The Dark

The Hybrid #3

by E.K. Frances

Abandoned to face a fate worse than death, Sebastian Parker is out for revenge.

In this third book in the series, Sebastian struggles with his demons, returns to the Academy, and finally meets his match.

Will Sebastian be able to quell his thirst for vengeance? How will he handle the brutalities of the Academy? Will he join up with the Agency in their biggest battle?

Find out, in the darkest book yet, in THE HYBRID series.

393 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2022

About the author

Born with a love of fantasy, and an out-of-control imagination, E.K. Frances has been creating stories all their life. Whether travelling the world, or walking the dog, their mind is always dreaming up a new adventure.

Dark, gritty, broken worlds; fast-moving plots, and morally grey characters; blurred lines between right and wrong, and plenty of twists. If you like the sound of that, you will enjoy E.K. Frances’ books.

Are you ready to embrace the darkness?

Mailing list | Follow on BookBub | Follow on Amazon

Reviews

[Khira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following this fantasy series for a while and it just keeps getting better and better. In this third book, Seb, a powerful member of a new race with extended powers, must find his place in a world filled with power plays, manipulation and betrayal, while holding on to his own identity. There is the theme of light versus dark, yet the characters who profess to fight for light commit dark acts and vice versa, to the point where the most obvious motivation becomes fear and quest for power. The most disturbing relationship in the series, for me, is that between Seb and Neptune, one of his teachers. The swings are complex and this adds to the feeling that ground is shifting beneath Seb's feet. There is fast action, complicated choices, and a yearning for justice within the narrative. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

[Joanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebastian is a quad... an alpha of ever increasing power (not to be confused with shape shifting, wolf pack, alphas). Could he be the 'Light' of the prophecy? Will he turn 'Dark'? The rest of the Alphas are scared of him, the humans fear all alphas, and he has been locked at the bottom of a tower when his powers have been drained while trying to please everyone. He is trapped and is withering away. How will this young man deal with his own thoughts and make peace with his situation?
This series is a page turner, with new insights into this unfolding situation, keeping the reader engaged and sympathetic to the main characters unfolding misery, which is his life.
I received a complimentary copy in return for this honest review.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dark is book 3 in the Hybrid series by E.k Frances.
The novel continues to follow Seb, who is abandoned to a fate worse than death and struggles with his demons. He is out for revenge and finally meets his match.
I enjoyed carrying on with Seb's story at the academy and was willing him on to be brave and to handle what ever is thrown at him.
I really enjoyed the dark, E. K Frances is a brilliant writer, with a great ability to tell a great story. I definitely recommend the dark and the rest of the Hybrid series. I look forward to reading the next part in the series.

[Chicken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't seem to stop reading this series.

I've now read the first 3 books straight through so have to force myself to get some sleep. But definitely will be reading the next ones very soon.

[Emmeline Everdeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Seb. That was pretty much what I was thinking throughout this book. He’s just constantly being brought down, hurt and used by those around him. The middle of the story kind of dragged on a bit but the ending definitely picked up and I’m excited to read the next book in the series.
I think YA fantasy readers will really enjoy this series.

[Art Isaacs · Rating 5 out of 5]

With 'The Dark', E.K. Frances again immerses you into her world of the all-too-human, but highly powerful Alphas, giving her characters even more depth and showing all their very real faults and frailties.

I enjoyed reading and highly recommend The Dark, though you cannot but feel so for the entirely misunderstood and feared Sebastian, her long-suffering protagonist, as well as so many of the other characters. Frances creates a world of these such evolved people that are still being manipulated by myth, superstition and fear. That betrayal and deceit abound and it's hard to see who is your true ally at any given moment. Or what really happens in the dark.

In a world of those that are 'Light' and 'Dark', and overall brutal in their treatment of what they don't understand, Seb has only ever fleetingly been happy and free from torture. You find that the strength of his character is not his Light or Power, but in his ability to see beyond himself and his tormentors.

I enjoy Frances's writing, both in style and in content. The stories, while very dark and brutal, show the resilience of her characters and their ability to find and show love and take solace in the most dire circumstances. That they are believable, real and human, even while being something very different.

When I finished 'The Dark', I got that emptiness that always comes when you leave an engrossing story, because I had become part of it; I inserted myself in the story and now don't want it to end.
At least in this case, I know there's another volume coming. Well done.

[Ann Birdgenaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation of the ‘light vs. dark’ Hybrid series by E.K. Frances. Intriguing read as the character arcs develop and the storyline gets darker, through pain and suffering. The tortured soul, Seb, is still trying to figure out where he fits in and who are his true allies. I usually gravitate to lighter reading material, but this one is so well written that I couldn’t look away, even when I wanted to. Frances keeps you reading and rooting for Seb to find a some happiness and relief with little glimmers of light, his true spirit shining through. Like his 'sweet' relationship with Adam, his quest to help the children of necros and his unbidden love for Sam. Highly recommended to fans of dark fantasy!

[Kerrie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book but why?

I have cried through 3 books and can't seem to stop. Please give Seb a happy ending. Don't make him endure all of this just to end up dead or miserable.

[Jordan Encee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have so many questions 🫠

After the last book, I hoped things would be a lot more smoother. Maybe the MC actually turns dark to go on rampage. However, he did not which I thought was great. But a bigger HOWEVER, is the choices made in this book. Why would he go back to the person the planned a murder and locked him away in the tower?! Why would he be beaten up and then let go also, why would he agree to be at a disadvantage?! Yeah it is explained but I don’t think it made any sense. I’m just hoping NOW, things can be a lot more straightforward and less complicated.

[Tracee Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great dsytopian fantasy series for teens. No spice, just lots of teen trauma and bulling with mistrust for good reasons from a male perspective. Main character can be irritating and choppy at times, but maybe it's my age.

Waiting for 3rd book of Alpha series to see how Daniel and Sébastien relate.

Definately recommend for teens!

Commented added after finishing both series:

I really enjoyed this teen dystopian fantasy series! The MC is male with a great supporting cast of good and evil. Makes me want to reread the Hybrid series after finishing New Dawn.

I recommend reading the prequels before starting on the Hybrid series. New Dawn was just released so I didn't read them in order.

They are very well written and New Dawn really pulled on my heart strings like the Hybrid series did.

A good series stays with you and these did that for me.