Format: E-Galley, 359 pages
Release Date: July 11, 2017
Publisher: ACE
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Urban Fantasy
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Fallen and the Remy Chandler series comes the second novel in a new dark fantasy saga about fighting the demonic forces that seek to destroy us all...
John Fogg and Theodora Knight were widely known for their paranormal investigations—and the popular TV show about them. But then an episode went horribly wrong, and they disturbed a mysterious vessel that unleashed a host of demons into the world and left Theo possessed. They fought back the hellish incursion, and Theo has regained control of herself, but each moment see hers struggling to maintain dominance over the demons that still live inside her.
When John learns that the vessel they disturbed may have been planted on purpose, he sets out to investigate why. He soon discovers a web of ancient evil and a new pathway that the legions of hell hope to use to make our world into theirs. John and Theo must race to find allies to stop the coming flood, and find the strength within themselves to stand as humankind’s last hope.
Dark Exodus is the second installment in author Thomas E. Sniegoski's Demonist series. This is a series whose main characters are John Fogg and Theodora Knight. John and Theo once had their own TV show called Ghost Chasers. But, months ago, on Halloween, something went horribly wrong. John was left badly injured, Theo was left possessed by thousands of hardened infernals (demons), while the rest of their team didn't make it out at all. John now believes that his team was deliberately set up and is on the trail of the man who he thinks is responsible.
As for Theo, we are seeing the aftermath of saving John's life by taking in thousands of infernal demons. She struggles daily to keep the infernals under wrap, and not let them corrupt her mortal soul. She struggles with her new abilities to shape shift into monstrous beings. She struggles with the fact that if it weren't for the markings on her body, she would have already been gobbled up by the infernals that call her body home. As of this story, Theo now has someone watching over her to ensure she doesn't go fully to the darkside. More on that shortly. Theo is a character that I truly am curious about to see what the author has in store for her next.
John, meanwhile, is on the hunt for the man, Fritz Gorham, who he believes is responsible for what happened to his team. He knows that his team was intentionally targeted but has no answers as to why. He worries that he is on the cusp of losing Theo to the demon infernals that live in her body. John's travels takes him back to the site of his teams devastation, to the trail of Fritz which brings him to the attention of a new character named Nicole. In case you are wondering, Nicole is the character on the cover of this book. She has innate abilities to call to animals that have died, including her own cat Daisy. Her abilities are awesome, and her entrance into the series now, gives this series much more depth.
As a heads up, this story begins 18 years before. If you've read the first installment, then you've met Elijah Covington, the leader of a secret group known as the Coalition. What you didn't know about Elijah is that he isn't exactly what he appears. He will do whatever or use whomever he feels is necessary to keep the world safe from the infernals, including FBI Special Agent Brenna Isabel. Brenna continues to struggle with her new status, and is another narrator of this story. She has found herself facing a world that is dangerous, dark, and will test her ability to make snap decisions at a moments notice.
One of the comments that I have seen from reviewers is that it takes a long time for the true meaning behind Dark Exodus to be revealed. Not really. There are plenty of Easter eggs in this book that lead you to believe that something awful is on the way. Hint: Just follow Fritz and you'll get there. I think the author did a good job in keeping the readers guessing as to what happens next. But, in this world, it is pretty apparent that there is a fight happening every single day between so called Good, and Evil. The Evil seems intent on winning at all costs, while the Good, like Cassie, the pyrokinetic, are struggling to catch up before the world teeters off the brink and into the apocalypse. Loves Cassie and Nicole. Can't wait to see what the author does in the next installment.
