Do I realize that this story was published before the recent movie "Sinners" released? Yes. I absolutely do!

However, I have not seen that movie but I have seen that people provided insight that if you liked the movie Sinners, then "Solomon Dark" is a story that you will love in book format. I completely, wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment!!

Then there is the fact that Erick S. Gray went through and provided detail so that the reader, well in my opinion, can visualize the scene. I really do not know of a moment within this story that I did not feel as if I could see it happening. My emotions ranged from anger (because of the slavery, but that's understandable for sure), hopeful (ready for the slaves to reach their breaking point and give everything back to the 'owners' tenfold), all the way to excitement (because the switch of it all blew me away)

Lastly, the ending of this story has me ready for more!

I picked this book because I was fresh off my sinners kick and wanted something to read with the same vibe. Set in 1845 on a South Carolina plantation, the story follows Solomon, an enslaved man whose life is shattered when his beloved wife, Irene, is sold to settle a debts. On the run and determined to get Irene back, Solomon encounters Akasha, a former slave turned vampire, who offers him supernatural powers—and a chance to reunite with Irene—but only at a harrowing cost. I enjoyed the blend between Horror and History, the character development and pace of the story. The Triggers were triggering at times and that caused me to sit the book down for a min. But overall this was a courageous, haunting story of love, vengeance, and the supernatural set against a harrowing historical backdrop. Rich in atmosphere and moral tension, but meant for readers ready to confront its darkness.

Thank you Black Odyssey Media for the ARC (via Netgalley).

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style, hence the 4 star rating, but the plot? Wow! And while it was released a year earlier; it will perfectly scratch the itch anyone got after watching Sinners. It also took me back to the slave ship scene in American Gods, Octavia Butler’s Kindred, Roots and Django unchained.
TW:
Racism
Sexual assault
Degradation
Misogyny
Abuse

The vampire killings did not bother me, clearly the victims mostly “deserves it”.
The vampire lore was unique and kept me hooked to the story.

A vampire book set in the time of slavery that is super hard to read, but super important to read.

Book Stats:
📖: 273 pages
Genre: Supernatural Thriller
Publisher: Black Odyssey Media
Format: ebook via NetGalley
Series: 🚫

Themes:
🧛🏾‍♂️ :Taking your freedom
🧛🏾‍♂️: The power of love
🧛🏾‍♂️: Letting go of things you can't control

Representation:
🥀 : Accurate depiction of slavery
🥀: Black cast

Tropes:
💗: Vampires

🥵: Spice: 🚫
Potential Triggers: Racism, violence, rape, slavery **check authors page/socials for full list.

Short Synopsis:
Solomon is a slave on a cotton plantation who yearns for freedom, his wife and safety. When he is forced into an unspeakable deed in order to protect his wife, he goes on the run from his slave owner. Solomon meets a suspicious man in the woods who promises him everything he's ever wanted, but at a cost. Given ultimate power, Solomon goes on a rampage of destruction and revenge.

General Thoughts:
This book is super dark and super hard to read. While the themes that it accurately displays are super important and is meant to make you uncomfortable, and it should make you uncomfortable, I definitely had to injest this book in small doses. I highly recommend checking the triggers for your mental health. If accurate did dictations of slavery and violence are hard for you to read.

Solomon was an extremely layered character. At his base, he is just a man who will do anything to love and protect his wife. He wants family and security. He also knows that any thought of safety is a thin veil of lies. He's constantly afraid for his wife and feels powerless.

The real shining aspect of this book is the way it made me FEEL. I have never felt so much from the beginning to the end of the book. I was on a roller coaster of emotion and I was powerless to stop it. I sobbed like a giant baby at several points in this book. Again, this book is hard to read.

The writing style wasn't completely meshing with my tastes overall. I found it very disjointed and the flow of the story was off to me at times. But it didn't have a large impact on my reading.

Overall, it's an important book to read and it definitely held my attention for the duration. If you can handle the subject matter it's a impactful book to read with a well done supernatural element.

Disclaimer: I read this book via an e-book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

OMG this book was everything!!!! The mayhem of the south, Solomon Dark is a definite contender for my top 5 books of the year. The book was skillfully written, and wove the a tale using historical fiction, thriller, and paranormal. I began Solomon Dark and could not put it down. This is a definite page turner and a must read.Erick S. Gray, thank you for blessing me with this ARC copy. I look forward to reading more of your work.

3.75 Stars. This book was definitely something else—in a good way! Just a heads-up: make sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in, as the story explores some intense and heavy themes.

What initially drew me in was the premise, especially since the movie Sinners just came out and I’ve been eager to read more stories featuring Black vampires. Solomon Dark did not disappoint. It’s a dark, vengeful vampire tale primarily set in the 1800s during slavery, which adds a unique and powerful layer to the narrative.

Akasha, a former slave turned vampire, is awakened and driven by revenge—unstoppable and unapologetic. On the other side, you have Solomon, a man determined to protect his wife at all costs. Their paths collide in a gripping and emotional journey filled with tension, bloodlust, and love.

I’d describe this as a dark paranormal love story with a lot of promise. While I really enjoyed the concept and the characters, I felt like there were quite a few loose ends. That said, it seems like a sequel might be in the works, so I’m hoping it’ll bring more closure.

Overall, I think this book is a bold and refreshing take on Black vampire lore, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes next. Thank you Net galley and Black Odyssey Media for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

📖 Title: Solomon Dark-a standalone

✍🏾 Author: Erick S. Gray-new to me author

📅Publication date: 7/23/24 | Read 5/23/25

📃 Format: e-Book 273 pgs.

Genre:
*Historical Fiction
*AA Interests
*Supernatural Thriller

Tropes:

*vampires
*rebellion/vengeance
*quest
*The Slave Bible-the master removes pages from the Bible and keeps the mentions of slavery as God's will
*See movies: Nat Turner's Rebellion-Birth of a Nation/Django Unchained

👆🏾POV: 3rd person multiple

⚠️TW: slavery, torture/abuse, r*pe, mob justice


🌎 Setting: The South 1845

Summary: Solomon and his wife are slaves on a plantation, but when their overseer has a wandering eye for Irene Solomon rebels. He escapes and is recaptured but refuses to be a victim anymore.


👨🏾 Hero: Solomon-the plantation blacksmith who goes through a transformation after enduring so much abuse.

🎭 Other Characters:

* Akasha- from MidAtlantic slave trade turned vampire, from 1755 abroad the Abigail slave ship
* Irene-Solomon's wife, a field slave who picks cotton
* Cornwell Walken-the plantation master
* Coleman-Walken's overseer
* Randall McHenry-another master Irene is sold to
* Kaiser Adelberg-a German bounty hunter that kills rogue vampires, buys 2 slave Noah and Melody to help him


🤔 My Thoughts: This was triggering but a part of history that needed to be told. The supernatural twist added a thrill to an otherwise tragic story. Akasha was a polarizing figure for me and hated the way he doled out justice. Solomon had a moral compass and was steadfast in his quest to find Irene. It ends in a cliffhanger, and I can't wait!

Rating: 5/5 ✨

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Black Odyssey Media, and Erick S. Gary for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

I was in the mood for a Black vampire book set in the South and that book is just that. The book follows Solomon a slave on the walk in plantation who life changes drastically when he runs away and encounters Akasha, a mysterious figure. With hopes of Akasha helping Solomon return to his true love, Irene. I will warn you due to the setting and time period, I would check trigger warnings as some of the material was hard to digest. One thing I did appreciate was the moral complexity of the story.

This book is insane! A vengeful vampire, Akasha, is unleashed on the American South after dying on a slave ship. His bloody rampage sparks fear and rumors of a slave revolt, but he's only after the cruel slave owners. Things get even crazier when he turns another slave, Solomon, into a vampire. Solomon's torn – he has to feed, but he tries to spare the innocent. And then there's the vampire hunter, Kaiser Adelberg with a hidden sword in his walking stick is a total badass. It's a wild ride with a compelling love story at its heart. Thank you too Black odyssey media and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 ⭐️ Okay this one was a little harder for me to rate lol. It was very entertaining! It gave me some Django and Nat turner vibes but with vampires. That's why I rated it higher. But, I was a little confused with the plot for the main vampire. At first I thought he was protecting the enslaved and killing those who enslaved them, but it seemed like he didn't care who died as long as he got vengeance. The enslaved were going through hell already, and it seemed like he made it even worse without caring to help. I wanted to scream help the people! I was also confused with the way the vampires origin connected to the biblical times with Cain. And omg warning ⚠️ there are some gruesome scenes and action in this book. Take into account that this was during slavery times so alot of evil and disgusting things were happening to people. I had to close my eyes on some parts and i wasn't even watching a movie. But overall i was glued them pages!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Twisted Ride I Didn’t See Coming – and I Loved Every Second!

Okay, let me start by saying this: *Solomon’s Dark* by Erick S. Gray is **not** your average thriller. This book grabbed me by the collar in chapter one and dragged me into the shadows—and honestly, I didn’t want to leave.

From the jump, the tension is palpable. Solomon King is the kind of character who keeps you guessing. One minute you’re rooting for him, the next you’re questioning everything. And don’t even get me started on the dark turn this story takes. I’m talking *twisted*, people. But in the best way possible. Think: psychological thriller meets urban grit, with a plot that dances on the edge of horror and suspense like a ballerina on a razor’s edge.

Gray’s writing is slick and smart. His dialogue feels raw and real, like you’re overhearing a conversation on the subway or in a back alley somewhere you probably shouldn’t be. There were moments I had to close the book just to catch my breath. Then I reopened it two seconds later because I *had* to know what came next. That ending? Jaw. Dropping.

If you love stories that mess with your head, blur moral lines, and leave you questioning who the real villain is, *Solomon’s Dark* will deliver. It’s dark, intense, and brilliantly written. Erick S. Gray—sir, you have outdone yourself.

This is not just a book. It’s an experience. Buckle up.

I was triggered, TRIGGERED!
And yet I read this through to the end. Why?
The history was accurate! Yes it all happened (minus maybe the vampires).
I loved how Mr. Gray also shone light on the rebellions, as a lot of people think that the enslaved just took the abuse, this also gave me some much needed reprieve from the triggers.
And it made me feel giddy as well, each and every time a scene of vengeance took place.

The quote that stood out to me the most was:
“The world is a dangerous place, my friend. But it can become a lot more dangerous if people stand by and don’t do anything about it”

Here's to waiting for book two

Thank you, Black Odyssey Media, for the digital arc.

This was a quick paced thriller set in Southern America during the years of slavery. While I enjoyed the storytelling, please be forewarned that the subject matters addressed in this story are not enjoyable. The story is set during slavery and the characters' speech, behaviors, and thought patterns are all very heavily reflective of that.

The action started from the very first chapter as we met Akasha and witnessed his transformation as well as the birth of his vengeance. We later meet Solomon and his wife Irene on the plantation and see the strength of their love in the midst of a horror filled reality. I appreciated that the author gave the perspectives of various characters throughout the novel as this created a very full picture of the environment for the reader. The wickedness and audacious thinking of the plantation owners were very palpable and easily juxtaposed to the fear and oppression of the enslaved people. Every time the vampires took center stage, I kept hoping and cheering for them. I really hoped that Akasha would have seen past his personal vengeance and viewed the full picture and how he could have aided more people to the path of freedom. But alas, the complexities of the situations and character development made this story very interesting, and the ending definitely leaves room for a continuation.