Us Dark Few coming May 5th, 2026 from Bloom Books; 384 pages
Content Warning: Violence, suicidal ideations, graphic language, mass murder, attempted sexual assault
About the Author: “Alexis Patton is an emerging talent in the literary world, poised to captivate readers with her debut novel, Us Dark Few. Born with an insatiable curiosity and a passion for literature, Alexis Patton brings a refreshing perspective to the literary landscape, pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling. Her writing embraces the human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, self-discovery, and the triumph of the human spirit. Raised in DeLand, Florida, Alexis is a Florida girl by heart. From a young age, she developed an avid love for reading and was one of those kids who got in trouble for reading too much during class. With a voracious appetite for learning, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Stetson University and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Florida. Through her life experiences and undeniable passion for literature, Alexis Patton honed her skills to craft stories that resonate long after the final page is turned” (Bio from Bloom Books’ website).
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After being sentenced for a thievery she didn’t commit, Khalani Kanes is thrown into the darkest hole Apollo has to offer: Braderhelm Prison. Here, guards are ruthless, labor is grueling, and the infamous Captain of the guards, Takeshi Steele, presides over the prison with an iron fist. Grappling with her own despair and loneliness, all Khalani has is the poetry she writes in her cell, even if it was a forbidden poetry book that landed her in jail. Surrounded by unlikely friends and cold-blooded enemies, Khalani is determined to regain control and fight back—even if that means being trained by Takeshi himself. But when the truth about Apollo starts to emerge, and the magnetism between her and her jailer becomes too strong to ignore, Khalani will have to uncover the reality of her world and her feelings if she wants to escape Braderhelm alive.
Us Dark Few had a thrilling concept, promising a dark dystopia, an exploration of the indomitable human spirit, and a fiery, complicated romance; however, after finishing the book, I was left disappointed. While some narrative choices certainly intrigued me, like Khalani’s lyrical poems interwoven into the plot and the questionable prisoner/jailer romance dynamic, I found myself gradually losing steam as the story progressed. First, the prose is heavy-handed to the point that most of the novel explicitly explains the interplay of feelings, information, and plot elements to the reader rather than immersing them with immediate descriptions. In a dark dystopia meant to thrive on mystery and tension, these unnecessary explanations coupled with the predictable world-building and plot deflated my interest. What’s more, Khalani is a fairly passive protagonist; virtually all of the major narrative progression results from coincidences and the assistance of side characters, not from her own actions. This made it hard for me to connect not only with Khalani or the friends she made, but also with the flat relationship between her and Takeshi. Although I was hoping Braderhelm and the broader post-apocalyptic world would prove to be unforgiving, brutal atmospheres—settings that pushed Khalani to her limits—she almost never faced any consequences or significant danger in these spaces. But though this debut novel didn’t deliver for me, it’s part of a series, which means Patton’s writing might develop in subsequent novels, if you’re interested in the premise!
Us Dark Few releases on May 5th, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Bloom Books for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Danielle Hartshorn, Pine Reads Review Writer & Editor
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