What do you think?
Rate this book
Darkbeast #2
Darkbeast Rebellion
Betrayal threatens everything Keara dreams of in this fast-paced, exciting sequel to Darkbeast.
Keara, her friend Goran, and the wily old actor, Taggart, are fleeing for their lives. They have all spared their darkbeasts, the creatures that take on their darker deeds and emotions and lift their spirits. But their actions defy the law, which dictates that all citizens must kill their darkbeasts on their twelfth birthdays.
There are rumors of safe havens, groups of people called darkers who spared their darkbeasts and live outside the law. To find the darkers, the trio must embark on a dangerous journey—and evade the Inquisitors who are searching for them everywhere. In the middle of winter, freezing and exhausted, Keara and her companions are taken to an underground encampment that seems the answer to all their hopes. But are these darkers really what they appear to be?
Keara, her friend Goran, and the wily old actor, Taggart, are fleeing for their lives. They have all spared their darkbeasts, the creatures that take on their darker deeds and emotions and lift their spirits. But their actions defy the law, which dictates that all citizens must kill their darkbeasts on their twelfth birthdays.
There are rumors of safe havens, groups of people called darkers who spared their darkbeasts and live outside the law. To find the darkers, the trio must embark on a dangerous journey—and evade the Inquisitors who are searching for them everywhere. In the middle of winter, freezing and exhausted, Keara and her companions are taken to an underground encampment that seems the answer to all their hopes. But are these darkers really what they appear to be?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Keyes
6 books21 followersMorgan Keyes grew up in California, Texas, Georgia, and Minnesota, accompanied by parents, a brother, a dog, and a cat. Also, there were books. Lots and lots of books.
Morgan started to keep a journal for a second-grade English class and never really stopped. Journal entries turned into short stories, and short stories turned into novels. In between, there were an awful lot of haikus and cinquains.
Morgan now lives near Washington, D.C. In between trips to the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Art, she reads, travels, reads, writes, reads, cooks, reads, wrestles with cats, and reads. Because there are still books. Lots and lots of books.
Morgan started to keep a journal for a second-grade English class and never really stopped. Journal entries turned into short stories, and short stories turned into novels. In between, there were an awful lot of haikus and cinquains.
Morgan now lives near Washington, D.C. In between trips to the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Art, she reads, travels, reads, writes, reads, cooks, reads, wrestles with cats, and reads. Because there are still books. Lots and lots of books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 5, 2013
IN A WORLD where children are bound to magical darkbeasts, intelligent companion animals who are supposed to take their children’s sins and faults into themselves, Keara has defied tradition by refusing to ritually kill her darkbeast Caw. This makes her an outcast and a target for the Inquisitors.
We pick up where book one left off, with Keara, Goran, and Taggart on the run with their darkbeasts, searching for the darker community — others who have chosen to spare their darkbeasts and live in exile. But what they find is not what Keara had expected. She feels out of place and … empty. Day-to-day life in hiding isn’t what she had imagined it would be.
I like old Taggart’s response to Keara’s complaints about boredom and routine: “Most of life is routine. Routine is what keeps us fed, keeps us safe. Keeps us ready for those few, heart-stopping moments when we must fight for what we believe.” Let’s just say that as I approach my 13th year working for state government to support my family and my writing, that line resonated.
Without spoiling too much, Keara soon finds herself wishing for boredom. We get a story of betrayal and political intrigue and power struggles and relationship drama and more.
It’s a fun and enjoyable read. As with book one, I liked the characters — particularly Caw, with his unapologetic greed for treats and his unwavering parental love for Keara. It was nice to see more of the politics of the world, and the conflict between the Princeps and the Inquisitor Ducis.
I think the title left me expecting more actual rebellion. There’s a lot of interpersonal conflict and growth, and a fair amount of setup for book three, but don’t pick up the book looking for epic battles between darkers and Inquisitors, with armies of ravens and rats and snakes and spiders swarming over enemy soldiers. Which was disappointing, because I kind of wanted to see that. But given where we end things in this book, I imagine the larger scale conflicts are coming soon.
You’ll want to read Darkbeast first, but if you enjoyed that one, you should pick up the sequel and join me in impatiently waiting for Keyes to finish the third book in the trilogy.
We pick up where book one left off, with Keara, Goran, and Taggart on the run with their darkbeasts, searching for the darker community — others who have chosen to spare their darkbeasts and live in exile. But what they find is not what Keara had expected. She feels out of place and … empty. Day-to-day life in hiding isn’t what she had imagined it would be.
I like old Taggart’s response to Keara’s complaints about boredom and routine: “Most of life is routine. Routine is what keeps us fed, keeps us safe. Keeps us ready for those few, heart-stopping moments when we must fight for what we believe.” Let’s just say that as I approach my 13th year working for state government to support my family and my writing, that line resonated.
Without spoiling too much, Keara soon finds herself wishing for boredom. We get a story of betrayal and political intrigue and power struggles and relationship drama and more.
It’s a fun and enjoyable read. As with book one, I liked the characters — particularly Caw, with his unapologetic greed for treats and his unwavering parental love for Keara. It was nice to see more of the politics of the world, and the conflict between the Princeps and the Inquisitor Ducis.
I think the title left me expecting more actual rebellion. There’s a lot of interpersonal conflict and growth, and a fair amount of setup for book three, but don’t pick up the book looking for epic battles between darkers and Inquisitors, with armies of ravens and rats and snakes and spiders swarming over enemy soldiers. Which was disappointing, because I kind of wanted to see that. But given where we end things in this book, I imagine the larger scale conflicts are coming soon.
You’ll want to read Darkbeast first, but if you enjoyed that one, you should pick up the sequel and join me in impatiently waiting for Keyes to finish the third book in the trilogy.
August 7, 2017
Appropriate for: age 11+
I loved this sequel! The author really draws you in. I only wish there was a sequel to the sequel
I loved this sequel! The author really draws you in. I only wish there was a sequel to the sequel
November 20, 2013
enjoyed this one even more than Darkbeast -- maybe because I've gotten to know Keara and Goran and Caw and Taggart? Their search for others like them -- people who have spared their Darkbeast - in the land of Duodecia; not knowing who they can trust, captured by Inquisitors, meeting the Princeps, heir to the leader, in constant danger makes for an exciting tale.
Will there will be another one in the series?
Will there will be another one in the series?
Read
July 5, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Alcohol consumption mentioned
Kidnapping & captivity
Physical injury
Whipping
Animal death
Alcohol consumption mentioned
Kidnapping & captivity
Physical injury
Whipping
Animal death
July 17, 2018
*3.5
I found this book to be slightly less interesting than Darkbeast, but I still enjoyed it.
I found this book to be slightly less interesting than Darkbeast, but I still enjoyed it.
August 18, 2018
Not quite as good as the first book, but still a good read.
September 6, 2023
mid but nice vocab
April 21, 2025
Different themes explored than what the first book did: more along the lines of trust, authenticity, and the power to change. Food for thought.
October 23, 2013
Previously reviewed on The Good the Bad and the Unread:
Having utterly loved the first book in this series, I deliberately didn’t reread it before picking this one up, in order to have a clear picture of how well the second stands alone. My advice: read the first book before moving on to this one, but read them both. Just don’t expect a romance – although the main character is growing up and has two very different boys paying her attention in the course of their adventures together.
The story opens with our heroine, Keara, trudging through the snow: hungry and feeling more than a little sorry for herself. She’s on the run with two of the friends she made after she ran away from home in the previous book: the adult Traveler, Taggart, and the boy, Goran. We get enough information to realise that Travelers are itinerant entertainers, and that the crime the three have committed, which has caused them to go on the run, is their failing to ritually kill their darkbeasts – magical animals that can communicate with their individual owners and with each other, but are destined to be sacrificed when their owners reach the age of twelve. The worldbuilding of the story is rich and dense, but I do feel that anyone coming to this book without having read the first is missing out by not knowing about the lives and families all three have given up to go on the run.
Keara and her friends are searching for the people known as Darkers: a whole hidden community of those who have kept their darkbeasts with them into adulthood. And just as everything seems as bleak as it can get, it appears that they have been rescued by such a group. Something doesn’t feel right, though, and before long the three and their darkbeasts – Caw the raven, Flick the lizard, and Wart the toad – are in more trouble than ever. At this point the story takes hold and I had trouble putting the book down.
The action moves to the country’s capital city and we learn more about the politics and religion of this world, as well as meeting the two sons of its ruler, the elder of whom has given up his right to rule in order to join the Inquisitors – high priests of the twelve gods of the country – and serve the god of darkbeasts in particular. This has not gone down well with his younger brother, Dillon, who would rather have been left alone with his studies. Dillon befriends Keara, much to Goran’s disgust, but that subplot plays out more as a rivalry between two boys from very different backgrounds than as any sort of potential love triangle. Even if jealousy over Keara does seem to be at the bottom of it.
After suffering cruelty at the hands of the Inquistors, Keara and her two original friends find that they have unexpected allies in the capital and manage to escape with Dillon in tow. That’s not the end of their adventures, and there are more tests along the way towards a potential new home for some, or all, of them. The ending is satisfying, but I see scope for more adventures in this series, and I would love for Keyes to give us at least one more book.
I suspect this book would work well for its intended age group, but there’s a lot in there for older readers too. Definitely a keeper alongside its predecessor in the series.
Having utterly loved the first book in this series, I deliberately didn’t reread it before picking this one up, in order to have a clear picture of how well the second stands alone. My advice: read the first book before moving on to this one, but read them both. Just don’t expect a romance – although the main character is growing up and has two very different boys paying her attention in the course of their adventures together.
The story opens with our heroine, Keara, trudging through the snow: hungry and feeling more than a little sorry for herself. She’s on the run with two of the friends she made after she ran away from home in the previous book: the adult Traveler, Taggart, and the boy, Goran. We get enough information to realise that Travelers are itinerant entertainers, and that the crime the three have committed, which has caused them to go on the run, is their failing to ritually kill their darkbeasts – magical animals that can communicate with their individual owners and with each other, but are destined to be sacrificed when their owners reach the age of twelve. The worldbuilding of the story is rich and dense, but I do feel that anyone coming to this book without having read the first is missing out by not knowing about the lives and families all three have given up to go on the run.
Keara and her friends are searching for the people known as Darkers: a whole hidden community of those who have kept their darkbeasts with them into adulthood. And just as everything seems as bleak as it can get, it appears that they have been rescued by such a group. Something doesn’t feel right, though, and before long the three and their darkbeasts – Caw the raven, Flick the lizard, and Wart the toad – are in more trouble than ever. At this point the story takes hold and I had trouble putting the book down.
The action moves to the country’s capital city and we learn more about the politics and religion of this world, as well as meeting the two sons of its ruler, the elder of whom has given up his right to rule in order to join the Inquisitors – high priests of the twelve gods of the country – and serve the god of darkbeasts in particular. This has not gone down well with his younger brother, Dillon, who would rather have been left alone with his studies. Dillon befriends Keara, much to Goran’s disgust, but that subplot plays out more as a rivalry between two boys from very different backgrounds than as any sort of potential love triangle. Even if jealousy over Keara does seem to be at the bottom of it.
After suffering cruelty at the hands of the Inquistors, Keara and her two original friends find that they have unexpected allies in the capital and manage to escape with Dillon in tow. That’s not the end of their adventures, and there are more tests along the way towards a potential new home for some, or all, of them. The ending is satisfying, but I see scope for more adventures in this series, and I would love for Keyes to give us at least one more book.
I suspect this book would work well for its intended age group, but there’s a lot in there for older readers too. Definitely a keeper alongside its predecessor in the series.
November 26, 2013
I'd hoped that this novel might develop some of the better parts of the last novel and clear up some things that didn't quite gel, but it didn't do this for me personally. I felt that some of the characters were just caricatures and some parts of the plot were illogical and unconvincing.
PLOT SPOILERS HERE
To me, it was unconvincing that their contact in the main city sends them on a wild goose chase around half the rest of the kingdom where they finally find the community of Darkers but this whole community is a lie, actors sent there (halfway across the kingdom, I repeat), just to catch a few small renegades like themselves. The ruse was overly elaborate and therefore unconvincing. Particularly when the real community is just a hop skip and a jump away from the main city, which made me find it difficult to believe that their contact was unaware of. Also unconvincing was the way in which Taggart's troupe turn so completely against him to the extent that they would perform a nasty play about him and the others (the fact that this ridiculous play takes place at all and convinces people in the audience was also unconvincing).
I also found it increasingly difficult to like the protagonist, possibly because the structure of the novel (as with its predecessor) around separate emotions makes her too focused on a particular emotion and therefore lacking in other emotions. It also highlights her flaws all the time and she seems to have few redeeming features.
The only character who appealed to me was Caw as he is the only character whose characterisation seems consistent, and who has many awesome personality traits.
It still didn't make sense to me that people didn't love their darkbeasts or how the darkbeast bond is supposedly different between people.
PLOT SPOILERS HERE
To me, it was unconvincing that their contact in the main city sends them on a wild goose chase around half the rest of the kingdom where they finally find the community of Darkers but this whole community is a lie, actors sent there (halfway across the kingdom, I repeat), just to catch a few small renegades like themselves. The ruse was overly elaborate and therefore unconvincing. Particularly when the real community is just a hop skip and a jump away from the main city, which made me find it difficult to believe that their contact was unaware of. Also unconvincing was the way in which Taggart's troupe turn so completely against him to the extent that they would perform a nasty play about him and the others (the fact that this ridiculous play takes place at all and convinces people in the audience was also unconvincing).
I also found it increasingly difficult to like the protagonist, possibly because the structure of the novel (as with its predecessor) around separate emotions makes her too focused on a particular emotion and therefore lacking in other emotions. It also highlights her flaws all the time and she seems to have few redeeming features.
The only character who appealed to me was Caw as he is the only character whose characterisation seems consistent, and who has many awesome personality traits.
It still didn't make sense to me that people didn't love their darkbeasts or how the darkbeast bond is supposedly different between people.
October 27, 2015
After escaping Lutecia with both their darkbeasts and their lives, Keara, Goran, and Taggart are traversing the snowy forests in search of a rumor. The rumor is that a colony of darkbeast supporters—aka darkers—is located somewhere in those woods. The three Travelers find the colony, but Caw, Keara’s darkbeast, is uneasy about the darkers. Caw’s fears are solidified when the colonists turn in Keara, Goran, and Taggart to the Inquisitors. The three are taken back to Lutecia to undergo the torturous repentance of those unfaithful to their religious traditions. While incarcerated Keara meets Dillon, heir to the throne of Duodecia. Dillon befriends Keara and uses his influence to lighten the load of their imprisonment. But when Dillon takes it too far, he is taken before his father and other Inquisitors to justify his interference.
Keyes sequel to Darkbeast explores the deeper sides of belief, friendship, loyalty, and love. In Darkbeast, Keara felt alone in loving Caw and hid the truth from others. In Darkbeast Rebellion, Keara is not alone in loving her darkbeast and is unafraid to live what she believes. With support in numbers, Keara teaches Dillon the healing bond between man and darkbeast. But Keara’s attention to Dillon causes Goran to pull away, thinking he has been replaced as Keara’s best friend. But their background and surviving so many trials together helps the two to reconnect in an unbreakable friendship. What would have strengthened Keyes’ story is a map showing the journey of Keara and her group. This would help readers know the timeframe of their travels and solidify the setting for Keyes’ book. A thought-provoking fantasy appropriate for ages twelve and up.
(Review Found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
Keyes sequel to Darkbeast explores the deeper sides of belief, friendship, loyalty, and love. In Darkbeast, Keara felt alone in loving Caw and hid the truth from others. In Darkbeast Rebellion, Keara is not alone in loving her darkbeast and is unafraid to live what she believes. With support in numbers, Keara teaches Dillon the healing bond between man and darkbeast. But Keara’s attention to Dillon causes Goran to pull away, thinking he has been replaced as Keara’s best friend. But their background and surviving so many trials together helps the two to reconnect in an unbreakable friendship. What would have strengthened Keyes’ story is a map showing the journey of Keara and her group. This would help readers know the timeframe of their travels and solidify the setting for Keyes’ book. A thought-provoking fantasy appropriate for ages twelve and up.
(Review Found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
November 26, 2013
Keara and her friends are on the run, never sure who to trust, yet determined to save the lives of their darkbeasts (animal companions who not only speak to them, but who can relieve the discomfort of dark emotions). As strongly written as book one, DARKBEAST Darkbeastthis is more about navigating a dangerous and complex world than it is about rebelling -- yet. The worldbuilding, always rich and original, continues to expand, giving us a greater appreciation of the problem facing the characters.
Keara 's growth is important to this story. Like many teens, she's not always sympathetic. She can be self-centred and stubborn, as well as make choices we don't -- at first -- feel are the right ones. But this is the true strength of this author. Keyes gives us real people in Keara and her friends. Keara herself is no storybook heroine, but someone who grows through her experience to meet the promise of her large and giving heart. Courage in the face of fear, determination when made to doubt, and being true despite temptation. All are more important and far more interesting than perfection.
The only reason to give this book 4 instead of 5 stars is because it's a middle book and I'm eager to see the resolution for Keara, her friends, their world, and, most of all, the darkbeasts who form such a unique and intriguing bond with their children.
Join me in urging Keyes publisher to get us the rest of this wonderful story! Make sure your bookseller carries these books!
Keara 's growth is important to this story. Like many teens, she's not always sympathetic. She can be self-centred and stubborn, as well as make choices we don't -- at first -- feel are the right ones. But this is the true strength of this author. Keyes gives us real people in Keara and her friends. Keara herself is no storybook heroine, but someone who grows through her experience to meet the promise of her large and giving heart. Courage in the face of fear, determination when made to doubt, and being true despite temptation. All are more important and far more interesting than perfection.
The only reason to give this book 4 instead of 5 stars is because it's a middle book and I'm eager to see the resolution for Keara, her friends, their world, and, most of all, the darkbeasts who form such a unique and intriguing bond with their children.
Join me in urging Keyes publisher to get us the rest of this wonderful story! Make sure your bookseller carries these books!
November 17, 2013
Keara, Goran and Taggart are on the run. Since none of them killed their darkbeasts at the age of twelve, they are breaking the law. They are being hunted by the Inquisitors who are determined to find these heretics and bring them to justice.
When the story begins, the trio is following rumors of a group of people called Darkers. She are traveling in the winter, in a deep forest, and they have run out of food. Luck has them locate a group of Darkers but something about them just doesn't seem right to Keara. She is right to be suspicious. They are fakes set up by the Inquisitor Ducis to trap those who don't kill their darkbeasts.
Keara, Goran and Taggart are taken to the Primate's city Lutecia and put under control of the Inquisitor Ducis who happens to be the Primate's son. There they meet the Primate's younger son who is now his heir. Dillon is a frustrated scholar who will soon have to give up his scholarship and learn the work of the Primate. He and his brother use Keara, Goran, and Taggart in a sort of tug of war for power.
They manage to escape again, this time taking Dillon along with them, and make their way to an actual outpost of Darkers. Taggart and Goran fit right in and are voted as members of the community but Keara has a harder time of it.
This was an exciting story that was filled with danger and adventure. I liked Keara's relationship with her darkbeast Caw and I liked that she was still struggling with pride, impatience and other faults despite Caw's guidance.
Fans of fantasy novels will enjoy this sequel to DARKBEAST and hope that there are more adventures coming.
When the story begins, the trio is following rumors of a group of people called Darkers. She are traveling in the winter, in a deep forest, and they have run out of food. Luck has them locate a group of Darkers but something about them just doesn't seem right to Keara. She is right to be suspicious. They are fakes set up by the Inquisitor Ducis to trap those who don't kill their darkbeasts.
Keara, Goran and Taggart are taken to the Primate's city Lutecia and put under control of the Inquisitor Ducis who happens to be the Primate's son. There they meet the Primate's younger son who is now his heir. Dillon is a frustrated scholar who will soon have to give up his scholarship and learn the work of the Primate. He and his brother use Keara, Goran, and Taggart in a sort of tug of war for power.
They manage to escape again, this time taking Dillon along with them, and make their way to an actual outpost of Darkers. Taggart and Goran fit right in and are voted as members of the community but Keara has a harder time of it.
This was an exciting story that was filled with danger and adventure. I liked Keara's relationship with her darkbeast Caw and I liked that she was still struggling with pride, impatience and other faults despite Caw's guidance.
Fans of fantasy novels will enjoy this sequel to DARKBEAST and hope that there are more adventures coming.
December 18, 2015
The action gets considerably more perilous here in this sequel to Darkbeast. Keara gets some unexpected company on the road and the camaraderie is both heartening and frustrating. One of the irksome qualities about this is how her darkbeast, the gluttonous Caw, is always right. He’s a bit like a nagging conscience although he does know when to lecture Keara and when to back off. And as it turns out he’s not always right or at least all seeing.
The danger into which Keara and her friends blunder is unavoidable. In their desperation, they all make a bad mistake and this sets them on another path on their journey. It’s thrilling to read about their continuing struggle to find acceptance, their search for a place to belong and their need to make friends and allies.
It’s unclear whether there will be a sequel or if this is the final chapter in their lives. Keara’s restlessness, her impatience and her palpable longing to see her mother again (to bring her journey full circle, as it were) seem to indicate that her journey is not quite done. After all, she’s only twelve! So much more lies ahead of her and this reader’s appetite, at least, has been duly whetted for further adventures. Here’s hoping Ms. Keyes decides to continue with this enthralling series.
The danger into which Keara and her friends blunder is unavoidable. In their desperation, they all make a bad mistake and this sets them on another path on their journey. It’s thrilling to read about their continuing struggle to find acceptance, their search for a place to belong and their need to make friends and allies.
It’s unclear whether there will be a sequel or if this is the final chapter in their lives. Keara’s restlessness, her impatience and her palpable longing to see her mother again (to bring her journey full circle, as it were) seem to indicate that her journey is not quite done. After all, she’s only twelve! So much more lies ahead of her and this reader’s appetite, at least, has been duly whetted for further adventures. Here’s hoping Ms. Keyes decides to continue with this enthralling series.
October 17, 2013
I read and loved the first book in this series, DARKBEAST. I was fascinated by the world the author created, which was so well drawn it seemed as real as ours. I loved meeting the young protagonist, Keara, and her darkbeast, the crow that was supposed to take all her sins for her. (And who had as much personality as any of the human characters.)
DARKBEAST REBELLION continues Keara's story as she flees with Caw and her new friend Goran and his grandfather Taggart, Travelers she met on the road after she ran away from her village, the only place she'd ever known. Keara and the others had refused to kill their darkbeasts on their 12th birthdays, and so were outlaws, running for their lives.
This new book is filled with action, mystery, unexpected friendships and even more unexpected betrayals. It is a fast and easy read, suitable for the most reluctant young reader while still satisfying the needs of an adult who just loves fantasy worlds, great characters, and an interesting story.
Highly recommended. (You'll also want to go back and read the first one, if you haven't done that yet.) Morgan Keyes is one to watch.
DARKBEAST REBELLION continues Keara's story as she flees with Caw and her new friend Goran and his grandfather Taggart, Travelers she met on the road after she ran away from her village, the only place she'd ever known. Keara and the others had refused to kill their darkbeasts on their 12th birthdays, and so were outlaws, running for their lives.
This new book is filled with action, mystery, unexpected friendships and even more unexpected betrayals. It is a fast and easy read, suitable for the most reluctant young reader while still satisfying the needs of an adult who just loves fantasy worlds, great characters, and an interesting story.
Highly recommended. (You'll also want to go back and read the first one, if you haven't done that yet.) Morgan Keyes is one to watch.
February 16, 2015
Picking up right where its predecessor, Darkbeast, left off, this title follows Keara, her friend Goran, and their mentor Taggart as they seek shelter. Having defied the laws of their country by not killing their darkbeasts once they come of age, they are searching for somewhere safe. Just when they are ready to give into the fierce coldness around them, they are rescued by what seems to be a friendly band who share their affection for the darkbeasts on whom they rely to take on their negative emotions. But all is not as it seems, and the little band finds itself betrayed. But even amid that treachery, there is hope that arrives from a most unlikely source. I really enjoyed the creation of this world and its characters, especially the imperfect but somehow likeable Keara and her darkbeast Caw. I was sad to see the book come to an end and reluctant to leave this world where someone's worst characteristics are given to a close animal companion and where some were brave enough to defy tradition.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2013
I really liked the first book in the series, Darkbeast (and gave copies to my nieces who loved it too) So I am disappointed that the sequel, although still a good book, is not as good as the first. In this book, Keara who refused to follow the law and kill her Caw, darkbeast companion, on her 12th birthday. Most of the book is devoted to the efforts of Keara and her companions to find darkers, others who have spared their darkbeasts. A major problem with the book is that Keara is more acted upon than active herself, following the adults, being rescued and helped. Still, the book clearly leaves room for at least one more sequel so I hope this is mere second book of a trilogy problems.
March 27, 2014
I really enjoyed this follow up to Darkbeast. Both books kept me interested, and I enjoyed the characters and the kind of world Morgan Keyes built. I really liked how each part of this book (and the first one as well) begins with one of Keara's memories that then introduces the theme of that part of the story. It ties everything in together really well while also showing the very human side of Keara but in a way that I sympathized with her. I could relate to all of the almost heartbreakingly and honestly portrayed traits of outrage, pride, fear, and impatience. I got a little annoyed with Keara's constant referral's to different herbs, but that's my only complaint :)
January 27, 2014
This didn't quite live up to my expectations.
The title is quite the misnomer. There is hardly a rebellion to speak of. It would have been more adequately titled DARKBEAST DOOM or DARKBEAST DRUGERY.
I expected a rebellion, but is seems the author is just dragging things on to make this a trilogy. The ending is slightly more conclusive than the first book, but hardly the ending I was expecting.
The title is quite the misnomer. There is hardly a rebellion to speak of. It would have been more adequately titled DARKBEAST DOOM or DARKBEAST DRUGERY.
I expected a rebellion, but is seems the author is just dragging things on to make this a trilogy. The ending is slightly more conclusive than the first book, but hardly the ending I was expecting.
June 19, 2015
This book was recommended to me, however, I didn't realize until I was partway through that this was actually the sequel to the book recommended, and this one didn't make much sense. I guess you have to read the first book first.
August 11, 2016
Keara returns with her friend Goran. They search for Darkers, adults who have refused to slay their Darkbeast.
The plot's pace is very slow, and lacks action or tension.
The threat to Keara is not convincing.
The plot's pace is very slow, and lacks action or tension.
The threat to Keara is not convincing.
November 24, 2013
I would give it 3.5 stars, if I could. Struggled with the rating as it is very, very good - but just didn't hold my interest as consistently as I'd like...
September 24, 2014
Just as amazing as the first! I can't wait for the next in the series.
October 10, 2014
LOVED IT EVEN MORE.
January 10, 2016
Finally, I've found the book! After two years...
It was a good book, I remember. But the ending was kinda 'whoop!'
It was a good book, I remember. But the ending was kinda 'whoop!'
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews