Official Review: Dark and Day by Israel Grey

[S dot Lennon]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dark and Day" by Israel Grey.]

Jonothon Wyer lives with his family in the Dark End of Earth. He has only heard stories of the sun and of blue skies. He has been raised to fear the wizards and the magic that inhabit the Day End of the Earth. His entire life he has only known the darkness of the sky and the stars that inhabit it. He has now been accepted to Windom Academy and will become a soldier in the Empress’ army. His heart, which requires him to carry a regulator, along with his lungs, which require him to wear a mask that filters the air to breath, will both be repaired in exchange for his service, once he reaches the academy. Before he leaves, his family takes him to The Shrine of Seraphim for him to walk the Path of the Angels. There he finds a circular old relic with a jewel in the center. Aquinas, the caretaker of the Shrine, believes that it is Apollyon’s Key, the key of destruction. Now Jonothon and Aquinas are making their way to the Day End to keep the key away from the corrupt Empress who wants to bring darkness to the far reaches of Earth. Putting all of his trust in Aquinas and finding unknown strength and courage in himself he leaves everything he knows behind to become a hero.

Dark & Day is a mix between a science fiction and fantasy novel that looks at two battling societies and how their bias attitudes towards one another have an alarming and deadly affect on the future. The story centers on a young, weak boy who more than anything wants to be normal and accepted. Jonothon is now considered by some to be the Chosen One, who has found the key which can control the sun itself. He has to discover for himself the truth within the lies he has been told and what he wants to fight for. What is the truth within the prejudice he has been taught. I found myself rooting for this character the entire novel. Jonothon was a very well developed and likeable character. I understood and sympathized with his need to prove himself as more than his weaknesses.

This novel was enjoyable, action packed, and full of both fantasy elements and advanced technology seen in science fiction novels. It was obvious from the beginning of the novel, the amount of fear and bias that existed between the two ends of the Earth. That fear and intensity propelled the novel forward and made its self present in the many decisions made by Jonothon, as well as the other major characters.

Dark & Day did have a few technical issues. There were a lot of grammatical errors that could easily be fixed with another round of editing. I would have also appreciated more detail when describing the many different species of humanoid characters. The technology in this world needed to be described in more detail as well. Certain aspects, like how the repairs and powers were given to the cadets at Windom Academy, would have helped with clarity in the story.

I give this novel 3 out of 4 stars. The fluidity of the story, the action packed moments spread throughout the book and Jonothon’s adventure in general would definitely make me recommend this story and read the sequel. The technical issues though hindered parts of the story.

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