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Red Kingdom #0.5
A Pale Box on the Distant Shore
A silent killer stalks the slum towers of Death City.
In the shadow of a drowned death god, a young soldier risks his life to solve a violent crime.
To catch a killer, Soldier Honnan Skyin carves a bloody trail over the behemoth bones of a dead giant and through the deepest forest of a frozen island. But some secrets should stay buried.
Welcome to Death City.
The Red Kingdom is a new series of dark mysteries in fantasy worlds that delve into a land of vicious crimes, strange lore and Purge House zealots.
In the shadow of a drowned death god, a young soldier risks his life to solve a violent crime.
To catch a killer, Soldier Honnan Skyin carves a bloody trail over the behemoth bones of a dead giant and through the deepest forest of a frozen island. But some secrets should stay buried.
Welcome to Death City.
The Red Kingdom is a new series of dark mysteries in fantasy worlds that delve into a land of vicious crimes, strange lore and Purge House zealots.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2022
23 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Nwosu
3 books43 followersPJ Nwosu writes dark mysteries in epic fantasy worlds. She loves reading gritty detective and fantasy novels, and is obsessed with learning about strange, creepy tales from history.
PJ Nwosu tells twisty, dark stories against epic fantasy backdrops, and loves all things memento mori. She lives by the sea in Australia with her husband and black cat.
Find a free series VISUAL GUIDE and short story prequel on the author's website at: www.pjnwosu.com
PJ Nwosu tells twisty, dark stories against epic fantasy backdrops, and loves all things memento mori. She lives by the sea in Australia with her husband and black cat.
Find a free series VISUAL GUIDE and short story prequel on the author's website at: www.pjnwosu.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 20, 2023
Stars: 4.5 out of 5.
This is a fascinating book. It almost reads like a cross between a poem and a fevered dream, but in a good way. Rarely have I been so entranced by the world depicted in a book.
There are character driven books, there are story driven books, there are books that incorporate a bit of both. Then there are books that try to introduce us to a new world or concept more than they care about characters. I am not saying that this book is the later, because there is a solid detective story here, and the characters are engaging enough. But to me, the description of the world in which those characters live is the most important part here.
And that description is so well done! It permeates every page, weaving organically into the story, so that it never appears tedious. It creates an image of a fascinating world of arctic winds and white snow, of gray seas and red bones, of big white motes fluttering against buildings darkened by soot and landing on burning corpses. A world growing on the ruins of an older civilization, where a night can turn hollow, and an inverted moon would rise, and dead giants will stalk the shallow waters off shore. This is a harsh and unforgiving world, but it's also very beautiful, in a cruel kind of way.
There are so many fascinating little details about the different religions and superstitions, about how different castes of people are living on Death City Island. The bone miners who wear red copper masks and white furs of a long dead animal, and risk their lives to mine the red bones of a giant who died off shore of the Death City. The merchant caste that wears silver masks and drapes themselves in layers of embroidered silks...
I liked Soldier Honnan Skyin and his relentless pursuit of a babe killer. Even when everyone told him to let it go. Even when a deadly epidemic was sweeping the island, killing thousands. Even when they ran out of pale boxes to burn the death at sea and had to resort to communal pyres in the middle of dead villages, Honnan still followed the clues he could find and stubbornly investigated this murder. And I'm really glad he did, because he brought to justice a monster worse than the black lung.
All in all, this is a successful introduction to a brand new world. Now I definitely want to read the first book in the Red Kingdom series. Because while this book is still part of that universe, Death City Island is at the very outskirt of the Red Kingdom, so the customs and traditions are slightly different and watered down. Some of the details Honnan mentions about mainland are rather intriguing.
PS: I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fascinating book. It almost reads like a cross between a poem and a fevered dream, but in a good way. Rarely have I been so entranced by the world depicted in a book.
There are character driven books, there are story driven books, there are books that incorporate a bit of both. Then there are books that try to introduce us to a new world or concept more than they care about characters. I am not saying that this book is the later, because there is a solid detective story here, and the characters are engaging enough. But to me, the description of the world in which those characters live is the most important part here.
And that description is so well done! It permeates every page, weaving organically into the story, so that it never appears tedious. It creates an image of a fascinating world of arctic winds and white snow, of gray seas and red bones, of big white motes fluttering against buildings darkened by soot and landing on burning corpses. A world growing on the ruins of an older civilization, where a night can turn hollow, and an inverted moon would rise, and dead giants will stalk the shallow waters off shore. This is a harsh and unforgiving world, but it's also very beautiful, in a cruel kind of way.
There are so many fascinating little details about the different religions and superstitions, about how different castes of people are living on Death City Island. The bone miners who wear red copper masks and white furs of a long dead animal, and risk their lives to mine the red bones of a giant who died off shore of the Death City. The merchant caste that wears silver masks and drapes themselves in layers of embroidered silks...
I liked Soldier Honnan Skyin and his relentless pursuit of a babe killer. Even when everyone told him to let it go. Even when a deadly epidemic was sweeping the island, killing thousands. Even when they ran out of pale boxes to burn the death at sea and had to resort to communal pyres in the middle of dead villages, Honnan still followed the clues he could find and stubbornly investigated this murder. And I'm really glad he did, because he brought to justice a monster worse than the black lung.
All in all, this is a successful introduction to a brand new world. Now I definitely want to read the first book in the Red Kingdom series. Because while this book is still part of that universe, Death City Island is at the very outskirt of the Red Kingdom, so the customs and traditions are slightly different and watered down. Some of the details Honnan mentions about mainland are rather intriguing.
PS: I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2023
3.5. Nwosu has a wonderful ability to create a very atmospheric, visceral world. I enjoyed the world building and subcontext and I’m very curious as to how that develops in the other books.
My biggest issue with this story is that it was pretty predictable. I’m not generally a huge fan of detective stories in fantasy and whilst I think the author did a decent job here, I wanted more.
I’m curious to see what a full length novel will be like. There’s a lot of promise and I’m excited to experience it.
My biggest issue with this story is that it was pretty predictable. I’m not generally a huge fan of detective stories in fantasy and whilst I think the author did a decent job here, I wanted more.
I’m curious to see what a full length novel will be like. There’s a lot of promise and I’m excited to experience it.
February 23, 2025
This is a novella accompanying the first novel in the Red Kingdom series that releases on November 18th. Unlike the short story Pyres in the Long Night, which introduces the main characters from the novel, this novella tells a cohesive story, start to finish.
There’s more of the brilliant world building that I enjoyed about the short story in this one. The writing is clever and great throughout, and I really liked the characters in this. The villain is dark and believable, and they have historical ties as well!
When Honnan, a solider, is on body burning duty, he comes across a tampered with pale box. What he finds inside leads him on a harrowing journey of mystery and investigation. All while the horrific black lung rages across their island. With such a dangerous sickness spreading…they’re on their own, the mainland won’t get involved.
Gripping, horrifying, and strong throughout. I enjoyed every page. And I still have so many questions! I can’t wait to get into the novel next.
Personally a 5/5*. Support this indie author!
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-a-pale...
There’s more of the brilliant world building that I enjoyed about the short story in this one. The writing is clever and great throughout, and I really liked the characters in this. The villain is dark and believable, and they have historical ties as well!
When Honnan, a solider, is on body burning duty, he comes across a tampered with pale box. What he finds inside leads him on a harrowing journey of mystery and investigation. All while the horrific black lung rages across their island. With such a dangerous sickness spreading…they’re on their own, the mainland won’t get involved.
Gripping, horrifying, and strong throughout. I enjoyed every page. And I still have so many questions! I can’t wait to get into the novel next.
Personally a 5/5*. Support this indie author!
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-a-pale...
November 22, 2022
Another book by P.J. Nwosu that I loved!
My love for P.J. Nwosu's use of verbs in Pyres in the Long Night didn't happen in this tale. What did happen was a full on mystery/thriller with a crime to solve. I gobbled it up in no time.
P.J. Nwosu's visions for this storytelling stems from history. If you read this FREE short story be sure to read the author's notes at the end to see where this story comes from.
My love for P.J. Nwosu's use of verbs in Pyres in the Long Night didn't happen in this tale. What did happen was a full on mystery/thriller with a crime to solve. I gobbled it up in no time.
P.J. Nwosu's visions for this storytelling stems from history. If you read this FREE short story be sure to read the author's notes at the end to see where this story comes from.
September 13, 2022
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A Pale Box on the Distant Shore is a dark mystery set in a fascinating fantasy world, where our main character Honnan finds something in the coffin of a dead man that sends him on a chase, risking his life in the underworld of the plague-ridden Death City. Although I did find the plot very straight-forward, and would have liked a bit more depth overall, I ended up enjoying it more than I expected to. The themes are dark and disturbing, but also based in (and I recognized them from) actual history, which I found to be very interesting. The ending also took me by surprise, I loved where it left off, resolved enough to be satisfying but leaving enough questions to make you think.
Writing wise, this is a unique book. The use of language is weird, sometimes in a cool way and sometimes in a weird way. It did create a very specific atmosphere, which I really liked, but all the characters come off as having a northern British accent (is that what it is? I think so) and it was kind of throwing me off. One thing I noted specifically is that everyone, from nobility to miners and workers, talked in the exact same accented way, which took away from the otherwise very interesting take on social hierarchy. And I don't think I've ever seen the word "behemoth" used with such frequency. It's almost impressive.
The world is the strongest point of A Pale Box on the Distant Shore, in that it's so interesting, so unique, and so aesthetically pleasing. The story takes place in Death City on Death City Island, where all buildings are called towers instead of houses, and where the mysterious bone miners in furs and copper masks mine red bone from the corpse of one of the giants that wander the ocean. Also, the settings are described in a masterful way. I would say I love the visual design if not for the fact that it's in my head, but you know what I mean. The world building is the main reason why I'd recommend this book, and finding out more about what's going on in this dark fantasy world definitely has me wanting to read more by the author!
A Pale Box on the Distant Shore is a dark mystery set in a fascinating fantasy world, where our main character Honnan finds something in the coffin of a dead man that sends him on a chase, risking his life in the underworld of the plague-ridden Death City. Although I did find the plot very straight-forward, and would have liked a bit more depth overall, I ended up enjoying it more than I expected to. The themes are dark and disturbing, but also based in (and I recognized them from) actual history, which I found to be very interesting. The ending also took me by surprise, I loved where it left off, resolved enough to be satisfying but leaving enough questions to make you think.
Writing wise, this is a unique book. The use of language is weird, sometimes in a cool way and sometimes in a weird way. It did create a very specific atmosphere, which I really liked, but all the characters come off as having a northern British accent (is that what it is? I think so) and it was kind of throwing me off. One thing I noted specifically is that everyone, from nobility to miners and workers, talked in the exact same accented way, which took away from the otherwise very interesting take on social hierarchy. And I don't think I've ever seen the word "behemoth" used with such frequency. It's almost impressive.
The world is the strongest point of A Pale Box on the Distant Shore, in that it's so interesting, so unique, and so aesthetically pleasing. The story takes place in Death City on Death City Island, where all buildings are called towers instead of houses, and where the mysterious bone miners in furs and copper masks mine red bone from the corpse of one of the giants that wander the ocean. Also, the settings are described in a masterful way. I would say I love the visual design if not for the fact that it's in my head, but you know what I mean. The world building is the main reason why I'd recommend this book, and finding out more about what's going on in this dark fantasy world definitely has me wanting to read more by the author!
August 4, 2022
"What's dead is dead and all shall die."
Red Kingdom has stolen my heart.
Nwosu's new style is dark and eery and it is incredible. I can't get over the world she's created and I want more. This introduction to her brand new series sets the tone of what's to come and I can't wait!
Full review to come.
Red Kingdom has stolen my heart.
Nwosu's new style is dark and eery and it is incredible. I can't get over the world she's created and I want more. This introduction to her brand new series sets the tone of what's to come and I can't wait!
Full review to come.
August 8, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has an incredibly unique writing style and premise - but what it suffered from most for me was two-fold. It felt like there was a lot of assumed knowledge, which the reader has no way of gaining; and the pacing felt odd at times. Characters were vague and given little introduction, terms are referenced with no explanation, and parts of the story seem to take longer than others with the proportions coming off as backwards. While it took a bit to get used to, the speaking was clearly intended to be lyrical and have a distinct dialect - it succeeds here and was interesting, if sometimes requiring a bit more thought to follow.
Overall this novel shows promise and the world is interesting, if requiring a bit more fleshing out. I think it’s a great read for dark fantasy, horror, gothic readers!
This book has an incredibly unique writing style and premise - but what it suffered from most for me was two-fold. It felt like there was a lot of assumed knowledge, which the reader has no way of gaining; and the pacing felt odd at times. Characters were vague and given little introduction, terms are referenced with no explanation, and parts of the story seem to take longer than others with the proportions coming off as backwards. While it took a bit to get used to, the speaking was clearly intended to be lyrical and have a distinct dialect - it succeeds here and was interesting, if sometimes requiring a bit more thought to follow.
Overall this novel shows promise and the world is interesting, if requiring a bit more fleshing out. I think it’s a great read for dark fantasy, horror, gothic readers!
December 9, 2022
4.5 stars
Dream of Death City, book 1 in the Red Kingdom series, totally captured my heart last month and left me hungering for more (in the best way possible!). This prequel story absolutely cured my book hangover that Dream of Death City gave me… but it also left me with a new one.
A Pale Box on the Distant Shore is another riveting mystery set in the dark fantasy world that is the Red Kingdom. We follow young Soldier Honnan Skyin, who is a very minor side character in book 1 of this series, as he risks his life to solve a brutal crime that has taken place in the haunting Death City.
The plot is fairly simple and straight-forward, but that doesn’t make this story any less suspenseful or captivating. Just like in Dream of Death City, Nwosu is able to completely entrance you with her hauntingly beautiful prose. The vivid and evocative descriptions, the fascinating and haunting world building, the brutal and dark themes, the complex and troubled characters, the riveting mystery… Nwosu’s talents are on full display here.
I was already sold on this series after reading book 1, but this prequel story has solidified Nwosu as one of my new all-time favourite authors. Her macabre and uncanny stories just work for me on every single level and the brutal Red Kingdom is without a doubt one of my favourite fantasy worlds to explore.
If you want a peek into this uncanny world and a good taste for Nwosu's peculiar writing, I highly recommend checking out this short and captivating prequel story. And if you’ve already read book 1 and are left desperately wanting more, then I think this is the perfect story to satisfy your cravings.
It’s dark, it’s brutal, it’s eerie, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced... and I absolutely adore it.
Dream of Death City, book 1 in the Red Kingdom series, totally captured my heart last month and left me hungering for more (in the best way possible!). This prequel story absolutely cured my book hangover that Dream of Death City gave me… but it also left me with a new one.
A Pale Box on the Distant Shore is another riveting mystery set in the dark fantasy world that is the Red Kingdom. We follow young Soldier Honnan Skyin, who is a very minor side character in book 1 of this series, as he risks his life to solve a brutal crime that has taken place in the haunting Death City.
The plot is fairly simple and straight-forward, but that doesn’t make this story any less suspenseful or captivating. Just like in Dream of Death City, Nwosu is able to completely entrance you with her hauntingly beautiful prose. The vivid and evocative descriptions, the fascinating and haunting world building, the brutal and dark themes, the complex and troubled characters, the riveting mystery… Nwosu’s talents are on full display here.
I was already sold on this series after reading book 1, but this prequel story has solidified Nwosu as one of my new all-time favourite authors. Her macabre and uncanny stories just work for me on every single level and the brutal Red Kingdom is without a doubt one of my favourite fantasy worlds to explore.
If you want a peek into this uncanny world and a good taste for Nwosu's peculiar writing, I highly recommend checking out this short and captivating prequel story. And if you’ve already read book 1 and are left desperately wanting more, then I think this is the perfect story to satisfy your cravings.
It’s dark, it’s brutal, it’s eerie, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced... and I absolutely adore it.
August 17, 2022
I recently read A Pale Box on the Distant Shore and Pyres in the Long Night by PJ Nwosu and I've been thoroughly impressed in these prequel stories in the Red Kingdom series so much that I can say definitively that I will be pre-ordering Dream of Death City, the first novel.
In Pyres, an ex-soldier infiltrates the city's greatest gold house determined to find the slave he seeks but Diem Lakein might not like what he finds. In A Pale Box, a young soldier risks his life to solve a crime. Honnan Skyin carves a bloody trail over the behemoth bones of a dead giant and through the deepest forest of a frozen island. But some secrets should stay buried.
The world that Nwosu has introduced here is full of disease and despair. A world of study and knowledge whose generation is filled with affliction. These amazing covers are a perfect depiction of the mystery and magic that we should expect from this series so far. Nwosu paints a setting that feel so realistic even though it includes giants and plagues and that is deserving of the writing itself. Nwosu has created a creepy, talented scope that we follow until the very end.
The mystery itself was kept intact and that can be hard to do however I was more engrossed in the disease and politics in the city itself. The world felt enriched with the way Nwosu built the story from the ground up in preparation for book one. There are loose ends to be tied up that are evidently part of book series itself.
PJ Nwosu has created a dark fantasy world mixed with a loving cast that create an impactful connection and I can't wait for the series to start. I'm so impressed with this world with what I’ve read in such a little time.
In Pyres, an ex-soldier infiltrates the city's greatest gold house determined to find the slave he seeks but Diem Lakein might not like what he finds. In A Pale Box, a young soldier risks his life to solve a crime. Honnan Skyin carves a bloody trail over the behemoth bones of a dead giant and through the deepest forest of a frozen island. But some secrets should stay buried.
The world that Nwosu has introduced here is full of disease and despair. A world of study and knowledge whose generation is filled with affliction. These amazing covers are a perfect depiction of the mystery and magic that we should expect from this series so far. Nwosu paints a setting that feel so realistic even though it includes giants and plagues and that is deserving of the writing itself. Nwosu has created a creepy, talented scope that we follow until the very end.
The mystery itself was kept intact and that can be hard to do however I was more engrossed in the disease and politics in the city itself. The world felt enriched with the way Nwosu built the story from the ground up in preparation for book one. There are loose ends to be tied up that are evidently part of book series itself.
PJ Nwosu has created a dark fantasy world mixed with a loving cast that create an impactful connection and I can't wait for the series to start. I'm so impressed with this world with what I’ve read in such a little time.
September 30, 2024
What can I say?!
I won't talk about the morbid fascinating plot, and I'm so glad the author provided some of her inspirations at the end of the book! I'm quite eager to explore them.
I won't talk about the writing style, which is delicious!
I loved everything about this beautiful, darkly-magical book.
I'll just write a few words on world-building, which is almost as impossible as a fevered dream or a completely alternate universe.
There are inverted moons and death giants that rise out of the ocean.
Their bones are blood-red and they're mined.
The trees have black leaves that sway and rustle without wind, and their sap is red.
This is the world of Death City island.
Enough said!
*This is the first book that I've finished reading in a while, so I'm a bit proud of myself! (As in reading the text and not audio-reading which has been my habit since I was working on my masters, saving all my eyesight to dissertation readings and doing all my pleasure reads in audio. Which is great, but then I found I couldn't sit still to read an ebook or printed one and got quite anxious thinking I no longer had the patience for it. So, here's to breaking this habit! 🍻)
I won't talk about the morbid fascinating plot, and I'm so glad the author provided some of her inspirations at the end of the book! I'm quite eager to explore them.
I won't talk about the writing style, which is delicious!
I loved everything about this beautiful, darkly-magical book.
I'll just write a few words on world-building, which is almost as impossible as a fevered dream or a completely alternate universe.
There are inverted moons and death giants that rise out of the ocean.
Their bones are blood-red and they're mined.
The trees have black leaves that sway and rustle without wind, and their sap is red.
This is the world of Death City island.
Enough said!
*This is the first book that I've finished reading in a while, so I'm a bit proud of myself! (As in reading the text and not audio-reading which has been my habit since I was working on my masters, saving all my eyesight to dissertation readings and doing all my pleasure reads in audio. Which is great, but then I found I couldn't sit still to read an ebook or printed one and got quite anxious thinking I no longer had the patience for it. So, here's to breaking this habit! 🍻)
August 3, 2022
I was drawn in by the cover and synopsis, but was then completely surprised and impressed by the smooth depth of narrative and prose that PJ Nwosu has layered into this book. This author has talent! The setting captivated me - an island on the edge of the Empire, most of the people just surviving, and a Polity trying to deal with the start of a scourge of black lung before it becomes an epidemic; a disease that is now spreading faster than ever. Honnan, a ranking soldier, finds a murder that he just cannot let go. What dark path will he follow as he tries to find out the truth? Read the book and find out. I found the book compelling and finished it within a day. Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for letting me read an ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
September 15, 2022
'Honnan stepped onto the salt-damp bones of a god.'
A PALE BOX ON THE DISTANT SHORE is a dark fantasy murder mystery set in a fascinatingly complex world. This is the kind of epic setting you can fall into: evocative, intricate, and compelling, the kind of world I'll be thinking about for weeks. (I am desperate to know more about it.)
Nwosu's atmospheric prose keeps this prequel novella at low tension the whole way through, and the ending is both satisfying and left me with enough questions that I'll be snapping up the first Red Kingdom novel, DREAM OF DEATH CITY, as soon as it's available. If you're after a dark, eerie short fantasy read, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
(CW for plague and mass death, infant murder, baby farming.)
A PALE BOX ON THE DISTANT SHORE is a dark fantasy murder mystery set in a fascinatingly complex world. This is the kind of epic setting you can fall into: evocative, intricate, and compelling, the kind of world I'll be thinking about for weeks. (I am desperate to know more about it.)
Nwosu's atmospheric prose keeps this prequel novella at low tension the whole way through, and the ending is both satisfying and left me with enough questions that I'll be snapping up the first Red Kingdom novel, DREAM OF DEATH CITY, as soon as it's available. If you're after a dark, eerie short fantasy read, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
(CW for plague and mass death, infant murder, baby farming.)
August 11, 2024
It was a prequel novella to dream of the death city I’ve read in the beginning of this year. Absolutely love the world building and the vibes. Darker fantasy with crime mystery themes has to be my fav genre of the year ❤️
September 23, 2023
I did not fully vibe with the story. The text was repetitive and strangely convoluted. I really, really wanted to like this, but ended up not my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.
November 8, 2022
A dark and grim novella about a fantasy world that is built on the bones of dead gods. In the middle of a horrific plague, a soldier finds a murdered baby boy stuffed into the coffin of a plague victim, and begins a quest to find the killer. The language took a little getting used to but I quickly fell into the story, and the weird cadences of the sentences fit the earthy tone of the book. The story was twisty and brutal, and ultimately satisfying even if it was not a happy one.
Review copy courtesy of the author via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
Review copy courtesy of the author via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
August 8, 2022
I received A Pale Box from a Distant Shore from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the setting of this book. Honestly, if I could live in this world I wouldn’t (because it’s full of disease) but I’d love to study it, and I’m happy to see that apparently more books are being created in this world. This novella takes place on Death City on an Island, where the main plot revolves around a soldier tasked with trying to contain black lung as it starts affecting younger people whereas before it only killed the elderly. One of the pale boxes of a young man set to burn turns out to have been opened, and inside is found the body of a young babe with his skull caved in, his hands painted gold and covered in a death shroud.
Our protagonist takes his findings to the viceroy. The young boy had the same paint as the father, and the person who smuggled the boy in could have taken the rot into the city proper where it had been quarantined in the lower city before. The viceroy tells him not to pursue it. If it has happened, then the person has already spread the disease, and soon their island will be overrun with the black lung and the island itself will stop getting supplies and will be left to run the course of the disease and starve and left burn itself out.
The bulk of the story is him ignoring that order to pursue and find out why that little boy was found in that coffin anyway. Honestly, I didn’t find our soldier extraordinarily interesting. Mostly I felt he was a vehicle for exploring just this one island that feels like you get a taste of this wonderfully rich and dark world. That was the bulk of where the curiosity and interest lay in what he actually was doing. There were moments when he would mention dust slaves, or that the rich were the sun, or that the merchants were the moon with a mask where the culture struck an interest. There were combinations.
I think where my love of this world was really cemented, and my attention grabbed completely was when he went to the Red Bone Giant where the bone miners went every day to mine what they thought of as the remains of a giant God. Throughout the story are hints of giant dead Gods, but also ones that are alive, but kept at bay by some sort of magic. The magic in the story is there, but nuanced, and sparse, just a touch that hardly matters to the regular people going about their normal lives.
The story is firmly set in its world, with its own way of speaking that honestly at first had me falling asleep. Not because it was boring, but because of my headache, it had this sort of lyrical quality, plus I had to pay more attention to every word at first, which meant if the rhythm wasn’t lulling me to sleep, then the change of wording just made me need to take some breaks. Not a bad thing, but here are some examples:
“Barely a moment together, before he was true gone. Safe enough now, he is.”
“If the boy’s hardy as he looks, reckon we stand a chance here.”
His grandnannie might have been a dust-caste slave when the viceroy first brought them to Death City, but now she was cut loose, and paid her own way.
I know I am a broken bird, but I announce, “I go back tomorrow.”
The text does take a little while to get used to, at least if you have a constant headache, but it is consistent throughout the entire book and very easy to catch on and read with no trouble once you’ve immersed yourself in the short story.
This is only one of two short stories, and I’ve already picked up the second one from her newsletter (which I have signed up for and the visual guide was just as amazing as I was hoping for) and I’m looking forward to reading the first real book in the series that looks to be coming out later this year!
Check out my website if you wish to see more of the review with discussions of parts of the books with spoilers! https://fairytalemagic.home.blog/2022...
I loved the setting of this book. Honestly, if I could live in this world I wouldn’t (because it’s full of disease) but I’d love to study it, and I’m happy to see that apparently more books are being created in this world. This novella takes place on Death City on an Island, where the main plot revolves around a soldier tasked with trying to contain black lung as it starts affecting younger people whereas before it only killed the elderly. One of the pale boxes of a young man set to burn turns out to have been opened, and inside is found the body of a young babe with his skull caved in, his hands painted gold and covered in a death shroud.
Our protagonist takes his findings to the viceroy. The young boy had the same paint as the father, and the person who smuggled the boy in could have taken the rot into the city proper where it had been quarantined in the lower city before. The viceroy tells him not to pursue it. If it has happened, then the person has already spread the disease, and soon their island will be overrun with the black lung and the island itself will stop getting supplies and will be left to run the course of the disease and starve and left burn itself out.
The bulk of the story is him ignoring that order to pursue and find out why that little boy was found in that coffin anyway. Honestly, I didn’t find our soldier extraordinarily interesting. Mostly I felt he was a vehicle for exploring just this one island that feels like you get a taste of this wonderfully rich and dark world. That was the bulk of where the curiosity and interest lay in what he actually was doing. There were moments when he would mention dust slaves, or that the rich were the sun, or that the merchants were the moon with a mask where the culture struck an interest. There were combinations.
I think where my love of this world was really cemented, and my attention grabbed completely was when he went to the Red Bone Giant where the bone miners went every day to mine what they thought of as the remains of a giant God. Throughout the story are hints of giant dead Gods, but also ones that are alive, but kept at bay by some sort of magic. The magic in the story is there, but nuanced, and sparse, just a touch that hardly matters to the regular people going about their normal lives.
The story is firmly set in its world, with its own way of speaking that honestly at first had me falling asleep. Not because it was boring, but because of my headache, it had this sort of lyrical quality, plus I had to pay more attention to every word at first, which meant if the rhythm wasn’t lulling me to sleep, then the change of wording just made me need to take some breaks. Not a bad thing, but here are some examples:
“Barely a moment together, before he was true gone. Safe enough now, he is.”
“If the boy’s hardy as he looks, reckon we stand a chance here.”
His grandnannie might have been a dust-caste slave when the viceroy first brought them to Death City, but now she was cut loose, and paid her own way.
I know I am a broken bird, but I announce, “I go back tomorrow.”
The text does take a little while to get used to, at least if you have a constant headache, but it is consistent throughout the entire book and very easy to catch on and read with no trouble once you’ve immersed yourself in the short story.
This is only one of two short stories, and I’ve already picked up the second one from her newsletter (which I have signed up for and the visual guide was just as amazing as I was hoping for) and I’m looking forward to reading the first real book in the series that looks to be coming out later this year!
Check out my website if you wish to see more of the review with discussions of parts of the books with spoilers! https://fairytalemagic.home.blog/2022...
August 23, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for proving me with a copy of this book in exchange of a honest review.
I want to start my review with a praise to the author for managing to keep the tone of the narration dark but fluid all throughout the book, something that can be quite difficult when building up a story inspired by macabre facts from real history.
There are several things I enjoyed about this book, first of all I'd like to spend a few words for the protagonist, Honnan, who's not the clichéd full-of-answers and indomitable character. In fact, he's nothing but the opposite –he has a low caste background and he gained some sort of benevolence from Death City viceroy that doesn't really make the difference during the course of the story in terms of favours or privileges, excluded the fact that he's allowed access to the place militia. In more than one occasion I appreciated Honnan's human and modest character as well as his weaknesses showing during proving situations. It all added to the credibility of the narration.
The plot is simple and carries out almost in a straight line, I would say, perhaps too quickly at times, without much else going on to refrain the murder investigations. This is not a bad thing entirely but being this not a proper thriller, such pace would've had to include some sort of crumble path for the reader to delineate the murder and track down the killer, something the book didn't have room for because, as said, it belonged to another genre school altogether.
The second most important character is Carpin, Honnan's friend and colleague, who's well delineated and ever present in the narration (perhaps this may result futile but I felt like a positive mention was due here, since in many books the protagonist's friends get forgotten who knows where).
On more technical stuff, I have to say I expected far more from the descriptions. They were often thrown there to fill the blanks more than to give new pertinent notions and in several occasions they disrupted the pace and the focus of the narration.
But perhaps the most deluding aspect of the book that made 99% of my critique was the total neglect of the lore, this beautiful intriguing theatre that most than anything pushed me to pick up the book in the first place. I think I'd run short of words if I had the chance to describe just how many things sparked my interests... though I wasn't given the chance. Particularly, the readers are introduced in a world where living behemoths calcate the earth and they just look at them disappearing in as little as a paragraph, with no-one noticing or caring at all. Such density of religious contents are merely surfacing with bits and pieces scattered about as if were a minor thing rather than flesh and bone of the theatre.
Another book weakness I experienced is the poor empathy one manages to establish with Llewellyn. It becomes clear how important she is to Honnan but this is tossed carelessly at the end of the book only for some inexplicable reason. I would've liked more context and background earlier on rather than the many repetitive descriptions about her ghostly appearance.
Finally, I wanted to spend some words on the writing form of the book. By page 3 I had already counted 8 "reckon". I know this was the author's choice for a low sort of speech but, still, a book's gotta be a book –the language can be variegated and still give the same feeling of dialect or imperfect speaking.
Despite the number of cons might seem to outnumber (or perhaps crush) the pros, I still recommend this book as one of the most original I've encountered in a while. I just maintain the bittersweet wish of having explored Nwosu's Red Kingdom lore more and hope for an indulgence on this regard in a future novel, perhaps with our beloved Honnan invested in some more trouble.
I want to start my review with a praise to the author for managing to keep the tone of the narration dark but fluid all throughout the book, something that can be quite difficult when building up a story inspired by macabre facts from real history.
There are several things I enjoyed about this book, first of all I'd like to spend a few words for the protagonist, Honnan, who's not the clichéd full-of-answers and indomitable character. In fact, he's nothing but the opposite –he has a low caste background and he gained some sort of benevolence from Death City viceroy that doesn't really make the difference during the course of the story in terms of favours or privileges, excluded the fact that he's allowed access to the place militia. In more than one occasion I appreciated Honnan's human and modest character as well as his weaknesses showing during proving situations. It all added to the credibility of the narration.
The plot is simple and carries out almost in a straight line, I would say, perhaps too quickly at times, without much else going on to refrain the murder investigations. This is not a bad thing entirely but being this not a proper thriller, such pace would've had to include some sort of crumble path for the reader to delineate the murder and track down the killer, something the book didn't have room for because, as said, it belonged to another genre school altogether.
The second most important character is Carpin, Honnan's friend and colleague, who's well delineated and ever present in the narration (perhaps this may result futile but I felt like a positive mention was due here, since in many books the protagonist's friends get forgotten who knows where).
On more technical stuff, I have to say I expected far more from the descriptions. They were often thrown there to fill the blanks more than to give new pertinent notions and in several occasions they disrupted the pace and the focus of the narration.
But perhaps the most deluding aspect of the book that made 99% of my critique was the total neglect of the lore, this beautiful intriguing theatre that most than anything pushed me to pick up the book in the first place. I think I'd run short of words if I had the chance to describe just how many things sparked my interests... though I wasn't given the chance. Particularly, the readers are introduced in a world where living behemoths calcate the earth and they just look at them disappearing in as little as a paragraph, with no-one noticing or caring at all. Such density of religious contents are merely surfacing with bits and pieces scattered about as if were a minor thing rather than flesh and bone of the theatre.
Another book weakness I experienced is the poor empathy one manages to establish with Llewellyn. It becomes clear how important she is to Honnan but this is tossed carelessly at the end of the book only for some inexplicable reason. I would've liked more context and background earlier on rather than the many repetitive descriptions about her ghostly appearance.
Finally, I wanted to spend some words on the writing form of the book. By page 3 I had already counted 8 "reckon". I know this was the author's choice for a low sort of speech but, still, a book's gotta be a book –the language can be variegated and still give the same feeling of dialect or imperfect speaking.
Despite the number of cons might seem to outnumber (or perhaps crush) the pros, I still recommend this book as one of the most original I've encountered in a while. I just maintain the bittersweet wish of having explored Nwosu's Red Kingdom lore more and hope for an indulgence on this regard in a future novel, perhaps with our beloved Honnan invested in some more trouble.
August 10, 2022
A dark and death-filled tale of a fantasy world ravaged by disease and mistrust, this self-contained series prequel with a grimdark edge to it certainly has character. While it could at times feel like watching a mystery unfold through the prism of a bad dream, leaving me confused by world details I had no way of finding out yet seemed I needed to know to really appreciate everything that was going on, it pulls together more as time goes on. It certainly keeps that slow-simmer of tension running throughout, paired with sickening dread.
Our tale follows Soldier Honnan Skyin, a sort of city watch/law enforcer in Death City, though with any luck that's a name inspired by their dead gods and not a description of what's to come. Disease known as the Black Lung ravages the surrounding island state that's cut off from the mainland by both water and their strange death-religion beliefs. Honnan is set to guard the pale boxes - coffins marked to indicate death by disease - before they're burned on the shore, yet he notices one is open. Within lies the usual bloodied body... But also that of an unknown child. Disturbed by his discovery, Honnan pries into the mystery of the dead boy and uncovers even darker things in the cold, cruel underbelly of the city he's only just learned to call home.
Honestly, I found the writing both a blessing and a curse to read. On the one hand, it's compelling stuff, creating an eerie atmosphere from the start and drawing it on throughout in a deft and creepy way. It could at times feel grimdark in tone, but without the sex, gore and/or swearing obsession that usually comes with it, which actually made it feel more mature. On the other, it has a fair amount of fragmented sentences that I felt read uncomfortably, and the dialogue... Well, I reckon there's a lot to reckon with when the word reckon comes up true five or six times in one paragraph along with other slightly frustrating to read colloquialisms. It reminded me somewhat of Karen Miller's books, but instead of just one or two characters having this strong "accent" speech pattern, everyone did. I had to put the book down for a while before I could reckon with the word reckon again. I could also feel thrown by how little hints are dropped about the world, which sounds fantastic is a darkly dystopian fantasy way and has clearly been made full of lore and legend... But these things aren't explained or described. Without context, I wasn't sure what they meant or why I needed the hint without also needing to know what it meant ("the Cataclysm" and "red" references for instance, or what the caste system meant). It's as if we're already supposed to know these things, and would likely benefit from a little more fleshing out of the world.
The story is grim and again I can only call it compelling. Based on real life historical events twisted to fit the setting, while it's no high-octane chase or usual crime procedural, it has plenty of opportunities to show us the darker side of life in Death City.
Certainly an interesting one to read, and a world I'd love (if that's the right word for somewhat so creepy!) to know more of. I can't help but think that this prequel would actually be best read after starting the (as yet unpublished) series to give more grounding in the world. One for fans of dark fantasy mysteries.
Our tale follows Soldier Honnan Skyin, a sort of city watch/law enforcer in Death City, though with any luck that's a name inspired by their dead gods and not a description of what's to come. Disease known as the Black Lung ravages the surrounding island state that's cut off from the mainland by both water and their strange death-religion beliefs. Honnan is set to guard the pale boxes - coffins marked to indicate death by disease - before they're burned on the shore, yet he notices one is open. Within lies the usual bloodied body... But also that of an unknown child. Disturbed by his discovery, Honnan pries into the mystery of the dead boy and uncovers even darker things in the cold, cruel underbelly of the city he's only just learned to call home.
Honestly, I found the writing both a blessing and a curse to read. On the one hand, it's compelling stuff, creating an eerie atmosphere from the start and drawing it on throughout in a deft and creepy way. It could at times feel grimdark in tone, but without the sex, gore and/or swearing obsession that usually comes with it, which actually made it feel more mature. On the other, it has a fair amount of fragmented sentences that I felt read uncomfortably, and the dialogue... Well, I reckon there's a lot to reckon with when the word reckon comes up true five or six times in one paragraph along with other slightly frustrating to read colloquialisms. It reminded me somewhat of Karen Miller's books, but instead of just one or two characters having this strong "accent" speech pattern, everyone did. I had to put the book down for a while before I could reckon with the word reckon again. I could also feel thrown by how little hints are dropped about the world, which sounds fantastic is a darkly dystopian fantasy way and has clearly been made full of lore and legend... But these things aren't explained or described. Without context, I wasn't sure what they meant or why I needed the hint without also needing to know what it meant ("the Cataclysm" and "red" references for instance, or what the caste system meant). It's as if we're already supposed to know these things, and would likely benefit from a little more fleshing out of the world.
The story is grim and again I can only call it compelling. Based on real life historical events twisted to fit the setting, while it's no high-octane chase or usual crime procedural, it has plenty of opportunities to show us the darker side of life in Death City.
Certainly an interesting one to read, and a world I'd love (if that's the right word for somewhat so creepy!) to know more of. I can't help but think that this prequel would actually be best read after starting the (as yet unpublished) series to give more grounding in the world. One for fans of dark fantasy mysteries.
August 4, 2022
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op and NetGalley for the ARC.
"What's dead is dead and all shall die... and live again."
⭐ 4.5/5
I adore dark fantasies, and the description along with the beautiful cover drew me to this book. I really hoped this book could deliver on its promises of a bloody mystery in a magical setting, and it blew away my expectations! I read it in less than a day.
PJ Nwosu paints a tragically dark fantasy world, and her talented writing brings it to life. The setting felt so real, from climbing dead giant bones to searching plague-ridden streets for clues to a murderer. Some scenes made my skin crawl, and it was the perfect amount of creepiness.
Following Honnan as he tried to piece together the mystery, especially as others doubted him, was riveting to read. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see who would succumb to the black lung, a deadly disease spreading through the city, and who might be the next victim of the mysterious killer.
There are kingdom politics (and I always love that in fantasy) which really enrich the world. Honnan's story is tied up relatively neatly at the end, but there are still enough loose ends about the world to make me excited for the next book. The fantasy world that PJ Nwosu built was one of the best I've read in a while, and I can't wait to see more of Death City.
While I loved Honnan and his grandnannie- she's my favorite character, I loved her wizened old vibes- I did struggle to connect with the rest of the cast a bit. It made certain scenes less impactful because I don't think I got as attached to those characters as I should've, which is the only reason I can't give it five stars. But it's the start of the series, and I think with another book or two I could grow to love the whole cast as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and could easily recommend to anyone who enjoys dark mysteries mixed with fantasy.
I'll be posting a longer review on my blog soon!
✦ blog ✦ Instagram ✦
"What's dead is dead and all shall die... and live again."
⭐ 4.5/5
I adore dark fantasies, and the description along with the beautiful cover drew me to this book. I really hoped this book could deliver on its promises of a bloody mystery in a magical setting, and it blew away my expectations! I read it in less than a day.
PJ Nwosu paints a tragically dark fantasy world, and her talented writing brings it to life. The setting felt so real, from climbing dead giant bones to searching plague-ridden streets for clues to a murderer. Some scenes made my skin crawl, and it was the perfect amount of creepiness.
Following Honnan as he tried to piece together the mystery, especially as others doubted him, was riveting to read. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see who would succumb to the black lung, a deadly disease spreading through the city, and who might be the next victim of the mysterious killer.
There are kingdom politics (and I always love that in fantasy) which really enrich the world. Honnan's story is tied up relatively neatly at the end, but there are still enough loose ends about the world to make me excited for the next book. The fantasy world that PJ Nwosu built was one of the best I've read in a while, and I can't wait to see more of Death City.
While I loved Honnan and his grandnannie- she's my favorite character, I loved her wizened old vibes- I did struggle to connect with the rest of the cast a bit. It made certain scenes less impactful because I don't think I got as attached to those characters as I should've, which is the only reason I can't give it five stars. But it's the start of the series, and I think with another book or two I could grow to love the whole cast as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and could easily recommend to anyone who enjoys dark mysteries mixed with fantasy.
I'll be posting a longer review on my blog soon!
✦ blog ✦ Instagram ✦
October 27, 2022
Wow – this book! It grabbed me by the windpipe, gave me a good ol’ shake and didn’t let go. Which is surprising, given I don’t normally read fantasy! This particular fantasy, though, was so compelling and intriguing, with its dark, tantalising mystery, that I had no trouble gobbling it up in one sitting.
But, first – I should mention the cover! It’s spooky and gorgeous and gives an instant nudge into the book’s dark vibe. And then there’s the map inside, allowing the reader to visualise the layout of all the scenes. And finally, the story itself with its chilling opening line: ‘Honnan Skyin was no stranger to death, but it didn’t make burning the bodies any easier.’
From thereon, there’s a growing sense of unease as a strange discovery is made inside one of the coffins. And once that plotline kicks off, the pace doesn’t let up – it just keeps ratcheting up and up until we get to some truly terrifying and panic-inducing scenes which lead, at last, to a surprising but very satisfying finale…one that makes the reader extremely hungry for the novella’s follow-up full-length novel Dream of Death City…which I believe is coming out very soon (yay!)
I think what I love most about this book is that, although it’s a fantasy novella, its roots are firmly based in reality. It’s about a very different world to our own, and yet there are parallels – quite unsettling parallels. I think it’s testament to P J Nwosu’s historical research that this ‘fantasical’ novel feels so real and so believable. In fact, as soon as I finished it, I found myself down my own rabbit hole of research as I scoured for more details about the basis of the plot.
I also love the strange, characteristic language of the book which, again, helps make everything feel authentic. I became used to the characters’ sayings, their patterns of speech, their specific diction. It was very cleverly weaved in.
I can’t wait to read what happens next in this world via the upcoming Death City novel because, uh-oh…fantasy or not, it seems I may have come over to the dark side 😊.
But, first – I should mention the cover! It’s spooky and gorgeous and gives an instant nudge into the book’s dark vibe. And then there’s the map inside, allowing the reader to visualise the layout of all the scenes. And finally, the story itself with its chilling opening line: ‘Honnan Skyin was no stranger to death, but it didn’t make burning the bodies any easier.’
From thereon, there’s a growing sense of unease as a strange discovery is made inside one of the coffins. And once that plotline kicks off, the pace doesn’t let up – it just keeps ratcheting up and up until we get to some truly terrifying and panic-inducing scenes which lead, at last, to a surprising but very satisfying finale…one that makes the reader extremely hungry for the novella’s follow-up full-length novel Dream of Death City…which I believe is coming out very soon (yay!)
I think what I love most about this book is that, although it’s a fantasy novella, its roots are firmly based in reality. It’s about a very different world to our own, and yet there are parallels – quite unsettling parallels. I think it’s testament to P J Nwosu’s historical research that this ‘fantasical’ novel feels so real and so believable. In fact, as soon as I finished it, I found myself down my own rabbit hole of research as I scoured for more details about the basis of the plot.
I also love the strange, characteristic language of the book which, again, helps make everything feel authentic. I became used to the characters’ sayings, their patterns of speech, their specific diction. It was very cleverly weaved in.
I can’t wait to read what happens next in this world via the upcoming Death City novel because, uh-oh…fantasy or not, it seems I may have come over to the dark side 😊.
September 17, 2022
Hands down one of my favourite reads of this year.
A Pale Box is a dark fantasy mystery. It's set in its own very unique world, carefully crafted by the author and full of horror drawn from historical true crimes. There is a definite inspiration from medieval black plague episodes, but it is so much more, you might see some Attack on Titan similitude and at the same time, it's not that at all.
This book has a truly amazing atmosphere, built masterfully and if you are a fan of the gothic you will just love it. Nothing is telegraphed though, and if you are not used to fantasy, and haven't got experience figuring out what things are from suggestions and inferring world rules/terms/accepting zones of unknown, this novel might be a little hard to leap aboard. Let's say it's for more seasoned readers of the genre who enjoy getting their hands on something different. And not only is this story standing out from the usual crowd, it does that with brilliance!
The writing is beautiful, the story is very intriguing, and there are no tired tropes. The main character is very likable and the way the people speak really builds the realism of this other world.
The mystery takes its time, but it is rather gripping to see the obsession growing in the main character. The book is rather on the shorter side, but my understanding is there will be others set in the same universe, and that's fantastic news. I know I'll be looking forward to getting my hands on other work from this author.
Highly recommend it, especially considering this is an independent author, the quality is amazing and she deserves all the support she can get.
A Pale Box is a dark fantasy mystery. It's set in its own very unique world, carefully crafted by the author and full of horror drawn from historical true crimes. There is a definite inspiration from medieval black plague episodes, but it is so much more, you might see some Attack on Titan similitude and at the same time, it's not that at all.
This book has a truly amazing atmosphere, built masterfully and if you are a fan of the gothic you will just love it. Nothing is telegraphed though, and if you are not used to fantasy, and haven't got experience figuring out what things are from suggestions and inferring world rules/terms/accepting zones of unknown, this novel might be a little hard to leap aboard. Let's say it's for more seasoned readers of the genre who enjoy getting their hands on something different. And not only is this story standing out from the usual crowd, it does that with brilliance!
The writing is beautiful, the story is very intriguing, and there are no tired tropes. The main character is very likable and the way the people speak really builds the realism of this other world.
The mystery takes its time, but it is rather gripping to see the obsession growing in the main character. The book is rather on the shorter side, but my understanding is there will be others set in the same universe, and that's fantastic news. I know I'll be looking forward to getting my hands on other work from this author.
Highly recommend it, especially considering this is an independent author, the quality is amazing and she deserves all the support she can get.
November 12, 2022
A Pale Box on a Distant Shore is a prequel novella for Dream of Death City – book one in the Red Kingdom series of dark mysteries. **Poppy has kindly supplied me with an arc copy of Dream of Death City in exchange for an honest review, I am reading her short story and Novella prior to picking this up*.*
A silent killer stalks the slum towers of Death City.In the shadow of a drowned death god, a young soldier risks his life to solve a violent crime. To catch a killer, Soldier Honnan Skyin carves a bloody trail over the behemoth bones of a dead giant and through the deepest forest of a frozen island. But some secrets should stay buried.
The red Kingdom series is quickly becoming one of my favourite indie reads. This dark and eery series is ticking all the boxes for things I love in books; dark fantasy, a unique and in depth world and a mystery to solve.
I loved pretty much everything about his novella, my only complaint was that sometimes I felt like I needed more information on this world to fill in a few of the blanks. This world is so in depth and it’s clear that the author has put a lot of thought into how this society works, what it looks like and the lore behind the religion, so it’s understandable why we can’t fit all that information into a 190 page novella.
I’m so excited to be moving onto the first novel in this series, I feel like between this novalla and the short story the reader has been perfectly set up for a deep dive into this world. **
-
If you are thinking about picking up this series I urge you to check out the trigger warning. This series deals with some very dark topic.
A silent killer stalks the slum towers of Death City.In the shadow of a drowned death god, a young soldier risks his life to solve a violent crime. To catch a killer, Soldier Honnan Skyin carves a bloody trail over the behemoth bones of a dead giant and through the deepest forest of a frozen island. But some secrets should stay buried.
The red Kingdom series is quickly becoming one of my favourite indie reads. This dark and eery series is ticking all the boxes for things I love in books; dark fantasy, a unique and in depth world and a mystery to solve.
I loved pretty much everything about his novella, my only complaint was that sometimes I felt like I needed more information on this world to fill in a few of the blanks. This world is so in depth and it’s clear that the author has put a lot of thought into how this society works, what it looks like and the lore behind the religion, so it’s understandable why we can’t fit all that information into a 190 page novella.
I’m so excited to be moving onto the first novel in this series, I feel like between this novalla and the short story the reader has been perfectly set up for a deep dive into this world. **
-
If you are thinking about picking up this series I urge you to check out the trigger warning. This series deals with some very dark topic.
April 23, 2023
When I started this book, I did not realise that it was part of a series. By the time I finished it, although I felt immersed in the world that was created, I felt like it was incomplete. There was no satisfaction in watching a whole book unfold.
The actual 'mystery' addressed in this book is seen all the way to its completion. However gory the solution might be. Although the book does not spend too much time describing the gory aspects, there is a lingering sense of that feeling throughout the book. The oppressive darkness, the 'otherness' of everyone as and when they interact. The hierarchies seem to be important in the bigger picture.
There is a pandemic that is plaguing the world we have entered. The book begins directly into that scene. During the burning of the bodies, our lead protagonist finds an unexplained body in a coffin designed for an adult. Its discovery gnaws at him, and he starts to investigate. He is expressly asked to avoid looking into it and to focus on ensuring the plague is under control and quarantine measures are being followed.
Soldier Honnan is a dedicated man who has his heart set on getting justice, but it is tough in this strange and complicated world. There are a lot of barriers and hurdles in his quest. The book felt like it covered a lot of ground for its size, but I do not think it works well as a standalone.
Readers of the fantasy genre will like this series.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
The actual 'mystery' addressed in this book is seen all the way to its completion. However gory the solution might be. Although the book does not spend too much time describing the gory aspects, there is a lingering sense of that feeling throughout the book. The oppressive darkness, the 'otherness' of everyone as and when they interact. The hierarchies seem to be important in the bigger picture.
There is a pandemic that is plaguing the world we have entered. The book begins directly into that scene. During the burning of the bodies, our lead protagonist finds an unexplained body in a coffin designed for an adult. Its discovery gnaws at him, and he starts to investigate. He is expressly asked to avoid looking into it and to focus on ensuring the plague is under control and quarantine measures are being followed.
Soldier Honnan is a dedicated man who has his heart set on getting justice, but it is tough in this strange and complicated world. There are a lot of barriers and hurdles in his quest. The book felt like it covered a lot of ground for its size, but I do not think it works well as a standalone.
Readers of the fantasy genre will like this series.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
January 10, 2023
Setting:
This book takes place on a small island separated from the kingdom proper but, in theory, still subject to its rulership. The island is struggling with an outbreak of disease and a horde of moths that seem to congregate around the dead and dying.
Character:
Skyin: The lead character is soldier Skyin. He’s a curious and determined man, possibly too much of both for his own good.
Plot:
While burning bodies, Skyin notices one of the coffins has been tampered with. Opening the box up reveals not one, but two occupants. A dead miner is the intended user of the coffin but by his feet rests the body of a dead baby. Skyin decides to do whatever is necessary to find out where the child came from.
My Thoughts:
This was a pleasant read if perhaps a bit uninspired in parts.
Skyin’s character is perhaps slightly lacking in depth. There’s little to know about him other than his aggressive desire to figure out this mystery. The plot is not particularly complicated. Skyin simply follows one lead after another throughout essentially the entire novella.
In contrast to the simple character and plot, the most interesting part of this book is the world Nwosu has created. I don’t wish to spoil everything but here’s a couple tantalizing bits. There are massive corpses the people mine bone bits from. A woman sacrificed herself ages back to save the island from the giants that still live. It’s interesting to wonder how things might be different on the mainland of the continent where the culture and laws would be more forcefully implemented.
This novella is currently free on Amazon and will presumably remain so. It’s certainly worth checking out and seeing if the author’s writing style and subject material appeals to you.
This book takes place on a small island separated from the kingdom proper but, in theory, still subject to its rulership. The island is struggling with an outbreak of disease and a horde of moths that seem to congregate around the dead and dying.
Character:
Skyin: The lead character is soldier Skyin. He’s a curious and determined man, possibly too much of both for his own good.
Plot:
While burning bodies, Skyin notices one of the coffins has been tampered with. Opening the box up reveals not one, but two occupants. A dead miner is the intended user of the coffin but by his feet rests the body of a dead baby. Skyin decides to do whatever is necessary to find out where the child came from.
My Thoughts:
This was a pleasant read if perhaps a bit uninspired in parts.
Skyin’s character is perhaps slightly lacking in depth. There’s little to know about him other than his aggressive desire to figure out this mystery. The plot is not particularly complicated. Skyin simply follows one lead after another throughout essentially the entire novella.
In contrast to the simple character and plot, the most interesting part of this book is the world Nwosu has created. I don’t wish to spoil everything but here’s a couple tantalizing bits. There are massive corpses the people mine bone bits from. A woman sacrificed herself ages back to save the island from the giants that still live. It’s interesting to wonder how things might be different on the mainland of the continent where the culture and laws would be more forcefully implemented.
This novella is currently free on Amazon and will presumably remain so. It’s certainly worth checking out and seeing if the author’s writing style and subject material appeals to you.
October 10, 2022
Let me tell you, this is a tale which will grab your attention & not let go!
Honnan is overseeing dead bodies in their pale boxes being incinerated, to control a deadly outbreak of Black Lung. However, a dead child is found inside one of these coffins & now Honnan can't let go of what he's seen. Who put the child there? Will this outbreak spread? Is anyone safe from this deadly disease?
Poppy gives such a detailed visual of the Red Kingdom world in this novella, & the moody, perilous darkness within it was the perfect setting for what unfolded! The stark, harsh conditions faced by Honnan & those around him gave an added tension to this fantasy, almost like another character in this journey. Relationships are tested, secrets abound, & the future is yet to be written as Black Lung creeps ever closer to the greater population...
This was the perfect read with which to welcome all of us to the Red Kingdom, before Dream of Death City is released in November! This grimdark novella has everything dark fantasy readers will love..
Honnan is overseeing dead bodies in their pale boxes being incinerated, to control a deadly outbreak of Black Lung. However, a dead child is found inside one of these coffins & now Honnan can't let go of what he's seen. Who put the child there? Will this outbreak spread? Is anyone safe from this deadly disease?
Poppy gives such a detailed visual of the Red Kingdom world in this novella, & the moody, perilous darkness within it was the perfect setting for what unfolded! The stark, harsh conditions faced by Honnan & those around him gave an added tension to this fantasy, almost like another character in this journey. Relationships are tested, secrets abound, & the future is yet to be written as Black Lung creeps ever closer to the greater population...
This was the perfect read with which to welcome all of us to the Red Kingdom, before Dream of Death City is released in November! This grimdark novella has everything dark fantasy readers will love..
March 25, 2023
This book was a fantastic insight into the world of the Red Kingdom, and if you're a fan of R J Barker's writing you will thoroughly enjoy this book as I did.
Honnan is a remarkable protagonist, who we understand mainly through his interactions with other key people, including his friend Caprin and his grandnannie, as well as the viceroy of Death City. The book is based around solving a crime during a pandemic of "black lung", where a child has been planted in a pale box set for incineration. The book takes a number of twists and turns I was not expecting, with very grounded dialogue and a gritty, volatile world. I loved the hints and brief mentions of wider elements of the world, including dead gods, buried pyramids, Polity Houses and stories of the mainland. It felt fresh and unique, and well designed overall. For 190 pages, I was thoroughly engrossed and highly recommend!
Honnan is a remarkable protagonist, who we understand mainly through his interactions with other key people, including his friend Caprin and his grandnannie, as well as the viceroy of Death City. The book is based around solving a crime during a pandemic of "black lung", where a child has been planted in a pale box set for incineration. The book takes a number of twists and turns I was not expecting, with very grounded dialogue and a gritty, volatile world. I loved the hints and brief mentions of wider elements of the world, including dead gods, buried pyramids, Polity Houses and stories of the mainland. It felt fresh and unique, and well designed overall. For 190 pages, I was thoroughly engrossed and highly recommend!
August 10, 2022
With vivid imagery, skilful use of symbolism, and compelling worldbuilding, A Pale Box on the Distant Shore is a dark and thoroughly entertaining novel. It follows a lowly soldier seeking justice for the innocent on a dying island that is plagued with a terrible disease, taking lives of any age. His journey starts off with the discovery of a horrific crime and investigating it only made him find out the distressing truth behind it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Small Heart Press for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Small Heart Press for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2022
Excellent descriptions throughout to flesh out the unique and apt setting in this novella. PJ Nwosu draws you in and makes you feel like you are in the lives of the characters, helped by the detail of the world and the events they participate in. Trying to write without spoilers here... Really look forward to reading more from this author, she clearly has a perfect mind for horror and dark fantasy. I also liked that the story is based on true occurrences to an extent, makes it feel even more real.
September 13, 2022
Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC.
A Pale Box on the Distant Shore is a murder mystery set in a very dark fantasy world. It follows Soldier Honnan Skyin and his pursuit to do the right thing in a city tormented by a plague.
Masterfully written and with an interesting worldbuilding, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I can't wait to read the next installment and spend more time in this world.
A Pale Box on the Distant Shore is a murder mystery set in a very dark fantasy world. It follows Soldier Honnan Skyin and his pursuit to do the right thing in a city tormented by a plague.
Masterfully written and with an interesting worldbuilding, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I can't wait to read the next installment and spend more time in this world.
December 27, 2022
When a child is found dead in a man's coffin, Honnan Skyin wants to investigate. The Viceroy tells him to leave it alone, because there is an epidemic on the island to worry about. Honnan can't get it out of his mind. So he snoops around a little anyway.
This is a disturbing tale of unwanted children and murder.
It was a quick read. A little repetitive. Too much focus on chewing baccy. But overall a decent story. Although there wasn't total justice for the babe in the end.
This is a disturbing tale of unwanted children and murder.
It was a quick read. A little repetitive. Too much focus on chewing baccy. But overall a decent story. Although there wasn't total justice for the babe in the end.
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