Review of Darkest Dawn by Katlyn Duncan

One desperate journey for the truth

Returning to Willows Lake eleven years after her mother’s tragic death, Sloane Baker knows she will finally get the answers she needs! She always suspected that there was something more sinister at the heart of the accident that claimed her mother’s life, but a cryptic note could be the key to her past…

Two lives changed forever

The small town has always seemed safe to Brianna Taylor – until a mysterious new girl arrives who looks exactly like Bri! Now everything Bri knew has been thrown into question and Sloane’s arrival has changed the world of Willows Lake forever.

Strange things are happening in Willows Lake. But when they turn deadly, Bri and Sloane must find a way to save each other or risk losing everything they hold dear…


Review:
What to say about this book . . . this was a stellar mystery wrapped in friendship and supernatural occurrences! I loved it. This is a must read!

The book starts of with a bang. Sloane receives an invitation to return to Willows Lake that promises answers to plaguing questions about her Mom's accident so long ago; answers Sloane desperately seeks to give her closure.
In less than twenty-four hours after arriving in town, her life is turned upside down. One intense kiss, a spooky warning by a random stranger, a case of mistaken identity, and a no-show person for her promised meeting, Sloane realizes things aren't as cut and dry as she expected.

Then Bri, the other main character, starts her point-of-view. She's been raised in Willow's Lake, with an absent-minded librarian. One of her friends is becoming friendlier than in the past, possibly toward a new romance. She's constantly harassed by the school's mean girl, and chooses to take out her anger on Chloe in the pool, where they are both on the swim team.
After a bizarre day, where her friend/maybe boyfriend acts strange toward her, uncontrollable bouts of sickness that randomly engulf her, a loss of attention in the pool during practice, and running into the town's mysterious hot guy, leaves Bri with an overwhelming sense of confusion.

Then, Bri and Sloane finally meet. More strangeness ensues, leading them to a murder scene, where someone familiar is seen leaving said scene. Together, they realize that a lot more is going on, than just a simple parental mystery.

The girls try to maintain secrecy, but have no such luck. As more people get involved, and someone important goes missing, the stakes are raised. It's now personal for both of them, and the answers they start to find, cause even more questions.

The one thing Bri always found solace in, swimming, turns deadly in a paranormal event that shakes Sloane and Bri to the core.

Before they find the answers to all their questions, an attempt to harm their friends and loved ones, occurs. This is it, they must follow things through, delving deeper into the supernatural world, to get out of the situation alive. But no one told them, there were much darker secrets, secrets that could mean their lives or deaths.

I wish there was more romance in this book, but it was so compelling, I didn't care.  I truly had no clue what was going on, until the twists are slowly unraveled, culminating in an ending that will leave you wanting for more. 
There will be a sequel, and I can't wait to get my hands on it! I highly recommend this young adult book, and give it five glittery stars for being a suspenseful and engrossing read!

Buy links: Amazon US|Nook |iBooks|Google Play|
Nook UK|Amazon UK 

About the Author:

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them. 

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

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