Review: Last Light Falling - Into The Darkness - Book II by J.E. Plemons

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Author: J. E. Plemons
Series: The Covenant  
Published By: Dog Ear Publishing, LLC
Released: July 16, 2015

Official Synopsis: 
Arena has left the nation’s administration with a dead president and a weakened military, and while the tragic memories continue to scar her, the government struggles to regroup without its leader. For the people who still remain in hiding, its evident the country is all but lost, and with Russian operatives taking over, the nation’s hope of recovering is grim.

After months in hiding, Arena and her brother, Gabriel, fight to survive the aftermath while they trudge through unkindly terrain across the country to rejoin their friends, but what they soon discover may staunch their journey. The government’s failed attempt to rebirth a broken nation has caused civil unrest like no other.

After reuniting with their friends, Arena’s decision to stay changes when she discovers the secrets of a refugee camp behind a clandestine group of rebels, known as the Southern Resistance. With an opportunity to escape to a permanent safe haven, Arena risks her life to lead the new fellowship. But the darkest days are upon them, and with a new war brewing, Arena’s path will take a dark turn as her survival is in jeopardy.

Into The Darkness captures the cruel truth behind our darkest secrets which may often cause us to question our faith. In this graphic second installment of the LAST LIGHT FALLING series, J.E. Plemons continues the grim story of Arena Power’s fate, testing her faith while she and her brother search for an answer to their survival in a brooding world filled with chaos.

My Review:
I read and reviewed the first book of Last Light Falling back in February of 2015 and fell in love with the book, the characters, and the storyline.  When I heard that book two was released I could not wait to read and review it! I did not think that the author could out do book one, but I was definitely wrong!  J.E. Plemons did not disappoint!

The book begins with a quote from C.S. Lewis and then picks right back up from where book one had ended with the struggles, growth, and strength of Arena and her brother Gabe.  The book is intense; it pulls you in from the beginning and takes you on a ride that you are sure to not forget.  Arena and Gabe's journey leads them back to their friends and changes everything they know all over again.  

Much like book one, book two is full of betrayal, war, survival, and death. These actions and scenarios are what pulls you in, gets you thinking, and also makes you wonder how far from the truth this all could possibly be.  The second book is just as detailed as the first so you can put yourself in the shoes of the characters, but is not so detailed that it bores the reader. 

J.E. Plemons out did himself on this book.  I cannot wait to see what else he has to bring in this series!  I honestly think the best part of this series so far is the growth that the characters make through the books.  They overcome so much - their faith may waver, but they never give up!

About the Author: 

Jay has a BS in Music business with emphasis in publishing and copyright law, an English degree that he never intended getting, and a music education degree to which he will forever embrace.

Jay spent a year studying for the LSAT, then decided to attend culinary school, hoping to become an aspiring chef in a five star restaurant, but didn't care for the fourteen hour days in a kitchen. So what did he do? Met his wife in college, got married, and after hearing the news of their first child, decided to skip the idea of attending law school. It was the best choice he ever made.

Jay spent his years in Nashville working in the music industry for companies like RCA, Sony, Zomba, and Dreamworks, all of which gave him a bitter taste in his mouth. Aside from working directly with many famous artists, his conclusion of the industry was a tainted cesspool of filth. From Austin, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee, Jay worked a small time in the film industry, as a PA, extra in a few films, and a various of other uninspiring, uneventful jobs. He dedicated his carpentry skills for a while creating custom fine furniture, manned a press for a print shop, was a studio musician, played drums for a few famous artists, taught high school band for a year, giving IT support for the Texas Legislature, and now an aspiring author. He has no claim to fame, nor does he want any.

Jay has been fortunate enough to experience many things in his life, some of which were humbling, others fulfilling, and because of that, he's grown to be patient and content. He's willing to struggle, fail, sacrifice, and fall before he learns to move on from those experiences. He's not afraid to die, but willing to live as long as he's able. Even though he'd like to see his kids grow old, Jay understands that every day is precious, yet uncertain. He live with the best intentions that everything is going to be okay until it isn't, and when that happens, He's free to just let go.

I give this book: ★★★★★ 

Would you like to see the review of J.E. Plemons first book? Click here to read about Last Light Falling - The Covenant - Book I

Review: Last Light Falling - The Covenant - Book I by J.E. Plemons

Author: J. E. Plemons
Series: The Covenant
Published By: Dog Ear Publishing 
Released: March 5th, 2014

Official Synopsis: 
Fifteen-year old Arena Power blindly accepts her destiny in a world filled with tragedy, chaos, and a lingering wickedness that will tempt every man's soul until the last days on Earth. Set in the United States in 2053, America, like most of the world, has undergone catastrophic earthquakes, famine, and an economic collapse, which has rendered the nation hopeless. It has turned other nations, like Russia and China, to help restore what was once a world power. Unfortunately, the new America has grossly caused civil unrest that will eventually be the precursor to a much bigger war of biblical proportions.

Orphaned at the age of nine, Arena and her twin brother, Gabe, have learned to rely on each other through the toughest times. Not only do they share the same birthday and the tragic loss of their parents, they both have a birthmark on the backs of their necks in the shape of the crucifix. This is only but a small sign of the destiny that will follow. On their fifteenth birthday they receive a mystery letter and key from their estranged Uncle Finnegan. This key will unlock their fate, and it will be up to a priest, who has vowed to protect them since birth, to unfold the layers of their destiny-to undo the evil that has spoiled the world, and to help unleash God's wrath upon those who have turned from Him in there last days of history.

My Review:  

Last Light Falling opens up with a verse from Revelation that speaks about the end of the world which is one of the key points in the book to me.  The book is very action packed with twists and turns around every corner keeping you on the edge of your seat and wanting to know more!

The book describes a world that we are not accustom to.  It is set in America in the year 2053 and describes the world in shambles after a virus spread across the countries and killed billions of individuals!  In 2053, the government is more corrupted than ever and has put into place a shocking new system and way of life for everyone.  This system is divided into three classes: the rich, the poor, and the Watchers and is based on a point system for food, pay, etc.  Everyone's way of life has been completely flipped upside down and everyone is learning how to survive in new ways.  America is worse off now then it has ever been before as the people are no longer 'free' to be themselves, no longer have high standards of living, and no longer have the right to come and go as they please.

The main characters of the book, Arena and Gabe Power, are twins, fifteen-years old, and are called upon by God to carry out His fury; killing the evil and saving the holy.  The two were orphaned at the age of nine and become foster children of a couple who loves them as if they were their own.  Throughout the book you get to learn more about how the two where orphaned and get flashbacks of their lives before the tragic death of their parents.

Arena and Gabe have astonishing gifts.  Gabe is a genius techie who can make anything involving electronics.  The gadgets referred to throughout the book are described in a way that you can actually envision them being possible!  Arena on the other hand is highly skilled in combat which she was taught by her uncle and a martial arts instructor.  The two also share something together that many people could only dream of - they speak many languages!  As with any book, you come to love the characters and such is true in this case, even the not so main characters.  All the characters have an important role to play throughout the book and there is not one person that you think should not be included in the story.

The book is set up in a way where the descriptions give you enough detail to picture the scene, but not overly describing the scene to make it drawn out.  With the government being so different than what we are used to in real life, you would think that understanding the government in the book would be difficult, but it is not, the author lays it out so well that it makes complete sense.  Since the book is centered around carrying out the fury of God, it has violent scenes, but nothing too extreme or out of line.  

My favorite parts of the book were reading about Arena and Gabe's growth in their faith and within themselves, their decision to fulfill their calling from God, and their devotion to their faith.  The book is a young adult genre so the biblical facet of this book was unexpected, but very refreshing for something new.  I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the second book, Into the Darkness, to come out!

I give this book: 5 out of 5 stars!