{"product_id":"2940045047715","title":"Darkest","description":"\u003cp\u003eAbout DARKEST:\u003cbr\u003eImagine you are a mind reader—a voyeur who can steal dreams. It happens in the book, DARK. Now, in DARKEST, the final third of DARK you as “The Thief of Dreams,” will see many dreadful, occasionally humorous, and sometimes downright disturbing dreams--fantasies and nightmares of others. All are expressed as poetry and short stories, each designed to make you laugh, shudder or cringe, or all three.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor example, all SIX parts of “The Zombie Apocalypse” series (two in DARK, one in DARKER and 3 more in DARKEST) drew that title from a recent admission by Google® that this was their most-searched term in June, 2012. Brakken explains, in his Z A series, that, thanks to recent scientific innovation, this idea, this threat, is, indeed, plausible. Those who initially thought this term laughable may find themselves reconsidering. As we all know, science can be wonderful—or terrible—depending on the final outcome. (In DARKER, there is an invitation to new authors to submit their own Z A episodes for an upcoming anthology.)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut this is not a book about zombies. It is much, much more. Brakken's poems such as “In Gloomy Wood” and “The Parson Joshua Black” tell stories that will tingle the spine. Others like “Something in the Shadows” and “Bedtime Story” may lead to the bedroom light being left on until morning. “Gramma’s Noggin” will elicit a laugh while helping readers pronounce Namakagon correctly. (Brakken's earlier book is THE TREASURE OF NAMAKAGON.) A sonnet, “The Count,” will beg readers for restraint regarding releasing evil upon the land. There are so many more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrakken included “Nevermore” a poetic tribute to Edgar Allen Poe and a favorite of many. “Nevermore” answers Poe’s question about the final resting place of the spirit of the deceased maiden in Poe’s, “The Raven.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA number of poems, including “The Ballad of Ole Johnson” and “A Pinery Tale” found inspiration in actual deaths that occurred during northern Wisconsin’s 19th century timber harvest, giving them the western texture akin to the cowboy poetry of Baxter Black. Several mysterious excerpts from Brakken’s 19th century“lumberjack” era novel, THE TREASURE OF NAMAKAGON, complement the poems nicely. And, if dragons are to your liking, you’ll savor the author’s “Three Dragons” series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeware! Although this large collection of Brakken’s macabre writings will delightfully scare the reader and sometimes stimulate nervous laughter, the author advises us that some of these works are utterly disturbing. Read at your own risk: Here there be dragons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor visual relief, the author included many darkly evocative engravings by long-dead master artists from ancient times. Gustave Dore and Albrecht Durer are among the artists who now, long after their death, add mystery and macabre charm to Brakken’s work. Note that these images are not intended to illustrate the writings. Rather, they simply add to the enigmatic, bone-chilling nature of DARK.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE AUTHOR ADVISES READING DARK, DARKER, AND DARKEST IN THE ORDER PRESENTED. Jumping ahead may spoil the twisting, turning plots of some sequential works.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEnter DARKEST at your own risk. -- We've been waiting for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContents of DARKEST (Third of 3 sections):\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThief of Dreams V\u003cbr\u003eThem\u003cbr\u003eSomething in the Shadows\u003cbr\u003eThree Dragons Part III: The Third Dragon\u003cbr\u003eDare not Swim in Devil’s Lake\u003cbr\u003eI—Have—You—Now\u003cbr\u003eThe Zombie Apocalypse Part IV\u003cbr\u003eOur Lovely Lucy Brown\u003cbr\u003eA Pinery Tale\u003cbr\u003eThe Kinabalu Affliction\u003cbr\u003eIn Gloomy Wood\u003cbr\u003eThief of Dreams VI\u003cbr\u003eThe Ghost of the Apostles (Not in present softcover edition)\u003cbr\u003eDeath Deceived\u003cbr\u003eBeyond the Laterals\u003cbr\u003eThe Zombie Apocalypse Part V (Not in present softcover edition)\u003cbr\u003eMove Not Cold Stones by Midnight’s Mist\u003cbr\u003eThe Zombie Apocalypse Part VI (Not in present softcover edition)\u003cbr\u003eThief of Dreams VII\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlus, there are extras hidden between the above titles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMuster all your courage and seek them out at amazingly discounted prices!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"James A. Brakken","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072059621616,"sku":"2940045047715","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940045047715_p0.jpg?v=1763673641","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940045047715","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}