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Bix's review

The Dark Hills Divide (The Land of Elyon: Book 1)
by Patrick Carman

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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81524.The_Dark_Hills_Divide?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Dark Hills Divide (The Land of Elyon: Book 1)" border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1170998111m/81524.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81524.The_Dark_Hills_Divide?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">The Dark Hills Divide</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/46474.Patrick_Carman">Patrick Carman</a> 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22051452?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a>
 rating: 4 of 5 stars 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 volume in the Land of Elyon series is a recommended reader's advisory selection, with a strong female protagonist. For ages 9-12."
 
 SPL Summary: "Twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is spending another summer in Bridewell with her father. As she begins to unravel the truth about what lies outside the protective barrier around Bridewell and towns nearby, Alexa discovers a strange and ancient enchantment, possibly the work of Elyon, the fabled creator of the land in which she lives."
 
 SLJ: "Grade 4-6 [An] entertaining, accessible fantasy... There's nothing very original about the novel's preindustrial setting or appealing characters... However, the story moves along at a fine clip, with plenty of suspense and action to hold readers' interest."
 
 Kirkus: "[A] real page-turner. Alexa, with her brains, courage and grit, proves to be an appealingly strong female hero and the story... is sure to engage reader interest... Here's a good high fantasy for the girls. Bravo!" 
 
 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1058648?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>

Bix's review
rating:
bookshelves: 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 volume in the Land of Elyon series is a recommended reader's advisory selection, with a strong female protagonist. For ages 9-12."

SPL Summary: "Twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is spending another summer in Bridewell with her father. As she begins to unravel the truth about what lies outside the protective barrier around Bridewell and towns nearby, Alexa discovers a strange and ancient enchantment, possibly the work of Elyon, the fabled creator of the land in which she lives." ...more

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message 1: by Stefanie

05/15/2008 03:39PM

Bix, you sold me with this review. I especially like how you described Alexa as a strong female protagonist- my favorite!