Within This Darkness

by Chris Tomasini

Still shaken by the death of his older sister, 14-year-old Jeremy Gardela is sent on a mission by his panicked aunt, to find a family secret she believes is buried in the dark forests which surround their small rural town. When Jeremy returns, he is leading a mysterious stranger who represents a vein of magic that has run for decades within the Gardela family. Within This Darkness is a deeply felt story about loss and friendship, and finding something, or someone, to hold onto, when you’re drifting helplessly into the night.

Genres: Magic, Young Adult, Fantasy

203 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2025

About the author

Chris Tomasini lives in Ontario, Canada.
He is the author of Festival, a coming-of-age novella set in London, England, and Toronto, Canada. He is also the author of Close Your Eyes: A Fairy Tale, which won the 2022 Historical-Fantasy award from the Historical Fiction Company.

In the 1990s Chris taught English as a Second Language and had stops in England, Poland, and Japan. Since 2000, Chris has worked in bookstores, publishing, and in libraries.

A chaser of sunrises, Chris can often be found on a bicycle or in a kayak, pointing a camera towards the rising sun.

IG @chrisfindsthelight

Reviews

[NerdyWordyReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent story written for the Young Adult ages, however, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m older than YA lol

This is book 1 of a magical trilogy. Historical, fantasy fiction.

Within This Darkness is based on magical/gifted Polish sisters from 1915. There is an uncontrollable situation that occurs while the war is happening, which leads to present day 2017.

The story comes back and forth between the sisters loves and their descendent, Jeremy.

The narrative is engaging and the dialogue relatable and easy to follow. The plot is well thought out and filled with magical elements, mystery, dangerous situations and surprises.

The ending does leave the reader in a place of wonder, what is going to happen next in this magical adventure, drawing the reader into book 2.

The story is based primarily on Canada. It is written in third person, multiple POV in this way.

If you like historical fiction and fantasy fiction, this is a great book/series to entertain.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with a free, electronic copy of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Canadian author Chris Tomasini’s third novel, “Within This Darkness”, is a unique blend of World War One historical fiction and magical fantasy. Although deemed a young adult novel, “Darkness” will appeal to readers of all ages and is the first of a series of novels.

In 1915, in the small town of Douro, Ontario, the Obara sisters are able to teleport from one location to another, just by thinking about it. The eldest sister, Eva, uses this to her advantage, using her powers to help Canadian soldiers during the war and secretly collecting information. Then, one of the sisters, Agata, is overcome by her power and falls into a stasis state- forever asleep, never aging- so the sisters are forced to create a complex hiding place in order to keep Agata out of harm’s way.

In 2017, in the same town, Jeremy is grieving the loss of his elder sister, Anne. His father is always away traveling and his mother has never been the same since his sister died. With a unique knowledge of the woods around him, and the wolves that reside within, Jeremy seeks out to see if there is any truth to the rumours that have flooded Douro for years- that there is treasure buried in the woods, if you can figure out the clues and find its location. But Jeremy finds much more than buried treasure and soon realizes more about himself, and his town, than he thought possible.

For a dual-timeline novel that crosses two generations, and has both historical and magical components, “Darkness” transitions well and has a smooth, flowing plot. Each chapter is clearly identified with the location and date where the proceeding chapter takes place, so it is easy to follow. Jeremy is the main protagonist, but we also hear from the Obara sisters, and there is a chapter or two narrated by Roger Shambling, a semi-retired military officer who seeks proof that the Obara sisters magic is real. All the characters are well-developed and it is easy to root for the young protagonists of “Darkness”, as they are charming and likable.

I loved the magical component of this novel and the idea of “walkers”, the individuals who are able to travel psychically into another’s mind and who are unaffected by the Obara’s powers. I can definitely see how Tomasini could take this idea and make it into a series, and Jeremy is a strong enough character to carry the series through.

I am always eager to support a Canadian author, and was grateful to be able to read another one of Tomasini’s novels (I read his previous work, “Close Your Eyes”). I look forward to continuing on Jeremy’s journey in future Douro stories.

[CarolinaBookBliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Within the Darkness by Chris Tomasini.
A captivating read that blends historical fiction and magical realism.
The author's vivid imagery brings the story to life, and the dual timeline is skillfully woven.
This short but impactful novel tackles hard topics like loss and grief with sensitivity.
The pacing is smooth, making it easy to become fully immersed in the story. Well written and thought provoking, I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and magical realism.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The gap between you, and those who are better than you, faster than you, is the hardest thing in the world."

Chris Tomasini’s Within This Darkness is an evocative, deeply introspective novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned."

Set against the backdrop of the vast, untamed Canadian wilderness, Within This Darkness is a story of grief, mystery, and magic woven through generations. When 14-year-old Jeremy Gardela sets out on a quest to unearth his family’s secrets, what he finds instead is something far greater—an enigmatic stranger tied to an ancient magic that has pulsed beneath the Gardela name for decades. The novel effortlessly blends history, folklore, and raw emotion, creating a world where the forests feel alive, the wolves carry their own wisdom, and magic hums just beneath the surface of reality.

"Jeremy had learned that people have a breaking point - when you've run too fast for too long, your body responds with pain, and that pain can drag you to a stop."

Tomasini’s storytelling is hauntingly beautiful, transporting the reader into a setting that feels both wild and intimate, as if every shadow in the trees is whispering a forgotten tale. The magic system is subtle yet powerful, seamlessly integrated into the landscape and history of the novel—it feels like something ancient, something that has always existed but is just now being uncovered.

"If she can't see you, can't see where she is, can she change you?"

The wolves, in particular, left a profound impression on me. They are more than just creatures of the forest—they embody the mystery, danger, and wisdom that runs through the novel’s core. Their presence is magnetic, a force that guides and unsettles, making their moments on the page unforgettable.

"A grey wold, not especially large or powerful, but with those eyes that wolves possessed, eyes that stared deep, and made you wonder what exactly the wolf was seeing, because they seemed to be seeing more than you wanted them to."

And then there is the setting—a deeply Canadian novel that embraces its landscape, its isolation, its quiet, lingering histories. The forests aren’t just a backdrop; they breathe life into the story, shaping its tension and atmosphere with a raw, untamed energy. Tomasini writes with a reverence for the land, his prose infused with the spirit of old stories passed down through time.

"A shimmering of shadows. Something was moving in there."

I am profoundly grateful to Chris Tomasini for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Within This Darkness is an unforgettable, mesmerizing read, one that leaves you questioning, yearning, and deeply affected. It earns a 4.5 out of 5 stars from me, and I can only hope that, somewhere beyond these pages, the rest of its mysteries wait to be uncovered.

"The echoes seemed to come and find him, when he entered the darkness, and Jeremy wondered what they all meant - what secrets lay in all their whisperings."

[Trio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes, this book is amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed Chris Tomasini's young adult, paranormal thriller Within This Darkness.

Chris Tomasini has an incredible skill of grabbing my attention from the very start of his stories, and this one is incredible. I'd have easily consumed another 200 pages without stopping lol, and I truly hope this is the start of a very long series.

The characters in Within This Darkness are completely engaging, and the storyline is so fascinating I literally could not put it down.

If you haven't read this wonderful author's novels yet, I highly recommend them all!

an advanced readers copy of Within This Darkness was provided by the author, via NetGalley, at my request for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Within This Darkness by Chris Tomasini. It’s one of those rare books that pulls you in right from the start and keeps you hooked until the very end. The mix of historical fiction, magical realism, and deep emotional storytelling really struck a chord with me. Jeremy Gardela’s journey through grief and self-discovery is so beautifully written that you can’t help but feel for him, especially as he uncovers the deep, mysterious secrets of his family’s past. The way Tomasini blends loss, magic, and a touch of mystery made this book not only a thrilling read but an emotionally resonant one, too.

The dual timeline between 1915 and 2017 is so well executed, creating a perfect balance between the past and present. The Obara sisters and their magical abilities are fascinating, and I loved how their story was seamlessly intertwined with Jeremy’s. Tomasini’s world-building is top-notch—he creates a vivid, almost haunting atmosphere with the Canadian wilderness and its magical elements, especially the wolves. I felt like I was walking alongside Jeremy through the woods, experiencing the mysteries and dangers right there with him. The writing is immersive, and the pacing kept me eagerly turning the pages, never wanting to put the book down.

If you love a good mix of history, magic, and an emotional journey, this book is an absolute must-read. Tomasini does an amazing job of capturing the complexity of grief while adding in a layer of magical intrigue that makes the story even more captivating. I couldn’t stop thinking about it after I finished, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. Within This Darkness is everything I didn’t know I needed in a novel, and I can’t recommend it enough!

Five out of five stars.

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Shreya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within This Darkness is one of those rare books that balances the deeply personal with the undeniably magical. It moves between two timelines-1915 and 2017- yet never loses its heart. I have read Chris Tomasini's previous books, both of which are criminally underrated, according to me.

This book I felt was very well researched on its historical contexts. The atmosphere is rich and detailed and the characters, well I love them. And if you asked, I'll do anything for them. If you like deeply stirring books, this one is YOUR BOOK. Absolutely brilliant

[Elizabeth Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an ARC of this book. It’s not the first book I’ve read from Tomasini, so I knew it was going to be good. Even though the book changes POVs from the early 1900s to 2017, it wasn’t difficult to follow. If I had to define its genre, I’d say historical fable.

When the book starts, the five Polish Obara sisters (who have inexplicable, mystical powers) are helping the Canadian/British government in WWI. But something goes wrong, and Agata becomes trapped in her body, unreachable. Over the years, she doesn’t age, and her sisters need to figure out what to do with her so as not to burden the younger generation.

When we’re introduced to Jeremy Gardela, we have no idea how he may be related to the Obara sisters. His father is a scientist who tracks the local wolves, and Jeremy helps with that endeavor. He’s comfortable in the wilderness and has no fear of the wolves. It’s almost as if they’re communicating with him. Only a few months ago, his sister Anne died in a car crash. Though it’s not immediately confirmed, it becomes clear that she was probably trying to practice the same kind of magic the Obara sisters did, but something went terribly wrong. Jeremy is devastated by the loss of his sister and closest friend. In her absence, Anne’s best friend Melissa has more or less taken him under her wing because he seems so lost.

There’s a military man with a name that cracked me up—Roger Shambling. He has been researching the Obara sisters and the area around Douro, Ontario where they once lived. He believes he has figured out the connection to current descendants and is determined to uncover the “treasure” of Douro, a fabled mystery missing a few clues. And this is how he ends up at Jeremy’s Aunt Kasia’s house. Kasia is disabled and suffering from mild dementia. When Shambling tries to question her about her relationship to the Obara’s she clams up and asks him to leave. But he unlocks a memory and she asks Jeremy to look for something for her, something hidden by her ancestors almost 100 years ago.

There’s a great description of Jeremy’s grief over the loss of his sister: “In the months after Anne’s death, the weight of her death had come to Jeremy in a series of ebbs and flows, like the ocean advancing upon, but then retreating from, a beach with the pull of the tides. At times it was as though he stood alone on the beach, and the depths of his loss rose from the sea and only managed to reach his ankles, or his knees. At other times the immensity of his sister’s death swept over him completely. From toes to chest, and it was all he could do not to give in and succumb completely to the silent depths of his loss.”

I suppose it’s a Young Adult novel, but it never felt like that to me. Jeremy, the hero of the story, is only 14-years-old. He’s independent, smart, and brave. He has a level of common sense that many his age do not. In short, he’s very mature. While searching for the “treasure” his aunt sent him to find, he faces challenges and grows as a person. He feels responsible for the death of his sister because he was in the car with her when she died, but his actions in this story offer him some sense of redemption.

It’s a unique story that straddles two time periods without getting confusing. Every chapter ended with just enough tension to make me want to continue reading through the next. I found myself stopping reading for the night when I fell asleep from exhaustion. If not for basic biological needs, I’d have read this in one sitting because it was so engrossing. I don’t think it’s over yet, either. It ended with a bit of a question about what will come next, and I’ll be here for it.

[Reenie's Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️’s.

This was such a beautifully moving read.
It gently unpacks grief and the journey of rediscovering yourself when everything feels broken. I loved how it captures the magic of family and history, connected across time.

The historical layers added such a meaningful depth and while the pacing is definitely a slow burn, the emotional payoff and the beautiful Canadian setting made it so worth it.

And that ending? It gave me chills. I’m looking forward to what comes next.

Grateful to have received this copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Matea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within this darkness is a fast-paced, emotionally rich fantasy that’s both easy to read and hard to put down. The writing is clear, the characters are relatable, and the emotional depth adds real weight to the adventure. Despite its darker themes of loss and grief, the book never feels heavy, and its magical elements bring a sense of wonder and suspense throughout.
What really stands out is how well the book balances emotion, mystery, and fun. It’s a story about friendship, family, and finding something—or someone—to hold onto when things fall apart.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within This Darkness
By Chris Tomasini

This book centers around sisters who immigrated to Douro, Canada during World War I from Poland. The Obara sisters – Katryn, Eva, Dorota, Agata and Magda – have magical powers which travel through bloodlines to family members in following generations. This is the first book of a trilogy that is considered a young adult series.

The power these sisters share allows them to do basically anything they can imagine. They can physically translate themselves to any place they can visualize. They can create things – clothes, food, and whatever else they need. They can even transport others if they are in physical contact.
The only thing they can't do is to interact with others, called walkers, because they are unable to "find" them mentally.

This is a very interesting story. It takes place in 2017, several generations after the original sisters are long dead. Anne and Jeremy Gardela, siblings, together with their Aunt Kasia, are the last remaining descendants of the original Obara sisters. Anne has just discovered her powers and is experimenting, when she is killed in a horrific car accident. Jeremy does not know about the family's magical history, but is deep in his grief for his sister.

Kasia, elderly and wheelchair bound, is visited by a man named Shambling, who has spent his life obsessed with the Obaras and their abilities. He wants to capture the remaining family members – but Kasia realizes he is a dangerous man. She will give him nothing. Thus the chase is on.

This book sets up the scene for the following two volumes. The cast of characters is introduced – including the wolves who play a large part in the story. The potential villains – another magical family in league with Hitler and the Nazis – has made an appearance. Now all that is left, after whetting the reader's appetite, is to wait for the second volume!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

[C.R. Comacchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and the author for a free copy of this novel to review.

Aimed at a teen-young adult readership, Chris Tomasini’s most recent novel, the first of a proposed trilogy, transcends that category. The main character, fourteen-year-old Jeremy Gardela, has the classic ‘old soul.’ Yet while he seems innately more centred than most adolescents, Jeremy has had little choice but to grow up quickly. His older sister died in a mysterious car accident; his parents, not surprisingly, are having a terrible time dealing with the shock; his biologist father took a work contact in British Columbia, far from their home in the rural village of Douro, Ontario, as his way of coping. Responsible to a fault, Jeremy shoulders the burden of keeping his family from shattering further. The adults in his life seem to overlook the costs to his own developing psyche.

It’s easy to see how teenagers would relate to Jeremy, who wants to do right by everyone even if it means slighting his own ambitions. But, as adept as the author is at character development, the story is not primarily about his current situation. There is something unusual, even supernatural, beneath these very human challenges. And the mystery is not simply family lore. Their story, what is understood of it, has been preserved and embellished for nearly a century, and continues to draw tourists and treasure-seekers to the forests surrounding Douro.

The keeper of the family history is his father’s older sister Kasia, who, although memory-impaired by a stroke, summons up enough detail to pass on to Jeremy the duty of finding the so-called family treasure. Lost for nearly a century, it is supposed to have been left in an elaborately protected crypt deep in the forest.

A dual timeline allows the story to be told in 2017, Jeremy’s time, and at various points and places since 1915. In various ways, Jeremy becomes a messenger between ancient branches of the family and the disparate descendants. The four Obara sisters—Katryn, the eldest at nineteen, Agata, Eva, Dorota, and Magda—are his father’s Polish ancestors, among the first families to emigrate and till its rough terrain. They are Jeremy’s link to what has long been hidden, both figuratively and literally. And he must move quickly and stealthily, because there are ruthless people, possibly with military connections, in pursuit.

In this opening installment, Tomasini takes great care to establish the setting, introduce the characters, and hint at the deeper story, all of which he does masterfully. His depictions of the fictional town of Douro (not the Douro township of today, as he explains) evoke its quiet, neglected, isolation, the bane of every teenager. His evocation of the forest and the life within, especially the wolves with whom Jeremy is almost preternaturally connected, is very affecting. It is integral to the plot, and not just a physical location. Enough is uncovered of the storyline that will be pursued in the subsequent volumes to create suspense while allowing for some preliminary answers. There is much to enjoy for readers of all ages, especially those who love time-travel, world-shifting, and the potential to change historical outcomes. Who doesn’t?

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending! What a book!

A slim volume, sumptuously threaded with the fantastical — this beautifully crafted read is the first in a trilogy that may be targeted to young adults, but is absolutely loved by this reader (who can barely remember that time period).

Dark in parts, mysterious, and always enchanting, between these pages one will encounter the horrors of war, layer upon layer of secrets, traumatic grief, unimaginable loss, and the worst of shadowy military megalomania. But, mingled in throughout, one will also find sprinkles of hope, of enchantment, of wonder, and connection. Of imagination, at its most powerful.

Our journey will begin with (and end with?) a treasure hunt in a small Ontario town and more than one spell magically cast. A family, five sisters, searching for each other.

Across timelines, across oceans.

From arboreous Canada to history-drenched Eastern Poland to the global terrors of pre-WWII.

Across life, and death, and otherworldliness.

And wolves! Awakened and bonded through a human howl. A forest full of them, silent and padding. Yellow-eyed friends, protectors or predators, on the prowl.

Jeremy Gardela, our fourteen-year old main protagonist, will certainly need to find his way, carefully. As he embarks on an adventure, (a personal, soon-to-be deeply relevant quest), quite unlike anything he has ever really imagined.

Still reeling with the grief and the pain of his sister’s recent death, Jeremy may not be feeling quite up to all this. Through the deepest, darkest forest, he will encounter clues to be laboriously untangled, malevolent pursuit, and danger, but he will also discover friendship and love and a whole new level of meaning, as new and illusive worlds emerge.

“The very real feeling of entering another universe — a darkness beyond, or within, the place where he’d been standing.”

And where will it all take him?

Without giving the plot away (no spoilers here, you have to read the book!), if you follow, with Jeremy, the paths illuminating, you will be left with answers, — as well as many, many more questions.

And the next book in the trilogy beckoning.

A great big thank you to the author for an ARC of this wonderful book. All thoughts presented are my own.

[The Reading Ghost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading an ARC of Within This Darkness by Chris Tomasini and I was completely pulled into its world. The mix of history and supernatural elements made the story so immersive.

Fourteen-year-old Jeremy Gardela is still learning to deal with the loss of his sister. With his family broken, he struggles to find a sense of normal life—until his aunt sends him on a mysterious quest through the forests of Douro, Ontario.

Guided by old family journals, a tenacious town legend, and cryptic maps, Jeremy discovers a centuries-old secret. He awakens his cousin Agata, who has been asleep since the early 1900s, untouched by time. But there's no time to enjoy this unsettling family reunion, as a dangerous threat quickly closes in.

Within This Darkness is a brilliant mix of historical setting, supernatural mystery, and heartfelt YA emotion. It’s impossible to put down.

I highly recommend it if you enjoy YA novels full of mystery, history, deep emotions, and characters that stay with you long after the final page

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my netgalley arcs that somehow slipped through the cracks, didn't show up on my list until August. It debuted in February.

I liked this a lot. There are some clunky passages and it has that head hopping style (that doesn't bother me but I know it does bug some people). It's in two different time periods, one being from WWI through to WWII and the other is 2017 Canada.

The interwar period storyline centers on five Polish sisters, the Obaras who can do magic. They can teleport between locations like the X-Men's Nightcrawler (if they can picture it they can go there) and the rest of the magic seems to be if they can imagine it, they can do it (within limits, for example they never master flight). Eva, especially, is working as a spy for the military. Agata is as well and it opens in media res with them trying to save her.

Only Agata has done some spell that has put her in suspended animation, alive, unaging but unable to awake. Her sisters are looking for the near mythic Walker who might be able to save her.

In 2017 Jeremy is a teenaged boy trying to deal with some heavy things. His great aunt Kasia's beginnings of dementia, his mother's over protectiveness and his father, a wildlife biologist studying wolves, being on a job far away. The latter two are trauma responses after the death of Jeremy's sister, Anne, a few months before. Jeremy luckily survived the car crash.

Jeremy also has a way with wolves and tries to rescue them. He's also not in school (bereavement leave) and spends a lot of time in the woods, leading to a discovery about his family, his past and himself that he wasn't expecting.

Also there is Agent Shambling, military, who knows about the sisters and their magic and believes the Douro legend involves them and he can solve it. He might know more about the sisters than their remaining family does. This also means that he is so obsessed that he has no qualms about trying to force Great Aunt Kasia into things and kidnapping some kids.

Jeremy and the sisters are all interesting characters. I liked how the story unfolded. I very much liked the stuff in the wars with the sisters. I don't know how much more we'll get of that in the next two books but if Tomasini decided to write a prequel with just them, I'd be there for it.

I thought the ending might have been a bit too easy but in the end, Shambling is more obsessed and making bad, rash decisions than he is truly evil (for now at least) I would like to see book two.

[Nicole Dukes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Chris Tomasini for reaching out and allowing me to review your book!

The book starts off in 1915 in Douro, Ontario. We are introduced to the Polish Obara sisters: Katryn, Eva, Dorota, Agata and Magda. We learn very quickly they have some sort of magic - some sisters more powerful than others. They're able to *teleport* for lack of a better word. They can imagine a place they've already been and transport there within the blink of an eye. They call it "casting a change." They've been helping the government during WWI. During a cast, Agata becomes stuck somehow - unconscious but alive and not aging.

Fast forward to over 100 years later and it's 2017. Jeremy lives in Douro and his father leads a wildlife preservation team studying wolves. He clearly feels a strong connection and empathy with wolves. He's about 14 years old and mourning the loss of his older sister Anne. She died in a car accident 4 months back.

Roger Shambling is a semi retired officer in the Canadian military. He's been researching the mystical Obara family for most of his life. He wants to find the rumored treasure buried in Douro.
Jeremy visits with his Aunt Kasia who says the magic of Douro is because of their family. She sends him into the forest to uncover their family secret. He uses his ancestors journals to map the way to the buried secret. He finds a coffin and voila it's Agata - she awakens and she's still 15 years old. Together, they have to keep away from Roger and his minions. They also try to continue their quest for more answers about their magical family.

This isn't the type of book I would normally pick up. But I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I can't wait to read this to my girls. It alternated between a few different timelines but never felt confusing. I felt sorry for Agata, knowing all her close family are long gone. It was beautifully written and I got through it very quickly. I loved this book - the adventure, the sisters, the magic - all of it.

5/5


Check out Fueled by Coffee and Books for more reviews :)

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in a planned trilogy. The target audience is teens and older. I'm a "little" older than that and enjoyed the book immensely. Told in two timelines, the backstory clearly sets the stage for the 14yr MMC to manage his grief when his sister dies in an accident. His ability to maintain a normal life and meet his family's expectations is handled in an understanding manner. The characters are well-developed and well-defined. Their actions and reactions are typical of their age groups and the audience reading the book. There is no gore or hidden surprises that could trigger negative reactions. Chris Tomasini does a skillful job of threading the individual plot lines into this first book. He captures the reader's attention quickly and holds it throughout the story, leaving enough arcing threads to coax readers into returning for the next book.

Within This Darkness is based on magical/gifted Polish sisters from 1915. There is an uncontrollable situation that occurs during the war, which leads to the present day, 2017. As you read, the sisters and the present-day characters develop links that wind throughout the story. And then we meet Jeremy Gardela. He lives in Duoro, Canada. His main job is to be a 14yr old boy on the cusp of adulthood. His older sister died in an accident, and his family has not been the same. Each member grieves in their own way. Jeremy's way is to work harder on his projects and spend more and more time in the wilderness surrounding his home. His decision to investigate the rumors and legends told about the treasure in the woods will trigger unforeseen circumstances when Jeremy discovers his connection with the 1915 sisters. This is the main plotline in this first book, with many smaller plots with arcs to find out in the next books. Tomasini did an excellent job of seamlessly moving between the two timelines and educating readers and Jeremy on his central place in the trilogy. He has set the bar high for the next book. It will be interesting to see where he goes with the story. Can earn the next 5 star?

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourteen year old Jeremy Gardela was born in 2004. After an unexpected visit from a Canadian military officer, asking pointed questions about the family history, 70-year-old Aunt Kasia sends Jeremy on a treasure hunt through the forests surrounding Douro, Ontario. Aunt Kasia equips Jeremy with maps and journals passed down through generations of the Obara family, and following maps dating from the 1940s, Jeremy discovers the cavern where fourteen-year-old Agata Obara (born in 1900) has lain asleep for a century. Jeremy is able to wake Agata, which her sisters in the early 1900s had not been able to do. He takes her to visit his aunt, and soon they are pursued by the military officer who had questioned Aunt Kasia, and who knows about the magical abilities that lie within the history of the Obara/Gardela family. Jeremy & Agata's search for the second "treasure" which is described in notes and journals given to them by Aunt Kasia. What is this treasure? As they search for this treasure, they are pursued by the military officer who had questioned Aunt Kasia, who wishes to harness any magical abilities possessed by these children for military use. Will the military officer find them?

The novel is an outdoor adventure story with magical elements, it is also about loss, and the idea that the loneliness and sadness that you carry within yourself can be at least partially alleviated by connecting with others. The author writes an alluring blend of magic, family history, and mystery. It is an intricate story. I love the mystery and friendship of Agatha and Jeremy. It’s a fantastic story to read.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was a rich and compelling blend of historical fiction and magical realism, with a touch of coming-of-age fantasy storytelling. The world-building and mythos that the author creates feel both mystical and grounded simultaneously, connecting generations of a family through tragedy and grief, which speaks to the enduring power of family connections. The characters themselves feel real and undergo a thorough journey of growth and exploration, allowing readers to become invested in them.

The emotional heart of this story was in the ways the book explored loss and grief so thoroughly. The loss of Jeremy’s sister punctuates the narrative early on, and the author does a remarkable job of exploring how such a loss can impact those left behind. The way this leans into the overall story with his relatives from a century ago and the fantasy element with how he discovers Agata adds to the idea of family and loss greatly. The way the military leader hunts for answers adds a sense of danger and tension, bringing a touch of the Stranger Things element, and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

The Verdict

Memorable, compelling, and entertaining, author Chris Tomasini’s “Within This Darkness” is a must-read historical fiction meets magical fantasy novel. The twists and turns in the story, the rich family connections between the characters, and the incredible balance of action with story make this novel a standout that readers will be eager to see a sequel to.

[Summer Song · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Within This Darkness” is book 1 of an enthralling new trilogy from author Chris Tomasini! The characters are so well-written and feel three-dimensional. I enjoyed meeting and getting to know them! This story is beautiful, original, and captivating!There is history, magic, emotion, mystery, suspense, and three-dimensional and lovable characters. This author always does such wonderful work researching and is the absolute best at crafting original characters. From the beginning of this book I already felt very connected to these characters and invested in their story. I cannot wait for book 2! The original storyline, atmospheric setting, lovable characters, mysterious magic system, and smooth writing style all result in a new book and series that will be certain to enchant and enthrall readers as they explore Jeremy’s world and discover the secrets surrounding the Gardela family. This book is such a page-turner! I can’t wait to see what happens next. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! This is a must read. 5 stars!

Thank you very much to author Chris Tomasini for providing me with a physical copy to read and review honestly. Thank you so much for the great opportunity of meeting and getting to know these characters and their world.

[Shirley Weidner · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Within This Darkness" by Chris Tomasini Review by S. Weidner April 10, 2025

The book begins in 2017 with a fourteen-year-old boy who is struggling after his sister, Anne’s, death in a car accident. Jeremy Gardela was in the car with Anne driving and is still confused by what happened. Jeremy’s aunt Kasia suggests that their family has mysterious powers, and he might find answers in the dense forest near their home in small town Douro, Ontario, Canada. Kasia’s family have mostly passed away, but have lived in the area since the 1940’s.

Jeremy’s Dad is a wildlife preservation biologist at the White Pines Provincial Park. Jeremy has no fear of the forest and occasionally helps his father. However, rumors and local lore speak of accounts of strange stones, possible buried treasure and a wolf population in the forest. Tourists are not unusual to be seen in the area.

An intriguing story unfolds. The author, Chris Tomasini, has a wonderful way of sharing the emotions of the different characters in a way that you can feel! There will be two novels to follow and I know I will be anxious to read more of this story!

This is my honest review.

[HappyBookWorm2020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by Chris Tomasini and it's even better than the first. I love fables set in our world and he excels at this. This is the first book of a trilogy.

The setting is Douro, in the province of Ontario, Canada, and spans two time periods, one during during WWI and the other in 2017. There are five sisters with magical powers: Agata, Katryn, Eva, Dorota and Magda. During WWI, Agata was using her magic to help the war effort, when she went into a coma. She was moved to Douro, Canada by the military for her safety while they waited for her to waken. Her young sisters didn't know about the coma. They had found the compound she was kept in, intending to rescue her, but were unable to remove her.

Years went by, and Jeremy Gardela, a descendent of one of the sisters, lives in Douro, and is drawn to the woods around Douro. There are legends about the wolves, and mysterious moon stones in the woods can supposedly be used to find a missing treasure. Jeremy has another gift - he can hear whispers in the dark, from people long dead. I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy is grieving the death of his sister when he finds Agata. In their journey to uncover lost secrets they are tailed by Shambling who is semi retired military and looking to uncover the mysterious secret held in Douro. I loved how supportive Jeremy's sister's best friend and her boyfriend were in helping Jeremy and Agata. I also loved how magic was woven into this tale in the best possible way. I often find that I have more questions than answers when elements of magic and travel are introduced in novels. Here I found the magical elements had continuity and kept me curious about what was to come. I enjoyed how the two stories are woven together through the main characters Jeremy and Agatha. I look forward to learning more about Agata and her sisters and learning more about Jeremy's family. I will definitely pick up the next title in this series.

I received this book via NetGalley.

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story begins in Canada in 1915, jumps to 2017, and leaps through magical hoops I didn't even know existed. And I loved it.

I didn't know what to expect from this story, honestly. I thought it might be reminiscent of A Monster Calls.

It's actually not like anything else, and so refreshing.

"If what you craved in life was silence and nature, you might call this town idyllic. If you wanted anything else, and were being less charitable, you might call the town boring."

Jeremy is such a great character. And his growth in the story just make him even more relatable.

"And in the end, the gap is the hardest thing in the world because only you exist there. You, and the pain you carry. And so you run."

[Autumn Danner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was more fascinating and intricate than I had expected, and I really liked it. I've actually read it twice now! Jeremy is such a mild character to be so central to the story, yet I like him all the more for it. The way that he both 'comes of age' and learns the true origins of his family is fantastical, rich in magic and history. The tie in to World War II, and the inclusion of factual events, enhances the story as it details the challenges the five sisters faced. I must say that the end left me wanting more - so it is a good thing that this is book one of a series and not just a story with questions unanswered. I want to thank the author and NetGalley for a courtesy copy of this book, and I anxiously await the next book in the series!

[Hees · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise! It was well-paced and the writing style of the author was easy to follow. It's so creative and seamless how magic and real historical events are tied together to make it seem realistic and believable although we know it's fiction. The author clearly did a lot of thorough research in order to craft this masterpiece. I am so glad that this is part of a trilogy because there are some remaining mysteries, and I am eager to find out what's next for Jeremy and his family. Definitely, more people need to read this book and I feel that this can be adapted to film. That would be super cool!

[Louise Foerster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Tomasini's WITHIN THIS DARKNESS was the first Tomasini novel I've read and has introduced me to an exceptional writer. I loved every moment of Jeremy Gardela's grieving his older sister, venturing into the dark forest, and emerging with magic and mystery and a stranger. The story is twists and turns and wonderful moments -- a truly enjoyable read with heart stopping moments that made me think. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the book. It took a couple chapters to understand the concept but I was by then capivated by the story. Very well written. Also, love the short chapters so it is easy to read and put down or pick up at any time. Was slightly disappointed with the ending but knowing that it is the first of three books I know the story will continue on and all three books would be enjoyable to read.

[Jen Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told in two time periods, WWI and present day, Canada.
As Jeremy grieves his sister, his Aunt sends him on a journey that begins the unraveling of the family secrets. His Aunts have magical gifts that enabled them to spy in the war. Their magical talents didn't keep the family from being unscathed and leaving them with one "lost".
A mysterious man is hell bent on getting to the bottom of the secrets which leads Jeremy to discover a hidden magic all his own.
I loved this book. Quick read with well developed characters that made this book hard to put down. I look forward to reading the next book in this trilogy.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This reminds me of some of the stories I used to read that got me into fantasy and science fiction. I love when there are things that can't be explained and the lines between magic and science get blurred. And it's more intense when the rules are consistent, like here.
But it's the story that has so much heart. Important world events, lost and found family, and so much courage! I really hope there are more stories in this world.