Customer Reviews

Darkside

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jonathan Starling cannot remember his mother, and his father barely speaks to him when they pass each other in the hall. Most of his father's time is spent in the study, behind the only locked door in the house. Jonathan would give anything to get into that room and find out what keeps his father in such a secretive state of mind. That is, until the day his father is placed in an asylum and Jonathan finds himself trapped in the very room he wanted to enter. Barricading himself behind the door to escape the claws of his attacker, Jonathan calls his only friend, Mrs. Elwood, for help.

Finding an old photograph of his mother in the study prompts Jonathan to follow mysterious clues his father has scribbled on little scraps of paper, tucked away in ragged books. A rare text located in the British Library gives Jonathan the nudge he needs to confront his dad about his mother's disappearance and a hidden part of London called Darkside.

As Jonathan visits his father in the hospital where he is recovering from "the darkening," he begins to uncover secrets that will lead him into unraveling the mysteries of his past and ultimately force him to try and save his father's life, and his own.

British author Tom Becker wanted to become an author as soon as he learned to write. At 25 years of age, he has created a wonderful teen novel in his first book, Darkside. From Carnegie, the werewolf detective, to Mrs. Elwood, the neighbor who is more of a mother to Jonathan than a friend, Becker's characters are imaginative and well thought out.

Darkside is an easy to read, attention-grabbing work that will keep teen readers interested and looking forward to the next book in the series.

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.

What a wonderful book. It took no time to finish it (probably because I didn't want to put it down). The story takes place in London. There are two places to live in London. One is the Darkside and the other is the Lightside. Usually everyone lives in the Lightside. Most people don't even know of the Darkside and the ones that do tend to go a little crazy. Darkside was made a long time ago when they decided to get rid of all the 'bad' people. Now it's a very scary and dangerous place to go especially for a Lightsider. But Jonathan has to do just that. There he meets many interesting people/creatures, has many close brushes with death and is on the most scary adventures of his life.
This is the first book of what I'm sure to be a wonderful series. If you like a bit of horror and something that gives you chills in the night, then you'll love this book. Not for the timid though.

Jonathan Starling likes being invisible. It allows him to sneak off whenever he wants, usually without getting caught. But when his home is attacked and a strange trio start pursuing hum, Jonathan finds he's not as invisible as he'd like to be. There are some people--or things--extremely sinister hinting through London for Jonathan, connecting far back into his family's past with secrets he never knew existed. It all leads back to Darkside, a dangerous place for otherworldy creatures like vampires and werewolves, a place of Jonathan's heritage and where he must find refuge with his sick father's old friend. But is coming to Darkside really any safer than the London Jonathan already knows?

Fast-paced and full of danger and excitement, Darkside is an enthralling read. The story is mostly plot-driven, but that isn't a bad thing since Becker creates action exceedingly well. There is something so thrilling about Darkside, partially because of its sinister atmosphere and inhabitants and partially because it's hidden nearly in plain sight in the middle of London. I love how Becker expertly sets the coexistence of Darkside and Lightside, or the world as Jonathan used to know it; it open up realms of possibilities for trouble. As with many action novels, the characters could've been better developed; in fact, with the descriptiveness of Becker's writing, I'm surprised Jonathan and the other characters didn't feel more real because despite Jonathan's central role, the most that can be understood about him is his sheer determination. Also, I would've appreciated learning more of Jonathan's and Darkside's histories since disappointingly little was revealed. Still, I found Darkside a highly entertaining read and one with lots of potential for a sequel.

This action-filled story will be enjoyed by fans of Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer and Foundling by D.M. Cornish. I look forward to reading Darkside's sequel, Lifeblood.

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 next 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), attempt 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, black 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 next 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 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

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 next 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), attempt 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, black 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 next 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 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

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!

I enjoyed this book very much. Reminded me of Cirque du Freak. From the 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 next in the series.

Picture a windy dark night. The rain is hammering against the house. The lights are flickering from the wind pounding the power lines. The rest of the house is asleep. The clock slowly inches towards 2:00am.

Does that catch your attention? Well, I had to set the mood for how I found myself last night with the horrible weather and DARKSIDE in my hands. I had spent the better part of the day in bed with a migraine. So, finally feeling better, the rest of the family was asleep, and I was wide awake. And in more ways than one.

DARKSIDE had my pulse racing from page one, and with the weather conditions going on outside, I wasn't sure if I should keep reading or put the book down and wait until the sun came out the next day. But I was already wrapped up in the developing story of Jonathan Starling and his journey to Darkside.

Jonathan is fourteen, a loner, and can pretty much do as he pleases. His father is often hospitalized for what he calls "the darkening," leaving Jonathan to fend for himself. After his father's latest hospital admission, Jonathan and their neighbor, Mrs. Elwood, venture off to find Carnegie.

Jonathan has never heard of this Mr. Carnegie before, and Mrs. Elwood is evasive. Driving toward the Thames River, Mrs. Elwood's car is attacked. The passenger door is literally ripped off the side of the car. Mrs. Elwood tells Jonathan to run, and the heart-pounding adventure begins.

Jonathan has investigated his father's study (which he has usually found locked) and discovered references to this Darkside. His father has never mentioned it before, and Jonathan can only surmise it is the reason behind his dad's illness. Following hints he's uncovered, he is able to find his way to Darkside and to the well known Mr. Carnegie.

Darkside is the opposite of Lightside, or the world as we know it. Darkside is the meanest, vilest parts of London. Inhabited by the likes of weremen, vampires, and the progeny of Jack the Ripper, Jonathan is forced to survive if he has any hope of helping his dad recover from his latest hospital admission.

Mr. Becker has written a fast-paced, page-turning adventure. I am not usually a fan of the fantasy genre, but I was pulled into the action of the book from the first page. The story is a bit graphic in the descriptions of Darkside, so the younger reader should be warned. But the book was quite thrilling and the ending has been left open for more adventures featuring Jonathan and Carnegie.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr