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Left To Darkness
A meteor strikes the Earth. Dirt and dust fill the air. Only a few people remain under the setting skies, and those who still live find it's not God's England anymore.
It's the Devil's turn.
Lines are drawn between the dark and light. For the darkness, James Finley and his cult for the end of days. On the side of light, Paul Deacon, the lost policeman, and Dawn Graves, the last mother.
To survive, they must put their lives in one man's hands: Frank Liebowicz, a killer with a soft spot for lost causes. Because come Armageddon, God won't choose his champions.
They'll choose themselves.
It's the Devil's turn.
Lines are drawn between the dark and light. For the darkness, James Finley and his cult for the end of days. On the side of light, Paul Deacon, the lost policeman, and Dawn Graves, the last mother.
To survive, they must put their lives in one man's hands: Frank Liebowicz, a killer with a soft spot for lost causes. Because come Armageddon, God won't choose his champions.
They'll choose themselves.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2015
6 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Craig Saunders
69 books72 followersCraig Saunders is the author of over thirty novels and novellas, including 'Masters of Blood and Bone', 'RAIN' and 'Deadlift'. He writes across many genres, but horror and fantasy (the 'Rythe' tales) are his favourites.
Craig lives in Norfolk, England, with his wife and children, likes nice people and good coffee. Find out more on Amazon, or visit:
www.craigrsaunders.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/craigrsaundersauthor
www.twitter.com/Grumblesprout
A little aside - I don't visit GR often, but I'm always available on Twitter or the FB page. I apologise in advance if it takes a while for me to answer a question here!
Craig lives in Norfolk, England, with his wife and children, likes nice people and good coffee. Find out more on Amazon, or visit:
www.craigrsaunders.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/craigrsaundersauthor
www.twitter.com/Grumblesprout
A little aside - I don't visit GR often, but I'm always available on Twitter or the FB page. I apologise in advance if it takes a while for me to answer a question here!
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 25, 2015
In Left to Darkness, Craig Saunders gives us his twisted vision of the pre, present and post-apocalyptic dream, or nightmare in this case. Where the world changes in the aftermath of a meteor strike and a whole bunch of characters from very different walks of life, fight to survive.
Set around London, the gridlocked M25, nice to know some things never change, even at the end of days, when the shit most definitely hits the fan and everything else in the vicinity, you still can’t get off that bloody ring road.
Frank Liebowicz is a big bastard who beats the fuck out of people for a living, we join him on one of those jobs as he commits a schoolboy error of epic proportion, his quarry, faceplanting concrete before a scrap of information can be pulled, job definitely not done.
'On that note, Frank figured if he was going to fuck a job properly, there was no point in half-assing the bastard. So, he stamped as hard as he could on Johnny’s prone head, just in case. Big feet, hard boots, and 250 pounds, plus a lot of heart and soul.'
Dawn Graves, pregnant, sitting at home waiting for hubby, unfortunately he's late and that's because he's having his wicked way with new girl Silvia in the works toilet. Robert Graves is about to wish he never ploughed this particular field and to cap it all, he's about to lose his plough as big brother Sid intervenes in wickedly violent fashion. This is not the last we see of twisted siblings Sid and Silvia, they will be changed in the aftermath and not in a good way. Robby appears only briefly but his balls do swing merrily, as for his wife, she plays a vital role.
'The new girl had one high-heeled shoe on the tiled floor, and one bare foot on the rim of the toilet, pushing her ass back against Robby and groaning, head hanging down, hair over her face. Robert’s balls were swinging back and forth merrily in the gap between her legs.
What the fuck was her name?'
And policeman Paul Deacon, drafted into the riot squad, sees at first hand the frenzied and insane brutality, as the world plunges into madness. He then meets two particularly barbaric individuals, a brother and sister, and torture will be the order of the day.
All these characters have parts to play in this new world, when the skies stay dark and the atmosphere is full of dust, when psychopaths come to the fore, a naked man smokes as if the cigarette has only just been invented. A man of power and magic, and a man who spins the wheel of this new world as he seeks the last child.
'The smoking man wasn’t in the market for dying. Hadn’t been for a long time. He’d been… waiting? Dormant? The truth was frustrating for the smoking man, but best he could figure was that he’d been waiting a long, long time, in the wings. Now? Now it was his show.'
Craig Saunders writes with a style that is wickedly humorous yet dark and brutal, something to make you sit up and take note, danger, shock, then a laugh stifled. His stories literally snap, crackle and then burst from the page to slap you about the face, a true master of dark fiction who just cracks me up time after time. His characters are real, people you could imagine meeting, maybe having a drink with if you mixed in those circles, then maybe punching your lights out in a drunken argument, just because they could.
This is not God's country, it's the devils and Left to Darkness is the first book in the Oblivion trilogy, roll on the second.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
Set around London, the gridlocked M25, nice to know some things never change, even at the end of days, when the shit most definitely hits the fan and everything else in the vicinity, you still can’t get off that bloody ring road.
Frank Liebowicz is a big bastard who beats the fuck out of people for a living, we join him on one of those jobs as he commits a schoolboy error of epic proportion, his quarry, faceplanting concrete before a scrap of information can be pulled, job definitely not done.
'On that note, Frank figured if he was going to fuck a job properly, there was no point in half-assing the bastard. So, he stamped as hard as he could on Johnny’s prone head, just in case. Big feet, hard boots, and 250 pounds, plus a lot of heart and soul.'
Dawn Graves, pregnant, sitting at home waiting for hubby, unfortunately he's late and that's because he's having his wicked way with new girl Silvia in the works toilet. Robert Graves is about to wish he never ploughed this particular field and to cap it all, he's about to lose his plough as big brother Sid intervenes in wickedly violent fashion. This is not the last we see of twisted siblings Sid and Silvia, they will be changed in the aftermath and not in a good way. Robby appears only briefly but his balls do swing merrily, as for his wife, she plays a vital role.
'The new girl had one high-heeled shoe on the tiled floor, and one bare foot on the rim of the toilet, pushing her ass back against Robby and groaning, head hanging down, hair over her face. Robert’s balls were swinging back and forth merrily in the gap between her legs.
What the fuck was her name?'
And policeman Paul Deacon, drafted into the riot squad, sees at first hand the frenzied and insane brutality, as the world plunges into madness. He then meets two particularly barbaric individuals, a brother and sister, and torture will be the order of the day.
All these characters have parts to play in this new world, when the skies stay dark and the atmosphere is full of dust, when psychopaths come to the fore, a naked man smokes as if the cigarette has only just been invented. A man of power and magic, and a man who spins the wheel of this new world as he seeks the last child.
'The smoking man wasn’t in the market for dying. Hadn’t been for a long time. He’d been… waiting? Dormant? The truth was frustrating for the smoking man, but best he could figure was that he’d been waiting a long, long time, in the wings. Now? Now it was his show.'
Craig Saunders writes with a style that is wickedly humorous yet dark and brutal, something to make you sit up and take note, danger, shock, then a laugh stifled. His stories literally snap, crackle and then burst from the page to slap you about the face, a true master of dark fiction who just cracks me up time after time. His characters are real, people you could imagine meeting, maybe having a drink with if you mixed in those circles, then maybe punching your lights out in a drunken argument, just because they could.
This is not God's country, it's the devils and Left to Darkness is the first book in the Oblivion trilogy, roll on the second.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
August 19, 2015
Craig Saunders takes us into the heart of an apocalyptic story unlike any other. The first thing I'd like to note is that this is the first in a series (I've since learned), so the sudden ending that didn't tie up anything now makes more sense to me.
Our three main characters (possibly the last SANE people left after meteorites hit London) are Dawn Graves, a very pregnant woman; Paul Deacon, a cop who lost his eyesight due to the cannibalism that ensues after the meteorites hit; and Frank Liebowicz, a thug-for-hire who has lost one of his arms in the aftermath.
This was a great, graphic story of what happens to the world after the disaster. Riots and mass killing sprees where "Little Kings" are out, eating and torturing people. These three characters appear to be all that's left of the "rational" world.
Again, the story ends abruptly, leaving may open ended threads. Saunders is a talented writer, who manages to get you into the heads of all of his key characters, so that you honestly care about what happens to them. All I can say now is that I'm eagerly awaiting the next in this series!
*I received an e-copy through the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Our three main characters (possibly the last SANE people left after meteorites hit London) are Dawn Graves, a very pregnant woman; Paul Deacon, a cop who lost his eyesight due to the cannibalism that ensues after the meteorites hit; and Frank Liebowicz, a thug-for-hire who has lost one of his arms in the aftermath.
This was a great, graphic story of what happens to the world after the disaster. Riots and mass killing sprees where "Little Kings" are out, eating and torturing people. These three characters appear to be all that's left of the "rational" world.
Again, the story ends abruptly, leaving may open ended threads. Saunders is a talented writer, who manages to get you into the heads of all of his key characters, so that you honestly care about what happens to them. All I can say now is that I'm eagerly awaiting the next in this series!
*I received an e-copy through the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
September 30, 2015
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A meteor strikes earth leaving only a portion of survivors, a bloodthirsty cult now rules the cities and only a handful of people appear to be unaffected by the bloodlust. Three people find their paths converge as they fight to survive in the new world order. Paul, a policeman; Dawn, pregnant and near her due date and Frank, a ruthless thug who is the key to their survival.
I’m not sure what to make of this now I’ve finished it; Craig Saunders has some messed up views about what Armageddon might look like. One thing that struck me when I’d finished was that the ending was extremely open ended and I felt annoyed that the story was left so unfinished. I’ve since learnt that this is to be a trilogy which is a good thing as the ending is incredibly abrupt.
The writing and style of the story are very typical of the author although the flow in the middle seemed to sag a little and I found that each individual character section was just a fraction too long. The chapters are short and snappy however so it doesn’t feel as though things are grinding to a halt just a little inconsistent and I found my attention wavering a little. The set up and end are full on action and the high point of the book was the characters with Frank being my favourite even though he should be an unlikeable character, Saunders make him easily engaging and it’s his story that I will be looking forward to continuing the most. Paul was also a great character and I felt really invested in what his outcome would be.
The first in what could be a fantastic series but hopefully the next book will have a less abrupt ending to it.
A meteor strikes earth leaving only a portion of survivors, a bloodthirsty cult now rules the cities and only a handful of people appear to be unaffected by the bloodlust. Three people find their paths converge as they fight to survive in the new world order. Paul, a policeman; Dawn, pregnant and near her due date and Frank, a ruthless thug who is the key to their survival.
I’m not sure what to make of this now I’ve finished it; Craig Saunders has some messed up views about what Armageddon might look like. One thing that struck me when I’d finished was that the ending was extremely open ended and I felt annoyed that the story was left so unfinished. I’ve since learnt that this is to be a trilogy which is a good thing as the ending is incredibly abrupt.
The writing and style of the story are very typical of the author although the flow in the middle seemed to sag a little and I found that each individual character section was just a fraction too long. The chapters are short and snappy however so it doesn’t feel as though things are grinding to a halt just a little inconsistent and I found my attention wavering a little. The set up and end are full on action and the high point of the book was the characters with Frank being my favourite even though he should be an unlikeable character, Saunders make him easily engaging and it’s his story that I will be looking forward to continuing the most. Paul was also a great character and I felt really invested in what his outcome would be.
The first in what could be a fantastic series but hopefully the next book will have a less abrupt ending to it.
August 7, 2015
There was some seriously ker-ker-crazy-ass shit going on in this one including crybaby psychopathic cannibals wearing crowns of glass and barbed wire, Cenobite Terminators named Sid, naked chain smoking vodka drinking saviors and the one that will rise above the ashes of the burning city – The Dead King.
I am a big fan of Craig Saunders. Dude can write. A solid storyteller with excellent characterization skills. He creates a post-apocalyptic landscape in “Left to Darkness” with hints of a much more epic battle of good and evil on the horizon. A new Dawn. I am going to assume, due to the amount of loose ends here (ok, that was a dig) that there is going to be a follow up. Or at least, there better be one. Seriously.
A little slow to start, fast to finish and a whole lotta cliff hanger going on.
4+ Stars and Highly Recommended.
I am a big fan of Craig Saunders. Dude can write. A solid storyteller with excellent characterization skills. He creates a post-apocalyptic landscape in “Left to Darkness” with hints of a much more epic battle of good and evil on the horizon. A new Dawn. I am going to assume, due to the amount of loose ends here (ok, that was a dig) that there is going to be a follow up. Or at least, there better be one. Seriously.
A little slow to start, fast to finish and a whole lotta cliff hanger going on.
4+ Stars and Highly Recommended.
August 6, 2015
Review copy
Left To Darkness is the third piece I've read by Craig Saunders over the last year. There was one word I used in my prior reviews of both Bloodeye and Masters of Blood and Bone. That word is "strange," and it certainly applies again to his newest book from Darkfuse publishers.
Over the last year, I've grown more and more fond of Craig's writing style. Interesting, fully realized characters, make this latest work a very enjoyable read. At first I was a bit disappointed with all of the loose ends at the book's end, but when I found out Left To Darkness is book one of a planned trilogy it made much more sense.
We've all read or heard about near misses with giant meteors over the years. You know, the kind that may have doomed the dinosaurs in pre-historic times. In Left To Darkness, it's finally happening again only, this time, humanity is the victim.
For now, there are some survivors, including a one-armed man, a blinded man, and possibly the last pregnant woman left alive. There's also a naked homeless man who, very well, may be the devil himself.
Left To Darkness is a fast paced story with moments of brilliance which will reach out, grab you, and shake you relentlessly until the final page.
Left To darkness will be available on August 11, 2015 in both paperback and ebook formats from Darkfuse publishers and can be read, at no additional charge, if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. Also, if you are a member of Amazon Prime, you can read this for FREE as your monthly selection from the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
Recommended.
Left To Darkness is the third piece I've read by Craig Saunders over the last year. There was one word I used in my prior reviews of both Bloodeye and Masters of Blood and Bone. That word is "strange," and it certainly applies again to his newest book from Darkfuse publishers.
Over the last year, I've grown more and more fond of Craig's writing style. Interesting, fully realized characters, make this latest work a very enjoyable read. At first I was a bit disappointed with all of the loose ends at the book's end, but when I found out Left To Darkness is book one of a planned trilogy it made much more sense.
We've all read or heard about near misses with giant meteors over the years. You know, the kind that may have doomed the dinosaurs in pre-historic times. In Left To Darkness, it's finally happening again only, this time, humanity is the victim.
For now, there are some survivors, including a one-armed man, a blinded man, and possibly the last pregnant woman left alive. There's also a naked homeless man who, very well, may be the devil himself.
Left To Darkness is a fast paced story with moments of brilliance which will reach out, grab you, and shake you relentlessly until the final page.
Left To darkness will be available on August 11, 2015 in both paperback and ebook formats from Darkfuse publishers and can be read, at no additional charge, if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. Also, if you are a member of Amazon Prime, you can read this for FREE as your monthly selection from the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
Recommended.
August 9, 2015
From one of my favorite authors, comes an apocalyptic tale that will make you re-think your end of the world plans. Left to Darkness isn't recycled, doesn't have zombies (exactly), and is one hell of a ride.
"In the Kingdom of the Blind, the One-Armed man is King."
Frank Liebowicz is a thug who has lost one of his arms. Paul Deacon is a cop who has lost his eyesight. Dawn Graves is a pregnant woman, whose cheating spouse got himself killed in a bathroom stall and the baby is coming. When a series of meteorites hit London, the three of them may just be all that is left of the sane world.
The world has gone to chaos. Forget looting, people are going on rioting killing sprees. Little Kings walk around with crowns on their heads sobbing and eating people. As the power has gone out, it seems civilization has flown the coop as well. Is there any hope left for this broken world?
I was really mad at Craig when the book ended abruptly and I had no answers to any of my questions. And then I heard (which I hadn't known) that this is book #1 in a series. So I won't have to cry and write Mr. Saunders hate mail just yet. As always we can count on some great writing, interesting characters and now - more of it to come. I'm looking forward to book #2.
I received this book as an e-arc from DarkFuse/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"In the Kingdom of the Blind, the One-Armed man is King."
Frank Liebowicz is a thug who has lost one of his arms. Paul Deacon is a cop who has lost his eyesight. Dawn Graves is a pregnant woman, whose cheating spouse got himself killed in a bathroom stall and the baby is coming. When a series of meteorites hit London, the three of them may just be all that is left of the sane world.
The world has gone to chaos. Forget looting, people are going on rioting killing sprees. Little Kings walk around with crowns on their heads sobbing and eating people. As the power has gone out, it seems civilization has flown the coop as well. Is there any hope left for this broken world?
I was really mad at Craig when the book ended abruptly and I had no answers to any of my questions. And then I heard (which I hadn't known) that this is book #1 in a series. So I won't have to cry and write Mr. Saunders hate mail just yet. As always we can count on some great writing, interesting characters and now - more of it to come. I'm looking forward to book #2.
I received this book as an e-arc from DarkFuse/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2015
[This review is based on an advanced copy received from the publisher via NetGalley.]
I first became aware of Craig Saunders with the release of another DarkFuse title, Masters of Blood and Bone, in the early part of 2015. For me, that title was an elegantly written, and perfectly crafted, fusion of dark horror, fantasy, and noir. In short, it’s a tough title to beat and sets a rather lofty benchmark for Saunders to reach on subsequent novels. And so, I came into Left to Darkness with a certain measure of expectation.
The setting is England, in the months prior to and the days following a meteor strike that heralds the apocalypse. Saunders bounces the narrative around his primary characters – the overweight Paul Deacon, a policeman who has settled into his career after many years, a pregnant Dawn Graves, whose husband was recently murdered, and hitman Frank Liebowicz. Life in the End Days puts them up against a cannibalistic cult, its members clad in sack cloth and barbed wire crowns, led by James Finley.
And while the meteor-ruined landscape is an impressive locale, it’s the characters that are of prime importance here. Saunders displays a knack for developing each of them sufficiently well, enough that when danger befalls them there is an honest sense of worry and a few squirm-inducing moments that hit all the right “oh shit” notes one would expect and demand of a post-apocalypse survival horror story.
Frank pretty well steals the show here: not quite the hitman with a heart of gold pastiche, but still an easily relateable enough figure with an iron will. He’s a tough bastard, a friggin’ tank, bound and determined to survive, meteors be damned. Dawn, meanwhile, is utterly sympathetic – pregnant and alone, fending for herself and her unborn child, torn between the safety and security that being alone could bring, but needing to find and rely on other survivors for help in delivering her baby and keeping them safe. The cult members and killers they square off against are nicely drawn as well, but hanging out with Sid and Silvia is like stuffing your head inside a hornets nest. They’re a real bag of crazy, those two.
My only point of contention is that Left to Darkness lacks a truly satisfying resolution. The finale is action-packed and exciting, but there’s a host of information missing between the final chapter and the epilogue. I was somewhat let down by the open-ended nature, but would certainly dig in to any follow-up immediately because the story here is damn compelling, enough that I must know what happens next (or perhaps in between).
As I said earlier, I came into this story with a certain degree of expectation, which was mostly met. Saunders has a clean, straight to the point style that makes for a compelling voice, one that damn near happily drags you from word to word. This book might not have hit all the right notes that I savored in Masters of Blood and Bone, but he gets pretty close and has me fired up for more.
I first became aware of Craig Saunders with the release of another DarkFuse title, Masters of Blood and Bone, in the early part of 2015. For me, that title was an elegantly written, and perfectly crafted, fusion of dark horror, fantasy, and noir. In short, it’s a tough title to beat and sets a rather lofty benchmark for Saunders to reach on subsequent novels. And so, I came into Left to Darkness with a certain measure of expectation.
The setting is England, in the months prior to and the days following a meteor strike that heralds the apocalypse. Saunders bounces the narrative around his primary characters – the overweight Paul Deacon, a policeman who has settled into his career after many years, a pregnant Dawn Graves, whose husband was recently murdered, and hitman Frank Liebowicz. Life in the End Days puts them up against a cannibalistic cult, its members clad in sack cloth and barbed wire crowns, led by James Finley.
And while the meteor-ruined landscape is an impressive locale, it’s the characters that are of prime importance here. Saunders displays a knack for developing each of them sufficiently well, enough that when danger befalls them there is an honest sense of worry and a few squirm-inducing moments that hit all the right “oh shit” notes one would expect and demand of a post-apocalypse survival horror story.
Frank pretty well steals the show here: not quite the hitman with a heart of gold pastiche, but still an easily relateable enough figure with an iron will. He’s a tough bastard, a friggin’ tank, bound and determined to survive, meteors be damned. Dawn, meanwhile, is utterly sympathetic – pregnant and alone, fending for herself and her unborn child, torn between the safety and security that being alone could bring, but needing to find and rely on other survivors for help in delivering her baby and keeping them safe. The cult members and killers they square off against are nicely drawn as well, but hanging out with Sid and Silvia is like stuffing your head inside a hornets nest. They’re a real bag of crazy, those two.
My only point of contention is that Left to Darkness lacks a truly satisfying resolution. The finale is action-packed and exciting, but there’s a host of information missing between the final chapter and the epilogue. I was somewhat let down by the open-ended nature, but would certainly dig in to any follow-up immediately because the story here is damn compelling, enough that I must know what happens next (or perhaps in between).
As I said earlier, I came into this story with a certain degree of expectation, which was mostly met. Saunders has a clean, straight to the point style that makes for a compelling voice, one that damn near happily drags you from word to word. This book might not have hit all the right notes that I savored in Masters of Blood and Bone, but he gets pretty close and has me fired up for more.
November 23, 2015
"It’s a dark story but at the same time full of the sort of dark humour that (it looks like to me) Craig Saunders has in all of his books. As well as the bloody and the gory, this book will make you smile and laugh. It will make you boo and cheer. It will make you gag. It will make you hold your breath and it will scare you."
See here for the full review:
Left To Darkness
See here for the full review:
Left To Darkness
September 9, 2015
Left to Darkness was the fifth book by Craig I have read. This is a apocalyptic tale that was well written, a good cast of characters and had a nice flow. And I just found out that it is the first book in a series called The Oblivion. The story is set in England and what happens after the meteor strike. Some of the main characters are Frank Liebowicz an enforcer, a over weight Detective named Paul Deacon, a pregnant Dawn Graves and a cult leader named James Finley. I don't want to say to much about the story other then you should read it. I was a little disappointed at how the book ended but then I found out this was book one in a series. Can't wait for book two. I highly recommend this book. If you haven't read any of Craig's books this is a good place to start. I gave Left to Darkness 4 stars.
I received an e-arc of this book from DarkFuse/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I received an e-arc of this book from DarkFuse/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
January 11, 2016
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/mini-rev...
If you thought a meteor striking earth was the worst thing that could happen to us, think again. Right after, with only a handful of survivors, a Satanic cult rises. The book was absolutely amazing, showing the depths of deprativity of riots and mass killings that happen after the apocalypse, and the darkest side of humanity. The writing was excellent, and the characters were unique and engaging.
If you thought a meteor striking earth was the worst thing that could happen to us, think again. Right after, with only a handful of survivors, a Satanic cult rises. The book was absolutely amazing, showing the depths of deprativity of riots and mass killings that happen after the apocalypse, and the darkest side of humanity. The writing was excellent, and the characters were unique and engaging.
July 9, 2017
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When meteors strike the earth, London is left to burn to the ground and a satanic cult begin to reign. But amidst the chaos, a blind policeman, a hitman with one arm and a pregnant women might be the winning result everyone needs.
I don’t have a lot to say about this book because event hough I really enjoyed, I’m not 100% sure what exactly happened. The book was very fast-paced and I absolutely flew through it which I liked. I also loved all of the characters like Frank and Paul though I definitely would have preferred better endings for some of them.
This book reminded me a little bit of the TV show The Strain, thought it’s not a vampire story but very apocalyptic and it also has an almost biblical feel to it at times. I would have liked a tighter ending but overall the book entertained me and that’s all I can really ask for.
When meteors strike the earth, London is left to burn to the ground and a satanic cult begin to reign. But amidst the chaos, a blind policeman, a hitman with one arm and a pregnant women might be the winning result everyone needs.
I don’t have a lot to say about this book because event hough I really enjoyed, I’m not 100% sure what exactly happened. The book was very fast-paced and I absolutely flew through it which I liked. I also loved all of the characters like Frank and Paul though I definitely would have preferred better endings for some of them.
This book reminded me a little bit of the TV show The Strain, thought it’s not a vampire story but very apocalyptic and it also has an almost biblical feel to it at times. I would have liked a tighter ending but overall the book entertained me and that’s all I can really ask for.
January 19, 2016
LEFT TO DARKNESS. The title made me think of 'Right at the first star, then straight on till morning'. And that opposite analogy may be apropos. This story was as dark as Peter Pan was light. My next thought on actually starting the book, was "Damn. Is Bruce Willis going to pop in and save the day?"
I'm not big on end of the world stories. Stephen King did the ultimate with The Stand; I can't tell you how many times I've read that book. Death by meteor, towering inferno, zombie...doesn't do much for me. But I'll give it a go. I really do like Craig Saunders writing. He has a way of telling a story that keeps me interested.
LEFT TO DARKNESS is set in London and focuses on three main characters. We get to know and care about them before the meteor breaks up and hits the earth. So, the first half of the book was the setting up and I found pretty enjoyable. The second half was the destruction and cannabalism, which I just couldn't get into. I felt like it had all been done a thousand times and was something I just didn't need.
But for all that I didn't like there was plenty I did like. Craig's writing was smooth and easy to read. I know that fans of science fiction and apocalyptic fiction will enjoy this one a lot. Most people seem to love a good series and if the ending is any indication, Saunders has more books planned in this universe.
I'm not big on end of the world stories. Stephen King did the ultimate with The Stand; I can't tell you how many times I've read that book. Death by meteor, towering inferno, zombie...doesn't do much for me. But I'll give it a go. I really do like Craig Saunders writing. He has a way of telling a story that keeps me interested.
LEFT TO DARKNESS is set in London and focuses on three main characters. We get to know and care about them before the meteor breaks up and hits the earth. So, the first half of the book was the setting up and I found pretty enjoyable. The second half was the destruction and cannabalism, which I just couldn't get into. I felt like it had all been done a thousand times and was something I just didn't need.
But for all that I didn't like there was plenty I did like. Craig's writing was smooth and easy to read. I know that fans of science fiction and apocalyptic fiction will enjoy this one a lot. Most people seem to love a good series and if the ending is any indication, Saunders has more books planned in this universe.
October 27, 2015
This was a fast paced graphic and gory end of the world tale complete with blood, guts, and cannibalism. The main characters are not your typical hero types but that just served to make the story even better. I was a little surprised by what seemed to be a very abrupt ending, until I realized this book is the first in a series.
I received a free copy for review
I received a free copy for review
July 27, 2015
After the earth is hit by a large meteor, civilisation as we know it is destroyed. Anarchy reins, looting, violence, murder are soon rife, and law and order are no more than words of how the world used to be. Lots of people have also disappeared, the M25 around London is now nothing more than an empty car park. All the people from the cars have disappeared. Where did they go and why are some people still left behind?
The story is told through three main characters: Dawn Graves, heavily pregnant and despairing at what sort of world her child will soon be born into. Frank Liebowicz, a thug and killer for hire, who is not a psychopath and has no particular love for violence. He does it because he's the size of a wrestler and he's good at it, it's work to him, nothing more. Paul Deacon, once a policeman, now blinded by a group of cannibals, called the Butchers, but he is saved by Frank, who in the meantime has lost an arm and is on his last legs.
An unexpected voice on Paul's police radio reveal there are more survivors holed up in a hospital in King's Lynn, including Dawn who is due to give birth any time now. They barely have time to wonder how a voice from King's Lynn even reached his radio before they find a truck and drive there, and that's when everything comes to a head. Too late, they realise they have been manipulated all along and someone is desperate to get Dawn's baby.
The book was well-written and fast-paced, but this is not a book for the faint-hearted. Some things are very gruesomely described - torture, amputations, murders etc. and at times I had to skim over those parts.
As with most books, perhaps even more with a post-apocalyptic setting, you need characters that you can relate to, or empathise with, or even hate just a little. The book certainly does this and personally I felt the most empathy for Dawn, but I was rooting for Paul and Frank too.
Half-way through the book, I wasn't sure I could read any more, as it seemed to have turned into some sort of zombie story - people eating human flesh and not dying - it sounds very zombie-like to me and I do not like zombies. It never mentioned in the blurb that zombies might be appearing, otherwise I wouldn't have gone for this book at all.
Anyway, I was half-way through and I kept reading because I was so engrossed in our heroes' journeys that I just had to see what happened to them.
The book ends on a cliff-hanger, so I suspect it is the first of a series, and again the blurb didn't mention that.
Suitable for those who enjoy dystopian fiction with a sense of the mysterious.
ARC from Netgalley.
The story is told through three main characters: Dawn Graves, heavily pregnant and despairing at what sort of world her child will soon be born into. Frank Liebowicz, a thug and killer for hire, who is not a psychopath and has no particular love for violence. He does it because he's the size of a wrestler and he's good at it, it's work to him, nothing more. Paul Deacon, once a policeman, now blinded by a group of cannibals, called the Butchers, but he is saved by Frank, who in the meantime has lost an arm and is on his last legs.
An unexpected voice on Paul's police radio reveal there are more survivors holed up in a hospital in King's Lynn, including Dawn who is due to give birth any time now. They barely have time to wonder how a voice from King's Lynn even reached his radio before they find a truck and drive there, and that's when everything comes to a head. Too late, they realise they have been manipulated all along and someone is desperate to get Dawn's baby.
The book was well-written and fast-paced, but this is not a book for the faint-hearted. Some things are very gruesomely described - torture, amputations, murders etc. and at times I had to skim over those parts.
As with most books, perhaps even more with a post-apocalyptic setting, you need characters that you can relate to, or empathise with, or even hate just a little. The book certainly does this and personally I felt the most empathy for Dawn, but I was rooting for Paul and Frank too.
Half-way through the book, I wasn't sure I could read any more, as it seemed to have turned into some sort of zombie story - people eating human flesh and not dying - it sounds very zombie-like to me and I do not like zombies. It never mentioned in the blurb that zombies might be appearing, otherwise I wouldn't have gone for this book at all.
Anyway, I was half-way through and I kept reading because I was so engrossed in our heroes' journeys that I just had to see what happened to them.
The book ends on a cliff-hanger, so I suspect it is the first of a series, and again the blurb didn't mention that.
Suitable for those who enjoy dystopian fiction with a sense of the mysterious.
ARC from Netgalley.
September 15, 2015
I have read a few books by Craig Saunders (everything DarkFuse has published), and I really like his writing style - very casual and conversational. This is the start of a story (so be forewarned right up front - there is no resolution here, so if that bothers you, I'd wait on this one until more books are published) about the end of the world via meteor strike. At first I felt like there were too many unrelated story threads rotating too rapidly, but as the story went on, they came together well, and all of the characters were pretty well fleshed out, for better or for worse.
There was a lot in the middle that I'm not completely sure I understood, and that seemed in fact to add very little to the story, but I'm going to assume those will be explored more fully in the books to follow. They were interesting even if they ultimately didn't connect much to the rest of the story (yet).
I'm looking forward to the series continuing! If you want a good first part of a story, this is highly recommended, but again, if you don't want to waait for a resolution, I'd hold off on this one for the moment.
There was a lot in the middle that I'm not completely sure I understood, and that seemed in fact to add very little to the story, but I'm going to assume those will be explored more fully in the books to follow. They were interesting even if they ultimately didn't connect much to the rest of the story (yet).
I'm looking forward to the series continuing! If you want a good first part of a story, this is highly recommended, but again, if you don't want to waait for a resolution, I'd hold off on this one for the moment.
August 2, 2015
I haven't delved in to much of Craig Saunders massive back catalog, but it is fair to say after his last few offerings from DarkFuse I am a big fan. Left To Darkness continues in that vein.
Looking at the plot on the surface it seems like well trodden territory: global apocalypse, and a mysterious evil being walking around tempting the survivors? The Stand and Swan Song, just off the top of my head. It is telling that these similarities didn't even occur to me until I was thinking about what to say in the review. A great writer (and Mr. Saunders certainly is one) can take a seemingly worn out premise and make it seem new.
My personal nitpick is that I wish it was made more clear that this is the first book in a probable series. The story ends but there are a lot of loose ends that seem destined to be addressed in future volumes. It is not the author's responsibility to do this, I just prefer it, so any readers like me can consider themselves warned. Apart from this, Left To Darkness was a perfect read for me and I recommend it to any fans of apocalyptic fiction. 5 stars.
Looking at the plot on the surface it seems like well trodden territory: global apocalypse, and a mysterious evil being walking around tempting the survivors? The Stand and Swan Song, just off the top of my head. It is telling that these similarities didn't even occur to me until I was thinking about what to say in the review. A great writer (and Mr. Saunders certainly is one) can take a seemingly worn out premise and make it seem new.
My personal nitpick is that I wish it was made more clear that this is the first book in a probable series. The story ends but there are a lot of loose ends that seem destined to be addressed in future volumes. It is not the author's responsibility to do this, I just prefer it, so any readers like me can consider themselves warned. Apart from this, Left To Darkness was a perfect read for me and I recommend it to any fans of apocalyptic fiction. 5 stars.
August 29, 2015
There’s a lot going on in Craig Saunders new novel Left To Darkness, a story of the days leading up to and following the apocalypse. Sometimes, in fact, there’s too much going on, with a large cast of characters that forces the narrative to jump around to make sure all of the plot points are covered. The prose is swift and keeps the reader intrigued even though the less interesting characters and the weaker plot points.
The book is divided into two parts as far as the general plot goes: the pre-apocalypse and the immediate post-apocalypse. The story begins with the world knowing that a meteor of gigantic size is going to strike the Earth, but nobody is sure what will follow. The questions of immediate death of everyone or a more localized sort of devastation or a slow, suffocating death plague the characters as they try best to prepare for the inevitable. Up until the point of the meteor’s impact the book is at it’s best.
The reader is introduced to James Finley, a homeless man with a mysterious briefcase and Ed Bright, a powerful man with a vested interest in finding that briefcase. Dawn Graves is on the brink of motherhood as the world is on the brink of devastation. Some of the most insightful moments in the book come from Dawn as she ponders motherhood and all of its attendant issues. What will it mean to bring new life into the world if all life is threatened. Paul Deacon is a dedicated police Inspector who is trying to do his job as London goes mad around him, seemingly destroying itself before the meteor can. As the story works its way into the meteor strike and the aftermath Paul faces an interesting challenge straight out of The Day of the Triffids.
Unfortunately, once the meteor strikes the story slows down substantially. What was more philosophical and unique becomes a more standard story of the apocalypse, one complicated by too many characters. While Dawn Graves continues to be interesting throughout other characters become a drag on the story. Too much of the focus falls on the non-human, or more monstrous, characters in the novel. There are “crowned kings” who gather in the thousands to watch a deformed and hideous man who leads them in a strange cannibalistic ritual with some weird parallels the Catholic transubstantiation. The characters fight their way through a strange new world toward a gathering together that sets the stage for an unfortunately mediocre finale. Left To Darkness is billed as “The Oblivion Series Book 1” and the ending is a clear set-up for another installment in the series.
The only real constant in the novel is the occasional appearance of a naked man smoking a cigarette. He pops up at odd times to direct characters and bestow gifts upon those who are chosen. This is a interesting plot device that will no doubt recur in the next book in the series and then, hopefully, tie the story together better and make for a more complete, consistent novel.
The book is divided into two parts as far as the general plot goes: the pre-apocalypse and the immediate post-apocalypse. The story begins with the world knowing that a meteor of gigantic size is going to strike the Earth, but nobody is sure what will follow. The questions of immediate death of everyone or a more localized sort of devastation or a slow, suffocating death plague the characters as they try best to prepare for the inevitable. Up until the point of the meteor’s impact the book is at it’s best.
The reader is introduced to James Finley, a homeless man with a mysterious briefcase and Ed Bright, a powerful man with a vested interest in finding that briefcase. Dawn Graves is on the brink of motherhood as the world is on the brink of devastation. Some of the most insightful moments in the book come from Dawn as she ponders motherhood and all of its attendant issues. What will it mean to bring new life into the world if all life is threatened. Paul Deacon is a dedicated police Inspector who is trying to do his job as London goes mad around him, seemingly destroying itself before the meteor can. As the story works its way into the meteor strike and the aftermath Paul faces an interesting challenge straight out of The Day of the Triffids.
Unfortunately, once the meteor strikes the story slows down substantially. What was more philosophical and unique becomes a more standard story of the apocalypse, one complicated by too many characters. While Dawn Graves continues to be interesting throughout other characters become a drag on the story. Too much of the focus falls on the non-human, or more monstrous, characters in the novel. There are “crowned kings” who gather in the thousands to watch a deformed and hideous man who leads them in a strange cannibalistic ritual with some weird parallels the Catholic transubstantiation. The characters fight their way through a strange new world toward a gathering together that sets the stage for an unfortunately mediocre finale. Left To Darkness is billed as “The Oblivion Series Book 1” and the ending is a clear set-up for another installment in the series.
The only real constant in the novel is the occasional appearance of a naked man smoking a cigarette. He pops up at odd times to direct characters and bestow gifts upon those who are chosen. This is a interesting plot device that will no doubt recur in the next book in the series and then, hopefully, tie the story together better and make for a more complete, consistent novel.
October 7, 2015
“Left to Darkness” eBook was published in 2015 and was written by Craig Saunders (http://craigrsaunders.blogspot.com). Mr. Saunders has more than 30 publications. This is the first in his “The Oblivion” series.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are several instances of Violence, Mature Language and Mature Situations. This Science Fiction/Fantasy novel is set in contemporary London, England. A meteor strikes the Earth creating world wide devastation.
[Sigh] I had hope for this novel. I read 48% of it investing 2 hours, but I just finally had to call a “Rule of 50” (https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/2015...). I gave the book more than just 50 pages, but still, I had to just drop it.
After reading nearly half the book, I still couldn’t quite see where it was headed. I had to force myself to keep reading that far. I have to give this a 2 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are several instances of Violence, Mature Language and Mature Situations. This Science Fiction/Fantasy novel is set in contemporary London, England. A meteor strikes the Earth creating world wide devastation.
[Sigh] I had hope for this novel. I read 48% of it investing 2 hours, but I just finally had to call a “Rule of 50” (https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/2015...). I gave the book more than just 50 pages, but still, I had to just drop it.
After reading nearly half the book, I still couldn’t quite see where it was headed. I had to force myself to keep reading that far. I have to give this a 2 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
July 23, 2015
Restricted till August 11
Whenever and wherever the end of world occurs, it's not going to be pretty. It's not going to be civil. It is bound to be ugly. Craig Saunders treats us to one possibility: bloody, gory, burning, steaming, deadly; also illusionary, orher-directed, and downright devilish. Author Saunders has a sort of X-Ray vision for the underbelly of humanity. Maybe this is the way the world will end--if not exactly, similarly.
Whenever and wherever the end of world occurs, it's not going to be pretty. It's not going to be civil. It is bound to be ugly. Craig Saunders treats us to one possibility: bloody, gory, burning, steaming, deadly; also illusionary, orher-directed, and downright devilish. Author Saunders has a sort of X-Ray vision for the underbelly of humanity. Maybe this is the way the world will end--if not exactly, similarly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2016
Delightfully disturbing
Great story, and seriously twisted, I love it! There's a lot of seriously disturbing content so if you have a problem with gory, sick, and twisted please don't buy this book and then complain about what you've been warned of going into it. Some excellent comedy too!
Great story, and seriously twisted, I love it! There's a lot of seriously disturbing content so if you have a problem with gory, sick, and twisted please don't buy this book and then complain about what you've been warned of going into it. Some excellent comedy too!
August 18, 2015
Fantastic post apocalyptic novel, unique twists and turns in the plot and dare I say, sequel please!?!
August 2, 2015
A brutally good read
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/left-t... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/left-t... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
July 9, 2016
One of the filthiest books ever could not get through it
July 12, 2016
Strangest book in longtime
Violent, bloody, and I couldn't stop reading. You just keep wondering , WHAT NEXT?? Where does he get these ideas from?
Violent, bloody, and I couldn't stop reading. You just keep wondering , WHAT NEXT?? Where does he get these ideas from?
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