Mourning Mayne is fairly estranged from his family, and he is okay with that. His wealthy and powerful father, Hadrian, is the head of a demonic dynasty and holds a grudge against him because his wife died giving birth to him (hence Mourning). And Mourning’s older siblings, twins Lachlan and Lorelei, are not just bullies --- they are downright creepy. 

Still, Mourning is content to live high off the family money in Seattle, knowing that it is ill begotten, literally from the souls of others. But that is all about to change. In fact, everything is about to change when some of the very first demons of hell are set to escape to earth, and hapless Mourning finds himself somehow standing in their way.

"This novel has it all: romance, family drama, magic and worldbuilding, intrigue and mystery, violence and gore, humor, and even a loyal orange cat named Apple."

THE CALAMITIES is Chuck Wendig’s latest novel, a fantasy/horror epic that concludes on an end-times cliffhanger and an unlikely foursome of would-be heroes regrouping for a final showdown. 

Things start to go sideways when Hadrian absconds with the family’s fount of elixir, the substance gleaned from souls that feeds the families of demonic broods operating in the shadows across the planet. The other families have less elixir stored than Hadrian does and see this power move as a threat. Plus, some of their numbers have been murdered, and others have been having ominous dreams. It seems that a great and terrible experiment they began over 20 years ago has come to fruition and rests with a shy and troubled artist named Quinn.

With his father and the elixir missing, the other families demand Mourning find Hadrian and lead them to Quinn. He is joined by Key, another “blooded,” who collects souls for the European Dantalions, working for money instead of elixir, and Silas Borne, formerly known as the Cleaver, sent by his masters and now yearning to help Quinn and find real freedom again. Eventually the four are involved in a road trip race against the magically and mundanely violent figures chasing them, looking for the elixir, Quinn, and the tower in a cornfield that just might be the gateway to hell. 

Along the way, they each must reckon with the choices of their pasts, the direction of their futures, the meaning of family and connection, and ultimately the responsibility they have to humankind. Mourning, Key and Silas wrestle with their selfishness as they come together in something like friendship to protect Quinn and take care of each other. 

This novel has it all: romance, family drama, magic and worldbuilding, intrigue and mystery, violence and gore, humor, and even a loyal orange cat named Apple. At well over 500 pages, it could’ve been trimmed down a bit, but Wendig clearly had fun telling the first part of this two-volume story. It only bogs down in some spots here and there. Readers of his other books will enjoy catching references to those stories embedded in this one. 

Less thoughtful than some of Wendig’s previous work, THE CALAMITIES is more action-packed and less character-driven than readers may expect. Dark, devilish and decadent, it is still a chaotically entertaining read.