Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Darkness has infected a sacred place by way of murder. This virus is not one that can be shared through air or water but lives within us all, and it is growing stronger. A once forbidden secret is now coming alive and it will fall upon a special class of Native American students and their teacher to try and stop it. But already the death toll is rising. For the students, this goes beyond tragedy, as many of them rely on its power to leave the chairs and walkers that have held them confined for most of their lives.
A battle must be fought, and what began with a sacrifice might soon have to end in the same way.
The Review
Daniel Lee is eighteen and on the cusp of graduation. He lives in Blanchard, Oklahoma with his father, who has been the local constable for twelve years. He and his father suffered from a tragic accident that placed their mother/wife in a care facility. Even though she eventually recovered from a coma, she would never be able to come home. At first they visited her regularly, and then it dwindled to once a month. Dan and his father got along very well, and Dan noticed the stress his father was under.
Devon Craig has been best friends with Dan since first grade. He’s been plagued with muscular dystrophy, and has been in a wheel chair since he was five. His father grew tired of the city and moved his son and wife to Blanchard, with hopes that life would be easier and they could grow closer. But then Devon and his mother dealt with a tragedy.
Dan and Devon both attend the Blanchard school. The school has the reputation as a top educational facility for handicapped/disabled children. They have a great teacher and advocate in Darlene Whitehorse, of Wichita heritage. When she entered the school system at the start of their eighth grade, she made the school special. She has very strict rules about bullying.
She has an adopted daughter – Linda Wells -who is disabled and attends Blanchard and is the same age as Dan and Devon. At lunch, Ms. Whitehorse always has a special table where their little group meets: Linda, Devon and Mike Henley. She also spends time with them and others. She takes many of the students on field trips to Native American Museums, sites, the Wichita Mountains, and the Chickasaw Festival.
When Joe Clark is found horrifically murder in Lion’s Park, Devon can’t wait to find out the details. Already running late, Dan tells him they will look into it after school. Dan had stolen his father’s password a while back, and could log into the Blanchard PD system. He’s worried about the entire situation. He knows that his father will be first on the scene and how it confronting this horror will affect him.
In Devon’s eyes, Joe Clark was nothing but trouble – he often bullied and struck Devon. Even Dan had run-ins with him, and tried to protect Devon. Dan focuses on the fact that someone was murdered, and that there’s a murderer loose in the town. Talking with his father on the phone, Dan could tell it bothered him. His father warns him to stay home and lock the doors. When his fatherfinally comes home, Dan can see from his physical appearance how much this murder has effected him.
The difference of opinion causes a rift between Devon and Dan. Dam looks for Devon at lunch at their usual lunch spot. When he asks about Devon, Ms. Whitehorse tells Dan to give him time.
There are more murders and strange occurrences going on in the town. Devon invites Dan to go on a trip with Ms. Whitehorse. Although hesitant, Dan agrees to go with them to Wichita Mountains. What he discovers will be terrifying and beyond belief. Who of this oddball group will survive what’s to come?
Neher has crafted a dark paranormal tale about Native American culture, beliefs and traditions in Natives of the Night, diving deep into the Wichita tribe and the history of Coronado, who was welcomed by the tribal people and brought nothing but murder, sickness and devastation. There’s also magic, spells, sigils, the wheel and dark myths.
A well written, frightening character-driven tale, filled with suspense and danger, that delves into themes of bravery, family, friendship, and love.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
