The Broken Coil is another enthralling dark fantasy tale from the Thomas Berenford Chronicles by Joseph Schwartz. Warden Murvel Meecham is beside herself. She commissions her most deadly mercenary, named the Far Reaper, to bring Thomas Berenford to where he belongs, in hell. Meanwhile, Thomas has his own burdens to bear. His past refuses to let go of him while he wields the broadsword called Wilma, who screams for blood and mayhem. After rescuing a thirteen-year-old girl named Chloe, Thomas finds himself offering protection to Mother Endelyn and the rest of her pilgrims on their way to an inner-dimensional gate. However, raiders aren't the only ones standing in their way, as Meecham and her minions will leave no stone unturned to ensure Thomas's path is paved with bloody corpses.

Imagine the Marvel character Wolverine in a dark fantasy setting, and you will end up with something like this story. The Broken Coil is the tale of an out-and-out berserker who must go against his instincts to reluctantly protect those who, somehow, end up helping him after all. It's a brilliant twist on the noble barbarian trope that you see in many dark fantasy franchises. Joseph Schwartz's pacing is nothing short of phenomenal. The author packs so much plot into a relatively short novella that you can't take your eyes off the pages for even a single moment. Each turn of the page or new chapter brings reveals and twists and turns that you simply don't want to miss. The entire narrative is filled with thrilling action sequences. Dark fantasy fans are in for a treat!

In The Broken Coil by Joseph Schwartz, Thomas Berenford was the only man who had escaped from prison under Warden Murvel Meacham's watch. But Thomas did not actually escape; he was rescued. The warden wanted him back in prison and needed the help of the Far Reaper. Mother Endelyn, who had raised Thomas, asked him to escort her and other pilgrims on their journey to a mystical portal. Thomas must protect Mother Endelyn from danger and enemies who want her treasure. Thomas joined the pilgrims in their trek across a harsh desert in search of the portal they believed would transport them to another realm. News spread that Thomas had been seen, and Warden Murvel Meacham, with the help of the Far Reaper, was hunting Thomas down to take him back to prison. Thomas had to stay vigilant in the face of the Warden's desire for revenge.

The Broken Coil by Joseph Schwartz was intricate and captivating, fast-paced and packed with nonstop action that did not stop until the last page. The plot was filled with danger, survival, and uncertain alliances that still needed to prove their trustworthiness. The events were vividly described, making it easy for me to imagine the harsh and hostile setting during the journey. The writing style was captivating, immersing me in a fantasy realm of dark magic, swords, and sorcery. The characters felt genuine and relatable. I particularly liked the dialogues Thomas had with his sword, Wilma. It was a fantastic story that was skillfully written. It captured my interest from the start and kept it throughout. I had not read any of the previous books but I had no trouble immersing myself in this one. Reading this book was very enjoyable.