Official Review: Darkness & Light - Into the Darkness

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 07 Jun 2019, 15:11

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Darkness & Light - Into the Darkness" by CT Scribe.]

3 out of 4 stars

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In Darkness & Light: Into the Darkness, written by CT Scribe, readers get to follow the coming-of-age adventures of an eighteen-year-old young man named Tyler, who goes by Tye. As a promising football athlete in high school, the protagonist faces a depression after a leg injury takes away his dreams of a sports scholarship in college. The book revolves around Tye’s struggles as he starts to attend a private college with a modest football team while tackling his depressive tendencies with the help of therapy and medication.

The novel is full of symbolism. Tye and his girlfriend, both students majoring in bioengineering, are idealists who dream of “finding new cures to help the world.” Readers are taken on an adventurous and character-driven journey with Tye as he confronts his darkness – insecurities, anxiety, and depression. But most of all, the main character has to deal with an alternate and possibly metaphorical world of monsters, witches, werewolves, hidden forests, temples, and ancient writings. He wonders if what happens in this magical place - where he trains to battle monsters - “could be a freakish dream” or a “vivid hallucination.”

One of the things I liked most about the book was how it repeatedly shunts back and forth in perspective and scenarios, with readers being transported to the alternate, magical world and back. The author is a talented storyteller, and the book offers heartwarming glimpses inside the tumultuous mind of a teenager adapting to the adult world. In my opinion, the real value of the novel lies in the question of how Tye — mentally and physically frail – manages to pull through each life challenge. I also found the supernatural parts interesting, with enticing mysteries such as the true identity of the tall man.

The aspect I liked less was the poor editing. I believe the book is not yet in its most polished form and would greatly benefit from professional editing. I found punctuation, spelling, and grammatical errors. To me, these mistakes are distracting and blemish the joy of the fictional world. I feel that the novel has great potential once the editing errors are solved.

Lastly, this was an enjoyable read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a young adult adventure. Readers who prefer more mature themes might not like it as much. Unfortunately, due to the numerous editing errors in the book, I am taking a star away from its rating. Therefore, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars.

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Darkness & Light - Into the Darkness
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Post by **kandscreeley** » 11 Jun 2019, 08:28

It sounds like this one could actually help some young adults come to terms with the fact that not all of us can follow our dreams; we sometimes have to make new dreams. It's too bad about the editing errors, but at least those can be fixed. Thanks!

Stephanie Elizabeth · Post by **Stephanie Elizabeth** » 11 Jun 2019, 11:04

Sounds like an interesting premise, but it is too bad about the poor editing! Thanks for a wonderful review!

dpacheco22 · Post by **dpacheco22** » 11 Jun 2019, 14:47

Thanks for the review of Darkness & Light - Into the Darkness. Sounds like a really engaging story and a good way to approach what it's like being a teenager and figuring out your way in the world - I'd like to read it!

Scarlet Nicoll · Post by **Scarlet Nicoll** » 13 Jun 2019, 06:37

I don't get it! Base on your review: why has the author given a realistic environment surround the protagonist and after words derive it with fantasy? Thanks!

Nisha Ward · Post by **Nisha Ward** » 15 Jun 2019, 13:04

Alternate realities whose veracity you're not sure of always make for an interesting premise. That it also puts the main character through challenges in a fantastic setting? Nice.