A Feral Darkness

A Feral Darkness #1

by Doranna Durgin

As a child, dog-loving Brenna Fallon naïvely invokes an ancient Celtic deity to save her beloved hound--and inadvertently anchors the new-found power at a spring on her family's farm.

She doesn't know she's also left an opening for a far more malevolent force.

Years later, thanks to the actions of several angry young men, Brenna discovers the terrible potential of that gateway. With a devastating plague unfolding abruptly around her, she must depend on her wits, a stranger she doesn't trust, and a mysterious stray dog who becomes more than just a faithful companion as she struggles to drive back the threat of a modern Black Death.

Welded by a desperate sacrifice, woman, man, and dog face the feral darkness together.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Dogs, Supernatural

Audiobook

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Doranna Durgin is an award-winning author (the Compton Crook for Best First SF/F/H novel) whose quirky spirit has led to an extensive and eclectic publishing journey across genres, publishers, and publishing lines. Beyond that, she hangs around outside her Southwest mountain home with horse and highly accomplished competition dogs. She doesn't believe in mastering the beast within, but in channeling its power--for good or bad has yet to be decided! She says, “My books are SF/F, mystery, paranormal romance, & romantic suspense. My world is the Southwest, and my dogs are Beagles!”

Doranna’s most recent releases encompass the three books of the Reckoners trilogy--a powerful ghostbuster raised by a spirit, her brilliantly eccentric backup team, a cat who isn't a cat, and a fiercely driven bounty hunter from a different dimension who brings them together when worlds collide.

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful tale about a woman named Brennan, who as a young girl makes a sacred space and prays to one of the Celtic God's to help her loving companion, her pet dog. In the present day someone has disturbed that sacred space and unleashed a dark and foreboding presence. People as well as animals are at risk. It's a race against time for the female protagonist Brennan. She has to figure out what's going on, who's involved, who to trust and what to do to save not only others but herself and those she loves. A tale of dark mystery, darkness vs light, friendship, love, trust, self belief and magic.
A great read and page turner. I'll be looking out for more books by this author who has a lovely flowing style, which invites you into the world she has created on the page.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an odd little book, but one I wound up enjoying a good deal. The author was able to speak authoritatively on the modern, real world aspects of life, from dog grooming to dog fighting, to what it can take to maintain an old farm and different dog breeds. The fantasy aspect came in with the odd dreams, shadow figures, and supernatural being aspects of the story, and frankly, while they seemed to not quite mesh as well as they could have with Durgin's vision of our world, they were still well handled. I will definitely be reading more of her work. I think I'd like to see this author continue to develop her skills and have faith that she'll get to be better and better. I can recommend this one to anyone who loves animals, supernatural fantasy based in the 'old gods' of our world, fights of good vs. evil and gentle romances that aren't stupid bodice ripping crap.

[Kaypops · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fab, it's so nice to read a book that gives so much love to animals. It did have me crying in a couple of places but I'm a soppy sod! The story was very easy to get lost in, I just wish Druid made it all the way to the end! The only thing that lets this book down for me is the ending. It seemed a little lacklustre! It gets into the "last battle," then all of a sudden it skips to the almost happy ever after. It kind of leaves you hanging and a bit disappointed. But, the rest of the book is really worth a read.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made me cry, and it made me stay up later than I intended to finish it. Yes, you should read it, if you haven't already.

[P.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

With no way to get to the bookstore, I am checking my shelves for some unread books. I found this one with a cute Cardigan corgi on the cover. Lo and behold! A mysterious rabies virus is scouring the countryside and infecting people. Luckily, our heroine has a connection with a Celtic healing god who sends her help in the form of the corgi named Druid and a Basque dog trainer whose mother is a witch in his home country. I also liked Brenna's offering of chocolate to the god. (The god had good taste.) This book seems quite appropriate given the current situation. I wish we could find someone like Brenna and Druid to obliterate this virus.

[Anniken Haga · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about this book. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't what I wanted at the moment, so I'm left with not much of an impression at all. It was about dogs, but that's about it. Be warned of animals dying, if you're going to read this. And that it's a bit slow.

[Linda Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading this half an hour ago and still feel that I am coming down from the high. This book has everything - good writing (first and foremost!); great characters that you can empathise with, flaws and all; ambivalent characters whose motivation is only gradually revealed; hovering menace that is at first all the more threatening because it is unidentifiable; supernatural elements that meld credibly with the real world; moments of deep tragedy (reading the final one, I heard myself squeak "No!"); and a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.

[Susan Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dog groomer, a Celtic God, the new dog trainer in town & a little stray named Druid all come together for an interesting tale. The story forms as we learn about Brenna and her love of her past hound dog. Brenna unknowingly made a sacrifice to the God Mars Noden. Now the stream where she made the sacrifice is desecrated. There seems to be a pack of wild dogs that is spreading a new strain of Rabies that has people on edge. Find out how the story unfolds & they all come together.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly Okay

The book was just slow all the way through. It always felt like it was going to pick up pace and excitement but never really did. I don't think the author did a good job putting us in the sorry. I didn't feel connected, but nevertheless I was hooked and wanted to make it to the end.

[Tamara Gearhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad, but it could be very slow at times and I was finding reasons not to pick it back up. There was not enough development of the love story for me. Not really much suspense either. A hum-drum tale.

[Wendy Britton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slow start. Kind of boring.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is damn weird. And also very AWESOME. Read it and hang in there when things get weird- worth it.

[Lacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Star rating: 2 - 2.5 stars

What starts off as an enterprising idea in this novel, quickly peters itself out with boringly mundane writing. Nothing of any real consequence happens until the novel is almost completely over. Brenna has no real understanding of anything that's happening around her, so the entire book is filled with her doing her job and then puttering around her house. Top that boring jargon off with the most lackluster romantic plot ever and you've got a recipe for a book that falls flat on its face. The only reason I'm giving this novel 2 stars instead of 1 is because the writing isn't terrible, just horrendously boring.

[P.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

With no way to get to the bookstore, I am checking my shelves for some unread books. I found this one with a cute Cardigan corgi on the cover. Lo and behold! A mysterious rabies virus is scouring the countryside and infecting people. Luckily, our heroine has a connection with a Celtic healing god who sends her help in the form of the corgi named Druid and a Basque dog trainer whose mother is a witch in his home country. I also liked Brenna's offering of chocolate to the god. (The god had good taste.) This book seems quite appropriate given the current situation. I wish we could find someone like Brenna and Druid to obliterate this virus.

[Asl4u]

Better than I expected. I was a little frustrated that the reader sounded like a computerized voice, but eventually she got her feet under her and actually sounded like someone who understands English. Once I got into the story - I was a good story. The relationships were strange but the magic was good. The dogs were great. The understanding of grooming shops and pressures was very good. overall - glad I read it - and glad for the ending - it would have been pretty sad to have just left off...

[Deepa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it a book for dog lovers? Is it an action or a horror novel? It is a combination of both with Stephen King overtones.

I hate horror movies and books, but could not put this one down. The presence of dogs as central characters and a hint of the paranormal right through the novel, kept me coming back for more.

Interesting read.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! I was surprised by that. I was just looking for something quick that wasn't necessarily part of a series. This one fit the bill, although, I later realized it does have a sequel. I'll be reading it next.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a super interesting concept. I just wish it was either longer or shorter. There was a lot of superfluous material that could've been fleshed out to make the book even more interesting or cut altogether, including the entire romantic arc.

[Carmen Seaton-bartunek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, this book started slow, but it kept my attention. I really enjoyed the character development and story line. I actually wish there was more of the story. I would like to know how the events in the story were started. It was never actually addressed in the book.

[Rakesh Chawda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice read

The book keeps on the edge with just the right amount of suspense. The lead characters including the dog grow in you as you reach the end. The author has kept a correct mixture of faith, magic and determination.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories with dogs in them! The main character (besides the dog!) was a groomer. I've never read a story about groomers. It was slow in places, but it was the ultimate fight of good vs evil. The dog, of course, was a hero. Very much enjoyed.

[mirba · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, a very nice world that is quite unusual and a pretty intense storyline, that you need to finish in one go. Also the dialogues and the characters are really believable and well made.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light-hearted fantasy for dog lovers with a touch of romance with a happy ending. Nothing too dark or too sexual.

[Joan Maten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nod to the pagan gods, this was an engaging story of good versus evil. A delightful read!!

[Gabrialle Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feral

This was a great read! Fresh ideas, exciting characters and good versus evil. I couldn’t put it down. Best fantasy book I have read in years.

[Ike · Rating 4 out of 5]

One word = corgi

[Viviana · Rating 1 out of 5]

[Audiobook]

[Pat Raab · Rating 4 out of 5]

It grabbed me and held on. Loved it!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, never read a book with a rabies plot... I liked it

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

animal care workers, this one’s for you

It’s a slow burn but compelling book with just enough of the supernatural and love of animals to sate anyone who calls them fur children.