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The Dark Inside
The House on the Hill has been abandoned for as long as James can remember. So when he discovers Webster, a drifter, hiding there he's instantly curious about the man and what he's running from.
Afflicted by a dark curse, Webster is no longer the person he used to be. But there's said to be a cure and it might just be that by helping Webster, James will find some solace of his own. Together they embark on a journey, not knowing that what they are about to discover will shape them both in ways they never imagined.
This special edition published for Troubador 2014
Afflicted by a dark curse, Webster is no longer the person he used to be. But there's said to be a cure and it might just be that by helping Webster, James will find some solace of his own. Together they embark on a journey, not knowing that what they are about to discover will shape them both in ways they never imagined.
This special edition published for Troubador 2014
360 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
10 people are currently reading
698 people want to read
About the author
Rupert Wallis
5 books16 followersRupert Wallis read Theology at Cambridge University and holds an MFA in Screenwriting and Writing for Television from the University of Southern California. In 2010/11 he was one of five novelists chosen from the South West of England to participate in a mentorship programme funded by the Arts Council. He now lives in Cornwall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 3, 2015
This review was originally posted on Happy Indulgence. Check it out for more reviews!
I'm not actually sure what I just read.
The Dark Inside starts off with James who is abused by his stepfather, runs away from home after finding a new friend - old man Webster who is suffering from PTSD from war. I liked their fast friendship, and the idea of two damaged souls finding a friend in one another, and was curious where their adventures would take us. It's a book filled with adventures, as the duo stumble upon a farm, meet an old man and then get captured by an old woman and her son.
This is where it takes quite an unexpected paranormal turn, when curses and potions and creatures of the night are featured. It also turns quite dark, with several deaths and Webster wanting to be redeemed for his darker 'curse'. The writing never says it outright, but we're lead to believe that Webster has the curse of the werewolf/some other paranormal creature, and the witch and apprentice/old woman and the son are trying to rid him of it. What really threw me off though, was the writing stayed in quite a realistic and believable setting. Is it meant to be magical realism? This is why mixing contemporary and paranormal just doesn't work for me.
Even the actions of the old woman or supposed witch was quite confusing, she is presented as an enemy at the start but comes to care for James later on. We're lead to believe she only wants to help rid Webster of his curse, whereas in reality she's actually holding James hostage and looking to commit murder. It's her presence in the novel that really muddied the waters, with my brain unable to process whether her character was real or imagined as a result of James and Webster's trauma.
I feel there's a fair amount of symbolism which the novel alludes to, like James and Webster encountering dark and difficult situations they must 'escape' from in order to accept the realities of their situation. James, struggling against the unfairness of his stepfather's abuse, evolves into a character who comes to forgive and care for Webster. And Webster, struggling against the trauma of war, helps James cope. Their unlikely friendship is beautiful and made them grow into characters who were less haunted, out of their love for each other. The ending was quite powerful, clearly outlining the impact of their journey with one another.
The writing in The Dark Inside was reminiscent of a fairy tale, kind of dream-like and taking us through one adventure to the next. I'm actually surprised that the author could skirt the line between contemporary and paranormal so well, making us question whether it was all real in the first place.
I came into The Dark Inside not knowing anything about it, becoming really drawn into it from it's short chapters and fast friendship between characters, and then being confused by its contents. Regardless of whether some aspects in the novel were real or intended, I've come to appreciate the underlying message of forgiveness and redemption, spawning from two unlikely friends. A beautiful novel of magical realism, which you'd particularly enjoy if you like fairy tales and don't mind the dream-like contemporary/paranormal mashup.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not actually sure what I just read.
The Dark Inside starts off with James who is abused by his stepfather, runs away from home after finding a new friend - old man Webster who is suffering from PTSD from war. I liked their fast friendship, and the idea of two damaged souls finding a friend in one another, and was curious where their adventures would take us. It's a book filled with adventures, as the duo stumble upon a farm, meet an old man and then get captured by an old woman and her son.
This is where it takes quite an unexpected paranormal turn, when curses and potions and creatures of the night are featured. It also turns quite dark, with several deaths and Webster wanting to be redeemed for his darker 'curse'. The writing never says it outright, but we're lead to believe that Webster has the curse of the werewolf/some other paranormal creature, and the witch and apprentice/old woman and the son are trying to rid him of it. What really threw me off though, was the writing stayed in quite a realistic and believable setting. Is it meant to be magical realism? This is why mixing contemporary and paranormal just doesn't work for me.
Even the actions of the old woman or supposed witch was quite confusing, she is presented as an enemy at the start but comes to care for James later on. We're lead to believe she only wants to help rid Webster of his curse, whereas in reality she's actually holding James hostage and looking to commit murder. It's her presence in the novel that really muddied the waters, with my brain unable to process whether her character was real or imagined as a result of James and Webster's trauma.
I feel there's a fair amount of symbolism which the novel alludes to, like James and Webster encountering dark and difficult situations they must 'escape' from in order to accept the realities of their situation. James, struggling against the unfairness of his stepfather's abuse, evolves into a character who comes to forgive and care for Webster. And Webster, struggling against the trauma of war, helps James cope. Their unlikely friendship is beautiful and made them grow into characters who were less haunted, out of their love for each other. The ending was quite powerful, clearly outlining the impact of their journey with one another.
The writing in The Dark Inside was reminiscent of a fairy tale, kind of dream-like and taking us through one adventure to the next. I'm actually surprised that the author could skirt the line between contemporary and paranormal so well, making us question whether it was all real in the first place.
I came into The Dark Inside not knowing anything about it, becoming really drawn into it from it's short chapters and fast friendship between characters, and then being confused by its contents. Regardless of whether some aspects in the novel were real or intended, I've come to appreciate the underlying message of forgiveness and redemption, spawning from two unlikely friends. A beautiful novel of magical realism, which you'd particularly enjoy if you like fairy tales and don't mind the dream-like contemporary/paranormal mashup.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2014
James is a 13 year old boy who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his mother. He doesn't have the best home life and is stuck living with a step-father who drinks too much and can become violent. Everything changes for James when he meets Webster, a homeless man who is staying in an abandoned house that James spends time in when he needs an escape. Webster is running from something and claims to have a dark curse hanging over him but can James help him find a cure?
I have to admit I wasn't too sure what to expect from The Dark Inside, it's not the kind of book I would usually pick up but after hearing a reading by Rupert Wallis at a Simon & Schuster blogger event I just had to try it and I'm glad that I did. Sometimes it's nice to step out of your comfort zone - especially when you find a gem like this book! If I had any fears that I wouldn't be able to relate to a 13 year old boy they were quickly proved unfounded and within the space of a couple of chapters I was fully invested in James's story. He is such a sweet boy and he reminded me of my younger brother at that age, they have the same curiosity about the world and eagerness to find adventure. Even though James has been through a lot and has been let down by the people who should protect him he is still the kind of boy who sees the good in people, he wants to help Webster even if he isn't sure what to believe about Webster's curse.
One of the things that is done particularly well in this novel is the paranormal element. Nothing is ever completely laid out so although you are given strong hints about what happened there is enough ambiguity for the reader to be able to make up their own mind about things. You can choose to take the paranormal events at face value or you can decide that they are the product of an incredibly over-active imagination. I'm not going to tell you my decision though - you'll just have to read the book and make up your own mind.
I loved the characters in The Dark Inside, both James and Webster are both well developed and have intriguing backgrounds that make you want to spend time getting to know them but we also meet some other interesting people along the way. I don't want to say too much about them for fear of giving spoilers so I'll just tell you that Ma was one of the creepiest old ladies I've ever come across! The story touches on some difficult subjects dealing with James's grief and his sense of loneliness and Webster's anguish about things that happened in his past but there is also plenty of action and danger from more than one direction. This is the kind of book that it is easy to get lost in and the short chapters make it an incredibly quick read - I kept telling myself I'd read just one more chapter and before I knew it I was at the end of the story. This is a fantastic debut from a new British author and I'm looking forward to seeing what Rupert Wallis comes up with next!
I have to admit I wasn't too sure what to expect from The Dark Inside, it's not the kind of book I would usually pick up but after hearing a reading by Rupert Wallis at a Simon & Schuster blogger event I just had to try it and I'm glad that I did. Sometimes it's nice to step out of your comfort zone - especially when you find a gem like this book! If I had any fears that I wouldn't be able to relate to a 13 year old boy they were quickly proved unfounded and within the space of a couple of chapters I was fully invested in James's story. He is such a sweet boy and he reminded me of my younger brother at that age, they have the same curiosity about the world and eagerness to find adventure. Even though James has been through a lot and has been let down by the people who should protect him he is still the kind of boy who sees the good in people, he wants to help Webster even if he isn't sure what to believe about Webster's curse.
One of the things that is done particularly well in this novel is the paranormal element. Nothing is ever completely laid out so although you are given strong hints about what happened there is enough ambiguity for the reader to be able to make up their own mind about things. You can choose to take the paranormal events at face value or you can decide that they are the product of an incredibly over-active imagination. I'm not going to tell you my decision though - you'll just have to read the book and make up your own mind.
I loved the characters in The Dark Inside, both James and Webster are both well developed and have intriguing backgrounds that make you want to spend time getting to know them but we also meet some other interesting people along the way. I don't want to say too much about them for fear of giving spoilers so I'll just tell you that Ma was one of the creepiest old ladies I've ever come across! The story touches on some difficult subjects dealing with James's grief and his sense of loneliness and Webster's anguish about things that happened in his past but there is also plenty of action and danger from more than one direction. This is the kind of book that it is easy to get lost in and the short chapters make it an incredibly quick read - I kept telling myself I'd read just one more chapter and before I knew it I was at the end of the story. This is a fantastic debut from a new British author and I'm looking forward to seeing what Rupert Wallis comes up with next!
November 21, 2014
3½ Stars.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/07/t...
The Dark Inside is an incredibly difficult book to review without revealing the storyline that is a strange mix of contemporary and fantasy. It follows the life of James, thirteen years old and still mourning the loss of a car accident which killed his mother. It's now only he and his stepfather, who wavers between neglecting the boy in his care, or physically abusing him, often by way of belt or fists. His dream of escape comes in the form of Webster, a man on the run from recapture. What results is a road trip where both James and Webster learn about not only one another, but those they meet by chance along the way to self discovery and freedom, whatever the cost.
I absolutely adored the contemporary storyline, how two seemingly broken travel companions provided a sense of hope to others and brightened the lives of strangers, but the fantasy aspect was not only strange, but often left me bewildered and having to reread over passages. I just didn't get it. I'm not sure if the paranormal elements included were supposed to be realistic, or seen more symbolic of how the characters are feeling. Then again, I might be reading far more into the intricate storyline, that may be seen as a fable. But upon finishing, it feels as though I've missed something, either a moral or life lesson. The ratings it's received so far have been mostly glowing. I must admit, I'm really not sure how I feel about this one.
I enjoyed aspects such as the characters, the message of hope that it portrayed and how the storyline flowed from gritty contemporary to dream like fantasy. But others, not so much. I don't quite understand why what would have been a solid four star contemporary coming of age, was brought down by the inclusion of a paranormal curse, what is essentially an evil witch and her minion and a boy who finds himself fleeing far more than the abuse he experienced at home.
I have no idea how to rate The Dark Inside, as I'm just not sure what it was. But I urge you to grab a copy, because I need someone to talk about this one with. It had left me feeling a broad spectrum of emotions that I just can't seem to put into words... Except for the ending that completely broke me.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/07/t...
The Dark Inside is an incredibly difficult book to review without revealing the storyline that is a strange mix of contemporary and fantasy. It follows the life of James, thirteen years old and still mourning the loss of a car accident which killed his mother. It's now only he and his stepfather, who wavers between neglecting the boy in his care, or physically abusing him, often by way of belt or fists. His dream of escape comes in the form of Webster, a man on the run from recapture. What results is a road trip where both James and Webster learn about not only one another, but those they meet by chance along the way to self discovery and freedom, whatever the cost.
I absolutely adored the contemporary storyline, how two seemingly broken travel companions provided a sense of hope to others and brightened the lives of strangers, but the fantasy aspect was not only strange, but often left me bewildered and having to reread over passages. I just didn't get it. I'm not sure if the paranormal elements included were supposed to be realistic, or seen more symbolic of how the characters are feeling. Then again, I might be reading far more into the intricate storyline, that may be seen as a fable. But upon finishing, it feels as though I've missed something, either a moral or life lesson. The ratings it's received so far have been mostly glowing. I must admit, I'm really not sure how I feel about this one.
I enjoyed aspects such as the characters, the message of hope that it portrayed and how the storyline flowed from gritty contemporary to dream like fantasy. But others, not so much. I don't quite understand why what would have been a solid four star contemporary coming of age, was brought down by the inclusion of a paranormal curse, what is essentially an evil witch and her minion and a boy who finds himself fleeing far more than the abuse he experienced at home.
I have no idea how to rate The Dark Inside, as I'm just not sure what it was. But I urge you to grab a copy, because I need someone to talk about this one with. It had left me feeling a broad spectrum of emotions that I just can't seem to put into words... Except for the ending that completely broke me.
February 20, 2014
Although the synopsis doesn’t reveal too much about the story, I was intrigued by the mysterious premise of the book. What is Webster running from? What is this dark curse? Will they find a cure before it’s too late? It sounded like an action-packed story full of twists and turns but in the end, it turned out to be quite different from what I expected. It’s not a bad book. Far from it. It just didn’t really work for me.
The first thing that took me a while to get used to is the fact that The Dark Inside is a mixture of fantasy and reality. It’s a very fairytale-like novel. There’s a bad witch and her loyal son, potions, curses, magic, you name it. Yet, the novel is set in an everyday place, somewhere in a small English village. Magical elements are mixed with real problems, real characters throughout the book. I kept wondering what to think: is this a magical tale? Is this real? What’s going on? This clash of two different worlds shouldn’t be a bad thing. But, again, it didn’t work for me.
Read more >>
The first thing that took me a while to get used to is the fact that The Dark Inside is a mixture of fantasy and reality. It’s a very fairytale-like novel. There’s a bad witch and her loyal son, potions, curses, magic, you name it. Yet, the novel is set in an everyday place, somewhere in a small English village. Magical elements are mixed with real problems, real characters throughout the book. I kept wondering what to think: is this a magical tale? Is this real? What’s going on? This clash of two different worlds shouldn’t be a bad thing. But, again, it didn’t work for me.
Read more >>
December 24, 2024
3.5
Bit of a hard one to review as this is a bit of an unusual book. One thing I did like is how the book deals with themes of grief and forgiveness. I like children and teen books that deal with real hard hitting themes like this. James goes through such a journey on his feelings about the loss of his mother and his childhood (the ending made me rather emotional!) Webster also goes through an interesting journey that mirrors James’ as well.
The storyline of Webster, his ‘curse’ and the whole paranormal plot is curious. I did like the ambiguity of it all but I did find it got a bit tiresome. Sometimes I just wanted the characters to talk plainly for once!
This was a quick read and I enjoyed this rather strange and poignant story.
Bit of a hard one to review as this is a bit of an unusual book. One thing I did like is how the book deals with themes of grief and forgiveness. I like children and teen books that deal with real hard hitting themes like this. James goes through such a journey on his feelings about the loss of his mother and his childhood (the ending made me rather emotional!) Webster also goes through an interesting journey that mirrors James’ as well.
The storyline of Webster, his ‘curse’ and the whole paranormal plot is curious. I did like the ambiguity of it all but I did find it got a bit tiresome. Sometimes I just wanted the characters to talk plainly for once!
This was a quick read and I enjoyed this rather strange and poignant story.
December 18, 2013
Review by Beth
The synopsis of this novel doesn’t give away too much so I was left wondering before I even got started - which is always a good start, sometimes blurbs say too much!
James is a young boy who is forced to live with his stepfather and girlfriend after girlfriend. He seems complex without too much delving into his psyche and once he discovers Webster he comes into his own. Both of the key characters in this novel become more fascinating together than they could ever have been on their own.
This book is a definite must-read for fans of David Almond’s Skellig. I vividly remember reading this book over 10 years ago, which is quite shocking now I think about but not entirely relevant. Webster’s character does seem quite close to Skellig although the paranormal aspects of David Almond’s novel are a little more cut and dry. This is what makes The Dark Inside a great read for me – yes, there’s paranormal activity but it’s not jammed down my throat. I’m not a werewolf/vampire/anything that isn’t real kind of reader and therefore when it is presented to me it needs to be good and The Dark Inside is good.
The contemporary feel of The Dark Inside far overrides the paranormal and I found myself far more interested in the characters and where their journey would lead them then the ‘dark curse’.
Wallis’ use of language is sparing. Words seem to be picked out singularly for how they’ll effect the tone of the novel, which remains brooding throughout. There are no examples of excessive description yet you feel like you really know every element of every scene from what buildings look like to the expressions on characters’ faces.
Follow James through a journey of grief, loss, despair and survival – it’s worth it.
The synopsis of this novel doesn’t give away too much so I was left wondering before I even got started - which is always a good start, sometimes blurbs say too much!
James is a young boy who is forced to live with his stepfather and girlfriend after girlfriend. He seems complex without too much delving into his psyche and once he discovers Webster he comes into his own. Both of the key characters in this novel become more fascinating together than they could ever have been on their own.
This book is a definite must-read for fans of David Almond’s Skellig. I vividly remember reading this book over 10 years ago, which is quite shocking now I think about but not entirely relevant. Webster’s character does seem quite close to Skellig although the paranormal aspects of David Almond’s novel are a little more cut and dry. This is what makes The Dark Inside a great read for me – yes, there’s paranormal activity but it’s not jammed down my throat. I’m not a werewolf/vampire/anything that isn’t real kind of reader and therefore when it is presented to me it needs to be good and The Dark Inside is good.
The contemporary feel of The Dark Inside far overrides the paranormal and I found myself far more interested in the characters and where their journey would lead them then the ‘dark curse’.
Wallis’ use of language is sparing. Words seem to be picked out singularly for how they’ll effect the tone of the novel, which remains brooding throughout. There are no examples of excessive description yet you feel like you really know every element of every scene from what buildings look like to the expressions on characters’ faces.
Follow James through a journey of grief, loss, despair and survival – it’s worth it.
January 7, 2014
This book was very good as we all loved reading it the ending could have been a bit more but in all an enjoyable story to read I fond my self willing Webster to do good with that as I said this is one story to keep and will get read again and again so thank you very much Rupert Wallis and give use more stories like this in the future and as always happy reading to you from wee me.xxxxxxxxx
February 15, 2020
Review originally published in SFX magazine.
--
From Louise Lawrence’s nuclear apocalypse to Patrick Ness’ brutalised child soldiers and Suzanne Collins’ kids killing kids on live television, fiction for children and teens has long dealt in dark themes. With his tale of an abused boy befriending a stranger who may or may not be a werewolf, debut author Wallis shoots for this difficult territory, but mostly fires wide of the mark.
The chief villain is fantastically creepy, and the teen protagonist’s oppressive home life is evoked with upsetting clarity, but the plot is less than the sum of its parts. Fast paced, but oddly somehow also navel-gazing, it can’t decide what sort of story it wants to be, and ends up satisfying neither emotionally nor as adventure.
--
From Louise Lawrence’s nuclear apocalypse to Patrick Ness’ brutalised child soldiers and Suzanne Collins’ kids killing kids on live television, fiction for children and teens has long dealt in dark themes. With his tale of an abused boy befriending a stranger who may or may not be a werewolf, debut author Wallis shoots for this difficult territory, but mostly fires wide of the mark.
The chief villain is fantastically creepy, and the teen protagonist’s oppressive home life is evoked with upsetting clarity, but the plot is less than the sum of its parts. Fast paced, but oddly somehow also navel-gazing, it can’t decide what sort of story it wants to be, and ends up satisfying neither emotionally nor as adventure.
June 10, 2021
I feel this was a good debut novel for an author. It just lacked an identity that word have made it a great one.
A mix of the supernatural and bloody realism can work. I have read novels where it has. The mix between them here just didn't settle into a solution.
No spoilers but for me the ending didn't quite work as either something to create a sequel off of or as a fitting conclusion. There were parts and characters I did enjoy but also some that lacked dimension. The plot doesn't always flow and was uneven in parts.
I would recommend that people look for the other listed novel of this author. It probably is better than this one as the author would have learned from this. I also could see the author eventually coming back to this in a few years and making it better.
A mix of the supernatural and bloody realism can work. I have read novels where it has. The mix between them here just didn't settle into a solution.
No spoilers but for me the ending didn't quite work as either something to create a sequel off of or as a fitting conclusion. There were parts and characters I did enjoy but also some that lacked dimension. The plot doesn't always flow and was uneven in parts.
I would recommend that people look for the other listed novel of this author. It probably is better than this one as the author would have learned from this. I also could see the author eventually coming back to this in a few years and making it better.
December 14, 2017
Super, realistic/fantasy/mysticism novel in the style of Patrick Ness and David Almond but a bit simpler!
September 30, 2024
I loved James & Webster's journey! It wasn't what I expected & was definitely too young for me but it was nostalgic all the same, the fairy tail element is what kept me intrigued
September 30, 2015
Review for The Dark Inside by Rupert Wallis.
I was initially drawn to this book by the somewhat mysterious and thriller elements that the synopsis offered. It was especially vague and nothing significant was given away, just an opening offered for you to decide if you want to tread on further or not. This excited me and I was expecting an action-packed heart gripping adventure, I wasn't warned by the stirring feeling this book gave me.
Rupert's writing style is very distinct and noteworthy, he does not ever describe how the characters have felt explicitly. There was minimal description of emotions, and somewhat less emphasis on the actions that displayed emotions. And yet James felt round and whole and real. His actions and words spoken are in simple and short sentences that are effective in spelling out the subtleties of feelings and atmosphere. I admire and enjoy this very much, it is a distinctive writing style that feels empty on the surface, but stirs you to actually feel how the characters must have felt.
Now discussing the actual contents of the book. I must say I am impressed with how well he put the message and intent of this book across. It is like a journey through the darkest insides of man, and then coming fresh out clean, wiser and stronger. There are books who have the ultimate morale of the story forcefully put across and it does not fit in naturally. There are books that focus only on the exciting plot and story rather than the underlying message. But this book did not come off as strong and overpowering with its powerful message of love and forgiveness and loss. These are heavy themes that cannot be explained easily while avoiding to sound pretentious. This book is special in its subtle empty pages, chapters that end short and seemingly pointless, a page with nothing but the date that you have to flip through, all this adds up to a feeling of hollow emptiness and desolation. Time ticking away, everyday you are reminded that you are Doomed, the overtones are quite depressing. Again this was not too overbearing, it is not disturbing either, it is just subtly there in your heart as you continue this journey with the characters.
James and Webster both had suffered loss of love and abandonment. Meeting each other, they formed a strong bond over the darkness in their heart that left them broken and seek each other's comfort. It was touching because when no one was there for them, they had each other. I love how quickly their relationship formed and it was a strong bond. Webster cared for James genuinely like how James would come back to the moor and look for him. They had both lost something and it left them broken beyond fix, and yet and perhaps because of that, they are able to develop the care and love and trust. When Webster failed to forgive the Cook, I was frustrated at how he had missed the chance for everything to be resolved. And then it struck me as to how really difficult it was to forgive. Perhaps it is the hardest thing in the world to forgive someone who have hurt you and ruined you. Webster knew this and told James that he mustn't be scared. He saved James in many ways. Physically he took his own life for James as he believed he deserved the potential he had, this in itself made my heart ache for that simple love. You do not need to know a person for years and months to love them. And then when he gave James the strength and resolve to forgive... It was powerful. James stood strong and tall and braved his father, he did an extremely difficult thing; to forgive.
The entire story took place in a month, with James escaping his cruel stepfather into a dangerous world of monsters and magic. In the midst of darkness and loss, the bond between Webster and James really touched me. Love could overcome many things, you could say it sounds like a weak statement but that's how you understand through reading this book. I wished for an ending where they could escape everything and live together, look out for each other. The ending did not happen like this, but in a sense, it they and just killed Billy and his mom, ran away from society, never forgave the cruel world that hurt them, the demons and darkness in them would always still be there. Dark inside is an appropriate title. It is madly saddening that Webster decided to take his own life, as it is the only way for James to continue living. And James would deal with his demons because Webster, who had loved and sacrificed himself and shown him strength and courage, had told he to not be scared.
It is a wonderfully deep story and I do feel enlightened now. The writing style is special and appropriate to develop and convey the strong and difficult themes. It is a good book, an refreshing change in style and genre from, as my mom would like to call "shallow" forms of read that focus on plot and action. Here is a book about battling dark insides and demons in all forms, heartfelt and powerful.
I was initially drawn to this book by the somewhat mysterious and thriller elements that the synopsis offered. It was especially vague and nothing significant was given away, just an opening offered for you to decide if you want to tread on further or not. This excited me and I was expecting an action-packed heart gripping adventure, I wasn't warned by the stirring feeling this book gave me.
Rupert's writing style is very distinct and noteworthy, he does not ever describe how the characters have felt explicitly. There was minimal description of emotions, and somewhat less emphasis on the actions that displayed emotions. And yet James felt round and whole and real. His actions and words spoken are in simple and short sentences that are effective in spelling out the subtleties of feelings and atmosphere. I admire and enjoy this very much, it is a distinctive writing style that feels empty on the surface, but stirs you to actually feel how the characters must have felt.
Now discussing the actual contents of the book. I must say I am impressed with how well he put the message and intent of this book across. It is like a journey through the darkest insides of man, and then coming fresh out clean, wiser and stronger. There are books who have the ultimate morale of the story forcefully put across and it does not fit in naturally. There are books that focus only on the exciting plot and story rather than the underlying message. But this book did not come off as strong and overpowering with its powerful message of love and forgiveness and loss. These are heavy themes that cannot be explained easily while avoiding to sound pretentious. This book is special in its subtle empty pages, chapters that end short and seemingly pointless, a page with nothing but the date that you have to flip through, all this adds up to a feeling of hollow emptiness and desolation. Time ticking away, everyday you are reminded that you are Doomed, the overtones are quite depressing. Again this was not too overbearing, it is not disturbing either, it is just subtly there in your heart as you continue this journey with the characters.
James and Webster both had suffered loss of love and abandonment. Meeting each other, they formed a strong bond over the darkness in their heart that left them broken and seek each other's comfort. It was touching because when no one was there for them, they had each other. I love how quickly their relationship formed and it was a strong bond. Webster cared for James genuinely like how James would come back to the moor and look for him. They had both lost something and it left them broken beyond fix, and yet and perhaps because of that, they are able to develop the care and love and trust. When Webster failed to forgive the Cook, I was frustrated at how he had missed the chance for everything to be resolved. And then it struck me as to how really difficult it was to forgive. Perhaps it is the hardest thing in the world to forgive someone who have hurt you and ruined you. Webster knew this and told James that he mustn't be scared. He saved James in many ways. Physically he took his own life for James as he believed he deserved the potential he had, this in itself made my heart ache for that simple love. You do not need to know a person for years and months to love them. And then when he gave James the strength and resolve to forgive... It was powerful. James stood strong and tall and braved his father, he did an extremely difficult thing; to forgive.
The entire story took place in a month, with James escaping his cruel stepfather into a dangerous world of monsters and magic. In the midst of darkness and loss, the bond between Webster and James really touched me. Love could overcome many things, you could say it sounds like a weak statement but that's how you understand through reading this book. I wished for an ending where they could escape everything and live together, look out for each other. The ending did not happen like this, but in a sense, it they and just killed Billy and his mom, ran away from society, never forgave the cruel world that hurt them, the demons and darkness in them would always still be there. Dark inside is an appropriate title. It is madly saddening that Webster decided to take his own life, as it is the only way for James to continue living. And James would deal with his demons because Webster, who had loved and sacrificed himself and shown him strength and courage, had told he to not be scared.
It is a wonderfully deep story and I do feel enlightened now. The writing style is special and appropriate to develop and convey the strong and difficult themes. It is a good book, an refreshing change in style and genre from, as my mom would like to call "shallow" forms of read that focus on plot and action. Here is a book about battling dark insides and demons in all forms, heartfelt and powerful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2014
Apparently when browsing a book shop you give a book roughly 30 seconds to win you over (includes cover snoop, back blurb glance and possibly a peek onto the first page). Well, Moontrug read a book recently that took just 5 seconds to win her over: The Dark Inside by Rupert Wallis. Cover: navy, silver and white with a ‘Do you believe in monsters?’ caption – intriguing… Back blurb: ‘Run. And James did. Out the back door. Through the gap in the fence. Not stopping even after the bellowing of his stepfather had wasted in the wind and there was nothing but the whip of grass across his shins…’
And that was that – book bought. And then read within hours. Yes, it’s THAT good. The Dark Inside follows the story of thirteen-year-old James who discovers a homeless man in an abandoned house on top of a hill. But this is no ordinary homeless man. This man has a secret, and a dark one at that. Hoping to find a ‘cure’ for the dark curse inflicted on the man, the pair embark on a journey. But what starts out as a search for a cure, quickly becomes something altogether more sinister. And when the merciless travellers get involved, James has to face up to the fact that what he thought might have been the stuff of nightmares, might actually be lurking in the shadows of his everyday life…
Perhaps the first thing Moontrug noticed with The Dark Inside was the power of the writing. The sentences are literally like wisps of magic; they carry something other-worldly inside them: ‘Moonlight silvered the hallway and the stairs as clouds moved and shadows hardened,’ ‘Somewhere in the dark a dog was barking and the sound of it chimed in the marrow of his bones,’ and ‘Cloud curdled the moon, culling the light around him’. Wallis’ writing is fine-tuned – each sentence, each word has been thought about – a lot. And it’s really paid off. The sadness and despair James feels after losing his mother is so evocatively presented – and Wallis perfectly captures James’ growing understanding of the world around him, of the hugeness of it all, of the unanswerable questions staring him in the face.
There were undertones of David Almond’s Skellig in the book. Just as Michael helps Skellig and day by day the pain inside him eases, so James helps Webster and he learns to trust again. James’ pain and confusion is obvious but Wallis never patronises the reader with quick-fix solutions. And at the end of Chapter 2, when James is crushing nettles, we see James’ pain very realistically evoked: ‘The bruise on James’ arm began to creak and groan and ache, and he stopped wondering about the man, and who he might be, and drove the stick harder. Nettle heads flew. Necks opened. He mashed the stalks until the ground around him reeked of green.’
One of the most likeable things about James is his capacity for hope, in what appears to be a very ‘unhopeful’ world. Time and again things don’t go James’ way and yet somehow he keeps going: ‘When a ray of sun drifted over him, he held out his hand, imagining it was gold warming his outstretched palm. He wondered how much he would need to buy every one of his dreams.’ Throughout the book, James struggles to make sense of the world: of why bad things happen to the people he loves; of why his step-father beats him; of who is ‘up there’ controlling it all, if anyone… Wallis uses these huge questions to bring James and Webster together – and he does it in the most natural, believable way.
But The Dark Inside is more than just beautiful writing and probing questions; the plot packs a punch, too. With relentless energy, the travellers pursue James and Webster, while all the while the dreaded full moon looms nearer. The action scenes are fast-paced and gripping and the old woman and her wooden-faced companion, ‘no taller than the boy’s knees…with painted lips and eyes’ are truly terrifying. On Page 1 James is running; and he’s still running by the end – now that’s momentum for you. Right up until Page 357 – and then you’ll be fighting back the tears… The Dark Inside is a brilliant debut for 10+ years and Mootrug can’t wait to see what Rupert Wallis has got in store for us next…
And that was that – book bought. And then read within hours. Yes, it’s THAT good. The Dark Inside follows the story of thirteen-year-old James who discovers a homeless man in an abandoned house on top of a hill. But this is no ordinary homeless man. This man has a secret, and a dark one at that. Hoping to find a ‘cure’ for the dark curse inflicted on the man, the pair embark on a journey. But what starts out as a search for a cure, quickly becomes something altogether more sinister. And when the merciless travellers get involved, James has to face up to the fact that what he thought might have been the stuff of nightmares, might actually be lurking in the shadows of his everyday life…
Perhaps the first thing Moontrug noticed with The Dark Inside was the power of the writing. The sentences are literally like wisps of magic; they carry something other-worldly inside them: ‘Moonlight silvered the hallway and the stairs as clouds moved and shadows hardened,’ ‘Somewhere in the dark a dog was barking and the sound of it chimed in the marrow of his bones,’ and ‘Cloud curdled the moon, culling the light around him’. Wallis’ writing is fine-tuned – each sentence, each word has been thought about – a lot. And it’s really paid off. The sadness and despair James feels after losing his mother is so evocatively presented – and Wallis perfectly captures James’ growing understanding of the world around him, of the hugeness of it all, of the unanswerable questions staring him in the face.
There were undertones of David Almond’s Skellig in the book. Just as Michael helps Skellig and day by day the pain inside him eases, so James helps Webster and he learns to trust again. James’ pain and confusion is obvious but Wallis never patronises the reader with quick-fix solutions. And at the end of Chapter 2, when James is crushing nettles, we see James’ pain very realistically evoked: ‘The bruise on James’ arm began to creak and groan and ache, and he stopped wondering about the man, and who he might be, and drove the stick harder. Nettle heads flew. Necks opened. He mashed the stalks until the ground around him reeked of green.’
One of the most likeable things about James is his capacity for hope, in what appears to be a very ‘unhopeful’ world. Time and again things don’t go James’ way and yet somehow he keeps going: ‘When a ray of sun drifted over him, he held out his hand, imagining it was gold warming his outstretched palm. He wondered how much he would need to buy every one of his dreams.’ Throughout the book, James struggles to make sense of the world: of why bad things happen to the people he loves; of why his step-father beats him; of who is ‘up there’ controlling it all, if anyone… Wallis uses these huge questions to bring James and Webster together – and he does it in the most natural, believable way.
But The Dark Inside is more than just beautiful writing and probing questions; the plot packs a punch, too. With relentless energy, the travellers pursue James and Webster, while all the while the dreaded full moon looms nearer. The action scenes are fast-paced and gripping and the old woman and her wooden-faced companion, ‘no taller than the boy’s knees…with painted lips and eyes’ are truly terrifying. On Page 1 James is running; and he’s still running by the end – now that’s momentum for you. Right up until Page 357 – and then you’ll be fighting back the tears… The Dark Inside is a brilliant debut for 10+ years and Mootrug can’t wait to see what Rupert Wallis has got in store for us next…
August 9, 2016
Disclaimer: A proof copy of this book was kindly sent to me via Goodreads First Reads to read and review. All thoughts and opinions on the book are my own.
The Dark Inside follows 13-year-old James' story. Distraught by the death of his Mother a year previously and hurt by his violent Step-Father who he has been left to live with, he takes solace in a run-down, abandoned house on the top of a hill. It is here that he first meets Webster, an injured homeless man with problems of his own. As James and Webster become close, they share their secrets and Webster gradually reveals a little more about himself and his past; he suffers from a dark curse and they both embark on a journey to find a cure for his condition.
Webster, and especially James, come across as quite sweet, despite their personal demons, and Rupert Wallis has written them in a way that they are very easy to connect and empathise with. They are relateable, despite their unusual circumstances, and their stories are fascinating; I found myself wanting to know more and more about them with each new piece of information presented.
James comes across as a very sweet, almost naive, teenager. He is quite trusting but full of sadness after his Mother's sudden death. Webster is portrayed as a rather guarded, wary and mysterious man who is full of secrets. He is ex-military and seems quite distant, like he doesn't want to form close relationships. However, him and James seem to develop a very close relationship quite quickly. They both seem lonely and fill a void within each other and their relationship quite rapidly resembles that of a father and son.
When Webster's 'secret,' or dark curse, is revealed my first thought was that it was all a little cliche. I don't remember his curse ever being referred to directly by it's 'official name' but there were some major hints throughout the story about his dark condition. The book explores his curse through both his and James' characters, which I found really interesting; there were a lot of questions around whether Webster is really cursed or whether he just believes that he is enough for it to become real for him and those around him...think along the lines of the placebo effect. I liked that Wallis didn't make it clear in his novel whether this was the case or not as it left a lot of thoughts swirling in my head long after I'd finished reading. There was also some exploration of the ideas of good and evil within The Dark Inside which made for good reading.
There were a lot of twists and turns throughout the novel and I found myself blind-sided by a few of them. Some of the events in The Dark Inside were totally unexpected and I enjoyed the ending a lot..I had no idea what would happen and I think Rupert Wallis finished the story well. The loose ends were all tied up whilst, at the same time, leaving some rather important questions hanging for me, as the reader, to think about.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Dark Inside and would recommend it. It was quite dark and unsettling at times and jumped around between reality and fantasy. The exploration of Webster's curse was written really well and kept me hooked throughout.
The Dark Inside follows 13-year-old James' story. Distraught by the death of his Mother a year previously and hurt by his violent Step-Father who he has been left to live with, he takes solace in a run-down, abandoned house on the top of a hill. It is here that he first meets Webster, an injured homeless man with problems of his own. As James and Webster become close, they share their secrets and Webster gradually reveals a little more about himself and his past; he suffers from a dark curse and they both embark on a journey to find a cure for his condition.
Webster, and especially James, come across as quite sweet, despite their personal demons, and Rupert Wallis has written them in a way that they are very easy to connect and empathise with. They are relateable, despite their unusual circumstances, and their stories are fascinating; I found myself wanting to know more and more about them with each new piece of information presented.
James comes across as a very sweet, almost naive, teenager. He is quite trusting but full of sadness after his Mother's sudden death. Webster is portrayed as a rather guarded, wary and mysterious man who is full of secrets. He is ex-military and seems quite distant, like he doesn't want to form close relationships. However, him and James seem to develop a very close relationship quite quickly. They both seem lonely and fill a void within each other and their relationship quite rapidly resembles that of a father and son.
When Webster's 'secret,' or dark curse, is revealed my first thought was that it was all a little cliche. I don't remember his curse ever being referred to directly by it's 'official name' but there were some major hints throughout the story about his dark condition. The book explores his curse through both his and James' characters, which I found really interesting; there were a lot of questions around whether Webster is really cursed or whether he just believes that he is enough for it to become real for him and those around him...think along the lines of the placebo effect. I liked that Wallis didn't make it clear in his novel whether this was the case or not as it left a lot of thoughts swirling in my head long after I'd finished reading. There was also some exploration of the ideas of good and evil within The Dark Inside which made for good reading.
There were a lot of twists and turns throughout the novel and I found myself blind-sided by a few of them. Some of the events in The Dark Inside were totally unexpected and I enjoyed the ending a lot..I had no idea what would happen and I think Rupert Wallis finished the story well. The loose ends were all tied up whilst, at the same time, leaving some rather important questions hanging for me, as the reader, to think about.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Dark Inside and would recommend it. It was quite dark and unsettling at times and jumped around between reality and fantasy. The exploration of Webster's curse was written really well and kept me hooked throughout.
March 12, 2014
Characters: The protagonist, James, is a sweet but naive young boy who is struggling to deal with his mother’s death in a car accident while facing abuse and blame from his stepfather, who we learn was driving the car and likes to drink a lot (though these may be unrelated facts). Webster is an apparently homeless man whom James meets in the abandoned house on the hill, where he goes to get away from his stepfather. Webster has been attacked by someone or something and seems to be running from them, and this is what begins to drive the story, because James is running too. The travellers chasing them, Billy and his old mother, bring a paranormal aspect to the story with his mother’s strange magic. We mostly see from James’ perspective, but we find out just enough about Webster to form a sympathetic idea of his character. Webster helps James to understand a little more about life, and James helps Webster to come to a conclusion about what he needs to do after what he’s been through - but in the end, it’s up to the reader to decide for themselves about Webster.
Plot: When James meets Webster and finds out the travellers want to get him for an unknown reason, he helps the older man to escape and ends up running away with him as he feels he has nothing and no home to go back to. He doesn’t quite believe Webster’s story of how he was attacked, and the reader will be equally sceptical but interested in James’s attempts to do research and help Webster find out how to remove his “curse”; all the while the travellers, including the old woman with her eerie magic, try to find Webster so they can imprison him and profit from the curse they also believe in. It seems hopeless when the only solution given to them is for Webster to find his attacker and simply forgive him, because Webster doesn’t know who it was. This leads to a heart-aching moment when an old man they meet tries to help Webster at his own expense.
After running from the travellers again, Webster abandons James, and when he goes looking for him on the moors, James is attacked in the dark by someone or something he thinks is Webster. The travellers capture James and think he is cursed too, but they know that there is another more costly way for Webster to remove the curse from James. In the end, they find that forgiveness was the most important thing after all, and even though Webster may not be able to forgive himself, through him James is able to realize that he needs to forgive not only himself, but his stepfather. The final scene made me cry in its powerful simplicity, and though the book ended on a sad yet hopeful note, there were a lot of unanswered questions about the paranormal aspect and what was true and what wasn’t. A sign of a good book is when you’re still thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading, and there is a lot of thinking to be done about The Dark Inside.
Other comments: This book was well written with several quietly tender moments which were beautifully descriptive in a simple way. I would definitely recommend it for fans of David Almond and Patrick Ness.
Plot: When James meets Webster and finds out the travellers want to get him for an unknown reason, he helps the older man to escape and ends up running away with him as he feels he has nothing and no home to go back to. He doesn’t quite believe Webster’s story of how he was attacked, and the reader will be equally sceptical but interested in James’s attempts to do research and help Webster find out how to remove his “curse”; all the while the travellers, including the old woman with her eerie magic, try to find Webster so they can imprison him and profit from the curse they also believe in. It seems hopeless when the only solution given to them is for Webster to find his attacker and simply forgive him, because Webster doesn’t know who it was. This leads to a heart-aching moment when an old man they meet tries to help Webster at his own expense.
After running from the travellers again, Webster abandons James, and when he goes looking for him on the moors, James is attacked in the dark by someone or something he thinks is Webster. The travellers capture James and think he is cursed too, but they know that there is another more costly way for Webster to remove the curse from James. In the end, they find that forgiveness was the most important thing after all, and even though Webster may not be able to forgive himself, through him James is able to realize that he needs to forgive not only himself, but his stepfather. The final scene made me cry in its powerful simplicity, and though the book ended on a sad yet hopeful note, there were a lot of unanswered questions about the paranormal aspect and what was true and what wasn’t. A sign of a good book is when you’re still thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading, and there is a lot of thinking to be done about The Dark Inside.
Other comments: This book was well written with several quietly tender moments which were beautifully descriptive in a simple way. I would definitely recommend it for fans of David Almond and Patrick Ness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2014
The Dark Inside is a book that took me by surprise again and again. Everything I was expecting when I opened up at the first page was flipped on it's head. I thought I would be reading an adventure story with dark undertones, and yes, I got that. But what I also found was a story of the meaning of friendship, of learning forgiveness, of hope and of hopelessness.
The characters in this story are united by their sense of loneliness and loss, and here the author explores the bonds of friendship between unlikely men; a cursed war veteran, an abused boy and an elderly stroke victim. Each of these characters were beautifully written, not speaking much but saying the things that they did say meaningfully. This sparseness of dialogue might make a story drag in some cases, but here it seemed fitting. The supporting writing didn't call for much dialogue either, as it swept us through the action at great pace.
I found the travellers in the story to be at once interesting and unsettling. It is in these characters the author asks the most of his reader's suspended disbelief, as we witness an elderly woman consulting a marionette that appears to be alive, and healing wounds with herbal concoctions. In the middle of a very "real" narrative these hints at magic were a bit unexpected, but added a great level of uncertainty to the already mysterious plot.
The traveller characters are completely surrounded in folklore, traditions and superstition, and I was willing, as a reader, to accept anything they could make happen. I did however, find their penchant for kidnapping and holding hostages clashed with their strong sense of family and honour.
The story itself was fast paced, and often profound. The reader is constantly throw little snippets of philosophy and musings on life. The tagline of the book "Do you believe in monsters?" comes into full effect in many ways throughout the narrative as we see characters battle with mental and physical demons and running from threats both imagined and real.
Overall
The Dark Inside reads like a gothic fairytale. There are witches, monsters, magic and evil step parents, albeit in many different guises. There is a heavy lacing of folklore and a good dose of mild horror. I really enjoyed this book once the idea of "the unbelievable" had gained its footing. The novel asks you to suspend your belief and question yourself in doing so at the same time, which was an intriguing stance to be put in as a reader. I will definitely be looking for more by this author in future!
The characters in this story are united by their sense of loneliness and loss, and here the author explores the bonds of friendship between unlikely men; a cursed war veteran, an abused boy and an elderly stroke victim. Each of these characters were beautifully written, not speaking much but saying the things that they did say meaningfully. This sparseness of dialogue might make a story drag in some cases, but here it seemed fitting. The supporting writing didn't call for much dialogue either, as it swept us through the action at great pace.
I found the travellers in the story to be at once interesting and unsettling. It is in these characters the author asks the most of his reader's suspended disbelief, as we witness an elderly woman consulting a marionette that appears to be alive, and healing wounds with herbal concoctions. In the middle of a very "real" narrative these hints at magic were a bit unexpected, but added a great level of uncertainty to the already mysterious plot.
The traveller characters are completely surrounded in folklore, traditions and superstition, and I was willing, as a reader, to accept anything they could make happen. I did however, find their penchant for kidnapping and holding hostages clashed with their strong sense of family and honour.
The story itself was fast paced, and often profound. The reader is constantly throw little snippets of philosophy and musings on life. The tagline of the book "Do you believe in monsters?" comes into full effect in many ways throughout the narrative as we see characters battle with mental and physical demons and running from threats both imagined and real.
Overall
The Dark Inside reads like a gothic fairytale. There are witches, monsters, magic and evil step parents, albeit in many different guises. There is a heavy lacing of folklore and a good dose of mild horror. I really enjoyed this book once the idea of "the unbelievable" had gained its footing. The novel asks you to suspend your belief and question yourself in doing so at the same time, which was an intriguing stance to be put in as a reader. I will definitely be looking for more by this author in future!
February 18, 2014
This book is being heralded as ideal for fans of Patrick Ness and David Almond and I would whole heartedly agree with that. Within these words, be prepared to find a mixture of darkness and sadness entwined. I kept thinking of Skellig by David Almond as I read it, because one of the main characters, Webster, has that deep hidden hurt, covered over by the oncoming darkness of his situation. You are frightened of him to begin with, but soon see the real person hiding behind the mask.
James was utterly adorable. His strength of character for someone so young, astounded me and I was rooting for him all the way through the book. He had suffered enough to know what suffering looks like in another person and could trust them as a kindred spirit.
I loved the inclusion of the gypsies and fair ground life. The old woman who doesn’t ever appear to be named is an interesting character. She is scary and evil to a certain extent, but when her maternal instinct kicks in, she can be loving and caring just like any other mother.
The story is hard to describe. There is a paranormal element to it, but it feels very contemporary. The paranormal element isn’t over elaborated and always occurs out of scene, so we don’t actually see any evidence of it. So I really want to call this contemporary!!! But it isn’t.
The plot is a journey of sorts. A journey to discover the truth along side a journey to freedom. Within the story, there are many mirroring threads of finding freedom as different characters try to break from either their present situation or break away from the ties of the past that haunt them. The story is heavier on dialogue, action and emotion than setting and back story, but I felt that fitted well with the intensity of the escape from the situations they found themselves in.
I really enjoyed this debut and I look forward to reading more from Rupert Wallis in the future. I found myself racing through the pages, to find out what would happen next. I was totally lost in the story of James. If you loved Skellig by David Almond, then this is the book for you.
James was utterly adorable. His strength of character for someone so young, astounded me and I was rooting for him all the way through the book. He had suffered enough to know what suffering looks like in another person and could trust them as a kindred spirit.
I loved the inclusion of the gypsies and fair ground life. The old woman who doesn’t ever appear to be named is an interesting character. She is scary and evil to a certain extent, but when her maternal instinct kicks in, she can be loving and caring just like any other mother.
The story is hard to describe. There is a paranormal element to it, but it feels very contemporary. The paranormal element isn’t over elaborated and always occurs out of scene, so we don’t actually see any evidence of it. So I really want to call this contemporary!!! But it isn’t.
The plot is a journey of sorts. A journey to discover the truth along side a journey to freedom. Within the story, there are many mirroring threads of finding freedom as different characters try to break from either their present situation or break away from the ties of the past that haunt them. The story is heavier on dialogue, action and emotion than setting and back story, but I felt that fitted well with the intensity of the escape from the situations they found themselves in.
I really enjoyed this debut and I look forward to reading more from Rupert Wallis in the future. I found myself racing through the pages, to find out what would happen next. I was totally lost in the story of James. If you loved Skellig by David Almond, then this is the book for you.
March 7, 2016
Check out my review over on my bloghere!!
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Thank you to everyone at Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for sending me an e-arc of this book for review.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. The beginning of the book was set in a rural village that was very atmospheric. I liked the imagery of the small crumbling house and the grassy fields, standing alone but together. I felt that I enjoyed the beginning the most and after a certain point the book became a little bland for me.
The plot of the book was really intriguing. I felt the plot revolved around both the mystery element of Webster and Webster and James special bond developing. I enjoyed the plot flow in the beginning of the novel but felt it lag a little towards the middle and before the very end. I enjoyed the suspense element to the plot and was surprised by some of the plot twists within the story.
There was a lot of characters in this novel and I found it difficult to keep up with who was who at times. The protagonist James was a character I really enjoyed. I felt he gave a really good and comprehensive narrative voice to the story. I enjoyed his way of thinking and his wisdom beyond his years was refreshing. It was his relationship with Webster that I found most compelling. Their friendship was really heartwarming. Billy was a good antagonist, along with his family. I thought he needed to be a bit more frightening at times, and there were some parts where I was confused as they didn't seem like the villains of the story.
The book was quite enjoyable but there was some definite parts that just fell down for me . I was somewhat disappointed by aspect of the novel and I was not blown away by the writing style. I do think that fans of David Almonds writing style would enjoy this.
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Thank you to everyone at Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for sending me an e-arc of this book for review.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. The beginning of the book was set in a rural village that was very atmospheric. I liked the imagery of the small crumbling house and the grassy fields, standing alone but together. I felt that I enjoyed the beginning the most and after a certain point the book became a little bland for me.
The plot of the book was really intriguing. I felt the plot revolved around both the mystery element of Webster and Webster and James special bond developing. I enjoyed the plot flow in the beginning of the novel but felt it lag a little towards the middle and before the very end. I enjoyed the suspense element to the plot and was surprised by some of the plot twists within the story.
There was a lot of characters in this novel and I found it difficult to keep up with who was who at times. The protagonist James was a character I really enjoyed. I felt he gave a really good and comprehensive narrative voice to the story. I enjoyed his way of thinking and his wisdom beyond his years was refreshing. It was his relationship with Webster that I found most compelling. Their friendship was really heartwarming. Billy was a good antagonist, along with his family. I thought he needed to be a bit more frightening at times, and there were some parts where I was confused as they didn't seem like the villains of the story.
The book was quite enjoyable but there was some definite parts that just fell down for me . I was somewhat disappointed by aspect of the novel and I was not blown away by the writing style. I do think that fans of David Almonds writing style would enjoy this.
February 10, 2014
In The Dark Inside wasn’t the story I expected it to be, but then the synopsis really doesn’t do the book justice. This story is eerie, unpredictable and full of subtle nuances and depth.
Two very different characters are drawn together by their unhappy situations and desire to escape. James is a young boy living an unhappy life with his stepfather after the death of his mother, and Webster is on the run from some very scary fairground people trying to take advantage of his ‘curse’. Despite their differences, notably age, they seem to be kindred spirits and throughout the story they both look out for each other and try to find a cure. I loved their relationship and felt they absolutely belonged with each other, and although they were complete strangers they made the best family.
The other characters in the story, particularly Billie and his mother (only ever known as ‘the old woman’) felt very real - the old woman with her scary wooden doll and witchy ways really spooked me out.
I found the narrative style a little unusual to get used to in places as the third person perspective jumped from one character to another from paragraph to paragraph. Whilst it meant that I never felt that intimacy of knowing one character inside out, I think it suited the story. It allowed my feelings towards some characters to change as I gained insight into the minds of some of the more evil characters and saw that they might not all be purely bad.
Wallis’ writing was wonderfully descriptive and evoked real sinister and dark atmospheres without being heavy handed. The paranormal, magical elements of the story didn’t dominate, and some elements were even left open for you to question whether they were real or not. I liked the uncertainty and questions left unanswered even at the end; it means that each reader can interpret the story in their own way.
The Dark Inside is a mysterious dark tale of hope, faith, family and trust.
Two very different characters are drawn together by their unhappy situations and desire to escape. James is a young boy living an unhappy life with his stepfather after the death of his mother, and Webster is on the run from some very scary fairground people trying to take advantage of his ‘curse’. Despite their differences, notably age, they seem to be kindred spirits and throughout the story they both look out for each other and try to find a cure. I loved their relationship and felt they absolutely belonged with each other, and although they were complete strangers they made the best family.
The other characters in the story, particularly Billie and his mother (only ever known as ‘the old woman’) felt very real - the old woman with her scary wooden doll and witchy ways really spooked me out.
I found the narrative style a little unusual to get used to in places as the third person perspective jumped from one character to another from paragraph to paragraph. Whilst it meant that I never felt that intimacy of knowing one character inside out, I think it suited the story. It allowed my feelings towards some characters to change as I gained insight into the minds of some of the more evil characters and saw that they might not all be purely bad.
Wallis’ writing was wonderfully descriptive and evoked real sinister and dark atmospheres without being heavy handed. The paranormal, magical elements of the story didn’t dominate, and some elements were even left open for you to question whether they were real or not. I liked the uncertainty and questions left unanswered even at the end; it means that each reader can interpret the story in their own way.
The Dark Inside is a mysterious dark tale of hope, faith, family and trust.
February 16, 2014
From the moment they meet in the House on the Hill, James and Webster are accepting of each other. Webster is physically injured and James himself has bruising. Webster protects James from an incident in the house although it’s not clear as the story continues, who is protecting who.
They both have their own inner demons. Both are scarred from experiences. Add to that the curse that Webster carries, their quest for healing takes them down some very strange paths.
The travellers running the fair (located on the village green) have a central part to play in the plot. The scenes involving the mother are quite spellbinding and spooky.
At one point I couldn’t make up my mind whether Webster’s curse was a result of a troubled mind. Having served in Iraq, there is one experience that haunts his dreams. As the deadline draws closer, I needed to turn those pages to find out the truth!
I enjoyed the figurative language. For example in my proof copy, in St Hubert’s searching for the key:
“And, for a moment, there was nothing but grace as the vicar smiled, and the pews ticked, and the sunlight moved noiselessly over the stone walls.”
I loved this sentence:
“The engine noise caught between the gaps in his bones and made him shudder.”
With 13 year old James on the run, this is perfect for leading up to what happens next.
Finding acceptance, coming to terms with and understanding for each of them comes through sacrifice, grief, honesty and love. A long road to travel (not in time, their quest starts on 8th June and ends 3rd July) but in the quest for healing which they ultimately find by looking into ‘the dark inside’ of themselves to reach the end. A very poignant story.
I would like to thank the publishers for providing an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
They both have their own inner demons. Both are scarred from experiences. Add to that the curse that Webster carries, their quest for healing takes them down some very strange paths.
The travellers running the fair (located on the village green) have a central part to play in the plot. The scenes involving the mother are quite spellbinding and spooky.
At one point I couldn’t make up my mind whether Webster’s curse was a result of a troubled mind. Having served in Iraq, there is one experience that haunts his dreams. As the deadline draws closer, I needed to turn those pages to find out the truth!
I enjoyed the figurative language. For example in my proof copy, in St Hubert’s searching for the key:
“And, for a moment, there was nothing but grace as the vicar smiled, and the pews ticked, and the sunlight moved noiselessly over the stone walls.”
I loved this sentence:
“The engine noise caught between the gaps in his bones and made him shudder.”
With 13 year old James on the run, this is perfect for leading up to what happens next.
Finding acceptance, coming to terms with and understanding for each of them comes through sacrifice, grief, honesty and love. A long road to travel (not in time, their quest starts on 8th June and ends 3rd July) but in the quest for healing which they ultimately find by looking into ‘the dark inside’ of themselves to reach the end. A very poignant story.
I would like to thank the publishers for providing an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2013
People are already comparing Rupert Wallis to Patrick Ness and David Almond. These are valid comparisons but I would add a third – Neil Gaiman, with the caveat that whereas there is no mistaking the other-worldness in, for example, Gaiman’s Neverwhere, the paranormal is open for negotiation in The Dark Inside. And that is its strength – different people will read the same book and draw different conclusions about what they've read.
The Dark Inside is about a boy who was once happy but is trapped in a seemingly hopeless situation, and a homeless man who isn't what he used to be. They go on a dangerous journey which will change both of them. To say more might not give the plot away but would require me to put my own spin on the story - which I’m reluctant to do, as the events are sufficiently ambiguous that different readers will draw different, but no less valid, interpretations from the book.
Some will read The Dark Inside as a gripping paranormal thriller; others will appreciate a compelling contemporary story that can be read with little, if any, need to draw on the supernatural. Most readers will probably end up somewhere in the middle, questioning where the line between paranormal and normal lies. Younger readers who reread the story as adults will likely come away with a different interpretation to their earlier selves.
Wallis's ability to deliver a story that is superficially straightforward but complex in subtext is why I think that this will be one of the remarkably few books that will appeal to teachers and award judges while also being one that older children and young adults will find compelling reading and want to pass on to their friends. That it is likely to be of particular appeal to boys is the icing on the cake.
The Dark Inside is about a boy who was once happy but is trapped in a seemingly hopeless situation, and a homeless man who isn't what he used to be. They go on a dangerous journey which will change both of them. To say more might not give the plot away but would require me to put my own spin on the story - which I’m reluctant to do, as the events are sufficiently ambiguous that different readers will draw different, but no less valid, interpretations from the book.
Some will read The Dark Inside as a gripping paranormal thriller; others will appreciate a compelling contemporary story that can be read with little, if any, need to draw on the supernatural. Most readers will probably end up somewhere in the middle, questioning where the line between paranormal and normal lies. Younger readers who reread the story as adults will likely come away with a different interpretation to their earlier selves.
Wallis's ability to deliver a story that is superficially straightforward but complex in subtext is why I think that this will be one of the remarkably few books that will appeal to teachers and award judges while also being one that older children and young adults will find compelling reading and want to pass on to their friends. That it is likely to be of particular appeal to boys is the icing on the cake.
March 16, 2015
(I received this book in exchange for an honest review.)
If we’re being totally honest with one another here, I’m not entirely sure why I requested The Dark Inside. I think I got a little blind-sided by Netgalley and the reviews that I’d seen for this book and thought it would be a good idea to read it myself, even though I knew it wasn’t going to be a book for me. And unfortunately, I was right.
If you were to ask me right now what The Dark Inside was about, I wouldn’t really have a proper answer to give you. Even after I’ve pondered over it for ages, I’m still not entirely sure what I read. The writing itself was excellent – easily my favourite part of the book – but the storyline just didn’t really go anywhere for me. I was totally lost the whole time I was reading, which I feel really bad about, but this just goes to show that a book simply cannot be for everyone. I know people who enjoyed The Dark Inside, but it just wasn’t one for me.
I never really got attached to the characters either. I felt like we didn’t know enough about them for me to really connect and feel anything for them at all. I was totally ambivalent about them all and I hate that. I did read The Dark Inside quickly, and I think that was because I enjoyed the writing and found it easy to read as I didn’t have that connection with a character that made me savour my time with them. Awful to say, but true.
The Dark Inside is certainly not the worst book I’ve read, just not the best book for me. We just didn’t click like I have done with other books, but that’s okay. It doesn’t mean it was terrible, we just didn’t work out.
If we’re being totally honest with one another here, I’m not entirely sure why I requested The Dark Inside. I think I got a little blind-sided by Netgalley and the reviews that I’d seen for this book and thought it would be a good idea to read it myself, even though I knew it wasn’t going to be a book for me. And unfortunately, I was right.
If you were to ask me right now what The Dark Inside was about, I wouldn’t really have a proper answer to give you. Even after I’ve pondered over it for ages, I’m still not entirely sure what I read. The writing itself was excellent – easily my favourite part of the book – but the storyline just didn’t really go anywhere for me. I was totally lost the whole time I was reading, which I feel really bad about, but this just goes to show that a book simply cannot be for everyone. I know people who enjoyed The Dark Inside, but it just wasn’t one for me.
I never really got attached to the characters either. I felt like we didn’t know enough about them for me to really connect and feel anything for them at all. I was totally ambivalent about them all and I hate that. I did read The Dark Inside quickly, and I think that was because I enjoyed the writing and found it easy to read as I didn’t have that connection with a character that made me savour my time with them. Awful to say, but true.
The Dark Inside is certainly not the worst book I’ve read, just not the best book for me. We just didn’t click like I have done with other books, but that’s okay. It doesn’t mean it was terrible, we just didn’t work out.
June 14, 2014
Publicado originalmente: El Extraño Gato del Cuento
The Dark Inside es un libro que siento no le hago justicia. Me encantado la historia, la narración está buena, tiene mucho misterio, mucha originalidad pero... No sé, siento que no fue el momento para leerlo. Hay algo que no me dejó disfrutarlo como se merece.
En realidad no tengo mucho que decir ¿Lo recomiendo? Sí, si buscas una historia con misterio, con magia más la importancia de la familia, la amistad y los valores, éste es tu libro. No es un libro largo, los capítulos son cortos, la narración es precisa de párrafos no muy extensos. Personajes muy bien construidos y además la sinopsis no revela demasiado por lo que al leerlo te llevarás varias sorpresas. De las buenas, aunque un poco aterradoras.
Puedo definir el libro cómo Inesperado.
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The Dark Inside es un libro que siento no le hago justicia. Me encantado la historia, la narración está buena, tiene mucho misterio, mucha originalidad pero... No sé, siento que no fue el momento para leerlo. Hay algo que no me dejó disfrutarlo como se merece.
En realidad no tengo mucho que decir ¿Lo recomiendo? Sí, si buscas una historia con misterio, con magia más la importancia de la familia, la amistad y los valores, éste es tu libro. No es un libro largo, los capítulos son cortos, la narración es precisa de párrafos no muy extensos. Personajes muy bien construidos y además la sinopsis no revela demasiado por lo que al leerlo te llevarás varias sorpresas. De las buenas, aunque un poco aterradoras.
Puedo definir el libro cómo Inesperado.
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May 9, 2014
Well, what a pleasant and fantastic surprise this book by Rupert Wallis was! A really strong, all-encompassing author voice that drew me in totally from the start, and a gripping, dark and often magical and emotional story.
It's about a boy called James who meets the "cursed" Webster and goes on a weird adventure with him to find a cure for what apparently seems like his disease of becoming a werewolf. This is never implicitly explained, but seems to be what it happening. And the book becomes more tense when James is bitten too and a bunch of rogue gypsies - led by the scariest witch-like woman I've read in some time - who want to keep James as their special prize for dark magic purposes.
And just wait until you meet the freaky thing the gypsy woman has for her dark magic (I won't spoil it by telling you, but it is FREAKY!).
I suppose the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I felt slightly cheated not knowing more about the werewolf curse, and seeing/feeling Webster in action as one. There are moments of it, but not enough.
However, that aside, if you're wanting to know how to write a debut novel, this is a must read! My predictioon is that Werewolves are the new Vampires in teen fiction.
It's about a boy called James who meets the "cursed" Webster and goes on a weird adventure with him to find a cure for what apparently seems like his disease of becoming a werewolf. This is never implicitly explained, but seems to be what it happening. And the book becomes more tense when James is bitten too and a bunch of rogue gypsies - led by the scariest witch-like woman I've read in some time - who want to keep James as their special prize for dark magic purposes.
And just wait until you meet the freaky thing the gypsy woman has for her dark magic (I won't spoil it by telling you, but it is FREAKY!).
I suppose the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I felt slightly cheated not knowing more about the werewolf curse, and seeing/feeling Webster in action as one. There are moments of it, but not enough.
However, that aside, if you're wanting to know how to write a debut novel, this is a must read! My predictioon is that Werewolves are the new Vampires in teen fiction.
April 15, 2014
The synopsis doesn’t reveal too much about what this story is about. I wanted to know what the curse was and what Webster was running from.
I felt for James throughout this story as he was running away from his problems all the way through but this made him stronger towards the end of the book.
Parts of this book seemed to have a slight religious aspect to them about forgiveness and loss.
This book didn’t take me long to finish with such short chapters. There was also a lot in this story about a witch and her son and the gypsies who run the fair. Throughout the book I had different opinions of her. I didn’t like her when she was being nasty to James and Webster however I felt myself liking her slightly when she became a caring motherly figure. I ended up reminding myself that she wasn’t one of the good characters.
I would recommend this book if you are into fantasy novels however this book just wasn’t for me.
I felt for James throughout this story as he was running away from his problems all the way through but this made him stronger towards the end of the book.
Parts of this book seemed to have a slight religious aspect to them about forgiveness and loss.
This book didn’t take me long to finish with such short chapters. There was also a lot in this story about a witch and her son and the gypsies who run the fair. Throughout the book I had different opinions of her. I didn’t like her when she was being nasty to James and Webster however I felt myself liking her slightly when she became a caring motherly figure. I ended up reminding myself that she wasn’t one of the good characters.
I would recommend this book if you are into fantasy novels however this book just wasn’t for me.
July 7, 2015
The theme in this YA novel is very much the old classic 'good' versus 'evil' battle. What makes it different is Wallis's handling of the story, which is very well done, and the interesting role played by religion. At first I thought that the part to be played by religion would be significant and put me off, but it was pretty much the reverse.
Wallis also has two very good villains in Billy and his mum. They are great creations, and many times bring the book to life.
Another refreshing aspect is the relationship the 13 year old hero James has with the adults who befriend and help him. This is the second YA novel I have read recently that deals with child physical abuse (the other being The Girl In The Cemetery). Wallis has very clear boundaries between good and evil, not just in the chase of the story, but in James's home life also.
Why no 5 starts therefore? The finale was something of an anti-climax, and Wallis could not keep the pace and the interest going throughout.
Wallis also has two very good villains in Billy and his mum. They are great creations, and many times bring the book to life.
Another refreshing aspect is the relationship the 13 year old hero James has with the adults who befriend and help him. This is the second YA novel I have read recently that deals with child physical abuse (the other being The Girl In The Cemetery). Wallis has very clear boundaries between good and evil, not just in the chase of the story, but in James's home life also.
Why no 5 starts therefore? The finale was something of an anti-climax, and Wallis could not keep the pace and the interest going throughout.
July 25, 2022
The dark inside was my first werewolve book I have read this year however, I think I may need to get more of the werewolve genre as I did enjoy this book very much.
I really did like the characters James and Webster they both went through a lot throughout this book which made me continue on till the end I wasn't a very big fan of Billy didn't like his or his ma's character at all but that didn't stop me from reading.
The only thing that did let me down in this book is that there wasn't very much werewolve bits in it just only the one which I wouldn't of minded more like werewolves vs human action against Billy but sadly didn't get to see that at all.
I do recommend this book to anyone that would read something like this.
I really did like the characters James and Webster they both went through a lot throughout this book which made me continue on till the end I wasn't a very big fan of Billy didn't like his or his ma's character at all but that didn't stop me from reading.
The only thing that did let me down in this book is that there wasn't very much werewolve bits in it just only the one which I wouldn't of minded more like werewolves vs human action against Billy but sadly didn't get to see that at all.
I do recommend this book to anyone that would read something like this.
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February 17, 2016Good YA book. I'm not a fan of ware wolves but this is really a book about a young boy James, 13, who encounters a man in an abandoned house. Both have arrived at a crisis point in their lives but because of different reasons. James ' mother was killed in a car crash and he's now living with his resentful and abusive stepfather, and Webster, the main adult character is on the run from people but is also suffering PTSD having been deployed as a soldier in Iraq. Both are attempting to escape their current place in life. This is part adventure, part fairytale, but with the characters very much at the centre of the book, not just the plot, which makes for a thrilling read.
July 10, 2014
Slow, but thoughtful throughout. I've not much to say in regards to the plot, it was pretty average. However, there is redemption in the characters Webster and James (the only two with any kind of depth) as the story progresses. That, and of Cook and the farmer couple. I'd probably say these were my favourite characters, due to their unwitting kindness and need for companionship. It just strikes a cord within me.
The book was average, but has glints of great insight within it. It's worth a read, if only once.
The book was average, but has glints of great insight within it. It's worth a read, if only once.
August 1, 2014
This was a strange one. I was back and forth about whether I liked it at all until the end. The plot was a classic game of cat and mouse which was pretty weary save for the excellent segment at Cook's house. Apart from that though, the plot of this one definitely didn't grip me. However, upon finishing the book the themes of forgiveness and endurance solidified, leaving behind a powerful message fuelled by both James' and Webster's ultimate selfless acts. The Dark Inside is a strange case of style over substance, but one that ultimately succeeds in creating a charming and touching story.
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