The Land of Elyon #1: The Dark Hills Divide

Famous Children's author Madeliene L'Engle once stated that writing children's literature was harder than writing for adults because children ask more questions; children just do not accept what an author writes the way most adults will. Her statements have always stuck with me and since doing a children's literature course a few years back, I have continued to read children's and teen fiction regularly. Usually I look for books that have a lot of buzz about them, have then been nominated for a Newbury, or Mr. Christie, American Library Association or here in Canada a Governor General's Literary Award (more commonly know as the GG's.). If so I try to pick it up and give it a read. Because of that I tend to browse the children's and teen sections at Chapters when I happen to be in a store. The cover of this book captured my attention and almost compelled me to purchase it. The representation of our Heroine Alexa is a very striking image. I purchased this book when it came out nearly 2 years ago and yet only just recently picked it up to read. I now regret that I did not read it sooner. In part, I hesitated reading the book because the cover art was so powerful and cast such a spell upon me, I feared the text not living up to the story I had begin to build in my imagination. Those fears were unfounded. The Story is set in a walled kingdom. A Kingdom built like 3 spokes on a wheel. Alexa is from Lathbury, the south western spoke, from the hub of Bridewell. This walled Kingdom was built by the Warvold after his extensive travels in the wild mysterious world. He built walls around the central town of Bridewell, and walled roads out to the three surrounding towns of Lunenburg, Turlock and Lathbury. Yet upon the eve of his death, he hints to Alexa that the walls, once thought to be the salvation of the towns and their civilization, he now considers to be a mistake. Alexa begins an adventure shortly after the Warvold's death that will affect her and this kingdom for time to come. Yet the Warvold's death has caused a society once stable and thriving to start to spin out of control. Alexa sneaks outside the wall and meets a dwarf and a talking wolf and is summoned to a council, the severity and importance of which not even the participants can realize. Can Alexa fufill a calling upon her life that the Warvold foresaw and that some others are trying to help happen and others wish to thwart? This is one of those great books, originally written for children, that can captivate an audience of any age. Carman has an extremely mature voice and he writes in a manner of a master wordsmith. Carman only conceived of this series in his mid thirties; it is an extremely well- rounded and crafted world - a pleasure to visit, and I plan to re-enter the land of Elyon again and again. (First Published in Imprint 2008-02-22.)

The Great Hills Divide is a great book I think it needs more details in the action. I also think it I'm definitely going to read the needs more intensity when the main character is trapped in the underground tunnel. I really like it when they described the animals and strange humans. That was very informative of how the animals looked and how their personalities were like. The author was also very descriptive of the landscapes using very detailed adjectives such as dense, thick, crunchy, crackle, and freezing cold. I'm definitely going to read the second volume

Twelve-year-old Alexa Daley has always adored the summers that she spends in Bridewell with her loving father, as there is nothing more exciting than exploring the old lodge in which she stays year after year, for it contains a wonderful array of passages - which are much like a maze - and a cozy library where she spends hours poring over books. However, Alexa is a curious one, and she dreams of solving the mystery of what lies beyond the walls which keep out the evil that lurks among the forest and The Dark Hills. An evil which frightens all the townspeople, both young and old. With her inquisitiveness, Alexa begins to unravel the truth bit by bit about what lies beyond the walls, and with each new bit of information, she discovers an enchanting, yet strange world, where animals speak, and people are quite tiny. Soon she finds herself armed with a new power, and with it, Alexa uncovers a danger that could destroy everything in the beautiful Land of Elyon forever. It's hard to find good fantasy books after you have read J.K. Rowling's HARRY POTTER series, but I will admit, THE LAND OF ELYON BOOK 1: THE DARK HILLS DIVIDE, is a wonderful addition to the fantasy genre. Patrick Carman has created an intriguing, yet fun new story that will have the reader on the edge of his/her seat from the first page to the last. His wonderful imagination brings the story, scenarios, and characters to life, and truly makes the reader feel as if he/she is right there alongside Alexa as she sets out on her journey. Overall, this is a wonderful new book that will be eaten up by fantasy lovers of all ages. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

The Dark Hills Divide is about a girl named Alexa Daley. Alexa and her father are traveling to Bridewell for the summer. Bridewell is one of the four towns that are surrounded by walls to keep out the things that lie beyond the walls and Alexa finds the way beyond these walls and learns what bad things happen in the near future. And along the way she meets animals and finds a stone that lets her talk to them. These are three examples in the book that I like. Alexa finds a hidden door in the library and meets Yipes, he is a short little man who can talk to animals. She also finds criminals planning to take over Bridewell. In the book she gets a stone that allows her to speak to animals but it will wear out if she is not outside of the wall. I like the exciting parts like when she is traveling through dark hidden tunnels under ground. I love how she struggled through everything to save her town and find a way outside the wall. You will love this book and I hope you read it.

I stumbled upon "The Dark Hills Divide" as I sought another book to read aloud to my soon to be eight year old daughter. Somewhat tired of works about young male wizards and frontier American girls I was refreshed by the main character, Alexa. Intelligent, resourceful, self-confident, all characteristics I wish to be role modeled for our daughter. Likewise, she thoroughly enjoyed this story and seemingly could follow the plot line and characters without difficulty. As mentioned by another reviewer I also thought of "The Chronicles of Narnia" as we read about the magical world of Bridewell, talking animal characters and the struggle of good versus evil. Unfortunately we were so eager to read the book in its entirety that little time was left to contemplate the author's true intent. I look forward to re-reading the book this time to my son. This will give "Dad" another shot at understanding the greater tale being told here.