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Scars of Retribution
638 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 14, 2026
First taste of dark fantasy and I may be hooked!
I typically don’t usually go in for ‘dark fantasy’, but this book didn’t just make me dip my toe in the water, it dragged me down with a death like grip and wouldn’t let go.
This gritty story follows the paths that grief can take you on and how our choices ripple out to impact everything around us. I loved so many of these characters when I was reading, and Cross’ masterful storytelling had me simultaneously hopeful and crushed the whole way.
This isn’t a ‘happily-ever-after’ where everyone gets what they want. This is an origin story. If you like high stakes, devastating costs, real consequences, and stories that will give you trust issues, then you’ll LOVE this book!
5 star read, can’t wait for book 2!
I typically don’t usually go in for ‘dark fantasy’, but this book didn’t just make me dip my toe in the water, it dragged me down with a death like grip and wouldn’t let go.
This gritty story follows the paths that grief can take you on and how our choices ripple out to impact everything around us. I loved so many of these characters when I was reading, and Cross’ masterful storytelling had me simultaneously hopeful and crushed the whole way.
This isn’t a ‘happily-ever-after’ where everyone gets what they want. This is an origin story. If you like high stakes, devastating costs, real consequences, and stories that will give you trust issues, then you’ll LOVE this book!
5 star read, can’t wait for book 2!
September 28, 2026
A gripping dark fantasy with an incredible atmosphere!
Setting: The story is set in the grim and atmospheric city of Solstice Reach, which provides a wonderfully moody backdrop for the narrative.
Main Character: The story follows Philip Stormwood, a compelling protagonist who wrestles heavily with grief, the temptation of power, and the steep cost of trying to protect the people he loves.
Core Themes: The narrative brilliantly explores heavy, emotional concepts like grief, corruption, and obsession, showing just how far someone can be driven by loss.
While the pacing can feel a bit dense in places as the complex world-building unfolds, Philip’s emotional journey and the gothic atmosphere make it a thoroughly rewarding read for dark fantasy fans. Highly recommended!
Setting: The story is set in the grim and atmospheric city of Solstice Reach, which provides a wonderfully moody backdrop for the narrative.
Main Character: The story follows Philip Stormwood, a compelling protagonist who wrestles heavily with grief, the temptation of power, and the steep cost of trying to protect the people he loves.
Core Themes: The narrative brilliantly explores heavy, emotional concepts like grief, corruption, and obsession, showing just how far someone can be driven by loss.
While the pacing can feel a bit dense in places as the complex world-building unfolds, Philip’s emotional journey and the gothic atmosphere make it a thoroughly rewarding read for dark fantasy fans. Highly recommended!
September 17, 2026
A dark, gripping fantasy that stays with you long after the final page.
Scars of Retribution by Taran Cross completely pulled me in. From the intriguing prologue to the emotional journey that follows, I was hooked.
What stood out to me most was the way the story explores grief, revenge, and the consequences of our choices. The characters feel deeply human in their struggles, and the pain, hope, and difficult decisions throughout the story are portrayed in a way that makes you genuinely care about what happens to them.
Despite being a substantial read, the pacing kept me turning the pages, and the short chapters made it easy to keep saying, “Just one more.” This is a story with high stakes, devastating consequences, and plenty of mystery to keep you invested.
Taran Cross has created a compelling debut that feels both dark and thoughtful, with characters and events that linger in your mind. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.
5 stars! A fantastic debut, and I can’t wait for book two.
Scars of Retribution by Taran Cross completely pulled me in. From the intriguing prologue to the emotional journey that follows, I was hooked.
What stood out to me most was the way the story explores grief, revenge, and the consequences of our choices. The characters feel deeply human in their struggles, and the pain, hope, and difficult decisions throughout the story are portrayed in a way that makes you genuinely care about what happens to them.
Despite being a substantial read, the pacing kept me turning the pages, and the short chapters made it easy to keep saying, “Just one more.” This is a story with high stakes, devastating consequences, and plenty of mystery to keep you invested.
Taran Cross has created a compelling debut that feels both dark and thoughtful, with characters and events that linger in your mind. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.
5 stars! A fantastic debut, and I can’t wait for book two.
September 7, 2026
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
How far is one man willing to go to save everything he truly cares about? Magic never plays fair.
Scars of Retribution is a dark, contemplative fantasy novel.
This book had me hooked from the prologue. Readers get just the slightest taste of background information along with a whiff of mystery. I could not have been more intrigued. Although the book is a little over 600 pages, I flew through it. The short chapters help to keep the pace. Philip Stormwood has seen the very worst of humanity (and non-human) and the pain that he experiences throughout his journey is written in the most palpable way.
Scars of Retribution is author Taran Cross’ debut and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
“I would rather die remembering them,” he said, voice breaking, “than live as someone who never knew their names.”
How far is one man willing to go to save everything he truly cares about? Magic never plays fair.
Scars of Retribution is a dark, contemplative fantasy novel.
This book had me hooked from the prologue. Readers get just the slightest taste of background information along with a whiff of mystery. I could not have been more intrigued. Although the book is a little over 600 pages, I flew through it. The short chapters help to keep the pace. Philip Stormwood has seen the very worst of humanity (and non-human) and the pain that he experiences throughout his journey is written in the most palpable way.
Scars of Retribution is author Taran Cross’ debut and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
“I would rather die remembering them,” he said, voice breaking, “than live as someone who never knew their names.”
September 2, 2026
You know when you read a book and you can just tell that someone has put their blood, sweat, tears and so much heart into it?
Scars of Retribution is one of those stories.
I had the absolute privilege of ARC reading this incredible story and it's sat rent free in my mind since I finished it.
It's dark. It's gritty. It's emotional and heartbreaking. It will have you questioning the main character's choices and thinking about what yours would be in the same situation.
It will leave you thinking about how every choice, every decision we make has a price and a consequence. But how often are we willing to pay the price?
And when we've lost the ones we love and we're steeped in grief...how different would our choices be?
Scars of Retribution is a dark fantasy about grief, obsession and the price of refusing to let go.
Scars of Retribution is one of those stories.
I had the absolute privilege of ARC reading this incredible story and it's sat rent free in my mind since I finished it.
It's dark. It's gritty. It's emotional and heartbreaking. It will have you questioning the main character's choices and thinking about what yours would be in the same situation.
It will leave you thinking about how every choice, every decision we make has a price and a consequence. But how often are we willing to pay the price?
And when we've lost the ones we love and we're steeped in grief...how different would our choices be?
Scars of Retribution is a dark fantasy about grief, obsession and the price of refusing to let go.
September 29, 2026
Even as someone who rarely reaches for fantasy, Scars of Retribution by Taran Cross completely hooked me from start to finish.
At its core, this is a brilliantly crafted, character-driven story about a protagonist driven to absolute extreme lengths after suffering a devastating personal tragedy. What makes the book impossible to put down is its raw emotional intensity it doesn’t shy away from showing the true, heartbreaking price of refusing to let go.
The pacing is phenomenal, striking a perfect balance between high-stakes momentum and deep, compelling character moments. It keeps you invested in every step of the journey, proving how powerful a story can be when the emotional stakes are this high.
If you enjoy a gripping, morally complex fantasy that stays with you long after you turn the final page, this is an absolute must-read.
At its core, this is a brilliantly crafted, character-driven story about a protagonist driven to absolute extreme lengths after suffering a devastating personal tragedy. What makes the book impossible to put down is its raw emotional intensity it doesn’t shy away from showing the true, heartbreaking price of refusing to let go.
The pacing is phenomenal, striking a perfect balance between high-stakes momentum and deep, compelling character moments. It keeps you invested in every step of the journey, proving how powerful a story can be when the emotional stakes are this high.
If you enjoy a gripping, morally complex fantasy that stays with you long after you turn the final page, this is an absolute must-read.
September 9, 2026
I was expecting a fun grimdark fantasy by a new author in the genre.
I was NOT expecting to finish the book feeling hollowed out by the constant emotional damage this book threw my way. Imagine someone punching your face and then following it up with a brick to the ribcage and you have a pretty good idea of what your emotions will feel like when you have reached the final page.
I loved the dynamic between our core members of The Mighty Hand and it gave me the same vibes as ‘Kings of the Wyld’ but make it sad and dark. I will be keeping my eye out for future releases by Taran Cross and preordering as soon as they are announced.
I was NOT expecting to finish the book feeling hollowed out by the constant emotional damage this book threw my way. Imagine someone punching your face and then following it up with a brick to the ribcage and you have a pretty good idea of what your emotions will feel like when you have reached the final page.
I loved the dynamic between our core members of The Mighty Hand and it gave me the same vibes as ‘Kings of the Wyld’ but make it sad and dark. I will be keeping my eye out for future releases by Taran Cross and preordering as soon as they are announced.
October 3, 2026
Highly recommend! Dark Fantasy edge of my seat must read!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews