Down Comes the Dark is the second installment in the Elemental Series authored by Liane Mahugh. This book delves into the journey of Raya, a young Elemental who has decided to remain on Earth while her boyfriend, Dev, returns to their home planet. On Earth, Raya embraces her life, enrolling at a local university to pursue her studies in Astronomy and forging new friendships.

Meanwhile, turmoil unfurls on Raya’s home planet, Solara Prime, as it grapples with catastrophic changes in its core, coupled with escalating protests led by terrorists against the planetary government. When the terrorists launch an attack on the city where Raya’s family resides, Dev takes it upon himself to track them down and seek vengeance, all while planning his return to Earth to reunite with Raya.

Dev’s actions, as well as the harrowing news of Solara Prime’s destruction, deeply affect Raya, prompting her to work tirelessly to establish contact with her people. Her Earth-based family endeavors to keep her safe during this tumultuous period. When a ship finally arrives to retrieve her, Raya is resolute in her determination to pursue the terrorists responsible for the assault on Solara Prime, aided by both old and new friends. Liane Mahugh expertly weaves together elements of space opera and unexpected plot twists, crafting a narrative that is both captivating and inspiring. Raya’s unwavering resilience and her alliances with friends, both old and new, enrich the narrative, resulting in a compelling story. While Down Comes the Dark can be enjoyed as a standalone work, reading the first book in the series, Elemental, dramatically enhances the overall literary experience. Mahugh’s storytelling prowess shines through in the prosperous development of characters and the unpredictable turns in the plot. Fans of I Am Number Four will undoubtedly find this a riveting contemporary classic featuring a resilient female protagonist.

The second installment in the series lives up to the high standard set by the first, with the added bonus of a humorous recap of the previous book’s events in the early chapters, ensuring that even readers who may have forgotten details from the first book can quickly catch up. Raya’s struggles with learning English and her grief over the news from her home planet are portrayed with finesse, and the sense of wonder shared by the characters and readers alike when encountering alien technology is palpable. The book culminates in an exhilarating climax filled with delightful twists, making it an engaging sci-fi adventure that is sure to satisfy. Down Comes the Dark is an absolute must-read.

Pages: 312 | ASIN : B0CG4X786L