Customer Reviews

To Darkness Fled

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The second installment of the Blood of Kings series will thrill, surprise, and delight readers just as much as the first. With stellar craftsmanship, the author continues to thrust her characters into a myriad of plot-driven obstacles that will have readers biting their nails late into the night.

The story picks up right where By Darkness Hid left off, with Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights fleeing into Darkness to escape the wrath of their former prince. They head north toward Ice Island in the hopes that they can free the wrongly accused men imprisoned there. Vrell continues to masquerade as a boy, but she knows it's only a matter of time before she'll either have to reveal her true identity, or abandon the party of questers. Achan, who has only ever known the life of a Stray, wrestles with the decor and responsibilities that come with his newfound authority. As they flee across Er'rets, their bloodvoicing talents and swordcraft excel, but in a world of ever-growing Darkness, how can two teens stay in the Light?

This is the best novel I've read since By Darkness Hid came out, and I'm a fairly voracious reader. I'd recommend it to anyone I know, young or old, male or female, fantasy lover or not. It's just that good.

This is one of those books that leaves me nearly speechless, I loved it so much. Jill Williamson is a truly gifted writer. She has the ability to write a story that completely captivates you. She weaves her story lines brilliantly. It is so masterfully done that you never know what is going to happen next, but you can't wait to find out what it is! I believe that Jill is one of my top 5 favorite authors of all time. In my opinion, this book (and the one that precedes it) should be moved to the top of your to-be-read list.

I actually enjoyed the book very much. While I still wanted to smack Vrell and Achan upside the head it didn't perturb me enough to put it down. I actually enjoyed the Christian parallels in the story line. I bought this series initially because of the negative reviews complaining of Christian proselytizing. I think those individuals "doth protest a little too much". Something in the story line must have struck a raw nerve for such open hostility toward the book. Especially since it was well written and the story line flowed along smoothly and quickly. I would not be surprised if the 1 star reviews bring more readers to the series than those who rated it a 5. It was a clean fun read and reminded me of the types of stories I grew up reading from the early authors early of sci-fi and fantasy. Adventure with a touch of Romance. FUN!

I loved the first book and the second does not disapoint!
Finally Vrell is revealed and the love story begins, enjoy!

I enjoyed the first and second books. It's a good story and the author tells it well.

Now some have criticized the book because they think it should have somehow been more explicitly stated that it is a "YA Christian" book. Now for the record, I don't even know what the "YA Christian" genre is...never heard of it. But this is "Christian" dogma about as much as "Twilight" is the same story as "Dracula". Is the "god" pretty much a clone of the Christian god? Yes. Is it obvious? I suppose so....IF you have already been exposed to Christian teachings. Does the book proselytize or try to convert anyone? Absolutely not. The book's god and religious beliefs are not central to the book and very little time (relatively) even even spent discussing it.

So my advice: Don't get hung up on the similarity between the Christian God and the book protagonist's god...pretend the book's god is unique. Enjoy the story.

This second book is every bit as good as the first. Well written, engaging, and very creative. It held my attention and that's hard to do since I don't like reading really long books. Loved it.

To Darkness Fled picks up right where By Darkness Hid left off and continues the excellence from that point to the final page. Readers will draw even closer to Vrell and Achan and company, if that were possible, and love every second of it. This sequel is quite different from its predecessor, as would be expected; much has changed since Achan stumbled toward the barn as a stray in book one. But this story is equally as deep, riveting, and powerful. Highly recommended, but read book one first!

The Trilogy:
As a fan of C.S. Lewis, Donita K. Paul, Peretti, J.R.R. Tolkien, Ted Dekker, Charles Dickens, and Bryan Davis, I searched "Christian Fantasy" on my Kindle. The title of the the first "Darkness" book intrigued me and was only $.99. In two weeks I have read the all 3 books. The style is Donita K. Paul meets Ted Dekker. Amazing!! Don't tell Donita K. Paul, but I think I have a new favorite! The Bible verses added have been a huge help in my ability to Forgive! I never thought I could stomach a romance, but that was one of the most addictive parts!! Thank GOD for Jill Williamson and her books!!

This book:
This is the "building" book in the series!! You get backgrounds on the characters, their Faith, and the world they live in, in this one!! Jill Williamson is astounding!! The spiritual battles are perfect. This book is amazing!!!

If you are offended by graphic descriptions of heartache, Love, Forgiveness, and especially Faith in the Biblical GOD, you might want to avoid this one!

Another gripping novel in this excellent series. I'm so glad I listened to the positive reviews I read here because they are right on. This is not to be missed. I look forward to other books by Jill Williamson!

After reading By Darkness Hid, Jill Williamson became one of my favorite authors instantaneously. I was so excited to see her first novel win a Christy - it was entirely deserviced. I have read a great deal of fantasy over the course of my reading career, but I can say without a doubt that the Blood of Kings series is everything that an epic fantasy novel should be. Better yet - the author's Christian approach to fantasy imbue the work and character with great integrity, honor, and struggles that lead them closer to their one-god (called Arman in this world).

To Darkness Fled, the sequel and middle book of the trilogy, is everything I hoped for, and more. Classified as a young adult novel, it is still an incredible read for fantasy-loving adults as well! Williamson's characters continue to become fuller and richer, growing in likeability.

Picking up where By Darkness Hid left off, the story follows Vrell, Achan, and their renegade party into Darkness, where no sun shines. Fleeing from the false prince Esek Nathak they are relentlessly pursued by bounty hunters and the allies of the impostor who has formally seized Achan's rightful place as King of Er'Rets. Battles ensue, rescues take place, armies are raised, and Vrell continues to masquerade as a humble lad while growing fonder, and fonder of the rightful (yet still displaced) King.

One of the most delightful aspects of To Darkness Fled is that Williamson rarely needs to concoct conflict for Achan and Vrell - they make it for themselves; it springs intrinsically from them as they stumble over their own faults and innate character flaws as their struggle towards maturity. Many times other authors seem to be flinging unnecessary obstacles in the path of two characters finding one another, but Achan and Vrell do a great job of this themselves....no matter how frustrating it is to me as a reader! Still, I can see how any pat resolutions at this point would be so contrived, and not true to the characters.

Williamson has also crafted one of the most realistic transitions from displaced hero-boy to a fledgling King that I have ever read. The growth of Achan from a heroic stray into coming to understand his place in the world as Arman's chosen sovereign is skillfully wrought, and therefore entirely believable. We are also treated to a deeper understanding of how Arman and His Son Caan parallel YWH and His Son Yeshua as we see Achan growing in his knowledge of Er'Rets' one-God.

The only frustration is that the story ends with a cliffhanger - of course! But still, now that the third, and final installment in the trilogy is completed, readers won't have to wait to get their next dose of Vrell and Achan in. I know I certainly can't! Fans of Christian fantasy owe it to themselves to check out this series - they won't be disappointed!