Reviews - Dark Rise, Volume 1

5.4k reviews for:

Dark Rise, Volume 1

C.S. Pacat

4.13 AVERAGE

eusteph's review against another edition

4.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"But our swords are not what make us strong, the true power of the Stewards is not our weapons. It is not even our physical strength. It is that we remember. When the past is forgotten, then it can return. Only those who remember have the chance to stave it off. For the dark is never truly gone; it only waits for the world to forget, so that it may rise again."

What a sneaky little gem this was. I did not see the twist coming.

I enjoyed this book well enough once it started picking up at around the 25% mark. It took me longer than expected to understand the magic system, but I admit to being rather scatterbrained when I read it.

Although the story ended on a semi-cliffhanger, I don't feel super compelled to continue on with the series, so, for the time being, I am treating this as a standalone.

fluffels's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

courtiireads's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

killertee's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

corimii's review against another edition

4.25

dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

10/10 Twist - did not see that coming - even though I should have and that makes it even BETTER.

torchlighteyesburning's review against another edition

3.0

I had so many issues with this book that i rage vented all of them here and after looking at it for like 15 seconds i went "nope" and deleted that shit. let the 3 stars be a warning

bellaajordann's review against another edition

5.0

December 2023 (first-read): There are no words that I could write to explain how much I enjoyed reading this book. I've had Dark Rise on my shelf for over a year (maybe two) and forgot what the book was supposed to be about. Going into the novel blind made the whole journey ten times more interesting. The main characters were all so lovely-- even some of the side characters! I can't wait to see their progression in the next book.

But, the biggest reason this book had me was the plot twists! It has been awhile since a book genuinely had me audibly shocked to the point that my roommate had to check on me because she thought I was having a break down. Pacat did an awesome job at drawing you in to the point that you're blind to what is going on. In the best way possible. Loved it.

Will and Violet have my heart.