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The Portal Trilogy #1.5
the Dark
Mary Anne Moore doesn't know what she is. She can’t explain why she has lived so long.
Or why she never gets sick.
Or why the dreams she has come true.
She has hidden herself as a lowly servant to the households of Dublin's English elite for decades, until the night that changes her life. Now her sole purpose is the child she never expected to have. She will do anything in her power to keep the black-eyed monsters from discovering him and turning him into one of them.
For Kieran Moore, the dark is an ever-present parasite, waiting to devour his humanity. His mother’s love and the girl in his dreams has kept it at bay for years, but the more time that passes—the longer he has to wait for her—the more it grows. When tragedy strikes, it is all he can do to keep from being consumed by the darkness that infects him. He must continue to hold on to the hope of peace her presence will bring him, because it’s not just his fate on the line, but that of the entire world.
Or why she never gets sick.
Or why the dreams she has come true.
She has hidden herself as a lowly servant to the households of Dublin's English elite for decades, until the night that changes her life. Now her sole purpose is the child she never expected to have. She will do anything in her power to keep the black-eyed monsters from discovering him and turning him into one of them.
For Kieran Moore, the dark is an ever-present parasite, waiting to devour his humanity. His mother’s love and the girl in his dreams has kept it at bay for years, but the more time that passes—the longer he has to wait for her—the more it grows. When tragedy strikes, it is all he can do to keep from being consumed by the darkness that infects him. He must continue to hold on to the hope of peace her presence will bring him, because it’s not just his fate on the line, but that of the entire world.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 4, 2013
The Dark Review on K-Books
Oh. My. God! I just freaking loved this novella. I never wanted it to end. Heather Self is just epically amazing. I knew I would like this novella because... well.. Heather wrote it... DUH! But I didn't think I would love it just as much as I did and now I am so freaking torn. Damn you Heather... Damn You!
For Anna nothing has been easy. Running from the evil that is after her Anna flees her home town in order to protect her unborn son. But as she settles into her new life she soon realises that it will not be that easy and that she can't escape her past. Kieran is not the same as him mother, there is something dark in him that he nor his mother understand but will Kieran be able to fight it and be good or is the darkness just too much to resist?
I loved this novella and it was just amazing. As soon as Heather told me she was writing a novella about Kieran's past I just couldn't wait to jump into it. After reading The One I just fell in love with Heather's writing and couldn't wait to get my hands on her next book. I was not disappointed. You quickly get sucked right back into the word of kin and nereda and I was so hooked I just needed to read more and read the entire thing in one sitting. It's just so incredible.
I liked Kieran already from what I read of him of The One but this made me just fall head over heels in love with him. He has been through so much and I just want to give him a big hug. He is just the niest sweetest guy who is always seen as bad when deep down he just wants to do the right thing. This is where I have to say DAMN YOU HEATHER! When I finished The One as much as I liked Kieran I was totally Team Chase... I mean Chase is just amazing and your total snarky cheeky boy... seriously who can resist that. But then I read The Dark and ARGH I love Kieran too (Sorry Chase). Now I just don't know what to think. I loved seeing Kieran's background story and it really gives you a better perception of him.
I genuinely loved every single second of this amazing novella and I just need The Key... like now. This is fast becoming one of my all time favourite series and I just can't wait to see what is going to happen next. If you haven't read this series I would strongly advise picking it up as this is one series that is not to be missed out on... under ANY circumstances.
Oh. My. God! I just freaking loved this novella. I never wanted it to end. Heather Self is just epically amazing. I knew I would like this novella because... well.. Heather wrote it... DUH! But I didn't think I would love it just as much as I did and now I am so freaking torn. Damn you Heather... Damn You!
For Anna nothing has been easy. Running from the evil that is after her Anna flees her home town in order to protect her unborn son. But as she settles into her new life she soon realises that it will not be that easy and that she can't escape her past. Kieran is not the same as him mother, there is something dark in him that he nor his mother understand but will Kieran be able to fight it and be good or is the darkness just too much to resist?
I loved this novella and it was just amazing. As soon as Heather told me she was writing a novella about Kieran's past I just couldn't wait to jump into it. After reading The One I just fell in love with Heather's writing and couldn't wait to get my hands on her next book. I was not disappointed. You quickly get sucked right back into the word of kin and nereda and I was so hooked I just needed to read more and read the entire thing in one sitting. It's just so incredible.
I liked Kieran already from what I read of him of The One but this made me just fall head over heels in love with him. He has been through so much and I just want to give him a big hug. He is just the niest sweetest guy who is always seen as bad when deep down he just wants to do the right thing. This is where I have to say DAMN YOU HEATHER! When I finished The One as much as I liked Kieran I was totally Team Chase... I mean Chase is just amazing and your total snarky cheeky boy... seriously who can resist that. But then I read The Dark and ARGH I love Kieran too (Sorry Chase). Now I just don't know what to think. I loved seeing Kieran's background story and it really gives you a better perception of him.
I genuinely loved every single second of this amazing novella and I just need The Key... like now. This is fast becoming one of my all time favourite series and I just can't wait to see what is going to happen next. If you haven't read this series I would strongly advise picking it up as this is one series that is not to be missed out on... under ANY circumstances.
July 18, 2013
Loved this novella! I love This story I can't wait for it to continue it was good to get a background and to see things from Kiran's pov I remember liking all the boys in the first book but always swaying little more to Kiran now Im faithfully devoted to Kiran for sure.Team Kiran!
February 18, 2013
Only problem is in one spot he is supposed to be in Ireland and it talks about the breeze off the pacific? Silly editor, tricks are for kids.
January 4, 2013
This is the book when you realize the extent of Heather Self's world building skills. I enjoyed the One, appreciated the well developed characters, the topics the novel explored. My only issue was that I felt as if the ending left me hanging, that it came on much too fast (take as you will). This book gave me the resolution I was looking for.
I've only read a few novella's because the length limit makes it difficult to go into detail and deliver a complete picture, but Heather Self somehow manages to keep the plot going at a fast speed, while never sacrificing the integrity of the plot as she does it. And much does happen, and much is explained. Of course, while it's the classic, receive more questions than answers situation. Definitely puzzles I look forward to in future books.
The novella is told in two parts: first part, Ellie's (Kieran's mother) POV, third person; second part, Kieran's POV, first person. We don't know Ellie for long, but she's hard not to like. At first, she might come of as slightly conventionally unconventional. But then I learned some facts about her nature that completely changed my outlook on her. She's strong, in unexpected and expected ways, and I liked that about her. She lives her life with purpose, but she's never ignorant of the cost a life with purpose brings.
As for Kieran, I can easily see many people now jumping on his bandwagon. Which is good, but, just so ya know, I was totally your first fangirl, Kieran ;) This guy is something special, and I'm dreading the tragedy that is likely to befall him (and all the other characters) at some point. Honestly, we learn so much about his backstory, and the sacrifice he's gone through, never complaining. Complaining meant putting others at risk. And when you learn of the one thing he's been holding onto all that time, well, how could anyone deny him the right to deserve a chance?
If you read the One, read this. If you didn't read the One, go do it, and then read this. Throughly loved it, and can't wait to read more from this world.
I've only read a few novella's because the length limit makes it difficult to go into detail and deliver a complete picture, but Heather Self somehow manages to keep the plot going at a fast speed, while never sacrificing the integrity of the plot as she does it. And much does happen, and much is explained. Of course, while it's the classic, receive more questions than answers situation. Definitely puzzles I look forward to in future books.
The novella is told in two parts: first part, Ellie's (Kieran's mother) POV, third person; second part, Kieran's POV, first person. We don't know Ellie for long, but she's hard not to like. At first, she might come of as slightly conventionally unconventional. But then I learned some facts about her nature that completely changed my outlook on her. She's strong, in unexpected and expected ways, and I liked that about her. She lives her life with purpose, but she's never ignorant of the cost a life with purpose brings.
As for Kieran, I can easily see many people now jumping on his bandwagon. Which is good, but, just so ya know, I was totally your first fangirl, Kieran ;) This guy is something special, and I'm dreading the tragedy that is likely to befall him (and all the other characters) at some point. Honestly, we learn so much about his backstory, and the sacrifice he's gone through, never complaining. Complaining meant putting others at risk. And when you learn of the one thing he's been holding onto all that time, well, how could anyone deny him the right to deserve a chance?
If you read the One, read this. If you didn't read the One, go do it, and then read this. Throughly loved it, and can't wait to read more from this world.
March 24, 2013
4 stars: Did I really change to Team Kieran? Yes, yes I did.
I want to start by saying that this book really should be read AFTER reading the first book in the series. It's the background story for Kieran and if I hadn't read THE ONE (Book 1) I think I would have been confused.
With that said, this book was not what I expected. I knew it was Kieran's story but it started with his mother. That part of the story is written in beautiful third person. Yes you did hear me say that. I'm not a fan of 3rd person, but this author has a way of making it work for me.
Anne has a wonderful and sad story to tell. I loved her for her strength. Carrying a baby with no husband during a time when people would not look kindly on that, Anne finds a way to do it with pose and strength. Nothing would get in the way of keeping her baby safe, even her own feeling. Talk about a badass female, Anne had it down.
I loved Alex. He loves Anne but doesn't know what's going on with her unborn son. I so wished I could have learned more about their sweet romance. But this story really is about Kieran and the beginnings with his mother are told in snippets enough to help us understand who his mother is.
The second half of this book is from Kieran's POV. I will admit that I really wanted more. If I hadn't had the background of book one, I would have been lost but still it was not enough. I did learn so much about Kieran and what kind of man he is. I trust him, where I didn't at the end of The One. I will say, too, that while I was Team Chase at the end of book one, I have changed to Team Kieran. Let me make this perfectly clear (especially to Chase), it has nothing to do with loving Kieran more than Chase. Instead, it has to do with how much Kieran loves Evy. I think "I" love Chase more but Kieran needs Evy and I think she needs him too.
If you've read The One, then this book is a must. If you haven't read The One, then get on that!
I want to start by saying that this book really should be read AFTER reading the first book in the series. It's the background story for Kieran and if I hadn't read THE ONE (Book 1) I think I would have been confused.
With that said, this book was not what I expected. I knew it was Kieran's story but it started with his mother. That part of the story is written in beautiful third person. Yes you did hear me say that. I'm not a fan of 3rd person, but this author has a way of making it work for me.
Anne has a wonderful and sad story to tell. I loved her for her strength. Carrying a baby with no husband during a time when people would not look kindly on that, Anne finds a way to do it with pose and strength. Nothing would get in the way of keeping her baby safe, even her own feeling. Talk about a badass female, Anne had it down.
I loved Alex. He loves Anne but doesn't know what's going on with her unborn son. I so wished I could have learned more about their sweet romance. But this story really is about Kieran and the beginnings with his mother are told in snippets enough to help us understand who his mother is.
The second half of this book is from Kieran's POV. I will admit that I really wanted more. If I hadn't had the background of book one, I would have been lost but still it was not enough. I did learn so much about Kieran and what kind of man he is. I trust him, where I didn't at the end of The One. I will say, too, that while I was Team Chase at the end of book one, I have changed to Team Kieran. Let me make this perfectly clear (especially to Chase), it has nothing to do with loving Kieran more than Chase. Instead, it has to do with how much Kieran loves Evy. I think "I" love Chase more but Kieran needs Evy and I think she needs him too.
If you've read The One, then this book is a must. If you haven't read The One, then get on that!
February 17, 2013
I try to read all the novellas that go along with any of the book series that I'm reading but in most cases, the novellas just lack the punch that the regular series books have. But this novella is one of the exceptions to that. It was a well put together story and tightly written. It did a great job of filling in some of the blanks of Kieran's life and explaining why Brennan trusted him so much in The One. Also, after I finished The One, I was pretty sure that I knew which guy I wanted Evy to end up with but now, I'm not so sure. This novella is a must read.
June 14, 2013
I love The One by Heather Self. This author has a way with words that will get you lost in its beauty. This book is the back story for Kieran and I have to say it made me love this character more. It shows his strength, his determination, his undying love for those who he cares about. I cannot wait to get the next book in this series and I have to admit, I might pick up the One to read all over again because I'm hooked!
November 28, 2013
4.5 stars
ok...
um...
just...
for lack of a more mature word...
WOW! (complete with Oooooos and Aaaahhhhssss ).
this book was...
ok.I'm going to try my hand at complete sentences now.
Heather Self has managed to dig her characters deeper,present new characters , give us an extensive background on several old characters, and give us a new understanding and perspective of life in the wold where there are Kin and Nerada.And she did all of that in only 174 pages.
color me astounded.
ok...
um...
just...
for lack of a more mature word...
WOW! (complete with Oooooos and Aaaahhhhssss ).
this book was...
ok.I'm going to try my hand at complete sentences now.
Heather Self has managed to dig her characters deeper,present new characters , give us an extensive background on several old characters, and give us a new understanding and perspective of life in the wold where there are Kin and Nerada.And she did all of that in only 174 pages.
color me astounded.
January 6, 2013
Self continues to develop as a writer and make herself known as a storyteller with this novella. I enjoyed the background of characters from The One and felt as if she fleshed out a lot of Kieran's mysterious background. I've always been a fan of his, particularly because of his "dark" side. I can't wait to see how she works out the Chase vs. Kieran conflict with the rest of the series.
July 5, 2013
This book was really good. I like how it has his side of the story. It make you understand where he comes from and how important he is in The One! Great job on the book. Can't wait to read the other one.
June 19, 2013
LOVED IT!!!!
January 1, 2013
Loved it. Fast paced--a novella that covered 300 years so what you'd expect--but oh so good. I love knowing Kieran's back story and I feel like this solidified his role in The One.
January 6, 2013
great story,didn't enjoy the abrupt ending but I guess that means I'll be looking forward to the next book.
September 7, 2014
Amazing - great way to bring in some backgroud.
Can't wait for the next one!
Can't wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews