A remarkable book that defies expectation in the realm of good versus evil. Taylor’s descriptive prose brings the characters and their environments to life, immersing the reader in a rich and imaginative world. The unique and imaginative characters are well-developed, and their complexity adds depth to the story. The author skillfully explores the gray areas of morality, creating a captivating and thought-provoking narrative. 

Memorable characters and delightful world-building. I had a lot of fun reading it.

A Classic Tale with a Twist 

This book is a tale of good vs evil, but it's not what you are expecting. While reading this book I was drawn to the themes of acceptance vs antipathy, what is good and what is evil, it also shines a light on what we are willing to give of ourselves for the sake of others.
The imagery is detailed and the author is able to paint a vivid picture of the characters as well as their environments. The characters are unique, imaginative and compelling.
Fantasy is not typically my preferred genre but I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more works from this author!

This is a fun and page-turning journey in a mythical and magical universe that is somewhat similar and yet entirely alien from our own. The characters are well developed, and I left the book wanting to learn more about them and their lives in these realms.

It's very difficult for authors to grasp the gray (as I'm sure many have used this term). There is a light and nuanced balance in interesting characters. Nobody is all good or all bad in other words. I find characters that are extremely one-sided to be quite uninteresting and yet, it's difficult for writers to grasp that idea. K.M. Taylor is an expert at this nuance and makes the world come to life and it's been a breath of fresh air to read this.

The author has been compared to having a writing style similar to Brian Lumley and embraces and excels in that style. Her characters are unique and the obstacles they encounter and how they are afflicted by those actions to overcome those obstacles are intriguing. These characters are also never defined as good and evil and the balance in writing them is superb. Although the setting is not our reality, she weaves in familiar history and lore that helps to ease the readers into this universe. I highly recommend this and cannot wait to see the next book with these characters and this world KM Taylor has created.

An engaging story from start to finish - the characters and worlds are well-fleshed out and the author’s writing style makes it difficult to put this book down. Fantastic read!

Fantasy is not everyone's genre because it's just so out there and sometimes the story kinda gets lost in all of the abstract. This is a book that anyone can enjoy because the story won't loose you. It's well written and the characters are very relatable. If you want to take a break from reality then grab a copy of Codex Sohrakia: The Gifted Dark, and experience a dark fantasy world that will challenge your perception of good and evil.

I love this book! Just when you think you have it figured out, you don't! The characters are delightful and the story is mesmerizing and thought provoking. I think I will go read it again!!

As a first time reader to dark fantasy I wasn't to sure what I'd make of the genre. By the time I was halfway down the page I was absolutely engrossed, all the way to the end. The poetic and rhythmic writing style that the Author possesses, coupled with her excellent descriptive approach really had me visualising the whole story, even when I didn't have the book open. What was of particular note was her ability to shape and build a plausible world in which her story is set, making it even more enjoyable. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves, or is looking to explore the world of dark fantasy, and for young adults upwards. If Amazon had a 6th star this brilliant piece of literature, which may I add reminded me of elements of Dantes 'Divine Comedy', would get it. Great job and I can't wait to see where you go with Chapter 2 (those who know, know). I'm now in the KM Taylor fan club 😁

A tale as old as time. What is good, what is evil? Codex Sohrakia is a fantastic novel, beautifully written. The world building by KM Taylor is well crafted and excellently described. I found myself questioning Saham’a’iel who reads to me as a sort of god figure within the story. All power and regal. In my opinion he is the best character in the book! The Immortal Realms are an interesting concept and for anyone who likes a different sort of fantasy, this is definitely worth a read.
The themes explored within Codex Sohrakia can have a deeper meaning than just beyond the dark and the light.

This was an absolutely fantastic journey into a world separated by light and dark that has all kinds of twists and turns you wouldn't expect and amazing world building. Fantastical, ethereal, and spiritual in an other worldly sense with the most intense visuals and creatively described characters that you really end up feeling deeply for. Absolutely worth the read and will have you dying to know more about the lore, the creatures within, and where they go from here! Can't wait for the next book!

Exceprt from the review. Full review contains SPOILERS.

Codex Sohrakia by KM Taylor is one of the most unique, fascinating, and epic novels of the season! 

To put this book in the simplest and most digestible terms possible: this is a book that takes the Biblical story of creation and various other cosmological origin stories (particularly Egyptian, Central American, and Mesopotamian) and presents them in a very different—dare we sat, contrarian--light (no pun intended), one that's supposed to make sense to a modern audience. It marries the popular creationist concept with some science and quasi-science including an explanation for the existence of dark matter, which is a major plot device in this book.

This is a very ambitious book and a very interesting read!

    For a debut novel, Codex Sohrakia is outstanding. The prose is poetic, at times reminiscent of an Epic — ‘Paradise Lost’ comes to mind, which I can only assume was a point of inspiration for Taylor. But more so than the writing, for me, what really shines through is Taylor’s seamless ability to build not just a world, but a universe, a mythology — a creation story. And the scope clearly did not overwhelm her, as the detail in the mortal world and its inhabitants and environments, married with the obscurity and mystery surrounding the home of the Seraphon, makes for a compelling and feasible setting. Taylor expertly weaves the information she wants you to know with just as many questions to keep you invested and always wanting more, but also sparking reasonable doubt within the reader as the story unfolds and more of the world is open to them. The world feels real, tangible yet obscure all at once. Both reasonable and inexplicable. 

    Thematically, the concept of good and evil is constantly explored through the actions of Saham and the sizable cast of characters. However, what I found to be most compelling, was the exploration of redemption and punishment.

    As Saham embarks on his quest for redemption — a quest he bestows upon himself, may I stress — we are witness to some incredibly disturbing acts. Arguably evil acts. But are these acts “evil” when being done in the name of good? Of God? It is harrowing to read Saham’s constant justifications for what he does — justifications that are not an attempt to convince the reader, but to convince himself. And then the question is asked: who is punishing who? Has Saham fallen so low because of his own guilt? Because he believes himself to require punishment? It’s a profound concept, that one has been indoctrinated to deeply believe in sin, that their punishment is not a divine act of God, or of anyone else for that matter. That it is self-inflicted, self-perpetuating.

    And that, for me, was what made this novel outstanding.

    The novel is not scary, however there is an undeniable horror throughout due to the many violent and cruel acts committed against the “other”, and the misunderstood. It can be a harrowing read at various points, and a few instances may evoke a strong emotional response, but Taylor is never obscene or gratuitous with the darker scenes. If you enjoy immense world-building, questions of morality, mythology, and strange-yet-endearing creatures of darkness, this story is very much for you.

Codex Sohrakia: The Gifted Dark is available to purchase from Amazon.

                                           —Tori Borne

Reviewed by Ibrahim Aslan for Readers’ Favorite

Codex Sohrakia: The Gifted Dark by K. M. Taylor centers around Saham, a spiritual angel-like being on the path to redemption. Saham is a Seraphon who came into being when the world was created. The dark powers Saham has taken into himself grow within him, and he uses the dark essence to gift, heal, and enhance living things. But sharing his powers with mere mortals is forbidden. One day, he falls in love with a beautiful mortal woman, whom he had previously gifted with The Dark, but he must leave her when the other Seraphon discovers that he has abandoned his post as guardian of Outer Darkness. The Dark essence is then ripped from him, and he is cast out, never to return to The Realm of Light. He makes a pact with Ela'mah'dai, a powerful and divine entity, to rid the world of the beings with whom he shared his dark powers. Saham's twin, Sohrn, is on a side quest to stop Saham from unleashing utter chaos in pursuit of his lost angelhood. This marks the beginning of Saham's journey to absolution. Will he succeed, or will his love for Thestra cost him everything?

Codex Sohrakia is a dark fantasy novel with Christian, Egyptian, and ancient Greek religious motifs aptly blended into the storyline. Saham is an intriguing and complex main character who goes through a lot of development while trying to right a terrible wrong he committed. I like how K. M. Taylor makes him both the villain and hero of this story. In short, Saham's over-zealous nature leads to his downfall, but when he tries to reclaim his former angelhood, he ends up doing more damage than good. Quite the dilemma! This novel does a great job of pulling you in from the onset. It does an even better job of holding your attention until the very end. The world-building is detailed, descriptive, and imaginative, and the storyline will keep you turning the pages. The characters are strong, well-developed, and enthralling. They all have intriguing backstories that are partly mythological. Fans of dark fantasy fiction will love it.

This book tells a familiar tale in a whole new way. It’s sumptuous scenery and emotions roll the reader through a metaphysical and theological journey of self-discovery by giving us characters both intriguing and flawed. It is a story, a romance, a conflict asking the question: “Why are we and who are we?” within the detailed confines of a fantasy setting. The world building is descriptive and hauntingly beautiful. The characters are lovable even when they are doing things that roil your blood. Set in another world or dimension, it tells a tale of attempted redemption and love. The prose carried me along through its dark and mysterious world with little effort, but was “meaty” enough to make me want to visit this world more! I have read it twice and want to visit this Dark World again!

This book is an absolute page turner,from the first paragraph it hooked me,the characters realms ,fascinating creatures and world building are just amazing.
I don't review many books but this one deserves to be written about,it's mind blowing.
Dark versus light ,magic ,redemption, lost love...its all here and more.
If you are looking for a book that draws you in,tosses you around and satisfies every emotion then buy this book,you won't regret it.
The prose is stunning and reminds me of the Master Brian Lumley with some Clive Barker thrown in but has its own unique style.,amazing, amazing amazing.
Watch this author,they will soar ,10/10
I bought the ebook,loved it so much I bought the stunning hardcover which now sits proudly on my shelf.

What a fantastic new author! A must read if you are into dark fantasy. While not a reader or fan of fantasy, I still found myself drawn into the world she creates. Full of characters and beings you really have a passion for and care about. Her writing style is amazing, very poetic. I really think this series is going places. You wont be dissapointed!