Month: February 2022

Dark Rise by C.S Pacat

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Dark Rise by C.S Pacat

Reviewed by Deeya, Year 9, Cerdon College, Merrylands

Will Kempen, a sixteen-year-old adolescent, and his mother have spent their lives running to avoid danger. Following his mother’s death, the caretaker of Will’s residence provides him with a key and directs him to the ‘Stewards.’  Will quickly realises that he is one of them, and he meets Violet, a young girl of Indian descent who grew up in London. Will solves several problems on his quest; Simon, a Lion who is a direct descendent of the Dark King, is attempting to assassinate Will in order to clear the way for the Dark King to arise; if the Dark King arises, the entire world will fall and darkness will take over. Stewards who have been shielded by a Cup that has been used for generations, and Lions who are following the evil king who is about to rise. The conflict between The Stewards and Lions, like the war between good and evil, has never ended. Violet discovers the truth about her family; she was taken from India only to be sacrificed for her half brother, whom she adored; after discovering the truth, she escapes and finds Will. Will discovers Violet is a Lion, his rival; yet, Will places his whole trust in her, and this is when they become great friends. Will is the only one capable of saving the world from the wicked Dark King. Can Will overcome the Dark King? Will he be able to restore the world’s light? Dark Rise is a story full of plot twists and turns that has been a fascinating novel to read; especially when it comes to revealing additional deep secrets about the book. I believe there will be another book after this one to continue the storyline. I would recommend this book to a reader who enjoys fantasy and historical fiction. C.S. Pacat is a fantastic author, and this is one of my top suggestions for anyone who enjoys the battle between good and evil. I would give this novel a 4 out of five stars because it was a delight to read it. 

Oddity by Eli Brown

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Oddity by Eli Brown

Reviewed by Mr Llewellyn-Evans

Oddity is certainly an odd book with a twisting story. It is set in the USA in the late 18th century but not in a historical period of which we know. This is an alternative history of the USA, France has not sold Louisiana but in fact retains troops in an ongoing war with the USA, to make matters even stranger this French army is odd!

Into this history appears Clover Elkin and her father who live on the fringes of society where her father is a doctor in an attempt to remove his daughter from oddities of which one is the death of her mother.

While this is a thoroughly modern novel it taps into a rich American tradition, that of the picaresque novel, think Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, a journey into which adventures abound. In this case for Clover the death of her father which leads her to meet a talking rooster who is actually the commander of US forces, a wine glass which continuously fills with wine but unfortunately was lost and tipped over causing a lake of wine, a rattlesnake which resides around the heroine’s neck and a doll of enormous strength. I told you it was odd. But underlying this is a search for truth, the truth about Clover’s mother and consequently about her own identity.

Did I enjoy this novel? Yes and no. In parts it kept me enthralled and interested and at times became rather convoluted as the story unwound. Is it worth reading well yes, though it remains an odd story.

3.5/5 stars