A kingdom’s populous seaport becomes a hub of violence in this dark fantasy debut.

After someone murders his wife and son, Dacian metes out swift vengeance. But as the killer he assassinates turns out to be the duke’s son, Dacian hides out in Sarsini, the largest port city in the Sarsinian Kingdom. Among the nearly million citizens are his new friend Panos, a former Kingdom officer, who has laid low ever since witnessing his fellow legionnaires’ horrific deaths, and Kratos, who, on the duke’s behalf, leads the hunt for Dacian. These humans are largely oblivious to the immortal “Ascendant of Shadow,” who drifts from place to place as an “essence” and sways certain mortals to his will. As if Sarsini weren’t a busy enough seaport, one individual uses mysterious stones to open a portal, through which vicious creatures pass. These beasts—“all claws and teeth and insatiable hunger”—attack humans, forcing Panos and others to defend themselves in dangerous battles. De Villiers Graaff deftly packs this epic fantasy with a well-rounded cast and myriad subplots. The author’s regular updates on the various locales (including other Kingdom cities) and changing years (primarily flashbacks) keep the story lucid. But new characters randomly pop up throughout the series opener. De Villiers Graaff doesn’t skimp on developing each one, making for a leisurely paced tale and prompting narrative stretches without Dacian or Panos. On the plus side, it’s all the more startling when these well-defined individuals suddenly die or commit heinous deeds. They’re all immersed in a sublimely detailed atmosphere that rarely lets up—featuring the ever-present Ascendants (though all are not evil), the creatures’ unpredictable and bloody assaults, and rain perpetually showering the land. The ending, following a hectic final act, leaves copious avenues wide open for the sequel to explore.

A measured but ravishing supernatural tale overflowing with monsters and robust characters.