The Children of Darkness

"Litwack (The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky, 2014) begins a new fantasy series about a post-apocalyptic future run by religious fanatics. ... A tightly executed first fantasy installment that champions the exploratory spirit."

"The Children of Darkness by David Litwack is a compelling tale set in a future where religion has taken over people's lives. Three friends, Orah, Nathaniel and Thomas, find their bond tested as they uncover the complex secrets of a religion hell-bent on imparting their own version of the truth.

The Children of Darkness is a solid fantasy-dystopian offering, one that is not merely written by some author looking for a middling entry to the genre, but excellently crafted by an artist looking to make his mark and impart his imagination to his readers. The novel has no weak spots. The cast of characters, the plot, the pacing, and the narrative, all are top notch. The writing is on point, with no wasted words and irritating distractions. One can see the time and effort spent whittling away the words and scenes of the novel so that what is left is the shining essence of the book. It is rare for a novel to tug at emotions so effortlessly while giving readers more than enough to satisfy their intellectual cravings.

One of the best things about The Children of Darkness is the the way in which the world is gradually introduced to the reader, which mirrors the way the protagonists' eyes are gradually opened to the myriad facets of the truth. It touches on numerous issues, from science to sociology, that give readers a new appreciation for the things we take for granted today. A timely novel beautiful in the simplicity of its writing and elegant in its underlying complexity, The Children of Darkness is a solid novel from a writer that I expect great things from in the future."

"As all readers know, the “dystopian” era of literature has become a booming business. From top sellers that have reached the screen quite quickly (aka: The Maze Runner), these tales have taken over the minds and hearts of everyone from YA lovers to adults who literally crave a new kind of suspense/thriller. So it is always a pleasure to review a brand new series that delves into the dystopian world and delivers an A+ storyline.

The author has done an excellent job bringing this world to life. From the dark prisons to the awesome magic and awe-inspiring belief that Orah and Nathaniel have in each other – the plot unfolds easily, swiftly, and never lets the readers’ attention wane.

Quill says: After reading this one, it will be a real hardship to have to wait to see what happens next."

"The Children of Darkness, the first volume of David Litwack’s The Seekers series, is a classic quest story. Three young heroes embark upon a journey to uncover a secret that can save the world. Along the way they meet a wise guide and encounter daunting obstacles that test their courage and resolve. And they return very changed.

This YA novel follows the pattern, but it’s anything but run of the mill. The quality of its intelligence, imagination, and prose raises The Children of Darkness to the level of literature.

Litwack avoids the usual tropes of YA fantasy. There’s no simpleminded battle between good and evil, no sexual jealousy and tension between friends, and no adolescent bickering. The friends argue about things that matter — how they can best survive, whether the quest is worth the cost.

In The Children of Darkness Litwack has created a fully realized and altogether believable world. The characters, including the functionaries of the Temple, are complex and sympathetic. The conclusion is unexpected yet feels altogether right. Everything is set for the next volume of the series, which I very much look forward to reading."