Way
after midnight in New York City, a girl runs down the streets, looking for someplace
to hide ... is there anywhere she can go to escape? Is there anyone who can help
her... now? This dark but fulfilling sequel to The Shadow of the Bear is
based on a familiar fairy tale "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" from the Brothers
Grimm. Circumstances have placed Blanche Brier entirely on her own this summer
in New York City while Bear is wandering through Europe and her family is on vacation.
Blanche is fast becoming the focus of a terrifying play of evil forces. Even the
refuge she takes among some lively Franciscan friars does not protect her from
dangerous attacks. Rather, they continue to escalate as she struggles to persuade
a sick and aged man from killing himself. Discovering Blanche's disappearence,
Bear and Fish cut short their European vacation and join up with Rose to begin
scouring New York City looking for Blanche. But the same malevolence that is lurking
over Blanche seems to be hunting them as well and drawing them all togther into
a death trap until it seems that all hope is gone. Yet during this time, the desires
of Blanche's heart are being clarified - and so are Bear's. A black night. Tested
faith. Honest love.
------------------------------------
Black
as Night follows on from The Shadow of the Bear and is based upon the
fairy tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The main characters, Blanche Brier,
Rose Brier, Bear and Fish are likeable and the mystery adventure is gripping.
It is set in modern day New York and as I have never been there it was exciting
and interesting to read. The novel is very cleverly written and a delight to read
for an orthodox Catholic. The solid Catholic references throughout are refreshing
and familiar and the seven Friars show an excellent glimpse into their religious
life ministering to the homeless and needy in New York around an inspiring prayer
life and the Sacraments, with a good amount of humour and chaos. There are refreshing
morals and virtues and also struggles and temptations and a lot of suspense and
action. This is a good series of books and it is nice and inspiring to read about
morally grounded teenagers living in the modern world with firm faith and virtue
without false piety or preachiness. I read this in a few days as the mystery kept
me wanting to know the conclusion. The covers of these books are fantastic! Read
The Shadow of the Bear first.
This follows on just after the conclusion of that great story.
-
E. Bevans, England, 2/25/2009, a reviewer at amazon.co.uk.
