The Dark Side of Light

By: A. A. Lewis

Narrated by: Darryl Lewis

Length: 3 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Toni Wright was one of the most beautiful women you’ve ever seen. The problem with that statement is Toni, aka Anthony Markel Wright, wasn’t always who she claimed to be. At an incredibly early age, Anthony knew he was different. Despite the abuse and slander, he was determined to be himself, even if that meant turning his back on everyone and thing in his life.

Turning his tormented past into the present-day glamourous life was no easy task. Yes, changing his name to reflect the person he had become was the easy part, everything else came with a price. And after all the games, scams, and deadly consequences associated with Toni’s quest to be free, she finds herself in the most unlikely place, prison. No, not a women’s prison, but a man’s prison.

Not willing to accept defeat, Toni plots out a plan to ensure her survival. In a system that wants to remind Toni of her past, she is determined to cause chaos and havoc all in the name of letting people know just who she really is.

Toni Wright is truly a bad bitch, with one thing on her mind: Money, power, and respect. Prison doesn’t stop her quest to be seen, it just gives her a new playground to operate under. And since survival is key, Toni devises a plan to do just that and more.

A.A. Lewis brings the drama with The Dark Side of Light. This complicated tale explores the world of transgender identification in the most unlikely places. A. A. delivers the drama, grit, and plot twists that her listeners have come to expect. A. A. Lewis introduces you to Toni Wright, the new bad bitch on the block in this one-of-a-kind tale.

©2022 A.A. Lewis (P)2023 A.A. Lewis

Review

3.5
This is my first listen by the Author and the Narrator of this book. They’re work is new to me.

The story focused on a small window of time in a trans woman’s life who had been incarcerated. Her story is detailed through present day activity and flashbacks. I can honestly say that I would have been interested in learning of her experiences prior to being incarcerated and even post incarceration, but I digress.

Toni’s story was complex simply, because of who she was, and her start in life. The actions that took place once she was incarcerated and housed in the space that she was were told in a gritty raw, and all too real way.

I think the story flowed well. However, for me, there was no excitement or interesting nugget that held my interest. I will be fair and say that the narrator‘s voice is so soothing and relaxing. That is the main reason I fell asleep twice while listening. I also believe that had I read the story I would have felt differently about it, because the experience would have been different.

I felt should have been electrifying it’s a little short for me.

As far as narration and production, they were good. Production was good. I appreciated that it appeared the narrator figured out quickly there was no need to use different voices. He has a great voice. It was just not the voice of Toni, but oddly enough he voices Victor perfectly.

That being said, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick Baja read. I would also love to read the prequel and the sequel of Toni’s life.