Pact

Pact is an urban fantasy web serial written by John McCrae, known online as Wildbow, the author of other popular web serials like Worm and Ward. The story follows Blake Thorburn, a man estranged from his family who becomes entangled in a hidden world of magic, spirits, and dangerous pacts after returning home for his grandmother’s funeral.

About the Book:

Set in a dark, contemporary world layered with supernatural forces, Pact explores themes of power, responsibility, sacrifice, and moral ambiguity. The narrative begins with Blake being named as the heir to his family’s magical legacy—a legacy riddled with curses and hostile supernatural entities. As a newly inducted practitioner, Blake must quickly learn the rules of a complex magical system based on promises, bindings, and spiritual negotiations to survive escalating threats.

Key Themes:

The serial delves deeply into ethical dilemmas, the consequences of broken promises, and the nature of trust in a world where language and intent carry literal, magical weight. Its atmosphere leans toward horror and suspense, with frequent life-and-death confrontations and psychological tension.

Structure:

Pact was serialized online from December 2013 to March 2015, with frequent chapter-length updates published several times per week. The story is divided into arcs, with "Bonds 1.1" marking the first installment.

Audience:

The book is best suited for mature readers who enjoy morally complex fantasy, psychological horror, and serial storytelling formats. It appeals especially to fans of dark urban fantasy and readers who appreciated McCrae’s previous works.

Critical Reception:

Pact has developed a dedicated online following for its intricate world-building, moral complexity, and unique magic system. While not as widely reviewed as traditional print novels, it has been discussed favorably in online fiction communities and by readers of web serial fiction.