Beyond the Darkening is a VERY good novella - quite possibly the best of that length I've ever read. There's a lot here that Kerry Allen could've made into a full-length paranormal romance (and still could at any time [hint...hint]), because her take on vampires and the world they inhabit is intriguing and TRULY fresh. My only serious complaint - though perhaps unfairly, I admit - and the only thing that keeps this being a full five star read for me is the length restricts the flow of good world-building and prevents a lot of development of character - and the romantic resolution seems rushed. I believe I read at the back of the kindle edition book that this was the first in a novella trilogy. I will be looking for those. 4.5 Stars overall and again, possibly the best Novella I've read at this length.