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When Darkness Descends
Five-year-old Tom Anderson cowered in fear while a mysterious stranger murdered his beloved grandmother, Jean Anderson, then disappeared. Now a young man crippled by guilt and anxiety, Tom's offered a chance for redemption, but it means leaving Earth behind. Dark magic transports him to the shadowy land of Enthilen where he begins the hunt for Jean's killer. However, unbeknown to Tom, his arrival in Enthilen has been engineered by Malphas, a cruel, exiled ruler who needs to capture Tom to bring forth an endless tyranny.
Tom is befriended by a giant stone-grell, Grin. They travel through treacherous lands seeking justice for Jean, but become entangled in the ongoing battle between Erst�rmen rulers and Dobunni rebels for control of Enthilen. With the help of rebels Jacob and Athalee, and a mouldewerp called Dwarrow, Tom fights to evade the pursuit of the merciless Malphas. Time is running out to find Jean's killer before Tom succumbs to nefarious forces. Will he deliver justice, or will the opportunity be lost forever?
Set in a complex world of unique lands and creatures, When Darkness Descends blends mystery and adventure in a fast-paced, epic fantasy.
Tom is befriended by a giant stone-grell, Grin. They travel through treacherous lands seeking justice for Jean, but become entangled in the ongoing battle between Erst�rmen rulers and Dobunni rebels for control of Enthilen. With the help of rebels Jacob and Athalee, and a mouldewerp called Dwarrow, Tom fights to evade the pursuit of the merciless Malphas. Time is running out to find Jean's killer before Tom succumbs to nefarious forces. Will he deliver justice, or will the opportunity be lost forever?
Set in a complex world of unique lands and creatures, When Darkness Descends blends mystery and adventure in a fast-paced, epic fantasy.
440 pages, Paperback
Published July 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 5, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
At just five years of age, Tom Anderson witnesses his Nanna being murdered by a bad man as he sat under the bed cowering. When the man wearing chain mail had finished he told Tom to keep the item safe that is in his and his Nanna’s safe place, but the only item he can think of is a book.
Years later now a teenager, and after having numerous visits from his deceased Nanna, Tom meets a mysterious old woman who talks gibberish to him and gives him a black pebble which transports him to Enthilen, his storybook world, where it would appear the characters are real. Here he goes in search of his nanna’s killer.
I found When Darkness Descends quite a difficult read. Not because of the writing which flowed with ease, or the world-building, which was amazing and very imaginatively created. But because I have trouble reading fantasy books as most of the plots tend to go over my head and I have a habit of losing my way which then makes me have to re-read sections.
I loved the build-up to the fantasy section and Tom was a wonderful character who was a little nervous and unsure of himself, mostly to be blamed on him witnessing his beloved Nanna be killed at such a young age and people, including his father, not believing the events that killed her.
I find that sometimes it is good to step outside your comfort zone and this is what I did with this book. The book was full-on and included numerous twists to the plot. There were some topics that you find in the world today that were interwoven in the story creating a deep and meaningful vibe to it.
Overall, I don’t think this is a series that I will continue with due to having to re-read sections and concentrate so hard. It is, however, adventurous, mysterious, and fascinating and if you enjoy fantasy novels then this is certainly one to pick up.
At just five years of age, Tom Anderson witnesses his Nanna being murdered by a bad man as he sat under the bed cowering. When the man wearing chain mail had finished he told Tom to keep the item safe that is in his and his Nanna’s safe place, but the only item he can think of is a book.
Years later now a teenager, and after having numerous visits from his deceased Nanna, Tom meets a mysterious old woman who talks gibberish to him and gives him a black pebble which transports him to Enthilen, his storybook world, where it would appear the characters are real. Here he goes in search of his nanna’s killer.
I found When Darkness Descends quite a difficult read. Not because of the writing which flowed with ease, or the world-building, which was amazing and very imaginatively created. But because I have trouble reading fantasy books as most of the plots tend to go over my head and I have a habit of losing my way which then makes me have to re-read sections.
I loved the build-up to the fantasy section and Tom was a wonderful character who was a little nervous and unsure of himself, mostly to be blamed on him witnessing his beloved Nanna be killed at such a young age and people, including his father, not believing the events that killed her.
I find that sometimes it is good to step outside your comfort zone and this is what I did with this book. The book was full-on and included numerous twists to the plot. There were some topics that you find in the world today that were interwoven in the story creating a deep and meaningful vibe to it.
Overall, I don’t think this is a series that I will continue with due to having to re-read sections and concentrate so hard. It is, however, adventurous, mysterious, and fascinating and if you enjoy fantasy novels then this is certainly one to pick up.
July 26, 2020
When Darkness Descends captivated me from the first page. The author is a true storyteller who has created the world of Enthilen and beyond, and his characters and plot are authentic and memorable with plenty of mystery and plot twists. I quickly found myself rooting for the good characters and despising the evil ones (although some characters are quite complex and resist easy definitions as ‘good’ or ‘evil’). I found it hard to stop reading and felt that slight desolation that comes when I finish a book that I love. For me, these are hallmarks of a great story.
The main character, Tom, is an anxious young man with little self-confidence. He is forced into a personal journey to seek justice for the murder of his grandmother, and his development throughout the story is believable and relatable. He is befriended by both human and non-human characters with shared ambitions to thwart a rising tyranny. As a fantasy reader, I normally prefer non-human characters to be the familiar and “traditional” ones, like elves, goblins, and fairies. That this author has avoided these tropes and created new creatures such as grells and mouldewerps that I could easily picture and very quickly liked (or disliked in some cases), is a testament to the strength of GW Lücke’s writing style and storytelling ability.
The story of Tom’s journey is interspersed with critical events set in different parts of Enthilen and told from the point of view of various characters, but this is handled really well and the result is a complex, yet intriguing and easy to follow plot.
I would strongly recommend this book for older teenagers (the book has some violence and a short, non-explicit sex scene) and adults who enjoy a good fantasy read; I found it very hard to put it down, and look forward to the second instalment.
The main character, Tom, is an anxious young man with little self-confidence. He is forced into a personal journey to seek justice for the murder of his grandmother, and his development throughout the story is believable and relatable. He is befriended by both human and non-human characters with shared ambitions to thwart a rising tyranny. As a fantasy reader, I normally prefer non-human characters to be the familiar and “traditional” ones, like elves, goblins, and fairies. That this author has avoided these tropes and created new creatures such as grells and mouldewerps that I could easily picture and very quickly liked (or disliked in some cases), is a testament to the strength of GW Lücke’s writing style and storytelling ability.
The story of Tom’s journey is interspersed with critical events set in different parts of Enthilen and told from the point of view of various characters, but this is handled really well and the result is a complex, yet intriguing and easy to follow plot.
I would strongly recommend this book for older teenagers (the book has some violence and a short, non-explicit sex scene) and adults who enjoy a good fantasy read; I found it very hard to put it down, and look forward to the second instalment.
October 6, 2020
When Darkness Descends is a well penned Fantasy novel with a really clever story line. It outlines the story of a teenage boy Tom Anderson who, in a war infested world, seeks vengeance upon the killer of his Grandmother. With a friendly wild grell at his side & a plethora of other unlikely allies, Tom travels his path. But no matter how oblivious he is, someone is hellbent on making him embrace his destiny.
I admit, the basic plot of the book was really confusing at first. There were a lot of different characters and remembering the names of all of them was a very tedious task. However, as the story progresses, I found it easier to indulge myself and then, there came a point when I didn't really wish to put the book down even for a minute. Further, the author provided an appendix at the end of the book which was really helpful.
The major theme of the book was the generic lust for political power but the way it has been threaded into a Fantasy setting is truly amusing. The author brings out a fresh perspective in a clichéd story line & that is worth praising.
The author narrated different incidences happening at different places simultaneously. However, he did so with such prowess that it wasn't even the slightest bit confusing. The world building was commendable. The author painted the scenes with his words. The way he threads the entire story is really amazing.
The story had a very strong narration and the characters kept building and developing throughout the course of the book. They weren't stagnant and that is the best part about the book. Further, the characters were vivid and seemed real. The author brings to light, some really heartwarming friendships.
I would recommend this book to all the people who wish to read something fresh and engaging.
"𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘."
I admit, the basic plot of the book was really confusing at first. There were a lot of different characters and remembering the names of all of them was a very tedious task. However, as the story progresses, I found it easier to indulge myself and then, there came a point when I didn't really wish to put the book down even for a minute. Further, the author provided an appendix at the end of the book which was really helpful.
The major theme of the book was the generic lust for political power but the way it has been threaded into a Fantasy setting is truly amusing. The author brings out a fresh perspective in a clichéd story line & that is worth praising.
The author narrated different incidences happening at different places simultaneously. However, he did so with such prowess that it wasn't even the slightest bit confusing. The world building was commendable. The author painted the scenes with his words. The way he threads the entire story is really amazing.
The story had a very strong narration and the characters kept building and developing throughout the course of the book. They weren't stagnant and that is the best part about the book. Further, the characters were vivid and seemed real. The author brings to light, some really heartwarming friendships.
I would recommend this book to all the people who wish to read something fresh and engaging.
"𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘."
November 2, 2020
The first installment to his ‘Revelation Trilogy,’ G. W. Lücke’s ‘When Darkness Descends’ is a fresh take on the time-honored fantasy template.
Haunted for years by his Grandmother’s death, guilt-stricken Tom Anderson’s hunt for justice takes him to the mysterious land of Enthilen. Taking up arms with a stone-grell named Grin, Tom quickly becomes embroiled in a political battle for control of the realm between the Erstürmen rulers and the Dobunni rebels. With his quest for vengeance never far from his mind, Tom’s epic journey eventually brings him face to face with the exiled tyrant Malphas, a nefarious foe whose malevolent intentions remain shrouded in mystery.
‘When Darkness Descends’ succeeds in offering readers a highly-original take on the high-octane fantasy formula. From the meticulous world-building to the diverse, well-crafted cast of characters, Lücke’s narrative is rife with deliberate nuance and magical touches. While there are a few elements here that will remind readers of their cherished fantasy sagas of old, the Tasmanian-based author avoids anything resembling a LOTR-retread, opting instead to craft his own world, one largely devoid of classic Tolkienisms—nary an elf or dwarf to be found here. Instead, you’ll come face to face with mouldewerps.
Add to that a healthy dose of action, adventure, and political subterfuge, and you have yourself a great introduction to what is shaping up to be an enduring series. As far as fantasy epics go, ‘When Darkness Descends’ is the epitome of ‘all killer, no filler,’ a novel that manages to convey the massive depth and scope of Enthilen, all the while side-stepping the ‘side-quest’ fluff that tends to bog down modern fantasy titles. Good stuff!
Haunted for years by his Grandmother’s death, guilt-stricken Tom Anderson’s hunt for justice takes him to the mysterious land of Enthilen. Taking up arms with a stone-grell named Grin, Tom quickly becomes embroiled in a political battle for control of the realm between the Erstürmen rulers and the Dobunni rebels. With his quest for vengeance never far from his mind, Tom’s epic journey eventually brings him face to face with the exiled tyrant Malphas, a nefarious foe whose malevolent intentions remain shrouded in mystery.
‘When Darkness Descends’ succeeds in offering readers a highly-original take on the high-octane fantasy formula. From the meticulous world-building to the diverse, well-crafted cast of characters, Lücke’s narrative is rife with deliberate nuance and magical touches. While there are a few elements here that will remind readers of their cherished fantasy sagas of old, the Tasmanian-based author avoids anything resembling a LOTR-retread, opting instead to craft his own world, one largely devoid of classic Tolkienisms—nary an elf or dwarf to be found here. Instead, you’ll come face to face with mouldewerps.
Add to that a healthy dose of action, adventure, and political subterfuge, and you have yourself a great introduction to what is shaping up to be an enduring series. As far as fantasy epics go, ‘When Darkness Descends’ is the epitome of ‘all killer, no filler,’ a novel that manages to convey the massive depth and scope of Enthilen, all the while side-stepping the ‘side-quest’ fluff that tends to bog down modern fantasy titles. Good stuff!
December 3, 2020
When Darkness Descends is the first installment of The Relevation Trilogy by G.W. Lucke. For years Tom Anderson has been guilt-stricken by the murder of his grandmother. A coin and his childhood book of stories are the only clues he has of her murder. After meeting a strange old woman, Tom is transported to Enthilen, the mysterious land from his story book and is bewildered to discover that the people from his book are very much real. With the help of a stone-grell named Grin, the unlikely friends set off to search for his grandmother's killer. But the pair quickly become caught in a political battle for the realm between the Dobunni rebels and the Ersturmen rulers. When Darkness Descends is a great addition to the high-fantasy genre with an almost Lord of the Rings feel to it. With the exception that you won't find an elf or a dwarf in Enthilen, instead Lucke crafts his own mythical creatures including mouldewerps and grells. The novel's world building can be slightly overwhelming and there is thankfully an appendix at the end of the book to assist readers with the names of places and things. The only part I didn't enjoy was the constant switching of character point of views within chapters, to the point where it gets confusing because there seems to be almost too many characters with their own subplots that the focus lessens from the main plot.
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September 5, 2020This isn't a detective story...but you feel a bit like a detective searching for clues, or a hound following a scent as you read this intriguing tale. At first you think you know and can recognise Tom Anderson's world, a slice of an Australian landscape, but then Tom is suddenly thrust into another world, another reality maybe and so are you as you follow his adventures, his search...it's a world of strange creatures, of evil beings, of grells and mouldwerps, of friends and foes...but it isn't just Tom's story you follow. This novel contains lots of subplots, of twists and turns... I found it a very visual book. My mind kept using the author's words to paint pictures of fascinating and at times graphic scenes. I enjoyed this novel very much. It isn't just a "quick read, enjoyed and then forgotten" kind of book. It's one that has a layer of complexity which once you accept the challenge to engage with it fully becomes more and more fascinating and has you wanting to read more.
August 14, 2020
This is a riveting, fast-moving and clever book. At face value, it’s a fantasy/adventure novel about a young man thrust into a unique fantasy world who begins a journey seeking justice for the murder of his grandmother. However, dig a little deeper and you find a more thoughtful examination of how to manage mental health challenges, how religion is used to secure power and influence the masses, how gender roles vary across different societies etc. Dig even further, and this book appears to draw on historical and contemporary manifestations of the ‘end times’. I won’t divulge anymore, but the title of the trilogy is a pretty big hint (after swapping a couple of letters around).
Most importantly, if you don’t care about any of the deeper stuff, you can just enjoy the story at face value.
Most importantly, if you don’t care about any of the deeper stuff, you can just enjoy the story at face value.
November 9, 2020
'When Darkness Descends' follows multiple narratives in the fictional world of Enthilen, with particular focus on the (human) protagonist Tom Anderson as he battles to uncover the mystery behind his grandmother's death when he finds himself lost within this mysterious world. G.W. Lücke's storytelling is absolutely captivating, and had me hooked from the very first page. The characters and plot line have been very clearly carefully constructed, with the author able to find a perfect balance of authenticity in character personalities mixed with the complete fantasy of the setting they live in. The novel has been left at a frustratingly exciting end point, leaving me (and I'm sure other readers too!) desperate to see what comes next! Highly recommend to older teenage readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure.
October 8, 2020
When Darkness Descends is an upcoming fantasy book that captured my attention from the first page until the last. It was written with such tenacity that I am left in awe until the very last moment. I had a liking towards Tom, the main character, because I found myself in him at some point. Seeing him grow throughout the story had me rooting for him.
I am excited for everyone else to be able to read this when it comes out.
I am excited for everyone else to be able to read this when it comes out.
July 30, 2020
Not being a reader of fantasy I am looking forward to the next two instalments of "When Darkness Descends". The author has brought the characters to life with his descriptive text and it was easy for me to picture the various characters in my mind. I look forward to following Toms adventures and seeing how his character develops. A good read.
October 21, 2020
The book was good but I wish the author would have but location indicators so I knew where we were at times. The story is really good and I really enjoyed the characters. I was just lost at times but it didn’t take long to figure out what was going on. I would recommend this book. Thanks netgalley for the opportunity to read this book
July 13, 2020
This is an epic tale, fast paced, imaginative and well written. While it has a multi faceted plot its not hard to follow or distinguish characters and places. I'm already looking forward to the next two instalments! Its always a good sign when I would rather read a book than watch my favourite team play - as happened with When the Darkness Descends! I'm not a great reader of fantasy however, reading this book has encouraged me to think of reading others.
November 24, 2020
This book has its ups and downs. On one hand, it was super entertatining. I am glad that the fantasy/magical genre of literature is alive and well in this apocalyptic year, 2020. It was original, vibrant, fiction that could compete (possibly) with Game of Thrones. On the other hand, I felt like sometimes there was no way to tell when the reader would go back and forth between reality and magic. It was a bit distracting. But overall kept me on my toes. Genius.
November 30, 2020
Get ready to go on an adventure! Interesting characters and storyline await you in When Darkness Descends. It's the first of a trilogy that grips the reader and takes you on an adventure. If you enjoy fantasy reads you will certainly enjoy this one - it's captivating and intriguing, and you're certain to get lost in Tom's world.
July 28, 2020
In Lücke’s marvelous first volume of the high fantasy saga The Relevation Trilogy, a young man crippled by guilt and anxiety finds himself transported from Earth to a shadowy land of dark magic and becomes entangled in a brutal war between two powerful enemies.
It’s been years since Tom Anderson witnessed his beloved grandmother Jean’s murder at the hands of a mysterious stranger. Guilt-ridden and anxious, Tom is offered a chance at redemption when dark magic transports him to the shadowy land of Enthilen. With the help of Grin, a giant stone-grell, Tom sets on to hunt for his grandmother’s killer, but instead becomes entangled in the ongoing battle between Ersturmen rulers and Dobunni rebels for control of Enthilen. Meanwhile, a cruel, exiled ruler Malphas wants Tom for his own ulterior motive. Trying to evade the malevolent enemy, Tom must find Jean’s killer before the time runs out.
Lücke avoids the usual genre tropes of fantasy, creating a new and unique set of magical creatures: grells and mouldewerps among others, and the complexity of his varied cast of characters and the layered narrative that delves deeper into his characters’ insecurities, fears, desires, and passions make this story of love, loss, and redemption all the more meaningful.
The exquisitely created fantasy world of Enthilen, and a horde of twists and turns as Tom and Grin are put against a set of formidable enemies keep the pages flying. Lücke strikes a perfect balance between stunning worldbuilding and layered narrative as his hero struggles against powerful enemies while on a journey of self-discovery.
Lücke is a writer to watch for
It’s been years since Tom Anderson witnessed his beloved grandmother Jean’s murder at the hands of a mysterious stranger. Guilt-ridden and anxious, Tom is offered a chance at redemption when dark magic transports him to the shadowy land of Enthilen. With the help of Grin, a giant stone-grell, Tom sets on to hunt for his grandmother’s killer, but instead becomes entangled in the ongoing battle between Ersturmen rulers and Dobunni rebels for control of Enthilen. Meanwhile, a cruel, exiled ruler Malphas wants Tom for his own ulterior motive. Trying to evade the malevolent enemy, Tom must find Jean’s killer before the time runs out.
Lücke avoids the usual genre tropes of fantasy, creating a new and unique set of magical creatures: grells and mouldewerps among others, and the complexity of his varied cast of characters and the layered narrative that delves deeper into his characters’ insecurities, fears, desires, and passions make this story of love, loss, and redemption all the more meaningful.
The exquisitely created fantasy world of Enthilen, and a horde of twists and turns as Tom and Grin are put against a set of formidable enemies keep the pages flying. Lücke strikes a perfect balance between stunning worldbuilding and layered narrative as his hero struggles against powerful enemies while on a journey of self-discovery.
Lücke is a writer to watch for
October 5, 2020
When Darkness Descends is a epic tale of fantasy adventure. We follow our young hero Tom on his quest to avenge the death of his grandmother meeting friends and foes along the way. This is a well written, gripping story with a vast array of interesting characters and places. You a drawn into this vivid and mystical world Mr Lücke has created. A gripping tale laced with romance, intrigue and plot twists. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and await the second and third volumes with much anticipation.
November 9, 2020
Rich, illustrious world that draws you in...
I did a lot of D&D roleplaying in my youth, and this book reminded me of those days, bringing back fond memories. The story itself is expertly written and the world the author created is rich in detail, almost real.
I felt compelled to read this story in one sitting, and I wasn't disappointed. I'm certainly looking forward to the next instalment and I just ordered a paperback version as well, because this is the type of book I want on my bookshelf, leafing through it from time to time.
All in all, the author's name deserves to be among the big ones in his genre.
I did a lot of D&D roleplaying in my youth, and this book reminded me of those days, bringing back fond memories. The story itself is expertly written and the world the author created is rich in detail, almost real.
I felt compelled to read this story in one sitting, and I wasn't disappointed. I'm certainly looking forward to the next instalment and I just ordered a paperback version as well, because this is the type of book I want on my bookshelf, leafing through it from time to time.
All in all, the author's name deserves to be among the big ones in his genre.
August 23, 2020
Plenty of action without any element of mindlessness. The story takes place in a well-developed fantasy world with strong magical and political elements and several unique races. The main character is likable, though, like many of us, none of his decisions work out well. There's plenty of attention and the story is well written. As the author has indicated, this is the first book of a trilogy and I'm waiting for the second. This one ends on a definite cliff hanger.
November 26, 2020
This book is full of imaginative characters and places. One thing I loved most was the way the author created new creatures, and despite having nothing to compare them to, I could picture some of them in my mind as I read along. However, it got a bit tricky in places, trying to keep track of all the different characters.
November 30, 2020
Tom Anderson was scarred after witnessing his grandmother's murder. He gets a chance to hunt down the elusive and mysterious killer, but it means traveling to another world filled with dark forces and creatures. Overall, I found the book to certainly be creative. However, I sometimes found myself missing a step or two in the plot due to lags. Lovers of fantasy who like epic adventures will surely find this first book in the series entertaining. Sometimes, I couldn't relate to the characters, but as far as creativity goes? It's a feather in G.W. Lucke's hat.
December 20, 2021
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
December 3, 2020
Tom is a young man on the cusp of adulthood. But a devastating tragedy from his childhood haunts him, and he experiences near debilitating anxiety and hallucinations. His grandmother, Nanna, whose disappearance has never been solved, left Tom a book written in a strange language, tasking him with keeping it secret and safe. This has been Tom’s focus, one he held dear and took seriously until he is transported to another, mystical realm where the strange language of the book is the common language, and the land is populated by creatures he’d never imagined, all warring with one in other, locked in a struggle for power. Tom starts out on a quest to seek answers and revenge for what happened to Nanna, but soon becomes embroiled in the political and cultural war of the world of Ersturmen. This wild journey may lead to the answers Tom seeks, but his role in the fate of Ersturmen is larger than he understands.
The first installment in the Revelation Trilogy, When Darkness Descends is a twisted and thrilling escapade through a fantastical realm. Blending elements of traditional fantasy with modern mentality, Lucke offers a fresh yet familiar take on the expansive fantasy genre. Tom is a character easy to sympathize with and understand, and from the first moment the reader meets him they want to protect him. This story is as much a fantasy adventure as it is a coming of age story.
The challenge I faced with this book is that I’m unsure who the target audience is. The writing style suggests it is meant for a middle grade audience, but the content lends itself more to a new adult audience. The book touches on real-world themes of loss, abuse, and mental health starting in the very first chapter. This is great, as these are things that younger readers should be introduced to, however, I felt the manner in which these topics were addressed was too blunt for a younger crowd. So I’m unsure how to categorize it.
Aside from that, though, the book is well written, and once the reader is deeply embedded in the fantasy adventure, the book is a fun and thrilling read. Lucke has a vivid imagination and clearly loves using language to paint exciting and engaging scenes, and the reader feels like they are on this journey with Tom and his companion Grin throughout. This is a fine introduction to the world Lucke has built and will entertain fans of the fantasy genre both new and old.
The first installment in the Revelation Trilogy, When Darkness Descends is a twisted and thrilling escapade through a fantastical realm. Blending elements of traditional fantasy with modern mentality, Lucke offers a fresh yet familiar take on the expansive fantasy genre. Tom is a character easy to sympathize with and understand, and from the first moment the reader meets him they want to protect him. This story is as much a fantasy adventure as it is a coming of age story.
The challenge I faced with this book is that I’m unsure who the target audience is. The writing style suggests it is meant for a middle grade audience, but the content lends itself more to a new adult audience. The book touches on real-world themes of loss, abuse, and mental health starting in the very first chapter. This is great, as these are things that younger readers should be introduced to, however, I felt the manner in which these topics were addressed was too blunt for a younger crowd. So I’m unsure how to categorize it.
Aside from that, though, the book is well written, and once the reader is deeply embedded in the fantasy adventure, the book is a fun and thrilling read. Lucke has a vivid imagination and clearly loves using language to paint exciting and engaging scenes, and the reader feels like they are on this journey with Tom and his companion Grin throughout. This is a fine introduction to the world Lucke has built and will entertain fans of the fantasy genre both new and old.
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September 17, 2020More reader reviews for When Darkness Descends can also be found on NetGalley at this link:
https://www.netgalley.com/book/197619
Editorial reviews
"With dynamic characters, interesting histories, and compelling drama, When Darkness Descends is a new fantasy that is sure to suck readers in. Engrossing and immersive, Lücke’s epic fantasy is filled with charming creatures and mesmerizing landscapes. With a dramatic, irresistibly exciting cliffhanger as its finale, readers will be locked to the page and left wanting more."
Book Review Directory
https://bookreviewdirectory.com/2020/...
'GET IT': Kirkus Reviews
“A fresh and intriguing fantasy…the author introduces an array of memorable characters… fantasy aficionados will…find themselves engrossed in the story from beginning to end.” Kirkus Reviews
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
RECOMMENDED: US Review of Books
"Lücke's strength lies undoubtedly in his ability to build worlds with immense depth. With intriguing plotlines and continuously evolving character arcs, the story keeps the readers engaged and anticipating the next sequence of events."
US Review of Books
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews/W...
IndiReader Approved (4.1/5 stars)
"G. W. Lücke’s WHEN DARKNESS DESCENDS is an engrossing addition to the high fantasy catalogue. Lücke’s characters have a vivid energy; the land and people of Enthilen are illuminated with care and detail, and the plot runs at a tight, satisfying pace."
IndiReader
https://indiereader.com/book_review/w...
Foreword Clarion Reviews (4/5 stars)
"In the engrossing fantasy novel When Darkness Descends, a young man seeks revenge in a mythical world." Foreword Clarion Reviews
https://www.forewordreviews.com/revie...
https://www.netgalley.com/book/197619
Editorial reviews
"With dynamic characters, interesting histories, and compelling drama, When Darkness Descends is a new fantasy that is sure to suck readers in. Engrossing and immersive, Lücke’s epic fantasy is filled with charming creatures and mesmerizing landscapes. With a dramatic, irresistibly exciting cliffhanger as its finale, readers will be locked to the page and left wanting more."
Book Review Directory
https://bookreviewdirectory.com/2020/...
'GET IT': Kirkus Reviews
“A fresh and intriguing fantasy…the author introduces an array of memorable characters… fantasy aficionados will…find themselves engrossed in the story from beginning to end.” Kirkus Reviews
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
RECOMMENDED: US Review of Books
"Lücke's strength lies undoubtedly in his ability to build worlds with immense depth. With intriguing plotlines and continuously evolving character arcs, the story keeps the readers engaged and anticipating the next sequence of events."
US Review of Books
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews/W...
IndiReader Approved (4.1/5 stars)
"G. W. Lücke’s WHEN DARKNESS DESCENDS is an engrossing addition to the high fantasy catalogue. Lücke’s characters have a vivid energy; the land and people of Enthilen are illuminated with care and detail, and the plot runs at a tight, satisfying pace."
IndiReader
https://indiereader.com/book_review/w...
Foreword Clarion Reviews (4/5 stars)
"In the engrossing fantasy novel When Darkness Descends, a young man seeks revenge in a mythical world." Foreword Clarion Reviews
https://www.forewordreviews.com/revie...
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