The Grand Dark

The Grand Dark

“A stand-alone heavy hitter that’s more in line with recent deviants like Chuck Wendig’s upcoming Wanderers (2019) and Daniel H. Wilson’s The Clockwork Dynasty (2017). Tonally, this lush novel is closer to Scott Lynch’s pirate fantasy The Lies of Locke Lamora (2006), but technologically it resembles the near-future dystopias of Cory Doctorow or China Miéville […] Wildly ambitious and inventive fantasy from an author who’s punching above his weight in terms of worldbuilding—and winning.” -- Kirkus (starred review) *** From the bestselling author of the Sandman Slim series, a lush, dark, stand-alone fantasy built off the insurgent tradition of China Mieville and M. John Harrison—a subversive tale that immerses us in a world where the extremes of bleakness and beauty exist together in dangerous harmony in a city on the edge of civility and chaos. The Great War is over. The city of Lower Proszawa celebrates the peace with a decadence and carefree spirit as intense as the war’s horrifying despair. But this newfound hedonism—drugs and sex and endless parties—distracts from strange realities of everyday life: Intelligent automata taking jobs. Genetically engineered creatures that serve as pets and beasts of war. A theater where gruesome murders happen twice a day. And a new plague that even the ceaseless euphoria can’t mask. Unlike others who live strictly for fun, Largo is an addict with ambitions. A bike messenger who grew up in the slums, he knows the city’s streets and its secrets intimately. His life seems set. He has a beautiful girlfriend, drugs, a chance at a promotion—and maybe, an opportunity for complete transformation: a contact among the elite who will set him on the course to lift himself up out of the streets. But dreams can be a dangerous thing in a city whose mood is turning dark and inward. Others have a vision of life very different from Largo’s, and they will use any methods to secure control. And in behind it all, beyond the frivolity and chaos, the threat of new war always looms.
Sign up to use

Reviews

Photo of N.C
N.C@quince
3 stars
Dec 28, 2023
Photo of Jessica Nottingham
Jessica Nottingham@hdbblog
3 stars
Sep 1, 2021
Photo of Michael Cowell
Michael Cowell@chaosweeper
3 stars
Sep 12, 2023
Photo of Christian-Rolf Grün
Christian-Rolf Grün@kixx
4 stars
Nov 6, 2021
Photo of Kelly Gorman
Kelly Gorman@dreadpiratekel
4 stars
Oct 11, 2021
Photo of Abi Baker
Abi Baker@wicdiv
2 stars
Sep 30, 2021
Photo of Joseph Aleo
Joseph Aleo@josephaleo
4 stars
Sep 23, 2021
Photo of Randy Robbins
Randy Robbins@rjrobbins2
4 stars
Sep 14, 2021