BOOK ONE:
Welcome to the Darkness by L.M. Justus
(Darkness Trilogy #1)
Publication date: August 5th 2013
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Synopsis:
A typical teenager, seventeen-year-old Reed Hennessy doesn’t realize how lucky he is to lead a normal life until he loses everything, including his humanity. The attacker who slaughters his family and destroys their home turns out to be a vampire, a creature Reed had considered a myth.
Now a vampire himself, but with the unique ability to walk in sunlight, Reed struggles in the dark underworld he didn’t even know existed. His only two allies in his fight to stay alive are his reluctant mentor, Nathaniel, a vampire with over two hundred years’ worth of emotional baggage, and Sarah, a rookie cop with a secret ability of her own.
Together, Reed and his companions face a harrowing, cross-country journey before stumbling into a plot which could mean the end of everything for humans and vampires alike.
**3.5 Stars**
Reed is an all star high school dude, loves his family, and an overall decent guy. One day, a vampire comes in, goes completely insane, and put all of this family in the grave. Unfortunately, Reed swallows just enough blood to be converted after wounding the vamp. Next day, Reed executes the murderous vampire with a quick bath in the sun. On the run, having no idea what he is or why, in steps old, gentlemanly Nathaniel. Bringing Reed into the fold of the crazy Queen of San Jose, Reed is sent out into the sun (one of his super vampy powers) to find Sarah, a psychic cop. What ensures afterward is some blowing up buildings, lots of running, vampire hunters, a crazy vampire king who is going to make zombie-human-vampires, and a sweet romance.
Easy to follow along and read. Simple plotlines that plow along in this fun, supernatural young adult novel. Totally different than what I thought, but enjoyable supernatural YA read.
BOOK TWO:
Darkness Reigns by L.M. Justus
(Darkness Trilogy #2)
Publication date: June 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Synopsis:
New York City is a wasteland. More than eight million people are dead or worse…infected.
After their failed attempt to stop the spread of a virus that turns people into zombie-like, human-vampire hybrids, Reed Hennessy and his ragtag crew are scrambling to stay alive. To make matters worse, the human authorities are close to proving the existence of vampires and blaming them for the disaster in New York.
Their storm of trouble is already spinning out of control when an old enemy reappears to issue a challenge–an ultimatum that will mean certain death for at least one member of Reed’s group. With their mountain of problems growing exponentially and a host of enemies closing in, they flee for their lives, desperate for a miracle. Will they survive and avoid the world’s scrutiny, or will darkness prevail?
**3.5 Stars**
The lovely-dovey couple of Reed and Sarah are now confirmed in an awkward romance of vampire and super psychic cop human. Nathaniel is ogling the local vampire hunter, Trudy. Sarah’s whiny sister, Sophie, continues to nag on and whine likes a pro. The group escapes the zombie flooded New York and hides in Canada. After a night out that takes a turn for the odd and dangerous, the crew head to the woods with the local vampire king. Faced with Sarah’s death, Reed has to be making a split decision of saving Sarah or ending her misery. The insane Queen of San Jose finally gets her come up ins, but with a huge plot twist that will throw a wrench in everything vampires believe.
Can they ever be human again? Love blossoms among the group in a few new relationships, even if they are mix matched. Constant on the run adventure made the novel entertaining and I look forward to seeing if the crew can revise the vampire curse.
Lisa Justus’ path to becoming an author took a circuitous route through the University of Waterloo where she earned a Bachelor of Mathematics, followed by jobs in quality assurance and technical writing at a high-tech company. With a keen interest in creative fiction, she wrote her first fantasy novel as part of NaNoWriMo as well as an early chapter book for her kids when they were younger. Welcome to the Darkness and Darkness Reigns are the first two books of the Darkness Trilogy, a YA paranormal fantasy.
These days Lisa is busy writing her next novel, reading, finishing her basement, doing volunteer work, and trying to stay in shape by running somewhat regularly. She, her husband, and their three children live in Ottawa, Ontario.Author Links:
