Absolutely loved this book, which reminded me of the best of Joe Abercrombie and David Gemmell. With its fascinatingly complex main character and dense, lush prose, Infernal is easily one of the best things I've read this year — brutal, darkly funny fantasy of the goriest order. Can't wait for book two.

Thank you to Mark de Jager and publisher Rebellion for granting me eARC access to Infernal in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Although I chose not to finish reading Infernal, I do feel that I've read enough to be able to offer a fair review. Please note that this is a DNF review, and I would call it a 2.5 if I could award half stars.

Infernal is the story of Stratus, a demonic being with amnesia who escapes his paladin captors and proceeds to murder and eat his way through the world around him in search of answers regarding who he is, how he came to be here, and what his purpose is. The book is written in the first person (passive continuous tense) from Stratus' point of view and takes time to describe Stratus' every move. While this is certainly well written and I was not bored by it, I wouldn't call the pacing of this book fast in any way. In order to enjoy this book, you must be the sort of reader who likes spending a lot of time with the characters even in the absence of fast-moving plot events. This is not my reason for discontinuing the book, I usually am that sort of reader, and the author's writing style is compelling.

I have two main reasons for putting this book down. The first reason is a matter of taste and expectation. The synopsis given for this book was short and given that the genre was listed simply as "Sci-Fi & Fantasy," what to expect wasn't clear. Featured early reviews included that make claims such as "If Jack Reacher came to Westeros" had me hoping for a story that breaks out of the gate at full gallop, makes me care for the characters, and then breaks my heart. What I got was a slow start that didn't inspire any empathy at all, and none of the deaths meant anything. If I'm going to read a first-person account of a demon with amnesia murdering and eating his way through town I want it written by a Terry Pratchett contemporary. I want it laced with humour and absurdism. If I'm reading a cold murderer acting on demonic animal instincts, I either want a second POV I do care about early on, or I want insight into what this character has forgotten so I can have at least a hope of caring about this unempathetic killer. Perhaps the story begins at the wrong point. I think de Jager has done an excellent job of writing a demon, but it has taught me that I'm not interested in a demon's perspective.

The second reason I chose not to finish is a concern that there may be racist elements to this book. Stratus wakes up, examines his body, and knows immediately that his skin is darker than it used to be. Others who come across him compare him to a group of people who live farther south who are known to be that dark. A boy asks if he's a demon because of his complexion. These god-fearing and pure characters (paladins), though not presented as heroes of the story or anything so grand, are understood to be much paler. As Stratus moves through the land taking and killing as he pleases it becomes clear that he is very much a demon, something evil and dark, and that this is indeed not his original body. Whatever made him what he is now also put him in this dark-skinned body. Dark skin is being equated with the embodiment of evil. This is coming from a white author, and it's not a good look.

For those who aren't bothered by my second point and who enjoy slow-building, character-driven epic fantasy, this could very well be your next favourite read. I did see promising writing and prose skills in this book from a author who knows how to give just enough detail without losing sight of what's important in any given scene. I'm still open to reading other works by this author.

Starts off strong, the characterization carries the start. The world building was lacking for me, but de Jager's characters are strong enough to carry the story.

"Infernal" is different - in a good way. There is a spoof-ish feel to the plot and characters, and it almost feels like the author is begging you not to take the book too seriously and just enjoy the ride. So, I did that! This is a fun book that is written very well. There are some fairly gruesome moments that won't be for everyone, but it worked for me. More please!

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

I just can't do it. I'm tapping out at 20%. Every single time I try to read this my eyes start closing and I want to take a nap. Which is weird because there should be enough going on here that I shouldn't be so damn bored with it. But bored I am. Out of my mind. Books written in the first person never really seemed to bother me until this one either. I don't know if it was just the overload of descriptions on everything or this guy's simple way of thinking, but it didn't work for me. I couldn't get into it no matter how much I tried.

I knew going into this it was going to be a bloody mess from some other reviews, and that didn't turn me off at all. However, the blatant disregard Stratus shows when on his killing sprees did. And that's not even mentioning his eating habits. I know what he is (yes, I read the synopsis for the next book before reading this one and it totally spoils it) so in one way I get it, but I'm just not okay with it.

Like I said, I didn't get far. But from what I got, it should have been a great story. Stratus wakes up in the middle of nowhere about to eaten alive by the birds because he can't move. He also doesn't know who he is, what happened, or even what he is. But he knows he's not human. He's too strong, heals too fast, and has this thing inside of him he is sure is a demon. He gets saved by a group of men that he ends up killing when they treat him like a prisoner. He flees, comes across another group of men that he kills because they treat him like a prisoner, and continues on his way. They catch up to him, he kills them, keeps going. See the pattern? And he's always hungry. Always! I mean, sure it's probably typical for any male, but it's annoying to hear about it so much just because we're stuck in his head.

Honestly, I'd love to keep going on his journey as he searches for answers to what he is and what happened that trapped him in this human form. Even more so, I'd like to meet this woman he ends up traveling with that one review mentioned. But I have way too many books that I do want to read to be spending time reading one that puts me to sleep.

so first of all Infernal is fun.
It’s also over-the-top, but I still loved it.

so the plot starts with, Stratus waking up in an unfamiliar place, with no memories of his past, just in time before local vultures rip him into pieces to enjoy the meal.
Then he finds himself engaged in an approaching war with evil forces in which he has no interest (especially in people and their conflicts,)
now that he has peculiar, inhuman, skills. strength and a knack for sorcery, which allows him to decimate his opponents. the story gets interesting.

i have to admit that despite all the violent moments Infernal remains darkly humorous. Sure, not everyone will enjoy the grim humor, but I love it. Like this exchange between Stratus and Tatyana


Because the story is told only through Stratus’ POV, we don’t get any extra rummage of things which might distract us from the main plot.

but It also means secondary characters remain underdeveloped, we dont get to connect with them much. We discover the world through his eyes and nose, and because Stratus isn’t human, he sees things from an alien perspective. (a bit like the bollywood movie PK)


Infernal is a typical fantasy story but it plays with tropes brilliantly. It mix the non-stop violent action with horror and grim humor.
which can be weird and dark for some people but i end up loving it.

I couldn’t put it down,
but I need to point out its weaker parts. author’s writing is uneven. I found his sentence structure surprising in places and repetitious

Personally, I'll read the sequel as soon as it's available

I received a complimentary copy of this novel via NetGalley.

• Character development- 1☆
• Story Plot- 4☆
• Side characters- 2.5☆
• Flow of the story- 4☆
• Overall - 3.5☆

“The Bourne Identity meets Game of Thrones” is an accurate description, but I would add ‘Fight Club’ to the list. This is one of the pulpiest fantasy novels I’ve ever read, and normally that wouldn’t be a specifically good thing, but Mark de Jager absolutely pulls it off.

Much like Stratus, we are dropped into the story without any sense of direction. Stratus doesn’t remember or understand who (or what) he is, and his quest for answers leads down a path littered with corpses – as he has no qualms about killing, especially when it comes to paladins – and obscured by dark political machinations.

Despite his unabashed brutishness, there are moments and interactions which allow his humanity to slip out. This is mostly brought out by a warrior named Tatyana who becomes his accidental companion in uncovering what Stratus is and who is behind the necromancy brewing within the city’s walls. It is also in dialogue with Tatyana that de Jager shows his sense of humor, for example, playing on Stratus’s incomprehension of hyperbole.

Stratus’s literal interpretation of hyperbolic speech seems almost intentionally designed to contract the hyperbolic violence throughout the book. Before even arriving at the city, Stratus had been captured and abused two or three times, and the most dramatic of his escapes involved burning an entire military encampment to the ground. It seems that everyone is spoiling for a fight with this massive stranger, and Stratus is only too happy to oblige. It’s only after meeting Tatyana that his fight response becomes somewhat tempered – although not always. Our (anti?)hero is also, on occasion, a cannibal, helping himself to human flesh and finding that it’s not at all bad (but not preferable to horse). Ingesting human brains has the added benefit of revealing some information, stored in the memory of the deceased.

While I generally skimmed through fight scenes (I haven’t the imagination for fight choreography), De Jager’s magic system slowed me down. The abstractions and descriptions of ‘Songlines’ were fascinating and demonstrates de Jager’s appreciation for fantasy. The magic system made the world feel more lived-in: magic commands respect and it has rules, limitations, and a history.

Despite the slow start, ‘Infernal’ has become a unique entry in my personal catalog of fantasy novels, standing out with its dry humor and obsession with fight scenes and gore, and I’m looking forward to the next entries in the series.

"Their bows were more powerful than I had expected, and if I hadn’t been so heavy the impact of the first two shafts might have knocked me off balance and off the roof. The swordsmen were running forward now, and the ladder-man had vanished. I had no time to curse before I slammed into the first swordsman, who had realized far too late that I wasn’t about to stop and offer battle. My shoulder crushed his sword arm against his chest, handily driving the little bar above the sword handle between his ribs. He fell, my fists flew and two of the archers fell, their war over."

Synopsis (from the Sales Sheet):

“Stratus wakes alone, with no memory of his past. All he knows is his name and that he is not human.
Possessing immense strength, powerful sorcery and an insatiable hunger, he sets out across a
landscape torn apart by a war, as a dark magic drives the world to the brink of destruction.
Disoriented and pursued relentlessly by enemies, he will have to learn what he truly is, or risk
bringing the world into ruin…”

Who May Enjoy This Book:

Lovers of Dark Fantasy
People who enjoy D&D and Fantasy Tropes
People who like Action!
New Week, New Review!

I’d like to thank Solaris, Rebellion Publishing, and Netgalley for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Mark de Jager’s “Infernal” was originally released in 2016 under Del Rey, but Rebellion recently acquired the English publishing rights and they are (thankfully for us!) re-releasing the books in this series. I wasn’t familiar with de Jager or his work before spotting this one during one of my Netgalley requesting-sprees, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to discover him. Infernal was shortlisted for a Gemmell award, and does not come off as a debut. As per usual, I will do my best to get through without giving away any undue spoilers. I realize this book has been on the market for several years, but hey, it’s being given a new life! Everyone deserves to experience it fresh. Here we go!

Our story begins with our protagonist waking up completely paralyzed, naked, and fully amnesiac. Is this a trope? You bet your sweet ass it is; however, it’s more unusual to see this in a Fantasy novel as opposed to some sort of Thriller or Action film. Considering this was a debut, it’s a pretty novel concept. “Infernal” relies on a First-Person narrative perspective, which is… admittedly, not particularly interesting at first. The issue is that our protagonist is a tabula rasa, a blank slate, and when you’re hanging your narrative entirely off of such a character’s internal monologue… it makes it difficult to give the story the proper level of attention.

Any criticism of this text I have effectively stems from the combination of the premise (“Dark Fantasy Memento/Jason Bourne”) in combination with the First-Person perspective. The issue with spending much of one’s time in the mind of an amnesiac is that the internal discourse tends to revolve around questions such as “who am I?”, “who are they?”, and “what the heck is going on?”, which is fine in small doses… but for an entire novel? It can get a little tedious. In addition, any attempt at introspection concerning secondary characters is problematic when the focus is firmly placed on the primary POV character. This is, of course, a matter of preference.

On the flip side, this novel really manages to keep on chugging the entire way through. There is very little in the way of a lull, and “Infernal” is absolutely chock full of action/violence. If you like your books bloody, you’ll really be able to sink your teeth into this one. There is combat, gloriously gratuitous combat! There are monsters, mysteries, orders of Paladins (holy knights), Necromancy… there is even a distinction between Wizardry and Sorcery, which should elicit a smile if you know your Dungeons and Dragons! Mark de Jager’s narrative comes down like a towering wave, crashing into its readers again and again. To give you an idea, I managed to read the entire book in a day. It held my attention, and took me along for a wild ride.

Overall, do I recommend “Infernal”? Yes. It has its faults (and again, that is merely my interpretation), but in the end are we not reading to be entertained? Yes, yes we are! I was certainly entertained, and I am happy this book is being reprinted; I certainly hope many more people are able to discover this entertaining author.

Happy reading!

Marc de Jager’s ‘Infernal’ is a strange beast. The book is built around our hero (well anti - hero really) Stratus, who finds himself paralysed in a field with no memory of who or what he is. As vultures circle, and subsequently try to eat him because they think he is dead, he is saved by a roving band of travelers. From there we learn that Stratus is a hulk of a man who is very different from the land that he has found himself in.

Initially, De Jager’s story is confusing as the reader is plunged into the world of Infernal through Stratus’s eyes and we share the confusion and disorientation that our protagonist feels as he attempts to make sense of the world around him and the people who inhabit it.

What we learn in the first act of the story as Stratus stumbles around the country, is that Stratus is not necessarily a good guy. He will happily kill anyone that gets in his way (and he frequently does! The body count in the first few chapters is phenomenal!), and he will eat anything. And I mean anything! Including one of his victims' arms at one point.

This is a constant theme in the first part of the book. As Stratus wakes from his paralysis, not only does he navigate the world, but he also navigates the body that he inhabits, sometimes quite hilariously, sometimes pretty nastily at times. Subsequently discovering that he has strengths and powers that normal men do not possess. As we follow him on his initial journey, he learns that not only does he possess unnatural strength, but he also has unnatural abilities and an insatiable hunger.

In this first section of the book, we are as disconnected from Stratus’s character as he is from himself and the world around him. We flounder as directionless as our protagonist, until he gets his bearings, stumbling from one violent and bloody encounter to the next. However, when Stratus journeys to the city and meets Lucien and Tatyana the plot of the book starts to kick in.

Now it is hard to write a review without mentioning the plot as it is a reviewer’s mainstay to discuss how this affects him/her etc. But I am staying well away from the plot as part of the allure of this book is to read it blind, and discover the plot at the same time as our protagonist. If I discussed story mechanics, I think it would spoil it. But what I do advise as you are reading the first part, wondering where is this going? What is happening? Stick with it, as this shared experience is what makes this book so good.

As the book is written in a first person narrative, the story and the world unfolds as Stratus experiences them. We learn what Stratus learns, and are with him throughout all of the book. Experiencing what he experiences, sharing his thoughts as he discovers different parts of the world he lives in, meeting the people that he meets and getting the impression of them through his eyes.

Because we are solely following Stratus throughout the book, it would be pertinent at this point to discuss his character. Initially, it is very difficult to know what Stratus is, what his motivations are, but what we do get is that Stratus is going to maintain his own motivations, no matter what.

I’ve got to say, I did find Stratus kind of beguiling in his own way. He doesn’t lie, not even when he is telling Tatyana about his journey from the forest to the city, and at times the other characters find his honesty as brutal as his methods. At some points, he appears to have the simplicity of a newborn, and at others he is as cunning as a fox. He is a character of extremes and there are no in betweens.

Eventually, other characters are introduced and I liked most of these, Tatyana in particular and the reactions that she gives to some of Stratus’s actions and methods. At first Tatyana is as much of a mystery as Stratus, but as she becomes a more prominent figure in the action we learn that her and Stratus do share some connection. And again, it is best that I do not mention that connection here but let you discover it at the same time Stratus discovers it. Some of the other characters are a little two dimensional, but they are to Stratus too, and as we are sat on Stratus’s shoulder, this does not impact on the book at all.

Now, as I have mentioned, I came to this book completely blind and I think that this is the best way to come at it to be honest. Tonally, Infernal kind of puts me in mind of Joe Abercrombie, in that De Jager is not shy of describing the main character's ability to kill and the flaws he possesses. .But also similarly to Abercrombie, there is a dark humorous vein running through the story and I found myself chuckling at inopportune moments in this book.

Obviously, when I start to read a book I want to know about the author, and I was surprised to find that this is not really a new book, but is in fact a republish. It seems that the book was originally released in 2016 by Del Rey publishing. However, recently the rights for the book and its subsequent sequel (coming in May 2021) have been obtained by Rebellion Publishing. Hopefully, this book will get the exposure that it deserves as I truly found this to be a wickedly enjoyable read.

From the first page I was hooked! This book is has a plethora of mystery and non stop action. Through the whole book you are guessing, then second guessing and still not getting it right!! That is the base of a great book, not knowing where going to happen - completely unpredictable. The characters come alive with Mark de Jager's smooth writing style.

The ending was a little abrupt. With that being said though, it makes your want to hurry up and read the next book. This is the first book I've read from this author - it will not be the last!

“I need to do something you probably won’t like very much. I know I won’t.” “You’re not stabbing me again.” “No,” I said, pointing to the body. “I just need to eat his brain.”

For all the brain-eating and decapitation that goes on in Infernal, this should be a dark, rather horrifying book. It is not. It’s actually quite funny (and not always in a gallows humour kind of way), with some beautiful world building and a couple of intriguing characters to lend weight to the story.

Stratus is…Stratus doesn’t know what he is. His blue-black skin, enormous build and second set of teeth would suggest not human though. So too would his ability to punch down trees and pluck arrows from his skin like flowers from a vase. And then there’s his ability to see in the dark.

Waking in a field, Stratus determines to find a city and ask its wise men to help identify him. But reaching the city isn’t easy when war rages between Penullin and Krandin and soldiers see him as either a threat to eradicate or a prize to capture. And even when he reaches the city, who’s to know who to trust, and who has time to help with an enemy army darkening the doorstep? Stratus can only react to the immediate threats and hope that, with time, all will become clear.

Stratus is not human and does not hold the same moral beliefs, expectations or values as (most) humans do. They do not differ wildly, and he has his moments of tenderness and gentility, but, on the whole, his blatant lack of concern for human life and civil behaviour (think brain eating) gives him away. That said, neither is he bloody-thirsty or sadistic like many a human antagonist. He simply does what he needs to do and moves on. Oddly, I found myself respecting him for that, and loving him for his dry humour.

“We are beneath St Tomas.” “What? How can you be sure? “The magic singing rainbow told me.”

One review I read before reading Infernal myself compared Stratus to Jack Reacher. I can definitely see the similarities. However, one thing I particularly liked about Infernal was that Stratus was not, in fact, invincible. He’s good in a fight, sure, but also fails (annoyingly frequently) to consider that the opposition may have a mind and talents of their own, and that leads to his own fair share of failures. Fortunately, his confidence and capability are not accompanied by the usual swaggering bravado, and Stratus is quite capable of conceding the fight to fight another day, or of admitting admiration or even fear when he feels it. I liked him, but better, I was intrigued by him.

I also liked Tayana Henkman, his sidekick of sorts. She’s capable without needing to shove that capability down your throat, and even-tempered, but not bland. Her interactions with Stratus form the basis for much of the humour in the book and did make me smile.

“I have yet to read of a demon who would save someone’s life or who likes eggs for breakfast and fine sculpture.”

I’m looking forward to seeing more of her and finding out if their relationship develops beyond friendship and admiration. It would also be nice to see more of Lucien, who can an initial look-in but then somewhat faded into the background.

In terms of world-building, I was reminded a little of games like Age of Empires, where the world you can see expands with time and as your scouts explore. Stratus’ world begins with a single field and grows to include a forest, and then a road and then more. It’s a clever technique because it allows you to digest the world in manageable chunks whilst maintaining that a wider world does exist and life there is carrying on.

In general, I liked Jager’s writing style. In particular, I liked his exploration of the world through smell – a perspective I found unusual but compelling – and his emphasis on how it felt to wield magic, rather than simply the mechanics of how it was done (incidentally this is barely touched upon). I was disappointed that he included so many racial slurs (Stratus is the only black character in the book and is seen as unusual for his colouring) and wish Jager could have found some other, less fraught, way to isolate Stratus. The end was also somewhat of a disappointment. I LOVED the twist but felt that that it was used as an excuse for an otherwise rather abrupt ending. That said, it does leave me wanting to read more so I guess that’s a win.

All in all, an enjoyable read which delicately balances gory action with good humour and a solid story. I’ll be looking out for Firesky next year.

For recommendations on what to read next (or whether you might like this based on books you've read), check out my blog, Off-Planet Books here: www.off-planet-books.co.uk/reviews/infernal-by-mark-de-jager

‘Infernal’ is the intriguing start of a new fantasy trilogy packed with magic, dry humour, and mystery. It has an old-school fantasy feel, yet the twists – especially the finale – feel fresh and unpredictable. For a debut author, de Jeger is incredibly assured, taking risks which initially made me doubtful but which work brilliantly, adding an air of cloaking and uncertainty without detracting from the story.

Stratus wakes up alone. He knows very little except that the body he is in is not his own, and that he doesn’t seem to be its only occupant. Determined to find some answers, he sets off in search – only to stumble into a conspiracy of war, religion, and magic, with everyone convinced he’s on the other side. He isn’t helped by his complete lack of knowledge of human nature – or by his body’s companion, a being of pure rage which occasionally seizes control.

Mark de Jeger’s decision to tell an epic fantasy story with a single POV is unusual enough, but when that character also has near-total amnesia it becomes an even bigger risk. Stratus doesn’t understand the world, humanity, or even himself. This empathy barrier means each character except Stratus feels two-dimensional, yet it works – partly because Stratus himself is so intriguing, and partly because Stratus’s attempts to understand them are often darkly hilarious. De Jeger straddles the line between mystery and confusion expertly, revealing just enough at key moments to keep things engaging, but also making the final reveal a total – yet believable – shock.

Stratus doesn’t know what he is, but everyone else is convinced he’s some sort of demon – and gradually, throughout the book, this affects how he views himself too. He doesn’t share most human morals – quite happy to kill without compunction, take whatever he needs, and manipulate others with his sorcery – but he does respect and appreciate kindness and have a certain degree of loyalty. For a character who does pretty much a terrible thing per page, he’s a surprisingly likeable protagonist, making you root for him even when you’re not sure you should.

The world building is minimal – mostly because Stratus is more focused on who and what he is than what’s going on around him – but the magic system is fully fleshed out and developed. As systems go, it’s very conventional, but I love the descriptions of the Songlines and what it feels like to use them. It also has clear rules and limitations, meaning no character is ever over-powered.

Overall, this is an excellent debut, one that takes risks but ensures they pay off. Recommended for fans of non-human protagonists, dry and dark humour, and fantasy-mysteries.

Gripping from the first scene, with the protagonist lying on the ground, not being able to move. In danger of vultures trying to eat him, he only remembers his name, Stratus. Feeling that there's a monster within him, he tries to solve the mystery of his existence and why he knows about magic.

Stratus's POV feels like a natural internal monologue of undeniable wit, an exploration of being and is utterly engaging. The author has done such a great job with the protagonist's amnesia, the emotional turmoil. Having him puzzle about things you don't expect, while you enjoy solving the mystery with him. Cleverly the author lets the mystery linger.

Not knowing if he is a villain or not, you can't help but like him immediately. Especially the fact that he is brazen to the point of being funny and doesn't take shit from anyone. Also his stranger thoughts and many of his remarks are so chuckle-worthy. He blurts out whatever he's thinking, no filter.

As he discovers more about himself he slowly gets in touch with his power and deliciously dark traits. I love the way the magic is explained like it is a part and an extension of him. The internal musings and some explanations are sometimes a little long-winded but still interesting. There are quite a few "Aha!" moments but not enough to satiate your curiosity completely. And his 'interactions' with the beast within him are so captivating.

If you like fighting in your fiction you're gonna love this, since Stratus keeps beating others up or gets beaten (not that often) and it's fun to see what new way he will use to incapacitate his opponents next. You will also be taken by the smart-mouthed, wonderfully aggressive, badass character of Tatyana.

I imagined our 'hero" to be a Hulk like Idris Elba sorcerer. Caught in political machinations and the edges of war, he has to figure out who or what is the great evil and what it has done to him. Entertaining, exciting with a bit of gore, a bit of necromancy, and quite a bodycount. Presenting one of the coolest unconventional characters I've read all year, this a medieval of sorts, adventure fantasy like no other.

I ended up liking this book a lot more than I had anticipated. I made the mistake of reading a few negative reviews, and almost didn’t give it a shot. Infernal ended up being an entertaining read. It was full of action and intrigue. Stratus’s journey, both physical and personal, kept me engaged. I can’t wait for the next book!

Awesome book! I really enjoyed reading this, and found it difficult to put down. I don't want to get into details in order to avoid spoilers, but the plot/story was not what I expected -- in a good way! Highly recommended and will recommend that my library purchase a copy of this book.

Thanks to Rebellion and NetGalley for providing an early copy of this title for me to review.

this was a really good read, I enjoyed the story and was hooked from the summary. I look forward to more from the author and this series.

A man wakes up in a field with no memory of who he is, only the feeling that he is not wholly human. Infernal follows Stratus, who discovers he is a powerful sorcerer but doesn't understand how he came to be where he is, only that he must fight for survival. As he travels a countryside that is being torn apart by war, he realizes that dark magic is at the heart of all that is happening. Stratus' journey of self discovery brings him into contact with wizards, priests, kings, paladins and lots and lots of walking dead guys. Infernal is quite the start of an epic fantasy series, the pacing is fast, with a quirky grimdark humor, that helps propel the story along as the body count rises. I enjoyed the magic system in the book with the different wards that the wizards employ to protect themselves and others, plus how Stratus discovers his own powers and how to wield them. The relationship between Stratus and Tatyana is a highlight of the book, love their back and forth banter and the lightness is brings to many of the scenes. The discoveries Stratus makes about himself drives the story to a an ending that makes you want to find out what happens next. The phrase "cheerfully brutal" is certainly an appropriate description for this story that, it should be noted does have its gory moments. Overall, the story grabbed me right from the start and I certainly wanted to find out exactly what was going on with Stratus and how everything was going to unfold. Will certainly read the next installment in the series, Firesky.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure about this book when I first started reading it since Stratus, after being found paralysed and almost dead goes on a sort of accidental killing spree as people see him with his strange skin and size and want to kill/capture him. It was pretty graphic, but kind of got funny since Stratus doesn't know anything about himself and so stabbing someone might end up with a head flying off. I really wanted to know about the "beast" in his brain and who Stratus was, so I kept reading and was drawn in, especially when he meets Tatyana. I like their relationship! It was very sarcastic on Tatyana's part but they work well together.

The ending is one big WHAT!!! and I had fun reading this book.

I didn't have many details when I picked this up, but the little bit I had seemed like it fit pretty snugly into my typical fare.

The opening was not the most incredible, masterful writing I've ever encountered, but it was solid and prompted me to continue reading.

This was a fairly well done example of MC "waking" up and not knowing who/what they are. The story develops pretty well, around Stratus learning small bits about his own capabilities and hints towards his own provenance. The hints are scattered without, so the big reveal at the end is fitting, without seeming like it's completely out of left field.

I definitely finished the book feeling satisfied, and am interested in picking up the sequel in the future when it is released. Worth the time and effort to read.

DNFed at 20%.

Don't usually review DNFs but this one has peeved me. So far, this enormous Black dude (he's so black! No one's seen anyone this black before!) is failing to pique my interest at all, two hearts or no. Also:

- the "infirm" have a "stench of corruption"
- he levels up in strength and magical power every time he encounters any adversity - the threat level is zero, no matter how hungry he gets
- the author thinks he's funny, I think?
- he eats people. I think we're supposed to think that's fine because he isn't human (my money is on dragon in human form)
- 20% in and not a single woman. Not one. Not even in the background. MC has met an entire army, this is fantasy, it is not that hard??

The memory loss hook just makes me want to reread K.J Parker's Scavenger series so I'm just going to do that instead.