Review: Darkness Before Dawn by L.A. London (Darkness Before Dawn #1)

Title: Darkness Before Dawn by L.A. London

Published: May 29^th by HarperTeen

Source: Purchased

Format: Paperback

Challenge(s):

Grade rate: B-

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.

My Review

I have to confess that I’m a little ambivalent about this book.  In most aspects a really liked Darkness Before Dawn, but I had a few ‘issues’ with it.

Dawn promised to be an excellent female character, and mostly she was exactly that.  She is beautiful, loyal, respectful, with a big sense of responsibility, and self-preservation.  She is being trained to be a delegate for the city of Denver, and she tries her best to perform a job that by all means is really dangerous.  She has been taught how to fight and she is willing to go down fighting. What I had an issue with is how helpless she seems to become as the book progressed, letting Michael and Victor fight for her.  Also, she kept denying Victor’s worth, in light of plenty of evidence, just because of what he was. 

I adored Victor.  He is a swoon -worthy vampire, he is good, restrained, and he really cares for Dawn.  He reminded me a little of Edward from the Twilight Saga (just a little, mind you).  I found that Victors was sure of what his actions and his feelings were, and he never lied to Dawn.  Michael, I did not like at all.  Although at the beginning he seemed to care for Dawn (and maybe he does), he is too volatile, and has a big ego problem.   I didn’t like the ‘triangle ‘either, it seemed unbalanced and unfair for all involved.  How do you become to love two men in the same week is beyond me.

Tegan is Dawn’s friend, but she likes to get her way, even when it’s dangerous.  I don’t think that she is a good friend to keep around.  Sin is not likeable, and his relationship with Tegan is way too rushed, to the point that it becomes incredible.

The plot was original and I loved the story itself.  The premise of the world after a 30-year war between vampires and humans is very unique (at least to me).  The writing was straightforward and easy to read. The plot was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed it.  The ending was a big cliffhanger, guaranteed to leave the reader wanting for more.

Although Darkness Before Dawn was not as good as I would hope so, I still enjoyed it and I will definitely read ‘Blood-Kissed Sky’, the second book in the series that will be published in December of this year.

About the cover: The cover is beautiful. Dark colors contrast with the girl’s skin and we can see a desolated landscape in the background.  I also liked the font used on the cover.  

Have you read this book?  What do you think of the premise? Do you like the cover?