Inside Story: Darkness Before Dawn

A Review by Charity Lyons

 

Darkness Before Dawn, by Sharon M. Draper, is a captivating end to the trilogy of Hazelwood high. This story is full of seduction, betrayal, deceit and loss of innocence. The genre of the story is realistic fiction, which applies phenomenally to the story. Draper has a history of drawing readers in using real life experiences and figurative language.

            The story takes place in present day Connecticut. Draper does a great job at describing each element of the setting, from the snow on the ground to the halls in Hazelwood high. During the story it s winter, and during winter people want to be warm and close to someone. The setting influences the story greatly because without it being a certain temperature or season some characters would not do most of the things they did leading to either big events or minor events. The reader can practically smell, touch taste everything the character is doing. The author appeals to all five senses of the reader to give true insight on how the story is; the feel of the snow, the smell of the lasagna, the taste of the seductive dinner, the sound of the cries for mercy, and the sight of a very handsome man.

            Keisha, the protagonist, is an intelligent and strong teenager. She has gone through a lot and learned to cope with any situation. She is very caring and smart, but yet naive at times. Through her troubles she has grown stronger. It seems as if se has no faults or weaknesses. Keisha just wants what every girl wants young and old: to be wanted.

Keisha, has gone through a lot in her years at Hazelwood high. She has mourned the death of a close friend and an even closer boyfriend. She is strong willed, determined and focused. However, when a new track coach comes into her life all of her skills and right minded decisions are swept away by his charming personality and manner. Jonathan Hathaway appeals to be a smooth, educated, fun-loving womanizer. He finds Keisha’s weakness and tells her sweet nothings to make her feel mature and better about herself. Keisha believes every seductive word he says and turns into a pawn in his game. When she finally realizes what he is doing and trying to do to her it is too late.

            Draper is impeccable at using real life experiences and figurative language to add interest to the story. She makes the reader feel like they are there. One thing that I don’t like about Draper’s writing style, is how she drags out the rising action or suspense to the climax. I understand building up to the climax to create excitement, but she drags it out to a point that you’re about to stop reading. I do not recommend this book to people who find thick books boring and are impatient.