The Dark Hills Divide (The Land Of Elyon Book 1)
by Patrick Carman
Published on September 21st
I'm not one to judge books by their covers but I do find small format hardback books aesthetically pleasing. ("A Series of Unfortunate Events";"The Spiderwick Chronicles" and Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell's "Fergus Crane" all being produced this way.) It was this similar format which drew me towards "The Dark Hills Divide" and will, I am sure, attract other readers.
In addition, "The Dark Hills Divide" has the added feature of having many pages cut with a rough edge which gives the book an old feel to it. At first this seemed like a nice touch but it soon became more of an annoyance as it made page turning a little awkward; though this is just a minor gripe.
The story focuses on 12 year old Alexa Daley who is spending summer in the walled town of Bridewell. We soon discover that not only is the town surrounded by a huge wall but it is also connected to three other similarly walled towns by walled roads. The walls are so vast that the townspeople are unable to see beyond them and are even discouraged to think of what lies outside the walls. Legend has it that the walls were built to keep out an unnamed evil that lurks in the forest and hills beyond.
Alexa is determined to discover a way out of the walled city so that she can see for herself what lies outside and discover the truth. She is helped in her quest by an ancient enchantment which gives her an unexpected, though short lived, ability and I won't ruin things here by saying what that is.
Alexa discovers that walls can keep evil in as well as out and she makes a discovery that changes her world and that of the townspeople for ever.
(The next book in the series is "Beyond the Valley of Thorns")
NB Review copy is the American Hardback. I note on Amazon that there is also a uk paperback version published by Scholastic ISBN 0439959950 price £4.99.
Buy this book from Amazon UK