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The Name of the Blade #2
Darkness Hidden
In the electrifying second volume of Zoë Marriott's The Name of the Blade Trilogy, Mio, Jack and Shinobu have defeated the terrifying Nekomata against all odds, and brought Jack's sister home alive.
But Mio is still compelled to protect the katana, her family's ancestral sword, and now the Underworld has spawned a worse monster – one carrying a devastating plague that sweeps through London like wildfire.
As Mio struggles to protect the city and control the sword’s deadly powers, she realises that this time there is no way she can keep everyone she loves alive... and she must make a terrible sacrifice to save the world.
But Mio is still compelled to protect the katana, her family's ancestral sword, and now the Underworld has spawned a worse monster – one carrying a devastating plague that sweeps through London like wildfire.
As Mio struggles to protect the city and control the sword’s deadly powers, she realises that this time there is no way she can keep everyone she loves alive... and she must make a terrible sacrifice to save the world.
386 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2014
12 people are currently reading
986 people want to read
About the author
Zoë Marriott
17 books803 followersZoë has known that she wanted to be a writer since she read 'The Magic Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton at age eight. She's never changed her mind in all the years since then.
She completed her first manuscript - a truly embarrassing romance novel - at age sixteen, and kept on writing books and submitting them until she had collected rejections from nearly very publisher in the UK and two in Australia. She eventually got her first publishing contract when she was twenty-two - but had to wait until she was twenty-four to see that book published (The Swan Kingdom). Her books have been longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award and the Lancashire Book of the Year, and have won a Junior Library Guild Selection, a USBBY Outstanding International Listing, the Hillingdon Book Award and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation Prize. Over the years she's worked as an admin assistant, a dental nurse, a civil servant, and a reader for a literary scout. She has designed and run over one hundred creative writing workshops in schools and libraries, and from 2017-19 she was the Royal Literary Fund Fellow at York St. John University.
She lives in a little house in a town by the sea, with a manic spaniel called Ruskin (otherwise known as Demon Dog, Trash Puppy, Snaggletooth, or the supervillain in training) and far too many books. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing at the Open University, and working on her first novel for adults.
She completed her first manuscript - a truly embarrassing romance novel - at age sixteen, and kept on writing books and submitting them until she had collected rejections from nearly very publisher in the UK and two in Australia. She eventually got her first publishing contract when she was twenty-two - but had to wait until she was twenty-four to see that book published (The Swan Kingdom). Her books have been longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award and the Lancashire Book of the Year, and have won a Junior Library Guild Selection, a USBBY Outstanding International Listing, the Hillingdon Book Award and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation Prize. Over the years she's worked as an admin assistant, a dental nurse, a civil servant, and a reader for a literary scout. She has designed and run over one hundred creative writing workshops in schools and libraries, and from 2017-19 she was the Royal Literary Fund Fellow at York St. John University.
She lives in a little house in a town by the sea, with a manic spaniel called Ruskin (otherwise known as Demon Dog, Trash Puppy, Snaggletooth, or the supervillain in training) and far too many books. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing at the Open University, and working on her first novel for adults.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 28, 2015
Wow. I loved every word of this. Let me recover from the non-stop pace and emotional whirlwind, and I'll try to write a coherent review.
March 12, 2015
When I first read the First book of the triology, The Night Itself, I was instantly hooked. Ancient Fox spirits, kickass kimonos, shining katanas and legandary Japanese creatures infused with urban times? Count me in!! I was hopping round and round. The book was a rare jem, with a plot that seemed to sing in sync with all my desires for a perfect book. That is why when I Saw Darkness Hidden snuggled quietly in a shelf in my local library, I squealed and teleported back home using black magic and thus cutting short my life by 30 years because I was so eager to start reading. And then......
I'm not saying that this book is terrible, but it Isin't the most well- crafted book either. For one, I give the general plot a thumbs up but the general twists and ideas were...ahem well known and and used...ahem.
Firstly, the pacing of the book was too ,well, unpaced. By the time I reached half the book, I was getting tired of all the waiting. And when the climax did finally arrive, it end like BAM. I was like...wait... That's it!!??! This whole book's pace can be described as a right-angled triangle. With a theta angle of 5 degrees. I know there's still a book 3 , and there was no nerve-wrecking cliffhanger or anything, but it was so much so that it didn't give me the desire and anticipation for the third book. Which is a bad thing.
And this "terrible sacrifice" that had been greatly emphasized throughout the book. Uh. Wow. When I actually found out what this oh-so-terrible sacrifice was that could possible deter Mio from, you know, saving the world that is 7 BILLION PEOPLE, I was SO FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY I WAS JUST
SERIOUSLY?!! it's not that terrible at all. No one is killed. No one gets damned into hell for all eternity. I didn't feel a shred of sympathy or any sadness for that matter when it took place. One person VS 7 bill people plus plus? Gee, the choice is tough. Maybe if I was an absolute hopeless romantic , the kind who believes that one soul is never complete without the other and can never be apart and yada yada yada, I'd shed a tear. Maybe.
Another problem is that Mio is instantly drawn and attracted to Shinobu, and vice versa. It wasn't clarified distinctly, but Shinobu has made it obvious that he had a lover back then in his time. Hmmmm, I wonder why he has such taking such a liking to Mio. And why Mio is so attracted to Shinobu and finds him familiar? Well, let's just say those of you who've watched Kamisama Hajimemashita will know. LOL
I have to give credit though, to the plot twist mystery character guy at the end though. Didn't see that coming. It really brought a 'click' to all the previous events though, why certain characters behaved the way they did, the seemingly impulsive and selfish decisions turn out to be for the good after all. Also, the message that "there is no universal definition of love" mesage, how everyone differently demonstrates their love to others,for better or for worse, that the writer put across was intriguing and relatable to our human race, so thumbs up on that one :)
I guess I just had really high hopes on this and expected it to be more epic and exciting than the first book, and I guess it was partially my fault for putting up such high expectations . Not sure if I'm up to reading the final book, though. Meanwhile I'm going to read FrostFire and see if the plot grabs me.
On a side note: This was extracted from the book, it's rather interesting..
"Because it is the other way round. I am yours. Completely." He stopped, sucked in another uneven breath." You own all of me. Forever, as long as you live. And as long as I may stay by your side, I have all that I need. Forever."
....hmmm....okay. Alright.
Favourite character in the book:
Hikaru and Mr Leech.
Man, honestly, I think the relationship between Hikaru and his grandma/grandpa (I hope this strange phenomenon gets explained in the next book) is so interesting and intricate, Very interesting. I think I'd rather read a book on that. There's some sort of unique chemistry between these two foxes that I cannot put my finger on XD
And Mr Leech, well he's a cool guy. Very cute and giving too. Nice person. He has a scary and powerful front but on the inside he's very protective of others and is willing to help the weak even if it brings him trouble. I hope I see him in the next book!!
Main protagonists were extremely meh :/
AAAAANNND THAT WAS MY FIRST REVIEW EVER THANKK YOU *BOWS*
I'm not saying that this book is terrible, but it Isin't the most well- crafted book either. For one, I give the general plot a thumbs up but the general twists and ideas were...ahem well known and and used...ahem.
Firstly, the pacing of the book was too ,well, unpaced. By the time I reached half the book, I was getting tired of all the waiting. And when the climax did finally arrive, it end like BAM. I was like...wait... That's it!!??! This whole book's pace can be described as a right-angled triangle. With a theta angle of 5 degrees. I know there's still a book 3 , and there was no nerve-wrecking cliffhanger or anything, but it was so much so that it didn't give me the desire and anticipation for the third book. Which is a bad thing.
And this "terrible sacrifice" that had been greatly emphasized throughout the book. Uh. Wow. When I actually found out what this oh-so-terrible sacrifice was that could possible deter Mio from, you know, saving the world that is 7 BILLION PEOPLE, I was SO FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY I WAS JUST
SERIOUSLY?!! it's not that terrible at all. No one is killed. No one gets damned into hell for all eternity. I didn't feel a shred of sympathy or any sadness for that matter when it took place. One person VS 7 bill people plus plus? Gee, the choice is tough. Maybe if I was an absolute hopeless romantic , the kind who believes that one soul is never complete without the other and can never be apart and yada yada yada, I'd shed a tear. Maybe.
Another problem is that Mio is instantly drawn and attracted to Shinobu, and vice versa. It wasn't clarified distinctly, but Shinobu has made it obvious that he had a lover back then in his time. Hmmmm, I wonder why he has such taking such a liking to Mio. And why Mio is so attracted to Shinobu and finds him familiar? Well, let's just say those of you who've watched Kamisama Hajimemashita will know. LOL
I have to give credit though, to the plot twist mystery character guy at the end though. Didn't see that coming. It really brought a 'click' to all the previous events though, why certain characters behaved the way they did, the seemingly impulsive and selfish decisions turn out to be for the good after all. Also, the message that "there is no universal definition of love" mesage, how everyone differently demonstrates their love to others,for better or for worse, that the writer put across was intriguing and relatable to our human race, so thumbs up on that one :)
I guess I just had really high hopes on this and expected it to be more epic and exciting than the first book, and I guess it was partially my fault for putting up such high expectations . Not sure if I'm up to reading the final book, though. Meanwhile I'm going to read FrostFire and see if the plot grabs me.
On a side note: This was extracted from the book, it's rather interesting..
"Because it is the other way round. I am yours. Completely." He stopped, sucked in another uneven breath." You own all of me. Forever, as long as you live. And as long as I may stay by your side, I have all that I need. Forever."
....hmmm....okay. Alright.
Favourite character in the book:
Hikaru and Mr Leech.
Man, honestly, I think the relationship between Hikaru and his grandma/grandpa (I hope this strange phenomenon gets explained in the next book) is so interesting and intricate, Very interesting. I think I'd rather read a book on that. There's some sort of unique chemistry between these two foxes that I cannot put my finger on XD
And Mr Leech, well he's a cool guy. Very cute and giving too. Nice person. He has a scary and powerful front but on the inside he's very protective of others and is willing to help the weak even if it brings him trouble. I hope I see him in the next book!!
Main protagonists were extremely meh :/
AAAAANNND THAT WAS MY FIRST REVIEW EVER THANKK YOU *BOWS*
November 20, 2014
I loved The Night Itself and have been looking forward to Darkness Hidden ever since I finished it so it's been a long year waiting for this release. Sometimes you pick up the second book in a trilogy only to find yourself disappointed by a book that feels like padding for the rest of the series but happily that isn't the case here and Zoe Marriott has given us a story that is just as strong, if not stronger, than the first book.
Mio may now have a better idea of what her katana is capable of but she also knows the risks she takes by using it. She is more aware than ever how important it is to keep the sword out of enemy hands but she is equally scared of using it for protection in case it gets a stronger hold over her. Unfortunately her enemies aren't going to give her a chance to rest now that she has defeated the nekomata and they are now sending even more powerful creatures her way. Creatures that are spreading a plague across London while they search for her, ones that could cost the lives of not just her friends and family but of every human in the city. Mio is running short on allies and she's going to have to face some very difficult decisions if she wants to save the people she loves the most.
Darkness Hidden is just as action packed as the first book, we are introduced to more creatures from Japanese mythology and the stakes are raised higher than ever for Mio and her friends. This is the kind of book that it is easy to devour in one sitting, the characters are all fantastic and well rounded and I enjoy spending time with them. I love exploring the mythology and I'm thoroughly enjoying how unique this series is compared to so many other YA books I've read. As a paranormal fan I've read so many books about vampires and werewolves and it's just great to come across something that stands out from everything else. The ending completely shocked me and it's left me desperate to get my hands on Frail Mortal Heart. I have a feeling this series will go out with a bang and I can't wait to see how Zoe Marriott concludes things.
Mio may now have a better idea of what her katana is capable of but she also knows the risks she takes by using it. She is more aware than ever how important it is to keep the sword out of enemy hands but she is equally scared of using it for protection in case it gets a stronger hold over her. Unfortunately her enemies aren't going to give her a chance to rest now that she has defeated the nekomata and they are now sending even more powerful creatures her way. Creatures that are spreading a plague across London while they search for her, ones that could cost the lives of not just her friends and family but of every human in the city. Mio is running short on allies and she's going to have to face some very difficult decisions if she wants to save the people she loves the most.
Darkness Hidden is just as action packed as the first book, we are introduced to more creatures from Japanese mythology and the stakes are raised higher than ever for Mio and her friends. This is the kind of book that it is easy to devour in one sitting, the characters are all fantastic and well rounded and I enjoy spending time with them. I love exploring the mythology and I'm thoroughly enjoying how unique this series is compared to so many other YA books I've read. As a paranormal fan I've read so many books about vampires and werewolves and it's just great to come across something that stands out from everything else. The ending completely shocked me and it's left me desperate to get my hands on Frail Mortal Heart. I have a feeling this series will go out with a bang and I can't wait to see how Zoe Marriott concludes things.
July 4, 2014
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
After the terrifying ending of The Night Itself, Mio, Jack and Shiobu bet all the odds and defeated Nekomata. But Mio is still compelled to protect the katana, her family's ancestral sword. And now the katana's voice is in her head, trying to turn her into its puppet.
And when things can't get worse, a plague is sweeping through London and there's something very wrong with Jack's sister, Rachel...
With all this pressure piling on Mio, she soon begins to wonder a horrible truth: she might not be able to save all the people she love. A sacrifice might have to be made... But will she go through with it?
I adore The Night Itself and Darkness Within lived up to every expectation I had. It was gripping, fast paced and had so many twists in it, I never felt bored when reading this. So much so, I kept tweeting the author going "It can't get worse than this, can it?".
I just fell into this world almost as quickly as I did when I read The Night Itself.
This is Zoe's most personal book (she says so in the acknowledgements) and you can feel how much this book means to her.
But yes, this book! THIS BOOK! THIS SERIES!!! I adore this trilogy and I need to read the third and final book, Frail Mortal Heart (Untitled), when it comes out next year. I NEED to know how this trilogy is going to end (That and read Shadows on the Moon)! If you haven't read this trilogy, you really should.
After the terrifying ending of The Night Itself, Mio, Jack and Shiobu bet all the odds and defeated Nekomata. But Mio is still compelled to protect the katana, her family's ancestral sword. And now the katana's voice is in her head, trying to turn her into its puppet.
And when things can't get worse, a plague is sweeping through London and there's something very wrong with Jack's sister, Rachel...
With all this pressure piling on Mio, she soon begins to wonder a horrible truth: she might not be able to save all the people she love. A sacrifice might have to be made... But will she go through with it?
I adore The Night Itself and Darkness Within lived up to every expectation I had. It was gripping, fast paced and had so many twists in it, I never felt bored when reading this. So much so, I kept tweeting the author going "It can't get worse than this, can it?".
I just fell into this world almost as quickly as I did when I read The Night Itself.
This is Zoe's most personal book (she says so in the acknowledgements) and you can feel how much this book means to her.
But yes, this book! THIS BOOK! THIS SERIES!!! I adore this trilogy and I need to read the third and final book, Frail Mortal Heart (Untitled), when it comes out next year. I NEED to know how this trilogy is going to end (That and read Shadows on the Moon)! If you haven't read this trilogy, you really should.
June 19, 2014
God, this sequel was insane.
It's an emotional roller coaster ride for fantastical awesome. And I believe this is my favorite fantasy series. Yep, it was amazing, and soul crushing...CRUSHING I SAY!!!
I loved it though, if you haven't read this trilogy yet...do it. Now. Please?
It's an emotional roller coaster ride for fantastical awesome. And I believe this is my favorite fantasy series. Yep, it was amazing, and soul crushing...CRUSHING I SAY!!!
I loved it though, if you haven't read this trilogy yet...do it. Now. Please?
December 17, 2016
Enjoying this evil vs evil/good series... (except for the language... :-( )
December 28, 2022
This second book in the series picks up the action almost immediately after book one. What I did like is that is hurtles the reader into another gripping moment very quickly, and we see another huge danger that Mio and her friends have to overcome. I think it was clever by the author to take one of the main characters out of the action for most of this book, because it allowed for the story to focus away from the badly time humour that we had in book one.
There are some surprising twists in this book, and we meet a new character, called Mr Leech, who I certainly hope makes a repeat appearance in book three. For a character with few pages, he made an impact on this reader. I think there's much more to explore about Mr Leech.
The author again manages to produce a good overall story line with this book. And the scope of the big confrontation is a much larger scale that book one, but handled very well. For much of the action, the author writes the scenes with much clarity. You can picture the events as they unfold.
My only query with this series is that characters, especially Mio, is carrying a weapon basically at all times. Mio is carrying a katana on her back. She is thrown onto her back in many action scenes, but the katana is never mentioned as jutting into her back, or causing discomfort. That's odd to me.
There are some surprising twists in this book, and we meet a new character, called Mr Leech, who I certainly hope makes a repeat appearance in book three. For a character with few pages, he made an impact on this reader. I think there's much more to explore about Mr Leech.
The author again manages to produce a good overall story line with this book. And the scope of the big confrontation is a much larger scale that book one, but handled very well. For much of the action, the author writes the scenes with much clarity. You can picture the events as they unfold.
My only query with this series is that characters, especially Mio, is carrying a weapon basically at all times. Mio is carrying a katana on her back. She is thrown onto her back in many action scenes, but the katana is never mentioned as jutting into her back, or causing discomfort. That's odd to me.
November 24, 2024
2.75 stars. this didnt grip me as much as the first one did, and since these books are such easy reads i ended up skimming through parts of this, and i still understood the whole story. anyway. im still gonna read the third book since ive come this far already.
March 12, 2018
Marriott picks up her story a little after the conclusion of her first novel.
Narrated by fifteen year old, Mio, the action in the story reminded me of
Buffy and the: Hell Mount episode.
Narrated by fifteen year old, Mio, the action in the story reminded me of
Buffy and the: Hell Mount episode.
April 25, 2020
Really great!
April 26, 2020
Much better than the first book. Could of finished this a long time ago, but I had to beat FF7R and P5R lol. Eh, what can ya do
Read
December 5, 2020My Shinobu...
May 16, 2021
I didn't like this one as much as the first. Middle book syndrome plus I could kind of tell where things were headed early on. I did like the twist with Mio's dad.
June 30, 2021
Second book of the Name of the Blade Series.
April 4, 2022
aaaaaaah
January 27, 2016
I have read all of Zoe Marriotts books to date and I feel her writing only grows more and more amazing with every book she publishes. When I picked up Darkness Hidden, I was truly in awe because I simply loved each and every page of it! There were no niggles, no shadows of doubt over plot or characters, the story just swept me up in its arms and carried me from beginning to end in that pleasurable haze that comes with all good storytelling. Its a magnificent read!
Picking up mere hours from where the first book left off, Mio and the gang immediately find themselves challenged by more monsters from the Japanese underworld of Yomi - and this time, they cannot rely on help from the Kitsune. But when Jack falls victim to the sickness spread by these new found fiends, Mio swears she will do everything in her power to save her best friend, no matter what the sacrifice.
But as London shuts down, the city becomes a prison of chaos and Mio realises that while the sword may be the only thing strong enough to defeat the minions sent by the dark goddess, the blade is also bit by bit, stealing away her humanity. Even now she can feel its inhuman voice calling out to her, poisoning her mind as it bids its time, waiting to take possession over her once more. And she is afraid.
For control over the katakana comes at a terrible price. Yet with her friend on the verge of death, the Kitsune confined to the spirit realm and the world falling to pieces around her, Mio comes to understand that when it comes to the future of mankind there is no choice, and if there was, its not necessarily hers to make. Deep down, she knows she cannot protect everyone . . . surely soon, she knows someone she loves will die. But how much of Mio will they take with them…
This was a brilliant, page turning read that took the reader through a roller coaster of emotions. Rather than a story that lead up to one great, epic battle at the end, each scene threw more and more at the characters so that they barely had time to catch their breath between one catastrophe and the next. With the constant threat of danger, the action was never ending and spaced out with an occasional revelation or romantic moment that only made you love the characters more - and boy does Zoe marriott really put her characters through the wringer!
From the last book, its clear to see Mio has developed a tougher skin. Through her battle with the Nekomato she lost a lot of her earlier innocence and is now aware that through both her experiences, plus the swords gift of increased speed and strength, she has both the ability and capacity to kill - a rather frightening revelation for her.
Mio’s romance with Shinobu has also been kicked up a notch. With many more near death experiences the two have grown even closer, yet it is more than just love between them. They are friends and comrades who share a mutual respect and trust each other explicitly. One can be strong when the other is weak and they balance each other well.
I was sad that - being sick and all - Jack played a lesser role yet even plagued by a supernatural illness her feisty spirit still shone through. However we did get to learn more about Jack’s sister, Rachel. In the last book she had a more damsel in distress part yet in this book we see that she can be just as vocal as Jack with the same, no bull shit attitude. Dealing with the aftermath of being held hostage by the Nekomata she played an interesting part in the story.
We also got to see different sides to other characters from the previous book, which really put a new spin on how we perceived them - however I won’t mention names as I don’t wish to give away spoilers.
But all in all this was a simply superb read! It had none of the second book drag or wish-washy fillers that I feel many middle books have and I seriously can’t wait to get my hands on the next book! Utterly fantastical, this is a five star read!
Picking up mere hours from where the first book left off, Mio and the gang immediately find themselves challenged by more monsters from the Japanese underworld of Yomi - and this time, they cannot rely on help from the Kitsune. But when Jack falls victim to the sickness spread by these new found fiends, Mio swears she will do everything in her power to save her best friend, no matter what the sacrifice.
But as London shuts down, the city becomes a prison of chaos and Mio realises that while the sword may be the only thing strong enough to defeat the minions sent by the dark goddess, the blade is also bit by bit, stealing away her humanity. Even now she can feel its inhuman voice calling out to her, poisoning her mind as it bids its time, waiting to take possession over her once more. And she is afraid.
For control over the katakana comes at a terrible price. Yet with her friend on the verge of death, the Kitsune confined to the spirit realm and the world falling to pieces around her, Mio comes to understand that when it comes to the future of mankind there is no choice, and if there was, its not necessarily hers to make. Deep down, she knows she cannot protect everyone . . . surely soon, she knows someone she loves will die. But how much of Mio will they take with them…
This was a brilliant, page turning read that took the reader through a roller coaster of emotions. Rather than a story that lead up to one great, epic battle at the end, each scene threw more and more at the characters so that they barely had time to catch their breath between one catastrophe and the next. With the constant threat of danger, the action was never ending and spaced out with an occasional revelation or romantic moment that only made you love the characters more - and boy does Zoe marriott really put her characters through the wringer!
From the last book, its clear to see Mio has developed a tougher skin. Through her battle with the Nekomato she lost a lot of her earlier innocence and is now aware that through both her experiences, plus the swords gift of increased speed and strength, she has both the ability and capacity to kill - a rather frightening revelation for her.
Mio’s romance with Shinobu has also been kicked up a notch. With many more near death experiences the two have grown even closer, yet it is more than just love between them. They are friends and comrades who share a mutual respect and trust each other explicitly. One can be strong when the other is weak and they balance each other well.
I was sad that - being sick and all - Jack played a lesser role yet even plagued by a supernatural illness her feisty spirit still shone through. However we did get to learn more about Jack’s sister, Rachel. In the last book she had a more damsel in distress part yet in this book we see that she can be just as vocal as Jack with the same, no bull shit attitude. Dealing with the aftermath of being held hostage by the Nekomata she played an interesting part in the story.
We also got to see different sides to other characters from the previous book, which really put a new spin on how we perceived them - however I won’t mention names as I don’t wish to give away spoilers.
But all in all this was a simply superb read! It had none of the second book drag or wish-washy fillers that I feel many middle books have and I seriously can’t wait to get my hands on the next book! Utterly fantastical, this is a five star read!
March 7, 2016
To understand the story in this book you would definitely need to read the first book in the series "The Name of the Blade". That book was gripping and had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Mio is a teenage girl who lives in London where her Japanese mother and father along with her paternal grandfather emigrated. Her father and grandfather had a very strained relationship. Her father does not talk much about their Japanese heritage as if he wants to forget they even have any. In the first book, Mio’s grandfather tries to teach her martial arts and train her in some of their heritage by introducing her to a katana that the family has been charged with protecting. When she is a teenager she takes the katana and unknowingly unleashes evil beings that have been searching for the katana. Mio, along with her best friend Jack and a mysterious boy named Shinobu, go up against the demon invaders, which tests all of their courage, will and power. Along the way, friendships are tested and new relationships blossom.
"Darkness Hidden" was a great continuation of the story. It too was full of excitement and had me not wanting to put it down. I had to know the fates of our heroine and her friends. The book picks up immediately where the first book leaves off with the main characters recovering from their confrontation with the evil demon. They get no rest as a new danger is released upon London in the form of illness spreading female demons. They begin spreading a plague that affects many inhabitants of London and Jack is among those infected. Mio is now faced with a new adversary that she does not understand while she is still dealing with how to handle her new found responsibility that is the katana. It wishes to control her, but she fights against that. She needs to use the katana to protect her loved ones and really all of London, but she is afraid to because of the hold the katana gains over her when she uses it. This creates quite a difficult scenario for her.
This book has several strong characters that all have their own merits and none really fall flat. Mio and Shinobu are your typical teens in a sense. They are attracted to each other, but do not quite know how to work out their feelings and they have to deal with those emotions while at the same time try to save the world. Jack is a humorous character that even in the face of impending doom is able to keep everyone calm and together. She is an advocate for their group to not fracture. Jack’s sister, Rachel, plays a larger role in this book and often times acts as the parental figure of the group. She is often at odds with Mio because she just wants to keep them all out of danger and is especially protective of her younger sister.
The pacing of this book is non-stop, which makes you not want to put it down and it puts you on an emotional roller coaster ride throughout the entire story. Marriott has done an excellent job in coming up with a story that is fresh in the paranormal fantasy world, which can be a challenge. The story is based entirely around Japanese mythology and there are many characters of Japanese descent so it fulfills a need in literature for diverse topics and characters. This is the type of book that is great for a reader that wants to be absorbed in a book and who likes to get emotionally involved with the characters. It is a quick read due to the pacing and action, but beware of the shocker of an ending. It will leave you wanting more more more!
"Darkness Hidden" was a great continuation of the story. It too was full of excitement and had me not wanting to put it down. I had to know the fates of our heroine and her friends. The book picks up immediately where the first book leaves off with the main characters recovering from their confrontation with the evil demon. They get no rest as a new danger is released upon London in the form of illness spreading female demons. They begin spreading a plague that affects many inhabitants of London and Jack is among those infected. Mio is now faced with a new adversary that she does not understand while she is still dealing with how to handle her new found responsibility that is the katana. It wishes to control her, but she fights against that. She needs to use the katana to protect her loved ones and really all of London, but she is afraid to because of the hold the katana gains over her when she uses it. This creates quite a difficult scenario for her.
This book has several strong characters that all have their own merits and none really fall flat. Mio and Shinobu are your typical teens in a sense. They are attracted to each other, but do not quite know how to work out their feelings and they have to deal with those emotions while at the same time try to save the world. Jack is a humorous character that even in the face of impending doom is able to keep everyone calm and together. She is an advocate for their group to not fracture. Jack’s sister, Rachel, plays a larger role in this book and often times acts as the parental figure of the group. She is often at odds with Mio because she just wants to keep them all out of danger and is especially protective of her younger sister.
The pacing of this book is non-stop, which makes you not want to put it down and it puts you on an emotional roller coaster ride throughout the entire story. Marriott has done an excellent job in coming up with a story that is fresh in the paranormal fantasy world, which can be a challenge. The story is based entirely around Japanese mythology and there are many characters of Japanese descent so it fulfills a need in literature for diverse topics and characters. This is the type of book that is great for a reader that wants to be absorbed in a book and who likes to get emotionally involved with the characters. It is a quick read due to the pacing and action, but beware of the shocker of an ending. It will leave you wanting more more more!
July 21, 2014
Oh wow, how much did I love Darkness Hidden by Zoe Marriott?! Darkness Hidden is the second book in urban fantasy Name of the Blade trilogy which follows on shortly after the events of the first book in the series. If you can't quite recall what happened during The Night Itself, do not fear: the publisher, Walker Books, have kindly included a page and a half summary of what happens and who the main characters in the trilogy are in order to refresh your memory. I really do hope that other publishers pick up on this and start including their own summaries in their sequels! It's amazing.
I sometimes fear the second book in the series. I'm usually afraid that it isn't going to live up to the first book, that it feels like filler ... and if I had any of those worries about this book then I forgot them pretty quickly. Because what Zoe Marriott does so well with this series is that there are really amazing characters, real emotion and heart within the relationships and she brings up some really exciting and thrilling action scenes. There was also more world-building here and lots more knowledge about what Mio, Jack and Shinobu are dealing with but this extra knowledge never feels rushed or too heavy to take in. I thought there was excellent pacing throughout and I really was on the edge of my seat reading this book.
*I will be writing some minor spoilers to The Night Itself ahead. If you haven't yet read that book, please look away now.*
As I said, Darkness Hidden follows on immediately after The Night Itself. Mio, our main character, together with her best friend, Jack, and Shinobu, this mysterious boy who has been freed from Mio's ancestral sword, have defeated the Nekomata and have rescued Jack's sister in the process. But things are not going well for this group of young people. They've stopped one monster from terrorising London but more are on the way and this time, they're releasing a deadly plague across London. The foxes are of no help, somebody close to Mio falls ill and Jack's sister is acting incredibly strangely.
This story is one of nail-biting suspense. There were so many surprises and twists in the story-line. It was difficult watching Mio struggle so much in this book as she really felt a bit helpless and frustrated with not knowing the right thing to do or how to move forward against the demons who are after her katana. She's also struggling with her feelings about the katana having its own will and forcing it upon Mio, and also the strength of feeling Mio has for Shinobu. I really loved witnessing the tension between Mio and Shinobu build up as they both face what the feel for each other.
In the product description, it is hinted that Mio has to make a sacrifice in this book and I was reading Darkness Hidden I had my suspicions of who might not make it through to the end of the book and as things went along, just about everybody was a possibility. The ending, however, broke my hearts in ways I couldn't possibly imagine and I really cannot wait to read more in the trilogy!
I sometimes fear the second book in the series. I'm usually afraid that it isn't going to live up to the first book, that it feels like filler ... and if I had any of those worries about this book then I forgot them pretty quickly. Because what Zoe Marriott does so well with this series is that there are really amazing characters, real emotion and heart within the relationships and she brings up some really exciting and thrilling action scenes. There was also more world-building here and lots more knowledge about what Mio, Jack and Shinobu are dealing with but this extra knowledge never feels rushed or too heavy to take in. I thought there was excellent pacing throughout and I really was on the edge of my seat reading this book.
*I will be writing some minor spoilers to The Night Itself ahead. If you haven't yet read that book, please look away now.*
As I said, Darkness Hidden follows on immediately after The Night Itself. Mio, our main character, together with her best friend, Jack, and Shinobu, this mysterious boy who has been freed from Mio's ancestral sword, have defeated the Nekomata and have rescued Jack's sister in the process. But things are not going well for this group of young people. They've stopped one monster from terrorising London but more are on the way and this time, they're releasing a deadly plague across London. The foxes are of no help, somebody close to Mio falls ill and Jack's sister is acting incredibly strangely.
This story is one of nail-biting suspense. There were so many surprises and twists in the story-line. It was difficult watching Mio struggle so much in this book as she really felt a bit helpless and frustrated with not knowing the right thing to do or how to move forward against the demons who are after her katana. She's also struggling with her feelings about the katana having its own will and forcing it upon Mio, and also the strength of feeling Mio has for Shinobu. I really loved witnessing the tension between Mio and Shinobu build up as they both face what the feel for each other.
In the product description, it is hinted that Mio has to make a sacrifice in this book and I was reading Darkness Hidden I had my suspicions of who might not make it through to the end of the book and as things went along, just about everybody was a possibility. The ending, however, broke my hearts in ways I couldn't possibly imagine and I really cannot wait to read more in the trilogy!
Want to read
November 21, 2015With so many fantasy novels set in European mythology, having a book that breaks the “status quo” is refreshing and Zoe Marriott’s Name of the Blade series is the perfect fit. Candlewick Press was kind enough to send me both books from the series, so I was able to enjoy Name of the Blade and Darkness Hidden back to back. To say I enjoyed both novels is an understatement. When I finished Darkness Hidden, I was ready to read the final installment, because like many authors before her, Marriott left a main character “in peril”, so to speak, and I was not happy. I need to find out what happens to…ha, not going to tell! You have to read to find out. Anyway, onto why Darkness Hidden was such a fun read.
The novel picks up moments after “Name of the Blade” leaves off, and I actually like that bit of storytelling. Darkness Hidden starts out with a sense of urgency right away and doesn’t let up until, well…never. The “big bad” in this novel is truly terrifying and at times it seems like our heroes won’t win. Unlike the first book where only a few people in the “normal” world were affected by the events in the book, with the Shikome, the terror is city wide, which really ups the stake for Mio and her friends. In many urban fantasy novels, it seems like the “normal” world really isn’t effected that much, but in Darkness Hidden, London definitely is. The plague that the Shikome spread through the city has real world effects and London basically shuts down. I greatly enjoyed that Marriott decided to involve more of London in the story because it made her world much more richer than it already was. Milo is learning about the supernatural world that she is a part of, but she still is living in the mortal world and her decisions are effecting not just those whom she is close to, but the larger society. This allows for Mio to truly grow and become more responsible in the book. She realizes the extent that her one moment of curiosity and/or selfishness has brought.
Speaking of Mio, aside from the tremendous world building that Marriott has brought to the series, Mio is a character that we can really relate to. She is a typical teen who sometimes doesn’t make the best decisions, but her intentions are always good. She is doing her best to make sense of a world that in practically the blink of an eye, is one that is so much bigger than she ever thought. And then, Mio receives some news that truly rocks her world, in a perfect plot twist moment. It is one that no one will see coming and I love this book for it. With the twist comes some clarity for Mio, but it isn’t easy. And that is also what makes Mio such a great character and the novel so interesting. Aside from the action and supernatural baddies, Darkness Hidden gives us some deep themes to have us consider as we travel with Mio on this journey to right a wrong. I am very interested to see how the trilogy ends, especially with that ending!
Recommendation: I greatly enjoyed this series as it was a lot of fun. I can’t wait for the third book in the series and so will you. Get it soon!
The novel picks up moments after “Name of the Blade” leaves off, and I actually like that bit of storytelling. Darkness Hidden starts out with a sense of urgency right away and doesn’t let up until, well…never. The “big bad” in this novel is truly terrifying and at times it seems like our heroes won’t win. Unlike the first book where only a few people in the “normal” world were affected by the events in the book, with the Shikome, the terror is city wide, which really ups the stake for Mio and her friends. In many urban fantasy novels, it seems like the “normal” world really isn’t effected that much, but in Darkness Hidden, London definitely is. The plague that the Shikome spread through the city has real world effects and London basically shuts down. I greatly enjoyed that Marriott decided to involve more of London in the story because it made her world much more richer than it already was. Milo is learning about the supernatural world that she is a part of, but she still is living in the mortal world and her decisions are effecting not just those whom she is close to, but the larger society. This allows for Mio to truly grow and become more responsible in the book. She realizes the extent that her one moment of curiosity and/or selfishness has brought.
Speaking of Mio, aside from the tremendous world building that Marriott has brought to the series, Mio is a character that we can really relate to. She is a typical teen who sometimes doesn’t make the best decisions, but her intentions are always good. She is doing her best to make sense of a world that in practically the blink of an eye, is one that is so much bigger than she ever thought. And then, Mio receives some news that truly rocks her world, in a perfect plot twist moment. It is one that no one will see coming and I love this book for it. With the twist comes some clarity for Mio, but it isn’t easy. And that is also what makes Mio such a great character and the novel so interesting. Aside from the action and supernatural baddies, Darkness Hidden gives us some deep themes to have us consider as we travel with Mio on this journey to right a wrong. I am very interested to see how the trilogy ends, especially with that ending!
Recommendation: I greatly enjoyed this series as it was a lot of fun. I can’t wait for the third book in the series and so will you. Get it soon!
October 24, 2015
It’s another Zoë Marriott book and I’m going to be looking up all the different words to say amazing, breath-taking, stunning, beautiful, etc. Well – yes. Sorta. Maybe. Here’s the thing as much as I want to just go ahead and gush for the next 500+ words about how much I love this story I’m aware that this is what I do for all of Zoë Marriott books.
And let me just say that she completely deserves all that praise because she is an amazing writer but I thought this time I’d explain it a bit better.
So I’ve picked a tiny section from Hidden Darkness to show why I love Zoë Marriott’s writing so much:
“The ceiling was painted the same vivid blue-green as the outside. Some really talented artist had mixed the darker shade with subtle swirls of silver and pale greens and blues, until you feel like you’re looking up into a deep ocean. The walls were hidden behind fitted, crammed-full bookshelves of sand-coloured wood that climbed about seven feet, and the space between the tops of the shelves and the ceiling was filled with … fish tanks.”
Don’t you just want to be there? I remember reading that bit and thinking how magical that place sounded but also feeling like I was getting the panoramic tour with Mio as she took a look around.
I think that’s one of the key reasons I love Zoë’s books. I always feel like I’m there – I don’t just read about it. I experience it.
Once you add the amazing stories, the world-building and characters you couldn’t give me a better treasure. Which is why it might sound odd that Hidden Darkness was in my home for nearly 2 months before I finally had the guts to read it… because what if it wasn’t as good as the first book.
Fear not. Of course it was, actually maybe even a little better. ;)
I think I’m going to have to take a couple of days off to deal with reading the final book in The Name of the Blade Trilogy because my emotions still haven’t quite recovered reading Hidden Darkness and probably won’t for a while yet.
And let me just say that she completely deserves all that praise because she is an amazing writer but I thought this time I’d explain it a bit better.
So I’ve picked a tiny section from Hidden Darkness to show why I love Zoë Marriott’s writing so much:
“The ceiling was painted the same vivid blue-green as the outside. Some really talented artist had mixed the darker shade with subtle swirls of silver and pale greens and blues, until you feel like you’re looking up into a deep ocean. The walls were hidden behind fitted, crammed-full bookshelves of sand-coloured wood that climbed about seven feet, and the space between the tops of the shelves and the ceiling was filled with … fish tanks.”
Don’t you just want to be there? I remember reading that bit and thinking how magical that place sounded but also feeling like I was getting the panoramic tour with Mio as she took a look around.
I think that’s one of the key reasons I love Zoë’s books. I always feel like I’m there – I don’t just read about it. I experience it.
Once you add the amazing stories, the world-building and characters you couldn’t give me a better treasure. Which is why it might sound odd that Hidden Darkness was in my home for nearly 2 months before I finally had the guts to read it… because what if it wasn’t as good as the first book.
Fear not. Of course it was, actually maybe even a little better. ;)
I think I’m going to have to take a couple of days off to deal with reading the final book in The Name of the Blade Trilogy because my emotions still haven’t quite recovered reading Hidden Darkness and probably won’t for a while yet.
January 15, 2016
Darkness Hidden is the second book in the Japanese fantasy series by Zoe Marriott called the Name of the Blade. Darkness Hidden takes place in modern day London. This book is a bit of a challenging, dramatic read. I would mostly recommend it to teenagers, since some of the language is a bit old for young children. You need to pay attention to what’s happening, lest you miss something important.
This series is written in first person point of view, with the main character being Mio Yamato, a stubborn, loving teenager with more problems than other kids her age. Jack, Mio’s sarcastic, strong best friend, is also a main character. I found Jack very relatable, since she acted a lot like a normal teenager. Mio, however, was a bit more sacrificing than most teenagers. Although, Mio still was my favorite character. It’s hard not to like her. Shinobu is a mysterious guy, who in the first book, appeared out of nowhere and seemingly only a select few can see him. Rachel, Jack’s bossy older sister, also has an important role in the story.
In the first book, Mio steals a sword from the attic of her house for her Christmas party costume. Instantly after she takes it, weird things start happening. Power surges, odd hallucinations, Mio thought she was going crazy. That is, until she finds out that the sword is more powerful than she could ever imagine.
In the second book, Mio faces an entirely new problem. People are getting sick, an abnormal disease that gives them a spider web like rash. Then Mio hears about a powerful man who lives almost right next to her. Coincidence? Mio didn’t think so. When Jack catches this plague and Rachel starts…changing, Mio knows she has to do something, or no one would make it out of this alive.
Will Mio destroy the plague or will she lose everything, including the very world she lives in? Find out in the second book of the Name of the Blade series, Darkness Hidden.
Review by Stephanie, age 12, Cleveland Area Mensa
This series is written in first person point of view, with the main character being Mio Yamato, a stubborn, loving teenager with more problems than other kids her age. Jack, Mio’s sarcastic, strong best friend, is also a main character. I found Jack very relatable, since she acted a lot like a normal teenager. Mio, however, was a bit more sacrificing than most teenagers. Although, Mio still was my favorite character. It’s hard not to like her. Shinobu is a mysterious guy, who in the first book, appeared out of nowhere and seemingly only a select few can see him. Rachel, Jack’s bossy older sister, also has an important role in the story.
In the first book, Mio steals a sword from the attic of her house for her Christmas party costume. Instantly after she takes it, weird things start happening. Power surges, odd hallucinations, Mio thought she was going crazy. That is, until she finds out that the sword is more powerful than she could ever imagine.
In the second book, Mio faces an entirely new problem. People are getting sick, an abnormal disease that gives them a spider web like rash. Then Mio hears about a powerful man who lives almost right next to her. Coincidence? Mio didn’t think so. When Jack catches this plague and Rachel starts…changing, Mio knows she has to do something, or no one would make it out of this alive.
Will Mio destroy the plague or will she lose everything, including the very world she lives in? Find out in the second book of the Name of the Blade series, Darkness Hidden.
Review by Stephanie, age 12, Cleveland Area Mensa
September 28, 2014
Can't wait for book 3. This instalment of Mio's quest is pacy, tense and heartbreaking by turns. One of my favourite things about this brilliant novel is that it progresses Mio's big story but also absolutely wraps up its own story. I loved seeing more of the Kitsune, and learning more of Mio's family's story, in amongst all the danger and action.
This series is fantastic in every sense. It’s a kick-ass urban fantasy with plenty of pace and action, combined with emotional depth and satisfying character development. As much as I felt Zoe Marriott had put me through the wringer in the first book in The Night Itself, she outdid herself here.
Mio’s development as a hero figure and her relationships with those around her are stretched and tested in this novel. I loved Jack especially in the first book, and also Shinobu (of course!), so I was keen to see how things could play out next. I could never have predicted what would happen, but it was absolutely perfect, if heart-wrenching.
One of the book’s strengths is in how it works as book 2 of a trilogy. There’s always the possibility for book 2 to be either a bit limp or to not conclude – no such problems here. The action and pace are strong, there is clear character development and the main plot threads introduced in this instalment are concluded. Yes, there is an ending that leaves you desperate for the next book, but not because it’s unsatisfying or unfinished. I also really appreciated the “story so far” summary provided at the front of the book, to refresh our memories of book 1 – very useful when the action of book 2 follows on almost immediately. I’d love to see this more often (publishers, take note!)
Overall, I’m strongly recommending this sequel and am waiting for announcements on book 3.
This series is fantastic in every sense. It’s a kick-ass urban fantasy with plenty of pace and action, combined with emotional depth and satisfying character development. As much as I felt Zoe Marriott had put me through the wringer in the first book in The Night Itself, she outdid herself here.
Mio’s development as a hero figure and her relationships with those around her are stretched and tested in this novel. I loved Jack especially in the first book, and also Shinobu (of course!), so I was keen to see how things could play out next. I could never have predicted what would happen, but it was absolutely perfect, if heart-wrenching.
One of the book’s strengths is in how it works as book 2 of a trilogy. There’s always the possibility for book 2 to be either a bit limp or to not conclude – no such problems here. The action and pace are strong, there is clear character development and the main plot threads introduced in this instalment are concluded. Yes, there is an ending that leaves you desperate for the next book, but not because it’s unsatisfying or unfinished. I also really appreciated the “story so far” summary provided at the front of the book, to refresh our memories of book 1 – very useful when the action of book 2 follows on almost immediately. I’d love to see this more often (publishers, take note!)
Overall, I’m strongly recommending this sequel and am waiting for announcements on book 3.
August 7, 2016
"Breathless" is the perfect word to describe how this book, the second installment of The Name of the Blade urban fantasy trilogy, left me feeling. As Mio Yamato continues to deal with the consequences of having unearthed the katana, the sword her family has protected for centuries, London is bedeviled by a strange plague and Foul Women fill the air with their forms and their feathers. As Mio's best friend Jack recovers in a hospital, she and Shinobu look for a way to stop the monsters in their tracks while also trying to help Rachel, Jack's sister, as she deals with the effects of being bitten by the Nekomata. There is much racing about the streets and fleeing across rooftops by the characters as well as a brief encounter with Mr. Leech,a man who knows the sword's secret and its second name, and reminds Mio that the solution to all this violence in her city lies in a sacrifice that she refuses to make. I loved all the suspense, the heart-racing moments, the tender scenes between Mio and Shinobu, and her father's sudden entry on the scene even though I still looked with dismay on the almost-immediate passion that sprang up between Mio and Shinobu. As Mio fights against her desire to use that sword and give up part of herself, she shows her very human side, possibly setting up her battle against the gods who set all of this in motion. I'll be waiting impatiently for the conclusion to this engaging story that spans centuries, worlds, and cultures so deftly.
August 1, 2017
Mio and friends may have defeated the Nekomata, but the danger is far from over. Now a magical plague spreads through London, caused by the touch of another species of demon in service to the goddess Izanami, and Mio's best friend Jack is among the infected. While trying desperately to find a way to rid the city of the Shikome who spread the disease, Mio also finds it harder and harder to resist the call of the sword, which clearly has a mind of its own.
A highly enjoyable sequel to The Night Itself, although I didn't love it quite as much as the first book.
A highly enjoyable sequel to The Night Itself, although I didn't love it quite as much as the first book.
December 30, 2014
Wow, I don't know where to start really. Darkness Hidden kicks off immediately after the end of the first book, with the characters having a number of questions to find answers to as a result of the battle they just faced. Marriott gives us about 5 minutes before the action starts again and we're in another thrilling adventure. The characters have developed significantly. I particularly liked the relationship between Mio and Shinobu, which crackled and sparked beautifully, navigating many highs and lows.
I could see where the book was heading and I didn't want to finish it because I didn't want it to happen! But I believe in trusting Marriott and where she's taking us on this journey and I expect the third book to be absolutely explosive.
I could see where the book was heading and I didn't want to finish it because I didn't want it to happen! But I believe in trusting Marriott and where she's taking us on this journey and I expect the third book to be absolutely explosive.
January 20, 2015
Deciding to continue with this series is the best decision I've made so far in 2015.
This sequel is better than the first ten times over because everything I found really iffy in The Night Itself was improved in Darkness Hidden. My favourite thing was how there was actually character development. How Mio broke down and got angry/ frustrated showed the realistic effects of the stress she has been through which made me like this book even more. I also liked how the author was able to show how the influence of her katana effected her and made her become a totally different person.
Ehehehehehehe I'm soooooo excited for the next book.
This sequel is better than the first ten times over because everything I found really iffy in The Night Itself was improved in Darkness Hidden. My favourite thing was how there was actually character development. How Mio broke down and got angry/ frustrated showed the realistic effects of the stress she has been through which made me like this book even more. I also liked how the author was able to show how the influence of her katana effected her and made her become a totally different person.
Ehehehehehehe I'm soooooo excited for the next book.
January 7, 2016
3.5 stars
Sequel to The Name of the Blade
While Mio achieved great success with the help of her sword and her friends, now a new threat is attacking London. Mio's sword is becoming more powerful and is trying to seduce Mio into giving up her control. The outlook is grim!
As is often the case for me, I found the sequel to be a bit disappointing after an original and enjoyable first book. Plot points were predictable; characters seemed to lack development.
However, I think students who enjoyed the first book will enjoy it.
Sequel to The Name of the Blade
While Mio achieved great success with the help of her sword and her friends, now a new threat is attacking London. Mio's sword is becoming more powerful and is trying to seduce Mio into giving up her control. The outlook is grim!
As is often the case for me, I found the sequel to be a bit disappointing after an original and enjoyable first book. Plot points were predictable; characters seemed to lack development.
However, I think students who enjoyed the first book will enjoy it.
July 7, 2015
I still stand by my opinion that Mio is a typical 21st century spoiled selfish kid. At least she decided to save the world in the end. Like hello, the world doesn't exist if you don't sacrifice something at least once. Overall, still a pretty good book and I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN - the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi? Pretty famous sword in Japanese mythology. I think I know its next true name, if it ever comes to that. Still like the book, doesn't mean I have to love its characters.
January 30, 2016
Fantasy set in the world of Japanese myths and legends that continues the story of Mio, her magical Katana, and her companions. I found the storyline confusing, so did not finish the book. Reviews state that one should not read book 2 without reading book 1, so I suspect that was the source of my confusion. Book 2 picks up literally the moment book 1 ends. Since it’s in a similar vein of other YA novels focusing on traditional myths and legends, this series should appeal to fans of the genre.
October 30, 2014
Just as action-packed as The Night Itself, Darkness Hidden is a fantastic follow-up. We learn lots more about Mio's family background and the nature of the epic struggle she's tangled up in. This book felt considerably darker, the stakes higher, and after that ending I can't wait to read book three.
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