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Kagen the Damned #1.5
I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights: A Story of Kagen the Damned
I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights is Jonathan Maberry's never-before published adventure that blends swordplay, action, adventure and horror.
Kagen Vale—disgraced former palace guard, damned by his own gods, on the run from bounty hunters and assassins—discovers that no matter where you try to hide, evil can find you. In this standalone short story, Kagen the Damned squares off against a clan of ferocious supernatural predators in service to the Witch-king.
"Fantasy readers will be spellbound by the intricate worldbuilding and the delightful cast."—Publishers Weekly
Kagen Vale—disgraced former palace guard, damned by his own gods, on the run from bounty hunters and assassins—discovers that no matter where you try to hide, evil can find you. In this standalone short story, Kagen the Damned squares off against a clan of ferocious supernatural predators in service to the Witch-king.
"Fantasy readers will be spellbound by the intricate worldbuilding and the delightful cast."—Publishers Weekly
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2022
About the author
Jonathan Maberry
522 books7,867 followersJONATHAN MABERRY is a NYTimes bestselling author, #1 Audible bestseller, 5-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, 4-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, comic book writer, and producer. He is the author of more than 50 novels, 190 short stories, 16 short story collections, 30 graphic novels, 14 nonfiction books, and has edited 26 anthologies. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-WARS, was a Netflix original series starring Ian Somerhalder. His 2009-10 run as writer on the Black Panther comic formed a large chunk of the recent blockbuster film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His bestselling YA zombie series, Rot & Ruin is in development for film at Alcon Entertainment; and John Wick director, Chad Stahelski, is developing Jonathan’s Joe Ledger Thrillers for TV. Jonathan writes in multiple genres including suspense, thriller, horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, and action; and he writes for adults, teens and middle grade. His works include The Pine Deep Trilogy, The Kagen the Damned Trilogy, NecroTek, Ink, Glimpse, the Rot & Ruin series, the Dead of Night series, The Wolfman, X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate, The Sleepers War (with Weston Ochse), Mars One, and many others. He is the editor of high-profile anthologies including Weird Tales: 100 Years of Weird, The X-Files, Aliens: Bug Hunt, Out of Tune, Don’t Turn out the Lights: A Tribute to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Baker Street Irregulars, Nights of the Living Dead, Shadows & Verse, and others. His comics include Marvel Zombies Return, The Punisher: Naked Kills, Wolverine: Ghosts, Godzilla vs Cthulhu: Death May Die, Bad Blood and many others. Jonathan has written in many popular licensed worlds, including Hellboy, True Blood, The Wolfman, John Carter of Mars, Sherlock Holmes, C.H.U.D., Diablo IV, Deadlands, World of Warcraft, Planet of the Apes, Aliens, Predator, Karl Kolchak, and many others. He the president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, and the editor of Weird Tales Magazine. He lives in San Diego, California. Find him online at www.jonathanmaberry.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 29, 2022
Set during the first half of Kagen the Damned, I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights feels somewhat like a brief, lost subplot that was cut out of the first book. It's a solid enough story in its own right, though, one in which Kagen the drunk, Kagen the fool, loses his horse in the woods but rescues a maiden from a wolf attack. From there, Maberry does a terrific job, as he did in Kagen the Damned of blending grimdark fantasy with supernatural horrors. The end result here is a dependable little monster story, but one I wished were a bit longer. While it hardly feels like an indispensable moment in Kagen's journey, I Say Your Name... does present a nice, quick, and bloody return to the world of Kagen. It also certainly helped whet my appetite for Son of the Poison Rose, an ARC of which I'm off to read next (thank you, St. Martin's)!
December 7, 2023
I mean, fight werewolves in an old tower? Sign me up. It was a fun and quick read
January 22, 2024
Action packed short story
August 16, 2024
All I want now is a story of the brother and sister, seriously gimme more of THAT!! LOL. Love Kagen and of course Jinx, nice addition to the lore of Kagen.
December 11, 2022
A short story, but a good one. This is a little bit to tide us over until Son of the Poison Rose comes out. I was approved for an e-ARC of the Kagen sequel, but wanted to read this before starting.
If you read Kagen the Damned, great. If not, please do. In this short tale, the Witch-King sends a message to twin siblings, that are not entirely human. Their reply to him? "The hunt has begun."
Even though our hero, Kagen, is in a deep struggle with alcoholism, if he is the prey, hunters beware.
As with everything else written by Jonathan Maberry, this is exciting and well done. I really want to put quotes in here on just about everything Kagen says and thinks, but that would just about be copying and pasting the while story.
If you read Kagen the Damned, great. If not, please do. In this short tale, the Witch-King sends a message to twin siblings, that are not entirely human. Their reply to him? "The hunt has begun."
Even though our hero, Kagen, is in a deep struggle with alcoholism, if he is the prey, hunters beware.
As with everything else written by Jonathan Maberry, this is exciting and well done. I really want to put quotes in here on just about everything Kagen says and thinks, but that would just about be copying and pasting the while story.
March 5, 2023
Rating of 4.5
Get ready to dive back into the crazy world of Jonathan Maberry’s epic Kagen the Damned series with the intriguing and fun novella, I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights.
I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights is a short and sweet novella that showcases a quick and brutal adventure around Kagen during the period where he drunkenly wanders around the lands. Featuring an intriguing new enemy, this is a very typical Maberry read, with a ton of violence, sex and some impressive horror iconography.
I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights was an excellent read that is guaranteed to whet reader’s appetites between Kagen the Damned and Son of the Poison Rose. The plot itself is fast-paced and action packed as Kagen, drunk and depressed in the woods, comes across a young woman being chased by a pack of deadly wolves and rushes to her defence. However, Kagen soon finds himself at the mercy of his supposed damsel as she is revealed to be a deranged werewolf hired by the Witch-king to kill him. Maberry tells an effective and exciting story around this concept, which doesn’t take long to unfold. For example, the audiobook version I listened to was only an hour and 20 minutes long, which I finished in a single setting. As such, you really breeze through I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights, since Maberry ensures that it has a very concise and comprehensive story to it.
I really liked how this entire narrative came together, and it was fun to see Maberry’s typical writing style compacted down into novella form. The action is brutal and bloody, the characters are very over the top, and it serves as an interesting continuation of the previous narrative from Kagen the Damned. The plot itself is very self-contained, and at times it felt more like an extended interlude from the first book. As such, fans of the first novel will have the most fun with I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights, although anyone familiar with Maberry and his horror-based books will know what they are in for. The author has a lot of experience writing werewolf fiction, and the brutal transformations, excessive violence and inhuman nature of the characters, which really freak the protagonist out, make for some striking and compelling scenes. Due to the length, there isn’t a great deal of universe expansion here, which isn’t too surprising, as the author focuses more on the story. However, there are a few hints at the changing world, such as Kagen being forced to deal with more and more supernatural monsters, and he luckily comes across a useful weapon that may aid him in the future. Plus, Maberry really showcases the continued assistance/stalking that Kagen receives from the mysterious nightbirds, which hints at things to come while also increasing the Lovecraftian feel of the entire story.
A good deal of the focus of I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights is once again on the depressed and broken Kagen Vale. Just like with Kagen the Damned, Kagen is severely damaged and drunk, having still not recovered from the devastating events of the first book. While the action and events of the story briefly recover his wits, he is still forced to again deal with horrors outside his understanding and watching him try and overcome the odds whilst being severely outclassed is a fantastic part of this outstanding story. Kagen of course reverts to his more bloodthirsty and deadly persona to survive, but it takes every aspect of his being to get there, and you really feel his pain, both physical and emotional. The audiobook version really encapsulate this, especially with the always impressive narration of Ray Porter, who is such an expert at diving into Maberry’s complex and brooding protagonists. I deeply enjoyed seeing a struggling Kagen through Porter’s narration again, and it adds some great layers and impact to the overall experience.
Unsurprisingly, I loved my latest Jonathan Maberry experience, and I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights is an impactful and captivating read. Serving as an electrifying and compelling companion novella to the wider Kagen the Damned series, I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights provides a fun and brutal new adventure for fans to sink their teeth into, and anyone who loved Kagen the Damned will have an epic time here. I highly enjoyed this cool novella, especially in its audiobook format, and it has got me particularly excited for the next entry in the series. I am planning to start listening to Son of the Poison Rose this week, and I know I am going to have an exceptional time doing so.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2023/03/05/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Get ready to dive back into the crazy world of Jonathan Maberry’s epic Kagen the Damned series with the intriguing and fun novella, I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights.
I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights is a short and sweet novella that showcases a quick and brutal adventure around Kagen during the period where he drunkenly wanders around the lands. Featuring an intriguing new enemy, this is a very typical Maberry read, with a ton of violence, sex and some impressive horror iconography.
I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights was an excellent read that is guaranteed to whet reader’s appetites between Kagen the Damned and Son of the Poison Rose. The plot itself is fast-paced and action packed as Kagen, drunk and depressed in the woods, comes across a young woman being chased by a pack of deadly wolves and rushes to her defence. However, Kagen soon finds himself at the mercy of his supposed damsel as she is revealed to be a deranged werewolf hired by the Witch-king to kill him. Maberry tells an effective and exciting story around this concept, which doesn’t take long to unfold. For example, the audiobook version I listened to was only an hour and 20 minutes long, which I finished in a single setting. As such, you really breeze through I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights, since Maberry ensures that it has a very concise and comprehensive story to it.
I really liked how this entire narrative came together, and it was fun to see Maberry’s typical writing style compacted down into novella form. The action is brutal and bloody, the characters are very over the top, and it serves as an interesting continuation of the previous narrative from Kagen the Damned. The plot itself is very self-contained, and at times it felt more like an extended interlude from the first book. As such, fans of the first novel will have the most fun with I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights, although anyone familiar with Maberry and his horror-based books will know what they are in for. The author has a lot of experience writing werewolf fiction, and the brutal transformations, excessive violence and inhuman nature of the characters, which really freak the protagonist out, make for some striking and compelling scenes. Due to the length, there isn’t a great deal of universe expansion here, which isn’t too surprising, as the author focuses more on the story. However, there are a few hints at the changing world, such as Kagen being forced to deal with more and more supernatural monsters, and he luckily comes across a useful weapon that may aid him in the future. Plus, Maberry really showcases the continued assistance/stalking that Kagen receives from the mysterious nightbirds, which hints at things to come while also increasing the Lovecraftian feel of the entire story.
A good deal of the focus of I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights is once again on the depressed and broken Kagen Vale. Just like with Kagen the Damned, Kagen is severely damaged and drunk, having still not recovered from the devastating events of the first book. While the action and events of the story briefly recover his wits, he is still forced to again deal with horrors outside his understanding and watching him try and overcome the odds whilst being severely outclassed is a fantastic part of this outstanding story. Kagen of course reverts to his more bloodthirsty and deadly persona to survive, but it takes every aspect of his being to get there, and you really feel his pain, both physical and emotional. The audiobook version really encapsulate this, especially with the always impressive narration of Ray Porter, who is such an expert at diving into Maberry’s complex and brooding protagonists. I deeply enjoyed seeing a struggling Kagen through Porter’s narration again, and it adds some great layers and impact to the overall experience.
Unsurprisingly, I loved my latest Jonathan Maberry experience, and I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights is an impactful and captivating read. Serving as an electrifying and compelling companion novella to the wider Kagen the Damned series, I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights provides a fun and brutal new adventure for fans to sink their teeth into, and anyone who loved Kagen the Damned will have an epic time here. I highly enjoyed this cool novella, especially in its audiobook format, and it has got me particularly excited for the next entry in the series. I am planning to start listening to Son of the Poison Rose this week, and I know I am going to have an exceptional time doing so.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2023/03/05/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
December 20, 2022
Thank you to Macmillan for the audio ARC!
This is a 2.5 rounded down! This wasn’t for me, I think. The world is interesting but I hadn’t realized this was based on a novel series, so maybe I missed something important. I chose this based on description and saw “standalone” and assumed (incorrectly) that I could just jump right in! That’s definitely on me, so take this review with a grain of salt.
Vaguely spoilery (but not really) review ahead:
The descriptions of battle were pretty good. It felt kind of horror-y to me with fantasy aspects instead of straight fantasy. I would have liked to explore the fantasy aspects a bit more - but this probably happens in the novels.
My main critique: I’m tired of discussions of sexual assault and rape in fantasy. I get that the MC is against SA, but it didn’t feel like it was necessary to even have those thoughts in the book. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the way women were looked at and thought about by Kagen.
I did like the general desperation of this - the lack of resources and need to be crafty. There are bits of this I definitely enjoyed.
I’d recommend this to people who have read the original series and people who like short, dark horror/fantasy books.
This is a 2.5 rounded down! This wasn’t for me, I think. The world is interesting but I hadn’t realized this was based on a novel series, so maybe I missed something important. I chose this based on description and saw “standalone” and assumed (incorrectly) that I could just jump right in! That’s definitely on me, so take this review with a grain of salt.
Vaguely spoilery (but not really) review ahead:
The descriptions of battle were pretty good. It felt kind of horror-y to me with fantasy aspects instead of straight fantasy. I would have liked to explore the fantasy aspects a bit more - but this probably happens in the novels.
My main critique: I’m tired of discussions of sexual assault and rape in fantasy. I get that the MC is against SA, but it didn’t feel like it was necessary to even have those thoughts in the book. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the way women were looked at and thought about by Kagen.
I did like the general desperation of this - the lack of resources and need to be crafty. There are bits of this I definitely enjoyed.
I’d recommend this to people who have read the original series and people who like short, dark horror/fantasy books.
February 7, 2023
This is my first exposure to Kagen the Cringe, as I was told that this short story stands largely alone. It does, somewhat--at the cost of a lot of exposition in the guise of characters thinking, reminiscing or hyping themselves up. For a story about werewolves there's an awful lack of werewolves--a large portion of the book is Kagen dwelling on who and what he is, or chasing lost horses, starting a fire, finding water, and helping a lost, "innocent" woman. For the brisk runtime, it's a curious decision to spend so much time on busywork.
However, the exposition and extraneous details help root you in who the character is and what the setting is like.
It's not terrible. Kagen is a really funny character to me--he seems like a tongue-in-cheek Conan-style hero, full of piss and vinegar, constantly lamenting his lot in life and cursing all the while. I may retroactively rate this higher if I ever read the book that is meant to take place in and around this short story, since the intended order may improve the experience once I have a better grip on things.
However, the exposition and extraneous details help root you in who the character is and what the setting is like.
It's not terrible. Kagen is a really funny character to me--he seems like a tongue-in-cheek Conan-style hero, full of piss and vinegar, constantly lamenting his lot in life and cursing all the while. I may retroactively rate this higher if I ever read the book that is meant to take place in and around this short story, since the intended order may improve the experience once I have a better grip on things.
January 21, 2023
I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights is a short story from the Kagen the Damned fantasy series.
The events here fit within the first half of Kagen the Damned, which is the first book in the series. We don’t get a lot of background or character development, so I think you really need to have read that book in order to enjoy this story.
We see Kagen at his worst, when he’s broken and looking for purpose. But Kagen at his worst is still a badass!
The content is a little spicier than what we get in the book, almost like a scene deleted because of a content warning. So if spice is your thing, this is a great addition to the series! It’s also dark and violent, because this is Kagen, after all.
*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free download!*
The events here fit within the first half of Kagen the Damned, which is the first book in the series. We don’t get a lot of background or character development, so I think you really need to have read that book in order to enjoy this story.
We see Kagen at his worst, when he’s broken and looking for purpose. But Kagen at his worst is still a badass!
The content is a little spicier than what we get in the book, almost like a scene deleted because of a content warning. So if spice is your thing, this is a great addition to the series! It’s also dark and violent, because this is Kagen, after all.
*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free download!*
January 22, 2023
I Say Your Name in the Dark Nights by Jonathan Maberry (High fantasy fiction). Narrated by Ray Porter.
First off, I am loving the writing style and imagination of Maberry. Add on Ray Porter and his voice and I'm literally smitten with this series so far. This is a novella featuring Kagen squaring off with a few paranormal predators. The action, world building and characters are always so well done. Even in this short sequence, I was continually riveted and loved being back in this world.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobooks in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
First off, I am loving the writing style and imagination of Maberry. Add on Ray Porter and his voice and I'm literally smitten with this series so far. This is a novella featuring Kagen squaring off with a few paranormal predators. The action, world building and characters are always so well done. Even in this short sequence, I was continually riveted and loved being back in this world.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobooks in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
February 22, 2024
Feels like a cut chapter from the first book, before Kagen meets Tuke, but adapted to read as a short story. As such, having *just* finished Kagen the Damned, a lot of the information offered to remind readers coming to it a little later what happened felt incredibly repetitive to me. But it's an interesting little story about werewolves! With more hints about the ancient, forgotten religion and magic of this world.
January 22, 2023
This was a very short story set in the "Kagen the Damned" storyline. It occurs sometime during the time after the "Night of the Ravens" and BEFORE Kagen has gotten out of his totally drunk, whiny and self-destructive phase. The story itself is actually interesting and held my interest.
I listened to this on audio and having Ray Porter as the narrator can only make it that much better. The story seemed to be just the right length and it told a complete storyline with an appropriate conclusion.
That made this novella feel like it was a perfect snack before the launch of the second book.
I listened to this on audio and having Ray Porter as the narrator can only make it that much better. The story seemed to be just the right length and it told a complete storyline with an appropriate conclusion.
That made this novella feel like it was a perfect snack before the launch of the second book.
August 29, 2025
I'm still not sure how I felt about this short read. I read this one first to see if it peaked my interest to read the actual series, as this was written as a stand alone short story that takes place I believe between books 1 & 2. It definitely catches your attention right off the bat. Not my favorite read, but I'm intrigued enough to give the series a try.
February 8, 2023
Despite the title making this sound like a bodice-ripper, this is actually a fun little side-trip for Kagen Vale, somewhere between the first and second books, near as I can tell. It's low stakes, as you know he's going to make it out, but the fun is in the journey, not the destination.
April 15, 2023
A great short story set somewhere in the middle of Kagen The Damned. We find Kagen alone with his horse when he finds tracks from something and later hears someone screaming for help. What ensues is action-packed and suspenseful. A great little treat read wonderfully by Ray Porter.
January 10, 2025
Coming off of book one this left me… unfulfilled? I wasn’t expecting it to be a full length novel at all. It felt like it’s only purpose was to introduce something into the world, which again, is fine. The story just felt like it was missing something. Not bad, but just okay!
December 24, 2022
Fantasy at its greatest!
Another gem from the wonderful Jonathan Maberry. Makes me excited to continue Kagen’s adventures in the upcoming Son of the Poison Rose.
Another gem from the wonderful Jonathan Maberry. Makes me excited to continue Kagen’s adventures in the upcoming Son of the Poison Rose.
January 9, 2023
Werewolves
I need more werewolves in fantasy!! Aargh!! Lol Fun, short tale of Kagen fighting through a werewolf attack during his drunken march to find meaning in his life again.
I need more werewolves in fantasy!! Aargh!! Lol Fun, short tale of Kagen fighting through a werewolf attack during his drunken march to find meaning in his life again.
January 11, 2023
Short appetizer to Son of the Poison Rose. Expands slightly on the night birds and magic returning to the land after the rise of the Yellow King.
January 12, 2023
This felt like a deleted scene on a dvd. It was fun to read but it was just…there. Will see if it becomes relevant in book 2 of the series.
January 13, 2023
Quick, easy listen… kinda trash!
January 21, 2023
Kagen has a run in with werewolves during one of his poor me drinking binges. The story was short but still enjoyed it a lot.
January 24, 2023
Great short story. Great series so far
March 10, 2023
A good fun story
If you are a fan of Karen the damned then read this book! If you are a fan of great action then read this book !
If you are a fan of Karen the damned then read this book! If you are a fan of great action then read this book !
July 11, 2023
A short, exciting fantasy adventure.
December 1, 2023
This read like a Anne Rice novella, back from when she wasn't obsessed with religion.
March 2, 2024
Glorious
Jonathan Mayberry does it again. This short story was absolutely riveting. I laughed and my heart pounded throughout this scary tale.
Jonathan Mayberry does it again. This short story was absolutely riveting. I laughed and my heart pounded throughout this scary tale.
June 1, 2024
Just a quick short story set in the world of book 1.
But now we can add werewolves to the madness! On to book 2!
But now we can add werewolves to the madness! On to book 2!
June 3, 2024
Great short novella. I have been loving this series, and am looking forward to the next upcoming book.
June 28, 2024
It didn't do much for me. I couldn't find a plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews