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ladytiara's review
4.0
The Invisible Order is written for a middle-grade audience, but readers of all ages may enjoy it. It tells the story of a 12-year-old girl named Emily in Victorian London. Emily's parents disappeared a few years earlier, and she sells watercress for pennies in the street to support herself and her younger brother. One morning, on her way to buy her day's supply of watercress, she stumbles upon a battle between two groups of fairies. She ends up saving the life of a piskie named Corrigan and quickly gets caught in an ancient war involving two opposing fairy courts and a secret society called the Invisible Order, which protects the human world from the fairies.
The book has a lot of the standard fantasy tropes: a normal child with an incredible destiny, absent parents, a secret society, etc., but the elements are put together well, and the story takes some unexpected twists and turns. Crilley doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of Victoria life. Emily and her brother share a room with strangers who sleep on the floor, she sells watercress to keep herself and her brother out of the workhouse, and they often go hungry. But the author also creates a magical and strange other world, populated by many different creatures, some of them quite scary.
For me, the best part of the book is Emily. She's strong, smart, and likable, without being too perfect. Sometimes she resents being on her own and having to take care of her brother, but she just gets on with it and never drifts into self-pity. Even when her involvement in the fairy takes some horrible turns, she never loses hope and she uses her keen intelligence to solve her problems and stay one step ahead of the villains (although who the villains are can change from chapter to chapter, keeping our heroine on her toes).
This book may appeal to fans of the Harry Potter series. I'm not sure how many books there will be in the series, but this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so there's at least one more. I'm definitely looking forward to it.
(I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine.)
The book has a lot of the standard fantasy tropes: a normal child with an incredible destiny, absent parents, a secret society, etc., but the elements are put together well, and the story takes some unexpected twists and turns. Crilley doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of Victoria life. Emily and her brother share a room with strangers who sleep on the floor, she sells watercress to keep herself and her brother out of the workhouse, and they often go hungry. But the author also creates a magical and strange other world, populated by many different creatures, some of them quite scary.
For me, the best part of the book is Emily. She's strong, smart, and likable, without being too perfect. Sometimes she resents being on her own and having to take care of her brother, but she just gets on with it and never drifts into self-pity. Even when her involvement in the fairy takes some horrible turns, she never loses hope and she uses her keen intelligence to solve her problems and stay one step ahead of the villains (although who the villains are can change from chapter to chapter, keeping our heroine on her toes).
This book may appeal to fans of the Harry Potter series. I'm not sure how many books there will be in the series, but this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so there's at least one more. I'm definitely looking forward to it.
(I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine.)
missprint_'s review
5.0
On the day she found out about the the fey and the hidden war being waged in Victorian London, twelve-year-old Emily woke up praying for snow. Snow would mean that she could stay home with her brother William instead of running through alleys and side streets to get to Mrs. Hobbs to buy a bunch of watercress to sell for the day.
But there is no snow and Emily does have to venture out. Unfortunately instead of a day spent peddling watercress in the cold, Emily stumbles upon a faerie battle right in a London alley.
Emily would love to forget about what she saw and go back to her normal life even if life as an orphan is hard. But the faeries won't let her forget them--not until she gets them something they desperately want. Even if Emily could do that, there's The Invisible Order to contend with. A secret society meant to protect humans from the fey, the Invisible Order wants Emily to work with them instead.
Everything Emily knows is soon turned upside down and she has no idea who to trust besides her friend Jack. But can two children possibly rescue Emily's brother and save London before it's too late? Emily doesn't know that answer yet, but she knows she has to try in Rise of the Darklings (2010) by Paul Crilley.
Rise of the Darklings is the first book in The Invisible Order trilogy.
Crilley combines traditional elements from fairy tales (gnomes, giants, piskies, and even a famous wizard) with a well-realized, completely evocative London setting. The plot is well-written with enough twists to keep readers (and Emily) guessing along with humor and action in spades.
Rise of the Darklings truly has it all: action, adventure and faeries all in the beautifully realized setting of Victorian London. Throw in a determined and clever heroine, fast talking characters like Jack and Corrigan, well-dressed gnomes and you have all the makings of a spirited start to a wonderful trilogy.
Possible Pairings: Gideon the Cutpurse (AKA The Time Travelers) by Linda Buckley-Arhcer, The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
But there is no snow and Emily does have to venture out. Unfortunately instead of a day spent peddling watercress in the cold, Emily stumbles upon a faerie battle right in a London alley.
Emily would love to forget about what she saw and go back to her normal life even if life as an orphan is hard. But the faeries won't let her forget them--not until she gets them something they desperately want. Even if Emily could do that, there's The Invisible Order to contend with. A secret society meant to protect humans from the fey, the Invisible Order wants Emily to work with them instead.
Everything Emily knows is soon turned upside down and she has no idea who to trust besides her friend Jack. But can two children possibly rescue Emily's brother and save London before it's too late? Emily doesn't know that answer yet, but she knows she has to try in Rise of the Darklings (2010) by Paul Crilley.
Rise of the Darklings is the first book in The Invisible Order trilogy.
Crilley combines traditional elements from fairy tales (gnomes, giants, piskies, and even a famous wizard) with a well-realized, completely evocative London setting. The plot is well-written with enough twists to keep readers (and Emily) guessing along with humor and action in spades.
Rise of the Darklings truly has it all: action, adventure and faeries all in the beautifully realized setting of Victorian London. Throw in a determined and clever heroine, fast talking characters like Jack and Corrigan, well-dressed gnomes and you have all the makings of a spirited start to a wonderful trilogy.
Possible Pairings: Gideon the Cutpurse (AKA The Time Travelers) by Linda Buckley-Arhcer, The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
greenbeanteenqueen's review
3.0
About the Book: Emily Snow's parents have disappeared and for the past two years she has been in charge of her younger brother and making sure they survive. One morning, Emily encounters a conversation between strange beings and realizes she can see a entire hidden world in London, full of faeries. A war is raging between faeries. As Emily's brother is kidnapped, Emily must do everything she can to save him. But what side is good? What side will not destroy humankind? Emily must find the key to save her brother and help save London before faeries take over.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: This is quite the twisty mystery/fantasy for middle grade readers. The book starts out much like your usual fantasy novel, but soon the story starts to take many twists and turns. Who is good? Who can Emily trust? And which path is the correct one? The entire book is like one giant riddle which is sure to keep readers engaged.
I will admit that I grew a bit tired of the "can I trust this person/what side is right" as it kept going. Just when you think you have it figured out, it changes, so it keeps readers on their toes, that's for sure! I also wish that many of the supporting characters had been fleshed out a bit more. As Emily's brother was kidnapped, I knew I was supposed to care, but I didn't really know much about him, other than he was Emily's brother, to be upset that he was missing. I do really love the piskie Corrigan and he was my favorite character. Scenes with him always provided a good laugh and he was one of the few characters we get to really know. There were so many great characters that we were introduced to, but we only see them for a small portion of the book. I hope that since this is the start to a series, we see more of them as the series progresses.
I picked this one up originally because Mr. GreenBeanSexyMan told me about a review that mentioned The Invisible Order had the makings to be the next Harry Potter. While I don't think it's quite there, it could grow and become a great series that keeps you guessing. I do think it would be great for Harry Potter fans looking for another series to get into, but I'm not sure how much older reader appeal there is.
It's obviously a series, and while many things are wrapped up in this book, there is a cliffhanger ending and many things are left wide open. Book two will be out in September, so if you do get readers started on this series, they'll have a bit of a wait between installments. But that's part of the fun, right?
Book Pairings: Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, Barnaby Grimes Series by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: This is quite the twisty mystery/fantasy for middle grade readers. The book starts out much like your usual fantasy novel, but soon the story starts to take many twists and turns. Who is good? Who can Emily trust? And which path is the correct one? The entire book is like one giant riddle which is sure to keep readers engaged.
I will admit that I grew a bit tired of the "can I trust this person/what side is right" as it kept going. Just when you think you have it figured out, it changes, so it keeps readers on their toes, that's for sure! I also wish that many of the supporting characters had been fleshed out a bit more. As Emily's brother was kidnapped, I knew I was supposed to care, but I didn't really know much about him, other than he was Emily's brother, to be upset that he was missing. I do really love the piskie Corrigan and he was my favorite character. Scenes with him always provided a good laugh and he was one of the few characters we get to really know. There were so many great characters that we were introduced to, but we only see them for a small portion of the book. I hope that since this is the start to a series, we see more of them as the series progresses.
I picked this one up originally because Mr. GreenBeanSexyMan told me about a review that mentioned The Invisible Order had the makings to be the next Harry Potter. While I don't think it's quite there, it could grow and become a great series that keeps you guessing. I do think it would be great for Harry Potter fans looking for another series to get into, but I'm not sure how much older reader appeal there is.
It's obviously a series, and while many things are wrapped up in this book, there is a cliffhanger ending and many things are left wide open. Book two will be out in September, so if you do get readers started on this series, they'll have a bit of a wait between installments. But that's part of the fun, right?
Book Pairings: Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, Barnaby Grimes Series by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
greenbeanteenqueen's review against another edition
3.0
About the Book: Emily Snow's parents have disappeared and for the past two years she has been in charge of her younger brother and making sure they survive. One morning, Emily encounters a conversation between strange beings and realizes she can see a entire hidden world in London, full of faeries. A war is raging between faeries. As Emily's brother is kidnapped, Emily must do everything she can to save him. But what side is good? What side will not destroy humankind? Emily must find the key to save her brother and help save London before faeries take over.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: This is quite the twisty mystery/fantasy for middle grade readers. The book starts out much like your usual fantasy novel, but soon the story starts to take many twists and turns. Who is good? Who can Emily trust? And which path is the correct one? The entire book is like one giant riddle which is sure to keep readers engaged.
I will admit that I grew a bit tired of the "can I trust this person/what side is right" as it kept going. Just when you think you have it figured out, it changes, so it keeps readers on their toes, that's for sure! I also wish that many of the supporting characters had been fleshed out a bit more. As Emily's brother was kidnapped, I knew I was supposed to care, but I didn't really know much about him, other than he was Emily's brother, to be upset that he was missing. I do really love the piskie Corrigan and he was my favorite character. Scenes with him always provided a good laugh and he was one of the few characters we get to really know. There were so many great characters that we were introduced to, but we only see them for a small portion of the book. I hope that since this is the start to a series, we see more of them as the series progresses.
I picked this one up originally because Mr. GreenBeanSexyMan told me about a review that mentioned The Invisible Order had the makings to be the next Harry Potter. While I don't think it's quite there, it could grow and become a great series that keeps you guessing. I do think it would be great for Harry Potter fans looking for another series to get into, but I'm not sure how much older reader appeal there is.
It's obviously a series, and while many things are wrapped up in this book, there is a cliffhanger ending and many things are left wide open. Book two will be out in September, so if you do get readers started on this series, they'll have a bit of a wait between installments. But that's part of the fun, right?
Book Pairings: Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, Barnaby Grimes Series by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: This is quite the twisty mystery/fantasy for middle grade readers. The book starts out much like your usual fantasy novel, but soon the story starts to take many twists and turns. Who is good? Who can Emily trust? And which path is the correct one? The entire book is like one giant riddle which is sure to keep readers engaged.
I will admit that I grew a bit tired of the "can I trust this person/what side is right" as it kept going. Just when you think you have it figured out, it changes, so it keeps readers on their toes, that's for sure! I also wish that many of the supporting characters had been fleshed out a bit more. As Emily's brother was kidnapped, I knew I was supposed to care, but I didn't really know much about him, other than he was Emily's brother, to be upset that he was missing. I do really love the piskie Corrigan and he was my favorite character. Scenes with him always provided a good laugh and he was one of the few characters we get to really know. There were so many great characters that we were introduced to, but we only see them for a small portion of the book. I hope that since this is the start to a series, we see more of them as the series progresses.
I picked this one up originally because Mr. GreenBeanSexyMan told me about a review that mentioned The Invisible Order had the makings to be the next Harry Potter. While I don't think it's quite there, it could grow and become a great series that keeps you guessing. I do think it would be great for Harry Potter fans looking for another series to get into, but I'm not sure how much older reader appeal there is.
It's obviously a series, and while many things are wrapped up in this book, there is a cliffhanger ending and many things are left wide open. Book two will be out in September, so if you do get readers started on this series, they'll have a bit of a wait between installments. But that's part of the fun, right?
Book Pairings: Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, Barnaby Grimes Series by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
hezann73's review against another edition
2.0
Just OK for me - not earth shaking and not enough for me to pick up the sequel.
telegramsam's review against another edition
4.0
Great book! Loved the characters, loved the villains, loved the world building! Quickest description I can offer is to imagine if Charles Dickens had included fairies in his works. I also love that teh fairies are both creepy and spooky as well as friendly and funny.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is excellent.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is excellent.
tashrow's review
5.0
At twelve years old, Emily Snow has been looking after her younger brother since her parents disappeared. She tries to earn enough money to feed them both by selling watercress on the streets of Victorian London. One cold morning on her way to the watercress vendor, Emily encounters several strange small people having a battle. After the battle, two men approach her to ask her what she witnessed. Emily refuses to tell them, but that is not the last she will hear from them or from the piskies she saw battling. In fact, Emily has just entered the confusing and amazing world of the sidhe where both sides want her to help them and no one is telling the truth.
This book is a pleasure to read. Crilley has nicely balanced the world of the fey with the real world of London. Filled with details about the city, this book’s setting is well drawn and delightfully mixed with the magic and wonder of the sidhe world. Crilley also offers a feisty heroine who will delight young readers not only with her intelligence but her own guile as she deals with the faeries and The Invisible Order of humans too. The book reads effortlessly, beginning quickly with the pages whipping by as the adventure heats up. Children looking for a good read should look no further. Teachers as well should look to this as a great classroom read with enough action to keep even the most doubtful listener rapt.
A delight of a novel, this is one of the top faery books I have read for younger readers. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
This book is a pleasure to read. Crilley has nicely balanced the world of the fey with the real world of London. Filled with details about the city, this book’s setting is well drawn and delightfully mixed with the magic and wonder of the sidhe world. Crilley also offers a feisty heroine who will delight young readers not only with her intelligence but her own guile as she deals with the faeries and The Invisible Order of humans too. The book reads effortlessly, beginning quickly with the pages whipping by as the adventure heats up. Children looking for a good read should look no further. Teachers as well should look to this as a great classroom read with enough action to keep even the most doubtful listener rapt.
A delight of a novel, this is one of the top faery books I have read for younger readers. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
chasmofbooks's review
3.0
Rise of the Darklings was a light read I'd recommend for anyone 8+. It was definately a children's book, not because of writing or anything like that but just because the story was a little young. It still enjoyable though.
All of the characters complimented each other very well, especially Jack and Emily. At times I didn't really feel a connection with Emily, our main character, but Jack was easy to love. He was an awesome character to the story. He and Emily are perfect for each other! :D
I was actually guessing until the very end at who Emily could trust. At first, I thought it was the Queen Kelindra but then I was like, she can't. Then I thought, oh the Dagda. Wrong. So finally I was left with the Invisible Order. Of course, this time I wasn't totally wrong. The Invisible Order could've been trusted if Mr. Ravenhill hadn't been around but he was so you couldn't really trust them. I must say that I was instantly drawn to Sebastian and it seems this wasn't a bad thing. He was one of the few who could be trusted.
Paul Crilley did a good job building his world and I enjoyed the different pixies and gnomes. Corrigan was definately a favorite. Over all, a good book but I'd recommend it predominantly for children ages 8-12, younger if they can read well enough.
All of the characters complimented each other very well, especially Jack and Emily. At times I didn't really feel a connection with Emily, our main character, but Jack was easy to love. He was an awesome character to the story. He and Emily are perfect for each other! :D
I was actually guessing until the very end at who Emily could trust. At first, I thought it was the Queen Kelindra but then I was like, she can't. Then I thought, oh the Dagda. Wrong. So finally I was left with the Invisible Order. Of course, this time I wasn't totally wrong. The Invisible Order could've been trusted if Mr. Ravenhill hadn't been around but he was so you couldn't really trust them. I must say that I was instantly drawn to Sebastian and it seems this wasn't a bad thing. He was one of the few who could be trusted.
Paul Crilley did a good job building his world and I enjoyed the different pixies and gnomes. Corrigan was definately a favorite. Over all, a good book but I'd recommend it predominantly for children ages 8-12, younger if they can read well enough.
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