The Darkest Path by Jeff Hirsch
Reviewed by Kevin G.
The Darkest Path takes place in the United States of America where a second civil war has emerged between a powerful religious group, The Glorious Path, and the remainder of a corrupt U.S. federal government. The main character, Callum Roe, and his brother, James, are taken by the Glorious Path and given the choice to fight for the Path or die. The story follows Cal as he is separated from his brother and escapes the Glorious Path. Cal then must travel hundreds of miles across enemy lines to try to reunite with his family. At every turn, however, Cal is faced with choices that test his morality and loyalties. And the stakes are high: a wrong decision could send Cal back into the hands of the Glorious Path, where he would be killed.
The Darkest Path is very suspenseful and can be stressful for the reader as Cal makes choices that determine his fate. Hirsch uses powerful language that connects readers to Cal’s feelings, making readers feel they are experiencing the decisions with him. The multiple plot twists also keep readers engaged as even when they think they know what Cal will do or decide, he does something entirely different that changes the course of his journey. It is the kind of book that will make readers stay up late to finish because they just have to know what happens next.
Readers who enjoyed The Darkest Path would also likely enjoy Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielson. Resistance is a book about a Jewish teenager who leaves her family and her home after her town is taken over by Nazis during World War II. Rather than follow the Nazi’s rules, Chaya acts as a carrier for the resistance, bringing food, supplies and forged papers to Jewish people, even though it could cost her life.
The Darkest Path would be a great book for people who like stories about wars and books that have a lot of plot twists and suspense. This book is excellent, and I would suggest reading it.