Book Review: Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: Paperback, 342
Young Adult
Date Published: May 29th 2012

Only sunlight can save us.
We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.
After the death of my parents, it's up to me--as the newest delegate for humanity--to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.
Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever

     
     Yes. This simple word can speak volumes for this book. Yes to the writing. Yes to the characters.Finally Yes to the story. Darkness Before Dawn was a surprising read. When I began this book I thought it would be your average. Girl meets vampire. Girl falls in love with vampire. Girl becomes target of all vampires enemies.Darkness Before Dawn was so much more. It might have some of those elements but it also offers so much more. When I reached the last page I wanted to cry. The last too sentences left me on the edge of my seat craving some more.
     First I want to talk about the main character, Dawn. In this future world vampires kind of rule I guess you could say. Humans have all moved into big cities surrounded by huge walls to protect them from vampire but that doesn't always work. The humans have arrangements with these vampire families to send them blood in exchange for protection from a vampire attack. That's where our main character Dawn comes in.  She is the delegate that makes the arrangements with the vampires. I liked Dawn because she is a strong female character. She is able to stand up for herself both with adults and with the overbearing vampire Lord Valentine. Dawn can also kick some butt and stake some vampires when it is needed. Another thing I loved about Darkness Before Dawn were the VAMPIRES themselves. They were the pictures of vampires I always look for when I read a book. They are blood-sucking monsters that I will do anything for blood. And like always there are those vampires that broke the mold. The ones that were caring monsters I guess you could say. There are also a host of other characters I found enjoyable like the main characters best friend. She was very entertaining.
     If you didn't know that J.A.London is a mother-son writing team. I was not able to tell that at any point during reading. The writing style was consistent and quite enjoyable. I only have one gripe which was one part of the book was quite predictable. I'm not telling you which though. The writing in Darkness Before Dawn was face paced which was something that I enjoyed a lot. Each of the characters had a distinct voice which is always good. I was able to feel like I was actually present in Dawn's world with all the emotion that you can feel in the writing.
     Well if you cant tell from all my praise I highly recommend that you pick up Darkness Before Dawn. It's a surprise book. You think its going to be your average paranormal romance and it turns into so much more. The authors combined both equal parts of romance and action to give birth to the excellent creature which is Darkness Before Dawn. I'm craving the sequel Blood-Kissed Sky to see what will happen in the next installment.