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The Darkness:
Everyone's afraid of the dark. Now, there's a reason to be.
Lux and his younger brother Lunam enjoy the full freedom of the simple life and all the childhood adventures offered by growing up in a small village in a picturesque glen. Life is tranquil, peaceful, and just about perfect—except for one formidable fact...
Every day is followed by night. And, with the night, comes the DARKNESS.
Slowly shrouding the valley and relentlessly seeping into every nook and cranny on its nightly rampage, the darkness returns to feast on its victims. No man, woman, child, animal—or even, insect—is safe. The darkness consumes all; the darkness's hunger is never satisfied.
When the sun falls from the sky, the villagers, young and old, must take to arms, guarding their homes, loved ones, and livestock with every ray of light they can muster. Even young Lux and Lunam are well-soldiered in their responsibilities to safeguard themselves and their parents during the nightly vigil, the nightly fight to live to see another day.
It's always been this way—the truths and ritual passed down from generation to generation since ancient times. No one dares question why. Nothing can change the frightening fact of the lives of the villagers or emancipate them from their singular foe—nothing, except a child's imagination and a curiosity as immutable as the darkness's own appetite.
There's just one truth guiding every man, woman, and child to strive to see another day: "Darkness Comes but Once a Night."
Lux and his younger brother Lunam enjoy the full freedom of the simple life and all the childhood adventures offered by growing up in a small village in a picturesque glen. Life is tranquil, peaceful, and just about perfect—except for one formidable fact...
Every day is followed by night. And, with the night, comes the DARKNESS.
Slowly shrouding the valley and relentlessly seeping into every nook and cranny on its nightly rampage, the darkness returns to feast on its victims. No man, woman, child, animal—or even, insect—is safe. The darkness consumes all; the darkness's hunger is never satisfied.
When the sun falls from the sky, the villagers, young and old, must take to arms, guarding their homes, loved ones, and livestock with every ray of light they can muster. Even young Lux and Lunam are well-soldiered in their responsibilities to safeguard themselves and their parents during the nightly vigil, the nightly fight to live to see another day.
It's always been this way—the truths and ritual passed down from generation to generation since ancient times. No one dares question why. Nothing can change the frightening fact of the lives of the villagers or emancipate them from their singular foe—nothing, except a child's imagination and a curiosity as immutable as the darkness's own appetite.
There's just one truth guiding every man, woman, and child to strive to see another day: "Darkness Comes but Once a Night."
- GenresFiction
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2015
About the author
Justine Avery
75 books1,456 followersJustine Avery is the #1 international bestselling and award-winning author of stories large and small, for all. Born in the American Midwest and raised all over the world, she is inherently an explorer, duly fascinated by everything around her and excitedly noting the stories that abound all around. As an avid reader of all genres, she weaves her own stories among them all. She has a predilection for writing speculative fiction and story twists and surprises she can’t even predict herself.
Avery has either lived in or explored all 50 states of the union, over 36 countries, and all but one continent; she lost count after moving 30-some times before the age of 20. She’s intentionally jumped out of airplanes and off the highest bungee jump in New Zealand, scuba dived unintentionally with sharks, designed websites, intranets, and technical manuals, bartered with indigenous Panamanians, welded automobile frames, observed at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noba, Japan, and masterminded prosperous internet businesses—to name a few adventures. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree that life has never required, and at age 28, she sold everything she owned and quit corporate life—and her final "job"—to freelance and travel the world as she always dreamed of. And she’s never looked back.
Aside from her native English, Avery speaks a bit of Japanese and a bit more Spanish, her accent is an ever-evolving mixture of Midwestern American with notes of the Deep South and indiscriminate British vocabulary and rhythm, and she says "eh"—like the Kiwis, not the Canadians. She currently lives on either side of "the pond" with her husband, acclaimed British film director and author Devon Avery, and other creatures. She writes from wherever her curiosity takes her.
Avery loves to connect with fellow readers and creatives, explorers and imaginers, and cordially invites you to say “hello”—or konnichiwa.
JustineAvery.com
Amazon.com/author/justineavery
Twitter.com/Justine_Avery
BookBub.com/authors/justine-avery
LibraryThing.com/author/averyjustine
Avery has either lived in or explored all 50 states of the union, over 36 countries, and all but one continent; she lost count after moving 30-some times before the age of 20. She’s intentionally jumped out of airplanes and off the highest bungee jump in New Zealand, scuba dived unintentionally with sharks, designed websites, intranets, and technical manuals, bartered with indigenous Panamanians, welded automobile frames, observed at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noba, Japan, and masterminded prosperous internet businesses—to name a few adventures. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree that life has never required, and at age 28, she sold everything she owned and quit corporate life—and her final "job"—to freelance and travel the world as she always dreamed of. And she’s never looked back.
Aside from her native English, Avery speaks a bit of Japanese and a bit more Spanish, her accent is an ever-evolving mixture of Midwestern American with notes of the Deep South and indiscriminate British vocabulary and rhythm, and she says "eh"—like the Kiwis, not the Canadians. She currently lives on either side of "the pond" with her husband, acclaimed British film director and author Devon Avery, and other creatures. She writes from wherever her curiosity takes her.
Avery loves to connect with fellow readers and creatives, explorers and imaginers, and cordially invites you to say “hello”—or konnichiwa.
JustineAvery.com
Amazon.com/author/justineavery
Twitter.com/Justine_Avery
BookBub.com/authors/justine-avery
LibraryThing.com/author/averyjustine
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 29, 2017
The Darkness is actually pretty good.
The story follows two brothers Lux and Lunam living in a village terrorized by the titular Darkness. The brothers are actually very well crafted characters and even without a ton of backstory you can really feel the connection they share. The author does a very good job in creating a pretty good world, with a surprisingly well thought out history. The story is short but very well done.
But..... Let's talk about the ending, the final struggle is actually done very well, my only issue was the lack of an explanation for what the oldest brother heard. We didn't get an explanation of what the Darkness was or came from to be defeated and it kind of leaves the reader with an irritating question of what happened after. This is kind of something I noticed with another of her stories.
So overall a very well done story but the lack of explanation after the final "battle" leaves the reader a little bit flustered with a lack of answers.
The story follows two brothers Lux and Lunam living in a village terrorized by the titular Darkness. The brothers are actually very well crafted characters and even without a ton of backstory you can really feel the connection they share. The author does a very good job in creating a pretty good world, with a surprisingly well thought out history. The story is short but very well done.
But..... Let's talk about the ending, the final struggle is actually done very well, my only issue was the lack of an explanation for what the oldest brother heard. We didn't get an explanation of what the Darkness was or came from to be defeated and it kind of leaves the reader with an irritating question of what happened after. This is kind of something I noticed with another of her stories.
So overall a very well done story but the lack of explanation after the final "battle" leaves the reader a little bit flustered with a lack of answers.
November 29, 2017
This is a 3.5 star read.
This weird little short story was strangely mesmerising, with the author doing an excellent job of packing so much back story about this universe into such a short piece of work. The characters were well rounded and you felt you knew their story and how their fear of the Darkness affected their lives.
My only complaint is how the story ended with Lux and Lunam. There were far more questions left unanswered than answered and the story felt a bit "chopped" because of it.
An enticing tale for lovers of short stories.
This weird little short story was strangely mesmerising, with the author doing an excellent job of packing so much back story about this universe into such a short piece of work. The characters were well rounded and you felt you knew their story and how their fear of the Darkness affected their lives.
My only complaint is how the story ended with Lux and Lunam. There were far more questions left unanswered than answered and the story felt a bit "chopped" because of it.
An enticing tale for lovers of short stories.
May 1, 2017
Justine Avery’s “The Darkness” has the feel of a 16th century Renaissance era whereby life in a small village plays out to the fears and deluded control of an every night force that threatens the humanity of the town dwelling; that being, darkness. The storyline is fantasy-riddled, but poignant in its subtle yet profound message to the reader: Know who you are. A very short read, “The Darkness” hinges on, and captivates with, underlying truths of grasping one’s personal identity, if only the reader can catch the ‘light’ of what’s being spoken. Laced with clues and intrigue about the deceptive strength of “The Darkness,” the reader can conclude that one’s perspective surrounding fear can either ‘grow them, or stow them,’ depending on what one believes about oneself, and a given situation.
September 13, 2017
Avery drops you into the thick of the story. Mystical and dangerous; innocent and brave, this story is fresh and yet familiar- reminiscent of childhood tales we all know. A great read for the bus or train, The Darkness is a magical take on the war between the light and the depths of Darkness.
April 25, 2017
Avery's short novel is an interesting read. The reader is dropped into what feels like the middle of the story, and we aren't quite sure how we got there. Thanks to Avery's literary prowess, the reader begins to piece together what could have happened and what the villagers are going through.
The words flows rhythmically, and the vivid descriptions allow the reader to craft their own picture. Although I enjoyed the prose, I do believe the storyline is one most readers will already be familiar with. Something dark lurks outside their protective encampment, and the villagers are forced into a battle for their lives. Avery tells the story in her own way, but it still feels a bit like the same tale.
Avery's characters skillfully draw the reader in and the rich, finely crafted descriptions do not disappoint. Her ability to have the reader become invested in the story in such few pages speaks volumes about her skill, and her craft has been finely honed.
An intriguing read, certainly.
The words flows rhythmically, and the vivid descriptions allow the reader to craft their own picture. Although I enjoyed the prose, I do believe the storyline is one most readers will already be familiar with. Something dark lurks outside their protective encampment, and the villagers are forced into a battle for their lives. Avery tells the story in her own way, but it still feels a bit like the same tale.
Avery's characters skillfully draw the reader in and the rich, finely crafted descriptions do not disappoint. Her ability to have the reader become invested in the story in such few pages speaks volumes about her skill, and her craft has been finely honed.
An intriguing read, certainly.
May 22, 2017
We are proud to announce that THE DARKNESS by Justine Avery is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
April 24, 2017
“The waning moon hung defiantly in the night sky, enveloped by the thriving darkness. It hovered undefeated, ruling over the pitch-blackness cloaking the earth.”
Lunam and Lux understand that the darkness they are taught to fear; exposure to the shadows of the darkness means imminent death for any living thing. They spend their lives keeping out of the blackness that could consume them, yet, the pair rebel against the life they exist in, shining bright in the face of a hungry night.
The village is set in a dystopian world where even comforts like blankets are outdated in their way of life, which demands that they spend their evenings ensuring that light illuminates all the areas of their seemingly small homes.
While Justine Avery writes an excellent short story, the title is somewhat misleading as the “Dawn of Darkness” implies the beginning, however, the reader is witnessing its demise. Fortunately, Avery delivers a masterfully descriptive story about encroaching and deadly darkness that is balanced by a sense of family and hopefulness that any reader can enjoy.
Lunam and Lux understand that the darkness they are taught to fear; exposure to the shadows of the darkness means imminent death for any living thing. They spend their lives keeping out of the blackness that could consume them, yet, the pair rebel against the life they exist in, shining bright in the face of a hungry night.
The village is set in a dystopian world where even comforts like blankets are outdated in their way of life, which demands that they spend their evenings ensuring that light illuminates all the areas of their seemingly small homes.
While Justine Avery writes an excellent short story, the title is somewhat misleading as the “Dawn of Darkness” implies the beginning, however, the reader is witnessing its demise. Fortunately, Avery delivers a masterfully descriptive story about encroaching and deadly darkness that is balanced by a sense of family and hopefulness that any reader can enjoy.
April 24, 2017
The Darkness is a very dark story of loneliness and despair. The story teller does an exceptional job of dragging you, kicking and screaming, toward the darkness forcing you to face your fear of being secluded and alone in a vast empty world. I would recommend taking this journey to the edge of sanity and explore the fear lying just inside the shadows of the Forrest. This story is well written with a look into the fear of the dark emptiness we all have.
April 24, 2017
This was a short read that I wanted to be much longer! The story was so unique and compelling. Even though the story is quite short, I don't feel I missed out on any details. It was just so good I wanted more :)
April 24, 2017
Great story! Easy to read, intriguing, and really captures your attention.
February 3, 2016
Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite
The Darkness: A Short Tale of the Dawning of the Darkness is a fantasy short story written by Justine Avery. The village was brimming with fear of the darkness. It came each evening, laying waste to each and every thing that lay in its path. There were no solutions to and no reasoning with its implacable nature, so the villagers lived each dawn to dusk as fully as they were able, and they spent the evening warding off their foe. Lunam was very aware of the awesome responsibility he had in his family’s home each night. While he was still very small, he was charged with holding up his torch in one corner of the stone-walled cottage through the endless hours, until finally his father would declare his watch over and gently take the torch from his tired fingers. Each morning, Lunam and his brother Lux would rush out to play in the brilliant sunshine; sometimes they’d visit Stella and Videre, the elders of the village, and speak with Videre. The couple had survived the darkness for far longer than any before them, and they held the wisdom of the people in their minds. But when Lux and his brother knocked on the door, Stella’s eyes were sad as she opened the door, and she told them Videre was gone.
Justine Avery’s allegorical fantasy short story, The Darkness: A Short Tale of the Dawning of the Darkness, is an epic tale in miniature, jewel-like and rich in imagery as the reader watches villagers holding torches up against the darkness in night-long weary vigils. I was touched by the image of those villagers and the opening description of the Darkness, a living, breathing and horrific entity, played itself out in my imagination. Avery skillfully and adroitly builds up a world of post-apocalyptic dimensions and plants the reader squarely in the minds and imaginations of two young brothers who dare to question the status quo and challenge the night. This is a well-written story filled with richly developed characters, and it works wonderfully.
The Darkness: A Short Tale of the Dawning of the Darkness is a fantasy short story written by Justine Avery. The village was brimming with fear of the darkness. It came each evening, laying waste to each and every thing that lay in its path. There were no solutions to and no reasoning with its implacable nature, so the villagers lived each dawn to dusk as fully as they were able, and they spent the evening warding off their foe. Lunam was very aware of the awesome responsibility he had in his family’s home each night. While he was still very small, he was charged with holding up his torch in one corner of the stone-walled cottage through the endless hours, until finally his father would declare his watch over and gently take the torch from his tired fingers. Each morning, Lunam and his brother Lux would rush out to play in the brilliant sunshine; sometimes they’d visit Stella and Videre, the elders of the village, and speak with Videre. The couple had survived the darkness for far longer than any before them, and they held the wisdom of the people in their minds. But when Lux and his brother knocked on the door, Stella’s eyes were sad as she opened the door, and she told them Videre was gone.
Justine Avery’s allegorical fantasy short story, The Darkness: A Short Tale of the Dawning of the Darkness, is an epic tale in miniature, jewel-like and rich in imagery as the reader watches villagers holding torches up against the darkness in night-long weary vigils. I was touched by the image of those villagers and the opening description of the Darkness, a living, breathing and horrific entity, played itself out in my imagination. Avery skillfully and adroitly builds up a world of post-apocalyptic dimensions and plants the reader squarely in the minds and imaginations of two young brothers who dare to question the status quo and challenge the night. This is a well-written story filled with richly developed characters, and it works wonderfully.
June 18, 2016
What if being afraid of the dark was founded in a very real sense of self-preservation? Brothers Lux and Lunem live in a world where the shadows of darkness hold the power to snuff the very life from a living being. The boys have been taught, from a very young age, to fear the darkness with every fiber of their being.
Justine Avery's The Darkness is a spine-tingling short story that is pure magic and mysticism. The quality of writing, development of characters and imagery are all spot on. This short story packs a powerful punch as readers are drawn in and then thrilled with its rousingly good finale.
Justine Avery's The Darkness is a spine-tingling short story that is pure magic and mysticism. The quality of writing, development of characters and imagery are all spot on. This short story packs a powerful punch as readers are drawn in and then thrilled with its rousingly good finale.
December 25, 2017
Not a bad story but the title makes absolutely no sense.The dawning of the darkness is not even mentioned. Before the darkness, yes. Now that the darkness is there, yes. When the darkness ends, yes. When the darkness dawns, not a word. That is a really big mistake in my opinion.
March 8, 2021
A tale as old as time.
From the blurb this sounded a lot like Stephen King's The Mist to me (which I liked okay) however without even reading a word of the actual story that this is called The Darkness with main characters named Lux and Lunam (which are both references to light) it caught my attention but also put me into a specific mind of what type of story this would be, and sure, it also factored in that I generally like Justine Avery books so I decided to give this a try.
Now knowing more, well, this has it's pros and it's cons. For a pro I would say that this takes an interesting approach to the old theme of light versus darkness of which I especially like that what the darkness is/means is clearly open to interpretation (both personal interpretation as well as within the realm of the story). However that quickly brings me to the cons. Firstly (and this is strongly subjective) this uses adjectives with FULL FORCE to the degree that I was skipping paragraphs in an already short story just to get to the point. But I again I stress that it's subjective as I'm aware there are people who die for those long descriptions, I'm just not one of them. Secondly Lunam is four years old. Sure one could argue that it's because of his age that he does what he does/thinks what he thinks but I'm just sitting here think that he's too young to have to go through what he goes through (vague yes, but I'm not going to spoil it). Last but not least (and the least subjective of my cons though it still qualifies as such) is that to me this gave itself away in the blurb. Sure a few specifics didn't come out till I was reading but overall without having read anything but the blurb and the title I already had a pretty decent idea of where this was headed. And I was right. I prefer things that surprise me more than this did but because I still like how this goes about itself (even while I saw it coming) I rate this a 3: it was decent.
I'd recommend this to those who want something short and interesting enough to read but are okay with not being presented with something devastatingly new.
From the blurb this sounded a lot like Stephen King's The Mist to me (which I liked okay) however without even reading a word of the actual story that this is called The Darkness with main characters named Lux and Lunam (which are both references to light) it caught my attention but also put me into a specific mind of what type of story this would be, and sure, it also factored in that I generally like Justine Avery books so I decided to give this a try.
Now knowing more, well, this has it's pros and it's cons. For a pro I would say that this takes an interesting approach to the old theme of light versus darkness of which I especially like that what the darkness is/means is clearly open to interpretation (both personal interpretation as well as within the realm of the story). However that quickly brings me to the cons. Firstly (and this is strongly subjective) this uses adjectives with FULL FORCE to the degree that I was skipping paragraphs in an already short story just to get to the point. But I again I stress that it's subjective as I'm aware there are people who die for those long descriptions, I'm just not one of them. Secondly Lunam is four years old. Sure one could argue that it's because of his age that he does what he does/thinks what he thinks but I'm just sitting here think that he's too young to have to go through what he goes through (vague yes, but I'm not going to spoil it). Last but not least (and the least subjective of my cons though it still qualifies as such) is that to me this gave itself away in the blurb. Sure a few specifics didn't come out till I was reading but overall without having read anything but the blurb and the title I already had a pretty decent idea of where this was headed. And I was right. I prefer things that surprise me more than this did but because I still like how this goes about itself (even while I saw it coming) I rate this a 3: it was decent.
I'd recommend this to those who want something short and interesting enough to read but are okay with not being presented with something devastatingly new.
June 30, 2017
An incessant, malevolent darkness threatens a village each evening. Life for the villagers revolves around fending off the darkness at night. And sleeping in shifts to recover during the day. It wasn’t always like that. The elders tell of time when people could walk through the forest and visit other villages. The adults, however, do not speak of the darkness. Instead, they present an almost false cheerfulness of living life to the fullest during the daylight. For nobody knows exactly what the darkness is or wants. Just that it kills.
Golden-haired Lux and his 4-year-old younger brother Lunam help their parents fend off the darkness each night. They are curious about the darkness. Often, they visit the elders to learn more. Both are angry at the darkness for controlling their lives. There must be something they can do. The elders call Lux a child of light — but what does that mean? The boys may die finding out.
The author artfully uses a creative story to approach the topic of evil or death, depending on your interpretation. How do we think of it? How do we react to it? How does it control our lives? The story touches on two powerful concepts. Love is a strong adversary over darkness. Do not be fearful. The themes are woven into a story that will have you holding your breath.
This is an absorbing tale. Each word is carefully crafted to draw the reader in and experience the darkness and fear. This could be a book studied in college literature courses as an example of allegory and symbolism. “The black veil fell over the glen, infusing the air with the electric energy of fear: feast of the darkness.”
Golden-haired Lux and his 4-year-old younger brother Lunam help their parents fend off the darkness each night. They are curious about the darkness. Often, they visit the elders to learn more. Both are angry at the darkness for controlling their lives. There must be something they can do. The elders call Lux a child of light — but what does that mean? The boys may die finding out.
The author artfully uses a creative story to approach the topic of evil or death, depending on your interpretation. How do we think of it? How do we react to it? How does it control our lives? The story touches on two powerful concepts. Love is a strong adversary over darkness. Do not be fearful. The themes are woven into a story that will have you holding your breath.
This is an absorbing tale. Each word is carefully crafted to draw the reader in and experience the darkness and fear. This could be a book studied in college literature courses as an example of allegory and symbolism. “The black veil fell over the glen, infusing the air with the electric energy of fear: feast of the darkness.”
October 7, 2017
Wonderfully Written
This was a real breath of fresh air to read. As a short story, it may leave some feeling a little cut short, but from a personal view Justine Avery wrapped up a tale that left just enough to the imagination to yearn for more but to be content with what is.
The Darkness follows Lux and Limon, two young brothers that for all the history of their town, have stood gaurd through the night as everyone else has, warding off the ominous creeping darkness that eliminates every living thing it touches.
Avery quickly draws you in to the tale with the intrigue and curiosity of the youngest brother. You can't help but feel his angst and hunger for answers, frustrated by this everpresent power that dictates so much of their lives.
There is not a lot that can be said about the story given its length without giving away the story itself, but it can easily be said that it is written well. Avery shows that she has a comfortable familiarity with written word, making use of an expansive vocabulary without the feeling that someone just ran through last monute with a thesaurus trying to spice things up. No, Avery writes fluidly and with ease making it easy to be pulled into her short story and come out of it wondering how it went by so fast. The imagery and direction of the story leave a fair amount of open interpretation, but not in such a way that you are left confused or lost.
I give The Darkness a well earned 5 stars and will be checking out some more by Avery.
This was a real breath of fresh air to read. As a short story, it may leave some feeling a little cut short, but from a personal view Justine Avery wrapped up a tale that left just enough to the imagination to yearn for more but to be content with what is.
The Darkness follows Lux and Limon, two young brothers that for all the history of their town, have stood gaurd through the night as everyone else has, warding off the ominous creeping darkness that eliminates every living thing it touches.
Avery quickly draws you in to the tale with the intrigue and curiosity of the youngest brother. You can't help but feel his angst and hunger for answers, frustrated by this everpresent power that dictates so much of their lives.
There is not a lot that can be said about the story given its length without giving away the story itself, but it can easily be said that it is written well. Avery shows that she has a comfortable familiarity with written word, making use of an expansive vocabulary without the feeling that someone just ran through last monute with a thesaurus trying to spice things up. No, Avery writes fluidly and with ease making it easy to be pulled into her short story and come out of it wondering how it went by so fast. The imagery and direction of the story leave a fair amount of open interpretation, but not in such a way that you are left confused or lost.
I give The Darkness a well earned 5 stars and will be checking out some more by Avery.
September 13, 2017
I’m really surprised that this short story was written with a Teen/YA audience in mind because it seemed aimed at much younger readers. The plot seemed too simplistic to hold a teenager’s attention and the writing seem like it was an earlier draft and could use more editing. The content overused alliteration as a device and sometimes used weird personification descriptions that didn't made sense. In one instance, there was a description of the sun being “determined.” How is the sun “determined?” The characters were pretty poorly developed, especially the mom and dad, none of them moving beyond one-dimensional descriptions. The one thing I did enjoy about the story was the setting of the village itself, which seemed to have allusions to the futuristic society depicted in The Giver and I would have liked to have seen that element developed a little more. Some of the dialogue was poorly written and sometimes it was hard to tell when the POV shifted between the two brothers in the tale. The ending seemed like it wrapped up a little too abruptly for my taste. Bottom line, I would recommend this for children around ages 8-10, maybe as a possible bedtime story, but I’m not sure how much it would hold their attention and it might give them some wrong ideas re behavior. Could be better to develop into a full-length novel.
May 26, 2017
Lux and his little brother Lunam have been raised to respect and fear one thing. The darkness. Their deep and profound fear is not a simple childhood quirk, it's a way of life for their village. The darkness is a very real entity that consumes all of those around them. When the sun falls, the battle begins. A fight to survive until the dawning of the light.
This short story by Justine Avery is a mystical tale of good versus evil. Like Justine Avery's other short stories, The Darkness is well written and full of imagination and wonder. I was immediately drawn into the story through her flowing descriptions and acute awareness of how important it is to engage the reader quickly and completely in such a short medium. Author Justine Avery is a master at doing this. The Darkness was without exception. Dropped into the middle of the tale, I was quickly able to find me way around and into the hearts and minds of the characters, immediately drowning in their fear.
Justine Avery once again creates an amazing tale of suspense and magic in a short read with "The Darkness: (A Short Tale of Uncommon Daring and Ultimate Defiance). Highly recommend this, and all of her other short stories.
This short story by Justine Avery is a mystical tale of good versus evil. Like Justine Avery's other short stories, The Darkness is well written and full of imagination and wonder. I was immediately drawn into the story through her flowing descriptions and acute awareness of how important it is to engage the reader quickly and completely in such a short medium. Author Justine Avery is a master at doing this. The Darkness was without exception. Dropped into the middle of the tale, I was quickly able to find me way around and into the hearts and minds of the characters, immediately drowning in their fear.
Justine Avery once again creates an amazing tale of suspense and magic in a short read with "The Darkness: (A Short Tale of Uncommon Daring and Ultimate Defiance). Highly recommend this, and all of her other short stories.
October 7, 2017
Who's Afraid of the Dark?
The Darkness is proof positive that much can be said in a well written short story. Don't let the over expansive verbiage distract you as it creates unforgettable imagery that illustrates the darkness in its truest form. At times the language and story are poetic and at the same time philosophically paints contrasts in our own lives. For such a brief story, the characters were well visualized and the reader is drawn to asking questions about them and their life immediately. At the risk of a spoiler alert (yes, the story is that good that I don't want to spoil the plot), I was absolutely expecting the story to finish in a similar vein to the movie "The Village" when I began reading it. Was I ever wrong! Many have commented this story is a quick read and it can be, but I encourage you to spend some time with it. Sit with it, think about it in the context presented as well as how parallels with life can be made. Short stories have not usually been in my reading list, (not intentionally omitted) but The Darkness has definitely lit (pun intended) my interest in this type of literature. Well Done!
The Darkness is proof positive that much can be said in a well written short story. Don't let the over expansive verbiage distract you as it creates unforgettable imagery that illustrates the darkness in its truest form. At times the language and story are poetic and at the same time philosophically paints contrasts in our own lives. For such a brief story, the characters were well visualized and the reader is drawn to asking questions about them and their life immediately. At the risk of a spoiler alert (yes, the story is that good that I don't want to spoil the plot), I was absolutely expecting the story to finish in a similar vein to the movie "The Village" when I began reading it. Was I ever wrong! Many have commented this story is a quick read and it can be, but I encourage you to spend some time with it. Sit with it, think about it in the context presented as well as how parallels with life can be made. Short stories have not usually been in my reading list, (not intentionally omitted) but The Darkness has definitely lit (pun intended) my interest in this type of literature. Well Done!
May 25, 2017
"The Darkness" by Justine Avery is a great short book that can be read in one short sitting. The two brothers that are the main characters of the story are the epitome of selfless love that is most often seen in young children. The deeper meanings of their names is explained in the book by the sage of the village. The darkness, the whole premise of the story, is personified as a deadly creature type thing that covers and tries to overtake their small village every evening. It is something that must be fought and guarded against by every means possible. The climax of the story, Lux (the older brother) manages to save his younger brother Lunam from the darkness encroaching from the edge of the forest by not releasing his grip on his brother and communicating to the darkness that it cannot take what he loves. I look forward to reading more by Justine Avery. The story shows that no matter how dark the world may seem, it cannot take away what we love if we hold to it with our whole hearts. Great story!
June 16, 2017
Justine Avery writes a short-story book that will take your breath away. It can be quite difficult for an author to create an engaging atmosphere to his/hers readers when the books are small but that’s exactly what was achieved here. Entertaining and dark, this book will keep you company even after you finished it. Just keep the light on!
Lux and his brother Lunam are the main characters and the way the author uses children to make you face one of the oldest and most common fears humankind has faced since the beginning of the times is quite interesting. There’s a deep psychological meaning that you were probably not expecting to face. The story leaves a big opening to your own interpretations and creates a perfect setting to get your imagination going.
With a deep poetic pace and its dark theme it can probably be quite interesting for Edgar Allan Poe readers. This little book is perfect to read while commuting. It’s easy to read, it has an interesting pace and a great atmosphere construction. I recommend it, for sure.
Lux and his brother Lunam are the main characters and the way the author uses children to make you face one of the oldest and most common fears humankind has faced since the beginning of the times is quite interesting. There’s a deep psychological meaning that you were probably not expecting to face. The story leaves a big opening to your own interpretations and creates a perfect setting to get your imagination going.
With a deep poetic pace and its dark theme it can probably be quite interesting for Edgar Allan Poe readers. This little book is perfect to read while commuting. It’s easy to read, it has an interesting pace and a great atmosphere construction. I recommend it, for sure.
November 3, 2019
This is my first experience of this author. I was delighted with the beautifully written prose, the depth of character for a short story and the richness of the descriptions in her detailed setting. It won’t be the last I read by her!
Lux and his three-year-old brother, Lunam have grown up in a place where the darkness has teeth. All sleep must be grabbed during the light. The dark is for standing vigil to keep the hungry darkness at bay.
Lux is endlessly curious, and where most of his people refuse to speak of the darkness, Lux has many questions. He has befriended the one elder allowed to speak of their bane. This old man remembers a time when the darkness was not to be feared. When he finally succumbs to the darkness himself, his wife takes up his position as elder and speaker of things unspoken.
From her Lux discovers how much the elder cherished his friendship with Lux. He further learns that he has an important part to play in his people’s future.
Come inside and meet the ever hungering darkness!
Kindle Unlimited edition
Lux and his three-year-old brother, Lunam have grown up in a place where the darkness has teeth. All sleep must be grabbed during the light. The dark is for standing vigil to keep the hungry darkness at bay.
Lux is endlessly curious, and where most of his people refuse to speak of the darkness, Lux has many questions. He has befriended the one elder allowed to speak of their bane. This old man remembers a time when the darkness was not to be feared. When he finally succumbs to the darkness himself, his wife takes up his position as elder and speaker of things unspoken.
From her Lux discovers how much the elder cherished his friendship with Lux. He further learns that he has an important part to play in his people’s future.
Come inside and meet the ever hungering darkness!
Kindle Unlimited edition
June 23, 2017
If you are interested in worlds consumed by dark and unspeakable forces, and young heroes who find themselves forced to defy them, you may enjoy this read. Avery introduces us to a world where humanity has returned to it's most basic instincts of survival. Playing with the age old fear of the dark is always interesting because it is so intrinsic to the very core of our humanity, and for the most part Avery does really well with concept and the progression of the darkness entering Lux and Lunam's lives.
I really wanted to know what the darkness was, and where this was going, and it kept me reading even when I had problems with the dialog, which sadly is a problem for this book, and frankly the only thing that is keeping it from being something special. The dialog can be incredibly clunky and inconsistently awkward. The intent may have been to make them feel more "primitive," but the attempt only comes off as robotic and makes the experience a little hard to finish.
I really wanted to know what the darkness was, and where this was going, and it kept me reading even when I had problems with the dialog, which sadly is a problem for this book, and frankly the only thing that is keeping it from being something special. The dialog can be incredibly clunky and inconsistently awkward. The intent may have been to make them feel more "primitive," but the attempt only comes off as robotic and makes the experience a little hard to finish.
August 29, 2017
Brothers Lunam and Lux and everyone in their town are afraid of the dark in this intriguing tale. The young boys are tasked with vanquishing the growing shadows on a daily basis to protect their family from harm. The writer captures your imagination with vivid descriptions of the village and people who inhabit it as well as the pain and suffering of those killed by the darkness. The characters are interesting and believable. They speak about a forest that is dark, mysterious and capable of dismantling the souls of people who enter it. The town elders know the most about it and when one of them dies the boys visit his widow to learn more. The high point of the story is when Lunam, the toddler, enters the forest and is almost swallowed by the darkness, but his adolescent brother Lux pulls him out. He is left unharmed and his mother declares that Lux is the light. I really enjoyed reading The Darkness and I highly recommend it.
May 15, 2017
"The Darkness washed in from the horizon like a tidal wave issued by an angry god". From this first sentence, we are introduced to Justine's newest world: A small village surrounded by an amorphous mass known only as The Darkness. It is a land of extremes, where the villagers are hounded by the all-encompassing tentacles of the darkness each night, and spend their days in frenzied activity, using their fierce exultation in the sunlight to beat back the memories of the night before.
The Darkness is a very short read, yet quite drawing, due to both Justine Avery's impeccable prose and the allegory the story draws between what the villagers face, and what every person must face one day. The story also showcases Justine's trademark meticulousness, as each line seems to draw one farther into her world, and deeper into the metaphor she is creating.
The Darkness is a very short read, yet quite drawing, due to both Justine Avery's impeccable prose and the allegory the story draws between what the villagers face, and what every person must face one day. The story also showcases Justine's trademark meticulousness, as each line seems to draw one farther into her world, and deeper into the metaphor she is creating.
May 22, 2017
This short novel was an interesting read. The book opens with a delicious description about the darkness, "Thick and syrupy, heady and humid the darkness oozed", so your mind can get a full visual of how the darkness is effecting the village with its "black fingertips". The darkness described in the book can be related to my own life and what I consider "darkness".
The two boys that Avery uses in the book woke up something inside of me, to ask myself questions such as, will I always fear my darkness or could I be like the boys in the story and ask why do I have to be afraid, what is there to fear? You are able to learn so much from children.
To me the book is poetic from the way it is written, the words flow, and the vivid descriptions allow the reader to create a movie in their mind as they read. I wasn't able to put the book down, I was excited to see what was next.
The two boys that Avery uses in the book woke up something inside of me, to ask myself questions such as, will I always fear my darkness or could I be like the boys in the story and ask why do I have to be afraid, what is there to fear? You are able to learn so much from children.
To me the book is poetic from the way it is written, the words flow, and the vivid descriptions allow the reader to create a movie in their mind as they read. I wasn't able to put the book down, I was excited to see what was next.
June 12, 2017
"The Darkness" by Justine Avery is a short story full of suspense that can be finished in a single sitting. In fact, you'll find it hard not to finish it in a single sitting, not because of the length, but because the author has the ability to grab hold of you in the first few pages and not let go until you're spent. "The Darkness" is no exception. Every evening the village that Lux and Lunam live in is engulfed in darkness. The darkness is an entity that attempts to overtake their lives. In this it has already succeeded. Lux and Lunam are children, brothers, who have grown up knowing nothing else but the daily struggle of survival against the darkness. At its core, "The Darkness" is a dark and terrifying story about hope and redemption, about brotherly love and sacrifice. I loved this story. My only complaint is it was too short. I wanted so much more.
June 13, 2017
The Darkness, is the second book I have read by Justine Avery.
It is nothing short of spectacular. A story with a deep background, characters who make connections and the narration will not fail to reach the reader and entrance him/her with the plot of the book.
I also loved the uniqueness of Lux and Lunam’s names, their origins and the starting point of what fate befalls their people and on what the “Darkness” brings when the night comes.
The relationship between Lux and Lunam is one of such brotherly love and protection, the desires of Lux to keep by the village word and on how little Lunam would still continue to believe his ideals would actually save them all and prove to be the light and hope of the village.
Certainly a beautiful story by Justine Avery, she has me wrapped around her finger with this read. A must-read for everyone who comes across this book.
It is nothing short of spectacular. A story with a deep background, characters who make connections and the narration will not fail to reach the reader and entrance him/her with the plot of the book.
I also loved the uniqueness of Lux and Lunam’s names, their origins and the starting point of what fate befalls their people and on what the “Darkness” brings when the night comes.
The relationship between Lux and Lunam is one of such brotherly love and protection, the desires of Lux to keep by the village word and on how little Lunam would still continue to believe his ideals would actually save them all and prove to be the light and hope of the village.
Certainly a beautiful story by Justine Avery, she has me wrapped around her finger with this read. A must-read for everyone who comes across this book.
June 27, 2017
The Darkness by Justine Avery is an elegantly written and poetic mystery. Beautifully worded, Avery calls on a topic as simple as 'darkness' to create, a deeply complex story. The Darkness is incredibly descriptive and paints beautiful and haunting images that stay with you long after the story is through. Though it is a short read, Avery is able to delve the reader into another world engulfed in fear and hope and raise poignant, existential questions that go far beyond the confines of your average mystery. We are not left with all of the answers but with questions to ponder making this short book even more of an accomplishment by Avery. The comparison to Edgar Allen Poe drew me in and Avery's distinct writing style that focuses on character depth and emotion carries you from one scene to the next and one character to the other kept me reading. I highly recommend this book.
July 16, 2017
The Darkness, is a short story that only took me about 10 minutes to read. It depicts a loving relationship between two brothers, and the strength of their love for each other. Lux is the quiet and reserved older brother while Lux is a rambunctious and eager younger brother.
When everyone else is afraid of the dark young Lux and Lunams determination and bravery lead them into a frightening and liberating experience that will change the way they live and bring the light back to their whole world.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a well written and doesn't have copious amounts of grammatical mistakes that you often see in e-reads. It was a fun read that kept me entertained for a few minutes. I do wish it had been a bit longer but it was definitely a great short story. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
When everyone else is afraid of the dark young Lux and Lunams determination and bravery lead them into a frightening and liberating experience that will change the way they live and bring the light back to their whole world.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a well written and doesn't have copious amounts of grammatical mistakes that you often see in e-reads. It was a fun read that kept me entertained for a few minutes. I do wish it had been a bit longer but it was definitely a great short story. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
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