Review: A darkly delicious tale that deftly interweaves evil, treachery and truth for an intoxicating concoction
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 27, 2014
Last Light Falling: The Covenant (book 1) is a hauntingly mesmeric story of profound depth and a sinister `surreal' quality. It speaks to the soul by capturing quintessentially the fragility of human life and a remarkable perception on death, God and all that lies beyond our current existence. I felt like I was floating in a sea of subconscious thoughts as the events within the book highlighted how one might personally reflect upon their own life span. By blending together an eclectic mix of genre J E Plemons' novel will appeal to fans of YA fiction as well as chilling horror, sci-fi and post-apocalyptic/ distopian. Religious references add substance to the story, as too does the epic journey that the main characters Arena and Gabriel embark upon. Not all heroes are one's who (cliché) `save the world' as some can show a fragility as you or I, yet it is their actions in the final days of the world that hold such impacting resonance.Here's an intriguing, philosophical question...If your fate has already been chosen for you, would you change it?.One part of this extraordinary story that I can take with me, is how it is not what we say or do that matters as it is ultimately our choices that define who we really are.In a world filled with unspeakable tragedy, darkness and a lingering wickedness that taunts us 15 yr old Arena accepts the destiny before her with courage. Despite all the terrible devastation and crushed spirits around her, she is a gutsy protagonist whom I admire and instils a sense of purpose within you. I was able to connect with the narrative on such a personal level, through the thought-provoking undertone and overall memorability of the story. Anyone seeking a sensational read which is well written, evocative and full of intensity will love this debut.4.5 STARS*I would like to thank the author for providing me with a physical copy of his novel to read and review, as I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and cannot wait for book 2: in the covenant series*