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The Vanguard Chronicles #1
We Men of Ash and Shadow
Amidst the gas lamp shadows former soldier-turned-mercenary John Vanguard hunts criminals at the behest of his corrupt employer, Captain Felix Sanquain. Shamed by his deserter past and seeking to make amends for his many misdeeds, a chance encounter with Tarryn Leersac – a skilled young would-be-assassin fallen from the graces of high society – leads Vanguard to become an unlikely mentor.
Charged with hunting down the killer of two guards left washed up on the banks of the canal, the further Vanguard delves into the underbelly of the city the more he finds himself entangled in a web of secrets and lies. A prominent aristocrat is missing. Crime lords, con men and harlots run amok and the city teeters on the brink of another revolution.
With his already precarious reputation hanging by a thread, Vanguard must piece together how and why the last war came to pass, find a way to earn redemption for his mistakes and come to terms with the past in a city where few survive, and even fewer can be trusted.
A Grimdark novel with elements of adventure and gaslight fantasy, ‘We Men of Ash and Shadow’ explores themes of redemption, loyalty, and betrayal against the backdrop of a world where survival often means compromising your values.
‘We Men of Ash and Shadow’ is an adult fantasy novel and as such, contains adult themes and language.
Charged with hunting down the killer of two guards left washed up on the banks of the canal, the further Vanguard delves into the underbelly of the city the more he finds himself entangled in a web of secrets and lies. A prominent aristocrat is missing. Crime lords, con men and harlots run amok and the city teeters on the brink of another revolution.
With his already precarious reputation hanging by a thread, Vanguard must piece together how and why the last war came to pass, find a way to earn redemption for his mistakes and come to terms with the past in a city where few survive, and even fewer can be trusted.
A Grimdark novel with elements of adventure and gaslight fantasy, ‘We Men of Ash and Shadow’ explores themes of redemption, loyalty, and betrayal against the backdrop of a world where survival often means compromising your values.
‘We Men of Ash and Shadow’ is an adult fantasy novel and as such, contains adult themes and language.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2020
74 people are currently reading
1658 people want to read
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April 14, 2022
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Read this as a guest judge (With FanFiAddict) for SPFBO 7. This reflects my personal rating and opinion and not the final score for the blog!
This story follows John Vanguard, a mercenary who hunts criminals to atone for his past. We follow him as he tries to investigate the killer of two guards whose bodies are left awash on the banks of a canal. Tarryn Leersac enters the picture coincidentally and somehow Vanguard finds himself mentoring him.
I really loved the writing of this book. Tinsley has a very unique prose that is eloquent without being too flowery. I think it is not the uniquest of stories but the way it is told surely is! There is just the right amount of telling and showing and we are shown things in a very professional manner. I also like the fact that it was not super long, I do love a chunky book but every now and then I read a relatively short book that delivers a whole story in the right amount of pages and this book does that in just 300 pages!
Vanguard is a very interesting character, the characters in this book are kind of morally grey and I loved that Tinsely took the time to introduce each character properly and then laying their back story at some further point in the story which helps caring about them more. I am not only talking about the main two protagonists but almost all of the secondary characters. Tarryn is an interesting character and I did love his story specially at first -somehow it gets jumbled in the narrative in the middle- and I loved how the story ended too with the characters facing more challenges. The characters were introduced gradually and each in a memorable way that made fol;owing them a breath of fresh air!
The world is divided according to the social status, it is a world of low fantasy thing where the only magic is the protagonists ability to turn invisible. The world gave me Arcane vibes and it is a setting that I am not very familiar with! Despite the low fantasy settings, it was captivating to see how the author puts her own twists on thing like changing the stereotypical character of the brothel owner!
The story line is good, it is more like a mystery story taking place in a fantasy world. There were many moments of tension that made me fly through to see how will a certain event end and how it would affect the characters. I think some of the motives should have been clearer and there are things that I wanted more from. The story is told in a way that it could have been a standalone or a series -apparently it is the latter- but I went into it blind and did not know what to expect until I finished it!
Summary: I really enjoyed this story and thought it was a smart and nice prose. The characters force you to care about them and it has just the right length. The story line is not the most fresh one but Tinsley has her own touch for sure. I think I will continue this when book two is out!
Read this as a guest judge (With FanFiAddict) for SPFBO 7. This reflects my personal rating and opinion and not the final score for the blog!
“We are men of ash and shadow. We endure the darkness so that others might see the dawn.”
This story follows John Vanguard, a mercenary who hunts criminals to atone for his past. We follow him as he tries to investigate the killer of two guards whose bodies are left awash on the banks of a canal. Tarryn Leersac enters the picture coincidentally and somehow Vanguard finds himself mentoring him.
I really loved the writing of this book. Tinsley has a very unique prose that is eloquent without being too flowery. I think it is not the uniquest of stories but the way it is told surely is! There is just the right amount of telling and showing and we are shown things in a very professional manner. I also like the fact that it was not super long, I do love a chunky book but every now and then I read a relatively short book that delivers a whole story in the right amount of pages and this book does that in just 300 pages!
Vanguard is a very interesting character, the characters in this book are kind of morally grey and I loved that Tinsely took the time to introduce each character properly and then laying their back story at some further point in the story which helps caring about them more. I am not only talking about the main two protagonists but almost all of the secondary characters. Tarryn is an interesting character and I did love his story specially at first -somehow it gets jumbled in the narrative in the middle- and I loved how the story ended too with the characters facing more challenges. The characters were introduced gradually and each in a memorable way that made fol;owing them a breath of fresh air!
“I think that (Redacted) always believed if she showed the world enough kindness, that eventually it would show her a little in return. But it doesn’t work like that, does it?”
The world is divided according to the social status, it is a world of low fantasy thing where the only magic is the protagonists ability to turn invisible. The world gave me Arcane vibes and it is a setting that I am not very familiar with! Despite the low fantasy settings, it was captivating to see how the author puts her own twists on thing like changing the stereotypical character of the brothel owner!
The story line is good, it is more like a mystery story taking place in a fantasy world. There were many moments of tension that made me fly through to see how will a certain event end and how it would affect the characters. I think some of the motives should have been clearer and there are things that I wanted more from. The story is told in a way that it could have been a standalone or a series -apparently it is the latter- but I went into it blind and did not know what to expect until I finished it!
“It is an unfortunate truth of the world that people will always want to soil beautiful things. They cannot simply let them be. It is why there will always be footprints in the freshly fallen snow. Flowers will grow from the earth and somebody will always want to pluck off the petals.”
Summary: I really enjoyed this story and thought it was a smart and nice prose. The characters force you to care about them and it has just the right length. The story line is not the most fresh one but Tinsley has her own touch for sure. I think I will continue this when book two is out!
Read
October 29, 2023Gritty, dark, dystopian told in a blunt, stacatto style that does not soften the themes, which are deeper than first glance would seem.
What happens when a disillusioned war veteran (once with a moral compass) is broken down by events and the impacts of war leave him the only survivor in his once heroic company? How does a broken world, ruled by corruption and violence, make use of desperate people, cast down as society's refuse, as tools of the violent and the greedy? And what happens when a genuine, pampered rich boy turns psychopath and enters the arena to sate his rage?
This book handles a range of downtrodden characters and their lives with unfiltered eyes, first revolting us, then gradually unveiling the twists and humanity and even, the bravery twined through their characters as they seek to build something and make their way in a city so brutally violent, riddled with vice and corruption, they are thwarted and denied all but extremely limited choices?
This book surprised me as it went, with the sensitivity and the ruggedly loyal actions of characters once the story delved beneath surface appearances. Obviously the inaugural book of a series, it did not leave me hanging at the finish.
Not a happy go lucky beach read, but grim and scary and at times unafraid to stare down the ugliest motivations in human nature. Not for the squeamish, and not a read filled with joy and light, but a serious deep dive into the grim side told in a rough-cut, blunt, and quite admirable original style.
What happens when a disillusioned war veteran (once with a moral compass) is broken down by events and the impacts of war leave him the only survivor in his once heroic company? How does a broken world, ruled by corruption and violence, make use of desperate people, cast down as society's refuse, as tools of the violent and the greedy? And what happens when a genuine, pampered rich boy turns psychopath and enters the arena to sate his rage?
This book handles a range of downtrodden characters and their lives with unfiltered eyes, first revolting us, then gradually unveiling the twists and humanity and even, the bravery twined through their characters as they seek to build something and make their way in a city so brutally violent, riddled with vice and corruption, they are thwarted and denied all but extremely limited choices?
This book surprised me as it went, with the sensitivity and the ruggedly loyal actions of characters once the story delved beneath surface appearances. Obviously the inaugural book of a series, it did not leave me hanging at the finish.
Not a happy go lucky beach read, but grim and scary and at times unafraid to stare down the ugliest motivations in human nature. Not for the squeamish, and not a read filled with joy and light, but a serious deep dive into the grim side told in a rough-cut, blunt, and quite admirable original style.
Read
October 12, 2022I haven't read this yet, but it was chosen as one of 10 finalists from 300 entries to the 7th Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off ... so it must be good!
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Check it out.
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May 13, 2021
https://www.bookwormblues.net/2021/05...
Every once in a while I come across a book that makes me so excited, I want to pick it up and throw it at every person who reads speculative fiction, “HERE, READ THIS.” The book doesn’t have to be perfect to achieve this level of excitement from me. What it needs to do, is show such finesse, such skill, I can instantly see the author is going to be a rock star, and I want to get in on the ground floor before things really take off. I get excited when I see new talent, fresh blood, and I want everyone else to see what I see.
So, we have H.L. Tinsley, and her first book, We Men of Ash and Shadow. Now, let me be clear, I read and edit a lot of books. A lot. A ton. A boatload of books. Books are my full-time job. I typically spend about twelve hours a day steeped in the written word. I have a knack for looking at a book, and being able to tell within the first few paragraphs if I have something remarkable on my hands. Reader, within the first paragraph of this book, I knew H.L. Tinsley is not only an author to watch, but she’s going places. This is someone I’m excited about and I want all of you to be excited about her too.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is brilliantly written. Tinsley has a knack for a good turn of phrase. She knows just how say things in a way that makes the greatest impact on her reader. A good book, in my estimation, is more than one thing. Plot, characters, world building, and magic are all important, but the prose tends to be what makes all of that shine. I will admit, my favorite books are the ones I can admire as much for the plot and characters, as for how they are written. A book that can make me sit back and say, “that sentence is genius” is one I know I will enjoy.
The book takes place in the city of D’Orsee, a place gripped by the iron fist of tyranny. Whispers arise about an uprising. People are getting tired of the way things are. There’s talk of things happening to change all that, which is dangerous. This is a dark place, and it’s full of unrest and simmering emotions. One gets the feeling that this city is tinder, and all it needs is a match to ignite. In fact, this disquiet is so powerful and pervasive, it almost becomes a living creature, a character in its own right. It’s a place where survival depends more on a person’s ingenuity and determination than anything else. The morally gray realm I love so much is Tinsley’s playground in We Men of Ash and Shadow.
Enter John Vanguard.
John Vanguard is a former soldier (I really love his name, by the way) who now works as a mercenary who is hired to do dark deeds for the city’s warlord. His previous career in the military ended with a bit of a disaster, leaving Vanguard a bit scarred emotionally, however, he has certain skills and his skills are put to good use.
Part of Vanguard’s appeal was his depth. He isn’t just surface-level. He has a history and that history has left its marks and impacts how he acts and feels, and what he does. How he lives his life, which hasn’t been easy, and has had too few happy or pleasant moments, or so it seemed to me. His guilt, misplaced or not, is a driving force behind who he is, and why he does what he does.
In truth, the same can be said for all of Tinsley’s characters. Their history is what makes them truly shine.
Tarryn is the other main character, and I will admit, I seriously loved him, partly because it took me some time to understand how delightfully warped this guy really is, with a past that is just as pivotal and important in his own development as Vanguard’s, just in different ways.
The secondary characters really shine here, and the way Tinsley utilizes them as a tool to develop her point of view characters and plot really thrilled me. It isn’t very often that I see secondary characters developed this well, or used so craftily. There was a point and purpose to each one, and they were always on screen for that reason, rather than to just fill space. Through these secondary interactions, we learn a lot more about Vanguard and Tarryn, as well as the city and the peoples who live in it.
We Men of Ash and Shadow works on a more subtle playing field than what you might expect from a book that features criminals and their ilk. Part noir, part fantasy, and very dark, this book doesn’t really have epic battles and lots of blood (though blood and violence is present and does happen). Perhaps I expected it to be more prevalent, and that might be why I was so pleased when I discovered Tinsley decided to go another way. Life is balanced on the edge of a knife. Threats lurk around every corner. One misstep, and it all comes crumbling down. That atmosphere, that living, breathing creature I mentioned earlier, pays off in this respect. Every action and each consequence feels like a bit of a battle, no less pitched for how personal, intimate, and internal it often ends up being. While there is violence, and there is tragedy, I seemed to focus more on the quieter moments of struggle, and the emotional impact it often had. Intrigue really uh… intrigues me.
Perhaps if I had one complaint, it’s this: I wish the book was longer. I wish the characters were given a bit more time to show me their history and their stories. I wanted to see just how D’Orsee came to be, and how this turbulent place has lasted this long. History, I suppose. I wanted more history. In a book this gripping, and this brilliantly executed, I discovered I wanted to spend more time with these characters on the page, and more time with this world. I just, quite honestly, wanted more.
That’s a hell of a complaint, right?
So, where does that leave us?
We Men of Ash and Shadow is an absolutely wonderful dark fantasy debut. Everything about this book was pitch-perfect. My only complaint is that I want more, more, more. Mark my words, H.L. Tinsley is an author to watch.
Every once in a while I come across a book that makes me so excited, I want to pick it up and throw it at every person who reads speculative fiction, “HERE, READ THIS.” The book doesn’t have to be perfect to achieve this level of excitement from me. What it needs to do, is show such finesse, such skill, I can instantly see the author is going to be a rock star, and I want to get in on the ground floor before things really take off. I get excited when I see new talent, fresh blood, and I want everyone else to see what I see.
So, we have H.L. Tinsley, and her first book, We Men of Ash and Shadow. Now, let me be clear, I read and edit a lot of books. A lot. A ton. A boatload of books. Books are my full-time job. I typically spend about twelve hours a day steeped in the written word. I have a knack for looking at a book, and being able to tell within the first few paragraphs if I have something remarkable on my hands. Reader, within the first paragraph of this book, I knew H.L. Tinsley is not only an author to watch, but she’s going places. This is someone I’m excited about and I want all of you to be excited about her too.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is brilliantly written. Tinsley has a knack for a good turn of phrase. She knows just how say things in a way that makes the greatest impact on her reader. A good book, in my estimation, is more than one thing. Plot, characters, world building, and magic are all important, but the prose tends to be what makes all of that shine. I will admit, my favorite books are the ones I can admire as much for the plot and characters, as for how they are written. A book that can make me sit back and say, “that sentence is genius” is one I know I will enjoy.
The book takes place in the city of D’Orsee, a place gripped by the iron fist of tyranny. Whispers arise about an uprising. People are getting tired of the way things are. There’s talk of things happening to change all that, which is dangerous. This is a dark place, and it’s full of unrest and simmering emotions. One gets the feeling that this city is tinder, and all it needs is a match to ignite. In fact, this disquiet is so powerful and pervasive, it almost becomes a living creature, a character in its own right. It’s a place where survival depends more on a person’s ingenuity and determination than anything else. The morally gray realm I love so much is Tinsley’s playground in We Men of Ash and Shadow.
Enter John Vanguard.
John Vanguard is a former soldier (I really love his name, by the way) who now works as a mercenary who is hired to do dark deeds for the city’s warlord. His previous career in the military ended with a bit of a disaster, leaving Vanguard a bit scarred emotionally, however, he has certain skills and his skills are put to good use.
Part of Vanguard’s appeal was his depth. He isn’t just surface-level. He has a history and that history has left its marks and impacts how he acts and feels, and what he does. How he lives his life, which hasn’t been easy, and has had too few happy or pleasant moments, or so it seemed to me. His guilt, misplaced or not, is a driving force behind who he is, and why he does what he does.
In truth, the same can be said for all of Tinsley’s characters. Their history is what makes them truly shine.
Tarryn is the other main character, and I will admit, I seriously loved him, partly because it took me some time to understand how delightfully warped this guy really is, with a past that is just as pivotal and important in his own development as Vanguard’s, just in different ways.
The secondary characters really shine here, and the way Tinsley utilizes them as a tool to develop her point of view characters and plot really thrilled me. It isn’t very often that I see secondary characters developed this well, or used so craftily. There was a point and purpose to each one, and they were always on screen for that reason, rather than to just fill space. Through these secondary interactions, we learn a lot more about Vanguard and Tarryn, as well as the city and the peoples who live in it.
We Men of Ash and Shadow works on a more subtle playing field than what you might expect from a book that features criminals and their ilk. Part noir, part fantasy, and very dark, this book doesn’t really have epic battles and lots of blood (though blood and violence is present and does happen). Perhaps I expected it to be more prevalent, and that might be why I was so pleased when I discovered Tinsley decided to go another way. Life is balanced on the edge of a knife. Threats lurk around every corner. One misstep, and it all comes crumbling down. That atmosphere, that living, breathing creature I mentioned earlier, pays off in this respect. Every action and each consequence feels like a bit of a battle, no less pitched for how personal, intimate, and internal it often ends up being. While there is violence, and there is tragedy, I seemed to focus more on the quieter moments of struggle, and the emotional impact it often had. Intrigue really uh… intrigues me.
Perhaps if I had one complaint, it’s this: I wish the book was longer. I wish the characters were given a bit more time to show me their history and their stories. I wanted to see just how D’Orsee came to be, and how this turbulent place has lasted this long. History, I suppose. I wanted more history. In a book this gripping, and this brilliantly executed, I discovered I wanted to spend more time with these characters on the page, and more time with this world. I just, quite honestly, wanted more.
That’s a hell of a complaint, right?
So, where does that leave us?
We Men of Ash and Shadow is an absolutely wonderful dark fantasy debut. Everything about this book was pitch-perfect. My only complaint is that I want more, more, more. Mark my words, H.L. Tinsley is an author to watch.
April 30, 2022
I won and audiobook copy from the author!!! First of all RJ Bayley is a fantastic narrator. I immersion read a portion of the book. I must say Bayley’s voice just brought the seedy underbelly of this world to life!!!
This book was absolutely FANTASTIC. It’s Gaslamp Dexter and it just works. Where this book shines is the ambiance it’s perfect the characters BELONG in this setting. It all fits perfectly and has a beautiful pace.
For as short as the book is it’s rich, fleshed out and a satisfying read.
Vanguard and Tarryn are a pair of killers that should t make for good protagonists but I was so entranced by them.
Vanguard is compelling and old dog who knows what he is about. Tarryn is similar to vanguard. But he is an angry child who blames the world for his problems. There relationship could have been explored a bit more but they are both interesting to read.
If I had a critique for this book it would be I just wanted more
This book was absolutely FANTASTIC. It’s Gaslamp Dexter and it just works. Where this book shines is the ambiance it’s perfect the characters BELONG in this setting. It all fits perfectly and has a beautiful pace.
For as short as the book is it’s rich, fleshed out and a satisfying read.
Vanguard and Tarryn are a pair of killers that should t make for good protagonists but I was so entranced by them.
Vanguard is compelling and old dog who knows what he is about. Tarryn is similar to vanguard. But he is an angry child who blames the world for his problems. There relationship could have been explored a bit more but they are both interesting to read.
If I had a critique for this book it would be I just wanted more
August 20, 2024
This was weird - but in an addictive way!
The setting feels mostly like an medievalish city, but every now and then there's a little bit of modern things like guns or photographs. I kept forgetting those as most of the story was knives, guts and politics, but the reminders never actually annoyed me, but rather made it feel yet a little bit more unique.
The main character is... Different... He has a talent to go about unseen. He's an ex soldier, and he kills for a living. He does have a conscience though, and only kills scum. He definitely suffers from mental health problems, but somehow manages to just keep going. At times he sounds a bit slow. Not stupid, no, just in his own world. I absolutely enjoyed his company! I can't remember any similar lead character in any book, and I loved how unique and different he was! There's more to him than that, but that would be spoilery...
All the characters here are some sort of shady or outcasts. Be it killer for hire, gang boss, whore, murderer, or even the man who just makes bodies disappear. There still are those with morals, and those without. They aren't all bad, they are a product of the grim world they live in. Then there's bad guys working for something good, and it's a constant readjustment in your mind about who you root for. And I love that!
The story is twisty and about politics, but easy to follow nevertheless. It was a quick read that I just couldn't put down! For such a short book there's quite a cast, and a lot of backgrounds, but it all fit in smoothly and never felt info dumpy or "too much".
This is a grim and bloody one. Plenty of guts and sinew all around. I got "Jack the Ripper" vibes at times. Do not read that if you don't like gore or being in the head of definite antiheroes, at least part of the story.
If you like grey characters, and seeing the slow change in people, then this is brilliant!
The setting feels mostly like an medievalish city, but every now and then there's a little bit of modern things like guns or photographs. I kept forgetting those as most of the story was knives, guts and politics, but the reminders never actually annoyed me, but rather made it feel yet a little bit more unique.
The main character is... Different... He has a talent to go about unseen. He's an ex soldier, and he kills for a living. He does have a conscience though, and only kills scum. He definitely suffers from mental health problems, but somehow manages to just keep going. At times he sounds a bit slow. Not stupid, no, just in his own world. I absolutely enjoyed his company! I can't remember any similar lead character in any book, and I loved how unique and different he was! There's more to him than that, but that would be spoilery...
All the characters here are some sort of shady or outcasts. Be it killer for hire, gang boss, whore, murderer, or even the man who just makes bodies disappear. There still are those with morals, and those without. They aren't all bad, they are a product of the grim world they live in. Then there's bad guys working for something good, and it's a constant readjustment in your mind about who you root for. And I love that!
The story is twisty and about politics, but easy to follow nevertheless. It was a quick read that I just couldn't put down! For such a short book there's quite a cast, and a lot of backgrounds, but it all fit in smoothly and never felt info dumpy or "too much".
This is a grim and bloody one. Plenty of guts and sinew all around. I got "Jack the Ripper" vibes at times. Do not read that if you don't like gore or being in the head of definite antiheroes, at least part of the story.
If you like grey characters, and seeing the slow change in people, then this is brilliant!
November 10, 2021
I read this as it’s a finalist in the SPFBO 7. I’m not a judge this year but still interested in following along so I was super excited to learn this one had an audiobook and I do think that it has a good flow and narrator :)
This is a grim dark low fantasy world which is fairly typical, but our main character is a little bit different from the norm. John Vanguard is employed by a corrupt man who runs the town. Vanguard is hired to do his dirty work, taking out anyone he’s ordered to. He’s a likeable character despite having to do some darker tasks, and he cares for the people that he loves with and tried to look out for them.
The other main character is Tarryn, a young ex-noble who is fired up with sinister wishes and unable to act on them, until he meets Vanguard. Vanguard recognises the need to help shape Tarryn and takes him under his wing, and they form a partnership for a while.
I didn’t really like Tarryn while I though Vanguard was a much more interesting character. Vanguard is more of the focus, but I found by the end Tarryn was grating on me a bit with his lack of thought and naïve actions.
The world is fairly typical and the ‘magic’ is more of an ability to hide oneself. It’s very much a small part of the plot and this is mostly a study of the characters in this world and the different people vying for power over the populace. I liked the focus despite the low fantasy setting, and I would say it’s a very fast and easy read and start to a series (which I would continue with). 3.5*s from me :)
This is a grim dark low fantasy world which is fairly typical, but our main character is a little bit different from the norm. John Vanguard is employed by a corrupt man who runs the town. Vanguard is hired to do his dirty work, taking out anyone he’s ordered to. He’s a likeable character despite having to do some darker tasks, and he cares for the people that he loves with and tried to look out for them.
The other main character is Tarryn, a young ex-noble who is fired up with sinister wishes and unable to act on them, until he meets Vanguard. Vanguard recognises the need to help shape Tarryn and takes him under his wing, and they form a partnership for a while.
I didn’t really like Tarryn while I though Vanguard was a much more interesting character. Vanguard is more of the focus, but I found by the end Tarryn was grating on me a bit with his lack of thought and naïve actions.
The world is fairly typical and the ‘magic’ is more of an ability to hide oneself. It’s very much a small part of the plot and this is mostly a study of the characters in this world and the different people vying for power over the populace. I liked the focus despite the low fantasy setting, and I would say it’s a very fast and easy read and start to a series (which I would continue with). 3.5*s from me :)
October 24, 2021
4.5/5.0 stars for this thrilling gas lamp fantasy. It had a little bit of everything- great and varying characters, intrigue, a grim and realistic world and a good storyline that really kept me engaged. My only complaint, which is a common one from the other reviews I read, is that I wanted more time with our main character, maybe get more background. Otherwise, definitely recommend this one.
September 26, 2020
#SelfPubFantasyMonth
Review now live, at Grimdark Magazine
We’ve all heard the phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and I’d have to say this is good advice. The best artwork in the world won’t make a story engage the reader. What a great cover can do is catch the eye and stand out in an unending sea of books. We Men of Ash and Shadow did this for me, as one evening I was scrolling through social media and my attention was caught by the wonderful book cover. This got my attention enough to read the blurb, and I was immediately hooked.
“It was the most highly recommended venue the city had to offer. It was called the Ring O’ Bastards and it had the lowest patron to murder victim ratio in a five mile radius.”
That’s the opening paragraph to this fine novel. Within moments, I knew I had stumbled on something special. HL Tinsley didn’t disappoint me as I read further. Right away we are introduced to the protagonist of this novel and the Vanguard Chronicles series. We see Vanguard in his element and given a quick snapshot of his typical night on the job.
John Vanguard is a former soldier, now a mercenary employed to do unsavory but necessary work for the city’s warlord, Sanquain. He’s disgruntled by his life and shamed by the disastrous ending to his military career. As Vanguard doesn’t have much self-respect, he feels he deserves the rotten path his life has taken. But he has unique skills, and Sanquain recognizes that and puts him to grim work.
“It was as though the rats of the city could smell the blood before it hit the cobblestones.”
Soon Vanguard is tasked to learn who has killed two city guards whose bodies have washed up. As he conducts his investigation, he travels the city’s underworld and soon learns much more than he expected. While the criminal elements are as much a part of the city’s darker side as they are in any sizable community, Vanguard discovers that this city is on the edge of collapse, and revolution is looming, just waiting on something to push it over the brink.
Meanwhile, a young aristocrat named Tarryn Leersac has fallen on hard times as his family fortune has been chipped away. He stumbles upon Vanguard and recognizes that the man has skills that mirror his own. Tarryn decides that he must have Vanguard mentor him, to teach him how to control and properly use these talents, hopefully to regain his noble position in the city.
“’We are men of ash and shadow. We endure the darkness so that others might see the dawn.”
We Men of Ash and Shadow takes us through this remarkably fascinating underworld of crime and survival, showing the darker side to the human experience, but also carving out a path to possible redemption. It’s a brilliant debut from a new author to the grimdark scene, and I look forward to seeing more of her work, rather in continuation of this series or other things.
Review now live, at Grimdark Magazine
We’ve all heard the phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and I’d have to say this is good advice. The best artwork in the world won’t make a story engage the reader. What a great cover can do is catch the eye and stand out in an unending sea of books. We Men of Ash and Shadow did this for me, as one evening I was scrolling through social media and my attention was caught by the wonderful book cover. This got my attention enough to read the blurb, and I was immediately hooked.
“It was the most highly recommended venue the city had to offer. It was called the Ring O’ Bastards and it had the lowest patron to murder victim ratio in a five mile radius.”
That’s the opening paragraph to this fine novel. Within moments, I knew I had stumbled on something special. HL Tinsley didn’t disappoint me as I read further. Right away we are introduced to the protagonist of this novel and the Vanguard Chronicles series. We see Vanguard in his element and given a quick snapshot of his typical night on the job.
John Vanguard is a former soldier, now a mercenary employed to do unsavory but necessary work for the city’s warlord, Sanquain. He’s disgruntled by his life and shamed by the disastrous ending to his military career. As Vanguard doesn’t have much self-respect, he feels he deserves the rotten path his life has taken. But he has unique skills, and Sanquain recognizes that and puts him to grim work.
“It was as though the rats of the city could smell the blood before it hit the cobblestones.”
Soon Vanguard is tasked to learn who has killed two city guards whose bodies have washed up. As he conducts his investigation, he travels the city’s underworld and soon learns much more than he expected. While the criminal elements are as much a part of the city’s darker side as they are in any sizable community, Vanguard discovers that this city is on the edge of collapse, and revolution is looming, just waiting on something to push it over the brink.
Meanwhile, a young aristocrat named Tarryn Leersac has fallen on hard times as his family fortune has been chipped away. He stumbles upon Vanguard and recognizes that the man has skills that mirror his own. Tarryn decides that he must have Vanguard mentor him, to teach him how to control and properly use these talents, hopefully to regain his noble position in the city.
“’We are men of ash and shadow. We endure the darkness so that others might see the dawn.”
We Men of Ash and Shadow takes us through this remarkably fascinating underworld of crime and survival, showing the darker side to the human experience, but also carving out a path to possible redemption. It’s a brilliant debut from a new author to the grimdark scene, and I look forward to seeing more of her work, rather in continuation of this series or other things.
December 12, 2021
"We are men of ash and shadow. We endure the darkness so that others might see the dawn."
*** I always get a bit of a squealish giggle when I read the title of a book in the text ***
Let's first talk about the characters. What I loved most about the characters was that, despite having a collection of stereotypes (vigilante, whores, mob boss, pit fighter, etc.), each of them breaks out of their role and shows a new dynamic. I thought the people in this world were done very well, especially the small series of events leading to the decline of , and I would happily read more about their story.
I found the world very intriguing. It almost had a bit of an old-school Gotham City vibe to it, dark and dirty with a ruthless vigilante running amok. This is very low fantasy, and even the one piece of "magic" is never explicitly stated as such, though I think it's safe to assume that people who can become invisible are using magic...And yet, it still feels like fantasy thanks to the gritty secondary world.
One thing I do want to call out is that there is a lot of head hopping in this book. It took me a while to get used to it but, once I had, I found myself almost reading the book as if it were a movie script. The writing reminded me a bit of Dune or Paternus. Since I wasn't aware, it was a bit jarring at first, but the book is awesome so I don't want people getting scared off!
Overall, We Men of Ash and Shadow is a gritty story, filled with great characters and a ruthless plot. I highly recommend if you're looking for a fast-paced, short book that'll tickle your grimdark itch, without getting too grim.
*** I always get a bit of a squealish giggle when I read the title of a book in the text ***
Let's first talk about the characters. What I loved most about the characters was that, despite having a collection of stereotypes (vigilante, whores, mob boss, pit fighter, etc.), each of them breaks out of their role and shows a new dynamic. I thought the people in this world were done very well, especially the small series of events leading to the decline of , and I would happily read more about their story.
I found the world very intriguing. It almost had a bit of an old-school Gotham City vibe to it, dark and dirty with a ruthless vigilante running amok. This is very low fantasy, and even the one piece of "magic" is never explicitly stated as such, though I think it's safe to assume that people who can become invisible are using magic...And yet, it still feels like fantasy thanks to the gritty secondary world.
One thing I do want to call out is that there is a lot of head hopping in this book. It took me a while to get used to it but, once I had, I found myself almost reading the book as if it were a movie script. The writing reminded me a bit of Dune or Paternus. Since I wasn't aware, it was a bit jarring at first, but the book is awesome so I don't want people getting scared off!
Overall, We Men of Ash and Shadow is a gritty story, filled with great characters and a ruthless plot. I highly recommend if you're looking for a fast-paced, short book that'll tickle your grimdark itch, without getting too grim.
November 2, 2021
I reviewed this last year when it first came out: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
But after winning a copy of the audiobook, I had to give that a shot as well. It didn't disappoint.
A great audiobook is a nice way to revisit a series book before the next volume comes out, acting as a refresher and a different perspective as we can immerse ourselves in the world again from a different angle. R.J. Bayley was excellent and carries the story nicely.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is also a finalist for this year's SPFBO contest, so the release of such a good audio version sure didn't hurt its chances...
But after winning a copy of the audiobook, I had to give that a shot as well. It didn't disappoint.
A great audiobook is a nice way to revisit a series book before the next volume comes out, acting as a refresher and a different perspective as we can immerse ourselves in the world again from a different angle. R.J. Bayley was excellent and carries the story nicely.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is also a finalist for this year's SPFBO contest, so the release of such a good audio version sure didn't hurt its chances...
September 1, 2024
This was a really well done and pretty grimdark fantasy set mostly in an urban setting. It had some great characters and an interesting magic, though the magic was on the low end. It kind of sets up an Anakin/Obi Wan situation where apprentice becomes nemesis.
I'm definitely curious to see more about how this world works and looking forward to the sequel.
8 out of 10 shelves!
I'm definitely curious to see more about how this world works and looking forward to the sequel.
8 out of 10 shelves!
February 7, 2022
I read 'We Men of Ash and Shadow' for the SPFBO7 contest as part of the last batch of remaining finalists (10!) My review will be part of FanFiAddict's. This reflects only my personal rating and opinion and is not the final score for FFA.
7.0/10 - Overall, I liked it and I am very much looking forward to continuing with the series!
I think there is a really great story here with good bones. The beginning immediately pulled me in with its gaslamp/grimdark vibe and descriptions of the town.
Vanguard is an interesting character with a curious, magical ability. I wish his ability would've been fleshed out a bit more because it sometimes felt too inconsistent or conditional to plot. Tarryn was a great addition to the cast, and was my favorite for a period of time.
The constant switch in POV was a bit jarring until I got used to it. The first half of the story was very tightly written with a clear focus, but did lead me to believe that we were getting a different book than the one we got. I did feel that the second half was a little unfocused and rushed, and I find that I didn't enjoy the sudden , but your mileage may vary.
The writing felt a little distant - a lot of rich ideas looking to fit into one book. I would've liked to see maybe an idea or two cut in favor of adding more richness to the ones left. I briefly mentioned before but the worldbuilding was very interesting. I find that I want to learn more about what is outside the town, and more behind the magical abilities.
"We are men of ash and shadow. We endure the darkness so that others might see the dawn.”
7.0/10 - Overall, I liked it and I am very much looking forward to continuing with the series!
I think there is a really great story here with good bones. The beginning immediately pulled me in with its gaslamp/grimdark vibe and descriptions of the town.
Vanguard is an interesting character with a curious, magical ability. I wish his ability would've been fleshed out a bit more because it sometimes felt too inconsistent or conditional to plot. Tarryn was a great addition to the cast, and was my favorite for a period of time.
The constant switch in POV was a bit jarring until I got used to it. The first half of the story was very tightly written with a clear focus, but did lead me to believe that we were getting a different book than the one we got. I did feel that the second half was a little unfocused and rushed, and I find that I didn't enjoy the sudden , but your mileage may vary.
The writing felt a little distant - a lot of rich ideas looking to fit into one book. I would've liked to see maybe an idea or two cut in favor of adding more richness to the ones left. I briefly mentioned before but the worldbuilding was very interesting. I find that I want to learn more about what is outside the town, and more behind the magical abilities.
March 25, 2022
Another year, another SPFBO finalist to read!
Video review in here
I was drawn to this one because I knew that it is dark fantasy, so I had to give it a try.
This is a low fantasy book, with little to no magic, where the important things are going to be the ambiance, the characters and the gangster feeling.
We are going to follow mainly Vanguard, he does the dirty work for Captain Felix Sanquain, killing criminals on the street. But for being a MC in a dark fantasy book, damn, Vanguard was likeable. He cares, and he cares a lot, just even to research what his marks have done before taking them down, and also about the people that surround him.
He is not the only one, we are also going to follow Tarryn, another man with the same ability that Vanguard, sort of becoming invisible, but not in a literal way. I'll say this, I extremelly disliked this guy, but its okay.
We are mainly going to follow the relationship between this two, along with some other characters. I'll say that a couple of things I would have loved, would be more magic and a bit more worldbuilding, but either way it still works to make a super enjoyable dark fantasy book.
Overall if you are a fan of Priest of Lies, The Way of Shadows or Peaky Blinders you would probably really like this one!
Video review in here
I was drawn to this one because I knew that it is dark fantasy, so I had to give it a try.
This is a low fantasy book, with little to no magic, where the important things are going to be the ambiance, the characters and the gangster feeling.
We are going to follow mainly Vanguard, he does the dirty work for Captain Felix Sanquain, killing criminals on the street. But for being a MC in a dark fantasy book, damn, Vanguard was likeable. He cares, and he cares a lot, just even to research what his marks have done before taking them down, and also about the people that surround him.
He is not the only one, we are also going to follow Tarryn, another man with the same ability that Vanguard, sort of becoming invisible, but not in a literal way. I'll say this, I extremelly disliked this guy, but its okay.
We are mainly going to follow the relationship between this two, along with some other characters. I'll say that a couple of things I would have loved, would be more magic and a bit more worldbuilding, but either way it still works to make a super enjoyable dark fantasy book.
Overall if you are a fan of Priest of Lies, The Way of Shadows or Peaky Blinders you would probably really like this one!
October 14, 2024
A former soldier begins training a deadly young protege. Mercenaries working in a city of corruption and lies. Through it all his haunted past may yet find redemption.
Absolutely loved the dark sleazy tale. Gritty and absorbing.
Absolutely loved the dark sleazy tale. Gritty and absorbing.
December 22, 2020
As always this along with all of my other reviews can be found on my blog The Book in Hand Blog
...
Hey Bookish Folk and happy Tuesday!
Today I am reviewing Holly Tinsley’s debut book ‘We Men of Ash and Shadow’.
Here are a few things you can expect from We Men of Ash and Shadow:
- Serious Gangs of New York Vibes;
- An utterly fascinating world/city;
- A unique and refreshing writing style;
- Brilliant characters carved by a sinister world; and
- A great start to this series.
On to the full review…
“We are men of ash and shadow. We endure the darkness so that others might see the dawn.”
This book came to my attention from the author, I’m sad to say that had Holly have not contacted me I’m not sure it would have come up on my radar! Thankfully, the totally polite and lovely Holly sent me the best review request I think I have had so it did, but this is not a review of Holly’s social etiquette this is a review of her grimdark fantasy We Men of Ash and Shadows…
As I think back to my reading of this book I find that I am quite fond of this tale and its characters. Holly writes in such a unique way, I don’t really know how to explain it. I’ll try, obviously, and I will hope my wittering does Holly’s distinctive and brilliant writing style the justice it deserves.
One thing that Holly really excels at in her writing is her dialogue, I enjoyed every conversation that this book offered, which seems like a really bizarre compliment but they all felt really authentic and representative of the character’s personality, even the side characters. The more and more I read of this book the more I came to agree whole heartedly with my above statement.
“Henriette stood. As she went to leave she placed a hand on Vanguard’s shoulder. “Be careful what you show her. She will see the world through rose-tinted glass and throw herself into a pit of snakes thinking it’s a flower bed. Girls like her die outside these walls. I should hate to have to kill you.”
As I said above Holly has a really unique way of writing, it’s almost 50/50 show me and tell me. Now I know books get slated for telling you something rather than showing you but Holly has managed to do this, twist and remake it into something unique.
Now, having said that I want it known that all of the above is all complimentary to her writing style, so don’t think for one instance think this book is lacking in detail because of it, it isn’t, this book plunges you into the depths of it’s world and has you fully absorbed. There was just such a ‘tell me’ vibe to Holly’s writing style. And you know what? I really fucking liked it. It felt utterly new. Like I said it isn’t lacking in description or world-building. Holly manages to make the smallest things such as the wearing a nightgown and robe relevant to the scene at hand. It’s the little details that add to the tone of the upcoming conversation and the words spoken.
I think my only real criticism, which is one constructive in nature, would be that there could have been a degree more fluidity. There were a lot of characters we had perspectives from but the rate at which they switched sometimes became a tad bit jarring.
With this being a shorter book it meant that some relationships could have been a little more, it wasn’t so much lacking in detail but it could have been made better by more time being spent with them. I would have loved to have seen this book a little longer with more emphasis on character relationships and general characterisation because the characters that filled this book were amazing!
It took me a little bit longer than usual to read this book considering it is less than 300 pages long, but that is nothing to do with the book and everything to do with my work schedule! I have to admit though, I’m a little thankful as I wouldn’t have noticed my next point had I not have read it the way I did.
We Men of Ash and Shadow felt like an old friend, weird praise I know but hear me out.
This book felt like an old friend in the sense that I could not read this book for a few days, a week or however long and when I went back to read it , it felt like I had only put it down an hour ago. We Men of Ash and Shadow is so incredibly easy to slide back into, I didn’t need a moment to reacquaint myself with the characters or the world at all. I read a few words and I was once again absorbed into this world.
We all know the pros’s and cons of a books cover, right? Well, Holly truly demonstrated this to me. Don’t get me wrong I know the uses of a cover but it wasn’t until We Men of Ash and Shadow that I truly understood that the cover is as much a part of the story for some books as the writing inside is. It’s the start of the journey, I went into this world with just the book cover and it’s blurb and as soon as I read the first page the world burst from it’s pages. There is such a sly, unfair and sinister feel to this world and Holly incorporates it into every aspect. It is in the world-building, the character interactions and well, just about everything. Holly has got the tone of this book down!
“There was a thin line between mercenary and soldier, and an even thinner one between mercenary and murderer.”
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a great book and the world that Holly has created very much reminded me of Gangs of New York just in Victorian England. It is filled with bloody crimes, sewer riddled districts and a bustling and territorial underworld. D’Orsee is a fascinating city and one I am eager to know the rest of its story.
I know I mentioned earlier that more characterisation and the relationships would have benefited from greater detail, but I also have to compliment those characters. It is something worthy of praise that I still loved the characters that filled this book despite my earlier criticism. Vanguard is such a compelling character and he is someone I am excited to see grow even more in any following books. He has such a rich and harrowing history and you can feel the emotions he feels, his tiredness and so much more. I also LOVED Mandego, and I would love to see more of him in the future.
“Mandego’s face changed. “You come into my home, with your hands dripping in the blood of my people and have the gall to insult me by telling me that you need my help?”
Every character in this book has been carved and defined by the world in which they reside and it has led to hardened people who have little choices in the direction their lives will go.
“They were both relics of the past trying to live in the new world."
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a thoroughly enjoyable book and a great start to its following books. The characters are brilliant and while the plot is more of a setter-upper it is still a great read.
THE RANKS:
BUY THE HARDBACK | BUY THE PAPERBACK | BUY THE EBOOK | LIBRARY RENTAL OR SALE PURCHASE
I would happily pick this book up in its paperback form, I really enjoyed this book. I would definitely reread this book when it comes time to read the second. The cover is great and oh so appropriate.
...
Hey Bookish Folk and happy Tuesday!
Today I am reviewing Holly Tinsley’s debut book ‘We Men of Ash and Shadow’.
Here are a few things you can expect from We Men of Ash and Shadow:
- Serious Gangs of New York Vibes;
- An utterly fascinating world/city;
- A unique and refreshing writing style;
- Brilliant characters carved by a sinister world; and
- A great start to this series.
On to the full review…
“We are men of ash and shadow. We endure the darkness so that others might see the dawn.”
This book came to my attention from the author, I’m sad to say that had Holly have not contacted me I’m not sure it would have come up on my radar! Thankfully, the totally polite and lovely Holly sent me the best review request I think I have had so it did, but this is not a review of Holly’s social etiquette this is a review of her grimdark fantasy We Men of Ash and Shadows…
As I think back to my reading of this book I find that I am quite fond of this tale and its characters. Holly writes in such a unique way, I don’t really know how to explain it. I’ll try, obviously, and I will hope my wittering does Holly’s distinctive and brilliant writing style the justice it deserves.
One thing that Holly really excels at in her writing is her dialogue, I enjoyed every conversation that this book offered, which seems like a really bizarre compliment but they all felt really authentic and representative of the character’s personality, even the side characters. The more and more I read of this book the more I came to agree whole heartedly with my above statement.
“Henriette stood. As she went to leave she placed a hand on Vanguard’s shoulder. “Be careful what you show her. She will see the world through rose-tinted glass and throw herself into a pit of snakes thinking it’s a flower bed. Girls like her die outside these walls. I should hate to have to kill you.”
As I said above Holly has a really unique way of writing, it’s almost 50/50 show me and tell me. Now I know books get slated for telling you something rather than showing you but Holly has managed to do this, twist and remake it into something unique.
Now, having said that I want it known that all of the above is all complimentary to her writing style, so don’t think for one instance think this book is lacking in detail because of it, it isn’t, this book plunges you into the depths of it’s world and has you fully absorbed. There was just such a ‘tell me’ vibe to Holly’s writing style. And you know what? I really fucking liked it. It felt utterly new. Like I said it isn’t lacking in description or world-building. Holly manages to make the smallest things such as the wearing a nightgown and robe relevant to the scene at hand. It’s the little details that add to the tone of the upcoming conversation and the words spoken.
I think my only real criticism, which is one constructive in nature, would be that there could have been a degree more fluidity. There were a lot of characters we had perspectives from but the rate at which they switched sometimes became a tad bit jarring.
With this being a shorter book it meant that some relationships could have been a little more, it wasn’t so much lacking in detail but it could have been made better by more time being spent with them. I would have loved to have seen this book a little longer with more emphasis on character relationships and general characterisation because the characters that filled this book were amazing!
It took me a little bit longer than usual to read this book considering it is less than 300 pages long, but that is nothing to do with the book and everything to do with my work schedule! I have to admit though, I’m a little thankful as I wouldn’t have noticed my next point had I not have read it the way I did.
We Men of Ash and Shadow felt like an old friend, weird praise I know but hear me out.
This book felt like an old friend in the sense that I could not read this book for a few days, a week or however long and when I went back to read it , it felt like I had only put it down an hour ago. We Men of Ash and Shadow is so incredibly easy to slide back into, I didn’t need a moment to reacquaint myself with the characters or the world at all. I read a few words and I was once again absorbed into this world.
We all know the pros’s and cons of a books cover, right? Well, Holly truly demonstrated this to me. Don’t get me wrong I know the uses of a cover but it wasn’t until We Men of Ash and Shadow that I truly understood that the cover is as much a part of the story for some books as the writing inside is. It’s the start of the journey, I went into this world with just the book cover and it’s blurb and as soon as I read the first page the world burst from it’s pages. There is such a sly, unfair and sinister feel to this world and Holly incorporates it into every aspect. It is in the world-building, the character interactions and well, just about everything. Holly has got the tone of this book down!
“There was a thin line between mercenary and soldier, and an even thinner one between mercenary and murderer.”
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a great book and the world that Holly has created very much reminded me of Gangs of New York just in Victorian England. It is filled with bloody crimes, sewer riddled districts and a bustling and territorial underworld. D’Orsee is a fascinating city and one I am eager to know the rest of its story.
I know I mentioned earlier that more characterisation and the relationships would have benefited from greater detail, but I also have to compliment those characters. It is something worthy of praise that I still loved the characters that filled this book despite my earlier criticism. Vanguard is such a compelling character and he is someone I am excited to see grow even more in any following books. He has such a rich and harrowing history and you can feel the emotions he feels, his tiredness and so much more. I also LOVED Mandego, and I would love to see more of him in the future.
“Mandego’s face changed. “You come into my home, with your hands dripping in the blood of my people and have the gall to insult me by telling me that you need my help?”
Every character in this book has been carved and defined by the world in which they reside and it has led to hardened people who have little choices in the direction their lives will go.
“They were both relics of the past trying to live in the new world."
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a thoroughly enjoyable book and a great start to its following books. The characters are brilliant and while the plot is more of a setter-upper it is still a great read.
THE RANKS:
BUY THE HARDBACK | BUY THE PAPERBACK | BUY THE EBOOK | LIBRARY RENTAL OR SALE PURCHASE
I would happily pick this book up in its paperback form, I really enjoyed this book. I would definitely reread this book when it comes time to read the second. The cover is great and oh so appropriate.
July 18, 2024
★★★★.25
I can't believe this short book could convey the whole storyline in such a complete and addictive way. I've always loved something that has a slow start and builds everything up to deliver a good plot toward the ending. What I mostly liked here was the atmosphere that dark and corrupt surrounded by political intrigue. The world-building is not that extensive, but the grim city described feels so alive. The unique elements in this book are so interesting, and I'm really curious to learn more about them. Additionally, the characters and their arcs, with their uniqueness and wickedness, really hooked me and made me want to know more about them. However, there are just a few details provided here, so some of the characters' backgrounds are vague, and the unique power they possess is not clearly explained. But, this didn't significantly lower my excitement for this book.
I highly recommend this to every grimdark reader. It is so good and fast-paced, absolutely worth your time.
I can't believe this short book could convey the whole storyline in such a complete and addictive way. I've always loved something that has a slow start and builds everything up to deliver a good plot toward the ending. What I mostly liked here was the atmosphere that dark and corrupt surrounded by political intrigue. The world-building is not that extensive, but the grim city described feels so alive. The unique elements in this book are so interesting, and I'm really curious to learn more about them. Additionally, the characters and their arcs, with their uniqueness and wickedness, really hooked me and made me want to know more about them. However, there are just a few details provided here, so some of the characters' backgrounds are vague, and the unique power they possess is not clearly explained. But, this didn't significantly lower my excitement for this book.
I highly recommend this to every grimdark reader. It is so good and fast-paced, absolutely worth your time.
August 8, 2022
“𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸. 𝘞𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘸𝘯."
We Men of Ash and Shadow would have been a 5-star read had it not been for one specific character choice that I just could not get behind. The book carries with it a gritty dark atmosphere you can feel and a tense undercurrent that runs throughout the story. With compact storytelling and a compelling central character, the book balances a personal story of redemption with the gore and violence of a burgeoning revolution.
John Vanguard kills bad people for a living at the behest of his corrupt employer, the de facto leader of their city-state. When he encounters a young man with similar talents as his of being unseen and going unnoticed, Vanguard takes Tarryn under his wing as his apprentice of sorts. When the balance of power in the city threatens to tip, Vanguard finds himself in the middle of the conflict as he is forced to finally choose a side.
So let’s talk about my issue with the book without getting into spoilers. There was a certain character who takes such an about face for what seems to be no apparent reason. And I don’t accept being a psychopath as an adequate enough justification. It just did not make sense to me so I could not get behind it at all. Maybe some foreshadowing or some hints beforehand would have dampened the whiplash I felt with it.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a gritty and atmospheric grimdark fantasy (although with very minimal magical elements) of violence, politics, and revolution.
We Men of Ash and Shadow would have been a 5-star read had it not been for one specific character choice that I just could not get behind. The book carries with it a gritty dark atmosphere you can feel and a tense undercurrent that runs throughout the story. With compact storytelling and a compelling central character, the book balances a personal story of redemption with the gore and violence of a burgeoning revolution.
John Vanguard kills bad people for a living at the behest of his corrupt employer, the de facto leader of their city-state. When he encounters a young man with similar talents as his of being unseen and going unnoticed, Vanguard takes Tarryn under his wing as his apprentice of sorts. When the balance of power in the city threatens to tip, Vanguard finds himself in the middle of the conflict as he is forced to finally choose a side.
So let’s talk about my issue with the book without getting into spoilers. There was a certain character who takes such an about face for what seems to be no apparent reason. And I don’t accept being a psychopath as an adequate enough justification. It just did not make sense to me so I could not get behind it at all. Maybe some foreshadowing or some hints beforehand would have dampened the whiplash I felt with it.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a gritty and atmospheric grimdark fantasy (although with very minimal magical elements) of violence, politics, and revolution.
September 24, 2021
This was an easy book to get into, and I liked Vanguard as a character. It wasn’t hard to cheer for him, because while he does bad things, he does have morals, and he tends to stick to them. He lives in a brothel, and protects everyone who lives there when he can. Things like that. I never really warmed up to Tarryn too much, but Vanguard pretty much runs the show in this book, so that was no big deal. There were minor characters I also liked, like some of the prostitutes that live in the brothel where Vanguard stays. The last hour of this book was a rollercoaster in a lot of ways. Lots of stuff went on that I was like ‘…wow. woooooow.’ and that doesn’t happen to me too often. I thought it was just long enough, without too many filler bits. I really enjoyed We Men of Ash and Shadow. Anyone who likes dark fantasy should definitely pick this one up! 8.5/10 stars!
January 11, 2021
It is an unfortunate truth of the world that people will always want to soil beautiful things. They cannot simply let them be. It is why there will always be footprints in the freshly fallen snow. Flowers will grow from the earth and somebody will always want to pluck off the petals.
Change drifts on the wings of revolution in We Men of Ash and Shadow, HL Tinsley's gritty and captivating Dark Fantasy debut. With flavors of mystery noir, this book tells of a city firmly crushed under the boot of tyranny, while the whispers of an uprising begin to emerge from the underground. A tale whose tone is built upon crippling misplaced guilt and the foreign concept of redemption, Tinsley crafts an investigation that takes its readers along a path paved with lies and blood. In order to attempt to restore a city to its former glory, one must choose a side. But doing so could lead to catastrophic consequences.
This story takes place in the city of D'Orsee, a dark, subdued setting in a constant state of unrest, where everyone and everything has its place. The city itself is blanketed in gloom and apathy where its denizens can move neither up nor down, only side to side. The affluent live in comfort in the Golden Quarter, while those less fortunate are restricted to the Black Zone. The latter consists of various districts each defined with unique decrees, but most are likely to turn a blind eye to the chaos. There are many secrets waiting to be unearthed, but it's imperative to keep an eye on those shadow-laden alleyways as you attempt to do so. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in D'Orsee, and would've loved to have learned a bit more about its history and what keeps the wheels of the machine turning.
D'Orsee is filled to the brim with finely crafted characters that happily reside in the morally gray realm – in a city so despicable, the only way to survive is to play by its rules. We witness events unfurl through the eyes of two men who share a common thread. John Vanguard takes center stage, war veteran turned hired murderer with the ability to hide in plain sight. During his preparations for a particular job, he crosses paths with Tarryn Leersac, a damaged young man barely keeping the monster at bay. Although haunted by memories of war, Vanguard is a relatively reliable narrator that I grew to love and found easy to empathize with. On the other hand, Tarryn's account of events is generally illustrated by his deep-rooted psychosis, and while he initially appears a victim, his true colors quickly reveal themselves.
Vanguard was not pain and torture, he was not suffering. Vanguard was the split second between life and death; the instant where you saw your life flash before your eyes and you knew, completely and definitively, that you deserved to be where you were right at that moment.
The pasts of Vanguard and Tarryn unveil themselves to readers in glimpses and memories, but the majority of their development occurs during their interactions with secondary characters. In terms of characterization, this is where Tinsley shines. Each auxiliary character has their own dedicated moment in the spotlight, and each is beautifully utilized to deepen our understanding of the main characters. Dialogue, both internal and external, is absolutely fantastic; whether we're presented with delicious snark to lighten the mood or moments of pained emotion and introspection, it's too easy to appreciate any and all of these instances. There are quite a few moving pieces in this relatively short novel, but the cohesion the author creates between them is superb.
Much like the setting, the majority of the conflict and action is subdued, but no less visceral than an exemplary epic battle. The city's citizens exist on a knife's edge, both literally and figuratively, and the threats of danger and death lurk around each and every corner. Rather than explosive annihilation, Tinsley employs a more roguish approach to gradual ruin. Plotting, intrigue, cruelty, deceit, treachery, all the mechanisms to make you truly loath those pulling the strings. However, once the story reaches its climax, the tone seamlessly transitions into a glorious and turbulent storm of violence and gut-wrenching tragedy. I found this shift to be perfectly executed, the subtle building of tension until the cord finally snaps.
Tinsley pens this tale with strong continuity between the setting, characters, and plot, and I found the way it's portrayed to be strangely charming. There's a level of immersion that violently drags readers down into the grit alongside her unfortunate cast, something I always appreciate in any novel I read. Rather than being told what's happening, you're being shown, you're feeling it happen. My only issue with the writing itself lies in the lack of transitions – POV shifts and time jumps occur from one paragraph to another without warning, which often disturbed the flow of this remarkably written narrative.
"We are men of ash and shadow. We endure the darkness so that others might see the dawn."
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a fascinating delve into the criminal underbelly of a repressed people, as well as an authentic examination of the psychological effects of war and cruelty. While the story itself ties up nicely, the final pages mark the beginning of the next leg of our journey to right the wrongs that plague D'Orsee. Tinsley's debut is a solid foundation for a potentially exceptional series, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing where she takes us next. I highly recommend.
March 10, 2022
Holy crap, what a cracking read. This noir fantasy hit me right in the face.
This is certainly not a terry cloth bathrobe. Really dark with plenty of violence and murder in it.
The characters are not a happy lot either, rather broken people doing dark deeds.
But the character work is absolutely brilliant, main and side characters alike.
I have only one complaint.
The perspectives of the characters are interwoven in a weird way.
Many times the PoVs switches from one character to another from one sentence to the next.
That head hopping was distracting and made it unnecessary hard to get into the flow with a character voice.
Other than that it was a fantastic read.
Virtuous prose, deep flawed characters and a fresh yet very gritty gas lamp setting.
Please Holly, gimme more.
This is certainly not a terry cloth bathrobe. Really dark with plenty of violence and murder in it.
The characters are not a happy lot either, rather broken people doing dark deeds.
But the character work is absolutely brilliant, main and side characters alike.
I have only one complaint.
The perspectives of the characters are interwoven in a weird way.
Many times the PoVs switches from one character to another from one sentence to the next.
That head hopping was distracting and made it unnecessary hard to get into the flow with a character voice.
Other than that it was a fantastic read.
Virtuous prose, deep flawed characters and a fresh yet very gritty gas lamp setting.
Please Holly, gimme more.
Read
January 6, 2022Read this book entry finalist for the SPFBO7 contest as part of the last remaining ten novels for phase two to be read.
My review will be part of the judges panel when we post it on THE FANTASY HIVE in a few weeks.
My review will be part of the judges panel when we post it on THE FANTASY HIVE in a few weeks.
November 13, 2021
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a grimdark Gaslamp novel by H.L. Tinsley set in the shadowy underworld of D’orsee.
John Vanguard, the main character, is a grizzled veteran who hires his services out to the powers that be to remove anyone that they see as being ‘undesirable’, which mainly involves the scum of society. However, John Vanguard is not like your average assassin, he has the power to be undetectable, and this gives him an advantage in his chosen profession.
In addition to Vanguard, the other main protagonist is Tarryn, an emotionless psychopath who lives on the edge of ‘society’ with his ailing mother. Once a prosperous family who owned a shipping conglomerate, he now lives on the cusp of poverty in a decaying house with his mother, who is slowly losing her wits and does not even recognise her own son anymore.
We men of Ash and Shadow is an interesting book. It’s a gritty noirish tale of two broken people who live in a world of broken people. John Vanguard is a man that is steeped in guilt and is effectively a husk of a man who has few pleasures. He lives in a brothel (mainly sleeping in the bath tub as he has spent a number of years confined in ‘The Hole’ for crimes against the state). When we meet Tarryn we learn of his past, but we also learn throughout the book that he is also on the edge of psychopathy, and is similarly an emotionless husk of a man who only comes alive when he is killing
.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a deliciously dark introduction into John Vanguard’s world and one of the things that jumped out at me immediately is the character of John Vanguard. It makes a nice change to encounter a character that is middle aged in years and not just on the verge of adulthood. Yes, whilst he is a cold-hearted killer, for some reason it is easy to connect with him as a character. He does have an ethical code in which he operates and there is a sense of honour to him. Throughout the book, it is clear that whilst he lives in an environment that is morally grey, he will look after those that he cares about, such as the girls who live in the brothel, or the madame who governs it. He will not see injustice done and tends to only kill those that deserve it.
Tarrryn on the other hand is also a good secondary character, and we see his development through the story as at first, he is merely a lost soul, but the writer shows us how he got to where he is now through recollection and develops him and his ever-tenuous psyche.
The world that Holly Tinsley has built is bleak, hard and unforgiving. There is grime and filth aplenty and the citizens of D’Orsee eke out an existence in this grim environment. It seems to be quite a dystopian world that the citizens of D’Orsee live in, resembling the industrialised environment of Victorian England, and you get hints of the changes from the vestiges of a pastoral world to the grime and degradation of an industrialised world, and Holly Tinsley captures this very well.
The book itself is filled with a multitude of characters that you can’t help but like. There’s Ruth (who is renamed Carmen to make her more exotic to the customers of the brothel) who has an interesting arc in the book, moving from wide eyed innocent to revolutionary. I particularly enjoyed her interactions with Vanguard, and again this one of the things that Holly Tinsley does well. Whilst the world that the characters inhabit is harsh, cold and bitter, there is the juxtaposition of warm and intimate friendships and relationships in this hostile climate. Vanguard’s relationship with the brothel Madam, Henrietta for instance, is such a good one that highlights this propensity for hope throughout the book. Similarly, Tarryn’s adherence to his duty to looking after his mother. He endures a multitude of punishments from her when she is in a frenzied state of unreality. However, despite his ability for violence against others, he takes the beatings that she gives him and calmly deals with them, recognising that they are not her fault.
I have to say that I enjoyed Holly Tinsley’s book, that is filled with characters that have an emotional complexity which helps brings the characters alive and kept me immersed in the narrative.
The plot of the book itself keeps you gripped and takes you to places that you don’t particularly expect and leads you expectantly into the next book. The plot initially has noirish murder plot to it as Vanguard is tasked to investigate the deaths of a number of the ‘Red Guard’, the militia of the town of D’orsee and also the disappearance of a prominent figure in society. However, as the plot develops, we soon see that there is more going on that meets the eye.
In terms of magic, it is fairly muted, except for the strange powers of Vanguard and Tarryn’s abilities to meld into the shadows. However, I liked this aspect and the fact that there are not inexplicable magical events peppered throughout the book as I felt that it added to the overall substance of the book, that gritty realism of the story, shall we say.
Added to that there is the familiar comfort of RJ Bayley’s excellent narration of the story, which increased my enjoyment of the book. This in itself was a draw to me.
Since I listen to a plethora of audiobooks, I will look for narrators who I am familiar with. I first became aware of R. J. Bayley in another favourite audiobook of mine ‘Ritual of Flesh’, so when I noticed that he was the narrator of ‘We Men of Ash and Shadow’ I was immediately interested in this book as I knew it would be excellent.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is an excellent debut by Holly Tinsley and is a must for any grimdark fan, and the dimly lit world of light and shadow is sure to please those that delight in the darker aspects of fantasy.
If you like this review, have a look on my website www.fantasybooknerd.com
John Vanguard, the main character, is a grizzled veteran who hires his services out to the powers that be to remove anyone that they see as being ‘undesirable’, which mainly involves the scum of society. However, John Vanguard is not like your average assassin, he has the power to be undetectable, and this gives him an advantage in his chosen profession.
In addition to Vanguard, the other main protagonist is Tarryn, an emotionless psychopath who lives on the edge of ‘society’ with his ailing mother. Once a prosperous family who owned a shipping conglomerate, he now lives on the cusp of poverty in a decaying house with his mother, who is slowly losing her wits and does not even recognise her own son anymore.
We men of Ash and Shadow is an interesting book. It’s a gritty noirish tale of two broken people who live in a world of broken people. John Vanguard is a man that is steeped in guilt and is effectively a husk of a man who has few pleasures. He lives in a brothel (mainly sleeping in the bath tub as he has spent a number of years confined in ‘The Hole’ for crimes against the state). When we meet Tarryn we learn of his past, but we also learn throughout the book that he is also on the edge of psychopathy, and is similarly an emotionless husk of a man who only comes alive when he is killing
.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is a deliciously dark introduction into John Vanguard’s world and one of the things that jumped out at me immediately is the character of John Vanguard. It makes a nice change to encounter a character that is middle aged in years and not just on the verge of adulthood. Yes, whilst he is a cold-hearted killer, for some reason it is easy to connect with him as a character. He does have an ethical code in which he operates and there is a sense of honour to him. Throughout the book, it is clear that whilst he lives in an environment that is morally grey, he will look after those that he cares about, such as the girls who live in the brothel, or the madame who governs it. He will not see injustice done and tends to only kill those that deserve it.
Tarrryn on the other hand is also a good secondary character, and we see his development through the story as at first, he is merely a lost soul, but the writer shows us how he got to where he is now through recollection and develops him and his ever-tenuous psyche.
The world that Holly Tinsley has built is bleak, hard and unforgiving. There is grime and filth aplenty and the citizens of D’Orsee eke out an existence in this grim environment. It seems to be quite a dystopian world that the citizens of D’Orsee live in, resembling the industrialised environment of Victorian England, and you get hints of the changes from the vestiges of a pastoral world to the grime and degradation of an industrialised world, and Holly Tinsley captures this very well.
The book itself is filled with a multitude of characters that you can’t help but like. There’s Ruth (who is renamed Carmen to make her more exotic to the customers of the brothel) who has an interesting arc in the book, moving from wide eyed innocent to revolutionary. I particularly enjoyed her interactions with Vanguard, and again this one of the things that Holly Tinsley does well. Whilst the world that the characters inhabit is harsh, cold and bitter, there is the juxtaposition of warm and intimate friendships and relationships in this hostile climate. Vanguard’s relationship with the brothel Madam, Henrietta for instance, is such a good one that highlights this propensity for hope throughout the book. Similarly, Tarryn’s adherence to his duty to looking after his mother. He endures a multitude of punishments from her when she is in a frenzied state of unreality. However, despite his ability for violence against others, he takes the beatings that she gives him and calmly deals with them, recognising that they are not her fault.
I have to say that I enjoyed Holly Tinsley’s book, that is filled with characters that have an emotional complexity which helps brings the characters alive and kept me immersed in the narrative.
The plot of the book itself keeps you gripped and takes you to places that you don’t particularly expect and leads you expectantly into the next book. The plot initially has noirish murder plot to it as Vanguard is tasked to investigate the deaths of a number of the ‘Red Guard’, the militia of the town of D’orsee and also the disappearance of a prominent figure in society. However, as the plot develops, we soon see that there is more going on that meets the eye.
In terms of magic, it is fairly muted, except for the strange powers of Vanguard and Tarryn’s abilities to meld into the shadows. However, I liked this aspect and the fact that there are not inexplicable magical events peppered throughout the book as I felt that it added to the overall substance of the book, that gritty realism of the story, shall we say.
Added to that there is the familiar comfort of RJ Bayley’s excellent narration of the story, which increased my enjoyment of the book. This in itself was a draw to me.
Since I listen to a plethora of audiobooks, I will look for narrators who I am familiar with. I first became aware of R. J. Bayley in another favourite audiobook of mine ‘Ritual of Flesh’, so when I noticed that he was the narrator of ‘We Men of Ash and Shadow’ I was immediately interested in this book as I knew it would be excellent.
We Men of Ash and Shadow is an excellent debut by Holly Tinsley and is a must for any grimdark fan, and the dimly lit world of light and shadow is sure to please those that delight in the darker aspects of fantasy.
If you like this review, have a look on my website www.fantasybooknerd.com
May 6, 2022
Read full review over at Fantasy Book Critic
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: We Men Of Ash And Shadow is a debut that showcased Holly Tinsley writing skills. As my fellow Bloggers have so eloquently highlighted the spectacular facets of this book. I really enjoyed this dark story set in a city on the simmer. This city is a character in itself and Holly Tinsley does her best to showcase all of its goriness and the people struggling within.
In this regards, this SPFBO finalist shares a particular similarity with Norylska Groans. Both these titles give a visceral experience with regards to the cities that are both terrifying and yet immensely appealing. D'Orsee is a city that has various people struggling with poverty, disease, misery and more. It's also all being controlled by a semi-sociopathic politician who is playing a game of his own, everyone else be damned.
The author certainly has a way with characters as she gives us POVs from a whole bunch of them. I particularly enjoyed Kosic who is a minor character and a terrific pugilist. He's also got a record that's enviable. I was also fascinated by Vanguard and his ability to help folks whenever and wherever possible. He also adopts a dour attitude as he believes himself to be cursed and truly wants an end. His landlady Henrietta is another fascinating character that I hope we get to know more about. Holly Tinsley really has a knack for giving us conflicted characters who are a veritable delight to read about.
Lastly there were a few things that I thought that didn't jive with my enjoyment of the book. The book has a strange way of switching POVs in midst of the story and it happened all too frequently. I wish there was a way that the author had inserted breaks or something to denote the POV changes. Also there isn't much of a magic system and there's not any explanation given about the powers showcased by Vanguard and Tarryn.
I still think there's solid potential showcased within this debut and I will be eagerly awaiting Holly Tinsley's sequel. We Men Of Ash And Shadow is a solid dark, low fantasy debut that will have its fans who will be awaiting the subsequent titles with baited breath.
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: We Men Of Ash And Shadow is a debut that showcased Holly Tinsley writing skills. As my fellow Bloggers have so eloquently highlighted the spectacular facets of this book. I really enjoyed this dark story set in a city on the simmer. This city is a character in itself and Holly Tinsley does her best to showcase all of its goriness and the people struggling within.
In this regards, this SPFBO finalist shares a particular similarity with Norylska Groans. Both these titles give a visceral experience with regards to the cities that are both terrifying and yet immensely appealing. D'Orsee is a city that has various people struggling with poverty, disease, misery and more. It's also all being controlled by a semi-sociopathic politician who is playing a game of his own, everyone else be damned.
The author certainly has a way with characters as she gives us POVs from a whole bunch of them. I particularly enjoyed Kosic who is a minor character and a terrific pugilist. He's also got a record that's enviable. I was also fascinated by Vanguard and his ability to help folks whenever and wherever possible. He also adopts a dour attitude as he believes himself to be cursed and truly wants an end. His landlady Henrietta is another fascinating character that I hope we get to know more about. Holly Tinsley really has a knack for giving us conflicted characters who are a veritable delight to read about.
Lastly there were a few things that I thought that didn't jive with my enjoyment of the book. The book has a strange way of switching POVs in midst of the story and it happened all too frequently. I wish there was a way that the author had inserted breaks or something to denote the POV changes. Also there isn't much of a magic system and there's not any explanation given about the powers showcased by Vanguard and Tarryn.
I still think there's solid potential showcased within this debut and I will be eagerly awaiting Holly Tinsley's sequel. We Men Of Ash And Shadow is a solid dark, low fantasy debut that will have its fans who will be awaiting the subsequent titles with baited breath.
Read
November 19, 2021We Men concerns the intertwined stories of John Vanguard, a veteran with PTSD who works as an unwilling assassin, and Tarryn Leersac, a young nobleman in a failing noble house and stuck caring for a mentally disturbed mother. Each of the two men thinks they alone have a special ability: to fade from sight and attention from anyone watching. When they learn of the other, their lives take unexpected turn.
It's a grim book, with a grim setting, though the writing plays up to that. The city of D'Orsee is a two-tiered society of the elites and peasants, the manors and the slums. For the characters and the majority of the inhabitants, life is harsh, meager, and can come (and often does) come to a rapid, brutal end. The author's prose is very effective at painting this picture. The pace is good and the plot moves at an excellent clip. I had a hard time identifying with the protagonists: Vanguard because of his distance and Leersac because he becomes an utter bastard deep into the story. That did lessen my enjoyment a bit--that and the constant head-hopping. I glided over most cases of it but there were a couple of times when it happened in the middle of something gripping and it stopped me cold.
Still, this is an enjoyable book. I'd recommend it to readers who like 3rd-person omniscient, grimdark, and low-fantasy.
It's a grim book, with a grim setting, though the writing plays up to that. The city of D'Orsee is a two-tiered society of the elites and peasants, the manors and the slums. For the characters and the majority of the inhabitants, life is harsh, meager, and can come (and often does) come to a rapid, brutal end. The author's prose is very effective at painting this picture. The pace is good and the plot moves at an excellent clip. I had a hard time identifying with the protagonists: Vanguard because of his distance and Leersac because he becomes an utter bastard deep into the story. That did lessen my enjoyment a bit--that and the constant head-hopping. I glided over most cases of it but there were a couple of times when it happened in the middle of something gripping and it stopped me cold.
Still, this is an enjoyable book. I'd recommend it to readers who like 3rd-person omniscient, grimdark, and low-fantasy.
December 15, 2022
Oooooh this was a GOOD one! I was grinning from ear to ear as I listened to the final few lines of this stunning book. Side note: the audiobook is fabulous and RJ Bayley is a brilliant narrator (I am aware I am biased, but he really is epic!)
I liked this book most of the way through. But during the final quarter, something really clicked for me and I started to love it. I can’t quite tell you why.
I’m also not sure I actually dislike grimdark? I don’t know anymore. This year has been full of “stuff I wouldn’t normally read but huh, turns out I love it.”
We Men Of Ash And Shadow is a book I love.
HL Tinsley is a SUPERB author. Her voice is absolutely riveting, and I think I’d happily read a shopping list she’s written because of the sheer creativity and turn of phrases I’d get to experience. She has a fantastic way with words that turns descriptions into something visceral and truly immersive, and her dialogue is equally witty and hilarious.
Vanguard is the main character of this dark tale, but I didn’t like him as much as some of the other characters until the final quarter. He is the personification of survivor’s guilt, and I think once I realised that was his driving force (if you could call it that), everything fell into place. I so badly wanted him to succeed and was desperate to find out what happened in the finale that I ended up listening while cooking, eating, and running a bath so I could finish the book this evening.
Vanguard is older/past his prime, with not a lot to live for. He is rough around the edges, as to be expected, but he has a warm heart and a kindness that is rare in this city. He also has a particular set of skills - both real and magical - that keep him busy day to day, as well as fed. He is an assassin (of sorts).
The main plot took a while to get going, and in the early stages he ends up taking on an apprentice of sorts. This young lad also shares the “magical” ability of being unseen in certain situations. A good trick if you want to be paid to kill people.
I will admit, my only slight negative is there isn’t much more magic than that. It is clearly fantasy, set in a second world, but there isn’t a lot that would name this fantasy other than the main characters can occasionally be invisible.
That being said, more magic probably wouldn’t have worked in this particular setting and story, so it’s a personal gripe rather than a dig at the book!
While I’m talking about characters, I really have to shout that I LOVED so many of the side characters. Paulette. Kosik. Henriette. Vince. Sanderson. The barman of the Ring ‘O Bastards. Even Mandego! Actually, especially Mandego. (Apologies for any misspellings - audiobook!)
I’m also really annoyed with myself for liking Taryn to begin with. He’s the second main character, and I connected hard with him in the opening chapters - trying to look after his mother whose mental faculties are not all there. He’s often forgotten, hurt, ignored, and worse due to her deteriorating mental state, and my goodness I really wanted to hug him. As someone who grew up with alcoholic and abusive parents, it really struck a chord with me and I was completely behind him and his thoughts.
Until I wasn’t.
And I realised what he was.
And then I was annoyed at myself for falling for his charm and vulnerability and charisma and then realising the truth of it. And aaarrrggghhhh!
There were times when I thought, “no, the book isn’t going to go there, is it?” And it went there.
And I suppose that’s what turns it from a dark fantasy to grim dark because it does not shy away from the brutality of the people in this place. Characters make decisions that are difficult to grapple with, yet you can understand what they’re doing and why (although hopefully from somewhere detached !)
Oh an Mrs. Brown! Aaaahhh!
The characterisation of some of humanity’s…uglier side is so well done in We Men Of Ash And Shadow. So well done, in fact, that I found it triggering in certain areas (Taryn’s thoughts, especially regarding Paulette, are so on the nose it’s terrifying), and much like a car crash, I found it difficult to look away because the writing was so very, very good.
This is a horrible city in a horrible world full of mostly horrible people. Some truly are evil. Others simply do what they must to survive. And there are a handful who try to make it a better place - futile as that may be.
Wherever I thought the story was going, it went somewhere else. It kept it feeling very unpredictable and unique, and after a while I was simply swept up in whatever was going to happen, and enjoying the ride every step of the way.
Thematically, it covers everything from war, loss, revolution, survivor’s guilt, psychopaths, mental health/trauma, culture changes, and a plethora of other themes that were all extremely well done.
These are not stereotypical, tropey characters. These are people who have very ugly sides to them and are incredibly flawed, and that makes them real. It can also make it difficult to read about in certain places, especially if you have any experience within those themes.
Other reviews talk about head-hopping breaking immersion, and while, yes, that does happen, for me it really didn’t detract from what was an incredibly enjoyable tale. Additionally, with the audiobook narration, I was never unsure who was speaking/acting, and my enjoyment was never tainted.
Overall, this was absolutely brilliant, and I will definitely be reading the sequel in the new year - definitely on audiobook, too!
I liked this book most of the way through. But during the final quarter, something really clicked for me and I started to love it. I can’t quite tell you why.
I’m also not sure I actually dislike grimdark? I don’t know anymore. This year has been full of “stuff I wouldn’t normally read but huh, turns out I love it.”
We Men Of Ash And Shadow is a book I love.
HL Tinsley is a SUPERB author. Her voice is absolutely riveting, and I think I’d happily read a shopping list she’s written because of the sheer creativity and turn of phrases I’d get to experience. She has a fantastic way with words that turns descriptions into something visceral and truly immersive, and her dialogue is equally witty and hilarious.
Vanguard is the main character of this dark tale, but I didn’t like him as much as some of the other characters until the final quarter. He is the personification of survivor’s guilt, and I think once I realised that was his driving force (if you could call it that), everything fell into place. I so badly wanted him to succeed and was desperate to find out what happened in the finale that I ended up listening while cooking, eating, and running a bath so I could finish the book this evening.
Vanguard is older/past his prime, with not a lot to live for. He is rough around the edges, as to be expected, but he has a warm heart and a kindness that is rare in this city. He also has a particular set of skills - both real and magical - that keep him busy day to day, as well as fed. He is an assassin (of sorts).
The main plot took a while to get going, and in the early stages he ends up taking on an apprentice of sorts. This young lad also shares the “magical” ability of being unseen in certain situations. A good trick if you want to be paid to kill people.
I will admit, my only slight negative is there isn’t much more magic than that. It is clearly fantasy, set in a second world, but there isn’t a lot that would name this fantasy other than the main characters can occasionally be invisible.
That being said, more magic probably wouldn’t have worked in this particular setting and story, so it’s a personal gripe rather than a dig at the book!
While I’m talking about characters, I really have to shout that I LOVED so many of the side characters. Paulette. Kosik. Henriette. Vince. Sanderson. The barman of the Ring ‘O Bastards. Even Mandego! Actually, especially Mandego. (Apologies for any misspellings - audiobook!)
I’m also really annoyed with myself for liking Taryn to begin with. He’s the second main character, and I connected hard with him in the opening chapters - trying to look after his mother whose mental faculties are not all there. He’s often forgotten, hurt, ignored, and worse due to her deteriorating mental state, and my goodness I really wanted to hug him. As someone who grew up with alcoholic and abusive parents, it really struck a chord with me and I was completely behind him and his thoughts.
Until I wasn’t.
And I realised what he was.
And then I was annoyed at myself for falling for his charm and vulnerability and charisma and then realising the truth of it. And aaarrrggghhhh!
There were times when I thought, “no, the book isn’t going to go there, is it?” And it went there.
And I suppose that’s what turns it from a dark fantasy to grim dark because it does not shy away from the brutality of the people in this place. Characters make decisions that are difficult to grapple with, yet you can understand what they’re doing and why (although hopefully from somewhere detached !)
Oh an Mrs. Brown! Aaaahhh!
The characterisation of some of humanity’s…uglier side is so well done in We Men Of Ash And Shadow. So well done, in fact, that I found it triggering in certain areas (Taryn’s thoughts, especially regarding Paulette, are so on the nose it’s terrifying), and much like a car crash, I found it difficult to look away because the writing was so very, very good.
This is a horrible city in a horrible world full of mostly horrible people. Some truly are evil. Others simply do what they must to survive. And there are a handful who try to make it a better place - futile as that may be.
Wherever I thought the story was going, it went somewhere else. It kept it feeling very unpredictable and unique, and after a while I was simply swept up in whatever was going to happen, and enjoying the ride every step of the way.
Thematically, it covers everything from war, loss, revolution, survivor’s guilt, psychopaths, mental health/trauma, culture changes, and a plethora of other themes that were all extremely well done.
These are not stereotypical, tropey characters. These are people who have very ugly sides to them and are incredibly flawed, and that makes them real. It can also make it difficult to read about in certain places, especially if you have any experience within those themes.
Other reviews talk about head-hopping breaking immersion, and while, yes, that does happen, for me it really didn’t detract from what was an incredibly enjoyable tale. Additionally, with the audiobook narration, I was never unsure who was speaking/acting, and my enjoyment was never tainted.
Overall, this was absolutely brilliant, and I will definitely be reading the sequel in the new year - definitely on audiobook, too!
June 23, 2021
4⭐️
A grimdark debut that I enjoyed quite a bit. It’s in a low magic type setting, a grim and repressed city ruled with an iron fist by a Captain Sanquain, who quelled a rebellion as he came to power. Now, there is another revolution brewing and John Vanguard may be caught in the middle.
Vanguard is a well drawn character, an older soldier who does dirty work for Sanquain. He takes out anyone his boss deena undesirable, and John gets to ease his troubled conscience by doing what he sees as necessary work. He meets a young man named Tarryn in whom Vanguard recognizes some of himself but also someone who needs a lot of guidance.
I thought H.L. Tinsley did an exceptional job bringing along interesting characters and a world that has loads of potential.
Looking forward to continuing this series
A grimdark debut that I enjoyed quite a bit. It’s in a low magic type setting, a grim and repressed city ruled with an iron fist by a Captain Sanquain, who quelled a rebellion as he came to power. Now, there is another revolution brewing and John Vanguard may be caught in the middle.
Vanguard is a well drawn character, an older soldier who does dirty work for Sanquain. He takes out anyone his boss deena undesirable, and John gets to ease his troubled conscience by doing what he sees as necessary work. He meets a young man named Tarryn in whom Vanguard recognizes some of himself but also someone who needs a lot of guidance.
I thought H.L. Tinsley did an exceptional job bringing along interesting characters and a world that has loads of potential.
Looking forward to continuing this series
July 14, 2021
3.5/5
Longer review to come, I think.
Longer review to come, I think.
October 23, 2022
On an enjoyment level this book is a strong 4 stars for me, but then I had quite a few small problems with it that would lead me to rate it 3 stars. In the end, since what is more important than a book that gives you a good time, I went with enjoyment over nitpicking..
This is a debut novel from the author and despite its flaws, I'm left thinking that we'll see great things from her in the future. The main strength here is the atmosphere. The choice to have the story exist in a Victorian kind of era (gaslamp fantasy) was perfect. The city is alive and its neighborhouds are different and interesting on their own.
Next I have to applaud the character work. Our protagonist is our usual morally grey character, but he is very well portrayed and his motivations understood. For me though the highlight was the character of Tarryn. His story is of great interest and his development was really well done.
Also this is one addictive book. It's not really long and the fast pace make it a two day read..
As I stated above I also had some small issues. There is a mentoring relationship between two of our characters that needed more detail in order for later events to have more impact. In the beginning there is a mystery which is a vital part of our plot but is not treated as such.
The plot won't win any awards for its originality. In fact it was quite predictable but the great character work made up for it.
I have to add that this is very low fantasy. There is not your typical magic in this world, just that some characters have a certain atribute. I would have liked if this ability was even slightly explained but that was not the case. I hope in the second book this is fixed.
In the end what matters though is that this was highly enjoyable, addictive and full of promise for the future of this series...
7/10
This is a debut novel from the author and despite its flaws, I'm left thinking that we'll see great things from her in the future. The main strength here is the atmosphere. The choice to have the story exist in a Victorian kind of era (gaslamp fantasy) was perfect. The city is alive and its neighborhouds are different and interesting on their own.
Next I have to applaud the character work. Our protagonist is our usual morally grey character, but he is very well portrayed and his motivations understood. For me though the highlight was the character of Tarryn. His story is of great interest and his development was really well done.
Also this is one addictive book. It's not really long and the fast pace make it a two day read..
As I stated above I also had some small issues. There is a mentoring relationship between two of our characters that needed more detail in order for later events to have more impact. In the beginning there is a mystery which is a vital part of our plot but is not treated as such.
The plot won't win any awards for its originality. In fact it was quite predictable but the great character work made up for it.
I have to add that this is very low fantasy. There is not your typical magic in this world, just that some characters have a certain atribute. I would have liked if this ability was even slightly explained but that was not the case. I hope in the second book this is fixed.
In the end what matters though is that this was highly enjoyable, addictive and full of promise for the future of this series...
7/10
April 20, 2021
When the three most important components of a book for me (and most readers) – being plot, characters, prose – are all so good you can’t decide which one is the best component, it’s a wondrous thing. That is where I found myself after reading the outstanding Holly Tinsley’s debut Grimdark novel, “We Men of Ash and Shadow”, Book 1 in the “Vanguard Chronicles”. This book is simply stellar on all three of those aspects I noted, and a fantastic read.
I wanted to address, up front, the minor issue that I had with the book, which in no way robbed me of the overall pleasure of my reading. I appreciate any perspective from which a book is written. I enjoy first person, third person, multiple POVs, etc. It does not matter what tense, etc. the book is written is, as long as it’s a good book. That said, Tinsley does switch POVs frequently, that may seem slightly abrupt at first, but I did quickly grow accustomed to it, and even enjoyed it by the end of the novel. Again, aforementioned is a quibble, not a showstopper by any means. This book is far too brilliantly-done for the POV shift issue to make it any less than a five-star novel for me.
Let’s start with that beautiful, haunting, descriptive prose. It’s elegant, sometimes brutal, and I found it quite original and refreshing. Tinsley has an uncanny knack of hitting tone and mood perfectly. She knows what to write, and when to write it. There is a brooding, melancholy, and creepy vibe to the whole book, infused with poignant hope and optimism, redemption, and catharsis. Tinsley is a master of tension, and she knows just how to build the suspense and angst leading to a blood-pressure raising scene. The dialogue is witty, ironic, tight and sharp. Tinsley says so much, with so little, when it comes to her character’s speaking parts in the book. Despite the brevity there, some of the lines delivered are just plain hilarious, some depressing, some optimistic, and some manage to evoke multiple emotions at once. The comedy versus tragedy in the book is so well-balanced - teetering on the point of a knife - by Tinsley, and it works splendidly.
The setting, for me, immediately brought to mind images of a 19th century Jack-the-Ripper-esque style gas-lamp London, or Paris (considering the French-styled names that permeate the book). D’Orsee, the city in which the action takes place, is divided along class lines. Different zones demark different levels of wealth and affluence. The bulk of the narrative, however, takes place in the undesirable zones. On the whole, D’Orsee is a very grim, and sinister place. Organized criminals, under the guise of legitimacy, run the city. The senior thugs have imposed a military-style occupation of the place. Crime is only permitted when sanctioned by the mob bosses. But criminality is rampant. Prostitution, petty theft, and even murder, are the least heinous crimes committed, to tell you something about how bleak things are in D’Orsee. It’s place where corruption flourishes, revolt against the system is always around the corner, and the whole city feels like a tinder-box, ready to explode at any moment. That’s because it is, and there is a history of bloody rebellion that hangs over the city like a death sentence.
Be warned, there is a fair dose of violence in the novel. I did love the heart-pounding fight scenes, which were very well written. There is lots of trauma, both physical and psychological, that occurs, but it is not about gore-splattered pages this book. It’s more about the innuendo and creepiness I spoke of that seeps through the paragraphs, and a sense of sadness regarding the human condition and the terrible things we are capable of. There are lots of damaged, morally grey people in “We Men of Ash and Shadow”, and they fit right into a grey, depressing, backdrop that is D’Orsee.
The protagonist of the book is the eponymous John Vanguard of the series. He’s become a legend due to previous military service, and his current role as a sort of paid vigilante (really a mercenary). Vanguard's role is to rid the streets of D’Orsee of those who are considered so abominable and unredeemable that their deaths are deemed a service to the citizens. But Vanguard harbours secrets and a complicated past. Vanguard is an incredible character. I believe he will ultimately go down as one of Grimdark fiction’s great protagonists, right up there with Jorg Ancarth and Sand an Glokta. He’s burnt-out, disgruntled, a shell of what he was. He’s a killer, tortured by what he has seen and done, and employed by a tyrannical mob figure whom he despises. But underneath the grime is a man of integrity, with a great heart.
The story is very much about the unforgettable Vanguard, and his personal arch. That said, the secondary and tertiary characters are also highly memorable. Tarryn, Kosic, Sanquain, Mandego, Sanderson, Henriette, and so many more will have you invested in both their individual stories, and how they impact that of Vanguard’s.
The world Tinsley has crafted is wonderfully gritty, and completely authentic. Tinsley doesn’t pull any punches on how menacing and dreadful life is in D’Orsee, and trust me, you won’t want her to. The worldbuilding is top notch. Tinsley gives the reader enough tantalizing back-story and detail about some of the events that led to how things deteriorating so badly in D’Orsee, that you will be completely immersed.
To call this novel a page-turner would not be giving it it’s due. It is a smooth, easy, addictive read, like aged rum. You will loose yourself in the book, and forget about what time it is. What a smashing debut by Tinsley - kudos! She is assuredly destined for Grimdark royalty, and can’t wait for installment #2 as Tinsley continues to accumulate jewels to add to her tiara!
I wanted to address, up front, the minor issue that I had with the book, which in no way robbed me of the overall pleasure of my reading. I appreciate any perspective from which a book is written. I enjoy first person, third person, multiple POVs, etc. It does not matter what tense, etc. the book is written is, as long as it’s a good book. That said, Tinsley does switch POVs frequently, that may seem slightly abrupt at first, but I did quickly grow accustomed to it, and even enjoyed it by the end of the novel. Again, aforementioned is a quibble, not a showstopper by any means. This book is far too brilliantly-done for the POV shift issue to make it any less than a five-star novel for me.
Let’s start with that beautiful, haunting, descriptive prose. It’s elegant, sometimes brutal, and I found it quite original and refreshing. Tinsley has an uncanny knack of hitting tone and mood perfectly. She knows what to write, and when to write it. There is a brooding, melancholy, and creepy vibe to the whole book, infused with poignant hope and optimism, redemption, and catharsis. Tinsley is a master of tension, and she knows just how to build the suspense and angst leading to a blood-pressure raising scene. The dialogue is witty, ironic, tight and sharp. Tinsley says so much, with so little, when it comes to her character’s speaking parts in the book. Despite the brevity there, some of the lines delivered are just plain hilarious, some depressing, some optimistic, and some manage to evoke multiple emotions at once. The comedy versus tragedy in the book is so well-balanced - teetering on the point of a knife - by Tinsley, and it works splendidly.
The setting, for me, immediately brought to mind images of a 19th century Jack-the-Ripper-esque style gas-lamp London, or Paris (considering the French-styled names that permeate the book). D’Orsee, the city in which the action takes place, is divided along class lines. Different zones demark different levels of wealth and affluence. The bulk of the narrative, however, takes place in the undesirable zones. On the whole, D’Orsee is a very grim, and sinister place. Organized criminals, under the guise of legitimacy, run the city. The senior thugs have imposed a military-style occupation of the place. Crime is only permitted when sanctioned by the mob bosses. But criminality is rampant. Prostitution, petty theft, and even murder, are the least heinous crimes committed, to tell you something about how bleak things are in D’Orsee. It’s place where corruption flourishes, revolt against the system is always around the corner, and the whole city feels like a tinder-box, ready to explode at any moment. That’s because it is, and there is a history of bloody rebellion that hangs over the city like a death sentence.
Be warned, there is a fair dose of violence in the novel. I did love the heart-pounding fight scenes, which were very well written. There is lots of trauma, both physical and psychological, that occurs, but it is not about gore-splattered pages this book. It’s more about the innuendo and creepiness I spoke of that seeps through the paragraphs, and a sense of sadness regarding the human condition and the terrible things we are capable of. There are lots of damaged, morally grey people in “We Men of Ash and Shadow”, and they fit right into a grey, depressing, backdrop that is D’Orsee.
The protagonist of the book is the eponymous John Vanguard of the series. He’s become a legend due to previous military service, and his current role as a sort of paid vigilante (really a mercenary). Vanguard's role is to rid the streets of D’Orsee of those who are considered so abominable and unredeemable that their deaths are deemed a service to the citizens. But Vanguard harbours secrets and a complicated past. Vanguard is an incredible character. I believe he will ultimately go down as one of Grimdark fiction’s great protagonists, right up there with Jorg Ancarth and Sand an Glokta. He’s burnt-out, disgruntled, a shell of what he was. He’s a killer, tortured by what he has seen and done, and employed by a tyrannical mob figure whom he despises. But underneath the grime is a man of integrity, with a great heart.
The story is very much about the unforgettable Vanguard, and his personal arch. That said, the secondary and tertiary characters are also highly memorable. Tarryn, Kosic, Sanquain, Mandego, Sanderson, Henriette, and so many more will have you invested in both their individual stories, and how they impact that of Vanguard’s.
The world Tinsley has crafted is wonderfully gritty, and completely authentic. Tinsley doesn’t pull any punches on how menacing and dreadful life is in D’Orsee, and trust me, you won’t want her to. The worldbuilding is top notch. Tinsley gives the reader enough tantalizing back-story and detail about some of the events that led to how things deteriorating so badly in D’Orsee, that you will be completely immersed.
To call this novel a page-turner would not be giving it it’s due. It is a smooth, easy, addictive read, like aged rum. You will loose yourself in the book, and forget about what time it is. What a smashing debut by Tinsley - kudos! She is assuredly destined for Grimdark royalty, and can’t wait for installment #2 as Tinsley continues to accumulate jewels to add to her tiara!
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