Dark Light is book 1 in The Dark Light series.  


In this book, on her 20th birthday, Gabriella, who up until now has been completely ordinary, learns she is not what she always knew she was, and neither is the world.  She discovers her birth mother Natalia was a Dark Hunter of the Light Enchanters and her birth father Alexander was a Dark One from the Shadow, making them mortal enemies.



We follow her journey as she tries to get the most out of what's left of her human life, and tries to digest the information that she is both light and dark and will have to choose a side on her 21st birthday, when she becomes immortal and the most powerful of all the Light and Dark.  



The book is full of important relationships, hidden meanings, "Easter Eggs", flashbacks, glimpses of what's to come, death threats, vows, proclamations, magic, but the most important thing the book is full of is Dorian Skotos (hubba hubba). 











When reading this book, we really don't know if Dorian is going to be the good guy or the bad guy, but we know he is a sexy guy.  And there is not a caution or deterrent strong enough to keep Gabriella, or the reader, away from his yummy Greekness.  He gives eye-fucking and tingling touch a whole new meaning.











The unfolding of story is very well-written.  I couldn't wait to go straight into book 2.  It is a wonderful balance of mystery, fantasy and romance.











toni



















My review
http://divasdiscussions.blogspot.com/2013/11/dark-light-by-s-l-jennings.html ( )

First of all I should say that I loved it. I don't think I've ever been so stumped on reviewing a book before. Maybe it's because it would be so easy to give away too much. My attention was first drawn by the cover, it's beautiful, there I go judging a book by it's cover again, can't help it but so glad it wasn't just a teaser luring me in. Next, the synopsis sounded interesting so I decided it would be my next read. The concept, the dialogue, the characters was great. Gabriella found out on her twentieth birthday that her biological parents weren't actually human and will be ascending to what she really is and is also expected to be the savior for the world she was originally born to. I liked how Gabriella handled the news, I was worried there would be whining and an annoying inner voice that would just turn me off. Thankfully Gabriella quickly came to an understanding. She seems to handle shocking news pretty well, hope she keeps it up. Although a little angry that her whole life was a big lie and has been planned out for her, which is to be expected, who wouldn't be. I think S.L. Jennings style of writing and transitions made Gabriella's acceptance easy to swallow. I was surprised there weren't any long inner and outer rants about the revelations brought to Gab's attention. Everything that happened or told to Gab's was resolved quickly, it was kinda new for me, never read anything like this. While reading the book I was trying to decide if I liked Jennings' transitions or not but since I wasn't losing my mind with annoying dialogue I decided I liked it.

Cue Dorian, wealthy, laid back, drop dead gorgeous. All signs point to what Dorian might be, I kept hoping make it not so but even with the fears of what he might be, I saw him as someone Gabriella could trust and depend on. Let's just say that he and Gabriella's between the sheets and where ever else, romps where "HOT". Dorian kept casually and sneakily giving Gabriella information on or about what himself and the world he's from to have her ask the right questions. No such luck, that might be the only thing I didn't like very much about Gabriella, she was unwilling or afraid to ask the questions nagging her. I thought he should have just told her and I would have crossed my fingers that she accepts it like she's be doing everything else. But I guess that would have made things too easy.

Another thing I liked about the story was that Gabriella was being prepared for what might occur with a lot of information by her parents and Dorian. I've never seen information be given out so soon and freely in a book before, it was refreshing. I hoped it would help when she found out who Dorian really is she wouldn't freak out and runaway.

Okay, about the story concept, there are magical Light beings and the reverse, magical Dark beings, who were originally light beings but magical greed changed them. Gabriella was born into this magical world and is expected to bring them together, both want her to join their side but while one completely ignores her and just expect that she will choose them the other is campaigning for her dedication with threats and widespread violence in the human world. Guess which one is doing that. Gabriella has a tough choice to make because all is not what it seems and they've both already betrayed her before she even knew they existed. Gabriella will ascend at the age of 21 and has a year to decide while trying to keep herself alive. Very interesting concept and can't wait to see where these revelations take Gab's in the series. ( )

The main character, Gabriella, just got on my nerves too much for me to give this a higher rating. She is probably the most naive character I have ever read. It was disappointing that she didn't figure things or until the very end when the reader knew from probably the first 10%. ( )

How Buffy would deal with this chick....



I am dead sure of it. She would simply swoop in, kick her ass without braking a nail or batting an eyelash for that matter and just bounce. And all would be well deserved too.

I got past the hundred page mark and can say that nothing happened. Literally nothing. This novel is confused with itself. It doesn't know what it wants to be. It is supposed to be a PNR, but the PN is nowhere in sight. It is so very subdued and inconsequential I had to remind myself of the genre every so often. And why is it that the author chose the biggest possible cliches to hang on to, like the age of her MC. So Gabriella finds out her otherworldly heritage and she will forever be 21? Seriously? Either 21 or 18 every time in these types of novels, no fail. Never mind that we are supposed to deal with ancient magic and that being 21 a few hundred years ago would make you a grandmother. There simply wasn't medicine or the security needed for a long lifespan as we enjoy today. Plus I don't get this 21 bullshit anyway. You are an adult and could get life should you commit a crime, but hey! No beer! Cuz that makes sense...


The romance is weirdly intense to that point that it gives you the heebie jeebies. She meets this guy named Dorian (original name BTW) in a nightclub (original setting BTW), and he is instantly captivated by her (original scene BTW). There is this insta-lust brewing between them as they are pulled together not by common sense and attraction, rather supernatural vibes (original plot twist BTW). Long story short, he makes her very horny, and wet...all the time.

What takes the cake however, is the writing style. I wouldn't call it waxing poetic. I wouldn't call it OTT either, just simply of the mark. I am not saying that I don't appreciate eloquence, or that by being twenty years old a person is unable of speaking correctly, but this.... godamn...

When she's talking about Dorian, “..he coos”, or every time he wants to say something, “ ..he breathes”. Once or twice I can stand, but if you use it constantly I keep imagining him panting like a dog, or talking like that kid in a wheelchair from Malcolm in the Middle.

Then you have this...
“I pull out my curling iron and commence to fashioning dangling ringlets...I pull my tresses up with a silver clip” Cuz that's just how college kids talk these days.

Honestly, I got a feeling I needed to ring for the butler every time I wanted to turn my pages.


It simply taken away from the entire experience so drastically, it made it unreadable. Maybe there is an ending buried in there. Maybe something finally happens. Maybe he breathes her panties off....I simply couldn't care less. ( )