One of the blurbs I saw for this book called it visceral and it fits. In this book’s world magic is a physical power, and you’re treated to a first person viewpoint of what that feels like.

Walker, the book’s protagonist, is an antihero with a mysterious and checkered past he ran from nearly a decade ago. But the murder of his best friend drags him back in. That reads like the standard plot for many books, but Johnston’s well, visceral storytelling sets it apart, as do a few fun twists and turns.

Recommended for fantasy fans, especially if you like grim and gritty.