🩸 Horror Fiction

A Year Less Three Days

✍️ Alyx Jae Shaw
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$12.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A knight must win a broken slave's heart to save his own soul.

The story follows Lias, a former woodsman reduced to slavery after failing to save his wife. His new owner, Necromis, is a knight of the Order of the White Bear who faces a deadly ultimatum from Bonecracker. To prevent his soul from being claimed, Necromis must capture Lias's heart. The narrative explores the psychological toll of abuse and the slow, difficult process of rebuilding trust between two damaged individuals. Shaw uses the framework of supernatural bargains to examine human resilience and the capacity for change even in the darkest circumstances.

Key Themes
trauma recovery supernatural bargain forced proximity
Literary Context

This work sits within the contemporary dark fantasy genre, published in 2024. It draws on gothic and supernatural fiction traditions, focusing on medieval-style orders like the White Bear and the grim realities of slavery in a fictionalized historical context.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
M.R. James · Shirley Jackson · Clive Barker
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Arian Derwydd Books, LLC 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798989884490

📝 Description: A Year Less Three Days

Alyx Jae Shaw presents a dark fantasy narrative centered on Lias, a woodsman whose life unravels after his wife is kidnapped. His failure to protect her leads to his capture and sale as a slave. The story details his descent into brutality under various masters, stripping him of his humanity until he becomes little more than an animal in the eyes of others. Necromis, a knight serving the Order of the White Bear, acquires Lias not out of mercy but necessity. A binding bargain dictates that Necromis must capture the heart of this broken slave to save his own soul from Bonecracker. The plot hinges on this desperate race against time as the day of reckoning approaches. Shaw’s work draws heavily on gothic and supernatural traditions, focusing on themes of trauma, redemption, and the complex dynamics between captor and captive. The narrative structure follows their forced proximity and the gradual shift in their relationship. This book suits readers who enjoy intense emotional conflicts within a dark fantasy setting. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted adventure or traditional hero journeys.

💎 Our verdict on A Year Less Three Days

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Shaw delivers a potent examination of trauma through the lens of supernatural obligation. The narrative effectively captures the psychological toll of abuse, stripping away layers of humanity to reveal the core struggle for connection. By framing the relationship between Lias and Necromis within a deadly bargain, the author heightens the stakes of their emotional intimacy. This approach suits readers who enjoy gothic tension and dark fantasy elements that prioritize character development over plot mechanics. The work succeeds in portraying the arduous path to redemption, avoiding simplistic resolutions. It is best appreciated by those willing to engage with heavy themes of resilience and the capacity for change. While not for everyone, it offers a profound look at human durability against overwhelming darkness.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking intense emotional depth within a dark fantasy setting will find this book rewarding. It appeals to those interested in the complex dynamics of captor and captive, offering a nuanced look at how trust rebuilds after severe abuse. The narrative is ideal for individuals who appreciate psychological horror over traditional hero journeys, as it focuses on the slow, difficult process of healing rather than action. Those drawn to gothic atmospheres and supernatural frameworks used to examine human resilience will gain from this exploration of redemption. It provides a compelling study of two damaged individuals navigating a deadly ultimatum, making it suitable for fans of stories that prioritize internal conflict and character transformation over lighthearted adventure.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Shaw delivers a potent examination of trauma through the lens of supernatural obligation. The narrative effectively captures the psychological toll of abuse, stripping away layers of humanity to reveal the core struggle for connection. By framing the relationship between Lias and Necromis within a deadly bargain, the author heightens the stakes of their emotional intimacy. This approach suits readers who enjoy gothic tension and dark fantasy elements that prioritize character development over plot mechanics. The work succeeds in portraying the arduous path to redemption, avoiding simplistic resolutions. It is best appreciated by those willing to engage with heavy themes of resilience and the capacity for change. While not for everyone, it offers a profound look at human durability against overwhelming darkness.

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