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The Headsman
A LORD. AN HEIR. A THIEF. A REBEL.
EACH OF THEIR DESTINIES WILL BE SHAPED BY THE HEADSMAN OF GREYHILL.
For twenty years, Axe has been bound by a blood debt, serving as Lord Strifer’s executioner in exchange for his freedom.
But as liberty finally draws near, Axe questions whether the hundreds he’s slain were ever a threat to the realm.
When Jaq, a thief claiming to know about Axe’s past, appears one day, Axe must decide between duty and the truth he’d long been denied.
After fleeing Greyhill, Axe and Jaq are marked as heretics, and pursued not only by Lord Strifer’s forces but the rebellion.
For Axe is not merely a Headsman.
Should he reach his destination, the fate of the realm will forever be altered. And the lives of thousands will once more rest in his hands.
EACH OF THEIR DESTINIES WILL BE SHAPED BY THE HEADSMAN OF GREYHILL.
For twenty years, Axe has been bound by a blood debt, serving as Lord Strifer’s executioner in exchange for his freedom.
But as liberty finally draws near, Axe questions whether the hundreds he’s slain were ever a threat to the realm.
When Jaq, a thief claiming to know about Axe’s past, appears one day, Axe must decide between duty and the truth he’d long been denied.
After fleeing Greyhill, Axe and Jaq are marked as heretics, and pursued not only by Lord Strifer’s forces but the rebellion.
For Axe is not merely a Headsman.
Should he reach his destination, the fate of the realm will forever be altered. And the lives of thousands will once more rest in his hands.
585 pages, Hardcover
Published August 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 4, 2026
Thank you so much for my eARC 🪓
If you’re looking for a fantasy that throws you into a brutal world of political intrigue, adventure, and morally grey characters, The Headsman needs a spot on your shelf.
This story wastes no time in pulling you into a world where justice isn’t always just, loyalty is constantly tested, and every decision carries consequences. I loved how the darker atmosphere never felt overdone—it added to the tension and kept me switching up my favourite characters.
The characters are one of this book’s greatest strengths. Nobody is completely good or completely bad, which makes every interaction feel unpredictable, because you can understand both sides (except maybe Strifer👀). Watching alliances shift and motivations unfold kept me hooked and wanting more.
Peter has created a world that feels rich without overwhelming you with information and lore. The pacing strikes a great balance between action, character development, and quieter moments that let the emotional stakes settle. Cue Drudgery 🪓
If you enjoy dark fantasy with characters you’ll fall in love with, political intrigue and tension, and a story that includes my favourite trope: Hidden Identity, then I definitely recommend giving The Headsman a read.
If you’re looking for a fantasy that throws you into a brutal world of political intrigue, adventure, and morally grey characters, The Headsman needs a spot on your shelf.
This story wastes no time in pulling you into a world where justice isn’t always just, loyalty is constantly tested, and every decision carries consequences. I loved how the darker atmosphere never felt overdone—it added to the tension and kept me switching up my favourite characters.
The characters are one of this book’s greatest strengths. Nobody is completely good or completely bad, which makes every interaction feel unpredictable, because you can understand both sides (except maybe Strifer👀). Watching alliances shift and motivations unfold kept me hooked and wanting more.
Peter has created a world that feels rich without overwhelming you with information and lore. The pacing strikes a great balance between action, character development, and quieter moments that let the emotional stakes settle. Cue Drudgery 🪓
If you enjoy dark fantasy with characters you’ll fall in love with, political intrigue and tension, and a story that includes my favourite trope: Hidden Identity, then I definitely recommend giving The Headsman a read.
August 19, 2026
There's something here, but man was this frustrating. Great bones lacking meat in major areas. The plot/lore lacked meat on the bones. Characters - no meat. Dialogue - very wooden.
This is about a rising rebellion. Why are people rebelling? Because those in power are bad. How are they bad? No idea. Why do we care about this rebellion? We kinda don't.
Also 6 POVs over this book. 0 are non-male. Yikes.
This is about a rising rebellion. Why are people rebelling? Because those in power are bad. How are they bad? No idea. Why do we care about this rebellion? We kinda don't.
Also 6 POVs over this book. 0 are non-male. Yikes.
August 24, 2026
A very good read!
I really enjoyed this book! The story drew me in and the characters made it so I didn’t want to leave.
I am definitely looking forward to the next book/s!
I really enjoyed this book! The story drew me in and the characters made it so I didn’t want to leave.
I am definitely looking forward to the next book/s!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC of this book! It was an absolute pleasure to read, and I'm so grateful to have had the chance to experience this story early.
What first made me want to pick this book up was actually a reel the author posted about its inspiration. They talked about watching Ned Stark's execution in Game of Thrones and wondering what the headsman's life might actually look like. That premise immediately had me intrigued, and I can confidently say this book absolutely delivered on that idea.
This is an epic high fantasy that follows Axe, a headsman whose duty, and the weight of carrying it out, becomes the most compelling parts of the story. I really loved exploring his internal conflict. You can see how years of responsibility have almost numbed him emotionally, but at the same time, those experiences continue to fester beneath the surface and slowly become the driving force behind his decisions. Watching that emotional journey unfold was one of my favourite aspects of the book.
I did read an earlier draft of the novel, and even at that stage the storytelling was very strong. The writing was well paced, the world-building felt natural, and the political intrigue was engaging without ever becoming overwhelming. Because this is the first book in a series, I appreciated that the author didn't overcomplicate things for the sake of complexity. Instead, the story throws you straight into the chaos and trusts you to piece everything together alongside the characters.
One thing I especially appreciated was how the character relationships developed through the events of the story rather than being explained to the reader, and they all tied to each other in some form. It made the characters feel much more authentic, and I found myself becoming emotionally invested in all of them because of it.
Jaq was easily my favourite character. I absolutely loved the friendship between him and Axe. They complement each other so well, and it was really satisfying to watch them bring out the best in one another. Their dynamic added so much heart to a story that already had plenty of political tension and adventure.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Axe and Tifer. There was a lot of interestng tension surrounding that family with basically some daddy issues getting in the way, and I couldn't help wondering whether Axe and Tifer are destined for a heartbreaking best-friends-to-enemies arc. It honestly gave me a bit of those Rhaenyra and Alicent vibes, where you're just waiting for everything to slowly unravel. I'm both excited and scared to see where that relationship goes in the next books.
Something that really surprised me was just how quickly this book hooked me. This was actually my first fantasy read in a few months, and fantasy can sometimes take me a little while to fully settle into. This one didn't. It grabs you almost immediately and keeps the momentum going the entire time. It was exactly the kind of immersive escapism I was looking for.
Also, even though this is planned as a series, the first book tells a complete and satisfying story. Of course there are threads left to explore, but it wraps up in a way that feels genuinely fulfilling. If someone picked this up and decided not to continue with the series, they still wouldn't feel like they'd been left hanging, and I really appreciated that.
This was such a strong start to what promises to be a fantastic series. If you love character-driven epic fantasy, political intrigue, friendships that genuinely make you care, and stories that throw you straight into the action, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. I can't wait to see where the rest of the series goes.
What first made me want to pick this book up was actually a reel the author posted about its inspiration. They talked about watching Ned Stark's execution in Game of Thrones and wondering what the headsman's life might actually look like. That premise immediately had me intrigued, and I can confidently say this book absolutely delivered on that idea.
This is an epic high fantasy that follows Axe, a headsman whose duty, and the weight of carrying it out, becomes the most compelling parts of the story. I really loved exploring his internal conflict. You can see how years of responsibility have almost numbed him emotionally, but at the same time, those experiences continue to fester beneath the surface and slowly become the driving force behind his decisions. Watching that emotional journey unfold was one of my favourite aspects of the book.
I did read an earlier draft of the novel, and even at that stage the storytelling was very strong. The writing was well paced, the world-building felt natural, and the political intrigue was engaging without ever becoming overwhelming. Because this is the first book in a series, I appreciated that the author didn't overcomplicate things for the sake of complexity. Instead, the story throws you straight into the chaos and trusts you to piece everything together alongside the characters.
One thing I especially appreciated was how the character relationships developed through the events of the story rather than being explained to the reader, and they all tied to each other in some form. It made the characters feel much more authentic, and I found myself becoming emotionally invested in all of them because of it.
Jaq was easily my favourite character. I absolutely loved the friendship between him and Axe. They complement each other so well, and it was really satisfying to watch them bring out the best in one another. Their dynamic added so much heart to a story that already had plenty of political tension and adventure.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Axe and Tifer. There was a lot of interestng tension surrounding that family with basically some daddy issues getting in the way, and I couldn't help wondering whether Axe and Tifer are destined for a heartbreaking best-friends-to-enemies arc. It honestly gave me a bit of those Rhaenyra and Alicent vibes, where you're just waiting for everything to slowly unravel. I'm both excited and scared to see where that relationship goes in the next books.
Something that really surprised me was just how quickly this book hooked me. This was actually my first fantasy read in a few months, and fantasy can sometimes take me a little while to fully settle into. This one didn't. It grabs you almost immediately and keeps the momentum going the entire time. It was exactly the kind of immersive escapism I was looking for.
Also, even though this is planned as a series, the first book tells a complete and satisfying story. Of course there are threads left to explore, but it wraps up in a way that feels genuinely fulfilling. If someone picked this up and decided not to continue with the series, they still wouldn't feel like they'd been left hanging, and I really appreciated that.
This was such a strong start to what promises to be a fantastic series. If you love character-driven epic fantasy, political intrigue, friendships that genuinely make you care, and stories that throw you straight into the action, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read. I can't wait to see where the rest of the series goes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Headsman by Peter J. Osterlund
A dark, gritty fantasy that takes a fascinating approach to a world where power, politics, justice, and death are deeply intertwined.
What immediately stood out to me was the perspective. Fantasy often puts us alongside the heroes, the rebels, the rulers, or the people fighting against the system—but this story gives us a much darker seat at the table. Following the executioner brought an entirely different perspective to the idea of justice. It made me think about what it means to carry out a sentence, especially when the people making the decisions don’t have to be the ones holding the blade.
The dark fantasy atmosphere was a huge highlight for me. This is not a world that feels safe or forgiving. There’s a heaviness to it that works perfectly with the story, and I loved how the brutality of the world was balanced with characters who still felt human and relatable. Their choices, motivations, and struggles made it easy to become invested in what happened to them.
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs. They gave the story a broader perspective and allowed me to see different sides of the world and its conflicts. There are definitely quite a few names and characters to keep track of, and I occasionally found myself having to stop and remind myself who was who, but once I settled into the cast, I was completely invested.
The pacing was another win for me. The Headsman kept moving without feeling rushed, and there was always enough happening to make me want to keep reading.
Overall, this was such a fun and memorable read. Dark, atmospheric, political, and character-driven, with a unique perspective that really made it stand out for me.
A huge thank you to Peter J. Österlund for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of The Headsman. I truly enjoyed getting lost in this world and am grateful for the chance to experience the story early. 🖤
ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
A dark, gritty fantasy that takes a fascinating approach to a world where power, politics, justice, and death are deeply intertwined.
What immediately stood out to me was the perspective. Fantasy often puts us alongside the heroes, the rebels, the rulers, or the people fighting against the system—but this story gives us a much darker seat at the table. Following the executioner brought an entirely different perspective to the idea of justice. It made me think about what it means to carry out a sentence, especially when the people making the decisions don’t have to be the ones holding the blade.
The dark fantasy atmosphere was a huge highlight for me. This is not a world that feels safe or forgiving. There’s a heaviness to it that works perfectly with the story, and I loved how the brutality of the world was balanced with characters who still felt human and relatable. Their choices, motivations, and struggles made it easy to become invested in what happened to them.
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs. They gave the story a broader perspective and allowed me to see different sides of the world and its conflicts. There are definitely quite a few names and characters to keep track of, and I occasionally found myself having to stop and remind myself who was who, but once I settled into the cast, I was completely invested.
The pacing was another win for me. The Headsman kept moving without feeling rushed, and there was always enough happening to make me want to keep reading.
Overall, this was such a fun and memorable read. Dark, atmospheric, political, and character-driven, with a unique perspective that really made it stand out for me.
A huge thank you to Peter J. Österlund for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of The Headsman. I truly enjoyed getting lost in this world and am grateful for the chance to experience the story early. 🖤
ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Title: The Headsman
Author: Peter J. Österlund
Fantasy often focuses on those judged or condemned, but this book steps outside that familiar frame to follow the executioner, offering a grim, grounded perspective on justice from the person who carries out the sentence. The result is a dark look at power, punishment, and the human cost of doing the job others turn away from.
The worldbuilding is strong, with enough texture that I could drop in and out of scenes and still keep a clear sense of place and stakes. Multiple viewpoints set up the plot and pacing very well and kept me engaged throughout. The one drawback for me was needing to reread or double‑check names after stepping away, simply because there are enough characters that keeping track of everyone took a bit of effort.
Grimdark fantasy can sometimes get caught up in the brutality, but here I still found the characters relatable despite the harsh world they inhabit. This book is especially suited to readers who like secondary‑world fantasy in the vein of Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire), where justice, power, and political games sit at the heart of the conflict. Overall, it’s a thoughtful, dark fantasy worth the read if you enjoy character‑driven, bleak, atmosphere‑heavy books.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review; this is my honest opinion.
Author: Peter J. Österlund
Fantasy often focuses on those judged or condemned, but this book steps outside that familiar frame to follow the executioner, offering a grim, grounded perspective on justice from the person who carries out the sentence. The result is a dark look at power, punishment, and the human cost of doing the job others turn away from.
The worldbuilding is strong, with enough texture that I could drop in and out of scenes and still keep a clear sense of place and stakes. Multiple viewpoints set up the plot and pacing very well and kept me engaged throughout. The one drawback for me was needing to reread or double‑check names after stepping away, simply because there are enough characters that keeping track of everyone took a bit of effort.
Grimdark fantasy can sometimes get caught up in the brutality, but here I still found the characters relatable despite the harsh world they inhabit. This book is especially suited to readers who like secondary‑world fantasy in the vein of Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire), where justice, power, and political games sit at the heart of the conflict. Overall, it’s a thoughtful, dark fantasy worth the read if you enjoy character‑driven, bleak, atmosphere‑heavy books.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review; this is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The book is dark, but not so dark that you feel like you need a break between chapters. There are moments of light throughout the story, and everything moves at a steady pace. It never rushes to get where it needs to be, but it is aslo never so slow that the ending feels out of reach. Death is certainly present, but it never feels excessive or included purely for shock value.
The character building is excellent and that initself was a five star moment for me. There wasn't a single POV that I didn't enjoy reading, which is rare in a multi-POV fantasy. The world building is also strong, although I don't think you fully grasp the scale of the world just yet. The story focuses on only a few key locations, so I would love to see more of the wider world in future books. The setting has a distinctly medieval feel, with religion playing a major role in the rebellion and war brewing beyond the city gates.
In the final 20% of the book, we get a siege that is incredibly well written, and as a visual reader, I could picture everything unfolding with remarkable clarity. The action is detailed without becoming overwhelming.
The character building is excellent and that initself was a five star moment for me. There wasn't a single POV that I didn't enjoy reading, which is rare in a multi-POV fantasy. The world building is also strong, although I don't think you fully grasp the scale of the world just yet. The story focuses on only a few key locations, so I would love to see more of the wider world in future books. The setting has a distinctly medieval feel, with religion playing a major role in the rebellion and war brewing beyond the city gates.
In the final 20% of the book, we get a siege that is incredibly well written, and as a visual reader, I could picture everything unfolding with remarkable clarity. The action is detailed without becoming overwhelming.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Recieved eARC copy
I loved the concept of this book and the worldbuilding was incredibly detailed. It ended up being hard for me to finish because it was not as fast paced as I wanted it to be. There was a lot of POV switches that broke up the tension, especially when I was only interested in the main 3 characters. I would have loved to see more about the main three, the two boys and the MC- though a lot of times it felt like the author was telling you what the characters think more often than showing you how they feel. I just couldnt get into it as much as I wanted to, but that is my personal thoughts- I can see a lot of people liking this book! Especially if theyre a fan of a sort of batman and robin-esque main character trio that try to navigate their own beliefs of justice and what is right
I loved the concept of this book and the worldbuilding was incredibly detailed. It ended up being hard for me to finish because it was not as fast paced as I wanted it to be. There was a lot of POV switches that broke up the tension, especially when I was only interested in the main 3 characters. I would have loved to see more about the main three, the two boys and the MC- though a lot of times it felt like the author was telling you what the characters think more often than showing you how they feel. I just couldnt get into it as much as I wanted to, but that is my personal thoughts- I can see a lot of people liking this book! Especially if theyre a fan of a sort of batman and robin-esque main character trio that try to navigate their own beliefs of justice and what is right
Review of advance copy received from Author
Completed "The Headsman" as an arc read. This was a good read, it follows a Headsman aptly named Axe.
This was an interesting perspective on the carrying on orders without questioning but the emotional toll that eventually comes through.
There are dark vibes from executions, murder, war and these scenes are done well. I always enjoy when one can feel the internal conflict, that human aspect of being in terrible situations. Really enjoyed the political aspects as well as the conflict really driving the story.
To close this was a great read, recommend if you are interested in grimdark/dark fantasy style writing and enjoy some axection (axe action)
This was an interesting perspective on the carrying on orders without questioning but the emotional toll that eventually comes through.
There are dark vibes from executions, murder, war and these scenes are done well. I always enjoy when one can feel the internal conflict, that human aspect of being in terrible situations. Really enjoyed the political aspects as well as the conflict really driving the story.
To close this was a great read, recommend if you are interested in grimdark/dark fantasy style writing and enjoy some axection (axe action)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Great book. The words just flow so beautifully off the page. Interesting character dynamics too. If you're a fan of tragic family bonds this book is for you.
Characters are relatable and you can understand why they do what they do. That's an important part of any book in my opinion.
The setting firmly fits into a realistic fantasy mold; so no complicated magic systems to memorize, which is nice. That leaves more brain space for the political intrigue, of which there's plenty.
Definitely looking forward to a sequel!
Characters are relatable and you can understand why they do what they do. That's an important part of any book in my opinion.
The setting firmly fits into a realistic fantasy mold; so no complicated magic systems to memorize, which is nice. That leaves more brain space for the political intrigue, of which there's plenty.
Definitely looking forward to a sequel!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews