What do you think?
Rate this book
Darkside #1
Darkside
James Decker just won’t stay dead. Slain while rescuing a young woman from a would-be rapist, he finds himself in a pseudo-life, caught between two realities, belonging to neither.
Haunted by the ghosts of his father and grandfather, he learns that the woman he rescued is in fact an Innocent, the physical embodiment of hope. As it turns out, seeing dead people is the least of James' worries. It's the trolls, goblins, vampires, and other assorted creepy-crawlies that make being dead a living nightmare.
When a Madness Demon kidnaps the Innocent to sacrifice at the Blood Moon ritual, it's up to James and an odd assortment of Otherworld companions to rescue her. If they fail, humanity will be without hope for the next thousand years.
To succeed, James must first battle his own inner demons, and come to grips with who and what he has become. After all, when you're dead, wishing you were is kind of counter-productive.
Haunted by the ghosts of his father and grandfather, he learns that the woman he rescued is in fact an Innocent, the physical embodiment of hope. As it turns out, seeing dead people is the least of James' worries. It's the trolls, goblins, vampires, and other assorted creepy-crawlies that make being dead a living nightmare.
When a Madness Demon kidnaps the Innocent to sacrifice at the Blood Moon ritual, it's up to James and an odd assortment of Otherworld companions to rescue her. If they fail, humanity will be without hope for the next thousand years.
To succeed, James must first battle his own inner demons, and come to grips with who and what he has become. After all, when you're dead, wishing you were is kind of counter-productive.
ebook
First published March 31, 2011
3 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
S.K.S. Perry
7 books30 followersS.K.S. Perry is a Sgt currently serving in his 35th year in the Canadian Forces.
He has a lovely, supportive wife and two well-adjusted kids who have absolutely no fodder to sue him or write a tell-all book should he become wildly famous.
When no one is looking he's also a drummer in a rock band, and holds black belts in seven different martial arts.
He has a lovely, supportive wife and two well-adjusted kids who have absolutely no fodder to sue him or write a tell-all book should he become wildly famous.
When no one is looking he's also a drummer in a rock band, and holds black belts in seven different martial arts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 11, 2012
Overall Feedback: Perry delivers and absolutely hilarious paranormal/urban fantasy/adventure all rolled into one. This is a non stop page-turning, rip-roaring adventure that begs for your attention and takes you into the perfect fantasy. Go ahead and take the chance. No regrets here I promise.
Point of View: Perry does great with showing you the world he created from Decker's side.
Voice: The humor is what will keep you going. The paranormal will keep you thinking. The adventure will stop your breathing.
Character Development: Spot on as you wander/adventure through half death (my words) with Decker.
Plot: Perry paints a world that you know has to exist. Or at least like to believe it exists.
Dialogue: Top notch and flowing. Really adds to the storyline and character development.
Pacing: Non stop, heart pumping and amazing.
Setting: Perry does very well to describe a place no one has been but able to make it a reality in our minds and make it seem familiar.
Continuity: Perry is obvious in wanting this to be a series (my opinion) but he gives enough to make this stand on it's own.
Point of View: Perry does great with showing you the world he created from Decker's side.
Voice: The humor is what will keep you going. The paranormal will keep you thinking. The adventure will stop your breathing.
Character Development: Spot on as you wander/adventure through half death (my words) with Decker.
Plot: Perry paints a world that you know has to exist. Or at least like to believe it exists.
Dialogue: Top notch and flowing. Really adds to the storyline and character development.
Pacing: Non stop, heart pumping and amazing.
Setting: Perry does very well to describe a place no one has been but able to make it a reality in our minds and make it seem familiar.
Continuity: Perry is obvious in wanting this to be a series (my opinion) but he gives enough to make this stand on it's own.
July 13, 2011
Darkside isn't that dark, really. In fact, the novel, if not exactly light, is quite witty, fast-paced, and seriously genre-bending. The story is about a guy named James Decker who dies in the process of saving a young woman from being attacked. But he finds that he really isn't dead...well, sort of.
From the blurb:
Haunted by the ghosts of his father and grandfather, [James Decker] learns that the woman he rescued is in fact an Innocent, the physical embodiment of hope. As it turns out, seeing dead people is the least of James' worries. It's the trolls, goblins, vampires, and other assorted creepy-crawlies that make being dead a living nightmare.
Turns out Darkside is what all these dark creatures living in the Otherworld call our reality. And that's just one of the rules of the afterlife James has to learn as he finds a new lease on life protecting the Innocent from further harm. With wry humor and snide first person remarks, Perry transports you from one realm to the other and back again in a quest you'll not likely forget - if you don't die laughing first. A bit slow in the middle, but overall, a solid debut novel.
From the blurb:
Haunted by the ghosts of his father and grandfather, [James Decker] learns that the woman he rescued is in fact an Innocent, the physical embodiment of hope. As it turns out, seeing dead people is the least of James' worries. It's the trolls, goblins, vampires, and other assorted creepy-crawlies that make being dead a living nightmare.
Turns out Darkside is what all these dark creatures living in the Otherworld call our reality. And that's just one of the rules of the afterlife James has to learn as he finds a new lease on life protecting the Innocent from further harm. With wry humor and snide first person remarks, Perry transports you from one realm to the other and back again in a quest you'll not likely forget - if you don't die laughing first. A bit slow in the middle, but overall, a solid debut novel.
April 20, 2016
Imaginative and extremely funny.
An excerpt of my old review of the book: "Humour Fantasy or SF is not easily done, but Perry tackles the funniness in a surprisingly simple but very effective way: simplicity of speech and situations, establishing strong complicity between the humorous intent and the readers need of story and, the piéce de resistance, a very good use of wisecracks. These are easy for a lot of people to be good at it in conversation, but writing is another realm and it is a surprisingly difficult thing to achieve; most authors get away with putting one, maybe 2 or 3 in a novel. Perry does it a lot, with perfect timing and finésse. Puns that are ordinary or that you regularly hear show up in the text effortlessly, and you can't help smiling and laughing.
It is a story about a dead guy. He tends to get into trouble. There are Vampires, trolls, ogres, a quest, gadgets, satanic rock, innocents, eternals, ...only God doesn't show up in the story. Maybe in a sequel if we're lucky. But I bet you will laugh from beginning to end.
I encourage you to read it."
An excerpt of my old review of the book: "Humour Fantasy or SF is not easily done, but Perry tackles the funniness in a surprisingly simple but very effective way: simplicity of speech and situations, establishing strong complicity between the humorous intent and the readers need of story and, the piéce de resistance, a very good use of wisecracks. These are easy for a lot of people to be good at it in conversation, but writing is another realm and it is a surprisingly difficult thing to achieve; most authors get away with putting one, maybe 2 or 3 in a novel. Perry does it a lot, with perfect timing and finésse. Puns that are ordinary or that you regularly hear show up in the text effortlessly, and you can't help smiling and laughing.
It is a story about a dead guy. He tends to get into trouble. There are Vampires, trolls, ogres, a quest, gadgets, satanic rock, innocents, eternals, ...only God doesn't show up in the story. Maybe in a sequel if we're lucky. But I bet you will laugh from beginning to end.
I encourage you to read it."
August 5, 2020
Now that I've seen where the story began, I like the way things end all the more. Pity I didn't read these in order, but still, itll be fun going along for the ride in book two.
Solid pace, interesting characters, and a gritty, paranormal plot. What's there not to like?
Solid pace, interesting characters, and a gritty, paranormal plot. What's there not to like?
August 3, 2017
Read it now!
A hilarious and page turning read! A unique take on the urban fantasy genre with fun believable characters. Will definitely buy the next book!
A hilarious and page turning read! A unique take on the urban fantasy genre with fun believable characters. Will definitely buy the next book!
June 1, 2021
One of the easiest, breeziest read that you will ever have.
Painfully funny, in the sense that I was dying laughing.
Recommended to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels that are hilarious.
5 Stars ❤
Painfully funny, in the sense that I was dying laughing.
Recommended to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels that are hilarious.
5 Stars ❤
July 19, 2009
As a stalwart fan of horror and crime novels this book was a breath of fresh air and had me laughing out loud so many times (which got me into trouble at work but when a book's this good who cares). S.K.S Perry is my new favourite author and it will take a lot of work to oust him of this spot (mainly because he offered to write me a note for work, I doubt Alice Sebold - author of 'The Lovely Bones' - would be quite as accomodating :P).
Darkside is fast paced with action and emotion and the character development is exceptional. You'll laugh along with James as he cracks his jokes to cover his anxiety, get exasperated with the others as he drives the others mad (mainly with his jokes) and cry along with them when things go wrong. A rollercoaster ride which mixes the very essence of old style fairy and folk stories into a modern day adventure. Give me a Darkside story over Harry Potter any day.
Darkside is fast paced with action and emotion and the character development is exceptional. You'll laugh along with James as he cracks his jokes to cover his anxiety, get exasperated with the others as he drives the others mad (mainly with his jokes) and cry along with them when things go wrong. A rollercoaster ride which mixes the very essence of old style fairy and folk stories into a modern day adventure. Give me a Darkside story over Harry Potter any day.
July 29, 2011
I really liked this, it reminds me of that Eddie Murphy film, The Golden Child but instead of Buddhist monks you have trolls, ogres, goblins and vamps. Also the style was quite funny and reminded me a lot of Jim Butcher. I would have given it five stars if....
***SPOILER***
His dead girlfriend hadn't possessed his current one - I know she did it for a good reason, but still this marked it as clearly being written by a man. I just do not find the concept of two girlfriends for the price of one attractive, in fact ot grossed me out.
But apart from this I enjoyed and laughed out loud at several points. I will definitely get the next one in the series and hope that he can right the above wrong.
***SPOILER***
His dead girlfriend hadn't possessed his current one - I know she did it for a good reason, but still this marked it as clearly being written by a man. I just do not find the concept of two girlfriends for the price of one attractive, in fact ot grossed me out.
But apart from this I enjoyed and laughed out loud at several points. I will definitely get the next one in the series and hope that he can right the above wrong.
April 16, 2011
DARKSIDE by SKS Perry is a wonderful book. Perry has written a bright and funny fantasy, full of sharp witty dialogue and characters I found likeable and endearing. This book has heart and deserves a much wider audience.
Urban fantasy fans, readers who enjoy a good paranormal love story, and those who like a blend of humor and adventure will all find what they're looking for in DARKSIDE.
Rarely has a book made me laugh so much and care about the characters as deeply as DARKSIDE. Buy this book and then go buy the sequel. You won't be sorry.
Darkside is available for the Kindle on Amazon.
Urban fantasy fans, readers who enjoy a good paranormal love story, and those who like a blend of humor and adventure will all find what they're looking for in DARKSIDE.
Rarely has a book made me laugh so much and care about the characters as deeply as DARKSIDE. Buy this book and then go buy the sequel. You won't be sorry.
Darkside is available for the Kindle on Amazon.
December 9, 2012
Caveat; I know the author, at least as well as anyone knows everyone across the Internet. Sometimes knowing someone it is actually harder to write a review. That kind of don't step on any toes attitude.
But I can honestly say I enjoyed this story. It was funny in places, witty and face-paced and obviously well-researched.
I found myself smiling and egging the heroes on, exactly as I should.
I also finished it and bought Darkside 2 straight away. I can understand why this author has fans across the globe eagerly awaiting his next story.
But I can honestly say I enjoyed this story. It was funny in places, witty and face-paced and obviously well-researched.
I found myself smiling and egging the heroes on, exactly as I should.
I also finished it and bought Darkside 2 straight away. I can understand why this author has fans across the globe eagerly awaiting his next story.
January 23, 2014
While not entirely original, the story is fast-paced and interesting. James Decker is an Eternal (this part is definitely original), a creature which cannot truly die. He runs into the typical cohorts of fairies, vamps, shapeshifters and the sort, both friendly and not so friendly. There is a generous amount of humor thrown in with the action, which was refreshing. I have also read the second book, which is just as entertaining. I look forward to continuing the adventure.
July 10, 2013
I read this one a year or two ago after finding it listed on Web Fiction. One of these days I should email the author for where to find the sequel. I liked the unique spin that the author had on vampires and fairies. It was very much bringing the shee into the present and still keeping that multi-world outlook that is traditional to fairytales.
February 23, 2016
Was a great book. Was a page turner for me. I laughed quite often. Loved the witty humour. I'm not normally into troll, fantasy books but, was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It is not what you would expect from a novel about fantasy characters. Looking forward too the second one.
August 30, 2011
I loved this book!
The voice is well writen and the dialoge is witty and fast. I was chuckling most of the time. The action is also very well writin and could easly visualize it. I look forward to reading more books by S.K.S Perry.
The voice is well writen and the dialoge is witty and fast. I was chuckling most of the time. The action is also very well writin and could easly visualize it. I look forward to reading more books by S.K.S Perry.
February 18, 2016
This book was a fantastic read. It's a unique take on the fantasy genre with something for everyone. I loved how humorous and self deprecating the main character narrates. Absolutely no pretension in S.K.S. Perry's writing!
I can't wait to start the second book...
I can't wait to start the second book...
March 7, 2011
I absolutely loved this book and Darside: Waking the Dead. He is a terribly funny, witty, sarcastic writer and the action kept me reading. I hope to find my reading material by SKS Perry.
April 3, 2011
A great fun read. Inventive style and plenty to laugh at. I am looking forward to the sequel, just got to find it
July 26, 2012
Hilarious! Really entertaining read.
March 7, 2013
Rarely that a book made me laugh so much and care about the characters as deeply as DARKSIDE. Excellent!
February 14, 2017
Great escapist fiction with unapologetic humour.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews