Dark Twin

Coin of Rulve Book Two

Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
368 Pages
Reviewed on 08/08/2016
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

With twenty-six years of experience as a pastoral minister and a lot more years as a mom, I’m the author of the first three books of the 4-volume Coin of Rulve series: Blood Seed, Dark Twin and Time Candle. Right now I'm revising volume 4, Leaf and Flame. I've also written a short story collection, Night Cruiser.
My novels contain elements of dark fantasy, falling in love, psychological thriller, and the spiritual journey.
Many of my themes have roots in Carl Jung's concept of the shadow, insights of traditional and modern-day theologians, and J.R.R. Tolkien's idea of the "eucatastrophe," the belief that even the worst catastrophe can be redeemed. Even though I have a ministerial background, I’m not a preacher! I believe spirituality is an important aspect of many religions and is part of what makes us human. As one of my reviewers put it, Dale “never lets religion get in the way of her highly spiritual and deeply psychological message."
My work has received commendations from Writer's Digest and Writers of the Future, as well as five-star ratings from Midwest Book Review, Reader's Favorite, and from other people kind enough to have left reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
I'm an Established Author member of Detroit Working Writers, and Ethical Author with the Alliance of Independent Authors, and a long-time member of Phi Beta Kappa. I'm also lucky enough to have actually touched a grey whale calf in the wild!

    Book Review

Reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

Dark Twin is the second book of the Coin of Rulve series written by Veronica Dale. Separated from his twin at birth, Teller is a young child when he is kidnapped from the safety of his village by the spider-king, but not before he begins to piece together how special he really is. The spider-king demands payment from his subjects of one twin out of each set. Those twins are no more than poorly treated slaves. What Teller is willing to do to relieve their suffering points to him as possibly a savior, if only Teller believed in his own goodness.

While Dark Twin by Veronica Dale is classified as an epic fantasy, in essence it is the horror story of a small child living and growing up with his enemies. This small child, Teller, battles not only with loss of faith, but with maintaining his own sanity while surrounded by evil. Veronica Dale does a professional job of weaving Teller's story with fantastic world building to create an amazing story that transports the reader through an array of emotions. Her pacing is spot on, and her balance between backstory and present action could not be better.

I found Dark Twin disturbing, but I did not want to put it down. Teller is a complex character who can never totally escape his upbringing, even after years of living with the enemy. As a the parent of twins, I am always in the market for a good twin story. This one surpassed my expectations by a mile.

Kayti Nika Raet

Dark Twin by Veronica Dale is the second book in the Coin of Rulve series, and features Teller, one half of a set of twins foreseen to defeat the Spider-king and bring balance and hope back to a ravaged world. Hidden away as a young child to protect him from the corrupt gaze of the Spider-king and his minions, Teller nonetheless ends up in his clutches and is forced to renounce his faith to save a little girl’s life. With memories of his family twisted at the king’s command, Teller grows up thinking he has been abandoned, and his powers are molded for evil instead of good. Still, despite the pain and adversity that surround him, he retains his core desire to help people—even if that means sacrificing himself.

Dark Twin is an enjoyable read. Though it is the second book in the Coin of Rulve series, it reads well as a standalone. There were a few references that I felt would be better enjoyed if I had read the previous book in the series, but nothing so much that it takes the reader out of the story. Dale creates an intriguing fantasy world that includes apocalyptic intimations, as well imagined mythical lore. She does an excellent job at building suspense, but leaving just enough questions for the next book. Since Teller is a character that is closed off socially for his own protection, a lot of the secondary characters don't really stick in my mind, but I have a feeling a few appeared in the previous book and I would love to see their interactions from another point of view. Either way, I really enjoyed Dark Twin, and it'll be a great addition to any reader's shelf.

Rabia Tanveer

Dark Twin: Coin of Rulve Book Two by Veronica Dale is the story of twin brothers who were separated as infants, but who share a single destiny that is key to saving many lives. Teller was once close to the Creator Rulve, but since the Spider-king snatched him away from his home when he was just a boy, he has no idea that he is anyone special. He grew up to be bitter and dark. Now he is living with the four Vols who are corrupting him. But when he gets a parchment with his name on it, and which hints at his old life, he is shocked. Can he really be someone greater than the person he’s been told he is? Can his destiny really be changed? He is offered two very different lives. Which will he choose; the light or the dark?

Although I have not read the previous novel in the series, I had no problem connecting with the characters and understanding what was happening. The story is intense and dark; it is emotional, and you will get a feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach. I congratulate the author in making that happen because at times I felt like I was there with Teller; I could feel his pain, his conflict, and his every single emotion. This is one of the best novels I have read so far this year! This is simply a great read.