Rubezahl by M. Laszlo Book Review | Dark Philosophical Fantasy
In a city drowning in illusion, clarity becomes the most dangerous power of all.
In this review of Rübezahl by M. Laszlo, I share my thoughts on the story, characters, and what readers can expect from this philosophical fantasy tale.
About Rübezahl
Rübezahl By M Laszlo
Published by Alkira Publishing on May 2026
Genres: Dark Fantasy
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 344
The City of Iluze is under siege, and only Waltraud understands that the fiend Rübezahl is the source of the problem.
The winged old man has lived in captivity in the garret of Professor Kaspar's townhouse for decades.Waltraud, a beautiful seventeen-year-old maiden gifted with psychometry and enslaved as a child by Rübezahl, hears his cries and exhortations for release. But only she can hear him. Her refusal to assist in Rübezahl's escape results in the fiend's vengeance: a spell cast over the city in the form of rain, hallucinations, and a strange apathy that afflicts every denizen of the city. Even worse, Rübezahl exacts personal torment for Waltraud by entering her body and mind at critical junctures.
The situation is made worse for Waltraud and the citizens of Iluze as journalists fall in line to protect the paranormal abuser and his wishes.
Reader resources:
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Review at a Glance
| Genre: | Dark Fantasy, Philosophical Fantasy |
| Setting: | A mythical late-19th-century city in Bohemia |
| Length: | 360 pages |
| Content Rating: | Mature themes, including violence and psychological distress |
| My Rating: | ★★★★★ |
Quick Take: A dark, thought-provoking fantasy that blends folklore, philosophy, and social unrest into a haunting and memorable read.
Content Considerations: Themes of societal unrest, psychological distress, violence, and philosophical questioning of belief systems.
With that in mind, here are my thoughts on Rübezahl
My Thoughts on Rübezahl
No one writes dark philosophical fantasy quite like M. Laszlo. There is a distinct confidence in the storytelling here, where imaginative worldbuilding and deeper meaning work hand in hand rather than competing for attention.
The setting itself feels rich and fully realized, with an almost lyrical quality to the prose that pulls you along even as the themes grow heavier. Beneath the surface, there are clear political undertones that feel strikingly relevant, yet they never overwhelm the story itself.
I loved how seamlessly these layers come together. This is very much an allegorical tale about power, conflict, and belief, but it also functions beautifully as a piece of fantasy. The more philosophical elements are there for readers who want to dig deeper, while the unfolding events and atmosphere keep the narrative engaging for those simply looking to be immersed in the story.
I can easily see this appealing to a wide range of readers. Whether you come for the fantasy, the atmosphere, or the deeper questions it raises, there is something here to connect with.
In Conclusion
Rubezahl is a layered and thought-provoking read that lingers well beyond the final page. With its blend of folklore, philosophy, and social commentary, it offers both an engaging story and plenty to reflect on.
My CAWPILE score came out to a strong 9.0, making this a solid 5-star read for me.
If you enjoy layered, thought-provoking fantasy like this, you can explore more of M. Laszlo's work here:
The Nameless Land | On the Threshold | Anastasia's Midnight Song | The Phantom Glare of Day
For a deeper look into the author's creative process, you might also enjoy this guest post on keeping an idea book:
Read here
Excerpt
To give you a feel for the tone and writing style, here's a brief excerpt from the book:
As far back as she could remember, a period of some fifteen years, Waltraud had always disbelieved in organised religion. One week ago, on her seventeenth birthday, she had resolved to think of herself as a spiritualist. In truth, there could have been no avoiding the decision: for the past five years, as she maintained correspondence with a much older, worldly pen-friend in Vienna, he had helped to nurture her intellectualism such that the prodigy had grown resentful of the fanciful rites that went with this or that faith.
Her free-spirited Viennese pen-friend had also dissuaded her from developing any real interest in the political; as a consequence, she did not hunger for power. How perilous her growing humanism, though, for her philosophical nature had come to oblige her to tolerate almost anyone-even those wholly undeserving of sympathy.
19 October, 1877: early that morning, a strident, blaring, inhuman wail roused Waltraud from her slumber. She had never heard such a din. When she climbed out of bed, she continued outside onto her balcony and listened closely. Where's that racket coming from? She studied the skyline and considered some of the structures where the shrill lamentations reverberated all about three fine Gothic-revival towers with Venetian-style arches and scrolled gable walls. How dreamlike, the City of Iluze.
In time, the clamour came to resemble a captive's pleas for emancipation.
Meet M. Laszlo
About M Laszlo
M Laszlo is the pseudonym of a reclusive author living in Bath, Ohio. According to rumor, he based the pen name on the name of the Paul Henreid character in Casablanca, Victor Laszlo.
He has lived and worked in New York City, East Jerusalem, and several other cities around the world. While living in the Middle East, he worked for Harvard University’s Semitic Museum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio and an M.F.A. in poetry from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.
His next work is now available from AIA Publishing. There are whispers that it purports to be a genuine attempt to explain the universe's riddle and is based on journals and idea books he made while completing his M.F.A. at Sarah Lawrence College.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Where to Find
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Tour dates: April 15 toJune 3, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
Goddess Fish Promotions - Rübezahl Tour Page.
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[…] of Rübezahl! If the blend of folklore, history, and fantasy sounds intriguing, you can read my review now. I'll also be sharing a special Behind the Book feature on June 4, where he discusses some of the […]
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M. Laszlo here. Thank you, Gina!
Thanks for sharing your review thoughts. I love the cover. It gives off an eerie vibe.
Thank you so much for hosting and reviewing Rübezahl today.