“Nightfall” offers a unique twist on the supernatural genre by focusing on a world populated entirely by immortals, breathing new life into familiar themes of werewolves, vampires, and sorcerers. At first, I struggled to get into the story; the pacing felt uneven with too much exposition up front. It took more than half the book before I felt fully engaged. The initial chapters reminded me of the early stages of a D&D campaign, where character setup takes precedence over the action, leaving me impatient for the story to truly begin. But, like a good campaign, once the adventure kicked off, I was hooked.

The second half of the book is where everything came together for me. The central mystery deepened, and the plot’s twists and turns kept me on my toes. The characters began to come alive through their interactions and the escalating tension. There’s a lot of potential in this world, and I’d love to see the author return to these characters and this setting, perhaps with a more balanced approach in future works.

Thank you netgalley...

Ed wrote a lot of story in under 400 pages... the character building and unfolding of the story were great. I'm looking forward to what happens in book 2

[4.5 rounded up]
This was such a clever take on vampires and werewolves. A subject that so often can become campy or cheesy, this book is neither of those.
A compelling story and characters with both heart and depth. I ADORE a book with some funny banter between likable characters, and this one has it.
There were a few spots that felt a bit verbose but never boring, and I also felt that the action sequences sometimes felt a bit clumsy but other than that the writing was very enjoyable. I truly cannot wait for the next book in this series!

Nightfall presents an intriguing take on the supernatural genre by exploring a world filled only with immortals. It brings a fresh perspective to the well-worn territory of werewolves, vampires, and sorcerers. Initially, I found it difficult to dive into the story, as the pacing felt off with too much exposition at the beginning. It was more than halfway through before I felt truly invested. The first half reminded me of the first sessions of a D&D campaign where the time spent setting up characters overshadowed everything else and I was frustrated and just wanted things to start happening already. However, also like a D&D campaign, once the adventure truly started, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

That second half of the book was where it really hit its stride for me. The central mystery deepened, and the twists and turns kept me engaged. The characters began to shine through their interactions and the unfolding plot. There's so much potential here, and I'd love to see the author revisit these characters and this setting, perhaps with a more balanced execution next time.

Overall, I'd give this book a 3.5, rounded down to a 3, mainly because the slow start made it difficult to fully appreciate the story's potential from the get-go. However, if you're a fan of fantasy worlds with complex power dynamics and a murder mystery twist, this book might just be your cup of tea. It's a promising start that sets the stage for future books to dive even deeper into its rich universe.

"Lightfall" by Ed Crocker presents a promising concept, with its blend of science fiction and fantasy elements. The story follows an intriguing premise that initially captures the reader's attention, suggesting a journey through a richly imagined world filled with magic and technology.

Unfortunately, the execution of this concept falls short. The narrative is often bogged down by lengthy expositions and inconsistent pacing, making it difficult to stay engaged. The plot meanders, with key events feeling rushed while other, less critical moments are overly drawn out. This uneven pacing detracts from the overall reading experience.

Character development is another area where "Lightfall" struggles. While the protagonist has potential, their arc feels underdeveloped, and secondary characters lack the depth needed to make their interactions meaningful. This makes it hard to connect with the characters or care about their journeys.

Crocker's world-building, while ambitious, is sometimes overwhelming and confusing. The intricate details of the universe are not always clearly explained, leaving the reader grappling to understand the rules and dynamics of the story's setting. This complexity, combined with a convoluted plot, makes the narrative feel disjointed.

The writing style, though descriptive, can be dense and difficult to follow. At times, it feels like the prose gets in the way of the story, with overly elaborate descriptions and dialogue that doesn't always flow naturally.

Lightfall: Book One of the Everlands by Ed Crocker is a wonderful addition to the world of the supernatural. And, this one is extra super - there are no humans - so no 500 year old fairy falling for a 19 year old clutzy but cute ingénue. Book one sets up a great world exploring power dynamics and murder. Great story when you like a genre but are looking for something that is a bit different.