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The Legendsong #1
Darkfall
Book one of The Legendsong is set in a mysterious, uncertain world that only Carmody could create. After the death of her parents and her beloved instructor, Wind, Glynn devotes herself to the care of her sick twin sister, feeling her own life to be unimportant. One night, during a midnight swim, she is swept across the Void to the troubled watery world of Keltor, through a portal created to summon the mythical Unraveller. What is the mysterious connection between Glynn's world and Keltor? And why does the man who rescued her from the waves bear an eerie resemblance to Wind? While it stands on its own as an absorbing, seductive and powerful novel, the sequels to Darkfall will be eagerly awaited.
416 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1997
24 people are currently reading
2488 people want to read
About the author
Isobelle Carmody
104 books1,736 followersIsobelle Carmody began the first novel of her highly acclaimed Obernewtyn Chronicles while she was still in high school. The series has established her at the forefront of fantasy writing in Australia.
In addition to her young-adult novels, such as the Obernewtyn Chronicles and Alyzon Whitestarr, Isobelle's published works include several middle-grade fantasies. Her still-unfinished Gateway Trilogy has been favorably compared to The Wizard of Oz and the Chronicles of Narnia. The Little Fur quartet is an eco-fantasy starring a half-elf, half-troll heroine and is fully illustrated by the author herself.
Isobelle's most recent picture book, Magic Night, is a collaboration with illustrator Declan Lee. Originally published in Australia as The Wrong Thing, the book features an ordinary housecat who stumbles upon something otherworldly. Across all her writing, Isobelle shows a talent for balancing the mundane and the fantastic.
Isobelle was the guest of honor at the 2007 Australian National Science Fiction Convention. She has received numerous honors for her writing, including multiple Aurealis Awards and Children's Book Council of Australia Awards.
She currently divides her time between her home on the Great Ocean Road in Australia and her travels abroad with her partner and daughter.
Librarian's note: Penguin Australia is publishing the Obernewtyn Chronicles in six books, and The Stone Key is book five. In the United States and Canada this series is published by Random House in eight books; this Penguin Australia book is split into two parts and published as Wavesong (Book Five) and The Stone Key (Book Six).
In addition to her young-adult novels, such as the Obernewtyn Chronicles and Alyzon Whitestarr, Isobelle's published works include several middle-grade fantasies. Her still-unfinished Gateway Trilogy has been favorably compared to The Wizard of Oz and the Chronicles of Narnia. The Little Fur quartet is an eco-fantasy starring a half-elf, half-troll heroine and is fully illustrated by the author herself.
Isobelle's most recent picture book, Magic Night, is a collaboration with illustrator Declan Lee. Originally published in Australia as The Wrong Thing, the book features an ordinary housecat who stumbles upon something otherworldly. Across all her writing, Isobelle shows a talent for balancing the mundane and the fantastic.
Isobelle was the guest of honor at the 2007 Australian National Science Fiction Convention. She has received numerous honors for her writing, including multiple Aurealis Awards and Children's Book Council of Australia Awards.
She currently divides her time between her home on the Great Ocean Road in Australia and her travels abroad with her partner and daughter.
Librarian's note: Penguin Australia is publishing the Obernewtyn Chronicles in six books, and The Stone Key is book five. In the United States and Canada this series is published by Random House in eight books; this Penguin Australia book is split into two parts and published as Wavesong (Book Five) and The Stone Key (Book Six).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 28, 2018
Firstly I just want to mention that this story is quite simply fun to read. Despite all the deep and meaningful stuff that I'm about to go into concerning what I read between the lines of this fantasy adventure, the book isn't difficult, and is paced beautifully. The story is simply filled with crowning moments of awesome. All this other stuff I'm about to talk about, a reader can safely ignore and still enjoy the story. The world of Keltor is authentic, complicated and beautiful; a broken utopia which the two main characters struggle to navigate without creating any disasters in their wake, though they frequently do.
That reminds me of one thing that might detract for some, though I liked it: the conflict in this story is to a large extent of the political or manipulative kind, rather than the standard fantasy fare of pitched battles and violence, either physical or magical. There is action, but mostly the really cool stuff is when Ember or Glynn somehow manage to weasel or finesse their way safely through the politics and deception that they're frequently surrounded by.
So. It occurred to me recently, what sets Isobelle Carmody apart from other authors. When I think about other modern authors I know of, how many dare to comment on and criticize today's society through their fiction? I just started reading Jane Eyre (I know, not a likely comparison), and Charlotte Bronte referred to Vanity Fair in the preface, which I read a while ago. One thing that I noticed about both William Thackeray and "Currer Bell" was that they both commented on the society of their time. Very few modern authors I can think of care to comment on today's society. I've read many books that mirror our society, sometimes the more seamy parts of it (as if that creates depth by itself), but you read between the lines of many such works, and just come up with nothing more than a soulless reflection. Carmody, in this series and in Alyzon Whitestarr particularly, but also in her other works, creates a compassionate subtextual commentary on the common beliefs of today's society for her YA audience to reflect upon if they're so inclined.
It seems perfectly likely to me that a strong and selfless character like Glynn would be largely shunned by today's society, and that the weaker, more selfish Ember would get all the attention. Apparently many of Glynn's difficulties are orchestrated by the "watcher" who directs the story, but she seems like many of the teenagers I knew in school who were ostracized: socially clumsy, but gentle, more likely to endure torment than to inflict it, or even to retaliate against it, even if they were quite able to; quicker to defend a friend than themselves. She's a slight Mary Sue, but it seems to me that she's only enough so to create Carmody's subtext. Meanwhile Ember's journey of self-discovery could be looked at as hyperbole created to demonstrate the many aspects of the conflicting forces of despair and hope that we all have within us at times.
Which is probably the major theme of the story: hope vs despair. It's nice to have a fantasy story where the forces of good and evil are a bit more than two not very distinguishable groups, one of which, much like Pinky and the Brain, have decided to TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD! Or destroy it... whatever. It's nice to have characters that are fighting something that anyone and everyone has encountered from time to time. It seems to me that in the figurative sense at least, the Song and Chaos Spirit are essentially real.
One last thought: if you happen to read Alyzon Whitestarr, I suspect that it's meant to be set in the same universe as this series.
2018 edit: the trilogy is still unfinished! Grr. Something I've thought is that the book itself is like one of those tapestries that seers in the books create. They have these visions during which they create the tapestries, which become prophecies about the future. Once the vision is over they stop weaving and leave the tapestry unfinished. These tapestries are nonetheless highly prized for their rarity and beauty, which is kind of how I feel about this book. Is that... a bit too meta of me?
That reminds me of one thing that might detract for some, though I liked it: the conflict in this story is to a large extent of the political or manipulative kind, rather than the standard fantasy fare of pitched battles and violence, either physical or magical. There is action, but mostly the really cool stuff is when Ember or Glynn somehow manage to weasel or finesse their way safely through the politics and deception that they're frequently surrounded by.
So. It occurred to me recently, what sets Isobelle Carmody apart from other authors. When I think about other modern authors I know of, how many dare to comment on and criticize today's society through their fiction? I just started reading Jane Eyre (I know, not a likely comparison), and Charlotte Bronte referred to Vanity Fair in the preface, which I read a while ago. One thing that I noticed about both William Thackeray and "Currer Bell" was that they both commented on the society of their time. Very few modern authors I can think of care to comment on today's society. I've read many books that mirror our society, sometimes the more seamy parts of it (as if that creates depth by itself), but you read between the lines of many such works, and just come up with nothing more than a soulless reflection. Carmody, in this series and in Alyzon Whitestarr particularly, but also in her other works, creates a compassionate subtextual commentary on the common beliefs of today's society for her YA audience to reflect upon if they're so inclined.
It seems perfectly likely to me that a strong and selfless character like Glynn would be largely shunned by today's society, and that the weaker, more selfish Ember would get all the attention. Apparently many of Glynn's difficulties are orchestrated by the "watcher" who directs the story, but she seems like many of the teenagers I knew in school who were ostracized: socially clumsy, but gentle, more likely to endure torment than to inflict it, or even to retaliate against it, even if they were quite able to; quicker to defend a friend than themselves. She's a slight Mary Sue, but it seems to me that she's only enough so to create Carmody's subtext. Meanwhile Ember's journey of self-discovery could be looked at as hyperbole created to demonstrate the many aspects of the conflicting forces of despair and hope that we all have within us at times.
Which is probably the major theme of the story: hope vs despair. It's nice to have a fantasy story where the forces of good and evil are a bit more than two not very distinguishable groups, one of which, much like Pinky and the Brain, have decided to TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD! Or destroy it... whatever. It's nice to have characters that are fighting something that anyone and everyone has encountered from time to time. It seems to me that in the figurative sense at least, the Song and Chaos Spirit are essentially real.
One last thought: if you happen to read Alyzon Whitestarr, I suspect that it's meant to be set in the same universe as this series.
2018 edit: the trilogy is still unfinished! Grr. Something I've thought is that the book itself is like one of those tapestries that seers in the books create. They have these visions during which they create the tapestries, which become prophecies about the future. Once the vision is over they stop weaving and leave the tapestry unfinished. These tapestries are nonetheless highly prized for their rarity and beauty, which is kind of how I feel about this book. Is that... a bit too meta of me?
April 18, 2015
This is a difficult book to review. Let me give you some insight into my confusion:
1) It took me almost a YEAR to finish this book. Granted, this is a long book, but I've read longer books a lot faster than this one. I read and research for a living. Reading is not hard. But I often found myself letting this book languish for weeks (and even months, unfortunately!).
2) When I could be arsed to pick up this book, I often found myself reading for hours on end because I was enjoying it so much. Explain that one to me...
3) As far as world-building goes, this fantasy was top-notch. Rumor (fact?) has it that JRR Tolkien wrote numerous unpublished histories and linguistic treatises on the people and worlds of Middle Earth in order to create a fantasy world with multiple layers, only some of which the reader would ever know. One can't help but think that maybe a similar level of research and exploration done by Carmody went into this work as well. The level of detail is pretty astonishing. However...
4) It felt like this book was too long by half because of all the unnecessary details. For some reason, when Tolkien does it it adds to the book. But in this case, I felt like the plot got lost in a mire of unimportant details. If you asked me to explain the religious/political conflicts of this book beyond the most basic level, I don't think I could. I still can't tell you the relationship between the Unraveller, the Draaka, the Unykorn, the human world, and the telepathic ferret-- I mean, fienna.
5) I really enjoyed Carmody's writing-style. Again, there were some scenes were I was left thinking "why does this matter? get back to the story!" but often enough, I was transfixed.
6) The characters were great. I have no complaints about them whatsoever. :)
Will I be picking up the next in the series? I honestly can't say. When I finished the book today I was ravenous to pick up the next. But I have a notion that once that feeling passes I won't be rushing to find a copy after all.
1) It took me almost a YEAR to finish this book. Granted, this is a long book, but I've read longer books a lot faster than this one. I read and research for a living. Reading is not hard. But I often found myself letting this book languish for weeks (and even months, unfortunately!).
2) When I could be arsed to pick up this book, I often found myself reading for hours on end because I was enjoying it so much. Explain that one to me...
3) As far as world-building goes, this fantasy was top-notch. Rumor (fact?) has it that JRR Tolkien wrote numerous unpublished histories and linguistic treatises on the people and worlds of Middle Earth in order to create a fantasy world with multiple layers, only some of which the reader would ever know. One can't help but think that maybe a similar level of research and exploration done by Carmody went into this work as well. The level of detail is pretty astonishing. However...
4) It felt like this book was too long by half because of all the unnecessary details. For some reason, when Tolkien does it it adds to the book. But in this case, I felt like the plot got lost in a mire of unimportant details. If you asked me to explain the religious/political conflicts of this book beyond the most basic level, I don't think I could. I still can't tell you the relationship between the Unraveller, the Draaka, the Unykorn, the human world, and the telepathic ferret-- I mean, fienna.
5) I really enjoyed Carmody's writing-style. Again, there were some scenes were I was left thinking "why does this matter? get back to the story!" but often enough, I was transfixed.
6) The characters were great. I have no complaints about them whatsoever. :)
Will I be picking up the next in the series? I honestly can't say. When I finished the book today I was ravenous to pick up the next. But I have a notion that once that feeling passes I won't be rushing to find a copy after all.
February 23, 2022
This is one of my all-time favourite books. I guess I just love the subtle, sad beauty in it. I love the main characters, two strong and intriguing girls who struggle with self doubt inside themselves, but shine brightly to those who look upon them.
It's also kinda cool that the girls are Australians. But that wasn't really an important part of the story, not to me anyway.
It's the first fantasy I've ever liked which interwove my own world with a very different, alien one.
There are also yummy boys in the book to keep my interest.
It's also kinda cool that the girls are Australians. But that wasn't really an important part of the story, not to me anyway.
It's the first fantasy I've ever liked which interwove my own world with a very different, alien one.
There are also yummy boys in the book to keep my interest.
July 3, 2009
This was well-written and had a great premise and interesting characters, so I couldn't understand why I just couldn't get into it. I kept finding myself skipping sections because I didn't care about them. I think there might have been too much about the politics of the world, but I can't say because my brain automatically tunes out when it comes across paragraphs describing the political tension between this kingdom and that kingdom and why certain factions can't get on and how past events and historic battles along with ignorance and superstition have led to ongoing animosity between the Keltorans and the Myrmidions, and prophecies have spoken of a great battle to come.... Zzzzzzz. That is my biggest pet peeve about fantasy.
Also, I thought Glynn was way more interesting than Perfect Mary-Sueish Ember and resented the many sections about the latter when I just wanted to hear about what was happening to the former.
Also, I thought Glynn was way more interesting than Perfect Mary-Sueish Ember and resented the many sections about the latter when I just wanted to hear about what was happening to the former.
May 6, 2009
Really really good. I love Glynn.
July 1, 2014
Probably 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up. This was a really unique book for me. A few times I had to force myself through it though. I was interested enough to want to see what happens but confused enough to also want to toss it aside. I'm very glad I didn't. I love the author's language and style. I will be seeking out more of her stuff, in addition to finishing this series I hope.
I think some of the things that she "revealed" later would have been much better told up front. Some of the mystery was more annoyance than intrigue. For the whole first 1/4 of the book I was confused. Then I was vaguely confused but invested. I felt like I needed a glossary or something as well. I'm not sure if it's because it's a "different world" fantasy or if it's Australian stuff I don't know?
However, some beautiful lines, a lovely story, and intense world and characters. The world itself, the separate lands of it, all characters in their own right.
Worth reading, if you're struggling, I encourage you to persevere.
I think some of the things that she "revealed" later would have been much better told up front. Some of the mystery was more annoyance than intrigue. For the whole first 1/4 of the book I was confused. Then I was vaguely confused but invested. I felt like I needed a glossary or something as well. I'm not sure if it's because it's a "different world" fantasy or if it's Australian stuff I don't know?
However, some beautiful lines, a lovely story, and intense world and characters. The world itself, the separate lands of it, all characters in their own right.
Worth reading, if you're struggling, I encourage you to persevere.
August 3, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed this book from the prolific (series-wise) but exceedingly slow-writing Isobelle Carmody. I took this with me on a skiing trip to Canada this year. There were many mornings when I had trouble dragging myself out of bed early enough to get first tracks on the snow. I found the story very exciting, intensified by the fact that Carmody split the story between the twin sisters Glynn and Ember. The chapters were long and with each change there was a point of view change between Glynn and Ember and back again. Each change happened at an exciting, mini cliffhanger-type moment which really kept the pace of the book moving along. I would get to the end of a chapter, read a particularly exciting part and then really want to get back to that part of the story, and so I would have to read the next 2 chapters (at least). That's how 10:30 pm can become 1:30 am in the turn of a page. And so, many late nights and yawny mornings whilst reading this book.
July 20, 2010
Ever since I read Obernewtyn by Carmody I always seek out her books. I have a small weakness for strong female characters in well constructed novels and Carmody really knows her strong female characters! Darkfall introduced me to an older more mature Isobelle, while I love the Obernewtyn chronicles while reading them (especially now that I am older) you get a real sense of how young she was when she wrote them. Darkfall has a maturity and a sense of loneliness and responsibility that no one could write when they were a teenager. I felt much more satisfied when I reached the end of this book, now if only would finally finish the third book I would be very happy.
March 14, 2023
Absolute slog of an audio book at more than 18 hours long but an intriguing premise - similar to Narnia, the world Keltor and it’s inhabitants have a connection and portal to our earth.
I don’t read much fantasy but I have read ASOIAF and LOTR which are probably both unfair comparisons given the verisimilitude in the world building in both those series is top shelf.
Things to love though - the heroines are mostly female and written by an Aussie so I will definitely be getting into volume two soon and hanging out for the final part of the trilogy to be written and published.
I don’t read much fantasy but I have read ASOIAF and LOTR which are probably both unfair comparisons given the verisimilitude in the world building in both those series is top shelf.
Things to love though - the heroines are mostly female and written by an Aussie so I will definitely be getting into volume two soon and hanging out for the final part of the trilogy to be written and published.
February 5, 2016
So dissapointed having read and loved the Obernewtyn series. I'm not good with anything that gets too heavy in to politics especially when it takes so long to get an idea of what everyone is on about on this parralel universe. I have currently given up 2 chapters from the end although I will finish it eventually. I don't think ill bother with the fest of the series though.
October 30, 2011
Beautiful story. Am waiting for the last one to come out!
September 5, 2019
A complex, deep and sometimes difficult read but always worth it. A wondrous masterpiece.
September 4, 2023
If Isobelle Carmody doesn't finish this series before the end of her life I might just die with her
July 13, 2024
A weird and original fantasy novel, very much of the late 1990s and early 2000s period. This novel seems a very genuine and earnest attempt to blend slipstream postmodernism with epic fantasy, with a stunningly original portal fantasy mirror world, a bunch of islands each with their own sept of magic, and two girls from Earth who end up lost in this parallel world.
As modern as the premise might seem, it felt dated and not very well done. The prose is from an era where urgency and snap was far less important, and it luxuriates in purple without being particularly well crafted or aesthetically pleasing. For a book that has little pace, it's not very character-driven: it's got some semblance of a plot, but the main point of the book is really the worldbuilding and misty aesthetic of the whole thing, not really any sort of genre storyline. It's a patient story that could probably afford to be less patient - we spend possibly the first 60% of the book in exposition for both characters, and the travel and minimal conflict really only begin in the last quarter of the book. The interludes and epigraphs that color the narrative were confusing and unnecessary, and seemed to me an attempt to be somewhat literary (again, for the time, very cool!).
There are some very cool ideas in this book that just don't pop off the page very well because of the vibey mess that the narration creates. I might be interested in reading the second book to see if these clarify themselves with a little bit more plot setup, but it will be on a short leash.
Rating: 5.5/10.
As modern as the premise might seem, it felt dated and not very well done. The prose is from an era where urgency and snap was far less important, and it luxuriates in purple without being particularly well crafted or aesthetically pleasing. For a book that has little pace, it's not very character-driven: it's got some semblance of a plot, but the main point of the book is really the worldbuilding and misty aesthetic of the whole thing, not really any sort of genre storyline. It's a patient story that could probably afford to be less patient - we spend possibly the first 60% of the book in exposition for both characters, and the travel and minimal conflict really only begin in the last quarter of the book. The interludes and epigraphs that color the narrative were confusing and unnecessary, and seemed to me an attempt to be somewhat literary (again, for the time, very cool!).
There are some very cool ideas in this book that just don't pop off the page very well because of the vibey mess that the narration creates. I might be interested in reading the second book to see if these clarify themselves with a little bit more plot setup, but it will be on a short leash.
Rating: 5.5/10.
May 16, 2024
You always meet complex characters in Isobelle Carmody's books and can easily become engrossed in the worlds she creates. This book had a lot of what I loved about her Obernewtyn series and I definitely enjoyed it, although perhaps not quite as much as Obernewtyn. Having a main character with amusia and making it a somewhat central point but not overblown was engaging and original, and just generally having characters who live with various disabilities which are at times even strengths when put in the perspective of different world-views is a refreshing approach. This, coupled with the diversity of Carmody's characters in background and perspective/morals really forces you to interrogate ableism, racism, sexism and many other similar -isms and their pervasive role not only in society, but also in fantasy as a genre.
Despite enjoying most of the book, I did find the segue sections rather repetitive and not particularly deep and engaging, with the connections drawn either too obvious or too forced. I did also find the focus on drowning and related metaphors difficult to personal reasons, so a warning if that's an issue as there was a very strong focus on that. Although, I'm definitely invested in the fate of Ember and Glynn and will read the rest of the series (if the last book eventually comes out/is written).
Despite enjoying most of the book, I did find the segue sections rather repetitive and not particularly deep and engaging, with the connections drawn either too obvious or too forced. I did also find the focus on drowning and related metaphors difficult to personal reasons, so a warning if that's an issue as there was a very strong focus on that. Although, I'm definitely invested in the fate of Ember and Glynn and will read the rest of the series (if the last book eventually comes out/is written).
March 14, 2023
I love this book dearly. I cannot believe that the Legendsong series remains unfinished. I met Isobelle Carmody at a signing once and asked her about it. She said that her publishers were not interested in her writing another, but that she would get to it in 11 years. That was over 11 years ago.
I am revisiting Darkfall in audiobook form. I wish that Carmody had not narrated it herself; her accents slides wildly all over the place and make it hard to enjoy.
I am revisiting Darkfall in audiobook form. I wish that Carmody had not narrated it herself; her accents slides wildly all over the place and make it hard to enjoy.
December 2, 2017
Reviewed months after reading
A fun read
A fun read
November 13, 2018
AMAZING.
March 8, 2019
Too much telling, takes too long to introduce a hook.
December 17, 2022
I struggled to follow the story and truly understand what was going on. It’s a good concept though
Read
February 1, 2023DNF. Might come back to it one day but found it a bit hard to get into.
July 13, 2023
I only read Glynn's portions of the book. Had never done that before in my life - back in Year 12? I think. Loved it. Have read it a couple of times since.
March 31, 2024
Love this book just as much as I did when I was 13
June 7, 2013
Everything about this story could have been great, and the first half at least was satisfying. What really let the book down for me was not the fact that the theme of politics was a prominent one, that I could have dealt with, it was the dry and boring way in which the politics were explained again and again and again. On top of that, there was so much dry dialogue (mainly in Ember's chapters between the soulweavers and the myrmidons) where things were unnecessarily picked apart and explained away as if the reader couldn't use their common sense........it was just so frustrating!!! The chapters where the soulweavers and myrmidons would painstakingly explain away every possible turn of events and every little detail were just tedious and pointless. Yes this is a foreign world and no the reader can't know how this world functions without being told, but that doesn't mean that long explanations should be forced unnaturally into the dialogue of characters - there needed to be a limit.
The other aspect of the problem was that as a reader, I felt like the writing didn't allow me to use my common sense - you are TOLD everything instead of being showed and being allowed to make assumptions. This is evident in many of the little details - for example, if someone was anxious and panicked because they thought their secret evil plan would be discovered, instead of simply saying "so-and-so laughed awkwardly" or "their was a strained look in her eyes", we were obviously too stupid to understand and so you can almost always find sentences like "She let out a forced-sounding laugh, indicating she feared that her part in the plan would be revealed" - well duh !
Apart from that I really enjoyed the story (at least Glynn's part was written well) - the most exciting parts were when there was glimmers of action, namely with the feinna and the Draaka, but there needed to be MORE action ! Things moved along too slowly sometimes. I also felt like there was an absence of a climax, just a more fast-paced turning of events towards the end instead, which was O, but I didn't find it really intense or as exciting as it should have been.
I want to read the sequel because I want to know what happens, I just hope the writing won't be as tedious because it was a struggle to get through some parts of the book.
The other aspect of the problem was that as a reader, I felt like the writing didn't allow me to use my common sense - you are TOLD everything instead of being showed and being allowed to make assumptions. This is evident in many of the little details - for example, if someone was anxious and panicked because they thought their secret evil plan would be discovered, instead of simply saying "so-and-so laughed awkwardly" or "their was a strained look in her eyes", we were obviously too stupid to understand and so you can almost always find sentences like "She let out a forced-sounding laugh, indicating she feared that her part in the plan would be revealed" - well duh !
Apart from that I really enjoyed the story (at least Glynn's part was written well) - the most exciting parts were when there was glimmers of action, namely with the feinna and the Draaka, but there needed to be MORE action ! Things moved along too slowly sometimes. I also felt like there was an absence of a climax, just a more fast-paced turning of events towards the end instead, which was O, but I didn't find it really intense or as exciting as it should have been.
I want to read the sequel because I want to know what happens, I just hope the writing won't be as tedious because it was a struggle to get through some parts of the book.
February 13, 2014
What must be a long time ago now I had a Borders voucher and wanted to get 'bang-for-buck' on an Isobelle Carmody book. I was up to Ashling in the Obernewtyn series, but Darkfall was such a thick and inviting book I had to go with that option. And though it has taken a couple of years (and two trys) to get through it, I'm glad I did.
This is not a light, easy read. It's complicated, emotional, deep and at times a little confusing. The first time I read it I got half way before I needed a break and then forgot about it. The second time round I found I understood the deeper hidden meanings a little more and though it took me a few weeks I got all the way through and enjoyed it immensely.
What Carmody does best is fusion genres that blend a little of something with a little fantasy. She does it in a way that is both believable and enchanting. Darkfall is no different, the blend between the real life drama of the word we live in and the epic fantasy of a whole other world with three moons and a sun named Kalinda is just breathtaking.
The characters have such a rich depth (more so even than Obernewtyn, I think) and the story is so well thought out and woven together that I can imagine the following books being just as amazing.
The only fault is that it is long. It's hard work to get through. I think if it was a third shorter that would be idea. But this isn't that much of a big deal because although it's hard work - it's good hard work. If I could give it an extra half a star I would.
This is not a light, easy read. It's complicated, emotional, deep and at times a little confusing. The first time I read it I got half way before I needed a break and then forgot about it. The second time round I found I understood the deeper hidden meanings a little more and though it took me a few weeks I got all the way through and enjoyed it immensely.
What Carmody does best is fusion genres that blend a little of something with a little fantasy. She does it in a way that is both believable and enchanting. Darkfall is no different, the blend between the real life drama of the word we live in and the epic fantasy of a whole other world with three moons and a sun named Kalinda is just breathtaking.
The characters have such a rich depth (more so even than Obernewtyn, I think) and the story is so well thought out and woven together that I can imagine the following books being just as amazing.
The only fault is that it is long. It's hard work to get through. I think if it was a third shorter that would be idea. But this isn't that much of a big deal because although it's hard work - it's good hard work. If I could give it an extra half a star I would.
Read
July 25, 2012I don't know what to rate this book.
...
I didn't finish it.
Not because it was overly bad, it just isn't my type of book and I didn't feel prepared to invest my time in a book which was so long.
The reason why I read this book was because the author was coming to my school, and I felt the need to have actually read something by her when she came. I only ended up reading 50 pages of her writing before she arrived. She was a great speaker and I really enjoyed her talk.
However, I wasn't thrilled with Darkfall. It was too confusing and I felt like the stakes weren't high enough - sure, Glynn needed to get back to her own world. But... she had been there for 40 pages and she still hadn't done anything, just gone with what was going on around her. It sort of bored me, and the Keltor politics were way too confusing.
Maybe this was the wrong I.C. book to start with.
I'm sorry, I wish I did like this book enough to go through with it. But I finally have The Lost Hero at the end of my bed and I can't resist the pull of Rick Riordan. Sorry, but I have to ditch this.
[Note: I have started TLH and it's already brilliant XD]
...
I didn't finish it.
Not because it was overly bad, it just isn't my type of book and I didn't feel prepared to invest my time in a book which was so long.
The reason why I read this book was because the author was coming to my school, and I felt the need to have actually read something by her when she came. I only ended up reading 50 pages of her writing before she arrived. She was a great speaker and I really enjoyed her talk.
However, I wasn't thrilled with Darkfall. It was too confusing and I felt like the stakes weren't high enough - sure, Glynn needed to get back to her own world. But... she had been there for 40 pages and she still hadn't done anything, just gone with what was going on around her. It sort of bored me, and the Keltor politics were way too confusing.
Maybe this was the wrong I.C. book to start with.
I'm sorry, I wish I did like this book enough to go through with it. But I finally have The Lost Hero at the end of my bed and I can't resist the pull of Rick Riordan. Sorry, but I have to ditch this.
[Note: I have started TLH and it's already brilliant XD]
December 4, 2014
Absolutely LOVE Isobelle Carmody, I was not disappointed with this read. It was reminiscent of her childrens series "The Gateway Trilogy"- but only in the sense that our world mixes magically with another more mystical one ^_^
I Loved the characters we met, I also loved that she described the characters in great detail (there are asian looking characters, my imagination doesn't imagine specific races, so i am always super shocked when i watch the movie or read the comic and discover the characters are all very different to how i imagined >_< ). I Loved the characters we meeet, they are your average, ordinary, super humans! with their own frailties, sad histories, drama filled lives.
I Loved the world she created for this, it was so full and magical! Having legends and prophecies, religions and counter cults! haha I loved it! so exciting.
I really loved this book. I think this will be another favourite (depending on how it ends ^_^ )
I Loved the characters we met, I also loved that she described the characters in great detail (there are asian looking characters, my imagination doesn't imagine specific races, so i am always super shocked when i watch the movie or read the comic and discover the characters are all very different to how i imagined >_< ). I Loved the characters we meeet, they are your average, ordinary, super humans! with their own frailties, sad histories, drama filled lives.
I Loved the world she created for this, it was so full and magical! Having legends and prophecies, religions and counter cults! haha I loved it! so exciting.
I really loved this book. I think this will be another favourite (depending on how it ends ^_^ )
November 22, 2020
It’s a good story and I enjoyed it, but I was just confused at certain points but I really enjoyed the writing
- quite a confusing plot line, all the names and places and different stories had my head spinning and to be totally honest, I still have no idea what’s going on in relation to the history of the world
- I like the appearance of “the watcher” to show the correlation of both worlds, to represent the connection
- I liked ember and Glynn but they seem like the same character to be honest, they don’t have specific character traits to define them and they simply feel like I’m reading from the same perspective just in a different setting
- I enjoyed the world building and the magic system, it really made it all intriguing and interesting
- the ending HAD ME SO ANGRY (in a good way, in a way that made me excited for the next book)
- quite a confusing plot line, all the names and places and different stories had my head spinning and to be totally honest, I still have no idea what’s going on in relation to the history of the world
- I like the appearance of “the watcher” to show the correlation of both worlds, to represent the connection
- I liked ember and Glynn but they seem like the same character to be honest, they don’t have specific character traits to define them and they simply feel like I’m reading from the same perspective just in a different setting
- I enjoyed the world building and the magic system, it really made it all intriguing and interesting
- the ending HAD ME SO ANGRY (in a good way, in a way that made me excited for the next book)
July 19, 2017
I was really disappointed with this book.
I read the Obernewtyn Chronicles which I really loved, so I was looking forward to reading something else from Isobelle Carmody.
I found this book difficult to follow with the different political climates and people from the different islands on the world.
There were moments where I really enjoyed the book, but then it would go into detail again about the political environment and viewpoints and I just got lost again.
Very disappointing, I don't think I will put in the effort to read the remaining books.
I read the Obernewtyn Chronicles which I really loved, so I was looking forward to reading something else from Isobelle Carmody.
I found this book difficult to follow with the different political climates and people from the different islands on the world.
There were moments where I really enjoyed the book, but then it would go into detail again about the political environment and viewpoints and I just got lost again.
Very disappointing, I don't think I will put in the effort to read the remaining books.
December 20, 2016
I really like this series, though I found it hard to get into at first. When I initially attempted to read it (aged maybe 18), I found the story unbelievable - stretching believability too far. However, when I tried again some years later, I think I understood better the journey Carmody is trying to take us on. There's something about the strength and vulnerability of the two lead characters that really resonated for me, and left me wanting to spend more time with them. I look forward to seeing where the story heads when the third and final book are released.
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