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Darkest Light
The weather is stormy, and the room is dark and cold. Michael dreams about a woman in the comfort of his bed, missing her warmth against his naked body. He ponders, wondering what he can do to change his lifestyle and crummy house. He hates his job and his daily routine. This isn’t just any morning, though. Michael is about to embark on a journey that will change his perspective on life. Darkest Light is a fantasy and a romance, full of mystical creatures, magical scenes and a beautiful alternative world, which will set your imagination loose.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
1055 people want to read
About the author
Alex Taylor
1 book28 followersHi there,
My name is Alex and I was born in Stamford. I currently live in yeovil and work as a care assistant in a home for the elderly. I study part time and am also writing a second book. A sequel to my first.
I support the brain tumour support charity as they have helped my dad fight his brain tumour. He has been battling for the last 7 years and lately, even though they have stopped treatment, he still fights for his life. God give him strength.
My favorite days out are walks in the countryside and a meal in a nice restaurant.
I am a vivid collector of different items such as rare pokemon cards and silver. If you own something interesting please let me see :)
Please feel free to leave me a message sometime.
My name is Alex and I was born in Stamford. I currently live in yeovil and work as a care assistant in a home for the elderly. I study part time and am also writing a second book. A sequel to my first.
I support the brain tumour support charity as they have helped my dad fight his brain tumour. He has been battling for the last 7 years and lately, even though they have stopped treatment, he still fights for his life. God give him strength.
My favorite days out are walks in the countryside and a meal in a nice restaurant.
I am a vivid collector of different items such as rare pokemon cards and silver. If you own something interesting please let me see :)
Please feel free to leave me a message sometime.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 1, 2015
I would really recommend this book, it takes you on an amazing journey filled with mystical creatures and very detailed , in my life I've never completed a book , this book kept me wanting to read more ,can't wait for Darkest Light- Through the Darkness. I would like to say a big well done to Alex Taylor for his amazing work .
February 27, 2015
Author Alex Taylor creates a very unique world with wonderful creatures. The story takes you on a tour of this world where protagonist Michael meets up with a girl who is his dream lady. Very easy to read and visualize. Kept me mesmerized.
Want to read
March 7, 2015It might not be too profound, but I got hooked immediately. And apparently I'm not the only one. All in all, this was one of the most entertaining books that I've read.
August 20, 2015
Everybody contemplates getting something , Well don't not with this book it's qwerky and different nothing like I have read before .
July 8, 2022
As a big fantasy reader, I love getting into new titles and this one was brought to my attention recently. This was a nice easy read, where I could easily see this world through the descriptions and could relate to the characters. The ending has left me wanting to find out what happens!
May 1, 2015
Find the full review at Confessions of a Bookaholic
Source: Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 3/5 Stars
I received this book in exchange for an honest review and, initially, I was apprehensive, the premise was nothing like I had read before. I know that alternate universe stories are not unusual however I had never come across one before so this was a new experience for me. The story is set up quickly, we meet Michael, a very discontented fellow who wants more out of life and it's easy to understand why from his descriptions of his home and life. It is easy to identify with Michael because in one way or another we are all somewhat discontented however this is taken to the extreme with his characterisation. The main purpose of many people when reading fantasy books is to escape the monotonous nature of real life in favor of an exciting fantasy land in which anything can happen. This is usual, what is unusual is to have that happen to a character within a fantasy. Michael himself appears to represent the reader of fantasies in the way that he too escapes his tedious life to go to a brilliant exciting world in which he can gain fulfillment. Overall, the plot of the novel really interested me and I think it was quite successfully executed on the whole with the exception, perhaps, of the slow pace. Not much actually happens within the plot now that I think about it but don't let that put you off, anyone who has read The Catcher in the Rye knows that a book does not need much plot development in order to be successful.
My main criticism of Darkest Light has to be the writing style. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that it is weak. What I mean is that it was not for me. Everyone has a writing style that they prefer and for me it is always past tense, I find it very difficult to connect with a text that is written in present tense and sadly for me this book was. I know of lots of people who favor present tense and I know many have no preference between tenses so this is certainly not something that would put off too many people. I may just have been being picky but this did not sit too well with me and is perhaps a reason why it look me quite a while to finish it, that and my very busy schedule.
I feel quite mixed towards the character if I am honest, on the one hand Taylor depicts them very realistically. All the characters are very multi-faceted, unlike with many authors who idealise their protagonists these ones are very flawed. I know what you're thinking, flaws shouldn't be praised because they make the characters less likable. While this is true, flaws also serve to humanise the characters and make them more relatable. This is certainly true of Michael and Noeleen, they are very human and relatable in a number of ways but I really think it's possible to be too relatable. Like I said earlier, the reason many read fantasy is to escape the real world and to then be greeted with character so realistic that you could meet them in the street could be seen as an anti-climax. This was only slight however, I was quite impressed overall with the character development despite this.
In conclusion, though I could not connect with the writing style of Darkest Light the realism of the characters and the exciting and imaginative plot was really quite impressive and for that reason I gave it three stars. I would recommend this book to sci-fi and fantasy lovers who are less picky than me about narrative style.
Source: Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 3/5 Stars
I received this book in exchange for an honest review and, initially, I was apprehensive, the premise was nothing like I had read before. I know that alternate universe stories are not unusual however I had never come across one before so this was a new experience for me. The story is set up quickly, we meet Michael, a very discontented fellow who wants more out of life and it's easy to understand why from his descriptions of his home and life. It is easy to identify with Michael because in one way or another we are all somewhat discontented however this is taken to the extreme with his characterisation. The main purpose of many people when reading fantasy books is to escape the monotonous nature of real life in favor of an exciting fantasy land in which anything can happen. This is usual, what is unusual is to have that happen to a character within a fantasy. Michael himself appears to represent the reader of fantasies in the way that he too escapes his tedious life to go to a brilliant exciting world in which he can gain fulfillment. Overall, the plot of the novel really interested me and I think it was quite successfully executed on the whole with the exception, perhaps, of the slow pace. Not much actually happens within the plot now that I think about it but don't let that put you off, anyone who has read The Catcher in the Rye knows that a book does not need much plot development in order to be successful.
My main criticism of Darkest Light has to be the writing style. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that it is weak. What I mean is that it was not for me. Everyone has a writing style that they prefer and for me it is always past tense, I find it very difficult to connect with a text that is written in present tense and sadly for me this book was. I know of lots of people who favor present tense and I know many have no preference between tenses so this is certainly not something that would put off too many people. I may just have been being picky but this did not sit too well with me and is perhaps a reason why it look me quite a while to finish it, that and my very busy schedule.
I feel quite mixed towards the character if I am honest, on the one hand Taylor depicts them very realistically. All the characters are very multi-faceted, unlike with many authors who idealise their protagonists these ones are very flawed. I know what you're thinking, flaws shouldn't be praised because they make the characters less likable. While this is true, flaws also serve to humanise the characters and make them more relatable. This is certainly true of Michael and Noeleen, they are very human and relatable in a number of ways but I really think it's possible to be too relatable. Like I said earlier, the reason many read fantasy is to escape the real world and to then be greeted with character so realistic that you could meet them in the street could be seen as an anti-climax. This was only slight however, I was quite impressed overall with the character development despite this.
In conclusion, though I could not connect with the writing style of Darkest Light the realism of the characters and the exciting and imaginative plot was really quite impressive and for that reason I gave it three stars. I would recommend this book to sci-fi and fantasy lovers who are less picky than me about narrative style.
July 20, 2015
I received a copy as a giveaway win & post my review without duress.
Though I thoroughly enjoyed following along the mysterious journey of Mike, Noeleen & Lido, I felt that a lot was missing in terms of character & story depth. Just as you get into one plot, it turns & you're faced with a new plot. Without being specific as to provide spoilers, questions were constantly swarming around in my head as to why they would be doing what they were doing, only for them to about face & react differently. The conversations between the two characters were disjointed & at times seemed to just be filler. That being said, I did enjoy the descriptive writing of the land & animals & praise the author for his vivid vision. His initial attempt is to be commended & I look forward to seeing where Mike's life takes him.
Though I thoroughly enjoyed following along the mysterious journey of Mike, Noeleen & Lido, I felt that a lot was missing in terms of character & story depth. Just as you get into one plot, it turns & you're faced with a new plot. Without being specific as to provide spoilers, questions were constantly swarming around in my head as to why they would be doing what they were doing, only for them to about face & react differently. The conversations between the two characters were disjointed & at times seemed to just be filler. That being said, I did enjoy the descriptive writing of the land & animals & praise the author for his vivid vision. His initial attempt is to be commended & I look forward to seeing where Mike's life takes him.
April 3, 2015
The best book I have read in over 2 years. Intreaging, fascinating, I could not put it down. The words turned into pictures in my mind.
Want to read
January 2, 2016I was lucky enough to win a copy if this book through a Goodreads giveaway! I will read and review when it arrives!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews