There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool

An ensemble cast of characters leads the way in There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool, the first book in a new fantasy saga about the end of days, and the five people who will either stop it, or bring it to fruition.

The Age of Darkness approaches.
Five lives stand in its way.
Who will stop it… or unleash it?

For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations―until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared.

All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction. As chaos takes hold, five souls are set on a collision course:

A prince exiled from his kingdom.
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.
A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart.
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.

One of them―or all of them―could break the world. Will they be savior or destroyer? Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Children of Blood and Bone, and An Ember in the Ashes.

The book is told in third person, but each chapter bounces around between the five main characters. This sort of ensemble storytelling can seem intimidating at first, but I had no problem slipping into the story, the world, and each character’s plotline. Seeing their stories start to interconnect and come together is a large part of what made reading There Will Come a Darkness so captivating.

Pool’s descriptions easily brought this world to life, and I could easily picture the places described throughout the story. I was excited to learn that the final copy will have a map, because I constantly felt the urge to reference one while reading. (My ARC did not have a map, sadly — but I did find it online!) I love a story that brings me into the setting, and There Will Come a Darkness certainly did so for me.

I also really loved the characters. I have my favorite, but I never minded bouncing around between perspectives, because each character’s arc kept me engaged and intrigued — and honestly, I can’t wait to see where things take them next. Likewise, though some of the plot twists are foretold and can be seen coming, there is plenty more that kept me on my toes.

There Will Come a Darkness is a captivating and promising start to a new fantasy series that feels unique and fresh in tone. I’m eager to see where the story goes next. Look for it in stores September 3rd.