I loved the concept behind this book. I’ve had my own thoughts about something popping up above people’s heads, but instead of dark clouds, it’s a listed icon of what people are wearing - where they’re from - and how much it costs…that way we can avoid the awkward question of “OMG where did you get that?!”

Nonetheless, I give this book 4.5 stars. It had me completely consumed in all aspects. I loved the character development of the main character and the love story;)I truly do recommend reading this book. It has a great message towards the end of the book and touches on the topic of school shootings and the effects it definitely has on everyone.

A thrill YA of a girl who faces a mystery a person who knows she has a gift and blames her for their past.
We meet Whitney who can see when someone is going to die by a black cloud over said person's head. I was drawn in by that idea and wanted to see what it was like for her and how she dealt with that. I do have to say that the author did a great job of explaining it and how it is seen. Learning about the black cloud was my favorite part of this book. I liked the worriedness and the fearfulness that comes with this power.
Whitney does go through a lot in these pages and it's so hard to talk about without spoiling anything. It's a wild ride.
There is a tiny bit of a Pretty Little Liars feel in the fact that Whitney gets sent and for someone who was obsessed with that show back in the day, I kinda liked that. I do have to say that the huge twists were something that I didn't see coming for most of the book but there was one scene that happened and boom I knew right away. I felt the review was good, it was fine. It's a solid YA.
I felt the writing was done well. Stacy does a good of making things feel uneasy and unsure about her environment and the people in her life. There are so very heavy themes and topics so please look them up as I don't want to list them as they could spoil the book. But if needed please, please look them up.
There is a strong message about how our choices affect the future and affect our lives. I felt that it was written well.
Overall, if you like high school thrillers, uneasy feelings, new yet, unsure about romance, family, and revenge.
A grilling thriller of magical realism that will keep you guessing as the mystery unfolds in this unsettling story.

Review:
5⭐
Right Place, Right Time...Consequences To Saving People.
THE DARKNESS RISES kept me intrigued. I loved the idea of darkness rising and encasing someone when death was near. That in itself was enough to keep me reading, but the added mystery reeled it in: who left the threatening letters, who killed Whitney's Gam, and oh so many questions about Isaac(it seemed suspicious that he showed up and everything started happening, but not everyone is bad, right?)
THE DARKNESS RISES really hones in on drama and revenge. There wasn't a second that I wanted to stop reading, or that I became bored with the idea. The book was interesting, gripping, and thrilling. And, of course, shocking when it was revealed who the conspirator was(It only occurred to me once that it was them, and that was the same time Whitney learned it.)
THE DARKNESS RISES is perfect for fans of WHEN by Victoria Laurie and ya mysteries.

Could not put this book down! If you like Pretty Little Liars this is for you. While a very sensitive topic, most of the mystery of the book felt like a who is a?! But, as someone who lives in the US, the topic of this book, a school shooting, did make this a very heavy read. But its message is what we should take home - The desire to do good, the desire to help/save others.

While there was a list of suspects, I did guess some of the ending and from that there was a piece that threw me and I absolutely loved it! This book was a wild ride that I thoroughly enjoyed!

I think we need to give Ms. Stokes the title of Queen of Magical Realism bc she does NOT miss.

Whitney has a gift. Or a curse, as she's grown to see it. She can see when people are going to die, or are in imminent danger. This leaves Whitney with a choice: say something, or let nature run its course. After saving someone who went on to do something despicable, Whitney is wracked with guilt and punishes herself. But somebody knows about Whitney's gift and how she was involved in the incident and is now threatening her and those she loves. Can Whitney find out who wants her to pay for her abilities before it's too late?

This is so good. Not only is the plot engaging, but there are themes of guilt and blaming oneself, PTSD and slight nods towards bullying. It was incredible. I kind of guessed the whodunnit, but I was also wrong! I had a lot of fun reading this, enjoyed the characters, and loved all of the ballet references as a former dancer!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)

Attracted by the cover and synopsis, I found "THE DARKNESS RISES" to be a compelling YA thriller! The main character, Whitney, possesses a unique ability to see dark clouds over individuals before they are in danger. After saving a classmate who later perpetrates a school shooting, she becomes the target of someone who knows her secret. The story was well-executed, with a propulsive narrative that kept me engaged and guessing throughout. Despite the heavy themes, the sensitive handling made for a worthwhile read. I finished the book in a single day and would recommend it to fans of YA, speculative fiction, and magical realism.

Cool though not fantastic spec thrill! A nice ya book that I feel will work well upon its release. Thanks for the arc. 3.5

A massive thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!! I really enjoyed this book; definitely something I will tell my friends about!

I really liked the premise and it was a solid YA read. As an added bonus, I loved all the HS dance team energy - the competitiveness, the friendships, the outfits, etc. and if you were ever a dancer it takes you right back to those feelings.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

my second book read in 2024, and I gave it four stars! I actually started this a few months ago and got stuck around page sixty. Then I kept going and realized the order of events was not what I expected. It got really interesting and I couldn't put it down. I've read other books where like the main character can tell when someone is about to die and tries to avoid it, but the revenge thriller portion of this felt unique. There's a strong twist, and an important author's note at then end of the story.

Subjects like this are tough to write about. I'm not sure if we're quite ready for this yet, but the attempt did not fall flat or feel insensitive to real stories. It reminded me a little of The Taking of Jake Livingston. It was a good mystery, but please be aware of the trigger warnings when reading.

RATING: 3.75/5 STARS

The cover and synopsis for THE DARKNESS RISES drew me in, and the novel itself delivered a solid YA thriller! Whitney sees dark clouds over people's heads before they are at risk of dying. One day, she saves a classmate who goes on to perpetrate a school shooting. As she deals with the fallout of her unfortunate, well-intentioned deed, she realizes someone knows her secret and aims to make Whitney and her loved ones their next victims. This was a unique concept and was executed well. The story propelled forward and introduced enough mystery and intrigue to keep me guessing. I read this in a single day. The themes in this book are heavy but handled with sensitivity. Recommend for fans of YA, speculative fiction, and magical realism.

A very powerful story of premonition and the desire to do good.

School shootings is a topic in books I usually steer clear of, but something about this book spoke to me.

Whitney can see when people are going to die. Even though she has been given the nickname Super Girl among classmates, this gift is something she doesn’t share with anyone, aside from her beloved grandmother whom she inherited this from.

It used to bring her some sense of happiness until someone she saved from death went on to do something terrible! She feels this sense of responsibility and guilt now.

It’s the start of her senior year and she is a shell of who she was. She doesn’t dance anymore, having quit the team and given up her role as captain. And now, she is getting ominous warnings from an unknown source, telling her to confess or she will be punished.

I thought this was so well done. And it truly begs the question of what is the butterfly effect of saving someone who is supposed to die? What events will happen after that change the course of the future?

I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect addition to my spooky reads for October. The writing was superb and the characters well rounded and developed well. The twist at the end was not what I expected at all, which is always a plus in a thriller book. I wish there had been more character development between Whitney and Isaac and there were some grammatical errors but other than that this was a fantastic read!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

The Darkness Rises by Stacy Stokes takes readers on a haunting journey into the life of Whitney, a young girl burdened with a unique and eerie ability to foresee death hovering over people. Ever since she was seven, she has witnessed this chilling phenomenon, and at times, she has been able to intervene and save lives. However, everything changes when she becomes entangled in an unimaginable tragedy—a school shooting carried out by someone she saves.

Haunted by guilt and desperate to escape the memories of that fateful day, Whitney takes drastic measures to conceal her extraordinary power from her loved ones and closest friends, even giving up the one thing she's cherished most: her passion for dance. But as she tries to navigate through the turmoil and guilt, an ominous message appears in her locker, a chilling indication that someone knows her secret and seeks revenge for her past actions.

The plot of The Darkness Rises twists and turns with every chapter, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly following Whitney's quest to unravel the mystery of the ominous message and the identity of her pursuer. Stokes expertly weaves together grief, redemption, and the weight of keeping secrets, creating a compelling and emotionally charged narrative.

Whitney's character is beautifully crafted, evoking empathy from readers as they witness her internal struggle and the complexities of her choices. Stokes showcases Whitney's growth throughout the story, making her a relatable and dynamic protagonist.

The speculative element of the story adds an extra layer of intrigue, as readers delve into the boundaries of life, death, and the blurred line between saving and altering fate. The book raises thought-provoking questions about the moral implications of using such abilities and the profound impact of one's choices.

Stokes' writing is gripping and emotive, drawing readers into the world of Whitney and her secrets. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of tension and quiet introspection that allow readers to connect deeply with the characters.

"The Darkness Rises" is a spellbinding mystery that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. It explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of saving lives, all while keeping readers guessing until the very end. Stacy Stokes has crafted an enthralling tale that will resonate with readers long after the final page. If you seek a thrilling, emotionally charged mystery that challenges your perceptions of life and death, this book is a must-read.