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Wisteria #2
Within the Darkness
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad.”
— Aldous Huxley
Aubrey has done it. She has teleported herself to "the hidden domain" and have managed to bring along her dream boy, Nathan, and nemesis/ex-besty Adelaide. But how could this be? They were all just at a party. No one knew getting into the backyard shed and saying the "magic words" would work. And the three are absolutely stunned. But the world Aubrey thought would be a wonderful paradise is actually a nightmare. As beautiful and enchanting as it is, Wisteria is like jumping down the rabbit hole with the Devil waiting on the sidelines.
The people are different in this world. They are monsters, and not just physically. The Moss Wall is supposed to serve as a protection, separating the demons from the non-demons, but that doesn't mean Aubrey and her friends are safe. Non-demon Aristocrats are nasty and cruel, indulging in their favorite daily past-time: the torture of the red maidens.
And as for the handsome demon boy who wants Aubrey's soul? "You’ll never escape," warned fairies swooping down on her.
But Aubrey, Nathan, and Adelaide won't go down without a fight. They simply must make it to the safe house and find their way out of the realm. Thankfully The Underground Annual is on its way. It is the biggest party, an explosive rave that happens once a year. And now it is their only window of opportunity. But will their plan succeed?
— Aldous Huxley
Aubrey has done it. She has teleported herself to "the hidden domain" and have managed to bring along her dream boy, Nathan, and nemesis/ex-besty Adelaide. But how could this be? They were all just at a party. No one knew getting into the backyard shed and saying the "magic words" would work. And the three are absolutely stunned. But the world Aubrey thought would be a wonderful paradise is actually a nightmare. As beautiful and enchanting as it is, Wisteria is like jumping down the rabbit hole with the Devil waiting on the sidelines.
The people are different in this world. They are monsters, and not just physically. The Moss Wall is supposed to serve as a protection, separating the demons from the non-demons, but that doesn't mean Aubrey and her friends are safe. Non-demon Aristocrats are nasty and cruel, indulging in their favorite daily past-time: the torture of the red maidens.
And as for the handsome demon boy who wants Aubrey's soul? "You’ll never escape," warned fairies swooping down on her.
But Aubrey, Nathan, and Adelaide won't go down without a fight. They simply must make it to the safe house and find their way out of the realm. Thankfully The Underground Annual is on its way. It is the biggest party, an explosive rave that happens once a year. And now it is their only window of opportunity. But will their plan succeed?
Unknown Binding
First published January 4, 2019
9 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Shelby Lamb
18 books107 followersShelby Lamb (A.K.A Shelby Anonymous) is an author/non-judgemental Hindu-Christian/demon slayer who loves exploring the weird and unsettling. She writes fiction from her own personal life experiences, the depths of her imagination, and the inspiration around her. Something (Wisteria 1) is her debut work. Since struggling with depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder, a bit of her knowledge of these dark emotions and feelings are crafted into each of her stories. She is proud of her writing. They may not be for everyone but she is thoughtful and careful in her narrations, as she grew up on literary fiction and still wants to give her books a flavor of that even if they are in select genres. In a way, she writes for a narrower audience, hoping to heal other sufferers of trauma. She doesn't believe in sugar-coating because real issues are to be delved into even in fiction as to be able to relate is to heal in her humble opinion. Aubrey in particular in Something, book one of the Wisteria series is for her a very intimate character. As Aubrey has borderline personality herself. But as Aubrey grows to heal from her tragic inner turmoil and psychological trauma she hopes it can inspire other suffers from mental illnesses to see the light through the darkness, learn healthy coping skills, and become their best selves. Though a lot of reviewers believe the Wisteria series is triggering and too dark she believes that readers who have dealt with the same issues she and Aubrey did can gain healing from seeing how Aubrey eventually overcomes her "inner" and literal outer demons. Even though she is devoted for the time being into completing the Wisteria series, she wants to later delve into clean suspense Christian fiction. For the time being she works on darker material to hopefully open doors for other victims of trauma into following along her works into seeing that life isn't so hard when you have God and the Universe rooting for you.
She lives in a magical Canadian town. Doesn't own cats right now but wishes to adopt several one day soon! <3
You can find her on instagram @shelbyanonymous and catch up about all the her books on her facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thewisterias...
She lives in a magical Canadian town. Doesn't own cats right now but wishes to adopt several one day soon! <3
You can find her on instagram @shelbyanonymous and catch up about all the her books on her facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thewisterias...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 14, 2019
Warning: Scenes of sex violence (rape), torture and cannibalism could be the sort that might be disturbing and offensive to many readers.
This book is something else. In some way, you are following Aubrey as she is trying to get back to her home but in some ways not. This book illustrates monsters in varying ways but the greatest monster a person must face is often just their own mind. The worst and most horrific monsters anyone can barely stomach come from their own mind attacking them.
A reader can easily witness every evil act that is in this book. But not every reader will actually see that the demons and monsters are just a reflection of a troubled soul's mind acting against itself.
One can also see the alliterative aspect to the kidnapping of the women in this book and how it relates to human trafficking. Horrible things occur to women but they are not much of an exaggeration to the horrible things that happen to girls and women who are taken against their will every single day by the monsters who take part in human trafficking.
This book is more the horrors of a person's mind, written in a way to show just how badly their mind is going off the rails to them.
Hopefully, after reading Within the Darkness, someone realizes it isn't too late to ask for help and get help when you are taking yourself apart either with words or sharp edges.
There was, to this reader, a bit of an info dump very late in the book which made it hard to understand the rest of the book.
My Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
This book is something else. In some way, you are following Aubrey as she is trying to get back to her home but in some ways not. This book illustrates monsters in varying ways but the greatest monster a person must face is often just their own mind. The worst and most horrific monsters anyone can barely stomach come from their own mind attacking them.
A reader can easily witness every evil act that is in this book. But not every reader will actually see that the demons and monsters are just a reflection of a troubled soul's mind acting against itself.
One can also see the alliterative aspect to the kidnapping of the women in this book and how it relates to human trafficking. Horrible things occur to women but they are not much of an exaggeration to the horrible things that happen to girls and women who are taken against their will every single day by the monsters who take part in human trafficking.
This book is more the horrors of a person's mind, written in a way to show just how badly their mind is going off the rails to them.
Hopefully, after reading Within the Darkness, someone realizes it isn't too late to ask for help and get help when you are taking yourself apart either with words or sharp edges.
There was, to this reader, a bit of an info dump very late in the book which made it hard to understand the rest of the book.
My Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
February 18, 2019
Within the Darkness (Wisteria Series, Book 2)
By Shelby Lamb
Genre - Fiction
Category - Dark Fantasy/Dystopian/Horror
Pages - 365
Publication Information - Shelby Anonymous - January 4, 2019
Reviewed by William C. Bitner ((https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...)
Rating - 📙📙📙📙📙
This is a mind numbing and wonderfully bizarre, as well as wonderfully and intensely weird series of books. Within the Darkness (Wisteria Series, Book 2), by Shelby Lamb-Author is brilliant. The first book in the series Something, was good but book two is beyond anything I’ve ever read before. It comes with a warning, as well it should. This book will not be for everyone, but it should be read by everyone. It deals with some very sensitive issues, to wit; rape, depression and suicide to name just a few. We are not so much in a place as we are in a feeling or a sense of being or situation (I realize that sound baffling, but if you read the book you will understand where I’m coming from). The characters are on a quest in an alternative reality to make it to a safe house or safe place in hopes of making it back to the main world and a place of safety. They must go through much degradation, torture and shame filled situations along the way. Like Aldous Huxley, Ms Lamb really tries, and in my opinion succeeds in messing with the reader's mind in relation to one's perception of reality. This is not an easy read, it’s thought provoking and brutally honest on so many levels. It’s a book that will have you questioning what is and what isn’t real in life. Once you go down this rabbit hole there’s only one way out. Try to come back with your sanity. Keep in mind at the end of this book that this is indeed a second book in a series of books and the ending of this book will not give you a complete picture or answer all the reader’s questions. As a matter of fact, I have more questions now then I did at the beginning of book one! That’s not a bad thing, it means that book three will be filled with treasures to be absorbed. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, and something that will have you diving into the pages and wanting more...this is the book for you. Hopefully I did this book some justice with my review. It is just brilliant beyond words.
Synopsis (from the back cover): "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad."
-- Aldous Huxley
Aubrey has done it. She has teleported herself to "the hidden domain" and have managed to bring along her dream boy, Nathan, and nemesis/ex-besty Adelaide. But how could this be? They were all just at a party. No one knew getting into the backyard shed and saying the "magic words" would work. And the three are absolutely stunned. But the world Aubrey thought would be a wonderful paradise is actually a nightmare. As beautiful and enchanting as it is, Wisteria is like jumping down the rabbit hole with the Devil waiting on the sidelines.
The people are different in this world. They are monsters, and not just physically. The Moss Wall is supposed to serve as a protection, separating the demons from the non-demons, but that doesn't mean Aubrey and her friends are safe. Non-demon Aristocrats are nasty and cruel, indulging in their favorite daily past-time: the torture of the red maidens.
And as for the handsome demon boy who wants Aubrey's soul? "You'll never escape," warned fairies swooping down on her.
But Aubrey, Nathan, and Adelaide won't go down without a fight. They simply must make it to the safe house and find their way out of the realm. Thankfully The Underground Annual is on its way. It is the biggest party, an explosive rave that happens once a year. And now it is their only window of opportunity. But will their plan succeed?
About Shelby Lamb: Shelby Lamb (A.K.A Shelby Anonymous) is an author/non-judgemental Hindu-Christian/demon slayer who loves exploring the weird and unsettling. She writes fiction from her own personal life experiences, the depths of her imagination, and the inspiration around her. Something (Wisteria 1) is her debut work. Since struggling with depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder, a bit of her knowledge of these dark emotions and feelings are crafted into each of her stories. She is proud of her writing. They may not be for everyone but she is thoughtful and careful in her narrations, as she grew up on literary fiction and still wants to give her books a flavor of that even if they are in select genres. In a way, she writes for a narrower audience, hoping to heal other sufferers of trauma. She doesn't believe in sugar-coating because real issues are to be delved into even in fiction as to be able to relate is to heal in her humble opinion. Aubrey in particular in Something, book one of the Wisteria series is for her a very intimate character. As Aubrey has borderline personality herself. But as Aubrey grows to heal from her tragic inner turmoil and psychological trauma she hopes it can inspire other suffers from mental illnesses to see the light through the darkness, learn healthy coping skills, and become their best selves. Even though she is devoted for the time being into completing the Wisteria series, she wants to later delve into clean suspense Christian fiction. For the time being she works on darker material to hopefully open doors for other victims of trauma into following along her works into seeing that life isn't so hard when you have God and the Universe rooting for you.
She lives in a magical Canadian town. Doesn't own cats right now but wishes to adopt several one day soon!
Other books by Shelby Lamb: Something (Wisteria Series - Book One), Kirsten and Ally - Book 1, Kirsten and Ally - Book 2, Lovely Differences, Lovely Bones, Her (Episodes 1, 2, & 3) and Mary Had a Little Shadow.
By Shelby Lamb
Genre - Fiction
Category - Dark Fantasy/Dystopian/Horror
Pages - 365
Publication Information - Shelby Anonymous - January 4, 2019
Reviewed by William C. Bitner ((https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...)
Rating - 📙📙📙📙📙
This is a mind numbing and wonderfully bizarre, as well as wonderfully and intensely weird series of books. Within the Darkness (Wisteria Series, Book 2), by Shelby Lamb-Author is brilliant. The first book in the series Something, was good but book two is beyond anything I’ve ever read before. It comes with a warning, as well it should. This book will not be for everyone, but it should be read by everyone. It deals with some very sensitive issues, to wit; rape, depression and suicide to name just a few. We are not so much in a place as we are in a feeling or a sense of being or situation (I realize that sound baffling, but if you read the book you will understand where I’m coming from). The characters are on a quest in an alternative reality to make it to a safe house or safe place in hopes of making it back to the main world and a place of safety. They must go through much degradation, torture and shame filled situations along the way. Like Aldous Huxley, Ms Lamb really tries, and in my opinion succeeds in messing with the reader's mind in relation to one's perception of reality. This is not an easy read, it’s thought provoking and brutally honest on so many levels. It’s a book that will have you questioning what is and what isn’t real in life. Once you go down this rabbit hole there’s only one way out. Try to come back with your sanity. Keep in mind at the end of this book that this is indeed a second book in a series of books and the ending of this book will not give you a complete picture or answer all the reader’s questions. As a matter of fact, I have more questions now then I did at the beginning of book one! That’s not a bad thing, it means that book three will be filled with treasures to be absorbed. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, and something that will have you diving into the pages and wanting more...this is the book for you. Hopefully I did this book some justice with my review. It is just brilliant beyond words.
Synopsis (from the back cover): "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad."
-- Aldous Huxley
Aubrey has done it. She has teleported herself to "the hidden domain" and have managed to bring along her dream boy, Nathan, and nemesis/ex-besty Adelaide. But how could this be? They were all just at a party. No one knew getting into the backyard shed and saying the "magic words" would work. And the three are absolutely stunned. But the world Aubrey thought would be a wonderful paradise is actually a nightmare. As beautiful and enchanting as it is, Wisteria is like jumping down the rabbit hole with the Devil waiting on the sidelines.
The people are different in this world. They are monsters, and not just physically. The Moss Wall is supposed to serve as a protection, separating the demons from the non-demons, but that doesn't mean Aubrey and her friends are safe. Non-demon Aristocrats are nasty and cruel, indulging in their favorite daily past-time: the torture of the red maidens.
And as for the handsome demon boy who wants Aubrey's soul? "You'll never escape," warned fairies swooping down on her.
But Aubrey, Nathan, and Adelaide won't go down without a fight. They simply must make it to the safe house and find their way out of the realm. Thankfully The Underground Annual is on its way. It is the biggest party, an explosive rave that happens once a year. And now it is their only window of opportunity. But will their plan succeed?
About Shelby Lamb: Shelby Lamb (A.K.A Shelby Anonymous) is an author/non-judgemental Hindu-Christian/demon slayer who loves exploring the weird and unsettling. She writes fiction from her own personal life experiences, the depths of her imagination, and the inspiration around her. Something (Wisteria 1) is her debut work. Since struggling with depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder, a bit of her knowledge of these dark emotions and feelings are crafted into each of her stories. She is proud of her writing. They may not be for everyone but she is thoughtful and careful in her narrations, as she grew up on literary fiction and still wants to give her books a flavor of that even if they are in select genres. In a way, she writes for a narrower audience, hoping to heal other sufferers of trauma. She doesn't believe in sugar-coating because real issues are to be delved into even in fiction as to be able to relate is to heal in her humble opinion. Aubrey in particular in Something, book one of the Wisteria series is for her a very intimate character. As Aubrey has borderline personality herself. But as Aubrey grows to heal from her tragic inner turmoil and psychological trauma she hopes it can inspire other suffers from mental illnesses to see the light through the darkness, learn healthy coping skills, and become their best selves. Even though she is devoted for the time being into completing the Wisteria series, she wants to later delve into clean suspense Christian fiction. For the time being she works on darker material to hopefully open doors for other victims of trauma into following along her works into seeing that life isn't so hard when you have God and the Universe rooting for you.
She lives in a magical Canadian town. Doesn't own cats right now but wishes to adopt several one day soon!
Other books by Shelby Lamb: Something (Wisteria Series - Book One), Kirsten and Ally - Book 1, Kirsten and Ally - Book 2, Lovely Differences, Lovely Bones, Her (Episodes 1, 2, & 3) and Mary Had a Little Shadow.
February 5, 2019
I liked the first one but found a few things difficult to follow. They usually say sequels aren't as good as the original but in this case - I liked this book even better than the first!
February 3, 2019
Waded through the first book, but this one is so much better. Will definitely read the next one when it comes out.
January 9, 2019
It's here!
May 20, 2019
This is the second book in the Wisteria series. Having escaped a terrifying monster, Aubrey and her friends find themselves in Wisteria but it's not quite what they expected. Rather than the sanctuary Aubrey was promised, Wisteria is a beautifully twisted place of weirdness, wonder and malice. A dangerous world full of monsters, where people worship demons, and everyone lives in an unrelenting frenzy of fashion and parties. A place where beauty and cruelty coexist in an uneasy truce.
Life in Wisteria is hard, especially for outsiders. Aubrey and her friends suffer greatly as the residents inflict one depravity after another on them. Others fair much, much worse fates. This book isn't for the faint of heart, and it comes with numerous trigger warnings (e.g. violence, rape, torture). Despite the difficult nature of these parts, most of the horror is obscured by shadows, seen through the eyes and reactions of the characters. The dizzying frenzy of colour and sound whirls around, distracting from the darkness and confusing the senses, like viewing the world through a kaleidoscope.
In Within the Darkness, we get some answers about Wisteria, Tyler James, and Demonolib, but also more questions. This book sets the stage for the next installment, where hopefully Aubrey can discover how to remove the curse, find a way home, and maybe even defeat her own personal demons.
Life in Wisteria is hard, especially for outsiders. Aubrey and her friends suffer greatly as the residents inflict one depravity after another on them. Others fair much, much worse fates. This book isn't for the faint of heart, and it comes with numerous trigger warnings (e.g. violence, rape, torture). Despite the difficult nature of these parts, most of the horror is obscured by shadows, seen through the eyes and reactions of the characters. The dizzying frenzy of colour and sound whirls around, distracting from the darkness and confusing the senses, like viewing the world through a kaleidoscope.
In Within the Darkness, we get some answers about Wisteria, Tyler James, and Demonolib, but also more questions. This book sets the stage for the next installment, where hopefully Aubrey can discover how to remove the curse, find a way home, and maybe even defeat her own personal demons.
February 25, 2019
I did enjoy reading Within the Darkness. The author did a fantastic job with world building. I liked how she incorporated Japanese/Asian themes in the book. It made for an interesting background for what was happening in that realm.
There were parts of the book that made me wince while reading it. The treatment of the red-maidens was a huge part of that. A close second was how the Main World girls were treated. The casual violence towards those women was cringeworthy. I winced while reading those parts of the book.
The end of Within the Darkness was a cliffhanger. I wasn’t surprised by what happened. I was surprised that it happened with such ease. The author did not wrap up storylines. So I am expecting most of them to be carried on into book 3.
Rest of review at: https://readwithme2018.com/2019/02/25...
There were parts of the book that made me wince while reading it. The treatment of the red-maidens was a huge part of that. A close second was how the Main World girls were treated. The casual violence towards those women was cringeworthy. I winced while reading those parts of the book.
The end of Within the Darkness was a cliffhanger. I wasn’t surprised by what happened. I was surprised that it happened with such ease. The author did not wrap up storylines. So I am expecting most of them to be carried on into book 3.
Rest of review at: https://readwithme2018.com/2019/02/25...
February 27, 2019
Wow, I loved this book.
Trigger warning: rape and sexual assault.
This was one of the first stories I have ever read that was grim, morbid, horror, goth and full of magic. Evil lurking in every corner, with devils disguised as angels, not knowing who to trust. Wisteria, a world full of magic and chaos, beauty and death. This book was such a thrill for me, and I gobbled it up in two days. I couldn't put it down! I can't wait for book #3 this series seems to only be getting better.
Trigger warning: rape and sexual assault.
This was one of the first stories I have ever read that was grim, morbid, horror, goth and full of magic. Evil lurking in every corner, with devils disguised as angels, not knowing who to trust. Wisteria, a world full of magic and chaos, beauty and death. This book was such a thrill for me, and I gobbled it up in two days. I couldn't put it down! I can't wait for book #3 this series seems to only be getting better.
May 7, 2019
I won this in a Goodreads' contest so here is my honest review. I made it through the first book "Something" and was curious to to know what happened once the gang got to Wisteria. Clearly, it couldn't be sunshine and roses but there were scenes that felt unnecessary that didn't seem to further the plot. I can't see how I will be able to read 4 more books in this series that essentially get nowhere before they get somewhere.
March 6, 2019
Disturbingly good
This series is beyond anything I have read. The imagination of the writer is new to me. The scenes were at some point graphic and disturbing. Yet I had to read more. This book is not for those with a weak stomach. surprisingly look forward to book 3.
This series is beyond anything I have read. The imagination of the writer is new to me. The scenes were at some point graphic and disturbing. Yet I had to read more. This book is not for those with a weak stomach. surprisingly look forward to book 3.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews