Into the Dark of the Day by Stu Jones

Into the Dark of the Day Reviews

• 
  Sherry Fundin

  I immediately began reading Into The Dark by Stu Jones as soon as I finished the first book in the Action of Purpose series, Through the Fury to the Dawn. I think this could be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend beginning at the beginning.
  
  We start at mourning the loss of someone I will miss dearly, but each character has their role to play and Stu Jones has no qualms about killing them off for the good of the story…and it definitely creates some emotional backlash for me.
  
  We get an indepth look at some of the characters and how they came to be who they are.
  
  Life has changed drastically since the destruction caused by WWIII.
  
  Unputdownable! The nail biting, spine tingling suspense made me unable to stop fretting, racing through the pages. Bodies falling in grotesque manners, the sick, Malak, who is much more than a man of evil, Kane, Courtland, Jenna, Tynuk and Az….
  
  I love the blend of genres and was amazed at how easily it was for me to accept the religious angle because it fits so well.
  
  OMG. I had tears in my eyes as the brutal battles rage through the pages, losing some of those I have come to care for deeply. I love a series that maintains the same level of intensity throughout. It doesn’t happen often. Kudos Stu. Keep up the great work. AND…I’ll be checking out Book III right now.
  
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• 
  William

  To preface my review, I am not a religious person at all and I tend to avoid the subject.
  
  That being said, I can still appreciate a story chronicling the fight between good and evil, light and dark (the block-buster action sequences and phenomenal characterization also help). Between the publication of his first book - "Through the Fury to the Dawn" - and the sequel - "Into the Dark of the Day" - the pace and structure of Stu's storytelling have greatly improved. I couldn't put the book down. I felt completely immersed in the prose and emotionally attached to the characters, despite the endless bouts of misery, ultra violence, and loss to which they were repeatedly subjected.
  
  While some of the Christian themes felt a bit heavy-handed at times, and didn't really do much to stimulate me, Stu's epic storytelling kept me digging deeper into the source of Malak's malevolent darkness, Kane's struggle to combat impending doom, Dagen's journey to come to terms with his evil past, and Courtland's divine strength and total badassery. I'd be lying if I said this story wasn't a total blast to read!
  
  Although bleak, the idea of hope still shines like a lonely torch in the eclipse of total darkness. If you can stomach the apocalyptic havoc and uncompromising violence, do yourself a favor and read this book!
• 
  Gareth

  I have followed this story from the first installment. Stu and I have had many a discussion on our different theological points, which it cannot be avoided, form the centre piece of his work. Despite my opposite views, I really like Stu's work. True to his style, he never shys away from the horrific and pretends that the Almighty will step in to save even his believers. That is not how He works. The most interesting piece of the story for me is that one character whom you would consider unsaveable has a journey of redemption, while another - considered the hero, and a soldier of God - suffers unspeakable tragedy. It is for these very reasons that I have issue with religion, but applaud Stu for once again facing such arguments and still coming out of the dialogue a believer. I think that Stu's work would make for an interesting movie, and I for one would watch it. I am looking forward - with one eye closed in fear - to how he will finish the series. The climax is anybody's guess.
  
• 
  Kara

  This book was a completely enthralling. I read it in less than 3 days, and I have a 3yr old and a 1 yr old. (That says a lot!) I read the last 150 pages in 1 evening because I couldn't put it down. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The action is incredible and the story is spell bounding. It is pretty intense and not for the faint of heart, but in a really good way. The message of hope and grace is steady throughout without being fake and cheesy, but the author doesn't pull punches in showing the depravity of the world (esp. a post-apocalyptic one). Do yourself a favor and don't wait another minute to dive into this insanely entertaining story. You'll be glad you did.
• 
  Alyssa

  First of all, I just received this after entering a Goodreads giveaway, and apparently winning an autographed copy *girlish squeal*!! I had no idea!
  
  Anyways, going to start reading this ASAP. I absolutely love the cover! Also, thank you to Stu Jones for giving me the wonderful opportunity to read and review your book!
• 
  Caroline Noe

  The second book in a trilogy is traditionally the darkest as characters undergo their dark night of the soul and usually the greatest test of their resolve. Well, there's dark and then there's pitch black. Jones takes your heart and soul and subjects them to torture.
  
  Our hero, troubled Kane, wavers under the trauma of the apocalypse, the weight of responsibility, personal tragedy and a crisis of faith. A foul man undergoes the trial of conscience in a battle towards redemption. And hiding in the night is a homicidal mutant genius with pied piper gifts and a demon with ambitions of godhood. Can Kane and his small band of survivors even begin to face such horrors.
  
  This bleak narrative feels all too real, even as the light of faith shines like a lighthouse in a storm.
  
  Bravo Stu Jones. I have no choice but to dive straight into the finale. An easy 5 stars, but prepare to be shocked and wounded by the story.
• 
  Sharon

  The horrific "End War" has decimated humanity and all but destroyed planet earth. This is a tale set in what used to be America. Many survivors' bodies were severely impacted by the radiation fallout combined with the chemical and biological weapons that were unleashed causing them to mutate into grotesque monsters hardly recognisable any more as human. Their savage, cannibalistic behaviour warrants them being feared and destroyed for the survival of the non-"sick" human beings. With the complete destruction of civilisation (i.e. government with laws and order in place) as a result of the "End War," lawless individuals filled with only evil desires in their souls (mostly men) frequently band together in gangs. The largest and most violent and depraved of these gangs is the "Coyotes" lead by a demon possessed monster who would be a dead man if not for the dark powers keeping him alive and giving him supernatural strength.
  
  This is book two of the series. It is as confronting and action-packed as the first. Epic battles between good and evil continue to be waged. A small group of survivors who would rather not succumb to the prevailing anarchy have formed a "community" with limited law and order, limited defences, limited resources, and limited direction and purpose beyond survival. They look to a former policeman, named Kane, to lead them. Following the "End War" he was strengthened and called by God to be a righteous warrior fighting against the warriors of the darkness. He has defeated his enemies in battle previously but as this book begins he is in a weakened personal state of mind and heart. He is spiritually bereft of faith, disillusionment weighing heavy on his soul and clouding his judgment. His enemies have regrouped, grown stronger, and are plotting his destruction and the destruction of every man, woman, and child looking him for their survival. How long will he continue in his own strength and wisdom? Has God abandoned these survivors? Will evil now triumph?
  
  This is a gripping tale that I found hard to put down once I started reading. It is not for the feint-hearted or squeamish with its many graphically violent scenes. Evil is what it is in this book and no one is perfect; even the individuals aligned on the side of "good" are flawed. There is no hope without faith in God; people cannot save themselves or each other.
• 
  Alexie Phelps

  I wasn't expecting the book to be better than the first but I actually enjoyed it and it was very interesting it had lots of action
• 
  Steve

  Volume two of this unusual series, this book if much stronger than the debut book. Massive good vs evil struggle, the trials of faith in an unexpected genre.
• 
  John Kilgallon

  First, I must say I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I'm glad I did because I never would have discovered this author any other way. I don't ordinarily read post-apocalyptic fiction, but this one has a different twist.
  
  Non-stop action as we follow a group of survivors combating the evil rising in the world around them. The strain of constant fighting and survival put their Faith on the line to the point of breaking. While this book is second in the series, it is not necessary to have read the first book. But, if you're like me, you will. Simply because the writing and premise are excellent. So when you're done with this one go get Through the Fury to the Dawn to tide you over until book three arrives!