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mxsallybend's review
3.0
Crystal Connor's The Darkness is that rare blend of science fiction and horror, mixing science, magic, religion, and philosophy, that actually works as well as the premise would have you expect.
Initially, I found the first part of the book a little confusing, because it bounces around through the timeline, and between character viewpoints, often without any immediate clues. Once I settled in, however, and got used to the narrative voices, I quite enjoyed the slow reveal of the mystery.
Adam is a really intriguing character, and one that I think is developed perfectly. He spends the first two thirds of the book coming across as a monster . . . spoiled, capricious, prone to temper tantrums, and far too powerful for his own good. Of course, other than the power element, much the same can be said of any child, but it's his potential for destruction that so feeds the monster fears. It isn't until the final third of the book that he really comes into his own, developing a human side even as his monstrous side fully reveals itself.
As for the two adopted mothers of the story - the scientist and the witch, both of whom love Adam in their own way - I found them fantastic characters and viewpoints. Through them we really get to see both sides of the story, both sides of the nature versus nurture debate, and both sides of the empirical versus spiritual exploration of life. There are a few coincidences in their relationship that irked me a bit, but not so much as to impact my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, a very good read, with some truly chilling scenes and some even more chilling implications - kind of like a good Michael Crichton tale, but with a healthy dose of Dean Koontz mixed in.
Initially, I found the first part of the book a little confusing, because it bounces around through the timeline, and between character viewpoints, often without any immediate clues. Once I settled in, however, and got used to the narrative voices, I quite enjoyed the slow reveal of the mystery.
Adam is a really intriguing character, and one that I think is developed perfectly. He spends the first two thirds of the book coming across as a monster . . . spoiled, capricious, prone to temper tantrums, and far too powerful for his own good. Of course, other than the power element, much the same can be said of any child, but it's his potential for destruction that so feeds the monster fears. It isn't until the final third of the book that he really comes into his own, developing a human side even as his monstrous side fully reveals itself.
As for the two adopted mothers of the story - the scientist and the witch, both of whom love Adam in their own way - I found them fantastic characters and viewpoints. Through them we really get to see both sides of the story, both sides of the nature versus nurture debate, and both sides of the empirical versus spiritual exploration of life. There are a few coincidences in their relationship that irked me a bit, but not so much as to impact my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, a very good read, with some truly chilling scenes and some even more chilling implications - kind of like a good Michael Crichton tale, but with a healthy dose of Dean Koontz mixed in.
gwenythlove's review
Did not finish. I just could not get into this book at all. The writing was awkward and I couldn't force myself to continue.
themorgueanne's review
3.0
You can read my review of The Darkness by Crystal Conner at http://twistedgeeks.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/the-darkness-by-crystal-conner/
alyssaarch's review
3.0
It started off slowly, but a quarter of the way in, I was completely interested in the story. The Darkness deals with a mixture of super technology and dark witchcraft, which I found intriguing. The writing was more factual than I generally like (a lot of telling, very little showing), but I got used to it and didn't find it as annoying once I started reading more. Overall, I think this is an entertaining story that remains suspenseful until the very end.
However, the characterization wasn't enough for me. Part of this is told in first person, and with that point of view, I especially expect to have some sort of emotional connection to the main character. This didn't happen at all. I think it was because the narration was entirely factual. We don't get a lot of Artemisia's feelings, and if we do, they're rather shallow. Instead of reflection, the character only says, "I'm upset" (or whatever emotion she's supposed to be feeling) and moves on. Maybe she'll have a drink, but that's it. There aren't any deeper thoughts or tell-tale actions going on. I wanted more from her. The same thing can go for Inanna and Adam (The Child) as well, but I didn't have so much of a problem with their characters. Their stories were told in third person, and I didn't consider them the "main characters." Besides, I think their history was more fully realized than Artemisia's, which gave them more depth.
Also, all the characters are perfect. They are all beautiful, incredibly rich, successful, smart, can speak multiple languages, etc. I wanted them to have some flaws.
Despite this, I thought the story was enjoyable. I liked how the magic came from different cultures, and I especially liked the voodoo influence. The plot was suspenseful and delightfully frustrating as Adam tries to come to terms with his past. I thought the ending was rushed, but it's a perfect ending -- I would have been disappointed if it had ended any other way. If you're at all interested in dark stories or witchcraft, you should give this one a try. Like I said, the characterization had flaws, but the story is truly fantastic.
However, the characterization wasn't enough for me. Part of this is told in first person, and with that point of view, I especially expect to have some sort of emotional connection to the main character. This didn't happen at all. I think it was because the narration was entirely factual. We don't get a lot of Artemisia's feelings, and if we do, they're rather shallow. Instead of reflection, the character only says, "I'm upset" (or whatever emotion she's supposed to be feeling) and moves on. Maybe she'll have a drink, but that's it. There aren't any deeper thoughts or tell-tale actions going on. I wanted more from her. The same thing can go for Inanna and Adam (The Child) as well, but I didn't have so much of a problem with their characters. Their stories were told in third person, and I didn't consider them the "main characters." Besides, I think their history was more fully realized than Artemisia's, which gave them more depth.
Also, all the characters are perfect. They are all beautiful, incredibly rich, successful, smart, can speak multiple languages, etc. I wanted them to have some flaws.
Despite this, I thought the story was enjoyable. I liked how the magic came from different cultures, and I especially liked the voodoo influence. The plot was suspenseful and delightfully frustrating as Adam tries to come to terms with his past. I thought the ending was rushed, but it's a perfect ending -- I would have been disappointed if it had ended any other way. If you're at all interested in dark stories or witchcraft, you should give this one a try. Like I said, the characterization had flaws, but the story is truly fantastic.
wulfwyn's review
5.0
This book takes what we know is happening with scientific experiments and mixes it with what we think may be happening and what we fear to imagine happening , especially in the hands of the military - any military. It will hold you in its grip until its unexpected conclusion. I say unexpected because of all the ways I saw this ending I had not come to the one given. The author really does an excellent job at bringing out the dilemma of Solomon and the two mothers. The story line I found to be somewhat fresh and unique. The author took something familiar and added a twist that I have not read very often. And she did it very well. The mystifying air was maintained through out the book. This is a writer who truly knows her craft. She is someone to watch. Full review on my blog.
The review is my personal opinion of the book. I received no monetary compensation for the book review. A copy of this book was provided to me for free for review purposes.
The review is my personal opinion of the book. I received no monetary compensation for the book review. A copy of this book was provided to me for free for review purposes.
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