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Department 19 #5
Darkest Night
The brave men and women of Department 19 have fought Dracula at every turn, but now Zero Hour has passed and the ancient vampire is at full strength.
Inside Department 19, the Operators are exhausted and fractured. Jamie, Larissa, Matt and Kate are each struggling with their own demons. When the friends need each other most, they are further apart than ever.
Outside the Department, the world reels from the revelation that vampires are real. Violence and paranoia spread around the globe and, when it finally comes, Dracula’s opening move is more vicious than anyone could have imagined.
A final battle looms between the forces of darkness and the last, massed ranks of those who stand against it. A battle that will define the future of humanity. A battle that simply cannot be lost...
Inside Department 19, the Operators are exhausted and fractured. Jamie, Larissa, Matt and Kate are each struggling with their own demons. When the friends need each other most, they are further apart than ever.
Outside the Department, the world reels from the revelation that vampires are real. Violence and paranoia spread around the globe and, when it finally comes, Dracula’s opening move is more vicious than anyone could have imagined.
A final battle looms between the forces of darkness and the last, massed ranks of those who stand against it. A battle that will define the future of humanity. A battle that simply cannot be lost...
736 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
62 people are currently reading
1167 people want to read
About the author
Will Hill
53 books577 followersBefore quitting his job in publishing to write full time, Will Hill worked as a bartender, a bookseller and a door-to-door charity worker. He grew up in the north-east of England, is scared of spiders, and lives in east London with his girlfriend. He is a big fan of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 22, 2019
This one was a hard one to get into. Solely because I've put this series on the backburner too long. Sure, I remembered what happened, but a lot of sentiments for the characters had disappeared.
So it was a little hard to sympathize. In the beginning at least. Which is why my biggest qualm was the drama in the book. Some characters think too much with their passions, and grudges.
Like, just count to ten and reason it out.
But other than that it, it was excellently written. And while long, I commend Will Hill for making a mammoth of a book without managing to lose my interest entirely. The combination of short chapters and interesting personas worked well.
Not to mention, despite introducing a whole nation of characters in each book, Hill does a commendable job with those characters. Each helps to provide the whole picture of the battle. So while the main battle of most stories comes from a single narrow view of the battlefield. Hill gives us a tour from his satellite station.
Also that ending. Can we please talk about that.
We are.
. Exactly
There was nothing to say. It was beautiful. Everything you could ever want in an ending you got.
And what was that (you might inquire)?
Closure.
So it was a little hard to sympathize. In the beginning at least. Which is why my biggest qualm was the drama in the book. Some characters think too much with their passions, and grudges.
Like, just count to ten and reason it out.
But other than that it, it was excellently written. And while long, I commend Will Hill for making a mammoth of a book without managing to lose my interest entirely. The combination of short chapters and interesting personas worked well.
Not to mention, despite introducing a whole nation of characters in each book, Hill does a commendable job with those characters. Each helps to provide the whole picture of the battle. So while the main battle of most stories comes from a single narrow view of the battlefield. Hill gives us a tour from his satellite station.
Also that ending. Can we please talk about that.
We are.
. Exactly
There was nothing to say. It was beautiful. Everything you could ever want in an ending you got.
And what was that (you might inquire)?
Closure.
July 5, 2015
Back in 2005 a certain US author released a book that transformed the merciless, blood thirsty vampires that I had grown up watching on TV, DVD, etc. (Hammer's Christopher Lee Dracula movies, Fright Night, 'Salem's Lot, Blade, Buffy) into pouting, lovesick 'teens', almost like a Mills & Boon with vampires. And of course, due to its success, many other writers followed suit. As far as I was concerned, vampire fiction was dead in the water as far as Young Adults were concerned. And then, towards the end of 2010 I was incredibly fortunate to read a copy of a book by debut YA author Will Hill, and from that moment I was absolutely, completely hooked on a book (and subsequently a series) in a way that hadn't happened since the Harry Potter series ended.
That book was, of course, Department 19, and with it Will Hill had well and truly reclaimed the vampire from the mushy bollocks of the sparkly brigade and made them scary again. And vicious. And blood thirsty. And ruthless. And just plain bloody brilliant.
Yesterday saw the release of Darkest Night, the fifth and final book in a series that in my opinion has just got better and better with every book released. With that first instalment, Hill set the bar pretty damn high for YA action and for YA horror, and ever since he has raised that bar higher and higher, leading to me naming him the Sergey Bubka of YA fiction, when I wrote my review of Zero Hour. With Darkest Night Hill tears up all the records and leaves the competition standing.
I've lost count of the number of times I have heard bloggers and reviewers moaning about dreadfully poor 'third books in trilogies', or series that have gone on one or two books too long. That can never be said about the Department 19 series, and Darkest Night is the most fitting and perfect end to that series that I have love so much. Hill continues to shock his readers, and let's face it, after the last few books we pretty much know that no one is safe, and there is no guarantee that any of our favourite characters will make it through to the final page. Jamie, Larissa, Frankenstein, Matt, Kate... will they all be alive and well come the final page or...?
Darkest Night is also far much more than the final battle between the members of Department 19 (and their various international compatriots) and Dracula and his legions of the undead. In fact, if you're expecting 700+ pages of the battle to end all battles then you've obviously not been paying attention in the last few books. Will Hill weaves all kinds of themes into his D19 story: loyalty, trust, betrayal, love, loss, survival and humanity, and it is the latter of these that jumps into the front seat in Darkest Night. With Jamie now a vampire, will he manage to retain his humanity following the climatic battle at the end of Zero Hour? What lengths will the leaders of D19 and the other international organisations go to in order to defeat Dracula? And just how low will humankind stoop in the name of war?
With these themes central to the first half of the book Hill adds so much realism to what is essentially a fantasy horror tale (or is it?). We all know the atrocities that man is capable of committing in the name of war: Syria; Kosovo; Iraq; Northern Ireland... the list goes on and on, and it isn't always the perceived main villain(s) committing these diabolical acts. Sometimes it is the supposed good guy, always claiming that they may be doing the wrong thing, but it is for the right reasons. It is exactly this that Hill weaves as significant strand through the first half of Darkest Night. He isn't content with merely entertaining or scaring his readers - he really wants to make them feel uncomfortable, and have them asking what they would do in a similar situation.
And then, of course, comes the final battle. I urge you not to start reading past halfway unless you devote another few hours to the book there and then, as you really will.not.want.to.put.it.down! As battle scenes go it is up there with Helm's Deep, the Attack on New York, the Battle of Rourke's Drift, and the The Bride vs the Crazy 88s in Kill Bill vol 1. It is bloody, brutal and completely unforgiving (for the characters and the reader), and when the dust finally settles the world will never be the same again.
Thank you Will Hill for creating this series and its world and characters. I have never looked forward to and simultaneously dreaded reading a book so much since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and you have not disappointed. I look forward to reading whatever journey you decide to take us on next.
That book was, of course, Department 19, and with it Will Hill had well and truly reclaimed the vampire from the mushy bollocks of the sparkly brigade and made them scary again. And vicious. And blood thirsty. And ruthless. And just plain bloody brilliant.
Yesterday saw the release of Darkest Night, the fifth and final book in a series that in my opinion has just got better and better with every book released. With that first instalment, Hill set the bar pretty damn high for YA action and for YA horror, and ever since he has raised that bar higher and higher, leading to me naming him the Sergey Bubka of YA fiction, when I wrote my review of Zero Hour. With Darkest Night Hill tears up all the records and leaves the competition standing.
I've lost count of the number of times I have heard bloggers and reviewers moaning about dreadfully poor 'third books in trilogies', or series that have gone on one or two books too long. That can never be said about the Department 19 series, and Darkest Night is the most fitting and perfect end to that series that I have love so much. Hill continues to shock his readers, and let's face it, after the last few books we pretty much know that no one is safe, and there is no guarantee that any of our favourite characters will make it through to the final page. Jamie, Larissa, Frankenstein, Matt, Kate... will they all be alive and well come the final page or...?
Darkest Night is also far much more than the final battle between the members of Department 19 (and their various international compatriots) and Dracula and his legions of the undead. In fact, if you're expecting 700+ pages of the battle to end all battles then you've obviously not been paying attention in the last few books. Will Hill weaves all kinds of themes into his D19 story: loyalty, trust, betrayal, love, loss, survival and humanity, and it is the latter of these that jumps into the front seat in Darkest Night. With Jamie now a vampire, will he manage to retain his humanity following the climatic battle at the end of Zero Hour? What lengths will the leaders of D19 and the other international organisations go to in order to defeat Dracula? And just how low will humankind stoop in the name of war?
With these themes central to the first half of the book Hill adds so much realism to what is essentially a fantasy horror tale (or is it?). We all know the atrocities that man is capable of committing in the name of war: Syria; Kosovo; Iraq; Northern Ireland... the list goes on and on, and it isn't always the perceived main villain(s) committing these diabolical acts. Sometimes it is the supposed good guy, always claiming that they may be doing the wrong thing, but it is for the right reasons. It is exactly this that Hill weaves as significant strand through the first half of Darkest Night. He isn't content with merely entertaining or scaring his readers - he really wants to make them feel uncomfortable, and have them asking what they would do in a similar situation.
And then, of course, comes the final battle. I urge you not to start reading past halfway unless you devote another few hours to the book there and then, as you really will.not.want.to.put.it.down! As battle scenes go it is up there with Helm's Deep, the Attack on New York, the Battle of Rourke's Drift, and the The Bride vs the Crazy 88s in Kill Bill vol 1. It is bloody, brutal and completely unforgiving (for the characters and the reader), and when the dust finally settles the world will never be the same again.
Thank you Will Hill for creating this series and its world and characters. I have never looked forward to and simultaneously dreaded reading a book so much since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and you have not disappointed. I look forward to reading whatever journey you decide to take us on next.
February 13, 2022
Overall, the series was sooooooooooo good. I couldn’t put it down since the first book, was hooked every single chapter. Super surprised that it's not more well known as it's easily in my top 3 series of all time. Signing off for at least 3 weeks just to process the emotional journey this series caused me lmaoo. 1000/10 would recommend, don’t miss out >:).
June 8, 2015
I received a free advanced ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Darkest Night is the last book in the Department 19 series.
Blacklight and all the other Operators around the world are preparing for a battle against the most powerful vampire in the world: Dracula. Many of the operators aren't even sure if they will make it out alive...
This book was really long, but I still did not get bored of it. I loved all the action and the preparation for battle. There were many deaths as expected, some of which made me slightly emotional.
Thanks again to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with this copy.
Darkest Night is the last book in the Department 19 series.
Blacklight and all the other Operators around the world are preparing for a battle against the most powerful vampire in the world: Dracula. Many of the operators aren't even sure if they will make it out alive...
This book was really long, but I still did not get bored of it. I loved all the action and the preparation for battle. There were many deaths as expected, some of which made me slightly emotional.
Thanks again to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with this copy.
May 18, 2018
I love the Department 19 series, have followed it since the start. I met Will Hill at YALC in London a few years ago and he signed the first book for me and was really nice and approachable. I then met him again last year at the same convention and I got another Department 19 book signed (which made a change as his new book ‘After the Fire’ had just come out so everyone was getting that signed – also another great book, check out my review here) Will asked me if I had read this book yet and I had to confess that I hadn’t, with all my coursework for my Open University degree I haven’t read as much over the last couple of years, but I promised him it was a priority and that I would definitely review it when I was done. (I kept my promise Will, sorry it took so long though).
I have had this book by my side for a long time, I would have it on the side table in the living room, then carry it upstairs to bed to read before going to sleep but it never really happened. I would end up doing coursework or being too tired to read. But I was still desperate to find out what happens to Jamie and his friends.
Then the best idea occurred to me – my husband wanted to go and watch the football the other week and I usually go with him as it’s just the odd game, but I usually take something with me in case I get bored. Well the tables in the pub are too small to spread out my coursework – so I took this book. Best idea I have ever had! In the 90 minutes +20 minute break, I managed to read the first 160 pages. I was so absorbed in the book, I didn’t even notice everyone cheer when Chelsea scored a goal – and that includes my husband and his mate sitting right next to me. Everything around me just disappeared as I was fully submerged in the world of Department 19.
As it has been a while since I have read the others in the series it took me a few minutes to remember who everyone was and what was going on, but I soon found my feet and it was like reuniting with old friends. And now I had started reading, I had to keep going, I put off my coursework assignment that evening and read more when I got home. I squeezed in another hour the next day when I should have been doing housework, and by the next weekend I had finished all 731 pages.
Although the book was quite long, it never felt like I was having to trawl through it, the words just flew off the page and wrapped themselves around me and carried me along, everything was relevant, everything kept you engaged, everything made you want to read more. There are a number of storylines going on at the same time, but the transition between them is smooth and clear – luckily because I am easily confused! But I knew exactly what was going on in each one.
So Zero Hour has passed and Dracula is back – and oh boy is he back with a bang. He wants the world to know he means business and what better way to do that than create utter carnage and mayhem. The officers in Department 19 are stretched to their limits, relationships are breaking down and missions are becoming more dangerous. I really liked the twists in the story, without giving away spoilers – Larissa’s decisions made me want to cry but I also understood her motives and I really liked her development as a character. Jamie has some serious issues and sometimes you just want to shake him and tell him to snap out of it, but overall you can’t help but like him. But my favourite character has to be Valentin – so smooth, so self-assured, and so mysterious!
If you are at all squeamish then parts of the book may make you want to turn away, there is quite a lot of blood and gore and Will Hill doesn’t mince his words – he just says it straight, but in doing so it doesn’t seem unnecessary. I hate it when people put blood and violence in just for effect – but in this book it feels real, it makes everything that much more believable and helps you to empathise with the characters – understand exactly what they are up against.
This book really emphasised why I love Will Hill as an author, he is an amazing storyteller whose characters and worlds come to life around you. Everything seems believable, every situation will have you wanting to know more and feeling like you are standing next to Jamie and the Department 19 officers, waiting for instructions, ready to work alongside them and fight Dracula. This is a world that will stay with me for a long time and one that I know I will go back to again.
However I am cross with Will Hill for one of those deaths at the end – why did you have to do that!? Actually made me scream ‘No!!!’ when it happened. How could you Will, how could you? – I’m not going to say who though because that would give it away.
Overall an epic conclusion to an amazing series. I can’t wait to see what Will brings out next. Definitely worth a read – I highly recommend.
I have had this book by my side for a long time, I would have it on the side table in the living room, then carry it upstairs to bed to read before going to sleep but it never really happened. I would end up doing coursework or being too tired to read. But I was still desperate to find out what happens to Jamie and his friends.
Then the best idea occurred to me – my husband wanted to go and watch the football the other week and I usually go with him as it’s just the odd game, but I usually take something with me in case I get bored. Well the tables in the pub are too small to spread out my coursework – so I took this book. Best idea I have ever had! In the 90 minutes +20 minute break, I managed to read the first 160 pages. I was so absorbed in the book, I didn’t even notice everyone cheer when Chelsea scored a goal – and that includes my husband and his mate sitting right next to me. Everything around me just disappeared as I was fully submerged in the world of Department 19.
As it has been a while since I have read the others in the series it took me a few minutes to remember who everyone was and what was going on, but I soon found my feet and it was like reuniting with old friends. And now I had started reading, I had to keep going, I put off my coursework assignment that evening and read more when I got home. I squeezed in another hour the next day when I should have been doing housework, and by the next weekend I had finished all 731 pages.
Although the book was quite long, it never felt like I was having to trawl through it, the words just flew off the page and wrapped themselves around me and carried me along, everything was relevant, everything kept you engaged, everything made you want to read more. There are a number of storylines going on at the same time, but the transition between them is smooth and clear – luckily because I am easily confused! But I knew exactly what was going on in each one.
So Zero Hour has passed and Dracula is back – and oh boy is he back with a bang. He wants the world to know he means business and what better way to do that than create utter carnage and mayhem. The officers in Department 19 are stretched to their limits, relationships are breaking down and missions are becoming more dangerous. I really liked the twists in the story, without giving away spoilers – Larissa’s decisions made me want to cry but I also understood her motives and I really liked her development as a character. Jamie has some serious issues and sometimes you just want to shake him and tell him to snap out of it, but overall you can’t help but like him. But my favourite character has to be Valentin – so smooth, so self-assured, and so mysterious!
If you are at all squeamish then parts of the book may make you want to turn away, there is quite a lot of blood and gore and Will Hill doesn’t mince his words – he just says it straight, but in doing so it doesn’t seem unnecessary. I hate it when people put blood and violence in just for effect – but in this book it feels real, it makes everything that much more believable and helps you to empathise with the characters – understand exactly what they are up against.
This book really emphasised why I love Will Hill as an author, he is an amazing storyteller whose characters and worlds come to life around you. Everything seems believable, every situation will have you wanting to know more and feeling like you are standing next to Jamie and the Department 19 officers, waiting for instructions, ready to work alongside them and fight Dracula. This is a world that will stay with me for a long time and one that I know I will go back to again.
However I am cross with Will Hill for one of those deaths at the end – why did you have to do that!? Actually made me scream ‘No!!!’ when it happened. How could you Will, how could you? – I’m not going to say who though because that would give it away.
Overall an epic conclusion to an amazing series. I can’t wait to see what Will brings out next. Definitely worth a read – I highly recommend.
June 24, 2015
A few years back I judged a book by its cover. I picked it up, read it and loved it. That book was Department 19. The first of its name. And now I've finished Department 19: Darkest Night.
The series has been amazing. It evolved from a child-like innocence into a deep dark series that provokes you into asking questions of yourself and the world around you. The series as a whole has been tremendous. Each book getting better and better. Until the last one.
On an absolute scale it was great, but compared to the previous ones it wasn't as extraordinary. It seemed a little rushed. Months passing over a few pages with nothing of note happening. Characters staying the same before doing a complete one eighty. The big finale being essentially the same as book four. But to be honest these were all thought of after I had finished. Whilst I was reading none of this bothered me so I'll consider them almost non existent. So why write it at all you ask? Well it's the build up.
To this.
Now this is the one thing that really bothered me. That annoyed me enough that WHILE I was reading I was thinking "that's not right at all". You may have guessed it. The love story. Yes I'm a closet romantic.
It's not the failed romance that annoyed me. Shit happens. People break up. It's HOW it went down that irks me. Let's recap.
They met under crazy circumstances and shared a passionate kiss before she willingly backed him up as he went against Alexandru. Good start.
They had ups and downs like every couple before she used what may have been her last words to tell him "I love you". Definitely emotional.
Distance strained the couple. He threw himself into his new team and she got a little carried away with the freedom her vampire side have her in USA. But they came together at the end.
Secrets come to light and jealousy abounds before he gets bitten and she literally flies him back to base and threatens to kill everyone if they don't save him from, what she believes to be, a fate worse than death.
Then after all of that. After everything they've been through. All the shit they've faced together. He makes a single dick comment at a very emotional time in his life (and we all know he's not the most emotionally healthy guy in the first place) and she leaves? That isn't Larissa. Not even close. She would've beaten him up to get the truth out of him. Hell she's done it before. She went on and on about how much she loved him only to run away?
No, Larissa is not one who gives up. I liked the book but the entire romance bit was mishandled from the start. And the end? They both confess to loving each other still, both are human. And neither of them are...I just can't.
There are very few times I disagree with an authors work. Many times I hate them because they kill characters I like but never have I ever thought "they did this wrong". Until now.
The series has been amazing. It evolved from a child-like innocence into a deep dark series that provokes you into asking questions of yourself and the world around you. The series as a whole has been tremendous. Each book getting better and better. Until the last one.
On an absolute scale it was great, but compared to the previous ones it wasn't as extraordinary. It seemed a little rushed. Months passing over a few pages with nothing of note happening. Characters staying the same before doing a complete one eighty. The big finale being essentially the same as book four. But to be honest these were all thought of after I had finished. Whilst I was reading none of this bothered me so I'll consider them almost non existent. So why write it at all you ask? Well it's the build up.
To this.
Now this is the one thing that really bothered me. That annoyed me enough that WHILE I was reading I was thinking "that's not right at all". You may have guessed it. The love story. Yes I'm a closet romantic.
It's not the failed romance that annoyed me. Shit happens. People break up. It's HOW it went down that irks me. Let's recap.
They met under crazy circumstances and shared a passionate kiss before she willingly backed him up as he went against Alexandru. Good start.
They had ups and downs like every couple before she used what may have been her last words to tell him "I love you". Definitely emotional.
Distance strained the couple. He threw himself into his new team and she got a little carried away with the freedom her vampire side have her in USA. But they came together at the end.
Secrets come to light and jealousy abounds before he gets bitten and she literally flies him back to base and threatens to kill everyone if they don't save him from, what she believes to be, a fate worse than death.
Then after all of that. After everything they've been through. All the shit they've faced together. He makes a single dick comment at a very emotional time in his life (and we all know he's not the most emotionally healthy guy in the first place) and she leaves? That isn't Larissa. Not even close. She would've beaten him up to get the truth out of him. Hell she's done it before. She went on and on about how much she loved him only to run away?
No, Larissa is not one who gives up. I liked the book but the entire romance bit was mishandled from the start. And the end? They both confess to loving each other still, both are human. And neither of them are...I just can't.
There are very few times I disagree with an authors work. Many times I hate them because they kill characters I like but never have I ever thought "they did this wrong". Until now.
September 3, 2015
I'm sooo glad that the finale was just as mind blowingly amazing as the previous four books in this series. I think it will remain my favourite series for a long, long time.
The build-up to the battle with the oldest vampire on Earth was intense, as was the battle itself. And the final face-off with Dracula was a heart pumping, page turning blast! Many relationships built along the way were changed by the end of this book, as they would and should be. Jamie did lots of soul searching in this book, and found himself, arrogant, selfish and stupid - and he nearly pays the ultimate price.
A must read series. I'll think I'll start again at the beginning.....
The build-up to the battle with the oldest vampire on Earth was intense, as was the battle itself. And the final face-off with Dracula was a heart pumping, page turning blast! Many relationships built along the way were changed by the end of this book, as they would and should be. Jamie did lots of soul searching in this book, and found himself, arrogant, selfish and stupid - and he nearly pays the ultimate price.
A must read series. I'll think I'll start again at the beginning.....
February 7, 2017
You'd think that the final book would be the most exciting. It had plenty of excitement, don't get me wrong, but a significant portion of the book was devoted to the ethics of being a vampire and the angst between Jamie and Larissa.
Also, with how evil Dracula was, he didn't really do as much as everyone was afraid that he would do. I was looking forward to a world domination thing with an anti-Dracula resistance.
Still, plenty of action and a fun read. Though I wish it hadn't been as vague about Jamie and Larissa at the end.
Also, with how evil Dracula was, he didn't really do as much as everyone was afraid that he would do. I was looking forward to a world domination thing with an anti-Dracula resistance.
Still, plenty of action and a fun read. Though I wish it hadn't been as vague about Jamie and Larissa at the end.
December 3, 2015
This book was nowhere as exciting as the previous book! The entire book seemed rushed to finish the series and the ending pages was a complete letdown.
January 14, 2024
This book was a step down in a lot of ways. The pace was horribly slow until about the halfway point, there was more melodrama than ever, a lot of the action was a retread of other, better scenes, and the writing quality was at its lowest since the first book (seriously, how many times do stone cold vampire slayers need to smile or burst out laughing? Why does everyone keep saying “genuinely” all the time?).
The more I think about it, the less I like it. The entire series has had a frantic, breakneck pace that keeps the story moving, and books 2-4 had some really cool interweaving plot lines, flashbacks, and chapters from different time periods. This book had none of that level of complexity. A lot of characters and plot points were squandered, too. The fourth book in particular lost a lot of its impact and meaning because of how this one plays out.
Dracula should have unleashed way more devastation immediately after book 4 and actually taken over the world. It would have been much more original and interesting. This book just takes the easy way out.
The more I think about it, the less I like it. The entire series has had a frantic, breakneck pace that keeps the story moving, and books 2-4 had some really cool interweaving plot lines, flashbacks, and chapters from different time periods. This book had none of that level of complexity. A lot of characters and plot points were squandered, too. The fourth book in particular lost a lot of its impact and meaning because of how this one plays out.
Dracula should have unleashed way more devastation immediately after book 4 and actually taken over the world. It would have been much more original and interesting. This book just takes the easy way out.
April 24, 2020
Why have I put off reading this for so long? I didn't want the series to end. Am I happy with the ending? Yes and no. It was a fantastic ending and provided closure, but there's no more books to read which is sad.
I just adore this series so much. I really struggled to put this book down, hence why I flew through it. These books just grip me from the first page and don't let me go until the end. I'm so tempted to just start reading them all over again, but I've got too many other books to read. I'll definitely be looking into the Department 19 files though, as I'm not ready to abandon these characters yet.
I just adore this series so much. I really struggled to put this book down, hence why I flew through it. These books just grip me from the first page and don't let me go until the end. I'm so tempted to just start reading them all over again, but I've got too many other books to read. I'll definitely be looking into the Department 19 files though, as I'm not ready to abandon these characters yet.
August 16, 2016
I love that this series stays across from beginning to end. I loved it from the first book and stayed so excited for every book across the series. It is rare for me to get beyond the first book in a trilogy lately so for me to get through five books and still be excited is a rare thing and says an awful lot about how awesome these books are.
I won't tell you too much about this book because I will spoil things and simply say the quality of this installment was exactly what I had come to expect from Will Hill. The action pulls no punches and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The story is fast paced and exciting and the resolution at the end is very satisfying indeed.
All in all a series I wouldn't hesitate to recommend highly.
I won't tell you too much about this book because I will spoil things and simply say the quality of this installment was exactly what I had come to expect from Will Hill. The action pulls no punches and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The story is fast paced and exciting and the resolution at the end is very satisfying indeed.
All in all a series I wouldn't hesitate to recommend highly.
March 30, 2017
Masterfully written, Darkest Night is an absolutely stunning conclusion that surely cements Department 19 as one of the very best YA series around.
Full Review at The Bookbag:
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...
Full Review at The Bookbag:
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...
November 17, 2018
There was a moment, about 30 pages in, where I realised that this series was no longer fun. There is a challenge for stories about the actual end of the world that you have to make it seem possible that humanity might lose, even though we all know that won't happen. This however took it to a whole other level, it seemed literally impossible for this to end well for these characters, and in all sincerity, Jamie's bullshit reached an impossible level of stupid, and I just wanted someone to slap him. He essentially became Bojack Horseman without the faint flickers of happiness. So that was a bit rough.
As the end to this story I have to say I was pretty disappointed. There were various plot points made throughout the series that never amounted to anything or just ended abruptly, it became clear that Hill didn't know what to do with a lot of the characters so he just took them out of action, and then there was so much left unresolved or explained that it doesn't seem like an ending at all, but that he just gave up at the end.
Like A Dance With Dragons, this was bad enough for me to realise just how awful some of the elements of this series was. Don't get me wrong, I never thought I was reading high art here, but I put up with a lot because I thought something interesting was going to come out of it. That did not happen here, and I feel disappointed because while I joked a lot about it, I really did care about what was happening here. What made the series work was the overall idea of people becoming better versions of themselves by working together, and that we don't have to face the horrors of this world alone, but Darkest Night literally wipes away everything the other books, particularly Zero Hour, worked so hard to do, and I cannot understand why. It's like one of those Tibet sand Mendalas that was wiped away before a picture could even be formed.
There was something special in its slapstick pessimism, but Hill seemed to have forgotten that people actually need hope to keep going, our survival instincts of one foot in front of the other only takes us so far. This book was literally the myth of Sisyphus, and I ultimately wonder what the point was if it was always just going to end like this.
Also, demons and werewolves exist here, why does no one care about that?
As the end to this story I have to say I was pretty disappointed. There were various plot points made throughout the series that never amounted to anything or just ended abruptly, it became clear that Hill didn't know what to do with a lot of the characters so he just took them out of action, and then there was so much left unresolved or explained that it doesn't seem like an ending at all, but that he just gave up at the end.
Like A Dance With Dragons, this was bad enough for me to realise just how awful some of the elements of this series was. Don't get me wrong, I never thought I was reading high art here, but I put up with a lot because I thought something interesting was going to come out of it. That did not happen here, and I feel disappointed because while I joked a lot about it, I really did care about what was happening here. What made the series work was the overall idea of people becoming better versions of themselves by working together, and that we don't have to face the horrors of this world alone, but Darkest Night literally wipes away everything the other books, particularly Zero Hour, worked so hard to do, and I cannot understand why. It's like one of those Tibet sand Mendalas that was wiped away before a picture could even be formed.
There was something special in its slapstick pessimism, but Hill seemed to have forgotten that people actually need hope to keep going, our survival instincts of one foot in front of the other only takes us so far. This book was literally the myth of Sisyphus, and I ultimately wonder what the point was if it was always just going to end like this.
Also, demons and werewolves exist here, why does no one care about that?
July 18, 2017
I’ve heard too many times how people get bored of a series of books by the time they get to the third book and how each book became very monotonous. Well, not this series book after book kept me enthralled, each book making me want to read the next!
Each book continued to shock me thinking what next? Will Hill isn’t afraid to kill off his main characters so by the time I reached the fifth and final book I was asking myself who is going to be next?
Another 700+ pages but every page keeping me gripped. Don’t expect for the final battle to cover every page of this book. Will weaves, loyalty, trust , love , loss, betrayal, survival and humanity into every part of this book. How will Jamie retain his humanity now he’s a vampire? What lengths will D19 and the other organisations go to in order to destroy Dracula?
The build up to the battle, which starts well over half way into the book is full of fantasy / horror as always. Will is content up to then in scaring readers, making them think what they might do in these situations. Then he grabs you and lifts you up into the final battle, you will not want to put it down, you will hear yourself breathing heavily, sighing in disbelief and shouting out to the characters. Finally you will feel the dust settle as the book draws to a conclusion that left me in tatters.
I can safely say this is the best series of YA fantasy/ horror books I’ve read in a long time, any teenager would love them but adults will love them too.
Definitely 5/5 and now my only question is what the hell am I going to read next !!
Each book continued to shock me thinking what next? Will Hill isn’t afraid to kill off his main characters so by the time I reached the fifth and final book I was asking myself who is going to be next?
Another 700+ pages but every page keeping me gripped. Don’t expect for the final battle to cover every page of this book. Will weaves, loyalty, trust , love , loss, betrayal, survival and humanity into every part of this book. How will Jamie retain his humanity now he’s a vampire? What lengths will D19 and the other organisations go to in order to destroy Dracula?
The build up to the battle, which starts well over half way into the book is full of fantasy / horror as always. Will is content up to then in scaring readers, making them think what they might do in these situations. Then he grabs you and lifts you up into the final battle, you will not want to put it down, you will hear yourself breathing heavily, sighing in disbelief and shouting out to the characters. Finally you will feel the dust settle as the book draws to a conclusion that left me in tatters.
I can safely say this is the best series of YA fantasy/ horror books I’ve read in a long time, any teenager would love them but adults will love them too.
Definitely 5/5 and now my only question is what the hell am I going to read next !!
March 26, 2022
good book. good ending to the series. a tiny tiny bit underwhelming in the sense that it was very similar to the previous books battle-wise and writing-wise. there was a lot that felt familiar like i had already read this exact situation in one of the other books. i think this was the most emotional one in the series. the ending was a bit unsatisfying in my opinion, it just kinda ends with no resolution. also, the final final battle (that the entire series has been leading up to) was a bit underwhelming, repetitive, and unoriginal compared to battles in the previous books. all this being said, it's still an amazing book and i would recommend this series to anyone in a heartbeat. im picky with my books so i wouldn't be surprised if others rated this series 10/10, but i give it an overall 7.85/10.
January 12, 2020
Unputdownable - a rollercoaster climax. Great series of books - highly recommended to anyone that likes the genre - def don't be put off by the fact that it's young adult, it's gritty and fast paced.
March 2, 2018
I the ink it's a great book. It's awsome with all the weapons, But: WARNING! THERE'S BLOOD.
January 5, 2019
Wonderful end to the series
February 9, 2019
I got everything in this book that I was hoping for in the last one. Lots of action great character development and everything came to a satisfying conclusion.
July 11, 2019
Good book
It is a page turned but like the rest of the series is not for the faint hearted but it is very good 👍
It is a page turned but like the rest of the series is not for the faint hearted but it is very good 👍
March 4, 2024
This series was gas until zero day happened, cuz it was just like the pjo show- all the tension was lost after the sell of the century
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
3 or 3.5/5. good but got a bit too long
August 1, 2025
An excellent end to a brilliant series.
December 12, 2025
Amazing book series, ending feels naff and rushed though.
Read
March 9, 2017It was a good book
July 23, 2015
My Review
I absolutely loved this series and more people need to read it! The amount of research it must take to make a supernatural paramilitary organization fighting the rise of Dracula seem realistic and grounded must have been phenomenal. Hill uses real places, real history, and literature as a structure for the world of Blacklight and Dracula. He expertly combines the Dracula of Bram Stoker with the Dracula of history, the ruthless Vlad Tepes, Prince of Wallachia. Fast paced and emotionally gripping, this finale to the Department 19 series is spectacular.
There are a great deal of view points in this and the other novels but it doesn't feel like too many. Each characters story is intertwined with the others expertly. I love all the perspectives, particularly of Jamie, the prodigious blacklight operator, Larissa, the reluctant vampire operator, Matt, the genius working toward a vampire cure, and Valentin, the centuries old vampire ally turned enemy of Dracula himself. These four don't even scratch the surface of the detailed leadership structure of both Blacklight and of Dracula's legions. Absolutely phenomenal.
Darkest Night is full of conspiracies, secret government agencies, genetic testing, and realistic portrayals of reactions of ordinary citizens to the idea that creatures of nightmares are real. Department 19 is as realistic as a paranormal military can be. Having studied military history extensively, I really enjoyed and appreciated the attention to detail into how military organizations run, how decisions are made, and the tactical and strategic elements applied to a vampire apocalypse.
Darkest Night is the last in the five book series and I am sad to see it go. However, the novel doesn't reveal all its secrets, even in the end. Hill answers the big questions of the series but still leaves enough open for reader interpretation. It feels as if the characters live on to make new decisions and memories rather than a hard end. I think that is the best way to do these characters I have grown so attached to justice.
In Summary
The Good
•Satisfying conclusion to an epic series
•Paranormal military! Conspiracies! Vampires! Dracula! Military history! Interpretations of literature!
•Gripping story that makes the reader forget how huge of a brick this book really is
The Not So Good
•One of the questions I have been waiting for an answer to was not answered. It isn't pivotal to the story to know and it leaves it up to the reader, but I am still like...c'mon! How'd [redacted] fake it???
Recommendation
100% yes. One of my favorite series.
I absolutely loved this series and more people need to read it! The amount of research it must take to make a supernatural paramilitary organization fighting the rise of Dracula seem realistic and grounded must have been phenomenal. Hill uses real places, real history, and literature as a structure for the world of Blacklight and Dracula. He expertly combines the Dracula of Bram Stoker with the Dracula of history, the ruthless Vlad Tepes, Prince of Wallachia. Fast paced and emotionally gripping, this finale to the Department 19 series is spectacular.
There are a great deal of view points in this and the other novels but it doesn't feel like too many. Each characters story is intertwined with the others expertly. I love all the perspectives, particularly of Jamie, the prodigious blacklight operator, Larissa, the reluctant vampire operator, Matt, the genius working toward a vampire cure, and Valentin, the centuries old vampire ally turned enemy of Dracula himself. These four don't even scratch the surface of the detailed leadership structure of both Blacklight and of Dracula's legions. Absolutely phenomenal.
Darkest Night is full of conspiracies, secret government agencies, genetic testing, and realistic portrayals of reactions of ordinary citizens to the idea that creatures of nightmares are real. Department 19 is as realistic as a paranormal military can be. Having studied military history extensively, I really enjoyed and appreciated the attention to detail into how military organizations run, how decisions are made, and the tactical and strategic elements applied to a vampire apocalypse.
Darkest Night is the last in the five book series and I am sad to see it go. However, the novel doesn't reveal all its secrets, even in the end. Hill answers the big questions of the series but still leaves enough open for reader interpretation. It feels as if the characters live on to make new decisions and memories rather than a hard end. I think that is the best way to do these characters I have grown so attached to justice.
In Summary
The Good
•Satisfying conclusion to an epic series
•Paranormal military! Conspiracies! Vampires! Dracula! Military history! Interpretations of literature!
•Gripping story that makes the reader forget how huge of a brick this book really is
The Not So Good
•One of the questions I have been waiting for an answer to was not answered. It isn't pivotal to the story to know and it leaves it up to the reader, but I am still like...c'mon! How'd [redacted] fake it???
Recommendation
100% yes. One of my favorite series.
January 7, 2016
This review first appeared on my blog Bart's Bookshelf.
I’m so glad I waited until the Christmas/New Year period to read Darkest Night by Will Hill, because I could set aside some good chunks to time to read the conclusion to the epic Department 19 series.
Back in March 2011, when I attended the books launch in London, I had no idea just what I was letting my self in for, the journey that Will was about to drag us on and the horrors he was about unleash on characters we would grow to know and love. And fear for, Really, really fear for. And just in case I haven’t made it clear; really, really, really fear for…
Will, established early on in the series that he was not afraid to kill of a main character, and as the books progressed, and especially, in this, the final book, as he moved his chess pieces onto place, it seemed inevitable that I was going to be mourning someone come the end. I won’t spoil things for you, by revealing any spoilers, but what I will say is that Darkest Night is as gory, brutal, and horrific as any of the other books in the series, if not more so!
But, it’s not just the horror that makes these books brilliant to read, it’s the wider world, the sub-plots, and the characters lives outside of the fight that that Will Hill has paid just as much attention to, the book and the series is all the better for it, and remember, that if it just focused on the battle, it would still be an amazing read.
The final confrontation between between Dracula and the women and men of Department 19, is everything you could hope it would be, and you won’t want to put the book down until it done.
I appear to have timed my reading and review of this just right, because as I was about to head in to the last 100 pages, Will, tweeted this. So yeah, if you’ve been holding off reading this one, you’ve no excuse now!
I’m so glad I waited until the Christmas/New Year period to read Darkest Night by Will Hill, because I could set aside some good chunks to time to read the conclusion to the epic Department 19 series.
Back in March 2011, when I attended the books launch in London, I had no idea just what I was letting my self in for, the journey that Will was about to drag us on and the horrors he was about unleash on characters we would grow to know and love. And fear for, Really, really fear for. And just in case I haven’t made it clear; really, really, really fear for…
Will, established early on in the series that he was not afraid to kill of a main character, and as the books progressed, and especially, in this, the final book, as he moved his chess pieces onto place, it seemed inevitable that I was going to be mourning someone come the end. I won’t spoil things for you, by revealing any spoilers, but what I will say is that Darkest Night is as gory, brutal, and horrific as any of the other books in the series, if not more so!
But, it’s not just the horror that makes these books brilliant to read, it’s the wider world, the sub-plots, and the characters lives outside of the fight that that Will Hill has paid just as much attention to, the book and the series is all the better for it, and remember, that if it just focused on the battle, it would still be an amazing read.
The final confrontation between between Dracula and the women and men of Department 19, is everything you could hope it would be, and you won’t want to put the book down until it done.
I appear to have timed my reading and review of this just right, because as I was about to head in to the last 100 pages, Will, tweeted this. So yeah, if you’ve been holding off reading this one, you’ve no excuse now!
June 8, 2015
This is the stupendous concluding book in the series as Dracula rises and the final battle commences. Don’t expect twinkly ‘Twilight’ type vampires - in this many are the blood thirsty, vengeful, brutal creatures of Victorian novels. Also be wary of assuming there are clear cut sides to be taken, that all humans are good and all Vampires evil. The author has created a world where the characters are well rounded, complex and, when the final battle is over, the world will have to change and who will live or die you’ll just have to read the story to discover!
There are multiple threads running throughout the story, creating a tapestry of opposites - love, loss, trust, deceit, loyalty and treason. It isn’t an easy read, it will leave you feeling uncomfortable at some of the dreadful decisions so-called ‘decent’ people make, making you question your own reactions in similar circumstances and the ending - wow! Like the earlier books in the series, this can be read as a standalone, but readers of the earlier books will have a greater understanding as things progress.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too,
for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are multiple threads running throughout the story, creating a tapestry of opposites - love, loss, trust, deceit, loyalty and treason. It isn’t an easy read, it will leave you feeling uncomfortable at some of the dreadful decisions so-called ‘decent’ people make, making you question your own reactions in similar circumstances and the ending - wow! Like the earlier books in the series, this can be read as a standalone, but readers of the earlier books will have a greater understanding as things progress.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too,
for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2016
Department 19 Review of the ENTIRE series.
Very good read for any teen, adult, tween, or other age group in the world. Every book ranges from 400-700 pages of full nonstop action and horror as
The entire series makes you imagine all the events and characters that are told and you're left hungry to read the next book. Personally, I finished the 5 book series with all the pages in about a 5 days - 1 week total, which just shows how fast I fell in love with the story and was heart broken when I finished the final book.
I also wasn't a huge vampire or vampire hunting fan, but this book really makes you have a good time reading even if it isn't your favorite subject.
Very good read for any teen, adult, tween, or other age group in the world. Every book ranges from 400-700 pages of full nonstop action and horror as
The entire series makes you imagine all the events and characters that are told and you're left hungry to read the next book. Personally, I finished the 5 book series with all the pages in about a 5 days - 1 week total, which just shows how fast I fell in love with the story and was heart broken when I finished the final book.
I also wasn't a huge vampire or vampire hunting fan, but this book really makes you have a good time reading even if it isn't your favorite subject.
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