A Blessed Darkness

I didn't know what to expect as I haven't read anything by this author before. I was pleasantly surprised. The depth of the messages in this book! It's quite something.

On the surface, this could be any high-stakes fast-paced fantasy with a Chosen One theme, but you scratch that surface and out bubbles an in-depth exploration of racism and other forms of prejudice, good and evil and how our choices lead us along either path as well as the capacity for evil we all possess, loneliness, not fitting in and the question of belonging, doing the right thing. There is so much to explore and so many important questions to contemplate.

Bell doesn't shy away from anything, most especially not the truly difficult questions. The ending surprised me. I haven't read a book with such a deeply moving and yet totally surprising as well as honest ending in a very long time. This ending is not a people-pleaser. It is also exactly what the story and the characters call for. It is necessary and Bell has done a great job of writing what was needed. In conjunction with the author's end note, I found the ending even more poignant and important.

I'm really glad I discovered this author! I look forward to reading her other books now and further inundate my tbr list. 

-- Astrid V.J., USA Today Bestselling Author