Title: Chronicles of the Damned: Ashes of Dawn
Author: Jack Nightengale
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-64908-811-6
Pages: 156
Genre: Science fiction / Fantasy
Reviewed by: Donna Kumar
Hollywood Book Reviews
Chronicles of the Damned: Ashes of Dawn by author Jack Nightengale is a captivating work of fantasy fiction revolving around the resurrection of Lilith, the first woman created from Earth by God. The story is set in a technologically advanced era of the 22nd century, where humans, immortals, vampires, and the ‘Loyals’ (descendants of Lilith) coexist.
This book is centered around Father Markus Knyte, a professor at Wheaton University and a priest of the Vatican who relentlessly tries to uncover clues about the potential threat of Lilith’s resurrection. Along with Father Knyte, Lady Malka, Arellia Black, Avanya Black, and Krieg play significant roles throughout the book’s progression.
Lady Malka is depicted as the mastermind behind a grand plan to resurrect Lilith. Despite the fact this poses a threat to both humans and vampires alike, Malka has devised a way to completely destroy Lilith without leaving any evidence behind. She, along with Krieg, has been conducting extensive research to create new breeds of vampires from humans in order to prepare for the impending battle with Lilith after her resurrection. According to their research, humans will be turned into vampires through a “microchip” that will be implanted into their spinal columns. Krieg, Arellia, and Avanya are assisting Malka in this mission to wipe out any traces of Lilith and her descendants, the “Loyals.”
The story is told from a third-person perspective and takes place in a technologically advanced, fantastical world where humans and vampires coexist. However, humans are unaware of the existence of vampires among them. The author, Nightingale, introduces different advanced inventions which are useful for this world. For example, Nightingale coined the invention of sunlight-resistant suits to aid vampires in withstanding sunlight like any normal human. This book constantly plays with the dynamics of human behavior and the inherent vampire traits. Each group of vampires has its factions (groups or sections) consisting of their desired rules. Some of the prominent factions mentioned in the book are the Fading Nightstar Faction and the Crossed Fang Faction. Nightingale uses all these crucial fantastical and scientific elements to develop his plot successfully.
Nightingale’s style of writing is intriguing, and the organization of the events in his plot is cleverly woven together. For example, at the beginning of the book, Nightingale pens down the flashback of Lilith’s life. This knowledge of Lilith’s life will give the readers an apt understanding and clear picture of why everything happens in this book. Despite possessing complex elements like ultra-modern inventions and the fateful coexistence of humans and vampires, the author has made it a point to pen out these complexities in a simplified manner. Using Lilith’s flashback, Malka’s vision, and Father Knyte’s uncompromising search for clues regarding Lilith’s resurrection, Jack Nightengale has made this book even more gripping and unputdownable.
Overall, I highly recommend this book if you love reading about vampires, Christian mythology, and advanced technology of the future.