The Dark Hills Divide (The Land of Elyon #1)

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The Dark Hills Divide (The Land of Elyon #1)

by Patrick Carman (Goodreads Author)

3.7 of 5 stars 3.70 · rating details · 9,669 ratings · 587 reviews

A 12-year-old girl learns of her magical destiny in Patrick Carman's first absorbing episode of the Land of Elyon trilogy. Originally self-published to local acclaim and now available on a national scale, Carman's The Dark Hills Divide introduces readers to Alexa Daley, who annually visits the town of Bridewell. Alexa is curious about what lies beyond the massive ramparts...more

Hardcover, 272 pages

Published February 1st 2005 by Scholastic (first published August 2003)

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May 14, 2008 Bix rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens-fantasy-chapter

Alexa, a spirited, independent twelve-year-old growing up in a complex of walled villages, longs for adventure and a chance to see what lies beyond the walls' boundaries. When she discovers a secret passage, she gets her wish, and more adventure than she bargained for in the process. For Alexa has been chosen to save her home from dark forces which seek its destruction, and she must act quickly to unravel the mystery that lurks inside the walls and threatens everything she holds dear. This first...more

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May 16, 2010 Sarah Jo. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fantasy lovers

Shelves: 2010, magic

The Walls are what has kept Bridewell safe.
The Walls keep the unknowns away.
...But the walls will destroy them all.

Alexa is a twelve year old girl from the town of Lathbury in the Land of Elyon. Alexa and her father travel to Eloyn's capitol, Bridewell, for the summer holiday when an old magic deep inside the kingdom's history come to play once more. With the asistence of this old magic Alexa must find who is not who they seem. The very people surronding her are the people she cares about, love...more

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Oct 23, 2009 Sierrah O rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I really like this book because it is fantasy. I really don't know why i like fantasy. This book was really good because Alexa trys to save as many people as she can. She also is just a very caring person like me. The author really didn't explain much about it or what is happening in some parts. Like she told us who she was saving but like not how she saved them. Thats what I don't like about this book. I also like this book because she meets a lot of people who are like monsters but not exactly...more

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Apr 01, 2009 Libby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio-book, children-s-fiction, fantasy

A typical coming of age story, this book describes twelve-year-old Alexa's growing realizations about herself and the world she grew up in. The book presents the age old idea of 'something there is that doesn't love a wall.' Alexa grew up in a community closed off from the rest of the world and her experiences teach about the dangers of remaining sheltered. Although, thankfully, the book wasn't totally predictable, I was able to guess a good portion of the ending.

I was entertained in my reading,...more

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Jan 03, 2009 e.a. rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

3 likes · like · see review

May 15, 2013 B rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, great-for-young-teens, have-re-read, good-read-alouds, want-to-own, juvenile-fiction, favorites

I read this book once when I was in sixth grade and absolutely adored it, so when I saw it at the library I checked it out in a fit of curiosity, unable to remember exactly what it was about or why I had liked it so much.

I read it in one day--compelled both by the quick-thinking, adventurous heroine, and the mystery behind those huge walls and their creator. The characters were indeed very likable. Alexa, the main character, is delightfully quick-witted but does get into plenty of scrapes with...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Veronica rated it 5 of 5 stars

The novel is about an adventurous girl, Alexa Daley. This summer – like every other summer – she’s with her father and visiting a village, Bridewell. For a twelve-year-old she’s eager to solve the mystery of what lies beyond the walls that surround the village. Here she discovers the truth and “exposes a danger that could destroy and change the Land of Elyon forever.” (The last dramatic words from the blurb)

I would recommend this novel, if you like adventure and have a curious mind that’s opened...more The novel is about an adventurous girl, Alexa Daley. This summer – like every other summer – she’s with her father and visiting a village, Bridewell. For a twelve-year-old she’s eager to solve the mystery of what lies beyond the walls that surround the village. Here she discovers the truth and “exposes a danger that could destroy and change the Land of Elyon forever.” (The last dramatic words from the blurb)

I would recommend this novel, if you like adventure and have a curious mind that’s opened to where a story takes you. Since the novel is predominantly in the fantasy genre, with a mix of mystery which I love.

At the beginning of the novel, I smiled at the way Carman introduced the characters to the readers. I felt it was really smart, and might do that in my future writing. I also liked the story about how their land, or world started. It adds a nice touch to continue reading this story.

And I don’t know if it’s the adventure in me, but when Alexa lays out her stash of random items she carries with her, it reminded me of my own handbag, and how there’s an assortment of stuff – ready for adventure, ready for anything.

In addition, I love the characters. One of my special mention includes Grayson, who’s the librarian in Bridewell. And when I was introduced to him, I thought, wouldn't it be awesome to have a personal librarian like Grayson? Fixing books and knowing what you like to read, so reserving those books just for you. In my mind I find that pretty awesome.

Another special mention includes Alexa’s father. He has the humorous lines, that made me laugh out loud.

For instance:

“…Determination is one of your best qualities,” said Ganesh.

“A distant third to my charm and good looks,” added my father.

Of course, Alexa puts in a few witty remarks just like her father:

“I see you’re discovered the fresh strawberry jam,” I said. “Grayson is guzzling it by the gallon. I think he’s a bear dressed up like a man getting an early start on hibernation.”

Overall, it’s funny, unexpected and an engaging read, told in the point of view of Alexa. I was sent into another world, where it was nothing like the present, for the absence technology. Yet at the same time it felt like it was in the olden days because the characters were travelling by horse. However there’s no connection to any past events or history in the world – which I guess explains why it’s in the fantasy genre.

I have to admit, I think the main reason I got this book in the first place was my love for the cover – that home-y vibe. In addition, I find the pages in the book unique because it’s different sizes of sheets giving this manuscript ancient feel.

Any ways, definitely something I would read again, so 5 stars. In addition, I'm glad it doesn't make me want to read the next book. because there’s none of that cliff-hanger feel.(less)

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Oct 21, 2012 AnonymousBookCritics rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, female-protagonist, mg, mystery, quick-read

3 stars
Originally Reviewed 4/15/12

Twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is spending another summer in Bridewell with her father. She looks forward to exploring the old lodge where she stays each year, with its cozy library and maze of passages and rooms. She’s also eager to finally solve the mystery of what lies beyond the immense walls that were built to keep out an unnamed evil that lurks in the forests and The Dark Hills—an evil the townspeople are still afraid of.

As Alexa begins to unravel the truth...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Despair Speaking rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, hope-will-never-forget

The Dark Hills Divide is a simple fantasy book directed to children that has captivated my heart in more ways than I imagined. I do not know why I am so in love with this book; it has the same basic elements of other fantastical children stories and it doesn't really deviate itself from the norm. But the seaming of the lovable characters, the mysterious setting, and the adventure was so well done that it become a beautiful work.

We see from the point of view of Alexa, a gusty and curious girl who...more

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Apr 14, 2012 D.M. Dutcher rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, weird

Odd book about a girl named Alexa in a city entirely walled off from a forest down to the roads coming in and going out. The convicts who built the city and are abandoned outside are falling under the sway of a person named Sebastian, and plan to invade. It's up to Alexa and some talking animals to stop them.

There's just too many odd decisions and twists to make sense. They mentioned building the walls to stave off some evil, but what evil and why are the convicts immune to it? Why does Alexa ne...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Meghan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Ugh. I really, really wanted to love this. It's middle grade fantasy from the POV of the female protagonist. There are talking animals, puzzles, secret passageways, and political conspiracies. Even the idea behind the story is interesting. So what's not to like, right?

Unfortunately, the writing just doesn't live up to the rest of the story. I finished this a couple weeks ago, and the more I think about it, the most frustrated I become. This book desperately needed more editing--or, frankly, a st...more

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Mar 11, 2012 06JenniferS rated it 3 of 5 stars

Alexa travels to Bridewell for the summer with her dad. Many years ago a man named Thomas Warvold borrowed a bunch of convicts from a nearby town to he him build a wall around the city to protect it from the outside world, the problem is that blocking the trouble out is only bringing more trouble in. Alexa goes on a walk with Warvold the same night that he died. After he died Alexa took a silver key from the locket around his neck. She tuned it to unlock a door in the library and follow a tunnel...more

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Sep 11, 2011 Asya Fergiani rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Land of Elyon series geared toward the upper elementary chapter book demographic. This book follows the adventures of a young girl as she ventures into a forbidden area beyond the protective walls of her society. The author explores the downside of living in a cloistered society forbidding the exploration of the unknown and creating penal colonies away from the greater community. Of course this is presented in a way that will be of interest to both children and the...more

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Oct 31, 2010 Larissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

Twelve year old Alexa has spent her whole life confined within the city walls of Bridewell longing to see more, longing to explore a world beyond the walls. But the walls were built to protect those living in the city, they were built to keep the dangers out and it was against the law to leave. But what if the real danger was not outside the walls but within?

Alexa would spend her days in the city playing as a spy, hiding in the shadows. Then when she discovered a key, a secret passageway and a m...more

1 like · like · see review

May 06, 2010 Askaniblue rated it 2 of 5 stars

The book takes place in an interesting world where everyone lives in walled cities connected by walled roads. No one goes beyond the walls ever, though the main character (a young girl) yearns to explore outside the walls. She soon has to venture out when the leader of their cities dies with a warning of a hidden danger. An interesting premise, I grant you, and I have to say the first half of the book was very entertaining. The girl is engaging and you like her immediately. Unfortunately, the mo...more

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Feb 23, 2010 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Alexa Daley travels to Bridewell with her father,Bridewell has many rooms,secrets,and mysteries.Alexa doesnt discover this till her good friend Thomas Warlvold dies vwhile she is spending time with him.She discovers a key after he dies and goes through room after room trying to find where the key fits.She unlocks a magical place called Elyon where she can talk to animals by a certain necklace/stone that she has.She makes alot of animal friends and discovers certain dangers in Elyon.I would say t...more

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Jan 12, 2010 Becky rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mg-fantasy

This book left nearly no impression on me. I read it a couple of months ago and forgot about it entirely until I just glanced at my booklist, and realized that a) I never reviewed it, and b) I can’t actually find my copy of it. But here goes what little I remember.

The world building of the book is a little strange. World building seems to be a favorite thing of writer Patrick Carman, as Jess noted it was a major part of Atherton: The House of Power (another Carman work) when she reviewed it (lin...more This book left nearly no impression on me. I read it a couple of months ago and forgot about it entirely until I just glanced at my booklist, and realized that a) I never reviewed it, and b) I can’t actually find my copy of it. But here goes what little I remember.

The world building of the book is a little strange. World building seems to be a favorite thing of writer Patrick Carman, as Jess noted it was a major part of Atherton: The House of Power (another Carman work) when she reviewed it (link: http://www.active-voice.net/2007/06/1...). But I actually found the world building a bit confusing: first, it was just hard to figure out how the cities were connected and the odd way the wall worked (four cities, with one in the middle and the others connected to it like spokes on a wagon wheel, with a wall running around each city and the roads that connect the cities together, so no one from the cities can ever leave—yes, it is confusing).

After that, it seemed like the walls were very old and no one had ever been beyond them, except that the guy who built them was still around, if old, until the beginning of the story. Apparently, the walls were built to keep out some mysterious evil thing, but what it was or why people should worry about it is barely even hinted at or mentioned. Alexa certainly doesn’t discover it or worry about it too much. It reads very much like Alexa’s big destiny will be as the person who brings the walls down, but without knowing why they were built in the first place, it doesn’t seem like that matters much.

And finally, the whole world seems very small, and there are some references to actual Earth mythology, so it feels like another Atherton-esque “built world.” There are references to Alexa needing to discover why the world was created. But none of that—and no reason why it’s important, or hint of how or why it happened—is given in the book. I’m all for building things up in the series, but the first book was a stand-alone without a greater context given. Hinting at it seems bizarre, when the hints aren’t big enough to have an impact on the story itself. Basically, I feel like either the world itself needed to be more dramatic and mysterious, or a lot less confusing; instead, it’s at a middle ground that leaves me going, “…Huh?”

That was my main impression of the book, several months later. The only other thing that stands out was the character of Pervis Kotcher, who I thought was interesting. He was Alexa’s antagonist, the head guard of Bridewell, who was trying to stop her from sneaking out. A generally rotten guy, he was set up as a villain—but in the end was only antagonizing Alexa, but mostly interested in doing his job. While not the most morally complex character in the world, I appreciated the realness of having a character who the protagonist dislikes (and for valid reason), but who isn’t actually bad or a villain. After all, not all good guys have get along, and not all protagonists have to be nice.

Full review: http://www.active-voice.net/2008/02/0...(less)

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Oct 04, 2011 08jaimev rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Title: The Dark Hills Divide
Author: Patrick Carman
Summary:
This is the first of many books as well. Alexa Daley is twelve years old and thrives on adventure. She lives in a town called Lathbury. But every year at summer time she travels with her father to Bridewell. There are three different towns that are all connected in the Land of Elyon. They are connected by walls. The walls are Alexa Daley's biggest problem of all.
Alexa Daley loves to spy on people and eaves drop. She just loves adventure...more

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Oct 21, 2010 Amalia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: walls

The Dark Hills Divide takes us on an exciting and mysterious adventure as we explore the many walls within our lives. Some of these boundaries we impose upon ourselves, some are put upon us by the society in which we live; some are physical, and some are emotional.

The Land of Elyon is divided into four walled and gated cities joined to each other by walled roads. Every gate in every city is guarded. As far as everyone knows, there is no way to the "other" side of the wall.

Every summer, the leade...more

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Jun 14, 2010 Jessica Leatham rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: english-420

The Dark Hills Divide is the first book in the Land of Elyon series. Alexa Daley has lived her entire life within walls. She feels that she is destined for big things, and it is this feeling that has her constantly wondering about what lies outside the walls. She is not allowed to even try to look outside the large cement structure that separates her society from the supposed evils that lie in the dark forest just beyond the walls. During the summers, she goes with her dad, a large political fig...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Elevetha Houre rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, fantasy-adventure, magic-and-other-magical-substances, middle-grade, mystery, 2010-or-before, own

Alexa Daley, smart and tiny, the daughter of a mayor. She loves her yearly trips with her father to Bridewell, where he takes care of political and such matters and she tries to find a way outside the 80-feet walls that surround Bridewell and the other cities. The wall separates the wild untamed wilderness from the civilized cities and towns. Spyglasses are banned from the town. People treat curiosity towards the outside world as dangerous and harmful. When a series of events leads Alexa undergr...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Sarah Tran rated it 5 of 5 stars

I first found this book as a recommendation during one of the Scholastic Book Fairs back in elementary school. Though I was a bit of a distracted child and went on and off with reading it, once I actually paid attention to finish the book, I wanted to finish the trilogy. The story follows Alexa Daley, another average teenage girl, in a setting that feels like a different place all on its own that you can't quite relate to anything historically. In that, the way it was read created a lovely image...more

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Oct 31, 2011 Aileen rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman is about a spirited and independent twelve year old girl named Alexa Daley. She longs to solve the mystery of what lies beyond the walls that protect and connect the cities of Lathbury, Bridewell, Lunenburg, and Turlock. She finds a tunnel that gives her the opportunity to do just that and she acquires a stone with remarkable powers. She then slowly begins to unravel the truth about the past and future of the Land of Elyon.
This book was well written and c...more

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Jan 19, 2010 Camilla rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Camilla by: people online

Shelves: owned

It was an intriguing albeit familiar story of walled cities; of a curious child wondering what lies outside the tall walls. It was a good young adult fantasy story and the history of why the walls were built were interesting at best. The use of the small colored stones and spyglasses makes it like a child's little game of mystery, but I couldn't relate to the protagonist, Alexa Daley. It could be because I found her 'voice' arrogant and too mature for her age, or was it because the narrative see...more

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Mar 20, 2009 Jess rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Jess by: 6th grade girl

Shelves: z_09, fantasy, juniors

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 28, 2011 athena rated it 3 of 5 stars

HO-LA! Don't you just LOVE the new setup? I do! Right now I am thinking about The Dark Hills Divide, by Patrick Carman. Alexa, the amazing heroine of this series, lives in a walled city, used to keep the monsters of the Dark Hills away. While in the city, she witnesses the death of her very good friend, Warvold. This is just the beginning of an interesting chain of events that results in Alexa discovering a secret that leads her far away, meeting some very strange characters, and trying to save...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Ival Crisp rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm usually not a reader of middle-grade fantasy, yet The Dark Hills Divide is a novel I've enjoyed throughout my childhood. The book begins with twelve-year old Alexa Daley and her father. Readers will notice the strong bond between the two as the story progresses. To me, this is an important aspect of the book. Alexa proves herself a caring daughter, but also and independent adventurer. She deeply loves her father, yet she is not afraid to stray away from him at times to satisfy her curiosity...more

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Oct 23, 2012 Emily added it

Patrick Carman did an amazing job writing Book 1 of The Land of Elyon Series Book 1: The Dark Hills Divide.
Here's my description:
Alexa Daley lives in Bridewell, or at least lives there for her summer each year. She's always dreamed about what life is like on the other side of the walls that encase the village. But, security is strict there, and so she must settle for snooping around in the lodge that she stays at. When the leader, and her friend, Warvold dies, Alexa starts an adventure that is...more

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May 21, 2012 Carmen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: animals, fantasy, gifted-children, mystery, preteen, teen, upper-elementary, survival-adventure

The Land of Elyon consists of cities connected by roads, all surrounded by walls built to keep out the evil forces of the Dark Hills. Alexa has always lived within these walls, but her curiosity drives her to try to peer over the wall to what is out there. She stumbles upon a mysterious passageway leading from the library to the forest outside the walls where she encounters a tiny man named Yipes. Yipes puts her through tests to determine if she is the one who can help defeat a terrible band of...more

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Jan 23, 2009 Jaemi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, fantasy, ya-fiction, series, magic

Alexa Daley has always been curious, and gotten into trouble because of it. But when her old friend, and the founder of life as they know it, suddenly dies, Alexa finds herself in an ever-growing web of trouble she isn’t sure how to deal with.

Alone with Warvold at the time of his death, there are those who suspect Alexa of knowing some secret. But all she really has are questions. Why did Warvold tell her that story about the blind men? What does it mean? What’s really outside the city walls?

Lit...more

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am i the only person who thinks this book is boring???????	12	19	May 12, 2013 01:05pm
I am currently reading it!!!	14	32	May 11, 2013 05:34pm
The Dark Hills Divide or The Fire Within	3	10	Aug 13, 2012 06:26pm
What's The Name o...: Older childrens'/young teen fantasy series (girl with braid on cover)? [s]	2	104	Jun 15, 2012 09:50pm
Akins Hollis Engl...: SSR	1	1	Nov 04, 2011 11:54am
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About Patrick Carman

I have been a lifelong writer and storyteller. Salem, Oregon is where I spent my formative years and I graduated from Willamette University. After college, I spent a decade living in Portland, Oregon where I worked in advertising, game design, and technology.

I've written young adult and children's books for Scholastic, Little Brown Books For Young Readers and Katherine Tegen Books/ HarperCollins P...more

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Beyond the Valley of Thorns (The Land of Elyon, #2)

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Quotes from The Dark Hills Divide

“If bringing down the wall would require you to fly, you must believe you can fly. Otherwise, when the decisive moment comes, you will surely discover you ahve no wings.” — 45 people liked it

“The size of your body is just right. The only question is whether you're big enough inside.” — 30 people liked it

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The Dark Hills Divide (The Land of Elyon #1)

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