Cruz Espinoza - A Darkling seeking redemption for the sins of his past, vows to rid the world of the Firstborns. The Brotherhood - A secret organization formed centuries ago to eliminate these creatures of darkness. Firstborns - The most powerful of the Darkling bloodline and the most dangerous. From the underground closes of Edinburgh, Scotland to the Gothic churches of Cologne, Germany, Cruz searches for the cryptic lost relic of the Fallen. But he isn't alone in his quest, a mysterious Firstborn, known only as Lilith, lurks in the shadows seeking the same artifact that, in her hands, would certainly put the future of humanity in jeopardy. From the knights of the Middle Ages to modern day soldiers, warriors have secretly battled against the Darkling, protecting mankind. Now the war comes to its inevitable climax. Will Cruz stop Lilith's reign of Darkness?
With 38 years of television/film experience, Tony Reyes has had the opportunity of working almost every job the industry offers. All of these positions have pointed in one direction, Storytelling. Several completed screenplays later, he decided to turn one into a novel. "Waiting for Darkness" became that first novel.
When Tony isn't writing scripts or working on a novel, this avid motorcyclist's free time is spent dedicated to his kids, reading anything in sight and, due to an early mid-life crisis, lifting weights, to keep from feeling too old.
I was taken by the first book in the series, Waiting for Darkness - but this book surpassed that one in just about every way.
As a history nerd, it was amazing to see so many moments from the historical record be incorporated into the plot of the book and weaving characters through them. Cruz Espinoza, who has lost so much already, learns a lot as he meets various people who have been around for centuries, in his quest to rid this new world of the dangers from the immortals known as the Darklings.
Real and gritty, Cruz's new existence is full of sorrow and duty, with enough of the surreal to make this an appealing book to any urban fantasy lover.
Title: Redemption (Book 2) by Tony R. Reyes Rating: 5 stars
Redemption, the second installment in Tony R. Reyes' captivating series, is a thrilling and emotionally charged continuation of the story that began in the first book. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and heart-pounding action, this novel delivers a truly unforgettable reading experience.
The story picks up right where the first book left off, diving deeper into the lives of the characters we have come to know and love. Reyes' masterful storytelling weaves together complex relationships, intense conflicts, and unexpected plot twists, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The pacing is expertly crafted, balancing moments of intense action with quieter, introspective scenes that allow readers to connect with the characters on a profound level.
One of the most compelling aspects of Redemption is its characters. Reyes has created a diverse cast of individuals, each with their own unique strengths, flaws, and motivations. As the story unfolds, we see these characters evolve and grow, facing their inner demons and external challenges with courage and determination. Their personal journeys are deeply moving, adding layers of depth and authenticity to the narrative.
Reyes' vivid and evocative prose brings the world of Redemption to life, immersing readers in a richly detailed setting that feels both familiar and exotic. Whether describing the bustling streets of a vibrant city or the serene beauty of a remote landscape, the author's descriptive prowess paints a vivid picture that lingers in the reader's mind long after the book is finished.
In addition to its compelling characters and immersive world-building, Redemption is also a testament to Reyes' skill in crafting suspenseful, high-stakes narratives. The tension builds steadily throughout the novel, reaching a breathtaking crescendo that will leave readers breathless. The action sequences are expertly choreographed, providing a visceral and exhilarating reading experience.
Overall, Redemption is a triumph of storytelling, blending elements of action, drama, and emotion into a seamless and enthralling narrative. Tony R. Reyes has once again proven himself to be a master of the genre, delivering a book that is impossible to put down and unforgettable long after the final page is turned. Whether you're a fan of action-packed thrillers, rich character-driven dramas, or expertly crafted storytelling, Redemption is a must-read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
It is so hard to choose words to describe this story, the second book about Cruz Espinoza and his adventure in the Vampires world. For me it was a fascinating journey into the past, an investigation into the depths of history, a philosophical approach to the trace of humanity and to religion, inspired by myths and legends which are given through the author's fresh perspective. It is a book that, while it is about vampires mostly, ends up talking about much more. It becomes deeply human, emotional, touches many truths and it belongs to many genres. Crime, mystery, thriller, fantasy, historical, social and a bunch more. Finally it becomes a realistic- fantasy novel, subversive and very different from what I have read so far about the creatures of night!
This is the second book in this duology and it starts where the last book ended. We follow Cruz as he tries to complete his new mission in life in an effort to redeem himself for his past mistakes. The second book was as great as the first one. I really liked the vampire lore and I loved all the flashbacks where we learned more about the darkling. The book was full of action and adventure and many unexpected moments. I was surprised and I was biting my fingernails. The last chapters especially were brilliant, I couldn't stop reading until I reached the end. If you enjoy dark vampire stories with mystery and adventure I highly recommend this series. I had an amazing time following Cruz's journey.
Blown away, I loved this!! Redemption starts of right where Waiting for Darkness leaves off. I loved being on this revenge filled journey to redemption with Cruz, since book one he easily became my favorite character. The layout of timelines flowed so perfectly throughout the whole book. It was nice to be pulled back into time to the beginning of the first born darklings. Every setting was detailed so beautifully! There were so many twists and so much action it was so easy to stay engaged the whole time. Book 2 really delivered!!
Oh my God... 😵 What a masterpiece!!! The story continues with the surgeon, Cruz, on a quest to rid the earth of firstborns.. The story was breathtakingly amazing. Every chapter piqued my interest more n more and I just couldn't stop. Mind blowing twists and turns.. The facts, the religions, history, thrill, adventure, action, love story,,everything is so well written and well connected that if you are into history, you must read this duet now... 😍
This is a great sequel to Waiting for Darkness. It is action-packed, suspenseful, and has great twists. I can see this becoming a movie. If you like fantasy, vampires, and mythology give this series a whirl.
There were so many important characters that created this intriguing story that I'm finding it difficult to choose who to speak about. You will travel all across the world and delve into many different cultures. Good versus Evil has run rampant since the beginning of time. If you like sword fights, psychological intrigue with a splash of romance then you will thoroughly enjoy this Book. Reyes did a great job of keeping me on the edge of my seat. To be honest I gasped out loud in the end but was surprised and elated at the same time. Sometimes Evil isn't always what it seems. Happy Reading 📕
This is the second book of this series and I highly recommend reading this book after the first one! After reading the ending I feel like I should have seen it coming but didn’t. I wasn’t sure where this story was heading but I think this ending was perfect!
This is the second book in the series and the first one was an introduction into the world of darklings and the supernatural. After meeting Cruz in the first book and following him through his change into a darkling and the murder of his wife, I couldn't wait to see what book number 2 would bring.
This book is action packed and filled with adventure. Many of these adventures are revenge filled with Cruz at the helm. Cruz is on a personal crusade to rid the world of Firstborns to try and make up for murdering his wife. Cruz, even through the change remains a respectable gentleman who develops and funds charity groups.
Cruz is strong and seems much stronger than a typical darkling, especially at his young age. Cruz has trust issues, and only relies on his long time friend Jeff to help him out. Cruz has the brotherhood after him, because they have also sworn to kill all darklings. Cruz encounters the brotherhood a few times in this book and some of these encounters are quite violent.
This book is full of supernatural violence, an ancient 'holy grail' which everyone is searching for, including Lilith. Lilith is an unreachable badass, no one knows who she really is, but Cruz is bound and determined to find her and destroy her.
The end definitely has a great twist that I did not see coming! All supernatural lovers will love this series!
This book completely changed how I see vampire stories. It’s not your typical romance, it’s darker, more mysterious, and honestly way more interesting. The mix of religion, mythology, and history kept building as the story went on, which made it even better. When a certain historical figure showed up, I was shocked (in a good way). You can tell the author really did their homework, which I definitely appreciate. Even though it’s a vampire story, everything fit together and made sense somehow. Like I could see it being part of some sort of history we are not aware of.
There’s some romance too, but it’s not the main focus. However, Cruz and Michelle’s story was sweet and emotional, I loooved them. It added a nice layer to the book without taking away from the bigger picture.
I also really liked the friendship between Cruz and his best friend. Their connection felt real and added more heart to the story and the characters around them.
Overall, I couldn’t stop reading. It’s a great mix of dark vibes, mystery, and just enough romance, with cool historical and mythological bits that made it stand out. If you want a vampire story that’s different from the usual, this one’s for you.
Let me just say this book is just as good as the first book. This is extremely action filled. I loved the more info learnt about the darkling. If you haven’t read the first book you defiantly need too because this book takes off from that one. The plot is stunning and once again like a movie. The author has pure talent.
Cruz continues his journey to destroy all firstborns. Not only is he searching for redemption for the wrongs he has committed, but he has also learned of a certain object, a dangerous relic, AKA The Grail that remains hidden within the past. During his search he meets and befriends another of his kind, Izzy who seems determined to help Cruz and his friend Jeff find the relic and destroy it. Meanwhile, the Brotherhood continues to watch and observe Cruz and his movements. Confused by the damage he is causing his own kind, not humans. Throughout the story, the tales of the past are brought in. The story of Cruz and many elements of Vic's past are brought forward and shed light on some untold stories of book one. The story of how The Fallen created the first, Firstborn is revealed. The Brotherhood catches up with Cruz and finally understands what he is doing and why, deciding to join forces with him to stop a Firstborn named Lilith from gaining control and finding the hidden relic. In the end, many secrets come forward, unknown identities, where the relic is hidden, and what it holds. Will Cruz destroy the relic before it lands in Lilith's hands? Will the Brotherhood turn on Cruz or continue the fight by his side? What surprises are in store?
My Review:
In Redemption, Waiting for Darkness I continually played with the storyline within my own mind by piecing things together and trying to guess the outcome. Tony Reyes wrote a wonderful, descriptive story that enabled the reader to view in their mind the storyline's setting, time, and place. Chapters were well labeled aiding the reader in knowing what era the chapter was about and gaining insight into the past and present of the world of Cruz, Hughes, and other characters. A wonderful novel, with a creative storyline incorporating stories of the real world past and future, making it more believable and relatable. Tony Reyes wrote a story of vampires, much different than the typical vampire tale. I encourage others, who enjoy vampires, history, and different settings to read this duology.
“Sometimes you have to do what is right, even if you don’t benefit from it.”
Redemption: Waiting For Darkness Book II
4/5 ⭐️
This story picks up not far from where the first book left off. Cruz is determined to find all the firstborns to weaken the bloodline, but it turns out he cannot do this all alone. Jeff is working tirelessly besides him, but that is not what is most unexpected.
The Brotherhood has been searching from Cruz for awhile, and when they finally capture him, they realize there is more to him than what they believe all Darklings to be. Can the Brotherhood trust Cruz enough to work together to finally end all firstborns? Stay tuned for the secrets that remained hidden to finally be revealed.
This was a fantastic second book. While the timeline was hard to adjust to for the first third of the book and with multiple different people being introduced it was confusing at times, but it all comes together so well. I applaud this author for giving us another book with quite the twist at the end!
Redemption , Waiting for Darkness Book II. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 @tony_reyes_author …
Let me start by saying this….. I thought book one was amazing but this one just knocked it out of the park for me …I haven’t read such an amazing fantasy/thriller with a sweet love story in so long. The book has so many elements that I look for :
-fantasy -paranormal -love story -historical -jumping back and fourth in time -mystery -thriller -darkness -friendship -forming allies -Many jaw dropping surprises
The Book is so original and so well written , to the point that I felt Cruz’s love for Michelle , it was so powerful and moving. The story had so many levels and subplots to it, so many Twists and surprises , so many characters with their stories ….and everything comes together so well at the end….there was no dull moments. I couldn’t put the book down until the end …I had to KNOW and what an amazing ending. I highly recommend it.
While I enjoyed the first one, this one is definitely topping it! Diving deeper into the history of Darklings kept me pulled in right along with all the action. I couldn't put it down and when I had to, I just wanted to continue reading it. There were several moments where I found myself internally screaming at the things that were happening. A great page turner, that's for sure! The emotional torment I felt throughout this book was worth it all!
The characters have a special place in my heart now. Even some of the new characters had pulled me in quickly and they'll stick around for a while. The chemistry between the characters was great and I loved how the characters grew throughout it.
THE TWISTS! My jaw felt like it was on the floor for several minutes. The ending was great I'll be thinking about it for a while!
𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 was such an adventurous and captivating novel, I had such a great time reading it! It was like a big adventure full of twists.
I really liked the past chapters with Michelle they were so heartwarming to look back at their memories together but also sad. They truly are soulmates their relationship are so special!
Ohh I loved the ending of the book, it was the absolute perfect closure.
It was really great to get to know the characters better and I really loved the twists and surprises. There was lots of action and just a touch of mystery.
The first in the series is about a man who is unwillingly changed into a vampire. It is the story of him committing the unthinkable and choosing his path from there. Redemption continues his story.
To me, the ending was everything. I loved it even more than the first one. ❤️
It was a pleasure to finally read the sequel to the first book of this series (Waiting For Darkness). As you probably know by now I’m a huge vampire fan and this sequel did not disappoint. The book was essentially broken up into three stories that all connected. One was present time, one took place before Cruz became a vampire and one explored the origin of the Brotherhood. This was where all the history was and it was really interesting to see how it formed and transformed over the many years. I don’t want to even hint at the ending but let’s just say it made me audibly gasp which I haven’t done in years. The ending did seem to tie it all up nicely but I definitely wouldn’t be against a third book in this series!