Darkness Brutal
The Dark Cycle
Book One
Rachel A. Marks
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Skyscape
Date of Publication: July 1st, 2015
ISBN: 978-1477830796
ASIN: B00S6Z3S82
Number of pages: 422
Word Count: 120,000
Cover Artist: Cliff Neilson
Book Description:
Aidan O’Linn’s childhood ended the night he saw a demon kill his mother and mark his sister, Ava, with Darkness. Since then, every three years the demons have returned to try to claim her. Living in the gritty, forgotten corners of Los Angeles, Aidan has managed to protect his sister, but he knows that even his powers to fight demons and speak dead languages won’t keep her safe for much longer.
In desperation, Aidan seeks out the help of Sid, the enigmatic leader of a group of teens who run LA Paranormal, an Internet reality show that fights demons and ghosts. In their company, Aidan believes he’s finally found a haven for Ava. But when he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy, he awakens powers he didn’t know he had―and unleashes a new era of war between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness.
With the fate of humanity in his hands, can Aidan keep the Darkness at bay and accept his brilliant, terrifying destiny?
Amazon
The Dark Cycle
Book One
Rachel A. Marks
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Skyscape
Date of Publication: July 1st, 2015
ISBN: 978-1477830796
ASIN: B00S6Z3S82
Number of pages: 422
Word Count: 120,000
Cover Artist: Cliff Neilson
Book Description:
Aidan O’Linn’s childhood ended the night he saw a demon kill his mother and mark his sister, Ava, with Darkness. Since then, every three years the demons have returned to try to claim her. Living in the gritty, forgotten corners of Los Angeles, Aidan has managed to protect his sister, but he knows that even his powers to fight demons and speak dead languages won’t keep her safe for much longer.
In desperation, Aidan seeks out the help of Sid, the enigmatic leader of a group of teens who run LA Paranormal, an Internet reality show that fights demons and ghosts. In their company, Aidan believes he’s finally found a haven for Ava. But when he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy, he awakens powers he didn’t know he had―and unleashes a new era of war between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness.
With the fate of humanity in his hands, can Aidan keep the Darkness at bay and accept his brilliant, terrifying destiny?
Amazon
Darkness Fair
The Dark Cycle
Book Two
Rachel A. Marks
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Skyscape
Date of Publication: 2/1/16
ISBN: 978-1503950290
ASIN: B00YDJKE00
Number of pages: 335
Cover Artist: Cliff Neilson
Book Description:
Against the backdrop of an ancient battle between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness, Aidan struggles to control the newly awakened powers that seem to be his only hope for rescuing Ava, his little sister, trapped somewhere beyond the Veil. As he gravitates to Kara, the beguiling and dangerously unstable girl who helped him realize his abilities, a terrible mistake of fate is revealed that points him back toward Rebecca, whose role is becoming more critical to the battle. And no matter what his heart wants, it might be too late to stop the pieces already in motion.
Without knowing the sacrifices that will be required of them, Aidan and his motley crew of friends—each with their own role to play—must face the demon threat head-on. They’re the only ones keeping the growing army of Darkness at bay, and if they fail, the future of humanity could be lost.
Amazon
The Dark Cycle
Book Two
Rachel A. Marks
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Skyscape
Date of Publication: 2/1/16
ISBN: 978-1503950290
ASIN: B00YDJKE00
Number of pages: 335
Cover Artist: Cliff Neilson
Book Description:
Against the backdrop of an ancient battle between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness, Aidan struggles to control the newly awakened powers that seem to be his only hope for rescuing Ava, his little sister, trapped somewhere beyond the Veil. As he gravitates to Kara, the beguiling and dangerously unstable girl who helped him realize his abilities, a terrible mistake of fate is revealed that points him back toward Rebecca, whose role is becoming more critical to the battle. And no matter what his heart wants, it might be too late to stop the pieces already in motion.
Without knowing the sacrifices that will be required of them, Aidan and his motley crew of friends—each with their own role to play—must face the demon threat head-on. They’re the only ones keeping the growing army of Darkness at bay, and if they fail, the future of humanity could be lost.
Amazon
About the Author:
Rachel A. Marks is an award-winning author and professional artist, a SoCal girl, cancer survivor, a surfer and dirt-bike rider, chocolate lover and keeper of faerie secrets. She was voted: Most Likely to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse, but hopes she'll never have to test the theory. Her debut series The Dark Cycle, described as Dickens' Oliver Twist meets TV's Supernatural, is now out through Skyscape, beginning with DARKNESS BRUTAL.
Website: http://www.rachelannemarks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelAnneMarks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4094113.Rachel_A_Marks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelannemarks
Rachel A. Marks is an award-winning author and professional artist, a SoCal girl, cancer survivor, a surfer and dirt-bike rider, chocolate lover and keeper of faerie secrets. She was voted: Most Likely to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse, but hopes she'll never have to test the theory. Her debut series The Dark Cycle, described as Dickens' Oliver Twist meets TV's Supernatural, is now out through Skyscape, beginning with DARKNESS BRUTAL.
Website: http://www.rachelannemarks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelAnneMarks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4094113.Rachel_A_Marks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelannemarks
Interview:
1. Where do you get your ideas?
Most of my ideas come from people watching, but also documentaries and studying history. When I observe humanity in any way, I tend to get ideas.
2. Do you have a dream cast for your book?
My dream cast keeps changing, since it's been a while since I began the series. :) But if time didn't matter I'd say:
Aidan: Avan Jogia (with hazel eyes)
Ava: Dakota Fanning (like in "Push")
Kara: A young/edgy Kristin Kreuk
Rebecca: A young Emma Stone
3. How do you handle writer’s block?
When I get writer's block it's usually because I've hit a problem wall in something I'm working on. I have to work through the problem before I can get past the block. So what I do is, I steep myself in story by reading and watching movies/TV to a ridiculous degree. This will normally knock something loose in my brain to help me see past whatever's locking me up.
4. What inspired you to write this book?
The main basis of Darkness Brutal (and the subsequent books as well) was inspired by a dash of personal experience and a stint of watching the TV show Paranormal State, oddly enough. It eventually became a mix of TV's Supernatural, my great love of Oliver Twist and all things gritty, and the idea that a boy could carry the fate of the world on his shoulders, when all he wants to do is protect the people he loves.
5.What’s the hardest part of being an author?
This is interesting because it changes from day to day. At times when I'm on deadline, the tough part becomes juggling time. When I'm blocked, the tough part becomes fear of failure. When I'm rejected a lot, the tough part becomes self-doubt. And, like any art, the role of author is not always taken seriously, so you can deal with a lot of people who think you're a little obsessive about your "hobby". The main thing is to hold tight to the passion as much as you can, so when the magic happens and the story blossoms inside of you, you can ride the wave and stop caring so much what people think. #KeepWritingKeepLearning
Most of my ideas come from people watching, but also documentaries and studying history. When I observe humanity in any way, I tend to get ideas.
2. Do you have a dream cast for your book?
My dream cast keeps changing, since it's been a while since I began the series. :) But if time didn't matter I'd say:
Aidan: Avan Jogia (with hazel eyes)
Ava: Dakota Fanning (like in "Push")
Kara: A young/edgy Kristin Kreuk
Rebecca: A young Emma Stone
3. How do you handle writer’s block?
When I get writer's block it's usually because I've hit a problem wall in something I'm working on. I have to work through the problem before I can get past the block. So what I do is, I steep myself in story by reading and watching movies/TV to a ridiculous degree. This will normally knock something loose in my brain to help me see past whatever's locking me up.
4. What inspired you to write this book?
The main basis of Darkness Brutal (and the subsequent books as well) was inspired by a dash of personal experience and a stint of watching the TV show Paranormal State, oddly enough. It eventually became a mix of TV's Supernatural, my great love of Oliver Twist and all things gritty, and the idea that a boy could carry the fate of the world on his shoulders, when all he wants to do is protect the people he loves.
5.What’s the hardest part of being an author?
This is interesting because it changes from day to day. At times when I'm on deadline, the tough part becomes juggling time. When I'm blocked, the tough part becomes fear of failure. When I'm rejected a lot, the tough part becomes self-doubt. And, like any art, the role of author is not always taken seriously, so you can deal with a lot of people who think you're a little obsessive about your "hobby". The main thing is to hold tight to the passion as much as you can, so when the magic happens and the story blossoms inside of you, you can ride the wave and stop caring so much what people think. #KeepWritingKeepLearning