not seem essential to the main narrative. Even the characters occasionally acknowledge this themselves, joking about the story drifting away from the point. While that self-awareness might be intentional, it also reflects how I often felt as a reader.
Because of this, some scenes that should feel exciting or emotionally important end up getting lost among long conversations and unnecessary details. Even moments that are supposed to be action-heavy sometimes become overly talkative, which slows down the tension instead of building it.
The humour also did not fully land for me. It leans toward sarcastic and crude jokes, with quite a lot of swearing. Personally, I felt it was a bit excessive and it sometimes pulled me out of the story rather than adding to the tone.
Another issue was the characters. Many of them felt quite similar in voice and personality, which made it harder to become emotionally invested in their journeys. A bit more nuance and variety would have helped bring them to life.
That said, the book is not without its strengths. The world itself is intriguing, and the magic system has some genuinely interesting ideas. Weapons that drain the user’s energy and emotions to unleash devastating power is a concept that immediately caught my attention. I found myself curious about how this system works and how it shapes the world around it.
Unfortunately, the story never fully explored these elements in a way that kept me consistently engaged. The ending also arrives rather suddenly, which made the conclusion feel somewhat abrupt.
In the end, The Price of Fear has some creative ideas and an interesting setting, but the pacing issues, excessive dialogue and uneven tone made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the experience.
Verdict: An intriguing world and magic system are overshadowed by uneven pacing, wandering storytelling and characters that feel too similar to each other. While the premise has potential, the execution did not quite deliver for me.
The story is told through a framing narrative, where the main character recounts past events while already being imprisoned. This is an interesting storytelling device and can work very well when used carefully. In this case, however, it created a bit of distance from the story. Since we already know where the character ends up, I expected the narrative to move quickly toward the important answers.
Indeed the book actually begins in a fairly dynamic way, but after that the pacing drops significantly. The plot often wanders into long digressions that do not seem essential to the main narrative. Even the characters occasionally acknowledge this themselves, joking about the story drifting away from the point. While that self-awareness might be intentional, it also reflects how I often felt as a reader.
Because of this, some scenes that should feel exciting or emotionally important end up getting lost among long conversations and unnecessary details. Even moments that are supposed to be action-heavy sometimes become overly talkative, which slows down the tension instead of building it.
The humour also did not fully land for me. It leans toward sarcastic and crude jokes, with quite a lot of swearing. Personally, I felt it was a bit excessive and it sometimes pulled me out of the story rather than adding to the tone.
Another issue was the characters. Many of them felt quite similar in voice and personality, which made it harder to become emotionally invested in their journeys. A bit more nuance and variety would have helped bring them to life.
That said, the book is not without its strengths. The world itself is intriguing, and the magic system has some genuinely interesting ideas. Weapons that drain the user’s energy and emotions to unleash devastating power is a concept that immediately caught my attention. I found myself curious about how this system works and how it shapes the world around it.
Unfortunately, the story never fully explored these elements in a way that kept me consistently engaged. The ending also arrives rather suddenly, which made the conclusion feel somewhat abrupt.
In the end, The Price of Fear has some creative ideas and an interesting setting, but the pacing issues, excessive dialogue and uneven tone made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the experience.
Verdict: An intriguing world and magic system are overshadowed by uneven pacing, wandering storytelling and characters that feel too similar to each other. While the premise has potential, the execution did not quite deliver for me.
March 5, 2026
OK, on GoodReads it looks like I finished this book in a day. In reality, it took four days. If I didn't have a full-time job I would have read it in one sitting. Yes, it was that good.
Not since 2021 with Ryan Cahill (Of Blood and Fire) and 2024 with Adrian Gibson (Mushroom Blues) and J.L. Odom (By Blood By Salt) have I read such a fun page-turner by an indie debut!
Indie is here to stay!!
Miles Lyon's debut, The Price of Fear, had everything this reader liked: a dark world with dark characters doing dark deeds for all the right reasons. Lyon's book struck a balance of character driven intrigue with a healthy dose of sledgehammer action that kept me wondering what was next.
If you like the interview style of Rothfuss (Name of the Wind) and Steele (An Inkling of Flame) then you will love The Price of Fear. It was a fun and fresh read.
Fans of Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, Z.B. Steele, Michael Michel, and Andy Peloquin will want to grab a copy today! Get it... get it now!
Not since 2021 with Ryan Cahill (Of Blood and Fire) and 2024 with Adrian Gibson (Mushroom Blues) and J.L. Odom (By Blood By Salt) have I read such a fun page-turner by an indie debut!
Indie is here to stay!!
Miles Lyon's debut, The Price of Fear, had everything this reader liked: a dark world with dark characters doing dark deeds for all the right reasons. Lyon's book struck a balance of character driven intrigue with a healthy dose of sledgehammer action that kept me wondering what was next.
If you like the interview style of Rothfuss (Name of the Wind) and Steele (An Inkling of Flame) then you will love The Price of Fear. It was a fun and fresh read.
Fans of Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, Z.B. Steele, Michael Michel, and Andy Peloquin will want to grab a copy today! Get it... get it now!
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!
February 24, 2026
*Small addition because I just wrote this to the author directly : Books are food for the soul and this was like a 5 course Italian meal (made by a nonna, who knows all the secret ingredients and only tells them to the favorite grandchild).
Review:
This is easily one of the best debuts I’ve read in the last few years, and a must-read if you enjoy grimdark.
From the very first page, the frame narrative had me hooked. Sitting in that prison cell with Azreal, knowing exactly where his story ends, created such a strong sense of tension and inevitability. Watching everything unfold and slowly understanding how he got there was equal parts fascinating and heartbreaking.
The magic system was one of my absolute favorite parts. It feels fresh, creative, and truly brutal. Every time it’s used, it takes something from the wielder, slowly destroying them piece by piece. That cost makes every moment feel meaningful and adds so much weight to Azreal as a character.
Speaking of Azreal — what a fantastic protagonist. Cynical, broken, sharp-tongued, but with so much depth underneath it all. He felt real in a way that made his story hit even harder.
Dark, emotional, and incredibly well written. I’ll definitely be continuing this series and can’t wait to see where it goes next.
Review:
This is easily one of the best debuts I’ve read in the last few years, and a must-read if you enjoy grimdark.
From the very first page, the frame narrative had me hooked. Sitting in that prison cell with Azreal, knowing exactly where his story ends, created such a strong sense of tension and inevitability. Watching everything unfold and slowly understanding how he got there was equal parts fascinating and heartbreaking.
The magic system was one of my absolute favorite parts. It feels fresh, creative, and truly brutal. Every time it’s used, it takes something from the wielder, slowly destroying them piece by piece. That cost makes every moment feel meaningful and adds so much weight to Azreal as a character.
Speaking of Azreal — what a fantastic protagonist. Cynical, broken, sharp-tongued, but with so much depth underneath it all. He felt real in a way that made his story hit even harder.
Dark, emotional, and incredibly well written. I’ll definitely be continuing this series and can’t wait to see where it goes next.
February 26, 2026
Like many, I've been seduced by the exceptional grimdark cover and interrogation premise.
Miles unfolds Azreal's grim confession mere hours before his execution. Godless mages pay dearly to wield blades that feast on emotions. This drives a web of conspiracy, vicious combat, and caustic wit across a volatile frontier. The story impresses with its bold flair, though it edges toward excess and indulgence. Snarky prose and breakneck pacing carry you through, making the offering a rewarding reading experience.
An eye-piercing, potent opener to The Wretched Trilogy. Dark, wry, and compelling. Hell yeah!
Miles unfolds Azreal's grim confession mere hours before his execution. Godless mages pay dearly to wield blades that feast on emotions. This drives a web of conspiracy, vicious combat, and caustic wit across a volatile frontier. The story impresses with its bold flair, though it edges toward excess and indulgence. Snarky prose and breakneck pacing carry you through, making the offering a rewarding reading experience.
An eye-piercing, potent opener to The Wretched Trilogy. Dark, wry, and compelling. Hell yeah!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars
A formidable debut within the gritty realm of grimdark fantasy. The Wretched Trilogy is well on its way to standing among the best the genre has to offer
Thank you to the author for providing an eARC of the book, The Price of Fear is available February 24, 2026.
Full review at SFF Insiders: https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
A formidable debut within the gritty realm of grimdark fantasy. The Wretched Trilogy is well on its way to standing among the best the genre has to offer
Thank you to the author for providing an eARC of the book, The Price of Fear is available February 24, 2026.
Full review at SFF Insiders: https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
March 4, 2026
4.50 ⭐️
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!
March 12, 2026
THE PRICE OF FEAR – MILES LYON
Asistid a la ejecución de Azreal the Wretched. Godless y Mago Oscuro del Reino del Norte. Acusado de matar príncipe de Inath, reino en una frágil paz con el Norte, y traicionado en medio de este atentado. Sentaos junto con Anamira Lestrade, investigadora criminal y Memoria de Inath, para escuchar la confesión, la historia y el alegato final de Azreal. Presenciad un testimonio que puede desvelar una conspiración para poner fin a una paz. Pero, sobre todo, no tengáis miedo.
🙌🏻 Miles Lyon ha escrito, de momento, la mejor novela de fantasía del año. Y ya está. The Price of Fear (El Precio del Miedo) es el inicio perfecto para The Wretched Trilogy (la trilogía del desgraciado, infeliz, condenado). Es una novela de Grimdark que te lo hace saber en cada esquina y cumple.
🧛🏻Empecemos por el elefante en la habitación. ¿Un mago oscuro, a punto de ser ejecutado, capturado, el último de los suyos, con un cronista enemigo tomando notas? Sí, Gabriel de León, te hemos visto. Azreal el Desgraciado es su homólogo, pero subiéndolo todo al once.
🖤 Como decía, es una novela de Grimdark de cabo a rabo. Personajes grises, turbios, que harán cosas terribles, presuntamente por un buen fin. Pero no tengo muy claro si ellos son los buenos. Lo que sí, están loquísimos, y son unos salvajes.
🐺El sistema de magia es estupendo. Cada uno de los Godless tiene un arma que es la tumba de un Dios y que consume algo de quien la porta, para causar daños terribles. Usar las emociones para generar energía infernal. Usar el dolor propio o ajeno para causar pesadillas. Estas armas consumen a sus portadores.
😈 Los diálogos son divertidos, afilados y mordientes. La acción está perfectamente narrada. Hay momentos gore, momentos dulces y momentos absurdos. Todos ellos te harán sonreír y decir… “qué cabr*n”. Y Azreal es un capullo.
📚 Potencial editorial: Oz o Runas.
💥 Perfecto para: Amantes del Grimdark, la magia oscura y los baños de sangre
Valoración: ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ (5 Dagas Mágicas que son tumbas de Dioses.)
Asistid a la ejecución de Azreal the Wretched. Godless y Mago Oscuro del Reino del Norte. Acusado de matar príncipe de Inath, reino en una frágil paz con el Norte, y traicionado en medio de este atentado. Sentaos junto con Anamira Lestrade, investigadora criminal y Memoria de Inath, para escuchar la confesión, la historia y el alegato final de Azreal. Presenciad un testimonio que puede desvelar una conspiración para poner fin a una paz. Pero, sobre todo, no tengáis miedo.
🙌🏻 Miles Lyon ha escrito, de momento, la mejor novela de fantasía del año. Y ya está. The Price of Fear (El Precio del Miedo) es el inicio perfecto para The Wretched Trilogy (la trilogía del desgraciado, infeliz, condenado). Es una novela de Grimdark que te lo hace saber en cada esquina y cumple.
🧛🏻Empecemos por el elefante en la habitación. ¿Un mago oscuro, a punto de ser ejecutado, capturado, el último de los suyos, con un cronista enemigo tomando notas? Sí, Gabriel de León, te hemos visto. Azreal el Desgraciado es su homólogo, pero subiéndolo todo al once.
🖤 Como decía, es una novela de Grimdark de cabo a rabo. Personajes grises, turbios, que harán cosas terribles, presuntamente por un buen fin. Pero no tengo muy claro si ellos son los buenos. Lo que sí, están loquísimos, y son unos salvajes.
🐺El sistema de magia es estupendo. Cada uno de los Godless tiene un arma que es la tumba de un Dios y que consume algo de quien la porta, para causar daños terribles. Usar las emociones para generar energía infernal. Usar el dolor propio o ajeno para causar pesadillas. Estas armas consumen a sus portadores.
😈 Los diálogos son divertidos, afilados y mordientes. La acción está perfectamente narrada. Hay momentos gore, momentos dulces y momentos absurdos. Todos ellos te harán sonreír y decir… “qué cabr*n”. Y Azreal es un capullo.
📚 Potencial editorial: Oz o Runas.
💥 Perfecto para: Amantes del Grimdark, la magia oscura y los baños de sangre
Valoración: ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ (5 Dagas Mágicas que son tumbas de Dioses.)
March 22, 2026
It’s rare to find a book that grips from the first page and does not let go until the last. Even rarer for that book to be a debut, and rarer still to find it able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Joe Abercrombie.
Needless to say The Price of Fear by Miles Lyon impressed me no end!
The basic premise can be summarised as: What if we took away Deadpool’s immortality but not his attitude or lack of self preservation, threw him into a fantasy world where he gets arrested for killing the crown prince of the empire with which his country has a very fragile peace and while awaiting execution proceeds to tell his captor the story of how he uncovered a plot to kill his king, ended up in a semi civil war fighting other mages just as insane and mouthy as him, and to top it off they all have super powered weapons that feed off your most deep seated fears and anxieties.
It’s The First Law meets The Boys, it’s dark, brutal, unhinged in its hilarity and I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to find out how Miles can possibly top the insanity in book 2 two.
Needless to say The Price of Fear by Miles Lyon impressed me no end!
The basic premise can be summarised as: What if we took away Deadpool’s immortality but not his attitude or lack of self preservation, threw him into a fantasy world where he gets arrested for killing the crown prince of the empire with which his country has a very fragile peace and while awaiting execution proceeds to tell his captor the story of how he uncovered a plot to kill his king, ended up in a semi civil war fighting other mages just as insane and mouthy as him, and to top it off they all have super powered weapons that feed off your most deep seated fears and anxieties.
It’s The First Law meets The Boys, it’s dark, brutal, unhinged in its hilarity and I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to find out how Miles can possibly top the insanity in book 2 two.
March 1, 2026
*Review of advanced copy received from author*
The Price of Fear is a debut novel and book 1 in the Wretched Trilogy by Miles Lyon and is the kind of book that allowed me to fully immerse myself in a gritty, intricate and rough world. This story was all I could ask for at a time when all I needed was to get out of my own head.
It is funny, with great dialogue and action-packed. The worldbuilding is quite interesting and the magical system well thought out.
The prose reminded me of Brent Weeks’ and it took me some time to adjust to the shifts in style between the present and the past but once I understood Azrael, the story flowed flawlessly.
I wish I could’ve seen more of Memory Lestrade’s skills in interrogation as she is the best at what she does. I was always looking forward to her scenes with Azrael.
I’m someone who always enjoys strong side characters and the ones in the Price of Fear do not disappoint. They have their own personalities and many of them leave a lasting impact.
The story is fun and slightly complex, yet very easy to follow from beginning to end. There was not a dull moment for me, and I was kept on my toes. The action scenes were great and easy to follow, even for someone like me who has aphantasia.
I am definitely looking forward to book 2.
Also, a huge shoutout to Jeff Brown Graphics for the gorgeous cover! That’s what initially drew my attention to the book.
The Price of Fear is a debut novel and book 1 in the Wretched Trilogy by Miles Lyon and is the kind of book that allowed me to fully immerse myself in a gritty, intricate and rough world. This story was all I could ask for at a time when all I needed was to get out of my own head.
It is funny, with great dialogue and action-packed. The worldbuilding is quite interesting and the magical system well thought out.
The prose reminded me of Brent Weeks’ and it took me some time to adjust to the shifts in style between the present and the past but once I understood Azrael, the story flowed flawlessly.
I wish I could’ve seen more of Memory Lestrade’s skills in interrogation as she is the best at what she does. I was always looking forward to her scenes with Azrael.
I’m someone who always enjoys strong side characters and the ones in the Price of Fear do not disappoint. They have their own personalities and many of them leave a lasting impact.
The story is fun and slightly complex, yet very easy to follow from beginning to end. There was not a dull moment for me, and I was kept on my toes. The action scenes were great and easy to follow, even for someone like me who has aphantasia.
I am definitely looking forward to book 2.
Also, a huge shoutout to Jeff Brown Graphics for the gorgeous cover! That’s what initially drew my attention to the book.
February 28, 2026
Dear Miles Lyon,
I couldn’t wait to begin what is your first published novel. And good lord, it did not disappoint!
First, I was screaming at various points throughout because THERE WERE SO MANY CRAZY and tense scenes, that I had to get up a few times to pace around and try to calm down my blood pressure. And can I say with utmost certainty, you have caused numerous nights where I couldn’t sleep?
Ok, time to introduce you to one swaggering, foul mouthed and rather charming, (if you like bad boys), protagonist Azreal The Wretched, Godless Number 6 to the Throne of Ice and Glass. This is in the North, in case you were wondering. They have a tenuous peace with the southern empire of Inath, but events seem to be heading to a sundering of said peace, which Azreal has found himself in the midst of.
The story is being told by him to the Inathian Memory of Crime, an interrogator and sentencer for the Empire, Anamira Lestrade. She’s a typical bureaucrat, really hates criminals and those who actively are enemies of the Empire, and is very smug in her ability to get the facts from liars, murderers, and miscreants in general. And the biggest feather in her crown of death is sitting across from her, chained and bloody. This would be the fearsome Azreal, who seems to have found himself at the sharp end of things after being captured…
The how is for you to find out, though. What I can say is the world building is exceptional, and I found myself easily immersed in the places Azreal must travel to, one being the closed door operation owned by a former associate, Yanari (Yan) Demowar, former Master of Spies to the Northern War Council, and his always-amorous lover Kirstilith. The business is a front for Yan’s skill of acquiring and selling information for a price. It has the disturbing name The Darkest Oven–Rectal Surgery Suite and Bakery. Makes you want to walk right in and get a loaf and a hemorrhoid tuck. It has the very obvious effect of deterring any who don’t know the true nature of the joint.
The writing is crisp, brutal where it needs to be, raunchy as all get out, also where it serves, and damn funny pretty frequently. Az is a multifaceted character which is brought forth to the delight of this reader. He uses bawdy humor, brutal honesty, and has a depth to him that is often hidden under a mask of hubris and base language. But don’t let that fool you. He is playing a three dimensional chess game.
As you might expect from a brutal assassin whose moniker derives from the possessed blades he carries-The Wretched-he has stacked up bodies and many enemies in his wake. But his depth of emotion is being slowly siphoned away by those blades when they haven’t had enough to feed off of from enemies they’re directed at. They don’t discriminate whose they devour. That’s their insidious power; they consume everything that makes up the spectrum of human emotion, screaming as they do, until the victim has succumbed completely, and dies a husk. But they will feed off of Az when they are feeling peckish. Az’s greatest fear is to lose the memories of the one he loves; her name, Maddalena, who he’s not seen for some time after slinking away for his last contract. He is a bit of an ass with regards to her, which he actually feels some guilt about.
From here, Azreal and company must make their way to Denetzia in the empire of Inath for the Celebration of Solstice, where the KIng and Queen of The North will attend the festivities to show their continued alliance with Inath is still strong.
There is a well concealed plot to see that this alliance is shattered, and Az is on the hunt to find where it leads, and to whom. Because someone is pulling the strings. And he’s trying to plug the holes (this is wildly funny, you’ll find out why when you read this) which the traitors have made in the peace between these powers.
During his account which has been very colorfully told to Memory, she finds herself wondering if what he is telling her could possibly hold an ounce of truth. In her experience, liars give answers which are too rehearsed, and have tells which are obvious to her. But Azreal has none of these tells, or polished, too smooth lines. He’s brutally frank, and goes off into detailed tangents which come from the experience of them, rather than the make believe. Her career is also on the line, because there can be only one verdict for regicide. And if she has any other conclusion, her head will be on the block alongside Az’s. The clock is ticking, her boob sweat is becoming unbearable under her heavy woolen robe of office, and she wants nothing more than to conclude this interview. But her curiosity has her in its grip, as well as Azreal’s rakish good looks and well chiseled abs… Whew! Did she just go there??
This is a viscerally, gorgeously, WILD RIDE of a story, full of political intrigue, smart dialogue, zinging one liners and it kept me gripped from start to finish. No one is who they seem, and the plot kept me guessing and outright surprised me more than once. Near the end I was raging and cursing Miles’ name because HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO US READERS?!? I literally had to get up and walk off my angsty rage for a moment.But wait! There’s more! You’ll have to read to find that out, though.
I need to state very clearly, this is a book I will read again and again, and probably pick up on things I missed the first time. And yes, I did say I would re-read this, and more than once; IT WAS THAT GOOD. I rarely read a book again, and there are a very very select few that enjoy a place in that category. The Price of Fear is one of them. Do yourself a favor and read this. If you don’t, you’re going to have FOMO, and that sucks.
I couldn’t wait to begin what is your first published novel. And good lord, it did not disappoint!
First, I was screaming at various points throughout because THERE WERE SO MANY CRAZY and tense scenes, that I had to get up a few times to pace around and try to calm down my blood pressure. And can I say with utmost certainty, you have caused numerous nights where I couldn’t sleep?
Ok, time to introduce you to one swaggering, foul mouthed and rather charming, (if you like bad boys), protagonist Azreal The Wretched, Godless Number 6 to the Throne of Ice and Glass. This is in the North, in case you were wondering. They have a tenuous peace with the southern empire of Inath, but events seem to be heading to a sundering of said peace, which Azreal has found himself in the midst of.
The story is being told by him to the Inathian Memory of Crime, an interrogator and sentencer for the Empire, Anamira Lestrade. She’s a typical bureaucrat, really hates criminals and those who actively are enemies of the Empire, and is very smug in her ability to get the facts from liars, murderers, and miscreants in general. And the biggest feather in her crown of death is sitting across from her, chained and bloody. This would be the fearsome Azreal, who seems to have found himself at the sharp end of things after being captured…
The how is for you to find out, though. What I can say is the world building is exceptional, and I found myself easily immersed in the places Azreal must travel to, one being the closed door operation owned by a former associate, Yanari (Yan) Demowar, former Master of Spies to the Northern War Council, and his always-amorous lover Kirstilith. The business is a front for Yan’s skill of acquiring and selling information for a price. It has the disturbing name The Darkest Oven–Rectal Surgery Suite and Bakery. Makes you want to walk right in and get a loaf and a hemorrhoid tuck. It has the very obvious effect of deterring any who don’t know the true nature of the joint.
The writing is crisp, brutal where it needs to be, raunchy as all get out, also where it serves, and damn funny pretty frequently. Az is a multifaceted character which is brought forth to the delight of this reader. He uses bawdy humor, brutal honesty, and has a depth to him that is often hidden under a mask of hubris and base language. But don’t let that fool you. He is playing a three dimensional chess game.
As you might expect from a brutal assassin whose moniker derives from the possessed blades he carries-The Wretched-he has stacked up bodies and many enemies in his wake. But his depth of emotion is being slowly siphoned away by those blades when they haven’t had enough to feed off of from enemies they’re directed at. They don’t discriminate whose they devour. That’s their insidious power; they consume everything that makes up the spectrum of human emotion, screaming as they do, until the victim has succumbed completely, and dies a husk. But they will feed off of Az when they are feeling peckish. Az’s greatest fear is to lose the memories of the one he loves; her name, Maddalena, who he’s not seen for some time after slinking away for his last contract. He is a bit of an ass with regards to her, which he actually feels some guilt about.
From here, Azreal and company must make their way to Denetzia in the empire of Inath for the Celebration of Solstice, where the KIng and Queen of The North will attend the festivities to show their continued alliance with Inath is still strong.
There is a well concealed plot to see that this alliance is shattered, and Az is on the hunt to find where it leads, and to whom. Because someone is pulling the strings. And he’s trying to plug the holes (this is wildly funny, you’ll find out why when you read this) which the traitors have made in the peace between these powers.
During his account which has been very colorfully told to Memory, she finds herself wondering if what he is telling her could possibly hold an ounce of truth. In her experience, liars give answers which are too rehearsed, and have tells which are obvious to her. But Azreal has none of these tells, or polished, too smooth lines. He’s brutally frank, and goes off into detailed tangents which come from the experience of them, rather than the make believe. Her career is also on the line, because there can be only one verdict for regicide. And if she has any other conclusion, her head will be on the block alongside Az’s. The clock is ticking, her boob sweat is becoming unbearable under her heavy woolen robe of office, and she wants nothing more than to conclude this interview. But her curiosity has her in its grip, as well as Azreal’s rakish good looks and well chiseled abs… Whew! Did she just go there??
This is a viscerally, gorgeously, WILD RIDE of a story, full of political intrigue, smart dialogue, zinging one liners and it kept me gripped from start to finish. No one is who they seem, and the plot kept me guessing and outright surprised me more than once. Near the end I was raging and cursing Miles’ name because HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO US READERS?!? I literally had to get up and walk off my angsty rage for a moment.But wait! There’s more! You’ll have to read to find that out, though.
I need to state very clearly, this is a book I will read again and again, and probably pick up on things I missed the first time. And yes, I did say I would re-read this, and more than once; IT WAS THAT GOOD. I rarely read a book again, and there are a very very select few that enjoy a place in that category. The Price of Fear is one of them. Do yourself a favor and read this. If you don’t, you’re going to have FOMO, and that sucks.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, thank you to Miles for the eARC of The Price of Fear.
I had heard plenty of good things about this book from fellow readers/reviewers, so I just knew I had to read it for myself to see what the hype was about.
It definitely gave me some Empire of the Vampire vibes insofar as the story interchanged between the MC (Azreal) in the present where he is a prisoner, and the retelling of what lead to said imprisonment!
It was dark and grim as you'd expect, but there were also some humorous moments throughout the story not just in Azreal's telling of the past, but also between him and his interrogator, Anamira Lestrade. I have to say I rather enjoyed it when he riled her up (sorry, Ana).
I really liked Azreal. Such a complex character, especially when you compare to how outsiders saw him as this awful, murderous villain, but then there was a completely different side to him when it came to Maddelena (his on/off girlfriend) and even friends he really cared about.
Getting back to the present chapters, I loved how the tension continued to increase the further you went in the book, especially when it counted down to Azreal's "execution". Like, you were just holding your breath, wondering throughout if that is how it would play out. And talking of, those last few chapters were sooooo tense!
The pace of the story was great, and had me gripped from start to finish. The magic involved was interesting, especially the consequence it had on the wielder every time they used it.
I really enjoyed The Price of Fear, and can't wait for Book 2. Oh, and I can't end the review without mentioning my surprise when I came across a character sharing my first name! Definitely an 'Oh, wow' moment!
Highly recommended.
I had heard plenty of good things about this book from fellow readers/reviewers, so I just knew I had to read it for myself to see what the hype was about.
It definitely gave me some Empire of the Vampire vibes insofar as the story interchanged between the MC (Azreal) in the present where he is a prisoner, and the retelling of what lead to said imprisonment!
It was dark and grim as you'd expect, but there were also some humorous moments throughout the story not just in Azreal's telling of the past, but also between him and his interrogator, Anamira Lestrade. I have to say I rather enjoyed it when he riled her up (sorry, Ana).
I really liked Azreal. Such a complex character, especially when you compare to how outsiders saw him as this awful, murderous villain, but then there was a completely different side to him when it came to Maddelena (his on/off girlfriend) and even friends he really cared about.
Getting back to the present chapters, I loved how the tension continued to increase the further you went in the book, especially when it counted down to Azreal's "execution". Like, you were just holding your breath, wondering throughout if that is how it would play out. And talking of, those last few chapters were sooooo tense!
The pace of the story was great, and had me gripped from start to finish. The magic involved was interesting, especially the consequence it had on the wielder every time they used it.
I really enjoyed The Price of Fear, and can't wait for Book 2. Oh, and I can't end the review without mentioning my surprise when I came across a character sharing my first name! Definitely an 'Oh, wow' moment!
Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm going to need a minute after that. Truly, a masterful piece of literature that has been carved from a brilliant mind. Pick up this book and prepare for a gritty ride through Azreal's tale.
Set in a world where weapons hold power and the weirder pays the price, a precarious peace is broken when Azreal kills a prince. But that's not where the story begins, well it does but it does not 😆 Told in a framed narrative, Azreal the Wretched recounts how he ended up in a cell being interrogated for his crimes. He is crass and honest and f*cking funny in the retelling of his deeds and misdeeds. The characters have so much personality and their motivations are cleverly entwined with the plot. I cannot say enough good things about this book.
The writing itself is clever, fun, poetic, and well-edited. Everything felt purposeful and like it needed to be there. In this sort of story, there are several opportunities to reflect on the meaning of enjoyment and time and identity, which were all masterfully done!
For people unfamiliar with dark or epic fantasies, I believe this is accessible to all and would be a great choice for experienced and new epic fantasy readers! Azreal the Wretched has my heart and I cannot wait for the rest of this trilogy! Well done! This will absolutely be one of my favorite books this year, no question! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Set in a world where weapons hold power and the weirder pays the price, a precarious peace is broken when Azreal kills a prince. But that's not where the story begins, well it does but it does not 😆 Told in a framed narrative, Azreal the Wretched recounts how he ended up in a cell being interrogated for his crimes. He is crass and honest and f*cking funny in the retelling of his deeds and misdeeds. The characters have so much personality and their motivations are cleverly entwined with the plot. I cannot say enough good things about this book.
The writing itself is clever, fun, poetic, and well-edited. Everything felt purposeful and like it needed to be there. In this sort of story, there are several opportunities to reflect on the meaning of enjoyment and time and identity, which were all masterfully done!
For people unfamiliar with dark or epic fantasies, I believe this is accessible to all and would be a great choice for experienced and new epic fantasy readers! Azreal the Wretched has my heart and I cannot wait for the rest of this trilogy! Well done! This will absolutely be one of my favorite books this year, no question! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 12, 2026
I saw the cover and I saw the word "Wretched" and there was nothing else I could do but sign up for this ARC on the spot. I have been looking for a fantasy that gives me the same feels as Empire of the Vampire and I have come up short every single time until I picked this book up. While it has its own plot, it's own magic system, that is absolutely brilliant, mind you, it still has that dark fantasy feel that is full of action and danger but with crass characters and gritty humour that I absolutely love.
Want to know how to hook me? Give me an interview in a story and I am SOLD. I love that we open this story up right after a certain royal is unalived, Azrael is already captured and all we have to do is settle in and listen to how we got to this point. The storytelling is immersive, the present-tense interactions between the interrogator and the defendant were witty, real and full of tension. I enjoyed Ana and her thought-process throughout her experience with questioning Azrael.
The worldbuilding was brilliant, I loved the characters we met on the way, I loved how we weren't bombarded with information on the godless from the beginning but rather, they were explained naturally as the story progressed. There are some amazing battle scenes, moments of softness, incredibly shocking conspiracy discoveries and betrayals that absolutely threw me! The last couple of chapters had me hooked and I cannot wait to delve into what's in store for us I'm the rest of this series!!
Want to know how to hook me? Give me an interview in a story and I am SOLD. I love that we open this story up right after a certain royal is unalived, Azrael is already captured and all we have to do is settle in and listen to how we got to this point. The storytelling is immersive, the present-tense interactions between the interrogator and the defendant were witty, real and full of tension. I enjoyed Ana and her thought-process throughout her experience with questioning Azrael.
The worldbuilding was brilliant, I loved the characters we met on the way, I loved how we weren't bombarded with information on the godless from the beginning but rather, they were explained naturally as the story progressed. There are some amazing battle scenes, moments of softness, incredibly shocking conspiracy discoveries and betrayals that absolutely threw me! The last couple of chapters had me hooked and I cannot wait to delve into what's in store for us I'm the rest of this series!!
March 7, 2026
This book is like Deadpool, meets Empire of the Vampire, meets The First Law. Do I have your attention now? I hope so.
This book is everything I’ve ever wanted to read. Snarky humor, morally grey characters, a magic system that has a real cost to use, and real stakes. I think that Azreal is one of my favorite characters that I’ve read in recent memory. He has a realistic worldview, and he tries desperately to be good, but that’s much easier said than done. He’s relatable in some ways, and this book just feels real and human. People aren’t always good, sometimes they never are. And that’s what I love so much about Grimdark fantasy, that’s what I love so much about The Price of Fear.
I really liked the twists and turns throughout the book, and genuinely was surprised by a few of them. There’s so many standout moments that made me laugh, and some moments that really made me feel what the characters were going through. I think it’s a really good mixture of humor and dark, where it doesn’t spill too much into either category.
I had such a phenomenal time reading this book, and I very highly recommend it if you want real stakes, characters that feel human, and you also just want to be chuckling while you’re suffering. This was a phenomenal debut novel, and I’m beyond excited for the next one.
This book is everything I’ve ever wanted to read. Snarky humor, morally grey characters, a magic system that has a real cost to use, and real stakes. I think that Azreal is one of my favorite characters that I’ve read in recent memory. He has a realistic worldview, and he tries desperately to be good, but that’s much easier said than done. He’s relatable in some ways, and this book just feels real and human. People aren’t always good, sometimes they never are. And that’s what I love so much about Grimdark fantasy, that’s what I love so much about The Price of Fear.
I really liked the twists and turns throughout the book, and genuinely was surprised by a few of them. There’s so many standout moments that made me laugh, and some moments that really made me feel what the characters were going through. I think it’s a really good mixture of humor and dark, where it doesn’t spill too much into either category.
I had such a phenomenal time reading this book, and I very highly recommend it if you want real stakes, characters that feel human, and you also just want to be chuckling while you’re suffering. This was a phenomenal debut novel, and I’m beyond excited for the next one.
February 3, 2026
The price of fear 4,25⭐️
Fast paced, brutal and dark. With peaceful moments woven in for emotional reflection.
Azreal the Wretched of the north might very well be the new «shadow daddy» of the fantasy world. Not that this is romantasy, to be clear. This is very much grim dark. Our main character is morly grey, sharming and he brings a lot of humor to the story.
If you’re a fan of first law and and Deadpool this book is going to fit you well. It’s a thought provoking story on the price of power, and the magic system plays into that directly.
Strong introduction and strong ending with great entertainment in between.
I want to thank Miles for trusting me with an ARC! It’s been a pleasure and I’m so looking forward for what’s to come.
If any of this tickles your fancy then give Miles a chance with his fire debut!
Fast paced, brutal and dark. With peaceful moments woven in for emotional reflection.
Azreal the Wretched of the north might very well be the new «shadow daddy» of the fantasy world. Not that this is romantasy, to be clear. This is very much grim dark. Our main character is morly grey, sharming and he brings a lot of humor to the story.
If you’re a fan of first law and and Deadpool this book is going to fit you well. It’s a thought provoking story on the price of power, and the magic system plays into that directly.
Strong introduction and strong ending with great entertainment in between.
I want to thank Miles for trusting me with an ARC! It’s been a pleasure and I’m so looking forward for what’s to come.
If any of this tickles your fancy then give Miles a chance with his fire debut!
February 26, 2026
I really REALLY enjoyed this Book,i love grimdark so every time i find a new book (even more a debut) i am cautious and try to have no expectations,because alot of books try to hard to be something they wont be able to achieve,this book knew exactly what it is and how to execute,pun not intended,it.
We see the story as told by the Main Character Azreal,who is a Godless (which are the Magic Users) is telling us what happened until the point where he is now getting interrogated by the Memory Anamira Lestrade,who is trying to find out who and why killed the crown prince,so it is from his PoV,Azreal is a very funny (very early in the book there were a pair of Twin Brother Imperial Soldiers,and the way he tried to explain how the fight went,while not sure who of them was called Cole was hilarious,also he called one guy the „thumb“ cause he looked like one) and Charming Person (Darling),but also a thoughtful man,which you can see later on in the book.
His Character Development over time from the Witty,funny,“asshole“ to a thoughtful man who let us look deeper into him and what he desires,loves and fears like that he lost the most important (thing or person?you have to read it) and is genuinely hurt and sad about it and his past, was very enjoyable and believable.
The magic system is *chefs kiss* its a very dark Magic system that is also explained on how it works,it benefits and also the price you have to pay for the usage. Not wanting to spoil anything but to show how fucking cool that Magic System is i want to tell about Azreals which is used very very early in the book. He has weapons that are called Wretched (not explaining why or how it works since the explanation comes later)but, those Weapons were laughing and „talking“to him showing their desire,their desire for what you ask?for EMOTIONS, like i said the use of Magic has a price and the price of Azreals weapon is that they need and eat Emotions to be able to use the magic,this was so fucking cool and dark going forward!!!!
The Pacing is great,it has planty of action but also periods of explaining the backstory of characters or wars that had happened,something you learn very early,during the interogation the Memory tells Azreal to stop telling „unnecessary“ stories and get to the point,so as you can see Azreal is very talkative at times,but as Azreal said „There is no point in knowing the players without having the script, and this is a drama you will want to see unfold“
This book suprised me and i cant wait to jump into the next one!!!
We see the story as told by the Main Character Azreal,who is a Godless (which are the Magic Users) is telling us what happened until the point where he is now getting interrogated by the Memory Anamira Lestrade,who is trying to find out who and why killed the crown prince,so it is from his PoV,Azreal is a very funny (very early in the book there were a pair of Twin Brother Imperial Soldiers,and the way he tried to explain how the fight went,while not sure who of them was called Cole was hilarious,also he called one guy the „thumb“ cause he looked like one) and Charming Person (Darling),but also a thoughtful man,which you can see later on in the book.
His Character Development over time from the Witty,funny,“asshole“ to a thoughtful man who let us look deeper into him and what he desires,loves and fears like that he lost the most important (thing or person?you have to read it) and is genuinely hurt and sad about it and his past, was very enjoyable and believable.
The magic system is *chefs kiss* its a very dark Magic system that is also explained on how it works,it benefits and also the price you have to pay for the usage. Not wanting to spoil anything but to show how fucking cool that Magic System is i want to tell about Azreals which is used very very early in the book. He has weapons that are called Wretched (not explaining why or how it works since the explanation comes later)but, those Weapons were laughing and „talking“to him showing their desire,their desire for what you ask?for EMOTIONS, like i said the use of Magic has a price and the price of Azreals weapon is that they need and eat Emotions to be able to use the magic,this was so fucking cool and dark going forward!!!!
The Pacing is great,it has planty of action but also periods of explaining the backstory of characters or wars that had happened,something you learn very early,during the interogation the Memory tells Azreal to stop telling „unnecessary“ stories and get to the point,so as you can see Azreal is very talkative at times,but as Azreal said „There is no point in knowing the players without having the script, and this is a drama you will want to see unfold“
This book suprised me and i cant wait to jump into the next one!!!
February 22, 2026
Wow. This is actually the first ARC I’ve ever read and that made this read all the more special (The book officially drops in a few days but it still counts).
The Price of Fear is just sheer badassery from beginning to end. I had a few initial concerns about Lyon wearing his Abercrombie/Kristoff influences on his sleeve but those concerns quickly dissipated as I found myself more and more immersed in this world and the visceral battle sequences our boy Azreal finds himself in. Lyon plays around with a variety of different abilities and fighting styles that make for several fantastic battles that feel like they jump (or teleport?) right off of the page. I can’t wait to see what he cooks up for future Godless in the rest of the series because the handful we get here are used incredibly effectively.
The pacing works particularly well, even if it’s a little unconventional. Lyon plays around with the frame narrative structure without letting it suffocate the storytelling and deftly manages to pull off two sequences that feel like a genuine final act in each respective moment. You can genuinely feel the author becoming more confident with each chapter. I’d be shocked if he didn’t already have much of this trilogy planned out, simply based on the plot turns in the back half of this book.
Much like his dedication to grisly, viscera-spraying conflicts, the dirty humor is relentless. I could see some readers being a bit put off by a few of Azreal’s crass remarks in the first leg of this journey, but I quickly came to appreciate his consistent graphic humor, even in the face of multiple malevolent mages.
Long story short, this book fucks. Miles Lyon has absolutely found a long term reader in me.
The Price of Fear is just sheer badassery from beginning to end. I had a few initial concerns about Lyon wearing his Abercrombie/Kristoff influences on his sleeve but those concerns quickly dissipated as I found myself more and more immersed in this world and the visceral battle sequences our boy Azreal finds himself in. Lyon plays around with a variety of different abilities and fighting styles that make for several fantastic battles that feel like they jump (or teleport?) right off of the page. I can’t wait to see what he cooks up for future Godless in the rest of the series because the handful we get here are used incredibly effectively.
The pacing works particularly well, even if it’s a little unconventional. Lyon plays around with the frame narrative structure without letting it suffocate the storytelling and deftly manages to pull off two sequences that feel like a genuine final act in each respective moment. You can genuinely feel the author becoming more confident with each chapter. I’d be shocked if he didn’t already have much of this trilogy planned out, simply based on the plot turns in the back half of this book.
Much like his dedication to grisly, viscera-spraying conflicts, the dirty humor is relentless. I could see some readers being a bit put off by a few of Azreal’s crass remarks in the first leg of this journey, but I quickly came to appreciate his consistent graphic humor, even in the face of multiple malevolent mages.
Long story short, this book fucks. Miles Lyon has absolutely found a long term reader in me.
February 18, 2026
What a book I was sent this ARC to read and boy was it a good one, this kept me absolutely hooked from start to finish, a promising start I can’t wait to read more from the author.
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