Eight Will Fall

September 15, 2019
Eight teens with magical powers must slay an ancient god. Seventeen-year-old Larkin and her brother, Gallan, break their backs mining for luminite, the mineral that gilds Demura Isle's capital and suppresses the magic of marginalized Empaths like Larkin and her family, who are able to harness the emotions of those around them to make powerful, forbidden magic. But Larkin is resistant to luminite, and she's arrested after using her magic to steal from a prejudiced shop owner. Queen Melay blames the ancient god Otheil Kyran for recent disappearances outside the city, and she sends Larkin and seven others to kill him. The dying starts soon after descending into the Reach, a vast cave infested with murderous creatures and the walking dead. Readers who like gobs of gore with their quests will be thrilled. De facto leader Larkin forms a bond with the enigmatic Amias, and they soon discover the real reason they were chosen for this mission. Debut author Harian has a gift for atmosphere, but this blood-soaked, overstuffed tale mostly consists of a series of episodic set pieces, giving the feel of a video game rather than a fully cohesive story. A rushed romance and underdeveloped characters don't help. Larkin has olive skin, and a variety of other skin tones can be found among the Empaths and the supporting cast. A chaotic subterranean adventure that doesn't quite come together. (Horror. 14-18)

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September 30, 2019
Larkin, 17, and her brother, Garran, toil in mines beneath the isle of Demura to unearth luminite, which is used to suppress outlawed magic. Treated as outcasts, the siblings are both Empaths, able to create powerful magic by siphoning the feelings and emotions of those around them. One day, Queen Melay wrenches Larkin and Garran from their home. She believes that a series of recent disappearances can be attributed to Otheil Kyran, a god of the underworld. Garran will be hurt, or worse, unless Larkin and seven others venture underground into the treacherous Reach to kill Kyran. It’s not long before the team is attacked by vicious clawed creatures and the gruesome deaths begin; as the group closes in on its target, they learn more about each other and why they were chosen. The menacing, claustrophobic setting is chock full of horror elements, and author Harian (the Chaos Theory trilogy for adults) offers interesting insights into power’s tendency to corrupt. However, muddled worldbuilding, thinly fleshed-out characters, and an underdeveloped romance significantly lessen the impact of an otherwise emotional journey of sacrifice and discovery. Ages 14–up.

October 1, 2019

Gr 9 Up-In this gruesome, dark fantasy, empaths are slaves and magic is forbidden. According to legend, a powerful empath used too much dark magic a thousand years ago, destroying much of the isle. He and all his followers were locked in a deep cave system to die. Now, 17-year-old Larkin struggles to survive alongside her starving family, working in the luminite mines, all the while hiding her powerful magic ability. Arrested and tossed in prison for no known crime, she believes she faces execution by the queen. Instead, she and seven others are forced to hunt down the ancient evil empath and destroy him before he destroys the isle. Ultimately, Larkin uncovers dangerous secrets, loses friends, finds her strength, and triumphs over the true darkness in the land. The story is at best a mediocre mystery. Inconsistent writing and events bordering on a ridiculous suspension of disbelief do nothing to improve the plot. Although main characters are well developed, all secondary characters and villains seem like tired Hollywood clichés. Hundreds of shocking, grisly deaths put this book firmly into the horror genre. Readers must have strong stomachs for the intensely macabre graphic content. VERDICT Only purchase if additional horror books are needed.-Kristen Rademacher, Marist High School, Chicago

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