Scotopia: First Dusk

by Spencer Pizzani

In the darkness of Morton City, the phantom of industrial decay lingers around the once vibrant center of commerce on the Maywine River. Among derelict cranes and abandoned buildings, a small city struggles to continue as a husk of its former self, and children are being screened in secret for the gift driving a quiet war among shadows. Selwyn has always called Morton her city, tracing it's careworn concrete with her boots, catching her fishnets on rusting ladders as she climbs up fire escapes. Being gothic is as much a part of her personality as Morton, a dark girl in a dark city. But when an impossible illness strikes, her only chance to prove her sanity will drive her into the deepest recesses of the city to discover the darker side of her home. What she will discover attracts the attention of The Disciples of Zynal, a dangerous and timeless cult that wields more than just enormous influence bought through corruption. Their only opposition will place Selwyn in a desperate crossfire, sending a standoff into renewed conflict where everyone but her knows the rules to a deadly game where she's suddenly the prize. If Selwyn hopes to survive, she'll have to discover who she is beneath the fishnet and corset, and learn to navigate Scotopia. First Dusk is a full length Gothic Urban Fantasy novel bursting at the seams with 115,000 words! This is the first volume in the Scotopia series by Spencer Pizzani. Get a sneak peek at Selwyn's point of view with Whispers in the Shadows, a prologue short story available FREE at ScotopiaOnline.com The author wants to hear from you! Email your reactions, opinions, and favorite parts to Selwyn.Acaytha(at)gmail.com

Genres: Fantasy

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2013

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was super surprised at how this hooked me. The story kept me coming back and thinking it through when I couldn't read.
I rate this a must read.
Goth isn't my usual read but I'd felt challenged. Remembering that a challenge from my son once got me reading Enders Game brought me to try this too. I am SO glad I did.
The author had me intrigued from the start. The story had me hooked. He brought to life the myriad of feelings and emotions other authors seem to leave flat. There is intrigue of the unknown, heart racing struggles and at points I found myself rooting for the other guys. Not the OTHER other guys but well... you have to read it to know what I mean.
There is a lot of moving pieces and Spencer tied them in nicely and believable. He left me wanting more. There are some questions that were left unanswered and I have an "I want to know" personality. An interesting thing is that really these questions didn't leave the book feeling UNDONE like some I have read. It is complete in itself. however, KNOWING there is another installment lends me to think, "Yahoo!!"
I saw this as a film from the very first chapter. When I comes out I will surely go see it!
Now to go get the second book.

[K.C. Riley-Gyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there were some errors such as some missing words or wrong words and a mix of present and past tense in the same sentence, this was an enjoyable story. It had me tense with its suspense and a bit teary-eyed the odd time or two. The world created within the story kept my attention until I had it completed. For me, despite the errors, it was a good read (pun not intended lol).