Dirge by Tim Marquitz

Permuted Press, 2015

Available: paperback and e-book

ISBN-13:  978-1618684301

The Necrolords have invaded the kingdom of Delham, bringing death and destruction with their control of the walking dead. Kallie is a young woman freed from years of abuse in a dungeon by Relian, a priest with the Brotherhood of Sorea. Relian has trained her to become the mysterious assassin Dirge, and gifted her with great powers. so she can protect her people and defeat the Necrolords.  Disguised as Dirge, Kallie does the bidding of the ruthless emperor to earn the money needed for her people’s survival. Now she is thrust into a deadly game, a pawn of both the emperor and the lord who moves against him. Sent on a mission to capture a living Necrolord, she is torn between what is right and the revenge she wants.

Tim Marquitz has created a beautiful world of dark fantasy, complete with zombies, murder, and mayhem (though the walking dead take a back seat to the scheming and action of the story). Characters are well developed and you definitely feel something for all of them, be it hatred or sympathy. Kallie is a strong female protagonist, but not without flaws, and I found it easy to empathize with her and the difficult position she finds herself in. The story is full of amazing detail and depth, and you can imagine this world existing somewhere. Dirge is how dark fantasy should be done. I look forward to reading more about the people of Delham and Kallie’s story. Highly recommended

Contains: violence and bloodshed

Reviewed by Colleen Wanglund