Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Review: Against the Darkness (Cimmerian Moon #1) by A. M. Griffin

Title: Against the Darkness (Cimmerian Moon #1)
Author: A. M. Griffin
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Apocalyptic
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

This one time, at band camp…aliens invaded earth. Sounds like a bad riff on an old joke, doesn’t it? Unfortunately for me and my friends, it’s all too true. I thought a mess like this only happened in the movies but, as I watch the alien ships hovering over the major cities, I suddenly realize I’m a thousand miles away from my Mom. From home. From safety.

Darkness may have fallen over the world, but I won’t let it claim me. I’ll do anything I have to get back to Michigan. Yet nothing could prepare me for what we find on our trek north from Tallahassee. There’s hardly anything the aliens haven’t bombed. Survival, at any cost, is the name of the game for the few people who haven’t been killed or captured. As if trying to stay free and alive isn’t enough, I think I just met the love of my life. And he’s just the kind of bad boy who’ll tear down the walls I’ve built around my heart—then break it.





Amazing.  That is the best way to describe Against the Darkness.  It was a brilliant mix of coming of age, science fiction, and alien invasion apocalypse.  Sinta was a very well built character and you can't help but love her.  She has plenty of flaws for readers to relate to, but has such an inner strength and fortitude that you admire her at the same time.  Watching as she turned from the bratty teen arguing with her mother into a formidable survivor was great.  I enjoyed watcher her recover from her mistakes and was thrilled that she didn't make them over and over again.

Now the aliens - we don't see too much of them, but they are this constant threat lurking everywhere.  And I really mean everywhere.  The first time you actually see them as a reader is incredibly intense and brilliantly written.  

There is a sort of love triangle, but the players all know where they stand with each other so it didn't really bother me.  Sinta is pretty sure who she wants, and even the times that it doesn't work out well for her, she sticks to it.  She's not the type to change her feelings easily.

There is one scene where I was afraid something beyond horrible was happening, but thank goodness it didn't - I think you will all recognize it when you get there as the kids were all rescued just in the nick of time.  I had a hard time putting this down and I loved the world that A.M. Griffin created.  Familiar, but at the same time strangely transfigured by the alien invasion.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*


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