Let me start this review by saying how much I enjoyed We Men of Ash and Shadow (WMOAAS). It’s an engrossing read from start to finish and Tinsley has a fantastic voice as an author. There’s a cynical world-weariness running through the novel that reminded me of Joe Abercrombie, combined with a tight, economical writing style that means not a single word is wasted. Tinsley’s prose is beautiful, effortlessly drawing the reader into her rich and detailed world.

First published in 2020, WMOAAS falls firmly into the Grimdark category, although Tinsley’s choice of a gaslamp fantasy setting helps differentiate the book in a crowded market. The magical elements are there but very much toned down, taking a backseat to the characters, setting and plot. The story takes place almost entirely within the corrupt city of D’Orsee, which begins to feel like a character in its own right by the end of the novel. Presiding over the city, with its strict zonal policy that keeps the rich separated from the lower classes, is Captain Sanquain, who rules through a combination of unyielding authority, fear and cunning manipulation.

The oft-quoted opening lines of the novel leave the reader in no doubt this is not a light escapist fantasy. Awful things happen in D’Orsee every day and the scary thing is how its residents have come to accept this as the norm. The heart of this novel is really asking the question as to whether change for the better is possible and, if so, at what cost.

The central character, John Vanguard, is a brilliant literary creation. Vanguard is a murderer in the pay of Sanquain, believing he has nothing left to live for. As his past is slowly revealed the reader gains a deeper understanding of Vanguard’s journey and what has brought him to this point. Vanguard may be a killer but he operates to his own strict moral code. In D’Orsee many residents actually believe he performs a valuable service, keeping the streets clear of the most evil criminals. This means the reader can still empathise and relate to him, even though he’s clearly not a good man.

D’Orsee is also populated by a range of distinctive, well-drawn characters and the story is told from multiple viewpoints. Henriette the parlour madam and Kosic the prize fighter both stand out, as does criminal overlord Hector Mandego. Tarryn is another believable and well-crafted character and I thought the situation he finds himself in, socially isolated as he struggles to care for his mentally ill mother, was well-written and sensitively handled. Tarryn’s story arc is particularly interesting, as it looks like he will become Vanguard’s apprentice. However, Tinsley’s excellent plotting takes the story in an entirely different and unexpected direction. The final quarter of this book is not for the faint of heart.

Do I have any criticisms of this novel? As should be clear by now, if you don’t like violence, this book isn’t for you. I also found myself a little wrong-footed as a reader at first as Tinsley has a habit of suddenly shifting point of view within a chapter without any break in the action. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing this but it did take some getting used to. By the end of the novel I had adjusted to her particular style and this no longer bothered me. Overall, although there’s no such thing as a perfect novel, WMOAAS makes a strong case for being as close as it’s possible to be to one. It certainly deserves to find a much wider audience. Like all good novels, I found myself thinking about the story after I’d finished, the vivid characters staying with me.

WMOAAS is a relatively quick read and the first book in the Vanguard Chronicles series. The sequel, The Hand Which Casts The Bone, was released in 2022 and what I believe will be the final instalment is currently being written. For me this is one of the classic indie Grimdark fantasy series everyone should read and it will fascinating to see how the series concludes.