Wow, a thriller with paranormal elements and a main character that will make you feel for her immediately. I did figure out the end but it didn’t take away from me enjoyment of the book.

"The Darkness Rises" by Stacy Stokes is a thrilling and immersive young adult fantasy novel that transports readers to a world of magic, mystery, and danger. Stokes, with her vivid imagination and masterful storytelling, delivers a gripping narrative that will keep readers spellbound from the very first page.

At the heart of "The Darkness Rises" is protagonist Ava Lopez, a young woman with a mysterious past and a hidden power waiting to be unleashed. As Ava embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her heritage and the dark forces threatening her world, she must confront her fears and embrace her destiny as a powerful sorceress. Stokes expertly weaves together elements of adventure, romance, and suspense, creating a richly textured narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

Stokes's writing is lush and atmospheric, with evocative descriptions and vivid imagery that bring the world of the novel to life. From the towering spires of the magical city of Adelina to the shadowy depths of the Forbidden Forest, Stokes's world-building is immersive and enchanting, drawing readers into a realm filled with danger and intrigue. Her attention to detail and richly imagined settings create a sense of wonder and awe, making "The Darkness Rises" a truly immersive reading experience.

Moreover, "The Darkness Rises" is not just a fantasy adventure—it's also a story of self-discovery, courage, and the power of friendship. Stokes deftly explores themes of identity, belonging, and the struggle to find one's place in the world, as Ava navigates the complexities of her dual heritage and the challenges of mastering her magical abilities. Through Ava's journey, readers are reminded of the importance of staying true to oneself and standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

The novel is also notable for its well-drawn characters and intricate plot twists. Stokes populates her story with a diverse cast of characters, each one with their own motives and secrets to uncover. As Ava embarks on her quest, she forms unlikely alliances and confronts formidable adversaries, leading to unexpected revelations and thrilling confrontations that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

In conclusion, "The Darkness Rises" by Stacy Stokes is a must-read for fans of young adult fantasy. With its engaging characters, immersive world-building, and thrilling plot twists, it's a book that will transport readers to another world and leave them eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series. Stokes has crafted a captivating and unforgettable novel that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after they've turned the final page.

3/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

I thought this book was so dark and it had me ensnared through out. I loved that the author didn't shy away from a controversial topic and used that topic to send a message. The darkness being visible was such a unique concept that really got me wondering if it would be a blessing or a curse. I also loved how Whitney had this inherent want to do good. In a world that could easily make her want to shut down she kept that wholesomeness at her core. The twists were also unpredictable. Well done!

A gripping speculative thriller perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver and Ginny Myers Sain, about one girl with the power to see death before it happens--and the terrible consequences she faces when saving someone goes wrong.

Really well done! I didn't know what to expect going into this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by the writing style and the overall atmosphere of it.

I was hooked from the cover and description and enjoyed how good the concept was and that it worked with the thriller elements. The story had everything that I was hoping for in the genre. The characters were strongly written and I was invested in what was happening with the characters. Stacy Stokes has a great writing style and worked as a young adult novel. I thought the idea of being able to see death is a scary concept and worked well with this story.

A really solid young adult book. I'm usually not keen on paranormal elements, but they were done well here. The emotional core of the story was strong and impactful. I can recommend this.

The novel depicts an increase in darkness. I adore Whitney; not only is she relatable, but she also reminds me of a teen girl who is hiding a part of herself because she feels she has no other option. And it's relatable because that's every girl on the planet. But the author gives us this character on purpose since it's an emotional story and we need something to connect with. And the storyline and plot work so beautifully together that the author offered us so much to think about and feel.

Thank you netgalley and penguin group penguin young readers group

Thank you @penguinteen @vikingbooks for the #gifted copy of this E-ARC.

Whitney is a young high school girl who can see something bad before it happens by way of “seeing darkness” hover over the persons head. She has had this talent since she was born and has always been asked to hide it and not talk about it so people don’t think she’s weird. She has saved many people’s lives but sometimes she simply can’t save them all. After a tragic school shooting she realizes that her actions that day have caused a ripple affect that may not have been the best. All she wants to do is forget that day and move on. Someone won’t let her do it however as mysterious and threatening notes keep turning up and she has this feeling she’s being watched. Someone wants to even the score and Whitney wants to make sure that doesn’t happen!

This one may be triggering for some because it does feature a school shooting. I want to mention that as I know that is a very scary topic. Anywho, I thought this book was such a unique for a couple reasons. The first being the fact that Whitney could literally see the darkness before it happened. It left her in a tough spot wondering if she should morally stop what was to come. Can you imagine in real life if you and this skill?! No thank you! That’s a lot of responsibility! The second was it brings up the butterfly effect topic which in my opinion always makes me wonder if the slightest change of time, direction, statement can change the outcome in so many ways! Bravo to this author for tackling a very tough topic in a very interesting way. Make sure you read the authors note on this one!

☠️ Would you want the ability to see something bad before it happened like Whitney in this book?

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I really enjoyed this book. It highlighted a tough topic, but in a sensitive way. It reminded me of a twist on the book series I read nearly 16 years ago, called Wake by Lisa McMann. It felt like a current twist on a similar premise, however it remained unique and engaging to the reader. I do recommend reading the trigger warnings for those who feel that this is a tough topic, but overall it was a fantastic read. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

I gave this one three stars based on the concept of the book. I think it’s a different idea that the author came up with, however, I did become somewhat bored by the middle. This was mainly because I found it predictable and had figured out who was behind things and where the story was going. Still sold idea for a story though.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the advance copy!

I loved the concept behind this book. I’ve had my own thoughts about something popping up above people’s heads, but instead of dark clouds, it’s a listed icon of what people are wearing - where they’re from - and how much it costs…that way we can avoid the awkward question of “OMG where did you get that?!”

Nonetheless, I give this book 4.5 stars. It had me completely consumed in all aspects. I loved the character development of the main character and the love story;)I truly do recommend reading this book. It has a great message towards the end of the book and touches on the topic of school shootings and the effects it definitely has on everyone.

A thrill YA of a girl who faces a mystery a person who knows she has a gift and blames her for their past.
We meet Whitney who can see when someone is going to die by a black cloud over said person's head. I was drawn in by that idea and wanted to see what it was like for her and how she dealt with that. I do have to say that the author did a great job of explaining it and how it is seen. Learning about the black cloud was my favorite part of this book. I liked the worriedness and the fearfulness that comes with this power.
Whitney does go through a lot in these pages and it's so hard to talk about without spoiling anything. It's a wild ride.
There is a tiny bit of a Pretty Little Liars feel in the fact that Whitney gets sent and for someone who was obsessed with that show back in the day, I kinda liked that. I do have to say that the huge twists were something that I didn't see coming for most of the book but there was one scene that happened and boom I knew right away. I felt the review was good, it was fine. It's a solid YA.
I felt the writing was done well. Stacy does a good of making things feel uneasy and unsure about her environment and the people in her life. There are so very heavy themes and topics so please look them up as I don't want to list them as they could spoil the book. But if needed please, please look them up.
There is a strong message about how our choices affect the future and affect our lives. I felt that it was written well.
Overall, if you like high school thrillers, uneasy feelings, new yet, unsure about romance, family, and revenge.
A grilling thriller of magical realism that will keep you guessing as the mystery unfolds in this unsettling story.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. It didn't disappoint! Must read!!

Review:
5⭐
Right Place, Right Time...Consequences To Saving People.
THE DARKNESS RISES kept me intrigued. I loved the idea of darkness rising and encasing someone when death was near. That in itself was enough to keep me reading, but the added mystery reeled it in: who left the threatening letters, who killed Whitney's Gam, and oh so many questions about Isaac(it seemed suspicious that he showed up and everything started happening, but not everyone is bad, right?)
THE DARKNESS RISES really hones in on drama and revenge. There wasn't a second that I wanted to stop reading, or that I became bored with the idea. The book was interesting, gripping, and thrilling. And, of course, shocking when it was revealed who the conspirator was(It only occurred to me once that it was them, and that was the same time Whitney learned it.)
THE DARKNESS RISES is perfect for fans of WHEN by Victoria Laurie and ya mysteries.

Could not put this book down! If you like Pretty Little Liars this is for you. While a very sensitive topic, most of the mystery of the book felt like a who is a?! But, as someone who lives in the US, the topic of this book, a school shooting, did make this a very heavy read. But its message is what we should take home - The desire to do good, the desire to help/save others.

While there was a list of suspects, I did guess some of the ending and from that there was a piece that threw me and I absolutely loved it! This book was a wild ride that I thoroughly enjoyed!

I think we need to give Ms. Stokes the title of Queen of Magical Realism bc she does NOT miss.

Whitney has a gift. Or a curse, as she's grown to see it. She can see when people are going to die, or are in imminent danger. This leaves Whitney with a choice: say something, or let nature run its course. After saving someone who went on to do something despicable, Whitney is wracked with guilt and punishes herself. But somebody knows about Whitney's gift and how she was involved in the incident and is now threatening her and those she loves. Can Whitney find out who wants her to pay for her abilities before it's too late?

This is so good. Not only is the plot engaging, but there are themes of guilt and blaming oneself, PTSD and slight nods towards bullying. It was incredible. I kind of guessed the whodunnit, but I was also wrong! I had a lot of fun reading this, enjoyed the characters, and loved all of the ballet references as a former dancer!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)

Attracted by the cover and synopsis, I found "THE DARKNESS RISES" to be a compelling YA thriller! The main character, Whitney, possesses a unique ability to see dark clouds over individuals before they are in danger. After saving a classmate who later perpetrates a school shooting, she becomes the target of someone who knows her secret. The story was well-executed, with a propulsive narrative that kept me engaged and guessing throughout. Despite the heavy themes, the sensitive handling made for a worthwhile read. I finished the book in a single day and would recommend it to fans of YA, speculative fiction, and magical realism.

Cool though not fantastic spec thrill! A nice ya book that I feel will work well upon its release. Thanks for the arc. 3.5

A massive thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!! I really enjoyed this book; definitely something I will tell my friends about!

I really liked the premise and it was a solid YA read. As an added bonus, I loved all the HS dance team energy - the competitiveness, the friendships, the outfits, etc. and if you were ever a dancer it takes you right back to those feelings.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.