Darkborn by Alison Sinclair

For the Darkborn, sunlight kills. For the Lightborn, darkness is fatal. Living under a centuries old curse, the Darkborn and the Lightborn share the city of Minhorne, coexisting in an uneasy equilibirum but never interacting...

When Darkborn physician Balthasar Hearne finds a pregnant fugitive on his doorstep just before sunrise, he has no choice but to take her in. Tercelle Amberley's betrothed is a powerful Darkborn nobleman, but her illicit lover came through the daytime. When she gives birth to twin boys, Balthasar realizes that they can see- something unheard of among the Darkborn.

Soon after, men arrive in search of the children. Balthasar is saved only by the intervention of his Lightborn neighbor-and healed by the hands of his wife, Telmaine. Soon Balthasar finds himself ensnared in a web of political intrigue and magic as an ancient enemy of both Darkborn and Lightborn appears in a new guise and with a hatred that has not never waned. And Telmaine must confront a power she can no longer keep sheathed in gloves, a power she neither wants nor can control.


This was an ARC that I had requested a very long time ago, or so it seems. Alison also sent me the sequel Lightborn, which both are now in stores.

This novel for me was very confusing throughout most of its entirety. It has a very, and I mean a very! extensive vocabulary. Sonn, demimonde, salle, passe-muraille, sundered rappier, gallard, sibilant, difidently, embittered...just to name a few. While I love reading books to learn new words this just seemed like an overcompensation and overwhelming as well.

I was unsure if the characters were some kind of vampires, faeries or other supernatural entity. I feel as if I were thrown into the middle of a story- which usually makes me like a novel. This, however, just made me feel overwhelmed with the vast amount of characters and locations. A previous novel, prequel, may have helped clear up the utter confusion I felt.

Nearing the end the intensity was amplified, as was the confusion, the vocabulary, and even more characters. It was like bits and pieces fitting together but as they came together it resulted in a blurry image?

Originally I was not feeling the novel much at all. There were so many minute details and factors that just had me confused. Thankfully the story came to a close and then I was aware of the understanding needed for this novel.

Soon I will begin the sequel to this trilogy. Hopefully with the first novel it will allow me to embrace the story more?! Thanks again to Alison for sending me both novels and allowing me to review them for her.

Favorite quote:
"...like two roses kissing in the wind..."