Book Review: Lightfall by Ed Crocker

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Lightfall by Ed Crocker

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (January 14, 2025)

Length: 384 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Books featuring vampires and werewolves have always piqued my interest, especially when they strike the perfect balance between honoring traditional lore and offering something new and unique. Lightfall by Ed Crocker managed to hit that sweet spot for me. While the novel doesn’t stray too far from the established mythology of these classic monsters, it also introduces a richly detailed setting with an immersive history that feels well thought out and significant.

In the world of Lightfall, humanity no longer exists, leaving immortal creatures like vampires and werewolves in charge. The story is primarily told through three main character perspectives, each with their own role to play in the unfolding mystery that drives the plot forward. First, we have Sam, a vampire who works as a palace maid in the city of First Light. Stuck on the bottom rung of the ladder in a society where one’s worth is determined by the quality of blood they drink, she can’t help but dream of a better life for herself and her fellow “Worms.” When the youngest son of the First Lord is found murdered, Sam is tasked to clean his room and comes across a list that may offer a clue to his death. Sensing an opportunity, she decides to reach out to the “Leeches”, a secretive network among the palace staff known for their expertise in handling powerful information.

Next, we meet Sage, a sorcerer whose organization is dedicated to the study of ancient artifacts left behind by the now-extinct human race. Traveling with Jacob, the Watson to Sage’s Holmes, they arrive at Light Fall to investigate the killing of the First Lord’s son. Meanwhile, Raven is a werewolf and former assassin who now dedicates herself to hunting down criminals of her own kind, exacting swift justice upon those who break their laws. Her latest quarry has also brought her to the city, leading her to cross paths with Sam, Sage, Jacob, and the mysterious noble lady who will help guide them into dangerous territory. Together, they will uncover conspiracies far larger than they could have imagined, even as they delve deeper into the mystery of the murdered prince.

Through these POVs, Crocker weaves a tale rich in conflict and intrigue, but at its core are the layered relationships. Each character’s voice was distinct enough that the shifts between them were relatively seamless, allowing the story to flow naturally from one perspective to the next. The contrasting personalities also added a lot of depth and interest to the plot, their interactions enhancing the emotional core of the novel. Even secondary characters felt like they had important roles to play, adding meaningful context to the overarching themes.

Admittedly, though, the book was a bit slow in hooking my interest. Initial chapters took their sweet time building up the foundation to the world of Lightfall—which, to be fair, featured a substantial cast of characters and a complicated premise. Information overload happened rather quickly in this case, making it feel like I had to wade through a ton of exposition just to get to the meat of the story. But once this happened, the pacing picked up substantially. With all the pieces in place, it was like the plot was suddenly given room to breathe because things moved at a fast clip with a steady stream of action and suspense following this point. Crocker pulls off a nice balancing act by countering chapters filled with chaos and violence with more introspective moments, using this ebb and flow to ensure his storytelling remains dynamic and multifaceted.

As a lover of mysteries, especially in the context of fantasy fiction, I was also quite tickled with the overall structure of Lightfall and the involvement of Sage and Jacob—by far my favorite characters. While on the face of it, the mystery of the Lord’s murdered son was kind of simplistic, what made it compelling was the way everything was solidly incorporated into the world-building including its politics and history. Were certain elements rushed or a little predictable? Yes, to both. Still, despite these minor hiccups and other rough edges, the payoff was worth the wait.

In conclusion, Lightfall offers a unique and captivating take on vampires and werewolves and magic in the fantasy genre, offering inventive ideas. It is not without its flaws, particularly with initial pacing, but I am happy to overlook them because the novel has strengths in so many other areas. I’m excited for what lies ahead in this series and to see what Ed Crocker will do to build upon what’s already established.