The Crimson Court by Brendan Noble

Blurb:

Spirits haunt the realm of Zekiaz. Flee them, fight them, or wield them. But they bow to no master.

The upstart matriarch of a fallen house, Kasia Niezik has sworn to destroy the elusive Crimson Court who assassinated her father. They are near immortal, wielding the spirits that once ended civilization a millennium ago, but she is a Reacher of the realm of Death. Their worst fear.

But to kill her deceitful foes, first she must find them.

Kasia travels to the capital, seeking allies either brave or foolish enough to help her infiltrate the Crimson elites. Whether spirit hunter, princess, or thief, though, everyone has a hidden agenda. And those with the widest smiles hold daggers behind their backs.

Step into a new world of fantasy intrigue where flintlock guns, risky magic, gaslamp technology, crystalline dragons, and dangerous spirits clash amid shadowy bids for power. Revenge is sweet, but at what cost?

Review:

The Crimson Court by Brendan Noble is a work that leans heavily into the darker corners of the genre. As someone who has spent years navigating the tropes of Science Fiction and Fantasy, I often find myself searching for that one story that treats the concept of power with a truly original hand. This novel does exactly that. It presents a world where the cycle of existence is a commodity and where the thirst for vengeance feels as cold as a blade.

The Vessel and Soul

The most haunting aspect of Noble’s world lies in how it treats the human form: a temporary sanctuary to be inhabited and, eventually, discarded. There is a chilling elegance to the way the elite navigate their existence, moving through successive lives as if changing into formal attire. 

The story explores these innate supernatural abilities as a birthright of the powerful, a terrifying faculty that allows the nobility to harvest a continuity that defies nature.

It is a cycle that transforms existence into a hierarchy of survival, where the depth of one's history is measured by the trail of discarded lives left in their wake. The higher one climbs in this social order, the more ghosts they carry with them.

Legacy

At its heart, the events feel like a relentless engine fueled by the need for retribution. I found myself drawing parallels to the classic architecture of The Count of Monte Cristo, yet the stakes here feel uniquely elevated by the dark fantasy setting. We follow a protagonist whose every breath is dedicated to the ruin of those who dismantled her family. What truly impressed me was the tactical nature of her journey. We witness a character who must navigate the lethal intricacies of political court life while calculating the limits of her own supernatural abilities. She must constantly account for the formidable powers of a nobility that has had centuries to perfect their craft.

The Labyrinth of Lore

As a fellow enthusiast of complex worldbuilding, I should mention that the entry into this world requires a bit of mental fortitude. The opening chapters are remarkably dense, laden with specific terminology and a language that governs the way these powers manifest. Noble’s prose is undeniably elegant, delivering this influx of information with a grace that prevents it from feeling like a dry textbook.

However, the sheer volume of lore thrown at the reader in the first few chapters is significant. It is an invitation to a world that demands your full attention. Once you cross that initial threshold and the rhythm of the society begins to make sense, the rewards are immense, but the climb is steep.

Multiple Truths

The story is told through several points of view, a choice that allows us to see the rot of this society from various angles. While I appreciated the scope this provided, I did feel that the narrative momentum occasionally suffered from the breadth of the cast. There were moments where the development of the plot felt slightly uneven, perhaps lacking the seamless polish one might expect from a more seasoned series. Not every perspective felt as vital or as compelling as the primary protagonists, and I occasionally found myself eager to return to the main thread of the revenge plot. If the focus had been narrowed slightly, the pacing might have felt more like a sprint than a deliberate march.

Hidden Scars

Despite the pervasive darkness of the setting, the human element is never lost, primarily due to Noble’s skill with dialogue. I found myself genuinely surprised by the levity found in the banter between characters. There were several moments where the wit was so sharp and the delivery so precise that I was chuckling aloud. These exchanges serve as a window into the inner struggles and psychological mindsets of these individuals. It is through their humor and their biting sarcasm that we truly understand the weight of the world they inhabit. It makes the "Dark" in Dark Fantasy feel grounded in a recognizable human reality.

The Physical Form

I consumed this story as an eBook, (and was lucky enough to get physical copies months later). The production quality even in a digital format is nothing short of stunning. The inclusion of character headers and detailed illustrations adds a layer of immersion that is often missing from modern releases.

Knowing that this project was born from a successful Kickstarter campaign makes the final product even more impressive. It is clear that every aspect of this book, from the prose to the visual presentation, was handled with a level of care that reflects a deep passion for the SFF genre.

In an era where digital convenience often overshadows the tactile joy of reading, Noble’s commitment to the physical craft of bookmaking is nothing short of revolutionary. It is rare to see an author invest so much heart and capital into ensuring that the external vessel is as sophisticated as the story within. By producing a top-tier hardcover with such beautiful illustrations and meticulous detailing, he has transformed a simple novel into a true collector’s item. It is a beautiful artifact, truly, that demands a prominent place on any SFF aficionado's shelf.

This dedication to high-end production speaks volumes about his respect for the genre and his readers; it suggests a belief that a great story deserves to be housed in something equally extraordinary. Supporting his journey, I think, is about championing a creator who still values the artistry of the physical book and the magic of holding art in your hands.

In the end, The Crimson Court is a bold, ambitious entry into the world of Dark Fantasy. It is a story for those of us who appreciate a narrative that isn't afraid to be complex, grim, and intellectually demanding. Noble has crafted a world that feels both ancient and terrifyingly new.