What Happens in the Darkness by Monica J. O’Rourke

Sinister Grin Press, 2013

ISBN: 978-0983911883

Availability: paperback

The United States has been attacked by its enemies. Cities are devastated, and now vampires, previously hidden, are running rampant, and looking to take over. Janelle is a twelve-year-old girl trying to survive the aftermath of war in New York City and discovers her mother is one of the vampires.

Jeff was guarding some of the most powerful vampires at an army base in upstate New York. He releases them, only to end up a vampire himself, against his will. Martin, their leader, will try to protect him as long as he stays loyal. Unfortunately, Jeff’s loyalties are divided.

Monica O’Rourke has written an intriguing take on the (sometimes) tired vampire sub-genre. Her characters are interesting, and the storylines, especially Jeff and Janelle’s, are quite compelling. I enjoyed reading a story in which America was a weakened victim of the Global Dominion, with the possibility that the country might not survive. It’s not the extreme horror that I have come to love by O’Rourke, although there is a horrific rape scene that I found quite disturbing. What Happens in the Darkness is an excellent read. Recommended.

Contains: blood, gore, violence, adult situations, rape, and profanity.

Reviewed by Colleen Wanglund