There are dark days ahead for the land of Sori. There is an evil, ghost-like figure haunting the land, unsettling the balance and serenity of the people of Sori. Peace is being disrupted, but there is a chosen one, a young Leigheasan girl, Maya, who is independent and talented in many aspects as well as being a skilled hunter. She has a unique connection to the land and, as such, she has powers as yet undiscovered which will help her lead the people away from war and mass destruction. It is a difficult time for all in a land facing dark times, in a land not so different from the Middle Ages here on earth.

D W Saur’s young adult fantasy novel, Dark Days, is a thrilling adventure for all ages. Set in a mythical setting with goddesses and evil creatures, magic, and mayhem, the plot develops with considerable ease as the protagonist, Maya, is introduced through her prowess, her ability to win at tournaments, to outshine all others, even though she is only a young woman. As evil infiltrates the land, Maya’s character strengthens as she journeys on a quest only she can follow, to find and learn how to use her special powers. The setting is well described; the characters are clearly developed; the plot is well constructed. There is a lot of forward-moving energy and character-defining dialogue, driving this story to an exciting climax and resolution. D W Saur is a passionate storyteller and this page-turner will definitely leave the reader hoping for more in Maya’s saga.

Dark Days by D.W. Saur is young adult fiction on steroids. The four sects of Sori were finally at a point where they were living in relative peace. They had a system and that system was to be protected at all costs. However, what little peace they had managed to achieve was shattered by a dark entity that seemed to thrive on the chaos it created. To counter that entity, the Goddess Nantosuelta decided to bring the chosen one and give a hero to the people of Sori. She chose Maya, a young girl who didn’t like to mingle with others and liked to keep to herself. Her purpose was simple: eliminate the dark entity, stop the war from happening and discover her powers before it all went to hell. But how could she be the chosen one when she hadn’t even completed the rite of passage of her people? Could she be the leader Sori needed to avoid another war?

Dark Days by D.W. Saur was an incredibly rich and detailed story. This young adult novel was dark enough to keep me riveted and descriptive enough to maintain my attention until the end. I loved Maya’s introduction and the way she was described. I was surprised by her development and how much she was capable of achieving. She came off as shy, introverted, and not social, but when she was determined to do something, she did it all. The plot moved forward as Maya progressed in her journey to become the leader that her people needed her to be. The dialogues revealed a lot about the characters and their meanings. The narrative drove the story forward and allowed the characters enough breathing room to grow. The action never stopped, the pace was fast enough to keep the plot going and the arc was exciting. I am looking forward to the next step in Maya’s journey and I want to know what will happen next. I loved it!