Enthralling mix of magic and horror.
Ancient forces are at work in the North Yorkshire coastal
town of Whitby. The curse of a long lost magical artefact and a feud that has
survived even beyond death have been revived.
Can Li and Verne join forces with Cherry, the last of the
town’s witches, to stop the plans of Mr Dark and save their home?
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I found the power of dark a very mysterious book. It was a little bit hard to get into in the beginning, but ones I got about a quarter way through it, I didn't want to stop reading. I really like the fact that it is set in Whitby, which makes it whole lot more creepy, due to the fact that Dracula lives there.
ReplyDeleteThe curse of a long lost magical artefact is the main idea of the story. The characters, witches, are perfect for the story and makes the ending a lot better. I think the ending of this story shows that love can make or brake your life.
Overall I would give this book an 9/10, loosing the mark due to the confusing start. Evie G SPS
The Power of dark took me a while to understand and like but I gave it a chance and ended out enjoying it. My favourite part were the flash backs from the past that made the story clearer and more exciting all the events that took place to find out why strange things were taking place in Whitby. I also think it was quite clever to set the town in Whitby that adds to the contest of gothic and robotics since Whitby is where Dracula went in 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. I would give this book 7/10 because the ending was very exciting and tension building that I think amended the beginning.
ReplyDeleteSam Love The Sweyne Park School
The power of dark is a really good book because it has a nice story as it all fits together quite good.
ReplyDeleteKhan gbhs
The Power of Dark is a really good book, the atmosphere is really creepy and I cant wait for the sequel. The creepy storm was a great way to kick of the unnatural events. Whitby was a great place for a setting as a lot of mystery shrouds that area.
ReplyDeleteMorgan GBHS
The power of dark starts slow and starts to get faster later on. I didn't under stand at the start but then I started to get the concept. After that it was really good but sad.
ReplyDeleteCenk GBHS
I really loved because it was gripping and it made sense to me but not at the beginning but they explained it.
ReplyDeleteJosh GBHS
I think Power of Dark was a very good book; however, I thought it was very slow and confusing at first... Also, it was very gripping at some points but it would be better if the battle was a bit longer although this was not the point. I could picture the setting very well due to the excellent description made by the author. Despite this, it was a very good book and I can't wait for the sequel.
ReplyDeleteMichael, GBHS
Really, really good book.I loved it! it tended to dragin some places but was very gripping. there was a bit of an anticlimax after the huge build up to the battle, but very good overall
ReplyDelete8.5/10
Will S-KEGS
When I did the drama performance for this book I was instantly pulled in. Lil and Vern are just two ordinary children in the very abnormal town of Whitby. When a storm hits the small village, the two can tell something is wrong. Unfortunately, when I came to reading this book, I was incredibly disappointed. The first half of the book was a complete disaster. The main characters were completely overshadowed by what happened 400 years ago and Vern is not included enough. The main plot was flat and lacked excitement. The characters were hardly believable and lifeless
ReplyDeleteI would give it a 4 out 10
Lucas, Sweyne Park School
When I first read this it was really boring and I didn't understand it.
ReplyDeleteShujivan Mehavarnan - King Edwards Grammar School.
I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I was part of it. It is quite complicated however when you get near the end, everything fits together, like a jigsaw.I wonder what happens next... I would rate this 8/10.
ReplyDeleteAkshay A, KEGS
its a really good book I really enjoyed it
ReplyDeleteWhen I looked at the front cover and blurb, I didn't think that I would enjoy reading this book. However, after a few chapters, I was really drawn to the adventures of Lil and Verne. The dark magic is fascinating and kept me hooked to the end. 7/10
ReplyDeleteEmma Year 8 Hockerill Anglo-European College
at the start I found it a bit tricky to understand at the start but then soon got into the book.my favourite character is mrs.Wilson because she thinks she is a which and is very gothic. I quite like the sound of the dog sally and I think it was a great idea to make her deaf and blind
ReplyDeleteAshlee year 7 TTC
The power of dark is an excellent book with a great mixture of mystery, suspense and magic. I liked the fact that Whitby has connections with Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' and other dark forces as well as some of the creatures that live there. The characters themselves are described very well and the way they react to what happens to their town is very realistic. I loved the detailed illustrations that we also in the book which are very life-like and also fit with the text which is a good thing. I thought that the comedy parts in the book were very funny especially Sally the 'furry bagpipe'. Overall The Power of Dark has been a great read and I would love to read the sequel. I would rate it 9/10.
ReplyDeleteRobert-KEGS
Power Of Dark at the start was really hard to get into , however once I got to the 3rd chapter it started to get interesting. I have nearly finished it now and I think its quite good . I like how quirky everyone's parents are. I would rate it 7/10.
ReplyDeleteDaisy Great Baddow High School
The power of dark was one of the best books I've ever read (and I have read a lot of books). I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteLucia Chelmsford County High School.
I am finding this book really hard to get into,but I am still reading it I hope that the book gets easier to understand.
ReplyDeleteI think the power of the dark has a really good plot that fits well together, I have found it very interesting and would definitely recommend it to anyone else. I would rate it 9 1/2 out 10.
ReplyDeleteChelmsford County High School for Girls
I found the plot was quite interesting, although I didn't like the fact that most of the story was set in the past and not in the future. The story of the past was quite good, but in the present the story was quite flat and not very exciting. Not much of the story was actually in the present. I would give it 5/10
ReplyDeleteLewis, Sweyne Park School
this book is really good now that I am starting to get into it,it was tricky at first but it gets easier.
ReplyDeletebryher ttc yr 7
This book is my second book that I have read I have really enjoyed it.It was hard to get into but amazing once you have.It is based on a girl and a boy who live on different sides of Whitby and there is a potential fight brewing-magic verses science. I find that it has a great plot and will definitely be looking out for more books by robin Jarvis.
ReplyDeletebryher ttc yr7
I loved this book, especially the characters (Cherry Cersie was my favourite). I would rate it 7/10 stars. Anais Abrahams Boswells school.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book, especially the characters (Cherry Cersie was my favourite). I would rate it 7/10 stars. Anais Abrahams Boswells school.
ReplyDeleteA good storyline, but confusing.It's hard to follow this book and many things have to be reread. 5/10
ReplyDeleteOlivia Year 7 - Hockerill Anglo-European College
I love the book and the plot, I would rate it 10/10. My favourite character is probably Verne, I think what he finds in the ground with the hand is an amazing thing to find. I love how the badges just kept popping up in the book every now and then.I would definitely recommend this book! Jodie.A The Boswells School
ReplyDeleteI found this book full of mystery, one of my favourite styles of book. I loved how there were two stories going on at the same time: Verne and Lil's story and Melchior Pyke and Scaur Annie's story. I got a bit confused near the end but apart from that, it was a fantastic read! I would rate it 8/10 and recommend it to everyone.
ReplyDeleteSofia Barker CCHS
At first I was a bit unsure about this book because I don't really like sci-fi or horror, and that was my first impressions, based on the front cover. I then read the blurb and was slightly more intrigued. When I first started reading I found it quite confusing with all of the characters in the sections about Scour Annie, but I really liked how it kept flicking back between her world and Lil's. I also really enjoyed it when both the worlds joined together at the end. I thought there was an interesting twist at the end and I cant wait to read the sequel as the book was left on a cliffhanger. Overall I would rate this book 7/10 stars!
ReplyDeleteAbi Quaye
Year 8
Moulsham High School
I have just started this book, and I cant keep track of what is happening!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte G GBHS
At first I thought that I wouldn't like this book because it is not the usual genre that I would choose but I was hooked by the end of the first page!! I rate this book a 9/10!! Well done Robin Jarvis, you have created an amazing story!!
ReplyDeleteJess GBHS
When I started reading this book I got confused with because I didn't know where the character were. I loved the the book a lot because of the way something was going on all the time an there was no stopping. I would rate this book 9/10 because it kept me hooked in. Lotti
ReplyDeleteI thought this book was good - especially with the incantations and the witchcraft and the NIGHTMARE CHASER! I don't even know if those actually exist! I even appreciate the detailed pictures - it gives a precise image of the description. I also liked how there was a female protagonist and a male deuteragonist! I give it 10/10!
ReplyDeleteFaraz Gul, KEGS
The small coastal town of Whitby is in grave trouble, a feud of two lovers once engrossed in passion for one another, now are at each other’s necks. A strange power has been awoken In Whitby, the curse of a dangerous artefact will leave no survivors; it’s up to Lil and Verne to stop it… This book I truly LOVED I think the whole concept and idea is brilliant, it’s as if Robin Jarvis bled his imagination across 278 pages of pure BRILLIANCE! The characters are AMAZINGLY thought up, Lil… Her parents are witches yet she doesn’t believe in magic is just one example of many more. The plot twists are well done and the story is easy to follow.
ReplyDeleteI would rate this 9/10
-Aidan_Boswells
I agree entirely :):):):):):):)
Delete-Sophia santini
Moulsham High School
I did not like this book, I found it hard to get into and equally as hard throughout. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in dark magic and plot twists. it wasn't my type of book so I didn't really enjoy reading it. I rate this book 4/10.
DeleteSophie TTC
I think it was a very good book because it was a very thrilling and adventurous. It was a bit confusing at the beginning but they explain everything as you go through the book. I would rate it 8/10. Beauchamps High School. By Ayeisha Thomas.
ReplyDeleteI have just finished this book and I think it is a powerful and compelling read. the characters were funny and believable. I was able to relate to one of the main characters (Lil) as her personality visibly resembled my own. the plot is intriguing and well written. I really enjoyed this book!:) By Sophia Santini (year 7) from Moulsham high school.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, this was not a very compelling read since it lacked some complexity. I quite enjoyed the beginning and thought that this new mystery of the Nimius, the witches and all the supernatural meddling interesting;but then the book really waan't able to take these mysteries and ideas and breathe life into it. I found that both characters were rather simplistic and unrealistic - and though I tend to enjoy supernatural and fantasy books - I found this one lacked a sense of originality. Personally, I think that the book would be better if we were able to relate to the characters more and if the book had a slightly more intriguing and powerful end. Nonetheless, I would probably rate this book 6/10.
ReplyDeleteHur S, KEGS
Personally, this book wasn't really my style and so I didn't really like reading it that much. However, I thought that there was no lack of mystery and originality, like with Verne's amazing invention of the miniature machinery of the electric chair in his sleep. I liked that part because I had no idea what the outcome of Lil would be. I didn't really like it as much as I enjoyed the other books, but it was a fairly good read.
ReplyDeleteI would rate this book a 5/10 as it was a good book but not my taste.
Olivia, Year 8, DFS
I thought this book was very mysterious and thrilling. Although, it didn't really compel me to read the book all at once ( like other books do !) but I did think it was very descriptive and imaginative. I would rate this 7/10 because , although it was very thrilling it wasn't the type of book I would like to read .
ReplyDeleteKate , Y8 DFS
I thought this book was very mysterious and thrilling. But it was also very slow and confusing at the start but got faster and a lot more interesting in the middle. I loved the amazing and vast use on description. I would rate this 8/10 it was good but its not the sort of book I would read. I would recommend this to over 11 year olds.
ReplyDeleteBY Erosan at TTC
The Power of the Dark, started up quite slowly in the home town of Dracula. The detailed description brought the whole book to life with amazing supernatural beings. However, we were holding on by our fingernails for the first hundred pages before I finally got hooked. From then on desperate to find out what was next I was reading this book all the time.
ReplyDeleteThe characters feel really real while some of the clichés are a bit odd. The central characters of Lil and Verne were interesting and their friendship was falling apart through the whole book. Annie was almost disappointing and her handling of situations was odd, she was totally unexpected and held that half of the book on Knife point.
The climax reached however is adventurous and the time warp brings us into it. The problem is that the immediate anti-climax spoils the whole thing. The gothic of Whitby comes across from Lil and I think the grave cosy’s make the East Cliff be more relatable too as well as steering us away from the gothic coming from that side of the river. Some of the imagery in the battle is a bit disturbing but a walking battle toaster sounds more effective than the airship.
The west cliff was more fun and the total contrast made you feel that the East cliff should have no contact with the West, I concept later reached. The hidden supernatural in Dark was also odd as it created one more puppet on a string, dancing a different dance. The way in which people looked at the magic of Whitby was interesting as it barely changed, from getting rid of them to ignoring them it related the past and present as if it were the same.
This is an interesting start to a series and I wonder where it will go next, I think that this is a successful story overall and I am glad I have read something in total contrast to the other groups.
Matthew W. KEGS
6/10
I am Aston from Moulsham High School
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book, it had me wondering until the very end what the title was on about. I enjoyed this book and its many twists. The setup of the book was great and I really enjoyed the location/idea . The book throughout was exciting and mysterious giving just enough detail to make me keep guessing but not giving the rest of the story away. I really like this book and wondered if there is /will be another one. If so I really hope that Verne will have some sort of powers so he can still help Lil as the powers were amazing. I give this book 8/10.
I enjoyed the creative ideas and interesting characters
I really enjoyed the power of dark and even though it confused me sometimes it was really interesting. I loved all the characters and especially lils cute dog. I would give this book 8/10.
ReplyDeleteMaia,Sweyne park school.
When I first saw the front cover, I was a bit uncertain about power of dark because it seemed quite mysterious and a bit more mystical than I would normally like, yet when I finished this book I really like the plot idea and the slight plot twist at the end. It did take a while to get into it and for a while I was slightly confused with a few of the characters, but it did all come together at the end of the book. What made it really interesting was that it was very unique compared to other books and I haven't seen anything like it before.
ReplyDeleteLucy, Moulsham high school, rating 7/10
This book is extremely interesting and mystical. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, Although at the beginning of the book the story is very complicated the plot comes together and I really enjoyed this book despite it not being the genre I would usually read. My favourite character is Cherry Cerise! Overall I would give this book 7/10.
ReplyDeleteFrances.H Boswells
The Power of Dark took me a little while to get into, but once I did it was quite good. I like that the plot was not too hard to follow to start with, but that it got more complicated as it went on, because it gave me a chance to work out what was going on. I thought that the change between the two stories made it much more interesting and helped to pick up the pace, so that it wasn't just about one thing all the time.
ReplyDeleteI thought the development of the story was really nice, especially the part set in the past, as it created suspense but did not leave to many mysteries by the end of the book. One thing that I really liked about the book was that I felt as though all if my questions had been completely answered, so I wasn't left guessing about anything.
A down side was the dog dying, which if I'm honest, I thought was a little bit unnecessary, as it King of ruined the happy ending, but I guess it added to Lil's power, which was good, as it gave me an idea of what she was able to do.
In all, I quite enjoyed this book, despite my initial thoughts, and would give it 7/10
Charlotte B
Boswells
I personally that this book wasn't really my style and so I didn't really get fully into it. However, I thought that there was no lack of unexpected twists and turns and uniqueness, like with Verne's amazing invention of the miniature machinery of the electric chair in his sleep. I liked that part because I had no idea what the outcome of Lil would be. One of my other favorite things about this book was when we learned about all of the magical aspects of Whitby like how Dracula landed there and all the other little quirks.It was a fairly good read.I would rate this book a 5/10 as it was a good book but not my type.
ReplyDeleteAleksandra Nikolova
Davenant Foundation School
The very sudden twists were quite unique but the invigorating and thrilling nature of it was enormously entertaining.
ReplyDeleteFRANCESCA TTC
The Power of Dark is a very mysterious book. From the start it starts of a bit mysterious but then the level of mysteriousness (I don't even know if that is a word) escalates until everything is suddenly revealed right at the very end. I like the unique style of writing with a few pictures to illustrate the mysterious creatures. Although the beginning isn't really that interesting, when I read more, it turned out to be an awesome page-turner of a book! My favorite character is Cherry Cerise due to the fact that she has amazing secrets but everyone thinks that she is crazy! I rate it 8/10 due to the fact that it finishes at a cliffhanger but I really do hope that you write a sequel to this book!
ReplyDeleteEashwar B King Edwards VI Grammar School
The power of dark was a strange but interesting book. I didn't enjoy it as much as others have but it was still interesting and had some funny features to it. My favourite part was when scaur Annie came flying through the window of Lil's bedroom, even though it was quite creepy it was funny in a way beacuse if a skeleton flew through my window i would be very scared.
ReplyDeleteMollie Makepeace
Sweyne park school
The power of dark is a good book but it was not for me as I struggled to get into it, this book is for people who like dark stories
ReplyDeleteI rate this book 4/10
Willow TTC
The power of Dark is an incredibly intriguing and original book, which I absolutely loved! It took a while to get into, as it was quite confusing at the beginning because nothing really made sense...yet. On the other hand, I loved this, because it kept me gripped and hanging onto the edge of my seat, wanting to know if the town of Whitby really would be destroyed!!! I absolutely loved Cherry Cerise's character because she was so bold with her bubbly personality and would do anything to save Lil and the town. Overall, I would rate this book a 8/10!
ReplyDeleteMaisie, Sweyne Park :)
This book has such an interesting plot line. I loved all the twists and the flashbacks. The story had me spellbound and i couldn't put it down. Out of the books I have read so far, this is my favourite. My favourite character was Sally the dog or "the furry bagpipe" as she was nicknamed. my heart broke at the end when she was buried by Lil. Overall I rate it 9.5/10
ReplyDeleteTiegan Crisp, Boswells School.
Brilliant! I loved the plot, the descriptions and the suspense in this awesome book. The ending was really interesting, so sad to see Sally die. My favourite character was Cherry, she was so cool! 10/10 for sure
ReplyDeleteSam Post
KEGS
I loved Power Of Dark, it made me wonder what is going to happen. A very mysterious and adventure book (my two favourite genres merged in together.
ReplyDeletei thoughrally enjoyed the power of dark as it was intense and suspenseful. i think that robin jarvis is a fantstic author and should definately keep writing. i would rate this book 10/10 because i love fantasy and magic books.
ReplyDeletekeira dunnell, sweyne park school
power of dark is very spooky. i didn't like the pictures as they were a bit scary but the actual story was very good. it is a 9/10. i only gave it 9/10 because of the pictures if they were better it would definitely be 10/10.
ReplyDeleteRosie TTC
Power of dark is a very unique book and I haven't read a book like it. I really enjoyed the book and found it was quite a page turner, even though at points I struggled to follow the story line! My favourite part of the book is when the witch yarn bombs the town to make people happy, as we have been trying to learn to knit and put it around Great Baddow ( but it has proven to be quite difficult). This is one of my favourite books as I felt many emotions when reading this book and it broke my heart when Lil was buried. I really liked the book and the pictures intrigued me as they were quite unusual.
ReplyDeleteEvie, GBHS
The power of the dark is a spine tingling fantasy book which grabs the readers attention. I thought this book was quite unique and I really enjoyed reading it. I would rate it an 8/10.
ReplyDeleteFlorrie,SPS
Power of the dark is a amazing book and I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletethe book was very intriguing but I did start to read slower when it got to the past although I love gothic and steampunk so as you cold imagine I loved the book so I rate it 10/10 and its now my 2nd favourite book
Evie,SPS
I think this book is amazing too and I really enjoyed it this my 2nd favourite too it is so imaginative and just fantastic
DeleteGeorge SPS
I think this was also a very intriguing book and it is also my second favourite book as well. I would also rate this book 10 out
DeleteOverall I thought the Power of Dark was amazing. It is about a girl called Lil. Lil and her best friend Verne are on quest to find out if her parents are really witches. I would give this book 10/10 for it's descriptive language and the way it describes the characters feelings are amazing. It encourages the reader to read on.
ReplyDeleteSarah
Brentwood Ursuline
I thought this book was very dark and there were lots of different characters in the book. I read the first five pages and I knew that this book was going to be good. 6/10
ReplyDeleteAlfie Year 7 - Hockerill Anglo-European College
It is not a very good book in my opinion, however, it describes things well and has good illustrations matching the description. It's about Lil and her town, what happened and how did it happen.
ReplyDeleteFlorence Year 7 - Hockerill Anglo-European College
The Power of Dark was the book that I wanted to read from the beginning. However, it took me two tries to actually get into it. The beginning was so difficult to get into and I didn't enjoy the first 100 pages at all. Yet, this book definitely redeemed itself throughout the rest of the story.
ReplyDeleteThe characterisation was, I thought, perfect. The definite split between modern day technology and medieval witchcraft was pleasing. Constant uncertainty between the characters increases the tension within this story. I loved the characterisation and would vote it a solid 9/10.
The settings were also great within this book. The way that the story was set in Grimsby also increased any tension that was built within the actual story. Grimsby, being a typically depressive and gothic associated town, added that darkness and dimness to the story.
Overall I would rate this book 8/10 due to the fact that it took me so long to actually begin to enjoy the story. I did enjoy it overall, however, and think it has a good chance within the award.
Molly M, yr 8, SPS
I did not enjoy this book. It was not my type of genre and found it difficult to read. I did not finish the book because I found it slow and dull. on the other hand, it is one of my friends favourite books because she said it was unique and it grabbed her attention. 1/10. sorry.
ReplyDeleteEve SPS
I have started this book now and I think that it is amazing. I think that it may be one of my favourite as it is adventurous and eye catching. I also like it because it is not like your everyday book. At the moment I would rate it a 7/10.
ReplyDeleteAbigail Miller
King Harold Academy
The Power of Dark isn't a book I particularly enjoyed as the ideas could have been more original. Also it got a bit confusing at times because there were lots of different things happening all in different places, but I think the characters were described and used well. I rate it 5.5/10
ReplyDeleteSofia Year 7 - Hockerill Anglo-European College
Although The Power of Dark was a very creepy, chilling book, there was lots of humour alongside it meaning that it was light-hearted horror, with constant jokes about Lil's cliché witch parents. It was clever how the book was constantly switching back and forth between past and present, however I couldn't help but feel that the past section was far more emotional and tense than the present section. The mystery built up and up - so much that the ending, when it finally came, actually seemed quite rushed. That said, this book definitely succeeded in creating a spooky, interesting story, and the shadow that the "Mister Dark" cliff-hanger casts over it means that I am looking forward to the next instalment.
ReplyDeleteRating: 7.5/10
Oliver C, KEGS
Power of the dark was a great book and should win the Essex Book Awards. My favourite character was Lily because she was very entertaining and intriguing. I would definitely vote for this book to win the Essex book awards as it was the best book so far. The best part of the book was the ending because it was built up highly and lived up to it. Compared to the other books that were nominated power of the dark definitely made me smile more. The boy in the story was quite annoying but the girl was really smart and humorous which is why she is favourite character. She was also very determined and didn’t and didn’t let go of her goal. I really liked the part when she started knitting and made the town colourful. Overall I think this book was amazing and also entertaining. It should win the Essex book awards by far and I will definitely vote for it.
ReplyDeleteBy Charlotte Goodman, GBHS