This book left nearly no impression on me. I read it a couple of months ago and forgot about it entirely until I just glanced at my booklist, and realized that a) I never reviewed it, and b) I can’t actually find my copy of it. But here goes what little I remember.The world building of the book is a little strange. World building seems to be a favorite thing of writer Patrick Carman, as Jess noted it was a major part of Atherton: The House of Power (another Carman work) when she reviewed it (link: http://www.active-voice.net/2007/06/1...). But I actually found the world building a bit confusing: first, it was just hard to figure out how the cities were connected and the odd way the wall worked (four cities, with one in the middle and the others connected to it like spokes on a wagon wheel, with a wall running around each city and the roads that connect the cities together, so no one from the cities can ever leave—yes, it is confusing).After that, it seemed like the walls were very old and no one had ever been beyond them, except that the guy who built them was still around, if old, until the beginning of the story. Apparently, the walls were built to keep out some mysterious evil thing, but what it was or why people should worry about it is barely even hinted at or mentioned. Alexa certainly doesn’t discover it or worry about it too much. It reads very much like Alexa’s big destiny will be as the person who brings the walls down, but without knowing why they were built in the first place, it doesn’t seem like that matters much.And finally, the whole world seems very small, and there are some references to actual Earth mythology, so it feels like another Atherton-esque “built world.” There are references to Alexa needing to discover why the world was created. But none of that—and no reason why it’s important, or hint of how or why it happened—is given in the book. I’m all for building things up in the series, but the first book was a stand-alone without a greater context given. Hinting at it seems bizarre, when the hints aren’t big enough to have an impact on the story itself. Basically, I feel like either the world itself needed to be more dramatic and mysterious, or a lot less confusing; instead, it’s at a middle ground that leaves me going, “…Huh?”That was my main impression of the book, several months later. The only other thing that stands out was the character of Pervis Kotcher, who I thought was interesting. He was Alexa’s antagonist, the head guard of Bridewell, who was trying to stop her from sneaking out. A generally rotten guy, he was set up as a villain—but in the end was only antagonizing Alexa, but mostly interested in doing his job. While not the most morally complex character in the world, I appreciated the realness of having a character who the protagonist dislikes (and for valid reason), but who isn’t actually bad or a villain. After all, not all good guys have get along, and not all protagonists have to be nice.Full review: http://www.active-voice.net/2008/02/0...
The novel is about an adventurous girl, Alexa Daley. This summer – like every other summer – she’s with her father and visiting a village, Bridewell. For a twelve-year-old she’s eager to solve the mystery of what lies beyond the walls that surround the village. Here she discovers the truth and “exposes a danger that could destroy and change the Land of Elyon forever.” (The last dramatic words from the blurb)I would recommend this novel, if you like adventure and have a curious mind that’s opened to where a story takes you. Since the novel is predominantly in the fantasy genre, with a mix of mystery which I love.At the beginning of the novel, I smiled at the way Carman introduced the characters to the readers. I felt it was really smart, and might do that in my future writing. I also liked the story about how their land, or world started. It adds a nice touch to continue reading this story.And I don’t know if it’s the adventure in me, but when Alexa lays out her stash of random items she carries with her, it reminded me of my own handbag, and how there’s an assortment of stuff – ready for adventure, ready for anything.In addition, I love the characters. One of my special mention includes Grayson, who’s the librarian in Bridewell. And when I was introduced to him, I thought, wouldn't it be awesome to have a personal librarian like Grayson? Fixing books and knowing what you like to read, so reserving those books just for you. In my mind I find that pretty awesome.Another special mention includes Alexa’s father. He has the humorous lines, that made me laugh out loud.For instance: “…Determination is one of your best qualities,” said Ganesh.“A distant third to my charm and good looks,” added my father.Of course, Alexa puts in a few witty remarks just like her father:“I see you’re discovered the fresh strawberry jam,” I said. “Grayson is guzzling it by the gallon. I think he’s a bear dressed up like a man getting an early start on hibernation.” Overall, it’s funny, unexpected and an engaging read, told in the point of view of Alexa. I was sent into another world, where it was nothing like the present, for the absence technology. Yet at the same time it felt like it was in the olden days because the characters were travelling by horse. However there’s no connection to any past events or history in the world – which I guess explains why it’s in the fantasy genre.I have to admit, I think the main reason I got this book in the first place was my love for the cover – that home-y vibe. In addition, I find the pages in the book unique because it’s different sizes of sheets giving this manuscript ancient feel.Any ways, definitely something I would read again, so 5 stars. In addition, I'm glad it doesn't make me want to read the next book. because there’s none of that cliff-hanger feel.
What do You think about The Dark Hills Divide (2005)?
I'm going to group my thoughts on this trilogy into one entry. Wow! What an introduction to Patrick Carman. This series is fantastic. A fantasy story about a young girl (I know, I know some of you signed just then because every other YA fantasy story is a about a young girl who finds herself with some special power to save her world.) And yes this one is starts out just the same. Alexa Daley is given a special stone and thrust into a world she doesn't know beyond the safe walls of her city with a destiny to save her world from a coming war. (Again I know you've heard all that before.)What sets this series apart and makes it something you really want to read is the connection between the creator Elyon and his land and his people. The mystery behind that relationship keeps it interesting. Plus there are other mysteries; why were the walls built? Where is this evil influence coming from? Why are the leaders so secretive?... It's starts out like those others YA fantasy stories but becomes a touching Christian allegory. I copied this passage as a small example of that:"Elyon has only one hope for us Alexa. That we would know he loves us. Do you understand? The one who made you, the one who made everything... He loves you. And more than that, there is nothing you or I need do to earn his reckless affection for us. That love has driven me tho fight his enemy the enemy of us all... I have failed, and failed, and failed again... But no amount of failure can move Elyon's hand of affection away from me. It's inescapable. To live bodily for that kind of love is the least I can do."The visuals popped out from the pages and I was really able to get into the world of Elyon. He does a really great job with imagery and mood. You can not only see the world in your head you can feel it too.
—Arwen
I wasn't able to read this book every day like I usually do with novels, so for a long time I attributed my lack of interest in it's characters, and my confusion regarding the plot, to the fact that I wasn't able to keep the flow. But the more I read the more confused I got (I was actually intrigued at the beginning) and the end left me scratching my head wondering what the point of the story was.Like I said, the beginning was intriguing, governmental type meeting, a suspicious death, a riddle, a walled city, and the world beyond that our twelve-year-old girl protagonist, Alexa, is very curious about. But honestly, the details of the plot are so hard for me to even summarize because I don't really know what all happened. I think the basic plot is that the walled city faces dangers from the outside, and Alexa must find out who the "spy" within the city is. There are talking animals (a very entertaining squirrel included) who've been separated by the wall (quite sad, and again, Alexa must help), and there's a fantastic library, and of course, the enjoyment of trying to figure out who the spy is. But the problem is, it's no fun if the author never gives you any clues to figure it out for yourself (or try to, even if you ultimately want to be surprised -- unless I can connect the dots after the fact, the "ta-da" isn't very exciting. Instead of showing how a character is guilty or not, I felt more that the reader was told, without really explaining why. Alexa has very little introspection that we're privy to, so it's more that Alexa feels so-and-so isn't the spy and thus we must accept it. *Why* did Alexa trust (or not) certain people? And even after Alexa figures something out, the author won't tell the reader but drags it out to the last possible second for the "wow" factor (I'm guessing) but by that point I've lost interest and feel, in a way, cheated. I want to see how Alexa arrives at her decisions, not just be told that she's decided.I wanted to like this book... but sadly it felt more like a chore to read. At least for me. I see the book has mixed reviews, so I'll have to read some of the more favorable ones to see what others found more enjoyable. Obviously the book resonates with some since this is part of a series.
—Ann
I was hoping that this would be a series I could recommend to voracious middle-grade fantasy readers, but no such luck. There are the seeds of a good story here, with at least one good character and the possibility of a suspenseful plot. As it stands, though, they are overwhelmed by vast info-dump and the feeling that it doesn't matter if anything the characters do is something a real, sane person would do - if the author needs it to happen, it's going to happen regardless of how many WTFs it induces.There are bad guys who are inexplicably and suddenly bad for no reason. There's a traitor who seems for all practical purposes to be better off staying on the good side, if only for selfish gain, but who turns traitor anyway. And in one small example of total huh, there's a library book about Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, the Spanish explorer, in an otherwise totally fictional world. But (a) the story in the book has nothing to do with the real Cabeza de Vaca, and (b) throughout, the main character calls him "Cabeza," as if that were his first name.I read it all the way through, mostly to see what on earth else could happen. I hope Carman hits his stride in the other books in the series, and his ideas have a better chance to come out in the clear.
—Kit
