Review of The Darkest Passages

[Love Ukaegbu]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Darkest Passages" by Len Handeland.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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When I picked up this book, I wasn't sure what to expect, but after I flipped through the first few pages, I was already immersed in the storyline. It felt like I was watching The Vampire Diaries all over again. 

This book, The Darkest Passages by Len Handeland, starts with the protagonist, Fabien Levesque, running from his ex-lover, Stefan. Fabien was a human living a simple and everyday life. He suddenly faced his worst nightmare as Stefan turned him into a vampire, a creature of the dark. Stefan was ruthless and did not have an ounce of pity for anyone or anything, whether a man or a child. After he turned Fabien into a vampire, he used him in every horrible way possible; he made him kill people and feed on their blood, kill children and families, and even sexually have his way with him, all against his will. Stefan eventually lets Fabien go but with a stern warning. After Fabien leaves, he goes against Stefan's warning, and in an attempt to punish him, Stefan kills him. Several years passed, and somehow, Fabien was brought back to life. With the help of several other vampires and a vampire hunter, a plan is made to eradicate Stefan from the world for good this time. Does this plan work out? Or, once again, is Stefan one step ahead of them? Can a vampire hunter genuinely work with the vampires, or is there a hidden agenda to eradicate them together? Well, find that out as you journey through this exciting fantasy world.

There was so much I loved about this book. The author's writing style is exciting and easy to flow with. The book was straightforward to understand, and you could feel the characters' emotions. It was well-paced, and no part of it bored me. The book's timeline was in sync, and I loved reading the book from different character perspectives. 

I had no dislikes for this book, as the characters were well-written and well-developed. Although Stefan was a villain, I did enjoy his character as well. Through the author's writing, you could tell that Fabien was very kind, and although he was a vampire, he had the heart of a human. 

This book is generally well-written and keeps readers hooked until the last word. I spotted only one spelling error at the end of the book, meaning that it was well-edited by a professional. For these reasons, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to lovers of fantasy and vampire stories.

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The Darkest Passages
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[SYED NATIQ ALI KAZMI]

The Darkest Passages has received a lot of attention from the audience because of the dark fantasy mystery it holds. There is no denying that its storyline and characters are interesting, however, the novel’s subject matter can be dark and provoking. All in all, it is recommended for readers who enjoy dark fiction.

[Simran Solanki]

The Darkest Passenger’ by Alex North narrates another novel with elements of psychological suspense that deals with the darkness of the human soul with direct references to such emotions as shame and trauma. North, who seems to specialize in building up tension and horror throughout a work of fiction, accomplishes this in this story.

In the book, there is a properly built conflict and the characters are quite realized. Using skillful storytelling, North presents a protagonist who faces a supernatural and ominous antagonist – the so-called “darkest passenger. ” As such, this is more than a thriller: It is a psychoanalysis of guilt and the past.

The horror novel is well developed and written by North; readers find themselves in a world where dreams and nightmares come true. The textual build-up is quite fast and the number of plot surprises is high. The suspense is gradually developed until the climax which might be a shocker but it is satisfying.

Nevertheless, it must also be admitted that the book has some weaknesses. The dark and heavy themes might not be well received by the readers especially the ones that do not like heavy books or very complicated thrillers. A part from that, some people can feel that at some points the pace of the story can be rather slow, for instance, during the moments of the main character’s reflection. At the same time, psychological density contributes to the work’s richness and layers; however, it might complicate the narrative and make it excessively intricate.

All in all, it can be seen that “The Darkest Passenger” can be quite interesting for those who like psychological thrillers and who do not shy away from exploring the negative tendencies of human’s nature. It can be said that it is a work in which the author wants the readers to face the uncomfortable idea of guilt and consequences of traumas. I may not be the type of book for everyone, but as a piece of fiction it is incredibly well done, and one that will stay with you long after it is finished.

[NetMassimo]

This novel uses the classic theme of vampires and vampire hunters while you can say it's mixing things up blurring the sides in a story in which strange alliances are forged but are not necessarily very strong. Thank you for your great review!

[Enkay Favour]

“The Darkest Passenger” by Alex North delves deep into the shadows of the human psyche, weaving a tale where psychological suspense intertwines with supernatural horror. North’s skillful exploration of guilt and trauma creates a gripping and unsettling narrative, though its intense themes and intricate plot might challenge some readers. It promises a thought-provoking experience for those drawn to complex psychological thrillers.

[Emmanuel Chima 3]

"The Darkest Passages" by Len Handeland offers an engaging blend of fantasy and vampire lore. The plot, which follows the troubled journey of Fabien Levesque as he battles his dark past and a ruthless ex-lover, is compelling and well-paced. The character development is strong, particularly with Fabien's complex portrayal and the intriguing villain Stefan. With a smooth writing style and minimal errors, it’s a captivating read for fans of the genre.

[Nuella Joseph]

*The Darkest Passages* by Len Handeland delivers an engaging and well-paced vampire fantasy with compelling characters and a gripping plot. The narrative smoothly intertwines perspectives and emotions, and while it contains mature themes, it is well-edited and easy to follow. Fans of the genre will likely find this book highly enjoyable.

[Mercy Ndungu 9]

The story follows Fabien Levesque, a once ordinary human whose life takes a horrific turn when his ex-lover, Stefan, turns him into a vampire. Stefan, a heartless and sadistic creature, forces Fabien into a life of darkness and violence.