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The Dark Path
by
Luke Romyn (Goodreads Author)
New York's underworld quivers at the mention of his name. Evil courses through his veins like blood and his conscience has lain dormant for over a decade while he has slashed and burned his way to the top of the food chain. Vain.
The Dark Man, born of torment into an existence of death. In the underworld of killers he reigns supreme. And yet he is chosen for a task of supre...more
The Dark Man, born of torment into an existence of death. In the underworld of killers he reigns supreme. And yet he is chosen for a task of supre...more
Paperback, 184 pages
Published
March 28th 2011
by Wild Child Publishing
(first published 2009)
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Jan 19, 2011
Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Readers who like antiheroes and dark fantasy with hellish horror elements
For a full review, check the Bitten by Books website: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/
This book grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go until I finished the story! An amazing story about the most gruesome and lethal assassin you can ever imagine, who will discover more about himself and others throughout his endeavors and eventually has to made some decisions.
Luke does and incredible job telling the story and it really pulls you inside. I can't wait reading his next book!
Luke does and incredible job telling the story and it really pulls you inside. I can't wait reading his next book!
I really enjoyed this book, I wasn't expecting what it gave to me at all.
You have Vain, or Dark Man, who is the best assassin around. He lives his life in an unemotional state other then the dark pit of rage that lives inside of him. You follow him around as he makes a few kills and get a feel for who you think this man is. He is given the task, or really chooses it cause no one can tell the Dark Man what to do, to watch over a young boy named Sebastian and to protect him from an evil cult that...more
You have Vain, or Dark Man, who is the best assassin around. He lives his life in an unemotional state other then the dark pit of rage that lives inside of him. You follow him around as he makes a few kills and get a feel for who you think this man is. He is given the task, or really chooses it cause no one can tell the Dark Man what to do, to watch over a young boy named Sebastian and to protect him from an evil cult that...more
It's an intense read. This book packs a battery of heinous crimes that are sometimes too much to take in, but actually supports the case of the anti-hero Vain. I did not enjoy reading the violence but find it was necessary to perceive the big picture.
Vain hasn't always been a vicious assassin. The Dark Man that he became is born from the depths of a horrific nightmare on the night Police Officer Martin Roberts' wife and daughter were brutally violated and murdered. I really don't think anyone c...more
Vain hasn't always been a vicious assassin. The Dark Man that he became is born from the depths of a horrific nightmare on the night Police Officer Martin Roberts' wife and daughter were brutally violated and murdered. I really don't think anyone c...more
Fundamentally, Luke Romyn's The Dark Path is a tale of good versus evil. But, it is not what you would typically expect from such a tale. How many authors have pitted the forces of good against evil? It is a theme that has been used and overused.
But The Dark Path puts an entirely new spin on this theme.
Vain, the Dark Man, the Assassin (he's referenced by all three names interchangeably)is not your typical incarnation of evil. He as as much a man struggling to overcome his inner demons as he is a...more
But The Dark Path puts an entirely new spin on this theme.
Vain, the Dark Man, the Assassin (he's referenced by all three names interchangeably)is not your typical incarnation of evil. He as as much a man struggling to overcome his inner demons as he is a...more
I'm quite thankful that the author and I follow each other on twitter. When he advertised the book, I got it to show support for a fellow author and also because it peaked my interest. From the moment I picked it up and really started reading, I was hooked.
From the beginning I wondered how things would unfold. Vain was such a mysterious and intriguing character to me. The ruthless assassin immediately filled me with the need to know more. I wondered if he was truly a mindless killer for hire or...more
From the beginning I wondered how things would unfold. Vain was such a mysterious and intriguing character to me. The ruthless assassin immediately filled me with the need to know more. I wondered if he was truly a mindless killer for hire or...more
This book seems to garnered some very positive reviews. In fact many a positive reviews and I can see why as the over all story is a good story. Vain other wise known as the Darkman is the most feared assassin in the underworld. Rightly so as he is downright effective at what he does and he enjoying torturing and killing people. His main informant is the "Squirrel" a homeless down and out former wallstreet investor with a knack for picking up information. The Dark man used him to track down Dant...more
May 15, 2012
Chandra
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
kindle,
contemporary
AUTHOR: Luke Romyn writes Mystery & Thrillers, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy. While this is my first time reading a book by Luke, I realize how utterly focused he is on paranormal with plenty of action and adventure.
GENRE: Crime thriller; Paranormal fiction
SETTING: Modern day
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: He is no longer the man he was. Vain aka the Dark Man is now the most lethal assassin known. He moves in stealth and does not care that he is alone. But deep inside there is another man hi...more
GENRE: Crime thriller; Paranormal fiction
SETTING: Modern day
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: He is no longer the man he was. Vain aka the Dark Man is now the most lethal assassin known. He moves in stealth and does not care that he is alone. But deep inside there is another man hi...more
So, this is the first book that I bought through Amazon's Kindle. I don't have a the e-reader but have the app on my phone and android based tablet. I bought it months ago after following his banter with another author on twitter (recently reviewed by me.) I was drawn in by their mutual lambasting, word-play and overall wit and charm. Subsequently, I was caught off guard by their literary talents. For the past several months I have been only been reading blogs and short stories. It was while rea...more
Rivaling both Stephen King and Thomas Harris, without doubt, the edgy and provocative Luke Romyn is destined to emerge as the 21st century’s newest Master-of-Horror.
In his debut novel, “The Dark Path,” Luke showcases his writing talents through the eyes and actions of Vain, aka The Dark Man. Due to a horrific experience in a “past” life, Vain is transformed into a truly evil character. This raw and gritty anti-hero, charges through one scene into the next; leaving death, destruction and despair...more
In his debut novel, “The Dark Path,” Luke showcases his writing talents through the eyes and actions of Vain, aka The Dark Man. Due to a horrific experience in a “past” life, Vain is transformed into a truly evil character. This raw and gritty anti-hero, charges through one scene into the next; leaving death, destruction and despair...more
The Dark Path written by Luke Romyn reminds me of dark super heroes such as Spawn, The Crow, and The Punisher. If you like that type of fiction, then you will love, The Dark Path. Here is the description from Amazon:
New York's underworld quivers at the mention of his name. Evil courses through his veins like blood and his conscience has lain dormant for over a decade while he has slashed and burned his way to the top of the food chain.
Vain.
The Dark Man, born of torment into an existence of deat...more
New York's underworld quivers at the mention of his name. Evil courses through his veins like blood and his conscience has lain dormant for over a decade while he has slashed and burned his way to the top of the food chain.
Vain.
The Dark Man, born of torment into an existence of deat...more
Not for the faint of heart
This is an urban fantasy horror with religious overtones and a battle over bringing or stopping armageddon. The Dark Path is a very disturbing book. Good but disturbing. Starts out gory as hell with Vain mutilating a drug dealer, and killing the man's wife. Everyone is afraid of Vain. He is a killer of assassins. After reading the story of how Vain came to be, I had to put the book down for a while. I actually couldn't sleep. I went to wake up my 4 year old daughter and...more
This is an urban fantasy horror with religious overtones and a battle over bringing or stopping armageddon. The Dark Path is a very disturbing book. Good but disturbing. Starts out gory as hell with Vain mutilating a drug dealer, and killing the man's wife. Everyone is afraid of Vain. He is a killer of assassins. After reading the story of how Vain came to be, I had to put the book down for a while. I actually couldn't sleep. I went to wake up my 4 year old daughter and...more
In its originality, this novel takes the horror / urban fantasy genre to a whole new level. the quest and redemption theme in this novel is spectacular, emotional, and quite overwhelming. Could not put the book down. This is a MUST read. Vain is one of the most engaging, scary, likable, cold-blooded killers that I've ever run across in a book.
Is Vain conflicted? Yes.
Does this deter him from his quest? No.
I found myself rooting for him, even as he inflicted brutality to the extreme. His need t...more
Is Vain conflicted? Yes.
Does this deter him from his quest? No.
I found myself rooting for him, even as he inflicted brutality to the extreme. His need t...more
Trippy, Fun, Unique, Terrifying Novel
(This review contains minor spoilers.)
As I read the first couple chapters I thought, Punisher. As I read more, I thought, T2. And as I continued to read I stopped trying to compare this book to anything I've read or seen because it really is unique and holds its own. The humor is dry and well-placed within the context of the primary protagonist, Vain, and the setting, a parallel world in which there isn't only Satan and God, but also Sordorrah.
Vain is a thre...more
(This review contains minor spoilers.)
As I read the first couple chapters I thought, Punisher. As I read more, I thought, T2. And as I continued to read I stopped trying to compare this book to anything I've read or seen because it really is unique and holds its own. The humor is dry and well-placed within the context of the primary protagonist, Vain, and the setting, a parallel world in which there isn't only Satan and God, but also Sordorrah.
Vain is a thre...more
Let me state for the record that this is not my genre. I usually avoid the horror aisle in the bookstore and I don't like horror movies. I even feel cheated when I go to a sci-fi movie that is actually horror with sci-fi elements. I bought this book because I enjoy the author's interactions on Twitter and wanted to support his writing. I knew that The Dark Path has won awards and that fans of the genre had praised it highly. But, as I said, I don't like horror.
But I loved The Dark Path. I was qu...more
But I loved The Dark Path. I was qu...more
This book really surprised me. Not because I was expecting it to be bad, I just wasn't expecting it to be so fresh and original. Maybe it's because I don't normally read horror/thriller books, but this one had me running and jumping into bed because my imagination was getting the best of me, and I damn we'll didn't want anything under the bed to reach out and make a grab for me. LOL. My husband just snickered.
Anyway, loved the complexity of the character Vain. I thought Luke did a wonderful job...more
Anyway, loved the complexity of the character Vain. I thought Luke did a wonderful job...more
Vain is a man without a past, an assassin without a shred of humanity, that is until he meets Priest and agrees to rescue a boy. Then Vain starts to realize that he might have been someone else once. He might have been Martin, with a wife and a child and a loss so tragic that he became a dark shell of a man with nothing on the inside. When cracks appear in Vain’s shell, his life becomes something far from empty. With friends and purpose, without much hope of success, he strives to be a savior.
I...more
I...more
Luke Romyn is a social media genius and I know he must sell books by the thousands because he's so great at letting the world know he's out there to be read.
I downloaded The Dark Path with high expectations in the sense that I liked the genre and the fact that the book had good reviews. But I've read many books where the marketing is so good and the book was not so good.
Thank god I loved The Dark Path. The dialogue, excellent. The set-up and follow-through, just fine, fine, fine. In other word...more
I downloaded The Dark Path with high expectations in the sense that I liked the genre and the fact that the book had good reviews. But I've read many books where the marketing is so good and the book was not so good.
Thank god I loved The Dark Path. The dialogue, excellent. The set-up and follow-through, just fine, fine, fine. In other word...more
Like many of the other reviewers... I'm not drawn to horror, and usually steer clear of the genre. However, based on the reviews, I took a chance on THE DARK PATH and must say this book was well above and beyond my expectations.
Luke Romyn's masterfully written tale of the man know only as Vain sucked me in from the first page and I could not put it down. As a believer I was uncomfortable with the evil that radiated from the text... and yet I sensed something pure beyond the sinister drama unfold...more
Luke Romyn's masterfully written tale of the man know only as Vain sucked me in from the first page and I could not put it down. As a believer I was uncomfortable with the evil that radiated from the text... and yet I sensed something pure beyond the sinister drama unfold...more
I wasn't sure about this book. The author has an entertaining, funny Twitter account and clearly knows how to market his Kindle books. And after over a year of following him I finally decided to give The Dark Path a try.
I was positively surprised and ended up reading through it at high speed. The story is intriguing. There are a few clichés, some spiritualism, a few eye rolls, but in the end it's gripping and an entertaining read, which is what I expect of the genre.
His writing pulls you into...more
I was positively surprised and ended up reading through it at high speed. The story is intriguing. There are a few clichés, some spiritualism, a few eye rolls, but in the end it's gripping and an entertaining read, which is what I expect of the genre.
His writing pulls you into...more
The opening scenes of this book which establish the anti-hero Vain's reason for existence hit me as terribly gruesome, but the rest of the book didn't follow that path, which is a good thing for me.
This book didn't really strike me as horror. There were some scary things in it, but it struck me more as an action/adventure story with very dark settings. I enjoyed this story of a man beyond redemption who yet chooses to do the right thing. It was a solid read and worth the time, but I don't under...more
This book didn't really strike me as horror. There were some scary things in it, but it struck me more as an action/adventure story with very dark settings. I enjoyed this story of a man beyond redemption who yet chooses to do the right thing. It was a solid read and worth the time, but I don't under...more
I got this book because Luke Roymn is a Facebook friend. Whatever works to get a book in my hands.
The beginning is very violent and disturbing. The author gives just enough detail that torture is happening without describing the torture except in one brutal scene. The language is rough, but it is how the character would talk.
The book starts with a violent death scene. Vain would be the villain in any other story. By 20% of the book we realize that Roymn hasn’t written an empty killing machine...more
The beginning is very violent and disturbing. The author gives just enough detail that torture is happening without describing the torture except in one brutal scene. The language is rough, but it is how the character would talk.
The book starts with a violent death scene. Vain would be the villain in any other story. By 20% of the book we realize that Roymn hasn’t written an empty killing machine...more
Great Job! Excellent book!
I was impressed with the way Romyn delicately yet deftly wove his character's evolution. Though that evolution was by definition predictable I never felt like it was contrived. I found the story to be original and enjoyable.
My only problem with the story was the end. Without spoiling it for anyone, I will just say I felt cheated. Though, the more I think about it--and I do, it was a powerful story--perhaps the ending does fit with some of the history that was mentioned...more
I was impressed with the way Romyn delicately yet deftly wove his character's evolution. Though that evolution was by definition predictable I never felt like it was contrived. I found the story to be original and enjoyable.
My only problem with the story was the end. Without spoiling it for anyone, I will just say I felt cheated. Though, the more I think about it--and I do, it was a powerful story--perhaps the ending does fit with some of the history that was mentioned...more
Quite an incredible tale. I originally downloaded the sample. First couple of chapters were garish, a bit gruesome even. Thought I had stumbled upon a pure horror novel, which is fine but not really my first choice in genres. I decided to go ahead and finish the four chapters I had, and was very pleased that I did. The way in which the author developed the characters just drew me in. I came to see that the first bits of horror were necessary to preface what was to come. A sort of introduction fo...more
"Vain" is one of the nastiest, cold-blooded killers that I've ever run across in a book. And cold-blooded is an understatement. This guy is so heartless he is nothing short of a monster... and your heart will go out to him because he is such a likable character. You'll find yourself rooting for Vain as he does what he does best - kill.
I was immediately drawn into Vain's world and even though I was pretty sure I knew where the story was going and how it was going to end, I still could not put it...more
I was immediately drawn into Vain's world and even though I was pretty sure I knew where the story was going and how it was going to end, I still could not put it...more
Hmm. I'm still not sure how I feel about this book. The blurb about it made it sound like a very good horror book, but instead it was more of a semi-predictable, heartwarming tale of redemption. I guess? Then there was the ending that was either meant to be a twist or it's a blatant call to read the future sequel to it. It was well written, but I had to go back and re-read the description at a few points to make sure I wasn't reading an entirely different book, or that it wasn't actually in the...more
The Dark Man, born of torment into an existence of death. In the underworld of killers he reigns supreme. And yet he is chosen for a task of supreme benevolence. Why would he be selected to save a young boy, the Avun-Riah, and then protect him against a horde of enemies, both mortal and demonic?
Because he is the only one with any hope of success.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have risen from the pits of Hell and, along with a fanatical army of cultists, are ranged against Vain. If the boy i...more
Because he is the only one with any hope of success.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have risen from the pits of Hell and, along with a fanatical army of cultists, are ranged against Vain. If the boy i...more
A lot of reviewers have stated they read this despite their not being horror fans. I fall in this category as well, and despite my reticence in the beginning, I was soon hooked. Great writing and despite the fact I got it for free for me ereader, grammar was excellent (even if there were a slight number of stunted sentences, but that can be due to characterizations). While I may not run out and buy every one of his books, I will recommend him and read again.
Luke...
Luke...
The force is strong with you, Luke.
Luke has done a wonderful job at building suspense and creating a spine-tingling world with this selection. There was plenty of the good stuff I love (blood, guts, and gore) and still within that something deeper. Vain is a charater to love and fear. You come to understand his motivations and why he must do what he does and Romyn does a great job at forcing you to become lost in the fog of Vain's world.
A wonderfully horrific read!
Luke...
The force is strong with you, Luke.
Luke has done a wonderful job at building suspense and creating a spine-tingling world with this selection. There was plenty of the good stuff I love (blood, guts, and gore) and still within that something deeper. Vain is a charater to love and fear. You come to understand his motivations and why he must do what he does and Romyn does a great job at forcing you to become lost in the fog of Vain's world.
A wonderfully horrific read!
Very little characterization, so the fast-paced story fails to convince the reader of its urgency. The characters fall out as videogame style caricatures, kinds of people you'd expect to see in a novel like this, not individuals. I was not entertained by this, but the writer's style is well developed enough to merit watching him--if he works out characterization and motivation in future books, he will become a powerful genre writer.
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Luke Romyn has spent many years, over nineteen in fact, working in the security industry. From doorwork in some of Australia's roughest pubs and clubs to protecting Mickey Mouse and the Disney crew from the overzealous jaws of tenacious toddlers, Luke has worked throughout Australia and internationally in a vast array of roles.
He's done close protection for UK celebrities in Fiji and chased feral...more
More about Luke Romyn...
He's done close protection for UK celebrities in Fiji and chased feral...more
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“Fine, it’s decided.” Vain resumed his stride. “I’ll do all the killing, and you do
all the stuff that an Avun-Riah does. Whatever the hell that is.”
—
11 people liked it
More quotes…
all the stuff that an Avun-Riah does. Whatever the hell that is.”
updated Sep 11, 2009 11:42pm
Sep 15, 2009 11:39am