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Kat Drummond #5
Darkness Beckons
Those who fight monsters risk becoming monsters themselves.
Darkness beckons. Will I answer?
I am imprisoned by my mortal enemy – the Necrolord. I don’t know if my friends are dead or alive. And there are more and more people and monsters wanting me dead.
But not everything is at it seems.
Through darkness, magic and madness, my world will change. Enemies may become allies, and those I once trusted may come to be my biggest enemies.
My name is Kat Drummond, and I’m a monster hunter.
Face the darkness in this action-packed and thrilling installment of Kat Drummond’s urban fantasy saga.
Darkness beckons. Will I answer?
I am imprisoned by my mortal enemy – the Necrolord. I don’t know if my friends are dead or alive. And there are more and more people and monsters wanting me dead.
But not everything is at it seems.
Through darkness, magic and madness, my world will change. Enemies may become allies, and those I once trusted may come to be my biggest enemies.
My name is Kat Drummond, and I’m a monster hunter.
Face the darkness in this action-packed and thrilling installment of Kat Drummond’s urban fantasy saga.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2019
115 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Woode-Smith
157 books157 followersNicholas Woode-Smith is a fantasy and science fiction author from Cape Town, South Africa. He has been writing since the age of twelve, writing short stories, novels, and RPG campaigns. In 2013, he published his first book, Fall of Zona Nox. Five years later, he published it again after greatly improving his skills.
Since then, he’s written dozens of books in the urban fantasy and sci-fi genre. Notably, the best-selling urban fantasy series, Kat Drummond.
Nicholas has a degree majoring in economic history and philosophy, and minors in political science, international relations, and English literature from the University of Cape Town. He has been involved in politics, civic activism, and political analysis since 2014.
Since then, he’s written dozens of books in the urban fantasy and sci-fi genre. Notably, the best-selling urban fantasy series, Kat Drummond.
Nicholas has a degree majoring in economic history and philosophy, and minors in political science, international relations, and English literature from the University of Cape Town. He has been involved in politics, civic activism, and political analysis since 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 18, 2019
“The darkness holds no terror, that the light cannot purify.”
Introspective, soul searching and profound, I think this premise is the most impressive of all the series till now. The psychological aspects are well defined, the humanitarian view well observed in its moral aspect that defines the good and bad in a human. The fight for positivity, the struggle towards the light, the need of another human contact and presence is so necessary to reach that goal. Complex, character driven fantasy that delves deep into magic, history, myth and culture. The battle against evil forces continues in a world where as the author clearly manifests, we are the soldiers. Intelligent, inquisitive, and more honourable, this installment is passionate, heart wrenching and thrilling! Looking forward to reading Lost Huntress #6!
Introspective, soul searching and profound, I think this premise is the most impressive of all the series till now. The psychological aspects are well defined, the humanitarian view well observed in its moral aspect that defines the good and bad in a human. The fight for positivity, the struggle towards the light, the need of another human contact and presence is so necessary to reach that goal. Complex, character driven fantasy that delves deep into magic, history, myth and culture. The battle against evil forces continues in a world where as the author clearly manifests, we are the soldiers. Intelligent, inquisitive, and more honourable, this installment is passionate, heart wrenching and thrilling! Looking forward to reading Lost Huntress #6!
February 4, 2020
There is a very fine line between the fire fighter and the arsonist, between the the DCI and the unsub, between the monster hunter and the necromancer. In this book we see just how fine that line is between Kat and the Necrolord and watch them dance the line. An impossible and completely natural relationship. They are bound together in ways neither one anticipated.
Be prepared for some serious book hangover with this one. The juxtaposition of a need for normality in the midst of the violence, darkness, and vengeance of the post apocalyptic world was especially poignant. This book went in directions I never anticipated based on previous books. This book fills in quite a bit of both the Necrolord and Brett's backgrounds. It also provides more insights into the power balances in Hope City.
This is book 5 in the series and ends the Necrolord arc, so if you haven't read the first 4 go back and grab them and make sure you don't have anything important on the schedule because these are the type of books that draw you in and make time disappear. While it is the end of an arc, it is far from the end of Kat's story.
Be prepared for some serious book hangover with this one. The juxtaposition of a need for normality in the midst of the violence, darkness, and vengeance of the post apocalyptic world was especially poignant. This book went in directions I never anticipated based on previous books. This book fills in quite a bit of both the Necrolord and Brett's backgrounds. It also provides more insights into the power balances in Hope City.
This is book 5 in the series and ends the Necrolord arc, so if you haven't read the first 4 go back and grab them and make sure you don't have anything important on the schedule because these are the type of books that draw you in and make time disappear. While it is the end of an arc, it is far from the end of Kat's story.
January 9, 2020
I loved this book and each book in the series just gets better and better. After the catastrophic ending in the last book, Kat wakes up to find herself a "prisoner" in the last place she had ever expected to be. She had no idea about the fate of her friends - except she knew Colin was dead and she had to get revenge for his death. During the time she is kept at this location she realises that the lines between good and evil are not as distinct as she thought, and are in fact quite blurred. Quite a lot of this book is in retrospect and not necessarily from Kat's point of view. However, the story flows very well and the reader is kept very engaged in the plot.
December 17, 2019
Another page-turning installment to this great series. With answers comes more questions in this tale full of action, danger, mystery, and suspe nse. I was thoroughly entertained. Kat has finally met the Necrolord and things do not go as planned. She starts to find her sensitive side and Treth is not pleased. While her friends believe she is dead or captured, Kat is consumed with vengeance against Andy and helping the necrolord. Has the darkness finally claimed Kat? This book is definitely worth reading.
January 31, 2020
When you have lost everything, or so you think... Poor Kat...for the second time in her young life, she has lost someone who means everything to her. True love hurts...but the loss of true love devastates. So where does Kat go from here? Unfortunately, she doesn't even have a choice of that either. She's in the hands of the Necromancer.
This is my favorite of the Kat Drummond books to date, but it's almost like picking your favorite child. You just can't go wrong with any of them. This time, Kat shows compassion/hate, light/dark, understanding/defiance. She is lost and unsure of what she really feels about the whole monster hunter persona. Everyone goes through upheavals in life, but Kat's seem to be super-sized. This entire series shows the growth both emotionally and professionally that Kat experiences. All I can say is I LOVED IT!!!
I received an ARC of the book from the author. My review is my honest feelings/opinion of the story, and I'm ready to jump right into the next chapter. You go KAT!!
This is my favorite of the Kat Drummond books to date, but it's almost like picking your favorite child. You just can't go wrong with any of them. This time, Kat shows compassion/hate, light/dark, understanding/defiance. She is lost and unsure of what she really feels about the whole monster hunter persona. Everyone goes through upheavals in life, but Kat's seem to be super-sized. This entire series shows the growth both emotionally and professionally that Kat experiences. All I can say is I LOVED IT!!!
I received an ARC of the book from the author. My review is my honest feelings/opinion of the story, and I'm ready to jump right into the next chapter. You go KAT!!
February 6, 2020
While this is much darker than the previous books that's all to the good.An absolutely brilliant addition to the series,as always awesome characters lots of action,magic ,snark and humour all with an overlying sense that things at starting to get really serious.An awesome addition to the series,highly recommended a must read.
December 10, 2019
Darkness Beckons, the 5th in the Kat Drummond series is better then ever. Lines between good and evil, light and dark, are blurred in this latest novel. Kat will find that there is a lot of grey in what she always took as a black and white world. Nicholas Woode-Smith does not disappoint in this fast-paced tale. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
September 3, 2021
Darkness Beckons is the fifth book in the Kat Drummond series. There was a very traumatic event at the end of book four and we pick-up sometime after that. Kat has been taken "captive" for her own "safety" and, as a result, ends up growing as a person and also reconnecting with her compassion for people, moving away from solely being a monster killer to a greater understanding of the world. Brett likewise experiences a revelation about his perception of the world. Kat also ends up walking the border of darkness and perhaps coming to realize that the light and dark aren't as set and distinct as she thought. While somewhat resolving the traumatic event, she comes to realize and hope there is more to her and her friends that the status quo. Overall, another very good book and I look forward to continuing with Kat's adventures and story.
January 27, 2020
This book is was so freaking good! Written so well! Kat is awesome and kick@$$ as always! I love how well Nicholas writes these books that make you get such strong emotions from reading it and really make you get attached to characters! Highly recommend!!!!
December 17, 2019
Kat is back in the next installment of her story. It is just as action packed and full of twists as the previous book.
July 6, 2020
Grown
Kat has finally come into her own,no longer the caterpillar she is the butterfly. Excellent writing. I finally fell into her world in this book.
Kat has finally come into her own,no longer the caterpillar she is the butterfly. Excellent writing. I finally fell into her world in this book.
April 4, 2021
Kat
I really enjoyed it. Kat found something in Candace she needed, even if she didn't realize it herself. She knows she's not alone anymore. They got the bad guy together and I can't wait to see what happens in the future.
I really enjoyed it. Kat found something in Candace she needed, even if she didn't realize it herself. She knows she's not alone anymore. They got the bad guy together and I can't wait to see what happens in the future.
July 16, 2020
Still really good
5th book as riveting as the first 4. Characters, plot all v good. Author could make my top 10....we'll see
5th book as riveting as the first 4. Characters, plot all v good. Author could make my top 10....we'll see
June 23, 2020
Darkness beckons
Wow! Book five in this series was an eye opener and yes the world is not black and white but many shades of grey. Kat keeps fighting the good fight but runs into bad snags.
Wow! Book five in this series was an eye opener and yes the world is not black and white but many shades of grey. Kat keeps fighting the good fight but runs into bad snags.
March 24, 2020
Has Nicholas been foreshadowing? As we get farther along in the epic tale that is Kat Drummond's life, we see her faced with many choices--choices that could decide which side she comes out on. In this book, she is forced to make possibly the final choice that will put her firmly on one side or the other. Or is it possible in this universe to fall somewhere in the middle? If she were a Jedi, would she choose the light side of the force, the dark side, or the grey in between? Is there always even a right or wrong choice?
August 8, 2021
Excellent arc ending!
Excellent ending to the Necrolord arc. Not quite what I was expecting out of Kat but still great character growth. As far as an honest review, I think I will have to just leave it here until the end of the series. So that I can properly give an opinion of the entire story as a whole. On to the next book!
Excellent ending to the Necrolord arc. Not quite what I was expecting out of Kat but still great character growth. As far as an honest review, I think I will have to just leave it here until the end of the series. So that I can properly give an opinion of the entire story as a whole. On to the next book!
April 18, 2021
Another great book!
This book doesn’t see quite as much action as the previous ones, but it is filled with much more perspective on the characters. You get to see inside Brett’s story and the necrolord. It was another one I couldn’t put down! Kat must navigate being a prisoner and wanting her revenge. Can she get out and are her friends ok? And while it may lack a lot of action I. The beginning it makes up for it in the end!
This book doesn’t see quite as much action as the previous ones, but it is filled with much more perspective on the characters. You get to see inside Brett’s story and the necrolord. It was another one I couldn’t put down! Kat must navigate being a prisoner and wanting her revenge. Can she get out and are her friends ok? And while it may lack a lot of action I. The beginning it makes up for it in the end!
June 10, 2020
Amazing book
Seems like this series just keeps getting better and better. This one is so action packed it keeps you reading whether you want to or not. And you definitely want to. Kat finally meets the Necrolord and she is nothing like Kat expected. Also she starts seeing that even some evil can be good. Really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Seems like this series just keeps getting better and better. This one is so action packed it keeps you reading whether you want to or not. And you definitely want to. Kat finally meets the Necrolord and she is nothing like Kat expected. Also she starts seeing that even some evil can be good. Really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
March 15, 2021
I felt like I was living this book!
Started it immediately after book 4 because I needed to see how Kat would deal with what had happened.As always,Kat was strong and able to go on and do what needed to be done.
I also loved how this book gave Candace a chance to tell her story and allow her to grow on us.
Started it immediately after book 4 because I needed to see how Kat would deal with what had happened.As always,Kat was strong and able to go on and do what needed to be done.
I also loved how this book gave Candace a chance to tell her story and allow her to grow on us.
April 2, 2020
Struggled
I really struggled to stay with this one but I like Kat so I did and with a somewhat save I'm going to the next with a little hope the you bring it back on track.
I really struggled to stay with this one but I like Kat so I did and with a somewhat save I'm going to the next with a little hope the you bring it back on track.
August 18, 2020
Very enjoyable reads
Love the characters and the choices they are forced to make on the fly to keep friends safe and their town moving forward.
Love the characters and the choices they are forced to make on the fly to keep friends safe and their town moving forward.
August 26, 2020
Good book
Couldn't put the book down.the the as as as dearjob hub nob nub get pot top lot for the fry
Couldn't put the book down.the the as as as dearjob hub nob nub get pot top lot for the fry
April 13, 2025
This series is so unexpectedly deep and thoughtful. I love the twists and turns this volume offers on the concept of evil. Who are the monsters? And is it really only a matter of perspective? Or does true evil exist and can that be vanquished? While Kat doesn’t have the answers (yet), I appreciate how she makes the best out of the awful situations she’s thrown into. Every choice is at a knife’s edge, teetering between the evil she is capable of and the good she wishes to achieve.
While I’m usually not a fan of authors adding perspectives later on in a series, but I appreciated getting more insight into Candace and Brett’s minds and learning about what they carry. Those chapters beautifully transformed those characters into foils of Kat and made the discussion on evil and he presentation that trauma more often than not leads us down dark paths, which are all ultimately evil even if the intentions behind them are potentially good. It also made it possible to understand the nuances of all three characters.
I’m absolutely in love with this series and will definitely dive into the next book soon.
While I’m usually not a fan of authors adding perspectives later on in a series, but I appreciated getting more insight into Candace and Brett’s minds and learning about what they carry. Those chapters beautifully transformed those characters into foils of Kat and made the discussion on evil and he presentation that trauma more often than not leads us down dark paths, which are all ultimately evil even if the intentions behind them are potentially good. It also made it possible to understand the nuances of all three characters.
I’m absolutely in love with this series and will definitely dive into the next book soon.
December 27, 2019
I deeply adore Kat Drummond, the monster-hunting kick-a** heroine of Nicholas Woode-Smith’s fantastic series of the Sabe name. I vastly enjoyed the first tee we o books (each separately reviewed) and then found myself addictively reading through the next three, Necrolord (Book 4), Darkness Beckons (Book 5) and Lost Huntress (Book 6). Oh Dear Lord were these books superb. They start with the Necrolord going all out and killing countless innocents. What Kat does them is freakin’ epic, in a binge-worthy (trust me, we are taking much of a holiday day off plus all-nighter) tale full of thrills, action, conspiracies and everything else you could ask for. A totally fun set of books that were each superbly written and with a great plot, and all of which benefited from the super cast and perfect world-building created for this series. A wild roller-coaster of fun. Definitely recommended.
October 16, 2021
Not as much action in book 5 but still very enjoyable.
Kat has been saved by the Necrolord from the vampires that are hunting her. Unfortunately, for Kat, she is now held captive by her nemesis. During this time, she learns more about her captor who turns out to be a young teenager, Candace, who shares much of the same tragic background as Kat and eventually the two develop a sisterly bond. Along the way we learn more about Kat and her background. Finally at towards the end, we get back to the standard Kat Drummond action and there are werewolves!
Nice ending to the Necrolord, but not one that most readers would be expecting / hoping for.
Kat has been saved by the Necrolord from the vampires that are hunting her. Unfortunately, for Kat, she is now held captive by her nemesis. During this time, she learns more about her captor who turns out to be a young teenager, Candace, who shares much of the same tragic background as Kat and eventually the two develop a sisterly bond. Along the way we learn more about Kat and her background. Finally at towards the end, we get back to the standard Kat Drummond action and there are werewolves!
Nice ending to the Necrolord, but not one that most readers would be expecting / hoping for.
June 2, 2024
Those who fight monsters risk becoming monsters themselves.
Darkness beckons. Will I answer?
I am imprisoned by my mortal enemy – the Necrolord. I don’t know if my friends are dead or alive. And there are more and more people and monsters wanting me dead.
But not everything is at it seems.
Through darkness, magic and madness, my world will change. Enemies may become allies, and those I once trusted may come to be my biggest enemies.
Kat learns that nit everything is as it seems, sometimes things are gray and not just black and white as she comes to understand that perhaps her enemy is a victim just as she was, the question is can she be saved and if so, at what cost?
Darkness beckons. Will I answer?
I am imprisoned by my mortal enemy – the Necrolord. I don’t know if my friends are dead or alive. And there are more and more people and monsters wanting me dead.
But not everything is at it seems.
Through darkness, magic and madness, my world will change. Enemies may become allies, and those I once trusted may come to be my biggest enemies.
Kat learns that nit everything is as it seems, sometimes things are gray and not just black and white as she comes to understand that perhaps her enemy is a victim just as she was, the question is can she be saved and if so, at what cost?
December 21, 2019
Kat and Candace learn about life and death
This book is heart-wrenching and consuming. I felt like I was there with Kat and struggling right beside her. The characters are well developed and we learn more about several of them. There are a lot of twists and turns. There is a lot of action. Kat is very likable and Candace grows on you. The story flows well and has a great plot. Make sure you start this on a day off because you won't be able to put the book down until the end. It is another great story in the Kat Drummond series.
This book is heart-wrenching and consuming. I felt like I was there with Kat and struggling right beside her. The characters are well developed and we learn more about several of them. There are a lot of twists and turns. There is a lot of action. Kat is very likable and Candace grows on you. The story flows well and has a great plot. Make sure you start this on a day off because you won't be able to put the book down until the end. It is another great story in the Kat Drummond series.
April 17, 2022
While this book wasn’t as action packed as previous ones it gave a depth to Kat and her friends that was just amazing to read. It held you in thrall as you read about the search for vengeance for both the Necrolord and Kat. You come to realize that not everything is black and white and the many shades of gray lead us down paths very unexpected. I had a hard time putting this book down once I picked it up (and I have to admit ran into a few walls because I was reading and not paying attention to anything else!)
December 26, 2019
Kat and the Necrolord ?
This follows on from immediately from Necrolord. Kat awakes from the nightmare of Andy’s murder to find herself a prisoner of the Necrolord- a teenage necromancer, who despite her evil deeds, wishes to raise a family (old joke, if you D&D you’ll get it !)
All is not bad and you’ll have to read and find out but this is my favourite book of the series so far.
This follows on from immediately from Necrolord. Kat awakes from the nightmare of Andy’s murder to find herself a prisoner of the Necrolord- a teenage necromancer, who despite her evil deeds, wishes to raise a family (old joke, if you D&D you’ll get it !)
All is not bad and you’ll have to read and find out but this is my favourite book of the series so far.
October 5, 2021
Evil never just happens. There’s always a reason. Always something lost. Always a story behind every atrocity. Always a chain. A domino effect of tragedy.
This is an excellent continuation of the series, a little let’s action but very intriguing delving into the Necro Lord’s background. Love the story its twists and turns conundrums, action, characters. I cant wait for the next instalment.
I received a free copy from the author and decided to review it.
This is an excellent continuation of the series, a little let’s action but very intriguing delving into the Necro Lord’s background. Love the story its twists and turns conundrums, action, characters. I cant wait for the next instalment.
I received a free copy from the author and decided to review it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews