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Ashes of Onyx
They stole her magic.
They killed her friends.
Nothing in the multiverse will stop her quest for revenge.
Kate Rossdale once held all the promise of becoming Baltimore’s greatest sorceress. But promise is a hard thing to hold when your coven is murdered, your magic is stripped away, and the only solace left to you comes one powdered line at a time.
When she’s offered the restoration of her power by a man she doesn’t know or trust, Kate sets in motion the retribution of her enemies.
Soon she finds herself racing across the globe, and across worlds, venturing into exotic realms of forbidden dreams, to the spires of Lost Carcosa, hunting for the magic-thief who robbed her of everything she held dear, including the most dangerous magic any sorceress can possess—hope.
They killed her friends.
Nothing in the multiverse will stop her quest for revenge.
Kate Rossdale once held all the promise of becoming Baltimore’s greatest sorceress. But promise is a hard thing to hold when your coven is murdered, your magic is stripped away, and the only solace left to you comes one powdered line at a time.
When she’s offered the restoration of her power by a man she doesn’t know or trust, Kate sets in motion the retribution of her enemies.
Soon she finds herself racing across the globe, and across worlds, venturing into exotic realms of forbidden dreams, to the spires of Lost Carcosa, hunting for the magic-thief who robbed her of everything she held dear, including the most dangerous magic any sorceress can possess—hope.
467 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2020
39 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Seth Skorkowsky
17 books353 followersRaised in the swamps and pine forests of East Texas, Seth Skorkowsky always gravitated to the darker sides of fantasy, preferring horror and pulp heroes over knights in shining armor.
His debut novel, Dämoren, was published in 2014. He has now released four urban fantasy novels and two sword-and-sorcery short story collections. Seth's latest novel, Ashes of Onyx, released in 2020.
When not writing, Seth enjoys cheesy movies, tabletop role-playing games, making YouTube videos, and traveling the world with his wife.
His debut novel, Dämoren, was published in 2014. He has now released four urban fantasy novels and two sword-and-sorcery short story collections. Seth's latest novel, Ashes of Onyx, released in 2020.
When not writing, Seth enjoys cheesy movies, tabletop role-playing games, making YouTube videos, and traveling the world with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 9, 2020
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/02/09/...
Seth Skorkowsky is back tackling a little something different from his Valducan series, of which I am a big fan. Ashes of Onyx has a bit of a lighter feel, a tone that is more distinctly urban fantasy and is less heavy on the horror elements, but make no mistake, it still has all the hallmarks of adventure, excitement, and grit that makes the author’s work so enjoyable.
At the center of this novel is a young woman who has had a great wrong done to her. Meet Kate Rossdale, a sorceress whose life is in tatters after her entire coven was killed in an accident that stripped away her powers, and now she spends her days whiling away in a drug-induced haze trying to forget the past. But then one day, a most unexpected offer comes to her in the form of a once-enemy who promises her a way to get her magic back—in exchange for a big favor, of course.
Kate is almost certain she cannot trust Richard Harcourt, formerly of an organization that used to hunt sorcerers like her. And yet, the old man holds the key to restoring her powers, and along with that, the truth of what really happened on that fateful day that changed her life. First of all, Harcourt reveals, what killed her coven was no accident, and second, the person Kate had considered her closest friend had been the one to orchestrate it all.
What’s more, Kate was not the only one this person betrayed. Their enemy has been around for a long time, stealing magic to achieve near-immortality and to become stronger and more powerful. To put an end to this, Kate and fellow members of her new team must journey into the mystical realm of imagination and dreaming to track down their foe in a mission to right a wrong that’s gone on far too long.
Ashes of Onyx is a fascinating book with lots to offer fantasy fans, and without a doubt, its varied elements demonstrate another side of Seth Skorkowsky’s talent. If you need proof of his versatility as a writer, look no further than Kate’s character. She’s by far the most interesting, complex, and dynamic protagonist he has ever created, and that’s saying a lot considering the incredible lineup of memorable characters who have headed the Valducan books. But there’s definitely something different and special about Kate. For one thing, we are introduced to her at one of the lowest, most hopeless points of her life, and one of the biggest challenges she has to overcome in the book takes place even before the adventure starts. She’s motivated by many things—vengeance and loyalty to her friends among them. I also liked that she was so candid with her emotions, which I thought was one of the key reasons why her character came across as so genuine and sympathetic.
Then there was the breathtaking world of Ashes of Onyx. The story opens in Baltimore, beginning the way so many urban fantasy novels do, belying the amazing things to come. For you see, this book is more than just UF; it is also epic fantasy, and also a little bit of portal fantasy, as Kate and her friends make their way to an alternate universe created by the sum of all human thought and vision. As you’d expect, the world-building is top-notch as readers get to encounter sights and sounds, people and places, concept and ideas that are so unique and dazzling that they’ll blow your mind.
The plot was also fast-paced and entertaining. There’s a good mix of humor and action for the adventurous-minded, but keep in mind too that there’s a thread of darkness that runs through the narrative, and this to me is what Seth Skorkowsky is all about. I’ve always loved the horror-tinged stories of the Valducan series, and was glad to see some of that here, especially towards the end when all hell breaks loose. This novel might be lighter in tone, but it’s still certainly not for the faint-hearted, because there are moments that get downright brutal.
So fans of bold, gritty, rollicking urban fantasy take note: Seth Skorkowsky should be on your reading list, and Ashes of Onyx needs to be on your radar yesterday! This book was a nice change of pace from Valducan but it was just as fun and engaging, which was no less than I would have expected from the author. If he decides to expand this world with future books, you can bet I’ll be on board for more.
Audiobook Comments: I must commend the outstanding job by narrator Caroline Shaffer, who brought out the vivid personalities of Kate and the gang. A great listen overall, and highly recommended.
Seth Skorkowsky is back tackling a little something different from his Valducan series, of which I am a big fan. Ashes of Onyx has a bit of a lighter feel, a tone that is more distinctly urban fantasy and is less heavy on the horror elements, but make no mistake, it still has all the hallmarks of adventure, excitement, and grit that makes the author’s work so enjoyable.
At the center of this novel is a young woman who has had a great wrong done to her. Meet Kate Rossdale, a sorceress whose life is in tatters after her entire coven was killed in an accident that stripped away her powers, and now she spends her days whiling away in a drug-induced haze trying to forget the past. But then one day, a most unexpected offer comes to her in the form of a once-enemy who promises her a way to get her magic back—in exchange for a big favor, of course.
Kate is almost certain she cannot trust Richard Harcourt, formerly of an organization that used to hunt sorcerers like her. And yet, the old man holds the key to restoring her powers, and along with that, the truth of what really happened on that fateful day that changed her life. First of all, Harcourt reveals, what killed her coven was no accident, and second, the person Kate had considered her closest friend had been the one to orchestrate it all.
What’s more, Kate was not the only one this person betrayed. Their enemy has been around for a long time, stealing magic to achieve near-immortality and to become stronger and more powerful. To put an end to this, Kate and fellow members of her new team must journey into the mystical realm of imagination and dreaming to track down their foe in a mission to right a wrong that’s gone on far too long.
Ashes of Onyx is a fascinating book with lots to offer fantasy fans, and without a doubt, its varied elements demonstrate another side of Seth Skorkowsky’s talent. If you need proof of his versatility as a writer, look no further than Kate’s character. She’s by far the most interesting, complex, and dynamic protagonist he has ever created, and that’s saying a lot considering the incredible lineup of memorable characters who have headed the Valducan books. But there’s definitely something different and special about Kate. For one thing, we are introduced to her at one of the lowest, most hopeless points of her life, and one of the biggest challenges she has to overcome in the book takes place even before the adventure starts. She’s motivated by many things—vengeance and loyalty to her friends among them. I also liked that she was so candid with her emotions, which I thought was one of the key reasons why her character came across as so genuine and sympathetic.
Then there was the breathtaking world of Ashes of Onyx. The story opens in Baltimore, beginning the way so many urban fantasy novels do, belying the amazing things to come. For you see, this book is more than just UF; it is also epic fantasy, and also a little bit of portal fantasy, as Kate and her friends make their way to an alternate universe created by the sum of all human thought and vision. As you’d expect, the world-building is top-notch as readers get to encounter sights and sounds, people and places, concept and ideas that are so unique and dazzling that they’ll blow your mind.
The plot was also fast-paced and entertaining. There’s a good mix of humor and action for the adventurous-minded, but keep in mind too that there’s a thread of darkness that runs through the narrative, and this to me is what Seth Skorkowsky is all about. I’ve always loved the horror-tinged stories of the Valducan series, and was glad to see some of that here, especially towards the end when all hell breaks loose. This novel might be lighter in tone, but it’s still certainly not for the faint-hearted, because there are moments that get downright brutal.
So fans of bold, gritty, rollicking urban fantasy take note: Seth Skorkowsky should be on your reading list, and Ashes of Onyx needs to be on your radar yesterday! This book was a nice change of pace from Valducan but it was just as fun and engaging, which was no less than I would have expected from the author. If he decides to expand this world with future books, you can bet I’ll be on board for more.
Audiobook Comments: I must commend the outstanding job by narrator Caroline Shaffer, who brought out the vivid personalities of Kate and the gang. A great listen overall, and highly recommended.
March 8, 2020
ASHES OF ONYX by Seth Skorkowsky is the first of a new series by an author I've very much enjoyed the previous works of. I'm a huge fan of the Valducan series, which is a set of novels following multiple protagonists wielding magic demon-slaying weapons. I'm also a Tales of the Black Raven fan, which is a collection of compiled short stories featuring a master thief. Finally, I love Seth Skorkowsky's many Youtube series that were winners of an ENnies Award last year for best game reviews.
The premise is Kate Rossdale is a failed magus, having lost all of her sorcery in a horrific accident that destroyed her tower. This is an urban fantasy version of Earth where humans have Hermetic orders of sorcerers with some references to Aleister Crowley. Kate has been reduced to identifying magical artifacts for collectors in order to fund her drug habit, using dust to substitute for the feeling of sorcery at her fingertips. Kate's life gets a chance to get back on track, however, when a mysterious benefactor offers her the chance to regain her magic in exchange for being bound to do him a favor of immense value. From there, they find themselves visiting other dimensions and challenging sorcerous overlords.
I really enjoyed this book, that reminded me a bit of Brian Lumley's Titus Crow series with its mixture of 1970s-esque psychadelic dimensions, the use of H.P. Lovecraft's Dreamlands, and its flawed antiheroes. Kate Rossdale is an intriguing heroine and I liked watching her struggle with her addiction and her constant attempt to rationalize why she wasn't an addict. She recovered her powers a bit too quickly but this helped underscore that her problems with dust went beyond a mere need to feel magic again.
This is a solid urban fantasy novel for the first half of the novel that switches into full-on fantasy for the latter half. There's some truly satisfying moments here like Kate's "wizard duel", the romance developed midway through the book, and also the final confrontation with Kate's chief tormentor. I think this is a great novel and if you're looking for a good mage book then you could do a lot worse.
9/10
The premise is Kate Rossdale is a failed magus, having lost all of her sorcery in a horrific accident that destroyed her tower. This is an urban fantasy version of Earth where humans have Hermetic orders of sorcerers with some references to Aleister Crowley. Kate has been reduced to identifying magical artifacts for collectors in order to fund her drug habit, using dust to substitute for the feeling of sorcery at her fingertips. Kate's life gets a chance to get back on track, however, when a mysterious benefactor offers her the chance to regain her magic in exchange for being bound to do him a favor of immense value. From there, they find themselves visiting other dimensions and challenging sorcerous overlords.
I really enjoyed this book, that reminded me a bit of Brian Lumley's Titus Crow series with its mixture of 1970s-esque psychadelic dimensions, the use of H.P. Lovecraft's Dreamlands, and its flawed antiheroes. Kate Rossdale is an intriguing heroine and I liked watching her struggle with her addiction and her constant attempt to rationalize why she wasn't an addict. She recovered her powers a bit too quickly but this helped underscore that her problems with dust went beyond a mere need to feel magic again.
This is a solid urban fantasy novel for the first half of the novel that switches into full-on fantasy for the latter half. There's some truly satisfying moments here like Kate's "wizard duel", the romance developed midway through the book, and also the final confrontation with Kate's chief tormentor. I think this is a great novel and if you're looking for a good mage book then you could do a lot worse.
9/10
January 27, 2020
If you like fantasy and pulp adventure stories, you should be cracking this book open immediately. There’s something inside no matter what flavor of pulp you lean toward.
Although the overall narrative arc might be loosely described as urban fantasy or portal fantasy, there is a lot on offer through each section of the story. Like gritty noir detective stories? The opening 3 or 4 chapters are directly in that vein. Like world-traveling spy adventure? The following portion of story strongly borrows from that tradition. Like hidden-world-exploration? Lord, have you come to the right place.
Perhaps most impressive of all is that none of this felt as disparate as it sounds now that I go back and try to summarize it. The surroundings never came off as random, simply unexpected. Primarily, the story flowed right along because it never got distracted. This is the brutal tale of Kate Rossdale, once a powerful emerging wizard, and her quest for revenge. Regardless of the trappings of a chapter, Ashes of Onyx remained laser-focused on the protagonist to the point that each twist and turn had me riveted, deeply invested in her success and anxious at so great a chance for failure.
Loved Kate. Loved the bizarre and beautiful settings. Would recommend to fans of Neverwhere, Indiana Jones, and Kill Bill who want all of that in one book.
Although the overall narrative arc might be loosely described as urban fantasy or portal fantasy, there is a lot on offer through each section of the story. Like gritty noir detective stories? The opening 3 or 4 chapters are directly in that vein. Like world-traveling spy adventure? The following portion of story strongly borrows from that tradition. Like hidden-world-exploration? Lord, have you come to the right place.
Perhaps most impressive of all is that none of this felt as disparate as it sounds now that I go back and try to summarize it. The surroundings never came off as random, simply unexpected. Primarily, the story flowed right along because it never got distracted. This is the brutal tale of Kate Rossdale, once a powerful emerging wizard, and her quest for revenge. Regardless of the trappings of a chapter, Ashes of Onyx remained laser-focused on the protagonist to the point that each twist and turn had me riveted, deeply invested in her success and anxious at so great a chance for failure.
Loved Kate. Loved the bizarre and beautiful settings. Would recommend to fans of Neverwhere, Indiana Jones, and Kill Bill who want all of that in one book.
January 28, 2020
As a huge fan of Skorkowsky’s Valducan series, I was excited to check his newest book. Ashes of Onyx begins as Urban Fantasy but it contains elements of High, Portal, and Epic Fantasy, mixed with more than a bit of Horror.
Kate Rossdale is a sorceress, and she comes with a lot of baggage. She blames herself for the accident that killed her friends and made her lose her magic. When we meet her, she’s a junkie. She justifies her behavior in a way that makes sense (the need to feel magic again), but in reality, her addiction allows her to cope with grief, self-contempt, and guilt.
Things change when she meets Richard Harcourt, who reveals she hasn’t caused the tragedy that destroyed her life. In reality, the sorceress Kate considered a friend cursed her and stole her power. Before Kate gets her magic back, she must get clean. Not an easy task.
Ashes of Onyx shifts between subgenres and settings. Kate's team looks for answers across the globe and across worlds. Unraveling Skorkowsky’s world of monsters, magic, and all the strange in-between gives a lot of fun. Some of it is what you’d expect, some of it not. The mix of familiar and foreign kept me interested throughout. I mean, he makes it feel like this stuff could be real.
The alternate worlds and their inhabitants are imaginative and richly described. While it'll appeal to some readers, others (me included) will feel the novel spends too much time exploring places. I prefer focused narratives and can't help but mention that in places not much was happening.
Kate is a strong lead character. Fiercely loyal, brave, but also broken and lost. All things combined, she makes for a complex, charismatic and memorable protagonist. If the book gets a sequel, I will read it for Kate alone. Secondary characters feel distinct but I wouldn't describe them as particularly memorable.
Ashes of Onyx incorporates aspects of many genres ranging from urban fantasy to horror. Skorkowsky takes recognizable story beats and shapes them into a compelling whole. Fans of character-driven stories who prefer heroes with a grain of moral ambiguity should add this novel to their "should read" list.
Kate Rossdale is a sorceress, and she comes with a lot of baggage. She blames herself for the accident that killed her friends and made her lose her magic. When we meet her, she’s a junkie. She justifies her behavior in a way that makes sense (the need to feel magic again), but in reality, her addiction allows her to cope with grief, self-contempt, and guilt.
Things change when she meets Richard Harcourt, who reveals she hasn’t caused the tragedy that destroyed her life. In reality, the sorceress Kate considered a friend cursed her and stole her power. Before Kate gets her magic back, she must get clean. Not an easy task.
Ashes of Onyx shifts between subgenres and settings. Kate's team looks for answers across the globe and across worlds. Unraveling Skorkowsky’s world of monsters, magic, and all the strange in-between gives a lot of fun. Some of it is what you’d expect, some of it not. The mix of familiar and foreign kept me interested throughout. I mean, he makes it feel like this stuff could be real.
The alternate worlds and their inhabitants are imaginative and richly described. While it'll appeal to some readers, others (me included) will feel the novel spends too much time exploring places. I prefer focused narratives and can't help but mention that in places not much was happening.
Kate is a strong lead character. Fiercely loyal, brave, but also broken and lost. All things combined, she makes for a complex, charismatic and memorable protagonist. If the book gets a sequel, I will read it for Kate alone. Secondary characters feel distinct but I wouldn't describe them as particularly memorable.
Ashes of Onyx incorporates aspects of many genres ranging from urban fantasy to horror. Skorkowsky takes recognizable story beats and shapes them into a compelling whole. Fans of character-driven stories who prefer heroes with a grain of moral ambiguity should add this novel to their "should read" list.
February 22, 2020
Ashes of Onyx is a solid urban fantasy novel. Following Kate, a strong female sorceress who is mysteriously stripped of her powers after an accident, the novel weaves action and adventures into a great amount of world building. Skorkowsky does a great job at bringing both the magical lore and the human elements of his novel to life. If you're a fan of action, adventure, and magic you'll enjoy Ashes of Onyx.
February 28, 2020
What do you get when you mix the snarky comedy of Harry Dresden with Lovecraftian horror and a multiverse to rival any sci-fi travelogue? You get the magic that is "Ashes of Onyx."
I'd highly recommend it for any seasoned fantasy veteran who wants to see the first step in pushing Urban Fantasy into the new millennium.
I'd highly recommend it for any seasoned fantasy veteran who wants to see the first step in pushing Urban Fantasy into the new millennium.
January 23, 2020
Three stories walk into a bar. A leggy, sexy urban fantasy - this one is all flash and flare, a sorceress in a blood-red vinyl trench coat. She takes a tequila shot off some speechless boy's table and downs it as she walks past with a flicker of a smile. Then comes a dashing, adventurous portal fantasy - this dude has traveled WORLDS, and the exotic weather-beaten hat and those three gold rings etched in alien glyphs he's wearing on his right hand shows it. Last comes a dark, sultry Lovecraftian horror, and she's equal parts intoxicating and downright unsettling - the kind of lady your lizard brain tells you to be scared of but the same part of your brain won't let you run away.
Then the three of them go into the bathroom, get dusted up on coke, and make an extraordinary love-baby together. That's Ashes of Onyx, by Seth Skorkowsky.
One part sexy urban fantasy, one part adventurous portal fantasy, one part sultry Lovecraftian horror.
The central themes of addiction, loss, power-hunger, and retribution are played to full effect while also being juxtaposed against the tantalizing glimmer of hope and the possibility of redemption.
Kate Rossdale is Skorkowsky's most raw, visceral, and laid bare protagonist to date. The strength of her as a leading character comes directly from her believability and authenticity which marches across each and every page.
The world and mythology building in Ashes of Onyx is top-shelf - rich in vision and broad in scope. Students of obscure Occult lore and the Lovecraftian Mythos will find a dark surprise waiting for them in every chapter.
From the streets of Baltimore to the eerie gloom of Lost Carcosa, Ashes of Onyx will take you on a world-hopping adventure that will absolutely knock your socks off.
A little bit Clive Barker, a little bit H.P. Lovecraft, 100% Seth Skorkowsky. I loved it.
Tell me... Have you seen the Yellow Sign?
Then the three of them go into the bathroom, get dusted up on coke, and make an extraordinary love-baby together. That's Ashes of Onyx, by Seth Skorkowsky.
One part sexy urban fantasy, one part adventurous portal fantasy, one part sultry Lovecraftian horror.
The central themes of addiction, loss, power-hunger, and retribution are played to full effect while also being juxtaposed against the tantalizing glimmer of hope and the possibility of redemption.
Kate Rossdale is Skorkowsky's most raw, visceral, and laid bare protagonist to date. The strength of her as a leading character comes directly from her believability and authenticity which marches across each and every page.
The world and mythology building in Ashes of Onyx is top-shelf - rich in vision and broad in scope. Students of obscure Occult lore and the Lovecraftian Mythos will find a dark surprise waiting for them in every chapter.
From the streets of Baltimore to the eerie gloom of Lost Carcosa, Ashes of Onyx will take you on a world-hopping adventure that will absolutely knock your socks off.
A little bit Clive Barker, a little bit H.P. Lovecraft, 100% Seth Skorkowsky. I loved it.
Tell me... Have you seen the Yellow Sign?
May 19, 2020
Rating: 3.5/5.0
This dark urban fantasy starts out at a fantastic pace, introducing the protagonist Kate in an interesting and unusual way, and letting the reader know what to expect.
Read full review in the 2020 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This dark urban fantasy starts out at a fantastic pace, introducing the protagonist Kate in an interesting and unusual way, and letting the reader know what to expect.
Read full review in the 2020 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
March 17, 2020
A difficult to classify genre book. It basically has elements from a bunch of fantasy genres - urban, epic, portal etc and manages to work it all well together. There is an undercurrent of darkness permeating through the book and the instances of violence are sudden and brutal
What makes the series really work is the lead character - Kate Rossdale when the story starts is at her lowest. Having lost her powers, killing her tower mates in the process, Kate Rossdale has become a junkie - sniffing magic powder. It is at this time a mysterious agent approaches her promising vengeance along with her magic powers
This kickstarts the adventure that spans not only multiple places on Earth but also multiple other realms - all the way towards a legendary mythical kingdom and an antagonist who wants nothing but power.
The book works for the most part - the pacing is fluid, the world building quite good and the team chemistry is fun. The burst of violence and Kate's loss and her instability brings that layer of darkness to the book. The only flaw being the antagonist - after all the buildup, its kind of does fizzle out
What makes the series really work is the lead character - Kate Rossdale when the story starts is at her lowest. Having lost her powers, killing her tower mates in the process, Kate Rossdale has become a junkie - sniffing magic powder. It is at this time a mysterious agent approaches her promising vengeance along with her magic powers
This kickstarts the adventure that spans not only multiple places on Earth but also multiple other realms - all the way towards a legendary mythical kingdom and an antagonist who wants nothing but power.
The book works for the most part - the pacing is fluid, the world building quite good and the team chemistry is fun. The burst of violence and Kate's loss and her instability brings that layer of darkness to the book. The only flaw being the antagonist - after all the buildup, its kind of does fizzle out
April 2, 2020
In Ashes of Onyx Skorkowsky introduces readers to a down-on-her-luck sorceress for hire named Kate. With the loss of her magic, Kate has turned to drug use to both numb her personal pain and to give her a taste of the power she was once able to wield. Kate soon finds out that there might be more to the accident that caused her to lose her magic and caused the deaths of several friends than she originally believed. A dimension spanning adventure ensues as Kate and her allies seek to hunt down and bring to justice those who wronged her.
Skorkowsy dives into the setup of urban fantasy tropes, only to wrench the wheel and take them in a different direction. Skorkowsky does a masterful job of situating readers that are familiar with genre in a comfortable setting and then moving the narrative away from the tired ones and putting his own spin on things. He keeps clear of faeries, vampires, and Judaeo-Christian demons and angels and instead works with otherworldly elements that are very different but have a bit of a familiar feel to them. The magic system in Ashes of Onyx is simple, yet robust, with clear consequences and limits and its achievable effects.
Skorkowsky's characters, particularly Kate, are compelling. They are layered and their interplay as they try to achieve their shared goal, each for their own personal reasons, enhances the tension as readers consider the ramifications of a betrayal as the stakes get higher and higher.
His love of things Lovecraftian (or Chambersian in this particular tale) shows through as he engages with some familiar ideas from the Lovecraft Mythos. Skorkowsky weaves in elements of cosmic horror, offering little more than hints and suggestions at the motives of the central antagonist, leaving the reader with some questions in the aftermath.
Ashes of Onyx is a story of revenge and redemption first and foremost and is packed with action and magic. It's one heck of a ride for readers.
Skorkowsy dives into the setup of urban fantasy tropes, only to wrench the wheel and take them in a different direction. Skorkowsky does a masterful job of situating readers that are familiar with genre in a comfortable setting and then moving the narrative away from the tired ones and putting his own spin on things. He keeps clear of faeries, vampires, and Judaeo-Christian demons and angels and instead works with otherworldly elements that are very different but have a bit of a familiar feel to them. The magic system in Ashes of Onyx is simple, yet robust, with clear consequences and limits and its achievable effects.
Skorkowsky's characters, particularly Kate, are compelling. They are layered and their interplay as they try to achieve their shared goal, each for their own personal reasons, enhances the tension as readers consider the ramifications of a betrayal as the stakes get higher and higher.
His love of things Lovecraftian (or Chambersian in this particular tale) shows through as he engages with some familiar ideas from the Lovecraft Mythos. Skorkowsky weaves in elements of cosmic horror, offering little more than hints and suggestions at the motives of the central antagonist, leaving the reader with some questions in the aftermath.
Ashes of Onyx is a story of revenge and redemption first and foremost and is packed with action and magic. It's one heck of a ride for readers.
February 5, 2020
We start the story with our hero trying to numb the pain of loss in a seedy bar. Only it turns out that not everything is her fault and the person that stole her magic, killed her friends and laid all the blame on her is still alive. From there the story follows our hero reclaiming her magic and unraveling the killer's motive and ultimate plans. In a smart bit of writing the author uses every problem and obstacle into an opportunity to do some world building. It all flows naturally letting the world(s) grow as they are explored and the challenges overcome. Nor does he forget or hand wave away the main character's addiction but brings it back later at emotional logical moment to expand on what is going on outside of the heroes' actions. We are left with a very believable world with characters and villains making smart clever choices and actions. Can't wait for the next book.
August 23, 2020
I started this book because I'm a fan of the author. Not for his books, but for his RPG reviews. When Ashes of Onyx came out I thought it was a good opportunity to support the author and check out one of his books.
I couldn't put it down.
The story is so gripping and the characters are so relatable. Kate is now one of my favourite protagonists ever. And the whole universe of magic users was simply inspiring!
The narrative didn't leave anything to wish for as well, with a good balance of descriptions, character building and action that made the whole book a pleasure to read. It felt like I was watching a film with the images forming in my head as I read each sentence.
Now I can't wait to pick up other books from the author.
I couldn't put it down.
The story is so gripping and the characters are so relatable. Kate is now one of my favourite protagonists ever. And the whole universe of magic users was simply inspiring!
The narrative didn't leave anything to wish for as well, with a good balance of descriptions, character building and action that made the whole book a pleasure to read. It felt like I was watching a film with the images forming in my head as I read each sentence.
Now I can't wait to pick up other books from the author.
June 9, 2021
I am a huge fan of weird fiction. I greatly enjoy the literary works of H. P. Lovecraft and the extended circle of writers who have also explored that weird realm. Seth Skorkowsky's ASHES OF ONYX is another jewel in that realm.
ASHES OF ONYX is an amazing adventure that takes the reader from Baltimore to Edinburgh, to the aether of outer space, and fantastic alien worlds. If you enjoy Levi Black's Mythos War series, (Red Right Hand, Black Goat Blues, and Death Goddess Dance), or John Michael Greer's The Weird of Hali series, then you will absolutely love ASHES OF ONYX!
ASHES OF ONYX is an amazing adventure that takes the reader from Baltimore to Edinburgh, to the aether of outer space, and fantastic alien worlds. If you enjoy Levi Black's Mythos War series, (Red Right Hand, Black Goat Blues, and Death Goddess Dance), or John Michael Greer's The Weird of Hali series, then you will absolutely love ASHES OF ONYX!
February 6, 2020
Incredibly fun book. References to Lovecraftian lore, metaphysics, and I’m pretty sure a couple of calls to “The Devil Rides Out”.
January 24, 2020
I wish I knew how to write good reviews. The kind that tell you how great a book is without giving away the plot, but gets you excited to read it. I cannot do justice to how good this book is.
Ashes of Onyx has everything I love in a good story. Kate, the strong female lead is just trying to get by. She's living her life as a junkie, chasing the next hit, after a horrendous tragedy stripped her of her magic, friends, and mentors.
My favorite thing about Seth Skorkowsky's stories is how he can take bits of things we already know, and craft new stories around them with ORIGINAL ideas, told in a way that makes you feel like you're watching a movie. Ashes of Onyx has everything you could want in a story. Betrayal, revenge, Lovcraftian horrors, sorcery, heartbreaking deaths, and best of all, characters you care about that are believable, and who have flaws that are not just either Good or Evil. The action is exciting, and the surprises are shocking, and the book leaves you wanting to hear more about this multiverse.
Ashes of Onyx has everything I love in a good story. Kate, the strong female lead is just trying to get by. She's living her life as a junkie, chasing the next hit, after a horrendous tragedy stripped her of her magic, friends, and mentors.
My favorite thing about Seth Skorkowsky's stories is how he can take bits of things we already know, and craft new stories around them with ORIGINAL ideas, told in a way that makes you feel like you're watching a movie. Ashes of Onyx has everything you could want in a story. Betrayal, revenge, Lovcraftian horrors, sorcery, heartbreaking deaths, and best of all, characters you care about that are believable, and who have flaws that are not just either Good or Evil. The action is exciting, and the surprises are shocking, and the book leaves you wanting to hear more about this multiverse.
June 2, 2024
Liked it! Magic with adventure!
April 23, 2020
This Urban Fantasy is fun fun fun! Our MC Katherine (aka Kate) is feisty, blunt, complex, extremely interesting, relatable and morally gray. She is also an incredibly impotent and dejected Magician at the onset of the book.
It starts off with our protagonist already having been dealt a punishing blow. But even though her magic has been cut off from her, she is still a sassy, strong willed, sought after Magician. As magically hobbled as she may be in the beginning, she still manages to be a total badass... albeit a badass with a magical drug habit but a badass nonetheless. After meeting up with two shady people offering to give her her deepest desire, Kate's life takes a turn for what seems like (and may actually be) the better. She even reunites with a couple of no nonsense Magicians (1 from her past plus his magically skilled lover who tags along too) and this crew has somehow formed a family... that's the way they all became the Katie Bunch...
::: sung to the iconic tune of the TV show Brady Bunch :::
Never heard of it you say? Well... I just dated myself, and that sucks. BUT I digress and if you've come to know me and my squirreling reviews at all you'll see that digression is my modus operandi.
moving right along...
This magically powered carpet ride (sans carpet somtimes) showcases a motley crew of resistance fighters, bobbing along the Ether's (between worlds) currents, trying to stop a World(s) wide takeover by a (not so) mysterious Magician. Kate and her group traverse the black void amidst all manner of beasties... big and small, malignant and indifferent, placid or ravenous. This magically mixed crew consists of non magical folk plus magicians that do not appear to be anywhere near as adept at tapping into large stores of innate/raw power as Kate can and the powerhouse herself... the MVP, Kate. Together they explore the vast multiverse, visiting phenotypically differing planets ruled by different laws of physics. This band of misfits must also figure out, and navigate, the vastly unique, muddy waters of each planet's social etiquette and propriety if they are to blend in, recruit a rebel army and take down the menacing dictator and her terrifying hounds.
Does Kate get back (and master) her magic? If so, can she level up in time? Does she manage to acquire and successfully make ready a rebel army built to take down a maniacal despot and her formidable troops? If so, will she be able to come out of this unscathed, with her crew intact?
These questions, and many more, are answered within.
Overall:
This book was fun and held my attention. It had me thinking about it even when my nose wasn't firmly planted within its pages.The writing was succinct. The characters were not only fleshed out nicely but were robust to boot. And the world(s) building? Well... the construction was intriguing, intricate and unique. I liked the overall package and I truly believe it will appeal to a wide variety of readers.
~ Enjoy
*** I was given a copy of this book from LibraryThing and City Owl Press in exchange for an honest review ***
It starts off with our protagonist already having been dealt a punishing blow. But even though her magic has been cut off from her, she is still a sassy, strong willed, sought after Magician. As magically hobbled as she may be in the beginning, she still manages to be a total badass... albeit a badass with a magical drug habit but a badass nonetheless. After meeting up with two shady people offering to give her her deepest desire, Kate's life takes a turn for what seems like (and may actually be) the better. She even reunites with a couple of no nonsense Magicians (1 from her past plus his magically skilled lover who tags along too) and this crew has somehow formed a family... that's the way they all became the Katie Bunch...
::: sung to the iconic tune of the TV show Brady Bunch :::
Never heard of it you say? Well... I just dated myself, and that sucks. BUT I digress and if you've come to know me and my squirreling reviews at all you'll see that digression is my modus operandi.
moving right along...
This magically powered carpet ride (sans carpet somtimes) showcases a motley crew of resistance fighters, bobbing along the Ether's (between worlds) currents, trying to stop a World(s) wide takeover by a (not so) mysterious Magician. Kate and her group traverse the black void amidst all manner of beasties... big and small, malignant and indifferent, placid or ravenous. This magically mixed crew consists of non magical folk plus magicians that do not appear to be anywhere near as adept at tapping into large stores of innate/raw power as Kate can and the powerhouse herself... the MVP, Kate. Together they explore the vast multiverse, visiting phenotypically differing planets ruled by different laws of physics. This band of misfits must also figure out, and navigate, the vastly unique, muddy waters of each planet's social etiquette and propriety if they are to blend in, recruit a rebel army and take down the menacing dictator and her terrifying hounds.
Does Kate get back (and master) her magic? If so, can she level up in time? Does she manage to acquire and successfully make ready a rebel army built to take down a maniacal despot and her formidable troops? If so, will she be able to come out of this unscathed, with her crew intact?
These questions, and many more, are answered within.
Overall:
This book was fun and held my attention. It had me thinking about it even when my nose wasn't firmly planted within its pages.The writing was succinct. The characters were not only fleshed out nicely but were robust to boot. And the world(s) building? Well... the construction was intriguing, intricate and unique. I liked the overall package and I truly believe it will appeal to a wide variety of readers.
~ Enjoy
*** I was given a copy of this book from LibraryThing and City Owl Press in exchange for an honest review ***
May 31, 2021
Sorry Seth. You can't please everyone but for me the book was infuriating instead of entertaining.
Pluses:
Good world building.
Interesting magic
Interesting characters.
Very nice cover art.
Great tie ins to Lovecraftian Mythos.
Minuses:
Why don't any characters ever figure out the rules by which magic operates?
Protagonist behaves in unbelievable ways.
Tone of the work drove me away.
- spoiler alert -
What was unbelievable:
It all went wrong about the middle.
The protagonist is growing very close to another character. To the point of offering intimacy.
The love interest is killed, in front of her, after her allies paid the man responsible a large amount of money to leave her alone. She storms into the coven of the killer to get vengeance.
The coven protects the killer, and his accomplice, even after being offered proof of their actions.
The net result is she fights a duel to "first blood" with the two (at the insistence of the coven).
One gets a bloody nose (literally). The other mangled arms.
The coven then protects and aids the murderers. Again.
The main character is okay with this resolution.
This book would have been a five star if this were the main plot and real justice had been obtained.
The death of the murderers and/or the destruction of the coven that aids and abets murder.
I felt the resolution of the conflict was so awful I lost all interest in reading further.
As written the main character is a train wreck instead of a hero in the making.
No attention to tone:
As we follow along with this protagonist I felt more and more despondent and hopeless.
By the middle of the book I felt hopeless and infuriated.
I wanted the main character to give us reason to believe she is a hero, or could be one.
That no matter the odds, no matter the cost, she will see justice done.
There should be some thread of hope. No matter how small.
Pluses:
Good world building.
Interesting magic
Interesting characters.
Very nice cover art.
Great tie ins to Lovecraftian Mythos.
Minuses:
Why don't any characters ever figure out the rules by which magic operates?
Protagonist behaves in unbelievable ways.
Tone of the work drove me away.
- spoiler alert -
What was unbelievable:
It all went wrong about the middle.
The protagonist is growing very close to another character. To the point of offering intimacy.
The love interest is killed, in front of her, after her allies paid the man responsible a large amount of money to leave her alone. She storms into the coven of the killer to get vengeance.
The coven protects the killer, and his accomplice, even after being offered proof of their actions.
The net result is she fights a duel to "first blood" with the two (at the insistence of the coven).
One gets a bloody nose (literally). The other mangled arms.
The coven then protects and aids the murderers. Again.
The main character is okay with this resolution.
This book would have been a five star if this were the main plot and real justice had been obtained.
The death of the murderers and/or the destruction of the coven that aids and abets murder.
I felt the resolution of the conflict was so awful I lost all interest in reading further.
As written the main character is a train wreck instead of a hero in the making.
No attention to tone:
As we follow along with this protagonist I felt more and more despondent and hopeless.
By the middle of the book I felt hopeless and infuriated.
I wanted the main character to give us reason to believe she is a hero, or could be one.
That no matter the odds, no matter the cost, she will see justice done.
There should be some thread of hope. No matter how small.
March 12, 2021
Kate Rossdale was once a powerful witch, but after a terrible accident that was her fault, she is a shell of her former self. Craving a taste of the magic she once had, she agrees to work with a mysterious man who promises the real answers behind the tragedy. In Ashes of Onyx, enemies become allies, and different realms come together, to face the real threat to all worlds.
This is the first book I’ve read by Seth Skorkowsky, and I really enjoyed the worlds he has created. This is much more than just your usual Urban Fantasy, restricted to the world around us. There are different realms that can only be traveled to with magic. I thought this was the strongest part of the book; the different realities felt solid and believable, whilst also exotic and full of opportunity. Of course, the plot tied to our world was also very interesting. Those who train in magic join covens or ‘towers’, which have their own secrets and motives. To add more pressure, they have to hide from the witch hunters.
I felt that the pace of the story was sacrificed a little, perhaps for the book’s focus on creating a strong multi-level background. There was a lot of waiting for spells to be ready, for troops to gather. The momentum does build back up for the final battle, which did hook me in until the end. Ashes of Onyx is an impressive standalone novel, which neatly wraps everything up. I think there is room for a series, and it would be a shame if the author didn’t revisit the world he has created.
This is the first book I’ve read by Seth Skorkowsky, and I really enjoyed the worlds he has created. This is much more than just your usual Urban Fantasy, restricted to the world around us. There are different realms that can only be traveled to with magic. I thought this was the strongest part of the book; the different realities felt solid and believable, whilst also exotic and full of opportunity. Of course, the plot tied to our world was also very interesting. Those who train in magic join covens or ‘towers’, which have their own secrets and motives. To add more pressure, they have to hide from the witch hunters.
I felt that the pace of the story was sacrificed a little, perhaps for the book’s focus on creating a strong multi-level background. There was a lot of waiting for spells to be ready, for troops to gather. The momentum does build back up for the final battle, which did hook me in until the end. Ashes of Onyx is an impressive standalone novel, which neatly wraps everything up. I think there is room for a series, and it would be a shame if the author didn’t revisit the world he has created.
February 12, 2020
An entertaining, easy and quick to read urban-fantasy book. Or portal-fantasy as it sopposed to be, didnt know about that sub genre before. Fantasy has to watch out, otherwise it will soon have more sub genres then hevay metal...
In any case, there was a lot to like in Skorkowskys latest offering and a few things I didnt like as much. I liked the genereal premise, even if portal-fantasy probably wont be one of my go to genres, of the magicans in our world, the other worlds but mostly about the abyss. I think this was the part of the world traveling that was most interesting. I always like a new spin on Carcosa. And I really liked that Skorkowsky didnt go the much to over-used road for why women want to take revenge. And you should know what I mean.
I did have some problem with some of the pacing of the middle part of story. When we start the world-traveling it bogs down a bit and its to much. You can see that the author has a lot of ideas that he want to share, but it gets a bit much at times. The same goes for whats going on back on Earth. We get the feeling of that there is a lot of interesting politics going on between magicans and their opposition, but we never get to find out about it. This might be set-ups for future pay-offs, but as for now there seems to be a few threads hanging.
All in all a fun book, well worth a read. Ill give it a weak 4 star review.
In any case, there was a lot to like in Skorkowskys latest offering and a few things I didnt like as much. I liked the genereal premise, even if portal-fantasy probably wont be one of my go to genres, of the magicans in our world, the other worlds but mostly about the abyss. I think this was the part of the world traveling that was most interesting. I always like a new spin on Carcosa. And I really liked that Skorkowsky didnt go the much to over-used road for why women want to take revenge. And you should know what I mean.
I did have some problem with some of the pacing of the middle part of story. When we start the world-traveling it bogs down a bit and its to much. You can see that the author has a lot of ideas that he want to share, but it gets a bit much at times. The same goes for whats going on back on Earth. We get the feeling of that there is a lot of interesting politics going on between magicans and their opposition, but we never get to find out about it. This might be set-ups for future pay-offs, but as for now there seems to be a few threads hanging.
All in all a fun book, well worth a read. Ill give it a weak 4 star review.
August 14, 2020
4.25 so far (ch 15 then skipped around)
I like the fact that it's an Urban Fantasy with a female protagonist without being a reverse harem. Too many are just the main character drooling over 4 hot guys for 600 pages. I appreciate that it's a fellow guy writing, he would know what we want to read in a female protagonist.
The descriptions are ever so slightly too wordy, but I find most books too wordy as I come from reading trashy xianxia novels, so not much you can do there.
I somewhat dislike how she's 38, which is really old for a female protagonist, especially in an urban setting. I feel like I would connect more if she was like 10 years younger, but really her doesn't really come up much anyway. This is really just a nitpick.
The story is surprisingly not bad, there is enough going on to not feel like it's dragging. Imma keep reading for now.
edit: it's okay. too description heavy and started skipping chapters.
I like the fact that it's an Urban Fantasy with a female protagonist without being a reverse harem. Too many are just the main character drooling over 4 hot guys for 600 pages. I appreciate that it's a fellow guy writing, he would know what we want to read in a female protagonist.
The descriptions are ever so slightly too wordy, but I find most books too wordy as I come from reading trashy xianxia novels, so not much you can do there.
I somewhat dislike how she's 38, which is really old for a female protagonist, especially in an urban setting. I feel like I would connect more if she was like 10 years younger, but really her doesn't really come up much anyway. This is really just a nitpick.
The story is surprisingly not bad, there is enough going on to not feel like it's dragging. Imma keep reading for now.
edit: it's okay. too description heavy and started skipping chapters.
April 24, 2022
I didn’t like this book primarily because I disliked the “heroine.” She was a real a**hole. The woman was self-centered, had no sense of personal boundaries, eg going into colleagues’ bedroom while they were asleep In the room and going through their things; was unreliable, eg getting stoned in the middle of the “war” and justifying it as okay; and she generally acted juvenile (she was about 38), and felt entitled to do whatever she wanted, often even when it would be bad for someone else.
I also thought there was too much detail about the various worlds and peoples. Got tedious.
The best part was that the author was pretty good at maintaining the suspense.
I also thought there was too much detail about the various worlds and peoples. Got tedious.
The best part was that the author was pretty good at maintaining the suspense.
December 11, 2025
This is an exciting book which morphs from urban to high fantasy with a heavy dose of horror based on Robert W. Chambers' stories. It's well written and is a real page turner, but sometimes I was turning the pages back to keep track of the huge cast of characters. There's a satisfying conclusion except for the fact that I wasn't sure if a certain character died or not. Either I'm too dense or the reference to "our friend" was regarding another character from so far back in the book that I mistook their identity because I couldn't remember them. Or it was a subterfuge. So, a high degree of concentration is necessary but this doesn't really detract from the book's quality.
September 8, 2023
Ashes of Onyx is an exhilarating story; with refreshingly fast-paced writing, the main protagonists are vibrant and fit together well as a team, and I was completely hooked for the ride! The book isn't bogged down by long tirades of exposition and worldbuilding; you have just enough to get you through the plot and a little on the side for flavour, so I never caught myself wondering when the plot would start up again. Overall a very enjoyable book with a lot of personality and action.
March 31, 2020
This book is long, but it is long because it is, as I see it, a quest.
The visuals that the author is able to provide for us make me think that it would be a wonderful animated film. I love the concept of the Whale. I think you will too. ;)
The characters are described well. You know who they are and why they are there. I appreciated that it had a solid start with an explanation of how we got to that point and a solid ending. And sooo many adventures in between! :)
The visuals that the author is able to provide for us make me think that it would be a wonderful animated film. I love the concept of the Whale. I think you will too. ;)
The characters are described well. You know who they are and why they are there. I appreciated that it had a solid start with an explanation of how we got to that point and a solid ending. And sooo many adventures in between! :)
July 20, 2020
Seth Skorkowsky does fantasy in all of its flavors really well. The only thing that bugged me was that Kate fell prey to the strong female badass protagonist trope: you don’t have to do it all alone (understanding there are factors there.). I hope to see Kate meld more, but not lose herself in the crowd. Hopefully that made sense. It doesn’t detract from the book, the characters, or the worlds. But it’s something to think about.
July 3, 2021
Despite being unsure what to expect when I picked up this book, I suspected it was gonna be good.
I was right.
This book has delightfully flawed characters, great world(s) building, and a well-crafted magic system. The story it follows is a definite page turner and I hope Seth's working on the sequel even as I type this.
One word of warning - this is a dark fantasy. People die in grotesque and horrible ways. To me, this just makes the MC's struggle that much more heroic.
I was right.
This book has delightfully flawed characters, great world(s) building, and a well-crafted magic system. The story it follows is a definite page turner and I hope Seth's working on the sequel even as I type this.
One word of warning - this is a dark fantasy. People die in grotesque and horrible ways. To me, this just makes the MC's struggle that much more heroic.
September 26, 2023
Full disclosure, I would consider Seth Skorkowsky a friend. Whilst we have never met, we have a "friend" relationship on Facebook due to similar interests, and I have communicated with him several times over the years.
Having said that, I found Ashes of Onyx a very good read. I've rated it 4/5 because I reserve 1/5 and 5/5 for exceptional pieces of literature. Those that really blow my socks off.
I'd thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in light horror/urban fantasy.
Having said that, I found Ashes of Onyx a very good read. I've rated it 4/5 because I reserve 1/5 and 5/5 for exceptional pieces of literature. Those that really blow my socks off.
I'd thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in light horror/urban fantasy.
January 13, 2026
This was my first foray into this author’s work. While I do appreciate characters who have unswerving morals and unyielding discipline, it does make me feel a bit inadequate sometimes; so, it’s refreshing to read a book in which the MC is flawed… AKA human. I think like most of us, tries to do their best and ultimately wants to do the right thing, and sometimes it doesn’t pan out the way we hope. As a result, the character seems more nuanced, rather than a cookie cutter.
May 12, 2022
I think it could be a much more interesting story if it was written by a different author. It’s very well written and the story seemed like it would be very interesting from the summary and beginning, but I found myself extremely bored the whole time. It took everything in me to give it until at least half way done but I don’t think I can make myself continue.
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