Book Review: Devil’s Night Dawning by Damien Black
It’s rare to find an indie fantasy book that not only rivals traditionally published works but outright surpasses many of them. Devil’s Night Dawning by Damien Black is one of those gems—an absolute masterpiece of dark fantasy that deserves far more recognition than it’s received. This book isn’t just good for indie fantasy; it’s one of the best I’ve ever read, period. The writing is rich and immersive, the world-building is meticulously detailed, and the characters feel like living, breathing people caught in the tides of a world teetering on the edge of destruction.
The story follows two monks, Adelko and Horskram, members of the Argolian Order, who find themselves thrust into a mission with stakes far greater than they could have imagined. Their journey takes them through a kingdom on the brink of civil war, a land plagued by supernatural horrors, and a world where faith and sorcery collide in unpredictable ways. From the opening pages, Black establishes a tone that blends the best elements of epic fantasy and horror—his depiction of exorcisms, haunted ruins, and eldritch threats make this a book that stands out even in a crowded genre. The eerie atmosphere of Tintagael, a place as unsettling as it is fascinating, was one of my favourite parts of the book.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characters. Adelko is a fantastic lead, bringing a sense of curiosity and youthful wonder to the story, but he never feels naïve—his journey is one of growth, and it’s deeply rewarding to follow. Horskram, meanwhile, is a far more hardened and pragmatic counterpart, making for a brilliant dynamic between the two. Adhelina, a noblewoman caught in a brutal struggle for survival, is another standout character—her arc is compelling, and I loved seeing her evolve over the course of the novel. Even the villains feel fleshed out, with motivations that go beyond simple “good versus evil” storytelling.
The writing itself is exceptional. I’ve read a lot of indie fantasy, and I can confidently say this is some of the best prose I’ve come across. Black has an incredible ability to balance vivid descriptions with strong pacing—his battle scenes are intense and visceral, his horror elements are genuinely unsettling, and his world-building is so well-integrated into the story that it never feels like an info dump. Instead, the history, culture, and mythos of this world unfold naturally, making it feel like a real, lived-in place.
If I had to name a downside, it would simply be the length—this is a massive book, and it’s not a light read. But honestly, even that never felt like a drawback because of how engaging it was. Every page was worth it, and by the time I reached the end, I was left wanting more.
And that’s where the real heartbreak comes in. Despite delivering what I would consider a top-tier fantasy novel, Damien Black unfortunately stepped away from writing due to some truly terrible behaviour from certain members of the indie fantasy community. Knowing that such a talented author was driven away by toxicity is incredibly frustrating, and it makes this book feel all the more bittersweet. Devil’s Night Dawning proves that Black had the potential to be one of the greats, and it’s a huge loss that he never got the recognition he deserved. I can only hope that one day he returns to writing, because the world needs more books like this. Fortunately he did release the other two books in the series, but I wish he was still writing new stories!
If you love dark, immersive, and incredibly well-written fantasy, do yourself a favour and read Devil’s Night Dawning. It’s a gripping, atmospheric, and masterfully crafted tale that deserves a place among the best the genre has to offer. An absolute must-read as is the rest of this fantastic series.
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