From Darkness to Darkness (Loka Legends, #2)

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From Darkness to Darkness (Loka Legends #2)

by Jay Bell (Goodreads Author)

4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 · rating details · 45 ratings · 10 reviews

From the cradle to the grave…

The Black Oligarch is dead. Some call his replacement a boy, others call him a threat. Cole lost everything the night he became Oligarch: his family, his home… even Jonah. Now he’s alone, left only with painful memories and the power to destroy the Five Lands.

When Dylan is sent to help Cole, he finds they have more in common than expected. They...more

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Published September 1st 2012 by Smashwords (first published August 27th 2012)

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Oct 11, 2012 Seregil of Rhiminee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Originally published at Risingshadow.

The first book of The Loka Legends series, The Cat in the Cradle, was Dylan's coming of age story. It was a touching and compelling story about a young homosexual guy, who had to accept his sexuality and feelings. He also had to find a way to save himself and his friends from a killer, who killed Oligarchs.

Here's a bit of information about the plot of From Darkness to Darkness:

From Darkness to Darkness begins in an interesting way. At the beginning of the boo...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Jenre rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, action-adventure, romance, ya

I greatly enjoyed the first book in this Loka Legends series, The Cat in the Cradle, and I was keen for more adventures involving Dylan and Tyjinn. This story involves these two characters but begins with Cole who lives in the Jagged mountains, ruled by the Black Oligarch. He and his boyfriend, Jonah, return from a camping trip to find tragedy has struck their village and families. Before help can arrive both boys are in danger but Cole is rescued in a most surprising way by the Blacksmith, leav...more I greatly enjoyed the first book in this Loka Legends series, The Cat in the Cradle, and I was keen for more adventures involving Dylan and Tyjinn. This story involves these two characters but begins with Cole who lives in the Jagged mountains, ruled by the Black Oligarch. He and his boyfriend, Jonah, return from a camping trip to find tragedy has struck their village and families. Before help can arrive both boys are in danger but Cole is rescued in a most surprising way by the Blacksmith, leaving Cole as the new Black Oligarch. When Dylan's father discovers what has happened he sends Dylan to the Jagged Mountains to bring Cole back with him. All seems to be well until Cole finds himself in danger again and his friends and fellow Oligarchs have to fight to save him from an evil influence.

What has been most interesting for me is to see how the author has developed in his plotting from the previous book to this one. The Cat in the Cradle followed a linear pattern and focused mainly on the romantic pair. Here the story is more complex with the characters gathering at the beginning, splitting into three different groups through accident or design before regrouping again at the end. Each grouping follows its own mini adventure, with Cole getting caught up with the villain Thistle; Dylan, Tyjinn and Kio exploring Kio's past; and Natasha, Jack and Crimson Barry working to rescue Cole. In amongst these separate plots are woven times when character groups merge again; when other characters such as the werewolf, Nikolai, join them briefly; where time is set aside to follow the past of Crimson Barry; and space is given to a greater understanding of the use of the Lokas. I found this complexity in the plot very pleasing. It managed to make the book interesting and put forward a lot of information without being confusing or relying on dumping information.

Another aspect which is different to the first book is that this is a much darker story in terms of theme. It deals with grief, poverty and abuse. The Black Oligarch controls death and in this book it is used in a way that is sometimes a bit creepy and sometimes quite violent, all without crossing that line which will move it out of the realm of the YA book. The theme of death and grief also allows for a great deal of emotion in the characters, Cole especially, who mourns his losses and whose naive actions and trust of Thistle happen only because his grief is manipulated. Cole is similar to Dylan in the previous book, young and sheltered and unsure who or what to trust in the adults that he meets. He chooses a path based on his own needs, not seeing the bigger picture, but still manages to remain a sympathetic character throughout the book. This showed some skill in characterisation, as did the way that Cole grows in maturity as the book progresses.

This wasn't just Cole's story though. As I mentioned earlier, this is an ensemble piece. Dylan and Tyjinn feature quite a lot, but their story takes more of a back seat to Kio, the talking cat. This seemed natural to me as most of their story takes place in the previous book. I was also pleased to see that Natasha, the White Oligarch (along with Crimson Barry), had a prominent part to play in the story. Her actions are vital to the plot, and we learn much about the magic of the White Loka. It was good to see a sympathetic and strong female character in a m/m story, especially because of the way she develops her talents during the adventure.

Finally, I thought that Thistle was also an interesting character. He's more nuanced as a villain than Krale was in the previous book. His conflicting emotions, his love - however misguided - for his brother and the burden he carries because of the damage in his childhood, made him more than just insane or power hungry. At times I even sympathised with him, whilst abhorring his methods and I liked how he brought out that mix in the other characters too.

The book also contains six full page illustrations, drawn by Andreas Bell, the author's husband, which beautifully enhance the story.

A quick note for those who haven't read the first book. It probably is possible to pick up the series here, but I feel you would be missing out on quite a few of the references and intricacies of the setting if you started with this book. I highly recommend The Cat in the Cradle as a great place to start the series.

Overall, this was a complex and tightly written YA fantasy with characters who grabbed me from the first page. The world building continues to develop, with a vivid and memorable setting interwoven with the lives of the characters. As is fitting to a YA story there's no explicit sex in the book, but I didn't miss it or find it even necessary. Instead the romance is sweet with a slightly bitter edge and wholly fitting for the darker theme (it does have a HEA, in case you were wondering). If you like m/m YA and fantasy then this story is an absolute must and I can't recommend it highly enough.(less)

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Sep 03, 2012 Cole Riann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, own-in-paperback, armchair-reviews, m-m-ya-or-coming-of-age-tale, m-m-fantasy, m-m-magic, favorites

Review posted at The Armchair Reader.

4.5 stars

By chance I happened to read the first Loka book, The Cat in the Cradle at just the right time. I read it as part of a TBR Pile Purge a few weeks ago, not knowing the sequel would come out in less than a month. It is serendipitous that it was so, because these last few weeks, until I found out that From Darkness to Darkness was indeed about to be released, I've been bemoaning the fact that I loved the first book so much and I'd have to wait who knows...more Review posted at The Armchair Reader.

4.5 stars

By chance I happened to read the first Loka book, The Cat in the Cradle at just the right time. I read it as part of a TBR Pile Purge a few weeks ago, not knowing the sequel would come out in less than a month. It is serendipitous that it was so, because these last few weeks, until I found out that From Darkness to Darkness was indeed about to be released, I've been bemoaning the fact that I loved the first book so much and I'd have to wait who knows how long to read more of this wonderful story. The m/m gods must have been on my side (side note: I'd love to meet those guys … or gals! yes, they're probably women).

I started reading this book the minute it came in the mail, yes the mail (artwork + this world & author = 100% faith in a good book). I was fully prepared to be a bit disappointed; the first book has a firm ending and I was afraid, with the blurb talking about a new character that the old gang would be relegated to a small part. That wasn't the case, and Dylan had just as hard of a time staying out of things as he did the first time around. He comes to visit the new Black Oligarch, a young man of 16. The Black Oligarch is the master of death, both immortal while possessing the loka and able to kill with a thought. It is a dark power, uniquely suited to those who know pain and death and the bringer of it. And the young Oligarch, Cole, is definitely damaged; seeing his whole village, family, and his best friend and love Jonah brought down by corpse sludge has brought out a dangerous darkness within him, making him a fierce weapon who in his desperation will be easy to manipulate.

Fans of the first book will definitely want to read this sequel and will be pleased. It is a little grown up in all ways -- the author has grown, the characters are wiser after all they've gone through, and Cole is darker than any character we've met so far. His presence and the differing reactions the characters have to the events of the first book, bring out a side of several of them that we didn't see in the first book. Where the first book introduced us to the Five Lands and the Oligarchy in a light and bright adventure of discovery and intrigue, this story is muted. The first book celebrated that adventure, but in Darkness their travels are solely part of the mission to end the evil they seek to understand and end. The stakes are higher this time around, which is a sobering thought, especially with the knowledge of what it takes to make it to the end alive.

Though the circumstances are different, the theme of inner darkness is developed here just as it was in the first book. In The Cat in the Cradle, Tyjinn is forced to simply confront that aspect of himself in one moment that really matters (to the plot, anyway). In this sequel, it is a part of Cole's story and his choices from the beginning to the end. He's constantly conflicted and shows his age and lack of experience after losing Jonah, who made most of his decisions for him. His characterization is given much more time and effort, comparing and contrasting nicely to both the sides of "good" and "evil" in the story, until the lines are blurred enough for Cole to have to make serious considerations about himself and the others.

This group takes several different directions at a few points, in geography and plot. I found a couple of them to be somewhat tangental and therefore made the story lose a little focus. Sadly, one of my favorite parts of the book felt this way -- when Kio finally finds out where he's from and returns home. Not only did this feel out of keeping with the important parts of the rest of the story, but I wished for more time for the situation to resolve. As it was, that particular point of the story seemed resolved a little quickly. This made the whole feel a little disorganized, with a few bumps in the forward momentum.

Mostly, this just makes me want to read the first book all over again -- then this one, and once more around just for shits and giggles. This author has a fan for life, and like a very few series (i.e. Harry Potter), I could read these over and over and never get tired of them. I hope that there are many more stories in this series to come. It would be a shame for the series to end here. I urge everyone to read this and tell everyone how much you love it (and you will), so that the author has every reason to continue the series again and again.(less)

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Nov 07, 2012 Lena Grey rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you were offered the chance to bring someone you loved back to life, would you take it? I'm guessing that many of us would be sorely tempted. However, realizing that our decision would have far-reaching, almost unimaginable consequences, how many of us would actually go through with it?

Cole, of Jay Bell's 'From Darkness to Darkness', wants his dead lover, Jonah, back more than anything. When he's offered this opportunity, he accepts without thinking about the consequences; it's not because Co...more If you were offered the chance to bring someone you loved back to life, would you take it? I'm guessing that many of us would be sorely tempted. However, realizing that our decision would have far-reaching, almost unimaginable consequences, how many of us would actually go through with it?

Cole, of Jay Bell's 'From Darkness to Darkness', wants his dead lover, Jonah, back more than anything. When he's offered this opportunity, he accepts without thinking about the consequences; it's not because Cole is callous, but because he is young and inexperienced and overwhelmed with grief and loneliness. The forces unleashed by his unconditional decision are more powerful, far-reaching, and destructive than he could have ever imagined. This story is about Cole's journey as he strives to reach an understanding of the complexities of existence. Cole is such a sad character. He's lost everyone dear to him and is in a dark mood of depression and grief. It was interesting to watch him grow and realize how much his desire to be with Jonah costs.

Dylan and Tyjinn were introduced in 'Cat in the Cradle.' They are wiser and stronger and more in love than ever. Dylan and Tyjinn make a great team and are especially resourceful when accompanied by Kio, the talking cat, and the intuitive young girl, Natasha, both of whom have more important roles in this story. We learn a lot more about Kio and his roots and delve more into Natasha's capabilities. I especially loved Jay's portrayal of Natasha's gifts as sometimes being confusing and vague and, at other times, crystal clear. Natasha represents a great role model for young women.

This story may involve fantasy, but it is by no means a fairy tale. The issues faced by Cole and his friends are about life, death, and all combinations thereof. Since my father died recently, I've been giving a lot of thought to the question of what happens, if anything, when we die. Seeing my father's body being put in the cold ground left me with a despair I can't even begin to describe. I identified with Cole's feelings of loneliness, anger, frustration, desertion, and heartache. My father was my best friend, my confident, and comforter. As with Cole, I'd give almost anything to have him back with me, but I also realize that it would be wrong on so many levels. It's difficult to let go of someone who means everything to you. Jay's story raised many issues which were brewing in my heart and mind but that I hadn't been able to put into words. Instead of wallowing in my feelings of grief, I began to ponder some of the ideas presented in the story. As I wrestled with all this, for the first time since my father died, I was reassured that he was still with me. The bottom line is, the all-that-is consists of love and love is something which can not be destroyed.

This is a very profound, dark story whose characters, world building, situations, and messages are so expertly woven into the theme. It's not for everyone, but for those of you who enjoy a deep, challenging story, with multiple themes, which will cause you to reflect on how events and ideas presented therein affect you, then 'From Darkness to Darkness' is a reading experience you will not want to pass up. Thank you, Jay, for sharing your gift so openly and honestly.

NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
(less)

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Sep 18, 2012 K.C. Beaumont rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: self-published, lgbt, kindle-lendables, highly-recommended

This was a fantastic continuation of the Loka Legends series. It was so very easy to get lost in this world. I fell in love with the new characters and was so happy to revisit the one from The Cat in the Cradle. Mr. Bell's storytelling is unparalleled, his stories so vivid. "Darkness" was no exception.

Kio was amazing (seriously... he needs an action figure), Dylan and Tyjinn were perfect, I wanted to hug Cole and Jonah until they both passed out, and Crimson Barry and Thistle TORE MY HEART TO S...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Osho rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

The sequel to Bell's first loka book, The Cat in the Cradle, set in the same universe and with most characters returning. In a story that is thematically similar to the previous book, a young man, Cole, is manipulated by a powerful, malevolent force, which must be fought though it is seemingly invulnerable. This force is again opposed by a coalition of loka wielders and their allies. Bonus for fans of giant talking cats: (view spoiler)

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Aug 29, 2012 Gwendolyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal

I was somehow able to download this a few days early! This is like a 4.5-4.75 book so the five stars. It was sweet and a very nice continuation of the story.

The blurb had me a little worried but I'm glad the situation wasn't what I thought it sounded like.

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Feb 27, 2013 Paul rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, glbt, supernatural

This is an enjoyable follow up to "The Cat in the Cradle" and explores a little more of the Loka world. Whilst "The Cat in the Cradle" is perfectly enjoyable standalone read, "From Darkness to Darkness" does answer a couple of questions left over from the first book.

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Sep 02, 2012 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: done, gay, ya, ebook, fantasy, romance, 2012

4.5 stars. Very good young adult gay fantasy (with romantic elements) about life, death, love, and the responsibilities of power. Hmm. Could I be any more cryptic? ;)

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Mar 07, 2013 Abel Thatch potter rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked the way the story unfolded, it was smart, and I liked the amount of romance portrayed. Thumbs up.

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About Jay Bell

Jay Bell never gave much thought to Germany until he met a handsome foreign exchange student. At that moment, beer and pretzels became the most important thing in the world. After moving to Germany and getting married, Jay found himself desperate to communicate the feelings of alienation, adventure, and love that surrounded this decision, and has been putting pen to paper ever since.

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From Darkness to Darkness (Loka Legends #2)

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