Before I get too much into this review, I just need to point out one thing: The Last Gasp of Midnight. Seriously, before getting into anything else, you can’t deny Thomas Howard Riley certainly has a talent for coming up with a title that demands your attention. I love it!
Anywho, I’ve been meaning to get into THR’s work for a while now, but the dude writes some chonkers and I’m awful at time management, so when this one came out at fifty pages, I knew it was time to finally check him out. So, onto the review.
Two warriors, enemies, find themselves on a sundered field after a devastating battle. The only two to survive, each with his own goals, his own stubborn will to go on. And each with his own hatred, ingrained into him for ages. It’s a hatred that demands the battle continue, until only one survives. There can be no peace, no going their separate ways, too many past wrongs hold them there, bleeding out but continuing endless war.
The Last Gasp of Midnight is a gritty, visceral, beautiful gut-punch of a tale, that Thomas Howard Riley executes masterfully. A fight scene that could put They Live to shame, as these two enemies stumble through their bloodlust in a blustering attempt to slay one another by any means necessary. And it is done with a beautiful, flowing prose.
I can’t emphasize how much this novella is right up my alley. Throughout the fight, lines are peppered in that cast light onto extensive worldbuilding and a rich history, while never once pulling the reader out of the moment. Brief breaks as the enemies exchange dialogue, developing their purpose, their intent, their hopes and fears. In these brief pages, in this single battle, you get to know these warriors. You come to feel for them, you find yourself fully invested in the both of them.
And then it’s done.
And you’re left whirling. This novella tears hearts strings. And I am all for it. While it leaves me only wanting more, it does so in the most satisfying way. I highly recommend y’all waste no time giving this a read, I couldn’t imagine anyone regretting it.
Now I need to finally make the time to read THR’s lengthier works, We Break Immortals has been calling to me for far too long.
Check out his work here: https://thomashowardriley.com
With so many chonkers out there, it’s nice to have shorter reads in between.
I really must read this – I’ve fully enjoyed all his other works. Very impressed that he managed to stop at 50 pages as he has a knack for turning planned short stories into novels! I think you will really enjoy WBI and the other two books are well worth your time as well!!