Review of A Song in the Dark

[Alida Spies]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Song in the Dark" by C. Graves.]

---

4 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

In “A Song in the Dark," C. Graves creates a fascinating world with various cities, nations, languages, unique landscapes, dangerous creatures and unusual heroes. Graves’ world-building is admirable, and I can imagine what fantastic ideas he will incorporate into the next six books in the series.
 
Gregor and Aileen are brother and sister. Baldwin is their best friend. They love playing adventurous games and picturing fictitious villains, creatures and scenarios. Aileen, now at an advanced age, lets the story unfold, starting with a highly imaginative game and continuing their journey to the harvest festival. They are thrilled by the puppet show, wrestling matches and phantasmagoria portrayed in the tales of the talented fabler. While crossing the fast-flowing Blackwater River on their way back to Riverview, where they live, Aileen falls into the river and disappears. Gregor is determined to find his sister, and Baldwin joins him on his quest. After unsuccessfully attempting to obtain help in Riverview, they meet Cunung, who agrees to locate Aileen and leads the boys into the Dark Below, where he thinks Aileen is being held captive.
 
Their journey is fraught with danger, and they encounter creatures they thought were only figments of their imagination. The pace is fast-moving, with one adventure following quickly on another. Although the language is easy to understand, I encountered several new words describing the weaponry used by Cunung and his adversaries. The author weaves concepts like loyalty, friendship, the importance of family and dealing with grief into the tale. For Baldwin, the story also represents a journey of discovery and overcoming challenges affecting his personality. These aspects add depth to the novel and set it apart from the usual science fiction, action-filled books. The author even includes some romance and humor.
 
The protagonists meet friendly, caring people and form meaningful relationships. I loved the character of Kl'kn, somewhat flawed, but his heart is in the right place. Alfons and Sigi play a significant role in the children’s lives, caring for their physical and emotional needs. I experienced the cooperation between visitors and citizens in Gryfburg to keep the city safe a significant highlight. Character development is exceptional, and I grew to love many of them.
 
Although the book displayed perfectly in PDF format, I had technical problems when copying the text, e.g., to list errors in the book. It could be my mistake, but I’ve never encountered a similar difficulty. It was quite irritating. The many instances of text written in made-up languages were disruptive to the narrative. I found some errors, but in my view, the book was professionally edited. Because of the items leading to frustration, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
 
The book is suitable for young readers and contains no profanity or sexual content. Anyone who enjoys reading about different worlds, sinister beings and unusual adventures will enjoy this book.

******
A Song in the Dark
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[NetMassimo]

I might be too old for this kind of story but this seems like the kind of series that offers a fictional world in which you can get immersed to fully enjoy the plot. Made-up languages are tricky to use, so the reaction is probably very subjective. Thank you for your great review!

[Mary John 10]

In A Song in the Dark by C. Graves, readers are transported to a rich, imaginative world filled with unique cities, nations, and dangerous creatures. The story follows siblings Gregor and Aileen, along with their best friend Baldwin, who embark on an adventurous journey. Their playful game turns into a life-changing quest when Aileen mysteriously disappears while crossing the Blackwater River. Gregor, determined to rescue her, is joined by Baldwin and a mysterious guide named Cunung, who leads them into the perilous Dark Below. The book promises an exciting adventure with plenty of world-building and intriguing characters, setting the stage for the next books in the series.

[Naimah Agboluaje]

This review provides insightful and positive feedback on "A Song in the Dark" by C. Graves. The reviewer commends the author's world-building skills, captivating storytelling, and well-developed characters. They also appreciate the incorporation of themes like friendship, family, and grief. However, they mention some technical issues with copying the text and occasional disruption caused by made-up languages. Overall, they rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. Based on this review, I would consider "A Song in the Dark" a compelling read, particularly for young readers who enjoy imaginative worlds and thrilling adventures. Engrossing read, lost track of time.