The Manglers of Carraig

by Jacob Emrey

The monsters don’t hunt North Hill. Not where the lights never go out. Not where the streets glitter with emerald warding gems. But in the alleys of the lower city, children vanish, screams echo, and blood slicks the cobblestones. Conell knows—he’s seen the price of darkness firsthand as a child of the slums. Riona, meanwhile, safe behind a wealth of green gems, turns mangler fangs into ornaments for the wealthy, an openly detestable enterprise but secretly the talk of the town. Unfortunately, her supplies are running low, if only she could find some poor soul to risk life and limb to stock her lucrative endeavor.

186 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2025

About the author

Jacob Emrey was born and grew up in Northern California. After high school he joined the Marines and served four years as part of the security battalion for Marine One. After his service ended, he went off to college to get his degree in History and a high school teaching credential. However, he was unlucky enough to graduate college and enter the workforce just as the real estate crisis exploded all over the world economy. With no teaching jobs in the U.S., Jacob looked overseas. Since then he has worked in Ukraine, Kuwait, China and Thailand as well as the United States. However, through it all, writing has always been his passion, so no matter where he lived, he was working on something whether it was a novella, short story, or novel.

Reviews

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Manglers of Carraig drops readers straight into a city split by wealth, fear, and the eerie green glow of warding gems. It follows Conell Byrne, a boy fighting to keep his family alive in a world where monsters stalk the night and the rich hoard their safety behind iron fences. His desperate attempts to protect his sister and his mother collide with the power games of men like Garban the loan shark, and the story pulls that thread tighter as the dangers grow. Alongside this grim struggle is Riona, a jeweler whose bold designs using mangler claws spark outrage among the elite. Their stories move on separate tracks at first, one soaked in survival and the other in ambition, yet both expose the city’s deep fractures and the unseen costs of living in Carraig.

I found the writing fast and punchy. Scenes land quickly and hard. I especially liked how the book lets moments breathe right before everything goes sideways. Conell racing through dark streets with only gemlight to save him had me clenching my jaw. The author leans into sensory details that linger and refuses to clean things up for comfort. I felt the grit of the lower districts and the cold shine of North Hill. I felt Conell's panic when he returned home and found the door broken open and the ominous quiet inside. The emotional hits come simply and directly, which makes them incredibly impactful.

The worldbuilding grabbed me, too. I appreciated how the author mixes small human choices with the big looming terror of the manglers. It all feels grounded even when the story dips into the grotesque. Riona’s chapters were a surprise. They twist into subtle power struggles and hidden desire. Her jewelry made of claws could have been a cheap gimmick, but it ends up saying something about the people of Carraig and what they choose to look away from. I enjoyed how these two storylines sit far apart but rhyme in the way everyone is just trying to survive something, even if the monsters look different.

By the end, I felt a strange mix of sadness and curiosity about where the story might go next. I would recommend The Manglers of Carraig to readers who enjoy dark fantasy with heart, quick pacing, and a world that feels alive even in its ugliness. If you like stories about people pushed to the edge and forced to make impossible choices, this one will stick with you.

[Raisa Mbalule · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gritty Tale of Monsters, Morality, and Class Divide

The MANGLERS OF CARRAIG drops readers into a city sharply divided by light, wealth, and survival. From the opening pages, the contrast between the protected streets of North Hill and the dangerous alleys of the lower city is immediately clear. The story follows Conell, who grows up knowing exactly what lurks in the dark, and Riona, whose comfortable life allows her to profit from those same horrors. Together, their perspectives frame a world where safety is a luxury and fear is a daily companion.

The book moves at a brisk pace, balancing action with moments that highlight the human cost of Carraig’s imbalance. Conell’s chapters are driven by urgency and survival, while Riona’s storyline explores ambition, denial, and moral distance. The idea of turning monster parts into fashionable jewelry is unsettling in a way that feels intentional rather than sensational. It becomes a sharp commentary on what people are willing to ignore when danger does not reach their doorstep.

Overall, THE MANGLERS OF CARRAIG offers a gritty fantasy that blends monsters with social tension in a grounded, accessible way. The worldbuilding feels clear and purposeful without overwhelming the story. Characters are easy to react to, whether with empathy or frustration, which keeps the narrative engaging. It is an entertaining read for those who enjoy dark fantasy that focuses as much on people as it does on the creatures they fear.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Manglers of Carraig by Jacob Emrey is a dark, entertaining, and efficient story. It’s under 200 pages and I really appreciated how direct and compelling the storytelling was.

The city of Carraig is under siege. Every night the manglers run wild and attack anyone that’s unprotected. The currency of Carraig is gems - magical stones whose shining light also drives off the manglers. We follow Connell, a down-on-his-luck teenager whose hard times are just beginning. Unfortunately for Connell, he’s low on gems, and his family is in desperate need of protection.This is a tale of the haves and the have-nots and the means that divide them.

I was listening to an author interview recently, with Richard Powers I believe, and he talked about pushing his characters up against a wall. Basically, a stress test; put your characters into impossible situations to see how they react. There’s a lot of that here and it works well.

I think this book absolutely qualifies as a page turner, especially the final third which I easily burned through in one sitting. I’m not sure if the author plans to revisit this world or not, but he COULD. The ending is really well executed - it’s a satisfying end to a standalone story, but also sets the table for future stories.

If you like dark and gritty fantasy with interesting characters, natural dialogue, and some thematic depth then you should definitely check this out!

Story-8, Language-7, Ideas-8, Characters-7, Enjoyment-9, Overall-8

[Cheryl devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was offered the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of this book. I was thoroughly intrigued by the world the author created. While the tone of the story leans toward the darker side, it still fits comfortably within the young adult genre. The plot was engaging and well-paced, and I found myself invested throughout.

I have to admit, the ‘rich’ residents up the hill were quite frustrating, which, in a way, speaks to the author’s ability to evoke strong emotions. I initially expected the jewellery maker to show some compassion toward the boys, but that assumption was quickly proven wrong and I appreciated that unexpected twist.

Overall, the story was well-crafted and enjoyable. My only real criticism is the ending; it felt abrupt, cutting off right in the middle of a conversation. I would have liked a bit more closure after such an immersive journey.

[Mackenze Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale instantly set up an understandable yet mysterious world of magical gems and monsters, all while balancing some very human concepts. The reader instantly roots for Conell and his gang of misfits, both because he is likable and because his community is impoverished and always struggling to survive. On the other side of the fence, Riona and her fiance are hard to care about, despite the clever idea of her mangler jewelry.

The story kept me intrigued throughout and highlighted the differences of the have and the have-nots, almost to the point that it was sickening (like Riona's inability to understand their struggle). While the ending came too soon, I was tickled at the epilogue and the new idea Conell and his gang had to make it big.

[Ashley Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was blessed with this book as an ARC and am leaving my honest opinion.

This fast paced read had you running to the end and then looking for more. The simplicity in which he writes yet with so much meaning. You fall in love, or hate with his characters. I enjoyed how Mr. Emery brought to light the naivety that some (the rich) people have about the real world.

Conell living in the sound fighting just to make sure, fighting for his sister.

Riona wanting to see that one can make beauty of something that goes bump in the night. When in reality is the people on North Hill that are the monsters. And everyone in lower City is just doing what they can to survive. I had a quote picked out. But want she if I could use it. This book made Mr. Jacob Emery an auto buy author. 4.5 ⭐

[Scovia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this town, everything looks great during the day, but when night falls, almost everyone fears for their lives. People always wondered if they would make it to the next day. The currency they used was the very thing keeping them alive at night. If you were unlucky, you got ripped by the creatures.I love a good fictional story, and this was one of them. I almost felt like it ended too quickly.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two parts to the city, one where trouble and danger does not roam. Meanwhile the other part is haunted by monsters. She needs more materials for her jewelry and she needs someone to help her. Life is going to get very interesting and dangerous. See what will happen
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a brilliant read

[Zach Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down and finished it in under 24 hours. For such a short novel, it manages to build an immersive world. As it came to the finish, I found myself disappointed that there wasn't more, but was tied up nicely in the end. In addition to being a gripping adventure, it provides valuable social insight. This would make a great miniseries.