The Last Gasp of Midnight by Thomas Howard Riley
Blurb:
A duel to the death in three parts. A conversation of sorts between the last two men left alive after a brutal battle.
One soldier from each side. Both want to survive. Neither can walk away.
In a story of battle, everything is a weapon. Even memories.
Review:
Don’t let the size of this novella fool you. Despite coming in at less than 50 pages, this story will leave a lasting impression with its delightfully dark prose and blood-soaked pages. Riley explores the raw power of determination and how hard one man will fight to reclaim someone he loves, even if the cost is his life.
Waking up here was worse than any nightmare.
The book wastes no time and starts off by dropping readers directly into a post war battlefield directly outside of a grand and golden city. The soil is soaked with blood, and bodies from both armies litter the ground. The sights and smells are so vividly described that readers can feel a sense of unease settle in their stomach. It is then that we are introduced to two characters, an old man and a young man. Both are soldiers who happen to be the last men standing from the war. Despite fighting on opposing sides, each one is fighting for their life and is determined to survive no matter the injuries they both sustain.
The book remains tightly focused on the two war-weary soldiers. The Old Man, who we come to know as Kersad, has been on a relentless quest to track down his son who was captured and enslaved by the army of the Golden City. Kersad has sworn to walk to the ends of the Earth if it means holding his son in his arms again. One can feel the immense love that the Old Man has for his son through his actions and thoughts, the memory of his boy driving him forward even when the odds are stacked against him.
Opposing Kersad is the Saffron Soldier, a skilled fighter for the Golden City who is defending their walls from the invading forces that Kersad happens to be a part of. Both soldiers are exceptionally skilled in hand-to-hand combat and weapons craft. Right when readers think one is about to meet their untimely end, the story flips in the most extraordinary way that keeps readers on their toes.
“Death doesn’t have to be so hard, old man,” the soldier said. “Just let it come easy.”
Although it's a short novella, I found this book highly enjoyable. I often tell people that dark fantasy is my favorite genre, and Riley has truly delivered on that front. I'm especially curious if the setting of this story appears in any of the author's other works. There were subtle lore drops throughout the novella that hinted at a much larger world. I'd love the opportunity to explore more!
In closing, I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a dark and gritty read that you can consume in a single day. Riley has masterfully woven a powerful and emotionally resonant story. I’m eager to dive into more of this author’s work in the near future!
