Review of Out of the Darkness: A Novel (Courageous Series)

[Ngozi Onyibor]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Out of the Darkness: A Novel (Courageous Series)" by David A Jacinto.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Out of the Darkness, by David A. Jacinto, is the first book in the Courageous Series. The novel follows the author's ancestors and the events that informed their move from England to America. While some parts of the story are fiction, large portions of the story revolve around real events during the coal-era Industrial Revolution. It is a story with many layers. It is a story of courage to stand up for what is right. It encompasses a young man's determination to strive for a better life for himself and his loved ones. It portrays a mother's love and willingness to die for her children. Most of all, it is a tale of poverty and greed and their remarkable ability to rob people of dignity and humanity.

Reading this novel felt like being transported to the past. The story is wound around the coal-mining era of the Industrial Revolution in Europe. The writing is beautiful and thought-provoking; the language is reminiscent of the era; the descriptions are immersive, and the characters are colorful. Every character and every word is like a puzzle piece that is needed to form a complete picture. Even seemingly inconsequential events end up being pivotal to the story's development.

However, the most remarkable aspect of Out of Darkness is its exposition of how immutable human nature is. Civilization has come a long way since the Industrial Revolution, yet people have barely changed. Many corporations still work their employees to the bone while paying them as low as legally possible. Like Lord Fitzwilliam, the wealthy and influential still get away with terrible things. Good working conditions and workplace accident compensation are still a joke in many places. One thing is sure, be it the 1830s or the 2020s, the poor and powerless have always borne the brunt of societal dysfunction.

David has a talent for bringing words to life. His writing educates, entertains, and provokes thought. In addition, he also cares about detail and factual accuracy, as evidenced by his inclusion of a family tree at the beginning and a bibliography at the end of the book. Overall, the novel is perfect in every way, and the editing is pristine. Hence, it deserves 5 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy historical fiction with heart and depth, you won't regret getting a copy of this book.

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Out of the Darkness: A Novel (Courageous Series)
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[Stephen Pokoo]

I now have a better knowledge of the book and its themes thanks to your insightful comments. For other readers, it's a useful guide. I appreciate you providing this insightful criticism.

[Miracle Oge Adaeze]

Looking at the book's cover, I already suspected that the setting will be in the past. Your review just confirmed that. It's a good thing the author did well in the historical aspects of the book. Thank you for your review.