Mini-Review: Darkness on the Edge of Town by Brian Keene

Walden is your average small town. That is, until residents awoke to complete and total darkness, darkness that only covered the town itself. People who attempt to leave do not return and are presumed dead.  Once they enter the darkness they fall victims to whatever evil is residing inside. The narrator of the book is Robbie, a pizza delivery guy, who is detailing everything in a journal which may serve as the only witness of what occurs in Walden. The other key characters are Robbie’s girlfriend and a few of his neighbors.  Dez, a rambling homeless man, plays an integral role in the novel.  He seems to be the only citizen able to explain the darkness, and it’s source.  Unfortunately, Dez is known to be a bit “eccentric”, so his knowledge of the Darkness almost implicates his involvement in the catastrophe. The Darkness itself is also a very active character within the story.  It overtakes the people of Walden.  It tricks them by manifesting into their loved ones, calling them into the darkness.

 People have compared it to King’s The Mist, and while I thought that too in the beginning, the overall theme is completely different. Keene does an outstanding job of portraying what happens to people when catastrophe hits. And in typical Keene style, he leaves you guessing at the end.  Highly recommended, especially to existing Keene fans.