Dartmoor...The Saving

by B.J. Burton

Beneath the wide open spaces of Dartmoor live the Dini. Now just two feet tall, their bodies no longer able to bear children, the Dini are dying out. Only ten survive on the moor.

According to their own folklore they are descendents of the Celtic tribe, the Votadini, who were great warriors and horsemen. Led by their kinsman warlord, whose battle name was Artos (now remembered as Arthur), they defeated the Saxon invaders. The witch Demetia, responsible for the treacherous downfall of Artos, sought to punish his loyal kinsmen and cursed the Votadini so that generation by generation they shrink in size.

After 1,000 years, the Dini were forced by the cruelty of the Biguns to live in hiding in the wild places. But staying hidden is growing difficult as modern-day Biguns pour into the wild places to enjoy their stark beauty. Is it time to stop hiding and fight back?

A series of strange events arouses the suspicions of Dartmoor Ranger Bob Johnson. Is he going mad or can there really be tiny people living on the moor? If he is going mad, he’s not the only one – there’s a strange old man who believes he is the re-incarnation of Merlin. Is it Bob’s rôle to save them? Is there an even bigger task for him? Inspired by the Spirit of Artos, Bob becomes Robert Edgar Johnson, Guardian of the Earth, Companion of Kings. Maybe, just maybe, he can help to save us all.

346 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It started like a children's read , but as it went on it was obvious it was more YA. It did put me in mind of The Hobbit, as it is about a set of little people who were trying to survive on the moors. It seems these people were the remnants of a tribe from long ago, around the time of King Arthur, who were cursed by a goddess, which has made them loose their height and have therefore been shunned by humans, until they have had to try and survive outside of the society. Modern man has moved on with all the inventions over time, but these little people have been left behind and have had to live in disused mine adits and caves. This story tells how they were discovered by Ranger of Dartmoor and how it has affected both them and him and his wife.
It was a very easy read and I found myself rushing through the book, and although it includes some of the politics of wanting to save the earth, it wasn't too much.

[Sam Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much. It’s like a more grown up version of the Borrowers, mixed with the magic of lord of the rings without being as heavy going. Also love that it’s set on Dartmoor which adds to the atmosphere. Started the sequel now 😀

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming story which capitalises on our persistent mythologies of races of little people; fairies, pixies, leprechauns, ‘the lordly ones who dwell in the hills, in the hollow hills’. The Dini are the remnant of a cursed British tribe, the Votadini, who have dwindled in stature and potency. There have been no baby Dini born for 18 years. The Dini live in secrecy on Dartmoor, scratching a hard life, moving at night, hiding in damp, abandoned mines in the day. One day, Ranger Bob finds that there are more little creatures on the moor than rabbits.

This book is suitable for older children upwards (way upwards!) and weaves Celtic myth and legend into a modern concern for the environment. If you read this book, you’ll meet Merlin of the Arthurian legends, and find with him the great sword of power. There are heart-stopping moments when the Dini, or Gododdin, as they should really be known, are in danger of discovery or death, but the Prince of Wales is asked to help. Can he come to the rescue? You need to read this to find out! There’s a lovely ending to the story but it’s not a conclusion to the whole tale. Fortunately, there’s another book in the series which I shall have to hunt down. I wish we’d had this book when I was a youngster. Still, I’ve made up for it now!

[Stuart Ayris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully structured, beautifully written tale that expertly pulls together a story but manages to do so whilst adding layer upon layer of depth. You can go just as deep as you want to go. I adored the playful nature of the narrative and the convincing characters - particularly the small people - and was with them all the way.

The stage for the second half of the novel is set purposefully and with just the right amount of pace and detail to keep you reading. I was entirely immersed in the story and am so glad I've already purchased the sequel. If you;re a fan of battles against the odds, a belief in the magical elements in life and a love of humanity then you will love this book as much as I did.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from my father and read it initially because I spent a lot of time walking on Dartmoor when I was growing up and it's not often that I find fiction set in places I know well or have lived in. At first I was worried that it would all be terribly twee and whimsical (the "little people" of Dartmoor and their charming adventures...), and it comes across as a children's book, but as it progresses the author expands the scope and cleverly integrates the Dini's world into a larger, pre-existing mythology. It takes its time setting things up and the plot only really kicks in over halfway through, but by the end I was keen to seek out the sequel.

[Chris Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most amazing story I have ever read, completely absorbing, couldn't put it down. £1.49 to download, a most fantastic bargain. Such a great narration, I was easily able to picture everything. If you love Dartmoor, you have to read this book.