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Dark Days
"A chosen one can come not only during dark times, but also on the brink of them." The dark times about to grace Sori are marked by a mysterious, ghost-like figure who begins to upset the balance the land has come to enjoy, manipulating members of the Galenvarg and Veirlintu sects into rebellion against the Duine. But hope for peace is not lost; the goddess Nantosuelta has selected her chosen one, a Leigheasan named Maya.
Maya is independent, curious, a skilled hunter, and a master smith, and unique among her kind in her connection to the land. But, sensing that she has an unrevealed purpose, she has yet to undertake her clan's rite of passage, and isolates herself from her peers. With Nantosuelta's blessing, Maya begins her quest to find her powers, prevent war, and establish herself as leader among the Leigheasan. But can she rally the clans in time to confront the dark days ahead?
Awards :
2020 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards : honorable mention in the categories of Young Adult Fiction and Science Fiction/Fantasy.
2021 Feathered Quill Book Awards : finalist for Science Fiction/Fantasy and Teen (13-18 years).
2021 American Fiction Awards : finalist in the Epic/High category
2021 Readers' Favorite Book Awards : honorable mention in the Young Adult category for Action.
2022 Book Excellence Awards : finalist in Young Adult Fiction
Maya is independent, curious, a skilled hunter, and a master smith, and unique among her kind in her connection to the land. But, sensing that she has an unrevealed purpose, she has yet to undertake her clan's rite of passage, and isolates herself from her peers. With Nantosuelta's blessing, Maya begins her quest to find her powers, prevent war, and establish herself as leader among the Leigheasan. But can she rally the clans in time to confront the dark days ahead?
Awards :
2020 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards : honorable mention in the categories of Young Adult Fiction and Science Fiction/Fantasy.
2021 Feathered Quill Book Awards : finalist for Science Fiction/Fantasy and Teen (13-18 years).
2021 American Fiction Awards : finalist in the Epic/High category
2021 Readers' Favorite Book Awards : honorable mention in the Young Adult category for Action.
2022 Book Excellence Awards : finalist in Young Adult Fiction
- GenresFantasy
ebook
Published October 30, 2020
4 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 12, 2020
I received a free ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this ARC did not influence my review in any way, the opinions expressed below are entirely my own.
And now, it's time for another case in...
THE BOOK COURT
OPENING STATEMENTS
All her life, Maya pushed herself to be the very best she could be. Researching everything there was to know about the continent of Sori, intense physical and mental training to keep her mind as sharp as the swords she became so adept at using. When a goddess visits Maya to encourage her to embrace her destiny, Maya realizes that she may just be the Chosen One who has been prophesized about for centuries. But there is a disturbing side to that prophecy. The arrival of a Chosen One means that there are dark times ahead for the world. Maya has trained herself to overcome any challenges she had previously faced, but is she ready to fight the unknown when a wielder of forbidden magics is threatening to unleash terrible times on the world she's supposed to save?
Sometimes being the Chosen One means you don't have a choice at all.
THE DEFENSE
- Original world and intricate worldbuilding
As I read this book, I really appreciated the care and craft D.W. put into creating his world. There have been times when I've picked up a new book and things seem so familiar I truly start to question if I've actually read the book before... be assured, this was not one of those times! D.W. has not only constructed a unique world here, but he has added so much depth and so many layers to it as well. There are various sects, each with their own traditions and politics. Even the designs of Maya's swords are like something I've never read before. This is a fantasy novel that focuses more on the world building than the action, but when the world is this fascinating to explore, it still makes for an exciting read. And speaking of the action...
- Well-crafted action sequences
As someone who has tried my own hand at writing, I can attest that attempting to put a fast-paced fight into words can be really difficult. I've had epic battles in my mind that when I tried to transfer it to the page came out more like "And then she swung her sword, and then he swung his sword, and then their swords hit each others swords". But D.W. does such a great job relaying the action for the reader, it's easy to forget that this is a new author rather than someone with over 20 fantasy novels already on the shelves. Not only is the fighting described so naturally, but D.W. also finds creative methods for Maya to use her powers as well. Maya isn't content to just throw fireballs at her opponents, she wields her mastery of the elements in various imaginative ways.
Formidable heroine and intimidating villain.
There is a lot of responsibility placed on the lead character of a book to make it worth reading, but much like her formidability in story, Maya is up for this challenge as well. She is such a likeable lead heroine, it is impossible not to root and cheer for her. I appreciated how strong and dedicated Maya was. In fact, my only real concern with Maya in the beginning was that she seemed a little bit too strong, to the point that it was hard to imagine anyone could really challenge her. However, this doubt in my mind was quickly removed once the villain of the piece was introduced! D.W. gave Maya an opponent who is not only effectual, but so chilling and threatening at times that he would be right at home in the horror section of the bookstore. Even the secondary villain was interesting to read about as he helped put the lead antagonist's machinations into motion. To me, characters matter even more than plot, and the lead characters on both sides of the morality coin made for a very valuable read.
Dialogue and characters reactions are entertaining and interesting.
Anyone who follows D.W. on Bookstagram knows how witty he can be, and that wit was on full display in the pages of this novel. There were multiple times when a character made a clever comment that made me laugh out loud. I don't want to give specific examples, as, let's face it, nothing spoils a joke more than giving away the punchline, suffice to say that there are moments of levity to help balance out the more serious events. I also enjoyed how some of the characters reacted to things. Again, I can't say too much for fear of spoiling any of the surprises, but when a revelation was made about a couple of the sects that I found shocking, it was an interesting contrast that the other characters in the novel treated this like it was just business as usual for them. And that is because in their world, it WAS just business as usual for them. The way characters behaved and reacted to the norms of their society was an additional level of immersion into this dynamic world created by D.W.
THE PROSECUTION
- The book feels a little too "info-dumpy" at parts
There was one area that took me out of the story sometimes, and that was in the way information about the history and inhabitants of Sori was sometimes relayed to the reader. This is especially noticeable in the beginning of the book, when a lot of terms and concepts are explained to the reader all at once, and there are points where it feels like things are being told instead of shown. This happened in the dialogue at times, too, when a character would explain something in such a way that it did not seem like an organic conversation so much as exposition primarily for the reader's sake. In the author's defense, walking that line between cohesive storytelling and exposition dumps is a tricky balancing act for even the most experienced writers, but it was something I found distracting at times. Still, if the biggest problem about a novel is that it throws a little too much information at you sometimes, that is still indicative of a very satisfying read!
THE VERDICT
A fun adventure within a rich and complex world! A charming heroine and a disturbing villain make for an engrossing read as they face their own trials and clash against each other. True, sometimes the exposition is a little clunky, but this is something I've seen many seasoned writers struggle with in their early novels, and I'm sure this is a technique that D.W. Saur will be able to smooth out as he continues to develop his craft. This is a great novel by a new talent, and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
And now, it's time for another case in...
THE BOOK COURT
OPENING STATEMENTS
All her life, Maya pushed herself to be the very best she could be. Researching everything there was to know about the continent of Sori, intense physical and mental training to keep her mind as sharp as the swords she became so adept at using. When a goddess visits Maya to encourage her to embrace her destiny, Maya realizes that she may just be the Chosen One who has been prophesized about for centuries. But there is a disturbing side to that prophecy. The arrival of a Chosen One means that there are dark times ahead for the world. Maya has trained herself to overcome any challenges she had previously faced, but is she ready to fight the unknown when a wielder of forbidden magics is threatening to unleash terrible times on the world she's supposed to save?
Sometimes being the Chosen One means you don't have a choice at all.
THE DEFENSE
- Original world and intricate worldbuilding
As I read this book, I really appreciated the care and craft D.W. put into creating his world. There have been times when I've picked up a new book and things seem so familiar I truly start to question if I've actually read the book before... be assured, this was not one of those times! D.W. has not only constructed a unique world here, but he has added so much depth and so many layers to it as well. There are various sects, each with their own traditions and politics. Even the designs of Maya's swords are like something I've never read before. This is a fantasy novel that focuses more on the world building than the action, but when the world is this fascinating to explore, it still makes for an exciting read. And speaking of the action...
- Well-crafted action sequences
As someone who has tried my own hand at writing, I can attest that attempting to put a fast-paced fight into words can be really difficult. I've had epic battles in my mind that when I tried to transfer it to the page came out more like "And then she swung her sword, and then he swung his sword, and then their swords hit each others swords". But D.W. does such a great job relaying the action for the reader, it's easy to forget that this is a new author rather than someone with over 20 fantasy novels already on the shelves. Not only is the fighting described so naturally, but D.W. also finds creative methods for Maya to use her powers as well. Maya isn't content to just throw fireballs at her opponents, she wields her mastery of the elements in various imaginative ways.
Formidable heroine and intimidating villain.
There is a lot of responsibility placed on the lead character of a book to make it worth reading, but much like her formidability in story, Maya is up for this challenge as well. She is such a likeable lead heroine, it is impossible not to root and cheer for her. I appreciated how strong and dedicated Maya was. In fact, my only real concern with Maya in the beginning was that she seemed a little bit too strong, to the point that it was hard to imagine anyone could really challenge her. However, this doubt in my mind was quickly removed once the villain of the piece was introduced! D.W. gave Maya an opponent who is not only effectual, but so chilling and threatening at times that he would be right at home in the horror section of the bookstore. Even the secondary villain was interesting to read about as he helped put the lead antagonist's machinations into motion. To me, characters matter even more than plot, and the lead characters on both sides of the morality coin made for a very valuable read.
Dialogue and characters reactions are entertaining and interesting.
Anyone who follows D.W. on Bookstagram knows how witty he can be, and that wit was on full display in the pages of this novel. There were multiple times when a character made a clever comment that made me laugh out loud. I don't want to give specific examples, as, let's face it, nothing spoils a joke more than giving away the punchline, suffice to say that there are moments of levity to help balance out the more serious events. I also enjoyed how some of the characters reacted to things. Again, I can't say too much for fear of spoiling any of the surprises, but when a revelation was made about a couple of the sects that I found shocking, it was an interesting contrast that the other characters in the novel treated this like it was just business as usual for them. And that is because in their world, it WAS just business as usual for them. The way characters behaved and reacted to the norms of their society was an additional level of immersion into this dynamic world created by D.W.
THE PROSECUTION
- The book feels a little too "info-dumpy" at parts
There was one area that took me out of the story sometimes, and that was in the way information about the history and inhabitants of Sori was sometimes relayed to the reader. This is especially noticeable in the beginning of the book, when a lot of terms and concepts are explained to the reader all at once, and there are points where it feels like things are being told instead of shown. This happened in the dialogue at times, too, when a character would explain something in such a way that it did not seem like an organic conversation so much as exposition primarily for the reader's sake. In the author's defense, walking that line between cohesive storytelling and exposition dumps is a tricky balancing act for even the most experienced writers, but it was something I found distracting at times. Still, if the biggest problem about a novel is that it throws a little too much information at you sometimes, that is still indicative of a very satisfying read!
THE VERDICT
A fun adventure within a rich and complex world! A charming heroine and a disturbing villain make for an engrossing read as they face their own trials and clash against each other. True, sometimes the exposition is a little clunky, but this is something I've seen many seasoned writers struggle with in their early novels, and I'm sure this is a technique that D.W. Saur will be able to smooth out as he continues to develop his craft. This is a great novel by a new talent, and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
March 13, 2021
Dark Days is an action-packed, young adult fantasy that has just the right amount of medieval-era political intrigue.
This is the first instalment in the Covenant series, and Saur has set the stage for a compelling saga. The book has intricate worldbuilding, and the way that magic works is both complex and fascinating. Dark Days introduces a richly crafted history and mythology, and there are many little seeds of the way that magic works that I suspect will continue to grow throughout the series.
This book includes words from various languages, from Gaelic to Dutch, which is explained in the Author’s Note at the beginning of the novel. The author has provided a glossary, which was helpful, but not necessary to consult, as all the words were either defined when first introduced, or context gave enough clues that I could easily figure out what the words meant. That said, the glossary is something of a nerd's paradise, giving additional information for those who want to take their reading experience to the next level.
While there are a lot of new words introduced and there is intensive worldbuilding at play, the book is far from slow-paced. There is a lot of action and adventure packed between the covers of this book, including intense and somewhat violent fight scenes and twists in the plot that kept me trying to guess what would happen next. At times, the writing reminded me a little of Tolkien, but far more succinct and I fortunately didn’t have to endure any long-winded poems. (I love Tolkien, but I do have to skip the songs.)
Dark Days
has feminist themes, as young Maya is underestimated by her peers in the early parts of this book. At one point, she wonders if she would be questioned to this level if she were a young boy, not a girl. Maya has to prove herself to those around her as she undergoes the trials that are a rite of passage for her people. This book combats some tropes that are incredibly common in young adult fantasy novels. For instance, right off the bat her parents are quite supportive of her, and they believe that she can do anything that she sets her mind to. This is a far cry from what we usually see in these types of books--either neglectful parents or those who don’t believe in their child’s potential.
The book may have benefited from a map in the front--not because it’s necessary as a reader to understand what’s going on, but because it would have been fun to flip to it to map out the different places that Maya was travelling to.
Overall, this an intriguing first instalment in the Covenant Saga and is for readers who love detailed worldbuilding and fast-paced adventure stories.
*Thank you to the author for the ebook to review*
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
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My 2021 Reading Challenge
September 11, 2023
A wonderful action-packed story full of heart! I thoroughly enjoyed the tournament aspect and especially how the main lead, Maya, handled it. She was an epic female MC that never backed down no matter what. A great inspiration for younger readers. I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers of all ages to enjoy☺️
January 24, 2024
Dark Days meets the bar when it comes to merging pacing and world building, never drowning you out with filler or unnecessary composition. Every word, action, or conversation serves the authors story, fully immersing you in the land of Sori.
Main Character Maya is a driven, capable and torn character. Willing to learn, better herself, learn from mistakes, and keep pushing beyond whatever adversity stands in her path.
The author has also taken the time to leave a full glossary of terms for those unfamiliar with certain descriptions, both educational and a sign into the creativity and research gone into creating this twisting, lung bursting, middle aged drama.
April 13, 2023
Dark Days is an impressive, thoughtfully designed fantasy debut for D.W. Saur.
I was immediately struck by all the little details included in the story, from the setting to the characters, that made this read such a fulfilling experience. The unique world of Sori is richly described so that you feel the world building around you. Character development was en pointe with protagonists you grow to love, and antagonists you love to hate. It was refreshing to see Maya, the main character, as a strong female lead, free from the usual stereotypes and cliches found in other books. She’s tough, trusts her own instincts, and doesn’t need a romantic interest to distract her… her sole focus is on saving her friends and family and restoring balance to her realm.
The cast, in general, was composed of a wide variety of mythical creatures, imbued with elemental magic, that were like no others I have read before. Each species had their own religion, political views, and even their own languages, with various terms sprinkled throughout the book to give it flavour. I enjoyed periodically checking the glossary of terms provided at the back of the book to see, with amusement, how badly I was mispronouncing the words.
Overall, there was a perfect balance of story building, description, humour, adventure, and heart pounding action sequences. There were unpredictable twists, especially at the end, and an epic battle scene that has you sitting at the edge of your seat.
This book is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts who read to escape reality. Hope there’s a sequel on the way!
I was immediately struck by all the little details included in the story, from the setting to the characters, that made this read such a fulfilling experience. The unique world of Sori is richly described so that you feel the world building around you. Character development was en pointe with protagonists you grow to love, and antagonists you love to hate. It was refreshing to see Maya, the main character, as a strong female lead, free from the usual stereotypes and cliches found in other books. She’s tough, trusts her own instincts, and doesn’t need a romantic interest to distract her… her sole focus is on saving her friends and family and restoring balance to her realm.
The cast, in general, was composed of a wide variety of mythical creatures, imbued with elemental magic, that were like no others I have read before. Each species had their own religion, political views, and even their own languages, with various terms sprinkled throughout the book to give it flavour. I enjoyed periodically checking the glossary of terms provided at the back of the book to see, with amusement, how badly I was mispronouncing the words.
Overall, there was a perfect balance of story building, description, humour, adventure, and heart pounding action sequences. There were unpredictable twists, especially at the end, and an epic battle scene that has you sitting at the edge of your seat.
This book is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts who read to escape reality. Hope there’s a sequel on the way!
March 15, 2024
D.W. Saur's 'Dark Days' transported me into a captivating realm of dark fantasy, where the fate of an entire land (Sori) hangs in the balance. Maya, the chosen one bestowed with the goddess Nantosuelta's blessing, emerged as a compelling protagonist, weaving her way through a world teetering on the edge of chaos. Saur's skillful world building plunged me into a richly imagined setting, brought to life through vivid descriptions and intricate detail.
While my initial immersion into the story was challenging due to its unique terminology, Saur provided a helpful glossary that enhanced my reading experience. Once acclimated, I found myself unable to tear away from Maya's journey, as she grappled with her newfound powers and navigated the complexities of leadership.
The strength of 'Dark Days' lies not only in its captivating plot, but also in its well-developed characters. Maya shines as a determined, powerful, and flawed young heroine, whose evolution throughout the story is both compelling and relatable. Supporting characters are equally fleshed out, adding depth and dimension to the story's tapestry.
Overall, 'Dark Days' is a must-read for fans of high/dark/young adult fantasy, offering an enthralling blend of intrigue, adventure, and mythology. Saur's masterful storytelling sets the stage for an epic series, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an immersive fantasy tale that lingers long after the final page.
While my initial immersion into the story was challenging due to its unique terminology, Saur provided a helpful glossary that enhanced my reading experience. Once acclimated, I found myself unable to tear away from Maya's journey, as she grappled with her newfound powers and navigated the complexities of leadership.
The strength of 'Dark Days' lies not only in its captivating plot, but also in its well-developed characters. Maya shines as a determined, powerful, and flawed young heroine, whose evolution throughout the story is both compelling and relatable. Supporting characters are equally fleshed out, adding depth and dimension to the story's tapestry.
Overall, 'Dark Days' is a must-read for fans of high/dark/young adult fantasy, offering an enthralling blend of intrigue, adventure, and mythology. Saur's masterful storytelling sets the stage for an epic series, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an immersive fantasy tale that lingers long after the final page.
March 29, 2022
D.W. Saur did a wonderful job creating a complete world understandable and yet unique in its intricacies. Dark Days is also completely true to it's purpose in giving girls a role model worthy of the title. I am hoping he will continue Maya's story in another book.
December 14, 2022
Magic, Clans, War….what more could you ask for?
Great world building and is a fantastic start to the series!
I look forward to seeing how the author progresses the story and the new adventures that Maya and her clan/friends will embark on.
Great world building and is a fantastic start to the series!
I look forward to seeing how the author progresses the story and the new adventures that Maya and her clan/friends will embark on.
July 1, 2022
If you are looking for a unique and fun self published book to dive into then I suggest giving this one a spin.
This book follows a strong willed and dedicated woman named Maya, whom after being chosen by a goddess, must undertake an exciting journey to find her powers, prevents war and establish herself as a leader to her people.
Maya is a compelling protagonist to follow through an intricate world filled with varied and unique peoples and sects. The villain of the story is both intriguing and hatable and the general conflict is very compelling. For a book that clock in at just under 300 pages, it is filled with well defined and enjoyable action and was just an overall good time. My only complaint is that there are points in which some of the information about both the world and the peoples/sects felt just a tad bit info dumpy, but even so, it wasn’t overkill and didn’t detract from the overall tale.
Highly recommend if you are looking for something new and different.
This book follows a strong willed and dedicated woman named Maya, whom after being chosen by a goddess, must undertake an exciting journey to find her powers, prevents war and establish herself as a leader to her people.
Maya is a compelling protagonist to follow through an intricate world filled with varied and unique peoples and sects. The villain of the story is both intriguing and hatable and the general conflict is very compelling. For a book that clock in at just under 300 pages, it is filled with well defined and enjoyable action and was just an overall good time. My only complaint is that there are points in which some of the information about both the world and the peoples/sects felt just a tad bit info dumpy, but even so, it wasn’t overkill and didn’t detract from the overall tale.
Highly recommend if you are looking for something new and different.
December 14, 2020
A young leigheasan woman named Maya becomes the chosen one to lead the battle that is about to erupt in sori. Selected by the great goddess Nantosuelta herself, Maya considers if her independence and curious mind have what it takes to lead her people away from danger. But, Maya's bravery plunges her knee deep as she begins her arduous journey to find herself and prevent a war.
D.W Saur does an amazing job with world-building in this novel, creating: descriptive, elaborate, and most of all, a unique setting. It's evident that a lot of time went into the delicate construction of the world these characters live in; this absolutely shines through in the novel. The world resembles the middle ages, but also encompasses: power, evil, magic, and much more.
The appendix really helps to summarize some of the words of foreign origin but I had fun improvising and creating my own pronunciation as I read.
We have a witty heroine that everyone will surely love, and a clever villain everyone will love to hate. What could be better?
I loved the story and I'm looking forward to the next instalment!
D.W Saur does an amazing job with world-building in this novel, creating: descriptive, elaborate, and most of all, a unique setting. It's evident that a lot of time went into the delicate construction of the world these characters live in; this absolutely shines through in the novel. The world resembles the middle ages, but also encompasses: power, evil, magic, and much more.
The appendix really helps to summarize some of the words of foreign origin but I had fun improvising and creating my own pronunciation as I read.
We have a witty heroine that everyone will surely love, and a clever villain everyone will love to hate. What could be better?
I loved the story and I'm looking forward to the next instalment!
October 20, 2023
Dark Days by D.W Saur is the first book I’m reading by this author. What an interesting and intriguing fantasy story. It was really well written and I was definitely captivated by this world. The worldbuilding was incredible and I was really immersed. The descriptions were really well done as it was easy to picture everything I was reading. I found myself not able to put my kindle down. This book took me on a journey with gods, goddesses and a chosen one. The characters were really well written and fleshed out really well and the development was great. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend reading this book if you enjoy a good fantasy tale.
Final review:
4 out of 5 stars
Final review:
4 out of 5 stars
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews