Darkling Incidence: Obscure Reflections

by K.M. Tonso

Herein are contained reflections of what, as Saint Paul says, we see in a glass darkly. And as this angle of incidence is so shadowed, so must be the reflections it derives.

These sixteen stories provide obscure reflections of worlds much like ours yet different. Worlds that grapple with increasingly confused and distorted realities.

Each reflection so vivid as to become an open doorway where unwary readers might just find themselves stumbling over the threshold… never to return.

233 pages, Paperback

Published November 17, 2015

About the author

Pseudonym for Gael Baudino, who also writes as G.A. Kathryns

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of reflections is so incredibly diverse that it's actually quite hard to rate and review as a whole. Each story is so different from the last that it is hard to find a common thread (which is good). The author's writing style does not vary too much—only just enough to define characters and setting. (Personally, I was surprised by the writer's personal location because the style seems so predominantly elsewhere.)

While this book carries a theme of darkness (and/or lightness) throughout, many stories are left open-ended; There is a resolution, but the true ending may change from reader to reader, according to their own interpretation of that particular story. (Another thing that I consider good!)

The writing style, at times, seems long-winded and some passages can be a bit exhausting to read or leave the reader feeling like something may have been missed. There were a few times when rereading felt necessary.

The variety of characters, settings, and plot definitely made each reflection stand on its own. There is not one story that I felt could define the book as a whole. If I had to choose a favorite, I am truly not sure that I could. “The Color in My Mirror” definitely stood out to me once I forgave the characters for their manner of speaking (well done on the author's side!). “The Dreams of Children,” also stuck with me, but is so unlike “The Color...” that they cannot be compared. “Silver Hairs among the Gold,” I feel, must be mentioned in this review. I loved the creativity of the plot, found the characters (for the most part) quite endearing and loved the ending (and that I did not see it coming at first). The Snow City stories also drew me in and I hope to see more of the city one day so that I can more fully understand it.

All in all, this collection was enjoyable to read, but it may be necessary to take a little break between each story to kind of reset one's mind and prepare to be taken to a whole different world upon continuing to read.

[Unna · Rating 5 out of 5]

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