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From Darkness
Sixteen-year-old Ari Wyndham has a secret. Her best friend, Alex, drowned at Stonehaven beach when she was nine, and nobody knows that Ari still blames herself for Alex’s death.
When Ari is bitten by a tiger snake, a summoner is sent from the underworld to collect her. The summoner is Alex, who has spent the past seven years escorting souls to the underworld. They recognise each other, and Alex chooses to save Ari, even though she knows there will be a terrible price to pay for this transgression.
Alex’s rebellion is dangerous; it upsets the balance of life and death, and endangers the people and animals of Stonehaven. A rift opens from the underworld, and dark magic threatens the remote coastal town. Savage dog packs roam the pine plantation and emerge at night to kill pets and livestock, fishermen catch ghostly bodies in their nets, and children go missing. And all the while Alex is hiding the truth from Ari, which is that she could be drawn back to the underworld at any time.
When Ari is bitten by a tiger snake, a summoner is sent from the underworld to collect her. The summoner is Alex, who has spent the past seven years escorting souls to the underworld. They recognise each other, and Alex chooses to save Ari, even though she knows there will be a terrible price to pay for this transgression.
Alex’s rebellion is dangerous; it upsets the balance of life and death, and endangers the people and animals of Stonehaven. A rift opens from the underworld, and dark magic threatens the remote coastal town. Savage dog packs roam the pine plantation and emerge at night to kill pets and livestock, fishermen catch ghostly bodies in their nets, and children go missing. And all the while Alex is hiding the truth from Ari, which is that she could be drawn back to the underworld at any time.
268 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2020
3 people are currently reading
1904 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 27, 2020
A really sweet sapphic portal fantasy tale about a girl living in the Australian countryside who must save her first love from the Greek underworld and fix the rift between the worlds!
November 5, 2020
You can read a longer review of this book over at my blog
Do you want a sapphic portal fantasy that'll make you google pictures of sinkholes and recoil in horror? Here it is! This delightful debut novel has made me so excited to see what else Kate Hazel Hall will create.
Ari Wyndham blames herself for the death of her best friend, Alex, when she was nine. Now sixteen, she's bitten by a deadly tiger snake and a summoner is sent to collect her soul. The summoner is Alex. Recognising each other, Alex refuses to let Ari die, but the consequences of this transgression are worse than they could have imagined. Savage dog packs, sinkhole portals, and a trip to the underworld await you in this sapphic fantasy.
This was such a unique novel that packs so much into a relatively short read. It has that fairy-tale feeling I adore from portal fantasies. I've not read many books set in Australia, and it's mostly reinforced my idea that I would definitely get bitten by a snake and die on my first day. The romance was a huge highlight for me. Childhood friends to lovers is a trope I adore in queer romance. I could see people who love slow-burns grumbling about how quickly things fall into place, but I loved it. The one issue I had with the book was the pacing. The ending slowed down considerably, and it loses some of the strength it had earlier in the novel. Regardless, I thought this was a strong debut and the way it handles grief and forgiveness was heartwarming.
CW: Drowning, Death of a Child, Mental Illness and Institutionalisation, Miscarriage Scare, Death of an Animal, Violence
(Thanks to Netgalley and Interlude Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!)
Do you like sapphic fantasy? You should check out my Blog, and/or follow me on Twitter
Do you want a sapphic portal fantasy that'll make you google pictures of sinkholes and recoil in horror? Here it is! This delightful debut novel has made me so excited to see what else Kate Hazel Hall will create.
For years Ari sometimes let herself imagine that Alex had been swept out to sea and picked up by a foreign fishing boat or that she'd been washed ashore on a desert island, just like a story in a book. She learned, as time wore on, to forget these childish fantasies. In the end, loss was loss, with or without a body to prove it.
Ari Wyndham blames herself for the death of her best friend, Alex, when she was nine. Now sixteen, she's bitten by a deadly tiger snake and a summoner is sent to collect her soul. The summoner is Alex. Recognising each other, Alex refuses to let Ari die, but the consequences of this transgression are worse than they could have imagined. Savage dog packs, sinkhole portals, and a trip to the underworld await you in this sapphic fantasy.
"There's never been anybody in the world like you, Ari. And you are here with me. What did I do to deserve that?"
This was such a unique novel that packs so much into a relatively short read. It has that fairy-tale feeling I adore from portal fantasies. I've not read many books set in Australia, and it's mostly reinforced my idea that I would definitely get bitten by a snake and die on my first day. The romance was a huge highlight for me. Childhood friends to lovers is a trope I adore in queer romance. I could see people who love slow-burns grumbling about how quickly things fall into place, but I loved it. The one issue I had with the book was the pacing. The ending slowed down considerably, and it loses some of the strength it had earlier in the novel. Regardless, I thought this was a strong debut and the way it handles grief and forgiveness was heartwarming.
CW: Drowning, Death of a Child, Mental Illness and Institutionalisation, Miscarriage Scare, Death of an Animal, Violence
(Thanks to Netgalley and Interlude Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!)
Do you like sapphic fantasy? You should check out my Blog, and/or follow me on Twitter
February 17, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ari and Alex were the best of friends, they went everywhere together. After a fatal accident leaves Ari without Alex, Ari is overwhelmed with guilt. When a snakebite brings Ari to the brink of death, a Summoner of Souls comes from the underworld to take her for judgement. When the Summoner sent to collect Ari turns out to be her long lost friend, Alex, who spares her life; will Alex and Ari be able to rebalance the scales of life and death? And what punishments await Alex in the underworld?
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 because 3 stars doesn't do this novel justice. There was alot of Greek Mythology in this novel, but it was subtle enough not to make it feel disjointed in our modern world. Ari, at age seventeen, has the typical tragic storyline and essentially hates herself because of it. My main gripe comes from when Alex is back with her. Ari is so hot for Alex now that they're teenagers and it pulls you out of the story completely multiple times. I understand hormones rage, but the way she reacts to any movement Alex makes is like a dog in heat. It's so unrealistic and a bit creepy if I'm being honest. This is the biggest complaint I have about this story and it knocked it down atleast a full star for me. The other half a star is lost on the final confrontation. You are built up for a big fight, and the girls are given a deadline to set things right but they spend all but a few hours of it sleeping and making out?! What?
Overall, the bones of a great story are there, and it is actually pretty spectacular for a debut novel. I recommend this for anyone 16+ because of how graphic/horny they main character is. It makes this novel completely inappropriate for younger age groups. Let me know what you think, fellow readers. Am I being too harsh on poor hormonal Ari? Or was it just as off-putting for you?
Ari and Alex were the best of friends, they went everywhere together. After a fatal accident leaves Ari without Alex, Ari is overwhelmed with guilt. When a snakebite brings Ari to the brink of death, a Summoner of Souls comes from the underworld to take her for judgement. When the Summoner sent to collect Ari turns out to be her long lost friend, Alex, who spares her life; will Alex and Ari be able to rebalance the scales of life and death? And what punishments await Alex in the underworld?
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 because 3 stars doesn't do this novel justice. There was alot of Greek Mythology in this novel, but it was subtle enough not to make it feel disjointed in our modern world. Ari, at age seventeen, has the typical tragic storyline and essentially hates herself because of it. My main gripe comes from when Alex is back with her. Ari is so hot for Alex now that they're teenagers and it pulls you out of the story completely multiple times. I understand hormones rage, but the way she reacts to any movement Alex makes is like a dog in heat. It's so unrealistic and a bit creepy if I'm being honest. This is the biggest complaint I have about this story and it knocked it down atleast a full star for me. The other half a star is lost on the final confrontation. You are built up for a big fight, and the girls are given a deadline to set things right but they spend all but a few hours of it sleeping and making out?! What?
Overall, the bones of a great story are there, and it is actually pretty spectacular for a debut novel. I recommend this for anyone 16+ because of how graphic/horny they main character is. It makes this novel completely inappropriate for younger age groups. Let me know what you think, fellow readers. Am I being too harsh on poor hormonal Ari? Or was it just as off-putting for you?
December 1, 2020
From Darkness
This fall has really been the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to excellent LGBTQIA+ new releases! Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to greatly enjoy Each of Us a Desert, by Mark Oshiro, The Bone Shard Daughter, by Andrea Stewart, The Dragon of Ynys, by Minerva Cerridwen, The Left Handed Booksellers of London, by Garth Nix, and The Four Profound Weaves, by RB Lemberg. Each of these books featured some really top tier representation that doesn’t often get much mainstream attention.
The only problem with this book is that the stellar premise does sometimes outshine the execution. For a book with a really ambitious premise, the character development and worldbuilding don’t receive quite enough focus to satisfy my curiosity. The abject horror of Alex’s compulsion to paint elaborate portals to the underworld is a perfect example of what I mean: gold standard high quality idea, but when she and Ari discuss it they have a weirdly stilted conversation where they don’t really address it and then move on entirely. This would have been an excellent moment to explore either characters emotional state, or address Alex’s slowly returning ability to feel emotions, or the logistics of what either the compulsion means for Alex, Ari, and/or the town. I was ready and interested in any of those things. A short conversation that sort of boiled down to something along the lines of: “What are you doing?Why!? Well I don’t like it but fine.” And it doesn’t feel... intentional? Not like some inherent practicality from the characters that lets them dismiss the subject so easily but more like the topic was cut short before it was fully explored.
Ok. So. From Darkness, what is it about:
Death wasn’t the end of their story. Alex drowned seven years ago; now she works as a summoner, ferrying souls to the underworld when they die. When she is sent to collect the soul of someone with a familiar face, she suddenly has a choice to make. What happens if she doesn’t let her friend die? Can you rebel from death?
This story weaves aspects of the Greek underworld into life in a small Australian town, setting the backdrop for an engaging look into friendship and romance. The premise is weird fiction at its finest.
If you are looking for an antidote to the whole garbage “Kill your gays” trope, look no further. These girls refuse to let death stop them. Make no mistake though, this book hits some dark notes. It is not an easy read.
Main Characters:
Ari - Guilt personified. No really. She is deeply immersed in and struggling with her feelings of guilt in the years following a severe childhood trauma; when she was nine, she witnessed the death of her best friend, who drowned while they were swimming together.
Alex - She never really had a chance to really live. She drowned seven years ago and now she is not quite a ghost and not quite a person not allowed to experience emotion. I did find myself wondering at the logistics here though. Why would the role of a summoner need to be filled by a real human’s ... soul? consciousness? shade? They don’t have access to their memories or emotions or anything that makes them people. This was an issue that soured parts of the romantic subplot for me. Ok, so the last time Alex was really truly human, with emotions, memory and a actual sense of self...she was eleven. She may be eighteen now, but I really don’t think she is in the proper headspace to be giving consent to a physical relationship. Certainly not so quickly. I would have preferred to see her and Ari fully reestablish their friendship and then move on to romance once Alex had a chance to find her footing as a person again.
Side note: Hey, you know what is an excellent sign that a book was written by a thoughtful author and that the editing process almost definitely included a sensitivity reader? This extremely welcome acknowledgement perfecting the book: “This novel was written on lands belonging to the Wadawurrung and Gadubanud peoples of the South-West coast of Australia. These lands were never ceded. I acknowledge the continuing connection of the rightful owners to their lands, waterways and cultures, and offer my deepest respect to their elders, past, present and emerging.” The only other time I can think of where I have encountered a similar acknowledgment is the creator’s note on each episode of the podcast Unwell, from producer Hartlife NFP. I appreciate that attention was drawn to this fact.
And, AND the publisher has provided content warnings. They are mildly spoilery, but can be found here if you need them: https://interludepress.com/content-wa...
Good people made this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Interlude Press for granting my request for a review copy of this book!
This fall has really been the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to excellent LGBTQIA+ new releases! Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to greatly enjoy Each of Us a Desert, by Mark Oshiro, The Bone Shard Daughter, by Andrea Stewart, The Dragon of Ynys, by Minerva Cerridwen, The Left Handed Booksellers of London, by Garth Nix, and The Four Profound Weaves, by RB Lemberg. Each of these books featured some really top tier representation that doesn’t often get much mainstream attention.
The only problem with this book is that the stellar premise does sometimes outshine the execution. For a book with a really ambitious premise, the character development and worldbuilding don’t receive quite enough focus to satisfy my curiosity. The abject horror of Alex’s compulsion to paint elaborate portals to the underworld is a perfect example of what I mean: gold standard high quality idea, but when she and Ari discuss it they have a weirdly stilted conversation where they don’t really address it and then move on entirely. This would have been an excellent moment to explore either characters emotional state, or address Alex’s slowly returning ability to feel emotions, or the logistics of what either the compulsion means for Alex, Ari, and/or the town. I was ready and interested in any of those things. A short conversation that sort of boiled down to something along the lines of: “What are you doing?Why!? Well I don’t like it but fine.” And it doesn’t feel... intentional? Not like some inherent practicality from the characters that lets them dismiss the subject so easily but more like the topic was cut short before it was fully explored.
Ok. So. From Darkness, what is it about:
Death wasn’t the end of their story. Alex drowned seven years ago; now she works as a summoner, ferrying souls to the underworld when they die. When she is sent to collect the soul of someone with a familiar face, she suddenly has a choice to make. What happens if she doesn’t let her friend die? Can you rebel from death?
This story weaves aspects of the Greek underworld into life in a small Australian town, setting the backdrop for an engaging look into friendship and romance. The premise is weird fiction at its finest.
If you are looking for an antidote to the whole garbage “Kill your gays” trope, look no further. These girls refuse to let death stop them. Make no mistake though, this book hits some dark notes. It is not an easy read.
Main Characters:
Ari - Guilt personified. No really. She is deeply immersed in and struggling with her feelings of guilt in the years following a severe childhood trauma; when she was nine, she witnessed the death of her best friend, who drowned while they were swimming together.
Alex - She never really had a chance to really live. She drowned seven years ago and now she is not quite a ghost and not quite a person not allowed to experience emotion. I did find myself wondering at the logistics here though. Why would the role of a summoner need to be filled by a real human’s ... soul? consciousness? shade? They don’t have access to their memories or emotions or anything that makes them people. This was an issue that soured parts of the romantic subplot for me. Ok, so the last time Alex was really truly human, with emotions, memory and a actual sense of self...she was eleven. She may be eighteen now, but I really don’t think she is in the proper headspace to be giving consent to a physical relationship. Certainly not so quickly. I would have preferred to see her and Ari fully reestablish their friendship and then move on to romance once Alex had a chance to find her footing as a person again.
Side note: Hey, you know what is an excellent sign that a book was written by a thoughtful author and that the editing process almost definitely included a sensitivity reader? This extremely welcome acknowledgement perfecting the book: “This novel was written on lands belonging to the Wadawurrung and Gadubanud peoples of the South-West coast of Australia. These lands were never ceded. I acknowledge the continuing connection of the rightful owners to their lands, waterways and cultures, and offer my deepest respect to their elders, past, present and emerging.” The only other time I can think of where I have encountered a similar acknowledgment is the creator’s note on each episode of the podcast Unwell, from producer Hartlife NFP. I appreciate that attention was drawn to this fact.
And, AND the publisher has provided content warnings. They are mildly spoilery, but can be found here if you need them: https://interludepress.com/content-wa...
Good people made this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Interlude Press for granting my request for a review copy of this book!
August 14, 2020
I had high hopes for this book--it's not every day you get modern sapphic Greek mythology books, which combine all of my favorite things together. From Darkness follows the life of Ari years after the tragic death of her best friend, Alex. Ari blames herself for Alex's death even almost a decade later, wishing that she had not suggested the two of them swim to a faraway island and back as kids. Ari is soon confronted with her own mortality after a snake bites her and a beautiful young woman comes to take her away to the Underworld. The woman recognizes Ari and remembers her past life as Alex, Ari's best friend, and shirks her responsibility to bring Ari's soul to the Underworld by saving her life. Strange things start happening around their town and Ari and Alex must navigate both the complications of life and death, as well as their newfound feelings for each other. While a great premise, I was disappointed that it seemed as though the writing quality dropped off as the book went on. It's a quick and easy read and I never felt the pacing was too slow, but the dialogue and plot became more unbelievable as the book wore on, and not because it was about the Underworld. Hazel Hall does a great job of portraying the Underworld and those who roam and rule it, but I still felt that there was something missing to the characters. Alex and Ari's relationship develops extremely quickly and left me feeling a little discombobulated as I tried to figure out why their feelings for each other developed so quickly. Maybe that's just the slow burn addict inside of me. Still, the book is cute and leaves you feeling largely satisfied as you close the book.
August 17, 2020
Uno de los mejores viajes al inframundo
✭✭✭✭½
Ari y Alex son mejores amigas, de esas que son inseparables que se podrían considerar más que eso un amor casi de hermandad pero distinto. Un día Ari le pide a Alex que naden en el océano cuando eran apenas unas niñas, Alex acepta ya que Ari es una excelente nadadora y sabe que eso haría muy feliz a su mejor amiga, mientras nadan se dan cuenta que la corriente es más fuerte de lo que ellas tenían previsto y lamentablemente ese día solo una llega a casa. Dejando así a una pequeña niña sin su mejor amiga, sola en el mundo, sin saber como seguir adelante pasan los años y un día Ari encuentra a su alma gemela de una manera inesperada, el mundo vuelve a tener color, hasta que su nueva novia desaparece. Ari tendrá que aventurarse en el inframundo para poder salvar a su amada y ademas salvar a su pueblo y a todos los que ella ama aunque tenga que desafiar al dios de la muerte misma…¿Podrá lograrlo antes de que se oscurezca la luna?
From Darkness es una novela juvenil de Fantasía, Romance, Ciencia Ficción y ademas es LGTTQI+. Repleta de emociones esta novela logra cautivar al lector y mantenerlo cautivado quemándose las pestañas, es una historia que en verdad necesita que le den una oportunidad, el libro toca temas como lo son el duelo el aceptarte a ti mismo, afrontar tus miedos e incluso el valor de la amistad, el amor, la lealtad, la valentía y el perdón no solo hacia los demás si no que a nosotros mismos.
Esta novela es la primera de Kate Hazel Hall e hizo un excelente trabajo, comencé leyendo este libro sin saber a que iba o de que trataba y la verdad es uno de los libros que mas me ha gustado de este año, repito que considero que todos le deberían de dar una oportunidad a estar grandiosa obra, me gustaría tener la oportunidad de comprar el libro en físico ya que yo leí una copia avanzada gracias a NetGalley.
Si te gusta la fantasía, la mitología, el Romance y te fascina leer sobre la comunidad LGBTQ+ definitivamente debes leer este libro y si no pues quien sabe si este libro haga que te guste.
August 27, 2020
✨From Darkness✨
Thank you to Netgalley, Kate Hazel Hall and interlude press for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
✨
This story follows Ari, a 16 year old girl who lives in a small coastal town in Australia. When Ari was young, she and her best friend Alex were inseparable, until one day Alex drowned on a swim to a little island and back. Ari has never quite gotten over Alex’s death. When Ari is bitten by a snake, a beautiful girl comes to summon her to the underworld however, Ari refuses to go, and this act of defiance tips the precarious balance of life and death and causes a rift in her world. Strange things start to happen as the dark magic emerges. Will Ari be able to save her world and the person she cares about most of all?
✨
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 (overall)
❤️❤️❤️❤️/5 (romance)
🧭🧭🧭🧭.5/5 (adventure)
Review:
This sapphic romantic fantasy brings elements of everything I love and combines it in one novel. Romance, magic, adventure and Greek mythology all thrown in!
Whilst the romance develops very quickly for my liking (hardcore slow burn lover over here👀🔥) it’s so sweet that you can’t help but root for them. Ari has lost Alex once and she won’t lose her again, she defies the natural balance and accomplishes things that no one ever has before, all in the name of saving her girl.
This book has a fair amount of action, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the page. My favourite aspect of the book is that a big part of it takes place in the Underworld and Ari has to navigate her way through it in order to complete her task and return home... while hopefully keeping her heartbeat. I really enjoyed that it was a different take on a story of the underworld and wasn’t your typical Hades story. A satisfying ending had this book neatly wrapped up.
Whilst I really enjoyed the book I feel like there were long build ups for some short bursts of action and would’ve preferred a little more. But overall a really enjoyable story, great for those who love YA fantasy and suitable for a younger teenage audience. Definitely a good read for those that love Greek mythology. The author is definitely one to keep an eye out for!
Thank you to Netgalley, Kate Hazel Hall and interlude press for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
✨
This story follows Ari, a 16 year old girl who lives in a small coastal town in Australia. When Ari was young, she and her best friend Alex were inseparable, until one day Alex drowned on a swim to a little island and back. Ari has never quite gotten over Alex’s death. When Ari is bitten by a snake, a beautiful girl comes to summon her to the underworld however, Ari refuses to go, and this act of defiance tips the precarious balance of life and death and causes a rift in her world. Strange things start to happen as the dark magic emerges. Will Ari be able to save her world and the person she cares about most of all?
✨
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 (overall)
❤️❤️❤️❤️/5 (romance)
🧭🧭🧭🧭.5/5 (adventure)
Review:
This sapphic romantic fantasy brings elements of everything I love and combines it in one novel. Romance, magic, adventure and Greek mythology all thrown in!
Whilst the romance develops very quickly for my liking (hardcore slow burn lover over here👀🔥) it’s so sweet that you can’t help but root for them. Ari has lost Alex once and she won’t lose her again, she defies the natural balance and accomplishes things that no one ever has before, all in the name of saving her girl.
This book has a fair amount of action, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the page. My favourite aspect of the book is that a big part of it takes place in the Underworld and Ari has to navigate her way through it in order to complete her task and return home... while hopefully keeping her heartbeat. I really enjoyed that it was a different take on a story of the underworld and wasn’t your typical Hades story. A satisfying ending had this book neatly wrapped up.
Whilst I really enjoyed the book I feel like there were long build ups for some short bursts of action and would’ve preferred a little more. But overall a really enjoyable story, great for those who love YA fantasy and suitable for a younger teenage audience. Definitely a good read for those that love Greek mythology. The author is definitely one to keep an eye out for!
November 15, 2020
“Seven years ago, two children tried to swim nearly a mile through rough seas to reach the shore. Only one child made it.”
What an incredible debut novel, oh my goodness! There was sapphic goodness, Greek mythology, and all set on the Australian coast. This is definitely a new favourite and I need everyone to read it! This book follows the story of Ari, who lost her best friend Alex to the sea when she was a child and has blamed herself for what happened that day ever since. One day when Ari is bitten by a snake and starts losing her own life, the summoner sent to guide her to the afterlife suddenly decides to defy the rules of life & death in order to save Ari’s life. Because That summoner? She’s Alex, who has been escorting souls to the underworld for 7 years. But this causes a great imbalance between the mortal world and the underworld, and dark things start happening around Ari’s small town. Now the two girls must figure out how to stop these things from happening and keep Alex from being drawn back to the underworld.
I was so invested in this story omg. From the first chapter I was hooked (that first chapter is one of the best I’ve ever read). The world building was incredible, the characters stole my heart, and the romance made me swoon. Also, the inclusion of some Greek mythology with a twist was wonderful. This author SURE CAN WRITE! This book also deals with some tougher themes in a beautiful way, such as grief and survivor’s guilt, so it definitely made me cry.
As you can tell, I loved this book! The story was touching, atmospheric, and super duper gay. I really can’t recommend this one enough!
TW: Animal/pet death
*Thank you to Netgalley and Interlude Press for giving me this eARC in exchange for an honest review*
What an incredible debut novel, oh my goodness! There was sapphic goodness, Greek mythology, and all set on the Australian coast. This is definitely a new favourite and I need everyone to read it! This book follows the story of Ari, who lost her best friend Alex to the sea when she was a child and has blamed herself for what happened that day ever since. One day when Ari is bitten by a snake and starts losing her own life, the summoner sent to guide her to the afterlife suddenly decides to defy the rules of life & death in order to save Ari’s life. Because That summoner? She’s Alex, who has been escorting souls to the underworld for 7 years. But this causes a great imbalance between the mortal world and the underworld, and dark things start happening around Ari’s small town. Now the two girls must figure out how to stop these things from happening and keep Alex from being drawn back to the underworld.
I was so invested in this story omg. From the first chapter I was hooked (that first chapter is one of the best I’ve ever read). The world building was incredible, the characters stole my heart, and the romance made me swoon. Also, the inclusion of some Greek mythology with a twist was wonderful. This author SURE CAN WRITE! This book also deals with some tougher themes in a beautiful way, such as grief and survivor’s guilt, so it definitely made me cry.
As you can tell, I loved this book! The story was touching, atmospheric, and super duper gay. I really can’t recommend this one enough!
TW: Animal/pet death
*Thank you to Netgalley and Interlude Press for giving me this eARC in exchange for an honest review*
dnf
August 9, 2024dnf @ page 86
if i'm gonna read about a character being overtly allo about their attraction to another girl then i don't want that attraction to be interspersed with internal hand-wringing over her 'impure thoughts'. there's nothing impure about it! queer sexual attraction is nothing to be ashamed of! my god!
also i'm just fundamentally disagreeing with the decisions being made by both these girls, and maybe they'll get their act together and Do Something about the situation at hand soon but irritation has won out. like, if my dead childhood friend showed up as my reaper and decided to save my life instead of reaping me then i wouldn't just calmly accept and indulge their desire not to answer a single question about anything, y'know? they would have a lot of explaining to do
if i'm gonna read about a character being overtly allo about their attraction to another girl then i don't want that attraction to be interspersed with internal hand-wringing over her 'impure thoughts'. there's nothing impure about it! queer sexual attraction is nothing to be ashamed of! my god!
also i'm just fundamentally disagreeing with the decisions being made by both these girls, and maybe they'll get their act together and Do Something about the situation at hand soon but irritation has won out. like, if my dead childhood friend showed up as my reaper and decided to save my life instead of reaping me then i wouldn't just calmly accept and indulge their desire not to answer a single question about anything, y'know? they would have a lot of explaining to do
December 8, 2021
From Darkness is such a fun, refreshing read. Every time I read an Aussie book, I’m reminded that I should definitely read more Aussie books. Especially indie ones like this!
I enjoyed everything about this, from the setting, to the worldbuilding, to the beautiful (SAPPHIC!!!) relationship at the heart of the story. I was drawn in from the first page and I loved every moment of this read.
The details of the underworld were creepy and the imagery was perfect. I could feel the tension and the fear and the sense of urgency through the second half of the book, and I really loved all the relationships that were formed and expressed along the way.
Please, do yourself a favour and go buy a copy of this! Support indie authors!
I enjoyed everything about this, from the setting, to the worldbuilding, to the beautiful (SAPPHIC!!!) relationship at the heart of the story. I was drawn in from the first page and I loved every moment of this read.
The details of the underworld were creepy and the imagery was perfect. I could feel the tension and the fear and the sense of urgency through the second half of the book, and I really loved all the relationships that were formed and expressed along the way.
Please, do yourself a favour and go buy a copy of this! Support indie authors!
May 3, 2021
An interesting adaption of classic Greek myths, the underworld, and cycle of life.
The final conflict felt somewhat rushed and could have been more drawn out, but it all comes together nicely in the end
The final conflict felt somewhat rushed and could have been more drawn out, but it all comes together nicely in the end
January 24, 2021
From Darkness by Kate Hazel Hall tries its best to create a twisted tale of guilt, love, and greek myths set in Australia. What it instead does is waste a weekend of reading time, and make me genuinely mad at the protagonist. Most of my problems from this book arise from Ari's general Disney princess-type uselessness. For example, near the end of the book, the Fates give Ari and Alex a chance to live happily ever after if Ari can "overcome her greatest fear" and "remember the stories of the past." Ari, the incapable princess that she is, does neither of these things, and instead, two extremely more competent characters do the job for her. My second problem from this novel stems from the fact that Ari does not face any conflict in the story. Every problem that arises is immediately solved by someone that is not Ari or just completely forgotten about until the end of the book. In the beginning pages of the novel, Ari is standing on the beach where her friend Alex had drowned. It can be assumed that the grief and guilt that Ari would have faced being the reason Alex died would have been explored and dissected, right? At least it would have further described her loss, right? You would be wrong. Instead, Alex is immediately resurrected, given the title of the summoner to excuse her sudden appearance, and Ari is completely fine with it. If anything, seeing her dead friend seemed to completely unfazed her being that she immediately started to describe how attractive and curvy Alex was. In such a short book, there are so many forgettable conflicts and characters that genuinely do not add anything to the story. My third and final issue the pacing of this story. The description given on the back of the book gives away 3/4 of the total book, and the new information of the story isn't given away until the last 60 pages. I would not recommend this book unless you making yourself angry at unless female protagonists and terrible world-building.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2021
In From Darkness, Ari is struggling to move past the tragedy she experienced watching her best friend drown when she was young. She finds herself bit by a tiger snake, starting her possible descent into the underworld accompanied by her summoner. When things start to go sideways and a balance is tipped- will she be able to find what will set her town back together? Will she even be able to escape?
If I had to choose one word for this novel it would be - atmospheric. Kate Hazel Hall's voice is the real hero of this read; sharp, decisive and clear she is able to depict a world so unknown to us. To me, the novel really picks up in the second half. This is where the author's clear research of lore shines. If supernatural underworld isn't your thing- this novel will be a miss for you. However, luckily for readers willing to let things get a bit dark, the description mirrors this perfectly.
The only aspect that felt disconnected to me was the sudden romance. The setting seemed it would be perfect to have the realization of their feelings start more organically- reacquainted as adults. I always admire a novel that doesn't focus on coming out and crafts LGBTQIA characters into a world where it could have been just as interchangeable to place a cis character into in this aspect the romance is a win.
From Darkness is a well crafted take of the underworld, and all those who inhabit it. It's voice is unique in that it does not shy away from dark descriptions- painting a lifelike portrait and transporting the reader to another realm.
Net Galley provided this title to me in exchange for an honest review.
If I had to choose one word for this novel it would be - atmospheric. Kate Hazel Hall's voice is the real hero of this read; sharp, decisive and clear she is able to depict a world so unknown to us. To me, the novel really picks up in the second half. This is where the author's clear research of lore shines. If supernatural underworld isn't your thing- this novel will be a miss for you. However, luckily for readers willing to let things get a bit dark, the description mirrors this perfectly.
The only aspect that felt disconnected to me was the sudden romance. The setting seemed it would be perfect to have the realization of their feelings start more organically- reacquainted as adults. I always admire a novel that doesn't focus on coming out and crafts LGBTQIA characters into a world where it could have been just as interchangeable to place a cis character into in this aspect the romance is a win.
From Darkness is a well crafted take of the underworld, and all those who inhabit it. It's voice is unique in that it does not shy away from dark descriptions- painting a lifelike portrait and transporting the reader to another realm.
Net Galley provided this title to me in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2020
This easy to read story had my interst until well past the first 100 pages. I am not a fan of homosexual literature. It is against my beliefs but that doesn't mean it isn't part of reality. This book helps readers understand the insure of them selves emotions teens feel when they believe they are gay but haven't told anyone.
It has an interesting storyline and good characters.
It has an interesting storyline and good characters.
October 22, 2020
3.5 stars (but I round down rather than up in my reviews)
Thanks to NetGalley and Interlude Press for an ARC. Expected release: 3rd November 2020.
In this debut novel, a young girl named Arielle is still struggling with the death of her best friend, who drowned in the ocean seven years prior. When Ari is bitten by a tiger snake in the bush near her home, in a small Australian coastal town, a Summoner from the underworld appears to carry her soul to its resting place. This Summoner is Ari’s best friend Alex, who has been escorting souls to the underworld since she died. When they recognise each other, Alex chooses to saves Ari. But this has devastating effects: the underworld deities are angry, and the balance between the two worlds is disrupted, impacting Ari’s loved ones and her hometown. Can they reverse the damage they’ve caused? And will Ari lose Alex all over again?
The premise of this novel immediately intrigued me; fantasy, Sapphic romance and Greek mythology – three of my favourite things. Having said that I wasn’t expecting too much, as I knew this was a debut and I also prefer adult fantasy to YA. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story, and how much I felt for the characters. The romance was adorable and relatable, being a queer womxn myself (although it did begin almost immediately – whether you like this or not is personal preference, I just love a slow burn romance!) The Greek-style underworld was also well fleshed-out - the mythology was explained thoroughly, but also expertly moulded it to fit the world that the author had built. I’m not usually keen on modernisations of mythology, but this novel struck a great balance.
My only real issue was that the build up was quite long; about 50% of the book had passed before much action occurred, and when it did, a lot happened at once and very quickly. It wasn’t confusing per se as it was written well and was fun, but the pacing just felt a bit off. Additionally, as the romance was such a prominent element of the plot, I would have liked a slightly more emotional and romantic ending. Instead the conflict was resolved very quickly and the novel wrapped up without much time for reflection.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and found it a quick read. It's so nice to see good queer representation in a YA novel. Too often, queerness becomes the focus of all narrative and character development, however Kate Hazel Hall has created likeable, well-rounded queer characters, whose sexuality is not their only identity marker.
Thanks to NetGalley and Interlude Press for an ARC. Expected release: 3rd November 2020.
In this debut novel, a young girl named Arielle is still struggling with the death of her best friend, who drowned in the ocean seven years prior. When Ari is bitten by a tiger snake in the bush near her home, in a small Australian coastal town, a Summoner from the underworld appears to carry her soul to its resting place. This Summoner is Ari’s best friend Alex, who has been escorting souls to the underworld since she died. When they recognise each other, Alex chooses to saves Ari. But this has devastating effects: the underworld deities are angry, and the balance between the two worlds is disrupted, impacting Ari’s loved ones and her hometown. Can they reverse the damage they’ve caused? And will Ari lose Alex all over again?
The premise of this novel immediately intrigued me; fantasy, Sapphic romance and Greek mythology – three of my favourite things. Having said that I wasn’t expecting too much, as I knew this was a debut and I also prefer adult fantasy to YA. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story, and how much I felt for the characters. The romance was adorable and relatable, being a queer womxn myself (although it did begin almost immediately – whether you like this or not is personal preference, I just love a slow burn romance!) The Greek-style underworld was also well fleshed-out - the mythology was explained thoroughly, but also expertly moulded it to fit the world that the author had built. I’m not usually keen on modernisations of mythology, but this novel struck a great balance.
My only real issue was that the build up was quite long; about 50% of the book had passed before much action occurred, and when it did, a lot happened at once and very quickly. It wasn’t confusing per se as it was written well and was fun, but the pacing just felt a bit off. Additionally, as the romance was such a prominent element of the plot, I would have liked a slightly more emotional and romantic ending. Instead the conflict was resolved very quickly and the novel wrapped up without much time for reflection.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and found it a quick read. It's so nice to see good queer representation in a YA novel. Too often, queerness becomes the focus of all narrative and character development, however Kate Hazel Hall has created likeable, well-rounded queer characters, whose sexuality is not their only identity marker.
February 16, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Interlude Press for an eARC in exhange for an honest review.
First let me admit, I put this book off for way to long due to it involving content that I find pretty hard to get through and triggering. This being Drowning, Death, Grief, and Guilt.
I really wanted to love this book. From the synopsis it had everything I enjoy. Guilt ridden characters, grief being handled, mythology, and exploration of death. Sadly, the story felt way too oddly paced for me to really enjoy it. For the first 50% we still were dealing with them in their town, and it was slow paced. Then it ramped up the pace so quickly it reminded me of roller coasters. Yet, even then the conclusion came to such a quick end, (the way the threat was handled left me completely underwhelmed, specially coming from a story dealing with Fates and Gods.)
I spent my time wanting to like Ari but failing to do so, yet wanting more and more of Alex who we seemed to just get those "She's so mysterious" type feelings. The Hunter was the most interesting character in the whole story, which surprised me because I wasn't expecting him at all. Yet thanks to how fast the last good percentage of the book progressed, I felt like he was thrown in just to help Ari get through everything. Which brings me to my most bummed feeling about the story of all. Ari wasn't able to do much herself at all. Alex and The Hunter seemed to do it all, tell her all, and even the way that Ari defeated the threat felt like she only managed it because she was told to and underestimated.
This said, there were pros in the book!
-The romance was tender and probably one of my most liked version of old friends to lovers.
-The mythology ties were intriguing enough, and I'd love a spinoff story of just Alex and the Hunter doing their Summoner jobs.
First let me admit, I put this book off for way to long due to it involving content that I find pretty hard to get through and triggering. This being Drowning, Death, Grief, and Guilt.
I really wanted to love this book. From the synopsis it had everything I enjoy. Guilt ridden characters, grief being handled, mythology, and exploration of death. Sadly, the story felt way too oddly paced for me to really enjoy it. For the first 50% we still were dealing with them in their town, and it was slow paced. Then it ramped up the pace so quickly it reminded me of roller coasters. Yet, even then the conclusion came to such a quick end, (the way the threat was handled left me completely underwhelmed, specially coming from a story dealing with Fates and Gods.)
I spent my time wanting to like Ari but failing to do so, yet wanting more and more of Alex who we seemed to just get those "She's so mysterious" type feelings. The Hunter was the most interesting character in the whole story, which surprised me because I wasn't expecting him at all. Yet thanks to how fast the last good percentage of the book progressed, I felt like he was thrown in just to help Ari get through everything. Which brings me to my most bummed feeling about the story of all. Ari wasn't able to do much herself at all. Alex and The Hunter seemed to do it all, tell her all, and even the way that Ari defeated the threat felt like she only managed it because she was told to and underestimated.
This said, there were pros in the book!
-The romance was tender and probably one of my most liked version of old friends to lovers.
-The mythology ties were intriguing enough, and I'd love a spinoff story of just Alex and the Hunter doing their Summoner jobs.
May 26, 2021
I was granted access to From Darkness via NetGalley. Thank you to whoever approved my request and apologies for taking so long to get to it. My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
From Darkness is an interesting spin on Greek mythology that follows two Australian teens, one dead for most of the book and the other left living, both hopelessly tangled with the Underworld. Bonus: it's sapphic!
I loved both main characters, the familiar Greek mythology elements, and all of the wonderful Australian setting references. This book does an excellent job of building tension and setting up a plot that demands to be read with undivided attention.
Where this book falls short for me is how overwhelming the "romance" is. Yes, this is YA and teens are ruled by their hormones, but wow. The lust on some of these pages erases all traces of plot and character development. If this were a gay romance I might be more forgiving, teen boys definitely go through a phase of being unable to stop thinking with the wrong head, but having been a teen girl at one point I do consider myself well qualified to say teen girls do indeed have more mental control than that.
Overall this is an interesting mythology retelling with a sapphic romance element, and I do think it's well done. If YA fantasy is your thing, especially if you're into mythology and/or LGBTQ+ stories, consider picking this one up!
From Darkness is an interesting spin on Greek mythology that follows two Australian teens, one dead for most of the book and the other left living, both hopelessly tangled with the Underworld. Bonus: it's sapphic!
I loved both main characters, the familiar Greek mythology elements, and all of the wonderful Australian setting references. This book does an excellent job of building tension and setting up a plot that demands to be read with undivided attention.
Where this book falls short for me is how overwhelming the "romance" is. Yes, this is YA and teens are ruled by their hormones, but wow. The lust on some of these pages erases all traces of plot and character development. If this were a gay romance I might be more forgiving, teen boys definitely go through a phase of being unable to stop thinking with the wrong head, but having been a teen girl at one point I do consider myself well qualified to say teen girls do indeed have more mental control than that.
Overall this is an interesting mythology retelling with a sapphic romance element, and I do think it's well done. If YA fantasy is your thing, especially if you're into mythology and/or LGBTQ+ stories, consider picking this one up!
dnf
March 1, 2021DNF @ P110
This is in no way a bad book. It is hella cute and gay! The heroine is a gay catastrophe every time she sees her stunning childhood best friend! The coastal Australian setting is so refreshing and relatable!
I'll definitely have to come back to this book at some point, because it's so short and fast paced and I'm sure I'll fly through it. My favourite fantasies are ones that edge the real world, that feel so real you could open an ordinary door and fall into an entirely new and enchanting world.
However, Ari and Alex get together so fast?! There's honestly nothing left for me to keep reading for (it's not like I was reading for.... the actual plot lol).
You're welcome, my gays.
Book Blog | Writer Website | Twitter | Instagram
This is in no way a bad book. It is hella cute and gay! The heroine is a gay catastrophe every time she sees her stunning childhood best friend! The coastal Australian setting is so refreshing and relatable!
I'll definitely have to come back to this book at some point, because it's so short and fast paced and I'm sure I'll fly through it. My favourite fantasies are ones that edge the real world, that feel so real you could open an ordinary door and fall into an entirely new and enchanting world.
However, Ari and Alex get together so fast?! There's honestly nothing left for me to keep reading for (it's not like I was reading for.... the actual plot lol).
Ari kissed her, daringly, on the forehead. "You saved me. Now I'm going to find a way to save you."
As she ran out through the kitchen, Ari glanced back over her shoulder. She saw Alex touch her forehead with her fingertips and then press her fingers lightly to her lips. Ari's skin tingled with a soft electricity.
You're welcome, my gays.
Book Blog | Writer Website | Twitter | Instagram
December 5, 2020
The book opens on the anniversary of the drowning death of Ari's best friend Alex, a tragedy that occurred when Alex was 11 and Ari 9. Now Ari is 16 and still guilty about the death. When Ari walks barefoot outside and is bitten by a poisonous sake, a Summoner from the underworld comes to take her, but soon the Summoner, who is Alex, recognizes Ari and decides to save her life. The two then re-connect as teens and realize their feelings for one another. But then suddenly Alex is gone again and Ari goes down into the underworld to find her.
This is a strong debut with really well drawn world building. The book is written from Ari's POV (3rd person), so we come to know more about her than about Alex. In that regard, the character arc belongs to Ari. But as a fantasy, this book is focused on the hero's effort to overcome evil, in the underworld and thereafter, and the last 25% becomes the final contest.
I'm going with a 4 because the book felt a tad long and the author used names that were too close-sounding (Cass, Ari's mother; Claire, the women who takes care of Ari when Cass is hospitalized) for the reader to follow. Even Ari and Alex are a bit confusing. But overall, this is a good book and I recommend it.
This is a strong debut with really well drawn world building. The book is written from Ari's POV (3rd person), so we come to know more about her than about Alex. In that regard, the character arc belongs to Ari. But as a fantasy, this book is focused on the hero's effort to overcome evil, in the underworld and thereafter, and the last 25% becomes the final contest.
I'm going with a 4 because the book felt a tad long and the author used names that were too close-sounding (Cass, Ari's mother; Claire, the women who takes care of Ari when Cass is hospitalized) for the reader to follow. Even Ari and Alex are a bit confusing. But overall, this is a good book and I recommend it.
December 25, 2020
This has taken a few days to write a review because of how astounding it is and I honestly had me at a loss for words.
I am so thrilled to be given the opportunity to read this phenomenal book, which is Kate's debut novel!
What I liked about From Darkness:
• Fast-paced.
•It has characters that are part of the LGBTQ+ community and isn't negative about it.
• It is descriptive about the Worlds without droning on or being over the top and is great if you have a graphic imagination.
•Sapphic romance.
•Any intimacy is very appropriate and tasteful.
•The main character development progresses quite quickly.
•Loving someone so much you risk your life to save them.
•Greek mythology!
The ending seemed to me, too quick and easy, I don't mean that in a disrespectful way, I mean that I was shocked because I was expecting it to be harder.
I absolutely adore this story, the struggle that the MC went through, the realism is out of this world. If you are wondering "should I read this book?" The answer is --> Absolutely, 100% you should!
Thank you Netgalley, Interlude Press and Kate Hazel Hall for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
TW:
•Child death
•Mental illness & institutionalization
•Death of an animal
•Pregnancy difficulties/almost miscarriage
I am so thrilled to be given the opportunity to read this phenomenal book, which is Kate's debut novel!
What I liked about From Darkness:
• Fast-paced.
•It has characters that are part of the LGBTQ+ community and isn't negative about it.
• It is descriptive about the Worlds without droning on or being over the top and is great if you have a graphic imagination.
•Sapphic romance.
•Any intimacy is very appropriate and tasteful.
•The main character development progresses quite quickly.
•Loving someone so much you risk your life to save them.
•Greek mythology!
The ending seemed to me, too quick and easy, I don't mean that in a disrespectful way, I mean that I was shocked because I was expecting it to be harder.
I absolutely adore this story, the struggle that the MC went through, the realism is out of this world. If you are wondering "should I read this book?" The answer is --> Absolutely, 100% you should!
Thank you Netgalley, Interlude Press and Kate Hazel Hall for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
TW:
•Child death
•Mental illness & institutionalization
•Death of an animal
•Pregnancy difficulties/almost miscarriage
October 16, 2020
From Darkness is a wonderful novel that brings together all the elements I love; romance, magic, adventure, and there's some mythology thrown in too! The romance is a bit quick, BUT if you figure Ari has loved Alex for years, it makes it more believable. A good part of the novel takes place in the Underworld (mythology aspect) which I found super fun and intriguing. And, I love that the author didn't shy away from the darker parts of the story, it added a level of depth to it that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The pacing is quick and because of that, I felt some details were lacking in places I would've loved to have more...lots of build up to short little bits of adventure.
All in all, this was a wonderful queer story that everyone should take time to read!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for an e-arc to read and honestly review. They also have a CW list here - www.interludepress.com/content-warnings
The pacing is quick and because of that, I felt some details were lacking in places I would've loved to have more...lots of build up to short little bits of adventure.
All in all, this was a wonderful queer story that everyone should take time to read!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for an e-arc to read and honestly review. They also have a CW list here - www.interludepress.com/content-warnings
October 27, 2020
What a wonderful story - it takes you on a journey and I can't ask more than that.
Ari is a 16 year old in a small Australian town. She has a baby sister on the way, a loving family, and a crushing amount of guilt. Her best friend drowned when they were young and she feels she is to blame. When the fates play out though, she finds herself face to face with Alex, defying the rules, and needing to understand the darkness swallowing her town.
As a reader, I find it rare to find novels set in Australia, and rarer still that they have fantasy elements. This novel mixes coming of age, sexuality, romance, and Greek mythology into a beautiful tale. It has hallmarks of a great quest, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I would absolutely recommend it for teen readers, anyone who loves a little mythology in their reading, maybe even fans of Isobelle Carmody.
Ari is a 16 year old in a small Australian town. She has a baby sister on the way, a loving family, and a crushing amount of guilt. Her best friend drowned when they were young and she feels she is to blame. When the fates play out though, she finds herself face to face with Alex, defying the rules, and needing to understand the darkness swallowing her town.
As a reader, I find it rare to find novels set in Australia, and rarer still that they have fantasy elements. This novel mixes coming of age, sexuality, romance, and Greek mythology into a beautiful tale. It has hallmarks of a great quest, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I would absolutely recommend it for teen readers, anyone who loves a little mythology in their reading, maybe even fans of Isobelle Carmody.
February 10, 2021
I'm a huge fan of sapphic romance which is also paranormal/supernatural and From Darkness did not disappoint! This is definitely one of my top ten picks for 2020, but I'm still cathcing up on my TBR from last year lol. This book is different to lots of other greek mythology inspired reads, because it doesn't have the charaters you would expect, like Hades for example. Instead, the underworld is more like a backdrop for the action and honestly I was more interested in the romance between Ari and Alex and whether they can be together (no spoliers). The characters are relatable and the settings are lifelike. Highly recommend!!!
June 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, I liked all the elements of romance and mystery in this fantasy novel. I liked the author's interpretation of the underworld and how death works. I kinda wish Cass freaked out a little more about her daughter going into the underworld and Alex ressurecting, like I wish there was a little more questions from Nick even about that.
Other than that I think it was well-written.
Other than that I think it was well-written.
September 23, 2020
An interesting take on the Underworld. While I liked the story, very well written, I didn't find it particularly compelling. Having said that, I think it is more my age. I do feel like the characters were human and captured in such a way to make them real and relatable. I would recommend this book; very original. I won my ARC in a Goodreads giveaway.
February 2, 2021
Immersive descriptions of beautiful and terrifying landscapes. Two endearing, sometimes volatile, main characters with strong connections to place deal with adversity in ways that are oftentimes unpredictable and always interesting. A backdrop of care and love, amongst the fear and danger. I was vested in this book from the very first paragraph. Loved it!
February 9, 2021
I enjoyed this one! The tie ins with Greek mythology were interesting, and made me want to read more on some of the characters that I didn't remember. I do think that the book wrapped up a bit too quickly after the climax, which felt off since a lot of the book was a slow build with lots of description and backstory
June 10, 2023
A YA novel set in Australia and the Underworld. It is the story of Ari and Alex and how their love saved them and the world from a cruel god of the Underworld. Really enjoyed the mythology.
*Especially loved the cover 😁
*Especially loved the cover 😁
May 26, 2021
3.5/5 Rounded Up
October 6, 2021
From Darkness quickly became the best book I have read all year. I highly recommend this novel for everyone!
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