Author: Rachel A. Marks
Title: Darkness Brutal
Series: The Dark Cycle, #1
Pages: 225
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Skyscape
Date published: July 1, 2015
Format: Whispersync
Source: Kindle First & Audible
Synopsis:
Aidan O’Linn’s childhood ended the night he saw a demon kill his mother and mark his sister, Ava, with Darkness. Since then, every three years the demons have returned to try to claim her. Living in the gritty, forgotten corners of Los Angeles, Aidan has managed to protect his sister, but he knows that even his powers to fight demons and speak dead languages won’t keep her safe for much longer.
In desperation, Aidan seeks out the help of Sid, the enigmatic leader of a group of teens who run LA Paranormal, an Internet reality show that fights demons and ghosts. In their company, Aidan believes he’s finally found a haven for Ava. But when he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy, he awakens powers he didn’t know he had―and unleashes a new era of war between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness.
With the fate of humanity in his hands, can Aidan keep the Darkness at bay and accept his brilliant, terrifying destiny?
Title: Darkness Brutal
Series: The Dark Cycle, #1
Pages: 225
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Skyscape
Date published: July 1, 2015
Format: Whispersync
Source: Kindle First & Audible
Synopsis:
Aidan O’Linn’s childhood ended the night he saw a demon kill his mother and mark his sister, Ava, with Darkness. Since then, every three years the demons have returned to try to claim her. Living in the gritty, forgotten corners of Los Angeles, Aidan has managed to protect his sister, but he knows that even his powers to fight demons and speak dead languages won’t keep her safe for much longer.
In desperation, Aidan seeks out the help of Sid, the enigmatic leader of a group of teens who run LA Paranormal, an Internet reality show that fights demons and ghosts. In their company, Aidan believes he’s finally found a haven for Ava. But when he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy, he awakens powers he didn’t know he had―and unleashes a new era of war between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness.
With the fate of humanity in his hands, can Aidan keep the Darkness at bay and accept his brilliant, terrifying destiny?
Review
This was my Kindle First choice for June, and I picked up the audible edition a month later when it was released. I knew I'd eventually read it, but I didn't have a specific time frame in mind. That is, until I saw it was a choice on the YA Debut Author tour. I asked to feature this one, not expecting to actually get it. I was quite excited when I opened my email and saw my name next to it on the schedule.
I started it about a week ago, while taking a road trip with my husband. I didn't think he was actually paying attention to it. Then he found out I'd listened to about 15% without him and he complained and demanded a recap of everything on our next long road trip (to my moms and back for Thanksgiving). It's rare we both enjoy the same book, and even more rare that we will listen to an audiobook at the same time. Actually, pretty sure this is only the second instance - the first being the Martian, and that was after I'd already read the ebook version.
Anyway, I had this on whispersync so I could follow along with it while he was driving. This meant I could totally read ahead a bit and pretend like I totally expected things that were going to happen. Also, I'm apparently annoying as hell to listen to an audiobook with, because I loudly commentate on things. ...little does he know, I do the exact same thing when I read the books. I just usually do that under my breath or in a room by myself. I am an emotional reader!
So, for those that know me, you know that my place was broken into last week. So my husband and I weren't in the best of moods over Thanksgiving. But, I will have to say that this book made the traveling so much better. We tried listening to music on the way there, but it just stressed me out and I wasn't okay. As soon as I turned this book on though, I easily focused on the story. I mean, what's $3000 worth of stolen stuff in comparison to a bunch of demons trying to take over the world. Am I right, guys?
This book easily made it as my #1 book of November (which says a lot because I read some pretty good ones last month). The characters were captivating and real for me, the story drew me in and blocked out the world around me, and I was emotionally connected throughout the entire thing - there was yelling, tears, laughing, and other such things. The best book is one that I can absorb myself into completely, and this did that for me.
I noticed many of my friends have this marked on their TBR list on goodreads and to them I say, QUIT WASTING TIME AND ACTUALLY READ THIS ONE! HOLY FLUFF BALLS, GUYS! As soon as I finished it, I started heckling Maribel. "Have you read it yet?" and "Are you done yet?" and "Hurry up, gawd flabbit! I want to discuss it with someone!"
One thing I absolutely enjoyed about this story was how much of it I honestly did not expect. I'm used to having some idea of what is going to happen, but I was taken off guard so many times - which made things even more emotional for me.
It is REALLY hard to put into words how I felt about this book without stepping in to spoiler territory. Just know, you should read it. Now. And then send me a message and fangirl over it with me, because it was awesome. My gawd. When does the second book come out? I need that in my life yesterday.
I started it about a week ago, while taking a road trip with my husband. I didn't think he was actually paying attention to it. Then he found out I'd listened to about 15% without him and he complained and demanded a recap of everything on our next long road trip (to my moms and back for Thanksgiving). It's rare we both enjoy the same book, and even more rare that we will listen to an audiobook at the same time. Actually, pretty sure this is only the second instance - the first being the Martian, and that was after I'd already read the ebook version.
Anyway, I had this on whispersync so I could follow along with it while he was driving. This meant I could totally read ahead a bit and pretend like I totally expected things that were going to happen. Also, I'm apparently annoying as hell to listen to an audiobook with, because I loudly commentate on things. ...little does he know, I do the exact same thing when I read the books. I just usually do that under my breath or in a room by myself. I am an emotional reader!
So, for those that know me, you know that my place was broken into last week. So my husband and I weren't in the best of moods over Thanksgiving. But, I will have to say that this book made the traveling so much better. We tried listening to music on the way there, but it just stressed me out and I wasn't okay. As soon as I turned this book on though, I easily focused on the story. I mean, what's $3000 worth of stolen stuff in comparison to a bunch of demons trying to take over the world. Am I right, guys?
This book easily made it as my #1 book of November (which says a lot because I read some pretty good ones last month). The characters were captivating and real for me, the story drew me in and blocked out the world around me, and I was emotionally connected throughout the entire thing - there was yelling, tears, laughing, and other such things. The best book is one that I can absorb myself into completely, and this did that for me.
I noticed many of my friends have this marked on their TBR list on goodreads and to them I say, QUIT WASTING TIME AND ACTUALLY READ THIS ONE! HOLY FLUFF BALLS, GUYS! As soon as I finished it, I started heckling Maribel. "Have you read it yet?" and "Are you done yet?" and "Hurry up, gawd flabbit! I want to discuss it with someone!"
One thing I absolutely enjoyed about this story was how much of it I honestly did not expect. I'm used to having some idea of what is going to happen, but I was taken off guard so many times - which made things even more emotional for me.
It is REALLY hard to put into words how I felt about this book without stepping in to spoiler territory. Just know, you should read it. Now. And then send me a message and fangirl over it with me, because it was awesome. My gawd. When does the second book come out? I need that in my life yesterday.
