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.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.

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.

📖 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.