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Aresix #2
In the Darkness of the Guilt
Adam Hartley helped create the virus that changed the whole world.
Changed his world.
After what happened with the woman he loved, he’s fixated on making right his past mistakes.
His daughter Hannah is immune to the virus. Her existence offers hope, but it also raises questions that no one is ready to answer.
As they push closer to understanding the virus, Adam is forced to confront the impossible: saving humanity might require sacrifices he’s not willing to make. He must decide how far he is willing to go before losing himself completely.
Some answers can save the world.
Others will destroy what’s left of your heart
Changed his world.
After what happened with the woman he loved, he’s fixated on making right his past mistakes.
His daughter Hannah is immune to the virus. Her existence offers hope, but it also raises questions that no one is ready to answer.
As they push closer to understanding the virus, Adam is forced to confront the impossible: saving humanity might require sacrifices he’s not willing to make. He must decide how far he is willing to go before losing himself completely.
Some answers can save the world.
Others will destroy what’s left of your heart
About the author
Linda Everly
5 books11 followersLinda loves crafting stories with passion whether the vibe is dark and gritty or playful and festive.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually binge-watching TV shows, growing her never-ending TBR pile, and devouring smutty little books for “research.”
When she’s not writing, she’s usually binge-watching TV shows, growing her never-ending TBR pile, and devouring smutty little books for “research.”
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 4, 2026
One of my favourite aspects of this book was Adam’s character arc. Watching him spiral into an emotionally and psychologically dark place felt incredibly believable. His grief isn’t something he simply moves on from. Instead, it consumes him, clouding his judgement and pushing him towards increasingly desperate decisions.
Unable to accept that Nora is truly gone, Adam becomes consumed by the need to bring her back. His desperation to create a cure doesn’t just endanger himself, it also threatens the relationship he has with Hannah, making every decision feel heavier than the last.
What struck me most was that Adam no longer cared what happened to him. He’s weighed down by overwhelming guilt over the catastrophe of Aresix-7, and every day feels like an emotional punishment. He’s forced to exist in a world without the love of his life, and Linda writes that grief with such honesty that it never feels exaggerated or melodramatic.
Adam isn’t simply a grieving protagonist. He embodies denial, guilt, regret and self-destruction, giving him a level of emotional depth that made him one of the most compelling parts of the story. Even when I questioned his choices, I understood the pain driving them
This was a 4 star overall because I simply wanted it to be longer. I was in the reality of the situation and I didn’t want it to end. This is the second book in the Aresix series and in order to understand the plot you need to read book 1.
I can’t wait for the next book, Linda needs to hurry up and give me a release date because I need it.
Unable to accept that Nora is truly gone, Adam becomes consumed by the need to bring her back. His desperation to create a cure doesn’t just endanger himself, it also threatens the relationship he has with Hannah, making every decision feel heavier than the last.
What struck me most was that Adam no longer cared what happened to him. He’s weighed down by overwhelming guilt over the catastrophe of Aresix-7, and every day feels like an emotional punishment. He’s forced to exist in a world without the love of his life, and Linda writes that grief with such honesty that it never feels exaggerated or melodramatic.
Adam isn’t simply a grieving protagonist. He embodies denial, guilt, regret and self-destruction, giving him a level of emotional depth that made him one of the most compelling parts of the story. Even when I questioned his choices, I understood the pain driving them
This was a 4 star overall because I simply wanted it to be longer. I was in the reality of the situation and I didn’t want it to end. This is the second book in the Aresix series and in order to understand the plot you need to read book 1.
I can’t wait for the next book, Linda needs to hurry up and give me a release date because I need it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2026
I thought the first book 1 hurt… but THIS? 😭
We watch Adam desperately fight to save the woman he loves, throwing everything he has into creating an antidote. But as the pressure consumes him, he ends up hurting the very people he’s trying to protect. and slowly loses himself along the way.
His anxiety, guilt and emotional turmoil felt so painfully real. His pain was palpable. There were moments where I genuinely wanted to crawl through the pages, grab him by the shoulders and just HUG THIS MAN 😭🫂
And his character development? INCREDIBLE🖤
Watching Adam battle his own demons, stumble through the darkness of his guilt, and eventually find his way back toward the light was one of the most heartbreaking and beautiful parts of this book 🌑➡️🌅
Would I recommend it? Absolutely!
Would I emotionally recover? Jury's still out 🫠💔📚 (but I can't wait for book 3!!)
We watch Adam desperately fight to save the woman he loves, throwing everything he has into creating an antidote. But as the pressure consumes him, he ends up hurting the very people he’s trying to protect. and slowly loses himself along the way.
His anxiety, guilt and emotional turmoil felt so painfully real. His pain was palpable. There were moments where I genuinely wanted to crawl through the pages, grab him by the shoulders and just HUG THIS MAN 😭🫂
And his character development? INCREDIBLE🖤
Watching Adam battle his own demons, stumble through the darkness of his guilt, and eventually find his way back toward the light was one of the most heartbreaking and beautiful parts of this book 🌑➡️🌅
Would I recommend it? Absolutely!
Would I emotionally recover? Jury's still out 🫠💔📚 (but I can't wait for book 3!!)
August 13, 2026
Having to put the book now and go to bed was difficult. I couldn’t stop reading wanting to know how things would play out. At first I felt hopeful then was angry with the author however as much as I wanted her to live, it made me feel more connected with the characters. Experience the hope and the sadness of their life’s and world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2026
What a follow up, my heart hurts.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews