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MY ⭐️ RATING: 5/5
Format: Kindle eBook
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Grimdark Magazine presents the darker, grittier side of fantasy and science fiction. Each quarterly issue features established and new authors to take you through their hard-bitten worlds alongside articles, reviews and interviews. Our stories are grim, our worlds are dark and our morally grey protagonists and anti-heroes light the way with bloody stories of war, betrayal and action.
MY REVIEW
I’m not surprised to say this, but Cahill has done it again, and this time it has nothing to do with The Bound and the Broken. When the Skies Cried Crimson Rain is a howling masterclass in short-form fantasy, blending gore, horror, and heart. This standalone short story, that I hope ends up being part of a new series, drops us readers into a war-ravaged world where the main POV, Markan, is a Varkin warrior blessed by the wolf-god Varkin. If this sounds familiar to Cahill readers, the Varkin have some similarities to the Knights of Achyron with their honor, loyalty, and all-around elite badassery, Markan honestly reminds me a bit of Kallinvar. My favorite thing is that the werewolf-like Varkin are our protagonists, and with Cahill’s love of doggos, it makes total sense to portray them as the story’s soul.
“A wolf needs no path but his own and no weapons but the gifts he was given.”
Cahill’s worldbuilding is perfection, painting a grim continent torn by a godwar with just a few details, like the stench of a chaotic city or the crunch of dirt as soldiers trek through the eerie woodlands. Markan’s wolf senses make every scene pop, catching whiffs of danger or hearing trouble in the distance. His dry humor adds a lighter playful tone to the darkness, and his fierce loyalty to his pack, especially his brother Ravik, makes him a standout, while Solise, a battle-hardened Aegisar guarding a young prince, adds grit and heart. The story’s got a dark, creepy edge that keeps you glued to every page.
While he has already written another short story, this tale proves Cahill’s got the chops to craft a lean, mean story in a new world that hits as hard as his already beloved novels. The mix of visceral action, loyalty and dread feels like a teaser for something bigger, maybe a new series once The Bound and the Broken is completed. It’s a quick read that lingers, perfect for grimdark fans and those who love werewolf or vampire stories, though these creatures aren’t your typical fare. Get ready for a thrilling good time.
Wolfmantula.com 