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Type of bind: Hardcover
EAN num: 9780545037396
ISBN number: 0545037395
Label: Orchard Books
Manufacturer: Orchard Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 304
Printing Date: February 01, 2008
Publishing house: Orchard Books
Age index: Young Adult
Sale Popularity Level: 184019
Studio: Orchard Books
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Jonathan Starling's home has been attacked, his dad is in an asylum, he's running for his life, and there's nowhere to hide. Jonathan has stumbled upon London's greatest secret: Darkside. Incredibly dangerous and unimaginably exciting, Darkside is the creepiest place Jonathan has ever seen. It's a world of nightmares and secrets, where fear and evil rule, and Jonathan has to find a way out....
Since Tom Becker learned to hold a pen, he wanted to become a writer. In fact, when he was five years old, he wrote in a notebook that it was his dream was to be an author. Tom studied History at Oxford University and was inspired by the otherworldly atmosphere of this academic institution. He used to spend long days studying and reading in the University library, but now he spends long days writing.
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Rated by buyers 
-
In the book Darkside, Jonathan Starling(a boy who is 14 years old) lives in London, England. He also has never seen his mother. Though he has his dad, Alian Starling and a lady called Mrs. Elwood, his dad never spends time with him. He is always locked up in his study room which Jonathan has never been in before. Since his dad never really comes out of the study room,(except to go to the bathroom and maybe grab some food) Mrs. Elwood drives him to the places he needs to go. Sometimes, Jonathan doesn't even know that his dad is there.
One day, Alian got ill(which is quite normal for him) and got taken to the hospital,so Jonathan wanted to go look in his father's study room. He knew that if anyone had gone in and his dad found out, he would get mad because all of his personal items are inside here. So Jonathan knew Alian would be at the hospital for a while, so he took a look inside.
There were so many things in there. Although everything was scattered, all the important things really stood out to him. He look through one of his books which had details on a book in the London Public Library. It gave a good amount of information about Darkside.(a place where everything is very dangerous) There are ordinary place in London(which are located in the book) where one from "Lightside"(the normal world) can cross to Darkside. But at the library where Jonathon Starling was reading the book, an undercover bounty hunter named Marianne sent from Darkside by Grimshaw(a vampire) is supposed to capture Jonathan Starling and Ricky Thomas.(who has also crossed from "Lightside") Now they try to make their way to escape Darkside alive.
Rated by buyers -
London, England, is known around the world for its historical sites and tourist attractions, as well as for its thriving metropolitan atmosphere. However, London is also notoriously known for its dark past. One may wonder how a place can change so much, especially since the Victorian Age. Yet the past and present still seem to co-exist.
For Jonathan Starling, London is a place that never ceases to interest him. Despite having lived in the capital for most of his life, the 14-year-old finds its atmosphere to be an escape from his troubled school and home life. Jonathan is often in trouble for truancy and lives with his father Alain, a quiet intellectual. They get along well, despite not having much of a relationship. When Alain isn't locked away in his study --- a place that Jonathan has never been allowed in --- he is often in the hospital, gradually recovering from what he refers to as a "darkening." As a result, Jonathan has become self-reliant over the years and tries to care for his father as much as possible. Their neighbor, Mrs. Elwood, provides them support, since Jonathan's mother disappeared years ago. Alain refuses to talk about her, much to Jonathan's frustration.
When Jonathan's father ends up in the hospital again, Jonathan can't help but feel unnerved by the other patients' behavior, even though he has visited the hospital's mental ward many times before. They're afraid, and the atmosphere couldn't be more ominous. Although Jonathan has a strange feeling that something isn't right, he shrugs it off. However, when an apparent burglar breaks into the Starlings' house that night, and deep scratches appear on the door of his father's study, Jonathan begins to think that there is something more here than meets the eye.
His suspicions are strengthened when, the subsequent day upon entering his father's study, he discovers a never-before-seen photograph of his parents and a reference to a book called THE DARKEST DESCENT. Why would anyone want to break into his father's private study, and what secrets has his father been keeping from him?
Jonathan goes to the British Library to check out the rare book and finds a possible link to his father's "darkenings" --- a place called Darkside. Before he can make sense of this surprising discovery, he is befriended by a strange, charismatic woman with fluorescent hair and sweet-smelling perfume named Marianne. When Marianne and her two associates, Humble (a mute giant) and Skeet (a creepy, little bald man), endeavor to kidnap him, Jonathan realizes that he must turn to his father for answers.
As Alain goes in and out of an apparent stupor, he acknowledges Darkside and manages to make reference to "Carnegie," who, a dismayed Mrs. Elwood explains, is an old friend of Alain living in Darkside and can protect Jonathan. Jonathan must find Carnegie, even as the danger becomes alarmingly too close for comfort.
When Jonathan manages to cross over to Darkside, it appears as though he has gone back in time, where factories filled the air with choking, grey soot, and dangerous thieves could be around every corner. The boy tracks down Carnegie, but the introduction isn't exactly what he hoped for when he learns that the private detective is a werewolf --- and narrowly avoids becoming his subsequent meal!
Jonathan learns from the "wereman" about the origins of Darkside --- an alternate version of London founded during the Victorian Age and currently ruled by the descendents of Jack the Ripper --- but he also discovers a potential clue to his past and that, while all the residents come from "bad blood," some are more dangerous than others. It seems as though everyone is after Jonathan, and he must keep his wits about him as he begins to uncover his father's secrets.
Debut novelist Tom Becker transports readers to the thrilling, often creepy (and at times grisly) Darkside in this very first book of a new series that fans of horror, adventure and Victorian history will enjoy. Without a doubt, they will look forward to the release of its sequel, LIFEBLOOD.
--- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle
Rated by buyers -
London, England, is known around the world for its historical sites and tourist attractions, as well as for its thriving metropolitan atmosphere. However, London is also notoriously known for its dark past. One may wonder how a place can change so much, especially since the Victorian Age. Yet the past and present still seem to co-exist.
For Jonathan Starling, London is a place that never ceases to interest him. Despite having lived in the capital for most of his life, the 14-year-old finds its atmosphere to be an escape from his troubled school and home life. Jonathan is often in trouble for truancy and lives with his father Alain, a quiet intellectual. They get along well, despite not having much of a relationship. When Alain isn't locked away in his study --- a place that Jonathan has never been allowed in --- he is often in the hospital, gradually recovering from what he refers to as a "darkening." As a result, Jonathan has become self-reliant over the years and tries to care for his father as much as possible. Their neighbor, Mrs. Elwood, provides them support, since Jonathan's mother disappeared years ago. Alain refuses to talk about her, much to Jonathan's frustration.
When Jonathan's father ends up in the hospital again, Jonathan can't help but feel unnerved by the other patients' behavior, even though he has visited the hospital's mental ward many times before. They're afraid, and the atmosphere couldn't be more ominous. Although Jonathan has a strange feeling that something isn't right, he shrugs it off. However, when an apparent burglar breaks into the Starlings' house that night, and deep scratches appear on the door of his father's study, Jonathan begins to think that there is something more here than meets the eye.
His suspicions are strengthened when, the subsequent day upon entering his father's study, he discovers a never-before-seen photograph of his parents and a reference to a book called THE DARKEST DESCENT. Why would anyone want to break into his father's private study, and what secrets has his father been keeping from him?
Jonathan goes to the British Library to check out the rare book and finds a possible link to his father's "darkenings" --- a place called Darkside. Before he can make sense of this surprising discovery, he is befriended by a strange, charismatic woman with fluorescent hair and sweet-smelling perfume named Marianne. When Marianne and her two associates, Humble (a mute giant) and Skeet (a creepy, little bald man), endeavor to kidnap him, Jonathan realizes that he must turn to his father for answers.
As Alain goes in and out of an apparent stupor, he acknowledges Darkside and manages to make reference to "Carnegie," who, a dismayed Mrs. Elwood explains, is an old friend of Alain living in Darkside and can protect Jonathan. Jonathan must find Carnegie, even as the danger becomes alarmingly too close for comfort.
When Jonathan manages to cross over to Darkside, it appears as though he has gone back in time, where factories filled the air with choking, grey soot, and dangerous thieves could be around every corner. The boy tracks down Carnegie, but the introduction isn't exactly what he hoped for when he learns that the private detective is a werewolf --- and narrowly avoids becoming his subsequent meal!
Jonathan learns from the "wereman" about the origins of Darkside --- an alternate version of London founded during the Victorian Age and currently ruled by the descendents of Jack the Ripper --- but he also discovers a potential clue to his past and that, while all the residents come from "bad blood," some are more dangerous than others. It seems as though everyone is after Jonathan, and he must keep his wits about him as he begins to uncover his father's secrets.
Debut novelist Tom Becker transports readers to the thrilling, often creepy (and at times grisly) Darkside in this very first book of a new series that fans of horror, adventure and Victorian history will enjoy. Without a doubt, they will look forward to the release of its sequel, LIFEBLOOD.
--- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle
Rated by buyers -
I LOVE this book. I stayed up half the night to finish it....the story is well written. It made me feel like I was in Darkside, running through the alleys with the "wereman" and the boys. I read a lot of Young Adult books so I can recommend books to the kids and teens who come to our Library (yes, I do work in a Library.)and I must say Tom Becker will be an author I will suggest. Especially to fans of the Twightlight series by Stephanie Meyer and The Great and terrible Beauty series by Libba Bray. The Darkside books are a little "darker" but in a great, exciting way. I ordered the other 2 in the series and cannot wait for them to arrive! Spinetingling fun!
Rated by buyers -
I enjoyed this book very much. Reminded me of Cirque du Freak. From the very first page I was hooked. It's very much a page turner. I love the twist of vampires and werewolves in it. The mystery to it is just right, it keeps you wanting more. Can't wait to read the subsequent in the series.
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