KIRKUS Review of Alex& Hheilea Challenge the Darkness:

Savage’s tale features virtually nonstop action and explores themes that should resonate strongly with young adult readers, involving the power of friendship, the wisdom of being honest and respectful in relationships, and finding one’s place in the world.

 

However the novel’s greatest selling point is its overarching message, which delivers some powerful life advice for teen readers: “Remember, when you’re down and out, when you feel like life has beaten you, and you only see one solution. Give, don’t take. Give yourself another chance. Give of your strength to others….Give life the respect it deserves. As long as you have breath in your body, fight the good fight.”

 

Also notable is the tale’s lighthearted humor, which compliments the sometimes-dark narrative nicely. In one sequence for instance, Alex’s diverse group of friends, which includes a sentient dolphin and a blue hyacinth macaw, train together as fighter pilots, and the macaw complains: “I’ve got the sloth for a wingman. A sloth!... Do you know how slow sloths are? They talk like this. Heeeelllloooooooo.”