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girlglitch's review
5.0
I was sent a proof of The Borrowed Dark a couple of years ago now and was told it was going to be the next big thing - which of course, made me immediately sceptical. But, for once, the hype was right - KOTBD is an exceptional children's fantasy, with appeal for all ages. Smart, funny and action-packed, I couldn't put it down.
I've been looking out for it in stores ever since, and now it's finally here and just as good as I remembered. The Borrowed Dark is one full-throttle, brilliantly-realised fantasy that's sure to gain a following.
I've been looking out for it in stores ever since, and now it's finally here and just as good as I remembered. The Borrowed Dark is one full-throttle, brilliantly-realised fantasy that's sure to gain a following.
steebyb's review
4.0
Very enjoyable read. The prose are elegant and vivid, strewn with clever analogies. The language is very Pratchett-eque.
akaasia's review against another edition
5.0
Oh hello, this was all sorts of amazing! Dave Rudden has penned a fast paced novel full of heart. Orphaned Denizen Hardwick with no memory or knowledge or his past or his parents lives in an orphanage on the edge of the world (or Europe, at any rate) receives a notes from an aunt he never knew he even had telling him he will be collected to go and meet her.
Beginning a journey of discovery into the Knights of the Borrowed Dark could not have been made more enjoyable. Rudden has created a fascinating world and the twists towards the end of the book did actually make me exclaim out loud.
Highly recommend this, can’t wait to start the next volume.
Beginning a journey of discovery into the Knights of the Borrowed Dark could not have been made more enjoyable. Rudden has created a fascinating world and the twists towards the end of the book did actually make me exclaim out loud.
Highly recommend this, can’t wait to start the next volume.
theresa_grant's review
5.0
Fantastic story! I was worried about the cliche "a lonely orphan finds out he has super powers" but it was surprisingly original. Darker than I thought, with Lovecraftian monsters. Very fun read, cant wait for the next one
djc16's review
4.0
Denizen Hardwick has lived a boring, albeit safe and predictable, 12 years in an orphanage on the west coast of Ireland. He escapes the mundanity by reading anything he can get his hands on. He doesn’t sit around fantasising about something crazy happening to him, because that only happens in books.
KOTBD is the eagerly-anticipated debut and first in the trilogy from Dave Rudden. Traversing the country while alluding to various other global locations, Denizen’s discovery of a mysterious group of knights opens up a world of ‘borrowed darkness.’
What we get is a pulpy mix of medieval lore and pure inventiveness. Rudden’s main strengths lie in his core concept of the knights who defend the world from intruding dark forces through a form of ‘magic’ (though they hate that term). The knights pay a ‘cost’ by turning gradually to iron each time they use the power to vanquish the darkness. The author’s descriptions are also a joy to read, such as ‘the road looped round the shoulders of the mountain like a tailor’s measuring tape.’ I found myself re-reading passages to enjoy the description and characterisation in various parts of the book.
The plot itself is propelled by a well-rounded cast of characters, none moreso than Denizen himself, a boy who is cynical to the point of having a compendium of frowns. Rudden is also unflinching in shedding blood; nobody is safe, which is always a great and brave feature to see in a series, particularly this early in a trilogy!
It leaves you wanting more, and fortunately Dave Rudden seems game to the challenge: Book 2 is already written and we’re already looking forward to it.
KOTBD is the eagerly-anticipated debut and first in the trilogy from Dave Rudden. Traversing the country while alluding to various other global locations, Denizen’s discovery of a mysterious group of knights opens up a world of ‘borrowed darkness.’
What we get is a pulpy mix of medieval lore and pure inventiveness. Rudden’s main strengths lie in his core concept of the knights who defend the world from intruding dark forces through a form of ‘magic’ (though they hate that term). The knights pay a ‘cost’ by turning gradually to iron each time they use the power to vanquish the darkness. The author’s descriptions are also a joy to read, such as ‘the road looped round the shoulders of the mountain like a tailor’s measuring tape.’ I found myself re-reading passages to enjoy the description and characterisation in various parts of the book.
The plot itself is propelled by a well-rounded cast of characters, none moreso than Denizen himself, a boy who is cynical to the point of having a compendium of frowns. Rudden is also unflinching in shedding blood; nobody is safe, which is always a great and brave feature to see in a series, particularly this early in a trilogy!
It leaves you wanting more, and fortunately Dave Rudden seems game to the challenge: Book 2 is already written and we’re already looking forward to it.
claribelle's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
spilled_ink_on_pages's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
poggs's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
drizzlybear's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0