Dawn of Darkness (Daeva) [Kindle Edition]

Daniel A. Kaine (Author)

Book Description

Unburdened by the pain of loss and heartbreak, Mikhail is content with his life of solitude. But everything began to change the day he realised he has a psychic ability -- the power to alter the emotions of those around him.

Mikhail is ushered into the Military Academy with others like him -- other Daevas -- where he does his part to help tip the scales of war against the vampires that destroyed the world and plague what remains of humanity. But after going up against his first vampire, Mikhail starts to question everything he thought to be true.

To discover the truth and expose the lies he once believed, Mikhail will set out on a journey of discovery, and learn some things about himself in the process.

Product Details

• File Size: 562 KB
• Print Length: 290 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005XLPH3Q
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,484 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Dawn of Darkness (Daeva) by Daniel A. Kaine June 17, 2012

By Elisa TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I think the main reason of this novel was to prove how stupid the war is and how rigid the military structure can be, above all if they try to see the world in Black and White.

The main characters of this novel are a group of kids with special powers. I say kids, even if they are probably in their twenties, since I had the feelings all these guys were taken from their family when they were still teenagers and they didn't have the chance to grow into real adult and above all soldier. When the story starts they are approaching graduation day from the Military Academy, and to me it was like reading of boys approaching the last day of high school.

The story is told in first point of view by Mik, a misfit among them; Mik is an orphan and so he has no bad experience in his past with his family; all these boys have supernatural powers but this is not a bonus in this futuristic society, on the contrary you are considered an abomination, and most of the time your own family disown you... I think there is a parallelism here between being gay and having supernatural powers, like in today society you are disowned for being gay, in that futuristic society it happens the same when approaching adulthood you find out you have special skills people fear.

At the beginning I didn't feel the attraction between Mik and his roommate Ash, but thinking at it twice, I noticed how Mik was jealous of his best friend; in any case it's not Mik who does the first move, but Ash, almost taking advantage of Mik's almost breakdown after he has to kill for the first time. Ash brings to bed a drunken Mik, and he has his way with him, tighten the bond between them that will last for all the novel, with some bumps on the road.

Dawn of Darkness is the first book in a series, and that is the reason why there is no a wrapping up ending; moreover, after the blow the author decided to give to the reader at the last chapter, he also opted for giving hope and the very last word will help many readers who maybe wanted a different ending.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars a good debut May 10, 2012

By Furio

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

As far as fantasy novels go this is not bad.
It is the first in a serial and the following instalment is not out yet.

Mr Kaine creates a good plot with a nice rhythm, the story flows easily forward and the setting is a fairly original one, mixing a post apocalyptic dystopia with some common supernatural lore (vampires, werewolves, witches).

Characterization is somewhat less satisfying, featuring the usual whining brat who grows into more of a man and into his powers but at least it is consistent. There also might be some truth in the criticisms of some reviewers who see him more like a girl: if his name were Michaela instead of Mikhail only minor adjustments to the plot would be needed.
Writing is clunky here and there and often less than polished. There are several moments where things are more told than shown.
Although the M/M content is quite explicit there are few sex scenes and they are not overly graphic.

I should suggest you wait for an offer to download this first volume so as to see whether you might like this author or not.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A 5 star debut novel October 27, 2011

By sammy2006

Format:Kindle Edition

First let me say how incredible is this world that Daniel Kaine has created in his debut novel Dawn of Darkness. The level to which Mr. Kaine creates this new world is nothing short of amazing. I felt like I was visiting--seeing his world as the pages of his novel unfolded. Set on the planet earth, Kaine creates a place inhabited by both human and supernatural beings. Mikhail, the MC, is one of the "super" human military who have been born with supernatural powers while still retaining human form. Darkness is his story--his and that of his lover, Ash. As this novel unfolds, Mik does indeed come to question everything he has been lead to believe about the military unit he has been assigned to, the war he is helping to fight against supernatural beings and even his own abilities. Through it all, he clings to the one person whom he has finally allowed himself to trust, Ash, his best friend and lover. To say anymore would be to give away some of the many twists and turns this novel takes--good twists and turns--ones that make you cling just a little harder to your kindle and pray that everyone will make it out alive. At turns, this is a mystery novel, a fantasy novel, a love story and unbelievably a commentary on how gullible we as a people become when we allow ourselves to be controlled by religion and politics.

Did I mention this was Mr. Kaine's debut novel--stunning, just stunning. This novel sets us up for subsequent sequels and good thing too because with the ending of this gem I, for one, was ready to hunt down Mr. Kaine, strap him to a chair and demand he not move until finishing the next book in the series!

I highly recommend this novel--this is an author you will want to keep your eye on--I believe he not only weaves a wonderful story but he has something to say--something important. I, for one, am ready to listen!

More About the Author

My name is Daniel Alexander Kaine. I'm 25 and currently living in good ol' rainy Leeds, UK. I've been writing since 2009 when I began writing fanfiction, and eventually moved onto writing my own stories.

Through my writing I don't hope to achieve fame and fortune, though it sure would be nice. I write because I enjoy it, and I want other people to enjoy it too. Currently I'm working on a three-part paranormal-fantasy series entitled 'Daeva'.