Dark Genesis (The Darkling Trilogy, Book 1)

I downloaded this free book on a whim and fell in love with it. I can't wait for the next one.

Now I must admit, I requested a review copy simply because this was a debut novel for the author A.D. Koboah and not because I'm a particular fan of paranormal fantasy fiction. But this is not just a paranormal fantasy fiction, it's a beautiful love story, a touching look at mother-daughter relationships and a haunting look at the lives, loves and feelings of slaves in early America.

Atlanta, 2011 - Dallas Marshall is a family rebel, in no small part because she receives psychic impressions or vibes. She disliked most of her family, finding them to be driven only to increase their already substantial fortunes. When her grandma had passed away, the only one left in the family who was like her was her artist aunt, Rose. There was a joke in the family about a guardian angel. Needing a refuge from her other family, Dallas is staying with her aunt. Wanting to be close again to her grandma, Dallas goes to the basement where her grandma's things are stored. Inside an old chest, Dallas finds what appears to be a journal. Receiving an impression when she touches the book, she knows it is written by an unknown woman, but a woman she has some kind of connection with. She opens the book and enters a different world, one that will change her life.

In 1807, Luna is a beautiful slave woman, owned and abused by Master Henry, and then by his son Master John. The only control Luna has in her life is to get rid of the pregnancies resulting by this abuse. Getting caught would be deadly, but she will not allow a child of hers to be owned by the Master. Her mother, Mama Akosua, had been sold away when Luna was 3. But she had found a way to remain close to her daughter, living a 2 hour walk away. Mama Akosua is an herbalist and some say, a witch. She helps her daughter to abort the children, except the first one, a daughter, that she had spirited away.

Luna has turned to God and has trouble believing in her mother's powers, even though there are times she feels them within herself. At a fire ravaged chapel on master's property, Luna has hidden a bible she had stolen from master's wife. She loves that book, and wishes so much that she could read the words herself. She feels something evil at the chapel, but cannot stay away.

After leaving the chapel, she meets the creature. Luna stares in awe at him. He is beautiful in his guise as a human man, but it is just a guise. But there is another entity in the clearing by the chapel, and it is pure evil. Luna needs to get away, run fast and get away from them both.

After the creature in human guise stops Master John from having his carnal way with Luna, it is revealed the creature is a vampire. He spirits Luna away, to keep her safe. As times pass, she falls in love with Avery, the name of the man he was before being turned into a vampire.

I can't say more as I don't want to spoil the surprises in this wonderful paranormal, vampire fantasy romance novel.

The only thing I would change about this novel is to make the story of Luna read like actual journal entries. I believe that would have made a more powerful statement.

I received my copy through LibraryThing and asked for my honest opinion.

I won this book through a Library Things giveaway. I loved this book and can't wait for the next one.

Luna and Avery's characters are as deep as their love for each other. I loved the fact that this book did not minimize the life of a female slave and that it showed the good and the bad. This is not the typical vampire love story.

I also loved that this book had an ending that did not take away from the continuation of the series.

Author: A.D. Koboah

Published By: Berkley

Age Recommend: Adult

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Raven Rating: 5

Blog Review For: Librarything




Review:

"Dark Genesis" by A.D. Koboah was indeed a interesting read for me. I am a African American and I am very careful of my reads with any 'slaves' however, the book cover caught my attention and I thought I would see just what "Dark Genesis" was about.

This novel dealt with the story of Luna who was a beautiful slave with supernatural powers...having the gift of the second site, that had been through so much....taken from her mom, then be served up to two masters (Henry & John) then taken away by Avery (demon). This was very appealing to see this love affair blossom with Luna and this demon who had suffered for so long.... but he could read her thoughts...then he leaves and Luna goes and looks for him...and found him by the lake..was she falling in lovewith Avery... a 'walking aberration.' Teaching her to read, rid Julia (horse) and shoot a gun. Oh my what a story!....Avery left her with a gold chain, farmhouse and even ...Dembi,,,,now you will have to pick up this novel ..."Dark Genesis" and get all of this well written story.

The characters were a real lively group ....Luna, Jupiter(Dembi), Father Geoffrey, Mama Akosua, Ebenezer, Mr.Walker, Matthew, Zila, and Avery, Lina... and a few others I have left out. The author really knew how to keep the reader interested in the read because each chapter got even more engaging in its twist and many turns.


After reading "Dark Genesis" I thought it was a novel that I could recommend as a good read.

In Dark Genesis you find the history of Luna, a slave with psychic abilities, through the terrors that define her life until she is spirited away by the "demon" Avery. As the story unfolds you witness Luna embrace the strength that has always been inside her as she tries to understand herself and this creature that has captured her and the bond that is growing between them.

This book introduces you to Luna and her heartwrenching love affair with Avery, the "demon" who has suffered for centuries. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and hope somewhere along the way he can have his happy ending.

I'm not usually into these kinds of books but I thought I'd give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised. What caught my attention the most was the setting, and point of view of the main character being an african american slave which is very unique. The book had me wanting to defend Luna or even shake her at times as I was drawn into the twists and turns of the book. I would recommend this as a really engrossing read which also opened up a raft of debate between me and my friends. Loved it.