Godless Lands was Sean Crow’s debut novel and the first book in his Godless Lands grimdark fantasy series. I first discovered Crow’s writing through his fantasy sci-fi genre fusion Valhalla Steel books, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect with a straight fantasy series. What I discovered was a story centring around various local skirmishes rather than the vast epic battles and world-scale conflicts we often see in fantasy. There’s a reason for this as the world has been ravaged by a terrible disease known as the Blight. Most people, animals and crops have died, leaving behind a barren and empty world where the few remaining survivors try and eke out a living in isolated fortified haven towns.

This is a story where every life is precious and the actions of one person make a real difference as these small communities battle for survival. The novel also contains elements of horror with Crow’s creation of the Withers – zombie-like remnants of the Blight who roam the land beyond the havens. They help add tension to the story, particularly as a bite from a Wither usually leads to death.

What really strikes me about Crow’s writing is his ability to write memorable characters with nuance and depth, each with their own set of beliefs and motivations. They draw you right into the story and I had so many favourites on all sides of the conflict.

The events of this tale begin when Ferris, a former soldier, makes the decision to help Bethany of Brightridge and her daughter Katrina. They are fleeing her husband Duke Taegis, who rules the haven of Brightridge, due to his unwholesome desire to use his own daughter to secure his bloodline. Ferris is a rare survivor of the Blight, making him feared by all who think he still carries the disease. 

Bethany and Katrina are pursued by Arlo the Death Knight, a man haunted by the loss of his family who has become used to dealing with the terror of the Blight and its aftermath without mercy. The white-clad Doves serve him, ejecting or killing those with the Blight to try and protect the remaining populace. Ferris is a former Dove and he ultimately fled Arlo’s service as Crow shows how their actions slowly undermine the very humanity they are trying to preserve. Arlo has found a way to justify his own choices to himself, making him a complex and fascinating antagonist.

Arlo isn’t the only one placing Bethany, Katrina and Ferris in danger. Another group of soldiers, led by the truly terrifying Butcher of Riven, are also roaming the land. Riven is another haven town where cannibalism is now commonplace due to the shortage of food. The people there serve the mysterious Hungry God, a theme which I think will be explored in future books in this series.

As a consequence we get not just one but two brilliant antagonists. Arlo is a great villain and my favourite of the two, with enough insight to understand what he has become. The Butcher makes no apologies, a twisted religion justifying his horrific actions.

Ranged against Arlo and the Butcher are the residents of the Farm, which is a hidden religious community led by Zia and the rather frightening Donovan. Zia and Donovan are both memorable and contrasting characters, choosing to build a positive life for themselves and their followers. Whilst the havens represent desperate unchecked individualism and a slow slide into depravity, the Farm models the values of community, love and cooperation. Ferris’ actions as he tries to help Bethany and her daughter inadvertently places the Farm in danger and a key theme of this book is how even when you try and do the right thing there can be terrible consequences.

Another favourite character for me was Igs, who has sought a life of peace on the Farm in order to try and leave behind his violent past. Against his will, he finds he has to turn to violence once more if the Farm and those he loves are to be protected.

Elderly Annabel, who serves as the Farm’s healer, also deserves a mention. I thought she was an interesting character, once you got behind her prickly exterior, and she has some of the best lines!

Ferris, Bethany and Katrina quickly find themselves caught up in this three-sided conflict and events move at a rapid pace throughout the book. There’s a pervading sense in this novel that no one is safe and I was left guessing what the outcome would be until the very end.
I found this novel to be compulsively readable due to the excellent character work and well-executed action scenes, which were always filled with tension. The setting of Godless Lands and the associated themes of the story offer the reader a fascinating new fantasy world to explore. The final book in the trilogy has now been released, so this is a perfect time to pick up this series. Without a doubt this was one of the best novels I’ve read in the last couple of years.