The Walking Dead & Supernatural Meets the Lord of the Rings in this new Gay Romanatasy Our Rogue Fates by @sarahmarshauthor 

RELEASE DATE: April 28, 2026 

Rating:  4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Score: 4/5 Moderate Chilis 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Themes: Gay Romance, Friendship, Healing, Nature/Forest Swamps, Nostalgia, Loss and Reconnection 🫂✨🌊🌲

He was more fortunate than most. In fact, he had everything; a sister who always stuck by him and his hero,his knight, ready to stay through the battle ahead.

Mal Pryce has given into the darkside becoming a mercenary for the Shadow Queen– a witch that wants to be the sole enchantress of Mayfair and controls ravens, orcs, and other spooky creatures. But when his old best-friend Griff Sayer is the next target and barely survives, Mal is awakened and makes a deal to find hidden treasure in a Haunted Swamp in exchange for Griff’s freedom. The only issue? They haven’t talked in years and Griff has taken a different route training to be a Warden (A hero against the Shadow Queen) and has spent years in Stormveil: the Elf Realm. 

Alys is the glue that reunites them together after so much time has passed. 

Alys, Griff, and Mal all three grew up together. Although this novel is a Gay Romance it also focuses on the friendship and power of three of these characters. They’re stronger together. 

This book relies on the nostalgia and history between the three characters which allows you to feel closely connected to Griff and Mal feeling like you’ve known them for years.  

Mal’s distaste for the fae realm is completely valid and funny at the same time! He just wanted his love, Griff. Cries  I really would have liked to see more of Stormveil and the Elf Realm though–but I’m aware there are more books in the making which might provide that! 

Have you ever had an unrequited love? This novel fulfills every gay man’s fantasy because this time the seemingly straight Mal discovers he’s loved Griff all along and it only took Griff to finally be transparent about his feelings and for them to be constantly surviving orcs, trolls, and wyvern dragons. 

GRIFF: Oh Griff! The muscular long haired brunette who can bake and chop wood and is out publicly as a gay man. He’s every gay man’s dream. Griff was like a teddy bear. He definitely went through it!!–– He was always the one getting stabbed, injured and choked out! There are baked goods in this novel such as Cinnamon Rolls, Biscuits, and Tea in the woods! Cottage Core vibes for sure!  

ALYS: Alys is a fierce warrior with a ton of empathy. I enjoyed seeing her story arc unfold. She’s also an artist and quite the painter while also in her own little world at times! 

The story is action packed and focuses more on the battles, healing, and connection of the characters rather than the Quest for Treasure itself. This means the Plot is more centered on the journey and the relationship between the three. You definitely wonder how they’ll survive the Mire with all the creatures that attack them. Griff and Mal sure made the most of it, making love again and again while wounded. The spice is a mix of grunge masculinity and intimate romance. I actually enjoyed the way the spice was written which allowed for more imagination.  The aesthetic atmosphere of the book is also done well with Wynnie’s Cottage, the Mire, the herbs, eerie vibes, murky waters, campfires etc. 

I was not expecting the plot twist at the end! It was nice to see Rhun’s story wrapped up with him crossing over becoming free from the wraith villain. Farewell to Leo the Orc Head! 

I appreciate how the author touches on the important topic of Drinking Addiction and Recovering from it. Why? It’s important to bring awareness that many people use drinking as a coping skill for stress and deep feelings like being chased by orcs and ghosts. Mal’s enlightenment was cinematic as he dropped the flask into the water, cut his long blonde hair, and cleansed himself in the waters, starting a new era of healing for himself. He chose happiness with Griff and they both decided to build a life together in the night under the fireflies. 

Thank you to the author and Alcove Press for the Advanced Reader Copy.