As a palate cleanser between Throne of Glass books, I sat and read a novella called The Soft Touch by Daniel Polansky. I was so fortunate to be gifted an advanced copy by Grimdark Magazine, an outfit of The Broken Binding, because I think this is going to be my favorite novella of the year.

How have I never heard of Polansky before this?! After I finished it, I went and snatched up his entire catalogue. His writing is so sharp and fun and charming! This world of Low Town he's created? Fascinating. It's an urban grimdark London-inspired capital city full of a social rot that manifests in inventive ways.

Polansky gives us Wren.

Wren, my darling. My love. Wren is my new book husband. I have such an adoration for this character.

In this world of thugs and gangs and violence and constant erosion of society, Wren refuses to succumb to the plague of pessimism. He rarely kills and laments death as a loss no matter the victim, he remains stalwart in his belief people are inherently good, and he thinks it's possible to save the world without making it worse. Wren is the defiant optimist I love who chooses to be charming, funny, delightful, and keeps his head up when everyone else tries to drag it down.

I called this novella "grimlight hopecore" and that's what it is. In a world of grimdark, gut punch, sad, desolate landscapes of fantasy, Polansky dares to believe that hope is still the most powerful weapon in the human arsenal. I loved watching this story unfold and enjoyed Polansky's deft prose and quick wit so much I bought his whole catalogue. Truly, I am about to become Polansky's one woman marketing team.

I can't wait for this to come out and everyone to see what an incredible writer this man is. I will be making damn sure they hear it from me.