For a 30-something male, I read a lot of YA books. I know what I like, what can I say? This particular story never really grabbed me and as a result I felt like I was trudging through it. Maybe it's because I like my fantasy a little more magical. This is a somewhat "low fantasy" setting.
Some say this is a dark fairy tale but for the most part it never feels to have a sense of wonder to it that would pull me into the world. There are fairy tale like elements to be sure: two sisters, one large and one small, an evil witch and the mysterious kinderstalk that keep the people not wanting to leave their homes at night.
I never really attached to the main character, Annie and was actually more interested in finding out about her cats, who appear to be more than they seem.
Some say this is a dark fairy tale but for the most part it never feels to have a sense of wonder to it that would pull me into the world. There are fairy tale like elements to be sure: two sisters, one large and one small, an evil witch and the mysterious kinderstalk that keep the people not wanting to leave their homes at night.
I never really attached to the main character, Annie and was actually more interested in finding out about her cats, who appear to be more than they seem.
I got this book because I loved the cover and the title. Then I read the synopsis and it sounded very fairy tale like and intriguing and I was hooked. Overall it was an okay book; it wasn't as engaging as I had hoped but it was still an okay read.
Thirteen year old Annie lives with her cruel uncle and her passive aunt. Just when she thinks things can't get any worse she is sold off to work at The Drop, a horrible mine. Rather than do what her uncle wants she escapes and wanders out into the forest to brave the darkness and the Kinderstalk. Soon Annie finds out that she is not like the other children, she can see in the dark. She also finds out that there is a plot that goes much deeper than selling kids off to die at the Drop; she is the only one who knows what it is and it is up to her to warn the king. If she doesn't all her friends will die.
This is a very dark book and is very reminiscent of a Brother's Grimm fairy tale which is what I was hoping for. The book is dark both in all of the misery the characters go through and in the setting; Annie does much of her journey in the dark.
Unfortunately I had a hard time getting into this book. The writing style was okay but didn't match the story very well. With a fairy tale you are hoping for some lush description, and that was missing in this book for me. I also never really cared for any of the characters very much. Annie was too different and strange to ever be personable; she never shows much emotion at any of the horrible things that happen to her. The majority of the other characters were evil and cruel; there wasn't much light in this story at all. I found Annie's path through the book to be a bit wandering and unfocused. In general I just had a lot of trouble with this book holding my attention.
I did enjoy the dark tone of the book and a world where the night is absolute darkness makes an excellent setting for a dark fairy-tale. I just could not get into the characters or the story and found it to be kind of boring in general.
Overall an okay book, not one of my favorites. If you are a fan of dark Grimm-like fairy tales you might enjoy this book. Otherwise I would skip this one.
Thirteen year old Annie lives with her cruel uncle and her passive aunt. Just when she thinks things can't get any worse she is sold off to work at The Drop, a horrible mine. Rather than do what her uncle wants she escapes and wanders out into the forest to brave the darkness and the Kinderstalk. Soon Annie finds out that she is not like the other children, she can see in the dark. She also finds out that there is a plot that goes much deeper than selling kids off to die at the Drop; she is the only one who knows what it is and it is up to her to warn the king. If she doesn't all her friends will die.
This is a very dark book and is very reminiscent of a Brother's Grimm fairy tale which is what I was hoping for. The book is dark both in all of the misery the characters go through and in the setting; Annie does much of her journey in the dark.
Unfortunately I had a hard time getting into this book. The writing style was okay but didn't match the story very well. With a fairy tale you are hoping for some lush description, and that was missing in this book for me. I also never really cared for any of the characters very much. Annie was too different and strange to ever be personable; she never shows much emotion at any of the horrible things that happen to her. The majority of the other characters were evil and cruel; there wasn't much light in this story at all. I found Annie's path through the book to be a bit wandering and unfocused. In general I just had a lot of trouble with this book holding my attention.
I did enjoy the dark tone of the book and a world where the night is absolute darkness makes an excellent setting for a dark fairy-tale. I just could not get into the characters or the story and found it to be kind of boring in general.
Overall an okay book, not one of my favorites. If you are a fan of dark Grimm-like fairy tales you might enjoy this book. Otherwise I would skip this one.
Reviewed by Breia "The Brain" Brickey for TeensReadToo.com
DARKWOOD is set in a land called Howland, that has no word for evening because darkness falls so quickly. One minute the sky is light, the next minute it is black.
For Annie, nothing is as scary as what might happen if she stays with her aunt and uncle. One night she escapes only to find herself stuck at a mine where they make the children do all of the dangerous work. After a harrowing time at the mines, she finds herself at the king's palace, where she meets someone from her past.
Coupled with all of Annie's adventures are sightings of kinderstalk, mysterious creatures that prowl the dark forests of Howland.
Reading this story from Annie's point of view made for some lively entertainment. She is definitely a braver soul than I ever was at her age, but that is what makes this a wonderful story. She was afraid but still did what she had to do and did her best to protect those around her.
This was a wonderfully written and descriptive novel in a world where most people expect little children to be seen and not heard. Forced to grow up faster than children should, she is a wonder to behold.
I am giving this story the highest honor that I can think of - I am passing it on to my 11-year-old.
DARKWOOD is set in a land called Howland, that has no word for evening because darkness falls so quickly. One minute the sky is light, the next minute it is black.
For Annie, nothing is as scary as what might happen if she stays with her aunt and uncle. One night she escapes only to find herself stuck at a mine where they make the children do all of the dangerous work. After a harrowing time at the mines, she finds herself at the king's palace, where she meets someone from her past.
Coupled with all of Annie's adventures are sightings of kinderstalk, mysterious creatures that prowl the dark forests of Howland.
Reading this story from Annie's point of view made for some lively entertainment. She is definitely a braver soul than I ever was at her age, but that is what makes this a wonderful story. She was afraid but still did what she had to do and did her best to protect those around her.
This was a wonderfully written and descriptive novel in a world where most people expect little children to be seen and not heard. Forced to grow up faster than children should, she is a wonder to behold.
I am giving this story the highest honor that I can think of - I am passing it on to my 11-year-old.
