I think that this book was confusing a bit but I liked the world building in it. I did like this book and enjoyed the vampires along with the gray rebels and the fantasy world.

very interesitng fantasy with a very fun way of doing the classic vampire/werewolf schtick. 4 star.s tysm for the arc would recommend.

"Lightfall" by Ed Crocker presents an ambitious concept, blending science fiction with emotional depth and intrigue. The world-building is impressive, offering a unique setting filled with interesting lore and complex systems. The characters, while relatable, sometimes feel underdeveloped, and the plot can be predictable in parts. The pacing varies, with some sections feeling slow, while others rush through important developments. Despite these issues, the novel shines in its exploration of themes like hope and survival. Overall, it’s an engaging read for fans of the genre, though it could benefit from tighter storytelling and more character exploration to reach its full potential.

Overall enjoyment:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Prose: easy to read
Pacing (1=slow 5=fast): 3
Scary (1=cozy 5=splatter): not
Gore: mild
Spice: none
Character Development:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mini Review: Unique original take on a hierarchical structured vampire society, Shifters, Sorcerers, multiple povs, mysterious enemies, a death investigation, simple fantasy vocabulary, cozy but still some violence, lgbtq+ main & side characters

"The surviving immortals flee to their homelands in the corners of the continent, leaving the Centerlands to the Grays. The sorcerers stay in the Desertlands, the wolves in the eastern forests , and the vampires remain north in the first— now the only— vampire city. A century passes. Our . . . .tale . . . or my tale, as you will eventually see, begins. I have told you the what. The why will take a little longer."

Full Review: Tell me the tale Ed Crocker! That prologue was concise but informative and sets up the story nicely. This book has a cinematic quality that I can see easily being produced into a film. 'Lightfall' is a cross between Underworld and Dune mixed with Clue. You wouldn't think all those would work together but unbelievably, Ed Crocker has managed to make a set of immortal characters that are also relatable. The humor added a hint of whimsey that gave it a cozy atmosphere while still having violence. So, cozy feeling but not cozy.

The Cult of Humanis (Sorcerers) is more silly to me than revolutionary but I think that was the intention. Jacob and Sage's interactions are the best. They were absolutely hilarious. The Vampire lords were not as vicious as I'd hoped and I didn't understand them being homophobic. Their society is based on blood afterall and blood is the same in everyone. Wolfkind were as you'd expect. Raven Ansbach is my favorite character. The Wolf pov chapters are where a very mild amount of gore comes into play. The scenes are telegraphed and easily skipped for anyone who is sensitive. If you have a strong stomach, are a splatterpunk or horror fan this book will be a little boring for you gore wise.

The world building and terminology are simple to figure out, maybe a bit too simple honestly but it was adequate and not overly complicated. When you hear epic fantasy you expect huge worlds with complex vocabulary. This will be a hit with readers who prefer a more basic modern fantasy. Being a horror and dark fantasy fan, this storyline wasn't as dark as I wanted but I still liked it. I definitely wouldn't compare it to EOTV, as the blurb did, but I will still be looking forward to further books in this series.

To my mind this book would be made much stronger by ditching the first person narrative. I'm writing this review at about 30% because I think I will only read to the end of the chapter and then move on to something else. The story is interesting enough but slow, and the mystery of the Greys is too drawn out. The elder son Rufous is overdrawn and stereotyped. Not much here of interest.

4.5 Stars rounded down.

I came down a half-star for several reasons---sometimes the writing was repetitious, there were a lot of characters to keep straight, and, well, those are the only things I didn't really like. There were even times that I was going to give up and make it a DNF. But I kept going, and I am so glad I did. I cannot wait for the next book to come out.

This book has an interesting take on the vampire/werewolf genre since there are no humans in this world. The Vampires' needed blood sources from animals, and the larger and more vicious the animal, the more 'kick' the blood gives the vampires: that and a little magic from the sorcerers help with the 'kick.'

This is the story of our fair Samantha, a maid (unwillingly and looking for something better)in the First Lords mansion, and her cohorts, though they don't come into play till a little bit into the story. There has been a death (murder), and Samantha seems to feel like she has to solve the mystery behind it. But no, this isn't the only mystery in this novel- many mysteries are rolled into one.

Intrigue, lying, mysteries, murders, action, and adventure pepper this novel with a fine spice.

I'm looking forward to the next book and will probably be putting this on my comfort reads shelf!

* ARC was supplied by the publisher Macmillan/ St. Martin's Press, the author, and NetGalley.

A story with a different spin on vampires and werewolves. The unique worldbuilding and twist on the supernatural is what kept me engaged and curious. Overall, I found the first book of The Everlands intriguing and most likely will read book two.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #Lightfall

WOW OH WOW! What a stellar debut by Mr. Ed Crocker. If you're like me and tired of the same recycled fantasy stories hitting the shelves lately, I highly encourage you to pick up Lightfall. This was so imaginative and refreshing, putting a unique spin on many of the tried and true supernatural characters we're used to.

I'm grateful to a new friend Stacey who I saw recommend this book in a fantasy group online, her high praises were a definite reason for me immediately requesting this ARC and so graciously being approved.

At it's core this is a fantasy murder mystery. We spend the majority of the book trying to solve the murder of a Lord's son, all while our characters come together like a super cool version of the Scooby Gang.

There was one particular scene near the end of the book that legitimately blew my mind.

I loved how there were very subtle hints of a few romances and the banters between the characters was top tier.

Trust me when I say that the end leaves you eager for more!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Ed Crocker for a copy of this ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

DNF at 25%.

The plot was very interesting and I am a sucker for a good vampire story (and no sucker was not used on purpose here), but I felt the pacing was too slow and I could not get into the book for the life of me.

While this is a me thing, this book just didn’t hit the way I wanted it too. I really enjoyed the concept and the dynamics of the werewolves and vampires I just really struggled getting into this book. I enjoyed the mystery aspect and the character dynamics.

This book explores original concepts of what vampires and werewolves are and what immortal lives and dynamics would look like. The world-building is wonderful, and the plot is intriguing. The class system within the vampire community is also interesting and a new take on vampires. Our main character Sam is likeable right away within her lower class. All of the characters are just done extremely well. Crocker overall wrote an excellent immortal mystery with no humans!

In the vampire city of First Light, palace maid Sam is fed up with the strict social hierarchy. When she finds a clue to a murder, she blackmails her way into a better life and joins a group of rebels. Together, they uncover a conspiracy among the elite, and Sam must navigate this danger to survive and possibly gain immortality.

This book hooked me from the very first sentence of the prologue. As an avid fantasy reader, I found its unique twist—no humans—refreshing. Despite the absence of humans, the story is rich with politics and secrets. The world-building is excellent, and the characters are even better. I loved the dual POV, which provided different angles of the story.

The fierce female characters are a major highlight, especially Sam's perspective. Every character plays a vital role, and the sarcasm sprinkled throughout is fantastic. The first book answers many questions but ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me eagerly awaiting book two.

Highly recommend this one for the fantasy lovers out there! Thank you St. Martin's Press, Net Galley, and Ed Crocker for a chance to read this eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Intricately layered, and and masterfully written! This is easily one of the best fantasies I have ever read. There was never a moment where I felt the plot or pace was losing steam. I was captivated from start to finish.

This book was a unique take of a vampire/werewolf book. I loved that they didn't include humans, which made this story show more depth to the vampire/werewolf characters and their interactions with each other. The characters all felt real to me and I felt like I knew them by the end of the novel. The pace of the plot was good and kept me wanting to read more, so I can't wait for more books in the series.

A very unique,
wildly entertaining
world of immortals.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


I write haiku reviews but am happy to provide more feedback!

This book is about a group of immortals coming together to solve a mysterious murder. It had quite a few really exciting fight scenes and a lot of intelligent conversations. The dialogue could get long and deep at times and was definitely the main way to move the plot forward in the book.

I thought that I had read and seen every variation of vampires possible. But then I read this book and was pleasantly surprised to be wrong. The type of blood that the vampires drink determines their socioeconomic class and can also imbue them with special abilities, which is truly unique and fascinating.

I think this will be a very good series and look forward to reading the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the ARC of this book.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this new series that features vampires, werewolves, sorcerers all striving to survive in a world that has gone Grey.

Vampires are kind of played out. Werewolves also. When romance writers are doing stories featuring love not with the undead, nor the hairy, but dinosaurs, well that's a sign that trend has been staked and buried in the crossroads. There hasn't really been anything new with vampires. They mope, they want blood, werewolves want to run around and be free, and that is really it. Until now. Ed Crocker has found a way not only to make a vampire story interesting, but gives life to the idea that there is still something fresh to be done with creatures of the night. Making these creatures who used to cause fear, be the ones afraid, and having a real well devolved world around them. I might start liking vampires again. Lightfall is the first book in a new series, The Everlands, which tells of a world with vampires, werewolves and sorcerers, plotting and scheming for power, in a world that faces extinction from an unknown enemy.

Vampires had ruled the lands for so long, that when the Grey appeared they had no idea they were in a war, a war they would lose. The Vampires faced staggering losses and retreated from their centuries old cities to the city of First Light, where they built walls and with their sorcery allies planned their revenge. Behind the walls a hierarchy keeps the vampires in line. Lower class vampires, servants and the like live on the blood of cows. Those higher drink stag, eagle and occasionally werewolf blood, which endows vampires with great strength and power. All is stagnating, with palace plots being entertained as power shifts over the centuries. Until the day the First Lord's son is found dead outside the walls, killed by Greys. Or was he. A young maid finds evidence that the young lord was involved in something, something enough to give her a rise in station. The First Lord finds all his attempts to investigate being stymied by the people who are supposed to protecting the Vampires. Sorcerers are using this to advance their ideas. And the idea begins to grow. Maybe there is something else, something mortal that might be at the heart of the matter.

Game of Thrones with Vampires. That's an easy way to put this, but there is a lot more going on in this book than that. A great spin on vampires, werewolves and even magic people. Vampires one can see as the elite. Werewolves giving criminals to vampires to drain their blood for the fight against the Grey. Sorcerers being born adult, and told what their powers are. Different cults, hidden espionage groups. Again, a lot to follow. Crocker is really good at developing the world, explaining slowly how things work. There is a bit of a learning curve to the story, as the point of view changes among different vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, but the changes are noted so one is suddenly not in another person's shoes going huh. Once one gets used to the rotating narrators, the story moves well, with a lot of development in characters, plot and the world.

A series that might make vampires interesting again. I really liked the way things unfolded, and loved the twists and turns. For those who like a like a lot of plotting in stories, a bit of diplomacy among the action. And vampires. Also role player will enjoy the different views, and how an author can slowly revel the world, not just dump information on people. I look forward to the other books in this series.

A high-stakes adventure with a rich, complex world that will captivate readers from start to finish.

An epic fantasy novel set in a world of vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers, where centuries of vampire dominance are shattered by a mysterious enemy, the Grays. The survivors are forced into the last vampire city, First Light, where class divides are enforced by blood quality. Sam, a palace maid, grows tired of the rigid rules and seizes an opportunity to climb the social ladder after discovering a clue to a nobleman's murder. Teaming up with a group of rebels, a sorcerer, a werewolf assassin, and a secretive countess, Sam uncovers a conspiracy that could destroy the city. As she digs deeper, she must navigate deadly threats to expose the truth and survive long enough to uncover the mysteries of immortality.

_Lightfall_ has everything a fantasy lover could ever want—classism, rebellions, war, vampires, werewolves, assassins, and sorcerers. In the tradition of the best epic fantasy novels, it creates a world that feels lived-in and layered, filled with intrigue, power struggles, and surprising alliances.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its world-building, which is intricately crafted and cleverly presented. Rather than info dumping, the history of the country, its supernatural beings, and wars of the past they are slowly revealed through snippets at the beginning of each chapter, as well as through the diverse points of view of the characters. This technique not only keeps the pace brisk but also enriches the story, providing readers with a deep understanding of the societal tensions and conflicts shaping the present-day world. The characters—each of whom is deeply invested in facts, logic, and the pursuit of knowledge—serve as perfect vessels for this detailed storytelling.

The supernatural creatures are given new, intriguing spins. The vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers in this world aren’t just your typical creatures of myth; they are complex beings whose lives and roles in society are intricately tied to the class system, which is itself a fascinating part of the plot. The twist on types of blood is especially compelling, adding an extra layer of mystery to the social and political dynamics. The way the different races interact, negotiate, and maneuver feels incredibly realistic.

Each multi-POV brings something fresh and unexpected to the table, making for a vibrant, multifaceted narrative. The contrasts between characters are stark: their differing priorities, fears, and desires are reflected in their diction, thoughts, and behavior, and this variety creates a dynamic, immersive experience.

As the book moves into its second half, the stakes heighten, and the plot takes thrilling, unpredictable turns. I found myself riveted, unable to put the book down as action ramped up. This set the stage for what promises to be an exciting trilogy, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

What a book! I was immediately intrigued by the idea of a world without mortals. Every fantasy book tends to have some sort of aspect related to mortals against immortals so this was a refreshing change (of course they weren’t completely gone…). While this book centered on the vampires we still got a taste of the werewolves and the sorcerers in this world as well. I will also say that this was a very new take on vampires and their consumption of blood that I really enjoyed. Usually vampires are written more black and white but they are very complex in this story and the difference between Worns and the nobility really made this interesting. Each character was well thought out and dynamic, and the book flowed really nicely. And the ending was great, it didn’t feel rushed and makes me very excited for what’s to come in this series. A fantastic read!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. I'm not going to lie, this book was a little slow in starting and it took me a little bit to get into it. However, once it reached that point when things start to really move and happen, I was sucked in. This book is intricate and vast. The world building is on par with other great authors like Martin or Rothfuss. I enjoyed this different take on vampires and wolves and sorcerers. I cannot wait to find out what happens next.