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Tales from Grimmgard: An Anthology of Dark Fantasy
Two mighty sorcerers flee a scorched battlefield. A princess escapes into an enchanted wood. A mythical beast stalks the unwary in the dead of night. Warriors of a golden kingdom and a dark empire meet in battle. No one knows how these stories may or may not intertwine, except for the prince of Angelics, whose mind is elsewhere. A storm is coming... These are the Tales from Grimmgard.
- GenresFantasy
145 pages, Paperback
Published December 13, 2020
1 person is currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Todd Mika
4 books42 followersTodd Mika (born 1985) is a fantasy writer based out of the American Midwest.
As a young boy, he was captivated by classic literature: Longfellow's musings, Poe's madness, Tolstoy's lamentations, Dickens' tales, Shakespeare's sonnets, and Doyle's mysteries. By middle school he was penning heroic-fantasy game ideas and Star Wars fanfiction, which evolved into tabletop roleplaying games to play out his original stories with family and friends. In 2015 he self-published Grimmgard, an original roleplaying game book, and in 2020 he published Tales from Grimmgard: An Anthology of Dark Fantasy. His newest book is Grimmgard: Heirs of Destruction!
As a young boy, he was captivated by classic literature: Longfellow's musings, Poe's madness, Tolstoy's lamentations, Dickens' tales, Shakespeare's sonnets, and Doyle's mysteries. By middle school he was penning heroic-fantasy game ideas and Star Wars fanfiction, which evolved into tabletop roleplaying games to play out his original stories with family and friends. In 2015 he self-published Grimmgard, an original roleplaying game book, and in 2020 he published Tales from Grimmgard: An Anthology of Dark Fantasy. His newest book is Grimmgard: Heirs of Destruction!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews
April 16, 2021
4.5 stars:
Let me just go ahead and say that I am really REALLY looking forward to the rest of the books set in this world. I absolutely loved Tales from Grimmgard and loved that it was written as an anthology! I read one or two stories per night and anticipated reading my story all day. The world is fascinating and complex and you can tell that the author has so much more of this world flushed out than he shares with us on the page....and I LOVE finding that in fantasy books that I read. Knowing that an author has histories and magic systems fully thought out before ever writing a story just makes me enjoy that fantasy even more. It’s obvious that Mika knows all the ins and outs of his world which not only made me enjoy Tales from Grimmgard even more, but also makes me ridiculously excited to see what he has planned for subsequent books. I have a feeling they’re going to be pretty epic! Also really hoping we see some of the characters in the next book because I am sooo curious to know what happens to a set of characters featured in one of the stories...
My only criticism is that I felt like exclamation marks were overused. For whatever reason, this is something that I always notice as a reader and excess of exclamation marks tends to throw me out of the story. I once read a quote (I think by Bardugo?) saying that her editor told her one to two exclamation marks per chapter was a good rule to write by. And I’ve noticed that number always feels mostly “right”...any more than that and things start to feel unnatural. I think it’s something most first books tend to struggle with (SJM had way too many in TOG) and maybe it’s not something that bothers most readers, but it’s something I always notice.
Overall all though, Tales from Grimmgard was such an enjoyable read! Highly recommend for fantasy lovers, especially if you like fantasy worlds like Throne of Glass. But just be warned, you’ll be dying for more of this world once you finish this anthology!
Thanks so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Let me just go ahead and say that I am really REALLY looking forward to the rest of the books set in this world. I absolutely loved Tales from Grimmgard and loved that it was written as an anthology! I read one or two stories per night and anticipated reading my story all day. The world is fascinating and complex and you can tell that the author has so much more of this world flushed out than he shares with us on the page....and I LOVE finding that in fantasy books that I read. Knowing that an author has histories and magic systems fully thought out before ever writing a story just makes me enjoy that fantasy even more. It’s obvious that Mika knows all the ins and outs of his world which not only made me enjoy Tales from Grimmgard even more, but also makes me ridiculously excited to see what he has planned for subsequent books. I have a feeling they’re going to be pretty epic! Also really hoping we see some of the characters in the next book because I am sooo curious to know what happens to a set of characters featured in one of the stories...
My only criticism is that I felt like exclamation marks were overused. For whatever reason, this is something that I always notice as a reader and excess of exclamation marks tends to throw me out of the story. I once read a quote (I think by Bardugo?) saying that her editor told her one to two exclamation marks per chapter was a good rule to write by. And I’ve noticed that number always feels mostly “right”...any more than that and things start to feel unnatural. I think it’s something most first books tend to struggle with (SJM had way too many in TOG) and maybe it’s not something that bothers most readers, but it’s something I always notice.
Overall all though, Tales from Grimmgard was such an enjoyable read! Highly recommend for fantasy lovers, especially if you like fantasy worlds like Throne of Glass. But just be warned, you’ll be dying for more of this world once you finish this anthology!
Thanks so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 15, 2021
Clever storytelling at its finest.
Tales from Grimmgard is a collection of short stories brilliantly put together. “But wait, Maria. Short stories?” you could say. I know, I know. I usually like reading short stories when they’re connected to a world I love because by then I already love the characters and I’m not expecting anything huge plot-wise, so I can fully enjoy the added value they bring to the story. It takes a special kind of short story collection to make me anticipate a series that is to come, and Tales of Grimmgard achieved that.
The stories within the book have a beginning, a middle and an end. They’re literally fantasy stories with witches and thieves, knights and shifters. You could imagine them being read by a grandmother or told by a bard around the fire. There’s a thread connecting them all throughout the entire book. The trick is figuring out how all the stories are connected.
The author’s style was perfect for this kind of story. The narration fit the storytelling vibe so well, and it immersed the reader into a world of magic and mystery. It was also a very fast read. I practically read it in one sitting! Despite its length, the world was vivid and dark and very diverse. The characters were well structured, like one would expect from a longer novel. By the end of the book, I was left with an overwhelming curiosity to know more. I need more!
Tales from Grimmgard is the launch pad for things to come. I highly recommend this to lovers of fantasy like me.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy!
Tales from Grimmgard is a collection of short stories brilliantly put together. “But wait, Maria. Short stories?” you could say. I know, I know. I usually like reading short stories when they’re connected to a world I love because by then I already love the characters and I’m not expecting anything huge plot-wise, so I can fully enjoy the added value they bring to the story. It takes a special kind of short story collection to make me anticipate a series that is to come, and Tales of Grimmgard achieved that.
The stories within the book have a beginning, a middle and an end. They’re literally fantasy stories with witches and thieves, knights and shifters. You could imagine them being read by a grandmother or told by a bard around the fire. There’s a thread connecting them all throughout the entire book. The trick is figuring out how all the stories are connected.
The author’s style was perfect for this kind of story. The narration fit the storytelling vibe so well, and it immersed the reader into a world of magic and mystery. It was also a very fast read. I practically read it in one sitting! Despite its length, the world was vivid and dark and very diverse. The characters were well structured, like one would expect from a longer novel. By the end of the book, I was left with an overwhelming curiosity to know more. I need more!
Tales from Grimmgard is the launch pad for things to come. I highly recommend this to lovers of fantasy like me.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy!
April 17, 2021
I want more.
That’s all I could think after finishing TALES FROM GIMMGARD. This is a collection of high fantasy short stories teasing the full-length novels to come. I’m not always the biggest fan of short stories, but they can be a powerful tool to enrich a world, to tease the reader, to add layers to characters. Tales from Grimmgard achieved all of that. Each short story was richly atmospheric. The reader is catapulted into a dark world filled with magic and mystery where there was something for everyone: witches, shifters, thieves, knights…it truly felt like reading a classic fantasy novel and I was gobbling down the pages.
What surprised me most of all was the quality of the storytelling. Though each individual story was short, the vividness of the writing was the narrative’s most powerful tool. Each character introduced revealed bits of a complicated past, richness in personality and the promise of more to come. The world was complex and diverse despite the book’s length…and I need more! Each story is somehow interwoven with the other, but the links aren’t evident. They’re hidden in the narrative to keep the reader guessing and thinking, and while I think I’ve captured a few, I am filled with questions and curiosity. This is definitely a world to look out for, and I cannot wait to see what’s ahead!
Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy to review!
That’s all I could think after finishing TALES FROM GIMMGARD. This is a collection of high fantasy short stories teasing the full-length novels to come. I’m not always the biggest fan of short stories, but they can be a powerful tool to enrich a world, to tease the reader, to add layers to characters. Tales from Grimmgard achieved all of that. Each short story was richly atmospheric. The reader is catapulted into a dark world filled with magic and mystery where there was something for everyone: witches, shifters, thieves, knights…it truly felt like reading a classic fantasy novel and I was gobbling down the pages.
What surprised me most of all was the quality of the storytelling. Though each individual story was short, the vividness of the writing was the narrative’s most powerful tool. Each character introduced revealed bits of a complicated past, richness in personality and the promise of more to come. The world was complex and diverse despite the book’s length…and I need more! Each story is somehow interwoven with the other, but the links aren’t evident. They’re hidden in the narrative to keep the reader guessing and thinking, and while I think I’ve captured a few, I am filled with questions and curiosity. This is definitely a world to look out for, and I cannot wait to see what’s ahead!
Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy to review!
January 17, 2021
I could not put this book down, I loved every minute of it!!
August 30, 2021
I had the privilege to be the main editor of this book. I took on the project because of the little snippets of the story that the author shared with me, from the first few lines I was absolutely hooked and NEEDED more. The second I had a copy of Tales from Grimmgard I was instantly transported to another world. I found myself in tears, fits of laughter, and eureka moments at the subtle hints at how each story is connected.
In Tales from Grimmgard, the stories are full of enthralling plot lines as each story takes you on adventures from brutal battles for justice, tender heartfelt moments of a mother’s love, full of coming-of-age realizations about love and family, to strong female characters that ooze the apotome of feminine resilience. This book took me on a whirlwind romance with dark fantasy, from moments of laughter, witty dialog, and beautiful imagery setting the scene to heartbreaking scenes that will leave you in tears. Overall, if some of your loved stories are by Sherlock Holmes, HP Lovecraft, or Anne Rice you should deficiently check out Tales from Grimmgard. You will not be disappointed!
In Tales from Grimmgard, the stories are full of enthralling plot lines as each story takes you on adventures from brutal battles for justice, tender heartfelt moments of a mother’s love, full of coming-of-age realizations about love and family, to strong female characters that ooze the apotome of feminine resilience. This book took me on a whirlwind romance with dark fantasy, from moments of laughter, witty dialog, and beautiful imagery setting the scene to heartbreaking scenes that will leave you in tears. Overall, if some of your loved stories are by Sherlock Holmes, HP Lovecraft, or Anne Rice you should deficiently check out Tales from Grimmgard. You will not be disappointed!
April 21, 2021
This is such a fantastic collection of tales and it is so well written. I loved reading about all the different places and meeting the different characters.
I was hooked right away after reading Chasmira’s story.
The Hobble was terrifying, and I certainly don’t want to be gobbled by the hobble.
Another amazing character was Bacchus. I love a good witch Hunter story.
And there was something particularly intriguing about The Wrong Business. It was an emotional and intense story, and if I was pressed to choose a favourite it would be that one.
I highly reccomend this wonderful anthology.
I was hooked right away after reading Chasmira’s story.
The Hobble was terrifying, and I certainly don’t want to be gobbled by the hobble.
Another amazing character was Bacchus. I love a good witch Hunter story.
And there was something particularly intriguing about The Wrong Business. It was an emotional and intense story, and if I was pressed to choose a favourite it would be that one.
I highly reccomend this wonderful anthology.
October 14, 2021
This is a great little collection of short stories (and a poem, which I thoroughly enjoyed). The first story was a little difficult to read because of the Old English dialect, but at the same time I enjoyed the immersiveness of it. The other stories were easier to read and I enjoyed them all. In particular, there is one character I love to hate that shows up in a couple of the stories. I am hoping the author plans to do longer works set in this world. We only get a glimpse of the expansive world and the gods behind it. Each race we come across is different in their beliefs and I would love to read more about them and the friction between them all.
May 16, 2021
This grouping of short stories dives into a world that is very intriguing. I want to dive into the characters so much more! My hope is that Todd Mika can get his full-length novels out and match the magic that he has already created through these short stories. If you enjoy Dungeons and Dragons, tales of knights in shining armour, or the classic stories of magic and mystery, then you will enjoy this anthology!
August 23, 2021
I absolutely loved everything about this book! Do yourself a favor and read it 💜💜💜💜💜💜
August 23, 2021
Todd Mika's Anthology is exciting, and fun! I particularly loved the Spirit of the wood so nicely written. He writes in such a way that you really can put yourself into his stories. I really hope great things for you and can't wait to see what you come up with next. I encourage anyone who loves fantasy to give this book a read! Mr. Mika it has been a pleasure to read your book 👍👍
August 19, 2021
After reading each story I didn't want them to end! I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. I loved getting to know the characters and wondering what will happen next! It had everything you want in a fantasy book, magical creatures epic battle scenes and even compassion. I highly recommend anyone who loves fantasy to read it!
December 26, 2020
I adored all this book had to offer. Hands down a fun re-readable experience. Small short stories, but packs a powerful punch with each chapter. I particularly love the subtle connections, the raw emotions, and how easily it can capture the reader in its thrall. A beautiful mix of layers- the nailbiting dark bloody battles, the interesting natures of each center character that set the tones of their corresponding chapter, sprinkled with some lightheartedness. It's a combination that makes you want more. To learn more, to see how they end. It more than makes up for being a short book with just the amount of interlocking paths. Especially towards the end when you realize there are callbacks to past chapters, and you start to form the conclusions of what happened in between these stories off stage. It doesn't baby you through the whole thing, it makes you think, it leaves your imagination to fill the gaps. And it's such a satisfying feeling when you figure out these hints and see things come together. This book has been a long awaited treasure. And having this firecracker on my favorite bookshelf is something I take immense pride in.
June 24, 2021
Tales of Grimmgard is a collection of high fantasy short stories. Mika creates a detailed and beautiful world that is easy to dive into, and he does it with so few words.
After devouring the first three story in a single sitting I was shocked at how perfectly crafted these little tales were, like intricately blown glass, they felt so polished and refined. The Hobble, written in rhyme, felt so smooth and natural, I couldn’t imagine how he laced the words together so well!
I’m not typically a fan of high fantasy, I don’t like fighting or capturing people simply because the law says so, that’s not really my shtick, but as the stories progressed I could see a glimpse of the novels to come (two planned as far as I’ve heard) and the story that lay beyond this anthology.
In Tales of Grimmgard you meet magical creatures, like the spirit of the woods and wolfkins (both real and impersonated) but most of all you meet people with heart and purpose, like Othric the Great (who I imagine will have a bigger role to play in later instalments). If you want to read well crafted short fantasy, this is it.
After devouring the first three story in a single sitting I was shocked at how perfectly crafted these little tales were, like intricately blown glass, they felt so polished and refined. The Hobble, written in rhyme, felt so smooth and natural, I couldn’t imagine how he laced the words together so well!
I’m not typically a fan of high fantasy, I don’t like fighting or capturing people simply because the law says so, that’s not really my shtick, but as the stories progressed I could see a glimpse of the novels to come (two planned as far as I’ve heard) and the story that lay beyond this anthology.
In Tales of Grimmgard you meet magical creatures, like the spirit of the woods and wolfkins (both real and impersonated) but most of all you meet people with heart and purpose, like Othric the Great (who I imagine will have a bigger role to play in later instalments). If you want to read well crafted short fantasy, this is it.
February 2, 2021
"Don't judge a book by its cover".
Well, I believe that is exactly what you should do with Tales from Grimmgard.
What you see is what you get - something beautifully dark, thought-provoking, exciting, and a pure joy to experience.
Don't expect anything ordinary from this collection of wonderful stories with a vast gallery of unforgettable personalities and incredible details - the author knows the craftsmanship of tale telling so incredibly well, and his love for it shines through in every line.
I loved letting myself loose in this veiled, mysterious world of witch hunters, beasts, princesses, mice and sorcerers, with turns and connections so unforseen - I wept, giggled, and gasped!
The only thing I regret about Tales From Grimmgard is the fact that I will never have the pleasure of reading it for the first time again.
But you can!
Well, I believe that is exactly what you should do with Tales from Grimmgard.
What you see is what you get - something beautifully dark, thought-provoking, exciting, and a pure joy to experience.
Don't expect anything ordinary from this collection of wonderful stories with a vast gallery of unforgettable personalities and incredible details - the author knows the craftsmanship of tale telling so incredibly well, and his love for it shines through in every line.
I loved letting myself loose in this veiled, mysterious world of witch hunters, beasts, princesses, mice and sorcerers, with turns and connections so unforseen - I wept, giggled, and gasped!
The only thing I regret about Tales From Grimmgard is the fact that I will never have the pleasure of reading it for the first time again.
But you can!
March 4, 2021
I truly enjoyed this little collection of shorter stories from the world of Grimmgard.
The author has a wonderful writing style that i really enjoyed.
The descriptions of the world and the different charachters was really well put together.
Amazing how catching these shorter stories can be.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed this book.
Don’t judge this book by the description of shorter stories.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, witch hunters, warlocks and beasts this will be just up your alley.
And the cover looks really great too😉
I would love for a longer novel from this world 😍
The author has a wonderful writing style that i really enjoyed.
The descriptions of the world and the different charachters was really well put together.
Amazing how catching these shorter stories can be.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed this book.
Don’t judge this book by the description of shorter stories.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, witch hunters, warlocks and beasts this will be just up your alley.
And the cover looks really great too😉
I would love for a longer novel from this world 😍
December 16, 2020
To start off this review, it has been a good few years since any story or book has managed to captivate my attention and imagination to the point everything else melts into the background, and this is no exaggeration. I can safely say I have now found a new book to call my favourite along with a new character to love. If you are even mildly interested in fantasy, I would recommend you give this book a chance. From its subtly sinister stories to its heartfelt moments, you'll find something to love, I know I certainly did, 10/10 would reccomend.
April 18, 2021
I devoured this book! It’s filled with everything a fantasylover would like; witches, sorcery, angelics, wolfkins, creatures lurking, sword fights, great world building, darkness, and so much more. The level of details is remarkable, and I found myself enchanted by these stories.
It’s a short book, perfect when you just need a quick break from life. You can easily read just one story at a time (in a lunch break, or between studies maybe). The trick is to find out how the stories are connected. (Clever author). I look forward to read more from the Grimmgard universe.
It’s a short book, perfect when you just need a quick break from life. You can easily read just one story at a time (in a lunch break, or between studies maybe). The trick is to find out how the stories are connected. (Clever author). I look forward to read more from the Grimmgard universe.
January 31, 2021
Absolutely love this book so vivid with the descriptions. For those that love fantasy and fiction this is a wonderful read. The characters really come to life and can feel like you are on an adventure along with these characters like Chasmira & Bacchus.
February 19, 2021
A dark and intriguing journey through tales of wonder and deceit. I highly reccomend this to fantasy readers and (as myself) tabletop gamers. Todd Mika effortlessly writes from the perspective of countless characters, and immerses you into their world. This was a FANTASTIC READ.
March 15, 2021
Very Captivating 🤩 I love it! I love the characters and the way the stories grabbed me in. It was Definitely a page turner! I just kept reading and reading til I found myself to the end. I recommend you definitely give this book a good read, you will be pleased that you did.
May 21, 2022
Each of the stories in this anthology are very well-written and immediately engaging. All of them left me wanting to know more about both the characters and the world. I can’t ask for much more than that in a series of short stories.
January 2, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The short chapters made for captivating reading. I could see everything in my minds eye, it was so descript. I look forward to reading it again.
January 27, 2021
Awesome Fantasy book! Sending a copy to my beat friend!
March 10, 2021
I haven't picked up a book in a long while, but my husband got me this for Christmas and I was hooked! Such entrancing stories and amazing tales. I can't wait for more!!
October 1, 2021
The short stories in this book are the kind that stay with you forever, with ideas and concepts that remind you of Tolkien's originality. I'll never forget what a hobble is, and I have a new outlook on medieval-style stories — they don't all end with happy endings.
Even without every ending being happy, you can always trace Mika's realistic choices and the value he puts on the decisions he's made in his writing. If one character dies, you're left with a weighty feeling of contemplation. Why did the character die? What did their deeds gain? How was the world made a better place? What lesson did the other characters learn? Better yet, what can I learn?
To summarise: these aren't just stories — they're indirect thoughts on life with a flair of magic to spark the tale.
Even without every ending being happy, you can always trace Mika's realistic choices and the value he puts on the decisions he's made in his writing. If one character dies, you're left with a weighty feeling of contemplation. Why did the character die? What did their deeds gain? How was the world made a better place? What lesson did the other characters learn? Better yet, what can I learn?
To summarise: these aren't just stories — they're indirect thoughts on life with a flair of magic to spark the tale.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews