Book Review: Promises to the Damned

sarahc624
Apr 28, 2023
2 min read

Sci-fi fiction novel by Tyler James, published 2023

330 pages

A Dark Fantasy that Highlights the Importance of Trust & Connection

Set in the dreary and cruel Iron Mountain Prison, Promises of the Damned is a dark fantasy that highlights the importance of trust and connection, especially while faced with incredibly tough situations.

James has a solid writing style that creates a unique and fantastical world which is very different than anything I have ever read. Focused around two main characters, Nasna and Tsuran, the story immediately opens up with both intrigue and murder. Nasna is an assassin, who while excellent at her trade, inherently hates it. It becomes clear that she is constantly on edge and at war with herself, as well as hearing the voice of her "Path" in her head. The reader is then left to decide if she is losing her mind, and thus an unreliable narrator, or if this voice is normal for her character's species as an Ordin (this question does get answered when you learn more of the backstory for Nasna). She infiltrates the prison and impersonates another prisoner while on an assassination quest.

Tsuran, imprisoned at Iron Mountain, is of the Tatzon species and is a designated Guardian. He has been there for a very long time and often battles with Solitude as his partner was killed. Tatzon's are a species that must always have a partner, otherwise loneliness will become corporeal and have very damaging mental and physical effects to their bodies.

After an event early on in the plot, the prison Warden decides to punish Tsuran by making Nasna his cellmate. From there these two become an unlikely duo, and one you'll find yourself rooting for as things escalate. They will deal with spirits and beasts of differing scale and power, have to push themselves to the brink within their own fantastical powers, and ultimately make choices that challenge who they innately are. All of this is interesting and keeps the reader engaged throughout.

That said, there are numerous species woven into the story, which did get a bit confusing at times. These species are all fantastical and have a place within the world that James has crafted, but sometimes it felt almost forced with so much going on during the storyline. There were points where I had to go back and reread sections because I'd forgotten which species had what power or physical appearance.