Thursday, October 4, 2012

Review: Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London

Release Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 342
Genre: YA Vampires
Source: Kindle
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
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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.

I'm going to start right off with the world building because it was very well done and important to all other aspects of the story. There was a huge war with humans and vampires which left the world devastated. Vampires won as I guess would be expected so the VampHu treaty was put in place. The cities are all surrounded by huge walls. Vamps on the outside, humans on the inside. Technology has been destroyed. Little communication and travel between the cities. There is one train that goes through and it is like a huge event when it comes to town. Any human outside the wall can basically be killed as can any vampire found inside the wall. Humans must donate blood but now that time has passed since the war humans are less afraid and growing more angry. They are donating less which is causing hunger and more vamps to enter cities to find blood.

Dawn is the delegate, her parents were murdered so she is taking over, and it is her job to talk to the vamp overlord and to create peace. It is basically a pointless job because Lord Valentine will take absolutely no responsibility for anything. He demands but gives nothing in return. But then enter his son Victor. Vamps can reproduce and also be turned. Victor is unlike any vampire Dawn has ever met. Incredibly sweet and caring towards humans and vampires. He shows her that not all vampires are evil which is her belief after having her parents and brother brutally murdered by vamps. Her brother's story was incredibly heartbreaking. Victor did grow on me and I respected that he was trying to make a difference but I didn't really see him and Dawn having much more in common. Plus he is 400 years old and she is 17! That is just a bit of a big/gross age difference! Plus she has a wonderful human boyfriend!

Dawn meets with Victor in secret which puts on a strain on her relationship with Michael. I loved Michael! He was friends with Dawn all her life and really understands her. He is training to be a night watchman and would willingly throw down his life to protect Dawn. Dawn keeping secrets about her new life I think confused Michael. She should have let him in on what she learned and how her thinking towards vampires changed. Michael shows a couple instances of being a jerk but it could have been prevented with some honestly. I forgive him though. Dawn has specifically stated she doesn't want to be turned so I think Michael is the better choice for her but as always I have a feeling I won't get what I want. Then again the only quote I highlighted was from Victor so I admit I eventually grew a soft spot for him. Damn love triangles!

Victor would make a great leader but Lord Valentine will not easily step down. Lots of changes need to be made but if Lord Valentine stays in charge humans and vamps will continue to suffer. It ends with a huge cliffhanger but there was a preview of the next book that cleared it right up. I guess they knew it was cruel so they threw in the preview?! I love vampires and haven't read a good vamp book since The Immortal Rules so I was so excited for this and happy it didn't disappoint. With a great romance(s), action, mystery, twists, and world building I am eagerly awaiting Blood-Kissed Sky. It's due out in December so hopefully I can hold out until then!


"I like you, Dawn. I've seen a lot of humans, from far away and up close, I've never met one like you. I think you're the closest thing to a sunrise I'll ever see."

Rating: 5/5

30 comments:

  1. This sounds AWEESOMEE!! I really like the idea of human/vamps war!! and lol at the age difference!! hahaha reminds me of twilight xD Great and lovely review!
    - Farah @ MajiBookshelf

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    1. Twilight wasn't even as bad though. Edward was like 100 but Victor is 400! That is just weird! Especially for someone only 17. Michael just seems like the better choice. He is a really great guy. I love dystopian vampire books. Humans and vamps fighting and trying to live together is interesting. A bit different than when vamps are not out to humans.

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  2. I absolutely loved your review. I have had this book sitting on my bookshelf since May and just haven't gotten around to it. You sum it all so nicely! Great review :)

    Chelsey@Charming Chelsey's

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    1. Yes you must get to it! At least in time for the sequel in December. I'm a huge fan of vampire books and I also really love when they have dystopian elements. I hope you enjoy it!

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  3. I haven't heard of this book before but after reading your review I'm gonna have to check it out! Great review :)

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  4. I loved Darkness Before Dawn, too! I loved the world-building, the characters...everything. I'm glad you enjoyed it too. And I'm laughing because you actually like Victor in spite of yourself! I had no idea book two is so soon!
    Great review!

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    1. I loved it a lot! Very addicting, great world, characters, romance even though yes I was so mad at myself for liking Victor! LOL Michael was so wonderful. Perfect package for Dawn. But Victor does have the sweet, brooding, misunderstood vamp thing going on. I like him but I just think Michael is the better choice. Especially with all his responsibilities he has to focus on.

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  5. I've had this one on my shelf since Andrea (up above) reviewed it and loved it. I heard it was very similar to The Immortal Rules, though. Did you read that? Either way, guess I need to read it soon so I can prepare for the next book. :) Especially since you loved this one so much. :D

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    1. I was looking forward to it as soon as I heard it but Andrea's review also made me really excited for it. I loved The Immortal Rules. I wouldn't say that are that similar except that they are dystopian. Both worlds have a lot of devastation and vamp fear. But Dawn is human and completely different from Ali and all the characters and circumstances are very different.

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  6. Was really looking forward to this one, but after I read The Immortal Rules I thought it sounded way too similar. A lot of people seem to like this one though so I might have to add it to my TBR again.

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    1. The dystopian elements are a little similar but the story and characters are completely different. I loved both of them!

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  7. This book sounds amazing !!!! I definitely have to pick up a copy. Thanks for the fabulous review Jennifer ;)

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  8. Well I am glad to finally read an enthusiastic review. I was so excited to read this and then started seeing a bunch of lukewarm reviews so I passed. but yours has me changing my mind. I love intricate world building so I am excited to hear that this book has great world building and Dawn sounds like a character I need to meet!

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    1. I only really saw good reviews lol but I didn't read too many cause I knew it was a definitely to-read for me! Always have to try the latest vamp book. I also really love a unique world that I can picture in my mind and I really saw this world perfectly.

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  9. OOooh nice review!! I've had this in my TBR mountain for months! Haven't gotten to it yet but truly hope to soon! Of course that's how it is for all the books in that pile!! Really excited for this one now!

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    1. I had this on my mountain since it came out! lol And I really enjoyed it! So happy I made time for it and hope you can get to it soon!

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  10. Oh man, this is one I've thought about reading but no review had quite convinced me it was a must read until now! You make it sound AMAZING and I'm definitely itching to get my hands on it now! I'm glad to hear that the world building was done very well.

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    1. YAY! Always happy to convince another to try a good vamp book. Really interesting vamp world. While there are several dystopian vamp books I think this one stands on it's own. Great characters too! Hope you enjoy it!

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  11. WOW!! I am blown away by this one! I can't believe I have never heard of it before. And I really like the idea of a human-vampire war. It's very interesting and I really like how it's a new-ish take on vampires. Plus, the characters sound very promising! I am very excited now to get this in my hands! Thanks, Jennifer, for the AWESOME review! :D

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair

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    1. I had been stalking this one since I saw the cover which is so pretty! A bit pretty for a vamp book but it works. I do like the increase in books with the dystopian/vamp setting. Makes things interesting when humans and vampires are trying to live together. Glad the book is on your radar now! Hope you enjoy it!

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  12. Wow! Guess I'm going to have to read this one. Seems like I've been reading vampire books lately. I haven't sought them out, but they just come to me. lol

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    1. I haven't been reading enough vamp books lately lol and I love them! I'm hoping to finally start the Chicagoland Vampires series next. I hear amazing things about it.

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  13. I have no idea why I haven't read this book. I was so excited about it and they it came out. Now you reminded me about it. Great review and I cannot wait to read it.

    Tanja @Ja čitam, a ti?

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    1. With so many books that happens to me too! I have a bunch I get when they come out but then I just don't have time to read them. Glad to get you back on it and hope you read it soon! It was something I was super excited for in May and it took me till now to read it but so happy I did.

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  14. Great review Jennifer. I really want to read this one. Michael sounds great but I usually tend to fall for the vamp lol. I wonder which I'll prefer in this.

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    1. lol I usually fall for the vamp as well. But I don't know...I guess I'm getting tired of the same old man broody vamp characters. Plus Michael just seemed like a great guy.

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  15. Great review, I rpre-ordered this one awhile back, but then it ended up just sitting in my TBR pile -_-''. Must pull the book out of the pile now after reading your review :).

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