What do you think?
Rate this book
Into The Darkness
After spending three months sorting out problems in a dirty city, a little girl who is one of the Creators of Worlds returns home to discover a dangerous force has been created which is reported to be destroying the entire universe.
The Council seem to think she is the ideal person to solve the puzzle, even though nobody else who was sent to investigate has ever returned.
Unfortunately, on closer inspection the reported events don’t seem to fit together very well, she doesn’t know who she can trust, and someone is trying to kill her, which is annoying because she’d been looking forward to a nice warm bed and a good night’s sleep.
The Council seem to think she is the ideal person to solve the puzzle, even though nobody else who was sent to investigate has ever returned.
Unfortunately, on closer inspection the reported events don’t seem to fit together very well, she doesn’t know who she can trust, and someone is trying to kill her, which is annoying because she’d been looking forward to a nice warm bed and a good night’s sleep.
- GenresFantasy
Paperback
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Steve Catto
8 books10 followersSteve Catto was born in Yorkshire, but his parents took him to Australia when he was six years old and he grew up there, sometimes racing cars across the desert.
He was never very good at school, but the one thing he did learn was how to learn, and he started writing programs for the computer at the local university, much to the disdain of his teachers who told him that he would ‘never make a living out of that rubbish’. In his late teens he returned to the UK, and his parents followed him – which wasn’t what he wanted because he was hoping to get away from them.
His first proper job was in the computer department of an infamous Oxford publishing company, and he subsequently went on to write software for electricity control systems, and simulators for the military. He started to fly gliders and wrote programs to analyse the data from aircraft flight recorders, where he also learned to fly, and crash, lots of other types of aircraft as well – which was the best part of the job.
At various times in his career he has also lived and worked in France, Switzerland, and Canada, and he now lives in Scotland. Since appearing in school plays as a child he has performed almost continuously on the amateur stage, and spent a few years scuba diving. These two things have nothing to do with each other.
In terms of his pedigree as an author he has written many technical manuals and filled in countless timesheets, so is well versed in the art of conjuring up works of fiction, however he has never written a novel before, especially not one that involves a blonde girl and a man with a bow and arrow, but he did once spend three weeks working in a factory that made handles for buckets.
He was never very good at school, but the one thing he did learn was how to learn, and he started writing programs for the computer at the local university, much to the disdain of his teachers who told him that he would ‘never make a living out of that rubbish’. In his late teens he returned to the UK, and his parents followed him – which wasn’t what he wanted because he was hoping to get away from them.
His first proper job was in the computer department of an infamous Oxford publishing company, and he subsequently went on to write software for electricity control systems, and simulators for the military. He started to fly gliders and wrote programs to analyse the data from aircraft flight recorders, where he also learned to fly, and crash, lots of other types of aircraft as well – which was the best part of the job.
At various times in his career he has also lived and worked in France, Switzerland, and Canada, and he now lives in Scotland. Since appearing in school plays as a child he has performed almost continuously on the amateur stage, and spent a few years scuba diving. These two things have nothing to do with each other.
In terms of his pedigree as an author he has written many technical manuals and filled in countless timesheets, so is well versed in the art of conjuring up works of fiction, however he has never written a novel before, especially not one that involves a blonde girl and a man with a bow and arrow, but he did once spend three weeks working in a factory that made handles for buckets.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 26, 2024
Into the Darkness ( Book one of the Twisted Land Series ) and the second book I've read by this author ( having read Exodus earlier in the year ). And what a second read it was.
We follow Jennifer, an Alyla ( among many ) and creator of worlds who discovers she is the only one to save multiple words from a great destruction. Jennifer must also form a plan on how to stop those causing the destruction.
Being familiar with this author's writing style, I knew what to expect, and the writing style here again was very readable and easy to grasp.
The world building was great and character development top notch.
The story flowed well and the pace just right.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
We follow Jennifer, an Alyla ( among many ) and creator of worlds who discovers she is the only one to save multiple words from a great destruction. Jennifer must also form a plan on how to stop those causing the destruction.
Being familiar with this author's writing style, I knew what to expect, and the writing style here again was very readable and easy to grasp.
The world building was great and character development top notch.
The story flowed well and the pace just right.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
March 20, 2024
The first book in the Twisted Lands series, Into The Darkness follows Jennifer, an Ayla, who is a creator of worlds. The book sets the scene well and does a good job of explaining how an Ayla can create worlds before the story really gets going. Jennifer is contacted and is told she is the only person capable of saving all the worlds from a mysterious destruction.
She’s sent on a mission, but has she been told the truth? She now has to save the world whilst also trying working out who and why something is about the destroy it. The way the book is written means although Jennifer has worked everything out and has a plan, you are left a little in the dark until all is revealed.
I found myself constantly trying to guess how the story was going to end and who and what was behind it all…I was wrong on nearly all occasions.
This type of fantasy genre is not one I would usually read but the book had me hooked, I really got into the world and the story, racing through the book to find out how it all ends. I definitely want to read more from this series!
She’s sent on a mission, but has she been told the truth? She now has to save the world whilst also trying working out who and why something is about the destroy it. The way the book is written means although Jennifer has worked everything out and has a plan, you are left a little in the dark until all is revealed.
I found myself constantly trying to guess how the story was going to end and who and what was behind it all…I was wrong on nearly all occasions.
This type of fantasy genre is not one I would usually read but the book had me hooked, I really got into the world and the story, racing through the book to find out how it all ends. I definitely want to read more from this series!
March 28, 2024
Into the darkness is the second book I’ve read from the author Steve Catto and yet again, his managed to create something a little different from the ‘norm’
Steve has written another complex and mysterious world, following an intriguing character called Jennifer , an Ayla who has the ability to create worlds.
As with the first book, I read by Steve Catto this one also always keeps you guessing you never know what to expect and it keeps you on your toes.
Highly recommend to fantasy readers that love earth, origin stories.
Steve has written another complex and mysterious world, following an intriguing character called Jennifer , an Ayla who has the ability to create worlds.
As with the first book, I read by Steve Catto this one also always keeps you guessing you never know what to expect and it keeps you on your toes.
Highly recommend to fantasy readers that love earth, origin stories.
April 3, 2024
Having recently read another book by this author and really enjoying it, I was looking forward to diving right into this - book 1 of the Twisted Lands Series.
I found this much easier to become immersed in right away - maybe because it was an easier world to grasp (for me) or maybe because I was more familiar with the writing style, having read the other book only a month ago.
Either way, I was hooked from the start.
Again, there was a lot of world building - which is expected in this genre - but I found this worked into the storyline well and I knew that there would be some kind of mystery coming...and this kept me reading on in anticipation.
There was a good cast of diverse characters and although it took a little time to get everyone fixed in my head, they were all well presented and it actually was fairly easy to keep them in place.
Jennifer was an intriguing main character. Her abilities were well developed and I liked that this was explained well right from the beginning.
I wasn't sure about the motives of her mission though - a little unsure about who to trust and what their end goal would be.
This was another fairly easy read (given that it's not my go-to genre) and I think that maybe I've discovered a new fantasy series that I'd be keen to stick with.
I found this much easier to become immersed in right away - maybe because it was an easier world to grasp (for me) or maybe because I was more familiar with the writing style, having read the other book only a month ago.
Either way, I was hooked from the start.
Again, there was a lot of world building - which is expected in this genre - but I found this worked into the storyline well and I knew that there would be some kind of mystery coming...and this kept me reading on in anticipation.
There was a good cast of diverse characters and although it took a little time to get everyone fixed in my head, they were all well presented and it actually was fairly easy to keep them in place.
Jennifer was an intriguing main character. Her abilities were well developed and I liked that this was explained well right from the beginning.
I wasn't sure about the motives of her mission though - a little unsure about who to trust and what their end goal would be.
This was another fairly easy read (given that it's not my go-to genre) and I think that maybe I've discovered a new fantasy series that I'd be keen to stick with.
March 21, 2024
Here is my review for Into The Darkness by Steve Catto
This book was easy to get into from the start and I enjoyed reading it. It was something different to crime, it was like reading fantasy. It made for interesting reading. The plotting was good and the writing was really good whereas the descriptive text brought it to life. The Creator Of Worlds was an intriguing character and one that was thought capable of solving the problem the world was facing. Could she solve it or was the problem too big for her?
Blurb :
After spending three months sorting out problems in a dirty city, a Creator of Worlds returns home to discover a dangerous force has been created which might be capable of destroying the entire universe. The Council think she is the only one who can solve the problem, but to do that she'll have to go back into the darkness. When she comes face-to-face with it, and her past returns to haunt her, there are difficult decisions to be made. It seems to be hunting for something, but what could it possibly want? Who could have done this, and why? Unfortunately, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Events don't fit together very well, she doesn't know who she can trust, and someone is trying to kill her. This is annoying because she had been looking forward to a nice warm bed, and a good night's sleep.
This book was easy to get into from the start and I enjoyed reading it. It was something different to crime, it was like reading fantasy. It made for interesting reading. The plotting was good and the writing was really good whereas the descriptive text brought it to life. The Creator Of Worlds was an intriguing character and one that was thought capable of solving the problem the world was facing. Could she solve it or was the problem too big for her?
Blurb :
After spending three months sorting out problems in a dirty city, a Creator of Worlds returns home to discover a dangerous force has been created which might be capable of destroying the entire universe. The Council think she is the only one who can solve the problem, but to do that she'll have to go back into the darkness. When she comes face-to-face with it, and her past returns to haunt her, there are difficult decisions to be made. It seems to be hunting for something, but what could it possibly want? Who could have done this, and why? Unfortunately, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Events don't fit together very well, she doesn't know who she can trust, and someone is trying to kill her. This is annoying because she had been looking forward to a nice warm bed, and a good night's sleep.
April 15, 2024
" [...] You couldn’t eliminate it, but you could stop it being destructive, and the way to do that was to satisfy its desires. [...]"
This time Steve Catto totally surprised me. He created a unique fantasy story. His latest book titled "Into the Darkness" is the first part of the "The Twisted Lands" series. I can honestly tell you that I can't wait for the second volume. I felt the fate of the main characters. Together with them, I wanted to save their worlds and catch the destroyer. Unfortunately, I had no idea who this destroyer could be. I just hoped that the girls would save the mysterious worlds. Are you curious who created these worlds? This novel is very mysterious and page by page reveals its story to us. Are you ready to experience "Into The Darkness"? Very good plot, interesting action and original heroines. I am enchanted by the wonderful cover. For me, this is a masterpiece. I can't take my eyes off this cover. Bravo to its creator. If you are ready for a new Fantasy series, go ahead and read this book. I read "Into The Darkness" in one day. I had a lot of fun reading it. The author uses language that is understandable to every reader. I am satisfied with the descriptions of mysterious worlds. I wonder if you'll pick the destroyer of worlds before he reveals himself. Unfortunately, I didn't succeed.
This time Steve Catto totally surprised me. He created a unique fantasy story. His latest book titled "Into the Darkness" is the first part of the "The Twisted Lands" series. I can honestly tell you that I can't wait for the second volume. I felt the fate of the main characters. Together with them, I wanted to save their worlds and catch the destroyer. Unfortunately, I had no idea who this destroyer could be. I just hoped that the girls would save the mysterious worlds. Are you curious who created these worlds? This novel is very mysterious and page by page reveals its story to us. Are you ready to experience "Into The Darkness"? Very good plot, interesting action and original heroines. I am enchanted by the wonderful cover. For me, this is a masterpiece. I can't take my eyes off this cover. Bravo to its creator. If you are ready for a new Fantasy series, go ahead and read this book. I read "Into The Darkness" in one day. I had a lot of fun reading it. The author uses language that is understandable to every reader. I am satisfied with the descriptions of mysterious worlds. I wonder if you'll pick the destroyer of worlds before he reveals himself. Unfortunately, I didn't succeed.
April 2, 2024
Book one in a new fantasy series, and one that sounded very different and interesting, how could I resist the chance to read this. I was intrigued to see how this book would live up to the intriguing blurb. But it did
Straight away we are introduced to a nameless girl in an intense situation who turns out to be, Jennifer. An Ayla, or creator of worlds.
I loved the way the world's where created and the authors would building style. Fantasy can be a hard genre to balance. Building an magical world and characters while making them believable and easy to connect to.
But the author did it well. I found Jennifer an easy character to like, loved her little quirks and straight forward attitude to people people and her roll. And the world created was interesting.
Several twists in this I dont want to give away, because the tension and mystery surrounding these is what makes this a great story. So many places where I had no clue as to where the story would go or the characters next move which made it a page turning read.
I'll definitely be reading on in the series and checking out his other books as I found the writing style in this great.
I was gifted a copy of this by the author and Love Book Tours. All thoughts are my own.
Straight away we are introduced to a nameless girl in an intense situation who turns out to be, Jennifer. An Ayla, or creator of worlds.
I loved the way the world's where created and the authors would building style. Fantasy can be a hard genre to balance. Building an magical world and characters while making them believable and easy to connect to.
But the author did it well. I found Jennifer an easy character to like, loved her little quirks and straight forward attitude to people people and her roll. And the world created was interesting.
Several twists in this I dont want to give away, because the tension and mystery surrounding these is what makes this a great story. So many places where I had no clue as to where the story would go or the characters next move which made it a page turning read.
I'll definitely be reading on in the series and checking out his other books as I found the writing style in this great.
I was gifted a copy of this by the author and Love Book Tours. All thoughts are my own.
April 4, 2024
This was a very interesting book. I enjoyed the premise of the book, with the multiple worlds in this book. It seemed very intriguing especially with the fact that it seems that only certain characters can travel between them. I also enjoyed the idea of the sort of magic system in a way there is an aspect that is controlled by symbols. I loved the first line of this book it really gave me intrigued me [e.g. The space between world consist of darkness]. The worldbuilding within this book was gripping and made you want to find out more, e.g. like the importance of symbol. I also enjoyed the fact that when we understand the main character just as a female character at the start before we learn of whoshe is. From the start this made Jennifer as a character very intriguing and made me want to keep reading to find out more. I didn't want to put the book down. And with the way the book ended I am curious to where the next book in the series will take us and how the story will develop further.
April 3, 2024
Into The Darkness was a unique take on a fantasy story, I really enjoyed the premise and haven't come across a fantasy novel like this before. We follow Jennifer who we find out is a creator of worlds and needs to save worlds.
The whole novel is planned out well and the story just flows off the page, the pacing is quick and before you know it were on the last page with that ending. This is book 1 so I'm thankful there is going to be a book 2!
The descriptions throughout this novel are lavish and rich, really helping create a picture form in your mind as you read. The characters have their uniqueness and their dynamics really play into the storyline.
I thoroughly enjoyed the different worlds and events in this story, they made for a Fantastic read.
The whole novel is planned out well and the story just flows off the page, the pacing is quick and before you know it were on the last page with that ending. This is book 1 so I'm thankful there is going to be a book 2!
The descriptions throughout this novel are lavish and rich, really helping create a picture form in your mind as you read. The characters have their uniqueness and their dynamics really play into the storyline.
I thoroughly enjoyed the different worlds and events in this story, they made for a Fantastic read.
March 20, 2024
I love Steve's style of writing. There's a real comedy element to some of it, and his knowledge of other texts and how he uses them is fantastic. I actually laughed out loud at his version of "in the beginning was the word..." Pure genius.
I love the idea that there are multiple worlds, created by multiple Aylas, the fact they are female is just even better! The way these worlds connect and interact with eachother is fascinating. And the fact that the Aylas don't seem to fully understand it means it is revealed to the reader slowly.
The way the Aylas create complex works with simple drawings on the walls of caves is just genius. A beautiful complexity born of simplicity.
I love the idea that there are multiple worlds, created by multiple Aylas, the fact they are female is just even better! The way these worlds connect and interact with eachother is fascinating. And the fact that the Aylas don't seem to fully understand it means it is revealed to the reader slowly.
The way the Aylas create complex works with simple drawings on the walls of caves is just genius. A beautiful complexity born of simplicity.
March 22, 2024
I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one sitting. This is the first book of Steve’s that I’ve read and I loved it, I will definitely be reading the rest of the series & some of his other books as soon as I can! I really liked the MC Jennifer, I thought she was really well developed throughout the story & I thought she was just a really likeable character! I’ll be honest, I couldn’t have told you at any point where the plot was going, it all felt very mysterious but I think that’s part of what made it so enjoyable for me. It was a fairly easy read, but it was complex enough to get really stuck into. Definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a new fantasy series!
March 23, 2024
‘Into the Darkness’ is an easy to read fantasy story about Jennifer, an Ayla, who is a creator of worlds. I really liked the character of Jennifer and how she described creating and changing worlds. It was a really interesting concept and the story felt mysterious and almost dreamlike in places. I liked that it was difficult to tell what was going to happen and what she was going to do at every part of the story. I read this book really quickly because I wanted to know what was going to happen.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
March 25, 2024
This is a really interesting and absorbing read that I really enjoyed. It is well written with a compelling story line and well developed characters. There is so much going on in the book and there are so many characters, although Jennifer was definitely the most interesting to me, that it took a while for me to get to grips with and get into the groove of things, but once I did, I was hooked.
The book is full of vivid descriptions and rich imagery and the world building was so good that I instantly felt like I was there in amongst the action. I also loved the mystery element of it too.
The book is full of vivid descriptions and rich imagery and the world building was so good that I instantly felt like I was there in amongst the action. I also loved the mystery element of it too.
March 27, 2024
I was initially drawn to this book by the beautiful front cover and the intriguing blurb…
I really enjoyed reading this book! The characters were great and the world building was very well written. The story felt very mysterious and there were some parts where I wasn’t sure where the story was going to go and was pleasantly surprised with the direction it went in. This book is pretty short so I read through it really quickly!
Brilliant start to a new fantasy series and I am really looking forward to reading the next instalment!
I really enjoyed reading this book! The characters were great and the world building was very well written. The story felt very mysterious and there were some parts where I wasn’t sure where the story was going to go and was pleasantly surprised with the direction it went in. This book is pretty short so I read through it really quickly!
Brilliant start to a new fantasy series and I am really looking forward to reading the next instalment!
April 1, 2024
Into the Darkness book 1 of the Twisted Land Series.
I was intrigued by the blurb and cover. The storyline is mysterious and I wasn't sure where it was going to go, I couldn't guess any of it.
I really enjoyed the world building, there's a lot of world building but being book 1 in the series that is expected.
The novel is a short one and it hooks you in from the first page. I believe others will really enjoy this novel
I was intrigued by the blurb and cover. The storyline is mysterious and I wasn't sure where it was going to go, I couldn't guess any of it.
I really enjoyed the world building, there's a lot of world building but being book 1 in the series that is expected.
The novel is a short one and it hooks you in from the first page. I believe others will really enjoy this novel
March 28, 2024
This was one of those books that I couldn't put down, I think it only took me 10 hours to read. I am a fantasy junkie and love when I get a new version of a story that we have had before. This is one of the few earth origin stories which I have really engaged with and found that have loved as much as I did. I love how the characters are developed and how Steve Catto writes about their life's and sacrifices. I am now looking forward to reading the next installment of the Twisted Lands Series.
April 4, 2024
Into The Darkness was a fantastic mix of fantasy and mystery that had me engrossed from the very beginning. The author has created an amazing world and I was surprised that this was only book one of a series as it was a strong story as a stand a lone but knowing there is more to come has me looking forward to reading the next chapter of this story.
As the synopsis tells us, the story follows people who can create worlds and I loved the descriptions of the symbols used and the impact this had on the worlds created. Learning about these beings who are pretty much like humans only with the god like ability to create. A worthwhile read.
As the synopsis tells us, the story follows people who can create worlds and I loved the descriptions of the symbols used and the impact this had on the worlds created. Learning about these beings who are pretty much like humans only with the god like ability to create. A worthwhile read.
March 22, 2024
This is the second book I’ve read by Steve Catto and I found, as I did with the other I read, that he creates wonderful, complex worlds that you get completely lost in whilst reading.
I thought the concept, with the multiple Alyas creating worlds, was interesting and very original. This was all well explained before we got stuck into the main story focusing on Jennifer.
A great start to a new series that has made me want to read more.
I thought the concept, with the multiple Alyas creating worlds, was interesting and very original. This was all well explained before we got stuck into the main story focusing on Jennifer.
A great start to a new series that has made me want to read more.
April 1, 2024
Into the Darkness has such a unique premise!
It follows Jennifer, who is an Ayla or a creator of worlds, as she is requested to look into what she’s told is worlds being destroyed and she’s the best one to look into it.
Jennifer is a calm, analytical character. Her twin sister Jackie? Well, she’s not the same. And Jennifer makes some tough decisions for what she thinks is the best for taking care of the destroyer of worlds and the Ayla’s going forward.
The Ayla’s are an interesting concept and are portrayed really well. I look forward to learning more about them and The Council and what is going to happen going forward!
It follows Jennifer, who is an Ayla or a creator of worlds, as she is requested to look into what she’s told is worlds being destroyed and she’s the best one to look into it.
Jennifer is a calm, analytical character. Her twin sister Jackie? Well, she’s not the same. And Jennifer makes some tough decisions for what she thinks is the best for taking care of the destroyer of worlds and the Ayla’s going forward.
The Ayla’s are an interesting concept and are portrayed really well. I look forward to learning more about them and The Council and what is going to happen going forward!
March 21, 2024
Well fantasy is not my go to genre but I have to say I really enjoyed this first book of the Twisted Land series.
The first part of the book sets the scene and explains how Aylas work (Aylas are creators of worlds). Then the second part of the book really gets going with the story line.
The story follows the main character Jennifer who has to work out how to save worlds and remove the people causing the problem. I liked Jennifer as a character she was an understated hero!
I recommend this book even if fantasy is not your go to.
The first part of the book sets the scene and explains how Aylas work (Aylas are creators of worlds). Then the second part of the book really gets going with the story line.
The story follows the main character Jennifer who has to work out how to save worlds and remove the people causing the problem. I liked Jennifer as a character she was an understated hero!
I recommend this book even if fantasy is not your go to.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews