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The Darkening
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Plot Summary of The Darkening
"

Dell, July 2004, 6.50, 448 pp.
ISBN 0553586033

The world is changing as the forces of darkness begin to get stronger. Billions of people have disappeared, only their clothing left behind. Many of those who remain are changed into reptilian beasts who only want to kill the normals. There is no more power and the food and water have a taint to it. Cities collapse and the landscape of the planet undergoes a rapid change. The Old Ones, beings who live in another dimension, are returning to destroy Earth before they return to their own realm.

An ancient organization known as the Rex Deux franatically try to find the chosen ones who like the others before them will be the saviors of mankind and keep the portal between the dimensions closed. Lucy Deveraux, who has always been a loner, hides from the Qedem Melech, the organization who helps the Old Ones and their minions. She along with Dylan Barnes, fighting his own problems and grieving the loss of his wife, are the ones who must fight the old ones. From separate parts of the country, they and their allies meet on the sacred ground of The Keep, hoping to find the knowledge that will help them defeat mankind's enemy.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Darkening
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Mental/magical powers focus Yes
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - champion of justice
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - an entire race
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor

Setting
Earth setting: - near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
Most similar books to The Darkening
Very Bad Deaths by Spider Robinson
The Meq by Steve Cash
Dark Rendezvous by Sean Stewart
Waystation by Steven E. McDonald
Camouflage by Joe Haldeman


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Chandler McGrew Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Harriet Klausner  

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