When someone asks me for Dark Fantasy, my mind brings me to this book. Technically it is equal parts Sci Fi and Fantasy, because several of the characters are entertainers sent from a technological world to a magical one. Their adventures are recorded and can be experienced by movie goers in a VR enviroment.

This may be a pulpy idea, but it is presented in a fairly cynical fashion. The central character is much akin to a pro athelete. He is employed by a series of massive cooperate interests with little concern for his health or safety. He is overmatched in the newest mission. Orchestrated by the cooperation as a sweeps like stunt to get ratings. They get a huge bump if he dies.

I was drawn in eventually to care about the quest, and even the fairly unlikable hero. There is a momentum building to the end that is conflicted. On one hand the hero is too cocky to fail and retain any likability. On the other, "Heroes Die" is the title. I was sure that either result could have been a let down. I'm not sure how Stover pulled it off, but his ending felt satisfying to me.