Reviews

Darke by Angie Sage

Only show reviews with written explanations

So the Darke things that were hinted at in the previous 5 books are finally getting real. Merrin Meredith has been hiding in the Palace for weeks now, and has used the power of the Two Faced ring to place a Darke Domaine on an area of the Palace. Unfortunately what could have been quickly contained is accidentally let loose by the always slightly incompetent Silas Heap. And so everything within the castle walls becomes engulfed in Darkenesse, and it's up to Septimus to save the kingdom.

There were so so so many characters and subplots to keep track of in this book. The story skips around from Merrin, to Septimus, to Beetle, to Jenna, and so on. Not that it was hard to follow, but it was a bit bothersome to get into what was going on in one chapter only to have the point of view quickly change.

I liked that the author was not afraid to get into what's considered some pretty sinister stuff for a YA book. There is death, dismemberment, and other gory details I won't get into. But while is can get quite heavy at times, there is plenty of humor interspersed throughout to add a little levity to grave situations.

I also have to wonder about Marcia's previous decisions to keep letting Merrin go free even through all the bad things he had done before. If Marcia had been stricter on him after the events of the previous books, none of this would have happened. But, there is one more book left in this series. I can't imagine what else could happen to the characters in this world, as I thought this book had a pretty well-done ending. But I'll be there to read Fyre when it comes out.

thomas_hense's review

Go to review page

relaxing medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Another bedtime read with my spouse. We enjoyed it as much as the first.

grosenbohm's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

4.5

zenithharpink's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is definitely the best book in the series. Most of my gripes about earlier books are resolved - Jenna got an attitude adjustment and the pacing - especially in the beginning - was a lot quicker. Beetle is a great character and I'm really enjoying Simon's arc as well. Merrin is iffy for me - I can't tell how I feel about him as a character. The new world details were interesting.

I recommend to fans of the series and fantasy - but I wouldn't recommend starting with this book, even though (IMO) it's the best in the series (so far).

alyshadeshae's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Simon!!!

jesslynh's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Off with his thumb!

pinky98's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

12dejamoo's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As always I have to start my Septimus Heap reviews by saying these are my FAVOURITE magical series of all time so all my thoughts are glowing.

I love Darke. It comes after Syren which is genuinely so scary and it retains some of those scary elements but feels a little less relentlessly scary which I like. However maybe that's because I know that it's all going to be okay. The idea of the Darke Domain is actually horrifying, and all the little bits that are going on around the castle have you so stressed.

Literally the only bad word I have to say about this book is that Jenna is kind of annoying sometimes, but it bothered me less on this reread than last time. It doesn't dent the overall quality but it's worth noting.

I cry real tears every time I read Beetle getting Chief Hermetic Scribe. And then again when he's sitting at the banquet table and so comfortable and happy. I love him so much and he deserves the WORLD.

Okay and also I had forgotten about Marissa and Jenna together in the basement and that whole scene. I will always in my core be a Jenna and Beetle shipper but I will also have to say the POTENTIAL for Marissa and Jenna is unmatched.

When Septimus sychronises with Spit Fyre. That's it. That's the post.

Marcia's evaluation of Septimus' Darke week at the end always makes me so happy. I love her so much and she also deserves the world.

Merrin is literally the worst and Angie Sage writes him so well because I hate him so much.

I am in love with Simon Heap. Just thought I'd put that in here too.

The thing that Angie Sage is such a master of is creating this rich, believable world. There are so many characters and yet none feel underdeveloped or thrown in randomly. You dip into so many stories and get snippets of the whole castle so by these later books, the entire universe is this rich tapestry of real-feeling people and lore. Everything that is introduced seems logical and leads on from other facts. Yes, Septimus is this powerful seventh son of a seventh son etc, but he doesn't dominate the stories, leaving space for everyone to have their moment in the sun. I think the omniscient narrator is really effective - allowing us to step into the worlds of minor and background characters to get their thoughts and emotions. The end parts with all the notes and wrapping ups really helps with this and I look forward to them when I finish each book.

Overall I love Angie Sage and Septimus Heap and Darke :))

Content Warnings