The Dark Hills Divide (Review)

I have never lived in a walled city before, but Alexa Daley has been for a very long time. The Dark Hills Divide, written by Patrick Carman, is the first book of The Land of Elyon series. This work of fiction is published in April 2004 by Amped Media. The book is absolutely amazing as it brings the readers along to “witness” Alexa Daley (the main character)’s suspenseful adventures. I couldn’t wait to turn the page!

The book begins as Alexa Daley is once again back at Bridewell for the summer. As usual, she is near-constantly looking for new adventures and a way outside the wall into the Dark Hills where everyone else is afraid of. Unlike the other summers, this time she had gained a silver key which granted her wish of venturing outside the wall. Along her adventure, Alexa gathered a green glowing stone in a pool of water with the guide of Yipes. She met Darius, Ander, Murphy, and became friends with many other animals. Eventually, she was informed about a traitor existing in Bridewell forming nefarious plans to over throw the city, and realized that she has to accomplish the mission of unveiling the mastermind's malicious plans.

The distinctive, well-planed plot is one of the reasons why I love this book. Unlike any other adventurous/mystery plots, which usually involve dragons, detectives, magic (The Harry Potter series is different), this book presents a fresh idea — talking animals: bears, rabbits, wolves, etc. Patrick Carman personifies those animals and even brings them to life! It gives the readers a whole entire new view of animals that we are usually afraid of: bears, wolves, etc. This originality of The Dark Hills Divide immediately stands out from other books.

The book contains very unique settings as well. Unlike normal towns with many guards surrounding it to provide protection, the cities in The Dark Hills Divide are surrounded by miles and miles of walls with the astonishing amount of only fifteen guards. The time period was not revealed in the book, but I consider it to be probably in the late medieval times.

To sum up, Patrick Carman’s well planned plot and personified characters of The Dark Hills Divide will act like a magnet, attracting you to finish reading the book. Follow Alexa Daley through the adventures with twists and turns waiting at each page she takes in the Darks Hills. Don’t you want to know who the nefarious traitor is? Then grab The Dark Hills Divide now and discover the secrets that it conceals.

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