DARKNESS FALLING

Stakes are high as the Soul Riders try to protect their island in this third entry in the series.

Picking up where The Legend Awakens (2020) left off, Lisa, Alex, Linda, and Anne and their magical Starbreed horses have teleported back from the Secret Stone Circle where they released a magic threatening the nature of their island home, Jorvik. Their job is to protect the delicate balance of good and evil on the magical island as they fight to protect Winter Valley from flooding, fend off the evil forces of Garnok, save Lisa’s kidnapped father while steering clear of the Dark Riders, and try to help their mentor, Elizabeth, a Druid, who had been transformed into a will-o’-the-wisp by an evil witch. Like the video game the book is based on, the plot feels episodic and disjointed as it moves between Druid fantasy, science-fiction laboratory, and modern-day realism. Action happens quickly and in spurts, and the antagonists seem devoid of motivation. Still, Soul Riders fans could find satisfaction here, as the book integrates elements of the game, such as strong friendships, connection with horses, mysteries, and quests, into the storyline. It finishes with an open ending, leaving room for another installment. Earlier entries establish that most characters are White and Linda is a Pakistani immigrant.

A horse fantasy accessible to fans of the series who appreciate the video game it is based on.