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Brayden's Darkness
Fall in love with this magical tale of uncontrollable power, deadly secrets and one unbreakable attraction...
Evren has always been shy and kept to herself, but on the night of the bonfire, she does something unexpected. She sneaks out of her grandmother's cottage and runs straight into the dark forest. Cason finds her first. With his handsome appearance and confident demeanor, he is quick to catch her attention. Then Brayden steps out of the shadows. With his mysterious eyes and devilish charm he is impossible for Evren to ignore.
Evren quickly learns that the world around her is not as safe as she once thought. As she fights for her life, she questions who she can trust. Can she learn the truth before it’s too late? Or will her affections lead to something even more dangerous…
Evren has always been shy and kept to herself, but on the night of the bonfire, she does something unexpected. She sneaks out of her grandmother's cottage and runs straight into the dark forest. Cason finds her first. With his handsome appearance and confident demeanor, he is quick to catch her attention. Then Brayden steps out of the shadows. With his mysterious eyes and devilish charm he is impossible for Evren to ignore.
Evren quickly learns that the world around her is not as safe as she once thought. As she fights for her life, she questions who she can trust. Can she learn the truth before it’s too late? Or will her affections lead to something even more dangerous…
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 23, 2019
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**Brayden's Darkness is the first book in the young adult Darkness Series by S.L. Abbott. This is the first book I have read from author S.L. Abbott and I have to say I was digging the way the book got progressively darker as it went on. By the end, I was totally surprised by the direction the story had taken. In a good way! The darkness series looks like it previously had different covers, but in 2019 it got a cover redo, and the new cover is beyond beautiful! This book has a very mysterious vibe going on, that coupled with fae magic, ancient lore, and a romance, and you have a ya fantasy lovers dream. I really enjoyed this one, and with the book ending the way it did, I am even more excited to continue on with the series.
Brayden's Darkness is the story about Evren, our main character. She lives in a small town and she has always kept to herself. But one night, at the start of our story, she goes to a bonfire where she meets gregarious Cason and intense Brayden. There is a bit of love triangle in this book, but it becomes pretty clear where Evren's interest lie, so I wouldn't really consider this to be a true love triangle, at least not in this book. I know which side I fall on, and to be honest it is a pretty easy decision for me. (As I think it will be for most readers) See my pick in the spoilers
I loved the magical setting, and the mysterious magical abilities that both Cason and Brayden seemed to have. Not too much is explained about the source of these abilities or how they work. I do wish we had a bit more explanation early on in the story. We learn a little more about Cason and Brayden as the story goes on, but at the start everything was very mysterious. It led to slow and kind of confusing start for me. But I will say that my interest in the book grew the more I read about it. And then when we were at the 75% mark of the novel, things took a darker and more interesting turn. Honestly, the last portion of the book, though a bit confusing as well, was twisty and surprising and darkly delightful. I cannot wait to see where the next book is going to take us. I hope we start to get some more answers, because there is only so much being kept in the dark that I can take as a reader, but I think that book 2 is going to answer many of the unanswered questions that we have from book one concerning the magic system, and concerning all three of our main characters. I want to learn more about them all. If you are a fan of dark magical romances, then the Darkness Series by S.L. Abbott is a good series for you to check out.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Brayden's Darkness is the story about Evren, our main character. She lives in a small town and she has always kept to herself. But one night, at the start of our story, she goes to a bonfire where she meets gregarious Cason and intense Brayden. There is a bit of love triangle in this book, but it becomes pretty clear where Evren's interest lie, so I wouldn't really consider this to be a true love triangle, at least not in this book. I know which side I fall on, and to be honest it is a pretty easy decision for me. (As I think it will be for most readers) See my pick in the spoilers
I loved the magical setting, and the mysterious magical abilities that both Cason and Brayden seemed to have. Not too much is explained about the source of these abilities or how they work. I do wish we had a bit more explanation early on in the story. We learn a little more about Cason and Brayden as the story goes on, but at the start everything was very mysterious. It led to slow and kind of confusing start for me. But I will say that my interest in the book grew the more I read about it. And then when we were at the 75% mark of the novel, things took a darker and more interesting turn. Honestly, the last portion of the book, though a bit confusing as well, was twisty and surprising and darkly delightful. I cannot wait to see where the next book is going to take us. I hope we start to get some more answers, because there is only so much being kept in the dark that I can take as a reader, but I think that book 2 is going to answer many of the unanswered questions that we have from book one concerning the magic system, and concerning all three of our main characters. I want to learn more about them all. If you are a fan of dark magical romances, then the Darkness Series by S.L. Abbott is a good series for you to check out.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
October 18, 2020
This book was incredible. I was hooked from the beginning, and I flew through the story. I absolutely loved the main character, and I lived for the scenes between her and Brayden. Gosh, do I love him already. The story is fast-paced, which I love, and the writing style is super engaging. Can highly recommend!
March 6, 2020
Such an amazing ,captivating book! With a jaw dropping ending that leaves you hanging with suspense! I can’t wait for the next one!
May 15, 2021
S. L. Abbott’s story, Brayden’s Darkness, is a magical tale told in a magical world about Faes, who do ... magic.
This story draws you in from the very beginning. Who is this Cason? Why is so interested in Evren, the main character? And Brayden. Will he always be there to protect her? Or is Evren doing just fine on her own? With her own gifts and abilities? And why is Brayden so mysterious? Maybe it’s because he has gifts of his own?
Brayden’s Darkness is a descriptive, and captivating story, that has the reader thinking about the characters long after they’ve finished. I highly recommend this read if you want to get lost in a book and enter a new realm. Can’t wait to read book two!
This story draws you in from the very beginning. Who is this Cason? Why is so interested in Evren, the main character? And Brayden. Will he always be there to protect her? Or is Evren doing just fine on her own? With her own gifts and abilities? And why is Brayden so mysterious? Maybe it’s because he has gifts of his own?
Brayden’s Darkness is a descriptive, and captivating story, that has the reader thinking about the characters long after they’ve finished. I highly recommend this read if you want to get lost in a book and enter a new realm. Can’t wait to read book two!
April 7, 2020
A magical story that reads like a fairy tale, with lovely writing.
Evren is celebrating at a Fae festival bonfire when two mysterious young men befriend her: first, golden-haired Cason, who has polite manners and good breeding; and second, Brayden, a dark-haired boy she knew as a child whose temper sometimes rages. Remarkably, both Cason and Brayden can do magic, unlike most other Fae. The two boys seem like complete opposites; they also despise one another. As Evren grows closer to each of them in turn, she begins to wonder which is really the "good" boy and which is the "wicked." Why have they both appeared in her life at the same moment? And what might Evren herself possess that both boys desire?
I particularly enjoyed the writing of this book. Abbott has a beautiful writing style. The scenes were well constructed with many lovely details. I also really enjoyed the fairy tale voice. I found it very relaxing to read, kind of like a bedtime story. Like many fairy tale heroines, Evren did seem a little too innocent and virtuous at first. So I was very glad when her character grew in complexity as the plot thickened!
Evren is celebrating at a Fae festival bonfire when two mysterious young men befriend her: first, golden-haired Cason, who has polite manners and good breeding; and second, Brayden, a dark-haired boy she knew as a child whose temper sometimes rages. Remarkably, both Cason and Brayden can do magic, unlike most other Fae. The two boys seem like complete opposites; they also despise one another. As Evren grows closer to each of them in turn, she begins to wonder which is really the "good" boy and which is the "wicked." Why have they both appeared in her life at the same moment? And what might Evren herself possess that both boys desire?
I particularly enjoyed the writing of this book. Abbott has a beautiful writing style. The scenes were well constructed with many lovely details. I also really enjoyed the fairy tale voice. I found it very relaxing to read, kind of like a bedtime story. Like many fairy tale heroines, Evren did seem a little too innocent and virtuous at first. So I was very glad when her character grew in complexity as the plot thickened!
May 2, 2020
I can sum up my experience reading Brayden's Darkness by S. L. Abbott in short: When is book two being released?! Fans of YA Fantasy will simply fall in love with Evren and Brayden, and find that the book is difficult to set down.
Brayden's Darkness (ISBN: 978-1-7332353-0-3) follows Evren, a sweet and shy Fae, who catches the eye of two handsome young Fae at a bonfire. However, one's intentions are far from pure and the other has a dark power lurking within him that he struggles to control. Evren must discover who she can trust with her heart, and her life, before it is too late.
Abbott's style of writing helps you get lost in Evren's world, allowing you to forget you are even reading. She does a fantastic job of establishing the fantasy world within the simple town of Rowen. Through her vivid descriptions, you feel that you are with Evren in every scene.
One of the things I liked best about this fantasy was the romance element. I was on the edge of me seat waiting for Evren to make the "right" choice. And when Evren went to the Masquerade Ball? Holy moly was I hooked to every word on the page! You will have to read yourself to know what I'm talking about -- I don't want to spoil it by saying too much!
Abbott also has a short story "Tantalizing and Tormenting" which is a different perspective of my personal favorite scene in the book (the Masquerade Ball). It is also a great read, and currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
I sincerely enjoyed this book, and I have no qualms with it other than that there isn't more (yet). If you enjoy fantastical elements and love stories, this book is for you.
Brayden's Darkness (ISBN: 978-1-7332353-0-3) follows Evren, a sweet and shy Fae, who catches the eye of two handsome young Fae at a bonfire. However, one's intentions are far from pure and the other has a dark power lurking within him that he struggles to control. Evren must discover who she can trust with her heart, and her life, before it is too late.
Abbott's style of writing helps you get lost in Evren's world, allowing you to forget you are even reading. She does a fantastic job of establishing the fantasy world within the simple town of Rowen. Through her vivid descriptions, you feel that you are with Evren in every scene.
One of the things I liked best about this fantasy was the romance element. I was on the edge of me seat waiting for Evren to make the "right" choice. And when Evren went to the Masquerade Ball? Holy moly was I hooked to every word on the page! You will have to read yourself to know what I'm talking about -- I don't want to spoil it by saying too much!
Abbott also has a short story "Tantalizing and Tormenting" which is a different perspective of my personal favorite scene in the book (the Masquerade Ball). It is also a great read, and currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
I sincerely enjoyed this book, and I have no qualms with it other than that there isn't more (yet). If you enjoy fantastical elements and love stories, this book is for you.
February 5, 2020
I love this book and I love the characters! One of the things I look for in a book of this genre is if I can believe in the premise and therefore immerse myself in the story without questioning every twist and turn. This is one of those stories. The twists and turns are cleverly composed and kept me up well past my bedtime. I look forward to the next book.
February 4, 2020
Such an interesting read! A breath of fresh air compared to other books I've recently read. Love how the author goes into such great detail and the characters are very unique. Loved the dark twist and the ending has me patiently (okay maybe impatiently) waiting for the next book in the series!
February 8, 2020
What an amazing book! I loved it 🙂
Can't wait to read the next one. I hope it will be released soon.
Can't wait to read the next one. I hope it will be released soon.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews