Casthen Gain

In July 2025 Grimdark Magazine will be publishing a science fantasy novella revisiting the world of The Graven, taking us to a familiar place but far in the past, with an all new cast. It’ll be a fun, brutal, cinematic, sensory introduction to the bubble multiverse for new readers, and answer some origin story questions for trilogy fans. A wayward culinarian finds himself dropped into a battle royale hunt across the most dangerous planet in the multiverse, through a wilderness of alien ecology like Scavengers Reign, and featuring the creative cooking of Delicious in Dungeon. His specialty is transuniversal physics and how materials transform between pocket universes—a skill that can be as deadly as it is delectable.

You can currently pre-order this novella via Amazon. Please stay tuned for more news, details—and the cover reveal!—by following Essa or Grimdark Magazine on social media.

If you’re a reviewer (review websites, Booktubers, Booktokkers, GoodReads, etc) interested in reviewing this novella, please fill out the publicity form here for an opportunity to get an early print copy (limited run) or ePub copy.