Assessment:
Overall rating (3 votes)
Recommended by Drew Daniels, Grace McDermott, Sarah Suleski, and 1 other member.
The Edict of Instinct
A serialized novel, updating weekly.
Morality constantly teeters on a scale measuring the cost of life and the willingness to forfeit virtue. As Dmitri will soon find out. The story opens up in 1980’s Russia, a time of great anxiety for the people, with our main character starving, with a baby sister to care for. Where on the pendulum shall the boy balance out at? Will the Ghosts, both figurative and literal, of his past lament their sorrow? Action, tragedy, horror, fantasy, and shiny objects.
The Edict of Instinct
I'm the Good Guy?
— contains some graphic sex, graphic violence, and harsh language —
Tags: action dark fantasy fantasy horror online novels
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Editorial Reviews
Promising
The Edict of Instinct has a Prologue that takes place far into an indistinct future, and a first chapter (comprised of seven parts) which takes place in the not-so-distant past. The Prologue is set in a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas, and a first chapter set in post-Communist Russia.
What this promises is a sweeping story about a poor orphan boy transforming into a super-human anti-hero, and so far, the story is packed with drama, heartache, and blood.
The site design has a flat, gray look which reinforces the bleak desperation of young Dmitri’s life.
I was drawn to read the story because it is a spin-off of “Winter’s Mercenary” — but this has so far been an entirely different story, with a narrative voice that is in a completely different tone from that of WM’s insouciant vampire. I think this is a good thing, as it makes it its own, distinct webnovel and not just a something like fanfic. I’m interested to see where the story of Dmitri’s life goes and how it all leads to the scene depicted in the Prologue.
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Emotional reaction not optional…
After the haunting prologue, the story moves back into Russia during the 1980s where we catch up with a young man and his baby sister - two kids struggling to make it on their own.
You genuinely care for these two from the outset, W Grimm has an efficient use of language that means, although the chapters are short, you’re never left feeling dissatisfied.
The world is bleak, but filled with the warmth of the siblings - Sof’ya who is your typical eight-year-old girl despite what the world has thrown at her, and Dmitri, whose only focus is getting through each day.
Things take a turn for better when he’s employed down at the docks, and the pair are finally able to move out of the tiny cupboard they’re living in, to a real home.
The end of chapter one brings about a huge change, and without giving it away, I’m hooked, and shall be looking for updates.
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Most Helpful Member Reviews
Deliciously Dark!
There is something - special - about this story and I only ever use that word sparingly.
Seven parts so far, one complete chapter in total and if the author ever gets his act together and completes his latest computer game there could be a promise of more before Christmas!
The writing is different and has a certain edge to it. I do hope that this uniqueness is not lost as the author gains more experience, I like the fact that his individuality is shining through.
The story is not your usual run of the mill dark fantasy, there are lots of nice little touches and the atmosphere is heavy with approaching doom. There is an edge throughout which leads me to believe that the writer has a lot of life experience or has witnessed some very gritty situations.
There are a few little errors and the only reason I mention them is because some readers like everything word perfect and can be irritated by these things. Personally speaking as long as something is readable and the story is entertaining I am not bothered one iota. I appreciate that this is a work in progress and much prefer that the author continues to tell his story as well as he has so far.
As mentioned previously in other reviews I find the font size on this style of template a tad too small and the design a bit boring but the way it has been set up here makes it easy to navigate. The author takes time to engage with readers who comment and encourages feedback.
All in all this promises to be a deliciously dark tale!
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