From Darkness Won [Paperback]

Jill Williamson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2011

Darkness Trembles Achan steps into his role as Crown Prince and prepares for war. But war against whom? Could Esek still be alive? Has Lord Nathak taken Esek's place? Or is the mysterious Hadad the true enemy Achan must confront? Vrell has her own agenda of serving Prince Oren as a healer, but when she is stormed and lost to the Veil, Achan does all he can to bring her back. His conversations with her are strange, though, as if she has no memory of who he is. In a land consumed by Darkness, the fate of Er'Rets hangs in the balance as Achan endeavors to take the throne and end the reign of Darkness.

Product Details

• Paperback: 680 pages
• Publisher: Marcher Lord Press (April 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982598777
• ISBN-13: 978-0982598771
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jill was raised in rural Alaska. Alone with her thoughts and the moose, daydreaming was a favorite pastime. As was reading.

She always loved reading. She started out with Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Little House on the Prairie, the Hobbit, and The Chronicles of Narnia. She loves just about every genre out there, but her all time favorites were fantasy and suspense.

Jill met Brad in college and they married after graduation. Her dreams of becoming a fashion designer dragged the couple to New York City for one year. After that, Brad's dreams of directing movies dragged them to Los Angeles. They both worked really hard for people who weren't very nice.

A few years of torture passed.

Brad started volunteering with teens at their Burbank church. They had their first son, Luke, moved to a house, Jill got out of the fashion industry (woo hoo!), and Brad became an ordained minister and full time youth pastor (double woo hoo!). God is good. All the time.

Jill started writing a book. It seemed like a good idea at the time. She didn't have a clue what she was getting into. All she knew for certain was that it was really fun. With two babies at home, it was a neat way to pass the time.

Writing was something Jill never really did before then. Daydreaming and plotting, however, were familiar old friends. So now Jill writes...everywhere. At home, in the car, at church (only notes, I promises!), in line at the grocery store, at the park, while walking, in the shower... (TMI?) and she loves it. She finds creating characters and taking them on a journey an amazing experience. She never knew what it could be like until she met Spencer, Nauja, Martyr, and Achan. Writing was a whole lot of fun. Plus, she couldn't get in trouble for forgetting to add a rosette onto a K-mart costsheet and costing the company a loss of $5,000. (True story...) And she can't get yelled at when the line of evening gowns she shipped via Fed Ex doesn't reach the showroom in New York in time for Market to open. (Was it really her fault the plane got snowed in?)

No. Jill has no bitter memories of the fashion industry at all. (Can we say The Devil Wears Prada, anyone?)

But yes. Writing is something she loves. Writing is something she could do forever, if God allows it. (Please, God? Pretty please?)

May He do with Jill what He wishes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Winner!, April 1, 2011

By 

Jake Chism (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Darkness Won (Blood of Kings, book 3) (Kindle Edition)

Achan Cham has fully embraced Arman's will and is ready to take the throne once and for all. As war stirs around him he faces an enemy that is as mysterious as he is dark. To make matters worse, rumors abound that Esek has survived and is still planning to steal the crown. Amidst the turmoil Achan is broken hearted and tossed and turned by his emotions. Even though he is engaged to Lady Averella of Carmine, his heart still lies with Vrell Sparrow. While he questions Arman's will in regards to his heart, he still has no idea that Lady Averella and Vrell Sparrow are one in the same.

Vrell wants to give her heart to Achan and reveal her true identity, but she refuses to fall in love with a man who does not follow Arman. Seeking to both distance herself from her complicated love life and find a way to serve Arman, Vrell sneaks away to serve as a healer in the upcoming war. Things quickly spin out of control and Vrell finds herself lost in the Veil.

Now Achan and Vrell find themselves in over their heads as darkness is spreading and threatens to overtake all of Er'Rets. They've always known that without Arman all would be hopeless, but the sacrifices are greater than they ever imagined and the odds are seemingly stacked against them. Can they find the strength to submit fully to Arman's will and put an end to the reign of darkness?

From Darkness Won is exactly what I wanted it to be. Throughout this trilogy Jill Williamson has kept us churning the pages with anticipation that answers and closure were coming. Fans of the series get a huge payoff here and not only that, but Williamson also saved the best story for last. From the epic battles, to the jaw dropping journeys into the Veil, to the trademark witty banter between Achan and Vrell, there is really nothing about this final tale that fans won't be cheering about. We're even treated to some surprising revelations that shed even more light on Achan's past and tie in well with the story.

I also love the way that not everything is tied up into a nice little bow in the end. Yes, we get the closure we've longed for, but a lot of sacrifice and loss pave the way for it. In the end, there are still questions unanswered and characters undecided, but those elements only work to keep the story balanced.

The added element of "veil warfare" in this novel really heightens the action and suspense. This showcases a whole new angle to the bloodvoicing ability, making these battle scenes some of the most exciting in the whole series.

Finally, for fans out there that have been less than patient with Vrell's indecisiveness and reluctance, just hold on a bit longer. You're almost there. Trust me. Vrell Sparrow soars in this story and she will win you over (if she hasn't already).

With the Blood of Kings trilogy Jill Williamson has more than succeeded in creating a story that challenges readers to think seriously about their faith, all the while entertaining at the highest level. For this final installment the title could not be more fitting. This one is truly a winner.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ingenious, April 1, 2011

By 

Christian Miles - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Darkness Won (Blood of Kings, book 3) (Kindle Edition)

Achan and Vrell have come far. They've fought Black Knights in Darkness, freed prisoners from icy cells, escaped the wrath of a bloodthirsty usurper... but now they've found themselves in the midst of a war. Everything hangs in the balance, and if the Crown Prince cannot take the throne at Armonguard, Darkness will consume all the land.

Our final foray into the land of Er'rets couldn't have been better. I don't know how she did it, but somehow Jill Williamson managed to write the perfect last book to her Blood of Kings trilogy. From Darkness Won had me up until 3 a.m. reading. It bonded to my hands the moment I picked it up, refusing to be put down until the last page fell. Five stars and a standing ovation are in order, I think.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Book! FIVE STARS!, April 1, 2011

By 

Adele Treskillard "Little Robin Hood" - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Darkness Won (Blood of Kings, book 3) (Kindle Edition)

Jill Williamson is one of the best authors I've ever read. With From Darkness Won, she crafted a thrilling, pleasurable adventure sure to ensnare you from the first page to the last. It certainly snared me. First it made my day, then had me happily reading WAY into the night. You know you've got a good book when you're not mad at the author for making you stay up! LOL

The vivid characters, scenes, places, and of course, the humor, will haunt your memory long after you've put this book down. I loved From Darkness Won! If possible, it's the best of the Blood of Kings Series, although each book has its own flair. But one thing's sure: you'll never forget this enchanting climax of the quest to vanquish Darkness and win back the Kingship of Er'Rets.

Thank you, Jill, for writing From Darkness Won. Your vivid imagination has paved the way for thousands of readers' enjoyment. Mine included!