What a fantastic concept! This story felt wholly original, and it immediately made me want to dive into the author's backlist.

The idea of an eerie black cloud forming above people’s heads as they near death—and the main character having the power to stop it—was so compelling. I loved how the concept was introduced and illustrated, making it easy to understand the weight of her ability and the impact she could have. The relationship between Whitney and her grandmother was especially touching, adding an emotional depth that grounded the story. Despite her grandmother’s illness, their bond was enduring and heartfelt.

The characters felt authentically like high schoolers, and the fast-paced plot kept me hooked from start to finish. It was an intense, gripping read that I found hard to put down. Easily a book I’d recommend to my audience and just about anyone looking for a unique, thought-provoking thriller.

The Darkness Rises is a speculative story that also gets a little philosophical. It follows Whitney, who has the strange ability to tell who is about to die by seeing a dark cloud over their head. Stokes does a great job exploring how this power impacts Whitney emotionally and psychologically. She attempts to use her ability for good, saving people before they meet their deaths, but when Whitney talks a boy out of jumping off of a roof only to have him carry out a school shooting days later, trouble ensues. She becomes convinced that somebody is out for revenge.

Where this book gets its philosophical bent is how Stokes explores the idea of saving people, through the eyes of Whitney a year after saving the life of a school shooter. Stokes tackles the ethics of which people deserve to be saved in an accessible way. I know that for me personally, one of the hardest lessons that I had to learn is that I can't save everyone from themselves or their circumstances, and that people don't change unless they find it within themselves to do so, so I liked how this aspect brings a little realism into this supernatural story. For what it's worth, the thriller aspect of this book was done well, too, with Whitney racing against the clock to figure out who is targeting not only her, but those she cares about. The twist at the end might, shockingly, just be the most realistic thing of all, though.

This is the type of book that I know wasn’t written for me but can so clearly see it was written so well that there’s a huge audience for it. I think I’m just aged out of this book. I would have been spooked by the ambiance and shocked by the twist a few years ago. I definitely have people to recommend it to!

The Darkness Rises is an edge of your seat thriller that will keep you guessing. It is a thrill ride that takes you on twists and turns throughout the entire story.

Whitney has the incredible power of being able to see what death looks like. She sees it as dark clouds hovering over peoples heads. She's always known that it's her duty to try and save people from the darkness. But when someone she saves becomes the perpetrator of a horrific school shooting, Whitney begins questioning herself and begins to carry around tremendous guilt. When Whitney finds a threatening note in her locker at school, she realizes someone knows her secret, and they are coming after her. They want payback. Whitney must track them down before they can harm her.

Stacy Stokes takes the issue of gun violence in schools and handles it with respect and care. She does a good job of exploring how trauma can affect someone. At the same time, we get a story of supernatural power. Stokes also explores themes of morality as we watch Whitney grapple with her decision to save someone's life and wondering if it was the right thing to do, and if she will continue to save others.

Great book.

Whitney Lancaster appears to be a typical high school senior with hobbies like dancing and visiting her grandma, or “Gams”, at her senior living facility. But Whitney has a particular gift – or curse, some might say. Whenever she sees dark, rippling clouds over someone’s head, she knows that death is coming for them. Despite the inability to really explain how she knows, she still tries to save the person’s life. That is, until a person she saves goes on to commit a horrific tragedy that ends eight young lives, injures others, and shatters an entire community. Since then, she’s desperately tried to move on and hide the role she played. But when she begins receiving ominous notes about the incident and her secret, she realizes that someone knows the truth and wants her to pay. The Darkness Rises by Stacy Stokes is a young adult thriller novel in which Whitney must stop her secret from being revealed, or else her worst nightmare becomes reality.

Stokes crafts a story that approaches a controversial American issue with care while also adding a supernatural twist in The Darkness Rises. Not only that, but the narrative also challenges readers to ask themselves the hypothetical question – would you, should you continue saving lives if there’s a possibility of more loss and tragedy as a result? These existential challenges plus sophisticated storytelling and exploration into the human psyche are just some of the reasons why I highly recommend that readers add this to their reading lists.

Engages with real, serious issues teens encounter in their everyday lives in the current era in which gun violence runs rampant, with some supernatural accoutrement to help the message go down. Sensitive and smart, empathetic and real.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Press for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

This YA had all the best elements of a superhero novel and thriller. It was instantly engaging and a fast-paced read.

Whitney is a little different from everyone else, she can tell when someone will die and has made it her personal mission to save as many lives as she can. Until one life she saves costs the lives of many in a local school shooting. Now she bares the guilt, and the question of “is every life worth saving”? As her life falls apart around her, someone begins stalking her saying they know what she’s done, and that they know she can see death. With those she loves being threatened, and her secret about to be revealed, who can she trust and what should she do when confronting death?

“When we become numb, we all lose.”
💨
Whitney can see death coming. When a black cloud hovers over peoples’ heads she knows they’re about to die. Her grandmother can see it too and warns Whitney to stay away from it as much as she can, but when Whitney saves a boy from jumping and ending his life, she also sets off a chain of events that leads to a school shooting. Guilt follows Whitney all the time now and she’s unable to escape what happened last school year. One day Whitney gets a note from someone telling her they know the part she played in the deaths of those students last year and now it’s a race to see if she can find out who knows her dangerous secret.
👯
What a powerful YA book by Texas author Stacy Stokes. While this is a paranormal thriller of epic proportions, it’s also a commentary of how school shootingd affect our daily lives. As an educator I’m constantly thinking about it and how I would protect the students around me. It’s a sobering thought, and not one people should have everyday in the classroom. Please vote for better gun control this (and every) election.

CW: Mass shooting, death, murder, stalking, car accident, death of a grandparent, gun violence, alcohol, suicide, bullying, gaslighting, violence, dementia

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel!

This YA thriller offers familiar supernatural tropes but stands out in its handling of sensitive issues like gun violence. Stokes effectively portrays how a school shooting impacts both the community and the main character, Whitney, without seeming preachy. Whitney’s trauma, stemming from her psychic powers and survivor guilt, is explored deeply. I also appreciated the thoughtful author's note on the subject.

While I’m not the target audience and some thriller elements didn’t resonate with me, I know exactly who I’d recommend this to. Stokes does a great job addressing heavy topics with respect and trust in her readers.

*The Darkness Rises* by Stacy Stokes is a gripping tale that masterfully blends suspense with supernatural elements, keeping readers on edge from start to finish. Stokes' vivid storytelling and well-crafted characters make this novel an intense and unforgettable read.

"The Darkness Rises" by Stacy Stokes is a thrilling blend of supernatural intrigue and heart-pounding action set against the backdrop of a small town with dark secrets. The novel follows protagonist Waverly Fishwater, a high school student grappling with newfound powers and a mysterious legacy tied to her family's past.

Stokes' writing is immersive, drawing readers into a world where ancient prophecies and modern-day dilemmas collide. Waverly is a relatable and compelling heroine, navigating the complexities of teenage life while uncovering the truth about her supernatural abilities. The author deftly weaves together elements of fantasy and mystery, keeping the plot engaging with twists and revelations that heighten the suspense.

What sets "The Darkness Rises" apart is its atmospheric setting and richly developed mythology. Stokes creates a vivid portrayal of the town of Ardere, where eerie occurrences and hidden agendas add layers of intrigue to the narrative. Themes of identity, destiny, and the power of choice resonate throughout the story, offering readers a thought-provoking exploration of self-discovery and courage.

While the pacing is brisk, ensuring a thrilling ride from start to finish, the novel also explores deeper emotional currents, particularly in Waverly's relationships with her friends and family. The supporting cast is well-rounded, each contributing to the unfolding mystery and adding depth to the protagonist's journey.

In conclusion, "The Darkness Rises" is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of supernatural fiction looking for a fresh take on familiar tropes. Stacy Stokes' ability to blend suspenseful storytelling with heartfelt character development makes this novel a standout in the genre

Oof, this was pretty scary and bone-chilling. I loved how Stokes incorporated the supernatural into the real world while expertly handling grief and trauma and all the intense emotions relating to those. The characters felt very real, and I love the writing style.

This book was really spooky. It was a very quick read for me that blended grief, suspense, and horror.

If you saw someone’s death coming would you save their life?
It seems like such an easy answer, but this story tells the other side of that coin.

The Darkness Rises is a fascinating YA thriller. The story follows high school student Whitney as she deals with the aftermath of saving the life of the wrong person. A person that went on to commit a mass attack at her high school.

The author did a fantastic job at writing this book. Expertly blending supernatural elements with real life experiences like grief and trauma.

Whitney is a fantastic MC, I really liked her and felt for her throughout.

Ashley for the mystery, I did guess that right away. But it didn’t take away from me enjoying the story.

Overall this was a great read. I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.

4.5 stars

I honestly saw nothing from this book coming. I loved the main character, I can't imagine what I would do in her situation. Her mysterious power of seeing when people are about to die is absolutely insane. It isn't ever really explained, only hinted at but I really didn't mind it. Things aren't always going to be known. There was a little hint of a romance that I really enjoyed, definitely not the focus of it but it played a great role. Also, it had some heavy topics involved that I would recommend looking at trigger warnings, but I thought the author did a good job with how it played in the story. It got so intense and dark at times, it had me sitting on the edge of my seat at the end. It wasn't the best story I ever read but I loved reading it.

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. all opinions are my own.

What a fantastic story! highly recommend!

The Darkness Rises is an interesting YA thriller. The story follows high school student Whitney as she deals with the aftermath of saving the life of the wrong person. Whitney has the ability to see if a person is about to die. This is a gift she shares with her beloved grandmother, and they both have kept it a secret between them. When someone is about to die, a dark cloud forms above their head, and Whitney can act and try to save them, or ignore it and leave them to their fate.

Last year Whitney saved the life of a troubled fellow student, and he used his second chance at life to commit a mass shooting. The decision has haunted her ever since, and makes her really think about whether her ability is a gift, or a curse. She’s been so careful to keep her ability hidden, but when the new school year begins, it seems someone knows what she did. And that someone isn’t happy about it.

With the threat of exposure looming over her head, Whitney will have to trust her friends and family to help her through this difficult time. But she’ll have to hurry, because the ones she loves soon become the targets of the mystery stalker. And this person does not mind using violence to get what they want.

I enjoyed this mystery read. The reveal of the villain was not who I was expecting, which was a nice surprise. The main character, Whitney, could be a little whiny at times, but overall I enjoyed her. This is a great book for fans of YA mysteries and thrillers.

A chilling psychological thriller, "The Darkness Rises" takes readers on a haunting journey through the mind of Whitney, a teenage girl burdened with a dark gift - the ability to see imminent death looming over people. When her intervention in a tragic event goes horribly awry, Whitney is consumed by guilt and resolves to bury her secret power. However, a malicious force emerges, hellbent on exacting vengeance, and Whitney finds herself in a perilous game of cat-and-mouse.
The Author masterfully ratchets up the tension with each turn of the page, deftly blending elements of the supernatural with the harsh realities of trauma and grief. Whitney's struggle to confront her guilt while being hunted by an unseen threat makes for a gripping, emotionally charged read. With its eerie atmosphere and shocking twists, "The Darkness Rises" is a haunting exploration of the ripple effects of tragedy and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of darkness.

Thank you to netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for allowing me access to this book. This book was everything in more. It pulled me in from page 1 and kept me there the entire time.

"'𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆,' 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅. '𝑵𝒐 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔.'
𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆.
𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔."

Special thanks to @penguinteen @vikingbooks @stacyastokes and @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

➡️ swipe for synopsis 👉🏼

MY REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tw⚠️: gun violence, abuse, suicide, bullying, and school shootings

This was a very descriptive and complex ya thriller that was a quick read and sucked me in from the very beginning.

It deals with a lot of present-day traumas, but with an interesting fictional twist that keeps you guessing til the very end.

Have you ever wanted to be able to know when someone's in danger, and save them. We'll Whitney can, but it may be more of a burden than a gift. Her and her Gams have been able to "save" people, but it does come at a cost. Recently, Whitney has found that out - and so has someone else.

How far will that person go to make sure Whitney pays for her secret?

Grab this new release today!
PUB DATE:
April 9, 2024

QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️ If ypu could have any super power, what would it be, and why?

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#revenge #thedarknessrises #stacystokes #penguinteen #netgalley #yathriller #mysteryandthrills #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict
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