From the first words of The Dregs, we are thrust into a brutal and bloodthirsty world of unrelenting violence and gore. The Dregs is grimdark fantasy at its finest.
The novella begins with a sorry group of survivors of a bloody, filthy war who band together in their despair at the loss of all hope. A despot has been toppled in the war, but his successor will not be any better. These characters are seemingly hopeless leftovers of war, left for death. But humanity always fights for survival, whatever the odds, and these characters are far from giving up. They tend to one another’s wounds and help each other survive as best they can, bonded by their desperate situation, before continuing on with their mission.
Meanwhile, Rasp, a farmhand with magical firepowers and the ability to see ghosts, is brought in front of Lord Vlayan, the brother of the deceased leader, Ivar. Rasp’s future is decided for him by the powers he must still learn to control. His hatred of the role he is forced into leads him to hastily learn control over some of his magic, and he discovers he is a powerful necromancer. He becomes set on revenge for the peasants killed and the fiery destruction wrought by Vlayan’s pet sorcerer and his apprentice.
Ilanya, a member of the personal guard of Lord Vlayan is struggling with the likelihood of her sister’s death. However, she must follow her orders and follow Lord Vlayan into the slaughter of his noble kinsfolk and crowning of himself King.
So much happens in such a short time in this fast-paced novella, as these story arcs converge, separate and reconverged and yet I immediately got a sense of backstory and did not feel disoriented, as can often happen when you are thrust into action without any buildup. The characterisation in this novella is deliciously sharp and grimy. Every disgusting detail is described with precision, and backstories are offered for the main characters, painting a vivid picture of these dregs of society.
We’re naught but the dregs. The miserable scraps left over after the battle. The forgotten.
Fans of grimdark fantasy should really give Thomas J. Devens’ work a try – you will not be sorry!
