The Darkness Rises - by Stacy Stokes (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A gripping speculative thriller perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver and Ginny Myers Sain, about one girl with the power to see death before it happens--and the terrible consequences she faces when saving someone goes wrong"--

Book Synopsis

A gripping speculative thriller perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver and Ginny Myers Sain, about one girl with the power to see death before it happens--and the terrible consequences she faces when saving someone goes wrong.

SOMEONE WANTS REVENGE...

Whitney knows what death looks like. Since she was seven, she's seen it hover over strangers' heads in dark, rippling clouds. Sometimes she can save people from the darkness. Sometimes she can't. But she's never questioned if she should try. Until the unthinkable happens--and a person she saves becomes the perpetrator of a horrific school shooting.

Now Whitney will do anything to escape the memory of last year's tragedy and the guilt that gnaws at her for her role in it. Even if that means quitting dance--the thing she loves most--and hiding her ability from her family and friends. But most importantly, no one can know what really happened last year.

Then Whitney finds an ominous message in her locker and realizes someone knows her secret. As the threats pile up, one thing becomes clear--someone wants payback for what she did. And if she's going to survive the year, she must track down whoever is after her before it's too late.

Review Quotes

"The Darkness Rises is a dance of secrets, twists, and turns, that keeps you spinning as you race through this stunning mystery!"--Keely Parrack, author of 10 Hours to Go and Don't Let in the Cold

"Stokes knows how to write edge-of-your-seat scenes and excels at revealing tidbits of info just when readers need them--but still leaves one guessing what will happen next...Readers will be left with their jaws hanging open when all is revealed.-School Library Journal

"Gun violence haunts this heartbreaking narrative that unfolds in incremental spates of panic. It's a heavy topic, but the treatment isn't heavy-handed. Whitney is a girl trying to juggle how to use her gift while also accepting the consequences of her choices. . . A subtle commentary on the aftermath of gun violence."--Kirkus Reviews

"Readers will feel Whitney's anguish through her first-person narrative as she sees her options dwindle. Stokes peppers the novel with very plausible red herrings . . . [in this] tightly plotted narrative."--Booklist Reviews

About the Author

Stacy Stokes is a lifelong lover of stories, former improv comedy geek, and marketing professional. Her debut novel Remember Me Gone was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers nominee. She graduated with a BBA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. She currently lives with her family in the Bay Area.

You can visit Stacy Stokes at StacyStokes.com or follow her on X and Instagram @StacyAStokes.