Darkness Within

Rating:
Summary: Intriguing title
Review: A title can say so much about a book and with Darkness Within you don't understand how true that can be until you've reached the end. The title explores so many aspects that are contemplated in the book you don't see the complexity of it until the end. In retrospection you start to see the darkness which is a part of many of the characters and in fact the world itself.

Each of the characters in this book are complex people who are thrown into strange and terrifying circumstances. They must fight the darkness within, the fear of the unknown, rejection, death, love, and hate. There are so many different levels that each of the characters much overcome and fight both the darkness within and the darkness which is being released upon the world.

At the heart of this complex story is a conspiracy, which we only get glimpses. This novel is almost written as a set of different stories all wrapped up into one book. As you progress you learn how each of these stories and characters bring you to a better understanding of what is going on. This book works on many different levels and as such has something for everyone.

The some of the more graphic and downright brutal scenes in the book may put some off. Though it is worthy to note how well this writer is able to still handle the most revolting of situations with a sense of style.

The only drawback in this book is there are some editorial and printing mistakes which are common on the first run printing of a book. Though many writers rarely become recognized until there are subsequent printings of the book so we readers don't usually see these. Don't be put off, this is an exciting book full of mysterious and interesting characters

Rating:
Summary: Grabs you by the collar and won't let you go.
Review: Amazing stuff. Darkness Within by J. Marcus Ross reaches into that dark shadowy world where nightmares are made and tells a great story of suspense, intrigue, and action. Telling the story of a conspiracy that keeps shifting and moving. Just when you think you have it all figured out it shifts again and moves just beyond your grasp. From the first page to the last the story keeps moving and then you get to the end when...Oh, wait I can't tell you what happens.

The second reading of the book is almost more enjoyable than the first. Packed full of clues, as you go back through you find hidden innuendoes which explain even more of what is going on. Prepared to be terrified indeed.

Rating:
Summary: Nail biting tension
Review: Newcomer J. Marcus Ross makes his debut with the intriguing conspiracy thriller Darkness Within. A captivating tale, defying contemporary labels like mystery, thriller, adventure or science fiction, striving to provide the reader with the most horrific conspiracies, which in the end seeks to rattle the very foundations of civilization itself. Combining some of the best elements of each of these genres Darkness Within comes at you with unbridled passion and depth in storytelling rarely found in new authors.
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Darkness gives you glimpses of truth through a maze of interwoven action sequences punctuated by a mysterious murder. All the while the intrigue of an insidious conspiracy marked with assassins and psychopaths pulls the reader further into the Darkness Within. This author succeeds in bringing together the diverse storylines of many characters deeply rooted in this larger than life conspiracy.---

Lieutenant Colleen McDonnell, the sole survivor of a failed military recon operation can afford to trust no one. Armed with more questions than answers this powerful young woman sets out to uncover one of the most devious conspiracies, which could prove to rattle the very foundations of our civilization.---

Mike Harris while on a mission to save his family finds his way into the backwards world of the little town of Devils' Gulch. Drawn into a deadly ménage à trois, with two very different sisters who have already made plans for his future, Mike stumbles into the very group responsible for his brother's abduction.---

An unlikely pair, Mike and Colleen, work together to escape from their imprisonment in the bowels of a twisted underground military research base. They soon learn there may be no escape from the darkness which is coming, a darkness perpetrated by the very government she was sworn to protect, a darkness created by a conspiracy transcending politics and nations, and the worst darkness they would ever have to face.---

In this well-written thriller, J. Marcus succeeds in producing suspense from the early pages through to the cliffhanger ending. He writes sharply, keeping the reader on the edge through a clever use of sometimes-sparse yet edgy internal monologue from a rich collection of characters. Get caught up with this exciting new author as he takes you into a world of conspiracy and intrigue so massive one book couldn't contain it.

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing-Twisted
Review: Stephen King had better be on his toes. Newcomer J Marcus has a twisted dark side that propels this mixed genre novel. Sometimes an action adventure yet steeped in conspiracy this book will take you to the shadowy side of our world. You may not even get the chance to return as the each chapter builds upon the last with a complex set of characters all strangely intertwined.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is the strong female character. These women are strong and powerful nearly overshadowing their male counterparts. A friend of mine just completed the book and we have been arguing over who our favorite female character is in the book.

This book is tightly written so every page if not every word paints a wonderful backdrop for the story and keeps it moving along. For an emerging writer I would say this author has found an incredible way of telling a story. This thrilling story will at time chill you to the core and some of the scenes are very shocking.

And don't believe the synopsis of the book. It simply doesn't do it justice. There is so much more to this story than the back cover leads you to believe.

Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the movie
Review: There are thousands of books to buy on any given day you go to a bookstore. Ask for Darkness Within, you will be happy you did. Dark, disturbing, this book will draw you in. Don't miss out. I can't wait to see the movie version.

Rating:
Summary: Adventure in storytelling
Review: Through the twisted mazes of a conspiracy so dark and disturbing this writer can only give us glimpses. Mr. Ross has created the start to what promises to be a great series of novels. Dealing with assassinations and conspiracies, brainwashing and secret research bases we readers are taken on an amazing journey.

From the intrigue of secret government agents tracking the masterminds behind the insidious plot to the fast paced adventure of prisoners escaping a demented military warden Darkness Within keeps you constantly guessing. Right up to the thrilling cliffhanger ending that leaves you wanting for more this novel is guaranteed to beg for a second reading.

Of the three times I've read the book I've found something new and exciting with each reading. Packed full of allusion and foreshadowing there are clues aplenty for the mystery reader in all of us. This book is hard to classify into one genre because it masterfully transcends formulaic bestsellers that dominate bookstores. Mr. Ross has given notice to writers and readers everywhere to expect more from what we read. Instead of taking 400-800 pages to tell this diverse and complex story he has done the same job with less. A brilliant touch has been added to the editing of this book in how quickly we can care about the characters and still move along with the story at a breakneck pace without turning off the reader.

Many prolific writers could take some notes from this book and the way this writer has crafted the story and the manner in which he tells it.