DarkIsle

DarkIsle Trilogy #1

by D.A. Nelson

IT’S A MAGICAL world if you know where to look. . . .

For 10-year-old Morag, that magical world is no farther than the cellar of her cruel foster parents’ home. That’s where she’s shocked to meet Aldiss, a talking rat, and his resourceful companion, Bertie the dodo bird.

Morag jumps at the chance to escape a life of drudgery and join them on their quest to save their homeland from an evil warlock named Devlish, who is intent on destroying it. But first, Bertie and Aldiss will need to stop bickering long enough to free the only guide who knows where to find Shona, a dragon who’s been turned to stone. Together, these four friends begin their journey to a mysterious island beyond the horizon, where danger and glory await—along with clues to the disappearance of Morag’s parents, whose destiny seems somehow linked to her own.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Magic

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

www.danelsonauthor.com

Hellow!
My name is Dawn and I'm an award winning writer of both books for adults and children. I live near Loch Lomond on the west coast of central Scotland.

Being Scottish, you'll find many of my books have links to or are set in Scotland, although there are a number of other, more exotic (and less cold and wet ;-) ) settings too! For adults, there's my two novels, Greed and Envy, which are part of the brand new Sisters of Sin series coming out this summer 2022. I've also written two of the Nina Esposito adventure romance series (Dusting Down Alcudia, is now available as an e-book, paperback and large print; the sequel, The Jacobite's Share are also available in the same formats) and my standalone dark comedy, Everything She Wants. For kids, there's my award winning fantasy series, DarkIsle (consisting of DarkIsle, DarkIsle: Resurrection and DarkIsle: The Final Battle) plus by non fiction title, A Children's History of Glasgow.

Find out more about me, my life, my loves, my hates and, more importantly, my books on my website: www.danelsonauthor.com

I love to hear from my fans, so drop me an email or contact me via:
Email: dawn@danelsonauthor.com
Twitter: @danelsonauthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authordanelson/
Goodreads: D A Nelson
Instagram: danelsonauthor

Look forward to hearing from you! Dawn

Reviews

[Keira · Rating 3 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book (it was a reread), although the beginning felt a bit... off, I suppose, in terms of the writing. I think Morag was very old for her years and could have done with being a bit more child-like, perhaps. Apart from that, I loved returning to the magical world of this series.

[Puja Harikumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok for a kids book. Relatively simplistic worldbuilding, but captivating storyline. Shame this isn't an audiobook. Shouldn't have taken me 2 years to finish reading but now I can finally cross this off my goodreads reading list

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not entirely sure where this book came from, but it was on my shelves and asked to be read. And actually, this was a cute Middle Grade fantasy story and I enjoyed it well enough.

The whole story feels quite light and reads away very easily. A dragon, a rat and a dodo? Yes please! It has just the right amount of adventure. However, the writing style did not really do anything for me and I feel like it could have had a bit more oomph. The characters were fun, but could have done with a tiny bit more fleshing out. The main problem I had, was that every now and then something would happen that did not feel quite right for the larger feel of the book. Obviously, I can’t go into that, because, well, spoilers, but it was something that really pulled me out of the story a couple of times, which was a shame.

I will pass this book onto my almost 9-year-old daughter and I hope she will enjoy it. I think she would and she is the target audience. I won’t continue this series, but she may.

[LeafPages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to older children or teens as it does depict verbally abusive parents in the beginning of the book. However, the fantasy element seems to be more suited for older children, perhaps the age of 12.

I liked the journey plotline and I loved the characters, especially Bertie and Shona. It was humourous.

I particularly liked the explanation for disappearance of the dodo in the ‘human world’ (you’ll have to read it to find out what I’m talking about).

Shona had the personality of a dragon; fiery and fierce. But also adorable.

This book has Kelpies and Dragons and talking rats and dodos – what’s not to like?

Full review on my blog: https://allthingsbooks696874972.wordp...

[Pamela Bronson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent children's fantasy. I would have loved it if I were 10, like the heroine of mysterious origin. Contains a dragon, a dodo, and a rat - how fun!

Echoes of both Cinderella and Harry Potter, without being at all a copycat story.

The ending is fine and feels safe, but you want to know who Morag's parents are and you don't yet. But both I and my county libraries own only the first in the trilogy and I don't think I want to know quite enough to order the second and third novels through ILL.

[Hannah McMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this such a high rating because when I was 9 or 10 I won this book in a competition and fell in love with it. Maybe it was because it was the first type of book I had read like it, but either way I enraptured with it. So this review if from my younger self who used to bring it to sleepovers so I could read it when everyone else had fallen asleep.

[Christopher Murillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fue el primer libro que leí, y de echo, por el que me di cuenta sobre mi pasión por la fantasía.
El ojo de Lornish logra transmitir el sentimiento de tristeza y soledad de morag en un mundo donde solo la utilizan.
Me encanto, por qué siento que siempre soñé con vivir algo como lo que leí en este libro❤️❤️

[Jack Kavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting. it had lots of things going on, but not to much. i feel it will soon be as famous as Harry Potter!

[Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

De los primeros que leí de fantasia fue este y creo que me gusta demasiado porque lo he leído 4 libros

[Pani Baki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya no me acuerdo ni de qué iba xD

[Biby Saly]

Un libro simple pero entretenido, debería de ser más conocido

[Zac Kaiess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid Book. Easy palette cleanser during books.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This magical tale is truly mesmerizing and has to be one of the most exciting & original children’s novels of the year!!

I am just SO excited about D.A Nelson’s spectacular new novel ‘DarkIsle’ as it really will captivate many children, who delight in magical stories and sword & sorcery.

A Dragon with a grudge, a resourceful Dodo, a talking rat and a young girl who learns to be brave; are on a quest that takes them into another world!

When two strangers help Morag escape a life of drudgery, she has no idea that joining them on their mission will take her into a world more dangerous than the one she is leaving behind.
An ancient stone used to protect their mysterious northern homeland from human invaders, has been stolen by a renegade intent on harnessing its powers. With Morag’s help they have a chance to rescue it, by freeing the only guide- a dragon, turned to stone thirty years ago – who knows the way to an Island beyond the horizon and unknown to man. Morag’s journey is perilous and dark forces are already afoot to stop her. Along the way are clues not only to the stone’s whereabouts but also to the disappearance of her parents, urging Morag onwards to fulfill a destiny that seems inextricably linked to her own…

This exciting, intensely gripping and thrilling tale will have you sat on the edge of your seat in suspense as to what will happen next for there are so many unexpected twists & turns in the plot. Dramatic and remarkable this magical tale is both beautifully detailed and complex, hence older readers will love it just as much as the younger reader too. If you are a fan of ‘Alice’s adventures in Wonderland’ with many curious creatures and atypical happenings then you will love this adventure, for fans of Christopher Paolini’s ‘Eragon’ will also love the fire-breathing beasts in this fantastical tale.

This is a book that I envisage as being the chosen book for millions of children’s Christmas stockings this year, and something which shall be flying off the bookshelves in stores; as fast as Harry Potter’s Broomstick! This is truly a creative masterpiece, which as an avid reader of YA fiction and fantasy I absolutely loved hence I urge you to discover the mysteries and secrets hidden beneath DarkIsle. The striking and mystical Emerald and deep blue cover is stunning and which cannot fail to catch your eye instantly, as you are drawn in by the tantalizing, intriguing plot; not unlike bait being lured into an irresistible trap! This beautiful, hardback book is something to treasure and which is a tale that I shall certainly be re-visiting time & time again, as I also re-read this to my nephews who are equally as adventurous as Phillias Fogg, whose imaginations are as far-reaching as to the ends of Middle-Earth. I cannot enthuse enough about the most enchanting, spellbinding story this year that has taken pride of place at the top of the bookshelf, ideal for bedtime reading…

[Stephonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morag, an orphan, fostered by a horrific couple is kept simply as a slave. When she doesn't do Jermy's and Moira's bidding she is severely punished. The worst punishment is to be locked in the basement, which she is absolutely convinced is full of rats, spiders, and ghosts. On one such occasion she is surprised to find herself trusting a talking rat and a not so extinct dodo bird.

After helping to free a dragon Morag finds herself in very dangerous situations and for the first time finds herself experiencing true friendship for the first time.

I stumbled upon this book as I was in a bookstore searching for something new and fun to read. It was actually the cover that enticed me to pick it up. Not having much time to really look at the book on a whim I purchased it. At first I was a little apprehensive that it might be more macabre than what I prefer my books to be. However, I was readily surprised! DarkIsle is a lovely book! Refreshingly clean and the unconventional characters drew me in. For a debut novel I find it delightfully written and I can not wait to get my hands on the sequel.

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can imagine this book enthralling an eager young listener in the form of an original bedtime story, with the storyteller making up the next adventure in the saga of Morag and her fellow travelers each night. The characters might have particular voices and body language that bring out humor or sadness or grim determination.

As a novel, however, the individual elements don't melt into a readable tale. The characters, although they might come alive with some interpretive acting, have no particular personalities written into their dialog or behavior. Each scene feels like it was pulled from a separate story, with few connecting threads to tie the action together. Subplots arise and disappear without explanation.

As another reader surmised, perhaps this book will have a sequel to continue the loose ends that ought to have been acknowledged and tied up in this volume.

[Erin Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I din't love this book but I didn't hate it either.

Morag holds onto the hope that her parents will come back for her someday and rescue her from her uncaring caretakers which reminded me of Harry Potters home. When she is locked in the basement as a punishment she meets a talking DoDo and Rat. They offer to help her escape and soon she is helping them rescuing a dragon. The four new friends set off on an adventure to steal back the moon stone that helps to protect the magical world.

The book ends with a few unanswered questions so I guess there will be a second book.

[Catriona · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the makings if a Harry Potter copy. An orphan girl living with cruel foster patents, discovers a magical world that hides from humans and goes on an adventure to find a missing jewel and battle an evil wizard.

Saying all that still a good read, thoroughly enjoyable and looking forward to part 2 where Morag searches for more clues about her parents disappearance.

[Megan McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this way back in primary seven (not too long ago but far enough) and I honestly can't think of a book I've loved as much that I had to read at school. Being younger at the time and closer in age to the character probably helped enjoy it as much but I definitely have to get my hands on a copy and re-read it. Recommend it

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, kept me up to finish it. The only problem I had with it is that quite a major plot point was not resolved and it really seemed like it would be. A shame, but I've just learned that there is a sequel so perhaps the author meant to resolve it in the second book. Here's hoping...

[Olivia bieber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darkisle is a book full of adventure, and exciteing events.

[Thia · Rating 3 out of 5]

dragons and dodos

[Abby]

I listened to this on audio and it got me through my days after eye surgery. Totally sweet and wonderful and a really great reader, loved the voices.

[Inés · Rating 2 out of 5]

El libro Esta lindo pero muy infantil. No tan entretenido. Con suerte lo pude terminar

[Pepper ˙ᵕ˙ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volviendolo a leer después de que se lo presté a una amiga en la primaria y nunca más lo volví a ver (me compré otra copia).

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adventure about an orphan on adventure with a dodo, rat, and a dragon. Humorous and light..

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think my 9 year old will like it. The writing style was a bit bumpy for me.