Book Review: Knights of the Borrowed Dark by Dave Rudden.
Genre: Middle-Grade; Fantasy.
Goodreads rating: ***** (5 stars).
Read: 17/01/2017 – 19/01/2017
The review:
Been pining for a new dark, fantastical middle-grade novel? Look no further! This book is awesome. With a low lit, foggy atmosphere and the promise of shadowy figures in the night – this book is the way you wish you’d handled your childhood nightmares.
This is the first book in a trilogy that I wish had come out when I was younger. Mainly because now I have to wait for the other two books to be written and released - I have no patience for new books.
Synopsis: Denizen is our cynical protagonist left in an orphanage to wonder about his past and future for nigh on 13 years. Then a mysterious aunt contacts him, asking Denizen to spend a couple of days with her. For what? Denizen wonders, probably to lift her feelings of guilt for never having taken him in all these years. Only Denizen, armed with all these must-answer questions about his past, is knocked so hard out of reality he barely has time to remember where the hell he’s come from. The only thing that remains in his head half the time is that the Knights of the Borrowed Dark will protect him.
Excuse the cliché of an orphan protagonist for a moment and appreciate with me his cynicism.
‘Denizen Hardwick wasn’t the kind of person to believe in special circumstances – in distinguishing freckles or meaningful birthmarks or fortuitous aunts.
Denizen was a sceptic.’
He doesn’t believe in fairy tales and unlike the other kids in his orphanage he doesn’t fantasise of a rich family member coming to save him from his bleak circumstances. He’s incredibly realistic in his situation. Learning all he can in his studies so that he may have a better chance of higher education once he leaves at the age of 18. He’s not actually okay with his situation but he’s accepted it for what it is, inauspicious and lonely.
His side eye and frown game is strong. He keeps a constant level of scepticism throughout the book. As though he has yet to fully believe in this new found, monster filled world.
Malleus Vivian Hardwick is a 5000-piece puzzle. Foreboding and quiet. Her scarred and muscular physique towers everyone in Seraphim Row. But somehow everything she does is for not only the greater good but for her people – Grey, Darcie, Jack, D’Aubigny, and Abigail. She’s an armour clad protector of the world, and therefore a BAMF.
The storyline is simple and promising – an ordinary boy thrust into a world hidden to all but those vowing their lives to protect it. Its promise comes from the progression of not only the plot but the magic system within. New characters are brought in oozing with new abilities and knowledge.
Seriously, this is such an entertaining read and so easy to do so. Go get this goddamn book.
Also, this cover is so beautiful, like UGH!