What do you think?
Rate this book
Contra Amatores Mundi: A Gothic Fantasy
The Order of the Dragon sends its bloodiest knights, Hieronymus of Tsorn and Prospero of Luchetti, to purge the heretics of the Baltic coast. Yet when death and sorcery thunder them into a realm other than their own, these paladins find themselves beset by beasts, by doubt, and by their own blessed, crumbling minds.
Pursued by Walpurga—sworn nun of the Dragon, bride of the Gnosis and lover to a knight—Hieronymus and Prospero themselves seek that which all knights blood, and the redemption found in blood.
Inspired by the works of McCarthy, Wolfe, and Chretien de Troyes, CONTRA AMATORES MUNDI is a novella of swords, sorcery, and medieval gothic fantasy.
Pursued by Walpurga—sworn nun of the Dragon, bride of the Gnosis and lover to a knight—Hieronymus and Prospero themselves seek that which all knights blood, and the redemption found in blood.
Inspired by the works of McCarthy, Wolfe, and Chretien de Troyes, CONTRA AMATORES MUNDI is a novella of swords, sorcery, and medieval gothic fantasy.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2024
14 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 17, 2025
More of a 4.5/5 stars.
Set in an alternate medieval world where magic is real and accepted and a Gnostic form of Christianity is the main religion, two knights of the Order of the Dragon, Hieronymus and Prospero, are taken to another world after a fight with the Knight of Foxes. This other world is filled with demons and a place where the passage of time follows very little laws. Hieronymus and Prospero encounter a chimera-like demon and they pursue him across the land. However, it is not such a simple quest. The hellish landscape has Hieronymus wondering if they as knights are doing is really all there is and he worries for his beloved Walpurga, a nun of the Order of the Dragon who uses sorcery to try and find the knights. Prospero, on the other hand, is becoming unhinged and bloodthirsty. The knights just might be consumed by themselves and this new infernal world before the demon does.
First off: Wow! Holy crap!
This is unlike any other European-inspired fantasy I've ever read. It is a cross between dark fantasy, sword and sorcery, and a medieval romance and it never lets go of that fantastical feeling from the first pages. Most of this is procured by the prose. Graham Thomas Wilcox's writes in a way that is akin to the aforementioned medieval romances, but doesn't get too flowery with it. There are definitely some archaic words that you might need to look up, the meaning of some of the others can be inferred by their usage in the text though. Nonetheless, how Wilcox uses this prose to describe and paint the world is both breathtaking and terrifying. The descriptions of the rising and setting sun and moon, the passage from day into night and vice versa, are described beautifully. There's a real sense that this is a bizarre world and that the Night, the Moon, etc. might be living things. You really do feel like you're in this bizarre, Gnostic otherworld. The descriptions of blood, death, and rot are pulpy and detailed, but never overly graphic. Wilcox paints a picture with each sentence and paragraph, and no detail is left unattended to.
The story is told primarily through Hieronymus' eyes, but through the eye of a demon he's able to see what Walpurga is up to in her quest to him and Prospero. She goes through a lot of things, very determined and using what every dark magics she can. However, Hieronymus also sees certain pasts and futures, which is, at least from what I could discern, the demonic world trying to mess with him. I'm glad Wilcox didn't leave Walpurga's actions out, and I like what I saw, but I wouldn't have mind if Walpurga had been a perspective as well in the book. She was quite interesting!
The prose also helps give us insight into Hieronymus, our narrator. You get the idea that he is a valiant and noble man, but there is a darker side arising in him. Both Hieronymus and Prospero have to consume the blood and flesh of Christ, who's also kind of both the traditional Christian savior and a Miltonic-like Lucifer figure at the same time in this book, to heal their wounds. Both of the knights are genuinely devout, praying after their battles and in the morning, and they are fully dedicated to their Christ Morningstar's cause. Hieronymus genuinely believes in his faith, but the constant battles with the demons make him reflect on his battles and killings of mortal and his life before the Order, which he barely remembers. Prospero likewise can't remember much other than his father was cruel. There's a real question about whether mankind, or perhaps specifically men themselves, are naturally violent are drawn to pursue fighting and destroying one another. I do not know if this is a criticism on manhood and masculinity or just the general state of humanity, but either way it is subtly done in a way that shows that Wilcox trusts his readers' intelligence and it doesn't bash you over the head with moralizing. Whether Hieronymus and Prospero are good people at the end of the novella, especially Prospero, is a question not directly answered and left up to interpretation. Is Prospero really being corrupted, or was this just his fate all along given his father.
There's some Gene Wolfe-style worldbuilding here. Nothing is ever info-dumped to you. Everything is through inference. Which is great! I found it fascinating that this is a world where a Gnostic-type of Christianity was the supreme religion, as one can only hypothesize what such a world would look like had Nicene Christianity not become the dominant form of the faith. Like I said, Jesus is both a salvation savior and a Luciferean figure, but the basic tenants of the faith still seem to be there. This is where I got a tiny bit confused. At a few points, it states that Christ was cast out of Heaven by God who is viewed as an enemy, but Hieronymus and Prospero still show dedication to God the Father. Is Christ's expulsion here a good thing? Or, in keeping with traditional Gnostic cosmology (however "traditional" it can be) are the God the Father and God the Expeller two different, opposing figures? It's interesting either way, but I wouldn't have minded that if Wilcox expanded upon this more.
Other than that, my only real, major criticism is that I was confused by the very final moments of the book. Hieronymus and Prospero get into an epic, final battles with the demon and then Walpurga opens are portal for them to come through--that part I got--, but then Prospero stars galloping around after finally succumbing to the corruption chanting, "Death!"
Has Prospero turned evil/finally given into that primality in humankind?
Is he about to attack Hieronymus and Walpurga?
I'm not sure.
All that aside, this was a solid, short read and I highly recommend it for fans of dark fantasy and sword and sorcery. Especially if you like things like Dark Souls, Bloodbourne, and Elden Ring.
Set in an alternate medieval world where magic is real and accepted and a Gnostic form of Christianity is the main religion, two knights of the Order of the Dragon, Hieronymus and Prospero, are taken to another world after a fight with the Knight of Foxes. This other world is filled with demons and a place where the passage of time follows very little laws. Hieronymus and Prospero encounter a chimera-like demon and they pursue him across the land. However, it is not such a simple quest. The hellish landscape has Hieronymus wondering if they as knights are doing is really all there is and he worries for his beloved Walpurga, a nun of the Order of the Dragon who uses sorcery to try and find the knights. Prospero, on the other hand, is becoming unhinged and bloodthirsty. The knights just might be consumed by themselves and this new infernal world before the demon does.
First off: Wow! Holy crap!
This is unlike any other European-inspired fantasy I've ever read. It is a cross between dark fantasy, sword and sorcery, and a medieval romance and it never lets go of that fantastical feeling from the first pages. Most of this is procured by the prose. Graham Thomas Wilcox's writes in a way that is akin to the aforementioned medieval romances, but doesn't get too flowery with it. There are definitely some archaic words that you might need to look up, the meaning of some of the others can be inferred by their usage in the text though. Nonetheless, how Wilcox uses this prose to describe and paint the world is both breathtaking and terrifying. The descriptions of the rising and setting sun and moon, the passage from day into night and vice versa, are described beautifully. There's a real sense that this is a bizarre world and that the Night, the Moon, etc. might be living things. You really do feel like you're in this bizarre, Gnostic otherworld. The descriptions of blood, death, and rot are pulpy and detailed, but never overly graphic. Wilcox paints a picture with each sentence and paragraph, and no detail is left unattended to.
The story is told primarily through Hieronymus' eyes, but through the eye of a demon he's able to see what Walpurga is up to in her quest to him and Prospero. She goes through a lot of things, very determined and using what every dark magics she can. However, Hieronymus also sees certain pasts and futures, which is, at least from what I could discern, the demonic world trying to mess with him. I'm glad Wilcox didn't leave Walpurga's actions out, and I like what I saw, but I wouldn't have mind if Walpurga had been a perspective as well in the book. She was quite interesting!
The prose also helps give us insight into Hieronymus, our narrator. You get the idea that he is a valiant and noble man, but there is a darker side arising in him. Both Hieronymus and Prospero have to consume the blood and flesh of Christ, who's also kind of both the traditional Christian savior and a Miltonic-like Lucifer figure at the same time in this book, to heal their wounds. Both of the knights are genuinely devout, praying after their battles and in the morning, and they are fully dedicated to their Christ Morningstar's cause. Hieronymus genuinely believes in his faith, but the constant battles with the demons make him reflect on his battles and killings of mortal and his life before the Order, which he barely remembers. Prospero likewise can't remember much other than his father was cruel. There's a real question about whether mankind, or perhaps specifically men themselves, are naturally violent are drawn to pursue fighting and destroying one another. I do not know if this is a criticism on manhood and masculinity or just the general state of humanity, but either way it is subtly done in a way that shows that Wilcox trusts his readers' intelligence and it doesn't bash you over the head with moralizing. Whether Hieronymus and Prospero are good people at the end of the novella, especially Prospero, is a question not directly answered and left up to interpretation. Is Prospero really being corrupted, or was this just his fate all along given his father.
There's some Gene Wolfe-style worldbuilding here. Nothing is ever info-dumped to you. Everything is through inference. Which is great! I found it fascinating that this is a world where a Gnostic-type of Christianity was the supreme religion, as one can only hypothesize what such a world would look like had Nicene Christianity not become the dominant form of the faith. Like I said, Jesus is both a salvation savior and a Luciferean figure, but the basic tenants of the faith still seem to be there. This is where I got a tiny bit confused. At a few points, it states that Christ was cast out of Heaven by God who is viewed as an enemy, but Hieronymus and Prospero still show dedication to God the Father. Is Christ's expulsion here a good thing? Or, in keeping with traditional Gnostic cosmology (however "traditional" it can be) are the God the Father and God the Expeller two different, opposing figures? It's interesting either way, but I wouldn't have minded that if Wilcox expanded upon this more.
Other than that, my only real, major criticism is that I was confused by the very final moments of the book. Hieronymus and Prospero get into an epic, final battles with the demon and then Walpurga opens are portal for them to come through--that part I got--, but then Prospero stars galloping around after finally succumbing to the corruption chanting, "Death!"
Has Prospero turned evil/finally given into that primality in humankind?
Is he about to attack Hieronymus and Walpurga?
I'm not sure.
All that aside, this was a solid, short read and I highly recommend it for fans of dark fantasy and sword and sorcery. Especially if you like things like Dark Souls, Bloodbourne, and Elden Ring.
December 1, 2024
A dark gothic dream of a book. Reminded me of all the weird daydreams I'd have as a kid while attending mass and looking at the strange catholic art I only half understood. Can't think of a higher compliment than that.
September 7, 2024
Contra Amatores Mundi is labeled as "A Gothic Fantasy." And boy, is this truth in advertising.
The 79 page novella follows the fortunes of Hieronymus of Tsorn and Prospero of Luchetti as they embark on a quest to return home. This is a 'road' story, set in a set in the medieval era. Where two martial companions must get from point A to point B and adventures ensue.
A tale as old as the hills, right? Yes. However...
Right from the get go, Graham Thomas Wilcox makes it abundantly clear that this is not your typical modern doorstop fantasy. Inspired by the likes of McCarthy, Wolfe, and Chretien de Troyes, this novella takes the reader to a parallax realm, beneath the waves. Where two professional killers must test their mettle against the denizens thereof. Amidst the slaughter of arcane creatures, Wilcox sprinkles in large helpings of the devotion to one's chosen profession, the true nature of Arete, brotherhood and a worms eye view of the human condition (as espoused by the OG Lord Grimdark, Cormac McCarthy). To say nothing of the personal cost placed on individuals who follow the way of the knight (or at least those knights of the Order of the Dragon).
Several turns of phrase in Contra Amatores Mundi would make Severian's companion Jonas, smile in delight. And the archaic language wielded by Wilcox had me expecting Lord Juss, Lord Spitfire and Brandoch Daha to show up at any minute.
And I haven't even mentioned the seismic shift that comes at the halfway point of the novella. Vague? You bet. Who am I to ruin someone's reading pleasure.
Contra Amatores Mundi is a niche work of art ( and don't kid yourself-art this is), within a greater niche genre. This one's an acquired taste for sure. But those that dig this kind of stuff, will dig it wholeheartedly.
"But if so, then should we not be more than our fathers, as He is more than His?" Well played, Mr. Wilcox. Well played.
The 79 page novella follows the fortunes of Hieronymus of Tsorn and Prospero of Luchetti as they embark on a quest to return home. This is a 'road' story, set in a set in the medieval era. Where two martial companions must get from point A to point B and adventures ensue.
A tale as old as the hills, right? Yes. However...
Right from the get go, Graham Thomas Wilcox makes it abundantly clear that this is not your typical modern doorstop fantasy. Inspired by the likes of McCarthy, Wolfe, and Chretien de Troyes, this novella takes the reader to a parallax realm, beneath the waves. Where two professional killers must test their mettle against the denizens thereof. Amidst the slaughter of arcane creatures, Wilcox sprinkles in large helpings of the devotion to one's chosen profession, the true nature of Arete, brotherhood and a worms eye view of the human condition (as espoused by the OG Lord Grimdark, Cormac McCarthy). To say nothing of the personal cost placed on individuals who follow the way of the knight (or at least those knights of the Order of the Dragon).
Several turns of phrase in Contra Amatores Mundi would make Severian's companion Jonas, smile in delight. And the archaic language wielded by Wilcox had me expecting Lord Juss, Lord Spitfire and Brandoch Daha to show up at any minute.
And I haven't even mentioned the seismic shift that comes at the halfway point of the novella. Vague? You bet. Who am I to ruin someone's reading pleasure.
Contra Amatores Mundi is a niche work of art ( and don't kid yourself-art this is), within a greater niche genre. This one's an acquired taste for sure. But those that dig this kind of stuff, will dig it wholeheartedly.
"But if so, then should we not be more than our fathers, as He is more than His?" Well played, Mr. Wilcox. Well played.
Read
July 5, 2025I like the idea of this, and stylistically it’s better than a lot of writing out there that’s trying for this kind of thing. But it’s not really going anywhere, story-wise, not yet anyway, and although I understand that’s intentional there just isn’t quiiite enough for me in the characters, or the writing, or the plot to stick around for. DNF on p. 45, at the end of chapter 7.
November 5, 2024
This novella is a spectacular read. I don’t think I can compare this to anything I’ve read. It’s rather unique. Two knights travel into another world, and have to overcome beasts aplenty, sorcery, madness, and a multitude of other things. And when I say knights— these aren’t goofy jousting fools looking for some noblewoman’s scarf. These are fighting men to the core. I love the archaic language thrown in. I love how our narrating protagonist knight keeps thinking of his love throughout their journey. I love how she is able to break through to the other world during the finale. Dark, Dark, macabre, gothic, fantasy, with sword and sorcery. This probably appeals to a niche group, but I liked it. The writing is superb.
December 10, 2024
I thought this was a wonderful read! You can hear me expand upon that, and discuss the book at length with the author, here: https://soimwritinganovel.com/2024/12...
January 24, 2026
☆Christmas Present ☆
Kind of a weak start. It felt like there was no real depth but it became way more interesting once the story got rolling and its characters evolved and were confronted with their doubts, short comings and regrets. Towards the end the overall writing and dialogue became more interesting but i specifically liked the imagery aswell. Though short i also fairly liked the fighting it felt grounded most of the time.
A little shallow but with each chapter it got better leading to an interesting and satisfying ending. Still not super deep but nice. Would read again
Kind of a weak start. It felt like there was no real depth but it became way more interesting once the story got rolling and its characters evolved and were confronted with their doubts, short comings and regrets. Towards the end the overall writing and dialogue became more interesting but i specifically liked the imagery aswell. Though short i also fairly liked the fighting it felt grounded most of the time.
A little shallow but with each chapter it got better leading to an interesting and satisfying ending. Still not super deep but nice. Would read again
December 17, 2024
There's much that can be said about this book, its craft, its audience, and then some. But first and foremost is this: What Wilcox has accomplished here is transposing the historic genre of the chivalric romance into the modern novel—and from there, has then turned the chivalric romance into something gothic, dark, and self-reflective with themes and motifs of his own choosing.
[from this point forward: thematic spoilers, perhaps, but no plot spoilers]
As far as I understand it, the chivalric romance was a popular late medieval genre of knightly adventures (or knight errants' adventures) that decidedly glorified knightly valor and violence. As Wilcox mentions in an interview with Kevin Beckett, many chivalric romances answer the question of “Why would you want to be a knight?” by again, valorizing violence as a way for knights to prove their worthiness, their manliness, and so on. Wilcox has spun this "why be a knight question" on its head, however, by plunging his knightly protagonists, Hieronymus and Prospero, into a hellish underworld and having them serve an order that glorifies fanatical violence so much as to take a great part of their individuality away from them. Hieronymus and Prospero revel in their strange quest through much of the book, yet they are also led to doubt the virtue of all of this killing-for-glory and killing-for-God.
Speaking of which, another accomplishment of this book is that despite having been published in the 2020s, it depicts fanatical zeal in a way that's neither predictably critical of religion nor culturally revanchist. Yes, the knight protagonists harbor traditional, Crusadery values, but only in a way that makes them feel like authentic characters for a late medieval-like setting. (There's also the trope in which love/lust weakens the warrior's resolve, but the nun-love interest in this story is a well-characterized protagonist despite being described to us entirely from Hieronymus' perspective.) The major characters go beyond taking their faith seriously: Walpurga, the nun, has clearly come to much harm to advance the aims of her religious order. Likewise, both she and the knight-protagonists employ what I can only describe as (vividly described) dark magic, rationalized in defense of their faith, in support of their quests and goals. I wish I could describe it better without giving away too much. Here, suffice to say that in an interview with Adam McPhee, Wilcox describes his knights as "my take on DnD paladins... rather intense, frightful dudes immersed in the sort of esoteric religious extremism you might expect from people who think themselves (literally) warriors of god." I honestly haven't encountered knightly characters, nor fanatical characters, nor dark religious fantasy world-building with such depth in a long while.
I can't finish reviewing this book without discussing prose-level craft. Despite its novella length, Contra Amatores Mundi isn't necessarily a fast read, as the prose is dense with archaic-sounding language and jargon related to arms and armor. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the novella is written in maximalist prose; readers might either be alienated by this or show great pleasure in the writing. Personally, I feel the prose style both stretches out (in a good way) the reading experience and immerses me in what feels more like a premodern tale; had Wilcox followed the customary advice for writers to show restraint and write approachable prose, the end result would've been less interesting.
Between the maximalist prose, thoroughly dark fantasy elements, and the fact that this book is again a chivalric romance, it's certainly not for everyone. Really, though, these qualities are what make it a unique (for the 2020s) and well-crafted story. It's definitely tailored to particular sets of interests, but readers who are intrigued by the concept of this book absolutely should throw themselves into it.
[from this point forward: thematic spoilers, perhaps, but no plot spoilers]
As far as I understand it, the chivalric romance was a popular late medieval genre of knightly adventures (or knight errants' adventures) that decidedly glorified knightly valor and violence. As Wilcox mentions in an interview with Kevin Beckett, many chivalric romances answer the question of “Why would you want to be a knight?” by again, valorizing violence as a way for knights to prove their worthiness, their manliness, and so on. Wilcox has spun this "why be a knight question" on its head, however, by plunging his knightly protagonists, Hieronymus and Prospero, into a hellish underworld and having them serve an order that glorifies fanatical violence so much as to take a great part of their individuality away from them. Hieronymus and Prospero revel in their strange quest through much of the book, yet they are also led to doubt the virtue of all of this killing-for-glory and killing-for-God.
Speaking of which, another accomplishment of this book is that despite having been published in the 2020s, it depicts fanatical zeal in a way that's neither predictably critical of religion nor culturally revanchist. Yes, the knight protagonists harbor traditional, Crusadery values, but only in a way that makes them feel like authentic characters for a late medieval-like setting. (There's also the trope in which love/lust weakens the warrior's resolve, but the nun-love interest in this story is a well-characterized protagonist despite being described to us entirely from Hieronymus' perspective.) The major characters go beyond taking their faith seriously: Walpurga, the nun, has clearly come to much harm to advance the aims of her religious order. Likewise, both she and the knight-protagonists employ what I can only describe as (vividly described) dark magic, rationalized in defense of their faith, in support of their quests and goals. I wish I could describe it better without giving away too much. Here, suffice to say that in an interview with Adam McPhee, Wilcox describes his knights as "my take on DnD paladins... rather intense, frightful dudes immersed in the sort of esoteric religious extremism you might expect from people who think themselves (literally) warriors of god." I honestly haven't encountered knightly characters, nor fanatical characters, nor dark religious fantasy world-building with such depth in a long while.
I can't finish reviewing this book without discussing prose-level craft. Despite its novella length, Contra Amatores Mundi isn't necessarily a fast read, as the prose is dense with archaic-sounding language and jargon related to arms and armor. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the novella is written in maximalist prose; readers might either be alienated by this or show great pleasure in the writing. Personally, I feel the prose style both stretches out (in a good way) the reading experience and immerses me in what feels more like a premodern tale; had Wilcox followed the customary advice for writers to show restraint and write approachable prose, the end result would've been less interesting.
Between the maximalist prose, thoroughly dark fantasy elements, and the fact that this book is again a chivalric romance, it's certainly not for everyone. Really, though, these qualities are what make it a unique (for the 2020s) and well-crafted story. It's definitely tailored to particular sets of interests, but readers who are intrigued by the concept of this book absolutely should throw themselves into it.
February 25, 2025
Cormac McCarthy and Gene Wolfe influences are clearly present, but this novella is also recommended for fans of Christopher Buehlman’s Between Two Fires, Matt Holder’s Hurled Headlong Flaming, and the Games Workshop Warhammer tie-in fiction published by Black Library. (Indeed, one of Wilcox’s previous releases is the Warhammer: Age of Sigmar short story “Grimnirsson.”) Contra Amatores Mundi: A Gothic Fantasy is a gory grimdark opera with style and spectacle.
Read my full review at Grimdark Magazine!
Read my full review at Grimdark Magazine!
December 2, 2024
Was recommended this short read on the premise is had MÖRKBORG vibes and it sooo did. Very much like the Dark Souls or Elden Ring games, a grimdark gothic medieval horror about two knights on a fated hunt while tormented by duty and self alike. The writing was super poetic and evocative and only wish I could write like this. So so good 👍🏻
July 5, 2025
Dark souls esque with wonderful writing. A bit of an ambiguous ending but that's to be expected based off of comparisons.
July 15, 2025
I read this novella for the Knights and Paladins square on r/fantasy 2025 Bingo challenge
Sadly, I was not a big fan of this. The main thing that weighed heavily on my enjoyment, was the writing.
The way it’s written is in what feels like medieval English and while it fits the setting, it still felt like the author is trying very very hard to make it seem like medieval English TM. Including the usage of many words I had to look up (expected, English isn’t my mother tongue) that only added to the feeling above rather than be a learning moment for me.
Another thing that was sadly missing was a lack of focus on the world in much bigger details. The author gave the pov I’m following a single goal of fulfilling his oath of returning to the women he loves, which isn’t a very interesting thing to me.
I was instead, waaaaay more interested in learning about the world they are now in and the creatures / secrets that might be in it instead. Which was probably , and it unfortunately was not accessible in full.
I can easily excuse that because it is a novella, and of course because it’s supposedly or at least seemingly inspired by FromSoft games and shares this aspect with them as far as I’ve been told (have tried one only but didn’t finish it).
But it sadly still doesn’t change much in my incurred enjoyment overall.
Sadly, I was not a big fan of this. The main thing that weighed heavily on my enjoyment, was the writing.
The way it’s written is in what feels like medieval English and while it fits the setting, it still felt like the author is trying very very hard to make it seem like medieval English TM. Including the usage of many words I had to look up (expected, English isn’t my mother tongue) that only added to the feeling above rather than be a learning moment for me.
Another thing that was sadly missing was a lack of focus on the world in much bigger details. The author gave the pov I’m following a single goal of fulfilling his oath of returning to the women he loves, which isn’t a very interesting thing to me.
I was instead, waaaaay more interested in learning about the world they are now in and the creatures / secrets that might be in it instead. Which was probably , and it unfortunately was not accessible in full.
I can easily excuse that because it is a novella, and of course because it’s supposedly or at least seemingly inspired by FromSoft games and shares this aspect with them as far as I’ve been told (have tried one only but didn’t finish it).
But it sadly still doesn’t change much in my incurred enjoyment overall.
March 27, 2025
You'll sometimes see people (myself included) look online for "Dark Souls-Like Fantasy Lit" and come up wanting. The difficulty might be caked into the fantasy genre itself, a genre oftentimes defined by autistic delineations - who belongs to what kingdom, whose dad fucked whose dad, intercine complications for no reason other than padding out pages without necessarily deepening or adding color to the narrative. Cursed by worldbuilding and rules. It's a genre that at its worst can just feel like lists of things.
And while the FromSoft Games hide within a coherent narrative I don't think anyone really wants the full thing. They want to be wanderers in awe of a world always outside of their grasp of understanding. A true sense of mystery and incomprehensibility while never feeling arbitrary.
Contra Amatores Mundi dominates on this front. Yes they're knights during The Crusades, but wait where are they? And who is Walpurga? What is this giant's eye? I don't want to spoil anything but the world never relents in its coherent inventiveness. There's also (much like a FromSoft work) a seductive sense of gloaming rot amidst moments of soaring beauty.
I need to also mention the use of language. Graham Thomas Wilcox adopts a type of High English to tell his story and it never once becomes confrontational or grating. I had to look up words plenty but not once did it feel eye rollingly show off like. And to write dialogue in this manner and have it come across as genuine is remarkable.
Loved it.
And while the FromSoft Games hide within a coherent narrative I don't think anyone really wants the full thing. They want to be wanderers in awe of a world always outside of their grasp of understanding. A true sense of mystery and incomprehensibility while never feeling arbitrary.
Contra Amatores Mundi dominates on this front. Yes they're knights during The Crusades, but wait where are they? And who is Walpurga? What is this giant's eye? I don't want to spoil anything but the world never relents in its coherent inventiveness. There's also (much like a FromSoft work) a seductive sense of gloaming rot amidst moments of soaring beauty.
I need to also mention the use of language. Graham Thomas Wilcox adopts a type of High English to tell his story and it never once becomes confrontational or grating. I had to look up words plenty but not once did it feel eye rollingly show off like. And to write dialogue in this manner and have it come across as genuine is remarkable.
Loved it.
February 17, 2025
Although at times it feels as though the author is struggling to remain in control of his archaic chivalrous patois, at it's best, this reads like a gnostic Warhammer novella as written by Cormac McCarthy.
October 31, 2024
For fans of Hurled Headlong Flaming, Howls from the Dark Ages, Armed In Her Fashion, Between Two Fires and the like. Delirious slaughtery pining knighthood aplenty.
November 3, 2024
Excellent.
March 28, 2025
Kinda confused but i enjoyed being confused???
January 19, 2026
4.25 / 5
January 22, 2026
This is a brilliant slice of gothic fantasy, painting a very weird picture, almost dreamlike. I'd be very willing to read more work from Graham Thomas Wilcox.
February 11, 2025
This gothic, fantasy novella is set in a medieval, grimdark world. It follows two knights who are dragged into a strange, underwater realm by their dying enemy. In this bizarre and hostile world, they must rely on each other to survive and a find a way back home. This story is noted for its dark, atmospheric prose and themes of loyalty, love, and the brutal realities of knighthood. It combines elements of horror, fantasy, and medieval adventure. I needed a dictionary to read this book. Still, it was a solid read.
October 24, 2024
A short novella that packs a helluva punch.
"Hieronymus and Prospero are crusading knights, yes. Sort of my take on DnD paladins, if you will: rather intense, frightful dudes immersed in the sort of esoteric religious extremism you might expect from people who think themselves (literally) warriors of god. They command something we might think of as supernatural, albeit at terrible cost."
I spoke with the author here.
"Hieronymus and Prospero are crusading knights, yes. Sort of my take on DnD paladins, if you will: rather intense, frightful dudes immersed in the sort of esoteric religious extremism you might expect from people who think themselves (literally) warriors of god. They command something we might think of as supernatural, albeit at terrible cost."
I spoke with the author here.
April 25, 2025
A really fun, erudite romp. Wish it were longer. I will probably revisit this. Would recommend heartily to Wolfeheads.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews