Book Review: "The Darkness" by Crystal Connor

Title: The Darkness

Author: Crystal Connor

Publisher: Bennett & Hastings

ISBN, PUB Date: 978-1-934733-37-0, Prepub Review for Nov. 2010

Reviewed by: Libby for Author Exposure

Crystal Connor, an up-and-coming author from Seattle, has written an innovative novel about the powerful effects the scientific and supernatural worlds have on the timeless battle between good and evil. In The Darkness, Connor creates a world where advancements in genetic engineering have made it possible for humans to simulate the magical world, including the most menacing of the Dark Arts.

The Skyward Group, a privately funded secret organization of scientists, doctors, and engineers, has acquired a deadly weapon created in the laboratory of their top competitor—a genetically engineered genius child with paranormal abilities as exceptional as his intelligence. Although the extent of this young child’s supernatural abilities is not fully understood, telepathy, accelerated healing, and telekinesis are among his known talents. Once, angered by his doctor who refused to give him the toy he wanted, this toddler demonstrated the power of his innate, untrained abilities by using telekinesis to make his first kill.

Deemed the “Genesis” project by The Skyward Group, the boy is fittingly named Adam by one of the lab assistants. Upon meeting Adam, Artemisia, a founding scientist of the research group, forms a deep, motherly connection to him. It becomes quite clear to her colleagues, that Artemisia’s devotion to Adam hinders her objectiveness as a scientist and calls into question the overall integrity of the “Genesis” project. Without Artemisia’s knowledge, it is decided that Adam must be eliminated. Unbeknownst to everyone, though, Adam escapes his brush with death, and falls into the hands of evil herself—Inanna.

Inanna, a sorceress of the Dark Arts, has always wanted a child—a daughter—to honor her birthright. However, witches of Inanna’s power were forbidden from having offspring because such a child would disrupt the very balance of the universe. But, science engineered what nature vehemently opposed; it created Adam, a very powerful sorcerer. Lost in the outside world, without the protectiveness of his laboratory mother, Innana finds Adam and adopts him as her protégé.

For 15 years, Artemisia mourned Adam’s death and Adam assumed Artemisia had abandoned him. Adam’s resentment and feelings of rejection added fuel to the fire burning inside him. Seeking retribution from the woman he once called “Mommy”, Adam begins stalking Artemisia and committing heinous crimes against the ones around her. Will Adam learn the truth before it’s too late?

Admittedly, the momentum of the storyline took some time to build up, but once at full throttle, the suspense was all-consuming. Just when I thought I could breathe a sigh of relief, something unexpected and startling happened.

The novel answered just as many questions as it left unanswered. Fortunately, The Darkness is the first installment of a planned trilogy. In fact, Connor generously included a “sneak peek” of Artificial Light, the second book in the series, at the end of The Darkness.

This crossover novel is a celebration of genres—it will thrill you, scare you, and make you think twice about the power of science. I find the science fiction and fantasy books I enjoy usually have considerable overlap with other genres. By no means is The Darkness a hard-core fantasy book. Even if you do not consider yourself a reader of fantasy novels, I believe there are enough elements from science fiction, thriller, and horror genres in The Darkness to capture your attention.