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It’s Mystic Falls and The Vampire Diaries all over again! Not that I’m complaining, I loved that show. Why is everyone keep saying that to make a fresh start you need to move away of your previous mess? It’s like you’re running away from your own problems, and it will not stop until you solve them, you need to give them closure to start fresh again, and this is a lesson Blake Malone will learn the hard way. After arriving in Darke Heath, a quiet and ‘peaceful’ forest town far away from cities, Blake thinks this is the perfect place to start again, especially when the dark of the night comes with something terrifying, especially after meeting Caitlyn, who to the surprise of Blake is also a ‘creature of the night’. There are secrets and evil haunting the town; will Blake be able to survive? Or his past will clash with the darkness and fears surrounding him at the unknown? This book possess an unique atmosphere, at first sight it may not seems there are some new things here but trust me, there are some unique features here and there will be times when you are going to be too busy biting your own nails rather than passing the pages you read. I love it.
4.0 out of 5 starsA supernatural thriller with heart (literally)
Reviewed in the United States on 8 October 2020
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When I start a book I tend to skim until I hit that point where I realize "I'm gonna like this." Darke Blood hit me with that moment much quicker than most stories, just a couple paragraphs in when the panicked family stumbles upon an old, moss-covered gravestone in the dark forest. That was my "yes, please" moment, and it was not my last in this book.
The prologue is unconventional but works. It left me with questions needing answered, which were picked up later in the story. While there were a few grammatical errors and typos, they never slowed down my reading. Overall, Lee's style is fast-paced and reads very quickly.
Darke Blood has something for everyone, horror and supernatural tropes done in interesting ways with characters you care about. Hall's writing is conversational and straightforward. There is no weighing down with unnecessary description and the backstory is an integral and interesting part of the story, all well done. The ending wrapped it all up nice and satisfying but definitely has me curious about what will happen in the next installment!
4.0 out of 5 stars‘You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.'
Reviewed in the United States on 11 June 2017
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British author Lee Hall not only writes horror/occult/fantasy novels but he is an also a playwright (last year he wrote and directed his own play Hotel dOOM for the Iver Heath drama club, actor, technician and occasional cosplayer. He lives in Oxfordshire where he works in electrical engineering for a science facility. Lee has been writing creatively since the age of twelve, his dream being for the world to read his work. As he states, ‘I began writing Darke Blood with the intention of creating a stand-alone story centered around vampires and witches. Although my journey when putting together this tale was indeed long and difficult, I dug deep into my imagination to answer the same question I face in every book I write. How am I going to do this? This time around, I just spent more time answering that question through narrative. This process compares differently with my first novel OPEN EVENING.’ DARKE BLOOD is his second novel.
Lee offers a Prologue to his tale that sets the stage for the intensity of the story to follow – ‘It could be said that you’ve never known true darkness. I’m talking about the blackest of black where you can’t even see your own hand two inches in front of your face; that’s the true darkness. There is only one place where the night truly rules all, and that is the Darke Forest. And abruptly the story begins, out there amongst the trees where the shadows are your only ally or bitter enemy, and that will all depend if you’re running or being chased. “Run. Just drop everything and run,” the panicked woman said, breathlessly. Cold damp air slithered over her bare legs and arms. Even in summer at the midnight hour you could find yourself in the fall or bitterness of winter. “But what about Dad?” a much younger voice asked. “He’ll find us, ” she turned back, “come on.” Not that it was any use because only the blackness faced her. With both hands stretched out they felt for anything in her path. “Mum, are you okay?” the kid said from behind, as the woman gasped. “Yeah, it’s just a tree. Where are you?” “Right here,” the kid reached out and met her panicked hands. “We have to keep moving.” The woman led forward in a jog, their hands interlocked. The kid was right. Looking up, down, left or right made no difference. The thick trees blocked any skyline or moonlight from shining down; they had no reference point. Being awoken in the middle of the night had given their eyes only a small appreciation of how dark it really was: this was the Darke Forest. The name kind of described it in one.’
The author’s provided synopsis outlines the plot well – ‘”There are more than shadows lurking in the darkness of those trees.” Blake Malone is in search of a new start and arrives in the remote forest town of Darke Heath. The memory of his past mysteriously becomes a blur as he discovers this place isn’t what it seems. Malone shares a romantic encounter with a woman named Caitlyn and she reveals herself to be a ‘creature of the night’. He learns of her story which intertwines with the history of the ‘Heath’. Together they must face the evil forces of vampirism and witchcraft that await them in the Darke forest. But just who is Blake Malone? That’s something even he must fight to discover. Because ‘you’ve never known true darkness…’
Mystery, intrigue, fantasy an touches of the occult and science fiction tailor this fascinating book that is guaranteed to produce shivers, chills and a lot of entertainment. Grady Harp, June 17
An easy read with some good characterisation. I did enjoy it and look forward to more in the series. As with the writer's first book, "Open Evening", it doesn't have enough atmospheric and sensory depth for me, which leaves the story a little flat. There are also some areas that I would have liked explanation - areas that are not related to the ongoing plot as a whole and would be answered further into the series. I don't normally comment on grammar. I'm happy to let the occasional mistake and typo pass. But this book is riddled with them - and I have to take half a star off for that.