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Haunted Minds #4
Children of the Dark Light
A beautiful house of dark red brick and gothic style stands on Normandy Road. It has had many inhabitants over the years, and is about to gain some new tenants.
However, the house has never truly been empty. There’s something there, and it has always been there. To some, the horrors that reside in Normandy Road are just myths, legends, and in the present day, there is nothing to be scared of.
But there are some that have seen and felt their presence. Their sleep is ripped apart as the nightmarish entities that reside there manage to torment their day.
Something lives in that house. It senses its time has come. A time of evil. Sometimes, they work on their own. Collectively, they are known as The Dead Ones, to others they are known as the Children of the Dark Light; and as improbable and implausible as it may seem; somehow, somewhere, you’ve met them before….
--
MATURE CONTENT 18+ Contains adult content. Not to be read by minors / people under the age of 18. Contains sexual content, religious references and strong scenes of psychological terror that some readers may find disturbing.
However, the house has never truly been empty. There’s something there, and it has always been there. To some, the horrors that reside in Normandy Road are just myths, legends, and in the present day, there is nothing to be scared of.
But there are some that have seen and felt their presence. Their sleep is ripped apart as the nightmarish entities that reside there manage to torment their day.
Something lives in that house. It senses its time has come. A time of evil. Sometimes, they work on their own. Collectively, they are known as The Dead Ones, to others they are known as the Children of the Dark Light; and as improbable and implausible as it may seem; somehow, somewhere, you’ve met them before….
--
MATURE CONTENT 18+ Contains adult content. Not to be read by minors / people under the age of 18. Contains sexual content, religious references and strong scenes of psychological terror that some readers may find disturbing.
Paperback
First published January 31, 2017
30 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
John Hennessy
34 books234 followersJohn Hennessy is the British author of paranormal fantasy horror for YA, psychological horror and murder mysteries, plus his own unique take on vampire lore. He has also written ghost stories and delved into high epic fantasy with a hint of romance.
BOOKBUB: Follow the author for Featured Deals and New Releases here
BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY VIA CONTACTING
JohnHennessyBooks.com
John is an international best selling author. The Ghost of Normandy Road reached Number One for British Horror Fiction in July 2020 on Amazon.com, Children of the Dark Light also topped the charts for the same category in August 2020.
His 2015 YA Horror novel, The Ghost of Normandy Road: Haunted Minds I won the Silver Award for its category at the 2016 Readers Favourite International Book Contest.
His 2018 Non-fiction work, The Mastery of Martial Arts: End Fights in Seconds, had a featured review in the prestigious and highly respected Wing Chun Illustrated magazine (Issue 53 April 2020 edition)
A TALE OF VAMPIRES: SERIES - for anyone new to the author's series, this is the sugested reading order:-
Prequel: Dawn of the New Breed
I: Murderous Little Darlings
Murderous Little Christmas Darlings (2022)
II: The Blood and the Raven (Free to subscribers)
III: Innocent While She Sleeps
IV: Dream the Crow's Black Dream
V: Reunion of the Blood
VI: Our Hearts Go to Their Graves
To get an email, freebies, giveaways and chapter extras whenever the author releases a new title, sign up for the VIP newsletter
at the official website:-
http://www.johnhennessybooks.com/
at the blog https://authorjohnhennessy.wordpress....
Five Star Seal Awarded to The Ghost of Normandy Road by Readers' Favourite
BOOKBUB: Follow the author for Featured Deals and New Releases here
BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY VIA CONTACTING
JohnHennessyBooks.com
John is an international best selling author. The Ghost of Normandy Road reached Number One for British Horror Fiction in July 2020 on Amazon.com, Children of the Dark Light also topped the charts for the same category in August 2020.
His 2015 YA Horror novel, The Ghost of Normandy Road: Haunted Minds I won the Silver Award for its category at the 2016 Readers Favourite International Book Contest.
His 2018 Non-fiction work, The Mastery of Martial Arts: End Fights in Seconds, had a featured review in the prestigious and highly respected Wing Chun Illustrated magazine (Issue 53 April 2020 edition)
A TALE OF VAMPIRES: SERIES - for anyone new to the author's series, this is the sugested reading order:-
Prequel: Dawn of the New Breed
I: Murderous Little Darlings
Murderous Little Christmas Darlings (2022)
II: The Blood and the Raven (Free to subscribers)
III: Innocent While She Sleeps
IV: Dream the Crow's Black Dream
V: Reunion of the Blood
VI: Our Hearts Go to Their Graves
To get an email, freebies, giveaways and chapter extras whenever the author releases a new title, sign up for the VIP newsletter
at the official website:-
http://www.johnhennessybooks.com/
at the blog https://authorjohnhennessy.wordpress....
Five Star Seal Awarded to The Ghost of Normandy Road by Readers' Favourite
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 12, 2017
CHILDREN OF THE DARK LIGHT, by John Hennessy, is Book #4 in his Haunted Minds series. Despite this, each of the individual titles was designed to be able to be read completely on its own. The one thing that they all have in common is that they have to do with the area around Normandy Road--and the evil emanating from a particularly large house there.
". . . I couldn't quite escape where I had been born. Every little decision or indecision brought me back to Normandy Road."
CHILDREN OF THE DARK LIGHT does make reference to some events in the previous books (that all take place in different years past), but enough of a "slight background" is given in each case so that the reader is never "lost" in this tale.
As Amanda Reese professes: ". . . I survived those three legends, three myths; whatever you want to call them . . . Others call them the Dead Ones. Others still, the Children of the Dark Light."
Amanda's husband, Tom, has decided it's time to move into a house of their own. And naturally, an annoyingly chipper retailer, Mr. Ross, is quick to point them in the direction of the very house that Amy's childhood stories emanated from: ". . . It's a nice house. You'll love it here, and you'll never want to leave."
"The house was evil. The house was demolished, they said. Then, some bright spark decided to rebuild it, brick by brick; . . . "
In this particular novel, Hennessy really excels in the characterizations--most especially, those of Tom and Amanda Reese. Through his words, we can visualize their relationship perfectly. Tom works, while Amanda--quick to point out that the feminists wouldn't care for her attitude--is the stay-at-home wife. Unable to have children, the readers can see her dissatisfaction with her lot in life, yet her complacency to simply let things continue on as they do. Yes, she knows she might have a "happier" life starting out on her own, but her willpower is simply nonexistent to the point that she continues fulfilling her role robotically. Even though Amanda is now a grown adult, she can't help but "sense" that she will be forever linked to the childhood tales of the infamous Normandy Road and its supernatural terrors.
". . . maybe all of us are crazy, it's just those of us that manage it tend to con everyone else into thinking we are sane."
While Tom seems to be aware of this too, it's Amanda who points out that neither of them is disillusioned about how they go about the motions of their union; each caring for one another, but out of a sense of obligation--nothing more.
". . . There were no model husbands and no model wives . . . not for the marriage itself. I had gotten my head out of the clouds about that long ago."
I found these personalities to be the most important aspect of CHILDREN OF THE DARK LIGHT; even more essential to the story than the entities haunting the town for generations. John Hennessy is a skilled writer and storyteller, and I can not wait for another chapter in the Haunted Minds series.
"You're never too old to be scared, but let me tell you, you can be scared at any age."
Highly recommended!
". . . I couldn't quite escape where I had been born. Every little decision or indecision brought me back to Normandy Road."
CHILDREN OF THE DARK LIGHT does make reference to some events in the previous books (that all take place in different years past), but enough of a "slight background" is given in each case so that the reader is never "lost" in this tale.
As Amanda Reese professes: ". . . I survived those three legends, three myths; whatever you want to call them . . . Others call them the Dead Ones. Others still, the Children of the Dark Light."
Amanda's husband, Tom, has decided it's time to move into a house of their own. And naturally, an annoyingly chipper retailer, Mr. Ross, is quick to point them in the direction of the very house that Amy's childhood stories emanated from: ". . . It's a nice house. You'll love it here, and you'll never want to leave."
"The house was evil. The house was demolished, they said. Then, some bright spark decided to rebuild it, brick by brick; . . . "
In this particular novel, Hennessy really excels in the characterizations--most especially, those of Tom and Amanda Reese. Through his words, we can visualize their relationship perfectly. Tom works, while Amanda--quick to point out that the feminists wouldn't care for her attitude--is the stay-at-home wife. Unable to have children, the readers can see her dissatisfaction with her lot in life, yet her complacency to simply let things continue on as they do. Yes, she knows she might have a "happier" life starting out on her own, but her willpower is simply nonexistent to the point that she continues fulfilling her role robotically. Even though Amanda is now a grown adult, she can't help but "sense" that she will be forever linked to the childhood tales of the infamous Normandy Road and its supernatural terrors.
". . . maybe all of us are crazy, it's just those of us that manage it tend to con everyone else into thinking we are sane."
While Tom seems to be aware of this too, it's Amanda who points out that neither of them is disillusioned about how they go about the motions of their union; each caring for one another, but out of a sense of obligation--nothing more.
". . . There were no model husbands and no model wives . . . not for the marriage itself. I had gotten my head out of the clouds about that long ago."
I found these personalities to be the most important aspect of CHILDREN OF THE DARK LIGHT; even more essential to the story than the entities haunting the town for generations. John Hennessy is a skilled writer and storyteller, and I can not wait for another chapter in the Haunted Minds series.
"You're never too old to be scared, but let me tell you, you can be scared at any age."
Highly recommended!
January 22, 2018
It's been so long since I've reviewed a book here on GoodReads, due to my time insufficiency. And now, it's like I've already forgotten how to make one, lol! But then, I owe my good friend John Hennessy a review for sending me a pdf copy of his 4th book in the HAUNTED MIND series.
This is a story of a haunted house on Normandy Road, where to some people, the horrors that reside in this house are just myths, legends, and bad dreams. But there are some that have seen the presence of the evil that haunted this house. And this is what Amanda Reese, a prospective new tenant of this house felt when she and his husband Tom inspected it for the first time. They were looking for a home to buy and Tom was so fascinated in this house, that he instantly bought it.
Amanda thinks the house is really haunted as she cannot fathom the discomfort and uneasiness she feels. And this is what you have to find out, so you must read this book! except for those who are under 18, as this contains sexual scenes and psychological horror that may be alarming.
What I've been waiting to feel while I'm reading this book is the chilliness effect that l used to feel whenever I read John's book, but it only did little. I was more frightened with Uncle Joe and Wander Scott than the ghosts/evil spirits in this book. But I still enjoyed reading it. And overall, It's still an eerie and intriguing plot that you can read less than an hour.
I want to thank the author John Hennessy, an award-winning (Reader's Favourite Silver Award-YA Horror for 2016), best-selling author of paranormal horror, psychological thrillers and fantasy fiction, for his never-ending thoughtfulness to me, that he always give me the opportunity to read his unique books. It was the first book of this series, The Ghost of Normandy Road, that won the Silver Award. And it was the book he actually sent me here, in the Philippines with his autograph and dedication on it. And I will be forever grateful for his kindness.^^
This is a story of a haunted house on Normandy Road, where to some people, the horrors that reside in this house are just myths, legends, and bad dreams. But there are some that have seen the presence of the evil that haunted this house. And this is what Amanda Reese, a prospective new tenant of this house felt when she and his husband Tom inspected it for the first time. They were looking for a home to buy and Tom was so fascinated in this house, that he instantly bought it.
Amanda thinks the house is really haunted as she cannot fathom the discomfort and uneasiness she feels. And this is what you have to find out, so you must read this book! except for those who are under 18, as this contains sexual scenes and psychological horror that may be alarming.
What I've been waiting to feel while I'm reading this book is the chilliness effect that l used to feel whenever I read John's book, but it only did little. I was more frightened with Uncle Joe and Wander Scott than the ghosts/evil spirits in this book. But I still enjoyed reading it. And overall, It's still an eerie and intriguing plot that you can read less than an hour.
I want to thank the author John Hennessy, an award-winning (Reader's Favourite Silver Award-YA Horror for 2016), best-selling author of paranormal horror, psychological thrillers and fantasy fiction, for his never-ending thoughtfulness to me, that he always give me the opportunity to read his unique books. It was the first book of this series, The Ghost of Normandy Road, that won the Silver Award. And it was the book he actually sent me here, in the Philippines with his autograph and dedication on it. And I will be forever grateful for his kindness.^^
August 13, 2017
Review by Reader's Favourite:-
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
I was intrigued by the paradox in the title when I picked up Children of the Dark Light, the fourth book in the Haunted Minds series by John Hennessy, prepared to be drawn into a mysterious world where the struggle between light and darkness takes place. Few authors succeed in creating a terrifying narrative that combines paranormal themes with psychological mystery and suspense, featuring characters that strangely remind readers of the darkness in themselves. Hennessy does it with brilliance and style!
To some, they are merely the Dead Ones, while to others, they are Children of the Dark Light, and they inhabit a beautiful house in a Gothic style that stands along the Normandy Road. The house has been there for years and has had many tenants, but now it is about to have new ones. The house has been demolished and rebuilt again, but the evil that lived there hasn’t moved away. It’s still there. When Tom and Amanda decide to move into the house, it is against Amanda’s wishes, because she has heard rumors about the evil in the house and she believes in such things, even if her schoolmates, Amy and Clara, think it is funny that she believes in such stories. But they are about to discover the truth, and the evil in the house could destroy their marriage, even their very lives. Can they make a sane decision before it is too late?
Told from Amanda’s point of view and in an absorbing narrative voice, Children of the Dark Light is first-rate horror mixed with powerful elements of mystery and suspense. The story is densely plotted and readers are haunted by the narrative, hooked as though by an evil spell to read through each page. John Hennessy has a unique gift for compelling character building and a fast-paced plot, rendered even more beguiling with the expert use of red herrings. I couldn’t put this one down and I couldn’t resist the haunting darkness of the plot.
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
I was intrigued by the paradox in the title when I picked up Children of the Dark Light, the fourth book in the Haunted Minds series by John Hennessy, prepared to be drawn into a mysterious world where the struggle between light and darkness takes place. Few authors succeed in creating a terrifying narrative that combines paranormal themes with psychological mystery and suspense, featuring characters that strangely remind readers of the darkness in themselves. Hennessy does it with brilliance and style!
To some, they are merely the Dead Ones, while to others, they are Children of the Dark Light, and they inhabit a beautiful house in a Gothic style that stands along the Normandy Road. The house has been there for years and has had many tenants, but now it is about to have new ones. The house has been demolished and rebuilt again, but the evil that lived there hasn’t moved away. It’s still there. When Tom and Amanda decide to move into the house, it is against Amanda’s wishes, because she has heard rumors about the evil in the house and she believes in such things, even if her schoolmates, Amy and Clara, think it is funny that she believes in such stories. But they are about to discover the truth, and the evil in the house could destroy their marriage, even their very lives. Can they make a sane decision before it is too late?
Told from Amanda’s point of view and in an absorbing narrative voice, Children of the Dark Light is first-rate horror mixed with powerful elements of mystery and suspense. The story is densely plotted and readers are haunted by the narrative, hooked as though by an evil spell to read through each page. John Hennessy has a unique gift for compelling character building and a fast-paced plot, rendered even more beguiling with the expert use of red herrings. I couldn’t put this one down and I couldn’t resist the haunting darkness of the plot.
May 14, 2017
This is the 4th book in The Haunted Mind Series. The old house on Normandy Road was never really vacant. The evil that haunted this house still remains. Tom and Amanda were looking for a home to buy. Tom was very interested in the house on Normandy Road. Tom was convinced by the real-estate agent, that this was the perfect house for them. Amanda had a strange uneasy feeling about the house. Amanda, has done a lot of paranormal research, and thinks this house could be haunted. Without confiding with Amanda, Tom purchases the house. Tom and Amanda life will never be the same. Tom barricades himself in his room, and ignores Amanda. He tells Amanda, that she is forbidden to go into this one room. Tom and Amanda, have enter the gates of hell and there is no escaping. The ending simply caught me off guard. Hennessy weaves this tale of horror, with the other three books in the series. We will meet some of the creepy characters from the other books. John Hennessy, is a very good writer and an excellent storyteller. The author has told me, that there will be at least two more books in this series. For all of us who enjoy the series, it is something to look forward to. I highly recommend this book.
November 24, 2017
I was blessed with a free copy of this book, and I have chosen of my own volition to share my review with you.
The saga of Normandy Road continues in this dark tale. The original house at 110 Normandy Road has been demolished, but a new house has been built using some of the re-purposed debris. Read this tale to learn how the newest inhabitants of the house enjoy their stay!
A creepy read with well-developed characters. The story weaves a bit, with a few unexpected turns. Mr. Hennessy has out-done his previous work with this piece!
The saga of Normandy Road continues in this dark tale. The original house at 110 Normandy Road has been demolished, but a new house has been built using some of the re-purposed debris. Read this tale to learn how the newest inhabitants of the house enjoy their stay!
A creepy read with well-developed characters. The story weaves a bit, with a few unexpected turns. Mr. Hennessy has out-done his previous work with this piece!
July 18, 2022
Hennessy does it again with a psychological paranormal novel that will keep you guessing until the very end. I didn't see it coming at all in this one. Characters from previous novels in the Haunted Minds series make an appearance. It could probably be read as a stand alone but the reader might be a bit lost without knowledge of previous novels in the series.
A brand new house stands where the previous one stood on Normandy Road but is it really any different? A must read to find out!!
A brand new house stands where the previous one stood on Normandy Road but is it really any different? A must read to find out!!
March 11, 2020
Enjoyed this one too . Cant wait for the next which is coming tomorrow.
March 2, 2017
What I like about Children of the Dark Light: Haunted Minds Book 4 was that the main character, Amanda, related the haunted house horror story in first person.
It was a gripping tale, but surprisingly not as scary as I expected it would be. Maybe it is because the demonic beings, and characters, with the exception of Tom, are familiar to me from the three other books in the Haunted Minds Series, which I read.
. The book took you down Memory Lane with references to characters in Books 1, 2, and 3 - The Ghost of Normandy Road, Clara’s Song, and The Girl who Collected Butterflies.
Marissa Coton, the creepy girl who collected Butterflies, returned in a different role but with the same mission – to inflict terror.
Child abuse and prison life were new and interesting topics discussed by characters and added to the intrigue.
The ending was unexpected.
I have always loved Author John Hennessy’s scintillating stories and look forward to reading more of his publications.
It was a gripping tale, but surprisingly not as scary as I expected it would be. Maybe it is because the demonic beings, and characters, with the exception of Tom, are familiar to me from the three other books in the Haunted Minds Series, which I read.
. The book took you down Memory Lane with references to characters in Books 1, 2, and 3 - The Ghost of Normandy Road, Clara’s Song, and The Girl who Collected Butterflies.
Marissa Coton, the creepy girl who collected Butterflies, returned in a different role but with the same mission – to inflict terror.
Child abuse and prison life were new and interesting topics discussed by characters and added to the intrigue.
The ending was unexpected.
I have always loved Author John Hennessy’s scintillating stories and look forward to reading more of his publications.
September 1, 2025
I love the "Haunted Minds" series by John Hennessy. I have read this one before. "Children of the Dark Light and am now reading it again. This is one of my favorites, along with the book "Ghost of Normandy Road"
February 28, 2017
This amazing story could be seen as something that holds together all the previous books in the series like an exquisite vase into which the author places three beautiful flowers that can each stand on its own but become even a greater piece of art in their final arrangement. In the fourth book, we find the same themes of struggling marriage and local legends concerning the haunted house on Normandy Road, which we may know from the other books. We meet the same characters in different phases of their lives and also the same demonic beings under a new generic name, Children of Dark Light.
There are many interesting themes in this book, so let me mention at least a few. While the mood of the first book was rather optimistic since the main character had to face the horrors of the haunted house while experiencing uplifting feelings of first love, this book shows us what the same place becomes when one’s marriage is falling apart and there is no love that would overcome everything.
While Clara’s Song also focused on the theme of failing marriage and madness in the midst of evil things happening, this book contains more of the paranormal stuff, though evil again comes both in human and non-human forms. What is quite unique in this book is comparing paranormal kinds of demons with demonic people who seem even scarier and haunt their victims for many years. Yet it turns out that demons of one kind can be used as tools against demons of the other kind -- but there comes a high price of course.
We meet the same creepy girl Marisa from the book The Girl Who Collected Butterflies, but she is collecting far more sinister things now. She is also equipped with new destructive weapons of her now fully developed sexuality.
This final book has its own surprising twist and a message about a marriage that is haunted by external forces and being put to a difficult test. It’s as beautifully written as the other books by John Hennessy, including the first award-winning book in this series.
There are many interesting themes in this book, so let me mention at least a few. While the mood of the first book was rather optimistic since the main character had to face the horrors of the haunted house while experiencing uplifting feelings of first love, this book shows us what the same place becomes when one’s marriage is falling apart and there is no love that would overcome everything.
While Clara’s Song also focused on the theme of failing marriage and madness in the midst of evil things happening, this book contains more of the paranormal stuff, though evil again comes both in human and non-human forms. What is quite unique in this book is comparing paranormal kinds of demons with demonic people who seem even scarier and haunt their victims for many years. Yet it turns out that demons of one kind can be used as tools against demons of the other kind -- but there comes a high price of course.
We meet the same creepy girl Marisa from the book The Girl Who Collected Butterflies, but she is collecting far more sinister things now. She is also equipped with new destructive weapons of her now fully developed sexuality.
This final book has its own surprising twist and a message about a marriage that is haunted by external forces and being put to a difficult test. It’s as beautifully written as the other books by John Hennessy, including the first award-winning book in this series.
July 4, 2017
There is a house that stand on Normandy street. It is a house that has seen horror and tragedy. It is a house that is the source of horror and tragedy. It is evil. Pure, unadulterated evil. You may not think a thing or a place can be evil, can actively seek to do harm, but you would be wrong.
And that's something the new tenets are about to learn.
Each book of the Haunted Minds series is like a piece to a puzzle - a creepy, bizzaro, brilliant puzzle. A puzzle that has no box telling you how it should turn out. You don't always understand at first all the ways they fit together. It's amazing planning and phenomenal writing that allows four completely separate stories to shifted into place to create a larger one. The characters change, the events are never the same, but the feeling is there - the creepy fascination.
Children of the Dark and Light follows the rest of the series in being completely entertaining and thought provoking. It's not a book or a series that is easily forgotten.
And that's something the new tenets are about to learn.
Each book of the Haunted Minds series is like a piece to a puzzle - a creepy, bizzaro, brilliant puzzle. A puzzle that has no box telling you how it should turn out. You don't always understand at first all the ways they fit together. It's amazing planning and phenomenal writing that allows four completely separate stories to shifted into place to create a larger one. The characters change, the events are never the same, but the feeling is there - the creepy fascination.
Children of the Dark and Light follows the rest of the series in being completely entertaining and thought provoking. It's not a book or a series that is easily forgotten.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews