A review by alienor
Darkness, Take My Hand by Dennis Lehane

5.0

Tell me, what are all-time favorites made of? Perhaps we all have a different definition for them, but mine? I read so much that a great, even amazing book can get sidelined if it doesn't leave a mark on me. On the contrary, a flawed one can earn its stripes if the emotions it makes me feel are unforgettable.

I'd say that if there were one lesson to be learnt from this experience, is that [b:Darkness, Take My Hand|21681|Darkness, Take My Hand (Kenzie & Gennaro, #2)|Dennis Lehane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392049150s/21681.jpg|1356228] will linger. Oh, yes, it will.



➊ a fucked-up male lead I grew to adore and for whom I care so much it hurts : multi-layered, morally ambiguous, sarcastic, wounded, loyal - he's everything I want in my favorite characters. EVERYTHING.



➋ a kickass heroine I want to hug, because, really, Angie, you rock.

➌ a frightening and captivating suspense in an investigation where nobody is innocent and everyone can be guilty.... See, I'm not easily frightened. A clown, a doll and I'm hiding under the blankets, but a serial-killer? Nope. [b:Darkness, Take My Hand|21681|Darkness, Take My Hand (Kenzie & Gennaro, #2)|Dennis Lehane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392049150s/21681.jpg|1356228], though? It was chilling.



Just a thing : DON'T FUCK WITH MY FEARS. Like, really - there was an expected twist that scared me to death.

➍ Secondary characters I'm not supposed to like but... I do anyway, because of reasons, I guess.



Yeah, I saw this gif and I thought... Oh, Bubba. You psycho. How in the world can I like you? *hides in shame*

➎ a writing whose ability to express both depth and sarcasm blew me away.

➏ a ending that made my jaw drop on the floor... But unfortunately I guessed who the mastermind was around 50%. It didn't prevent me from enjoying the book, not really, but it did annihilate a great part of the intended shock factor, and for a moment there I thought that it would cost it its fifth star.

But the fact is, [b:Darkness, Take My Hand|21681|Darkness, Take My Hand (Kenzie & Gennaro, #2)|Dennis Lehane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392049150s/21681.jpg|1356228] deserves its 5 stars nonetheless, because of the impact this book had on me. Here I am, staring at the wall, disturbed in my own core feelings, and I know that I would never forget this book.

See you, friends. I'm going to hug myself now.



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