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Darkness Rising #1.5
The New Guy
A bonus free short, originally published in the enhanced ebook of "The Gathering". Maya's first meeting with Rafe.
Can be found and read here. http://www.darkestpowers.com/the-new-...
Can be found and read here. http://www.darkestpowers.com/the-new-...
10 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2011
9 people are currently reading
2291 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
297 books33.6k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 10, 2016
Bullet Review:
A short story where Maya meets Rafe. I personally don't care for the pairing as Rafe is a d!ck, but given what the goal of this book was, I actually thought it better in many ways than the novel, The Gathering. It had a focus; it developed the characters (Maya reminiscing about Serena was well done); it didn't pretend to be a paranormal/urban fantasy; it had a beginning, middle AND AN END.
A short story where Maya meets Rafe. I personally don't care for the pairing as Rafe is a d!ck, but given what the goal of this book was, I actually thought it better in many ways than the novel, The Gathering. It had a focus; it developed the characters (Maya reminiscing about Serena was well done); it didn't pretend to be a paranormal/urban fantasy; it had a beginning, middle AND AN END.
April 5, 2012
Maya's first encounter with Rafe.
All I can say is Maya is a badass. I love her snark and internal dialogue.
Quotes
“Uh-huh.” That was Nicole. I glanced at her. Now she was the one staring at him, and when he turned that smile on her, only for a split-second, I thought she was going to swoon. I wanted to elbow her and say, “If you’re falling for this bullshit, I need to get you into the city more often. Hone your player-radar.”
When his gaze settled on me—all over me—I didn’t bask in it. I wanted to clutch my books to my chest and get out from under that gaze. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed—it just pissed me off. He was looking at me like I was a T-bone steak and he was starving, and he wasn’t making any effort to hide it. That was not flattering.
All I can say is Maya is a badass. I love her snark and internal dialogue.
Quotes
“Uh-huh.” That was Nicole. I glanced at her. Now she was the one staring at him, and when he turned that smile on her, only for a split-second, I thought she was going to swoon. I wanted to elbow her and say, “If you’re falling for this bullshit, I need to get you into the city more often. Hone your player-radar.”
When his gaze settled on me—all over me—I didn’t bask in it. I wanted to clutch my books to my chest and get out from under that gaze. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed—it just pissed me off. He was looking at me like I was a T-bone steak and he was starving, and he wasn’t making any effort to hide it. That was not flattering.
December 3, 2014
This is a short story of Rafe and Maya meeting for the first time. I liked how Maya didn't fall for Rafe's "charm". :)
July 17, 2016
2.5/5
I'm not usually a fan of novellas, because I don't feel as if they bring anything new to the plate. (Most of the time.) In this case, it was more of a deleted scene than a novella. And deleted scenes...well, they're deleted for a reason.
This pretty much just emphasized the apathy that Maya felt toward Rafe when she first met him. Which we already knew. However, I do think the little glimpse she saw of him unguarded should have been included, because it would have given reason for why Maya invited him to her party even though she seemed to outwardly hate him.
It was kind of hard to be objective about the characters after finishing the series.
April 28, 2012
I am a big fan of Kelley Armstrong's books and really enjoyed The Gathering. I am just about to start book 2, The Calling. So I thought it was a good time to refamilarize myself with the characters from The Gathering.
The New Guy, is a bonus short story for The Gathering. It talks about the first day back at school and how everyone was excited to meet the new guy (Rafe). But most importantly we get to see Maya's initial reaction to Rafe. It was not good. Wow. Good story.
The New Guy, is a bonus short story for The Gathering. It talks about the first day back at school and how everyone was excited to meet the new guy (Rafe). But most importantly we get to see Maya's initial reaction to Rafe. It was not good. Wow. Good story.
October 5, 2014
Loved it! Great to know that Maya didn't fall for Rafe so easily! *I-knew-it* HAHAAA :P
I love their Build-Up!!! XD I love their story line!! =D
I love Rafe and Maya together!!
They're so perfect for each other!! Sighhhhhhhh =9
I love their Build-Up!!! XD I love their story line!! =D
I love Rafe and Maya together!!
They're so perfect for each other!! Sighhhhhhhh =9
April 4, 2012
So Maya noticed something in Rafe from the start - good to know :) It makes their later fast hooking up more believable.
November 18, 2014
Good insight into Rafe and Maya's first meeting.
October 1, 2017
Full review at https://bronzelock619.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-new-guy-darkness-rising-15-kelley.html.
This is a nice short story, set in a time slightly before the start of the Darkness Rising series. Maya was reminiscing about Serena, which is a nice chance to get to know her as a character since she was already dead before the series. I did not care much for her meeting with Rafe though, as I had always preferred Maya to be with Daniel. I don't really like him, and this story had not convinced me otherwise. From this story, it is clear that Maya did not have a good first impression of him, and neither did I, as he was quite cocky. If you are interested, you can read this story at http://www.darkestpowers.com/the-new-guy.pdf.
This is a nice short story, set in a time slightly before the start of the Darkness Rising series. Maya was reminiscing about Serena, which is a nice chance to get to know her as a character since she was already dead before the series. I did not care much for her meeting with Rafe though, as I had always preferred Maya to be with Daniel. I don't really like him, and this story had not convinced me otherwise. From this story, it is clear that Maya did not have a good first impression of him, and neither did I, as he was quite cocky. If you are interested, you can read this story at http://www.darkestpowers.com/the-new-guy.pdf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2018
54 points/100 (2.75 stars/5).
It is the first day of school and Maya is still reeling from the death of her best friend while it is Rafael's first day of school.
This short story takes place before the events in the first book, The Gathering, but is best read after that book. This is a very quick moment that just highlights the pain of losing a best friend and showing a love at first sight moment. There really isn't much to this story other than that.
It is the first day of school and Maya is still reeling from the death of her best friend while it is Rafael's first day of school.
This short story takes place before the events in the first book, The Gathering, but is best read after that book. This is a very quick moment that just highlights the pain of losing a best friend and showing a love at first sight moment. There really isn't much to this story other than that.
August 5, 2018
Just okay. Not anything I didn't already get from the first book, so pretty pointless.
October 3, 2018
3.5 stars
Short story about when Maya first meets Rafe
Short story about when Maya first meets Rafe
August 8, 2019
Pointless
January 28, 2020
This was a nice introduction to him and an insight into her grief that she felt for her friend. The dynamic.
January 20, 2024
read this back in 2017.. Amazing
July 5, 2020
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
Maya Delaney is preparing for her first start of the school year without her best friend Serena. This was always Serena’s favorite day of school and Maya’s not sure she can handle it without her. Will the new guy at their tiny school make her day?
So this is more a scene than a story, it’s a first person narrative from Maya’s point of view that occurs before the events of The Gathering. My first issue is that it seems like Serena’s been gone longer in this story than she had been in the novel even though the story occurs before the novel. Additionally in The Gathering Nicole WAS Hayley’s clique so how did she gain another one when Nicole is with Maya? The second is that we already know Maya’s point of view and since nothing happens other than Maya reliving her grief about Serena and experiencing some old not relevant to the series memories, nothing happens in this scene really. The story doesn’t add to the series or offer anything new in character development for any of the character. All I can say is they mostly behave like they did in the book but nothing new is develop and no new insights are offered.
Overall I don’t see how this story is worth reading because it doesn’t benefit the series in any way shape or form.
Maya Delaney is preparing for her first start of the school year without her best friend Serena. This was always Serena’s favorite day of school and Maya’s not sure she can handle it without her. Will the new guy at their tiny school make her day?
So this is more a scene than a story, it’s a first person narrative from Maya’s point of view that occurs before the events of The Gathering. My first issue is that it seems like Serena’s been gone longer in this story than she had been in the novel even though the story occurs before the novel. Additionally in The Gathering Nicole WAS Hayley’s clique so how did she gain another one when Nicole is with Maya? The second is that we already know Maya’s point of view and since nothing happens other than Maya reliving her grief about Serena and experiencing some old not relevant to the series memories, nothing happens in this scene really. The story doesn’t add to the series or offer anything new in character development for any of the character. All I can say is they mostly behave like they did in the book but nothing new is develop and no new insights are offered.
Overall I don’t see how this story is worth reading because it doesn’t benefit the series in any way shape or form.
September 8, 2014
Cute. Expands on the first story, The Summoning", 1, with the first time Maya meets Rafe. It's on that first day of school as Daniel is concerned about Maya having to endure it without her best friend, Serena.
Armstrong does a nice job of reinforcing the tininess of their town and their school as well as keeping Maya's attitude in place.
Armstrong does a nice job of reinforcing the tininess of their town and their school as well as keeping Maya's attitude in place.
December 28, 2012
This novella can be read online for free at Kelley Armstrong's blog.
In this short story, Maya and her friend, Nicole, meet Rafe Martinez on the first day of school. Rafe is portrayed as arrogant and conceited, and Maya felt apprehensive about him from the get-go!
There aren't any real surprises here but, if you enjoyed The Gathering, then you will probably enjoy this additional story!
In this short story, Maya and her friend, Nicole, meet Rafe Martinez on the first day of school. Rafe is portrayed as arrogant and conceited, and Maya felt apprehensive about him from the get-go!
There aren't any real surprises here but, if you enjoyed The Gathering, then you will probably enjoy this additional story!
July 8, 2017
I was a bit disappointed in this novella. :(
I was hoping to read a lot more about Rafe but he didn't turn up till nearly the end. I was also annoyed because the copy I had, which I thin I got the link from this site, had spelling and grammar errors. -.-
It was nice to read more about Serena, but that want ant what I was expecting. :/
I was hoping to read a lot more about Rafe but he didn't turn up till nearly the end. I was also annoyed because the copy I had, which I thin I got the link from this site, had spelling and grammar errors. -.-
It was nice to read more about Serena, but that want ant what I was expecting. :/
April 1, 2012
IT'S SO SAD THAT SERENA DIED - DROWNED IN LAKE :( AND SHE AND DANIEL WERE DATING, TOO :( SO MAYA'S FIRST DAY BACK AT SCHOOL IN THE NEW YEAR AND SHE MET RAFE AND DISLIKED HIM LOL - IT WAS KINDA FUNNY, THAT
September 30, 2015
While enjoyable, this short story felt more like an extra scene than an actual short story addition. I rather felt like the "Rafe meeting" added nothing to the original story. I still love Maya and Rafe's characters, I just felt this was easily disregarded.
March 11, 2013
6 pages.
quite interesting.
maybe like a deleted scene or something?
i just love the way armstrong writes....
this isn't necessary to read, doesn't affect the story, doesn't add or take away....
quite interesting.
maybe like a deleted scene or something?
i just love the way armstrong writes....
this isn't necessary to read, doesn't affect the story, doesn't add or take away....
April 5, 2012
Love Ralfe hehe
April 15, 2012
Very funny, more than in The Gathering
April 23, 2012
I liked it it wasn't that short.
April 24, 2012
Very short. Wanted more. Can't wait for book 3!
May 4, 2012
This was a little "thin" as extras go but it was still interesting.
May 28, 2012
Nice, but nothing special.
July 11, 2012
Hello Rafe Martinez...
May 30, 2023
Pointless story that didn't add anything to the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews