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Dark Summer
When Eddie discovers a secret passage in Wookey Hole caves, he just has to find out where it goes. But his amazement quickly turns to horror when he gets lost in the dark. He's underground, on his own, and nobody knows where he is ...Until a hand reaches out of the blackness. A strange, pale girl helps Eddie get back to the surface, but she can't seem to leave the caves herself. Who is she? Or rather ...what is she? And what other secrets is she hiding? Only one thing is certain - this is a summer Eddie will never forget.
A captivating adventure from the author of Frozen in Time - winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award!
A captivating adventure from the author of Frozen in Time - winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award!
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
9 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Ali Sparkes
121 books146 followersAli Sparkes (born 1966) is a British children's author.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 7, 2024
I wish people would put spoilers ACTUALLY AS SPOILERS. Ugh.
August 26, 2014
I read this children's novel in a couple of days on my Kindle, and enjoyed it, but I just knew that the elderly woman who lives in the underground caves in the Mendips would turn out to be Uncle Wilf's lost sweetheart of the 1940s. I could see it coming long before the hero of the story, 12 year-old Eddie Villier. I liked the comic scenes of sibling rivalry, and I am glad that scheming Aunt Kathy got her comeuppance in the end, though not in a nasty way. I hope I haven't spoiled anyone's enjoyment of the ending, but any adult at least, is going to realise before the end that the woman in the cave will be Wilf's lover from decades ago.
The story of children who go to live with a relative or stranger temporarily is a familiar one in childrens' stories, it being used in Tom's Midnight Garden and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, for example. Parents send the child away because of illness or war, child thinks it is going to be boring, child has an unexpected adventure, and the time passes and is sorry when they have to return to their parents. I was very much reminded though, in particular, of Tom's Midnight Garden, by Philippa Pearce, although C S Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe also has some similarities, the portal to another world in this case being some caves rather than a wardrobe.
The story of children who go to live with a relative or stranger temporarily is a familiar one in childrens' stories, it being used in Tom's Midnight Garden and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, for example. Parents send the child away because of illness or war, child thinks it is going to be boring, child has an unexpected adventure, and the time passes and is sorry when they have to return to their parents. I was very much reminded though, in particular, of Tom's Midnight Garden, by Philippa Pearce, although C S Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe also has some similarities, the portal to another world in this case being some caves rather than a wardrobe.
April 16, 2020
I love Sparkes punchy, readable prose which pulled me right into the middle of this adventure from the first word. It didn’t hurt that the narration by Tom Lawrence was excellent and Eddie is a thoroughly likeable boy. He’s in a hard place at the start of the book – sent off to stay with his aunt while his mother recovers from a gruelling round of chemotherapy. Sparkes doesn’t go into major details about the treatment, but during the course of the book there are enough clues for us to draw that conclusion. I like the fact she didn’t spell out exactly what the illness was, giving parents and carers the option of going into more detail if the young reader is at all curious. It doesn’t help that his cousin, Darren is a bullying thug who thinks nothing of regularly beating Eddie up, mostly because of his ginger hair. Eddie is an only child who is close to his parents, and you get the sense that he is highly intelligent and probably more comfortable with adults than with his peers.
A peculiar and slightly scary encounter during an outing to Wookey caves leaves Eddie with a season ticket and a need to return to find out whether it had all been some weird waking dream. It wasn’t. I don’t want to go into the plot too much more, because it would be a real shame to spoil this tightly structured, clever story which gripped me throughout. All the characters rang true – something that doesn’t always happen in children’s fiction – and most were doing their best under difficult circumstances. There are also flashes of humour throughout, which help defuse some of the darker elements, without whitewashing them.
The villain in the story was chillingly normal. I do get fed up with pantomime baddies that so often occur in children’s fiction, and I think does them a real disservice. Sparkes’ antagonist is very plausible, who manages to persuade most people that she is just trying to do her “Christian duty”.
While the overall pacing starts off being reasonably measured, as the story progresses, the action ramps up along with the tension, so that by the end I was finding it difficult to turn this one off and walk away when my chores were done. The ending works really well and I found it unexpectedly moving. All in all, this is another stormingly good read by an excellent author who deserves to be far better known.
10/10
A peculiar and slightly scary encounter during an outing to Wookey caves leaves Eddie with a season ticket and a need to return to find out whether it had all been some weird waking dream. It wasn’t. I don’t want to go into the plot too much more, because it would be a real shame to spoil this tightly structured, clever story which gripped me throughout. All the characters rang true – something that doesn’t always happen in children’s fiction – and most were doing their best under difficult circumstances. There are also flashes of humour throughout, which help defuse some of the darker elements, without whitewashing them.
The villain in the story was chillingly normal. I do get fed up with pantomime baddies that so often occur in children’s fiction, and I think does them a real disservice. Sparkes’ antagonist is very plausible, who manages to persuade most people that she is just trying to do her “Christian duty”.
While the overall pacing starts off being reasonably measured, as the story progresses, the action ramps up along with the tension, so that by the end I was finding it difficult to turn this one off and walk away when my chores were done. The ending works really well and I found it unexpectedly moving. All in all, this is another stormingly good read by an excellent author who deserves to be far better known.
10/10
September 2, 2020
'Dark Summer' is a lovely book. As far as I know, it is an original consisting of an amazing plot and character structure. I really love the idea of an underground world and the reunion of Eddie's Uncle and his wife. I really enjoyed the way the author made his 'pale friend' so close to him and ended up becoming his ally. The book consists of amazing imagery and I was very stunned to see how the character got what they deserved as per their roles. Also, something I really liked about it was that he was close to his old Uncle Wilf which is something that I don't see in a lot of people. Sometimes if someone is old doesn't mean that you shouldn't be nice to them or you can't be friends with, this is also something I hope to become better at in the near future.
I would love to read more books of Ali Sparkes in the future because of her style and originality and most importantly how small and easy it was to read even though it was a novel.
It was very intriguing the whole way through and it is definitely worth recommending!
I would love to read more books of Ali Sparkes in the future because of her style and originality and most importantly how small and easy it was to read even though it was a novel.
It was very intriguing the whole way through and it is definitely worth recommending!
April 21, 2021
It has been a very long time since I have read anything by Ali Sparkes BUT I was not disappointed at all!! I don’t often cry at a book but from chapter 19 onwards I couldn’t stop the tears. Dark Summer sounds by the title a dark, creepy, scary book. It us however just the opposite full of friendship, love, caring and some incredible scenery descriptions and above all fun! I was sucked into the story the first day I started to read and by my second journey into this world I could not put the book down!! A wonderful story that I’m sure all ages of readers will love!!
February 13, 2022
TW elderly abuse
A little more simplistic in terms of plot than other books but I do love how Ali teaches survival techniques in all of their books. Really enjoyed this one and would enjoy more set in this story. I like to think they’re all part of the same aliverse
A little more simplistic in terms of plot than other books but I do love how Ali teaches survival techniques in all of their books. Really enjoyed this one and would enjoy more set in this story. I like to think they’re all part of the same aliverse
June 15, 2022
I got bored. I prefer frozen in time.
Even tho they're kids books I think I still would've preferred frozen in time when I was younger and got a little bored by this.
Even tho they're kids books I think I still would've preferred frozen in time when I was younger and got a little bored by this.
January 22, 2023
The title seemed misleading at first, but in a good way! A very powerful and touching story, really enjoyed it.
Read
March 22, 2017luminobes!!
May 11, 2020
'I know… your light.'
It's been quite a while since I last read this book - five years, I gather - so I wasn't all too sure if I would still like as much as I used to.
There was no need to worry, thankfully.
I guess you can't really call this book very exciting or anything like that. Most of the time, it's just the story of a boy and a girl having fun during a summer holiday. There are only two times when 'stuff happens': 1) when and 2) when Uncle Wilf is taken on a trip... But apart from those chapters, it's just a fun story without too many thrills and hitching breaths. Just what you sometimes need.
Eddie, Gwerren and the others are nice characters, well-written, and Gwerren and her world in specific are very intriguing. Sparkes really outdid herself with this one, it's very original. She puts in some surprises along the way, as well, which you might not really expect. After all, the truth about Gwerren lies rather in the open (well, not literally of course) and you'd think there's not much more to say about it... but apparently there is.
In a way, it reminds me a bit of My Neighbour Totoro , because there too basically nothing happens except for some stuff at the end, and it's just about two kids having fun exploring their surroundings.
All the disco song lyrics cracked me up, too.
And the ending is also nicely done. First of all there's the thing with Uncle Wilf, and secondly it's the final talk Gwerren and Eddie have. The book has a closed ending, but it's perfectly possible to add a sequel to it, and if Sparkes ever writes one, I'll definitely read it.
8/10
It's been quite a while since I last read this book - five years, I gather - so I wasn't all too sure if I would still like as much as I used to.
There was no need to worry, thankfully.
I guess you can't really call this book very exciting or anything like that. Most of the time, it's just the story of a boy and a girl having fun during a summer holiday. There are only two times when 'stuff happens': 1) when and 2) when Uncle Wilf is taken on a trip... But apart from those chapters, it's just a fun story without too many thrills and hitching breaths. Just what you sometimes need.
Eddie, Gwerren and the others are nice characters, well-written, and Gwerren and her world in specific are very intriguing. Sparkes really outdid herself with this one, it's very original. She puts in some surprises along the way, as well, which you might not really expect. After all, the truth about Gwerren lies rather in the open (well, not literally of course) and you'd think there's not much more to say about it... but apparently there is.
In a way, it reminds me a bit of My Neighbour Totoro , because there too basically nothing happens except for some stuff at the end, and it's just about two kids having fun exploring their surroundings.
All the disco song lyrics cracked me up, too.
And the ending is also nicely done. First of all there's the thing with Uncle Wilf, and secondly it's the final talk Gwerren and Eddie have. The book has a closed ending, but it's perfectly possible to add a sequel to it, and if Sparkes ever writes one, I'll definitely read it.
8/10
July 29, 2016
Ali Sparkes has done it once again! After reading Frozen in Time a few months ago I fell in love with her writing style and the way she portrays an adventure, and now after reading Dark Summer, I am there all over again. Sure Frozen in Time still remains one of my favourite books, but this one is not far behind.
Dark Summer follows Eddie, a young boy who discovers a secret passage at the Wookey Hole Caves whilst staying with his Aunt. Eddie becomes auspicious as to what is hidden within the cave and comes across a young, pale girl who he soon befriends and becomes close with. Together they explore the depths of the caves but the girl is hiding a secret.
Sparkes is brilliant at setting location as well as making the characters so interesting to get to know. Also, I love the way she weaves in so cleverly the little twist and turns which have made both of the books I have read of hers to be so intriguing and worth recommending.
The only thing that brought this down to a 4.5 rather than a 5 is that the final twist in the book, I did actually guess quite early on. Apart from that, every other element, characters, plot and suspense were spot on.
I can't stress enough how much I love Ali Sparkes and I really recommend this. You feel like you are there alongside them and part of the mystery which will definitely add to your experience.
Dark Summer follows Eddie, a young boy who discovers a secret passage at the Wookey Hole Caves whilst staying with his Aunt. Eddie becomes auspicious as to what is hidden within the cave and comes across a young, pale girl who he soon befriends and becomes close with. Together they explore the depths of the caves but the girl is hiding a secret.
Sparkes is brilliant at setting location as well as making the characters so interesting to get to know. Also, I love the way she weaves in so cleverly the little twist and turns which have made both of the books I have read of hers to be so intriguing and worth recommending.
The only thing that brought this down to a 4.5 rather than a 5 is that the final twist in the book, I did actually guess quite early on. Apart from that, every other element, characters, plot and suspense were spot on.
I can't stress enough how much I love Ali Sparkes and I really recommend this. You feel like you are there alongside them and part of the mystery which will definitely add to your experience.
June 5, 2014
Un romanzetto leggero, per ragazzi. Quello che mi ha sorpreso e mi ha reso la lettura piu' piacevole e' l'incredibile svolta razionale che il romanzo prende. Perche' all'inizio tutto fa propendere per una risoluzione della storia in chiave paranormale. E invece...
Una lettura per ragazzi che si discosta dalla classica storia di fantasmi. Una bella sorpresa, anche se devo ammetere che, se avessi letto questo libro da adolescente, non lo avrei apprezzato. Amavo troppo le storie di fantasmi!
Una lettura per ragazzi che si discosta dalla classica storia di fantasmi. Una bella sorpresa, anche se devo ammetere che, se avessi letto questo libro da adolescente, non lo avrei apprezzato. Amavo troppo le storie di fantasmi!
August 23, 2015
The book was really good i loved it ! The first chapters were slow a bit but then it sarted to move fast !:) i really liked Eddie's personality he is curious and that is good in some ways . I loved the place he went to with Gwerren inside the caves;) I do recommend this book to children in ages from 12-17 maybe they'll like it:)
Ali sparkes is a great author in my opinion she has her special way of writing which i really love :) thank you Ali sparkes for this great effort!;)
Ali sparkes is a great author in my opinion she has her special way of writing which i really love :) thank you Ali sparkes for this great effort!;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2020
I have read "Frozen in Time" by this author twice now, so was happy to get this book. It is about a boy who is packed away to his highly strung aunt for the summer following his mother's serious illness. The family live near Wookey Hole show caves, and the mystery begins with a secret tunnel, a mysterious meeting with a girl who can see in the dark, and a free summer pass to the caves. Perfect young adult adventure
October 24, 2014
I did like this book. A very easy read with a nice fantasy-like element to it which kept it interesting. My favourite character has to be Wren as she was intriguing and fun. I like books by this author because they are fairly short and don't take long to read. I would definitely recommend this to younger readers as I think they will really like it!
August 11, 2015
I know that it is a children's book but i just love it and i adore Ali's books
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews