Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Trailing Darkness is a tense and involving fantasy thriller which sees Brienna pitting her wits against a growing evil uprising. The frequently suspenseful storyline flows at an agreeable pace and deals with powerful themes such as chronic pain, PTSD, and ritual sacrifice.

Prose: Gordon's text is intensely dramatic, imaginative, and riddled with scenes that are shocking and surprising. The story is told in accessible, straightforward language, bolstered by strong, authentic, and believable character interactions.

Originality: Trailing Darkness is the first book of the Saviour of the Light series, and it shows undoubted promise for future entries. The text is easy to follow and while it does not really venture into new or exciting territory, it manages to feel consistenly engaging throughout.

Character/Execution: Gordon's central characters, Brienna and Archangel Michael, are convincingly realized, faced with a dark, daunting, and seemingly insurmountable challenge. The level of detail in the character descriptions is impressive, revealing their unique personalities very effectively.

Blurb: A bold and gripping fantasy thriller.

Date Submitted: July 16, 2024