Mundie Moms

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Book Review - The Darkangel


By: Meredith Anne Pearce
Published: 1982 but re-released in 2007
Book One in the Darkangel Series
Source: Bought
4 out of 5 stars

Synopsis: (from barnesandnoble.com)
Meredith Ann Pierce wrote The Darkangel, her first novel, when she was just twenty-three. The Darkangel received the IRA Children's Book Award and was named an ALA Best of the Best Books 1970-1982 and a Notable Children's Book.

The servant girl Aeriel must choose between destroying her vampire master for his evil deeds or saving him for the sake of his beauty and the spark of goodness she has seen in him.


I have to say that when I perused through The Darkangel I thought, hmmm, this must be a good book but being written in 1982 perhaps now it's a little dated.

Well, I was sooooooooooo wrong. Although, I will add that I had to be in the mood to read a straightforward fantasy tale. As a warning there is nothing urban in here in case you may be expecting it.

The character of the young Aeriel was so enjoyable because as a reader, you are taking the journey and experiencing everything through her eyes.

The basic plot of the story hooked me from the beginning as the Darkangel takes Aeriel away to be a servant to his thirteen brides and weave cloth for them. I'm sure you can already imagine, there is much more to the storyline and I promise to keep this review spoiler-free.

The writing is elegant and filled with faerie lore and mythology. My favorite character was the Darkangel himself who was written as well as any of the current dark heroes we've recently read. He has a back-story that left me fascinated and wanting to know even more.

I can definitely see why Cassie recommended this as a Mundie Moms Book of the Month. Some of the elements we enjoy in The Mortal Instruments are definitely represented here -- a sense of mystery, adventure and a gorgeously rich mythology are all evident in the story.

I would recommend this for the 13 and up crowd. It's not a fairy tale for Middle Graders. But it will definitely catch the attention of older, more sophisticated teens and ones who can appreciate a good fantasy story.

I rated this 4 out of 5 stars and I do encourage you to pick up this book and read about Aeriel's decision -- should she kill her master or save him?

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