The Dark Hills Divide

The Land of Elyon #1

by Patrick Carman

An extraordinary debut weaving magic and heroism into a classic tale of good and evil, featuring a heroine you'll never forget.

Inquisitive twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is spending another summer in the walled town of Bridewell. This year, she is set on solving the mystery of what lies beyond the walls. Legend says the walls were built to keep out an unnamed evil that lurks in the forests and The Dark Hills. But what exactly is it that the townspeople are so afraid of?
As Alexa begins to unravel the truth, pushing beyond the protective barrier she's lived behind all her life, she discovers a strange and ancient enchantment -- and exposes a danger that could destroy everything she holds dear.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Mystery

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

I have been a lifelong writer and storyteller. Salem, Oregon is where I spent my formative years and I graduated from Willamette University. After college, I spent a decade living in Portland, Oregon where I worked in advertising, game design, and technology.

I've written young adult and children's books for Scholastic, Little Brown Books For Young Readers and Katherine Tegen Books/ HarperCollins Publishers.

I've been fortunate enough to have had some bestselling series work: The Land of Elyon, Atherton, Elliot’s Park, 39 Clues, and Skeleton Creek. Here's a fun note...the books have been translated into approximately two dozen languages. Currently I'm developing a few new-media projects. Check out DARK EDEN to experience this type of cross-platform project.

When I'm not writing or creating a story, I spend my free time supporting literacy campaigns and community organizations, fly fishing, playing basketball and tennis, doing crosswords, watching movies, dabbling in video games, reading (lots), and (more than anything else) spending time with my wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Land of Elyon" in the series title is a small nation of fearful settlements, surrounded by a wall. Of the settlements, Bridewell is the closest to the Dark Hills outside the wall, which the settlers speculate are full of criminals and monsters. Precocious twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is the daughter of the mayor of another settlement. Every summer her father goes to Bridewell to consult with the other mayors, and she tags along to scrounge the library for information on the outside world.

When she's not reading, Alexa pretends to be an explorer or detective. She won't need to pretend this year.

Content Advisory
Violence: A man plans a violent uprising which culminates in a siege, albeit with a low body count. The same man menaces a kid and tries to stab her with a poker. A brave squirrel is almost killed by two evil cats. The cats eventually get squished by a falling bookshelf. They had it coming, but violence against ANY animals is a no-go for some youngsters. Know your kids.

Sex: An adult asks our heroine if she's ever kissed a boy. Just a weird question for a grown-up to ask a kid.

Language: None.

Substance Abuse: Pervis is frequently hammered. The book does not glamorize his drinking, but neither does it judge him for it. Alexa eventually concludes that he drinks to deal with the stress of his perilous job.

Politics and Religion: There are some Christian allegorical elements in this series. They are not obvious in this first book. I didn't find them preachy at all, but your mileage may vary.

Nightmare Fuel: Nothing in this installment, but plenty in the later books. Again, know your kids!

Conclusion
The first installment in Patrick Carman's Elyon series is a solid middle-grade adventure/fantasy/mystery with a well-crafted setting and palpable sense of dread. Alexa is a brave and clever kid who has a good relationship with her dad and other authority figures. She never puts on airs about her intelligence. Looks and boys are not on her radar yet. Despite being very mature in some ways, she's still a kid who loses her temper and gets distracted by "unspeakably gross" things.

The story certainly borrows elements of Narnia and Middle-earth, with perhaps a hint of Alice, but Carman does not lift enough from any single source that it ever feels like a rip-off. There's nothing terribly original here either, but it is definitely enough of its own thing to sustain interest, even for a fussy elder stateswoman like myself.

Carman says in his afterword that this story began as a serial for his daughters, and the book maintains a bedtime story quality. This should be great for kids 10 and up to read alone, and younger can enjoy it as a read aloud.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't able to read this book every day like I usually do with novels, so for a long time I attributed my lack of interest in it's characters, and my confusion regarding the plot, to the fact that I wasn't able to keep the flow. But the more I read the more confused I got (I was actually intrigued at the beginning) and the end left me scratching my head wondering what the point of the story was.

Like I said, the beginning was intriguing, governmental type meeting, a suspicious death, a riddle, a walled city, and the world beyond that our twelve-year-old girl protagonist, Alexa, is very curious about. But honestly, the details of the plot are so hard for me to even summarize because I don't really know what all happened. I think the basic plot is that the walled city faces dangers from the outside, and Alexa must find out who the "spy" within the city is.

There are talking animals (a very entertaining squirrel included) who've been separated by the wall (quite sad, and again, Alexa must help), and there's a fantastic library, and of course, the enjoyment of trying to figure out who the spy is. But the problem is, it's no fun if the author never gives you any clues to figure it out for yourself (or try to, even if you ultimately want to be surprised -- unless I can connect the dots after the fact, the "ta-da" isn't very exciting. Instead of showing how a character is guilty or not, I felt more that the reader was told, without really explaining why.

Alexa has very little introspection that we're privy to, so it's more that Alexa feels so-and-so isn't the spy and thus we must accept it. *Why* did Alexa trust (or not) certain people? And even after Alexa figures something out, the author won't tell the reader but drags it out to the last possible second for the "wow" factor (I'm guessing) but by that point I've lost interest and feel, in a way, cheated. I want to see how Alexa arrives at her decisions, not just be told that she's decided.

I wanted to like this book... but sadly it felt more like a chore to read. At least for me. I see the book has mixed reviews, so I'll have to read some of the more favorable ones to see what others found more enjoyable. Obviously the book resonates with some since this is part of a series.

[Shantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful and charming tale! I can hardly believe I've been missing out on this splendid, little series all this time!

The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman brings us into the intriguing Land of Elyon, where we meet sweet Alexa Daley, who is quite smart and courageous. She's been trying for quite a while to learn of what lies beyond the walls that at times seem to imprison her. Meanwhile, her father and his fellow advisers and friends try to keep her out of trouble. But upon old Warvold's sudden death, a chance is opened up to Alexa to explore deep mysteries and dark places. What will she discover? Does danger await her?

I think only two of my friends on Goodreads, (that I've noticed), have read this book. They had nothing but good to say about it; and after surveying the intriguing and utterly charming cover, I had to add this book to my to-read list. Just in case. Recently, I scrolled through my TR list, looking for a book to read next ... and decided to try out The Dark Hills Divide. Am I ever glad I did! *smiles*
It's a short-ish, small book, perhaps geared toward a bit younger audience than myself, but nevermind! *grins* It has the potential to please many. I am thinking of recommending this book to my eleven-year-old brother, and twelve-year-old sister. I think my fourteen-year-old sister would enjoy it as well. And I loved it! I'm so excited to read the next stories in the series! It's just one of those timeless tales that for some reason or another absolutely enthralls you. Like The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Adventure. Brave children. Mystery. Fun. Sweetness. Magic. It a story that thrills the soul and tells one there's more to life than just purposeless, day-to-day, "going through the motions". There's meaning and lost magic, but you must go on an adventure to find it! **I hate using the word magic, because it can mean such a wide variety of things. But in this case, it all felt like Narnia "magic". Not really magic, just a world of things and possibilities you didn't think existed.**

It seems there could be some allegories going on here. Perhaps a Christian-allegory? I'm not sure. But it altogether quite simply a beautiful, though at times harsh, story. The epilogue promised much more to come, more mystery, and more discovery! I'm excited to continue this journey! ^_^

The Dark Hills Divide was written in first person, but had a little different feel than most books like that. It was more of a old-ish feel. Deep. A little slow at points; but all in all, very delicious! *grins* I'm not sure if I'm explaining it right ... but if everything turns out nicely in this series, I would absolutely adore to see it on my bookshelf!! It has a classical feel and a heart-warming story that just makes you want to give it a squeeze and recommend to fellow book-lovers!
Once again, very akin to Narnia. A lot of the feelings I got from reading this tale were kind of the same feelings I get from watching The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Classic!

There were a few scary or slightly violent moments. But not much at all. When you look at the cover, you might expect a darker tale, but it didn't turn out to be quite like that. It had a solemn tone at times, but a lot of fun and intrigue involved as well. That being said, there is one scene toward the end that might frighten younger readers ... so caution.

The animals. I'm not sure how much I should say ... trying to avoid being spoiler-ish ... but they were so much fun. *grins*

Ah. What else can I say? I enjoyed it thoroughly! I'm looking forward to reading more! I'm captivated! *huggles book* Fans of The Chronicles of Narnia, you definitely must give The Dark Hills Divide a try. Also, those who like adventure and intriguing worlds beyond the normal, you'll probably love this tale!

[Kogiopsis · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, my relationship with this book is weird. I was in fourth grade when it first came out, living in the same town as Patrick Carman, and in that small community it was a big deal to have a local author, especially when he got picked up by Scholastic. My teacher actually read this book aloud to the class - though I think it was actually the independent edition, in which Chapter 18 includes a bizarre detour into the world of dentistry. (You think I'm kidding? I still own that book, and I checked, just to make sure my memory wasn't malfunctioning.)

Anyhow - I've got a signed indie printing copy, a signed poster, and the first three books in Scholastic hardback, and I found out as I prepared to write this review that Carman and I also share an alma mater - but I'm not in fourth grade anymore, and this book didn't stand up to the test of time even with such a heavy nostalgia factor/personal connection.

A grain of salt: as Carman mentions in the afterword to this volume, the story was originally created to entertain his two young daughters, so a certain degree of absurdity or lack of coherence is understandable... or it was, until he got picked up by a Big 6 publisher.

I think that's the thing that it all comes down to, in the end. Independently published, this book would be a solid entry on the low end of middle-grade age ranges, with an adventurous young heroine who (I can vouch from personal experience) young girls can get behind. But as a book from a major house, there are just... too many weaknesses. For one, the connection between the Land of Elyon and the world we know is vague*, but clearly there - one of the characters is named after a Hindu god. For another, the plot essentially relies on a whole lot of Idiot Ball-passing happening for years before the book takes place, as characters apparently knew who the Big Bad was, but did nothing to hinder his plans, and other characters ignored the warnings of those who had it all figured out. It's a tidy set-up for Alexa to come in and save the day, but it's not very plausible.

There are, however, some really neatly done aspects. In particular, the conclusion has a bittersweet tinge to it, as characters make choices/sacrifices that force them to grow beyond safe, understandable worlds. There's a sense of... the regret and the wonder that come with leaving childhood behind, and in that way you can really see the impact of Carman's original audience on the way the story was crafted, in the best possible way.

Two-star rating aside, I do think this is a book I would recommend to kids. It doesn't meet my standards as an adult reader, but it also doesn't bother me (even on a religious front - I'm an atheist and the book has some overtones of Christian allegory - nothing is pervasive enough to be a problem), and at the end of the day it's a fun adventure story that I know full well kids will enjoy.

(*This may well be addressed in one of the later books in the series; I've never read past 3, which is actually the reason for rereading now.)

[Jerome Otte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alexa is apparently the ONLY child in existence, not to mention the only FEMALE in existence, given that her mother is on the periphery, only communicating through a letter, and that Renny is dead. Even Odessa, Darius' wife, has no speaking part. Alexa lives in a bizarre community of middle-aged men which is a just plain weird. Where are all the other children? I thought this was a kids book?

Alexa is, especially in the first half, far too passive a character. She is told what to do by adults or animals and then she goes ahead and does it. There's little sense of adventure or danger in what she does and simply declaring her adventurous or heroic or frightened doesn't make her so. The land outside the walls is covered pretty perfunctorily so it never really comes alive for us. The same is true of the land inside the walls, where we meet relatively few people (all of them seemingly old or middle-aged men--where are the women and children?) and get very little sense of culture.

The plot is also problematic. As mentioned above, there is little sense of danger or suspense for the first half of the book; the arduous journey/quest Alexa makes is mostly conveyed through telling us it's arduous and by describing her blisters.

Re-reading in high school after having read it in elementary school makes these things more obvious, but for any elementary student, this is a great read.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series when I was much younger and thought that I may as well give it another go!  Usually with series--especially fantasy series--there's a scene or two that really sticks out to me and makes me want to reread it, to see if it still holds up.  The scene I remembered was the imprisonment Pervis, the city's chief of police--he's frequently drunk, and upon his imprisonment he has a nasty hangover involving a bucket and a couple pauses to vomit.  As a kid who hated vomit more than anything, this was nightmare fuel.  But as an adult, I mean...been there, minus the imprisonment.  

Reading this as a child and then an adult was utterly fascinating.  Alexa is so young, Pervis is nowhere as old as I thought he was, and oh my god, how is Alexa not traumatized by Warvold just flat out dying next to her?  That being said, these differences made, well, all the difference, and certainly made for a nostalgic and fun re-reading experience.

When Alexa Daley goes to Bridewell with her father, as is tradition every summer, she uses her free to time to try to continue to find a way outside of a wall.  But this year, the city's founder has died, she's learning more about engraved jewels, and discovers the magic that's lurking in the hills.  What could possibly go wrong?  What history is true, and what hasn't been discovered yet?  

As Alexa attempts to put all the pieces together, she realizes that time is running out, as there's an infiltrator in the town of Bridewell who is about to unleash a fury of angry convicts, threatening to destroy everything she and the townspeople have known and loved.

Overall, I truly enjoyed rereading it.  With talking animals, councils, and inner-city politics, there's certainly a lot to love.  It was a fun romp as an adult, but I'd certainly recommend this to children who don't mind mystery and fantasy intertwined, and who appreciate a slow burn.

Review cross-listed here!

[Kit · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping that this would be a series I could recommend to voracious middle-grade fantasy readers, but no such luck. There are the seeds of a good story here, with at least one good character and the possibility of a suspenseful plot. As it stands, though, they are overwhelmed by vast info-dump and the feeling that it doesn't matter if anything the characters do is something a real, sane person would do - if the author needs it to happen, it's going to happen regardless of how many WTFs it induces.

There are bad guys who are inexplicably and suddenly bad for no reason. There's a traitor who seems for all practical purposes to be better off staying on the good side, if only for selfish gain, but who turns traitor anyway. And in one small example of total huh, there's a library book about Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, the Spanish explorer, in an otherwise totally fictional world. But (a) the story in the book has nothing to do with the real Cabeza de Vaca, and (b) throughout, the main character calls him "Cabeza," as if that were his first name.

I read it all the way through, mostly to see what on earth else could happen. I hope Carman hits his stride in the other books in the series, and his ideas have a better chance to come out in the clear.

[Mallory Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my fav childhood book series: The Land of Elyon. My adult reading rating is a 3/5, but if I was 10 again this would be a 5/5.

[Despair Speaking · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Hills Divide is a simple fantasy book directed to children that has captivated my heart in more ways than I imagined. I do not know why I am so in love with this book; it has the same basic elements of other fantastical children stories and it doesn't really deviate itself from the norm. But the seaming of the lovable characters, the mysterious setting, and the adventure was so well done that it become a beautiful work.

We see from the point of view of Alexa, a gusty and curious girl who wishes to venture out of the walls that surround Bridewell. She had always wondered about what lies outside and her being close to Warvold, the founder of Bridewell and the greatest adventurer of all time, isn't helping at all.

Warvold and Alexa were having one of their walks when Warvold suddenly tells her this strange poem about the Blind Men of Indostan. She is bewildered by this but doesn't really ponder on the poem (which is actually a clue to the identity of the antagonist as she later finds out). Warvold then murmurs on whether the walls he built around Bridewell was to keep the monsters out or to keep them in before promptly dying. Thus begins Alexa's tale filled with uncertain allies, talking animals, and dark secrets.

[Stargazer R. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is:
-Huge part of my childhood
-An intriguing adventure
-Really fun to read or listen to
-Quietly suspenseful
-A unique story which I challenge any girl between 10 and 14 to dislike. I just don't think it's gonna happen.

Things I love about it:
-The unique world with its dusty roads, cool streams, forests, hot summer sun, and its medieval feel but with spyglasses and a dash of gunpowder
-The talking animals
-The library with it's rows and rows of shelves and the cozy nook by the window
-All the food
-The excitement
-The mysteriousness
-The fun
-The joy
-The tunnels
-The story
-The joy of reading it again and again over the years and it still not being a disappointment or a phase that I've gown out of
-I can feel the dust and the dirt
-I can taste that strawberry jam on biscuits and I get sudden cravings for it
-Chess is played
-It was probably what sparked my love of wolves in fiction
-All the characters
-I love the audio version and the voice of the narrator

It's one one my very favorite books and I think I learned a lot from it

[deborah o'carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read January 2017

The Bridewell library though. <3

[D.M. Dutcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd book about a girl named Alexa in a city entirely walled off from a forest down to the roads coming in and going out. The convicts who built the city and are abandoned outside are falling under the sway of a person named Sebastian, and plan to invade. It's up to Alexa and some talking animals to stop them.

There's just too many odd decisions and twists to make sense. They mentioned building the walls to stave off some evil, but what evil and why are the convicts immune to it? Why does Alexa need talking animals to stave off what is a rather mundane threat? Why does Elyon matter, or the fact that talking animals are finding it harder to talk? The world didn't really feel cohesive to me, but disjointed and with background information sadly missing. The author mentions that he told this first as a serial story to his daughters, and I think it shows.

It also ends rather abruptly, especially for a serial story as part of a trilogy. Without spoilers, you get the sense he thought there might only be one book, and rather than let it continue on, he felt he needed to resolve one of the important parts a bit too quickly.

The writing isn't too bad, but the odd disjointed plot might throw you off. I can't really recommend it.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read this book for the first time exactly 7 years ago. I still like it but now that I'm older it wasn't as good. I know that my tastes have changed. However, it was a very quick and enjoyable read. Alexa is here with her father. He is a leader of this town and is here for some meetings. Pervis is a real jerk and tries to make this hard for her while she is here. Her father ends up having to go somewhere else and that's when the story gets really interesting. We have to now figure out who we can and can't trust. I will admit that I was right about some and wrong about others. It will be interesting to see how things go in the next book because I'm not sure how much I actually remember.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect little fantasy adventure. Plus it has a talking squirrel. Easy 5 star.

[Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

Squirrels and Wolves and Bears, oh my.

What an enjoyable book! Lite kid's fantasy.

12 year old heroine? Check
Lovable animals? Check
Questionable adults? Check
Adventure sans adults? Check

Heroine saving the day? Nope sorry you have to read to find out.

[Dimitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still remember the moment I saw this book...
The cover caught my attention and felt like a great story to read. To be honest, I got all first three books at a book bazaar, just because of the cover!
Now, I've read the first book and I am beyond happy for my choice!!!
It's a bit middle-grade-ish but still, a great adventure of a little girl who never stops dreaming and living her life no matter what! She is an amazing character! Even though the book is written by a male author, the main character is female and fantastically written!!!
The story is like a fairytale. Beautiful scenery, amazing "heroes", plot twists and fun.
I am a really slow reader but I read this in a day, because it was so well written and fast paced.
Great for all ages, in my opinion.
Can't wait to see how the story continues and how much Alexa evolves as a character.

[Bix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexa, a spirited, independent twelve-year-old growing up in a complex of walled villages, longs for adventure and a chance to see what lies beyond the walls' boundaries. When she discovers a secret passage, she gets her wish, and more adventure than she bargained for in the process. For Alexa has been chosen to save her home from dark forces which seek its destruction, and she must act quickly to unravel the mystery that lurks inside the walls and threatens everything she holds dear. This first volume in the Land of Elyon series is a recommended reader's advisory selection, with a strong female protagonist. For ages 9-12."

SPL Summary: "Twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is spending another summer in Bridewell with her father. As she begins to unravel the truth about what lies outside the protective barrier around Bridewell and towns nearby, Alexa discovers a strange and ancient enchantment, possibly the work of Elyon, the fabled creator of the land in which she lives."

SLJ: "Grade 4-6 [An] entertaining, accessible fantasy... There's nothing very original about the novel's preindustrial setting or appealing characters... However, the story moves along at a fine clip, with plenty of suspense and action to hold readers' interest."

Kirkus: "[A] real page-turner. Alexa, with her brains, courage and grit, proves to be an appealingly strong female hero and the story... is sure to engage reader interest... Here's a good high fantasy for the girls. Bravo!"

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve wanted to read this book since I first came upon it, however I didn’t feel the story lived up to the beautiful cover.

The main character is Alexa, who at 12 years old stands a little over 4 feet tall and longs to discover what is beyond the walls surrounding her town. Using clues left behind for her, Alexa discovers tunnels into the wilderness and befriends animals who reveal a plot to destroy her home.

The biggest problem I had with this book was that it was an information overload, without really telling me anything. There were so many names of locations and characters that I didn’t connect with any of them. Even at the end when a trusted character betrays Alexa, I didn’t feel like I knew either character enough for it to impact me.

While this book had some interesting concepts, it was very easy to put down and out of mind. I probably won’t read the sequel, but am intrigued to hear if the author is able to develop the characters and plot further.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel is about an adventurous girl, Alexa Daley. This summer – like every other summer – she’s with her father and visiting a village, Bridewell. For a twelve-year-old she’s eager to solve the mystery of what lies beyond the walls that surround the village. Here she discovers the truth and “exposes a danger that could destroy and change the Land of Elyon forever.” (The last dramatic words from the blurb)

I would recommend this novel, if you like adventure and have a curious mind that’s opened to where a story takes you. Since the novel is predominantly in the fantasy genre, with a mix of mystery which I love.

At the beginning of the novel, I smiled at the way Carman introduced the characters to the readers. I felt it was really smart, and might do that in my future writing. I also liked the story about how their land, or world started. It adds a nice touch to continue reading this story.

And I don’t know if it’s the adventure in me, but when Alexa lays out her stash of random items she carries with her, it reminded me of my own handbag, and how there’s an assortment of stuff – ready for adventure, ready for anything.

In addition, I love the characters. One of my special mention includes Grayson, who’s the librarian in Bridewell. And when I was introduced to him, I thought, wouldn't it be awesome to have a personal librarian like Grayson? Fixing books and knowing what you like to read, so reserving those books just for you. In my mind I find that pretty awesome.

Another special mention includes Alexa’s father. He has the humorous lines, that made me laugh out loud.

For instance:

“…Determination is one of your best qualities,” said Ganesh.

“A distant third to my charm and good looks,” added my father.

Of course, Alexa puts in a few witty remarks just like her father:

“I see you’re discovered the fresh strawberry jam,” I said. “Grayson is guzzling it by the gallon. I think he’s a bear dressed up like a man getting an early start on hibernation.”

Overall, it’s funny, unexpected and an engaging read, told in the point of view of Alexa. I was sent into another world, where it was nothing like the present, for the absence technology. Yet at the same time it felt like it was in the olden days because the characters were travelling by horse. However there’s no connection to any past events or history in the world – which I guess explains why it’s in the fantasy genre.

I have to admit, I think the main reason I got this book in the first place was my love for the cover – that home-y vibe. In addition, I find the pages in the book unique because it’s different sizes of sheets giving this manuscript ancient feel.

Any ways, definitely something I would read again, so 5 stars. In addition, I'm glad it doesn't make me want to read the next book. because there’s none of that cliff-hanger feel.

[Arwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to group my thoughts on this trilogy into one entry. Wow! What an introduction to Patrick Carman. This series is fantastic. A fantasy story about a young girl (I know, I know some of you signed just then because every other YA fantasy story is a about a young girl who finds herself with some special power to save her world.) And yes this one is starts out just the same. Alexa Daley is given a special stone and thrust into a world she doesn't know beyond the safe walls of her city with a destiny to save her world from a coming war. (Again I know you've heard all that before.)

What sets this series apart and makes it something you really want to read is the connection between the creator Elyon and his land and his people. The mystery behind that relationship keeps it interesting. Plus there are other mysteries; why were the walls built? Where is this evil influence coming from? Why are the leaders so secretive?... It's starts out like those others YA fantasy stories but becomes a touching Christian allegory. I copied this passage as a small example of that:

"Elyon has only one hope for us Alexa. That we would know he loves us. Do you understand? The one who made you, the one who made everything... He loves you. And more than that, there is nothing you or I need do to earn his reckless affection for us. That love has driven me tho fight his enemy the enemy of us all... I have failed, and failed, and failed again... But no amount of failure can move Elyon's hand of affection away from me. It's inescapable. To live bodily for that kind of love is the least I can do."

The visuals popped out from the pages and I was really able to get into the world of Elyon. He does a really great job with imagery and mood. You can not only see the world in your head you can feel it too.

[Amalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Hills Divide takes us on an exciting and mysterious adventure as we explore the many walls within our lives. Some of these boundaries we impose upon ourselves, some are put upon us by the society in which we live; some are physical, and some are emotional.

The Land of Elyon is divided into four walled and gated cities joined to each other by walled roads. Every gate in every city is guarded. As far as everyone knows, there is no way to the "other" side of the wall.

Every summer, the leaders of each of the cities gather together in Bridewell, the central city in the land. Every summer, Alexa explores Bridewell (searching for a way beyond the wall) while her father attends to official business. This summer, Alexa's explorations will take her on an incredible journey of discovery. She will learn much about yourself as well as those around her as she unravels the mystery of her society.

Carman entices us with his imagery and vivid descriptions. I can realy visualize the Land of Elyon. I felt as though I was right there with Alexa every step of the way. I also enjoyed the thought-provoking ethical questions that arose throughout the book. Not the least of which is "What is the purpose of a wall?"

As far as I can tell, there are 5 books in this series, I am looking forward to reading number 2!

[Sierrah O · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like this book because it is fantasy. I really don't know why i like fantasy. This book was really good because Alexa trys to save as many people as she can. She also is just a very caring person like me. The author really didn't explain much about it or what is happening in some parts. Like she told us who she was saving but like not how she saved them. Thats what I don't like about this book. I also like this book because she meets a lot of people who are like monsters but not exactly monsters. More like faries or so. Another thing I don't like about this book is she kind of tells you what is going to happen at the end. It was pretty good.

[Zen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I just couldn't get over the fact that the protagonist was the only female with a speaking role in the entire book... for no good reason. Then, when I saw that this was written specifically for the author's two daughters I was confused. Why would any father present so many creepy male characters (including the protagonist's father) in a tale aimed at girls. There was no empowering sense of girls being able to "overcome", either. I hope the series got better but I haven't any interest in finding out for myself.

[Nikoleta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ενα όμορφο παραμύθι. Αμα το είχα στα χέρια μου όταν ήμου πιτσιρίκα, θα είχα ξετρελαθεί. Τώρα μου φάνηκε λίγο πιο αφελές απ'οτι θα ήθελα. 3,5/5 αστεράκια.

[Terka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moje recenze: http://sheisbookaholic.blogspot.cz/20...

[Liana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an odd little book... But charming nonetheless. It didn't always make sense, but gee... There's something magical about the world that pulls me in!

[Nitzhia Peleg · Rating 2 out of 5]

הי, זאת אלקסה
אני לא מכירה שום אלקסה, כך אמרתי. זאת חייבת להיות טעות.
לא, זאת לא טעות. אלקסה. דיילי. ראיתי שקראת את הספר שכתבו עלי, אז את בטח מכירה אותי. מסקרן אותי לדעת מה חשבת על הספר. אני מחכה לזה בכיליון עיניים. כתבת על הרבה ספרים אחרים, ועלי לא.
הסתכלתי עליה. כן, בהחלט נראית מוכרת. איך קוראים לך? שאלתי.
אלקסה. ממלכת אליון. הספר שקראת נקרא "הגבעות האפלות".

תשמעי, זה היה מזמן, הייתי עסוקה למדי, ועכשיו כבר החזרתי את הספר לספריה, ואני לא זוכרת את הפרטים. מעבר לכך, תסתכלי באתר. יש לך שבע המלצות חמות. מעולה. מומלץ בחום. חמישה כוכבים. מה את צריכה יותר. תסתכלי בויקיפדיה. יש שם ערך על הספר שלך. דווקא אני חסרה לך?

אלקסה הביטה בי בעצב. את סתם מתחמקת. היא אמרה. אני מכירה מבוגרים. אלה המילים שהם אומרים כשהם רוצים להתחמק ולא לומר את האמת. שתים עשרה שנים אנשים משקרים לי ומתחמקים מלומר לי אמיתות. אני כבר יודעת לפענח החמקויות כאלה. גם אל תגידי לי שכשאני אגדל אני אבין. אני כבר מספיק בוגרת עכשיו.

תראי, אלקסה יקירתי, אמרתי לה. כשתגדלי תבי.... היא נעצב בי מבט זועם, ואני גמגמתי. כבר עכשיו את יכולה לראות, אמרתי לה, שכשאנשים מתחמקים מאמירת אמת, יש להם סיבה טובה. קוראים לזה טקט. ואם אני זוכרת נכון מהספר, טקט זה משהו שעדיין לא רכשת לעצמך.

אבל היא לא הרפתה. אני מבינה שאת לא אהבת את הספר. אני חייבת לדעת למה. זה ספר שלי, הוא נכתב עליי. למה לא אהבת אותו? את גם לא אוהבת אותי?

אלקסה חביבתי, אמרתי. אני מחבבת אותך מאוד. מהספר את נראית בת חכמה לגילך וסקרנית. ואפילו נחמדה וחברותית. אני בטוחה שקוראות בנות 12 יאהבו אותך מאוד, ויחלמו להיות כמוך, הבנות של ראש עיר מסתורית, שפותרת תעלומות בגבורה ומצילה את העיר.

אבל. אמרה אלקסה. אני מכירה מבוגרים. אני כבר שומעת את האבל בטון שלך. אבל מה? זה לא ספר פנטזיה? אין בו מקום דימיוני? חדרים עם מבוכים? סכנה מסתורית? יצורים אפלים? חיות מכושפות? אין בספר מכשפים וקוסמים? וגיבורה שמצילה את הכל?

צודקת אמרתי לה. כל המרכיבים הנכונים שם. עוד לא יצא לך אף פעם לאכול עוגה שנעשתה בדיוק לפי המתכון ועם כל המרכיבים, ועדין לא הצליחה? ככה הספר הזה. היה לי קשה לשים את האצבע, ולכן גם לא כתבתי, אבל משהו שם לא מתחבר. בקריאת הספר כולו לא נוצרת אווירת פנטזיה מספיק טובה. אחר כך ראיתי על הכריכה האחורית שזה סיפור שאבא פטריק קרמן סיפר לבנותיו מדי לילה בהמשכים. וזה ניכר בתוצאה - כל פרק יפה בפני עצמו, אבל המכלול לא מסתדר. אין תחושה של רקע עשיר, כזה שמרגישים בספרות פנטזיה טובה. אין תחושת הצמרמורת בעצמות והרעד בעת הקריאה. אל תדאגי אלקסה, אמרתי כשראיתי את פניה מתעננות סביבי. זה כנראה רק כי אני מבוגרת מדי, וצברתי רקע לא קטן בסוגה הפנטסטית. אין לי ספק שילדות וילדים סביב גילך, בני 12 פחות או יותר, יאהבו מאוד את דמותך, ואת מעשי החכמה והגבורה שלך. אני פשוט לא הייתי קהל היעד. נראה לי שגם ילדים קטנים יותר ייהנו, אם ההורים יהפכו את זה לסםר שקוראים בהמשכים לפני השינה.

עכשיו היא כבר בכתה ממש. נו, ילדות בנות 12. מה אני יכולה לעשות? מזל שהתעוררתי.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was another one that I read for a book club I'm in. I wanted to like it, because fantasy is one of my favorites and I usually find middle-grade books really fun and charming. However, it was so hard to read. It never pulled me in and the writing felt really... amateur? I just never found myself compelled to pick up the book and see what happened next.

Another issue I had with this book was that the character jumped to so many conclusions and I always felt one step behind. There were a couple of times I re-read parts of the book, wondering what I had missed. Even the big "twist" at the end of the book felt anti-climactic.

My final problem was the character Pervis. He was so uncomfortable to read about and seemed... inappropriate, maybe. Alexa obviously "outranked" him (I think? I'm still not certain I understand their government exactly), and yet he just walks into her bedroom and insults her and asks her personal questions. I don't know... things just felt off with him. And then her deciding they're buddies later on felt forced and weird.

It wasn't terrible, I just didn't love it. But the world that he created was fun and some of the characters were enjoyable.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books when it was published in 2005 and I was twelve years old. It meant a lot to me, and quite a few of the tropes and characters have stuck with me all this time.

Rereading it as an adult, I'm on the fence. It was a decent read, but the pacing was clunky (especially towards the end) and the characters were predominantly male. A few of the scenes with grown men getting up in the face of a little girl didn't sit poorly with me when I was that exact kind of fiery child, but as an adult now it's.. uncomfortable. And this book has a surprising amount of death that isn't tackled emotionally at all. I think maybe that's the issue. There's a lot here to unpack, but we're just kind of tumbling through it with no time to grieve or cope or think about it at all. Maybe that's what I liked as a child? Or maybe as a child I just didn't know enough about the world to know how serious some of these topics were.

Realistically, adult me would give this 3 stars. But child me would have given it an easy 5, so I've settled on 4 all around.

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I began this book with wonder, as in, I wonder if I’ll enjoy this children’s book. I am also currently reading the C.S. Lewis Narnia series and am very into them, belatedly, and so was similarly enjoying this book. What’s not to like about exploring an old lodge and also hoping to explore outside, over a forbidden wall? The protagonist is very bright, perhaps unrealistically so, but no sense underestimating a fictional young person! Meeting some unusual characters as the plot unfolds, it felt more Narnia-like, yet the narrative gets complicated and even herky-jerky. When Lewis explained something new or fantastic, he compared it to a known item as a way to grasp it. Granted, he set a very high bar, and so this author is possibly unfairly compared to him. Yet I kept wondering how I could lose the thread or forget an episode from earlier on. But perhaps I’m overthinking all this, and many young people may have greatly enjoyed it.