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thepeachmartini's review
4.0
A Darkness Absolute (Rockton/Casey Duncan #2) by Kelley Armstrong
Date Read: 18 Sept 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I find the town of Rockton just as much a main character as Casey, Eric, Will, et al. I really enjoy the setting and the concept of this mysterious town, and I like seeing how Casey is settling into things.
There were some very tense moments making it worth sticking it through; this book felt long towards the middle, and there were times the writing seemed to go in circles…but overall, it was a good read and I plan on continuing with the series.
Date Read: 18 Sept 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I find the town of Rockton just as much a main character as Casey, Eric, Will, et al. I really enjoy the setting and the concept of this mysterious town, and I like seeing how Casey is settling into things.
There were some very tense moments making it worth sticking it through; this book felt long towards the middle, and there were times the writing seemed to go in circles…but overall, it was a good read and I plan on continuing with the series.
simira's review
3.0
I always enjoy Kelly’s Armstrong’s books. With the Stockton series, I love the mystery and twists that take place. This book was full of them and made it fun to read. I read the first book years ago so it did take me a minute to remember everyone’s back story so was a slower read for me.
salimah's review
4.0
This was a four-star read for me and not five because the ending/conclusion was unnecessarily prolonged for the sake of prolonging it (or so it felt to me). I also didn't love [mild spoiler coming] that a long-term captive of the killer's was allowed to be recaptured in order to propel the plot. Thankfully, we are spared details of the torment of her recapture on the page. [mild spoiler over]
The trio of Dalton, Butler, and Anders are established as being far too competent for some of the critical missteps that happened to have happened.
I've mentioned elsewhere that I am taking a necessary break from romance novels at the moment because I'm finding all the pairings I've encountered to be uninspired and uninspiring. Casey Butler and Eric Dalton have more than made up for that deficit, though this is not a romance series. Emotional honesty, communication, and passion. It's always a winning combination.
The trio of Dalton, Butler, and Anders are established as being far too competent for some of the critical missteps that happened to have happened.
I've mentioned elsewhere that I am taking a necessary break from romance novels at the moment because I'm finding all the pairings I've encountered to be uninspired and uninspiring. Casey Butler and Eric Dalton have more than made up for that deficit, though this is not a romance series. Emotional honesty, communication, and passion. It's always a winning combination.
hannahwoycik's review against another edition
4.0
3.5* but rounded up because book one was so incredible :(
nevclue's review
4.0
Really creepy mystery. Casey discovers and rescues a woman who has been held captive and raped in cave for a year. And she's not the first--two bodies are also discovered.
I liked this more than the first book. There's less Diana, who really bugged me. Eric gets Casey a puppy!! We find out more about Jacob. I like the butcher.
Still don't really get what's going on with the crazy cannibals...
I liked this more than the first book. There's less Diana, who really bugged me. Eric gets Casey a puppy!! We find out more about Jacob. I like the butcher.
Still don't really get what's going on with the crazy cannibals...
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
Reread 2022: Another strong reread from Kelley Armstrong. I had totally forgotten whodunnit, so the suspense and mystery was still very fresh.
My second Rockton book was as awesome as the first. Again, the suspense was incredibly well done, and I really enjoyed getting more insight into the townspeople of Rockton. It was also interesting to learn about the Settlers and Hostiles, and to spend more time with Jacob.
My second Rockton book was as awesome as the first. Again, the suspense was incredibly well done, and I really enjoyed getting more insight into the townspeople of Rockton. It was also interesting to learn about the Settlers and Hostiles, and to spend more time with Jacob.
joyousreads132's review
4.0
We’re thrust back into the remote Northern Territories with Casey Duncan on the hunt for another killer. An unforeseen storm that throws them off track led them to a girl who has been missing for more than a year. Trapped in a hole no more than the size of a small person, the emaciated girl is rescued from her harrowing isolation. Days and months of endless physical, sexual, and mental abuse left her on the brink of madness.
Now, the Sheriff’s office has to track down a killer who upon further investigation might be responsible for several deaths of missing women.
Casey Duncan has all but acclimated to the life living in remote Northern Territories. Rockton and its people have grown on her – especially one person in particular. But if peace and quiet were what she’s after, Rockton apparently is the wrong place. Because once again, the town is facing deadly crimes with very little suspects to consider. And since this is Rockton – remote, a touch primeval, and wild – finding the killer will prove to be difficult. They’re not only racing against time, there’s also the brutal changing weather to contend.
Kelly Armstrong does a marvelous job in immersing her readers in her story in such a way that descriptively immortalizes an otherwise fictional town. The town of Rockton and its vicinities are beautiful as they are harsh. Not only do we get to experience all its wildness, but the townspeople themselves add a certain brutality that makes it seemed more sinister. Characterization has always been Armstrong’s forte. She writes the most credible kick-ass women. Surprisingly enough, the men play a pivotal role in further empowering her heroines. It’s hard to explain. I guess the best way to describe it is like a marriage between a couple and each unit has the ability to qualify each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
She keeps the pacing of the story at an even keel. Giving her readers time to adjust and savor their own observations. Short chapters also help as she effectively pulls the readers into the nuances of the plot. Armstrong was very stingy with suspects. Since the town’s population is small, I felt like I already know everyone so you can pretty much tick off one townie at a time. But in the end, and after the pieces of the puzzle have been connected, she made a very convincing case for the killer’s motives, psyche, and eventually, his identity.
A Darkness Absolute is a fantastic sequel. It hits the ground running right from the first page and doesn’t let up until the very end. There’s never a dull moment and you’ll feel like you can’t flip the page fast enough. This is the perfect book to cozy up to on cold winter nights with your reading socks and a nice cup of tea on hand.
Now, the Sheriff’s office has to track down a killer who upon further investigation might be responsible for several deaths of missing women.
Casey Duncan has all but acclimated to the life living in remote Northern Territories. Rockton and its people have grown on her – especially one person in particular. But if peace and quiet were what she’s after, Rockton apparently is the wrong place. Because once again, the town is facing deadly crimes with very little suspects to consider. And since this is Rockton – remote, a touch primeval, and wild – finding the killer will prove to be difficult. They’re not only racing against time, there’s also the brutal changing weather to contend.
Kelly Armstrong does a marvelous job in immersing her readers in her story in such a way that descriptively immortalizes an otherwise fictional town. The town of Rockton and its vicinities are beautiful as they are harsh. Not only do we get to experience all its wildness, but the townspeople themselves add a certain brutality that makes it seemed more sinister. Characterization has always been Armstrong’s forte. She writes the most credible kick-ass women. Surprisingly enough, the men play a pivotal role in further empowering her heroines. It’s hard to explain. I guess the best way to describe it is like a marriage between a couple and each unit has the ability to qualify each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
She keeps the pacing of the story at an even keel. Giving her readers time to adjust and savor their own observations. Short chapters also help as she effectively pulls the readers into the nuances of the plot. Armstrong was very stingy with suspects. Since the town’s population is small, I felt like I already know everyone so you can pretty much tick off one townie at a time. But in the end, and after the pieces of the puzzle have been connected, she made a very convincing case for the killer’s motives, psyche, and eventually, his identity.
A Darkness Absolute is a fantastic sequel. It hits the ground running right from the first page and doesn’t let up until the very end. There’s never a dull moment and you’ll feel like you can’t flip the page fast enough. This is the perfect book to cozy up to on cold winter nights with your reading socks and a nice cup of tea on hand.
inmyhumbleopinion's review against another edition
5.0
Holy moly! I didn’t think it could get any better. This book is a littler darker than the first but a heck of a read. The author had me chasing my tail trying to figure out who done it. We learn a whole lot more about the residents of Rockton and more about the town itself. If you want an exciting read check out this series.
lbelow's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Drug abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Infertility, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Rape, Cursing, and Incest
Minor: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
frannieman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5