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The Dark Trilogy #1
Dark Bayou
The Spanish moss swayed eerily in the breeze that brought with it fat rain drops that plopped onto the water, rippling the reflection of the darkening sky. That was when we saw the cabin, far off in a corner on the west bank. It was as I had seen it in my dreams—rustic long-forgotten by the world, save for whatever occupied its malevolent little frame. And whatever it was, was nothing more than a black silhouette in a creaking rocking chair on the tiny porch. As I stared at the phantom rocker, it suddenly stopped in mid rock, picked up its head and turned to me, grinning, and started rocking away, never taking its yellow eyes off of me. And there, in the humid twilight of the swamp, a bitter chill washed over me, and my spine felt like ice.
When Leigh Benoit returns home to Louisiana for the funeral of her brother and his wife, she becomes increasingly concerned about the welfare of her orphaned niece, Lyla. She is prompted by her grandmother, Clothilde, to move back to take care of her. Leigh has no desire to take on any responsibility, and being home again brings back painful memories. At the funeral, Leigh’s childhood friend, Detective Lucas Castille, tells her the mysterious details of the accident that killed her brother and his wife. Lucas’ young son has dreams of a Dark Man who wishes to harm Lyla. Leigh begins to have similar dreams. She struggles with her rational mind but vows to protect her niece. Soon, she finds out there is more to the story and more to her grandmother than she thought.
When Leigh Benoit returns home to Louisiana for the funeral of her brother and his wife, she becomes increasingly concerned about the welfare of her orphaned niece, Lyla. She is prompted by her grandmother, Clothilde, to move back to take care of her. Leigh has no desire to take on any responsibility, and being home again brings back painful memories. At the funeral, Leigh’s childhood friend, Detective Lucas Castille, tells her the mysterious details of the accident that killed her brother and his wife. Lucas’ young son has dreams of a Dark Man who wishes to harm Lyla. Leigh begins to have similar dreams. She struggles with her rational mind but vows to protect her niece. Soon, she finds out there is more to the story and more to her grandmother than she thought.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
December 27, 2015
As I kid my father often took me to a book store in Berkeley, CA that I loved called Dark Carnival (unfortunately, it is only a shadow of what it once was, but it does still exist http://www.darkcarnival.com/). When the sequel to this book, Dark Carnival, came up promotionally on Amazon in Kindle format I had to get it simply for the name association, even though I know the book has nothing to do with the book store I loved as a kid. And I couldn't just read the 2nd book in a series, so I also got this one. I knew they were not likely to be very good but the name coincidence impelled me.
Books like this are the reason I don't own a Kindle and am not enthused about paying money for books in Kindle format I can never get rid of. It's not the worst book I've ever read (thus two stars), but it's also worse than some two star books on my list, so I'd probably settle on 1.5 stars. The story is actually quite solid, even if the ancient backstory behind it needs a lot of help. I'm hoping it's an actual legend that the author decided to borrow without realizing it needed some serious dressing up, because if it was made up for this book it means the story actually isn't as solid as it would otherwise be. In any case, at least it makes sense, and the author demonstrates a basic grasp of what spooks people in telling the story.
But the writing is execrable, the worst I've ever read in a published book. It's written from a first person perspective in an extreme way, so almost every sentence is "I did this" or "I did that". Things that don't involve the main character are STILL written as if they were related to the main character. For example, other character's behavior is written as "I watched as..." or "I let [this thing happen that I couldn't have prevented even if I wanted to, so I really didn't 'let' it happen but I couldn't resist writing the word 'I' as many times as possible]". It redefines "telling and not showing". It makes the writing in Twilight and Divergent look good by comparison.
The weird thing is that even though it's written in 1st person, we rarely get told what the main character is thinking, so we're strangely cut off from her. We know she left Louisiana for California to run away from it and comes back to protect her niece, but we never understand why because we're never invited into the main character's head. So the relationships feel fake and motivations don't back up the actions.
There is one piece of good writing in this book: "The heat enveloped us like it was hell's own gravitational force." It's a good simile and there is no forcing this to relate to the main character by writing 'I' into the sentence, like in most of the book where it would have been "I felt the heat envelop us...". The whole book needs to be written this way.
After such significant complaints, it feels petty to bring up the editing, which isn't even that bad. However, it's very distracting to be reading a book where the font size bounces up and down during the last half of the book. And I have a pet peeve about misunderstood idioms, where the writer substitutes a word in the idiom for a different word that makes sense, except it's not the original idiom so you know they didn't understand what the original idiom was. In conversation this is just a display of ignorance, but an author really should not be displaying ignorance in her writing. In this case, it's actually a bit worse than normal because the word the author missed is a French one, in a book set in Louisiana where the author is trying to bring out the French influence and demonstrate her background in French language and culture. Have I piqued your interest yet? Not the author's. Her interest was peaked.
I'm not well-versed in French culture or Louisiana, but the author seemed to do a pretty good job of conveying it and she seems pretty knowledgable. She's pretty good about explaining what French / Cajun terms mean, with one glaring exception. After reading the book, I had to look up what a "gep" is since the word was used repeatedly, and the online definitions I found say it means "wasp", which makes the uses in the book nonsensical. So I don't know what those parts were supposed to mean.
I'm not really looking forward to reading the next book, which is the focus of why I'm reading this series. At least I can stop after that. But I sure did love the Dark Carnival bookstore. And I just discovered there is also a concept album series by Insane Clown Posse about the "Dark Carnival"... must... resist...
Books like this are the reason I don't own a Kindle and am not enthused about paying money for books in Kindle format I can never get rid of. It's not the worst book I've ever read (thus two stars), but it's also worse than some two star books on my list, so I'd probably settle on 1.5 stars. The story is actually quite solid, even if the ancient backstory behind it needs a lot of help. I'm hoping it's an actual legend that the author decided to borrow without realizing it needed some serious dressing up, because if it was made up for this book it means the story actually isn't as solid as it would otherwise be. In any case, at least it makes sense, and the author demonstrates a basic grasp of what spooks people in telling the story.
But the writing is execrable, the worst I've ever read in a published book. It's written from a first person perspective in an extreme way, so almost every sentence is "I did this" or "I did that". Things that don't involve the main character are STILL written as if they were related to the main character. For example, other character's behavior is written as "I watched as..." or "I let [this thing happen that I couldn't have prevented even if I wanted to, so I really didn't 'let' it happen but I couldn't resist writing the word 'I' as many times as possible]". It redefines "telling and not showing". It makes the writing in Twilight and Divergent look good by comparison.
The weird thing is that even though it's written in 1st person, we rarely get told what the main character is thinking, so we're strangely cut off from her. We know she left Louisiana for California to run away from it and comes back to protect her niece, but we never understand why because we're never invited into the main character's head. So the relationships feel fake and motivations don't back up the actions.
There is one piece of good writing in this book: "The heat enveloped us like it was hell's own gravitational force." It's a good simile and there is no forcing this to relate to the main character by writing 'I' into the sentence, like in most of the book where it would have been "I felt the heat envelop us...". The whole book needs to be written this way.
After such significant complaints, it feels petty to bring up the editing, which isn't even that bad. However, it's very distracting to be reading a book where the font size bounces up and down during the last half of the book. And I have a pet peeve about misunderstood idioms, where the writer substitutes a word in the idiom for a different word that makes sense, except it's not the original idiom so you know they didn't understand what the original idiom was. In conversation this is just a display of ignorance, but an author really should not be displaying ignorance in her writing. In this case, it's actually a bit worse than normal because the word the author missed is a French one, in a book set in Louisiana where the author is trying to bring out the French influence and demonstrate her background in French language and culture. Have I piqued your interest yet? Not the author's. Her interest was peaked.
I'm not well-versed in French culture or Louisiana, but the author seemed to do a pretty good job of conveying it and she seems pretty knowledgable. She's pretty good about explaining what French / Cajun terms mean, with one glaring exception. After reading the book, I had to look up what a "gep" is since the word was used repeatedly, and the online definitions I found say it means "wasp", which makes the uses in the book nonsensical. So I don't know what those parts were supposed to mean.
I'm not really looking forward to reading the next book, which is the focus of why I'm reading this series. At least I can stop after that. But I sure did love the Dark Carnival bookstore. And I just discovered there is also a concept album series by Insane Clown Posse about the "Dark Carnival"... must... resist...
July 3, 2014
"A supernatural trilogy set in Cajun Country? I'll take the lot, thank you very much. And no, no need to wrap. I'll read it right... oh, sorry, I already started." I would've said that if I bought this in print but I bought it from the Kindle store so I read it right away anyway. Lol. I might be a bit biased here since I love stories set in Southern America specifically Mississippi and (especially) Louisiana ... history goes way back so let's not dwell on it. Let's just agree I might be a bit biased. Lol.
I was looking for something to get my reading streak back. This one is short and it's not the most complicated story so I thought it would be perfect. In general, the author goes straight to the point. The genre said paranormal/ghosts/fantasy so she didn't beat around the bush. I liked this a lot because of the setting. I already made that clear. It talked of how people in that part of the country live. The language, their history, the food etc. I am biased, yes, but I had to take down a star because I found parts of this (specifically the beginning) a bit awkward. I think it's mostly the prose. It shifts. I'm not an expert, I just read a lot, but I think when describing ghosts and paranormal activity, she hit the spot. The fillers, though ...
"Rhythmic beats of popular songs thumped through my body, pounding in my chest. "
... I don't know about that.
Other than that, I liked that there's more to it than ghosts. If it was I probably won't be interested in reading the next 2 books.
I was looking for something to get my reading streak back. This one is short and it's not the most complicated story so I thought it would be perfect. In general, the author goes straight to the point. The genre said paranormal/ghosts/fantasy so she didn't beat around the bush. I liked this a lot because of the setting. I already made that clear. It talked of how people in that part of the country live. The language, their history, the food etc. I am biased, yes, but I had to take down a star because I found parts of this (specifically the beginning) a bit awkward. I think it's mostly the prose. It shifts. I'm not an expert, I just read a lot, but I think when describing ghosts and paranormal activity, she hit the spot. The fillers, though ...
"Rhythmic beats of popular songs thumped through my body, pounding in my chest. "
... I don't know about that.
Other than that, I liked that there's more to it than ghosts. If it was I probably won't be interested in reading the next 2 books.
July 14, 2025
When I first started reading this story, I had doubts if I wanted to finish it. A person who appeared and then was gone in a split second. Hints of supernatural beings and ancient folklore? Definitely not my style.
However, the more I read of this story the more I wanted to keep going. This ended up being a pretty good story after all.
Leigh comes home to Louisiana to attend a funeral of a family member. She encounters a strange man several times. As information starts coming to light Leigh is drawn into being forced to believe in good vs evil.
50 State Challenge-Louisiana-29th state- check
However, the more I read of this story the more I wanted to keep going. This ended up being a pretty good story after all.
Leigh comes home to Louisiana to attend a funeral of a family member. She encounters a strange man several times. As information starts coming to light Leigh is drawn into being forced to believe in good vs evil.
50 State Challenge-Louisiana-29th state- check
January 8, 2013
I just finished reading Dark Bayou and it was amazing. posted a review for you
Dark Bayou by Nancy K. Duplechain
Leigh left her bayou home and went to California. She had lost enough and was tired. She loved the beaches the ocean and it would take something incredible to get her to go back. When the call came she wasn’t ready. She didn’t want to go back but there was no choice. She had a feeling of foreboding like something was going to happen. If she had known would she have gone back even for the funeral. This amazing story had me caught within the first few pages. Nancy K. Duplechain is an amazing writer. The story held me in its grasp and I found myself not wanting to put it down. I had to know what happened next.
The magic, the faith, of each of the characters is distinct. I found myself loving each of them as they were shown for who they were. The incredible evil displayed in this is incredible and the characters rise to the war that only they can fight. I would love to see this in a motion picture.
Bella Doerres M. Ed.
Dark Bayou by Nancy K. Duplechain
Leigh left her bayou home and went to California. She had lost enough and was tired. She loved the beaches the ocean and it would take something incredible to get her to go back. When the call came she wasn’t ready. She didn’t want to go back but there was no choice. She had a feeling of foreboding like something was going to happen. If she had known would she have gone back even for the funeral. This amazing story had me caught within the first few pages. Nancy K. Duplechain is an amazing writer. The story held me in its grasp and I found myself not wanting to put it down. I had to know what happened next.
The magic, the faith, of each of the characters is distinct. I found myself loving each of them as they were shown for who they were. The incredible evil displayed in this is incredible and the characters rise to the war that only they can fight. I would love to see this in a motion picture.
Bella Doerres M. Ed.
May 9, 2013
I'm a born and raised Californian and I can't think of a single movie or book that I've ever read or seen that doesn't make the Louisiana Bayou a really creepy place. This books is no exception. There are some seriously creepy and scary scenes in this book. Duplechain sets up a moss covered world filled with dark creatures that are constantly coming at the main character, invading her dreams, threatening her reality, and generally making the readers skin crawl. There are some story points that invade that world that I found derivative and distracting, but not so much that I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone wanting to get their scare on, because its good scary fun.
September 26, 2021
Great Book set in Acadiana
This was recommended to me by a friend. I was happy to read a book set in my hometown! Lafayette, Abbeville, I-10, Don’s Seafood & St. John’s Cathedral. Read this one with some donuts & boudin!
This was recommended to me by a friend. I was happy to read a book set in my hometown! Lafayette, Abbeville, I-10, Don’s Seafood & St. John’s Cathedral. Read this one with some donuts & boudin!
October 19, 2025
Interesting read
Very interesting read. Being from Louisiana, seeing a story written with descriptions and customs of my home state was beautiful. The cultural and historic references really made me smile. The supernatural aspect kept the story interesting and always left you guessing. Very nice book.
Very interesting read. Being from Louisiana, seeing a story written with descriptions and customs of my home state was beautiful. The cultural and historic references really made me smile. The supernatural aspect kept the story interesting and always left you guessing. Very nice book.
June 1, 2013
An intriguing premise and setting, but lacking the kind of depth and nuance I like in my stories. Stilted, plain prose that could have benefited from more risk-taking and less hand-holding, walking readers through every insignificant action. Characters were shallow and underdeveloped. The plot moved along at a steady clip, but I was never really scared the way I wanted to be. Finally, there were too many dream sequences. One of those "almost, but not quite there" books.
June 30, 2012
What a fantastic read! Bought the freebie and was hooked from the start. I felt like I was in Louisiana--sights, smells, and textures, and seeing the shadows between the cypress and tupelo trees. Slowly suspenseful (everything in the South is slow, after all) the story builds and kept me reading late into the night. Off to grab book two!
July 5, 2012
What a dark, twisted, chilling story. My mother never reads a book in one sitting, but was unable to put this book down and immediately sent it to me. And I have to say it was the same for me. Whenever there is voodoo involved I'm scared. This book did Southern Louisiana justice. I felt as if I was there!! Can't wait to read the next installment in the Dark Trilogy.
Happy Reading
~Kiki
Happy Reading
~Kiki
July 4, 2012
Finally found another book I had a hard time putting down that allowed me to escape into it. Great visualizations and main character development. Looking forward to reading the next books in the trilogy!
April 13, 2013
Let me tell you a story set in the Bayou of Louisiana...no, that was already done with Dark Bayou. Twists and turns through paranormal alleyways take you to places that usually only haunt your dreams. I loved how I was pulled in and taken for this dark ride.
June 10, 2013
I am so glad I read this book on the weekend because there was NO way I could put it down and go to work....loved this book....I just downloaded the second book "Dark Carnival". I just might take a vacation day to read....can't wait for the 3rd...Nancy you are an AMAZING writer.....
January 28, 2016
I enjoyed this supernatural/paranormal fantasy. Original/different plot with nice likeable and well developed characters.
Interesting Louisiana setting and Cajun culture, added to the story, and created great atmosphere.
Book one of the trilogy. I definitely want to read the other two books.
Interesting Louisiana setting and Cajun culture, added to the story, and created great atmosphere.
Book one of the trilogy. I definitely want to read the other two books.
July 9, 2012
Having to return to Louisiana for her brother and sister-in-laws funeral will change Leigh's life forever. Not only does she need to reconnect with her niece but she she needs to save her also.
November 24, 2012
Couldn't put the book down. Awesome read. Looking forward to reading the second book.
September 8, 2025
2.5 stars
I used to download a lot of free Kindle books, and I downloaded this one so long ago that I no longer remember what exactly about it piqued my interest. But re-reading the synopsis, I decided I was intrigued by a supernatural novel set in small-town Louisiana, and decided to give it a read. And well... it's an honest effort, but mediocre in my opinion.
Medical school dropout Leigh returns to the small Louisiana town where she grew up, intending to attend her brother's funeral and return to California right away... despite her grandmother's insistence that she stay and raise her young niece. But when dark forces start to besiege both Leigh and her niece, she realizes there's more to her grandmother's plea for her to remain than she's letting on. And when she and Lucas, a childhood friend who might be something more, start to investigate, they discover Leigh's family has a mystic heritage... and a duty to defeat an ancient evil before it can inflict untold harm.
The story of this book is pretty standard -- young woman discovers she's connected to an ancient family heritage and destined to fight evil. I don't mind a "standard" plot to book, provided it's made unique or refreshing somehow, but Dark Bayou mostly plays this plot out pretty straight, without any interesting twists to it. The descriptions of small-town Louisiana and its culture were interesting, especially some of the Cajun dialect, food, and folk medicine that cropped up here and there.
The characters were pretty forgettable. Leigh comes across as a little entitled, and her grandmother is fairly unlikeable. Lucas is pretty much a generic love interest, and the villain is so one-note I don't even remember his name. And while I understand some of the content of this book is a sign of the time and place the characters grew up (Leigh mentions being switched as a child, and remembers daring Lucas to expose himself to her as a child), this content can be uncomfortable for a modern audience.
All in all, this book was okay but forgettable, and I won't be continuing the series.
I used to download a lot of free Kindle books, and I downloaded this one so long ago that I no longer remember what exactly about it piqued my interest. But re-reading the synopsis, I decided I was intrigued by a supernatural novel set in small-town Louisiana, and decided to give it a read. And well... it's an honest effort, but mediocre in my opinion.
Medical school dropout Leigh returns to the small Louisiana town where she grew up, intending to attend her brother's funeral and return to California right away... despite her grandmother's insistence that she stay and raise her young niece. But when dark forces start to besiege both Leigh and her niece, she realizes there's more to her grandmother's plea for her to remain than she's letting on. And when she and Lucas, a childhood friend who might be something more, start to investigate, they discover Leigh's family has a mystic heritage... and a duty to defeat an ancient evil before it can inflict untold harm.
The story of this book is pretty standard -- young woman discovers she's connected to an ancient family heritage and destined to fight evil. I don't mind a "standard" plot to book, provided it's made unique or refreshing somehow, but Dark Bayou mostly plays this plot out pretty straight, without any interesting twists to it. The descriptions of small-town Louisiana and its culture were interesting, especially some of the Cajun dialect, food, and folk medicine that cropped up here and there.
The characters were pretty forgettable. Leigh comes across as a little entitled, and her grandmother is fairly unlikeable. Lucas is pretty much a generic love interest, and the villain is so one-note I don't even remember his name. And while I understand some of the content of this book is a sign of the time and place the characters grew up (Leigh mentions being switched as a child, and remembers daring Lucas to expose himself to her as a child), this content can be uncomfortable for a modern audience.
All in all, this book was okay but forgettable, and I won't be continuing the series.
May 24, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
This is a supernatural page turner set in Louisiana, where everyone knows is a place full of strange and mysterious happenings. The story revolves around an ancient society of paladins who have pledged to fight the forces of evil. This is basically where the story takes off because all of the strange, mysterious, and unexplainable happenings originate from this point. All of the decisions are not black and white either, but have shades of gray embedded in them. To me, this is where the author excels because she brings the human elements of doubt and confusion into the mix. A good start to what appears to be an interesting series.
This is a supernatural page turner set in Louisiana, where everyone knows is a place full of strange and mysterious happenings. The story revolves around an ancient society of paladins who have pledged to fight the forces of evil. This is basically where the story takes off because all of the strange, mysterious, and unexplainable happenings originate from this point. All of the decisions are not black and white either, but have shades of gray embedded in them. To me, this is where the author excels because she brings the human elements of doubt and confusion into the mix. A good start to what appears to be an interesting series.
May 8, 2024
This was ok. I'm not much into reading books about "occults" and creepy dead "dark man" going around trying to cause harm to others. The main character returns to her home in New Orleans to attend a funeral for her brother and sister-in-law. They have a surviving daughter and this wishy-washy character discovers she is supposed to take over her care. Strange events soon are taking place and you learn that various characters have been gifted with super powers. I finished it, but can't say I loved it.
August 1, 2022
Dark Bayou
I love this story! I chose to read this book for 2 reasons. First because of the setting. I love that part of the country. My husband and I always vacationed in the area. I love the live oaks with the Spanish moss draped gracefully over them.. And second because I love scary stuff! Nancy did a wonderful job telling this story and I plan to follow up with the next 2 books!
I love this story! I chose to read this book for 2 reasons. First because of the setting. I love that part of the country. My husband and I always vacationed in the area. I love the live oaks with the Spanish moss draped gracefully over them.. And second because I love scary stuff! Nancy did a wonderful job telling this story and I plan to follow up with the next 2 books!
July 23, 2023
My aunt wrote this book so I may be a bit biased but it really was such a good read. This book did start out slow and took me a minute to get into but once I got about halfway through it really picked up. I don’t want to give to much away but the second and especially the last books were some of my favorites and was never a dull moment.
December 5, 2017
Fair to middling
Nothing really new here and you know where the story is going right out of the gate. The characters are fairly likeable and the pacing is solid. If you're looking for a quick bit of escapism, this will fit the bill.
Nothing really new here and you know where the story is going right out of the gate. The characters are fairly likeable and the pacing is solid. If you're looking for a quick bit of escapism, this will fit the bill.
March 26, 2017
It was okay read. Was okay at the beginning then just went down high. Was confused on what was going on yeah girl left town then returned after her brother and wife dead. Then weird stuff started happening. No big details of why she left or what really going on in that town that freak people out.
June 7, 2017
Loved this book. Looking for the sequels now
February 6, 2018
Excellent book! It’s obvious the author isn’t very familiar with the bayou and it’s culture. Intriguing story, suspense, characters you get attached to... everything the perfect read needs.
June 1, 2018
This was a nice little book that takes an interesting spin on the paranormal. Good characters, setting, and overall feel of the book.
July 16, 2018
The prose was..choppy and the characters were terribly underdeveloped. But I found the story really interesting. Rounding up from 2.5 because I rather think I’d read the sequel.
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August 7, 2021read
March 11, 2017
OMG!
This book is an absolute WOW. I can't think of anything else to call it. It is almost completely impossible to put down, even to eat.
This book is an absolute WOW. I can't think of anything else to call it. It is almost completely impossible to put down, even to eat.
March 22, 2014
Leigh had abandoned her Louisiana roots for the bright lights and seaside sights of Los Angeles until a tragedy strikes her family and she is boomeranged back to the Bayou. There she finds herself entrenched in more than she could have ever imagined when suspicions arise that the car wreck that killed her brother and sister-in-law, and left 10-year-old Layla parentless, may not have been an accident after all—a dark force may have been at play. Leigh tries to shake off the far-out idea and flees back to L.A., but when creepy nightmares about a sinister force harming Layla infect her waking life she knows she has to return to protect her niece at all costs. Filled with Cajun lore, a great supporting cast of characters, and a reluctant hero fighting to save the family she has left, Dark Bayou by Nancy K. Duplechain is a fun, fast read.
Duplechain has written a great story here. The plot is smooth and builds very nicely, with plenty of creepy and magical moments to keep you wondering what’s coming next. Leigh’s character is likeable and I found her relatable in her reluctance to becoming fully involved or even believing in the “dark arts.” I was extremely impressed with the dialogue and character voices. The dialogue was very natural and smooth and Duplechain has a gift for channeling distinct voices and dialects for each character. I could have done without the overt explanation of the French-Cajun language—I think this could have been woven in better than an aside to the reader. There were some formatting issues in the ebook version (font sizes changed randomly) and a few typos but nothing egregious. Overall, a great book!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great story with a little magic thrown in. The focus of the story is on the characters, not so much the fantasy elements, so I think even readers who don’t usually go for fantasy would enjoy Dark Bayou. Also, I love the cover!
Duplechain has written a great story here. The plot is smooth and builds very nicely, with plenty of creepy and magical moments to keep you wondering what’s coming next. Leigh’s character is likeable and I found her relatable in her reluctance to becoming fully involved or even believing in the “dark arts.” I was extremely impressed with the dialogue and character voices. The dialogue was very natural and smooth and Duplechain has a gift for channeling distinct voices and dialects for each character. I could have done without the overt explanation of the French-Cajun language—I think this could have been woven in better than an aside to the reader. There were some formatting issues in the ebook version (font sizes changed randomly) and a few typos but nothing egregious. Overall, a great book!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great story with a little magic thrown in. The focus of the story is on the characters, not so much the fantasy elements, so I think even readers who don’t usually go for fantasy would enjoy Dark Bayou. Also, I love the cover!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews