Immortal Dark, by Tigest Girma, is a thrilling science fiction novel by a Black author, and I was beyond excited to read it. Honestly, I think this was the first time I had ever read a science fiction novel by a Black writer. It was refreshing to imagine characters, buildings, and a culture where Black people were not the minority—they existed in a society of their own. And the story centers on vampires. Black vampires.
For those who know me, a good vampire fantasy has always held a special place in my heart. I grew up obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, devoured the Twilight series in less than a week in high school, and even wrote an honors English paper arguing that vampirism exists in society—not in the way television shows it, but in the form of energetic vampires. An energetic vampire is someone who habitually drains others’ emotional, mental, or spiritual energy through need, negativity, or unconscious manipulation. I’ve also loved shows and movies like True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, Interview with the Vampire (Netflix), Queen of the Damned, Underworld, Blade, and Castlevania. Some of these are even my comfort shows.
I’ve always felt an affinity for vampires. I love them because they embody a chosen solitude and self-possession that feels familiar to me. They exist outside the urgency of time, free from the fear of aging, loss, or irrelevance, and live as their truest selves without apology. What most vampire stories frame as the “curse”—loneliness, emotional numbness, and distance from others—is exactly what resonates with me. It mirrors my own early experiences of isolation, the ways I learned to protect myself by becoming numb. Yet vampires don’t shrink from this state; they hold power, allure, and fearlessness within it. Watching them, I see a version of loneliness that is not weak or pitiful, but potent, intentional, and even beautiful. And, of course, vampires are sexy, magnetic, and utterly captivating.
In Immortal Dark, Susenyos Sagad embodies all of this: angry yet gentle, demanding yet understanding, relentless but methodical. He’s the kind of “bad guy” vampire you can’t help but adore. Kidan Adane, the human protagonist, matches his strength while navigating a human-vampire society in search of her missing sister. Her journey is complicated by her disgust toward vampires, creating a layered, tense, and compelling storyline.
I don’t just read or watch stories for entertainment—I reflect. I believe art is inspired by human interaction, the human condition, and the human psyche. Every artist expresses a perspective, and all art, in some way, relates to us. I use stories to reflect on myself and my understanding of life, and reading Immortal Dark gave me a mirror into my own growth.
Susenyos and Kida's connection was a volatile one. There was a lot of chaos and misunderstandings led to at first, them attacking each other, to to them coming together based on a common enemy. There was so much pride and resistance between the two. A lot of intensity. And I loved it. And that's when it clicked to me: that this volatile connection was something I enjoyed because it was what I was used to in my own life. Emotional intensity.
I've just become aware of this concept: emotion intensity. In short, emotional intensity is the degree to which a person experiences emotions with depth, strength, and immediacy, often feeling feelings fully and vividly rather than faintly or distantly. It reflects how powerfully emotions arise and move through someone, independent of whether those emotions are well-regulated or expressed outwardly. Emotional intensity offers the benefit of allowing a person to experience life with depth, passion, and heightened awareness, often fostering strong empathy, creativity, and a clear sense of personal values. When emotions are felt fully rather than suppressed, they can lead to greater authenticity and meaningful connection. However, emotional intensity also carries challenges: feelings can become overwhelming, conflicts may feel amplified, and emotional exhaustion or rumination can arise if those emotions are not well regulated. Without emotional stability to provide balance, intensity can cloud perspective and make it difficult to pause, reflect, and respond with intention rather than reaction.
Now, emotional stability, is a new concept for me that I've just recently unpacked. Emotional stability refers to the ability to regulate, ground, and respond to those emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Emotional intensity is about how strongly feelings arise; emotional stability is about how securely one can hold them. A person can feel deeply and powerfully without being unstable—just as someone can appear calm while remaining emotionally disconnected. Intensity is the volume of emotion; stability is the container that allows those emotions to exist without spilling over.
I’ve struggled with dopamine addiction myself, but now that I’ve acknowledged it, I’m learning to recognize it in myself and in others. The problem isn’t dopamine itself—it exists for a reason—but the addiction misguides us. It often forms when a person, place, or activity delivers a positive experience, especially during difficult times. Recognizing it is a first step toward growth.
Reading Immortal Dark reminded me of the power of reflection, patience, and personal insight. I loved the story for its world-building, characters, and plot, but what I treasured most was the mirror it held up to my own experiences and growth. That, to me, is what makes a story truly powerful.
I wholeheartedly recommend Tigest Girma’s Immortal Dark to fellow book lovers—and the best part? It has a sequel.
Thank you, Tigest Girma, for your creativity, your writing, and your inspiration.
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