The Novice & The Guardian

The ruling clergy promised that the holy beasts were willing sacrifices. They lied. Novice caretaker Fiona Finch survived a childhood fire only to be swallowed by a different kind of nightmare: the grueling, silent servitude of the Cathedral of Unquiet Flesh. Here, the ruling priests demand absolute obedience, protecting the continent from deep-earth horrors by allegedly binding the flesh of willing martyrs to ancient, violent forces. These transformed beings, the holy guardians, are kept chained in the pitch-black subterranean vaults—revered as mindless beasts of divine wrath. But when Fiona is ordered to clean the holding cell of a newly created abomination, she uncovers a terrifying heresy. The towering, bone-plated monster known as Kael Nightshade is not an empty vessel. He possesses a desperate, fractured human soul. As a ruthless Inquisitor from the capital arrives to investigate a string of brutal murders in the upper cloisters, Fiona realizes the high priests are hiding a slaughterhouse behind their golden altars. To save the gentle monster she is falling in love with, the meek, obedient novice must become a rebel in the light, ready to burn the cathedral to its foundations. Why you will love this: Delve into an immersive Dark Fantasy filled with gothic architecture, forbidden romance, and pulse-pounding tension. Fans of 'Beauty and the Beast' retellings with a grimdark twist, corrupt religious orders, and tragic, monstrous heroes will be utterly captivated by Fiona and Kael's desperate alliance in the dark. Author and narrator John Newbill weaves a masterfully cinematic tale of dread, empathy, and dark magic. With evocative narration, this audiobook plunges listeners straight into the claustrophobic depths of a breathtaking new universe. Duration - 9h 11m. Author - John Newbill. Narrator - John Newbill. Published Date - Sunday, 25 January 2026. Copyright - © 2026 John Newbill ©.