Retribution kicks off in a richly imagined world where God’s warriors, the Reapers, battle the forces of Lucifer and his fallen angels. The story follows Burt, a seasoned Reaper, as he tracks the demon Midos into a mysterious cave, only to find himself facing something far more powerful: a Fallen Angel. From there, the narrative spirals into a tense, emotional saga blending brutal combat, fierce loyalty, and unwavering faith. Alongside a vivid cast of characters like Jaml and Shay, the story expands into political intrigue and a dangerous mission to save a kidnapped prince, all while the threat of an unholy alliance grows ever stronger.

Reading this book was a ride I wasn’t expecting. The writing style is refreshingly straightforward—no stuffy prose, no pretentious rambling. It’s punchy and raw. I found the fight scenes especially gripping. They’re fast, messy, and unflinchingly brutal, just the way real combat should feel. Sometimes the dialogue felt a little heavy-handed—people don’t always speak in sermons—but honestly, the heart behind it made up for any stiffness. I could tell the author genuinely cared about these characters and the world they were defending.

The ideas in this story resonated more than I thought they would. It’s not just about swinging swords and crushing demons (though there’s a lot of that, and it’s awesome); it’s about faith, sacrifice, and sticking to your values even when the odds are stacked sky-high against you. The portrayal of evil isn’t cartoonish either. The Fallen Angels aren’t just “bad guys”—they’re chillingly charismatic, smart, and seductive. I actually felt the fear and the temptation, and that made the battles feel so much more real. At times, the story wrestles with huge questions about loyalty, destiny, and human weakness, and it never talks down to the reader while doing it.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt that a little more show, and a little less tell, would’ve punched the tension even higher. But when the action did kick in, it roared to life. The world-building was another bright spot for me. Temples, golden dragons, ancient swords—the setting was vivid without being overwhelming. It never felt like the story was buried under its own lore, which is a rare in fantasy.

Retribution is a book for readers who love their fantasy gritty, their battles high-stakes, and their heroes bloodied but unbroken. I’d especially recommend it to fans of The Witcher or Demon Slayer—anyone who likes their good-vs-evil stories a little darker and a lot more real. This isn’t some pretty fairytale. It’s a bloody prayer carved into stone—and it’s worth the journey.

Pages: 464 | ASIN : B0F5NLJL1D