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Black Falls
An ancient, long-dead evil awakes and both of them won't survive it. Can you save her?
When nightmares bleed into reality, survival depends on a devastating price.
With recent vivid nightmares creeping through gaps in her reality, nineteen year old Jordan finds herself back in Montrose after a decade. Battling insomnia, university applications and, oh yeah, Ghouls, Bounty Hunters and legends past, Jordan must face some unforeseen and long dead beings that have made it their mission to see her dead.
If you love the reality-warping psychological terror of Victor LaValle's, the Changeling, morally gray urban magic found in V.E. Schwab's Vicious and expansive magic systems of R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War, you won't be able to put Black Falls down.
When nightmares bleed into reality, survival depends on a devastating price.
With recent vivid nightmares creeping through gaps in her reality, nineteen year old Jordan finds herself back in Montrose after a decade. Battling insomnia, university applications and, oh yeah, Ghouls, Bounty Hunters and legends past, Jordan must face some unforeseen and long dead beings that have made it their mission to see her dead.
If you love the reality-warping psychological terror of Victor LaValle's, the Changeling, morally gray urban magic found in V.E. Schwab's Vicious and expansive magic systems of R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War, you won't be able to put Black Falls down.
546 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2026
About the author
A.C. Young
1 book11 followersA.C. was born in Miami, Florida to a Bahamian mother and African-American father. For most of her life, she was raised by her mother and grandmother, while playing competitive sports, theatre, and, of course, reading anything she could get her hand on. She has a younger sister and elder brother whom she loves dearly. A.C. moved from Miami to Japan at 21 for language study before finishing a degree in Business Supervision and Management. Upon her graduation, she returned to Japan where she finished the first installment in the Fallen series, Black Falls.
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October 3, 2026I always feel bad about dnf-ing ARCs, and I really liked the premise and concept of Black Falls, but this book needs at least one more round of editing
The chapters are long — which isn't a problem in itself — but nothing hooked me, and I have to admit I didn't like the characters or the writing style. At times, the characters' actions made no sense and/or just pissed me off
For example, in the very first chapter, Jordan (the protagonist) threw a tantrum because she had to live with her mom. She was tugging on her father’s arm, grumbling, crossing her arms, and sulking like a small child. Are you a teenager or a toddler?
Also, in a later chapter (knowing Joey is a shady guy) and to quote HER OWN THOUGHTS: “For all I knew, they could be in some strange religion living in the mountains of Colorado waiting on an adorable girl like me to fall into their trap. Or they could be human traffickers. Or worse. An uber-religious doomsday cult looking for new wives.” — she decides to go to his house anyway. Ok. Got it. And again, that boy is REALLY shady and weird. The survival instinct of a stick
For some reason, the author avoids using the characters' names like the plague. Like, I promise nothing bad will happen if you mention the same name twice in a row. Just say "he" or "the boy," for goodness' sake, PLEASE 😭
There were also misused words in the text, which I hope get fixed in the final version
I can forgive imperfect writing, but I draw the line at stupid, annoying characters. It’s bad for my sleep.
So, for my own sanity, I decided to DNF
Thank you, A.C. Young, for providing eARC in exchange for an honest review
The chapters are long — which isn't a problem in itself — but nothing hooked me, and I have to admit I didn't like the characters or the writing style. At times, the characters' actions made no sense and/or just pissed me off
For example, in the very first chapter, Jordan (the protagonist) threw a tantrum because she had to live with her mom. She was tugging on her father’s arm, grumbling, crossing her arms, and sulking like a small child. Are you a teenager or a toddler?
Also, in a later chapter (knowing Joey is a shady guy) and to quote HER OWN THOUGHTS: “For all I knew, they could be in some strange religion living in the mountains of Colorado waiting on an adorable girl like me to fall into their trap. Or they could be human traffickers. Or worse. An uber-religious doomsday cult looking for new wives.” — she decides to go to his house anyway. Ok. Got it. And again, that boy is REALLY shady and weird. The survival instinct of a stick
For some reason, the author avoids using the characters' names like the plague. Like, I promise nothing bad will happen if you mention the same name twice in a row. Just say "he" or "the boy," for goodness' sake, PLEASE 😭
There were also misused words in the text, which I hope get fixed in the final version
I can forgive imperfect writing, but I draw the line at stupid, annoying characters. It’s bad for my sleep.
So, for my own sanity, I decided to DNF
Thank you, A.C. Young, for providing eARC in exchange for an honest review
October 6, 2026
This is my honest review of an ARC.
Black Falls is a fantastic start of an Urban Fantasy series. It is pretty solid, and I liked what the author did with the usual Urban fantasy elements a lot, starting with the main characters. It does feel like an introduction and the calm before the storm that is coming with book 2, because the ending leaves with a punch, and I'm sure there are things happening underneath the decisions taken by both one of the MCs and the villain. I have my theory.
The world feels pretty big and makes you eager to see more of it, which I do, especially with the crumbs we get from Jordan's perspective as she learns (and us with her). I will say we did not really see as much of Black Falls as I would have expected, and while the plot advanced quite a lot with the basics of it and the hints of what comes next, there was also a lot of character moments and development, particularly with Jordan. Jordan is a rather fascinating character, her pov feels unique in her voice and her thought process (I identified with her thoughts in a lot of moments, even when I was screaming at her...but I can't fully fault her for her thought process, as there are some hints about her issues and her mental state). She is funny, really sassy, and she processes things rather well, and while she is a little too modern for me at times (I'm not a big reader of Urban fantasy but I don't dislike the subgenre, I'm just not used to it), I did like her chapters, her willingness to do the right thing and her big heart in general. She has a lo of chemistry with Joey too.
Anya was a great contrast too, because her pov is wildly different. She has a distinctive thought process and I'm really curious about her past and what made her change after certain things. I loved how much support she has in her found family, and how much she is willing to give for those she loves.
I hope we get to see more of the side characters in the next book, Joey and Derrick fell a little to the sidelines, and I have a feeling we will meet certain people soon.
All in all, I'm left internally screaming for what's to come
Black Falls is a fantastic start of an Urban Fantasy series. It is pretty solid, and I liked what the author did with the usual Urban fantasy elements a lot, starting with the main characters. It does feel like an introduction and the calm before the storm that is coming with book 2, because the ending leaves with a punch, and I'm sure there are things happening underneath the decisions taken by both one of the MCs and the villain. I have my theory.
The world feels pretty big and makes you eager to see more of it, which I do, especially with the crumbs we get from Jordan's perspective as she learns (and us with her). I will say we did not really see as much of Black Falls as I would have expected, and while the plot advanced quite a lot with the basics of it and the hints of what comes next, there was also a lot of character moments and development, particularly with Jordan. Jordan is a rather fascinating character, her pov feels unique in her voice and her thought process (I identified with her thoughts in a lot of moments, even when I was screaming at her...but I can't fully fault her for her thought process, as there are some hints about her issues and her mental state). She is funny, really sassy, and she processes things rather well, and while she is a little too modern for me at times (I'm not a big reader of Urban fantasy but I don't dislike the subgenre, I'm just not used to it), I did like her chapters, her willingness to do the right thing and her big heart in general. She has a lo of chemistry with Joey too.
Anya was a great contrast too, because her pov is wildly different. She has a distinctive thought process and I'm really curious about her past and what made her change after certain things. I loved how much support she has in her found family, and how much she is willing to give for those she loves.
I hope we get to see more of the side characters in the next book, Joey and Derrick fell a little to the sidelines, and I have a feeling we will meet certain people soon.
All in all, I'm left internally screaming for what's to come
October 12, 2026
My ARC Review -
What would you do if your nightmares became reality? Better yet, what would be your reaction if you found out that you're not human? My reaction would not be good for both questions.
I can't explain how amazing this book is. Two different worlds, and everything Jordan believed might not be what she thought. The writing is amazing and the world building makes you feel like you are actually there. "“Jesus,” she muttered, leaning back a bit. “Not exactly,” I grimaced, a familiar burn etching its way into my palms." Yeah, that's not suspicious at all. I like Daniel, that gentle giant and Joey. I need answers and closure from that ending, definitely going to read book two.
What would you do if your nightmares became reality? Better yet, what would be your reaction if you found out that you're not human? My reaction would not be good for both questions.
I can't explain how amazing this book is. Two different worlds, and everything Jordan believed might not be what she thought. The writing is amazing and the world building makes you feel like you are actually there. "“Jesus,” she muttered, leaning back a bit. “Not exactly,” I grimaced, a familiar burn etching its way into my palms." Yeah, that's not suspicious at all. I like Daniel, that gentle giant and Joey. I need answers and closure from that ending, definitely going to read book two.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for this ARC copy! I enjoyed this story a lot! Jordan, our main character, is so incredibly endearing. This is a first-person story and with those, I really think it’s important to feel a connection to the character. Thankfully, I instantly liked her. She’s funny, a great researcher, protective, and everything else you would want from a main character whose story you’re going to be following. The other characters are very fun as well, particularly those who show up later in the book. I also love her dads, Yuto in particular! He’s not the stepdad. He’s the dad who stepped up! Narratively-speaking, there are a lot of questions and there’s a lot of intrigue to match, making you wonder who all is trustworthy and if so, how much.
The story itself is also very interesting to me. Its world is fascinating and feels rich in its details. For me, it’s obvious that a lot of care and thought was put into building the setting from the ground up. It’s not merely a situation where “all myths are real.” Some are, some aren’t quite what we’ve heard, and there are others that are completely unique to this story, which makes for an extremely fun experience.
Unfortunately, one of my critiques does relate to the lore. Although it is really interesting, in my opinion, too much of the story is spent revealing this. With Jordan being a researcher, there are chapters dedicated to her reading and learning. It’s good to know and I applaud certain chapters on having her be told. (In too many stories, information is shared amongst characters who already know it, so having someone who is totally unaware of the answer is refreshing.) However, when there’s a POV switch, it does turn into someone who already knows something just providing the information for readers. I hope that future information can be broken up a bit, mixing in more emotional and action scenes in between (because the action is written beautifully here! I could imagine so many of these scenes happening right in front of me). My only other critique is that there’s a big emotional moment that didn’t land as hard as it could have for me because it happened so soon. I won’t go into details with it, but I do wish that was handled a bit differently, letting the characters have more “on-screen” time, so we could feel the full brunt of that moment with them.
Overall, I think this is a fun start to a very neat new series! I’ll be happy to check out more when it’s available and I hope that more readers do too. I’d certainly recommend it for fantasy readers.
The story itself is also very interesting to me. Its world is fascinating and feels rich in its details. For me, it’s obvious that a lot of care and thought was put into building the setting from the ground up. It’s not merely a situation where “all myths are real.” Some are, some aren’t quite what we’ve heard, and there are others that are completely unique to this story, which makes for an extremely fun experience.
Unfortunately, one of my critiques does relate to the lore. Although it is really interesting, in my opinion, too much of the story is spent revealing this. With Jordan being a researcher, there are chapters dedicated to her reading and learning. It’s good to know and I applaud certain chapters on having her be told. (In too many stories, information is shared amongst characters who already know it, so having someone who is totally unaware of the answer is refreshing.) However, when there’s a POV switch, it does turn into someone who already knows something just providing the information for readers. I hope that future information can be broken up a bit, mixing in more emotional and action scenes in between (because the action is written beautifully here! I could imagine so many of these scenes happening right in front of me). My only other critique is that there’s a big emotional moment that didn’t land as hard as it could have for me because it happened so soon. I won’t go into details with it, but I do wish that was handled a bit differently, letting the characters have more “on-screen” time, so we could feel the full brunt of that moment with them.
Overall, I think this is a fun start to a very neat new series! I’ll be happy to check out more when it’s available and I hope that more readers do too. I’d certainly recommend it for fantasy readers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm so glad to be able to review this ARC early, thanks for the opportunity from A.C. Young and her excitement on Instagram!
This story is a refreshing new entry into the realm of fantasy. There's elements of magic, mystery, and mythology that made the book fresh and compelling.
I took my time reading this one primarily due to the formatting and pacing. The chapters are very lengthy and there aren't many places to properly pause and absorb all that you're learning in time with Jordan, our protagonist.
There were moments where there's a lot of telling and not essentially us, the readers, being shown and trusted to pick up on things. I'm wondering if this was a choice, considering that our FMC Jordan has a unique personality you often don't see in fantasy. Jordan is an anxious researcher and has to know and understand how things operate in order to form proper judgement on them--I completely relate to that. Still, readers need a bit of a break to process all the info they're giving; it was a bit harrowing to see the anticipated read times in Kindle. I overall appreciated Jordan's tenacity, I just wish there was more breaks and more inferences from what we're overall learning beside her for the readers to draw upon from the Author in turn.
I also had an issue seeing a lot of things in my mind's eye, especially when it came to character descriptions up front in Jordan's POV. It wasn't blatantly clear to me if people had specific skin, hair, eyes (etc) to make it easier for me to picture them as I read along. Things got better the deeper we got into the book and more characters joined along on our journey.
It's a fast-paced tale of growing up, told primarily by Jordan and then there's another coinciding story on the opposite side of the coin by a secondary important FMC named Anya.
Both POVs are compelling and tell the story nicely. The gap of knowledge between them includes you a bit more as a reader and gives you more insight into the hew world Jordan enters.
There were hints of romance with one character, and true tale of romance with another. Then there's all sorts of fun allusions to mythologies and folklores from all over the world. It's interesting to see how everything fits in together and then gets mixed into a world all of AC Young's own.
This was a wonderful debut novel into unique fantasy that has its own mind and storyline. Can't wait to see where this series goes from here! Congratulations on the novel and I'm so so grateful I got a chance to read and review it!
This story is a refreshing new entry into the realm of fantasy. There's elements of magic, mystery, and mythology that made the book fresh and compelling.
I took my time reading this one primarily due to the formatting and pacing. The chapters are very lengthy and there aren't many places to properly pause and absorb all that you're learning in time with Jordan, our protagonist.
There were moments where there's a lot of telling and not essentially us, the readers, being shown and trusted to pick up on things. I'm wondering if this was a choice, considering that our FMC Jordan has a unique personality you often don't see in fantasy. Jordan is an anxious researcher and has to know and understand how things operate in order to form proper judgement on them--I completely relate to that. Still, readers need a bit of a break to process all the info they're giving; it was a bit harrowing to see the anticipated read times in Kindle. I overall appreciated Jordan's tenacity, I just wish there was more breaks and more inferences from what we're overall learning beside her for the readers to draw upon from the Author in turn.
I also had an issue seeing a lot of things in my mind's eye, especially when it came to character descriptions up front in Jordan's POV. It wasn't blatantly clear to me if people had specific skin, hair, eyes (etc) to make it easier for me to picture them as I read along. Things got better the deeper we got into the book and more characters joined along on our journey.
It's a fast-paced tale of growing up, told primarily by Jordan and then there's another coinciding story on the opposite side of the coin by a secondary important FMC named Anya.
Both POVs are compelling and tell the story nicely. The gap of knowledge between them includes you a bit more as a reader and gives you more insight into the hew world Jordan enters.
There were hints of romance with one character, and true tale of romance with another. Then there's all sorts of fun allusions to mythologies and folklores from all over the world. It's interesting to see how everything fits in together and then gets mixed into a world all of AC Young's own.
This was a wonderful debut novel into unique fantasy that has its own mind and storyline. Can't wait to see where this series goes from here! Congratulations on the novel and I'm so so grateful I got a chance to read and review it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book caught my interest from the description, and when I started it it maintained my interest for a bit. The chapters are very long, and there is a lot of world building, a lot of information being given and there were moments where it was hard to stay interested.
The main character was funny and moments where her thoughts and reactions kept things moving for me. Though for as thoughtful as she was there were many moments where she seems far too naive and accepting of the crazy situations unfolding around her.
The world building gets more complicated as the book continues and the magic system confused me a tad only because it's not a typical fantasy where there's on main understanding on magic and magical beings. This world had a multitude of magical creatures and the way you get the better grasp on it all is through the main character reading historical texts. So I think if you annotate while reading it won't be as complicated.
I do love that it was a fresh idea very very unique and sometimes fantasy genre has a lot of the same story being re written but this was fresh and new and I absolutely loved that.
The ending of the book was INSANE and I can't wait for book two. I feel like a lot of my confusion will be corrected in the second book.
I don't like the star rating system because I don't want it to seem like | hate it, I think the writing style was just entirely new and different from what I'm used to. But the plot and theme were so fresh and new and interesting !!!
The main character was funny and moments where her thoughts and reactions kept things moving for me. Though for as thoughtful as she was there were many moments where she seems far too naive and accepting of the crazy situations unfolding around her.
The world building gets more complicated as the book continues and the magic system confused me a tad only because it's not a typical fantasy where there's on main understanding on magic and magical beings. This world had a multitude of magical creatures and the way you get the better grasp on it all is through the main character reading historical texts. So I think if you annotate while reading it won't be as complicated.
I do love that it was a fresh idea very very unique and sometimes fantasy genre has a lot of the same story being re written but this was fresh and new and I absolutely loved that.
The ending of the book was INSANE and I can't wait for book two. I feel like a lot of my confusion will be corrected in the second book.
I don't like the star rating system because I don't want it to seem like | hate it, I think the writing style was just entirely new and different from what I'm used to. But the plot and theme were so fresh and new and interesting !!!
October 25, 2026
As someone who doesn’t typically radiate towards fantasy I jumped at the chance to be on the ARC team for Black Falls. After reading the synopsis and following the author on socials I had a feeling this would surprise me. It did not disappoint! I’m the kind of reader that needs to connect to the characters and their back story in order to stay in the world that’s being presented to me and A.C. Young made this connection particularly easy to maintain. The main character was relatable to me, I could easily create an image of her in my mind, her attitude had me chuckling at various points. I also really enjoyed the charm and flirty humour of one of the male characters and the maternal instincts and affection of the goddess of light.
I don’t want to include any spoilers in my review but the cross between the human world, dreamscapes and various parts of the fallen world was very cleverly written. The world building was fantastic and immersive. Although the book could have done with the author having more support with edits and revisions, it didn’t take away from the story, reading experience or the depth of the book. I hope A.C Young is proud to have turned a reader who usually struggles to connect with fantasy stories into a reader who will definitely be returning and anticipating book 2!
I don’t want to include any spoilers in my review but the cross between the human world, dreamscapes and various parts of the fallen world was very cleverly written. The world building was fantastic and immersive. Although the book could have done with the author having more support with edits and revisions, it didn’t take away from the story, reading experience or the depth of the book. I hope A.C Young is proud to have turned a reader who usually struggles to connect with fantasy stories into a reader who will definitely be returning and anticipating book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⚠️ ⚠️ I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book directly from the author. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Where do I even begin??? This is a beautifully written book packed with incredible detail and world-building. AC Young captured my attention completely and I devoured the book in about 3 days. It really made me feel like it wasn't long enough. The author also has a real talent for writing in a way that the experience of the characters can feel real and uncomfortable.
You truly get a deep feel for the characters, especially the female main character, Jordan. She is funny, witty, and spirals at times, which makes her experience and reactions feel so real. It was wonderful to watch her find her own footing (she still finding it frfr) and build new relationships. No character is perfect here. But seeing both their strengths and their flaws made them so relatable. I loved the dual POV, the angst, the big bad guy that’s here and the high stakes. This is an also "behind closed doors" romance. So there is a great build-up to the spice, but the actual intimacy happens off-page between other characters not our FMC. I loved this story and cannot wait for the next book!
Where do I even begin??? This is a beautifully written book packed with incredible detail and world-building. AC Young captured my attention completely and I devoured the book in about 3 days. It really made me feel like it wasn't long enough. The author also has a real talent for writing in a way that the experience of the characters can feel real and uncomfortable.
You truly get a deep feel for the characters, especially the female main character, Jordan. She is funny, witty, and spirals at times, which makes her experience and reactions feel so real. It was wonderful to watch her find her own footing (she still finding it frfr) and build new relationships. No character is perfect here. But seeing both their strengths and their flaws made them so relatable. I loved the dual POV, the angst, the big bad guy that’s here and the high stakes. This is an also "behind closed doors" romance. So there is a great build-up to the spice, but the actual intimacy happens off-page between other characters not our FMC. I loved this story and cannot wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author
Black Falls will lure you in, build you up and leave you in shambles…and you will love every minute of it! Jordan is such a fully fleshed out character, and I loved watching her adapt to everything being thrown at her. She is inquisitive, hilarious, and open in a way that makes her feel real. We experience this journey in real-time with Jordan, which made experiencing this world through her eyes both stressful and immersive. Her insomnia and dreams added another layer of mystery and complexity to her story that had me questioning what was real as the story progressed.
I especially loved how naturally the story moves from the familiar into the fantastical. It feels almost effortless, but there’s still this underlying sense of anxiety and anticipation that kept me turning the pages.
The characters, the world, the pacing all pulled me further in until I genuinely didn’t want to leave. I finished this feeling completely immersed and honestly a little obsessed. A.C Young is very intentional with her writing and you leave the story feeling satisfied but excited for more! Black Falls is the kind of fantasy that makes you fall in love with the world before you even realize you’ve fallen.
Black Falls will lure you in, build you up and leave you in shambles…and you will love every minute of it! Jordan is such a fully fleshed out character, and I loved watching her adapt to everything being thrown at her. She is inquisitive, hilarious, and open in a way that makes her feel real. We experience this journey in real-time with Jordan, which made experiencing this world through her eyes both stressful and immersive. Her insomnia and dreams added another layer of mystery and complexity to her story that had me questioning what was real as the story progressed.
I especially loved how naturally the story moves from the familiar into the fantastical. It feels almost effortless, but there’s still this underlying sense of anxiety and anticipation that kept me turning the pages.
The characters, the world, the pacing all pulled me further in until I genuinely didn’t want to leave. I finished this feeling completely immersed and honestly a little obsessed. A.C Young is very intentional with her writing and you leave the story feeling satisfied but excited for more! Black Falls is the kind of fantasy that makes you fall in love with the world before you even realize you’ve fallen.
October 18, 2026
I couldn't stop thinking about this book after reading the ARC, so I ordered a physical copy to read it again!
The world(s), the characters, the plot, the lore is nothing short of top tier!
I instantly feel in love with Jordan. Her humor and the way she moves through life as well as the challenges that she faces feels so real and authentic. Going through this journey with her step by steps makes the stakes feel real and locks you into the narrative from start to finish.
I absolutely loved how in this fantasy our FMC is protected by people who love her and are rooting for her safety and success. She has choices and accessibility that you don't often see in fantasy books and it really made me happy for her.
This is a book you have to pay attention to. Hints and Easter eggs are everywhere making it the perfect book to read in a book club because the discussions surrounding Black Falls have kept me both entertained and informed.
I will continue to recommend this book to fantasy lovers forever because I am absolutely obsessed and so excited to see what more comes from this series!
The world(s), the characters, the plot, the lore is nothing short of top tier!
I instantly feel in love with Jordan. Her humor and the way she moves through life as well as the challenges that she faces feels so real and authentic. Going through this journey with her step by steps makes the stakes feel real and locks you into the narrative from start to finish.
I absolutely loved how in this fantasy our FMC is protected by people who love her and are rooting for her safety and success. She has choices and accessibility that you don't often see in fantasy books and it really made me happy for her.
This is a book you have to pay attention to. Hints and Easter eggs are everywhere making it the perfect book to read in a book club because the discussions surrounding Black Falls have kept me both entertained and informed.
I will continue to recommend this book to fantasy lovers forever because I am absolutely obsessed and so excited to see what more comes from this series!
October 21, 2026
This was such a great read! We followed Jordan on a self discovery journey that she didn’t even know she was going to undergo. It was very random how one moment. She’s starting senior year and getting ready to apply to colleges, then she finds out there’s a huuuuuge bounty on her head? And she’s not who she thinks she is? Her whole life, a complete lie with secrets on secrets slowly coming to light. Who is she supposed to trust? How does she know if she’s getting helped by the right side in this new world?? In the midst of all these questions, I can say I appreciate Jordan’s hunger for knowledge. She is very determined to find out all the history, backstories, why people are the way they are. Even if that does mean reading for like 3 days straight lol. She has a nice sense of humor and sarcasm is A1. Just sucks that only a few around her can sense when she’s being sarcastic (very relatable). I want to hug Anya and Daniel. Joey is just too cool. Still trying to figure out how I feel about Derrick or Garrett. That’s all I got without diving into spoiling anything.
Oh yea, list of characters I wanna fight:
- Jordan’s mom
- Erebus x7
Oh yea, list of characters I wanna fight:
- Jordan’s mom
- Erebus x7
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review.
Hopefully before publication, the odd and extremely BOLD letters and words in the epub format gets fixed, because it was a little bit distracting to read. The first time or two I thought it was done for emphasis but then it became more and more frequent and literally a single letter of a word. It was a bit weird.
Hopefully also getting another round of edits- there were a lot of contradictions in verb tenses.
Overall an interesting world and take on Gods/Godesses. I enjoyed the world building. I wish we got more time with characters to learn them better, for example Joey. I wish we got to know him better, the parts we did get to see were cute, I expect that in the second book we will learn more on his back story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got this as an arc copy from the author and it doesn't affect my review in anyway.
The very first thing that hooked me in was the writing style. Mainly because we started with the main character Jordan who is known throughout the story to have an inquisitive mind.
Through her thirst for knowledge we get to understand the worldbuilding easily. Maybe its because I am user to reading webnovels but long chapters are easier for me to parse through. It was a lengthy and enjoyable read.
I also liked the way Jordan was written. You can just tell that she's just nineteen years old. Someone who is on the cusp of adulthood, who questions everything around her. Her pov just felt like something a teenager would be thinking y'know.
Although the book felt a bit cliché, I very much enjoyed it because of the way the author formed it in a way that felt unique.
The very first thing that hooked me in was the writing style. Mainly because we started with the main character Jordan who is known throughout the story to have an inquisitive mind.
Through her thirst for knowledge we get to understand the worldbuilding easily. Maybe its because I am user to reading webnovels but long chapters are easier for me to parse through. It was a lengthy and enjoyable read.
I also liked the way Jordan was written. You can just tell that she's just nineteen years old. Someone who is on the cusp of adulthood, who questions everything around her. Her pov just felt like something a teenager would be thinking y'know.
Although the book felt a bit cliché, I very much enjoyed it because of the way the author formed it in a way that felt unique.
October 5, 2026
IS IT SAFE TO SAY THAT I WAS SO DAMN HOOKED? like okay, I understand she's a bit of a crazy person. (Jordan's thoughts are a bit'o scary not gonna Lieee)
"Venturing to the happiest place on Earth, I pushed open the doors for the study hall library for the second time today"
Her favorite place is the library! Same gurl! Andddd... I LOVE KAI SO MUCH HE'S SO GOOFY!
Okay Anya is a really good character too! And Katherine, hello?!
Now listen. The plot, the storyline, the dialogues, the characters, the freaking way this book is written? I'M SMITTEN. JUST. THAT. IDK WHAT TO SAY IT'S SO GOOD!!!!!!
(now enough with the drama. Really. The plots were insane. The dynamics of the characters and their thought processes. Loved it. I won't spoil much but I'll come back to give a better and much spoiler filled review later on!)
"Venturing to the happiest place on Earth, I pushed open the doors for the study hall library for the second time today"
Her favorite place is the library! Same gurl! Andddd... I LOVE KAI SO MUCH HE'S SO GOOFY!
Okay Anya is a really good character too! And Katherine, hello?!
Now listen. The plot, the storyline, the dialogues, the characters, the freaking way this book is written? I'M SMITTEN. JUST. THAT. IDK WHAT TO SAY IT'S SO GOOD!!!!!!
(now enough with the drama. Really. The plots were insane. The dynamics of the characters and their thought processes. Loved it. I won't spoil much but I'll come back to give a better and much spoiler filled review later on!)
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was a fast-paced, multi-layered read that kept me completely hooked from start to finish! The Greek mythology references woven throughout were easily my favorite part, adding so much richness and depth to the overall story. The constant suspense kept the tension high and made it almost impossible to put down. While there is a lot happening at all times—meaning you definitely need to pay close attention to catch every detail and plot connection—that dynamic structure kept the momentum going. As my first time reading this author and my first venture into this style of story, it completely exceeded my expectations. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to seeing what else this author puts out!
October 22, 2026
Thank you for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review. From the onset, the premise of this book caught my attention and I was excited to read it despite dark fantasy not being my go-to genre. The writing is solid and the author took great lengths to build her world. I found the characters and worlds complex and, unlike other fantasy novels I’ve read, to be much more in depth. Worlds built on top of other worlds.I had difficulty at times keeping them all straight. I think that’s an editing issue and not a reflection of the author’s skills. I applaud the author’s first published book and the extent of her imagination. If dark fantasy is your go-to genre, this book is for you! Many thanks again for the opportunity to delve into the world of Black Falls.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5/5
It's honestly because I just needed more. This book starts off in a way that if you are going in blind, you need a minute to adjust but the moment it picks up. Like chapter 2, it is a ride from there. Literally a couple of days that I could not put it down. The writing keeps you in it but also the imagery and details. A.C. puts so much into these characters.
I'm not going to lie, I'm so partial to Daniel. He is a cinnamon role! Enjoy his calming yet commanding energy. Also I stand forever ten toes down with Anya. She is my strong mom figure and I love every minute with her.
If you want a fantasy that will keep you engaged then this is the book.
It's honestly because I just needed more. This book starts off in a way that if you are going in blind, you need a minute to adjust but the moment it picks up. Like chapter 2, it is a ride from there. Literally a couple of days that I could not put it down. The writing keeps you in it but also the imagery and details. A.C. puts so much into these characters.
I'm not going to lie, I'm so partial to Daniel. He is a cinnamon role! Enjoy his calming yet commanding energy. Also I stand forever ten toes down with Anya. She is my strong mom figure and I love every minute with her.
If you want a fantasy that will keep you engaged then this is the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC READER REVIEW
What immediately stood out to me was the protagonist, Jordan. She is wonderfully refreshing because she isn't your typical, hyper-confident main character. She’s delightfully awkward and has that realistic introvert energy—preferring her own company over a crowded room. I also really appreciated how author A.C. Young handles her identity. Jordan is a Black main character, but the representation feels natural and grounded, featuring subtle, authentic nods to culture rather than being forced.
The early chapters had a lot of genuine appeal, but over time, I just drifted away as I realized the book wasn't quite my style anymore. My main hesitation came down to how the plot handled major turning points. A lot of grounded, realistic time was spent establishing her struggles with moving, adjusting to a new school, and making friends. But then, the massive revelations—finding out she isn't human, her parents aren't her parents, her stepdad is a fox spirit, and a whole parallel world exists—were accepted almost without skipping a beat. She basically ate some dinner and immediately disappeared with strangers she'd just met, believing every word. For a character so grounded in her everyday reality, those monumental twists felt glossed over far too quickly.
Despite finding it a hard read due to not being quite my usual style, I do look forward to the next book to see where it takes us!
What immediately stood out to me was the protagonist, Jordan. She is wonderfully refreshing because she isn't your typical, hyper-confident main character. She’s delightfully awkward and has that realistic introvert energy—preferring her own company over a crowded room. I also really appreciated how author A.C. Young handles her identity. Jordan is a Black main character, but the representation feels natural and grounded, featuring subtle, authentic nods to culture rather than being forced.
The early chapters had a lot of genuine appeal, but over time, I just drifted away as I realized the book wasn't quite my style anymore. My main hesitation came down to how the plot handled major turning points. A lot of grounded, realistic time was spent establishing her struggles with moving, adjusting to a new school, and making friends. But then, the massive revelations—finding out she isn't human, her parents aren't her parents, her stepdad is a fox spirit, and a whole parallel world exists—were accepted almost without skipping a beat. She basically ate some dinner and immediately disappeared with strangers she'd just met, believing every word. For a character so grounded in her everyday reality, those monumental twists felt glossed over far too quickly.
Despite finding it a hard read due to not being quite my usual style, I do look forward to the next book to see where it takes us!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars!
Absolutely loved this book! A.C. Young does a phenomenal job with the world-building, taking Jordan on one hell of a topsy-turvy adventure. This book has suspense, action, twists, turns, and all the things that keep you hooked from beginning to end! Just when you think you know where things are going, you're in for another surprise.
The world is so well developed, and the story pulls you right in. If you love a book that keeps you on your toes, Black Falls is absolutely worth picking up! I had such a good time with this one!
Absolutely loved this book! A.C. Young does a phenomenal job with the world-building, taking Jordan on one hell of a topsy-turvy adventure. This book has suspense, action, twists, turns, and all the things that keep you hooked from beginning to end! Just when you think you know where things are going, you're in for another surprise.
The world is so well developed, and the story pulls you right in. If you love a book that keeps you on your toes, Black Falls is absolutely worth picking up! I had such a good time with this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Secrets to protect someone are still lies.
This was a good read. A story of finding oneself.
Jordan, the FMC was going through it.
Anya was going through it.
I was hoping for a little more horror elements.
This was a good read. A story of finding oneself.
Jordan, the FMC was going through it.
Anya was going through it.
I was hoping for a little more horror elements.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the flow of rhe book. And how the characters had flaws. Made it more relatable and beautiful to read.
I really enjoyed the journey ☺️ 😊
I enjoyed the flow of rhe book. And how the characters had flaws. Made it more relatable and beautiful to read.
I really enjoyed the journey ☺️ 😊
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