Review of Dark Origins

[Kelsey Roy]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dark Origins" by AJ Parnell.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Dark Origins by AJ Parnell is the first book in a horror series called Making Monsters. The book has a shifting POV, which revolves around the main characters. We first meet Vander, a nine-year-old boy who lives in the 'shanties' of Cape Town, South Africa. Vander lives a hard life of subsistence through theft and begging. Although he lives with his parents, he's better off alone, as he provides food and money for his abusive and alcoholic father, who regularly beats Vander and his mother.

Next, we meet Erin Reese and Peter O'Reily, two Interpol agents, who arrive in Cape Town following a string of horrific murders committed by a depraved serial killer known for his beautiful floral carvings in his victims' flesh. Can they catch the killer in this land of corruption and violence? Along comes Alexander Dayton, a philanthropist, who is building a school in Cape Town for underprivileged youths. Alexander takes Vander under his wing, but will he help the boy or cause more suffering than before?

There is a significant paranormal element to the story as Vander possesses gifts that allow him to see spirits; have premonitions; and travel through the veil, which separates existence from the afterlife in his sleep. Vander has seen more in his young life than many will see through their decades-long journey through this world.

My favorite part of this book was the search for the serial killer. Throughout most of the book, I bounced back and forth on who I potentially thought could be responsible for the murder and desecration of so many victims. There is a shifting POV between Vander, Agent Reese, Alexander, the corrupt Major Kgotso, and others. This perspective shift added intriguing yet unanswered questions until the author finally revealed the killer. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this horror novel.

It's hard to say I found nothing to dislike when the author filled this book with the worst aspects of humanity. However, the author's ability to depict this horrifying setting while evoking pity, sorrow, anger, and compassion within the reader is nothing short of amazing. This story is impactful, and I highly recommend that readers who can stomach the topics within try this book out.

My heart aches for Vander as he endures hardships daily that certainly would traumatize me for years if I lived through just one. The author elicited an incredible amount of emotion through his writing. To think that the abuse and violence depicted in this story are commonplace somewhere in the world is horrifying. Because of the author's ability to evoke emotion in the reader, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The book is well-written and professionally edited. I eagerly await the next installment in the series, Dark Variations.

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Dark Origins
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[Amy Luman]

I do truly feel sorry for Vanderbilt as he is dealing with things that no child should have to. This is my favorite kind of book, though. I like horror with a little bit of mystery and suspense thrown in.

[King Nyebuchi]

From your review, it seems like the book is a really intriguing one. An excellent review indeed. I love a book packed with suspense.

[SherryJR]

Paranormal with a mix of crime is a definite read. I just love the mix of the two but poor Vander didn't have to go through all that. He was just a child

[Naureen Rajput]

I love to read this book its amazing and decently describe among paranormal activity plus murders and corruption.All characters are amazing,specially Vander life character his father are additted and beat him and her mother as a child his mind was so distrube and he see spirits .All of them, i think its real life base story and must read it

[NetMassimo]

A supernatural thriller with a serial killer seems intriguing, also thanks to its different points of view. Thank you for your great review!

[Abel Testimony]

So scary

[Abel Testimony]

Dark Origins by AJ Parnell is the first book in a horror series called Making Monsters. The book has a shifting POV, which revolves around the main characters. We first meet Vander, a nine-year-old boy who lives in the 'shanties' of Cape Town, South Africa. Vander lives a hard life of subsistence through theft and begging. Although he lives with his parents, he's better off alone, as he provides food and money for his abusive and alcoholic father, who regularly beats Vander and his mother.

[Odichimma Okoye]

Vander seems tough as a character. It's so ironic to me that he's only 9 years old and is doing all that he does when he isn't even orphaned or anything. Serial killers have always intrigued me. How they come up with that signature thing they do to all their victims is a mystery to me. So far, the serial killer mentioned here is probably the most creative I've ever seen or heard of rather. A killer that has enough time to draw flowers on the bodies of his victims is one heck of a killer.