Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness Before Dawn #1)

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Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness Before Dawn #1)

Author(s)

J. A. London

Publisher

Harper Teen

Genre(s)

Paranormal

Age Range

14+

Release Date

May 29, 2012

ISBN

006202065X

Buy This Book

Only sunlight can save us.

We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.

After the death of my parents, it's up to me--as the newest delegate for humanity--to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.

Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.

Only sunlight can save us.

We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.

Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Awesome Awesome Awesome

July 05, 2012

Overall rating

4.7

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Love love love. That is all I can say about this one! Darkness Before Dawn by J. A. London was an absolute fabulous read that captivated me from the first page and even after I finished, I sat wishing I had more story and didn't have to wait for book 2!

I just loved the concept of Darkness Before Dawn! Vampires + Dystopian world clearly seems to be equaling a brilliant idea since this is the second one I've read this year and absolutely loved. Darkness Before Dawn is one of those books that clearly lives up to all the hype. It was enticing and awesome.

The plot was so intriguing. I really hope J. A. London explores more of the mythology behind the vampires in this trilogy, as I thought they had some more unique qualities. Between that and the forbidden romance, I was entirely intrigued. The vampires in Darkness Before Dawn are scary - which is always great. There were a few moments where I felt things got a bit too angsty, but overall I just really really enjoyed the book.

The characters are super lovely too. I loved Dawn - she was such a strong character. She has in a sense been dealt a crappy hand of cards but she doesn't let that affect her. Regardless of how her classmates treat her and the pressure of the role she's been cast in to, she still remains true to herself. Victor was another one who I really liked - he was just so genuine.

The ending of Darkness Before Dawn is just a killer. I am so antsy to see what happens next and where the story will go from here on out. Darkness Before Dawn ends with one of those OMG moments and I keep playing all the possibly continuations of the story in my head.

Darkness Before Dawn by J. A. London is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend. I was in a bit of a reading slump before I read this one and this was the book to pull me out. I loved every moment and I am eagerly anticipating book 2, Blood-Kissed Sky!

Erica Top 50 Reviewer 192 reviews

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User reviews

3 reviews

Overall rating

3.3

Plot

3.3(3)

Characters

3.0(3)

Writing Style

3.7(3)

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I'd Pass on This Book

February 16, 2017

Overall rating

2.0

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This book was totally predictable. Nothing is unique about it at all. The author(s) seem to also take take a bit from Game of Thrones. There is a wall that the humans live in and it's unsafe to go out because of the vampires who would drain them. They have guards called the Night Watchmen... see where I'm going with this? That being said, I did kind of enjoy the book. It was an easy read that I finished in one sitting.

Dawn's parents were killed, now that leaves her to fill their spot of being the city of Denver's Delegate to the Lord Valentine. An 'old family' vampire. He protects the city and keeps his vampire lackeys out of the wall and away from the humans in exchange for blood. He's not very good at it though as Dawn gets attacked for vampires super early in the book. She ends up being saved by Lord Valentine's son. Whom she will grow to love. Yeah...

I had high hopes for this book as it sounded really good and that cover is just beautiful but I don't think I'll read the others in this series.

Carrie Artrip Top 50 Reviewer 113 reviews

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A thrilling and original novel that I couldn’t put down

August 14, 2012

Overall rating

5.0

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I was captured from the very first page! A truly memorable tale that had me at the edge of my seat, holding my breath, and flipping through the pages like there was no tomorrow. I couldn’t put it down. Dawn is the perfect female lead. Not only is she innocent and kind, but she’s also smart and can kick some vampire ass with that stake she keeps in her boot. Victor is immensely swoon-worthy and his relationship with Dawn is complicated in quite a bittersweet way. He slowly changes her, heals her, and forces her to see things like she never thought she would. Their love is passionate and believable, very well written.

All the characters play an important role in the story as well. Tegan, Dawn’s best friend, is very prominent throughout the book and, thankfully, wasn’t the annoying secondary female lead like some authors usually write them out to be, although she did have her moments. Lord Valentine plays a fierce and frightening villain and I love how he’s an old-style vampire, with rules and etiquette, but he is also quick to make and live by his own, which doesn’t play out too well for Dawn.

There were a lot of surprises and “hold your breath” moments in this book, and I loved it. So many times I was literally yelling “Oh no!” or “OMG!”, totally diving into this world that J.A. London created and relishing every second of it. The ending, although not quite a cliffhanger, definitely left me wanting more. I knew how it was going to end like halfway through the book, but getting there was an amazing ride and it’s going to be torture waiting for the next book. This one is a real page-turner here, people!

Vi, Promotions Manager Top 50 Reviewer 116 reviews

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Darkness Before Dawn

July 12, 2012

Overall rating

3.0

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If this book interests you, read it. But I would suggest adding it to the BOTTOM of your TBR pile.

Good Points

I was intrigued by the idea of "Darkness Before Dawn". Usually I'm not a vampire book person, but I ended up interested in this one. In this book, I appreciated the idea and the plot twists in the end (don't worry--no spoilers!)

Kit Top 1000 Reviewer