This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Emily Maynard for Readers' Favorite
For generations, the Gardela family has lived in Douro. It’s a small, unassuming rural town with a mystical lore that attracts and intrigues visitors, and a largely undocumented, highly classified past with the Canadian armed forces. While Jeremy Gardela is grieving, following his sister’s tragic death, a stranger with a military background and a preoccupation with the town’s history, both factual and fabled, arrives and starts making enquiries. Jeremy’s Aunt Kasia is disquieted by the man, who has information about her ancestors, knowledge that no one should have. She recruits her nephew and sends him on a quest to use old family journals to unravel the mystery, solve the puzzle, and find a precious hidden cache. Within This Darkness by Chris Tomasini follows Jeremy, the challenges he faces, his discovery of secrets going back more than a century, and the legacy he will forever carry with him.
Within This Darkness is a wonderful story that is very hard to put down. It’s written from different perspectives, in different centuries, and with aspects of the supernatural thrown in. Chris Tomasini has united these potentially complicated components effortlessly. The plot is strong and is revealed to the reader slowly but deliberately, with every little detail, even mere hints of foreshadowing, clearly planned and purposeful. The pace is equally deliberate, with chapters of varying lengths. Each chapter focuses on the happenings of one perspective at a time, maintaining clarity and creating intrigue. A diverse range of characters all play a role in Jeremy’s journey, no matter how small. While not all are likable, each is written in such a way that you can easily picture them, their mannerisms, and even the way they speak. Tomasini touches on grief and loss, war, and crises of identity, creating a depth to the storyline and evoking empathy in the reader. Within This Darkness is easy to read, highly evocative, and extremely engaging. I love the little details, seemingly innocuous conversations or interactions that then play a much bigger role in the story. I didn’t know where the narrative would go next, and right up to the end, there were moments of suspense and surprise! This book has great appeal for fans of fantasy, mystery, and suspense. Overall, a fantastic read. I heartily recommend it.
