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Darkness Before Dawn
(Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy #1)
by
At seventeen, Dawn Montgomery knows that monsters really do come out at night—after all, they are her job. It’s just after the thirty-years war between vampires and humans, and as an ambassador between the two sides (a role she inherited when her parents were killed), Dawn quickly learns that balancing schoolwork, teen life, and the requests of Lord Valentine, the most fri
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DNF @ p.92
Does anyone remember the Goth Girl Prom Dress Trend of the 2010s YA book covers that totally looked like Evanescence album art? Because I totally do. And even though I like to make fun of things, I secretly love covers like these and they make that inner voice inside my head scream, "BUY! BUY! BUY!" But luckily I didn't even have to buy this one because the entire trilogy showed up for FREE inside one of my local Little Free L ...more
It's rather unfair, really. Any post-apocalyptic vampire fiction I read these days pales next to Julie Kagawa's series. Dawn (get it??!! Sunlight! Vampires! Ok, I'm done) is a likeable character. She has had to grow up pretty quickly, becoming the delegation to the city's vampire leader, Lord Valentine, at the very young and unrealistic age of 17. Her parents were killed in an ambush towards the beginning of the book, and it is hinted that Dawn is SPESHUL.
She's not.
I've finished the book and I d ...more
She's not.
I've finished the book and I d ...more
Is dissapointing to see many readers judging the books because its cover is similar to the Fallen series.
I really hope this book is better than Fallen series (I'm not a fan of Lauren Kate, I was very frustrated to have spent my money in a book so bad written!). I do not expect so much from this one, even if is by another writer (Actually, I never expect anything from american literature...), but I hope it changes my POV.
********
Reading finished on June 1st.
Review upcoming. ...more
I really hope this book is better than Fallen series (I'm not a fan of Lauren Kate, I was very frustrated to have spent my money in a book so bad written!). I do not expect so much from this one, even if is by another writer (Actually, I never expect anything from american literature...), but I hope it changes my POV.
********
Reading finished on June 1st.
Review upcoming. ...more
1.5 stars - spoilers
Seventeen year old Dawn Montgomery lives in the city of Denver surrounded by walls. The walls were built to keep vampires out after a 30 year war between humans and vampires devastated both sides. A treaty was forged between the two - in exchange for vampires not attacking the human, humans donated blood. After her parents death, Dawn is chosen to be the delegate between the city of Denver and the vampire, Lord Valentine. Hijinks ensues.
-I found most of the book to be largel ...more
Seventeen year old Dawn Montgomery lives in the city of Denver surrounded by walls. The walls were built to keep vampires out after a 30 year war between humans and vampires devastated both sides. A treaty was forged between the two - in exchange for vampires not attacking the human, humans donated blood. After her parents death, Dawn is chosen to be the delegate between the city of Denver and the vampire, Lord Valentine. Hijinks ensues.
-I found most of the book to be largel ...more
Darkness Before Dawn.
Haha, the title is a pun on the heroine's name! Hownot cute.
The book started off with an ice-monster prologue that did relatively nothing to entice me and made me realize that the next 350 pages were going to be loooooooooooooong.
Let's start off with our main character, conveniently named Dawn. Dawn is the second-most boring female protagonist I've ever read, only behind Lucinda Price. The best internal line she had in the book was "He was a damn vampire!"
Seriously.
That's i ...more
Haha, the title is a pun on the heroine's name! How
The book started off with an ice-monster prologue that did relatively nothing to entice me and made me realize that the next 350 pages were going to be loooooooooooooong.
Let's start off with our main character, conveniently named Dawn. Dawn is the second-most boring female protagonist I've ever read
Seriously.
That's i ...more
Today started out as a really good day.
I didn't have any morning classes so I could sleep in late. I got some good news on the writing front and found out that a contest I entered had very few entrants, so more chances to win. Yay!
So I was feeling pretty pumped by the time I got to class and relayed my good news to a guy friend of mine. Somehow, we got on the topic of his opinion on my writing, which I had let him read a while back. He frankly advised me to stop writing because of "spiritual war ...more
I didn't have any morning classes so I could sleep in late. I got some good news on the writing front and found out that a contest I entered had very few entrants, so more chances to win. Yay!
So I was feeling pretty pumped by the time I got to class and relayed my good news to a guy friend of mine. Somehow, we got on the topic of his opinion on my writing, which I had let him read a while back. He frankly advised me to stop writing because of "spiritual war ...more
Well, I'm a few years late to this party... six years to be exact, but I was in the mood for a a good ol' vampire book. I realize vampires are basically non-existent nowadays but to me a vampire book is like chicken noodle soup when you have a cold, it's just good for the soul. So, I did a little digging on Goodreads and came up with this. Vampire novel + dystopian novel = one happy bookish chick. I didn't go into this expecting it to be a phenomenal book that would blow me away and by all means
...more
Just another typical paranormal romance. OH "human and vampire relationships never end well" damn I know. The protagonist Dawn annoys the hell out of me, meanwhile I do like victor I just wanna punch Michael in the face. AND YEAH ITS A LOVE TRIANGLE DEAL WITH IT XD
Oh the romance is so forced...
Victor goes like : i Always wanna see the sun and once I though I saw the sun but it was a girl
Dawn: blushes
Insta love alert INSTA LOVE ALERT YEAH YEAH
Overall this book doesn't make sense and the plot ...more
Oh the romance is so forced...
Victor goes like : i Always wanna see the sun and once I though I saw the sun but it was a girl
Dawn: blushes
Insta love alert INSTA LOVE ALERT YEAH YEAH
Overall this book doesn't make sense and the plot ...more
Eh. Sorry to say I didn't really love Darkness Before Dawn. I thought as I was reading it that the reason I wasn't into it might be because I recently read, and adored, The Immortal Rules which is extremely similar. Its hard not to make comparisons between the two dystopian vampire books, and in the end The Immortal Rules wins hands down.
But my lack of enjoyment wasn't just because of the comparison. I just didn't like the story. I had very high expectations and am disappointed that this one fel ...more
But my lack of enjoyment wasn't just because of the comparison. I just didn't like the story. I had very high expectations and am disappointed that this one fel ...more
I was really looking forward to reading Darkness Before Dawn so when I sat down on a Sunday afternoon to start this book it was with excitement and anticipation. But unfortunately, it couldn't hold my attention and the slightest little thing was distracting me. Thankfully, about a third of the way in, things really kicked up a notch and I was fully engrossed in the remainder of the book.
Dawn Montgomery is only 17 years old, when her parents are assassinated following a meeting with the head vam ...more
Dawn Montgomery is only 17 years old, when her parents are assassinated following a meeting with the head vam ...more
With all the overused, over done tropes and cliches in this genre, not to mention I was over vampires about two years ago, I wasn't going to pick this series up but, it's been on my kindle for a really long time and it's been awhile since I have read about vamps in the YA setting so I thought, why not.
Kind of glad that I did actually. This was surprisingly entertaining and while maybe not completely original, it was good and pretty page turning worthy. Definitely worth the time it takes to read ...more
Kind of glad that I did actually. This was surprisingly entertaining and while maybe not completely original, it was good and pretty page turning worthy. Definitely worth the time it takes to read ...more
Darkness Before Dawn
introduces us to Dawn. Nine years after the end of a thirty-year war between humans and vampires, the death of Dawn's parents leads to her becoming the youngest Agency delegate. As a delegate she is responsible for meeting with "one of the most powerful vampires in the world: Lord Valentine" to discuss, well, blood.
As a part of the VampHu Treaty that ended the war, humans in the cities supply blood to the vampires on the outside. In return the vampires don't attack the...more
Nov 18, 2011
Emily Blake
rated it
it was ok
Shelves:
ya-romance,
review,
young-adult,
for-review,
fairies-faerys,
dystopian,
disappointing,
2012,
arc,
love-the-cover
*An ARC was provided by Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review*
When I first started this book I loved it. It had huge potential, was fast-paced, and kick-butt. And then it…wasn’t.
This book had everything going for it: plot, idea, setting, everything. And then, it kind of ruined it. The writing was never amazing, but I was willing to overlook that if the other aspects of the book lived up to their full potential. They didn’t. The idea was amazing. I loved the setting, a dystopian world w ...more
When I first started this book I loved it. It had huge potential, was fast-paced, and kick-butt. And then it…wasn’t.
This book had everything going for it: plot, idea, setting, everything. And then, it kind of ruined it. The writing was never amazing, but I was willing to overlook that if the other aspects of the book lived up to their full potential. They didn’t. The idea was amazing. I loved the setting, a dystopian world w ...more
Similar Books: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
This was an interesting read for me. There were bits that I liked a lot, then some that didn't really impress me. Maybe I'm sick of vampires. Or dystopians. Or both. But I was a little disappointed with this one.
First things that I did like: the setting and worldbuilding. Honestly, that was my favorite part of the book. I liked the world that the "J.A. London" crafted here, with vampires pretty much ruling the world and ...more
This was an interesting read for me. There were bits that I liked a lot, then some that didn't really impress me. Maybe I'm sick of vampires. Or dystopians. Or both. But I was a little disappointed with this one.
First things that I did like: the setting and worldbuilding. Honestly, that was my favorite part of the book. I liked the world that the "J.A. London" crafted here, with vampires pretty much ruling the world and ...more
For a YA it's not bad, but it does follow conventional, convention, and 'oft done tropes.
⚫"Special heroine" that the lead vampire falls for that he has never found someone who compares to - honestly, that's the weirdest part. She has no powers or nothing special about her. Yes, she's a decent person and main character, but nothing unique stands out about her which should differentiate her from countless others he's met in 400+ years. I mean, come on here.
⚫ We don't need that last page dangling c ...more
⚫"Special heroine" that the lead vampire falls for that he has never found someone who compares to - honestly, that's the weirdest part. She has no powers or nothing special about her. Yes, she's a decent person and main character, but nothing unique stands out about her which should differentiate her from countless others he's met in 400+ years. I mean, come on here.
⚫ We don't need that last page dangling c ...more
I'm going to start right off with the world building because it was very well done and important to all other aspects of the story. There was a huge war with humans and vampires which left the world devastated. Vampires won as I guess would be expected so the VampHu treaty was put in place. The cities are all surrounded by huge walls. Vamps on the outside, humans on the inside. Technology has been destroyed. Little communication and travel between the cities. There is one train that goes through
...more
I've got myself a new favorite read everybody! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough in this one. I can't say that I found this to be a surprise, but I was really excited to learn that despite all the hype that I was experiencing before getting my hands on a copy of this to read, I discovered that it wasn't in vain. This new title lived up to the jazz and then some.
J.A. London makes up the mother-son writing team of Jan and Alex Nowasky. Jan also writes under the name of Rachel Hawthorne and is ...more
J.A. London makes up the mother-son writing team of Jan and Alex Nowasky. Jan also writes under the name of Rachel Hawthorne and is ...more
This book really had me hooked. Written beautifully, I am able to step into a world of darkness and full of blood driven vampires.
I have to say that the new books that are coming out with vampires are certainly coming out fresh and new. I loved that this book contains elements of dystopia as well as paranormal. Nothing is old. Everything is fresh and totally addicting. The plot is the best part of the book. We have delegate who meets with the vampire lord and negotiates. I love this idea right h ...more
I have to say that the new books that are coming out with vampires are certainly coming out fresh and new. I loved that this book contains elements of dystopia as well as paranormal. Nothing is old. Everything is fresh and totally addicting. The plot is the best part of the book. We have delegate who meets with the vampire lord and negotiates. I love this idea right h ...more
When I first started this I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not. Dawn was a bit annoying with her not trusting issues. No matter how many times Victor proved himself to her she wouldn't trust him. However, as the book went along she got better. Ever since Sin showed up I just had this feeling that he would be trouble and the ending proved me right. Speaking of the ending I will tell you that it was full of surprises and left me wanting to read the next book.
...more
When Vampires revealed themselves to humans it started a 30 year war for supremacy. The war ended and the VampHu treaty was signed. Humans have to donate blood to Vampires and Vampires will stay out of the cities. The Humans built a wall and nobody except the delegate is allowed outside.
Dawn is only young when her parents are killed. They were the Vampire delegates to Lord Valentine. Now the job falls to Dawn to become the new delegate.
Tegan, Dawns best friend, decides one night to go to a par ...more
Dawn is only young when her parents are killed. They were the Vampire delegates to Lord Valentine. Now the job falls to Dawn to become the new delegate.
Tegan, Dawns best friend, decides one night to go to a par ...more
Actual rating: 1.5 stars
I finished this book within a few hours after borrowing it from the library. It was probably a bad idea to read this after The Coldest Girl in Coldtown as both have pretty similar flaws, only they are even more emphasised here.
I could not care less for the plot and characters, and I felt nothing for Dawn as the main character (I had to look her name up because I had already forgotten it). The descriptions/writing made me roll my eyes so many times and there was nothing th ...more
I finished this book within a few hours after borrowing it from the library. It was probably a bad idea to read this after The Coldest Girl in Coldtown as both have pretty similar flaws, only they are even more emphasised here.
I could not care less for the plot and characters, and I felt nothing for Dawn as the main character (I had to look her name up because I had already forgotten it). The descriptions/writing made me roll my eyes so many times and there was nothing th ...more
I really wanted to love this but it just was awful. The heroine, Dawn, got on my nerves. Tegan, her BFF, the typical "I want to party all day" got on my nerves even more. I have no idea what Victor liked about Dawn.
There is a treaty between the vampire and the humans for the past 30 years. Since Dawn's parents have died, she had become the human's delegate. Even though Dawn is only 17 years old, Lord Valentine (the leader of the vampires) wants only Dawn to delegate. Tegan and Dawn leave the wa ...more
There is a treaty between the vampire and the humans for the past 30 years. Since Dawn's parents have died, she had become the human's delegate. Even though Dawn is only 17 years old, Lord Valentine (the leader of the vampires) wants only Dawn to delegate. Tegan and Dawn leave the wa ...more
EDIT: Hmmm... It was kind of too standard for me -- standard romance, lack of chemistry, no surprises, okay main character -- but I felt no connection and it took me longer than expected to finish. Still, it was by no means a bad book! Just... not the greatest!
Review to come :)
I just found out that part of J.A. London is part Rachel Hawthorne, who wrote the Dark Guardian series! Cool, right?? :)
Review to come :)
I just found out that part of J.A. London is part Rachel Hawthorne, who wrote the Dark Guardian series! Cool, right?? :)
Oh my, this book was a bit of a catastrophe. I saw the cover and thought "Hmmm, another entertaining albiet generic paranormal romance" Was it generic? Yes. Entertaining? No. I got about 40 pages in before realizing that the writing was too terrible to be enjoyed, it was horribly cheesy and frankly, a little bit annoying.
...more
When vampires and humans went to war there would only be one victor. The vampires. A treaty was enacted to keep the peace. And as long as the voluntary blood donations continued, the humans within the walled cities would remain safe. Protected.
But with the passage of time, many people forgot their promises and refused to give their blood freely. And as the human population began to dwindle, food supplies became limited and many vampires were left starving.
Attacks on the cities increased. Safety ...more
But with the passage of time, many people forgot their promises and refused to give their blood freely. And as the human population began to dwindle, food supplies became limited and many vampires were left starving.
Attacks on the cities increased. Safety ...more
This book seems to tiptoe back and forth across the line of what I consider to be juvenile writing. I like the premise of the storyline though, and I think in the right author’s hands (possibly one that would have written it as adult fiction rather than YA) it could have been amazing. As it is, the writing style is pretty simple, and it’s an easy read. The biggest downfall is the predictability of where the storyline is heading. I suspected that Sin was a vampire right from the introduction of h
...more
Dnf 25%
So dull! I skimmed to the end, and it felt like a chore.
So dull! I skimmed to the end, and it felt like a chore.
*Rating* 4 stars
*Genre* YA Paranormal/Dystopian
J.A. London’s Darkness before Dawn is the first novel in a promising new series that features a world where vampires have won the 30 year war against humans and now live by an agreement called the Vamp-Hu Treaty. In accordance with the treaty, humans are required to provide blood to the vampires and in return, the vampires agreed not to attack any of the remaining US cities. Not all humans are agreeable to the treaty which leads to complications. Th ...more
*Genre* YA Paranormal/Dystopian
J.A. London’s Darkness before Dawn is the first novel in a promising new series that features a world where vampires have won the 30 year war against humans and now live by an agreement called the Vamp-Hu Treaty. In accordance with the treaty, humans are required to provide blood to the vampires and in return, the vampires agreed not to attack any of the remaining US cities. Not all humans are agreeable to the treaty which leads to complications. Th ...more
Schemes, politics, desire for power, envy, jealousy and love, all entangled in a great story.
Darkness before Dawn is a great vampire story. Probably one of the best I've read lately.
It is set in the city of Denver in a future where humans are very aware of the existence of vampires. Actually, they've been coexisting since the war thanks to a treaty. This treaty said that vampires would be away of the cities as long as humans donate blood to keep them satisfied. Of course, that didn't last long a ...more
Darkness before Dawn is a great vampire story. Probably one of the best I've read lately.
It is set in the city of Denver in a future where humans are very aware of the existence of vampires. Actually, they've been coexisting since the war thanks to a treaty. This treaty said that vampires would be away of the cities as long as humans donate blood to keep them satisfied. Of course, that didn't last long a ...more
As far as YA vampire books go, Darkness Before Dawn was fairly decent. I don't really feel as though it was amazing, but it was an enjoyable read. It mentions several vampire related series in the synopsis, all of which I haven't read yet, so I don't really know if it pulls many elements from them or not. But of the Vampire books I have read, I easily spotted quite a few similarities. I feel like the mother son duo did a good job making the story their own though, even though I didn't really pic
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA genre- teen girl born and trained to serve vampire lord as courier/book keeper? after humans lost war against vamps [s] | 8 | 32 | Nov 09, 2016 08:28AM | |
| Beautiful Cover <3 | 6 | 47 | Oct 23, 2014 01:41PM | |
| ♥ Young Adult and...: Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness Before Dawn #1) by J.A. London --> Start Date: February 5th, 2014 | 22 | 21 | Feb 21, 2014 10:08AM | |
| Let's Get It Para...: Darkness Before Dawn - J.A. London | 1 | 5 | May 31, 2013 05:40AM | |
| YA Bookaholics: [BR] Darkness Before Dawn - J.A. London Starts 24 May | 74 | 18 | May 27, 2013 08:20PM | |
| SPF9: Sun-Proof F...: DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN by J. A. London | 1 | 9 | Jun 12, 2012 03:13PM |
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J.A. London is the mother-son writing team of Rachel Hawthorne and her son, Alex London. Rachel has written many novels for teens, including the popular Dark Guardian series. Alex, a recent graduate with a degree in Historical Studies, enjoys combining history and fiction to create unique worlds. The Darkness Before Dawn series is their first joint project.
Other books in the series
Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy
(3 books)
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8 trivia questions
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“I like you, Dawn. I've seen a lot of humans, from far away and up close. I've never met one like you. I think you're the closest thing to a sunrise I'll ever see.”
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“The movie is all illusion. How people wish things were.”
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