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Morpheus Road #2
The Black
At the end of The Light, Book One of the Morpheus Road trilogy, Marshall learned the truth about what happened to his best friend Cooper. Now in Book Two, the POV switches to Cooper and we get to see his side of the mystery. What does his story have to do with Marshall and the journey along the Morpheus Road? Shocking twists are revealed with this latest fantastical story from a master of suspense!
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2011
65 people are currently reading
1275 people want to read
About the author
D.J. MacHale
96 books2,342 followersD.J. MacHale is a writer, director, executive producer and creator of several popular television series and movies.
He was raised in Greenwich, CT and graduated from Greenwich High School. While in school, he had several jobs including collecting eggs at a poultry farm, engraving sports trophies and washing dishes in a steakhouse...in between playing football and running track. D.J. then attended New York University where he received a BFA in film production.
His filmmaking career began in New York where he worked as a freelance writer/director, making corporate videos and television commercials. He also taught photography and film production.
D.J. broke into the entertainment business by writing several ABC Afterschool Specials. After moving to Los Angeles, he made the fulltime switch from informational films, to entertainment. As co-creator of the popular Nickelodeon series: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, he produced all 91 episodes over 8 years. He wrote and directed many of the episodes including the CableAce nominated The Tale of Cutter's Treasure starring Charles S. Dutton. He was nominated for a Gemini award for directing The Tale of the Dangerous Soup starring Neve Campbell.
D.J. also wrote and directed the movie Tower of Terror for ABC's Wonderful World of Disney which starred Kirsten Dunst and Steve Guttenberg. The Showtime series Chris Cross was co-created, written and produced by D.J. It received the CableAce award for Best Youth Series.
D.J. co-created and produced the Discovery Kids series Flight 29 Down for which he writes all the episodes and directs several. His work on Flight 29 Down has earned him both Writers Guild of America and Directors Guild of America award nominations.
Other notable writing credits include the classic ABC Afterschool Special titled Seasonal Differences; the pilot for the long-running PBS/CBS series Ghostwriter; and the HBO series Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective for which he received a CableAce nomination for writing.
In print, D.J. has co-written the book The Tale of the Nightly Neighbors, based on his own teleplay and penned the poetic adaptation of the classic Norwegian folk tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon.
The book series: Pendragon - Journal of an Adventure through Time and Space marks D.J.'s first turn as a novelist. He plans for this series of Young Adult adventures to span a total of 10 books.
D.J. lives in Southern California with his wife Evangeline and daughter Keaton. They are avid backpackers, scuba divers and skiers. Rounding out the household are a Golden Retriever, Maggie; and a Kitten, Kaboodle.
He was raised in Greenwich, CT and graduated from Greenwich High School. While in school, he had several jobs including collecting eggs at a poultry farm, engraving sports trophies and washing dishes in a steakhouse...in between playing football and running track. D.J. then attended New York University where he received a BFA in film production.
His filmmaking career began in New York where he worked as a freelance writer/director, making corporate videos and television commercials. He also taught photography and film production.
D.J. broke into the entertainment business by writing several ABC Afterschool Specials. After moving to Los Angeles, he made the fulltime switch from informational films, to entertainment. As co-creator of the popular Nickelodeon series: Are You Afraid of the Dark?, he produced all 91 episodes over 8 years. He wrote and directed many of the episodes including the CableAce nominated The Tale of Cutter's Treasure starring Charles S. Dutton. He was nominated for a Gemini award for directing The Tale of the Dangerous Soup starring Neve Campbell.
D.J. also wrote and directed the movie Tower of Terror for ABC's Wonderful World of Disney which starred Kirsten Dunst and Steve Guttenberg. The Showtime series Chris Cross was co-created, written and produced by D.J. It received the CableAce award for Best Youth Series.
D.J. co-created and produced the Discovery Kids series Flight 29 Down for which he writes all the episodes and directs several. His work on Flight 29 Down has earned him both Writers Guild of America and Directors Guild of America award nominations.
Other notable writing credits include the classic ABC Afterschool Special titled Seasonal Differences; the pilot for the long-running PBS/CBS series Ghostwriter; and the HBO series Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective for which he received a CableAce nomination for writing.
In print, D.J. has co-written the book The Tale of the Nightly Neighbors, based on his own teleplay and penned the poetic adaptation of the classic Norwegian folk tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon.
The book series: Pendragon - Journal of an Adventure through Time and Space marks D.J.'s first turn as a novelist. He plans for this series of Young Adult adventures to span a total of 10 books.
D.J. lives in Southern California with his wife Evangeline and daughter Keaton. They are avid backpackers, scuba divers and skiers. Rounding out the household are a Golden Retriever, Maggie; and a Kitten, Kaboodle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
April 10, 2011
This is such a cool book!
The Black is the first book, The Light, but in Cooper Foley's perspective. It takes all those question marks and blank spaces and fills it with Cooper experiences. We get to see the how's of what really happened to him as well as find out his link to Gravedigger, meet new important characters and continue on with the mysteries down the Morpheus Road.
I loved the way this was written since I've always been curious as to what really happened behind Coopers character, so it was so great to begin this book with the first scene in book one between Marsh and Cooper, and then following on as the events unfold in his story linking it with Marsh's. The story felt familiar but at the same time completely new and even more intriguing then the first.
I can't decide what I love most about this book. The sheer imagination, the bizarre creativity, the complex characters or the explosive plot line? I guess in the end, it's a little bit of everything. D.J MacHale is a fantastic fantasy writer, he has this unbelievable way he punches life into his character while adding a pitch perfect voice for each. I loved Coopers reactions to these crazy situations. It's funny and realistic in a very non-realistic way that makes it seem so easy to get lost in the madness of it all. MacHale's vision about the afterlife intrigued me and the way he handled this character storyline was a thrilling chaotic journey of pure entertainment.
I loved Marsh in the first book but I think I love Cooper's story even more. Maybe it's cause he has more of a bad boy image, the rebel and the way he looked after Marsh really got to me and his unexpected journey and his twist in this particular role has such a strong edge to this installment.
Simply put, this is my kind of escape. It's fun and creepy and unusual and I had a blast slipping out and into this crazy fascinating world and connecting the dots to the first book to the second. These stories have been such a fun experience for me and I look forward to reading the final conclusion of this trilogy.
(Arc provided by Simon & Schuster Galley Grab)
The Black is the first book, The Light, but in Cooper Foley's perspective. It takes all those question marks and blank spaces and fills it with Cooper experiences. We get to see the how's of what really happened to him as well as find out his link to Gravedigger, meet new important characters and continue on with the mysteries down the Morpheus Road.
I loved the way this was written since I've always been curious as to what really happened behind Coopers character, so it was so great to begin this book with the first scene in book one between Marsh and Cooper, and then following on as the events unfold in his story linking it with Marsh's. The story felt familiar but at the same time completely new and even more intriguing then the first.
I can't decide what I love most about this book. The sheer imagination, the bizarre creativity, the complex characters or the explosive plot line? I guess in the end, it's a little bit of everything. D.J MacHale is a fantastic fantasy writer, he has this unbelievable way he punches life into his character while adding a pitch perfect voice for each. I loved Coopers reactions to these crazy situations. It's funny and realistic in a very non-realistic way that makes it seem so easy to get lost in the madness of it all. MacHale's vision about the afterlife intrigued me and the way he handled this character storyline was a thrilling chaotic journey of pure entertainment.
I loved Marsh in the first book but I think I love Cooper's story even more. Maybe it's cause he has more of a bad boy image, the rebel and the way he looked after Marsh really got to me and his unexpected journey and his twist in this particular role has such a strong edge to this installment.
Simply put, this is my kind of escape. It's fun and creepy and unusual and I had a blast slipping out and into this crazy fascinating world and connecting the dots to the first book to the second. These stories have been such a fun experience for me and I look forward to reading the final conclusion of this trilogy.
(Arc provided by Simon & Schuster Galley Grab)
September 20, 2011
Didn't like this one a much as the first one, was expecting more scary but received more explination hopefully the last book in the series returns with a bang.
July 13, 2016
I am not sure if I am going to write a full review of this one. The story felt dragged at many places. Characters like Grandpa or Maggie still feels less needed. Last half of the book was much better but that doesn't make up completely for the first half.
It was a 3.5 for me. No more no less. Mysteries were revealed and things gone from bad to worse. I am reading the final book with much hope. Lets see.
It was a 3.5 for me. No more no less. Mysteries were revealed and things gone from bad to worse. I am reading the final book with much hope. Lets see.
July 17, 2022
i enjoyed this book a lot!!! i think the first is still my favorite but it had so many twists while also being easy to understand which is always a need for me with fantasy books. rated this book a 3 because it was fun but nothing too groundbreaking
August 18, 2016
I absolutely love this book! At the end of The Light, there is a preview to this book and when I read it I thought, "No! I don't want to read the same story from Cooper's perspective! That's going to be so boring!" Anything but. I actually love this book so much more than The Light.
DJ MacHale is one of the most creative authors I've ever read from - the way he writes makes you feel like you are there with the characters, and I became so attached to Cooper, and especially his new friend Maggie. Maggie's backstory is a mystery at first, but when you finally figure out what happened, it will blow. Your. Mind.
You will also learn more about Marshall's mother and how she ties into the crucibles from The Light. This book will throw you for so many loops it's unbelievable!
Definitely worth the 5 stars!
DJ MacHale is one of the most creative authors I've ever read from - the way he writes makes you feel like you are there with the characters, and I became so attached to Cooper, and especially his new friend Maggie. Maggie's backstory is a mystery at first, but when you finally figure out what happened, it will blow. Your. Mind.
You will also learn more about Marshall's mother and how she ties into the crucibles from The Light. This book will throw you for so many loops it's unbelievable!
Definitely worth the 5 stars!
November 14, 2016
Filled in the gaps.
This answered a lot of questions from book 1. Glad I persisted and read it. Now I'm ready for book 3 to see how this all wraps up. The author has done a nice job with this story.
This answered a lot of questions from book 1. Glad I persisted and read it. Now I'm ready for book 3 to see how this all wraps up. The author has done a nice job with this story.
June 2, 2022
“This is the the first time I was disappointed in a great series. It was the same story but from a different perspective. I hope that the
December 22, 2024
rating: pg+ no profanity, no sex - mild romance, a little kissing. Ghosty and spooky, with lots of "armageddon" level threats / battles that could be intense for a jh reader.
recommend: jh and up, depending on the reader.
I LOVED how this second installment is the behind-the-scenes look at the first novel, and I assume book 3 will be the combination of spiritual and real-life realms joining forces.
STRONG good v evil plot line, clear delineation. Damon is clearly an evil lunatic, even before his gory history is revealed.
BUT Cooper... he really didn't have to be so easily swayed. and back and forth. and sometimes he's heading one way and the next second he's heading the other. I think a couple of those switches / run-ins with Damon could have been edited out and the book could have been a tad shorter.
Otherwise, a good read. Great for the kids looking for a pretty innocent spooky read.
recommend: jh and up, depending on the reader.
I LOVED how this second installment is the behind-the-scenes look at the first novel, and I assume book 3 will be the combination of spiritual and real-life realms joining forces.
STRONG good v evil plot line, clear delineation. Damon is clearly an evil lunatic, even before his gory history is revealed.
BUT Cooper... he really didn't have to be so easily swayed. and back and forth. and sometimes he's heading one way and the next second he's heading the other. I think a couple of those switches / run-ins with Damon could have been edited out and the book could have been a tad shorter.
Otherwise, a good read. Great for the kids looking for a pretty innocent spooky read.
November 1, 2017
I liked this waaaay more than the first book. What you think is just an okay ghost story in the first book turns out to be a far more interesting adventure in the 2nd book. Also I find Cooper to be about 100 times more likeable and interesting than Marshall.... sorry Marsh.
I was hoping to finish all three by Halloween but that didn't happen. Still I'm glad I read them around this time of year. Ready to dive into the 3rd book :) Hopefully I can get it done quickly before all the Halloweeny vibes end.
I was hoping to finish all three by Halloween but that didn't happen. Still I'm glad I read them around this time of year. Ready to dive into the 3rd book :) Hopefully I can get it done quickly before all the Halloweeny vibes end.
March 27, 2018
Cooper Foley is a ghost. In book two of the Morpheus Road trilogy, "The Black" reveals all the mysteries from the previous book, while catapulting the story forward into something much bigger than Marshall and Cooper.
This book does a great job of tying up the questions from the previous book, "The Light", while also creating a more in-depth plot and understanding for what is taking place. I do recommend this book, but for first time readers of this series, you do need to read the first book in order to understand this one.
This book does a great job of tying up the questions from the previous book, "The Light", while also creating a more in-depth plot and understanding for what is taking place. I do recommend this book, but for first time readers of this series, you do need to read the first book in order to understand this one.
June 19, 2017
I started reading this book and almost turned it off after the first 5 minutes. I am so glad I didn't! I won't spoil it but when I saw what he was doing with the story of this book I though to myself, no way am I going to stick around for that... I am so gad I did. He pulled off beautifully what seems to me a tactic that could have easily turned out lame. Loved it!
December 14, 2021
This book answered a lot of questions or thoughts that i had from book 1. And if i'm being honest? I really enjoyed hearing this story from cooper's pov vs marsh. HIs character is very interesting and while i enjoy Marsh, cooper is way more likable and this made me feel like i'm a part of something way bigger than just a regular old haunting
November 7, 2023
4.5/5
I really liked how this book explained the first book of this series. I had trouble putting the book down and the plot itself was very unique. There was also always mysteries uncovered some of them predictable and some unpredictable. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. And hopefully Cooper and Marsh can get out of trouble town.
I really liked how this book explained the first book of this series. I had trouble putting the book down and the plot itself was very unique. There was also always mysteries uncovered some of them predictable and some unpredictable. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. And hopefully Cooper and Marsh can get out of trouble town.
November 26, 2024
This book was a step in the right direction for the series. Way more interesting and complex than the first book. There is so much more going on here. Cooper coming to terms with being dead, the lore of the after life, and the backstory of the main villain. That’s not including the characters Cooper meets in the story. I’m hoping the third book improves on the story as much as this book has.
December 30, 2016
My 12 year old son and I love this series! He was so excited to move on to book 3! He said "YEAH! Now "The Blood"! The only thing I didn't like about this book was a lot of it was a retelling of book 1 but in another view. However the rest of the book was great!
February 23, 2018
Not the best book by DJ MacHale. This took a long time to finish because of how slow it was. And not much happened either. Middle book in a trilogy syndrome, no doubt. I still want to continue on with the series, but overall, it was okay. Nothing special.
June 7, 2018
This book was a bit below an adult level. But, it possessed a quite creative plot. I didn't read book 1 and do not think I needed to. I might read book 3 at some point. I might not too. I gave it 4 stars for the plot's creativity. But, as I said, the writing is on a middle school level.
February 8, 2019
This book like the last was a page Turner.. Kept you on the edge of your seat. At times I could not put it down. It has a lot of action and hooks that I didn't see coming. Some of it you knew were coming but it fit the story line. Can't wait to get into next one "The Blood"
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April 27, 2020Wow much deeper than the first morpheus book and very scary in the middle! Enjoyed it a lot and doesn't feel like its for 10 year olds like the online age suggestion says lol (because I read the first series Pendragon when I was a kid). It's got some depressing parts :)
October 4, 2020
Wow! That was such a great second volume! It fills in all the missing pieces left unanswered in the first in the best most suspenseful way. Now to move on the the finally. I can't wait to find out how this will end.
May 17, 2017
I remember reading this book back in high school, and I also remember having a few complaints about the book, but I don't remember what they were.
I need to reread this book.
I need to reread this book.
November 1, 2017
I was kinda hesitant at the beginning, given the change in POV, but the story of Cooper was more entertaining than I thought. His story allowed for the world of the Black to be explored more thoroughly, which I liked.
November 26, 2017
C'était pas la peine de faire un tome 2
February 15, 2018
great second book in this trilogy! A MUST READ! I hope you give this book a try, and it unrevealed the secret of coopers death. And other secrets lie ahead.
January 23, 2020
Four and a half stars ⭐️. Onto book three. 😀
December 1, 2021
Sehr spannend - eine hervorragende Fortsetzung des 1. Teils. Ich freue mich auf den 3.
March 28, 2022
Best series, but I love the first one better.
October 27, 2024
Well, it can't keep up with the first part, but if I were younger I might like it a bit more.
October 7, 2022
I couldn't finish this after reading the first one. Too much recapping.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews