As Darkness Falls

Book One from the Of Light and Shadows Series

Fiction - Supernatural
323 Pages
Reviewed on 05/19/2013
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Originally from Brooklyn New York, but now living in the suburbs of Washington DC, Peter Matise is an educator, husband and father of one awesome little toddler. When not writing, Peter enjoys spending time with friends, family and indulging in his favorite past time, reading manga! You could consider Peter as someone who never really grew up. He still watches Saturday morning cartoons, loves comic books and anime, and spends countless hours arguing the finer details of movies and comic book adaptations. Peter is a geeks geek, who owns both a pair of Vulcan ears and a special collectors edition Luke Skywalker Lightsaber. Peter is excited to share his first novel As Darkness Falls with the world and looks forward to releasing the second installment in the series sometime in the late winter of 2013. Like most artists, Peter has a muse and this book is dedicated to her, his daughter Sarah.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

“As Darkness Falls” is a book that will stay with the reader long after they close the cover. Peter Matise has penned a haunting tale. Nurse Allison Reed was working the Emergency Room when the surgery team rushed to deliver the tiny baby girl; all hope was lost when they could not revive her. Overcome with emotion Nurse Reed wept allowing her tears to fall on the tiny body; suddenly the child took a deep breath, cried and glowed with life. Layla, as Nurse Reed named her, was born an orphan; both parents had died in an auto accident. Layla was placed in the Foster System; at five years of age she was placed with foster mother Dana. Dana’s boyfriend Rick attempted to rape the young child; his crime resulted in his death. At the Emergency Room Layla and Nurse Reed were reunited. Secrets surround young Layla; she is more powerful than most realize. A darkness threatens her and a power protects her. At times it is difficult to discern which is which.

This is the first book in a trilogy and it sets the stage for the books that will follow. Peter Matise allows the suspense and tension to slowly build in this tale of good versus evil. We follow the life of Layla from before her birth through her seventeenth year. From the moment I began this tale I sensed there was something unique about Layla; I felt as though there was something dark and sinister surrounding her. There is a power protecting her but the reader is given only vague hints at the source of the power. I enjoyed the relationship between Layla and Allison. It was also interesting to see how others became involved in her life: Lax, Griskowski and Simon, who is a friend and also a foe. Layla is an endearing character who is extremely intelligent, attractive, tall and aware that she is more powerful than most people are aware. The ending will leave readers a bit disturbed. What a cliffhanger! We are left highly anxious about Layla’s fate.