Scan barcode
A review by lattelibrarian
The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman
4.0
I read this series when I was much younger and thought that I may as well give it another go! Usually with series--especially fantasy series--there's a scene or two that really sticks out to me and makes me want to reread it, to see if it still holds up. The scene I remembered was the imprisonment Pervis, the city's chief of police--he's frequently drunk, and upon his imprisonment he has a nasty hangover involving a bucket and a couple pauses to vomit. As a kid who hated vomit more than anything, this was nightmare fuel. But as an adult, I mean...been there, minus the imprisonment.
Reading this as a child and then an adult was utterly fascinating. Alexa is so young, Pervis is nowhere as old as I thought he was, and oh my god, how is Alexa not traumatized by Warvold just flat out dying next to her? That being said, these differences made, well, all the difference, and certainly made for a nostalgic and fun re-reading experience.
When Alexa Daley goes to Bridewell with her father, as is tradition every summer, she uses her free to time to try to continue to find a way outside of a wall. But this year, the city's founder has died, she's learning more about engraved jewels, and discovers the magic that's lurking in the hills. What could possibly go wrong? What history is true, and what hasn't been discovered yet?
As Alexa attempts to put all the pieces together, she realizes that time is running out, as there's an infiltrator in the town of Bridewell who is about to unleash a fury of angry convicts, threatening to destroy everything she and the townspeople have known and loved.
Overall, I truly enjoyed rereading it. With talking animals, councils, and inner-city politics, there's certainly a lot to love. It was a fun romp as an adult, but I'd certainly recommend this to children who don't mind mystery and fantasy intertwined, and who appreciate a slow burn.
Review cross-listed here!
Reading this as a child and then an adult was utterly fascinating. Alexa is so young, Pervis is nowhere as old as I thought he was, and oh my god, how is Alexa not traumatized by Warvold just flat out dying next to her? That being said, these differences made, well, all the difference, and certainly made for a nostalgic and fun re-reading experience.
When Alexa Daley goes to Bridewell with her father, as is tradition every summer, she uses her free to time to try to continue to find a way outside of a wall. But this year, the city's founder has died, she's learning more about engraved jewels, and discovers the magic that's lurking in the hills. What could possibly go wrong? What history is true, and what hasn't been discovered yet?
As Alexa attempts to put all the pieces together, she realizes that time is running out, as there's an infiltrator in the town of Bridewell who is about to unleash a fury of angry convicts, threatening to destroy everything she and the townspeople have known and loved.
Overall, I truly enjoyed rereading it. With talking animals, councils, and inner-city politics, there's certainly a lot to love. It was a fun romp as an adult, but I'd certainly recommend this to children who don't mind mystery and fantasy intertwined, and who appreciate a slow burn.
Review cross-listed here!