The Dark Light

Sep 11, 2012 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

"He said there were lights in Crownsville - that nothing good happened when they came here."

3.5 stars. I want to go a full 4, but point number 6 is a big reason why I didn't have it in me to give up that extra half point.

1. The Cover made me think this was standard YAPNR fare. You know the type of book - one minute you're swooning over a dangerous young man, the next you're wanting to to beat the ever-loving crap out of a girl for being stupid enough to fall prey to the once-swoony-guy now t...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Zemira Warner marked it as paranormal-to-read

Shelves: paranormal-romance

ME.WANT.THIS.BOOK!!!

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Dec 06, 2012 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-release, 2012-100-book-challenge, arcs-i-own, mundie-moms-reviews, 2012-debut-author, books-i-own

An intriguing paranormal story with a mesmerizing secret. I don't know which made more excited to read this book, the cover or the synopsis. Based on the synopsis alone I knew this was going to be paranormal read I was going to enjoy, and I did! Sara Walsh did not disappoint me. She created a story that wasn't at all what I was excepting. There is this enticing air of mystery surrounding the entire story that I loved. That one element alone is what kept me invested with the story. I wanted answe...more An intriguing paranormal story with a mesmerizing secret. I don't know which made more excited to read this book, the cover or the synopsis. Based on the synopsis alone I knew this was going to be paranormal read I was going to enjoy, and I did! Sara Walsh did not disappoint me. She created a story that wasn't at all what I was excepting. There is this enticing air of mystery surrounding the entire story that I loved. That one element alone is what kept me invested with the story. I wanted answers, and the deeper I got into the storyline the more I learned, and more I realized this was not a story I could even try to figure out what was going to happen next. Surprisingly, the more answers I got, the more questions I had.

Mia's small town in on edge. There are strange things happening, and with the mystery behind kids's disappearances, reports of weird lights, and other unexplainable things going on, that's understandable. Mia is an amazingly strong character. She's someone I felt bad for and admired all at the same time. She works hard to keep her family together, which basically means she does all she can to help and protect her younger brother. With no father or mother around (nor have they ever been around), she and her brother live with an Uncle who's hardly there at all. I love the bond Mia and her brother Jay have. She'd do anything for him, and it shows in all she does and ends up doing when she sets off to find him after he disappears.

I at first thought this was a story that had aliens in it. I know, I don't know what I was thinking, but I guess something about "mysterious lights" had me think space ships. Boy, was I wrong! This is far from crop circles and aliens abducting kids. I loved the world that Sara introduced me to with The Dark Light. The originality of the story is my favorite part of the book, because it's unlike anything I've read. I liked the mythology, learning about the history of the people who made up this world, and the surprising twists with some of those characters. I think this is the first time in a long time I wasn't able to figure out who anyone really was, and what was going to happen next. I loved that! Mia's journey is full of surprises, action, plenty of mystery, and a sweet romance that despite lacking that intensity I love about YA romances, was one I still enjoyed.

Mia's got a fabulous love interest in our mysterious hottie, Sol. If you love a guy with a tattoo that takes up his entire back (I loved finding out what the significance was with this), who's tall, dark and brooding, then you'll love Sol. Here's the thing with Sol, he's not like other guys. He's mysterious, not dangerous, but there's something about him that like Mia, had me wanting to find out about his secrets. He's commanding, sure of himself in a way that doesn't make his cocky, but it instead makes him come across as just different. The more I got to know Sol, the more I liked him! Trust me, Sol's got some pretty interesting secrets that make it hard not to love him.

My only compliant with this book is I felt it was a bit too long. At almost 500 pages in length, I felt there was a point between the middle and close to the end of the book that lost some of it's interest for me. I think if the book had been a just a little shorter that might not have happened. I didn't have any problems with the storyline until that point, and because I had already invested myself in the story I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen, and I'm glad I did, because the scenes after that were great. Over all this was a book I enjoyed! With the way the story ended I'm really curious to find out if there will be a sequel. If there is, I'm totally picking it up. (less)

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Nov 14, 2012 Jen (The Starry-Eyed Revue) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Jen (The Starry-Eyed Revue) by: Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity

Shelves: 2012, 2012-dac, fantasy, galley-grab, magic-time-travel

After reading several reviews of this book, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who was taken by surprise. That cover screams standard PNR fare. The summary had me believing we were dealing with a sci-fi filled with body-snatching aliens. What I got was a quirky fantasy that doesn't feature a love triangle, despite what the first line of that synopsis might imply.

The Dark Light is quirky in that nothing about this novel is typical. It's not your typical fantasy realm with a bunch of crazy...more After reading several reviews of this book, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who was taken by surprise. That cover screams standard PNR fare. The summary had me believing we were dealing with a sci-fi filled with body-snatching aliens. What I got was a quirky fantasy that doesn't feature a love triangle, despite what the first line of that synopsis might imply.

The Dark Light is quirky in that nothing about this novel is typical. It's not your typical fantasy realm with a bunch of crazy-sounding names and places, though those are there and they are hilarious. (One guy's name is Bromasta. BROMASTA. Bromasta? Seriously?) This book is set in our world and a fantasy realm with a ridiculous name. And though this book packs as much as it possibly can into 500 pages, I still felt like both worlds/settings were described more than adequately for me to envision them clearly.

The characters are anything but stereotypical. Upon first inspection, they might seem it, but as Sol helps Mia to unlock the secrets to her past -- her heritage -- pieces fall into place and nothing is as it seems anymore. I connected with Mia immediately. Her voice was realistic and though she's had a less-than-ideal upbringing, she's making the most of it for herself and for her younger brother. Mia's friends are all a bit quirky, as well, and though they give her a hard time, they endeared themselves to me, much the same as Mia did.

When Mia's brother goes missing, she enlists the help of the new guy. Sol is mysterious and keeps to himself and because of a strange tattoo, she thinks he might have something to do with -- or at least knows something about -- her brother's disappearance and the disappearances of the other local boys. Sol isn't very forthcoming at first, but Mia kind of forces his hand. I loved that they got off to a bit of a rocky start, but eventually Sol comes clean with Mia and a whole new world has opened up to Mia. Literally.

As with a standard fantasy novel, you have to pay attention. So much information is thrown at you, and it can be hard to keep track of. I love fantasy novels, and I had no problem with this aspect. I don't think you have to love fantasy novels to enjoy The Dark Light, though, because for all of its otherworldy idiosyncrasies, there were lots of real world facets thrown in there, as well. I found this novel extremely fun and engaging, and if you give it a chance, I hope it surprises you, too.

This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.(less)

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Aug 21, 2012 Danny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Read Full Review at Bewitched Bookworms

Mysterious new world!

What I love most about paranormal stories is, when you have no clue what to expect and when you start a story without knowing anything! When we meet Mia – nothing tells that this is story will have some paranormal aspects until her brother disappears and Mia sees strange lights…

I was shocked when I realized the direction Sara Walsh is going with The Dark Light! It was definitely not what I expected, not at all – but it made the story...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Natalia Belikov rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, young-adult

Read more of my reviews at Dazzling Reads

Did you say fantasy? Oh my God! that's my favorite word and here we have a supernatural-fantasy tale (yes, both a the same time) that delivers the best of both genres plus a cast of authentic and charming characters that left me craving for more!

The first hundred pages of The Dark Light were a bit slow but considering that this book is almost 500 pages long, waiting for only a 100 pages until the first Wow-moment arrived was practically nothing. Once the...more
Read more of my reviews at Dazzling Reads

Did you say fantasy? Oh my God! that's my favorite word and here we have a supernatural-fantasy tale (yes, both a the same time) that delivers the best of both genres plus a cast of authentic and charming characters that left me craving for more!

The first hundred pages of The Dark Light were a bit slow but considering that this book is almost 500 pages long, waiting for only a 100 pages until the first Wow-moment arrived was practically nothing. Once the story takes off, I was blown away with an unexpected fantasy twist. Yes, unexpected. First of all, the cover represents very well our two main characters, their relationship, and part of the mystery of tattoos that we encounter on this novel. But the cover doesn't give anything else away, which is good since I was greatly surprised to discover the marvelous fantasy twist that definitely glued me to the book until I reached the last page. In addition, the concept of The Dark Light kept me highly intrigued. The two parallel worlds, the mysterious lights, the Solenetta, the different kind of people/creatures/razes, etc. There is certainly a lot going on on The Dark Light! Oh, and did I mention that it has tones of jaw-dropping and fist-pumping action? Totally badass!

In what concerns the characters I have to say that I love Mia as our protagonist. She is intelligent, strong, lovable and realistic at the same time. Then we have Sol, our mysterious hot hero. He is definitely something worth swooning for, and even though at the beginning he was very mean to Mia, later in the story I was able to fall for him as much as Mia did. And then, there is Delane. Delane is Sol's friend (also a love interest) and he is such a compelling character. Delane's unique personality pop-outs from the pages giving readers the perfect fix of charming-ness! There are also many other characters such as Pete, Mia's father, Jay, etc, that complete and enrich the cast of The Dark Light.

There is also a love story between Mia and Sol, but it was very subtle, even delicate and its slow building feels much more closer to reality and easy to relate to than the typical starcrossed love story. However, at times I was desperately wishing for Mia and Sol to just kiss and confess each other's feeling. Still, I loved how Miss Walsh developed this part of the plot but I still wish I had more.

With kick-ass action, intriguing mystery, a breath-taking hero, a dangerous world, and a nail-biting plot, The Dark Light by Sara Walsh is a great debut novel that will leave readers dying for more!(less)

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Nov 30, 2012 Haya rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, ebook, normal, supernatural, ya, stand-alone, sci-fi, 3-5-stars, flying-monkeys, adorable-guys, i-like-the-characters, parallel-universe

Rating: 3.5 stars

I can say that The Dark Light took me by surprise--and it indeed has, to some degree--but I wasn't surprised as much as to give this book more stars. Mainly it's because I read a lot of glowing reviews that my hopes and expectations were high, only to be dashed by a few disappointments.

It has its good points, and thankfully, those are abundant. Looking at the cover the first time would definitely seem as typical a YA Supernatural book as they come, but really, it's not. Mia, t...more Rating: 3.5 stars

I can say that The Dark Light took me by surprise--and it indeed has, to some degree--but I wasn't surprised as much as to give this book more stars. Mainly it's because I read a lot of glowing reviews that my hopes and expectations were high, only to be dashed by a few disappointments.

It has its good points, and thankfully, those are abundant. Looking at the cover the first time would definitely seem as typical a YA Supernatural book as they come, but really, it's not. Mia, the protagonist, has one goal in mind and one goal only, and that is rescuing her kidnapped brother. Hot boy around? Sweet! Except that Mia doesn't spend her time lusting after him like some starved dog. I like that she has her priorities straight, that she knows when it's time to be serious and when it's time to be checking Sol out. Like a true awesome heroine, she gives no crap about what the guys tell her to do in regards to her safety and demands to be taken along to rescue her brother, as well as to fight. She isn't irritating like Clary, who goes around complaining and pretending to be awesome--no. Mia is so much more than that. She's actually admirable.

Mia's strong personality surprised me, but not as much as Sol's character. At the beginning, I honestly believed Sol was the stereotypical jerk, bad boy love-interest. Because we've seen it before, no? New guy at school, hot as he can be, has a frickin' tattoo, and has made no friends with no one. What was I to expect? But my expectations were flattened, and thank God. Sol, despite the jerk aura he emanated at the beginning of the novel, when Mia asked him about the tattoo, is actually pretty decent. No, more than that. He's perfect! He has surprising depth and kindness. He actually listens to Mia; he understands her needs, her problems, her thoughts on her family matters. He advises her without giving her crap. He's loyal and passionate to the cause, but in a genuine way. Not like the other guys in other supernatural stories where they're all about the cause, but it feels like they only are just because it makes them look good to the girls.

I'm sorry to say that, in my opinion, the supporting characters pale in comparison to these two, so although I love them, I have nothing much to say about them. But they all have their distinct parts and roles and personalities.

The world building, as it would be when it comes to parallel universes, does look like it has been thought through. But I would've liked to know much more about it. The author puts much of the book's focus on Mia's quest than Brackaland. Normally, I wouldn't care, but the author introduces all these different races and systems that I, naturally, would like to know more about. Moreover, that final battle against the Suzerain and the sentinels was quick and very unsatisfying. I felt it would've been better if the whole 483 pages (in my edition) were cut in half if that was how things were going to end with the Suzerain. However, I liked the ending. It wrapped things up, but it also leaves a lot of space for questions and afterthoughts.

As a closing note, I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Light. Yes, I've taken a month to read it, but in my defense, I've been busy. I found no fault with the characters or the storyline, but I would've liked it if the author explained more about the world and made that final battle more satisfying. Also, I believe that this book has the potential to be an awesome movie. Don't be fooled by the cover, ok? And this time, I mean it as a good thing.

Bye nao. (less)

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Feb 11, 2013 Sarah Marie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, a-z-challenge, books-not-in-a-series, demons, favorites, i-love-drama, magic, mind-blown-from-the-awesomeness, paranormal, pretty-covers, romance, sexy-guy, shapeshifters, young-adult

The Dark Light by Sara Walsh

3.75 stars

For as long as Mia Stone can remember she has seen lights in Crownsville, Nebraska. No one has ever talked about it and it’s just something everyone accepts. Until boys from neighboring towns go missing and Mia sees a cloaked figure in the light. One day, Sol arrives. Mia thinks nothing of it, but while she’s hanging out with her friends she sees a tattoo on his back. Her little brother has the same tattoo. Questions begin to run through Mia’s mind and then

...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Jenna Does Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review also found on Making the Grade: YA Lit Reviews

It’s not often that I dive into a book with very, very little knowledge of what to expect. THE DARK LIGHT is an example of such a novel …Strange lights around town? Would it be about an alien encounter or some other type of other-worldly invasion? …A mysterious boy named Sol? Is he the alien? …And LOOK at that cover! Ooo, la la, is this book going to be super steamy? Seriously, prior to reading it, I though THE DARK LIGHT would be one hot alie...more Review also found on Making the Grade: YA Lit Reviews

It’s not often that I dive into a book with very, very little knowledge of what to expect. THE DARK LIGHT is an example of such a novel …Strange lights around town? Would it be about an alien encounter or some other type of other-worldly invasion? …A mysterious boy named Sol? Is he the alien? …And LOOK at that cover! Ooo, la la, is this book going to be super steamy? Seriously, prior to reading it, I though THE DARK LIGHT would be one hot alien encounter…

Was I ever wrong… (But in a very, very good way!)

Thankfully, THE DARK LIGHT turned out to be nothing like a certain alien series that many of us already know so well. NOT that being similar to that series is a BAD thing, but now after reading I am so glad that ALL of my earlier assumptions were entirely off base.

Fact numero uno: There are no aliens. THE DARK LIGHT is a highly developed fantasy, overflowing with more magic and terrifying creatures than many works of fiction that I have read recently. So no, there are NO ALIENS. Mia is a small town girl who works as a waitress and looks after her young brother, Jay. She’s the type of girl that I would like to know, as she always makes sure to take care of others, she has her head screwed on right and, most importantly, she has a backbone. She’s a fairly easy girl to like.

Then there is Sol, the strange new boy who is certainly easy on the eyes and just as likeable as Mia. He’s not just a hot body with no brain. Though I couldn’t help but feel that he is not as fully developed as some of the other characters in the book, which I think is largely due to the “air of mystery” that lays over him for a large part of the story. Sadly, the truth is a little too obvious to the reader and too slowly figured out by Mia. Regardless, it is a relief to read a book about a man who isn’t “just” about his looks. Sol has BRAINS and BRAWN and RESOURCEFULNESS, too.

Fact numero dos: This book is not all about being shirtless. In fact, contrary to the subtle gasps that the cover may elicit from roaming eyes, there are FAR less steamy scenes in this book than practically every other novel involving romance that I have read. Some may then conclude that the cover is misleading, but I would have to disagree. After reading the book, the cover is more about the imagery on the BACK of the character portrayed and not so much about their positions. While there is certainly an intensity to the attraction between the two main characters, it is NOT the driving factor within the story.

Thank goodness, too, that the time one assumes (by looking at the cover) would be spent on kissing scenes is instead spent on dynamic story/world building and on developing the main character to the point that you ache when anything happens to her.

The mystery within this novel is unveiled slowly. The pace is almost at a small town crawl at the start, but eventually it progresses into an other-worldly adventurous sprint to the finish. What starts out as a story about disappearances in a small-town eventually leads to an epic journey that spans across multiple worlds and dimensions. In the end, THE DARK LIGHT is a tale that makes you realize just how small our world really is.

Now, if only we can receive some news about a sequel…

I highly recommend THE DARK LIGHT to fans of The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa or Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo.(less)

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Dec 28, 2012 Tammy Dahle rated it 3 of 5 stars

My thoughts:
Let's talk about the word "assume".
According to Webster the definition of the word assume means to take to or upon oneself.
I assumed many things about this book in the beginning-
Let's start with the first assumption-
The Cover:
Based on the beautiful cover of The Dark Light I thought this book was going to be rated PG(something I would put in the hands of an older teen)-there's a big sexual tone to it. She has the "this man is mine-come near him and I will cut you" stare. If you doubt...more My thoughts:
Let's talk about the word "assume".
According to Webster the definition of the word assume means to take to or upon oneself.
I assumed many things about this book in the beginning-
Let's start with the first assumption-
The Cover:
Based on the beautiful cover of The Dark Light I thought this book was going to be rated PG(something I would put in the hands of an older teen)-there's a big sexual tone to it. She has the "this man is mine-come near him and I will cut you" stare. If you doubt the seriousness of her look-check out her hand planted firmly on his butt showing full ownership. Yep, I assumed Mia and the tattoo man probably had done/will do/are doing the BIG NASTY. Assumption was wrong-this romance is very G rated. Don't judge a book by it's cover you silly rabbit!
Content:
A lot of book reviews drop the word paranormal when talking about this book. Maybe we all have different definitions of paranormal? To me paranormal has elements of vampires, witches, werewolves, magic, etc. But after looking up the definition of paranormal in Webster's dictionary I found that paranormal means not scientifically explainable. The Dark Light has magic, a parallel universe, shape shifters/changelings, demons, and people with wings. This book sits firmly in the fantasy area for me. But it could technically be considered either/or/maybe both.
The Author:
I have never read anything by Sara Walsh before The Dark Light. After finishing this I can say I was blown away by the fact that I never knew what she was going to throw at me-the story was unpredictable on every level. The plot twists and story surprises kept me turning pages like a maniac.
Here we are tooling around in small town Nebraska, then when you least expect it she drops the reader into Brakaland and doesn't look back.
Her world building was amazing. I wanted to know more, more, more about Brakaland and Bordertown.
I liked that she made the characters real in the sense that they weren't perfect. I admired Mia's strength but at times she annoyed me by running head long into a situation she knew little about. I loved that she was so protective of her little brother but still acted like a seventeen year old that forgets to turn off her headlights and lets her car battery run out.
Don't even get me started on Uncle Pete. Flawed with a capital "F".
Sol's companion Delane is the trusty sidekick who brings the comedy to lighten the mood now and then. He was one of my favorite characters.
Sara Walsh recognizes that in order to connect/identify with a character they need to have some flaws.
At almost 500 pages the story wraps up nicely leaving a small possibility for a sequel(I could definitely hear more about Mia and Sol) but could also be left as a terrific stand alone novel.
If you are looking for great fantasy, romance with a ton of adventure this story is for you.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book to read and review. I'll be donating it to my local Middle School where it's sure to be a big hit. (less)

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Dec 04, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Dark Light by Sara Walsh :

This book was amazing. I don't know how to explain this book, there was so much going on that it made your spin. I loved the characters especially Mia she was a surprise.

Mia is by far the best, there have been plenty of amazing ones but for some reason she has stuck with me. She is fiercely protective of those she loves and her brother Jay is the top of the list. When boys start to go missing, she is even more alert. Add in the new guy Sol who comes along at the sam...more

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Oct 21, 2012 Keertana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: debut-author-2012, kick-ass-heroines, rainy-day-re-reads, swoooon

Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Dark Light is one of the few novels I can claim has truly taken me by surprise. I am usually one of those readers who look up a novel before I pick it up, reading over both the positive and negative reviews and finally deciding whether or not I want to read it. Thus, I am quite aware of where the story is headed during the first few chapters and am prepared for any unsuspecting let downs. The Dark Light, however, was an exception to this ritual. I had seen its gorgeous...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Dusty rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, favorites

So you know when you walk into the bookstore, knowing exactly what you are going to get, and while you are looking for it you spot something else? Something that is definitely not what you are originally looking for, yet you keep coming back to it? So you tell yourself, "I'll get this one if I can't find the other one." And of course, you can't find the other one... That's what happened to me.

I went in for 2 books actually, and happened acrossed this one. I kept looking at it, read the inside, t...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Leah R rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewes

Eh. Just ehhhh. While reading this book I paused periodically to say aloud to anyone around me, "I can't believe this character is so dumb." Mia, you were not trained to fight demons or use swords. Stop thinking that running into harm's way to help someone who is more capable of defending themselves is heroic. It is not. It is stupid. You are distracting them. Also, just because you are involved in an issue does not mean you have the "right" to go on a mission. No. You can come if you actually h...more Eh. Just ehhhh. While reading this book I paused periodically to say aloud to anyone around me, "I can't believe this character is so dumb." Mia, you were not trained to fight demons or use swords. Stop thinking that running into harm's way to help someone who is more capable of defending themselves is heroic. It is not. It is stupid. You are distracting them. Also, just because you are involved in an issue does not mean you have the "right" to go on a mission. No. You can come if you actually have a use that will help achieve your goal. How nice that you want to save your brother. Get out of the way and let the competent people do the job.

Walsh does a great job at making Mia helpless and clumsy- not like Bella Swan who just complains about being clumsy and occasionally tripping, more as a plot device to make her seem human and less like the vampires than anything else. Mia is just plain hopeless, but worse, she is in denial and won't get out of everyone else's way.

Mia, when told to be careful not to trip, looks so hard at her feet that she bangs her head and falls over. Mia, when being defended by other people, will jump into danger, swing her sword wildly, and trip over her own feet. Stay put, Mia! I was not rooting for Mia to succeed. I was rooting for her to get out of the way. But a book about a character who sits in the house waiting for all the supporting characters to solve her problems would be a really dumb book. So why make Mia the protagonist??? I ask you.

Mia does not relate normally to other people. I get that she had a messed up childhood, but she doesn't even act like someone in that situation would act. Her reaction to finding out more information about her father made absolutely no sense. I was baffled as to what she could possibly be thinking. She has a brain, right? (view spoiler))

Sol is your typical mysterious hot paranormal boy character. I was actually really slow at guessing his secrets- my fault, not the book's- it was totally obvious if I hadn't just assumed that nothing interesting was going to happen in the book.

I was not impressed by the plot or the world building. The concept of the alternate world was cool, but not developed at all. Super shallow. Lots of exposition. Ok, there's some kings and there's a bad guy who wants to let the worlds destroy each other and then rule over everything himself (this is not even a spoiler, seriously, its just obvious) and there's a lot of different species. That's nice. It's like lists of types and then one representative of each will appear and play a short role. That's it. The book would've had to be a lot longer to make any of the setting-details more vivid, at the rate things were going.

The extra star is because for some reason, I felt compelled to keep reading through all the agonizing-ness to find out what happened. So it had some kind of plot that kept the action moving. Still, I don't think I would've missed anything had I not read this at all.

One exception to all this negativity- there was one line that was really funny. Mia was opening bolts on prison doors to let out the prisoners "like an activist in an animal lab." Just a random surprising simile that made me grin. So, 2 stars. But I did not like this book.(less)

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Aug 31, 2012 Anne rated it 1 of 5 stars

When you first get into the book you're assaulted by a barrage of many new names and places. The story moved at an incredibly slow place and the main character thus narrative had a very dull, monotonous tone. God, it dragged.

The two love interests in this book was boring and difficult to like. It also felt inorganic, like the author was trying to make you like them by portraying them in a certain way. Yes, one of them with is supposedly hot with broad shoulders, but his personality and dialogue...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Vanessa Booke rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Dark Light by Sara Walsh is a fantastic paranormal fantasy with a touch of romance and mystery intertwined into the story. When I first began reading this book I wasn’t sure where exactly it was going to take me. From the premise I guessed that the story had something to do with aliens, but as I began reading it I quickly realized it was something way cooler and stranger even. In the beginning we are introduced to Mia a small town waitress who spends her time going to school, working and tak...more The Dark Light by Sara Walsh is a fantastic paranormal fantasy with a touch of romance and mystery intertwined into the story. When I first began reading this book I wasn’t sure where exactly it was going to take me. From the premise I guessed that the story had something to do with aliens, but as I began reading it I quickly realized it was something way cooler and stranger even. In the beginning we are introduced to Mia a small town waitress who spends her time going to school, working and taking care of her little brother Jay. The two live with their not-so-reliable uncle Pete in the town of Crownsville where mysterious lights are often scene. Not too long before Jay’s disappearance we’re introduced to Sol the hot, incredibly ripped, older looking new kid at Mia’s school. From the beginning Mia realizes there’s something definitely different about Sol, in particular the massive bird tattoo on his back that coincidentally matches the tattoo that Jay (her brother) has on his ankle. Not to long after Jay goes missing (after following a few bright lights into a field) does Mia believe that Sol has something to do with the disappearances of not only her brother but several other kids from surrounding counties. Here is where the adventure really begins. I loved the synopsis for this book because it doesn’t give much away but just enough to intrigue you. I won’t give away any spoilers but this book was amazing! What a wild ride it was! Walsh blew me away with her story building, the intensity of the attraction between Mia and Sol and the impeccable writing. Although this story is definitely targeted at YA, I can easily see an adult enjoying it. Walsh’s story and writing reminded me often of one of my favorite writers, Karen Marie Moning. From shadows, to visage demons, to shape-shifters, to equinox portals this story is filled with paranormal elements that will keep readers excited and intrigued. Don’t let the synopsis trick you this story is more than just about inexplicable lights and a hot guy in town, it’s genius! Walsh deals with several different elements from mystery to romance to the paranormal. Lets just say the journey through Brakaland will blow you away. ;)(less)

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Mar 08, 2013 Elizabeth King rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: didn-t-finish, fantasy

I honestly didn't finish this book. I might go back to it one day, but I doubt it. I think the concept was cool and the premise was pretty original - not something you see a lot in teen fiction nowadays. However, for me, Walsh took to long to get there. Literally. (view spoiler)...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Jessica Haluska rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, ya-fantasy, favorite-ya

Fantasy has always been a favorite genre of mine. There is just something that I love about being in a simpler time where men fight with honor (and a sword) rather than with guns and bombs. Guns and bombs are so inelegant.

The Dark Light blew my friggin mind. Maybe if I had sought out a few more blurbs about the book I wouldn't have been so shocked to discover that it was Fantasy and not Science Fiction like I originally took it to be. I mean who could blame me? The sample I downloaded to my Kin...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars

This book deserves 4 1/2 stars without question. Although the description of the book in the blurb is kind of misleading, this book surprised and delighted me with how different it was. It went in a completely different direction in many instances than I ever expected it to go.

The book is about the adventure Mia's life is turning out to be. Although the book starts out with a typical day in a Junior in high school's life, things quickly unravel for Mia. There have been several kidnappings aroun...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Lyn Nicholas rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, reviewed, 2012-reviews

An Epic Fantasy YA Romance that will keep you guessing!

THE DARK LIGHT is an epic young adult fantasy filled with romance, adventure, and intrigue. It is filled with fun new mythology unlike anything you've ever seen before.

Mia Stone is a headstrong young girl with a strange past. She knows want she wants out of life and most of it involves answers that no one seems to want to give her. Her brother has been kidnapped by an unseen force and she enlists the help of the new guy in town. Together the...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Fairytale Nerd rated it 4 of 5 stars

Read my full review at The Fairytale Nerd

LOVE:
I love the fact that Sol kept his mystery until the very end of the book. It kept me guessing as to who or what Sol actually is. Come to think of it, his mystery and evasiveness is the main thing that kept me glued to this book.

I also loved Sol's character. He is such a mysterious guy. The broody and tormented works for him just fine. This is the kind of story where the reader would just have to figure out (along with the character) just who (or wha...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I would give this more of a 3.5, but I rounded up. The Dark Light was definitely not what I was expecting. I actually thought it might be more like Obsidian, and was a little worried because I knew it wouldn't even compare. However, it was completely different. I did enjoy this book, but I didn't love it. There were some areas that I thought could use improvement that ultimately led me having to give it 4(technically 3.5) stars. However, one of the big things is that this isn't a series. I think...more I would give this more of a 3.5, but I rounded up. The Dark Light was definitely not what I was expecting. I actually thought it might be more like Obsidian, and was a little worried because I knew it wouldn't even compare. However, it was completely different. I did enjoy this book, but I didn't love it. There were some areas that I thought could use improvement that ultimately led me having to give it 4(technically 3.5) stars. However, one of the big things is that this isn't a series. I think that this book probably would have been better if it was split up into a second book. That way, we could really get to know the characters and the world could have been set up properly.

First up is the characters. I really liked reading about the characters, however I couldn't fully connect to them. I don't know if this is because they weren't described enough or something else, but I just couldn't make that final jump so to speak. Also, one thing that I couldn't get past is that after Mia was in Brakaland for a matter of a day, she knew all the lingo like she was an expert. I kept thinking, how does she know this, and how can she talk like such an expert?

The next thing I didn't like was the set up. I never thought I would say this, but I actually wanted MORE set up. I'm a girl that likes books to get straight to the point. I don't want to read 180 pages of set up, only to have the action begin in the last chapter. It just doesn't work for me. However, this book needed a tiny bit more. There were so many different kinds (for lack of a better word) characters that I had no clue what they were. Sure, some were described, but the majority of them were not. Even if she had a small glossary in the back of the book to give descriptions would have been better. Also, there was a lot of talk about the 5 founding groups, and how everyone is descended from them. However, these 5 groups were never described as to what their powers were, and not all of them were given names. I think we found out the names of 3 of the 5 groups, but the other 2 were just left hanging.

Finally, there were so many characters with weird names that I had a hard time keeping them straight. I know you want something different, but then don't introduce so many characters, or just give them nicknames.

Overall, I did like this book (please don't think I didn't). There were problems with it, but I would still recommend it. It was different and interesting. I don't know if I would read another one if this would become a series (there is definitely a storyline the author could follow if she would decide to make it a series), but I think that you should give it a try. It might not be for everyone, but for the right person, you'll like this book.(less)

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Dec 09, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

A very good book. It was very descriptive in all the right places. I hate when authors are way to descriptive about every single little thing and it drives me crazy but Walsh was great at keeping it at what the reader needs to know to understand. She also put in nice touches some places where it was just nice to read about things. It was one of those books that you never wanted to set down. Some things in the end were a complete surprise to me, which is great, making me want to keep reading. At...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Ashley rated it 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book. I really did. The premise was compelling and I kept reading only to discover what might happen between the two main characters. There were certainly interesting twists and turns and a satisfying resolution to the romance (so not a spoiler as these things are always clear from the beginning). Unfortunately, the writing was just not spectacular. In places, it was bad enough to either make me laugh or groan and I will admit to skimming the last 75 pages or so just to mak...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Lina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, aliens, tattoos

3.5 stars - I had fun!!
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I did not expect the twist this book had. I have to admit that the cover, blurb and the first few chapters were deceiving. Its a plot with icing covering something unexpected: tricky-fantasy-filled story you gave us Sara Walsh.

Mia is a young girl who lives a quiet life. She is dreaming of College, has a best friend, had a Prom date and has a fun young brother who gets along very well with her. A perfect quiet life... right? Well, not so much. Many things are happening o...more 3.5 stars - I had fun!!
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I did not expect the twist this book had. I have to admit that the cover, blurb and the first few chapters were deceiving. Its a plot with icing covering something unexpected: tricky-fantasy-filled story you gave us Sara Walsh.

Mia is a young girl who lives a quiet life. She is dreaming of College, has a best friend, had a Prom date and has a fun young brother who gets along very well with her. A perfect quiet life... right? Well, not so much. Many things are happening on her quiet place of the world, Crownsville. Starting with strange lights and disappearances of children on her neighbouring town and more recently on her own. When this mysterious incidents occur closer to her life than she could wish for, she takes it upon herself to try to discover the truth on everything she is seeing.

Since the beauty of this fun read is actually letting go and immersing yourself in the plot and the strange discoveries, I will stop here and will not shed any more light on the nature of Mia's adventure. Except that I hope you enjoyed visiting Brakaland as much as I did.

I will mention then the other interesting character we meet: Sol. Oh Sol, you are one of those YA bad-boys, who will definitely surprise you. And yeah, who am I kidding, you already expect it. A sweet romance between Mia and him is bound to occur (It's even in the cover!) and I liked how it was presented. However, I might have been expecting more, perhaps the way the 'truths' are revealed are not entirely of my liking. I have to admit it. I don't like it when in YA literature the guys are always hiding something and the excuse is always : 'Oh I just wanted to protect you from the truth'... Gha! as if people couldn't make their own choices of how to deal with the 'truth'... anyways... this is always my strong complaint... and it does not only happen in this book. I believe almost 80% of YA (and not only young adult) plots have this I'm-protecting-you-from-the-truth-because-I-know-better kind of narrative.

Moving on. I have to admit that the other trait that made me read this book was the fact that its a standalone novel. I love reading so much, sometimes it stresses me out the wait for the next instalments of series. I am not very patient, so I applaud and welcome standalone books. But having said that, I will contradict my desire here: I wish wish x3 that this book had a sequel! I enjoyed very much the world, the characters and the story and I feel that it is not finished. What will happen with Brakaland?

I really want to know.
(less)

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Sep 09, 2012 Emily Reid rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was awesome! I loved it so much! I would recommend it anyone! It's a great for all ages book, it's not to risque that little kids can't read it but at the same time it's sophisticated enough that adults can read it too!
The character development was amazing, I felt like I really connected to the main character, so much that I was sad when the book ended. Her love interest, Sol was amazing. He was a perfect blend of mystery and caring, but still dangerous and at the same time protective...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Addie R. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own, 2012-debut, came-out-2012, demon, fantasy, magic, paranormal, read-in-2012, insanely-original

3.5/5

Originally posted: http://addie-bookwormrecommendations....

I haven’t heard many things about The Dark Light, and the synopsis doesn’t reveal much either so I had no idea what to expect. I think me not having any idea what to expect was what made it more enjoyable for me since everything was just surprise after surprise, so I’ll try to be vague about some things for your benefit. While The Dark Light was a very enjoyable and fascinating read, it just failed to wow me or blow my mind, thus br...more

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Oct 05, 2012 Joan (official heroine hater) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, sci-fi

I liked this one. Mainly because it wasn't at all what I was expecting. Thought it was going to be typical PNR and ended up being more sci-fi/fantasy. I like the thought of alternate dimensions/parallel worlds but most books I've read with that scenario end up being lameo. This one pulled it off pretty well. My main issues would be that I wish it would have kept a bit darker tone through-out rather than throwing in silly/humor. Also, there were parts that kind of seemed to drag on forever and I'...more

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Oct 18, 2012 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read

GoodReads Synopsis: Mia is torn between two guys—and two worlds—in this epic, romantic fantasy.

Mysterious lights have flickered above Crownsville for as long as Mia can remember. And as far as she’s concerned, that’s about the only interesting thing to happen in her small town.

That is, until Sol arrives. Mia’s not one to fall for just any guy, but she can’t get Sol—or the brilliant tattoo on his back—out of her mind.

Then Mia’s brother goes missing, and Mia’s convinced that Sol knows more than he...more GoodReads Synopsis: Mia is torn between two guys—and two worlds—in this epic, romantic fantasy.

Mysterious lights have flickered above Crownsville for as long as Mia can remember. And as far as she’s concerned, that’s about the only interesting thing to happen in her small town.

That is, until Sol arrives. Mia’s not one to fall for just any guy, but she can’t get Sol—or the brilliant tattoo on his back—out of her mind.

Then Mia’s brother goes missing, and Mia’s convinced that Sol knows more than he’s sharing. But getting closer to Sol means reevaluating everything Mia once believed to be true. Because Sol’s not who Mia thought he was—and neither is she.

My Thoughts: Interesting story about an alternate universe…or maybe it’s another dimension? Mia doesn’t leave Earth per se, more like she steps through a curtain into a previously unseen Earth.

I’m not a big fan of what I call “High Fantasy”. Those are the types where whole new worlds and creatures are invented. This was not that. But I do love “looking behind the curtain” to see how an alternate version of life as I know it can be created.

“Dark Light” starts out as a mystery with young boys disappearing and weird lights in the sky. OK, you have my attention now. Poor Mia, whose life up to this point has been nothing but abandonment after abandonment, watches as her little brother disappears in front of her eyes…and the new guy in town is there with her but denies all knowledge to the cops. Abandoned again, Mia is desperate to find answers and her brother.

Great read, very mysterious, and you feel so strongly for Mia after all she and her brother have endured. By the time you finish Mia’s whole world has been turned upside down numerous times and you are pissed you have to wait to find out what happens next!

The characters are great…Sol is very chivalrous. And Mia is a lot smarter and tougher than she seems. The incredibly strong sense of family is what really blew me away. So little YA fiction has that focus and it was very nice to read. I’m assuming there will be another book…just too many questions left unanswered for this to be a stand alone book. I can only hope I don’t have to wait too long.
(less)

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Mar 11, 2013 Alexandria Evans rated it 5 of 5 stars

I didn't think the book was going to be the way it was; I was expecting an alien like guy who is new at school and the girl figures out what he is (just like every other paranormal romance), but what ended up happening was so different from any other book I've read that I was immediately hooked! I love this book and I'm recommending it to everyone I know. It was nice to have a book that was so different from everything else I've read, to have something new! If you're thinking about reading this...more

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