Alexey Dyed in Red

The fascinating, if somewhat underdeveloped, world of this intriguing short novel combines elements of fantasy, romance, and horror. Alexey has lived in the mystical city of Kalinstad for 100 years, having fled a traumatic past he no longer remembers. Though he is known as the city’s Darkrow, or magical protector, he has received no education in using his powers, and he lives a mostly quiet life filled with simple pleasures. When two proper Darkrow—demons currently in the service of the Blue Emperor—arrive in Kalinstad, they begin changing Alexey’s habits: training him to control his unwieldy magic, introducing him to more sensual pleasures, and helping him awaken his memories, which are more intertwined with Alexey’s surroundings than he realizes. Spirited characters and fanciful locations intrigue the reader despite feeling merely sketched out. Alexey’s childlike nature sometimes amuses—as when he exasperates his new teachers—but also sometimes grates. Still, this is a promising and eloquently written debut. (Nov.)