World's End (Dormia) by Jake Halpern

Dormia #2

by Jake Halpern

Ever since he returned from Dormia, Alfonso Perplexon has enjoyed sleeping like a normal person. No waking up at the top of a tree, or the edge of a cliff. In fact, no sleepwalking at all.But then, on a class trip to France, Alfonso feels that strange and familiar pull of sleep. The next thing he knows, he finds himself in the belly of a ship headed to Egypt. In his backpack are a few old books and a vial of medicine he stole while asleep.Something is calling alfonso back to Dormia. Perhaps it's the Founding Tree? Or perhaps it's the man he sees in his dreams--the man who looks just like his deceased father? Whatever it is, Alfonso is powerless to resist. And so begins another fantastical quest to Dormia--and beyond.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade, Fiction, Magic, Science Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult

Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Daniel O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dormia.

It's book was a really exiting book, it was a fast paced and action packed. This book was about a young boy named Alfonso who goes on a adventure to save the lost Dormian City of Jasper. This book was a suspenseful, action, and at some times mysterious and sad. Alfonso, throughout his journey, had to face many challenges, and at the end, a terrible dicision. If you enjoy a fast packed, action packed book, I would recommend that you read this.

[Eric H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have currently read worlds end by Jake Halpern and Peter kujawinski this was a very suspenseful book Alfonso is on a field trip to Paris and he is pulled to Alexandria Egypt to the 3 sphinxes and to a secret dormin depot where his dad has been then his friend Bilblox comes to rescue him so they fly to the Ural mountains to find dormia but you will have to read to find out the rest!

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, Miles and I thoroughly enjoyed this one, but the "ending" really put us in a spot. We don't really think it's an ending. Even if there is a sequel, there was a bit too much left unresolved for us.

[Jessy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, but exhausting read, meaning the poor characters hardly ever have a moments rest and are put through the wringer. Typical of a middle book in a trilogy, cliff hangers...cliff hangers everywhere.

[Joshua Hatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading a book called World's End by: Peter Kujawinski and Jake Halpern. (Sequel to Dormia). The main characters are: Alfonso, Bilbox, and Hill. This book is about a 15 year old boy Alfonso, who does really weird stuff in his sleep. I was surprised when GIANT ants attacked Dormia because I didn't expect them to be so big. I was exited when a blizzard hit a plane because Alfonso and Bilbox were flying around everywhere. There is no part so far in this book that I didn't like. THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD! I recommend this book to people who like action, adventure, and fantasy. I can not wait till the next book of this series.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 20 pages from the end, you realize all of the threads of the story can't possibly come to a conclusion... I can't decide whether I'm happy or miffed about that. The pace of this book was definitely better than the start of the series. I hope the third book comes out soon.

[Nick]

Just pick this up, it is the sequel to Dormia. I can't wait to start it!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one for library review committee. Imaginative, action-packed, and an excellent read (discovered a few typos, though, and that's annoying).

[Myrtle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book was great but it just went downhill

[Lynsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The problem I've had with the books in this series is not that they're told in third person omniscient POV - third person omniscient can be done effectively. The problem I have is that because of the POV, the authors weren't able to create a personality for Alfonso. We don't hear the thoughts in his head, we don't see his emotions. We only see his actions and words. He just didn't have a personality. I actually thought Kiril had more character development/depth, and it's not often that an antagonist is supposed to be more interesting than the main character. Because of Alfonso's lack of personality, we also don't see much development in him from the first book, or even throughout this one. We get some awkward teen sexual tension with Resuza, but it felt like this was included just because the authors were ticking boxes of what elements are typically included in a YA fantasy series.
The plot itself still intrigued me though, and this was a quick read. I liked the story more than the first book, but I'm still waiting for something that isn't just "here's a big long journey from point A to point B with a specific endpoint in mind". I want things that are surprising, unsure, and interpersonal.

[Christopher Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate the World's End book by Jake Halpern 4 out of 5 stars because of the action and the intensity of the story. Another reason why I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars is because it has too many mysteries. This is a problem because the book in some chapters does not make sense. Theirs too many things to think about at once, so you can't really enjoy the different stories inside the book. My finale reason of why I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars is because, when you read this book, it feels like your almost inside the story. Everything that happens is very easy to imagine. I've only ever felt this feeling in one other book. That's why I rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

[Saleey]

Dormia was so much better.
I didn’t like the beginning,it was slow but interesting.
But the ending was a different case!! Wow🥵I didn’t see that coming.
I wasn’t planning on reading the next book but the cliffhanger I was left on will definitely make me read it.

I knew what happened to Nartam wasn’t enough to kill him.
So they’re finally going to Dargora.i hope Resuza finds her sister.
Alphonso will have white eyes from now😭😢I hope he’s well,I don’t want anything to happen to him after finally meeting his Dad.
I hope Bilblox has a plan if not I’d be so angry if he gave in to the temptation of the ash.even though he really tried but I don’t want him to join Kiril.

[jazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book years ago and forgot the name, but I finally found it and can say with confidence that this is a great story. I absolutely loved it.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Two down..woop woop. This Dormia trilogy is all over the place with nonstop action sequences, twists, turns and revelations in every chapter, you get the same old characters as well as a mysterious new one in Marta that was intriguing…don’t know if these books were meant to be read concurrently as you really need a break to digest all the information, remember all the secrets, legends and prophecies and as stated there is just too much going on to remember it all as you read, I found myself going back a couple of times to review Josephus’s wisdom and familiarize myself with the beginning discoveries of Alexandria you need to keep going…Okay so plot recap as we rejoin Alphonso who has spent another three years being a boy and now young teenager when again he is mysteriously drawn to sleepwalking an doing stange things and all things Dormia with its strange hidden world of dangerously paranoid sleeping residents with more tricks, villians, foes and freakishly strong and territorial foes. I mean for real these people thought centuries ahead and booby trapped, hid and safeguarded everything it is not even believable at times LOL ..So after ditching his entire class in Paris and heading to Alexandria, Egypt in search of his long lost and thought dead father and summoned to one of Dornia’s eleven cities and one long since forgotten about; the underground lake city of Jasber who boast a different founding tree with better powers after being burnt by emitting a green ash that allows you to see into the future much like Somnos ‘s purple ash but for much longer and indefinitely--one who ingests the ash becomes an ageling capable of changing ages with their mood whose main job is to tell the city only of the Jasber founding tree visions of the future. When ageling Marta and Alphonso’s crew meet up the adventures don’t stop and oh yeah while I am on Alphonso’s crew all my old favs come back; long lost Uncle Hill, conflicted but loyal Bilblox with a new seeing eye wolf, ex slave and now old friend Rasuza, as well as a new love of mine in the bold thieving and pickpocketing Clink who rescued Bilblox in Book One from prison and his cousin Misty a sassy miner who ends up helping out…pause..I could go on for a while here people as there is so much here that I can explain, so many episodes I could go into like with the entirely clear skinned deformed zwosday, the abnormally large snow snakes, the big-as-elephant anteaters and the giant ants, the large dragon inspired flying reptiles called magmons, the highly addictive and delicious lotus berries, the tight narrow depressing catacombs episode, the glider scene, the many doors and walls along the road to the impossibly isolated and protected city of Jasper..whew---!- it was just a lot at one time and I admit I should have paced myself better and slowed down some to savor and reflect as it just overwhelmed me for a minute (ahem then I remembered I am a reading OG tried and tested so I pushed through like a boss ) as it was bogged down with just too much at times so I was going to give it the three star acceptable rating….until the end and the shock of Alphonso and Bilblox both that I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed the last shocking moments so much and I was honestly so surprised I HAD to give it the deserved four star as it was readable to a fault and forces you to recall vital situations and solve puzzles, is action packed for any child yet also complex enough for adults..good read that got better at the end for sure. Now to end my time here, will all my questions get answered????

[Chloe Pelletier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rip my heart out, very sad

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Theresa L. Stowell for TeensReadToo.com

The last three years of Alfonso Perplexon's life have been quiet. In fact, his life has been almost too calm. Ever since he returned to World's End, Minnesota, from saving his father's home country of Dormia, he has been "normal."

However, that's all about to change. When a group of students from his high school visits the catacombs in Paris, his sleepwalking abilities reawaken, and he is thrust into a new mystery.

The pull of the Founding Tree first leads Alfonso to a hexagonal hole under Paris, where he meets another sleeper from Dormia and is told about a dark force that may be rising. Later, while sleeping, he stows away aboard a Romanian ship heading to Egypt.

Slowly and inextricably, Alfonso is being drawn back into the affairs of Dormia. This time, there is a stronger link to his father, whom everyone believes is dead. When a Dragoonya guard tells Alfonso that the Dormians have imprisoned his father, Alfonso has no choice but to find out why.

Readers who enjoyed the first book in the DORMIA series will once again relish following along on Alfonso's globe-hopping adventures. Halpern and Kujawinski introduce a variety of new characters this time around, but also bring back many of the lovable cast from the first book.

WORLD'S END is a well-written book with a complex plot, exotic settings, and a likeable group of misfit characters.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

My thoughts:
The characters are interesting, but I had a hard time investing in them because they live their lives being most productive while they are sleeping. - I have to say that my favorite ones are Alfonso and Bilblox, and of course Bilblox's wolf Korgu. Because of the whole sleeping while they work and such - the world of Dormia was hard for me to get super excited about, although I really enjoyed certain aspects of it. The authors created some amazing landscapes, animals, and history/mythology to go with their world. I loved the giant anteaters and the razor hedge. I was so-so about the snow snakes. The powers that the "Great Sleepers" could use when they entered the state of hypnogogia were great, but once again I struggled with the concept of those powers being used by sleeping people.
The story started out holding my interest and I was enjoying it, but I struggled through the middle. My struggles could have been because of the holidays or circumstance, so I wouldn't make any choices about giving this story a chance based on my opinion of the middle. I feel that the authors made a huge comeback towards the end of the story and it finished strong.
Although I wouldn't call this my favorite read of 2010, I will be getting the first book in the series to check out what happens there and see if I can learn more of Leif's story and more about Alfonso's early life.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, let me say that in the previous book I wasn't specifically happy with the ease and convenience of the 'sleeping state' it kind of takes all the work out of everything that requires effort. While it's fun and kind of a neat idea by the second book, it has elevated Alfonso to near god like abilities, and has become more of a dues ex machina mechanic in the book. Everything can be solved by one or more of his abilities, effectively taking any real danger or threat, other than those imposed on his traveling companions, out of the equation.
That said, I did enjoy the book. Halpern has the ability to create very imaginative settings, and characters, that transport you to a truely fun world. The characters do on some occasions have problems with consistency, such as when Alfonso gives Resuza his special weapon, this is done to advance the plot with it's use but, at the same time, why does he think that she will be able to use it any better than simply throwing a rock at an opponent, or that with his potential upcoming battle with Kiril that she would need it more than him?
The end of the book ends in a cliffhanger, obviously leading in for a new book which I always dread. I feel as if there should be a conclusion that marks the end of the story arc otherwise why not simply continue the book until a resolution takes place?

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining sequel to "Dormia," this book continues in the same vein. One of the things I like about this series in general is that it is a fantasy world set within a real area that is pretty foreign to most of us. How many of us know what hiking through the Ural Mountains would be like? Because of that, even the traveling to get to the fantasy world feels mythical.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ends on a real cliffhanger note, and unfortunately there's no publication date out yet for the third book (at least not that I could find anywhere). The third one is called "The Shadow Tree" and I'm looking forward to it. Until then, it was enjoyable to read, but I'll warn my students that it leaves you hanging.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfonso Perplexon is now three years older than he was in he first in this series. On a class trip to France, he finds the sleepwalking problem he used to have has returned, with far-reaching consequences. Luckily, he still has his friends and contacts from his visit to Dormia. But, something more seems to be in the works. Could his father actually have also been a Great Sleeper? Ad could he possibly still be alive?

In this second in the series, Halpern and Kujawinski deliver even more excellent writing, plotting, action and characterization. The qualities of the world they define are brought into more clarity and create a sizzling feeling of reality. It was difficult to handle the cliff-hanger ending of this second offering, although it does just make my literary mouth wate.

[Araceli]

Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski wrote the second book of Dormia World's End, there is a guy named Alfonso, he lost his father in a young age and he stayed in a lake just to see if he will come out. The place he was in the most was in France were he said that the world is going to end. The theme of the book is about Alfonso trying to save the world and investigating were the part of the world in France that is going to end first. Alfonso get his mom worried because he didn't tell her that he was going to France. He got off the boat and when he was sleep walking he found a lady that helped him so he can save the world.

[Josh Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like most parts of the book because Alfonso is always in the action. One thing that surprised me is instead of Alfonso saving Somnos is he's saving the lost city of Jasber. Along the way he finds out that his dad is in grave danger, and he's the only one who can save him. Here's a shocker when he's riding on a boat he meets an old lady who is really a eight years old. She turns out to be an ageling or a girl who changes age depending on what mood their in. And together they go on a great adventure together with the rest of the group.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say this wasn't as good as Dormia, but it was still very good! I guess it might be me and how I disliked that Korgu Bilblox's seeing dog would take risks and might hurt herself I just don't like to see animals hurt. But it ends at a cliffhanger!!!!!! And it will take a while for the 3rd book to come out!

But that was just my opinion. And I loved how this book is engrossing and quick paced, and yet you can follow what's happening as Alfonso finds out an emotional secret that diggs deep into the past, and may be able to save the ancient city of Jasber!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book about Dormia. Alfonso travels a bit more and returns to Dormia to try to find his father, who he suspects is alive. Kiril the villian in the first book returns to reek more havoc. The book ends in cliff hangers for all the main characters - Alfonso, Hill and Resuza, Bilblock. Now I wish I hadn't read it so soon, because it will be at least a year before the next one.

[Alden]

I'm finished with the book World's End,I think this book is one of the best I've read.This is the second book in the Dormia series and so far I wonder what would happen if they hadn't let Kiril out of the prison? I'm guessing that none of this would happen and Kiril wouldn't have found Jasper. I would recommend this book to people who likes adventure.

[Susan Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read...I actually think I liked it even better than the first one! Lots of adventure and excitement with enough originality to keep my interest. I like a read that is doesn't take the cookie cutter approach, even if it does use familiar elements.

[Kate Hastings]

publisher says ages 9-12

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite fun, except for the occasional moment or two. The ending is rather unexpected, too, which is nice for a change.

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these stories about people who do their best thinking and work while asleep! Lots of fantasy, action and suspense, too. But...I cannot believe the cliff-hanger ending of this second book!

[Dkujawinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get there again.