In Darkness is set in Haiti immediately after the devastating earthquake of 2010. It is the story of Shorty, a boy who has grown up in a violent slum of Port-au-Prince called The Site. But Shorty's life is somehow interwoven with the spirit of Touissant l'Ouverture, visionary leader of Haiti's slave revolution of 1791 to 1803. Shorty awakens in absolute darkness after the earthquake. As he waits and hopes for rescue, he recounts the story of his childhood. His has been a hard life. He has shot people and been shot. He describes a complex world, where in the wake of dysfunctional government and ineffective aid agencies, the only source of food, medical care and schooling for the people of the slums are the gangsters and drug traffickers who also perpetuate a culture of violence. The backdrop for Shorty's struggle to survive is Touissant's efforts to lead the slaves of Haiti to freedom. The two have much more in common than you would think. This is, as you can guess by the title, a dark story. It provides a glimpse into the lives of those who live in one of the poorest and most violent areas of the world. The Site is a place where life is cheap and hope is in short supply. Violence and voudou are major themes in this story. But so are freedom, the nature of humanity, and the struggle to build a better life. Touissant works to build a prosperous and just society. Shorty is trying to find and rescue his missing twin sister. Be warned, this is an intense and disturbing book. But it is well worth reading.

In Darkness is a complex novel with a non-linear narrative that is both engaging and challenging. It paints a vivid picture of Haitian history and religion, crushing poverty, and day-to-day violence. The main character is by no means depicted as flawless and yet it is easy to feel incredibly attached to his story and his survival. Dark and haunting but not without hope, this masterfully woven look at life in a struggling Haiti will move adults and teens alike. Adult language and graphic violence, 14+.