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The Lost Trilogy
The Dark Ground
Robert wakes up naked and alone in a thick jungle. The last thing he remembers is being in a plane with his family, but there is no sign of a crash or survivors. Then he discovers the shocking truth--he is in the park near his house, but his familiar world has been transformed into an alien landscape. When he finds others in the same position, he enlists their help in getting back home. But the journey is more perilous than Robert could ever imagine.
428 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
16 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Cross
148 books86 followersGillian Cross was born Gillian Arnold in 1945. She was educated at North London Collegiate School, Somerville College, Oxford and the University of Sussex. Although now a full-time writer who often travels and gives talks in connection with her work, she has had a number of informal jobs including being an assistant to a Member of Parliament. For eight years she also sat on the committee which advises ministers about public libraries.
She is married to Martin Cross and they have four grown-up children, two sons and two daughters.
She is married to Martin Cross and they have four grown-up children, two sons and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 25, 2009
This is one of the most unique Fantasy books I think I’ve ever read. Which isn’t to say that the rest are all cookie cutter books, but I do read a lot about magic, and as different as the books are, the stories share similar genes. Dark Ground enters a new realm of real versus the unimaginable.
On a flight with his family, Robert Doherty takes a trip to the restroom, where he happens to look at himself in the mirror, and feels he sees someone looking back out at him. That’s the last thing he remembers. When he wakes up in the woods, bruised and alone, he’s sure the plane must have crashed, and that if he searches long enough, he’ll find other survivors.
After some time passes, Robert realizes he needs food, water, clothes. While searching for these, day after day, he comes to realize he has even bigger issues—he could die, easily. The woods are huge, the creatures are gigantic, and no one is to be found.
But there are others. And unbenknownst to him, one of them has taken a liking to him. After a few surprise gifst, he catches on, and sets a trap to find out who else is out there with him. To his surprise, he catches a frail girl. But she moves like lightning.
Eventually, he gets her to let him tail her back to where she’s come from. Only at the end of the journey he loses her, and ends up being taken by an ogre bird.
Dizzy with pain, Robert manages to climb up and out of his prison, only to arrive on a large branch, from which he can see his own home. So close. And yet so far.
Eventually he makes it back down to the ground, and a party of the others finds and rescues him. Little does he know that the journey is just beginning.
Anyone who appreciates fantasy, sci-fi, or serious challenges to consciousness, should be taken in by this story. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the second installment.
On a flight with his family, Robert Doherty takes a trip to the restroom, where he happens to look at himself in the mirror, and feels he sees someone looking back out at him. That’s the last thing he remembers. When he wakes up in the woods, bruised and alone, he’s sure the plane must have crashed, and that if he searches long enough, he’ll find other survivors.
After some time passes, Robert realizes he needs food, water, clothes. While searching for these, day after day, he comes to realize he has even bigger issues—he could die, easily. The woods are huge, the creatures are gigantic, and no one is to be found.
But there are others. And unbenknownst to him, one of them has taken a liking to him. After a few surprise gifst, he catches on, and sets a trap to find out who else is out there with him. To his surprise, he catches a frail girl. But she moves like lightning.
Eventually, he gets her to let him tail her back to where she’s come from. Only at the end of the journey he loses her, and ends up being taken by an ogre bird.
Dizzy with pain, Robert manages to climb up and out of his prison, only to arrive on a large branch, from which he can see his own home. So close. And yet so far.
Eventually he makes it back down to the ground, and a party of the others finds and rescues him. Little does he know that the journey is just beginning.
Anyone who appreciates fantasy, sci-fi, or serious challenges to consciousness, should be taken in by this story. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the second installment.
November 13, 2015
I liked it although I didn't always understand what was going on. I think it could have been explained a bit better. I liked the idea of the book and the storyline was good. The main character wakes up in the jungle and the only thing he remembers is being on a plane. As he struggles to survive he notices someone watching him.
September 25, 2023
Hello everyone, I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we're discussing (She/Her) Gillian Cross's book, The Dark Ground. Which is the first book in the series. I first read this book in September in 2021, taking me a few days to finish reading the whole book. This was my first experience with Gillian's work and after reading this book I'm open to read more of her other works in the future. I do have my eye on the 1982, The Demon Headmaster series as the summary sounds like something younger me would have liked to read. A few more books that I feel like I may read in the future by this author are: 1987 'On the Edge', 1989 'A Map of Nowhere', 1996 'Pictures in the Dark', 1994 'New World', 1985 'The Dark Behind the Curtain', 1987 'Roscoe's Leap', and 2013 'After Tomorrow'.
'The Dark Ground' was rated for readers aged 11 and up and was first published on the 1st of January in 2001. It was told using third person with it being in Lorn's and Robert's point of view. Which spans 32 chapters and 239 pages. I wished that this book had its own audible so that I could have visited the site get it so I could listen to it while I read along with my physical copy of the book. When I was doing a bit of research on the book I did find out that this book does have its own Audio CD available. Which I plan to purchase in the future when I do revisit the series again.
Summary: Robert awakens, disoriented and vulnerable, amidst the dense foliage of an unfamiliar jungle. His mind races to recall the events leading up to this bewildering moment, only to find a void where memories should reside. The last fragment of recollection he grasps is being aboard a plane with his family, but there are no signs of wreckage or survivors in sight. As he tentatively explores his surroundings, a chilling realization dawns upon him - he is not lost in some far-flung wilderness, but rather trapped within the confines of the park adjacent to his own home. However, this once-familiar haven has undergone a nightmarish metamorphosis, transforming into an alien landscape that defies all reason and comprehension.
In his desperate search for answers and a means to return to his former life, Robert stumbles upon others who share his inexplicable predicament. United by their shared confusion and longing for home, they form an unlikely alliance, pooling their resources and knowledge in a bid to unravel the enigma that has ensnared them. Yet little do they know that their journey back to familiarity will be fraught with unimaginable dangers and perils beyond their wildest imaginations.
As Robert and his newfound companions traverse this treacherous realm, they encounter malevolent creatures lurking in the shadows, unfathomable natural phenomena that defy logic, and mysterious forces that seem determined to keep them trapped within this surreal nightmare. Each step forward becomes a battle against both external threats and their own inner demons as they grapple with fear, doubt, and the ever-looming uncertainty of their ultimate fate.
Review:
-To be honest, I had some reservations about the beginning of the book. As a reader, I found it challenging to connect with the characters since I had no prior knowledge of them, and the fact that they were only introduced by name made it feel like I was missing a crucial part of the story. The dream vision that the main character experienced for me was a bit confusing and took some time to understand. I personally would have preferred to have been able to have met Robert first and then to have the dream to have taken place later in the story so that I could have form a better connection with the character.
The vivid depiction of the setting in the book greatly enhanced my ability to visualize and connect with the place within the story. I appreciated the absence of romance in this initial instalment as it allowed for a greater emphasis on the intricacies and development of the story itself. There were a few humorous scenes within the book that I genuinely enjoyed. To me, these light-hearted moments served as a refreshing contrast to the overarching theme of the story, which explores heavier topics. These comedic interludes not only provided a much-needed respite from the emotional weight of the story but I also feel helped to flesh out certain characters, giving them a more well-rounded and relatable feel.
I do believe that my overall enjoyment of the book could have been enhanced if there were fewer things mentioned throughout the story as the excessive amount of dialogue and descriptions about various aspects within the book occasionally caused me to feel a little bored when reading and I also couldn't help but notice an excessive use of conjunctions within a single sentence. For instance, when the narrative mentioned the number of characters heading to a particular location, it seemed to follow a pattern of mentioning one character and then another character and yet another character. Personally, I found this repetition of conjunctions to be rather annoying.
-I appreciated the fact that Robert dedicated some time to interacting with a few of the characters. If my memory serves me right, there were approximately twenty other individuals in the group, and I would have been interested in learning more about them since we only get acquainted with around five or so. Which left me wanting more detailed information about the rest of them.
-During my time reading and after I couldn't help but become acutely aware of my every footstep, as a newfound sense of mindfulness had been awakened within me. The notion of inadvertently treading upon individuals who may have fallen victim to downsizing began to weigh heavily on my conscience. I'm pretty excited as I prepare to delve into the captivating world of "The Black Room," the second instalment in this series. My hope is that it will provide a deeper understanding of the underlying reasons behind the events that unfolded within the intricate world depicted in the story.
For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 8. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.
'The Dark Ground' was rated for readers aged 11 and up and was first published on the 1st of January in 2001. It was told using third person with it being in Lorn's and Robert's point of view. Which spans 32 chapters and 239 pages. I wished that this book had its own audible so that I could have visited the site get it so I could listen to it while I read along with my physical copy of the book. When I was doing a bit of research on the book I did find out that this book does have its own Audio CD available. Which I plan to purchase in the future when I do revisit the series again.
Summary: Robert awakens, disoriented and vulnerable, amidst the dense foliage of an unfamiliar jungle. His mind races to recall the events leading up to this bewildering moment, only to find a void where memories should reside. The last fragment of recollection he grasps is being aboard a plane with his family, but there are no signs of wreckage or survivors in sight. As he tentatively explores his surroundings, a chilling realization dawns upon him - he is not lost in some far-flung wilderness, but rather trapped within the confines of the park adjacent to his own home. However, this once-familiar haven has undergone a nightmarish metamorphosis, transforming into an alien landscape that defies all reason and comprehension.
In his desperate search for answers and a means to return to his former life, Robert stumbles upon others who share his inexplicable predicament. United by their shared confusion and longing for home, they form an unlikely alliance, pooling their resources and knowledge in a bid to unravel the enigma that has ensnared them. Yet little do they know that their journey back to familiarity will be fraught with unimaginable dangers and perils beyond their wildest imaginations.
As Robert and his newfound companions traverse this treacherous realm, they encounter malevolent creatures lurking in the shadows, unfathomable natural phenomena that defy logic, and mysterious forces that seem determined to keep them trapped within this surreal nightmare. Each step forward becomes a battle against both external threats and their own inner demons as they grapple with fear, doubt, and the ever-looming uncertainty of their ultimate fate.
Review:
-To be honest, I had some reservations about the beginning of the book. As a reader, I found it challenging to connect with the characters since I had no prior knowledge of them, and the fact that they were only introduced by name made it feel like I was missing a crucial part of the story. The dream vision that the main character experienced for me was a bit confusing and took some time to understand. I personally would have preferred to have been able to have met Robert first and then to have the dream to have taken place later in the story so that I could have form a better connection with the character.
The vivid depiction of the setting in the book greatly enhanced my ability to visualize and connect with the place within the story. I appreciated the absence of romance in this initial instalment as it allowed for a greater emphasis on the intricacies and development of the story itself. There were a few humorous scenes within the book that I genuinely enjoyed. To me, these light-hearted moments served as a refreshing contrast to the overarching theme of the story, which explores heavier topics. These comedic interludes not only provided a much-needed respite from the emotional weight of the story but I also feel helped to flesh out certain characters, giving them a more well-rounded and relatable feel.
I do believe that my overall enjoyment of the book could have been enhanced if there were fewer things mentioned throughout the story as the excessive amount of dialogue and descriptions about various aspects within the book occasionally caused me to feel a little bored when reading and I also couldn't help but notice an excessive use of conjunctions within a single sentence. For instance, when the narrative mentioned the number of characters heading to a particular location, it seemed to follow a pattern of mentioning one character and then another character and yet another character. Personally, I found this repetition of conjunctions to be rather annoying.
-I appreciated the fact that Robert dedicated some time to interacting with a few of the characters. If my memory serves me right, there were approximately twenty other individuals in the group, and I would have been interested in learning more about them since we only get acquainted with around five or so. Which left me wanting more detailed information about the rest of them.
-During my time reading and after I couldn't help but become acutely aware of my every footstep, as a newfound sense of mindfulness had been awakened within me. The notion of inadvertently treading upon individuals who may have fallen victim to downsizing began to weigh heavily on my conscience. I'm pretty excited as I prepare to delve into the captivating world of "The Black Room," the second instalment in this series. My hope is that it will provide a deeper understanding of the underlying reasons behind the events that unfolded within the intricate world depicted in the story.
For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 8. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.
May 13, 2011
May contain Spoilers!!!!!!!
This is the weirdest book I have ever read. I don't even know what to think after reading it. I feel like my brain isn't functioning. I don't quite get what the hell just happened. It didn't explain anything. How did they get small? Why? Who did this to them? Why them? After reading this book I was left confused and frustrated. Nothing makes sense and the book was pointless. No adventure, no passion, no romance, no thrills. Just confusion and irratation.
This is the weirdest book I have ever read. I don't even know what to think after reading it. I feel like my brain isn't functioning. I don't quite get what the hell just happened. It didn't explain anything. How did they get small? Why? Who did this to them? Why them? After reading this book I was left confused and frustrated. Nothing makes sense and the book was pointless. No adventure, no passion, no romance, no thrills. Just confusion and irratation.
May 29, 2015
Very unique book about the little people that live amongst us. So interesting. Robert gets pulled to the small world (lost and not knowing that he is small!), Lorn ends up showing him the way to where the rest of the kids live. He goes on a quest with Cam and Zak to find his family. Will he be the one to save them all?
April 9, 2017
Usch vad dålig! Läs den inte!
Jättelångtråkig, jag gav upp i slutet, fatta, i SLUTET. Då brukar man ju kommit in i boken men det tog ju aldrig slut. Det var bara ett enda stycke av långtråkigt kallprat och handlingar. Början var bra så därför får boken en tvåa i alla fall, annars skulle den fått en etta. Synd på en så bra författare (vad jag förstått) och en så bra story.
Jättelångtråkig, jag gav upp i slutet, fatta, i SLUTET. Då brukar man ju kommit in i boken men det tog ju aldrig slut. Det var bara ett enda stycke av långtråkigt kallprat och handlingar. Början var bra så därför får boken en tvåa i alla fall, annars skulle den fått en etta. Synd på en så bra författare (vad jag förstått) och en så bra story.
December 11, 2010
Only read the first half. Started out really cool, but once the big plot twist was revealed, I lost interest for some reason. Probably because it looked like it was going to turn into a fairly straight up adventure story after that, and I wasn't in the mood for it.
Read
July 27, 2011A kind of survivor story, Robert goes from returning from a holiday, to being attacked by a monster, with no knowledge of how it happened. But, Robert is determined to find out, and on the way, finds himself.
recommended for people of all ages.
recommended for people of all ages.
September 1, 2017
I read this for school, and it's one of the most frustrating, confusing books I have ever read. I initially gave this book 1 star, but I remember that we had a nice Skype session with the author so I will be generous here and give 2 stars.
August 9, 2014
I was bored with this book! I couldn't figure out anything until mid-way through and the end was not worth it.
November 23, 2025
A boy wakes up in a forest, uncertain how he got there or where exactly he is. The story was purposefully confusing, but I didn't care enough about it to stick with the book and find out what was going on.
DNF
DNF
August 29, 2021
Absolutely amazing book couldn't put it down!
Read
March 14, 2022good
July 30, 2023
Just as good as i remember!!!!! So happy i finally found it and got to reread it :)
January 6, 2024
Its was an interesting read but also confusing. A tale of trails and belief in a sense as Robert grew and learn about his new world.
January 6, 2024
i remember having to read this book during school in seventh grade. and i remember only parts of it now, mostly boring. i think i will have to reread this one.
May 8, 2024
One of my very favorite books of all time! The only complaint I have is although the other books in this series are still getting books printed, this first book is not and that is a tragedy.
March 26, 2014
The Dark Ground is a truly unique fantasy book filled with magic and mystery.
This book was very confusing at the beginning. I was grasping at straws trying to piece together a puzzle where more than half of the pieces were missing. I, like Robert in the story, had no clue what was going on or why it was happening. For this reason I had a hard time getting into the book. It took about 50 or 60 pages before the story really started to flow and I felt like I was able to put a few pieces in place.
We follow Robert on a journey of discovery as he is forced to see the world from a different perspective. Everything that he has ever known has been challenged. He is lost in a strange and foreign land. Robert faces daunting challenges; danger lurks in every shadow, and yet, he presses on, determined to find the answers he seeks.
The book ended without answering any of the questions that I had. Being the first book of a trilogy I realize that there is more to the story, but the book ended feeling very unresolved. Now, having read the book I am still so confused.
What exactly happened? Why did it happen? How did it happen? Who was responsible? There were just no answers! We went on this epic journey, but what was the point?
I want to read the other books in the series, if only to get some answers and feel some closure. This was not my favorite book, there is entertainment value in it, but I don't feel like I have gained anything from reading it.
The writing was well done, and there was good imagery throughout. This book is clean and acceptable for all ages.
This book was very confusing at the beginning. I was grasping at straws trying to piece together a puzzle where more than half of the pieces were missing. I, like Robert in the story, had no clue what was going on or why it was happening. For this reason I had a hard time getting into the book. It took about 50 or 60 pages before the story really started to flow and I felt like I was able to put a few pieces in place.
We follow Robert on a journey of discovery as he is forced to see the world from a different perspective. Everything that he has ever known has been challenged. He is lost in a strange and foreign land. Robert faces daunting challenges; danger lurks in every shadow, and yet, he presses on, determined to find the answers he seeks.
The book ended without answering any of the questions that I had. Being the first book of a trilogy I realize that there is more to the story, but the book ended feeling very unresolved. Now, having read the book I am still so confused.
What exactly happened? Why did it happen? How did it happen? Who was responsible? There were just no answers! We went on this epic journey, but what was the point?
I want to read the other books in the series, if only to get some answers and feel some closure. This was not my favorite book, there is entertainment value in it, but I don't feel like I have gained anything from reading it.
The writing was well done, and there was good imagery throughout. This book is clean and acceptable for all ages.
May 8, 2011
This book is having a lot of enrich mystery which is really hard to work out and all of it is connected to a boy's struggle towards his hometown.
The whole story contains characters that are having almost the same problem as Robert, the boy; they all need to get home but as they don't know where they are so that's why they can not make their move. As they know that any wrong step might cost their life.
But as Robert has seen something, he is determined to get there and find out the truth about how he got in the jungle like place while he was on a plane...........
But for some reason he is questioned to be stopped.....
Why?....
Don't everyone wants to get home??
And if one of them does not then what can be the reason for him/her to stay??
Are they scared?//????
And if yes then why now when they are so close to get to their homes??????
The whole story contains characters that are having almost the same problem as Robert, the boy; they all need to get home but as they don't know where they are so that's why they can not make their move. As they know that any wrong step might cost their life.
But as Robert has seen something, he is determined to get there and find out the truth about how he got in the jungle like place while he was on a plane...........
But for some reason he is questioned to be stopped.....
Why?....
Don't everyone wants to get home??
And if one of them does not then what can be the reason for him/her to stay??
Are they scared?//????
And if yes then why now when they are so close to get to their homes??????
August 30, 2011
I remembered reading and enjoying 'The Demon Headmaster' books when I was at school so I thought I would read something else by Gillian Cross.
Robert wakes up in a jungle. The last thing he remembers is being on a plane with his family. Where is he? How did he get here? As the story unfolds it becomes clear that the world Robert thought he knew is very far away from him. He meets up with a community of other children who have made the jungle their home and sets out with three of them to try and find some answers.
This is an interesting story deftly told, with some really nice descriptive writing that makes the reader think about the way they see the world around them. Although this book ends leaving more questions than answers it is only the first of a trilogy and a good read for children 11+
Robert wakes up in a jungle. The last thing he remembers is being on a plane with his family. Where is he? How did he get here? As the story unfolds it becomes clear that the world Robert thought he knew is very far away from him. He meets up with a community of other children who have made the jungle their home and sets out with three of them to try and find some answers.
This is an interesting story deftly told, with some really nice descriptive writing that makes the reader think about the way they see the world around them. Although this book ends leaving more questions than answers it is only the first of a trilogy and a good read for children 11+
November 8, 2015
I'm not quite sure what to make of this read. It isn't the thriller, it is described as being on its cover, but then I hadn't realised it was part of a trilogy, so maybe the next books make it so. I'd describe it more as a dark 'borrowers' for older readers. Much less of the jolly making furniture out of cotton reels and much much more of the hardship and struggle that the characters experience. How the characters ended up small in the first place, will I think become more significant in the later books. It is an unusual read exploring the theme of perception as much as anything. As with all Gilliian Cross books I've read, good characterisation and a tight plot, with quite sinister undertones.
October 17, 2008
The book jacket describes The Dark Ground by Gillian Cross as "unputdownable." Not an elegant description, but accurate, as I read nearly all of it in one sitting.
Robert is in strange and dire circumstances, no doubt. But he tries his best to survive with only his wits and bare hands. Luckily, someone takes pity on him and gives him a helping hand; which leads him to discover a whole group of other people in strange and dire circumstances. He is not satisfied that there is no way out of the situation, and resolves to get to the bottom of it all, with a little help from his new friends. (First volume of a trilogy).
Robert is in strange and dire circumstances, no doubt. But he tries his best to survive with only his wits and bare hands. Luckily, someone takes pity on him and gives him a helping hand; which leads him to discover a whole group of other people in strange and dire circumstances. He is not satisfied that there is no way out of the situation, and resolves to get to the bottom of it all, with a little help from his new friends. (First volume of a trilogy).
September 17, 2010
It's Lost meets the Littles in this unique fantasy. Robert doesn't remember what happened before he woke up naked in the woods. His last memory was being in an airplane bathroom. Did his plane crash? If so, where is the wreckage, and why don't there seem to be other survivors? As Robert tries to survive in the wilderness, he becomes aware of others around him, helping him. But when he realizes the truth about where he is and what has happened to him, he must undertake a difficult journey to reach his home. A bit confusing at times (especially the beginning), but ultimately a fast-paced and exciting adventure. Keep the second in the series handy for reading soon after finishing the first.
December 27, 2007
this book was allright, but nothing more. the only reason to keep reading at the beginning was to try and clear up your thoughts as to what in the world was going on. i didn't get the situation until about halfway through the book. after that, it just carried you, but it was hard to follow the author's train of thought. although the cover makes it seem daer and depressing, it really isn't, (don't go judging books by their covers) but just odd. i guess if you like that sort of thing... i don't think i'll be reading the rest of the trilogy.
January 30, 2013
A tense adventure for super small humans who keep getting smaller.Problem is you don't really get to know the characters and have no idea who they are, why they are small, why Robert changes at the end, etc. Maybe the author wants to save all this for #2 and #3, but you need something to help you stay connected to the characters and the story. I may go on to the second of this trilogy; I haven't decided yet.
April 21, 2014
This book was really good and kept me interested and made me want to keep reading. I actually couldn't stop reading. I read it all in about one week. The book consists of a boy Robert who ends up shrinking and finds some friends who help him survive and together they go on a journey to get Robert back to his normal self battling huge monsters and eating a snail in order to survive.
December 18, 2007
On occasion I like to read juvenile books just so that I can stay current on what's popular. This book was full of surprises and it left me guessing the whole way through the book. I can't wait to read the next ones.
March 15, 2010
This was a good story, although it was a little gritty for a kid's book. There was no humor to offset the survivalist theme. The ending was good, wrapping up one portion of the story while leaving possibilities for the next book.
February 10, 2012
This was one of the most exciting, interesting, well thought through, fun book I've ever read. LOL. Robert is one of the most headstrong reliable guy I've ever read about. lol.
This book is a must-read. :)
This book is a must-read. :)
June 11, 2016
Als ich das Buch in der 6.Klasse für eine Buchvorstellung gelesen habe, fand ich es super. Es birgt eine super schöne Idee, die umwerfend spannend war und mich sehr gefesselt habe. Vielleicht sollte ich es nochmal lesen, und dann die Folgeb��nde noch anschließen, die ich irgendwie nie gelesen habe.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews