What do you think?
Rate this book
Complete Darkness
For centuries many have pondered the prospect of an afterlife and feared what came to be known as 'hell’. One day soon we accidentally ‘map’ it whilst investigating ‘dark matter’.
Complete Darkness is an action-packed literary shock to the senses that mixes flights of comic fantasy with bouts of brutal violence.
Mankind’s only hope seems to be having a very bad day.
Can Cleric20 halt Razour’s devilish plans after an experimental bioweapon deployed to kill him accidentally gives him superpowers?
Has the Devil inadvertently created a hero who could actually stop him?
Little can prepare you for this spiritually-charged, cyber-noir thrill ride…
Complete Darkness is an action-packed literary shock to the senses that mixes flights of comic fantasy with bouts of brutal violence.
Mankind’s only hope seems to be having a very bad day.
Can Cleric20 halt Razour’s devilish plans after an experimental bioweapon deployed to kill him accidentally gives him superpowers?
Has the Devil inadvertently created a hero who could actually stop him?
Little can prepare you for this spiritually-charged, cyber-noir thrill ride…
222 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2019
16 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
February 27, 2021
This was one enjoyable book. You needed to get use to the scene changes, bizarre but hang on.
The book The book reminded me of something that might have been written by Michael Moorcock, William Gibson, or Robert Sterling (Snow Crash).
The future looks like awefull. The story takes place in L2 or London 2, built on the asheds, ruins and remains of the original London. Constant acid rain anyone? Cleric20 is our hero/anti hero. He is ex military, has a bodyguard robot that seems to have much more AI to it then the AIs running L2. The same AIs that bet on his or other charactors and their surival or death as an outcome.
Thinking about it, there is a lot of pieces and double dealing, mad religion, God versus the devil and atheism. I could write a (short) book about the different things going on. Matt has genuine imagination and I look forward to buying up other material written by him.
Buy the book. Seriously. Buy it.
The book The book reminded me of something that might have been written by Michael Moorcock, William Gibson, or Robert Sterling (Snow Crash).
The future looks like awefull. The story takes place in L2 or London 2, built on the asheds, ruins and remains of the original London. Constant acid rain anyone? Cleric20 is our hero/anti hero. He is ex military, has a bodyguard robot that seems to have much more AI to it then the AIs running L2. The same AIs that bet on his or other charactors and their surival or death as an outcome.
Thinking about it, there is a lot of pieces and double dealing, mad religion, God versus the devil and atheism. I could write a (short) book about the different things going on. Matt has genuine imagination and I look forward to buying up other material written by him.
Buy the book. Seriously. Buy it.
October 18, 2020
This Book is brimming with Science Fiction...
The plot has a gruesome dystopian twist with a thorough depiction of a futuristic World which includes groundbreaking technology 🌎 🤑 Would love to see a Movie made out of this one 🤖💀🦾🦿🎥
Cleric20 is obsessed with his virtual reality adventures. His GiX (Droid cum Bodyguard 🦾) and his “Play Product” (Gaming feature linked to the brain & the emotion channelises the game levels 🤖) are his preferred company 🤭 Then why would anyone bet on a loner in millions for his death or survival from assailants?
L2 (London2) the World Power in the year 2242 is still striving to discover the magnitude of the Dark Matter 🖤 The world is nearly doomed due to the ignorance of the past generations (No luxury of Sunshine ☀️ in this World) 🙁
Under the rule of President Razour, Goldiing is testing his pet project “Victim Marking” a deadly weapon or a tool of macabre for human race where the victim has no consciousness of their killing spree even on their loved ones 😵 What is the motive of the BattlemaGes in tow with Razour ? 🏴☠️
What unforeseen dangers are looming over L2 or the human race? Is Cleric20 capable of being the saviour of the day? 🤯 I love the analogies drawn from theological perspective and is to be taken with a “pinch of salt”🤭
The “Head-chip” & “Social Ratings” are just some of the marvels of this world with Smashbullets, Mutants, Black Magic (BattleMage) , Droids, GODBOTD, Star Fields, Robots, ASD (Accursed Sons of Delusion), Twatbags and so many mind blowing tech genesis introduced by the author is so refreshing to read for every sci-fi reader 😍🥳
P.S. I could go on raving about this book 😅 🤪 Pick this Book, don’t think twice and then we can discuss more 👍🏻
The plot has a gruesome dystopian twist with a thorough depiction of a futuristic World which includes groundbreaking technology 🌎 🤑 Would love to see a Movie made out of this one 🤖💀🦾🦿🎥
Cleric20 is obsessed with his virtual reality adventures. His GiX (Droid cum Bodyguard 🦾) and his “Play Product” (Gaming feature linked to the brain & the emotion channelises the game levels 🤖) are his preferred company 🤭 Then why would anyone bet on a loner in millions for his death or survival from assailants?
L2 (London2) the World Power in the year 2242 is still striving to discover the magnitude of the Dark Matter 🖤 The world is nearly doomed due to the ignorance of the past generations (No luxury of Sunshine ☀️ in this World) 🙁
Under the rule of President Razour, Goldiing is testing his pet project “Victim Marking” a deadly weapon or a tool of macabre for human race where the victim has no consciousness of their killing spree even on their loved ones 😵 What is the motive of the BattlemaGes in tow with Razour ? 🏴☠️
What unforeseen dangers are looming over L2 or the human race? Is Cleric20 capable of being the saviour of the day? 🤯 I love the analogies drawn from theological perspective and is to be taken with a “pinch of salt”🤭
The “Head-chip” & “Social Ratings” are just some of the marvels of this world with Smashbullets, Mutants, Black Magic (BattleMage) , Droids, GODBOTD, Star Fields, Robots, ASD (Accursed Sons of Delusion), Twatbags and so many mind blowing tech genesis introduced by the author is so refreshing to read for every sci-fi reader 😍🥳
P.S. I could go on raving about this book 😅 🤪 Pick this Book, don’t think twice and then we can discuss more 👍🏻
June 10, 2020
Here we have some kind of a wild and bizarre but very detailed at the same time, loopy entertaining scifi adventure.
I was not too sure what kind of tale this was exactly before reading, other than it was possibly some kind of cyberpunk influenced science fiction. Well it is that, but a lot more...
This is a fun read. The author Matt Adcock is obviously a fan of lots of different pop culture from all kinds of movies ranging from shoot 'em up action to splatter horror, superhero comic books, religions of the world, history, maybe even Monty Python. This book is a genuine original science fiction tale which reads like a mash-up of Philp K Dick, William Gibson and Douglas Adams with a whole lot more going on as well.
There are many footnotes through the book, but these do not really distract, rather add to the world and fabric of the story the characters find themselves dealing with.
I may have wanted the lead character Cleric20 to have been more rounded out, but we do get to understand him more toward the end. Possibly I was surprised at how the story jumped around quite regularly but takes it into that twitchy cyberpunk style I think. It may feel slightly too short or anti-climactic at the end but it does seem that the author intends it as the first of a short series and I would certainly like to see where the characters go next and the continuing encounters of often funny and clever inventions and places of the future they move through.
I was not too sure what kind of tale this was exactly before reading, other than it was possibly some kind of cyberpunk influenced science fiction. Well it is that, but a lot more...
This is a fun read. The author Matt Adcock is obviously a fan of lots of different pop culture from all kinds of movies ranging from shoot 'em up action to splatter horror, superhero comic books, religions of the world, history, maybe even Monty Python. This book is a genuine original science fiction tale which reads like a mash-up of Philp K Dick, William Gibson and Douglas Adams with a whole lot more going on as well.
There are many footnotes through the book, but these do not really distract, rather add to the world and fabric of the story the characters find themselves dealing with.
I may have wanted the lead character Cleric20 to have been more rounded out, but we do get to understand him more toward the end. Possibly I was surprised at how the story jumped around quite regularly but takes it into that twitchy cyberpunk style I think. It may feel slightly too short or anti-climactic at the end but it does seem that the author intends it as the first of a short series and I would certainly like to see where the characters go next and the continuing encounters of often funny and clever inventions and places of the future they move through.
October 11, 2022
If Philip K. Dick ghost-wrote a novel for C.S. Lewis you'd get Complete Darkness by Matt Adcock.
This is a remarkable novel: it is exciting and bonkers entertaining, with endless absurdist commentary on our day and age, written in the pitch-perfect and hilarious voice of an exciting and disturbing new protagonist, Cleric20.
I read this book in 24 hours. As I read it, in between laughs, I kept thinking of Gibson's Neuromancer and Dick's Electric Sheep. Highly recommended for the sci-fi fan who appreciates great prose.
This is a remarkable novel: it is exciting and bonkers entertaining, with endless absurdist commentary on our day and age, written in the pitch-perfect and hilarious voice of an exciting and disturbing new protagonist, Cleric20.
I read this book in 24 hours. As I read it, in between laughs, I kept thinking of Gibson's Neuromancer and Dick's Electric Sheep. Highly recommended for the sci-fi fan who appreciates great prose.
May 20, 2020
An important aspect of the enjoyment of fiction, and in particular sci-fi, is the inventiveness and originality of the author. We like to be taken to unfamiliar places that surprise us and stretch our imagination. Complete Darkness demonstrates such creativity in a fast-moving novel that pits a God versus the Devil struggle in an alternate future that weaves in and out of gaming and reality. The theological aspects are treated with a light touch, including enforced conversion, under pain of death, to the Great World Church, where ‘everyone believes the same thing now so it must be right!’
The cast includes humans, robots and engineered hybrids in a plot filled with extreme comic-book violence, by its nature humorous. There are many cinematic references, including a floating rabbit, which recalled Donny Darko and Inland Empire. As you would expect there is much scientific innovation, some based upon fact, some invented (helpfully defined in numerous footnotes). On several occasions, I scurried off to check whether something I had read was real or fabricated, in the way I had when I read Nick Harkaway’s Gnomon. Several sections reminded me of David Mitchell’s number9dream.
These elements combine into a form of playfulness, which is at the heart of the book. Complete Darkness entertains, without taking itself too seriously – or perhaps it does. It will be interesting to learn whether there will be a sequel.
The cast includes humans, robots and engineered hybrids in a plot filled with extreme comic-book violence, by its nature humorous. There are many cinematic references, including a floating rabbit, which recalled Donny Darko and Inland Empire. As you would expect there is much scientific innovation, some based upon fact, some invented (helpfully defined in numerous footnotes). On several occasions, I scurried off to check whether something I had read was real or fabricated, in the way I had when I read Nick Harkaway’s Gnomon. Several sections reminded me of David Mitchell’s number9dream.
These elements combine into a form of playfulness, which is at the heart of the book. Complete Darkness entertains, without taking itself too seriously – or perhaps it does. It will be interesting to learn whether there will be a sequel.
February 5, 2021
Complete Darkness is a novel that, for good or ill, is like few other books you'd ever find, and asks much of its readers. Trapped on the borderland between cyberpunk and metaphysical thrillers, fueled by an almost RA Lafferty-like blend of the sacred and the profane, carrying a Hitchhikers Guide / Dirk Gently tone tuned to madcap precision, this is a narrative vehicle that speeds towards a strange destination as if it has been hijacked by a loon. It reminded me of CS Lewis' That Hideous Strength, the works of Douglas Adams, RA Lafferty's Past Master, with maybe just a hint of Burgess' A Clockwork Orange for zest.
It is the futuristic fable of Cleric20, a hedonistic lost soul who may or may not be the last hope of humanity as the devil plans to open a gate to hell. Set in L², a cruel and twisted metropolis built on the foundations of London, it is a futuristic city bereft of compassion and empathy, drowning in technology and soulless consumerism while aimless AI evangelists scramble around and gangs indulge in the old ultra-violence. Meanwhile, the boundaries between the natural and supernatural begin to blur as demons come to claim souls for, among other things, illegal movie downloads. This is the best I can do to summarize the plot, as it, mildly put, all over the place. Like a bombing victim. This irreverence and disdain for the niceties of basic story-telling is very much what would make or break the book for many, but which I ate up.
Much like Douglas Adams, Mr Adcock has a good sense of absurd unintended consequences, as futuristic conveniences sometimes have unforeseen side effects whose effects are as grim as they are funny, all this told in a very droll, detached Britishness that make the macabre proceedings less shocking. My only complaint is that its climax could have been longer. It ends a bit sudden for me. Would have liked more there.
But still, if you are tired of the more 'serious' works clogging shelves of your bookstore, then this book is for you. Sometimes we just need a bit of madness
It is the futuristic fable of Cleric20, a hedonistic lost soul who may or may not be the last hope of humanity as the devil plans to open a gate to hell. Set in L², a cruel and twisted metropolis built on the foundations of London, it is a futuristic city bereft of compassion and empathy, drowning in technology and soulless consumerism while aimless AI evangelists scramble around and gangs indulge in the old ultra-violence. Meanwhile, the boundaries between the natural and supernatural begin to blur as demons come to claim souls for, among other things, illegal movie downloads. This is the best I can do to summarize the plot, as it, mildly put, all over the place. Like a bombing victim. This irreverence and disdain for the niceties of basic story-telling is very much what would make or break the book for many, but which I ate up.
Much like Douglas Adams, Mr Adcock has a good sense of absurd unintended consequences, as futuristic conveniences sometimes have unforeseen side effects whose effects are as grim as they are funny, all this told in a very droll, detached Britishness that make the macabre proceedings less shocking. My only complaint is that its climax could have been longer. It ends a bit sudden for me. Would have liked more there.
But still, if you are tired of the more 'serious' works clogging shelves of your bookstore, then this book is for you. Sometimes we just need a bit of madness
October 4, 2020
As far as sci-fi goes, this book stands out with its originality and its many interesting ideas. The flow is a bit challenging at first, with a lot of jumping around and many footnotes (which are key in understanding the complexity of the setting). At times, I felt as if I was reading a comic instead of a novella, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I would have liked to see more interesting and important female characters. Overall, the concept is cool and there is a lot of potential here.
November 25, 2019
Wow, what can I say? Where to start? How can I possibly effuse enough to explain how I feel about this book? How to put it in words that accurately gets the message across? Phew, what a ride that was!
For starters, I'm at an advantage in that I'm the same age as the author and grew up in the same town, so I got every single in-joke and period reference, which were an absolute delight. Look out for, in order of appearance, references to Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and Top Gun!
Put aside that advantage though and this is still a cracking good read by any standards. The setting is a dystopian future with strong shades of “Blade Runner”. The plot: In a nutshell, a sinister senior political figure turns out to be the devil and a relatively ordinary guy is inadvertently imbued with the superpowers to fight him. The journey through the book to that climactic showdown is a great fun sci-fi romp through a mix of comedy (there are plenty of grin-inducing or laugh-out-loud moments), action and gratuitous violence. The level and detail of the imagery can only make me marvel at the extent of the imagination of the author. Consequently, his talent is undeniable and definitely one to watch for the future: Here’s hoping for sequels and more output from Matt Adcock!
Yes it’s dark in places, yes there’s a lot of violence and brains are spattered on a regular basis, but let’s be honest with ourselves: We all have a dark side and whilst we might overtly decry or deride violence for entertainment, I think we all covertly enjoy it but wouldn’t admit it, or at the very least we find it compelling but can’t quite explain why. Why do we not look away at the gory bits in films? Why are there compilations of boxing knockouts on YouTube? Why is UFC so successful?
This has to be a balanced review, so are there any negatives? All I can come up with is the narrative often switches from the story to background explanations: Some of these I found a bit lengthy and I was impatient to get back to the story. Don’t let this put you off though.
Oh, the footnotes: Upon opening the book I saw there were a lot of them and thought they might be a drag: NOPE! They’re really funny, very entertaining, a great enhancement to the book. All too often the end of a footnote is a punch line and a lot of the aforementioned grin/LOL moments come from the footnotes!
Overall, this was great fun: I can’t recommend it enough so please, just BUY THE BOOK and give this up-and-coming author the support he deserves.
For starters, I'm at an advantage in that I'm the same age as the author and grew up in the same town, so I got every single in-joke and period reference, which were an absolute delight. Look out for, in order of appearance, references to Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and Top Gun!
Put aside that advantage though and this is still a cracking good read by any standards. The setting is a dystopian future with strong shades of “Blade Runner”. The plot: In a nutshell, a sinister senior political figure turns out to be the devil and a relatively ordinary guy is inadvertently imbued with the superpowers to fight him. The journey through the book to that climactic showdown is a great fun sci-fi romp through a mix of comedy (there are plenty of grin-inducing or laugh-out-loud moments), action and gratuitous violence. The level and detail of the imagery can only make me marvel at the extent of the imagination of the author. Consequently, his talent is undeniable and definitely one to watch for the future: Here’s hoping for sequels and more output from Matt Adcock!
Yes it’s dark in places, yes there’s a lot of violence and brains are spattered on a regular basis, but let’s be honest with ourselves: We all have a dark side and whilst we might overtly decry or deride violence for entertainment, I think we all covertly enjoy it but wouldn’t admit it, or at the very least we find it compelling but can’t quite explain why. Why do we not look away at the gory bits in films? Why are there compilations of boxing knockouts on YouTube? Why is UFC so successful?
This has to be a balanced review, so are there any negatives? All I can come up with is the narrative often switches from the story to background explanations: Some of these I found a bit lengthy and I was impatient to get back to the story. Don’t let this put you off though.
Oh, the footnotes: Upon opening the book I saw there were a lot of them and thought they might be a drag: NOPE! They’re really funny, very entertaining, a great enhancement to the book. All too often the end of a footnote is a punch line and a lot of the aforementioned grin/LOL moments come from the footnotes!
Overall, this was great fun: I can’t recommend it enough so please, just BUY THE BOOK and give this up-and-coming author the support he deserves.
September 6, 2024
Okay! Someone please tell me what the hell is going on this book. Please!
I have to say that this was something completely different. It was like William Gibson, Douglas Adams and William Burroughs had a midnight threesome whilst off their heads on a shed load of acid and dope whilst playing Warhammer and spawned Complete Darkness.
Right, I am going to try and explain the plot of this book – well as far as I understand it!
London 2.0 or L2 is the hub of the world, and it is run by a multinational corporation that may or may not be run by the devil. One day, some information comes to light on dark matter from a money crunching experiment that has been tasked by someone that is really important. This leads to a bunch of MP’s and leaders been massacred in a penthouse.
At the other side of this, there is Cleric 20, a substancely challenged individual who has some dodgy predilections who may or may not be the hero of the piece.
Amidst a cast of humans, robots, artificial intelligence and a soundtrack that includes Carter USM, PWEI and The Pixies (all bands close to my blackened heart).
I have to say that this book is completely all over the place. However, this is in a good way, although it may not be to everyone’s taste. The book skips from scene to scene, flips from past to present tense and then changes perspective at the drop of a hat. It’s like the author has tried to do a comic book that mixes frenetic set pieces and ultra violence.
Throughout the story there are various footnotes that explain the world and the various organisations that are mentioned in the book.
Did I enjoy the book?
Well actually! Yeah I did! I might have to go back and give it a listen again coz I am sure that there is loads of stuff that I have missed on first listen, and in addition to that, I am sure that I missed loads of references to geek culture that I really want to capture.
If you like mad books that are insanely paced and lots of violence then this may be the book for you.
I have to say that this was something completely different. It was like William Gibson, Douglas Adams and William Burroughs had a midnight threesome whilst off their heads on a shed load of acid and dope whilst playing Warhammer and spawned Complete Darkness.
Right, I am going to try and explain the plot of this book – well as far as I understand it!
London 2.0 or L2 is the hub of the world, and it is run by a multinational corporation that may or may not be run by the devil. One day, some information comes to light on dark matter from a money crunching experiment that has been tasked by someone that is really important. This leads to a bunch of MP’s and leaders been massacred in a penthouse.
At the other side of this, there is Cleric 20, a substancely challenged individual who has some dodgy predilections who may or may not be the hero of the piece.
Amidst a cast of humans, robots, artificial intelligence and a soundtrack that includes Carter USM, PWEI and The Pixies (all bands close to my blackened heart).
I have to say that this book is completely all over the place. However, this is in a good way, although it may not be to everyone’s taste. The book skips from scene to scene, flips from past to present tense and then changes perspective at the drop of a hat. It’s like the author has tried to do a comic book that mixes frenetic set pieces and ultra violence.
Throughout the story there are various footnotes that explain the world and the various organisations that are mentioned in the book.
Did I enjoy the book?
Well actually! Yeah I did! I might have to go back and give it a listen again coz I am sure that there is loads of stuff that I have missed on first listen, and in addition to that, I am sure that I missed loads of references to geek culture that I really want to capture.
If you like mad books that are insanely paced and lots of violence then this may be the book for you.
June 6, 2021
What a crazy ride!
This book is like none I have ever read before. It's sci-fi/cyberpunk, dark fantasy and horror blended together into something unique.
In a not-so-distant future, scientists who experiment with Dark Matter, accidentally discover hell.
Needless to say that hell and its boss don't like this at all...
The main character of the story is Cleric20 who is a grumpy womanizer who happens to be an ex-special forces guy. And even though all he wants is to get drunk and laid, he stumbles into the midst of the strangest events the world has ever seen and becomes the hero he never wanted to be.
Apart from him we also meet INT, a clone created to be the perfect woman, Marcus Razour, the evil mayor of L2 (formerly London), and Captain Adams, a movie superhero who turns out to be real.
If that wasn't enough there are also war mechs, robots preaching about God, battlemages, crazy scientists and two old ladies who are so not what they seem to be.
Oh boy, this book is really hard to describe! I suggest you read it yourself.
I recommend it to lovers of sci-fantasy and strange fiction.
This book is like none I have ever read before. It's sci-fi/cyberpunk, dark fantasy and horror blended together into something unique.
In a not-so-distant future, scientists who experiment with Dark Matter, accidentally discover hell.
Needless to say that hell and its boss don't like this at all...
The main character of the story is Cleric20 who is a grumpy womanizer who happens to be an ex-special forces guy. And even though all he wants is to get drunk and laid, he stumbles into the midst of the strangest events the world has ever seen and becomes the hero he never wanted to be.
Apart from him we also meet INT, a clone created to be the perfect woman, Marcus Razour, the evil mayor of L2 (formerly London), and Captain Adams, a movie superhero who turns out to be real.
If that wasn't enough there are also war mechs, robots preaching about God, battlemages, crazy scientists and two old ladies who are so not what they seem to be.
Oh boy, this book is really hard to describe! I suggest you read it yourself.
I recommend it to lovers of sci-fantasy and strange fiction.
June 13, 2020
I read plenty of Science Fiction, and Complete Darkness certainly stands out as being something very different in this genre.
In this regard, I must applaud its originality. Some of the details are fascinating and highly sophisticated. Politics, religion and philosophy all get a look in, too.
There are some pretty intense scenes of graphic violence, though, so take note if you're squeamish. In fact, there is a whole lot of iconoclasm and a sort of brash 'Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Red Dwarf' kind of feel to this.
Found it a little difficult to navigate at times, jumps around a lot and there are footnotes (which need to be read to fully understand context and specific technologies/organisations).
In this regard, I must applaud its originality. Some of the details are fascinating and highly sophisticated. Politics, religion and philosophy all get a look in, too.
There are some pretty intense scenes of graphic violence, though, so take note if you're squeamish. In fact, there is a whole lot of iconoclasm and a sort of brash 'Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Red Dwarf' kind of feel to this.
Found it a little difficult to navigate at times, jumps around a lot and there are footnotes (which need to be read to fully understand context and specific technologies/organisations).
July 31, 2020
This book is wild and futuristic. I have never read anything like it before. The reader is taken on a helter-skelter ride through a futuristic chaos. Accept that you will not really understand what is happening (if you are as unfamiliar with this genre as I am) and just let the words carry you through to the end! Massively frustrated by the female stereotypes, I could see how they sat firmly within the world which is painted with such a bizarre pen.
October 21, 2021
I was sent a copy of Complete Darkness by the author for review. Books labeled as Christian-this or Christian-that tend to be very heavy handed in their themes and bash you over the head with the gospel and early on I was afraid this was going to be the same. However, after a few early references this shifted to a straight-forward sci-fi, cyberpunk story, albeit one where the literal devil is the bad guy.
The early parts of the book can be a little rough at first as there are a lot of shifts in the perspective and tons of info dumps in the form of footnotes that you really need to read to fully understand everything that’s going on. I liked having all the information that was given, but it tends to break up the flow of reading and I felt it took me out of the story sometimes. This gets better as you get further into the book.
The characters in Complete Darkness live in a world where a never-ending version of the Hunger Games plays out. A sort of massive 1,000-person version of Call of Duty, if you will, and everyone has very public social scores that affect their lives and how the people around them interact with each other. They also have information, music, movies and such sent directly into their brains. The main character, Cleric20 is former member of the military who runs around the depths of L2 (also known as London) with a robotic companion named Gix. Throughout the book they must face wild government conspiracies, morally corrupt (and often completely evil) scientific experiments, and dealing with the literal devil, who just happens to oversee said government.
The events of the book play out quickly, due to the length of the novel and because of that there are times that things wrap up a little more quickly than you would have liked. Cleric20 is your typical anti-hero who has a drinking problem, who will sleep with just about anything that moves and thinks the solution to most every problem is to punch it, shoot it, or otherwise destroy it.
I wasn’t sure at first if I was going to like the book, or even finish it as the story started off very slowly, but as I got deeper into the events that were playing out, I found myself not wanting to put the book down; to find out what happened next. Fans of sci-fi and cyperpunk style novels will find many familiar elements hidden in the pages of the story, but I found the Christian twist added an element that many may find interesting. I’m very interested in seeing where this story goes from here.
The early parts of the book can be a little rough at first as there are a lot of shifts in the perspective and tons of info dumps in the form of footnotes that you really need to read to fully understand everything that’s going on. I liked having all the information that was given, but it tends to break up the flow of reading and I felt it took me out of the story sometimes. This gets better as you get further into the book.
The characters in Complete Darkness live in a world where a never-ending version of the Hunger Games plays out. A sort of massive 1,000-person version of Call of Duty, if you will, and everyone has very public social scores that affect their lives and how the people around them interact with each other. They also have information, music, movies and such sent directly into their brains. The main character, Cleric20 is former member of the military who runs around the depths of L2 (also known as London) with a robotic companion named Gix. Throughout the book they must face wild government conspiracies, morally corrupt (and often completely evil) scientific experiments, and dealing with the literal devil, who just happens to oversee said government.
The events of the book play out quickly, due to the length of the novel and because of that there are times that things wrap up a little more quickly than you would have liked. Cleric20 is your typical anti-hero who has a drinking problem, who will sleep with just about anything that moves and thinks the solution to most every problem is to punch it, shoot it, or otherwise destroy it.
I wasn’t sure at first if I was going to like the book, or even finish it as the story started off very slowly, but as I got deeper into the events that were playing out, I found myself not wanting to put the book down; to find out what happened next. Fans of sci-fi and cyperpunk style novels will find many familiar elements hidden in the pages of the story, but I found the Christian twist added an element that many may find interesting. I’m very interested in seeing where this story goes from here.
October 31, 2020
I have always been a huge Hollywood-holic(if that sounds like a word! 😛) kind of person especially when it comes to science fiction. This year has been blended with too many cliché romantic read so was wondering if there is something than can actually quench my thirst for a roller coaster ride and at the same time being pretty humorous at places. I come across this scintillating work and oh boy! it satiated my hunger like no other book had.
"Complete Darkness" with its blurb gives an impression of some super hero kind of fiction but trust me it's way more than that. The tale revolves around a central character of Cleric20 and encompasses some satanic political ideologies and in turn actions of Razour. It quite enchantingly weaves some theological queries and turns out to be a quirky read. There was some bit of anti climatic end to it but would like to give benefit of doubt to the author on that front as I feel a sequel is very much on the cards.
Coming to the writing style, it is impeccable. The way he has mixed different genre and gives so many amusing instances and lovely punchlines through the footnotes speaks volumes of his ability as an author. The book could have been quite a complicated read for the sheer amount of content it shares and angles at which it depicts the scenes, if not for the outstanding sense of humor that author possesses.
The character sketch of Cleric20 is quite detailed that shows how the writer is so pedantic and meticulous in his tasks. At times, I find a bit too much background story is built for a particular event but then once the tale is back to the present, it maintains its pace.
The cover page is exhilarating and the book needs high level of concentration to relate to plot. But it is the beauty of the way Matt has crafted the words that it happens quite seamlessly and once one dives into the novel, he or she just want to stay in it forever
"Complete Darkness" with its blurb gives an impression of some super hero kind of fiction but trust me it's way more than that. The tale revolves around a central character of Cleric20 and encompasses some satanic political ideologies and in turn actions of Razour. It quite enchantingly weaves some theological queries and turns out to be a quirky read. There was some bit of anti climatic end to it but would like to give benefit of doubt to the author on that front as I feel a sequel is very much on the cards.
Coming to the writing style, it is impeccable. The way he has mixed different genre and gives so many amusing instances and lovely punchlines through the footnotes speaks volumes of his ability as an author. The book could have been quite a complicated read for the sheer amount of content it shares and angles at which it depicts the scenes, if not for the outstanding sense of humor that author possesses.
The character sketch of Cleric20 is quite detailed that shows how the writer is so pedantic and meticulous in his tasks. At times, I find a bit too much background story is built for a particular event but then once the tale is back to the present, it maintains its pace.
The cover page is exhilarating and the book needs high level of concentration to relate to plot. But it is the beauty of the way Matt has crafted the words that it happens quite seamlessly and once one dives into the novel, he or she just want to stay in it forever
June 20, 2021
The complete darkness by Matt Adcock.
It comes under the sci-fi, fantasy genre. I love to read sci-fi that's why I picked it. It was a very engaging and very gripping book to read.
The protagonist was cleric20. He served in the military as a bodyguard robot. He was a very intelligent robot.
This story takes place in London 2 ( L2) London in 2242. In that period world is full of darkness without any sunlight. Due to ignorance and pollution made by the previous generation, they lost the natural light.
L2 was ruled by Razour. Razour made a bioweapon to kill human beings. Once that injected into human beings they lost their consciousness. They don't even hesitate to kill their loved ones.
What happened then? Can Cleric20 stop this from spreading? Can he save humans? Will humans survive this attack? Why Razour made this bioweapon? Read it and find out.
The footnotes were good in this that helps to understand the story more effectively. I felt the backstory was a bit draggy. This story takes some time to settle and understand things. Once it's settled it's a page-turner. It's ending on a cliffhanger so a sequel is on the card.
The language used in this was not beginner-friendly. This title was very apt to the book.
If you like to read sci-fi with fantasy and adventure go for it.
It comes under the sci-fi, fantasy genre. I love to read sci-fi that's why I picked it. It was a very engaging and very gripping book to read.
The protagonist was cleric20. He served in the military as a bodyguard robot. He was a very intelligent robot.
This story takes place in London 2 ( L2) London in 2242. In that period world is full of darkness without any sunlight. Due to ignorance and pollution made by the previous generation, they lost the natural light.
L2 was ruled by Razour. Razour made a bioweapon to kill human beings. Once that injected into human beings they lost their consciousness. They don't even hesitate to kill their loved ones.
What happened then? Can Cleric20 stop this from spreading? Can he save humans? Will humans survive this attack? Why Razour made this bioweapon? Read it and find out.
The footnotes were good in this that helps to understand the story more effectively. I felt the backstory was a bit draggy. This story takes some time to settle and understand things. Once it's settled it's a page-turner. It's ending on a cliffhanger so a sequel is on the card.
The language used in this was not beginner-friendly. This title was very apt to the book.
If you like to read sci-fi with fantasy and adventure go for it.
October 19, 2020
I found Complete Darkness to be a highly entertaining read with plenty of action to keep the reader engaged from beginning to end. It was an interesting look at a dystopian future and the evil forces attempting to impose their will on that futuristic society. There was a nice mix of humour, and the references back to present-day life gave it a feeling of familiarity.
It is heavy on scene changes, acronyms and footnotes (which contain much important information to help understand the world that Adcock has created), and I initially found it to be quite challenging to keep all of that information straight. It was not long though before everything started to come together and from there it was quite easy to get into the action as the various story arcs all came together.
Overall, I found Complete Darkness to be a worthwhile read and would definitely recommend to fans of the science fiction genre.
It is heavy on scene changes, acronyms and footnotes (which contain much important information to help understand the world that Adcock has created), and I initially found it to be quite challenging to keep all of that information straight. It was not long though before everything started to come together and from there it was quite easy to get into the action as the various story arcs all came together.
Overall, I found Complete Darkness to be a worthwhile read and would definitely recommend to fans of the science fiction genre.
August 27, 2020
Crazy future thrill ride –
This book is a bit of a step out of my usual reading genre but I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t believe how much information is crammed into the one book.
Set in a future that’s somewhere past Bladerunner and has turned left at Altered carbon and Consider Phlebas, a world decision is made to map out Dark Matter – only to discover that it’s a way in to Hell. Hilarity, violence and strange robot sex ensue…
With detailed descriptions and more intricate and surreal world building than the guy in the Lego Movies could ever dream of, we’re hurtled through a well-constructed world of future tech, controlling religions and a world that doesn’t seem to flinch if you disappear for your beliefs or lack thereof - in fact this seems fully expected and considered fun to watch.
Intelligent and intricate, the writing brought to mind the sort of thing Douglas Adams might have written if he’d had all his safety features removed, necked a bottle of Viagra and was having an especially paranoid and bleak day. Absolutely great stuff!
This book is a bit of a step out of my usual reading genre but I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t believe how much information is crammed into the one book.
Set in a future that’s somewhere past Bladerunner and has turned left at Altered carbon and Consider Phlebas, a world decision is made to map out Dark Matter – only to discover that it’s a way in to Hell. Hilarity, violence and strange robot sex ensue…
With detailed descriptions and more intricate and surreal world building than the guy in the Lego Movies could ever dream of, we’re hurtled through a well-constructed world of future tech, controlling religions and a world that doesn’t seem to flinch if you disappear for your beliefs or lack thereof - in fact this seems fully expected and considered fun to watch.
Intelligent and intricate, the writing brought to mind the sort of thing Douglas Adams might have written if he’d had all his safety features removed, necked a bottle of Viagra and was having an especially paranoid and bleak day. Absolutely great stuff!
August 30, 2024
Complete Darkness
Matt Adcock
Book Review Day!
This book is 100% Sci Fi!
It is like a unique blend of Sci fi with Cyberpunk with Horror all thrown together to make an exciting read! I listened to this story as an audiobook and I think the choice of narrator Nick Cracknell was an excellent fit for the vibe of this book, his voice is smooth and clear.
The original London is gone and welcome to L2(London2), a hellish landscape in 2242. Cleric20 and his AI bodyguard need to work to stop the rule of President Razour. Cleric20 is a tough character with an ex-military background and with new "superpowers" he goes on the offensive. The story can be a bit difficult to follow at certain points, I had to listen to some spots twice to keep up.�� The characters are smart and engaging and keeps you entertained.
Matt Adcock
Book Review Day!
This book is 100% Sci Fi!
It is like a unique blend of Sci fi with Cyberpunk with Horror all thrown together to make an exciting read! I listened to this story as an audiobook and I think the choice of narrator Nick Cracknell was an excellent fit for the vibe of this book, his voice is smooth and clear.
The original London is gone and welcome to L2(London2), a hellish landscape in 2242. Cleric20 and his AI bodyguard need to work to stop the rule of President Razour. Cleric20 is a tough character with an ex-military background and with new "superpowers" he goes on the offensive. The story can be a bit difficult to follow at certain points, I had to listen to some spots twice to keep up.�� The characters are smart and engaging and keeps you entertained.
May 25, 2021
The start of the book was a little rocky for me as I had a hard time with the fragmented narrative and different perspective shifts. However, the love and care put into building the world is evident from the get-go. The pages are rich with detail that you can easily picture yourself in this futuristic dystopia. There’s an intriguing blend of technology, biology, and the mystic that you don’t often see and executed in unique ways. The story is action-packed, the characters are fun and engaging, and there are plenty of footnotes to help the reader become accustomed to this new world. A caution, those who are squeamish should take care when reading as there is a lot of violence. If you want a thought-provoking novel, this here is your go-to.
June 16, 2021
Complete Darkness by Matt Adcock
Complete Darkness was an action packed, insane cyberpunk and sci-fi with religious/philosophical undertones. It had some dark humor coursing through it as well. The book had these descriptive footnotes that gave the background behind all the concepts in the book. I found some of the exchanges to be hilarious. I needed some help understanding some of the scientific aspects for which my brother provided me with adequate insights.
The writing style was witty and descriptive. The tone of the book was philosophical as well as humorous. The narration was fast paced. It had a lot of cool characters. The lead was Cleric20 and his trusty sidekick Gix. The book started off with the revelation of what Dark Matter was. There was government conspiracies, weird experiments, death and mayhem. The MC was trying to wade through it all. The book ended off in a cliffhanger and I cant wait to read the next book.
Afreen
Complete Darkness was an action packed, insane cyberpunk and sci-fi with religious/philosophical undertones. It had some dark humor coursing through it as well. The book had these descriptive footnotes that gave the background behind all the concepts in the book. I found some of the exchanges to be hilarious. I needed some help understanding some of the scientific aspects for which my brother provided me with adequate insights.
The writing style was witty and descriptive. The tone of the book was philosophical as well as humorous. The narration was fast paced. It had a lot of cool characters. The lead was Cleric20 and his trusty sidekick Gix. The book started off with the revelation of what Dark Matter was. There was government conspiracies, weird experiments, death and mayhem. The MC was trying to wade through it all. The book ended off in a cliffhanger and I cant wait to read the next book.
Afreen
October 22, 2022
"For centuries many have pondered the prospect of an afterlife and feared what came to be known as ‘hell’. In the near future, we map the elusive ‘dark matter’ around us, only to find out that it is hell itself, and it is very real…"
I’m not a sci-fi reader, but I picked this book a friend recommended, and I’m glad I did. Complete Darkness: A Darkmatters Novel is not a book for those who like to fly over with speed reading. The narrative is complex and intertwined with many sub-layers, although it is well-planned and leaves no loose ends. Touches of witty humor and sex provide a much-appreciated break from the long sections of violent action. Its logical plot, supported by footnotes, got so invested that I often felt overwhelmed by the belief that those things will happen for real—or will they?
I’m not a sci-fi reader, but I picked this book a friend recommended, and I’m glad I did. Complete Darkness: A Darkmatters Novel is not a book for those who like to fly over with speed reading. The narrative is complex and intertwined with many sub-layers, although it is well-planned and leaves no loose ends. Touches of witty humor and sex provide a much-appreciated break from the long sections of violent action. Its logical plot, supported by footnotes, got so invested that I often felt overwhelmed by the belief that those things will happen for real—or will they?
October 16, 2020
Masterful Cyberpunk Fiction
So when I started reading, I was like, ‘this is really different’, and it absolutely is a unique read, but in the best possible way. Action packed, fast paced, and unapologetically gruesome at times.
Not only was I gripped by the plot, but I was also impressed by the political, and religious undercurrent that is smothered in a thick layer of science-fiction. It got me thinking, considering, and questioning, and I am a sucker for a book that makes me ponder.
It’s so well written that it is difficult to determine where the science ends, and fiction starts in this dystopian setting. Cleric20 is the prime example of an anti-hero that you end up rooting for.
I’m excited by this futuristic universe depicted so far, and also the Dark Matters world building potential.
So when I started reading, I was like, ‘this is really different’, and it absolutely is a unique read, but in the best possible way. Action packed, fast paced, and unapologetically gruesome at times.
Not only was I gripped by the plot, but I was also impressed by the political, and religious undercurrent that is smothered in a thick layer of science-fiction. It got me thinking, considering, and questioning, and I am a sucker for a book that makes me ponder.
It’s so well written that it is difficult to determine where the science ends, and fiction starts in this dystopian setting. Cleric20 is the prime example of an anti-hero that you end up rooting for.
I’m excited by this futuristic universe depicted so far, and also the Dark Matters world building potential.
October 26, 2020
Complete Darkness is a powerful and engaging dark adventure sci-fi novel set in a grim alternate future. It’s a heavy read at times, high on tech and detail, but that's to be expected for this type of story. It’s a depth sci-fi lovers will appreciate and footnotes make the detail easier to understand. I don’t read a lot of sci-fi, and certainly haven't ready anything like this before, but the book kept my interest throughout. I was blown away by its originality and Adcock's imagination. It’s interesting, action-packed, terrifying and violent, and it’s also amusing and cleverly written. Fans of the genre will love this.
February 6, 2021
“You’ve probably never read anything quite like it...” is an understatement for this very different novel and its unconventional format. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for unconventional, but do read the footnotes for a complete understand or you’ll be left in the dark.
Once you get a grip on the characters’ names and comprehend the technology presented, the story moves at a faster pace. My advice? “Don’t blink, don’t breathe, just focus...” on this avant-garde science fiction novel that’s carving a place right in the middle of this genre.
Once you get a grip on the characters’ names and comprehend the technology presented, the story moves at a faster pace. My advice? “Don’t blink, don’t breathe, just focus...” on this avant-garde science fiction novel that’s carving a place right in the middle of this genre.
May 28, 2020
Clever and hilarious
Normally, sci-fi isn't my genre of choice so I wasn't all too sure what to expect from Complete Darkness... I was very pleasantly surprised by how witty, sharp and side splittingly hilarious this book is! Captain Addams is such a funny and likable character- the element of humour worked so well with lightening the tone, making it enjoyable even for an audience who aren't always typical sci-fi fans. Fantastic! Try this book, you won't regret it!!!
Normally, sci-fi isn't my genre of choice so I wasn't all too sure what to expect from Complete Darkness... I was very pleasantly surprised by how witty, sharp and side splittingly hilarious this book is! Captain Addams is such a funny and likable character- the element of humour worked so well with lightening the tone, making it enjoyable even for an audience who aren't always typical sci-fi fans. Fantastic! Try this book, you won't regret it!!!
August 19, 2020
I don't normally read sci-fi, but I was intrigued by the premise of Matt Adcock's book. There were so many questions within the story about our survival, who we are, friendships and the struggles between good and evil. Yet there is an addictive humour within the story that made me smile. I loved the subtle hint of romance which was clever writing indeed. There is so much I could take away from the experience of reading this book; total and complete originality and what an imagination! This is a book to remember, highly recommended.
August 19, 2024
I would really give this about a 2.5 stars.
I do not have anything horrible to say about this book, it just wasn’t for me.
It was hard for me to listen to as an audiobook because I was confused with the story and missed things. I would definitely like to give this book another chance actually reading it instead of listening to it as an audiobook.
The footnotes throughout took me out of the story and confused me further. I only recognized when the story was talking about one character consistently (Cleric20) and was confused with the POV transitions.
What I was able to understand I enjoyed! Cleric20 and his robot sidekick were fun to read about! Again, the other characters stories confused me lol
I do not have anything horrible to say about this book, it just wasn’t for me.
It was hard for me to listen to as an audiobook because I was confused with the story and missed things. I would definitely like to give this book another chance actually reading it instead of listening to it as an audiobook.
The footnotes throughout took me out of the story and confused me further. I only recognized when the story was talking about one character consistently (Cleric20) and was confused with the POV transitions.
What I was able to understand I enjoyed! Cleric20 and his robot sidekick were fun to read about! Again, the other characters stories confused me lol
September 29, 2020
I basically don't read sci fi but this book was alluring , The author has blended 2 genres in splendid manner , on one hand as he subtly puts across the questions regarding religion , he further also portrays the desires, wants of human as to what extent they can go evil, There are subtle layers which help us ponder on many aspects of life , if man rejects religion believing it not to be right,threat to humsni and challenging the ultimate power. Will this enable him walk on the path which will lead to genuine happiness , brotherhood and peace of mind are the questions this book throws at us , we can understand that man for his desires , wants can twists laws everywhere and not just in holy scripture , Cleric by using Gix tries to build fear so again it is the same way like how few clergymen do by preaching about hell and heaven. But we notice here Cleric's way via technology probably seems more dangerous to humankind. The hardwork of the author could is visible clearly in formation of sentences and blending of 2 genres . It is really intriguing novel which made me more curious as I turned every page , I am very much excited to read the upcoming book of the author in which the story continues.
September 13, 2020
‘Complete Darkness’ is a sophisticated sci-fi, which felt original and stylish. The world – a grim ‘London2’ feels incredibly cool and the story draws you in from the first page. I especially liked the protagonist – Cleric20 and the swift pace of the novel – there is no opportunity to get bored here! The spirituality angle of God versus the Devil was interesting to see in a science fiction novel. The book feels cinematic -the descriptions of the surroundings and the action is very visual, which I liked. There is also humour especially in the action sequences, which elevates the story. The footnotes provide added layers to the story and demonstrate that the author has really given creation of this world and story a lot of thought and care. This is a fun book to read – especially if you enjoy science fiction – highly recommended!
March 30, 2021
2.3/5
Mr. Adcock was gracious enough to exchange this for an honest review.
There's a lot to like about Complete Darkness, and a lot to dislike as well. I don't think it's bad so much as it's unrefined in various aspects. I'm personally indifferent to the religious undertones, but I do like how they come together with the main plotline and the main antagonist's goals. There are elements of body horror that conjure imagery reminiscent of H.R. Giger or Cronenberg scattered thinly throughout the novel's pages that I liked. Especially the uh... the 'recycling' bit. I believe my actual, audible response was "What in the goddamn?"
It's not every day a book makes me "WTF" aloud. Normally I'll just chug along from page 1 to the final word. Maybe I'll raise an eyebrow. But the recycling measure was morbidly intriguing, and as far as I know it's entirely original, so I tip my hat. My hat has been tipped on this day.
First, the good: the concept and the world are both unique. It's an undeniable fact that a lot of thought went into every little detail. I can appreciate when a brave new world has been created in a variety of layers. The plot, involving a scientific breakthrough involving hormonal aggression, and the coming 'Day of Carnage,' is intriguing. Cleric20, what little we know about him, has the potential to be a great protagonist in this whole affair and in the sequels to come.
Now, the bad: I feel like this novel has the same problem as Zack Snyder's Batman v. Superman--there's a good story there, but it's buried beneath a confusing mishmash of unnecessary fluff and jumbled around in a confusing narrative. I said before that I can appreciate a well-rounded world, but the way it is conveyed to its audience can make or break a story. I think Adcock gets far too bogged-down into a huge plethora of things that have very little to do with the story presently being told, like the history of an organization, the history of a person, technological advancements, the history of a movement or an event that has occurred decades prior to the novel's current events. For a while, it reads like a seemingly endless barrage of unnecessarily long footnotes and additional pages of information about other aspects of the thing the footnotes already touched upon. The footnotes interrupt the flow of an already jumbled story. In my personal opinion, I think the novel would benefit from a separate section in the back dedicated to additional notes, rather than having them inorganically included in the story itself. As it is, it's overwhelming, informational overload that can require a bit of patience to absorb.
Yes, this first novel suffers from a lack of focus. There is a lot of page space dedicated to Captain Addams, a character who isn't all that amusing and does nothing except ramble about his past exploits, all of which are unimportant in the grander scheme of things. The only characters who really did anything of importance were Cleric20, President Razour, and Commander Riichardson, and they were by far the most interesting out of a fairly large cast of characters and celebrities. Instead, they sometimes take a back seat to the on-the-nose pop culture references and attempts at satire, or the aforementioned over-abundance of world building. A lot of great stuff loses its intended effect from its unfocused narrative.
On the technical aspects, footnotes aside, I found the constant head-hopping and the shifting tenses from past to present to future distracting. The dialogue reads a bit amateurish and unnatural at times. And for a novel that focuses a lot of attention on a variety of things, I felt the climax that the novel has been teasing and building up to since page 1 came and went a little too abruptly.
All in all, despite its flaws, Complete Darkness is a decent start to a promising series. I'll be there when the comic adaptation and the sequel(s) drop, because despite my moderate aversion to the execution of the ideas touched upon in this debut, the ideas themselves show potential, and I would like to see where Adcock takes things from here.
Mr. Adcock was gracious enough to exchange this for an honest review.
There's a lot to like about Complete Darkness, and a lot to dislike as well. I don't think it's bad so much as it's unrefined in various aspects. I'm personally indifferent to the religious undertones, but I do like how they come together with the main plotline and the main antagonist's goals. There are elements of body horror that conjure imagery reminiscent of H.R. Giger or Cronenberg scattered thinly throughout the novel's pages that I liked. Especially the uh... the 'recycling' bit. I believe my actual, audible response was "What in the goddamn?"
It's not every day a book makes me "WTF" aloud. Normally I'll just chug along from page 1 to the final word. Maybe I'll raise an eyebrow. But the recycling measure was morbidly intriguing, and as far as I know it's entirely original, so I tip my hat. My hat has been tipped on this day.
First, the good: the concept and the world are both unique. It's an undeniable fact that a lot of thought went into every little detail. I can appreciate when a brave new world has been created in a variety of layers. The plot, involving a scientific breakthrough involving hormonal aggression, and the coming 'Day of Carnage,' is intriguing. Cleric20, what little we know about him, has the potential to be a great protagonist in this whole affair and in the sequels to come.
Now, the bad: I feel like this novel has the same problem as Zack Snyder's Batman v. Superman--there's a good story there, but it's buried beneath a confusing mishmash of unnecessary fluff and jumbled around in a confusing narrative. I said before that I can appreciate a well-rounded world, but the way it is conveyed to its audience can make or break a story. I think Adcock gets far too bogged-down into a huge plethora of things that have very little to do with the story presently being told, like the history of an organization, the history of a person, technological advancements, the history of a movement or an event that has occurred decades prior to the novel's current events. For a while, it reads like a seemingly endless barrage of unnecessarily long footnotes and additional pages of information about other aspects of the thing the footnotes already touched upon. The footnotes interrupt the flow of an already jumbled story. In my personal opinion, I think the novel would benefit from a separate section in the back dedicated to additional notes, rather than having them inorganically included in the story itself. As it is, it's overwhelming, informational overload that can require a bit of patience to absorb.
Yes, this first novel suffers from a lack of focus. There is a lot of page space dedicated to Captain Addams, a character who isn't all that amusing and does nothing except ramble about his past exploits, all of which are unimportant in the grander scheme of things. The only characters who really did anything of importance were Cleric20, President Razour, and Commander Riichardson, and they were by far the most interesting out of a fairly large cast of characters and celebrities. Instead, they sometimes take a back seat to the on-the-nose pop culture references and attempts at satire, or the aforementioned over-abundance of world building. A lot of great stuff loses its intended effect from its unfocused narrative.
On the technical aspects, footnotes aside, I found the constant head-hopping and the shifting tenses from past to present to future distracting. The dialogue reads a bit amateurish and unnatural at times. And for a novel that focuses a lot of attention on a variety of things, I felt the climax that the novel has been teasing and building up to since page 1 came and went a little too abruptly.
All in all, despite its flaws, Complete Darkness is a decent start to a promising series. I'll be there when the comic adaptation and the sequel(s) drop, because despite my moderate aversion to the execution of the ideas touched upon in this debut, the ideas themselves show potential, and I would like to see where Adcock takes things from here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews