Myrewater: Blackbeast is a dark revenge fantasy novel by Christopher T. Greenleif. The story follows Nero, an ordinary farmer who loses his entire family in one day and is tortured by their murderer. He meets a mysterious man who turns him into an unliving creature and asks him to join the Ravagers, a group of merciless monsters who kill mortals and eat their flesh. The idea does not appeal to Nero because he has plans to unleash his anger upon the world. Despite losing his memories, he is haunted by the voice of his late wife, Selena, urging him to kill everyone in his path and mocking him for failing to protect his family. Nero makes the magical dark swamp that turns into the Myrewater manor his home and compels Shenzhi, an elder vampire from Prysmus, and Kuki, a traumatized sinister creature with destructive powers, to join him. Nero goes on a rampage, but his terrifying reputation begins to attract the attention of powerful players. Will he ever get his revenge, or will his new enemies take him out first?

Myrewater: Blackbeast is the first installment in the Myrewater series and gives an excellent introduction to it. The story has adventure, mystery, action, and a captivating plotline. Christopher T. Greenleif has incorporated traditional mythological creatures like vampires, dragons, orcs, and elves with new abilities and backgrounds to create unique characters. I loved this because it showcases his creativity and well-thought-out direction for the series. The story is unpredictable, and every scene had me on the edge of my seat and wondering what would happen next. Each character has an epic introduction, and the limit to their power is never disclosed, making everyone a dangerous threat. I love that the author made the main lead a multidimensional character. Nero is an angry and vengeful man, but he also shows little glimpses of humanity, such as his cleanliness and fascination with sunflowers, which remind him of his family. I enjoyed this book and hope to read more from the author and the series. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dark epic fantasy novels with incredible plots and intriguing characters.

Myrewater: Blackbeast is a work of fiction penned by author Christopher T. Greenleif in the dark fantasy, horror, and thriller subgenres. It is best suited to mature adult readers owing to the presence of explicit language and graphic violence throughout. Readers are invited into a gripping tale of revenge and the descent into darkness with Nero, known as The Blackbeast. A man cursed by dark magic, the narrative delves into the tragedy that befalls him during his relentless quest for vengeance and the legacy of fear he leaves in the land of Eracia.

Author Christopher T. Greenleif has crafted a compelling story that explores the truest and darkest depths of human emotion, particularly the all-consuming power of anger and the lengths to which one might go to satisfy the thirst for revenge. The character of Nero is hauntingly depicted, and his transformation into the feared Blackbeast is both tragic and fascinating. The setting of Myrewater adds a layer of eerie atmosphere, with a multi-sensory approach to description that moves beyond the cinematic and creates a palpable sense of dread. The narrative is well-paced to blend its subtly building horror elements with a character-driven plot, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish as the work gets grislier but also too compelling to ever look away. Greenleif's writing style is evocative and filled with powerful descriptive lexis, painting vivid pictures of the dark swamp and the psychological landscape of the characters, and his storytelling prowess shines in a real nail-biter of a conclusion. Overall, Myrewater: Blackbeast is a dark and enthralling journey, offering readers a potent mix of horror, revenge, and a protagonist whose path into darkness leaves an indelible mark on the reader's imagination. I would not hesitate to recommend it to fantasy and horror enthusiasts everywhere.