Title: The Darkening
Author: Sunya Mara
Series Name: The Darkening
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: July 5th, 2022
Pages: 400
Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton
This was very unexpected to say the least! I went into this one knowing that there was a storm and they were stuck in the city. That was about it. So I was pleasantly surprised by all this book was.
I did really enjoy the MC, Vesper, and I enjoyed her voice and thought she was pretty well fleshed out. Though I wish we got a bit more depth to the boys and the friendship/relationships. I enjoyed all of them, even Cas in the end, but I just wanted a bit more from them.
The romance was a bit instalovey for my liking but it wasn’t in my face enough for it to affect my enjoyment of the book. I hope there is more development if that is to continue into the rest of the series.
As for the world/magic system, I found it fascinating. I was left wanting more though. More detail, more explanation, just more. Which is a consistent thing I found in most aspects of the story. I enjoyed what we got but I was left wanting a bit more from the story. This is a debut author though who is trying to find their voice so hopefully we get a bit more from book 2.
The Darkening also ended on not necessarily a cliff hanger but unended. If you’re someone who likes things wrapped up nicely in a bow at the end of a book then they isn’t the one for you. There was so much left unfinished and unanswered. Which is obviously intentional and really builds for book 2, but that’s not everybody’s cup of tea. I personally don’t mind but I wanted to mention it. Though I do need to know what happened to Iz. Like right now. He was my favourite of the three boys! I need answers!!
Besides the open endedness of the book I didn’t enjoy what ending we got. It was both heartbreaking, a little satisfying & a bit wholesome really. I was definitely tearing up during the ‘battle’ at the end.
Overall I enjoyed The Darkening but there is definitely room for improvement for the author. As I said there were many aspects where I was just wanting a little more. For a debut I’m impressed by the MCs voice & the magic/world so I’m keen to see what Sunya Mara does next, not just in the sequel to this one but in general. Definitely an author I will be keeping an eye on and I was be picking up book 2, which is currently untitled, once it releases.
Dusk Angel Reads 
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