The Darkness and the Dawn

Caught between a rock and a hard place: the horse loving people of the Bakony region are caught between the sweeping, brutal armies of Attila the Hun and the decadence and greed of Roman rulership. In the midst of this conflict, our hero Nicolan is sold to the Romans as a slave after the murder of his father. Following this cruel treatment he joined the hordes of Attila to strike back against Rome. But will he remain loyal to his barbarous master? Will his people gain their freedom? Will he keep his lady love from the eyes of Attila?

The main sin of this book is that it’s unexceptional. The plot elements are rather cliche but they are well orchestrated, and I definitely learned a thing or two about this period. However, there is show more nothing that really brings it to a 5 star level, and it does take a few hundred pages to come together.

I found Costain’s portrayal of Attila and his Roman rival Aetius to be very interesting and multifaceted. I would’ve liked more on Attila’s meeting with the Pope and his death but there’s not a ton of concrete information for the Author to work with.

A good old fashioned story that might learn you a thing or two. Some violent moments but it is appropriate for the period and very clean other than some eyebrow raising flirtatious remarks. show less

I received this book as a giveaway and was surprised at the general age of the book since it is nowhere new. But I am very fortunate to have been given a chance to read this book so I can carry it forth into the age where older books seem to more or less vanish into the past.

The author does an amazing job to hold such a big book of characters and events together. He does an even more wonderful job in weaving the characters together, giving them strong personalities and bringing to life a time when the world was holding its breath between the clash of its world leaders while others struggled to survive both the world and life in general.

The writing is simple and easy to follow even when it seems to twist upon itself. The motives are show more easy to follow although giving an occasional surprise that you don't see coming and it is spellbinding so you just want to keep on diving into the pages to see how the story is turning out.

And unlike many authors Mr. Costain doesn't truly end his book. He gives the historical facts of those characters that had real breath and as for his own he just shrugs off as if by narrating the main plot that was all he was entailed to do. He implies what may have occurred to those fictitious personas that you have followed but that is all that it is a vague hint.

The main reason I didn't give it 5 stars is since there were parts that were slightly dull but with the size of the book they weren't too many. There were other faces that I would have enjoyed to see stretched upon but I could see the difficulties that it would make. Still all in all it was a great book to enjoy and a new favorite.

**Received this book as part of the Members Giveaway at Librarything.com for free in exchange for a review** show less

A decent story that concerns Attila the Hun, the declining Roman Empire and certain tribes that had been subjugated by the conqueror - centered on a man taken prisoner by the Romans, who escapes and goes into service for Attila - there is a lackluster love interest - nothing too compelling - his "The Black Rose" is a much better read.

This is one of a fairly large category: embarrassing historical novels I totally enjoyed. But really, the plot is decent, the writing's okay, and the characters could be worse.

well written, very interesting

One of my fav. books featuring Attila the Hun...

This one was, in my opinion, one of Costain's very best.