Darkness Rising — Meyari McFarland

Kia's life revolved around the monsters that stalked her tribe every night. The Dark killed at will and there was nothing that Kia could do. Until one night, Kia's anger overwhelmed her fear. Her life went on a different path, one that she could never have anticipated. Defender of her tribe, Kia bided her time until she discovered a weakness in the Dark that promised everyone freedom. Darkness Rising is a moody science fiction story set in humanity's ancient past where one woman's life made a huge difference in humanity's development and in first contact with a mysterious alien race.