Mortedant’s Peril

Mortedant’s Peril is a dark fantasy by award-winning author RJ Barker. Woven into this tale is a murder mystery and an epic fantasy, centered on Mortedant Iordy Hasp, a reader of the dead’s last thoughts. My introduction to Barker was his Tide Child trilogy, and I picked up this book without reading the description, knowing only that it came from a fabulous storyteller. I was not disappointed.

Barker leads the reader through a shadowy world of death readers and fanatical death cultists, alongside a ragtag cast of characters who, despite their station in life, manage to outwit and foil those who look down on them. He blends rich world-building with well-developed characters in this fantasy thriller. With art that too accurately imitates life, his world-building touches on dark religious themes, corrupt political systems, and prejudice and intolerance that feel all too real.

Barker’s character development is also top-notch. Not just the main characters, but the major supporting cast as well, are given the same careful attention to detail. Fans of murder mysteries that blend seamlessly into epic fantasy, complete with a ragtag crew of unlikely heroes, will be thrilled with Mortedant’s Peril.