"A chosen one can come not only during dark times, but also on the brink of them." The dark times about to grace Sori are marked by a mysterious, ghost-like figure who begins to upset the balance the land has come to enjoy, manipulating members of the Galenvarg and Veirlintu sects into rebellion against the Duine. But hope for peace is not lost; the goddess Nantosuelta has selected her chosen one, a Leigheasan named Maya.
Maya is independent, curious, a skilled hunter, and a master smith, and unique among her kind in her connection to the land. But, sensing that she has an unrevealed purpose, she has yet to undertake her clan's rite of passage, and isolates herself from her peers. With Nantosuelta's blessing, Maya begins her quest to find her powers, prevent war, and establish herself as leader among the Leigheasan. But can she rally the clans in time to confront the dark days ahead?
Assessment:
Plot: In Dark Days, D.W. Saur sends his protagonist Maya on a quest to unite her people against the dark forces that threaten their world. This book will appeal to readers who want to follow the adventures of a strong female protagonist.
Prose/Style: D.W. Saur has created a vivid fantasy world with dynamic rules that govern its inhabitants and shape their destinies. Despite its merits, much of the narrative and dialogue is given to exposition, which makes the tale somewhat less compelling than it might otherwise be.
Originality: Like The Hunger Games and Earth's Children, Dark Days follows the adventures of an young heroine armed with intelligence, pluck, and extraordinary talents. YA readers will recognize Maya as an exemplar of Girl Power Lit.
Character Development/Execution: Maya is a strong female protagonist in the tradition of Ayla of the Earth's Children saga. However, her character is not sufficiently well-developed or securely established enough to evoke the reader's sympathies. Following acts of violence, the heroine displays little apparent remorse or trauma.
Date Submitted: April 03, 2021
Author D. W. Saur has crafted an excellent fantasy novel that delivers on so many fronts and is unique to the genre in giving its female protagonist a powerful mission with no romantic subplots or distractions. What results is a compelling tale of independence, fighting spirit, and self-discovery, which is only enhanced by the author’s excellent commitment to character and worldbuilding.
Dark Days plunges readers into the depths of a complex dark fantasy world that begs to be explored. D.W. Saur sets up intriguing characters that face some enormous challenges, but watching them overcome them is half the fun of this adventure novel.
