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The Dark Cycle #2
Darkness Fair
Against the backdrop of an ancient battle between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness, Aidan struggles to control the newly awakened powers that seem to be his only hope for rescuing Ava, his little sister, trapped somewhere beyond the Veil. As he gravitates to Kara, the dangerously unstable girl who helped him realize his abilities, a terrible mistake of fate is revealed that points him back toward Rebecca, whose role is becoming more critical to the battle. And no matter what his heart wants, it might be too late to stop the pieces already in motion.
Without knowing the sacrifices that will be required of them, Aidan and his motley crew of friends—each with their own role to play—must face the demon threat head-on. They’re the only ones keeping the growing army of Darkness at bay, and if they fail, the future of humanity could be lost.
Without knowing the sacrifices that will be required of them, Aidan and his motley crew of friends—each with their own role to play—must face the demon threat head-on. They’re the only ones keeping the growing army of Darkness at bay, and if they fail, the future of humanity could be lost.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2016
382 people are currently reading
1014 people want to read
About the author
Rachel A. Marks
12 books531 followersRachel A. Marks is an award-winning author and professional artist, a SoCal girl, cancer survivor, a surfer and dirt-bike rider, chocolate lover and keeper of faerie secrets. She was voted: Most Likely to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse, but hopes she'll never have to test the theory. Her debut series
The Dark Cycle,
described as Dickens' Oliver Twist meets TV's Supernatural, begins with the Amazon Bestseller, DARKNESS BRUTAL.
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October 11, 2016It's on SALE for all of OCTOBER, guys!!! Get your spooky on!!!
*
Some instagram art...
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Annnnnd . . . it's here. Hope readers enjoy Aidan's newest installment. :)
***
One more month!
***
It's nearly time, you guys. Just two more months until this new installment of The Dark Cycle flies into the world. I wish that I could look through a gateway in time (I need to get my butt to Pasadena, I guess), then maybe I could see how readers will respond to this part of Aidan's story.
Aidan's powers are now wide awake and kicking. He's trying to get his head straight about what it all means, as he looks for a way to save Ava. But as he attempts this, there's obviously going to be hijinx that ensue. Readers can expect demon fights, a creepy wraith, ancient prophets, a very angry angel, perhaps some blood, definitely all kinds of madness and magic. Rebecca gets her own point of view in this story, and she will begin her own journey as she attempts to figure out where she fits in this new world she's discovered. It was very fun to uncover her voice a little more, and to realize how much the spunky red-head really had to say.
It was a blast (and a terror) to write this book, and many of the twists and turns surprised even me. Perhaps that doesn't instill confidence, but it made it more fun to experience the story a little more. ;) I really hope you guys like it. *bites nails* ARCs will be coming very soon and if any of my Blog or Librarian friends would like to get an early peek, feel free to message me on any platform or contact me through my website: www.RachelAnnemarks.com
In the mean time I'll try and post a sample on here as soon as I can. :)
*
Some instagram art...
*
Annnnnd . . . it's here. Hope readers enjoy Aidan's newest installment. :)
***
One more month!
***
It's nearly time, you guys. Just two more months until this new installment of The Dark Cycle flies into the world. I wish that I could look through a gateway in time (I need to get my butt to Pasadena, I guess), then maybe I could see how readers will respond to this part of Aidan's story.
Aidan's powers are now wide awake and kicking. He's trying to get his head straight about what it all means, as he looks for a way to save Ava. But as he attempts this, there's obviously going to be hijinx that ensue. Readers can expect demon fights, a creepy wraith, ancient prophets, a very angry angel, perhaps some blood, definitely all kinds of madness and magic. Rebecca gets her own point of view in this story, and she will begin her own journey as she attempts to figure out where she fits in this new world she's discovered. It was very fun to uncover her voice a little more, and to realize how much the spunky red-head really had to say.
It was a blast (and a terror) to write this book, and many of the twists and turns surprised even me. Perhaps that doesn't instill confidence, but it made it more fun to experience the story a little more. ;) I really hope you guys like it. *bites nails* ARCs will be coming very soon and if any of my Blog or Librarian friends would like to get an early peek, feel free to message me on any platform or contact me through my website: www.RachelAnnemarks.com
In the mean time I'll try and post a sample on here as soon as I can. :)
December 3, 2018
I'm just not a fan of these and that makes me really sad because I really liked the author when I met her.
Book 2 finds Aidan trying to save his sister from this mystical coma she's in. While her body is hidden in a remote cave, Aidan is running around looking for answers. While all of this is happening, he's also dealing with this ridiculous love triangle that's going on. Kara is the one he wants but his power makes her eyes and ears bleed because she's not his true soul mate. That's Rebecca - the girl who has no self respect and just shows up at the house expecting to be able to stay there for a few weeks while her dad is out of town. But wait, Rebecca may love Aidan but she also seems to have feelings for Connor as well! Kill me now.
This book was all over the place. Instead of focusing on the major plot points - saving Ava, dealing with this weird romance bond - the author kind of shoves those to the side and brings in more random demons for Aidan to fight. I don't really feel his urgency to save his sister even though that's all he talks about. And I just don't really like him. The only interesting part about this was the ending when . And still I don't know if that's enough to make me want to read the final book - and I own it!
It's just really hard to root for anyone in this series. I never liked Kara so I can't root for her relationship with Aidan. Also, I don't feel anything between them except the mystical stuff which we've been told isn't real feelings. So why are they together and why should I care? And then there's the way Aidan treats Rebecca. He knows he doesn't want to be with her, yet he strings her along because he knows she wants more. And he likes that. Major douche alert.
So currently I am unsure about finishing the series. It shouldn't take me over a week to finish each of these books but I just can't find motivation to read them.
Book 2 finds Aidan trying to save his sister from this mystical coma she's in. While her body is hidden in a remote cave, Aidan is running around looking for answers. While all of this is happening, he's also dealing with this ridiculous love triangle that's going on. Kara is the one he wants but his power makes her eyes and ears bleed because she's not his true soul mate. That's Rebecca - the girl who has no self respect and just shows up at the house expecting to be able to stay there for a few weeks while her dad is out of town. But wait, Rebecca may love Aidan but she also seems to have feelings for Connor as well! Kill me now.
This book was all over the place. Instead of focusing on the major plot points - saving Ava, dealing with this weird romance bond - the author kind of shoves those to the side and brings in more random demons for Aidan to fight. I don't really feel his urgency to save his sister even though that's all he talks about. And I just don't really like him. The only interesting part about this was the ending when . And still I don't know if that's enough to make me want to read the final book - and I own it!
It's just really hard to root for anyone in this series. I never liked Kara so I can't root for her relationship with Aidan. Also, I don't feel anything between them except the mystical stuff which we've been told isn't real feelings. So why are they together and why should I care? And then there's the way Aidan treats Rebecca. He knows he doesn't want to be with her, yet he strings her along because he knows she wants more. And he likes that. Major douche alert.
So currently I am unsure about finishing the series. It shouldn't take me over a week to finish each of these books but I just can't find motivation to read them.
August 16, 2019
I liked this second novel a lot more than the first one, but still not going above that 3 star mark. Maybe 3.5
This one was a lot shorter than the first, which was nice, and I liked the dual narrators a lot more. It was interesting that the author switched from one point of view to two, but I didn't hate Rebecca's voice. It seems like she is being set up for a larger role in this whole thing.
I liked the plot progression in general, but it also seemed like not a whole lot happened. Aidan woke up, Kara got sick, Rebecca did things, we learned all about prophecy and angels and Ava's situation... Is a little terrifying. Okay I guess some things did happen, but there was a lot of fluff in there too.
Connor might be my new favorite character, unlike Aidan who takes 1.5 books to even start to talk to Rebecca like a human being, Connor was like: yeah this is what's up. That took guts.
Also Finger, what the hell! I love how he just....did what he did. Somehow he discovered that ability on his own since Sid didn't know he could do it. I think Finger has a larger role coming too.
Lastly...Eric 😂! My favorite line was when Aidan says " _____ or not, you're being a dick " 😂
I would still recommend this to paranormal and demons vs angels / end of the world fans, but I am listening to them on audiobook. They're entertaining books but not blowing my socks off! Three looks a lot longer again but I'll start it on my commute tonight because at this point I need to know how it ends!
This one was a lot shorter than the first, which was nice, and I liked the dual narrators a lot more. It was interesting that the author switched from one point of view to two, but I didn't hate Rebecca's voice. It seems like she is being set up for a larger role in this whole thing.
I liked the plot progression in general, but it also seemed like not a whole lot happened. Aidan woke up, Kara got sick, Rebecca did things, we learned all about prophecy and angels and Ava's situation... Is a little terrifying. Okay I guess some things did happen, but there was a lot of fluff in there too.
Connor might be my new favorite character, unlike Aidan who takes 1.5 books to even start to talk to Rebecca like a human being, Connor was like: yeah this is what's up. That took guts.
Also Finger, what the hell! I love how he just....did what he did. Somehow he discovered that ability on his own since Sid didn't know he could do it. I think Finger has a larger role coming too.
Lastly...Eric 😂! My favorite line was when Aidan says " _____ or not, you're being a dick " 😂
I would still recommend this to paranormal and demons vs angels / end of the world fans, but I am listening to them on audiobook. They're entertaining books but not blowing my socks off! Three looks a lot longer again but I'll start it on my commute tonight because at this point I need to know how it ends!
November 13, 2018
Aiden's main goal is to figure out how to save his sister Ava. Currently, she is in a state of suspended death in a cave near a gateway to hell. Aiden keeps getting distracted - he is roped into a few more jobs with LA Paranormal Investigations, Kara starts to bleed from her eyes, then Rebecca comes to the house needing a place to stay, oh and he accidentally resurrects his dead father. Now the battle between good/evil, darkness & Light reaches a new level.
I was hoping that this 2nd book in the series would be more straightforward since the world building was essentially done. I was wrong. The plot still bounced around a bit which was disorienting. I am absolutely disgusted with the romance plotline - it has made me turn anti-Aiden and I've always been anti-Kara. Thankfully, this book included Rebecca's POV; it saved the book for me. I was actually considering not reading the next installment until I read the synopsis for book 3 and it seems Rebecca plays an important role. Please let her POV be primary because I'm sick of Aiden.
I was hoping that this 2nd book in the series would be more straightforward since the world building was essentially done. I was wrong. The plot still bounced around a bit which was disorienting. I am absolutely disgusted with the romance plotline - it has made me turn anti-Aiden and I've always been anti-Kara. Thankfully, this book included Rebecca's POV; it saved the book for me. I was actually considering not reading the next installment until I read the synopsis for book 3 and it seems Rebecca plays an important role. Please let her POV be primary because I'm sick of Aiden.
January 24, 2016
I loved "Darkness Brutal" the first book in this series and "Darkness Fair" was a rollicking read, engaging, fast, often furious, lots of action, a fair bit of ironic humour and a dose of rather twisted romance.
I like my YA Urban Fantasy to have a bit of grit and Rachel Marks adds plenty of grit to her narrative, following Aiden as his power develops, he begins to learn a little more about his background and parentage and continues on in his struggle to save his Sister from her dark destiny.
There is a great mythology sitting firmly behind all the action and angst - built up more here, in Darkness Brutal we got a feel for how things were, in Darkness Fair questions are answered whilst yet more arise and it really is highly addictive and very cleverly done. A proper page turner with a ending that had me gritting my teeth as I realised I'd have to wait for more, this is how to do it if you want a reader to stick with you until the end...
Not sure if this will be a trilogy or if the intention is to go on past the next novel - but whatever happens I'll be right there. I simply must find out how it all pans out for Aiden, Ava and the rest, the author has built a fantastic group dynamic, given us a likeable hero who you'd often like to kick up the butt and set them in a world where the darkness is hidden just below the surface and bubbles there furiously as you watch our protagonists attempt to save the world. And themselves. Its really great.
In my head I can imagine this as an ongoing tv show - a "Buffy"type vibe for the new generation, certainly the emotional threads running through this would work on that level and the story itself as it unfolds would be beautiful on screen.
Overall a terrific book 2. Roll on book 3. Tomorrow would be good...
Highly Recommended
Happy Reading Folks!
I like my YA Urban Fantasy to have a bit of grit and Rachel Marks adds plenty of grit to her narrative, following Aiden as his power develops, he begins to learn a little more about his background and parentage and continues on in his struggle to save his Sister from her dark destiny.
There is a great mythology sitting firmly behind all the action and angst - built up more here, in Darkness Brutal we got a feel for how things were, in Darkness Fair questions are answered whilst yet more arise and it really is highly addictive and very cleverly done. A proper page turner with a ending that had me gritting my teeth as I realised I'd have to wait for more, this is how to do it if you want a reader to stick with you until the end...
Not sure if this will be a trilogy or if the intention is to go on past the next novel - but whatever happens I'll be right there. I simply must find out how it all pans out for Aiden, Ava and the rest, the author has built a fantastic group dynamic, given us a likeable hero who you'd often like to kick up the butt and set them in a world where the darkness is hidden just below the surface and bubbles there furiously as you watch our protagonists attempt to save the world. And themselves. Its really great.
In my head I can imagine this as an ongoing tv show - a "Buffy"type vibe for the new generation, certainly the emotional threads running through this would work on that level and the story itself as it unfolds would be beautiful on screen.
Overall a terrific book 2. Roll on book 3. Tomorrow would be good...
Highly Recommended
Happy Reading Folks!
February 7, 2016
This series had one major positive and one major negative, so I split the difference and gave the first book 5 stars and the second book 3 stars.
The major positive is that the world building that's done here is really interesting and unique. Angels and demons are included in fantasy all the time, but it's rare that you see more of the Christian mythos embedded so thoroughly in a storyline. Add to this the fact that it's not preachy at all. I'm reading the story of Daniel and the lions without feeling like anyone is trying to convert me or convince me to go to church next Sunday.
The major negative is that the teenage angst and pathetic puppy love is so chokingly thick in book 2 that it nearly killed me. Young love is sweet and all that, but apparently those out-of-control hormones also make one incredibly and overwhelmingly stupid.
I will certainly read book 3 when it comes out because it's not in my nature to leave something unfinished. However, I'll be going into it rooting for the bad guys because the good guys are too dumb to deserve to win.
The major positive is that the world building that's done here is really interesting and unique. Angels and demons are included in fantasy all the time, but it's rare that you see more of the Christian mythos embedded so thoroughly in a storyline. Add to this the fact that it's not preachy at all. I'm reading the story of Daniel and the lions without feeling like anyone is trying to convert me or convince me to go to church next Sunday.
The major negative is that the teenage angst and pathetic puppy love is so chokingly thick in book 2 that it nearly killed me. Young love is sweet and all that, but apparently those out-of-control hormones also make one incredibly and overwhelmingly stupid.
I will certainly read book 3 when it comes out because it's not in my nature to leave something unfinished. However, I'll be going into it rooting for the bad guys because the good guys are too dumb to deserve to win.
December 30, 2016
I enjoyed the first book a lot, but this one I just loved. The voice is so strong, and there was exactly enough info from book one peppered in to remind me of who everyone was and where things were in the story. I really want to write this great, detailed review, but honestly it was just one of those books that had me turning pages, totally connected to the characters. So pretend I said something brilliant here while I go start book three.
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My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
book 3
My Website
Find me on Facebook
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
book 3
March 11, 2016
Review originally posted on The Book Adventures of Annelise Lestrange :)
I received this copy from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Let's go :D
The Story
Aidan can’t complain much about life. He has a roof over his head, food on his belly, a beautiful girlfriend that he deeply loves and deeply loves him back, a legal tutor that isn’t completely nuts and real friends for the first time in his life.
Okay, maybe he is allowed to complain about his lack of a sister, who he failed to save from the demons that haunted her. Or about being dead and resurrected. Or even about having astronomically strong super powers that he can barely understand, imagine controlling. Also, he could say a thing or two about the crappy job that he has, killing demons, exorcising ghosts and stuff. Did I mention the fact that his supposed soul mate, decided by Fate, isn’t his current girlfriend?
Maybe Aidan O’Linn does have many reasons to complain.
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)
THIS BOOK WAS A BLAST! It was way better than the first and I actually hugged my e-reader a few times that I sat to read it, haha! Also, I’ve read it on two days and I’m a slow reader. So yeah, it was THAT amazing. FIVE FULL STARS! And I can’t wait to read the next one <3
The narrative style was kept in first person on this sequel, but there was a significantly change: Aidan isn’t the only narrator anymore! Now we also have Rebecca’s point of view, omg! I’m so glad that my wish of the past review for seeing more of her on this book turned into reality! <3 I’m still stunned to see how well Marks worked with this narrative style, it is FLAWLESS! Seriously, this woman’s writing touches the heart. I couldn’t let go of this for the life of me!
The plot was just as complex as the last one, as now Aidan had to save Ava on a whole new level. Also, we get to interact more with Rebecca’s side, so more people for us to worry about, haha! I was caught by surprise so many times that it is pointless to count. Seriously, this book was so good…
Now, the characters. I already loved Aidan and Rebecca and really wanted to see them together – I still hate Kara, by the way – but something changed on Darkness Fair. Suddenly I loved Connor and he seemed way cooler for Rebecca and now I think Aidan would be awesome with Raul… MIND-BLOWING!
Seriously, Marks made me change my mind on how to pair my couples. That had NEVER EVER happened before! EVER!
I’m still trying to figure out how she did this to me, so let’s keep going. I love how I still suspect so many characters after knowing them for two whole books. I still don’t trust Sid or Holly or Jax or even Ava! GOSH!
A huge strong point for me on this book was Aidan and Kara’s sex scenes. Do you want to know why? Because I didn’t see them. Yes, you read it correctly. Marks didn’t throw a sex scene on my face just because it was the natural course of the evolution of their relationship. Why, do you ask? Because it wasn’t relevant! MARKS, I LOVE YOU!
Overall, I can’t believe the third book is not out yet BECAUSE I NEED TO READ IT! And if you enjoy ghosts, demons, hot males with super powers, complex plots and beautiful writing, you should grab Darkness Brutal and Darkness Fair and jump on my boat, haha!
That’s it, thank you for reading! And, of course, thank you again to YA Bound Book Tours team for sending me those wonderful books and thank you, Rachel, for writing as you do <3
I received this copy from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Let's go :D
The Story
Aidan can’t complain much about life. He has a roof over his head, food on his belly, a beautiful girlfriend that he deeply loves and deeply loves him back, a legal tutor that isn’t completely nuts and real friends for the first time in his life.
Okay, maybe he is allowed to complain about his lack of a sister, who he failed to save from the demons that haunted her. Or about being dead and resurrected. Or even about having astronomically strong super powers that he can barely understand, imagine controlling. Also, he could say a thing or two about the crappy job that he has, killing demons, exorcising ghosts and stuff. Did I mention the fact that his supposed soul mate, decided by Fate, isn’t his current girlfriend?
Maybe Aidan O’Linn does have many reasons to complain.
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)
THIS BOOK WAS A BLAST! It was way better than the first and I actually hugged my e-reader a few times that I sat to read it, haha! Also, I’ve read it on two days and I’m a slow reader. So yeah, it was THAT amazing. FIVE FULL STARS! And I can’t wait to read the next one <3
The narrative style was kept in first person on this sequel, but there was a significantly change: Aidan isn’t the only narrator anymore! Now we also have Rebecca’s point of view, omg! I’m so glad that my wish of the past review for seeing more of her on this book turned into reality! <3 I’m still stunned to see how well Marks worked with this narrative style, it is FLAWLESS! Seriously, this woman’s writing touches the heart. I couldn’t let go of this for the life of me!
The plot was just as complex as the last one, as now Aidan had to save Ava on a whole new level. Also, we get to interact more with Rebecca’s side, so more people for us to worry about, haha! I was caught by surprise so many times that it is pointless to count. Seriously, this book was so good…
Now, the characters. I already loved Aidan and Rebecca and really wanted to see them together – I still hate Kara, by the way – but something changed on Darkness Fair. Suddenly I loved Connor and he seemed way cooler for Rebecca and now I think Aidan would be awesome with Raul… MIND-BLOWING!
Seriously, Marks made me change my mind on how to pair my couples. That had NEVER EVER happened before! EVER!
I’m still trying to figure out how she did this to me, so let’s keep going. I love how I still suspect so many characters after knowing them for two whole books. I still don’t trust Sid or Holly or Jax or even Ava! GOSH!
A huge strong point for me on this book was Aidan and Kara’s sex scenes. Do you want to know why? Because I didn’t see them. Yes, you read it correctly. Marks didn’t throw a sex scene on my face just because it was the natural course of the evolution of their relationship. Why, do you ask? Because it wasn’t relevant! MARKS, I LOVE YOU!
Overall, I can’t believe the third book is not out yet BECAUSE I NEED TO READ IT! And if you enjoy ghosts, demons, hot males with super powers, complex plots and beautiful writing, you should grab Darkness Brutal and Darkness Fair and jump on my boat, haha!
That’s it, thank you for reading! And, of course, thank you again to YA Bound Book Tours team for sending me those wonderful books and thank you, Rachel, for writing as you do <3
January 20, 2016
I would like to thank Skyscape & NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book to review. Though I received this e-book for free, that has no impact upon the honesty of my review.
Goodreads Teaser: "Against the backdrop of an ancient battle between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness, Aidan struggles to control the newly awakened powers that seem to be his only hope for rescuing Ava, his little sister, trapped somewhere beyond the Veil. As he gravitates to Kara, the dangerously unstable girl who helped him realize his abilities, a terrible mistake of fate is revealed that points him back toward Rebecca, whose role is becoming more critical to the battle. And no matter what his heart wants, it might be too late to stop the pieces already in motion.
Without knowing the sacrifices that will be required of them, Aidan and his motley crew of friends - each with their own role to play - must face the demon threat head-on. They're the only ones keeping the growing army of Darkness at bay, and if they fail, the future of humanity could be lost."
Picking up right where the first book left off, things go from interesting to weird, confusing, and very, very interesting. Aidan continues to learn of his destiny, as well as his growing powers. Meanwhile his relationship with Kara has developed some serious side effects, things that impact not only Kara and Aidan, but also Rebecca. The three have ended up in a cosmically twisted love triangle, all thanks to the actions of one person. And while they're dealing with the ramifications of Sid's actions life continues to march ever forward, wether they're ready or not.
Between the daily demons to be handled, the situation with Kara and Rebecca, Sid's declining health, and Eric's revelations, well Aidan is more than just a bit overwhelmed. And that's not counting his struggles to learn more about his powers, their limits, and how to master them. And against the advice of everyone he deals with, old and new, he persists in his quest to save Ava and somehow reunite her body with her soul. He refuses to heed all the warnings, and should he continue down that path and succeed in bringing her back he may well be dooming everyone on the planet to a living hell. Literally.
As with the prior book the character development is well done, though in this book we get dual points of view as opposed to learning everything from Aidan's point of view as we did in book one. This time our narrators are Aidan and to a lesser extent Rebecca. While she played a much smaller role in the first book, in this one we really start learning just who she is, and it's almost impossible not to like her and feel badly for her. She certainly seems to have gotten the short end of the stick so to speak. Yet she seems to handle everything that's thrown at her with an intrinsic grace.
While there is certainly no shortage of action in this book, for me the emotional experiences were more of the meat, and also what propelled this story ever forward. And though religion plays an important role, it almost seems to be much less emphasized than in the first book. Possibly because everything was being set up in that book, and now things have been explained and are moving forward from there. Either way it makes the tale stronger and more powerful for me. Just like the previous book, the combination of character development and plot are interwoven quite well, to the point where it feels as if one can't move forward without the other. They feel seamlessly interconnected, creating a story that flows smoothly at a level of high tension that never feels fake or forced. This is a strong sequel that's not only moved the story much farther ahead, but also done an excellent job of setting the stage for whatever's to come in the next book. I know I'm anxious to discover how everything unfolds and is possibly wrapped up at the same time.
Goodreads Teaser: "Against the backdrop of an ancient battle between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness, Aidan struggles to control the newly awakened powers that seem to be his only hope for rescuing Ava, his little sister, trapped somewhere beyond the Veil. As he gravitates to Kara, the dangerously unstable girl who helped him realize his abilities, a terrible mistake of fate is revealed that points him back toward Rebecca, whose role is becoming more critical to the battle. And no matter what his heart wants, it might be too late to stop the pieces already in motion.
Without knowing the sacrifices that will be required of them, Aidan and his motley crew of friends - each with their own role to play - must face the demon threat head-on. They're the only ones keeping the growing army of Darkness at bay, and if they fail, the future of humanity could be lost."
Picking up right where the first book left off, things go from interesting to weird, confusing, and very, very interesting. Aidan continues to learn of his destiny, as well as his growing powers. Meanwhile his relationship with Kara has developed some serious side effects, things that impact not only Kara and Aidan, but also Rebecca. The three have ended up in a cosmically twisted love triangle, all thanks to the actions of one person. And while they're dealing with the ramifications of Sid's actions life continues to march ever forward, wether they're ready or not.
Between the daily demons to be handled, the situation with Kara and Rebecca, Sid's declining health, and Eric's revelations, well Aidan is more than just a bit overwhelmed. And that's not counting his struggles to learn more about his powers, their limits, and how to master them. And against the advice of everyone he deals with, old and new, he persists in his quest to save Ava and somehow reunite her body with her soul. He refuses to heed all the warnings, and should he continue down that path and succeed in bringing her back he may well be dooming everyone on the planet to a living hell. Literally.
As with the prior book the character development is well done, though in this book we get dual points of view as opposed to learning everything from Aidan's point of view as we did in book one. This time our narrators are Aidan and to a lesser extent Rebecca. While she played a much smaller role in the first book, in this one we really start learning just who she is, and it's almost impossible not to like her and feel badly for her. She certainly seems to have gotten the short end of the stick so to speak. Yet she seems to handle everything that's thrown at her with an intrinsic grace.
While there is certainly no shortage of action in this book, for me the emotional experiences were more of the meat, and also what propelled this story ever forward. And though religion plays an important role, it almost seems to be much less emphasized than in the first book. Possibly because everything was being set up in that book, and now things have been explained and are moving forward from there. Either way it makes the tale stronger and more powerful for me. Just like the previous book, the combination of character development and plot are interwoven quite well, to the point where it feels as if one can't move forward without the other. They feel seamlessly interconnected, creating a story that flows smoothly at a level of high tension that never feels fake or forced. This is a strong sequel that's not only moved the story much farther ahead, but also done an excellent job of setting the stage for whatever's to come in the next book. I know I'm anxious to discover how everything unfolds and is possibly wrapped up at the same time.
January 19, 2016
I was a fan of the first book. This one, not so much. Not bad, and some of the writing was quite nice, but it was slow and overly angsty and really got off track for me.
The first 2/3 of the book was a lot of teen romance angst - never pretty in the best of circumstances, and with the end of the world happening and all (angels! demons! time travel!), you'd think people would have bigger problems. But when I complained to my husband about this, he said, "You only say that because you forgot what it's like to be a teenager. Who cares about the end of the world when you're torn between two hot girls?" lol. Point taken, but as a reader, it was a looooong and boring. And, well, not fun. There were a few action scenes in there, but they didn't pertain to the main plot, so I'm not sure what I was getting out of them. It just felt like the characters were literally traveling in circles (cave, house, cave, club, cave) and bemoaning their love lives and the cruelty of fate *shakes fist*. No thanks.
I will say that the all-too familiar love triangle was handled uniquely here, which I did appreciate. Although the addition of a 4th player in that triangle seemed a little too convenient, I thought the resolution was interesting, at least.
The last 1/3 of the book picked up and was much more entertaining. The addition of a new character was welcome, and for a moment we had a glimpse of the gritty LA that made the first book so much fun but was lacking in this one.
I also found the MC to be very confusing. Is he good? Is he evil? Is he just stupid and selfish (very possible)? When the forces of God (and it is God/Elohim in this hebrew-magic centric book) are telling you Do Not Do This Thing, but you are so hell-bent on doing this thing, does that make you evil or just dumb? I really did not get it. I wish I understood the MC's motivations a little more, or at least why he, who kills demons and is getting all these signs that he's going to royally screw up the world if the does this thing, insists on doing this thing. It makes no sense and made me lose faith in him to lead me through this story. Is this on purpose? I hope so. I hope he grows up and finds his way through, good or evil, in the third book. Because he was not cutting it in this one.
Overall, it was not a bad book, but it was mostly slow and depressing when I was expecting a little more fun and fast-paced. I'm hoping the next book gets some of the spark back that the first book had. I'll be reading.
*I received Darkness Fair via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
The first 2/3 of the book was a lot of teen romance angst - never pretty in the best of circumstances, and with the end of the world happening and all (angels! demons! time travel!), you'd think people would have bigger problems. But when I complained to my husband about this, he said, "You only say that because you forgot what it's like to be a teenager. Who cares about the end of the world when you're torn between two hot girls?" lol. Point taken, but as a reader, it was a looooong and boring. And, well, not fun. There were a few action scenes in there, but they didn't pertain to the main plot, so I'm not sure what I was getting out of them. It just felt like the characters were literally traveling in circles (cave, house, cave, club, cave) and bemoaning their love lives and the cruelty of fate *shakes fist*. No thanks.
I will say that the all-too familiar love triangle was handled uniquely here, which I did appreciate. Although the addition of a 4th player in that triangle seemed a little too convenient, I thought the resolution was interesting, at least.
The last 1/3 of the book picked up and was much more entertaining. The addition of a new character was welcome, and for a moment we had a glimpse of the gritty LA that made the first book so much fun but was lacking in this one.
I also found the MC to be very confusing. Is he good? Is he evil? Is he just stupid and selfish (very possible)? When the forces of God (and it is God/Elohim in this hebrew-magic centric book) are telling you Do Not Do This Thing, but you are so hell-bent on doing this thing, does that make you evil or just dumb? I really did not get it. I wish I understood the MC's motivations a little more, or at least why he, who kills demons and is getting all these signs that he's going to royally screw up the world if the does this thing, insists on doing this thing. It makes no sense and made me lose faith in him to lead me through this story. Is this on purpose? I hope so. I hope he grows up and finds his way through, good or evil, in the third book. Because he was not cutting it in this one.
Overall, it was not a bad book, but it was mostly slow and depressing when I was expecting a little more fun and fast-paced. I'm hoping the next book gets some of the spark back that the first book had. I'll be reading.
*I received Darkness Fair via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
June 28, 2016
I give this book 5 hearts
This book starts where the previous one left off. Don't bother with this one if you haven't read part one darkness brutal you won't know what is happening at all.
Now I'll move on. So Aiden now knows a little more bout what's going on his friend and sometimes employer is an Angel. Sid is from a completely different time as in hundreds of years in the past as is Aidens father. What a lot to take in, not to mention his sister's soul is lost somewhere, dangerous demons are coming through the cave, and let's not forget the weird love triangle between Kara, Rebecca and him It sure is a mess.
In this installment he's desperate to find Ava's soul and figure out how to help Kara now that something appears to be wrong with her the closer they get to each other. Somehow his powers are hurting her but he can't seem to stop. Sid seems to be slowing down and fading fast. Everything around him is crumbling but sometimes that's when you find your strength.
In this story I loved that Rebecca finally gets to play a big role she is so much stronger than anyone gives her credit for. She's even finding romance in an unexpected place.
An amazing series I'm so hooked and man oh man wait till you see Ava eeeeek.
*** reviewer for romance authors that rock
This book starts where the previous one left off. Don't bother with this one if you haven't read part one darkness brutal you won't know what is happening at all.
Now I'll move on. So Aiden now knows a little more bout what's going on his friend and sometimes employer is an Angel. Sid is from a completely different time as in hundreds of years in the past as is Aidens father. What a lot to take in, not to mention his sister's soul is lost somewhere, dangerous demons are coming through the cave, and let's not forget the weird love triangle between Kara, Rebecca and him It sure is a mess.
In this installment he's desperate to find Ava's soul and figure out how to help Kara now that something appears to be wrong with her the closer they get to each other. Somehow his powers are hurting her but he can't seem to stop. Sid seems to be slowing down and fading fast. Everything around him is crumbling but sometimes that's when you find your strength.
In this story I loved that Rebecca finally gets to play a big role she is so much stronger than anyone gives her credit for. She's even finding romance in an unexpected place.
An amazing series I'm so hooked and man oh man wait till you see Ava eeeeek.
*** reviewer for romance authors that rock
February 2, 2016
So good! Need a seatbelt with how fast this book is. I was never disappointed in how this story is unfolding. Only problem is I have to wait for the next one. I hate waiting.
March 31, 2016
Great follow from the first book
Good series like the pace and easy to follow. Ready for the next book. This is great for teens looking for something different
Good series like the pace and easy to follow. Ready for the next book. This is great for teens looking for something different
March 28, 2017
Just as good if not slightly better than book 1. So loving these characters, even more so now that we get to see things from Rebecca's P.O.V
July 3, 2017
Rating: 3.5
I won a copy of this book for an honest review. This will never effect how I like or rate a book.
Book two, regardless if it's in a trilogy or long series, always faces the hardest part it seems. It normally just isn't as good as the first book, and depending on what it does this could be a not great but okay thing or something that just ruins the magic of the first book.
For myself when it comes to Darkness Brutal, I landed in the camp of "This is an okay book", which really works to the advantage of a sequel. Your expectations aren't overly high, but at the same time you're interested to see where things go with the story. I've seen some mixed reviews going on and most seem to prefer the first book. For me personally though....
I must say I'm impressed. I really didn't know what to expect going in but I found myself pleasantly surprised by the end of it. There were of course still some flaws but I was glad to see the path the author took with certain things. Mainly the love triangle that happened in the first book. It felt like she really stepped up her game and proved there was a reason for it and made it work really well within her story. In the first book it felt tacked on but in the sequel it flows really well within the story and makes things even more interesting. The side characters are continuing to grow and get interesting and the story itself is getting more intense and enjoyable to read.
My gripes can be easily simplified. Our lead couple.
I care nothing for them. Aidan is still making poor and just downright horrible choices for the most part. I want to side with him but it's just hard to when you see so many people try to talk sense into him and then he goes and does the stupid thing anyway.
Then there's Kara. While having a interesting backstory she still seems pretty bland for some reason. Maybe it's because she didn't have much to do this time around but I didn't find myself liking her any better than I did the first time around.
My opinion they're perfect for each other! But sadly it's not in a good way. At this point I can't really picture myself ever really caring about their romance. I can still hope though that they grow into more likable characters.
The best parts of the book. Hands down, Rebecca and Connor. A close second goes to Hanna and Eric. Seriously love those two. Watching Rebecca grow in Darkness Fair was the real payoff in this book. Going from completely unneeded to the star of the show was a real joy to see. Then the budding relationship of her and Connor just added to the fun of it. Characters that I actually like getting together? More please.
Overall, even with my few gripes, this was a worthy sequel. It stands well on its own and in my opinion even manages to surpass the first. Making me eager for the next book.
I won a copy of this book for an honest review. This will never effect how I like or rate a book.
Book two, regardless if it's in a trilogy or long series, always faces the hardest part it seems. It normally just isn't as good as the first book, and depending on what it does this could be a not great but okay thing or something that just ruins the magic of the first book.
For myself when it comes to Darkness Brutal, I landed in the camp of "This is an okay book", which really works to the advantage of a sequel. Your expectations aren't overly high, but at the same time you're interested to see where things go with the story. I've seen some mixed reviews going on and most seem to prefer the first book. For me personally though....
I must say I'm impressed. I really didn't know what to expect going in but I found myself pleasantly surprised by the end of it. There were of course still some flaws but I was glad to see the path the author took with certain things. Mainly the love triangle that happened in the first book. It felt like she really stepped up her game and proved there was a reason for it and made it work really well within her story. In the first book it felt tacked on but in the sequel it flows really well within the story and makes things even more interesting. The side characters are continuing to grow and get interesting and the story itself is getting more intense and enjoyable to read.
My gripes can be easily simplified. Our lead couple.
I care nothing for them. Aidan is still making poor and just downright horrible choices for the most part. I want to side with him but it's just hard to when you see so many people try to talk sense into him and then he goes and does the stupid thing anyway.
Then there's Kara. While having a interesting backstory she still seems pretty bland for some reason. Maybe it's because she didn't have much to do this time around but I didn't find myself liking her any better than I did the first time around.
My opinion they're perfect for each other! But sadly it's not in a good way. At this point I can't really picture myself ever really caring about their romance. I can still hope though that they grow into more likable characters.
The best parts of the book. Hands down, Rebecca and Connor. A close second goes to Hanna and Eric. Seriously love those two. Watching Rebecca grow in Darkness Fair was the real payoff in this book. Going from completely unneeded to the star of the show was a real joy to see. Then the budding relationship of her and Connor just added to the fun of it. Characters that I actually like getting together? More please.
Overall, even with my few gripes, this was a worthy sequel. It stands well on its own and in my opinion even manages to surpass the first. Making me eager for the next book.
May 12, 2016
Note: I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review
That was the advice Aiden O’Linn’s mother had given to him, regarding how he should deal with his ability to see angels, demons, and things that go bump in the night. And for most of his life, he had followed that advice. However, everything changed when he met an ancient prophet named Sid, and the band of children he had assembled to help Aiden in his pre-ordained quest to prevent the end of the world. In the first book of the series, Darkness Brutal, Aiden came into his incredible power to fight and kill demons, won the hearts of two girls who couldn’t be more different, and lost his sister, Ava, behind the Veil. Darkness Fair picks up the story with Aiden struggling to figure out how to rescue Ava, how to save the world, and what to do about the love triangle he is unwillingly a part of.
I thoroughly enjoyed Darkness Brutal, and Rachel A. Marks did not disappoint with this second part of the series! The second book is often hard for authors to get just right, but in my opinion, she nailed it! Characters became more nuanced, the plot progressed quickly and not too predictably, and the love triangle was ingeniously resolved! This provided the perfect set-up for the yet-to-be published third book in the series, which I am eagerly awaiting…
So what can I say about Darkness Fair, without giving too much away? First, the character development of Rebecca blew me away! I found her annoying and naïve in the first book, but by the end of this one, I was wowed by her selflessness and purity. I’m relieved that for now it seems she will get a happy ending, even if it’s not the one her soul originally would have dreamt of. Second, the delivery of Kara from her childhood demons was very gratifying. Additionally, I enjoyed Kara’s part of the story because it reminds readers that love and faith can overcome many obstacles. Finally, Ava and Aiden did not disappoint either, they were crafted perfectly for the roles assigned to them by destiny.
A few words of warning: The romance was a bit more intense than in Darkness Brutal, but never reaches a point that would make it inappropriate for young adults. There is some sex, but nothing graphic, and it involves real love! Also, this book is darker overall than the first, with more demons and other paranormal encounters. This is just a by-product of the natural arc of the story, taking readers ever closer to the end of the world, and the final show-down between the forces of the Light and the Dark. Indeed, I was left wondering if Aiden’s light would continue to shine in the darkness, or if he will be snuffed out by the horde of demons freed by someone very close to him. To find out who I mean, you will need to read the book!
That was the advice Aiden O’Linn’s mother had given to him, regarding how he should deal with his ability to see angels, demons, and things that go bump in the night. And for most of his life, he had followed that advice. However, everything changed when he met an ancient prophet named Sid, and the band of children he had assembled to help Aiden in his pre-ordained quest to prevent the end of the world. In the first book of the series, Darkness Brutal, Aiden came into his incredible power to fight and kill demons, won the hearts of two girls who couldn’t be more different, and lost his sister, Ava, behind the Veil. Darkness Fair picks up the story with Aiden struggling to figure out how to rescue Ava, how to save the world, and what to do about the love triangle he is unwillingly a part of.
I thoroughly enjoyed Darkness Brutal, and Rachel A. Marks did not disappoint with this second part of the series! The second book is often hard for authors to get just right, but in my opinion, she nailed it! Characters became more nuanced, the plot progressed quickly and not too predictably, and the love triangle was ingeniously resolved! This provided the perfect set-up for the yet-to-be published third book in the series, which I am eagerly awaiting…
So what can I say about Darkness Fair, without giving too much away? First, the character development of Rebecca blew me away! I found her annoying and naïve in the first book, but by the end of this one, I was wowed by her selflessness and purity. I’m relieved that for now it seems she will get a happy ending, even if it’s not the one her soul originally would have dreamt of. Second, the delivery of Kara from her childhood demons was very gratifying. Additionally, I enjoyed Kara’s part of the story because it reminds readers that love and faith can overcome many obstacles. Finally, Ava and Aiden did not disappoint either, they were crafted perfectly for the roles assigned to them by destiny.
A few words of warning: The romance was a bit more intense than in Darkness Brutal, but never reaches a point that would make it inappropriate for young adults. There is some sex, but nothing graphic, and it involves real love! Also, this book is darker overall than the first, with more demons and other paranormal encounters. This is just a by-product of the natural arc of the story, taking readers ever closer to the end of the world, and the final show-down between the forces of the Light and the Dark. Indeed, I was left wondering if Aiden’s light would continue to shine in the darkness, or if he will be snuffed out by the horde of demons freed by someone very close to him. To find out who I mean, you will need to read the book!
February 6, 2016
All's Fair In Love And War! . . .
Amazing sequel! I highly suggest re-reading the first novel "Darkness Brutal" to prepare yourself for this great follow up. Rachel A. Marks pulls you back into the paranormal and supernatural world she created set in our contemporary time, and the characters though young are no less intense and wonderful to follow amongst their personal and physical battles. I can't wait for the next novel to see what will happen to everyone and the world.
Learning to adapt to his new body and powers after his awakening, Aidan wants nothing more than to discover a way to resurrect his little sister Ava. However, Aidan is continually caught in the battle between the forces of Light and Darkness, who see him as a weapon to be either used or destroyed. Meanwhile, Aidan is falling more in love with Kara, but when his heart also seems connected to Rebecca, their strange love triangle becomes more than complicated. The threat of the world's end is ever present for Aidan and his friends but the question always remains: do they have the strength, knowledge, powers, and time to stop whatever is coming?
Overall, great sequel! I was super excited to know the next book was coming and was not disappointed. This supernatural-end of days-young adult book is well crafted and very entertaining. I've always wondered why the dual narrative included Aidan and Rebecca, and in this novel you begin to see why thanks to a little soulmate link.*not spoiling anything more* The great part about this series is by allowing two perspectives, and them being a two genders, you get a very balanced cast. The females in this book are strong and not afraid of a fight which is great for their line of work. But I love how the girls deal with the boys and their relationships, they are partners not willing to be lead or put aside but know the relationship has to be equal share and trust or it will falter and fail. Oh and the fight scenes in this book are edgy, I love the realism as the author made demons vs. Aidan read with so intensity. So if you are looking for a great young adult read dealing with demons, Angels, spells, and spirits which are taken care of by a boy not of his time and a crew of kids with supernatural abilities calling themselves the LA Paranormal, then this series is worth a read.
**I received a free copy in return for an honest review**
------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------
Amazing sequel! I highly suggest re-reading the first novel "Darkness Brutal" to prepare yourself for this great follow up. Rachel A. Marks pulls you back into the paranormal and supernatural world she created set in our contemporary time, and the characters though young are no less intense and wonderful to follow amongst their personal and physical battles. I can't wait for the next novel to see what will happen to everyone and the world.
Learning to adapt to his new body and powers after his awakening, Aidan wants nothing more than to discover a way to resurrect his little sister Ava. However, Aidan is continually caught in the battle between the forces of Light and Darkness, who see him as a weapon to be either used or destroyed. Meanwhile, Aidan is falling more in love with Kara, but when his heart also seems connected to Rebecca, their strange love triangle becomes more than complicated. The threat of the world's end is ever present for Aidan and his friends but the question always remains: do they have the strength, knowledge, powers, and time to stop whatever is coming?
Overall, great sequel! I was super excited to know the next book was coming and was not disappointed. This supernatural-end of days-young adult book is well crafted and very entertaining. I've always wondered why the dual narrative included Aidan and Rebecca, and in this novel you begin to see why thanks to a little soulmate link.*not spoiling anything more* The great part about this series is by allowing two perspectives, and them being a two genders, you get a very balanced cast. The females in this book are strong and not afraid of a fight which is great for their line of work. But I love how the girls deal with the boys and their relationships, they are partners not willing to be lead or put aside but know the relationship has to be equal share and trust or it will falter and fail. Oh and the fight scenes in this book are edgy, I love the realism as the author made demons vs. Aidan read with so intensity. So if you are looking for a great young adult read dealing with demons, Angels, spells, and spirits which are taken care of by a boy not of his time and a crew of kids with supernatural abilities calling themselves the LA Paranormal, then this series is worth a read.
**I received a free copy in return for an honest review**
------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------
January 31, 2016
Aidan has come into his powers, though he's still learning more about what they mean and why. He's also struggling to find a way to help his sister, Ava, whose body is here while her spirit is somewhere he can't quite reach. Even though he's stopped the demon who was hunting for her, that hasn't stopped the demons from continuing to cross over. And he soon learns there may be others hunting for his sister's spirit. Further complicating thins is the fact that his connection to Kara, the young woman who helped awaken his powers, seems to be putting her in very real danger. And then there's Rebecca, to whom he feels an undeniably strong connection, who showed up once again on their doorstep. With Aidan's guardian angel vanished without a trace and his mentor seeming to be of poor health and degrading more and more every day, it looks like things are going to be more challenging than ever before.
The first book in this series ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, and I knew I couldn't wait to pick up the second installment. I was surprised by some of the twists that come right away in this one, and there are some unexpected revelations that crop up as the book rolls along. This isn't anything close to a typical "angels vs. demons" story, which is something really like about it. And reluctant heroes are sometimes the most interesting kind.
But this one ends with what be even more of a cliffhanger than the first book...meaning the third book can't come soon enough for me.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
The first book in this series ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, and I knew I couldn't wait to pick up the second installment. I was surprised by some of the twists that come right away in this one, and there are some unexpected revelations that crop up as the book rolls along. This isn't anything close to a typical "angels vs. demons" story, which is something really like about it. And reluctant heroes are sometimes the most interesting kind.
But this one ends with what be even more of a cliffhanger than the first book...meaning the third book can't come soon enough for me.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
January 9, 2016
I received an electronic copy of book from the author.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Darkness Brutal, and Darkness Fair is a powerful sequel. Aidan's powers continue to evolve as the mourns the loss of his little sister and tries to find a way to reunite her body and soul. So many urban fantasy novels, whether for adults or YA, focus on strong women; I love that aspect, but it also has become a trope. It's actually refreshing to read about a young man struggling with his legacy and troubling future; things aren't easy when your dad is literally a figure out of the Bible. Aidan is a good guy, too. It shows in his adoration of his little sister, but I really loved the friendship he strikes with a street boy, Raul. The pacing is consistent, bouncing between revelations and battles with demons, and also follows the perspective of another character.
That leads me to one of the particularly enjoyable aspects of Marks's books. I hate love triangles, but Marks handles the love triangle here with a deft hand. Each of the people involved is a good yet complicated person, and they really don't want to hurt anyone. Wow, is that nice. Rebecca is in a particularly tough spot as Aidan's soul mate; he's not in love with her, but Rebecca is strong and doesn't mope. I'm excited to see how she grows into her own in the next book.... which will be pretty intense overall, considering the big twist ending of Darkness Fair.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Darkness Brutal, and Darkness Fair is a powerful sequel. Aidan's powers continue to evolve as the mourns the loss of his little sister and tries to find a way to reunite her body and soul. So many urban fantasy novels, whether for adults or YA, focus on strong women; I love that aspect, but it also has become a trope. It's actually refreshing to read about a young man struggling with his legacy and troubling future; things aren't easy when your dad is literally a figure out of the Bible. Aidan is a good guy, too. It shows in his adoration of his little sister, but I really loved the friendship he strikes with a street boy, Raul. The pacing is consistent, bouncing between revelations and battles with demons, and also follows the perspective of another character.
That leads me to one of the particularly enjoyable aspects of Marks's books. I hate love triangles, but Marks handles the love triangle here with a deft hand. Each of the people involved is a good yet complicated person, and they really don't want to hurt anyone. Wow, is that nice. Rebecca is in a particularly tough spot as Aidan's soul mate; he's not in love with her, but Rebecca is strong and doesn't mope. I'm excited to see how she grows into her own in the next book.... which will be pretty intense overall, considering the big twist ending of Darkness Fair.
January 30, 2016
Overall, I thought this book was great. It had a bit of a 'middle of a series' feel to it in that it didn't resolve all the issues in the end. However, some things are out in the open now that will definitely change the scenario for the next book. I can't go further in discussing those because they would be spoilers, but one of them the author warned us about very early in the game, and I was pleased with the way it played out.
This series involves a bunch of young people with a handful of adult guardians. As such, you'd probably call this series YA, although it's perfectly good for an adult to read. Aidan and his cohorts are all believable characters, and now I desperately want to know more about Finger. (The author probably didn't expect me to say that.)
The relationships between the three main characters (Triangle? Not Triangle?) flow pretty naturally throughout this book, and I was pleased with the resolution, although I can't say how it will carry on into the next book. The action throughout the book was steady, making it a fun ride. And I'm finding the magic in this world to be absolutely fascinating, drawing as it does from mythology and history.
I'm definitely looking forward to book 3!
(I received a free copy of this book from the author, but not review was required.)
March 30, 2016
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, in exchange for a honest review.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Darkness Brutal, and Darkness Fair is a powerful sequel. Darkness Fair picks up shortly after Darkness Brutal left off. Aiden is trying to figure out his new powers, Ava is still stuck between the living and the dead, and Rebecca doesn't really know where she stands in the world. This book is different in that we get chapters from Rebecca’s point of view.
This supernatural-end of days-YA book is well crafted and very entertaining. The great part about this series is by allowing two perspectives, and them being a two genders, you get a very balanced cast. I think this was an exciting series and can't wait to read the next book. I really like how this love triangle is handled different from most. Thanks Rachel A. Marks for a great read. :)
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Darkness Brutal, and Darkness Fair is a powerful sequel. Darkness Fair picks up shortly after Darkness Brutal left off. Aiden is trying to figure out his new powers, Ava is still stuck between the living and the dead, and Rebecca doesn't really know where she stands in the world. This book is different in that we get chapters from Rebecca’s point of view.
This supernatural-end of days-YA book is well crafted and very entertaining. The great part about this series is by allowing two perspectives, and them being a two genders, you get a very balanced cast. I think this was an exciting series and can't wait to read the next book. I really like how this love triangle is handled different from most. Thanks Rachel A. Marks for a great read. :)
February 26, 2016
Well, we all know I've been loving sequels lately, and Book Two of the Dark Cycle series was not a disappointment. A fine display of urban fantasy, the story of Aiden and his sister, Ava, continues. Only this round, Ava's in trouble. As Aiden and the rest of the LA Paranormal team fight to save Ava, Aiden learns more about his powers, which were awakened in Book One, by Kara. But Kara isn't Aiden's only saving grace, Rebecca is still in the picture, providing the love triangle I love to read about.
Urban fantasy is best when dirty and on the edge, and DARKNESS FAIR does not stray from target. An action packed adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seats, I give this sequel 5 STARS.
Urban fantasy is best when dirty and on the edge, and DARKNESS FAIR does not stray from target. An action packed adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seats, I give this sequel 5 STARS.
April 25, 2016
Once again, I'd like to thank Rachel Marks for having a male main character. In a genre saturated with the "strong female protagonist" trope (oh look, another leather-wearing bad ass with a penchant for sarcasm and devil-may-care attitude), it's nice to get something new and interesting.
Aiden's powers are growing, his connection with Kara strengthens and poor Rachel is all but tossed away. The story moves a little slowly with a few demon hunts and dealing with a wraith, but all in all an engaging read.
Aiden's powers are growing, his connection with Kara strengthens and poor Rachel is all but tossed away. The story moves a little slowly with a few demon hunts and dealing with a wraith, but all in all an engaging read.
January 14, 2016
I received this book form NetGalley for review.
Hmm... I am not a fan of this sequel. There is just something that's left to be desired.
Things were became just a touch too cliche for my taste.
Hmm... I am not a fan of this sequel. There is just something that's left to be desired.
Things were became just a touch too cliche for my taste.
February 18, 2016
Oh this was such a great follow up. Just like Darkness Brutal, the story moved at a constant, thrilling pace and ramps up in a big way in the climax. And the surprises! This was such a joy to read and I cannot wait for Darkness Savage!
February 15, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
Unfortunately, I did not like this sequel. I found it quite draggy and filled with lots of teenage drama which could have been avoided. I had trouble remembering the characters as well.
Overall, I'll give it a 3 Stars for effort.
Unfortunately, I did not like this sequel. I found it quite draggy and filled with lots of teenage drama which could have been avoided. I had trouble remembering the characters as well.
Overall, I'll give it a 3 Stars for effort.
February 11, 2016
Absolutely amaZing!
I'm in love with this series and the books just keep on getting.better!! I wish I didn't have to wait for the next one!
I'm in love with this series and the books just keep on getting.better!! I wish I didn't have to wait for the next one!
February 10, 2016
Terrific balance of writing.
I have enjoyed the series and can't put it down. I can't wait for the next one. Rachel Marks is a terrific writer.
I have enjoyed the series and can't put it down. I can't wait for the next one. Rachel Marks is a terrific writer.
May 16, 2016
I'm sort of mad at Aidan.
How dumb can you be?
Okay that's all I'm saying or I'll blow the ending of Book Two.
But seriously.
It's a good book if you get angry at a character.
How dumb can you be?
Okay that's all I'm saying or I'll blow the ending of Book Two.
But seriously.
It's a good book if you get angry at a character.
June 25, 2017
2.5 stars maybe because I was entertained, never bored, and still glad there was no preaching involved, BUT I was annoyed the entire time. For one thing, I am not a fan of authors deciding to add an additional perspective(s) (read V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic) to their subsequent books. Even if it's done with good reason, I'll still be annoyed unless somehow the payoff is good enough to wipe my memory or something blows me away enough that my irritation makes sense to the story.
Nope. Not in this novel! ENTER REBECCA!
I was never convinced she was important enough to get her own first person narrative chapters in book 2, effectively sidelining Kara, which was a terrible disappointment considering how prominent she was in book 1. For me, it would have made more sense if Kara was thrown in as a narrator. I just think it would have made for a more balanced narrative and would have played well on the love triangle, but let me be straight-- as drawn to love triangle storylines as I am (because when they work the payoff is good), 9 out of 10 times I will hate a love triangle. So yes, I am biased.
The Lights were also not nearly as fleshed out as I had hoped and some still fall pretty flat for me. I'm a little frustrated that Marks spent so much time on an angsty storyline focusing on the love triangle, , and we really only get insight into some of the other Lights in the last 30% of the book. I'm frustrated because I always try for character-reader connection/investment, but I'm not so sure it's there.
So, maybe this is just not my genre, paranormal angels, demons, and God stuff. I still want to give this genre a chance, but the experiences have not been great (Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments made me INSANE)! >.< I'm debating whether or not to keep going. Despite the cliffhanger, I'm not sure I feel invested enough to read any further if it's just going to frustrate me. Time will tell.
Note: ARC received from NetGalley.
Nope. Not in this novel! ENTER REBECCA!
I was never convinced she was important enough to get her own first person narrative chapters in book 2, effectively sidelining Kara, which was a terrible disappointment considering how prominent she was in book 1. For me, it would have made more sense if Kara was thrown in as a narrator. I just think it would have made for a more balanced narrative and would have played well on the love triangle, but let me be straight-- as drawn to love triangle storylines as I am (because when they work the payoff is good), 9 out of 10 times I will hate a love triangle. So yes, I am biased.
The Lights were also not nearly as fleshed out as I had hoped and some still fall pretty flat for me. I'm a little frustrated that Marks spent so much time on an angsty storyline focusing on the love triangle, , and we really only get insight into some of the other Lights in the last 30% of the book. I'm frustrated because I always try for character-reader connection/investment, but I'm not so sure it's there.
So, maybe this is just not my genre, paranormal angels, demons, and God stuff. I still want to give this genre a chance, but the experiences have not been great (Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments made me INSANE)! >.< I'm debating whether or not to keep going. Despite the cliffhanger, I'm not sure I feel invested enough to read any further if it's just going to frustrate me. Time will tell.
Note: ARC received from NetGalley.
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