Book Review: Children of Sorrow

Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt

Deadly assassins and cunning spies battle through a labyrinth of murder, betrayal, and high-stakes vengeance in Children of Sorrow.

In the shadowy alleys of the city of Moncragh, Dawson is a man haunted by his past. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t outrun it. Once a lethal assassin feared by many, Dawson yearns to leave that life behind. But when a tense encounter with his adopted father, Gaius, takes a deadly turn, everything begins to unravel. 

Gaius, the very man who put Dawson in this world of torture and bloodshed, is found murdered in a tavern, with all signs pointing to Dawson as the killer. Now, with his family and identity hanging by a thread, Dawson must make a perilous escape, dodging the Queen’s guards by plunging into the city’s dank sewers.

Reunited with his adoptive siblings, Ted and Marit—both deadly assassins and cunning spies—Dawson makes a vow to find their father’s killer and clear his own name. But the journey is anything but easy. 

Haunted by debilitating blackouts and gaps in his memory, Dawson is constantly one step behind his elusive enemy. As they unravel the dark secrets surrounding Gaius’s death, the siblings find themselves locked in a relentless battle, where only the fiercest will survive. All the while, they must confront their own demons from the dark underworld they share. 

The plot is driven by sharp, compelling dialogue. It doesn’t take long before you’re pulled into the thick of it, feeling like you’re right there with Marit, Ted, and Dawson as they exchange witty banter, even in the story’s darkest moments. Whether they’re sparring with words or meticulously investigating the bedroom of a working girl, the dialogue brings every scene to life. 

While the story is told from Dawson’s perspective, it’s Marit—his adoptive sister, spy, and assassin—who truly steals the show. Marit is a revelation: a strong female character to say the least. Her depth is truly striking. She navigates the world with a stone-cold exterior while offering glimpses of a fiery, sarcastic nature that feels like a protective shield. Marit injects fresh energy into every scene she graces.

The vivid settings—from the stench-filled sewers to the winding streets of Moncragh and the shadowy chambers within the castle walls—immerse readers in a world that feels as tangible as it is fantastical. In fact, those sewers provide some of the best scenes, brimming with exposition and sharp, witty repartee between Ted, Marit, and Dawson. The ever-shifting landscape of the city keeps the story dynamic, pulling you deeper into the adventure that Author Marc Keyner has masterfully crafted. I found myself completely immersed in the world of Moncragh and genuinely disappointed when I had to leave it.

Children of Sorrow delivers a pulse-pounding quest for vengeance that will leave readers breathless. Keyner weaves a rich tapestry of danger and deception, where death and dark secrets lurk around every corner. While the novel may be brief, it is a potent and delightful foray into the fantasy genre, delivering relentless action and unforgettable characters that will leave lovers of the genre satisfied.

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